Sessional_Paper_1903 — Page 412

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It will be observed that coal imports resumed their upward tendency, and the figure for 1902 is not appreciably smaller than that for the abnormal year 1900. Still more noticeable are the large increases in the import of opium and rice.

The principal features to be remarked in the reported Trade of the Port for 1902 are:-

In Imports reported—

Increases in Opium of 69.6.

Decreases in Hemp

of 26.5

%

27

Rice

of 32.6 % General of 15.7 %

Flour

of 25.1%

}}

Bulk Oil of 22.9 %

""

Coal

of 13.4%.

Case Oil of 22.5 %.

11

"

Sugar

of 11.1%.

Cotton of 20.3 c

>

Timber of 10.7 %.

""

The net increase under this head amounts to 482,476 tons. In Exports, there is an increase reported of 126,814 In Transit Cargo

57

17

of 237,812

}}

The total reported Import Trade of the Port for 1902 amounted to 26,037 vessels of 9,867,486 tons, carrying 6,921,928 tons of cargo, of which 4,549,531 tons were discharged at Hongkong. This does not include the number, tonnage or cargo of Local Trade Junks, or Steam Launches.

These returns show a decided improvement upon those for 1901, when the import trade was much depressed. This is a hopeful sign, especially as the further fall in silver exchange and the high values ruling on the home markets in certain staple commodities continued throughout the year to militate against the import trade of the Colony.

It must not be forgotten that figures such as those given above are necessarily imperfect in the case of a free port. The returns depend for accuracy upon the information voluntarily afforded to the Harbour Master by the Masters and Agents of the vessels concerned, and their reliability cannot be tested as thoroughly as might be desired.

The total tonnage entering and clearing during the year amounted to 21,528,780 tons, being an increase, compared with 1901, of 2,203,396 tons and 3,083,644 tons in excess of any previous year.

There was 51,542 arrivals of 10,783,502 tons, and 51,547 departures of 10,754,278 tons.

Of British Ocean-going tonnage, 3,010,441 tons entered, and 3,005,148 tons cleared.

Of British River Steamers, 1,775,960 tons entered, and 1,780,238 tons cleared.

Of Foreign Ocean-going tonnage, 3,273,817 tons entered, and 3,238,719 tons cleared,

Of Foreign River Steamers, 95,766 tons entered, and 95,909 tons cleared.

Of Steam Launches trading to Ports outside the Colony, 97,607 tous entered, and 97,607 tons cleared.

Of Junks in Foreign Trade, 1,613,875 tons entered, and 1,624,344 cons cleared.