1939-07-27 — Page 31

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Thursday,

HONGKONG TELERGAPH

July 27,

1939.

A Page Devoted To The Colony in Which We Live

AN ALMOST completa record of the history of Hongkong in 1938 is contained in an Annual Report (Roport on the Social and Economic Progress of the People of the Colony of Hong- kong for the Yoar 1938) tabled in Legislative Council this afternoon.

Appalling Loss of Life Last Year DETERIORATION IN

On this page are some of the more interesting HEALTH OF COLONY

extracts from the Report, a volumnious docu- ment of nearly 200 pages.

Enormous Increase in Refugees 500,000 JUMP IN POPULATION

RECORD EPIDEMICS

DREAD DISEASE

CLAIMED KIDDIES

CEREBRO - SPINAL meningitis claimed 223 victims of the 483 cases reported last year, according to statistics issued this afternoon.

This is by far the highest mortality rate from the dread disease ever recorded in any year of the Colony's history excepting 1918, when a severe outbreak claimed 023 lives.

During 1938, according to figures compiled by Govern- ment sources, Hongkong's population increased by at Ienst half-n-million men, women and children.

This figure takes no account of the increase due to refugees in 1937, which is estimated to be In the neighbourhood of 100,000. A Report on the Social and Econo- mic Progress of the Colony, which was tabled in Legislative Council this afternoon, belleves that

total population of the Colony is now in excess of 3,500,000,

the

the

"It is dimeult to give necurate es timales of the population of Colony," the Report declares.

The 1930 mid-year population ob- tained by extrapolation from the last two census results Is 1,028,619.

Influx Of Refugees

"INCREASES in the actual number of deaths in the Colony during 1938

reflect the general deteriora-

tion in the health of the community, a deterioration

which has been largely

brought about by over- crowding, lack of accom- modation, and insufficient food."

This striking paragraph is contained in the first Annual Report on the Social and Econ- omic Progress of the People of Hongkong, tabled in Legislative Council this afternoon.

Statistles revealed in the report disclose that,' In 1938, the number of deaths increased by 4,183, the) total being 38,018.

This gives a crude uncorrected death rate for the civilian population of 37.7 per 1,000, the figure for the previous year being 34.4.

Still-births numbered the horrity- ing figure of 1,075 in 1838, as com- pared with 013 in the previous year,

The crude death rate mentioned

above is for the total population, Amongst the Chinese the rate was 34,9 in the previous year. 38.4 per thousand, compared with

Infant Mortality

One out of every three infants born in le Colony dled before attaining the age of twelve months. Deaths of Infants, totalling 12,001 (compared with (11.620 in the pre- vious year), was almost one-third the total deaths,

"The excess of immigrants arriving by railway and sea over emigrants

The infant mortality rate was 343 during 1038 was more than 300,000, and when it is remembered that this per 1,000-a figure that is exceeded of those by only one or two civilised parts of gure takes no account entering the Colony by sampan, junk the world. or across the land frontier, it is.ensy

"Little could be done to combat the to realise that the normal population during 1830 totalled 35,893, giving a

secure

census

of Hongkong (obtained by the extra polation from the last two figures) has been increased by at least 500,000 during 1038.

Registered Births in the Colony crude uncorrected birth rate of 34.9 per 1,000 of population. Although registration of births is compulsory, the system is still imperfect owing to the Chinese custom of not register- the ing children until they are in

the outbreak in 1938, other than to encourage early notification and to isolation," the sultable Government Report states.

"Efforts to combat over-crowding "Most of these people have been ,were doomed failure from the accommodated in the urban districts start, owing to the exceptional condi-of the Colony, but for the space of second year of life.

months absequent ta the tlaus arising out of the refugee Influx, two to the conversion of the all too few Japanese invasion of South tenements into factories and schools, many thousands of refugees and to the existence of many crowded into the towns and thousands of street sleepers who of the New Territories." could not find even a bed space under the stairs in the congested tenements.

