FO371-23515 — Page 157

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HONG KONG.

WEEKLY AIR MAIL REPORT ON LOCAL SITUATION (SECRETARY OF STATE'S TELEGRAM No. 233 OF 20TH NOVEMBER, 1938).

1.

Cost of Living and Supplies.

Report for the week ending

2.

Population and Refugees.

No. of persons of all kinds

entering Colony during

week ended

19. 9. 39 21.

By

steamer.

By

railway.

of

(if known

No.

By other

routes

refugees

in Kam Tin Camp

i on 21...9...39.....

border and other No. of refugees in

camps on21.9.39. population.

Trend of

Net rise (+) or fall (−) for week ended

19 ... 9... .39...

Friday, 22. 9. 39.

Fresh Vegetables:

Supplies

80% of normal owing to fighting near Macao. Prices 12% above normal.

Freshwater Fish: Supplies 50% of normal. Prices 100% above normal.

Saltwater Fish: Supplies normal. Prices up about 10%.

Poultry: Supplies 90% of normal. Prices 10% above normal.

Beef: Supplies and prices normal.

Pork: Supplies 80% of normal Prices 20% above normal

owing to artificial

exchange at Kwangchowwan.

31,570 Nil. Unknown 1,890 4,489 -5,411

3.

Remarks on State of Industrial and Shipping Activity.

See report appended.

4.

Remarks on Revenue-Position and Prospects.

Week ended 23. 9. 39.

Approximate revenue for the four weeks ended 23rd September was $2,491,000, equal to 94% of average revenue of corresponding periods of three previous quarters. Approximate revenue for the first 38 weeks of 1939 was $28,749,000, equal to 108% of revenue for the first 38 weeks of 1938.

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Firewood: Average number of

catties per dollar

Pine (chopped)

44

Pine (unchopped)

49

Singapore (chopped)

Singapore (unchopped)

64

Sandakan (chopped)

59

Sandakan (unchopped)

66

Miscellaneous (unchopped)62

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296

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