Increase in the number of passengers owing to the accelerated express train service.
Auxiliary operations, Foreign
Increase of haulage of fast
goods trains and extra
charge for additional coaches
Rent of Government Property, Land and Houses.
Other Miscellaneous Receipts
Exchange transactions ac- counted for $16,996. Appreciation of Sterling
Miscellaneous Receipts.
Estimate. Actual.
Conservancy Contracts
Increase.
16,812 15,362
New Contract
Overpayments in previous years
8,000 22,098 14,098
Securities
Increase in market value
at 31/12/33 of investments
on account of surplus balances
Royalty payable by Kowloon
Motor Bus Co., Ld.
Estimate. Actual.
Increase.
A new item
payable by China
Motor Bus Co., Ld.
Lands Not Leased
A new item
Increase in the number
of permits issued
7. The principal decreases over the amounts as estimated were as follows:-
Leased Lands (Crown Rent Ex-
clusive of N.T.)
Increase in land leased
Estimate. Actual. Decrease.
Interest.
Estimate.
Actual. Increase.
Import Duty on Liquor ......................... 1,300,000 1,026,714 273,286
Less consumption of Chi- nese liquor.
Import Duty on Tobacco
4,600,000 2,921,456 1,678,544
Receipts overestimated & less tobacco imported
200,000 306,326 106,320
Port and Harbour Dues.
Light Dues
Estimate. Actual. Decrease.
640,000 524,436 115,564
Rate reduced from 1st April, 1933
Interest
The actual expenditure for the year both ordinary and on loan account was short of the estimate. Hence larger sums than anticipated were available for short term investments
above decreases
Licences and Internal Revenue not otherwise specified.
Estimate.
Decrease.
sion is the reason for the
Opium Monopoly
Bets and Sweeps Tax
2,500,000 1,152,852 1,847,148
Large decrease in sales
Entertainments Tax
Stamp Duties
General business depres-
340,000 254,110 85,890 290,000 2,600,000
275,746 2,207,707
Fees of Court or Office, Payments for Specific Purposes,
and Reimbursements in Aid :-
Estimate.
Actual. Decrease.
China Companies
Fewer registrations
Medical Examination of Emi-
Falling off in emigrants
Sunday Cargo-Working Permits
104,575 30,425
Fewer vessels working
Contribution for Anti-Piracy
99,962 20,038
Fewer guards were sup- plied during the year
Widows' and Orphans' Pen-
sions Contributions
Higher rate of exchange
Message Fees
General trade depression
355,136 39,464
Post Office.
Estimate.
Actual. Decrease.
720,000 1,325,000
644,691 1,238,968
Land Sales.
Premia on New Leases
Estimate.
$ 1,300,000
$ 972,861
Decrease.
Decreased demand for land
Old Fees.
New Fees.
Effective From.
10% Preference on scale of duties
16.2.33.
8. A list of the alterations and additions in General Taxation, Postage Rates and of the increases and adjustments in Licence Fees and other Receipts during the year 1933 is shown in the following Schedule.
A (1) 7-
2.4/10th cents per ton... based on the conventional 9/10th cents
Import Duty Tobacco Empire Origin
Port and Harbour Dues.
Light Dues-all vessels other than River Boats
all River Boats
Licences and Internal Revenue.
(A)-Licences.
Massage establishment
Public Dance Hall
extension 1 hour
$ 25.00 p.a. $120.00 p.a.
27.10.33.
$ 20.00 p.m.
Old Fees.
New Fees.
Effective From.
- A (1) 8
Public Dance Hall, extension 2 hours
duplicate Licence
Tobacco. For and in respect of every occasion of the alteration in any licence mentioned in the Third Schedule to the Tobacco Ordinance, 1931, of the premises in respect of which the licence is granted
Vehicle International driving permit
graded according to fee
paid for original licence.
In proportion to the fee of $180 p.a.
certificate for a motor car
Temporary Licences
27.10.33.
26.5.33.
Date of issue for 12 months
17.11.33.
(B) Internal Revenue.
Bets and Sweeps Tax
Old Fees.
New Fees.
Effective From.
Fees of Court, etc.
(A)-Fees.
China Companies (Order No. 1)
For registering under Part III. of the Companies Ordinance, 1932, any charge required to be registered thereunder whether created by a Company or existing on property acquired by the Company
For registering particulars of a series of Deben-
tures under Part III.
For registering particulars of any charge under
section 91 of the Ordinance
For registering the appointment of a receiver or manager under section 86 of the Ordinance.. For inspecting the register of charges. For each
inspection
China Companies (Order No. 2)
For inspecting in respect of any company the register or any file or document-for each inspection
Old Fees.
New Fees.
Effective From.
For a certificate of incorporation
For certifying a copy or extract of any other document or any part of any other docu- ment, per folio of 72 words
Court Fees. Divorce Ordinance 35 of 1932
Court Fees. Magistrates Ordinance No. 41 of 1932.
For affixing the signature, of a magistrate, with or without the magistrate's seal, to any statutory declaration ΟΙ other document made or required for a purpose other than in or for a magisterial proceeding or matter exclusively within the duties of the office of a magistrate
For copy of depositions, charges or documentary exhibits in summary cases, if not exceeding five folios of seventy-two words each
and for every additional folio, in excess of five folios
For a copy of a warrant
1.11.33.
- A (1) 10
Old Fees.
New Fees.
Effective From.
For a certificate of trial for military or naval authorities (under Army Act) the equivalent in Hong Kong Currency at the date of pay- ment of three shillings
s. d. 3/.
1.11.33.
Possession. Bailiff's Expenses. Possession Money,
per diem, (to be paid in cash) When more than one man in possession if direct- ed by Registrar or Party, for each additional man, per diem, (to be paid in cash) ...........
(For each man in posses-
sion per diem. $1.00.
16.6.33.
(B) Receipts.
Official Administrator's Commission.
Chargeable on the gross value of all property of whatsoever nature received or taken posses- sion of or realised or otherwise dealt with under Ordinance 2 of 1897
Post Office.
Postage. Selling prices of Imperial Coupons
Selling prices of International Coupons Business Reply Envelope and Card System Per-
(5% for 1st $1,000. {21% on next $4,000. 1% on the balance.
23.6.33.
$0.16 $0.25
$10.00 p.a.
22.9.33.
— A (1) 11 —
A (1) 12
Expenditure.
9. The expenditure for the year amounted to $31,122,715 against an estimate of $35,199,247 a decrease of $4,076,532. The total sum of $31,122,715 is made up as follows:—
Ordinary Expenditure
Extraordinary Expenditure Public Works.......
$27,830,266
3,292,449
Ordinary Expenditure for the year was $27,830,266 against $29,082,423 in the preceding year showing a decrease of $1,252,157.
10. In the following table the actual expenditure for the year 1933 is compared with the expenditure of the previous year and with the estimates for 1933.
— A (1) 18 —
Heads of Expenditure,
Actual 1932
Estimates, 1933
Actual 1933
His Excellency the Governor Cadet Service
Senior Clerical and Accounting
Junior Clerical Service
Colonial Secretary's Office and
Legislature...
Secretariat for Chinese Affairs
Treasury...
Audit Department
District Office, North
165,697.86 554,240.58
164,344.89
302,843.48
932,571.81
60,372.93
281,177.54
28,607.63
175,321,51
92,138.35
286,510.94
59,883.07
112,846.31
22,005.73
65,758.25
11,151.33
47,116.63
(4)—Post Office ...
457,655.03
(B)- Do.
Do. Wireless Telegraph
486,366.80
Services
152,214.25
159,289.80
Imports and Exports Office
(4)—Harbour Department
Royal Observatory
Fire Brigade...
Supreme Court
Attorney General's Office Crown Solicitor's Office
Official Receiver's Office
Land Office
Magistracy, Hong Kong Do., Kowloon ...
Police Force ...
Prison Department
Medical Department
Sanitary Department ...
695,074.02
723,839.62
1,020,734.07
1,279,115
997,996.97
Air Service...
11,545.84
13,899.75
68,184.87
63,165.42
297,080.17
307,896.84
172 095.89
244,996.00
38.717.16
58,305.10
65.003.76
56,115.08
18,806.12
27,126.48
37,135.93
66,100.37
2,088.09
69,373.77
1,733.12
32.404.86
2,520,708.37
3,149,131
2,836,532.08
765,777.56
853,873.28
1,285,571.04
1,592,377
1,414,081.59
846,286.83
1,114,897
1,024,574.36
Botanical & Forestry Department
117.200.45
126,761.87
Education Department
1,745 983.64
2,042,296
Kowloon-Canton Failway
873,466.90
1,021,631
(A)—Volunteer Defence Corps...
110,261.35
Pensions...
(B)-Military Contribution
Miscellaneous Services
Charitable Services
Charge on Account of Public
Public Works Department..
6,569.239.47
5.832,271
1 580.943.65
1,477,306
169,926.51
1,866.626.90 886,38'.12 131,691.79
5 694,558,60
1,504.549.67 178,940.91
1,666,704.81
1,781.834
1,218,695 12
1,545,269,52
1,894,000
1,876,564.93
2,116,882.14
2,809,699
2,222,873.71
Recurrent
1.900,619,99
1,692,500
1,553,606.84
29,082,423.32
31,031,324 27,830,265.70
Public Works Extraordinary
Naval Arsenal Yard and Kellet
1,967,860.20
31,050,283.52
1,000,000.00
3,667,923 3,292,449.05
34,699,247
31,122,714.75
TOTAL...
32,050.283.52
35,199,217 31,122,714.75
*Now included in departmental estimates.
A (1) 14
A (1) 15
11. Only one head of Expenditure was exceeded :—
Miscellaneous Services
The cost of Government servants' passages re- quired $87,758 more than estimated.
DECREASES,
Imports and Exports Office.
Owing to higher exchange $37,578 was saved on the purchase of raw opium and $4,954 on fuel due to Opium Factory having been closed in February.
Harbour Department and Air Services.
Coal cost $122,212 less than the estimates owing to lower contract rate, $9,574 was saved on repairs, minor im- provements and stores for launches and boats owing to higher exchange, and $50,000 for a new launch not built. The subsidy of $30,000 to the Flying Club and $100,000 to Commercial Aviation were also not paid.
Police Force,
Higher exchange reduced the expenditure on ammunt- tion by $4,439, on clothing and accoutrements by $15,537. Higher exchange, fewer passages than estimated resulted in a saving of $23,019 on Police Officers' transport and $5,603 on rations for Indian Police.
Prisons Department.
