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In 1941 there were forty-eight commercial moorings in commission, maintained by the Harbour Department. Only two of these survived the Japanese occupation, the remainder having been sunk or removed by the Japanese. By the end of 1946 there were thirty-three moorings in use, and the remainder were due to be replaced as soon as materials were available. Ten special moorings for use under typhoon con- ditions were in service. Of the navigational lights, none of which was functioning at the time of the Japanese surrender, all had been replaced except two. One of the two main approach lights to the Colony, that on Waglan Island, had suffered extensive damage by bombing, and temporary lighting was rigged with captured Japanese equipment pending the arrival of replacement apparatus.

The shipbuilding and repair yards had suffered very extensive damage but good progress was made towards their rehabilitation. At the end of the year, after dry docks and a 100-ton crane had been reconditioned and put into service, not only general repairs but also shipbuilding could be undertaken. In 1940 Sir David Owen was engaged to report on the future control and development of the port. One conclusion drawn by Sir David in his report was that a public trust might be established to control the port. During the latter part of 1946 a Committee was appointed locally to consider the recommendations contained in the report and to advise whe- ther the establishment of a Port Trust should be proceeded with. This committee's recommendation was that the pro- posed Trust should not be established and the Government accepted their advice and decided that a new Port Committee should be formed on which should be represented British and Chinese commercial and shipping interests as well as the Har- bour, Public Works and Railway Departments. The Port Executive Committee, formed in 1945 to exercise control over the port, will continue for the time being to discharge its functions of day to day administration.

The total shipping entering and clearing the Colony dur- ing the year under review amounted to 45,484 vessels of 11,244,311 tons. This, compared with 1939, showed a decrease of 29,133 vessels and a decrease of 19,653,637 tons. 37,922 vessels (10,988,770 tons) were engaged in foreign trade, compared with 23,881 vessels (29,196,466 tons) in 1939, British ocean-going shipping showed a decrease of 1,993 vessels (5,599,056 tons) and foreign ocean-going shipping declined by 2,267 vessels (8,412,983 tons). British river steamers entering and clearing were fewer by 5,708 vessels (5,497,203 tons) and foreign river steamers by 402 vessels (167,199 tons). Steamships not exceeding 60 tons in foreign trade, showed an increase of 2,491 vessels (57,044 tons). Junks in foreign trade showed an increase of 21,920 vessels (1,411,701 tons). In local trade, steam-launches decreased by 22,605 vessels (687,393 tons) and junks decreased by

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