FO371-23515 — Page 57

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HONG KONG,

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

Cost of Living & Supplies

Report for the week ending Friday. 10. 2. 39.

Fresh Vegetables:)Supplies

& prices approximately

Freshwater Fish:

normal.

Saltwater Fish: )

2

Population & Refugees

No. of persons of all kinds entering Colony during week

ended

steamer.

37362

7 2. 39

By

railway.

in

Kam Tin Camp on

9.2.39.

By routes( known)

No. of

refugees

border & other camps on No. of refugees in

9.2.39

or no change.

Trend of population +,

Nil Nil

2704 3018

+

3

Remarks on State of Industrial & Shipping Activity.

4

Remarks on Revenue Position & Prospects.

See report appended.

Approximate revenue for four weeks ended 11th February was $3,209,000, equal to 103% of average of corresponding periods of three previous quarters.

Approximate revenue for the first six weeks of 1939 was $5,001,000, equal to 111% of revenue of first six weeks of 1938.

Poultry: Supplies about 70%

of normal & prices up

about 25%.

Meat: There is a slight

shortage of supplies,

price of beef up about 20% and price of pork

up about 5%.

The shortages in the supplies of poultry & meat are ascribed to Japanese activities in South

Kwangtung (Weichow Island, etc) the rise in prices is due to the approach of Chinese New Year more than to any other factor.

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