386
4
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
to the Shun Lee and Wa Sun trading between ports outside the Colony for the most part of the year.
Foreign ocean-going vessels have increased by 343 ships of 262,141 tons or 8.3 per cent. in numbers and 3.6 per cent. in tonnage. This is explained by a small increase in Chinese, French, Portuguese, and United States ships of smaller tonnage, and a large increase in Dutch ships of a larger tonnage.
Foreign river steamers show a decrease of 669 ships of 196,501 tons or 41.3 per cent. in numbers and 23.3 per cent. in tonnage. This is due to the Shing Cheong and Luen On being taken off the run early in the year and since sold.
In steamships not exceeding 60 tons employed in foreign trade, there is an increase of 81 ships and an increase of 2,290 tons, or 1.3 per cent. in numbers and 112 per cent. in tonnage. This is due to a greater demand for towage of junks to Canton with coal and rice.
Junks in foreign trade show an increase of 1,020 vessels of 15,657 tons or 3.9 per cent. in numbers, and 4.9 per cent. in tonnage. This increase may mostly be put down to a greater demand on the carriage of coal to Canton formerly carried by ocean steamers.
In local trade (i.e., trade between places within the waters of the Colony), there is a decrease in steam launches of 10,452 vessels with a decrease in tonnage of 209,040 tons or 1.9 per cent. in numbers, and 1.6 per cent. in tonnage. This is due to the increase in foreign trade and to several launches being laid up as the owners found it too expensive to run them on account of the high cost of coal.
Junks show a decrease of 10,921 vessels and 58,390 tons or 44.5 per cent. in numbers, and 68.2 per cent. in tonnage. This is chiefly due to reclamation of foreshores in the Colony being at a standstill on which to a great extent this trade depends, a number of stone junks being laid up.
The actual number of individual ocean-going vessels of European construction during 1917 was 750, of which 259 were British and 491 foreign. In 1916 the corresponding figures were 717, 281 British and 436 foreign.
These 750 ships measured 1,642,911 tons. They entered 4,023 times and gave a collective tonnage of 6,150,334.
TRADE.
As pointed out in previous years the figures which are given are meagre, and of little value, being derived from reports of ship masters which are given in round figures and several items of cargo are only entered under the heading "General.”
In a few cases, I can however give more accurate figures and these are —
IMPORTS.
These show an increase of 123,025 tons compared with the year 1916. Increases are shown under the headings:-Coal, kerosene oil in bulk, sandalwood, sugar, and general, while decreases are shown in beans, cotton yarn, cotton, hemp, flour, kerosene oil (in cases), liquid fuel, rattan, rice, and timber.
386
4
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
to the Shun Lee and Wa Sun trading between ports outside the Colony for the most part of the year.
Foreign ocean-going vessels have increased by 343 ships of 262,141 tons or 8.3 per cent. in numbers and 3-6 per cent. in tonnage. This is explained by a small increase in Chinese, French, Portuguese, and United States ships of smaller tonnage, and a large increase in Dutch ships of a larger tonnage.
Foreign river steamers show a decrease of 669 ships of 196,501 tons or 41.3 per cent. in numbers and 23.3 per cent. in tonnage. This is due to the Shing Cheong and Luen On being taken off the run early in the year and since sold.
In steamships not exceeding 60 tons employed in foreign trade, there is an increase of 81 ships and an increase of 22,290 tons, or 1·3 per cent. in numbers and 112 per cent. in tonnage. This is due to a greater demand for towage of junks to Canton with coal and rice.
Junks in foreign trade show an increase of 1,020 vessels of 15,657 tons or 3.9 per cent. in numbers, and 49 per cent. in tonnage. This increase may mostly be put down to a greater demand on the carriage of coal to Canton formerly carried by ocean steamers.
In local trade (ie., trade between places within the waters of the Colony), there is a decrease in steam launches of 10,452 vessels with a decrease in tonnage of 209,040 tons or 1.9 per cent. in numbers, and 1.6 per cent. in tonnage. This is due to the increase in foreign trade and to several launches being laid up as the owners found it too expensive to run them on account of the high cost of coal.
Junks show a decrease of 10,921 vessels and 583,990 tons or 44′5 per cent. in numbers, and 68-2 per cent. in tonnage. This is chiefly due to reclamation of foreshores in the Colony being at a standstill on which to a great extent this trade depends, a number of stone junks being laid up.
The actual number of individual ocean-going vessels of European construction during 1917 was 750, of which 259 were British and 491 foreign. In 1916 the corresponding figures were 717,281 British and 436 foreign.
These 750 ships measured 1,642,911 tons. They entered 4,023 times and gave a collective tonnage of 6,150,334.
TRADE.
As pointed out in previous years the figures which are given are meagre, and of little value, being derived from reports of ship masters which are given in round figures and several items of cargo are only entered under the heading "General.”
In a few cases, I can however give more accurate figures and these
are -
IMPORTS.
These show an increase of 123,025 tons compared with the year 1916. Increases are shewn under the headings:-Coal, kerosene oil in bulk, sandalwood, sugar, and general, while decreases are shewn in beans, cotton yarn, cotton, hemp, flour, kerosene oil (in cases), liquid fuel, rattan, rice, and timber.
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