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(c.)-CLIMATE.
The principal features of the weather is 1920 were:-
(a.) Barometric pressure below normal from the beginning of
May to the beginning of August.
6.) Rainfall much above normal in May and July.
Barometric pressure was considerably below normal in May, June, July, November and December, and moderately above in January. The mean pressure for the year at station level was 29-814in. os against 29-842ins in 1919 and 29-843in. for the past 37 years. The highest pressure was 30:374is. on January 4th 28 against 30-398s. in 1919 and 30 500ins. for the past 37 years. The lowest pressure was 29-208ina, on July 19th as against 29-287ins. in 1910 and 28-735ios. for the past 37 years.
The temperature of the air was moderately below normal in April and considerably above normal in November and Decem ber. The mean temperature for the year was 720 aa against 72-9 in 1919 and 71°8 for the past 37 years. The highest temperature was 93-1 on July 25th as against 927-2 in 1919 and 970 for the past 37 years. The lowest temperature was 45°1 on January 5th as against 394 in 1919 and 320 for the past 37 years.
The rainfall was considerably above normal in May, July and November. The total for the year was 107-880s as against 78-140ins. in 1919, and 84.376ins. for the past 37 years, The greatest fall in one civil day was 8-235ins. on July 19th and the greatest in one hour was 1435ins. between 8.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. on September 12th.
The wind velocity was considerably below normal in January and October, and moderately below in February, Jaly and Septem- ber. It was moderately above normal in May and July. The mean velocity for the year was 120 m.p.h. as against 114 m.p.h. in 1919 and 127 m.p.h. for the past 37 years. The maximum velocity for one hour as recorded by the Beckley Anemograph was 51 miles at 2 p.m. on July 31st as against 60 miles in 1919 and 108 for the past 37
years. The maximum squall velocity, as recorded by the Dines-Baxendell Anemograph, was at the rate of 61 m.ph. at 10h 58m. p.m. on July 30th as against 84 m.p.h. in 1919 and 105 m.p.h. for the past 11 years.
The climate of Hongkong 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 exturation 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 SW monsoon, being sheltered by steep hilla from SE to SW. In winter it is exposed to the NE monsoon, which occasionally blows along the barbour through Lyamun Pass with considerable violence. On the other hand the South-west side of the Island is protected
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from the NE monsoon in winter and enjoys the benefit of the SW
monsoon in summer.
X-POSTAL AND TELEGRAPI! SERVICES.
The total Revenue from the Postal Service in 1920 amounted to $526,122.08 being $76,065,33 more than that collected in 1919. The net expenditure amounted to $229,378.70. The balance of revenue over expenditure amounted to $296,743.38.
The revenue collected in 1920 from radio-telegrams amounted to $14,591.73 being $4241.70 more than that collected in 1919. Advices of vessels signalled at the Lighthouses yielded $581.20, making a total of $15,172.93 for the Telegraph Service. The expenditure amounted to $39,335.15. The number of radio- telegrams forwarded during the year was 1,965 consisting of 25,221 words, and 5,300 received consisting of 75,007 words.
28th October, 1921.
Aanstevem
Colonial Secretary.
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