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There can be little doubt, moreover, that this influx of refugees hae contributed largely to the increase in the number of cases of Plague and to the considerable outbreak of Small-pox, which occurred at the latter end of the year.
The general death rate for the year was 21 13 per 1,000 among the Chinese Community and 13:38 among the Non-Chinese Commu nity, as compared with 22:50 and 1004 during 1910.
The number of deaths from malaria (333) is considerably lower than it had been for the previous five years, and Kowloon still main- tains the low average which it assumed on the completion of the railway works. The deaths from this cause in the City of Victoria numbered 176 out of a population of 218,000; but more than 26% of these deaths occurred in Health District No. 9, in close proximity to which extensive building operations have been in progress during the past year,
The deaths from plague numbered 253, as compared with 23 in 1910, and 108 in 1909, All the cases of plague were Chinese with the exception of one Indian constable who died.
Small-poż deaths numbered 198-all Chinese, with the exception of one British missionary lady who succumbed to the hæmorrhagic type of the disease; only ten of these were returned as having been previously vaccinated.
There were 2,487 deaths from respiratory diseases among the Chinese, as compared with 2,602 in 1910. Phthisis claimed 753 Chinese victims, while other forms of tuberculosis represent an additional 426 deaths, making a total of 1,179 or 157% of the total deaths among that community.
Beri-beri was responsible for 320 deaths, as compared with 566 during 1910, and 555 in 1909. During the past year circulars have been distributed to all large employers of coolie labour calling their attention to the fact that beri-beri is produced by the consumption of white rice as the staple article of diet without a sufficiency of other foods, and advising that beans should be supplied with the rice, when frosh meat or fresh fish connot be afforded, and it is pos sible that the dissemination of this information may have had some influence in reducing the mortality from this disease.
(c.) CLIMATE.
Tip average monthly temperature throughout the year was 721° F. as compared with 72.0° F. in 1910 and an average of 721° F. during the preceding years. The maximum mean monthly temperature was attained in June, when it reached 872 F., and the man minimum monthly temperature was recorded in January, when it was 550° F. The highest recorded temperature during the year was 931 F. on the 25th August, and the lowest 471° F. on the 24th February. *
*These are the temperatures recorded by the Observatory at sea-level. The temperature in the high levels at the Funk averages some 10° less,
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The total rainfall for the year was 9055 inches, as compared with an average of 8073 inches, during the ten preceding years. The wettest month. was August with 30-06 inches, the dryest, Fe- bruary, when no rain was recorded. The greatest amount of raiu which fell on any one day was 8 61 inches on the 5th August, while no rain fell on 220 days of the year. The mean relative humidity of the atmosphere for the year was 79 %, as compared with an average of 77% during the ten preceding years, The average daily amount of sunshine was 5'7 hours, being 50% of the possible duration.
These figures are those recorded at the Observatory, Kowloon, and there is a very considerable divergence between that place and Hongkong (low levels), the Peak District, or Tai Po (New Territories). both in rainfall, temperature and humidity.
X-POSTAL SERVICE.
The total revenue from the postal service in 1911 was $300,217.15 and total expenditure $422,267.97. 'The result of the year's working shows a deficit of 23,050.82. Direct exchange of money orders with the Philippine Islands commenced on 1st July, and a revised parcel arrangement with Siam came into operation. on 26th September.
XL-MILITARY EXPENDITURE.
(a) COLONIAL CONTRIBUTION.
The Colony contrated $1,342,554 (being the statutory con- tribution of 20% of the yenue) towards the cost of the mainten- ance of the Regular Forces in Colony including Barrack Services and Defence Works.
(b) VOLUNTEER CORPS.
The expenditure on the Volunteers, which is entirely born by the Colony, was $49,311 compared with $34,7 1910.
XII-GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
During the past year no general assessment was made. The existing valuation for 1910-11 was ordered to be adopted as the valuation for 1911-12, the difference in rateable value being the result of interim assessments. There is an increase in the rateablo value of the whole Colony of 071%. In the City of Victoria, the Hill District, Shaukiwan, Saiwanto, Quarry Bay, Hongkong Villages, Kowloon Point, Yawmati, Mongkoktsui, and New Kowloon there is an increase ranging from 1059 to 029%, the largest increase being in New Kowloon. There is no change in Bunghom and Hokun. Kowloon Villages show a decrease of 176%.
The average rate of exchange (demand on London) which had been 1/9-6021 to the dollar for 1910 rose to 1/9 754808 for 1911.
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