A saving of $6,037 was made on clothing for the staff, due to higher exchange, The price of coal also accounted for a decrease of $6,305 in fuel. Government quarters were available and a saving of $5,219 on Rent of quarters and Rent allowances for European warders was made.
Medical Department.
Bedding and clothing also Medicines, etc., showed da creases of $7,036 and $17,450 due to higher exchange.
Sanitary Department.
Exhumation costs were lower by $7,426.
Education.
A saving of $19,593 in Capitation Grants due to fewer pupils.
Kowloon Canton Railway.
A saving of $72.872 in coal resulted from a lower con- tract price.
Charitable Services.
Aberdeen
The full provision of $11,750 voted for Industrial School was underspent by $8,150 owing to school not being ready.
Charge on account of Public Debts.
Savings of 118,226 and $33,617 for interest and tink- ing fund respectively were made owing to higher exchange. The sum of $333,000 provided for the sinking tung of this Public Works 6% Loan 1927 was not required as this lean was converted on 1st August to 4% by the issue of con. version bonds running for 20 years, the first provision for amortization only being required in 1934.
Pensions.
Out of $1,894,000 provided only $1,876,565 was spent, the saving of $17,435 was due to higher exchange. Public Works Department.
Owing to less work being accomplished than anticipated $4,745 was saved on Harbour Surveying. $204,596 on Ad- Additional ditional Transmitting Equipment, $68,578 on Receiving Equipment were saved due non-arrival of Equipment from England and $10,888 on Steam Roller due to Account being outstanding at the close of the year, Public Works lecurrent.
Thus Head, showed a decrease of $138,893 on the estimate, in spite of the fact that by a resolution of Council dated 31st August a further $60,000 above the original estimate was provided for maintenance works. Two sub- heads however showed comparatively large increases over the original appropriations, Hong Kong-"Buildings" by $33,184 and howloon-“Maintenance of Waterworks" by $16,233.
Public Works Extraordinary.
The net decrease amounted to $375,474 and was spread over the subheads generally, the explanation being that less work was done than anticipated or the work commenced late in the year. There were however a few subheads which showed increases over the original provision notably Water meters by $57,704 owing to the increased demand for metered supplies; Kowloon Hospital additions by $73,886 as better progress was made with the work than anti- cipated; Distribution Circuit from New Reservoir by $46,825 to enable the earlier completion of the circuit; Government Bungalow at Fanling by $29,211 due to increased accom- modation. The following are some of the more important items which were not estimated for originally but provided by supplementary votes or resolutions during the year. Remand Home for Juvenile Offenders $49,492, Purchase of house No. 407, The Peak, $40,000. Purchase of Sailors' Home and Soldiers' Institute and cost of adaption as offices $196,812. Free connections in Rider Main Areas $19,258 and Resurfacing Shatin Causeway and Taipo Road $62,791.
Naval Arsenal Yard and Kellet Island.
The amount of $500,000 was not paid during the year.
- A (1) 16
12. Statement of
Assets and Liabilities on
the 31st
December 1933.
LIABILITIES.
DEPOSITS:-
Contractors and
ADVANCES :-
Officers Deposits
487,200.00
Suitors Fund
587,617.30
account Future Loan Purchase of three Locomotives for Chinese Section
6,934,474.13
Miscellaneous De-
posits.........
Insurance Compan-
Kowloon Canton
2,268,353.78
Railway.
267,468.26
Miscellaneous
Building Loans
1,900,700,00| Imprest Account..
79,401.82
723,310.04
7,218.15
A (1) 17
14. The balance of moneys not required to meet current requirements was lent to the Joint Colonial Fund which amount- ed to £157,000 and is shown in the above statement as $2,241,190. This fund is replenished by remittances from the Treasury and is drawn on from time to time as required by the Crown Agents.
15. The cash balance of $3,574,680 with the Treasurer in- cluded $700,211 held by the Official Receiver on account of Com- panies Liquidation and Bankruptcy. This latter figure also forms part of the sum of $2,268,354 shewn under Miscellaneous Deposits as a liability.
16. The Surplus Fund $1,610,714 represents the market value of the stocks as at 31st December 1933 and was invested
as follows:
AMOUNT OF STOCK, &C.
NOMINAL VALUE.
COST PRICE,
MARKET VALUE
Subsidiary Coin
1,415,597.95
Suspense Account
Exchange Adjustment| 136,808.00
Trade Loan Reserve... 1,070,609.68
967,147.31
Investments:-
STERLING INVESTMENTS.
Surplus Funds Crown Agents Re-
mittances
1,610,714,23
Canada (1930-50) India, (1936-38)
19,959.40
Kenya, (1950)..
3 % Stock. .51% .41%
Praya East Reclama-
112,303.45
Trade Loan Out-
standing Unallocated
(P.W.D.).....
Newcastle Corporation,
(1945-55).
374,500.50
486,713.30
Government House & City Development Fund
Unallocated Stores,
1,227,666.28
(Railway)...
187,916.81
Cash Balance:-
House Service Account]
Coal Account
Total Liabilities... 8,771,011.30 |
Excess of Assets over
Liabilities
13,823,625.33
Crown Agents..
Treasurer..
Colonial
Fund.........
Fixed Deposits:—
General $2,080,000.00
Insurance
Companies 1,900,700.00 Miscellaneous 450,000.00
10,478.98
2,126.52
40,792.69 3,574,679.79
2,241,189.57
* Part payment.
£ 117,829. 7. 6 £107,771.19. 9
+ No quotation.
ADVANCES.
17. On account of Future Loan.
This money has been expended as under:—
Aberdeen Water Scheme
Aerodrome
New Gaol at Wong Ma Kok
New Zealand, (1932-34)...5 % Bonds. New Zealand, (1949-54)...34% Queensland, (1940-60) ...5 % Stock. Union of South Africa,
(1933-43)....
£ 7,139. 1. 1 17,046,15,10 5,000, 0. 0
10,000, 0, 0
9,633.13. 9
£7,143,15, 2 (983) 17,482. 8. 3(107) 4,734.17. (112)
9,600. 0.0|(107)
9,495.13, 8(102) 10,594.12. 2+
£7,081.19. 4 18,240. 8. 0 5,600, 0, 0
10,700. 0. 0
9,826. 7. 2
20.000. 0. 0
10,594.12. 8
29,009.16.10
28,719.14.11 (107)
31,040.10. 7
20,000. 0. 0
20,000.18. 0 99XD) 19,800. 0. 0
£112.833.17, 9
Total.....$ 22,594,636.63
4,430,700.00
.$ 22,591,636.63
* Joint Colonial Fund £157,000.0.0.
13. The excess of Assets over Liabilities on the 1st January 1933 was $12,847,062. On the 31st December 1933 this sum had increased to $13,823,625 the difference of $976,563 is the excess of revenue over expenditure as recorded in paragraph 1 of this Report.
Vehicular Ferry
Tytam Tuk Catchwater
Air Port and Slipway, &c.
252,992.91 9,702.31
$6,934,474.13
$2,499,625.70
20,485.92
162,244.36
Shing Mun Valley Scheme 1st Section
636,765.59
Shing Mun Valley Scheme 2nd Section:—
Preliminary Works
Gorge Dam
36,718.84
120,045.23
1,454,242.57
1,741,650.70
A (1) 18-
18. Purchase of three locomotives for the Chinese Section Kowloon-Canton Railway.
The Chinese Section commenced paying off this advance in July, 1932, at the rate of $10,000 per month and the original amount outstanding has been reduced from $447,468.26 by $180,000 to $267,468.26.
19. During the year the Unallocated Stores varied as
under :-
Balance at 31st December
1933 $486,713
Public Works Department.... $469,074 Kowloon-Canton Railway
A (1) 19
Interest in arrears on 31st December, 1926 31st December, 1927
$117,369.42
206,818.64
31st December, 1928
321,121.10
31st December, 1929
416,237.93
31st December, 1930
398,641.94
31st December, 1931
307,152.89
31st December, 1932
209,087.15
31st December, 1933
195,714.76
Total number of Loans issued since 16th November, 1925...302 Less number redeemed in 1926..
TRADE LOAN ACCOUNT.
$641,402 $674,630
20. During the year the number of outstanding loans was reduced by one from eight to seven.
Instalments on account of Capital outstanding were obtained in respect of two other loans. The total reduction in Capital outstanding was $147,000, i.e., from $752,751.50 to $605,751.50 whilst in addition $31,251.00 of Capital was written off leaving the net sum due as $574,500.50. The total Capital now written off amounts to $136,263.30.
Efforts to procure redemption and, on or two bad loans, a sale came to nothing. Interest to the extent of $36,734.39 was written off during the year. The Reserve ac- count increased steadily and now amounts to $1,070,609.68 which exceeds the Capital outstanding by $496,109.18.
The following table shows the financial position of this ac- count as at 31st December, 1933:-
Loans Issued since 16th November, 1925, on
approved securities
Less Redemptions effected during the years
$15,633,582.97
$2,604,930.00
4,845,879.76
3,403,560.02
1,356,536.86
1,280,842.65
832,241.62
451,828.26
147,000.00
14,922,819.17
Less amount written off as irrecoverable
Total of Loans outstanding on 31st December,
710,763.80 136,263,30
$574,500.50
Number of Loans outstanding on 31st December, 1933
PUBLIC DEBT.
21. The inscribed Stock Loans of 1893 and 1906 amounted to £1,485,733 and the Sinking Fund stood at £911,748 as against £832,751 at the end of 1932.
The Public Works 6% Loan (Ordinance No. 14 of 1927) amounting to $4,927,000 was converted during the year. Bond holders were offered cash or conversion on a 4% basis for 20 years under the provisions of Ordinance No. 15 of 1933. The sum of $4,838,000 was converted, leaving only $89,000 to be redeemed. Interest is payable half yearly on 1st February and 1st August and a sinking fund will be set up, the first instalment being paid on or before 31st July 1984.
NOTE CIRCULATION,
22. The local circulation of notes and specie in Reserve of the three banks having authorized issues were as follows at 31st December:
Notes in Circulation.
Specie in Reserve.
Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking
Corporation
Chartered Bank of India, Australia
and China
Mercantile Bank of India. Ltd..........
$141,168,337 $123,000,000
14,950,262
8,800,000
1.465,119
1,350,000
$157,583,718 $132,650,000
A (1) 20
EXCHANGE.
23. The average monthly rates for sterling and Shanghai dollars were as follows:
1/3.255 106.190
February
1/3.219 106.179
1/3.624 105.540
1/3.699 106.897
1/4.306 109.181
September
November
1/4.858 110.375
December
1/4.927 110.355
The opening rate of the year on January 3rd was 1/3d., the closing rate on December 31st was 158. The lowest rate quoted during the year was 1,27 on 13th February and the highest rate 1/5% on the 29th December.
