1920-1930
HONGKONG, 1922.
3
nationalities lent their assistance in giving His Royal Highness a hearty welcome, and various forms of entertainment had been prepared. The weather, however, was disappointing and the Colony, whose beauty lies in her rugged hills, was enveloped in mist the whole period of the visit, and the Peak and surrounding hills were invisible. Notwithstanding the inclement weather His Royal Highness made the most of the time at his disposal and visited all the principal institutions of the Colony.
In the early part of the year difficulties occurred in the Shipping Trade owing to dissatisfaction among the Chinese seamen who put forward a demand for an increase in wages which the shipowners were disinclined to agree to. This resulted in a general strike of all classes of seamen and for some time paralysed the shipping of the port. The strike extended to many other branches of labour and intimidation of those willing to work was resorted to by certain unions. Some inconvenience was caused to the European population by the house servants leaving their employment. After several conferences had been held between the shipowners and the seamen's representatives a settlement was reached by which the conditions of the employment of seamen were put on a more satisfactory basis, and the strike which had lasted for nearly two months came to an end.
Trade generally remained in a depressed state owing to the feeling of unrest which prevailed in the adjacent provinces of South China. Shipments of rice, in particular, which have been an important item in the trade of the Colony, were considerably reduced through facilities being opened up in Siam and Saigon for direct export to the United States of America.
Exchange during the year continued falling. The dollar, which on 1st January stood at 2s. 7¼d., at the close of the year had fallen to 2s. 2¾d.
The development of the Colony during the year still continued and the influx of capital from South China resulted in numerous sales of land for building purposes, and unduly inflated the value of property. So long as China remains in the present unsettled state it is to be expected that the Colony will be made the temporary home of many of the merchants of Canton and other parts of South China.
A serious case of piracy occurred on 19th November on board the s.s. "Sui An" which runs between Hongkong and Macao. On her return journey from Macao a number of Chinese, who had embarked as passengers, held up the steamer, killing two of the Indian guards and wounding the captain and several others. The steamer was taken to Bias Bay, in Chinese territory, where the pirates landed in junks which appeared to be waiting, taking with them a quantity of loot. After they had left the steamer it was brought back to Hongkong by the first officer.
55
1920-1930
HONGKONG, 1922.
3
nationalities lent their assistance in giving His Royal Highness a hearty welcome, and various forms of entertainment had been prepared. The weather, however, was disappointing and the Colony, whose beauty lies in her rugged hills, was enveloped in mist the whole period of the visit, and the Peak and surrounding hills were invisible. Notwithstanding the inclement weather His Royal Highness made the most of the time at his disposal and visited all the principal institutions of the Colony.
J
In the early part of the year difficulties occurred in the Shipping Trade owing to dissatisfaction among the Chinese seamen who put forward a demand for an increase in wages which the shipowners were disinclined to agree to. This resulted in a general strike of all classes of seamen and for some time paralysed the shipping of the port. The strike extended to many other branches of labour and intimidation of those willing to work was resorted to by certain unions. Some inconvenience was caused to the European population by the house servants leaving their employ- ment. After several conferences had been held between the shipowners and the seamen's representatives a settlement was reached by which the conditions of the employment of seamen were put on a more satisfactory basis, and the strike which had lasted for nearly two months came to an end.
Trade generally remained in a depressed state owing to the feeling of unrest which prevailed in the adjacent provinces of South China. Shipments of rice, in particular, which have been an important item in the trade of the Colony, were considerably reduced through facilities being opened up in Siam and Saigon for direct export to the United States of America.
Exchange during the year continued falling. The dollar, which on 1st January stood at 2s. 74d., at the close of the year had fallen to 2s. 23đ.
The development of the Colony during the year still continued and the influx of capital from South China resulted in numerous sales of land for building purposes, and unduly inflated the value of property. So long as China remains in the present unsettled state it is to be expected that the Colony will be made the temporary home of many of the merchants of Canton and other parts of South China.
A serious case of piracy occurred on 19th November on board the s.s. "Sui An" which runs between Hongkong and Macao. On her return journey from Macao a number of Chinese, who had embarked as passengers, held up the steamer, killing two of the Indian guards and wounding the captain and several others. The steamer was taken to Bias Bay, in Chinese territory, where the pirates landed in junks which appeared to be waiting, taking with them a quantity of loot. After they had left the steamer it was brought back to Hongkong by the first officer.
55
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