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Emigration and Immigration.
One hundred and forty thousand, five hundred and thirty-four (140,534) emigrants left Hong Kong for various places during the year 1925, (129,859 in 1924). Of these, 85,586 were carried in British ships, and 54,948 in foreign ships.
Ninety-one thousand, six hundred and twenty-two (91,622) returning emigrants were reported to have been brought to Hong Kong from the several places to which they had emigrated either from this colony or from coast ports, as against 130,194 in 1924. Of these, 51,760 arrived in British ships, and 39,862 in foreign ships.
Statement of number of emigrants to Straits Settlements, 1914 to 1925, compared with total Chinese emigration.
to
No. of Emigrants
Straits Settlements.
Total No. of Emigrants.
1914
44,974
76,296
1915
41,278
68,275
1916
82,797
117,653
1917
63,292
96,298
1918
8,019
43,$30
1919
11,638
59,969
1920
43,935
105,258
1921
87,324
156,011
1922
144
50,356
98,393
1923
65,584
120,224
1924
75,682
129,859
1925
97,552
140,534
(b.) INDUSTRIES.
Sugar. The course of prices during the early part of the year was based on the expectation that the 1924-25 Cuban crop would outturn a figure somewhere between 4,300,000 tons and 4,725,000 tons, with a large part of the Trade being of the opinion that the latter figure would prove to be the maximum. Even when the produc- tion in Cuba indicated that 4,725,000 tons would be a minimum, for quite a long period many members of the Sugar industry throughout the world could not get themselves to believe that a record breaking crop as to size was being manufactured in Cuba and thought that a crop of 5 million tons would be an impossibility.
The final outturn of the 1924-25 Cuban crop was 5,125,970 tons, a burden that was quite too heavy for sugar prices to bear, as a result of which the trend in prices of raw sugar was in a down- ward direction from April to the end of October.
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In addition to the raw sugar markets being under the influence of over production practically throughout the year resulting in a steadily declining market, the Hong Kong refineries have again been seriously handicapped by the disturbed political conditions throughout China, the serious strike which started last June and the boycott of British manufactures which necessitated shutting down both refineries entirely for a time.
Competition from Japanese refined sugar also been very keen, but it is reported that the refineries in that Country have agreed amongst themselves to restrict their output, which would indicate that their losses must have been considerable.
Rope Making. The demand for Manila cordage was fairly good during the first six mouths of 1925 but it fell off in the second half of the year owing to political troubles in Canton.
(c.)--FISHERIES.
A considerable proportion of the boat population of Hong Kong supports itself by deep-sea fishing, in which pursuit a large number of junks are engaged. The villages of Aberdeen, Stanley, Shauki- wan, and also many in the New Territories, are largely dependent upon this industry for their prosperity. Fresh water fish is im- ported from Canton and the West River. There are oyster beds of considerable value in Deep Bay.
(d)-FORESTRY, AGRICULTURE, AND BOTANY.
Formation of Pine tree plantations.
Seeds of Pinus Massoniana were sown in situ on the following places-Taipo Forestry Reserve 146,500; Red Hill, Tytam, 20,000; and on hills above Shek O Road, 50,000; the total weight of seeds used was 155 lbs.
For the formation of new plantations on grassy slopes and to support earth banks below and above the more recently made roads, seeds of Pinus Massoniana were sown broadcast at the following places:-Below and above road from Cheung Sha Wan to Castle Peak, above and below Taipo Road, below Matilda Hospital, between Victoria Gap and Pokfulam, Wanchai Gap, Conduit Road, and Cheung Chau.
Broad-leaved trees planted.
One year old Camphor trees to the number of 4,708 were planted on vacant flat spaces at Tai Wo Po, New Territories.
In the Peak District flowering trees and shrubs to the number of 302 were planted.
The following flowering and shade trees were planted along- side the principal roads in Hong Kong and the New Territories:- Bauhinia variegata, variety alba, Aleurites montana, and Cin- namomum Camphora; the total number used was 2,594.
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