GENERAL.
24. The estimates for the year were based on $1= 18.2d and a deficit of $1,196,672 was estimated for. The final figures for the year however showed an excess of Revenue over Expen- diture of $976,563, notwithstanding the fact that Revenue shewed a decrease of $1,903,297 below the estimate. The excess on the year's working was therefore wholly due to under expenditure. Several causes contributed to this. The monthly rates for sterling are shewn in the preceding paragraph from which it will be seen that on no occasion did the dollar fall below 1s. 24d. while the average rate throughout the year was 18. 43⁄4ed. Large savings were made under Personal Emolu- ments compared with the amounts inserted in the Estimates. Provision was made for $13,041,075 but only $11,551,284 was expended. Vacancies in
office and changes in personnel accounted for some of this underexpenditure but the greater part may be ascribed to the rise in the sterling value of the dollar. Under "Other Charges" savings were also effected the total provision being $5,129,828 against $4,252,065 expended. The amount spent under Public Works Extraordinary fell short of the original estimate by $375,474 notwithstanding the fact that an extra sum of $509,918 was placed at the disposal of the Director of Public Works by resolution of Council dated 31st August 1933.
A (1) 21
25. Opium Sales again fell very much below the estimate, the deficit amounting to $1,347,148. The following are the receipts from this source for the last 5 years:--
$2,651,492
2,835,287
3,019,724
2,314,226
1,152,852
26. The receipts from Estate Duties were extremely high ||
due to two large estates bringing in $1,905,489.
27. Trade generally has fallen off considerably. Imports ex- cluding treasure amounted to $500,938,794 during 1933, the total for the previous year being $624,047,600. Exports were $403,092,170 against $471,859,706 for 1932. These figures re- flect the general trade depression and the effect of increased Customs duties levied by the Chinese Government. Unsettled conditions in the Provinces also have had the effect of reducing the purchasing power of the people. Exchange has been un- certain, a factor that has added to the difficulties of merchants and bankers in handling and financing the trade of the Colony, Fluctuations in the price of silver have been rather wider in the New York market than in London and our sterling exchange quotations have fortunately therefore responded slowly to the market tendencies of silver. The present large existing stocks of silver, particularly in the United States, and the prevailing uncertainty as to the ultimate disposal cause some apprehen- sion locally as to the near future prospect of exchange. devaluation of the United States dollar has had no apparent effect on the Colony's trade with America though local specu- lation in exchange on the United States has increased during the past year.
28. The best class of investment securities has remained fairly steady on the Share Market, but apart from these there has been a considerable fall in values and the property market has also shown a marked decline. Several Native Banks got into difficulties, but with assistance from the British Banks were generally able to avert disaster and tide over a period of anxiety.
29. Foreign remittances to Hong Kong, formerly a very considerable item in our invisible exports, continue to decline- Banks can no longer afford to pay interest on unwanted de- posits and moreover the earning capacity of Chinese immigrants abroad must have been greatly curtailed during the world wide depression in trade. Bank deposits have increased considerably during the past year and Notes in Circulation have risen from $153 millions in December 1932 to $157 millions in December
A (1) 22-
1933. There is no cause for satisfaction in an increasing ac- cumulation of idle deposits and it is hoped that trade conditions will improve in the forthcoming year and avenues be opened for the profitable employment of the ample capital available in the Colony.
30. Mention was made in the last report of the two National Cash Registers placed in the Treasury. Towards the end of the year a third was purchased and has been used since January 1934 in emergencies and at rush periods. During the year 222,256 receipts were issued from the two registers of which 99,974 were for rates, 84,441 for water accounts and the balance for Crown Rents and Miscellaneous receipts. The receipts cover- ed a total of $12,903,884 paid in.
31. An addressograph, including a graphotype, was installed during the year. By means of this equipment, it is possible to print the valuation book and to use the same plates for the purpose of printing rates notices (demand notes), a great saving in time and labour and in addition a ready index to the owners' addresses.
The Treasury,
EDWIN TAYLOR,
Treasurer.
Hong Kong, 30th April, 1934.
Appendix L.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PRISONS FOR THE YEAR 1933.
The number of prisoners received into prison during the year and the corresponding number for 1932 were as follows:-
Convicted by Ordinary Courts Debtors
1933 10,192
On remand or in default of finding
2. Thirty-four boys were admitted as Juveniles, i.e., under sixteen years of age, during the year with sentences varying from one day's detention to twelve months hard labour. Of this number thirty-two only were treated as Juvenile Offenders; the others in the opinions of the Superintendent and the Medical Officer, being over sixteen years of age.
3. The percentage of convicted prisoners admitted to prison with previous convictions recorded against them was 15.3 as compared with 19.9 for 1932.
4. 473 prisoners were convicted by Police Courts in the New Territories against 269 for the previous year.
5. The following table shows the number of convicts in custody on the 31st December for the past ten years, and the percentage of the total number of prisoners in custody to the estimated population of Hong Kong.
Estimated
population.
Number of
convicts.
Percentage
population.
average number of
prisoners.
Precentage
population.
874,420 394
786,920 409
* 890,400 392
*1,075,690
*1,075,690 331
*1,143,510
† 849,751 202
900,796 173
922,643 162
*Probably overestimated.
Census of 1931.
VICTORIA GAOL (MALES).
6. 22,998,811 forms were printed and issued to various Government Departments and 122,901 books bound or repaired as compared with 18,576.579 forms and 88,677 books in 1932. During the year type to the value of $350 was cast.
7. Other industries in the Prison included matmaking, tailoring, carpentering, tinsmithing, painting, laundering, shoe- making, netmaking and basketmaking, and the usual upkeep work of cooking; cleaning and minor building repairs.
8. The Gaol was again overcrowded.
9. The workshop accommodation is inadequate.
LAI CHI KOK PRISON (MALES).
10. Garden work continues to give useful employment. Other work done at Lai Chi Kok, apart from the esssential routine duties of cooking, cleaning, etc., included string and net making, basket and broom making and grass matmaking. Coir matmaking was successfully introduced in 1930 and the bulk of this work is now done at Lai Chi Kok.
11. There was no escape or attempt to escape.
12. Owing to a marked increase in prison population the building of a new Hall to accommodate if necessary 200 prison- ers, was approved.
FEMALE PRISON LAI CHI KOK,
13. This prison was also overcrowded. Although it was constructed to accommodate 120, (about double the daily average in custody in the old Female Prison) the number in the New Prison has frequently been over 200,
14. Female prisoners are employed chiefly on laundry work and mending. Weaving was introduced in March and satisfac- tory results have been obtained, but for want of accommodation the work can only be done on a small scale.
15. The Lady Visitors continue to attend regularly for in- structional purposes and their visits make a welcome and useful change to the monotony of imprisonment for the long sentence prisoners. Lady Sisters froin the Italian Convent attend on Saturdays and Lady Visitors of the Church Missionary Society attend on Sundays to give religious addresses. Their minis-
trations are much appreciated. The administration would again like to express thanks to all these ladies for their valued services.
GENERAL.
16. 433 punishments were awarded for breaches of prison discipline as compared with 603 for the preceding year. Corporal punishment was inflicted in three cases for prison offences.
17. Thirty-eight prisoners were whipped by order of
18. There was a marked increase in the number of prisoners convicted in the New Territory Courts, see Paragraph 4.
19. Owing to overcrowding in the prisons 1,307 males were released before expiration of sentence. Although the Female Prison was also overcrowded it was not found necessary to re- lease any women prematurely.
20. The discipline in all three prisons was good.
21. The health of the prisoners generally was well main- tained.
22. The conduct of the officers was on the whole very good.
23. The general health of the Staff was good.
24. The site for the new prison at Stanley is in course of preparation.
25. Mr. F. A. Hopkins, Assistant Superintendent of Prisons, administered the Department from 11th March to 2nd November during my absence on leave.
J. W. FRANKS, Superintendent of Prisons.
Table I.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE 1932 AND 1933.
Table II.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF REVENUE 1932 AND 1933.
Head of Revenue collected by Prison Department.
Personal Emoluments*
453,659.74 460,958.95
Other Charges.
Fees of Court or Office. Prisoners Subsistence
Arms and Ammunition
Prison Industries
Conveyance Allowance to Superinten-
Cleaning and Sanitary Materials
5,755.47
5,799.49
1,596.70 1,886.00
7,693.04 7,282.70
9,289.74
9,168.70
Clothing and Shoes for Staff
15,184.19
13,962.87
Clothing for Prisoners
12,995.90
17,116.83
Executioners Fees
Furniture
Grants to Chaplains
41,508.18
39,694.48
1,200.00
1,200.00
Table III.
Gratuities to Prisoners
1,135.00
Incidental Expenses
Materials for Remunerative Industries.
Materials for Repairs and Renewals Photography
11,170.53
692.00 2,204.50 2,277.92 10,637.35
Comparative Statement of Expenditure and Revenue of Prison Department for the last 10 years,
5,880.32 5,471.56
9.681.80 9,401.75
1,923.66 2,319.01
Rations for Indian Warders
14,666.33
Rent of Quarters for European Warders
9,124.30
Rent of Quarters for Indian Warders... Subsistence of Prisoners
14,358.09
6,780.16 6,310.00 9,200.00 161,670.90 208,006.50
*Personal Emoluments and Other Charges
Special Ex- penditure
Total Expenditure
Total Revenue including esti- mated value of
prison labour
1924 $375,158.14 1925 460,813.31 1926 475,950.09 1927 500,203.68
$8,204.56 2,013 73 3,218.46 636.90
$383,362.70
$126,448.03
462,827.04
126,623.61
479,168.55
153,727.28
500,840.58
160,417.44
Total Other Charges... 302,145.06 348,693.63
Special Expenditure.
1928 493,271.58 1929
514,267.37 1930 659,899.39 29,693.50
791,012.42
493,271.58
166,024.55
7,264,36
521,531.73
179,307.54
689,592.89
144,550.53
791,012.42
Two Printing Machines
170,339.01
30,764.40
755,804.80 24,306.28
780,111.08
207,085.54
Three Ruling Machines Crossley Chassis
10,142.59
809,652.58 44,220.70 858,873.28
217,492.17
3,313.71
*Includes officers of J. C. Service.
Total Special Expenditure
44,220.70
Total Prison Department
780,111.08 853,873.28
Table IV.
Nature of Industry.
