1887-1903
HONG KONG, 1902.
Under normal conditions the progress of this industry may now reasonably be considered as assured, but the possibility of an annual recurrence of plague which experience has proved drives many of the workpeople from the Colony, owing to their strong dislike to the measures instituted by the Sanitary Authorities, is a factor which must not be overlooked in attempting a forecast.
The sugar industry had many adverse conditions to contend against during the year which was a most unprofitable one. Chief amongst these was the continued competition with bounty-fed beet sugars, which low prices in Europe (the result of enormous overproduction) allowed of being placed in Eastern markets at a level never before reached. The preferential treatment accorded to refineries in Japan and the very onerous conditions there to be contended against, constitute a very severe handicap to trade with that country, which was formerly an important outlet for the production in Hong Kong. Scarcity of water and greatly increased cost of labour were factors which further conduced to an unfavourable result to local refineries.
In other respects the outlook for industrious enterprise in Hong Kong is on the whole promising.
(C.) FISHERIES.
A considerable proportion of the boat-population of Hong Kong supports itself by deep-sea fishing, in which pursuit a large number of junks are engaged. In the immediate neighbourhood of the Colony, or within its territorial waters, the fishing industry has not assumed any considerable dimensions. About $2,000 was paid into the Treasury during the year from fees for fishing stakes and station licences in the New Territory.
(D.) FORESTRY, BOTANICAL SCIENCE, AND AGRICULTURE.
Nearly 6,500 new trees were planted in Hong Kong during the year, and more than 31,500 in the New Territory, the majority being pines. It has been found that camphors will grow successfully in the New Territory and nearly 3,000 of these trees were planted in the neighbourhood of the new Taipo Road.
Forestry and botanical work generally made good progress during the year, though hampered to a considerable extent by the excessive drought in the Spring, and the severity of the typhoons during July.
Good experimental work is carried on by a Chinese gentleman in the New Territory, who has under cultivation sugar cane, mulberries, and various fruit trees, flowers, and vegetables. As the cultivation is carried on strictly according to Western methods, and with the assistance of Government, it is hoped that the Chinese of the New Territory will benefit by this excellent object lesson.
373
Page 380
Page 381
1887-1903
HONG KONG, 1902.
Under normal conditions the progress of this industry may now reasonably be considered as assured, but the possibility of an annual recurrence of plague which experience has proved drives many of the workpeople from the Colony, owing to their strong dislike to the measures instituted by the Sanitary Autho- rities, is a factor which must not be overlooked in attempting a forecast.
The sugar industry had many adverse conditions to contend against during the year which was a most unprofitable one. Chief amongst these was the continued competition with bounty- fed beet sugars, which low prices in Europe (the result of enor- mous overproduction) allowed of being placed in Eastern markets at a level never before reached. The preferential treatment accorded to refineries in Japan and the very onerous conditions there to be contended against, constitute a very severe handicap to trade with that country, which was formerly an important outlet for the production in Hong Kong. Scarcity of water and greatly increased cost of labour were factors which further conduced to an unfavourable result to local refineries.
In other respects the outlook for industrious enterprise in Hong Kong is on the whole promising.
(C.) FISHERIES.
A considerable proportion of the boat-population of Hong Kong supports itself by deep-sea fishing, in which pursuit a large number of junks are engaged. In the immediate neigh- bourhood of the Colony, or within its territorial waters, the fishing industry has not assumed any considerable dimensions. About $2,000 was paid into the Treasury during the year from fees for fishing stakes and station licences in the New Territory.
(D.) FORESTRY, BOTANICAL SCIENCE, AND AGRICULTURE.
Nearly 6,500 new trees were planted in Hong Kong during the year, and more than 31,500 in the New Territory, the majority being pines. It has been found that camphors will grow suc- cessfully in the New Territory and nearly 3,000 of these trees were planted in the neighbourhood of the new Taipo Road.
Forestry and botanical work generally made good progress during the year, though hampered to a considerable extent by the excessive drought in the Spring, and the severity of the typhoons during July.
Good experimental work is carried on by a Chinese gentleman in the New Territory, who has under cultivation sugar cane, mulberries, and various fruit trees, flowers, and vegetables. As the cultivation is carried on strictly according to Western methods, and with the assistance of Government, it is hoped that the Chinese of the New Territory will benefit by this excellent object lesson.
373
Page 380Page 381
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