No. 88.
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 20TH APRIL, 1872.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
229
The following Report of the Acting Harbor Master, with Returns annexed, for the Year 1871, is published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 20th April, 1872.
No. 46.
CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary.
HARBOUR MASTER'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 16th March, 1872.
SIR, I have the honour to enclose the Annual Returns from this Department for the year 1871, as follows:
I. Number, Tonnage and Crews of Vessels entered.
II. Number, Tonnage and Crews of Vessels cleared.
III. Number, Tonnage and Crews of Vessels of each, Nation entered. IV. Number, Tonnage and Crews of Vessels of each Nation cleared.
V. Total Number, Tonnage and Crews of Vessels entered at each Port. VI. Total Number, Tonnage and Crews of Vessels cleared at each Port. VII. Return of Junks entered from Macao.
VIII. Return of Junks cleared for Macao.
IX. Return of Junks entered at each Port from China and Formosa. X. Return of Junks cleared at each Port for China and Formosa.
XI. Gross total Number of Junks entered at each Port.
XII. Gross total Number of Junks cleared at each Port.
XIII. Return of Junks (Local Trade) entered.
XIV. Return of Junks (Local Trade) cleared.
XV. Summary of Arrivals and Departures of all Vessels, and of all Chinese Passengers. XVI. Return of Vessels registered.
XVII. Return of Vessels struck off the Register.
XVIII. Return of Emigrant Ships cleared by the Emigration Officer.
XIX. Return of Vessels bringing Chinese Passengers to Hongkong from Places out of China.
XX. Amount of Fees received under Ordinance No. 10 of 1860.
XXI. Return of Marine Cases tried.
2. In comparison with the year 1870, there is a very considerable increase of trade generally, the gross total of Shipping is larger by 9,204 vessels of all nationalities, representing a carrying capacity of 983,057 tons. The Junk trade has increased, and the trade within our own waters, from one part of the Colony to another, has also increased, though the movements of the Chinese carried as passen- gers exhibit a total falling off of over 200,000.
3. The marked increase of Steamer traffic is a fact so patent as scarcely to call for remark. The following figures will probably be interesting hereafter, when the change now taking place shall have been completed.
Total of all Vessels arriving, Junks excepted, 1871,.......................... Total of all Steamers arriving, 1871,................
1,372
692
2,064
Steamers thus forming 33.5 per cent of all arrivals. These figures do not include the River-steamers. 4. There has been no Contract Emigration during the year under review. A great feature in Chinese passenger traffic has been the introduction of Ordinance 8 of 1871, an adaptation of the law to the altered conditions of passenger-ships previously much needed. The new Ordinance is a boon both to the Charterers of steamers and to the Emigration Officer; and it practically supplies the want, so keenly felt before, of a condensed code of Emigration law. Table XV shews that 11,921 Chinese arrived in the Colony over and above 208,404 who arrived and departed.
5. The Harbour and Coasts Ordinance, 1866, continues to work satisfactorily. The Chinese now thoroughly understand it, and their sea-going community recognise its requirements as part of their ordinary duties.: The Officers of the Department, in their duties afloat, are met with civility and good-humour.
6. The want of a swifter and more efficient vessel for coastal inspection is much felt, at the same time I think it not impossible that some comparatively inexpensive alterations to the Government steam-launch might convert her into a far more serviceable vessel than she is. I trust that when I have completed my inquiries as to the best means of increasing her speed, the outlay will be sanctioned. At present, during at least six months of the year, an inspection of the whole island is attended with inconveniences which can only be properly appreciated by those who have suffered them; and I consider that it is a severe strain on the health of the Officer undertaking the duty.