Net-making,
3,339.69 479.00
4,280.20
7,619.88
Return showing value of Industrial Labour for the year 1932.
Value of
Value of
stock on
hand January 1st
Value of materials purchased.
articles
Total Dr.
manufactur- ed or work
done for payment.
2,609.44
Value of work done for gaol or other Departments.
3,169.50
Value of stock on hand December 31st, 1933.
4,201.50 458.75
Value of Earnings.
Difference
Total Cr.
3 and 7.
9,980.44
2,360.56
1,094.30
Tailoring,
6,664.40
16,895.02
23,559.42
22,680.50
5,368.20
28,306.62
4,747.20
Tinsmithing,
47.20 104.80
1,807.61
1.912.41
4,380.35
4,642.91
2,730.50
Carpentering,
1,270.40
3,599.83
4,869.23
5,854.15
6,955.65
2,086.42
Grass-matting,
Shoemaking,
Laundry,
1,680.00
3,042.62 4,125.10
3,702.62
5,028.05
6,165,24
5,805.10
17,296.65
1,124.30
18,420.95
2,462.62 12,615.85
Printing and
Bookbinding,...
54,395.81
101,639.78
156,035,59
Photography,
Gardening,
121.44 51.50
2.319.01
Total,......$
68,851.73
139,462.26
2,440.45 364.99 271.80
2,083.54 .60
287,282.58
55,109.00
344,475.12
188,439.53
2,773.71
2,815.81
208.313.99
6.921.02
350,195.24
68,689.90
425,806.16
217,492.17
Paid into Bank during 1933, which sum includes $491.48 for work executed in 1932, $7,282.70. Value of work executed during 1933 for which payment was deferred to 1934, $129.80.
No. 333.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG,
31st May, 1934.
Separately.
With reference to my despatch No.319
of the 23rd May, 1934, I have the honour to forward
the following Administration Report:-
Report of the Director of
the Royal Observatory,
Hong Kong, for the year 1933.
12 copies.
This report was laid before the
Legislative Council on the 31st May, 1934.
I have the honour to be,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
со ариті (6
Governor, &c.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
SIR P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER, G.B.E., M.C., M.P.
Appendix F.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR
OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, HONG KONG, FOR THE YEAR 1933.
I.-GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS.
Between 21st January and 24th March the radio mast was transferred from the south west to the north east of the Observatory building.-In July the old telescope house was demolished and the building of new quarters for the Director was commenced upon the site formerly occupied by the telescope house and the mast. The new quarters are expected to be completed early in 1934, when the existing quarters will be taken into use as offices.
II.-METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
2. As in former years, automatic records of the tempera- ture of the air and evaporation were obtained with a Richard dry and wet bulb thermograph, and the direction and velocity of the wind with Beckley and Dines-Baxendell anemographs. Rainfall is recorded by a Nakamura Pluviograph, sunshine by two Campbell-Stokes universal recorders, and barometric pres- sure by a Marvin barograph. Eye observations of barometric pressure, temperature and cloud are made hourly, and the direc- tion of cloud motion every three hours. Observations of pilot balloons are made with a Watts 14 inch prismatic theodolite at 9h. a.m. and 3h. p.m. when conditions are favourable.
3. The principal features of the weather in 1933 were:--
(a) The abnormally low rainfall of August when 1.735 inches fell (1.090 inches in 24 hours) against an average of 14.216 inches. The percentage of cloudiness and total duration of sunshine were respectively the lowest and highest ever recorded in August.
(b) The absence of typhoons seriously affecting the Colony. The highest wind velocity recorded was 67 miles per hour on 29th June and 20th September.
In the first instance, a typhoon which formed in the China Sea to the south of the Colony on 27th June, passed between Hong Kong and Canton on a north east track two days later. In the second instance a typhoon formed to the south of Pratas Island on the afternoon of 19th September, and passed very close to Hong Kong on 20th September. This disturbance had
many of the characteristics of the typhoon which caused the disaster of 18th September 1906. It was of extremely limited area, and although its existence was sufficient to cause hurricane force at about 30 miles south east of Hong Kong, it must have commenced to fill up soon afterwards, for the wind began to moderate rapidly in Hong Kong before the barometric minimum was reached (at 10h. 10m. a.m.), and although the direction of cloud motion conclusively indicated the passage of the centre to the immediate south of Hong Kong between 10h a.m. and noon, the subsequent freshening of the wind between noon and 1 p.m. was slight.
4. The tracks of 18 typhoons which occurred in the Far East in 1933, are given in a plate which will be included with the Meteorological Results for 1933, now in the press. The following table gives a summary of the meteorological data published monthly in the Government Gazette during the year:
Temperature.
Humidity.
Absolute
Absolute
Direction. Velocity.
Febritary
September.
11-00 00 00 00
2410 maa
in 000 N
153.2 | 16,440
November
December ...............***
Mean, Total or
Extreme...
5. In the following table the monthly rainfall at the Obser- vatory is compared with other records in the Colony.
Matilda Police Botanical Hospital vatory Station Gardens (Mount
Kellet, Kowloon). Taipo). (Hong Kong).
Fanling.
inches. inches. inches.
Jaunary,
0.69 0'49
February,
March....
21.39 21.95 16:36
14'310 7.63
5'30 *'94
September,.....
13.22 14'65
October,
2.62 3727
November,.
6.82 4'44
December,
2.78 153 165
70'07 73:56 64'12
III.-PUBLICATIONS.
The following publications have been made during 1933
Magnetic Results, 1932.
Magnetic Results, 1884 to 1931.
The following are in the press :—
Magnetic Results, 1933.
Meteorological Results, 1933. The Upper Winds of Hong Kong,
A monthly abstract of meteorological observations is pub- lished in the Government Gazette and copies are supplied to any firm or individual requiring them, and a monthly seismolo- gical bulletin is issued and distributed to other observatories.
A weather map of the Far East for 6 a.m. of 120th meridian time, is constructed daily, and forecasts are issued for the following districts:
A Shanghai to Turnabout.
B Turnabout to Hong Kong.
C Hong Kong and neighbourhood.
D) Hong Kong to Hainan.
E Northern China Sea.
The map, weather report and forecast are exhibited at the Hong Kong and Kowloon ferry piers, the Harbour Office, Tele- graph offices and the General Post Office. The weather map may be purchased by the public at a subscription rate of $15 per annum. There were 39 subscribers in 1933. A weather map for 2 p.m. is also prepared, but is not published. Morning and afternoon weather reports and forecasts. together with observations made at 10h, a.m. and 4h p.m., are published in the local press.
IV.—WEATHER TELEGRAMS, FORECASTS AND STORM WARNINGS.
8. The telegraph companies continue to transmit twice daily free of charge meteorological observations from Vladi- vostock, Japan, Shanghai, Formosa. Indo China and the Philip- pines. Meteorological broadcasts by radio and the direct radio services of Shanghai (sent personally by Rev. Fr. Gherzi, S.J.), Indo China, Formosa, Amoy, Swatow. Sandakan and Pratas Island are extremely valuable. Extra observations at half cable rate are also obtainable from a number of stations by the courtesy of the telegraph companies.
9, Weather Telegrams from ships by Radio:--The follow- ing table gives the monthly number of ships from which radio meteorological messages have been received and the number of messages received (each arrival and departure is counted separately).
British (including
H.M. Ships).
Other National- ities.
H.M. Ships
in Port.
10. Weather forecasts, storm warnings and time signals are distributed by radio telegraphy as detailed in the "Notice to Mariners" issued by this Department. Storm warnings to Hong Kong and vicinity are also given by means of the local and Non-Local Signal codes. A telegraphic adaptation of the Non- Local Code is used for issuing warnings by cable to places out- side the Colony.
11. The following table gives the results of the weather forecasts for the past 5 years. The methods of analysis are described in the 1918 Report.
Complete Success.
Partial Success.
Partial Failure.
Total Failure.
January,
February,
144 67 121
124 36 35 182
March.....
164 II 158 56 97 166
1932 1933
154 38 64
109 187 14 143
107 184 18
62 104 187
September,
167 53 109
October,
Warning Signal.
Number of times.
Number of hours displayed.
12. Local signals, day and night, have been hoisted during the past 5 years according to the following table.
Signals 2-9
Number of times.
of hours
displayed.
No. 10 Bombs.
Number of times fired.
November,
159 54 95 173
December,
147 | 10
81 158 174
2247 159 1826 688 1193 2188
2692 192 2704 831 1405 2557 6801
1827 417644410098 829 1432 3100 15706
3117 414 8464 695 1234 2624 12815
V.-METEREOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FROM SHIPS, TREATY PORTS, ETC.
13. In addition to meteorological registers kept at about 40 stations in China, meteorological logs were received from 119 ships operating in the Far East. These logs, representing 5699 days observations, have been used for amplifying the weather maps and verifying typhoon tracks. The corresponding figures for 1932 were 112 and 5,111.
VI. MAGNETIC OBSERVATIONS.
14. The magnetic station at Au Tau has been kept in action throughout the year, except from Sept. 26th to Oct. 16th, when structural alterations were in progress. A detailed record of the results obtained at the station during 1983 is now in the press.
VII.-TIME SERVICE,
15. Clocks Cottingham and Mercer 507 (Sidereal) and The necessary Leroy 1350 were in use throughout the year. astronomical observations for the determination of the error of the former were obtained each evening (weather permitting) by the local staff. Observations of the radio time signals emitted by Nauen at 8h a.m. have been made daily whenever possible during the year, and utilised for clock regulations.
16. Time Signals were given throughout the year by radio from 9.55 to 10 a.m. each morning and 8.55 to 9 p.m. each evening. Dots of about 0.1 sec duration were transmitted at each second except for periods marking the minutes and half minutes. The evening programme was duplicated by 3 white lights (vertical) on the radio mast, the lights being extinguished each second in accordance with the radio programme.
Hourly signals were sent to the General Post Office, Radio Studio, Railway, the associated Telegraph Companies, and the Telephone Co.
The dropping of the Timeball ceased on 30th June, with the approval of the Naval authorities and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the opinion being expressed that in comparison with radio-telegraphy and telephony the method had become obsolete. The ball was dropped without failure be tween 1st January and 30th June.
20. Lithography. Lithographic work for other depart- ments was undertaken as follows:-
For Dept. Medical and
Sanitary Services
Colonial Secretariat
H.M.S. Hermes
Electrical Dept.
25,270 Charts
1,120 Maps
500 Maps
100 Forms.
21. Staff. The Assistant Director, Mr. B. D. Evans, was on leave from 25th March to 29th November.
22. Expenditure. The annual expenditure on the Observa- tory, for the past 10 years has been as follows:-
Personal Emoluments and other
Total Expenditure. Expenditure.
