464
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
74
31st December. In the Yarn market the general tendency was towards higher prices. A strong demand for cloth existed and both manufacturers and traders of cotton goods experienced a very prosperous year. The year was on the whole a good one in the piece goods business. Manchester prices dropped about March, but a rapid rise soon followed due to heavy buying by Shanghai and other Chinese centres. The increased prices were, however, fortunately off-set by the continued rise in Exchange. Little business was done in woollens owing to the high prices ruling in the United Kingdom. British Sundries began during the year to find their way to China in increasing quantities. With the Japanese boycott there arose a certain demand for Chinese manufactured goods. There was no market for opium. The price of kerosene fell 70 cents on packed and 45 cents on bulk, due to the advance in sterling Exchange and the lower cost of tin plates. The metal market was dull and prices fluctuated considerably. Owing to shipping difficulties and the high Exchange very little business was done in Soy, Aniseed Oil and Cassia Oil. A large business was done in Feathers and Human Hair. There was practically no export trade in Bristles; owing to excessive adulteration foreign buyers would not touch the South China article without certain guarantees, which merchants were unable to give. The total of shipping entered and cleared amounted to 649,168 vessels of 35,615,169 tons, an increase of 69,627 vessels and 6,096,980 tons.
Public Works.-Central Police Station Extension practically completed; also an extension of the Harbour Office building, to accommodate Imports and Exports Office and an extension of the Lunatic Asylum. A third storey added to the Public Works Department Annexe. In Kowloon a second block of quarters for Subordinate Officers (6 houses) completed and, on Lantao Island, a market at Tai O completed. Improvements to Pokfulam Road continued and the remaining two sections of motor-
464
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
74
31st December. In the Yarn market the general tendency was towards higher prices. A strong demand for cloth existed and both manufacturers and traders of cotton goods experienced a very prosperous year. The year was on the whole a good one in the piece goods business. Manchester prices dropped about March, but a rapid rise soon followed due to heavy buying by Shanghai and other Chinese centres. The increased prices were, however, fortunately off-set by the continued rise in Exchange. Little business was done in woollens owing to the high prices ruling in the United Kingdom. British Sundries began during the year to find their way to China in increasing quantities. With the Japanese boycott there arose a certain demand for Chinese manu- factured goods. There was no market for opium. The price of kerosene fell 70 cents on packed and 45 cents on bulk, due to the advance in sterling Exchange and the lower cost of tin plates. The metal market was dull and prices fluctuated considerably. Owing to shipping difficulties and the high Exchange very little business was done in Soy, Aniseed Oil and Cassia Oil. A large business was done in Feathers and Human Hair. was practically no export trade in Bristles; owing to excessive adulteration foreign buyers would not touch the South China article without certain guarantees, which merchants were unable to give. The total of shipping entered and cleared amounted to 649,168 vessels of 35,615,169 tons, an increase of 69,627 vessels and 6,096,980 tons.
There
Public Works.-Central Police Station Extension practically completed; also an extension of the Harbour Office building, to accommodate Imports and Exports Office and an extension of the Lunatic Asylum. A third storey added to the Public Works Department Annexe. In Kowloon a second block of quarters for Subordinate Officers (6 houses) completed and, on Lantao Island, a market at Tai O completed. Improvements to Pokfulam Road continued and the remaining two sections of motor-
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