THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 27TH MARCH, 1875.
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the Emigration of purchased females. A Commission investigated the matter; some of the Members of the Chinese Committee were invited to be present at the examination of the intending female Emigrants at this Office, and candidly admitted that nothing further could be done, observing that, if women left Hongkong unwillingly after undergoing the examination made by the proper Officers, they had themselves alone to blame.
22. The Commission recommended that an Ordinance should be passed to meet the cases of females purchased out of the Colony and brought in to be shipped away for purposes of prostitution.
23. It will be observed in the Returns that the number of Chinese brought to this Port from Manila and Singapore is much in excess of the number leaving Hongkong for those places. This is in consequence of the large direct Emigration to Manila and Singapore from Amoy and Swatow. These people, on their return to their native land, have to come here first, whence they take passages by Junk or Coast Steamer for their homes.
24. The deplorable loss by fire of the United States' Pacific Mail Steam-ship Japan, 4,351 tons register, on the 17th December last, in Latitude 22° 45′ N. and Longitude 116° 36′ E. while on her voyage from San Francisco to this Port viâ Yokohama in Japan, has to be reported. This vessel had a mixed crew (Americans and Chinese) of 136 persons, and there were 424 Chinese passengers on board.
When about 135 miles from here she caught fire near to, or in the fore coal bunker. In spite of the admirable arrangements of steam pumps which these ships possess, the fire spread so rapidly that in a very short time communication between the fore and after parts of the vessel was cut off by flame. The Japan had boats and rafts calculated to hold 650 persons, which were all in the water with the exception of one large boat secured immediately abreast the fire. She was also supplied with 1,500 life preservers distributed in various parts of the ship ready for use. It is impossible to say with accuracy the numbers lost and saved, as some of the Chinese pas- sengers were picked up floating on pieces of the wreck and conveyed in native boats to the land, which was but 13 miles distant. The Master's estimate was that about 200 Chinese and 3 Americans lost their lives. The inatter was investigated at the United States' Consulate when the Master was honourably acquitted of all blame, and the Chief Engineer was censured.
25. The great loss of life on board the Japan, which has been, I fear, rather under estimated than over, leads to reflection on what would have been the result had the Japan had her full complement of passengers on board, 1,430; for it is impossible that a ship can carry boats for so large a number of people. This ship had her full compleinent of boats and rafts, yet still the loss of life was great. Most of the Chinese passengers were possessed of large sums of money in dollars which they attached to their persons, and many of them were drowned in consequence.
26. The cause of the fire is attributed to the spontaneous combustion of coals, in the fore bunker of the ship, which had been taken on board in a wet condition at Yokohama; but as this Government had nothing to do with the enquiry which was held, I can form no opinion of the origin of the fire, except so far as the published evidence could inform me. It was found that it was no part of the Company's instructions that the temperature of the several coal bunkers should be tested at stated intervals. Had such a rule obtained on board, probably the fire and consequent loss of the ship and lives might have been avoided.
REGISTRY OF SHIPPING.
27. Fifteen vessels have been registered; twenty registers have been cancelled, and thirty-four other transactions, such as mortgages, &c., have been recorded by this Department during the year. This is the usual average work done, but it will shortly be lessened, probably by one half, as a Registry Office is about to be established at Shanghai.
28. The fees collected under this head amount to $435.74.
MARINE MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
29. There is a reduction of 47 per cent in the number of Defendants brought before this Court, due chiefly to the short stay of the ships in Port.
EXAMINATIONS FOR THE POSTS OF MASTERS AND MATES, UNDER
ORDINANCE No. 17 OF 1860.
30. Of thirty-two applicants for examination, twenty-nine obtained Certificates, and three failed in showing themselves qualified.
MARINE COURTS, UNDER ORDINANCE No. 11 OF 1860.
31. There have been three Courts held during the year, to investigate: the circumstances attending the loss of the Sunfoo, Official Number 65,572, near the Asses' Ears; the loss of the White Cloud, Official Number 50,651, at Macao; and the loss of the Mongol, Official Number 68,496, on the Nine Pin Rocks.
SEAMEN.
32. 5,782 Seainen were shipped, and 5,784 seamen were legally discharged during the year.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
H. G. THOMSETT, R.N., Harbor Master, &c.
The Honorable J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary,
HONGKONG.