Total Revenue.
Charges.
41,011.48
11,627.01
52,638,49
41,955.51
41,955.51
42,566.65
12,341.74
54,908.39
The errors of the time signals have been published monthly in the Government Gazette.
47,253.17
47,398.41
47,292.83
272.70 47,565.03
VIII. INTERNATIONAL LONGITUDE DETERMINATIONS, 17. In this connection the radio time signals emitted by Tokio and Annapolis were observed whenever possible.
49,282.63
48,282.63
68,696.39
1,670.07
70,366.66
IX. MISCELLANEOUS.
18. Seismographs. The seismographs have been kept in good order throughout the year. 356 earthquakes were recorded compared with 430 in 1932. The seismograms have been for- warded to the International Seismological Committee, Oxford.
Upper Air Research. Observations of 415 pilot balloons were made during the year. Details of the flights will be in- cluded in Meteorological Results for 1933..
23. In the following table the expenditure and revenue for 1932 is compared with that for 1983.
76,037.81
76,037.81
69,518.23
69,518.25
63,165.42
63,165.42
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE.
24. Acknowledgements.-Acknowledgements are here made to the Directors of the Weather Services of the Far East, the Chinese Maritime Customs, and the Commanders of all ships for the observations forwarded during the year, to the Telegraph companies for continuing to forward observations free or at re- duced rates, to all institutions and individuals who have contri- buted to the Library, to the Observatory staff for the efficient performance of their duties, and particularly to Mr. G.S.P. Heywood, who acted as Assistant Director during the absence of Mr. B. D. Evans.
1932 and 1933.
Personal Emoluments
61,360.31
55,569.77
Other Charges.
Books and Postage
Electric Light and Power
Incidental Expenses
21st February, 1934.
Laboratory Expenses
1,269.03
Maintenance of Lithographic Plant
Maintenance of Time Service
Maintenance of Magnetographs
816.28 2,892.44
Meteorological Telegrams
Printing
3,254.00
2,600.00
Subscription towards cost of printing In-
ternational Upper Air Observations..
Transport
Uniforms
Total Other Charges
Total Royal Observatory
8,157.92 7,595.65
69,518.23 63,165.42
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF REVENUE.
1932 and 1933.
Fees of Court or Office, Sale of Publica-
cations,
C. W. JEFFRIES,
Director.
No. 319.
Separately
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG.
23rd May, 1934.
With reference to my despatch No. 300
of the 15th May, 1934, I have the honour to forward
the following Administration Reports: -
33821/34
Report on the Financial for the year 1933.
Report on the New Territories for the year 1933. (Souther District) car
12 copies.
Report on the New Territories
12 copies.
for the year 1933. (Department of District Office, North.;
12 copies.
These reports were laid before the
Legislative Council on the 17th May, 1934.
I have the honour to be,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
Governor, &c.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
SIR P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER, G.B.E., M.C.,
Appendix J.
REPORT ON THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE YEAR 1933.
DEPARTMENT OF DISTRICT OFFICE, NORTH.
Mr. E. H. WILLIAMS continued as District Officer during the
EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE.
2. Tables I, II (a), II (b) and II (c) show comparative details of the expenditure and revenue of the department for the years 1932 and 1933. Revenue from the district in the form of duties on liquors and tobaccos is not included, being paid to the Imports and Exports Department.
The total revenue shews an increase of over $16,000 principally under the headings of Crown Rent and Land Sales.
4. Table III shows a comparative statement of the revenue and expenditure of the Department for the last ten years.
MAGISTRACY.
5. Tables IV to VIII show the details of cases heard during the year by the District Officer in his capacity as Police Magistrate and Judge of the Small Debts Court. Table VII gives the returns of offences committed by juveniles. The num ber of these latter cases continues to remain very small.
6. The number of Police cases heard shews a large in- crease over the already high figures for 1932. Revenue offences are very numerous and are the main cause
of the increase. Smuggling of wine, tobacco and opium into the District from Chinese territory continues to grow and its detection is becom- ing more and more difficult.
7. The number of traffic cases is somewhat higher than that for 1932, the most common offence being the carrying of passengers for hire by lorry drivers. Motor traffic over the New Territories roads since the opening of the Vehicular Ferry is steadily growing and it is therefore natural that motoring offences should be on the increase.
8. Eight cases were committed for trial at the Supreme Court as against fourteen cases in 1932. Two were committed for homicide, two for armed robbery, two for possession of arms, and two for returning from banishment.
9. The number of small debt cases heard and distress warrants issued (Table VIII) is slightly above the average.
10. Forty-seven cases of deaths in unusual circumstances were reported to the Police Magistrate as Coroner during the year. Four death enquiries were held.
LAND OFFICE.
11. Complete details of the work of the Land Office are shewn in Table IX. The number of memorials registered in the Land Registry was 3,291 as against 3,286 in 1932 and the amount of stamp duty received for such registration was $5,121.40 as against $6,850 in 1932.
12. Sales of Crown Land for purposes of agriculture, fruit growing. cattle-grazing and poultry farming show increases over the figures for 1932. The villagers, however, do not view with any pleasure the sale of land near their villages for such purposes as the Crown land is used by them for cattle grazing and burial grounds. Their opposition has frightened off a number of intending purchasers.
13. The demand for building sites for shops and houses has fallen off slightly, particularly towards the end of the year. Building on the sites sold near the Cafeteria and Castle Peak beaches is not progressing very rapidly. Fair progress was made at Un Long, Shataukok and Taipo Market. Work was started in connection with the erection of a Cinema and Theatre at Taipo Market but ceased after some months, apparently owing to lack of funds.
14. Table X shows the allocation of assistance from the Local Public Works vote during 1933. It will be seen that the full amount available was used. The increase in the vote from $3,000 to $5,000 for the year 1934 will materially help in the carrying out of such useful works as irrigation, communication and the repair of storm damage.
15. Four new licences for forestry areas were issued during the year as against eleven in 1932 and the total area under such licences shews an increase of 666 acres. A large part of these hill-slopes is only thinly planted and much more work could be done by the villagers in developing the areas.
16. There were 372 licences to cultivate pine-apple plants current at the end of the year as against 327 at the end of 1932. The crop is reported to have been fairly good and prices, though not high, ruled much better than in 1932, the average being about $3.50 per picul. No effective steps have yet been taken to start a canning industry in the District.
GENERAL.
17. Rainfall for the year was below the average. Owing to the almost complete drought in the early part of the Surmer large tracts of padi-fields were left unplanted and the first crop was a failure. Fortunately the rain came at a critical time just when the seedlings for the second crop were on the point of withering and the crop, which later proved to be a good one, was saved. Prices, however, for the rice were very low.
18. The rate of payment of Crown Rent was slow largely because of the failure of the early crop of rice and the lateness of the second crop. Though slow, however, payments came in well towards the end of the collection season and finally only $42.08 remained outstanding in a sum of $95,957.53 which is probably a record for the District.
19. The year was not too good for the fisheries industry as the prices obtained were low. The continued heavy customs duty payable on the import of dried fish into China is having an injurious effect on this industry. This duty exceeds the value of the fish and is as high as $3 per picul.
20. The electric light supply has been extended to Castle Peak and Shataukok. The district between Au Tau and Fanling still remains to be served. Though very popular in the market towns electricity is not being used to any great extent in the villages nor is it likely to be until some reduction is made in the price of current.
21. Work was completed on the building of a storage tank for water at Taipo Market but it has not succeeded in bringing the long hoped for increase in pressure in the mains. Work is now in progress in laying a new and bigger main and when this is finished the full benefit of the new tank should be felt. In- vestigations were made during the year in connection with the provision of water supply for Un Long.
One stream, in particular, has been located with a very satisfactory dry weather flow and work is expected to commence soon on the scheme for piping this water to Un Long and the neighbouring villages. The stream supplies water to a consi- derable area of padi-land and the owners have already petitioned against any interference with the stream. Arrangements of course, will be made to meet their objections.
22. Births and Deaths Registration now appears to be working satisfactorily in the District. At first progress was very slow and it was not easy to persuade the villagers that there was no ulterior motive at the back of the Government's decision to enforce the Law A number of prosecutions had first to be un- dertaken before the people made any more towards registration.
23. In conclusion I desire to record my thanks to the lead ing elders of the District for their continued loyal co-operation and advice in settling disputes both between individuals and between village communities.
18th January, 1934.
E. H. WILLIAMS, District Officer, North.
Table I.
Personal Emolument*
Other Charges.
Conveyance Allowances
$53,497.20 $58,414.76
1,488.22 1,725.33
Electric Light & Fans
Table II A.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF REVENUE COLLECTED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER IN 1932 AND 1933.
Crown Rent, (Leased Lands) Kerosine Oil Licences
Chinese Wine & Spirit Licences Pawnbrokers' Licences
Money Changers' Licences
Fines (L. S.)
1932 $93,837.59 $95,915.45 2,248.50 1,858.25 3,486.65 8,031.25
1,500.00
1,250.00
4,920.00
5,868.00
1,048.36
1,185.03
Incidental Expenses
Fines Reward Fund
2,695.00
2,877.00
Forfeitures
Local Public Works
2,910.00
3,000.00
Forfeitures (Land Sales)
Transport
1,347.08
1,467.64
Distress Warrant (Crown Rent)
Distress Warrant (S.D.C.)
Scavenging
1,247.01
1,593.21
Other Miscellaneous Receipts
Forestry Licences
8,136.33
8,269.58
Permit to cut Earth etc.
5,515.34
6,063.00
Upkeep of Grounds of Island House...
Grave certificates
Pineapple Land Leases
Matshed Permits
4,130.27
4,392.32
Total other charges
Permit to occupy Land
3,404.38
3,219.62
8,166.79
8,801.66
Stone Quarry Permits
1,421.00
1,322.00
Ferry Licences
Certified Extracts
Total department
$61,663.99
$67,216.42
to the department.
Includes officers of Cadet and Junior Clerical Services attached
Sunprints
Land Sales
Stamps for Deeds
Boundary Stones
Deposit not available
Building
Crown Leases
34,583.97
49,440.13
6,850.70
5,121.40
2,485.21
2,016.50
1,500.00
1,500.00
Tobacco Retailers Licences
1,695.00
1,765.00
Court fees or Misc. fees
Widow & Orphan's Pension Contribu-
Poor Box
Mining Licence
$181,519.14 $197,038.42
Table II B.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF REVENUE COLLECTED THROUGH OTHER DEPARTMENT, 1932 AND 1933.