Another Bad Year?

So far this year (1930) another 310 cases have been recorded.

ད

It is interesting to note that only eight

from cerebre-spinal

dealis

Peak Poriods

China,

Lucky Europeans were Of the births, 568 were non-Chi- villogesnese (270 male and 268 female)-

decrease of 134 (on the 1937 figure. There were 244 non-Chinese deaths (excluding 11 in the Crown Forces) Riving a death rate of only 6.5. Un-

Though the influx of refugees was continuous throughout 1938, the Re- port reveals that there were Bree peak periods.

the

The first occurred after the system-i ntle air raids on Canton, which began meningitis were reported between in May; the second after the Japanese 1887-and-1010-In that year a sever Innled-in-Blas-Day-in October, and outbreak occurred, From 1019 to 1937, a hundred or more deaths were the third, and greatest, after

operations! recorded only in 1919, 1932 and 1934. Japanese "mopping-up"

run along the Hongkong frontier at the As in the case of cholera (from end of November. which 384 people died last year) males were more commonly affected

109 of the 483 cases last year werej over 15 years of age.

Cholern proved unusually fatn! last year, 304 of the 547 cases reported proving fatal. This gave a mortality rate of nearly 67 per cent.

"The fall of Canton, while check-

by

perty basis proved ineffective in re- ducing the influx."

H.K.- Likes Its Beer & Whisky

The most popular types of drinks among Hongkong peoplo are whisky and beer," according to the annust report of the I- poris and Exports Department, which was tabled before the Legislative Council this after-

noon.

These two boverages account for more than half of the total revenus, which showed an in- crease of $5385,482.40 more than that of the previous year.

Duty in respect of European type of liquors showed an in- crease of about 60 per cent, while 40 per cent, was account- ed for by increased receipta of from native type quara,

the $102,416.82 was paid by local distilleries and $58,550.61 by Importers of Chinese and Japanese type spirits.

More northern spirit was im- ported this year than for many years, which can be explained by the influx of refugees from the Northern provinces, who probably prefer their own type of liquors.

An interesting feature was that duty paid by the local brewery, which amounted to $140,030,35, was nearly twice the amount paid the previous YCAR.

Hongkong As Opium Centre

WORLD-WIDE DISTRIBUTION

THE fact that Singapore opium sales have greatly increased in the Colony is confirmed in the Annual report of the Superintendent of Imports and Exports for 1938 tabled at to-day's meeting of the Legislative' Council.

The report states that the total amount of prepared opium sold during the year amounted to 25,029.22 tacle, and the total net revenue was $292,119.

This is an increase by comparison with last year of $47,141. Sutes of Kam Shun again decreased by 13 iper cent. but this decrease was more than offset by the increased sales of

ladeed,

like the Chinese death rate, which is Singapore opiumn.

There is little doubt, continues the one of the world's highest, the non-

one of the report, that the increased sales of Chinese death rate is world's lowest, and compares most Singapore oplum are due to the short- favourably with almost all except the age of illicit raw aplum which, by the very acute Scandinavian countries in Europe, end of the year, was including the United Kingdom,

"The deterioration in the general In 1930, it was suggested that the health of the community, has not objection to Government opium was Thin been accompanied by a correspond-the price rather than the taste. Ing deterioration among the noa seemed to borné aut by the fuct Chinese population of Hongkong." that immediately illicit prices iho Report kaya.

proximated to the price of the lielt "Twenty-three non-Chinese infants opium, the sales of the latter in- under one year of age died in 1938, ercased. as compared with thirty in 1937," the Report continues.

"This gives an infant mortallly rate

International Ring

np.

For the year under review, the of 42 for non-Chinese infants, an opium necount shows a loss of $300,- compared with a rale of forty-six for 321. the year 1937.

"Comment on the respective in- fant mortality rates for the Chi- nese and non-Chinese communities is superfluous."

Colony Manufactures

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Ks are, In fact, good shoes that fit, and that is the whole secret of their long-wearing qualities.

