Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1899 American Edition.djvu/460

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THE BRITISH EMPIRE: — HONG KONG

The commerce, exclusive of specie, and the shipping for five calendar years were : —

—

1893

1894

1895

1896

1897

Imports Exports

Shipping entered and cleared (tons)

£

316,872 316,543

549,332

255,439 256,902

463,474

£

276,318 308,716

598,295

£ 240,051 297,142

887,997

£ 263,346 264,802

702,510

The import value is that at the port of arrival, and includes cost, freight, and other charges ; the export value is that at the port of shipment when the goods are ready for exportation. Quantities and values are ascertained from declarations by importers and exporters, verified in the case of dutiable imports.by actual weighing and measuring. The countries of origin and of destination of goods are also obtained from declarations checked by invoices or bills of lading when necessary.

Imports from United Kingdom, in 1897, 77,394Z. ; exports to United Kingdom, 49,720Z. ; imports subject to duty, 221,679^. ; imports dutyfree, 41,667Z. (not including specie.)

Chief exports — Wheat, barley, carobs, wine, cotton, raisins, silk cocoons, hides and skins, wool, cheese, vetches, animals, fruit and vegetables. The prin- cipal imports are — Cotton and woollen manufactures, tobacco, groceries, rice, iron, leather, petroleum, timber, sugar, soap, and copper manufactures.

Coins current — English, Turkish, and French gold ; English silver to the amount of 3?, ; Cyprus piastres, half piastre and quarter piastre pieces (9 piastres = one shilling). The Imperial Ottoman Bank has establishments in the island. Turkish weights and measures current.

About 460 miles of good carriage road, 240 miles of telegraph lines ; cable connects with Alexandria and Syria. Total number of letters (including postcards, newspapers, and book-packets) delivered in Cyprus, 1897-98 : local 343,658 ; received from abroad, 235,416 ; posted for foreign countries, 149,921.

Books of Reference concerning Cyprus.

Annual Report of H.M.'s High Commissioner.

Lang (R. H.), Cyprus, its History, Resources, and Future Prospects. S. London, 1S7S. Mallock (W. H.), In an Enchanted Island. 8. London, 1889. Mariti (G.), Travels in Cyprus. [Translated from the Italian.] Nicosia, 1896. Palma di Cesnola (Luigi), Cyprus : its Ancient Cities, <fec. 8. London, 1877. Robinson (Phil), Cyprus : its Physical, Commercial, Economical, and Social Aspects. 8. London, 1878.

Stevenson (Mrs. Scott), Our Home in Cyprus. 3rd ed. 8. London, 1880.

HONG KONG.

Constitution and Government.

The Crown colony of Hong Kong, formerly an integral part of China, was ceded to Great Britain in January 1841 ; the cession was confirmed by the treaty of Nanking, in August 1842 ; and the charter bears date April 5, 1843. Hong Kong is the great centre for British commerce with China and Japan, and a military and naval station of first-class importance.

The administration of the colony is in the hands of a Governor, aided by an Executive Council, composed of the Colonial Secretary and Registrar- General (one office), the Officer Commanding the Troops, the Attorney-