Table III.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE FOR
Treasury (Mining Licence)
Land Office (Crown Rent)
3,658.00
3,656.00
LAST TEN YEARS.
Harbour Office (Harbour Dues)
2,766.50 2,359.25
Personal* Emoluments
and other Charges.
Total Expenditure. Expenditure. Revenue.+
(Sai Kung
(Harbour Dues) (No. 1 Launch)
6,305.20
6,142.45
34,099.79
$ 34,099.79
252,344.41
(Harbour Dues)
1,800.40
3,587.45
38,891.05
38,891,05
160.669.66
(No. 2 Launch)
37,990.97
37,990.97
162,402,42
(Harbour Dues) (No. 4 Launch)
2,524.35 2,472.15
43,059.90
43,059.80
161.548.83
46,339.30
46.490.10
134,140.18
$17,302.45
$18,289.80
46,371.85
46.371.85
138.810.28
61,273.56
61,273.56
168,511.30
NOTE: Revenue collected by Imports and Exports Department
is not included.
61,241.64
61,241.64
185,565.57
61.663.99
61,663.99
198.821.59
67,216.42
67,216.42
215,328.22
Table II C.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF TOTAL REVENUE COLLECTED FROM NORTHERN DISTRICT, 1932 & 1933.
By District Office
By Other Department
$181,519.14 $197,038.42
17,302.45 18,289.80
$198,821.59 $215,328.22
*Includes Officers of Cadet and Junior Clerical Services attached to
department.
+Includes revenue collected in the district by other departments
except Imports and Exports Department,
Table IV.
ABSTRACT OF CASES UNDER COGNISANCE OF THE POLICE MAGISTRATES' COURTS DURING THE YEAR 1933.
Cases, how disposed of, and the Number of Male & Female Defendants under each Head.
Total No.
Classification of Offences.
Charges.
OFFENCES AGAINST INDIVIDUALS.
(a) Against their Property.
1. Larceny (simple)..........
Fraudulent
Stealing from the person
Embezzlement
conversion
Robbery....
Burglary and Housebreaking
Demanding with menaces.....
False pretences and cheating
Receiving and possession of stolen
3. Malicious damage
Total No. of Defend-
Convicted
and Sentenced.
Committed for trial
Discharged.
Bouud over without further Penalty.
To keep the
Previously
con v icted.
Supreme Court.
peace and be of good behaviour.
F Total M.
5. Other offences
(b) Against their persons.
1. Homicide
2. Ill-treatment & grievous harm..
3. Common assault
4. Kidnapping
6. Other offences
Carried forward........
Table IV,-Continued.
ABSTRACT OF CASES UNDER COGNISANCE OF THE POLICE MAGISTRATES' COURTS DURING THE YEAR 1933.
TAI Po, Continued.
Cases, how disposed of, and the Number of Male & Female Defendants under each Head.
Classification of Offences.
Total No. of Charges.
Total No. of Defen-
Convicted and Sentenced.
Bound over without further Penalty.
To keep the
Previously convicted.
Discharged.
Committed for trial at the Supreme
peace and be of
good behaviour.
Brought forward...
OFFENCES OF A FUBLIC NATURE.
(0) Against the Crown and Government.
1. Currency offences
4. Trespass and damages on Crown
6. Misconduct by Government officers 7. Opium and Revenue offences...... 8. Dangerous drug and goods... 9. Other offences
Carried forward.....
(d) Against Public Justice.
2. Returning from banishment
4. Bribery
5. Other offences
Table IV,-Continued.
ABSTRACT OF CASES UNDER COGNISANCE OF THE POLICE MAGISTRATES' COURTS DURING THE YEAR 1933.
TAI PO,-Continued.
Cases, how disposed of, and the Number of Male & Female Defendants under each Head.
Classification of Offences.
Total No. of Charges.
Total No. of Defen-
Convicted and Sentenced.
Brought forward...
(e) Against the Public Peace.
Discharged.
Committed for trial at the Supreme Court.
Bound over without further Penalty.
To keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
Previously convicted.
1. Breach of the peace.......
2. Unlawful possession of arms 3 Other offences
( Against trade.
2. Employers and workmen offences.
(g) Against Public Morals and Police.
1. Begging and touting
3. Lotteries and gambling
4. Offences against public health
5. Street hawkers offences...
6. Obstruction
7. Offences with fire crackers.....
9. Traffic offences of a technical nature
10. Dangerous driving of vehicles...
13. Other offences
Total......
Table V.
TAI PO, New Territories.
Return of Punishments awarded in respect of Certain Classes of Offences during the Year 1933.
Punishments.
Offences against Individuals,
Offences of a Public Nature.
Number of
Persons Punished.
Description.
Against their Property.
Against their Person.
Against the Crown and Government.
Against Public Justice.
Against the Public Peace.
Against Public Morals and Police.
Other Offences.
Imprisoned in default
Imprisoned without option..
Bound over to be of good
behaviour
Convicted and cautioned..
Bound over and fined
Bound over, ordered to pay
compensation and fined.......
Bound over to keep peace Fined and ordered to pay
compensation
Total......
Table VI.
ABSTRACT OF CASES brought under COGNIZANCE of the POLICE MAGISTRATES' COURTS during a period of Five Years,
CASES, HOW DISPOSED OF, AND THE NUMBER of Male and FEMALE PRISON ERS UNDER EACH Head.
Total Number of Cases,
Committed
Convicted and Punished.
for Trial
Discharged.
at Sapreme
der of His
Committed
to Prison or
detained
pending Or-
Ordered to find Security.
To keep the Peace. to be of Good Beha-
Excellency
viour, and to answer
the Governor.
any Charge.
Did not appear
and absconded,
Escaped before being brought for trial nt the Magistracy.
Escaped.
Punished for preferring False Charge
Undecided.
Total Number of Defendants.
or giving Fals e Testimony.
1,238 1,251
3,614 361
776.2 722.8
Table VII.
Return of Juvenile Offenders brought before the Taipo Police Magistrate's Courts, during the Year 1933.
A.-Boys.
Classification of
Total No. of
Offenders.
Caned in Court.
Convicted and Sentenced.
Bound Over.
To keep the peace and
Convicted and
Cautioned.
Discharged or Order made.
be of good behaviour.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 1
Possession of dutiable
Possession of opium......
Smoking opium
Gambling
Attempted larceny
(1) Age under 10,
(2) Over 10 and under 12.
(3) Over 12 and under 14. (4) Over 14 arul under 15,
(5) Over 15 and under 16.
Table VII.
Return of Juvenile Offenders brought before the Taipo Police Magistrate's Courts, during the Year 1933.
B.-GIRLS.
Classification of Offenders,
Total No. of
Caned in Court.
Convicted and Sentenced.
Bound Over.
To keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
Convicted and Cautioned.
Discharged or Order made.
Possession of wild trees
Possession of opium......!
Trespassing on Crown
(1) Age under 10.
(2) Over 10 and under 12.
(3) Over 12 and under 14.
(4) Over 14 and under 15.
(5) Over 15 and under 16.
Causing obstruction.......
Disorderly behaviour
Total...
asural baal
Cases heard
Writs of Execution
Table VIII.
SMALL DEBTS COURTS.
1933 Average from
1928-1932.
Heading.
Table IX.
No. of Sales, Permits, Li-
cences, etc.
No. of Lots.
Area in Acres.
Increase of Annual Rent.
Decrease of Annual Rent.
Amount of Premia, Fees,
Amount paid
for Resump-
tion of Land.
Term of Years.
Sales of Land for Agriculture
Building
Building and garden
Brickworks
Orchard and Garden
Garden ...
Threshing floors
10,181.43 11,426.00 6.181.00 1,911.00
213.00 10,113.00 2,032.00
Agriculture and cattle
3,473.00
Agriculture and Fish
2,875.00
Conversions
Permits to occupy Land for Agriculture...
other purposes.
Agriculture...
other purposes.
1.241.47
Extensions
Exchanges
Re-entries
Surrenders
Resumptions
Stone Quarry Permits
1,322.00
Permits to cut Earth, etc....
6,063.00
Matshed Permits
4.392.32
Ferry Licences...
Forestry Licences
41,347.90
Pine-apple Land Leases
6.00 8.269.58 423.69
Grave Certificates
Deeds Registered & Fees.
18.50 5,121,40
- J 16 —
Table X.
LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS, 1933.
REPAIRS.
Bridge near Lo Uk Tsun, Ha Tsun, Second (and final)
Bridge near San Wai, Lung Yeuk Tau
Bridge between the North and South at Kam Tin ...
Dam at Tan Chuk Hang
Bund near Lai Chi Wo, second (and final) payment
Path between Nam Fung Au & Shun Wan gap
Path at Po Sam Pai
Bridge at Tin Liu and Tai Lam Wu
Path between Ping Shan Tsai and Shui Hau
Bridge at Ngau Liu, Kwan Ti
Bridge near Kam Tsin Wai, Pat Heung
Bund at Shatin
Path at Ting Kok
Cleaning of nullah at Un Long
Path between the new and old Markets, Un Long first
Total...
$3,000.00
REPORT ON THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE YEAR 1933.
B.-SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
Mr. B. C. K. Hawkins was in charge from 1st January to 10th May and Mr. D. M. MacDougall from 11th May to the end of the year.
EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE.
2. Comparative figures of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 1932 and 1933 are given in Tables I-III. Collections in respect of duties on liquors and tobaccos are not included, being paid to the Imports and Exports Department.
3. The Revenue collected by the Department, as shown in Table II(a), exceeds the previous year's total by $5,603.39. This increase results from a number of unusually large Land Sales during the year and a greater demand for sand permits
4. Table II(b) shows Revenue collected by other depart- ments and the grand total of the District's revenue is given in Table II(c). The increase of $30,259.26 there noted is mainly due to increasing Returns from Village Rates.
5. Table III contains a comparative statement of Expendi- ture and Revenue of the department for the past ten years.
MAGISTRACY.
6. Tables IV to VIII show details of the cases heard by the District Officer sitting as Police Magistrate and as Judge of the Small Debts Court.
7. The number of Police cases dealt with was almost double that of the previous year, but this alarming increase was fortunately not concerned with the more serious crimes against the person and property.
8. It was due almost entirely to renewed activity among opium smugglers; to the persistence, in spite of greatly increased penalties, of sand stealers; and to the transfer, from Kowloon Magistracy to the District Officer's Court, of all traffic offences committed on the roads of the District.
