*
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 12TH MARCH, 1870.
107
residing at Macao, who were also questioned but who declared themselves unable to say anything
having heard that such was the case."
21. A ship was laid on during the year for the conveyance of contract laborers to Peru. Emigra- that country from Macao had attained so unenviable a notoriety that the Captain and Owner gian ship thought to try the experiment of despatching a number of Chinese from Hongkong
o ascertain if a system could not be organised here that should be free from censure. A draft contract was submitted to, and after some alteration approved by the Government, had no legal power at the time to prevent such Emigration. The amended contract contained stipulation prohibiting the employment of the laborers in the working of Guano. Two Emi- Depots were opened at West Point, and at first Chinese came in tolerably freely. During the month 200 had been medically examined and registered in the books of this Department. 23. This apparent success of the scheme did not however last long, and Coolies presented themselves y instances only to avail of the good food and lodging which the Depot offered. Many left to seek ment elsewhere, whilst others were induced by small advances and promises of a better contract their way to Macao, where they have been finally shipped on terms not nearly so favorable. 21. This scheme cannot be said to have succeeded, as the ship did not get her complement of pas- rer until the first week in January last; 762 having been registered, whilst 382 only actually left It remains to be seen whether on arrival in Port, the absentees being at the rate of 50 per cent. Pre the terms of the contract will be fulfilled.
25. The Home Government and Chargé d'Affaires at Lima having lists of the persons embarked * also copies of the contracts entered into, it may be presumed that no evasion of their contents will
attempted.
?
26. A large demand for labor in the Southern States of America, as also a request for a farther sup- 15% of Chinese for Dutch Guiana has met with a check so far as the contract system in Hongkong is erned, the Home Government having prohibited it, except to British Possessions and in British
27. The American Agents have however decided to obtain the labor, leaving the Chinese free, on arrival at new Orleans to enter into any agreement they may choose.
s. This is a novel and doubtful experiment, but the demand for labor in these States appears so get that it is considered worth the cost of a trial. It is thought success may attend it on the aption that the Chinese, although now only verbally promising to serve a term of years (varying tem three to five) will consider themselves morally bound to complete a contract on arrival at their tination if it is in keeping with the promises held out to them here. It has however been fully explained to those that have passed through this office that their freedom of action is undoubted, and Have been assured, in the presence of the United States Consul, who was good enough to be pre- on the occasion of 140 being questioned, that they have the same protection in the country to ch they are proceeding as they find in Ilongkong.
V
29. These Emigrants are procured without the intervention of Chinese brokers, an extensive ulation of notices in the Colony and neighbouring Villages being the only means employed to obtain This system will doubtless in the first instance prove a slow process, but the Agents trust to Evorable reports sent to China by the carlier arrivals to enable them to engage laborers more rapidly suring the fall of the present year.
74.
REGISTRY OF SHIPPING.
30. 16 vessels have been registered and 13 have been struck off during the year.
SEAMEN.
1. Although there has been a larger amount of shipping frequenting the port during the year, is no great difference in the number of seamen shipped and discharged, the year under review iting 7,113 of the former and 6,713 of the latter.
MARINE MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
2. 239 Cases have been tried as against 198 in 1868, the principal complaints being those of fal of duty.
EXAMINATIONS FOR THE POSTS OF MASTERS AND MATES IN THE
MERCANTILE MARINE.
3. Of 40 Applicants for examination under this Ordinance, 20 per cent failed to obtain Certifi- This is a large proportion, but is owing to the want of opportunities for study and the means Deparation for examination.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
Honorable J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary,
So..
Je,
St.
H. G. THOMSETT, R.N., Harbor Master, &c.