K Plus Fitting Shoes are made with heel- parts one Ating narrower than the fore- parts, giving a close at round a nerTOW heel and perfect comfort across the trend

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The Colony, owing geographical position on arterial steamship Unes, is the centre of a highly organised international traf- fio in oplum and the cost of fighting this truffle is all too severe on do- C mesile resources,

MASTER WORKS OF BEETHOVEN

DX655/059—Symphony No. 8. "Pastorale" LX274/277-Symphony No. 4 in Bat In 1927, seizures of Chinese raw opium amounted to 17,128 taels, X 72/ 75-Kreutzer Sonnta whilst in the year under review 25,075 LX609/613-Concerto In D for Violin

LX8317634-Concerto No. I in C The increasa laels were seized probably due to the fact that supplies LX725/728-Symphony No. 2 ...... of Iranian raw opium seem to be very | LX671/674–Triple Concerto-in-Commomme limited, and it is noteworthy that the C8010/0010-Symphony No. 5 seizures of Chinese raw opium is 02

report states. per cent of the raw oplum seized, the

FOR THE first time in hours, and 19 for the offence of

operating an unregistered factory.

The main sources of supply appear than females by cerebro-spinal ing the stream of immigrants, did history, Hongkong last year

The total number of accidents re|to have been es in former years- meningitis. On the other hand, not entirely stop it, for refugees were started to manufacture war parted was 141, of which 14 were Kwongchowwan and Macho, whereas cholera picked out adults, still able to reach Hongkong

fatal. Ten of the fatalities occurred necessities such as gas in shipyards. the large proportion of those affected Shekki and Macao.

It was not until the last two or three months of the year at the stream of with meningitis were children. Only "Regulations formulated on a pro- masks, metal helmets, en- There were 199 new certificates of

possible that the extension Of trenching tools, uniforms, registration issued during the year, smuggled oplum dried up, and it is to South Chion has assembling of field telep-bringing the total of registered fac-hostilities

tories and workshops up to 82D,

quickened this process,

the report Island Population Leaps

states. hones, and portable military Excluding the estimated 600,000 refugees living in the Colony, the transmitting and receiving estimated population of Hongkong sets. The outbreak of small-pox, which the Report claims, is 1,028,819,

and are Chinese started in 1937 and continued until whem 1,005,623 the middle of last year, claimed 1,834 23,000 non-Chinese. lives in the first six months of 1938.

The island population has leapt to "This constitutes the worst out- break in the history of the Colony. 454,000, of whom only 9,071 are non- The heavy case mortallly nearly Chinese, while Kowloon's population

Record Epidemic

of

New industries for these goods were set up in the Colony during 1938, says the Annual Report of the Urban Council, which also mentions several other virgin in-

70 per cent of the people contract (exclusive of refugees) is estimated dustries which become effective fug the diseano dled-gives some at 304,210, of whom 11,381 are non- Indication of the virulence of the Chinese. It is estimated virus," the Report states.

that the during the year. These included the non-refugee population of the New manufacture of bicycles and tricycles,

Of the 1,834 victims, 1,368 were Territories is 100,530, including 492 babies and children of five years and non-Chinese. under.

Seventy-two cases were Imported

from Canton, Macao,

Sangha H.K.

Swalow and other Chinese ports.

Tuborculosis Problem

"However important the diseases already mentioned may be, and

indeed are, their Importance kn

"MARRIAGE MINDED"

HONGKONG was marringe-

completely overshadowed by the minded in 1938.

tuberculosis problem, which caused Statistics issued this after-

tabloid medicines, nalls,

postage

| stamps, bank poles and coupons, tooth

brushes, and pearl buttons,

electric torch bulbs was practically

60 LIVING ON FLOOR Shortage of Tenements

...

During the year 748 oplum divaná were raided. Of this number 4801 were in Kowloon,

Divan Racketeers

There is reason to belleve, states the report, that opium divan keeping is more highly developed than ever -before.

