Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL,
The wind velocity was considerably below normal in January, April, June (the lowest on record) and October. In August it was moderately above normal, owing to the passage of two typhoons. The mean velocity for the year was 11.6 m.p.h. as against 11.2 m.p.h. in 1917 and 12.7 m.p.h. for the past 35 years. The maximum velocity for one hour as recorded by the Beckley Anemograph was 63 miles at 6 hours, on August 15th, as against 63 miles in 1917 and 108 for the past 35 years. The maximum squall velocity, as recorded by the Dines Baxendell Anemograph, was at the rate of 94 m.p.h. at 6 hours 10 minutes a.m., on August 15th, as against 93 m.p.h. in 1917, and 105 m.p.h. for the past 9 years.
The climate of Hong Kong is similar in its broad features to that of Kowloon and the New Territories, but at the higher levels, from 1,400 to 1,800 feet above sea level the temperature is usually from 3° to 6° lower than at the Observatory, Kowloon. The humidity is usually greater than in Kowloon and approaches saturation for several days at a time during March and April when mist is very prevalent. In summer the city of Victoria, and the rising terraces behind it, derive little or no benefit from the S.W. monsoon, being sheltered by steep hills from S.E. to S.W. In winter it is exposed to the N.E. monsoon, which occasionally blows along the harbour through Lyemun Pass with considerable violence. On the other hand the South-west side of the Island is protected from the N.E. monsoon in winter and enjoys the benefit of the S.W. monsoon in summer.
POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH SERVICES.
The total revenue from the Postal Service in 1918 amounted to $427,132.88 being $23,263.01 more than that collected in 1917. The net expenditure after deducting the sum of $70,276.74 (£12,591. 5s. 0d. at 3/7 per $) refunded to this Colony by the Post Office of the United Kingdom in respect of the period 1st July, 1917, to 30th September, 1918, on account of the suspension of the P. & O. Mail Contract Service (Bombay-Shanghai Section) amounted to $156,107.69, being less than that of 1917 by $103,107.14 due to the high rate of exchange prevailing during the year under review and the refund referred to above. The balance of revenue over expenditure amounted to $271,025.19. The Bombay to Shanghai Section of the P. & O. Contract Mail Service was suspended throughout the year. Mails superscribed for the Suez route were, as a rule, forwarded from here to Bombay to connect with the homebound P. & O. packets sailing from there. The Pacific route either via Canada or via the United States was regularly used throughout the year for the transmission of mails for Europe.
The Parcel Post Service to the United Kingdom via Canada was suspended as from 10th May, owing to transport difficulties in the Atlantic.
Through the courtesy of Messrs. Butterfield & Swire, to whom the thanks of the Post Office Department are due, facilities were granted for the exchange of direct Parcel Post Mails with the United Kingdom via Suez by vessels for which they are agents.
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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL,
The wind velocity was considerably below normal in January, April, June (the lowest on record) and October. In August it was moderately above normal, owing to the passage of two typhoons. The mean velocity for the year was 11'6 m.p.h. as against 112 m.p.h. in 1917 and 12-7 m.p.h. for the past 35 years. The maximum velocity for one hour as recorded by the Beckley Anemograph was 63 miles at 6 hours, on August 15th, as against 63 miles in 1917 and 108 for the past 35 years. The maximum squall velocity, as recorded by the Dines Baxendell Anemograph, was at the rate of 94 m.p.h. at 6 hours 10 minutes a.m., on August 15th, as against 93 m.p.h. in 1917, and 105 m.p.h. for the past 9 yerri.
The climate of Hong Kong is similar in its broad features to that of Kowloon and the New Territories, but at the higher levels, from 1,400 to 1,800 feet above sea level the temperature is usually from 3o to 6° lower than at the Observatory, Kowloon. The humidity is usually greater than in Kowloon and approaches saturation for several days at a time during March and April when mist is very prevalent. In summer the city of Victoria, and the rising terraces behind it, derive little or no benefit from the S.W. monsoon, being sheltered by steep hills from S.E. to S.W. In winter it is exposed to the N.E. monsoon, which occasionally blows along the harbour through Lyemun Pass with considerable violence. On the other hand the South-west side of the Island is protected from the N.E. monsoon in winter and enjoys the benefit of the S.W. monsoon in summer.
X-POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH SERVICES.
The total revenue from the Postal Service in 1918 amounted to $427,132.88 being $23,263.01 more than that collected in 1917. The net expenditure after deducting the sum of $70,276.74 (£12,591. 5s. Od. at 3/7 per $) refunded to this Colony by the Post Office of the United Kingdom in respect of the period 1st July, 1917, to 30th September, 1918, on account of the suspension of the P. & O. Mail Contract Service (Bombay-Shanghai Section) amounted to $156,107.69, being less than that of 1917 by $103,107.14 due to the high rate of exchange prevailing during the year under review and the refund referred to above. The balance of revenue over expenditure amounted to $271,025.19. The Bombay to Shanghai Section of the P. & 0. Contract Mail Service was suspended throughout the year. Mails superscribed for the Suez route were, as a rule, forwarded from here to Bombay to connect with the homebound P. & O. packets sailing from there. The Pacific route either via Canada or via the United States was regularly used throughout the year for the transmission of mails for Europe.
The Parcel Post Service to the United Kingdom via Canada was suspended as from 10th May, owing to transport difficulties in the Atlantic.
Through the courtesy of Messrs. Butterfield & Swire, to whom the thanks of the Post Office Department are due, facilities were granted for the exchange of direct Parcel Post Mails with the United Kingdom via Suez by vessels for which they are agents..
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