9. There was one charge of Highway Robbery at Tsuen Wan and one of Manslaughter at Keung Shan, Lantau Island, during the year. The offenders were committed for trial.
10. The cases of Simple Larceny and Assault, though increased in number from last year, were none of them serious.
11. No Juvenile Offenders were dealt with.
12. Table VIII shows, for purposes of comparison, the numbers of Small Debt Cases in 1932 and 1938. The marked increase for 1933 reflects the scarcity of money in a not very prosperous year for the District as a whole.
13. Eight cases of deaths in unusual circumstances were reported and two Enquiries with Jury were held.
LAND OFFICE.
14. Table X records the work of the Land Office throughout the year. The demand for agricultural and building land experienced in 1932 has been continued and surpassed. 28.48 acres were sold, yielding premium to the amount of $8.861.88, as against 19.74 at $5,834.81 for the preceding year. The increased demand seems likely to be carried on into 1934.
15. The number of memorials registered was 1,068, showing a decrease of 198 compared with 1932 and the revenue from registration fees shows a consequent drop.
16. The acreage held under Forestry Licences has increased slightly in the period under review and there are indications that 1934 will see a further extension. The villagers receive every encouragement to take out Forestry Licences for areas which, properly handled, may prove remunerative to themselves and at the same time add beauty to the hill sides.
17. The demand for sand continues to be keen. 294 permits were issued as against 249 for 1932 and the resultant fees show an advance of $1,887.00. The denudation of the beaches in the District by sand thieves continues to cause concern. In spite of much hard work and extra precautions on the part of Police launches, and heavy sentences on offenders when convicted, the nuisance is still only partially checked. Maximum penalties are now being exacted in an effort to stamp out this offence.
18. Twenty-three new permits for bathing sheds were issued in 1933, bringing the total up to 147; but at this figure saturation point may be said to have been reached in respect of the recognised bathing beaches of the District. No possible site appears to remain unoccupied.
GENERAL.
Agriculture.
19. The District escaped serious damage from rain or typhoon during the year and the crops, as a whole, were very satisfactory. Two good rice crops were obtained. Sweet potatoes, vegetables and pineapples also did well; but decreased prices for produce, as well as for cattle and pigs, offset the advantages thus obtained, and caused general complaint. It was not a year of marked prosperity.
Fisheries.
20. Catches this year were no better than last, which was one of the worst on record. In addition to the poor supply, prices fell off slightly.
Ferries.
21. The Hong Kong and New Territories Ferry Company has given satisfaction. Approved schedules were adhered to, and, with the exception of the Tsuen Wan run where the effects of road competition are being felt, the ferries appear to be well patronised.
Registration of Births and Deaths.
22. The Police stations at Tsuen Wan, Cheung Chau and Tai O are the registry offices for their respective districts. Registration is proceeding satisfactorily, the numbers this year being greatly increased all round and in some cases more than double last year's figure. No great reluctance to register is now observed among the villagers and in a few years time registration will have become a settled habit. There were a few prosecutions for non-registration in the earlier part of the year, cautions and occasionally very small fines resulting.
Sanitation.
23. Extensive street repairs to Tsuen Wan, Cheung Chau and Tai O have effected a marked change for the better in the condition of these villages. The work of the sanitary coolies has been rendered at once easier and more effective by the facing of the main thoroughfares with concrete, and whole streets are now regularly washed down and cleansed in a way hitherto impossible. The response of the villagers to these measures has been ready and gratifying, and 1934 will see the work pushed further.
Water Supply.
24. Work on the provision of a water supply for Tsuen Wan was completed and street fountains were opened to the public in September 1933. A scheme for levying water rates in the village is now under consideration.
Reclamation.
25. Of the two reclamations by private enterprise mentioned in the last annual report, one has been finally abandoned and the other, at Tai O, is progressing slowly. There is reason to hope that it will be completed during 1934.
Hygiene.
26. The Government travelling Dispensary attends to the needs of the mainland villages and a Medical Officer pays regular visits to the Islands. Reports indicate that these services are more and more appreciated by the villagers.
27. The St. John Ambulance Brigade have completed plans for the building of a modern hospital at Cheung Chau which is in the course of erection. The Sham Tseng Dispensary, the gift of a private individual, has been completed and will shortly be in working order.
28. It has been a very quiet year at Tai O. The fishing season, on the success of which the village depends, was again a failure. In a normal year the Wong Fa catch is reckoned to yield 10,000 piculs. In 1933 it barely reached 4,000 piculs, and in addition there was a decline in price from $18 per picul to $12.
29. The following table shows approximately the results of the fishing season.
Herrings
Price per picul.
360 piculs. $18.00
4,000 1,000
These are very poor figures, though hardly worse than last year, with the exception of the Herring catch which has dropped fron 3,500 piculs in 1932,
30. Rice and vegetable crops were good and poultry farmers also enjoyed satisfactory results. The tiny village of Yee O alone exported 6,000 ducks to Hong Kong during the year
31. The Salt Pans did average business and their output, at 14,000 piculs, was over 1,000 piculs above the 1932 figure. The major portion of Tai O salt is exported to Chinese territory and to Hong Kong.
32. A scheme to provide Tai O with a properly run fire engine is practically completed and it is expected that the village will be well provided for in this respect early in 1934. was no serious damage from either fire or typhoon during the
33. The cattle and pig trades had a fairly good year but fishing was poor and the shrimp paste trade showed a slight falling off.
34. Grass cutting again provided good returns and large quantities were sold to Aberdeen for boat-breaming.
Cheung Chau.
35. Here, as elsewhere, the fishing season was a complete failure, with poor catches and falling prices. But vegetable gardens were very successful. The crops were good and prices held up satisfactorily. All the Market stalls were occupied throughout the year at the same rents as previously
36. Lime Kilns have had a slack time but the Kwong Lung Shing Distillery reports very good business indeed. The out-put of the Li Shing Kee quarry fell from $2,900 in 1932 to $800 in 1933.
37. Projects to provide Cheung Chau with a proper water supply unfortunately proved too costly to be practicable and the island continues to depend on wells and water brought from Lan Tau.
38. The island was very quiet during the year, escaping damage from either fire or typhoon. The fire-engine was regularly employed to wash down the streets.
Tsuen Wan.
39. Crops were satisfactory but producers were badly hit by declining prices, vegetables and sweet potatoes alone recording a slight rise. Fair business was done in pigs, soy, and firewood, but the fishing junks had another lean year.
40. In other directions, however, Tsuen Wan did extremely well. Favourably situated as it is by the sea, on the main road and near Hong Kong, Tsuen Wan seems marked out for commercial development on a large scale.
41. The Texas Oil Company and the Hong Kong Brewery, which opened in August, were busy throughout the year.
The Shing Mun Scheme, now well under way, is providing much employment locally, and the Hume Pipe Company of Singapore have acquired an extensive site on the North of Tsuen Wan Bay where a large factory is now in the course of erection.
42. To meet this expansion and the increase in population which may reasonably be expected, Tsuen Wan now has the advantage of a proper water supply from street fountains. Plans for the erection of a new market, and for the gradual rebuilding of the village itself in accordance with an approved layout, are well in hand. The new market site has already been selected and the building will be completed in 1934.
Special Event.
43. With the willing co-operation of the various Kai Fong, produce of the District was again displayed at the Empire Products Fair, where it had a lively sale.
D. M. MACDOUGAL, District Officer, South.
19th March, 1934.
Table I.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE 1932 AND 1933.
Personal Emoluments
OTHER CHARGES.
**$38,461.92
*$35,604.36
Conveyance Allowances
Incidental Expenses
Local Public Works
3,630.00
Rent of Offices
4.900.00
Scavenging
1,317.00
1,490.80
Transport
Uniforms
Total Other Charges
Total Department
$ 3,611.73
$42,078.65
$11,512.27
$47,116.63
+Includes salary, May to November, of one Cadet Officer on leave.
*Includes Officers of Cadet and Junior Clerical Services.
Table II (a).
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF REVENUE COLLECTED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, 1932 AND 1933.
Land Sales
$ 6,535.81
$ 8,839.75
Boundary Stones
Earth and Stone Permits
7,044.00
8,931.00
Forestry Licences
2,879.20
2,998.90
Forfeitures
3,401.93
3,542.17
Deeds Registration Fees
3,476.80
1,920.50
Crown Leases
Legal Costs
Miscellaneous Fees ..
Crown Rent
*23,498.62
*25,263.57
Matshed Permits on Crown Land
4,134.35
Bathing Matshed Permits
3,849.15
Permits for Temporary Structure on
Private Land
Permits to occupy Land
Pineapple Land Leases
Market Fees
1,597.32
1,597.32
Leases of Stone Quarries
Miscellaneous Licences
Other Miscellaneous Receipts
Poor Box
Building Covenant Fines
Fines (Reward Fund)
Arms Fines
$56,679.19
$62,282.58
*1. Actual Collections, including normal arrears for previous year.
2. Amount due on 1932 Rent Roll =
$24,550.93.
Amount due on 1933 Rent Roll $25,331.57.
Increase $792.43.
This is accounted for by conversion and sale of N.T. lots during
the year.
Table II (b).
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF REVENUE COLLECTED THROUGH OTHER DEPARTMENTS, 1932 AND 1933.
Treasury, (Village Rates)
$295,263.17
$329,183.41
Treasury, (Crown Rent for Inland Lots) 78,495.59
82,353.54
Treasury, (Quarries in New Kowloon).
7,668.38
5,536.06
Sanitary Department, (Eating House
Licence Fees)
Police Department, (Licence Fees).... 37,563.00
32,219.00
Harbour Office, (Harbour Dues,
Stake-nets)
25,482.86
25,250.25
$444,693.00 $474,952.26
NOTE :-Revenue collected by the Imports and Exports department
is not included.
Table II (c).
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF TOTAL REVENUE COLLECTED FROM SOUTHERN DISTRICT, 1932 AND 1933.
By District Office
By Other Departments
$56,679.19 $62,282.58
444,693.00 474,952.26
$501,372.19 $537,234.84
NOTE :-Revenue collected by the Imports and Experts department
is not included.
Table III.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE FOR LAST TEN YEARS.
* Personal
ments and
Special Expendi-
Total Expendi-
Charges.
28,087.75
28,087.75
375,391.16
25,329.74
25,946.68
25,329.74 197,553.89†
25,946.68 217,870.87+
24,646.74
24,646.74 236.276.02
23,111.62
23,776.34
23,111.62 226,196.22†
23,776.34 246,273.31†
39,410.90
39,410.90 308,180.80
36,282.47
36,282.47 409,050.39†
42,073.65§
42,073.65 501,372.19†
47,116.63
47,116.63 537,234.84†
* Includes officers of Cadet and Junior Clerical Services attached to
department.
