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there would have been some people who could make use of them. These, often village teachers, acted as scribes for other villagers.59
Livelihood
The village economy in 1920 was not self-sufficient. The increase in trade since the mid-nineteenth century had brought about a type of economy that gave priority to subsistence, but that nonetheless depended directly or indirectly on trade with the city. It was a common pattern, even in better-off families, to find that the men worked outside the village, either independently or in employment, while the women farmed at home. The land yielded two crops of rice per annum, and an additional catch crop of sweet potatoes. But it was frequently asserted in interviews that it was not possible for a family to grow enough for a year's supply, and extra rice (as much as half a year's supply) had to be purchased from Sai Kung Market. Outside village income no doubt paid for some of these purchases, but those who farmed also sold firewood and pigs, and helped to transport fish into Kowloon, and for all these activities they were paid in cash. These different sources of cash income, in conjunction with the credit arrangements provided by the shops in Sai Kung, enabled villagers to make regular purchases.60 There were also other sources of income. Until cement replaced lime just before World War II, the lime kilns were profitable. There were also the occasional villages with specialized economic activities: Wong Chuk Shan being noted, for instance, for the making of rice polishers, and Tai Lam Wu for providing the wedding sedan chair, the carriers, and the musicians, for wedding ceremonies. The fishermen, of course, sold their fish, and bought rice, meat, and firewood, with their cash income.61
As far as can be ascertained, nobody starved in Sai Kung, but for the majority, life was not luxurious. Only the better-off had rice for every meal, and for many, for at least part of the year, rice was cooked mixed with sweet potatoes.62 Fortunately, most villagers owned the land that they farmed, but those who rented land had to pay half the crop as rent.63 Women, in particular, led a fairly harsh life. The history of Mrs. Shing,
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there would have been some people who could make use of them. These, often village teachers, acted as scribes for other villagers.59
Livelihood
The village economy in 1920 was not self-sufficient. The increase in trade since the mid-nineteenth century had brought about a type of economy that gave priority to subsistence, but that nonetheless depended directly or indirectly on trade with the city. It was a common pattern, even in better off families to find that the men worked outside the village, either independently or in employment, while the women farmed at home. The land yielded two crops of rice per annum, and an additional catch crop of sweet potatoes. But it was frequently asserted in interviews that it was not possible for a family to grow enough for a year's supply, and extra rice (as much as half a year's supply) had to be purchased from Sai Kung Market. Outside village income no doubt paid for some of these purchases, but those who farmed also sold firewood and pigs, and helped to transport fish into Kowloon, and for all these activities they were paid in cash. These different sources of cash income, in conjunction with the credit arrangements provided by the shops in Sai Kung, enabled villagers to make regular purchases.60 There were also other sources of income. Until cement replaced lime just before World War II, the lime kilns were profitable. There were also the occasional villages with specialized economic activities: Wong Chuk Shan being noted, for instance, for the making of rice polishers, and Tai Lam Wu for providing the wedding sedan chair, the carriers, and the musicians, for wedding ceremonies. The fishermen, of course, sold their fish, and bought rice, meat, and firewood, with their cash income.61
As far as can be ascertained, nobody starved in Sai Kung, but for the majority, life was not luxurious. Only the better off had rice for every meal, and for many, for at least part of the year, rice was cooked mixed with sweet potatoes.62 Fortunately, most villagers owned the land that they farmed, but those who rented land had to pay half the crop as rent.63 Women, in particular, led a fairly harsh life. The history of Mrs. Shing,
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