M(1)7-
The following shows the numbers of burials (including cremations, etc.) during the ten years 1930 to 1939:-
1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 16,482 18,742 20,300 18,238 18,682 20,648 23,874 31,503 36,138 44,794There were no serious epidemics other than an outbreak of cholera during the year and the large increase in the number of deaths can only be attributed to the rapid growth of the Colony's population.
(vi) Premises Licensed or Admitted to Registration.--Table XII shows the number of premises licensed or admitted to registration by the Urban Council.
(vii) Hawkers Licences.-The number of licences of each class issued or renewed up to 30th September, 1939, was as follows:-
Hawkers (Stallholder's) Licences 11 '' (Steamship) (Native Craft) 2 " (Itinerant) 1,240 (Newspaper) 134 Total 8,500 415 10,404(vii) Factories and Workshops. The industrial life of the Colony maintained its level throughout the year in spite of the hostilities in China and towards the end of the year in Europe. Some difficulty was experienced in getting raw materials that were formerly obtained from Europe but that is gradually being overcome. Several new industries have opened up including the manufacture of matches, and of buttons from nuts and cocoanut shells. There was a steady increase in the number of factories particularly in weaving and knitting, hardware, and shirt and pyjama makers. Factories producing gas respirators and war implements for the Central Government of China have also increased. The output of rubber shoes, electric hand torches, batteries and bulbs, etc. for the Empire and oversea markets was well maintained. Latterly the ban on Hong Kong manufactured goods into Singapore has had its effect on the smaller producers and some have gone out of business. Factories were regularly visited during the year.
Extensions of working hours under by-law 8(2) of the Factories and Workshops Ordinance No. 18 of 1937 were granted in several instances for special reasons.
Working conditions have much improved and more factory type buildings were erected.
More industrial undertakings opened up in the New Territories and several applications were received to erect factories, including another match factory on the New Territories islands.