This figure does not include revenue collected by the Imports and
Exports Department.
§ Includes salary, May to November, of one Cadet Officer on leaye.
Table IV.
Abstract of cases under cognisance of the Police Magistrate's Court at District Office, South during the year 1933. Cases, how disposed of, and the number of Male and Female Defendants under each Head.
Classification of Offences.
OFFENCES AGAINST INDIVIDUALS.
(a) Against their Property.
Common Law Offences
Total No. of Charges.
Total No. of Defen.
Convicted and Sentenced.
Discharged.
Committed for trial at the Supreme Court.
Bound over to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
Bail Estreated.
Highway Robbery
Larceny by Trick
Larceny by Bailee
Larceny from Person
Larceny (simple).....
Larceny from Dwelling House
Malicious Damage
(b) Against their person,
Manslaughter
OFFENCES OF A PUBLIC NATURE.
(a) Against the Crmon and Government.
Dangerous Goods
Opium Offences
Possesion of Offensive Weapons..... Revenue Offences....
Deportation
(b) Against Public Justice,
(c) Against Public Morals and Police.
Breach of Traffic Regulation
Gambling
Other Offences
Sand-stealing...
Total...
M. Male.
F. Female"
Table V.
Return of Punishments awarded in respect of certain Classes of Offences at District Office, South
during the year 1933.
Punishments.
Offences against Individuals.
Description.
Number of
Persons Punished.
Against Their Property. Person.
Offences of a Public Nature.
Against The Crown
and Government.
Against Public Justice.
Against Public Morals and Police.
Other Offences.
Imprisoned in default
Peremptory imprisonment
Bound over to keep peace and
to be of good behaviour....
M. Male.
F. Female.
Classification
of Offence.
Table VI.
Return of Juvenile Offenders brought before the Police Magistrate's Court at District Office, South during the year 1933.
A.-Boys.
Convicted and Sentenced.
Bound Over
Caned and Bound
Caned in Court.
Imprisoned.
To keep the peace and
To come up for
Convicted and Cautioned.
Discharged or Order made.
Previously convicted.
be of good behaviour,
Judgment.
(1) Age under 10.
(2) Over 10 and under 12.
(3) Over 12 and under 14.
(4) Over 14 and under 15.
(5) Over 15 and under 16.
B.-GIRLS.
Number of Defendants.
— J 32 —
Table VII,
ABSTRACT of Cases brought under COGNIZANCE of the POLICE MAGISTRATES' COURT during a period of Five Years.
CASES, HOW DISPOSED OF, AND THE NUMBER OF MALE AND FEMALE PRISONERS UNDER EACH HEAD.
! Cases.
Committed
Convicted and Punished.
Discharged.
for Trial at Supreme Court.
Committed
to Prison or detained pending Or- der of His Excellency
the Governor.
Ordered to find Security
To keep the
Pence, to be of Good Beha- viour, and to
answer any
not appear
and absconded.
before being brought for
trial at the
Magistracy.
Escaped.
Punished for preferring
False Charge
or giving False
F Testimony.
Undecided.
M. = Male.
13.6 53.4
Table VIII.
Cases heard
Writs of Execution
Table IX.
SMALL DEBTS COURT
CORONER'S RETURN FOR THE YEAR 1933.
Orders issued. Number of Burial
Number of Death
Enquiries held
with Jury.
without Jury.
Enquiries held
Number of Death
Table X,
paid for
Headings.
Sales, No. Permits, of
Licences, Lots, &c.
Increase
Decrease
Fees, &c.
Land Sales for Buildings.
Conversion
Agriculture...
Stone Quarry Leases..
Permits to occupy Land
6.047.88
2,814.00
Permits to occupy Land (Annual
Matshed Permits on Crown Land
Bathing Matshed Permits
Permits for Temporary Structure on Private Land
Earth and Sand Permits
Forestry Licences
14,418.46
3,849.15
8,931.00
2,998.90
Pino-apple Licences
Deeds Registered
Resumptions
Re-entries
28,579.06
Table XI.
LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS, 1933.
Cheung Chau Road in Cheung Chau European Reservation,
Improvements and Repairs.
Pigsty site at Hang Hau
1,200.00
Street repairs at Tsuen Wan
Street repairs at Tai O
1,300.00
Market repairs at Cheung Chau
Un-expended
$4.500.00
No. 300.
RECEIVED
1 8 JUN 1934
C. O. RICI
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG.
15th May, 1934.
Report of the Land Officer for the year 1933.
With reference to my despatch No. 208
of the 3rd April, 1934, I have the honour to
forward the following Administration Reports:-
Report of the Kowloon-Canton kailway (British Section) for the year 1933.
12 copies.
Report of the General Post Office, Hong Kong, for the year 1933.
12 copies.
Report of the Official Receiver and Registrar of Trade Marks and Letters Patent for the year 1933.
12 copies.
Report on the Botanical and.Forestry Department for the year 1933.
12 copies.
12 copies.
Separately
Report. (1)
These reports were laid before the
Legislative Council on the 10th May, 1934.
I have the honour to be,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
Governor &c.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
SIR P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER, G. B.E., M.C., M.P.,
Appendix S.
KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY. (British Section).
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1933.
GENERAL.
1. It is indeed pleasing to be in a position to report that the year 1933 showed a great improvement over previous years, and that no untoward events occurred to interfere with the general progress.
2. Although the effects of the general depression appear to have been severely felt in Hong Kong in 1933, the earnings of the Railway continued to improve steadily, and yet another very successful year resulted.
3. The results of the last five years working are given in paragraph 102 for comparison, and the figures for 1933 show a most satisfactory state of affairs.
4. The net operating revenue amounted to the exceptional figure of $711,052.42, (which is irrespective of loan interest and sinking fund charges) and was considerably more than double that of last year's figure, representing a return of 31% on the total capital. Both gross and net revenue receipts were again by far the highest on record, and with the single exception of receipts from local goods traffic, increased earnings were derived from every source of revenue.
5. There was no suspension of traffic and no interruption from storms or typhoons.
6. The track, both on the British and the Chinese Section, was well maintained and enabled the accelerated timetable introduced in November 1932 to be continued, while certain alterations were made to the hours of departure, and in the number of through express trains, to suit the convenience of the travelling public. These improvements, together with the fact that southern Kwang Tung is being rapidly opened up by roads, many of which act as feeders to the Railway, helped to make it a very popular means of conveyance.
7. An agreement was entered into between the British and Chinese Sections and the Wai Chow Highway Company for through booking of 2nd and 3rd class passengers between Kowloon and Wai Chow in Chinese Territory, over the British and Chinese Section's lines between Kowloon and Cheung Muk Tou and the Highway Company's 25 mile bus route on to Wai Chow
8. The steady increase in the revenue from practically all sources indicates the growing popularity of transport by rail. Passenger trains were frequently filled to capacity and often over-crowded; but with an increase in the number of passenger coaches by both Sections in the near future it is hoped that all passengers offering may be accommodated, and in reasonable comfort.
9. An encouraging increase of 12.7% in receipts from through and joint sectional passenger traffic resulted from the improved service of through trains, including additional through trains at week-ends.
10. There were no alterations to the through fares during the year.
The disparity between Canton and Hong Kong currency steadily increased, from the average selling rate of 144.52 in January to 151.47 in December. The transaction rate. by which the fares of the two Sections are adjusted, and which was agreed at 140 for the first half of the year, was revised to 145 for the second half. The actual average selling rate for the whole year was 148.33, which gave a slight advantage to the Chinese Section fares on the increasing difference. But for the latter half of the year, as no adjustment was made in the down through fares, this advantage amounted to 4.88% on the down through fares collected in Canton currency.
11. There was a remarkable increase in the receipts from local passenger traffic of no less than $212,471.88 or 43.2%, which brought the total earnings from this Source up to $704,183.04, as against an increase of $73,193.54 in carnings from through and joint sectional passenger traffic, which totalled $650,278.84, so that while for 1932 the percentages of through and local passenger traffic to the total were 54% and 46% respectively, in 1933 the position was reversed, and through passenger receipts accounted for only 48% against 52% for the local passenger receipts, of the total earned on these two items.
12. This latter increase was the result, partly of the development of the border town of Shum Chun, partly of the opening up of roads in south-eastern Kwang Tung from populous centers to stations on the Chinese Section whereby not only was new traffic created but traffic from Sha U Chung, via ferry across Mirs Bay to Taipo, was diverted by roads to the line farther northwards with resulting higher fares, and partly to greater use of the line by the Military, school children and school picnics.
13. Through goods traffic showed a healthy improvement and shippers are slowly beginning to realise the advantages of speed offered by rail transport, though the handling charges in connection with transhipment are still relatively high. A fast through goods service, hauled by British Section engines, was inaugurated in October, and was well patronised.
14. Local goods traffic was the one item which showed a slight decrease, partly owing to increased road competition, against which the railway carnot compete on account of the short hauls and the better facilities from "door to door" offered by motor lorries.
15. The total steam train mileage increased by 56,729 miles, amounting to 354,294 miles, as against 297,565 in 1932, or an increase of 18%, but the motor train mileage was less by 6,124 miles.
16. There was an increase of $4,900 in the receipts from rents, partly due to certain areas of railway land with water frontage being let on temporary leases for coal storage, though this business was eventually restricted owing to objections raised by neighbouring residents and property owners, and partly due to higher rents being obtained by tender for other
ENGINEERING.
17. Repainting of the platform awnings at Kowloon Station was completed in the early part of the year.
The ground floor of the building was renovated and alterations and improvements made for the examination of passengers' baggage.
18. At Taipo Market Station the yard was extended and widened, and improvements made to the approach road, to facilitate dealing with increasing traffic.
19. At Fanling Station อ reinforced shelter was built on the main line platform.
concrete waiting
20. All station buildings at out-stations were renovated, the platforms re-surfaced and signal posts repainted.
21. At Taipo Station extensive repairs were commenced to the pier, the steelwork above low water level being replaced by reinforced concrete; this work will be completed in 1934.
22. European Quarters, Class B, Nos. 4 and 5 were repaired, also the Traffic Quarters at Taipo Station and Gangmen's Huts at Miles, 1 and 10.
23. At the Locomotive Yard a vacant motor garage was converted into additional living accommodation for watchmen. The Fainting Shop was extended to accommodate two more coaches. A range of 12 automatic flush-closets was installed in the main latrine, and a steel structure was erected to serve as a brass foundry.