Recently a system of syndicates renting several foors under fictitious names has developed,

THE AMAZING revela-

Each floor is then put under a kec- tion that the average per who, for a very small wage, takes full responsibility and is prepared to Incidentally the manufacture of number of occupants per assert that he is the principal tenant. It is estimated that there are over brought to a standstill, as bulbs floor of the usual type three-

2,000 such divans in the Colony and 700 made in Shanghal were exported at storey Chinese tenement in although during the year over

keepers have gone to prison, Economic which the local manufacturers Hongkong has risen from circumstances render it very easy to

15 to sixty is made in the and another dupe to serve. Public Health section of the

a much lower price than that for

"could produce them,

New Factories Many new factory-type premises the death of 4,920 persons durină noon show that there was a con- have been erected and plans for more Annual Report on the Social this channel alone amounted to over "For every death, it is probable siderable increase in the number are in preparation.

1938," the Report states,

of some factorica from tenement-

#

3,000,

ernment had to assume control and

crowding now existing in the rural areas.

tenement arens,

and Economic Progress of

Government's Probloms that there are five or oven ten suf- of marriages during the year, The general prosperity in Bome the Colony, tabled in Legis "As might be expected," states the

Report, "local charitable organiso ferers from the disease, many of whom both in licensed places of wor-trades and pressure exerted by the, are at the moment passing on infec-ship and at the Registry of health authorities and the factory lative Council this afternoon. tions could not hope to cope will tion to their families and neighbours,

inspectorate resulted in the removal The refugee problem created the destitution and distress associated "With the bulk of the population Marringes. Itving in grossly overcrowded, 11- "This can be accounted for primi house premises which they formerly by the Sino-Japanese hostilities with the refugee problem, and Gov- ventilated tenements, many of them pally by the Influx of population but occupied, to modern factory-type is blamed for the terrible over-to erect comps in both the urban and workings or in receipt of ages also by the fact that the Christian buildings. which cannot possibly, purchase a marriage and its civil equivalent are

But the conversion of tenement adequate dietary, exposed to mass gaining in popularity among the Infection owing to the univermal | Chinese,” a Government Report, just

houses into factories silli remains a disquieting feature of the Industria- to the low issued, states. habit of spitting and

Most of the burden of caring for Hisation of the Colony, especially in Of the 644 couples who standard of hygiene and ignorance of the mode of infection. It is not married according

view of the acute housing shortage the refugees has been borne by the to European

due to the influx of refugees, com- urban area, the Report states, but

"Thonmands of fil-fed, aged- and surprising that this disease claims standard, 336 were Chinese and 208

adds that many thousands have 150 ments the report. such a heavy loll of life"

sick persona niso sought" -safety wero non-Chinese, compared with 230

crowded Into the towns and villages

from the invaded regions, and addi and 188 last year, Non-Chinese It is estimated that about 59,000 in the rural areas comprising the

ed to the already heavy task of the couples were not so plentiful, it will workers of both sexes were employed New Territories,

-hospital authorities in the Govern During the absence of Mr. E. Show,be seen,

in the various industries. More than half the marriages were

The inking of Canton has not de-i ment and. Chinese hospitals. - the chief engineer, from the steamer

"That this alarming situation did Shinal, lying off Youmati,' a thief performed by the Registrar.

During the year there were 45 terred refugees from making their One couple were married "In prosecutions, including 23 for the way to Hongkong vla Shekid and not become for more grave was due and a fountain pen to the total value Articulo Mortis" with one of the offence of employing females and Macab, and on one day, the surplus in no small part to the work of the

partners on a death-bed.

young persons during prohibited immigration over emigration through Medical and Health Stan."

entered his cabin and stole money|

of $141 yesterday.

were

་

"Many cases of dangerous infec tious disease tetually found their way into the Colony in spite of the increased vigliance of the Port Health authorites and their colleagues in the New Territories and urban areas.

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SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

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