88
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 7TH MARCH, 1868.
follow a career of piracy; but the Returns accompanying this Report prove how erroneous and groundless those fears and doubts were.
I trust it may not be considered out of place to give a slight description of the measures adopted with a view to impressing on the Chinese mind that the new order of things was not opposed to the freedom of trade, but was intended to ensure it a greater amount of protection than it had hitherto enjoyed.
6. By the 1st of January, 1867, the day on which the Ordinance was proclaimed to take effect, the Junks with but few exceptions had left the harbors of Victoria, Sowkewan, Stanley and Aberdeen. Those which remained were immediately moved into their proper anchorages and their Masters were informed that they could not proceed to sea without previously obtaining Port Clearances. Only a few vessels bringing a small quantity of fuel and provisions for the markets, and some boats to load granite arrived during the first few days. This reduction in the supplies soon showed itself in the increased price of all articles required for immediate consumption, but the Chinese in their calculations for starving the Government into a repeal of the new Law, if such ever was their idea, soon saw that the Colony was not depending on their Junks for its ordinary supply of food, as the steamers of the Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steam-boat Company were able to bring large quantities, and if it had become necessary, doubtless other European vessels would have been ready to assist. However, the natives could not afford to leave their vessels idle and soon began to make enquiries as to what real injury (if any) was likely to happen to them if they resumed their trade. As each owner came forward for information, the object of the Law was care- fully and patiently explained to them. From their looks of surprise on finding the real nature of the Law, it was evident their minds had been filled with stories totally at variance with the object and intention of the Government. Their objections soon resolved themselves into two only. The first was the too-frequent reporting at this Office by those Vessels whose business led them into Port five or six times a month, and the second objection was the having to find security before a License could be issued. The first objection was met by granting the Licensee a monthly "Special Permit" exempting him from reporting in person more frequently than was necessary to change his Permit, and the second objection was met by adapting the amounts of the bonds to the importance and nature of the trade of the Vessels desirous of obtaining Licenses. In the meanwhile the Officers of the Department were actively engaged afloat here and at the Outstations to see that no breach of the Law took place. By these means and by a careful exercise of the powers invested in the Magistrates in the cases of offenders, the Law and its object soon became extensively circulated amongst the natives, and applicants rapidly came forward for Licenses, and that part of the Harbor and the line of the Praya frequented by Junks soon became as full and active as ever. There are now 364 Licensed trading Junks, measuring in the aggregate 27,524 tons manned by 3,940 Chinese; but in addition to this, a far larger number of other Junks trade to this Colony, obtaining the necessary Anchorage and Clearance Documents on each visit. 7. During the Year the total number of Chinese Vessels entered inwards engaged in Foreign trade was 20,787, measuring 1,367,702 tons with crews consisting of 281,897 men, and there were entered outwards 20,443 vessels with 1,353,700 tons, and crews of 278,725 men. These Vessels trade with 37 Ports West and South of Hongkong, and with 33 Ports to the East and North of Hongkong. Their cargoes consist of Opium, Rice, Cotton, British and Foreign Manufactures, Earthen- ware, Granite, Lime, Peas, Salt Fish, &c., besides bringing Firewood, Cattle, Poultry, Fruit and Vegetables, &c., for the subsistence of a resident population of 117,471 souls.
8. The owners of the numerous Fishing Boats in the vicinity of the Colony also hesitated for some time before they could be induced to return to the Ports of the Island and sent their fish to the markets by means of small boats, but they soon found that to be a slow and unprofitable process. The several Inspectors at Victoria and at the Outstations were directed to visit the Fishing Junks in their neighbourhood to explain to their owners the object of the Law. These boats eventually returned and there are now 1,444 of them licensed, with a carrying capacity equal to 48,838 tons and crews composing of 6,136 men.
9. The before mentioned Junks (with the exception of the Fishing ones), are those connected with the Foreign Trade only, (i.e. they trade to places outside of Hongkong and its Dependencies) but there is a daily traffic between Victoria and the various Villages of the Colony by Junks conveying Passengers and supplies. These amount to 10,774 Vessels, 319,208 tons and 43,483 crews entered and 10,832 Vessels, 321,863 tons and 43,647 crews cleared during the Year under review; consequently the Foreign and local trade of this Colony in Junks alone (except those engaged in Fishing) amount to 31,561 Vessels, 1,686,910 tons and 325,380 men entered; and 31,275 Vessels, 1,675,563 tons and 322,372 men cleared, or a grand total of 62,836 Vessels, 3,362,473 tons and 647,752 Chinese seamen.
10. The introduction of the Harbor and Coasts Ordinance has led to a large increase to the Staff and to the labor of this Department.
At
11. As each of the 31,561 Junks arrived in the various Ports of Hongkong in 1867, she was boarded and a full description of her Guns, Arms, Ammunition, &c., was taken and a record kept of them. In addition to this the greater por-. tion of the 1,444 Fishing Junks which are licensed come in or leave the Ports almost daily during the winter months. Stanley I have seen as many as 300 of these boats arrive in the evening and all leave the following morning. Of course it is impossible to visit the whole of them in so short a time, but as many as can be, are boarded and as the Vessels are taken indiscriminately the check on any misconduct should be complete. A full description of all licensed native craft is kept on record, and they are so frequently boarded, that the Officers are able to see that no change takes place in their respective fittings.
12. Besides the afloat work there have been 36,713 documents issued in the various Offices.
13. I am glad to be able to report that the fees collected have been found sufficient to cover the expenses of the Ordinance.
14. Fifty-one trials have taken place under this Ordinance, but in very rare instances was it proved that the charges preferred were otherwise than the result of ignorance of the Law.
A vessel
15. The Outstations have been frequently visited by the Assistant Harbor Master and myself in the Colonial Tender and other means of conveyance. The former has answered her purpose as well as could be expected, but being a Junk her movements are slow and it is at times inconvenient to be away from the Harbor of Victoria for any length of time. with steam power would enable the Department to perform the duties required by the Ordinance with greater expedition and the visits to the creeks and bays round the Island would be more frequent and consequently of more value as a help in the work of checking piracy.
16. From the following list it may be fairly presumed that the effect of this Ordinance has been to produce as good results as its warmest supporters could have hoped, for it will be observed that while piracy has sensibly decreased, attacks on European vessels have entirely ceased, but it will be difficult to ensure the complete suppression of Piracy until either a total disarmament of all native vessels shall be assented to, or the whole Coast of China shall be blockaded by men-of-war.
17. Statement of Piracies committed in the vicinity of Hongkong during the following Years :-
Year.
1864
1865
1866
•
1867
Junks attacked. European Vessels attacked. Total.
36
2
38
51
4
55
31
16
47
29
Nil.
29
147
22
169