238
the immediate landlord of the whole of a building or tenement (persons other than Chinese not being included, unless a portion of their house is rented by Chinese) and, in the case of Companies, the Secretary or Manager has within 15 days after becoming a householder to register the following particulars :-
(1) Name of street and number of house. (2) Name, address, profession or trade.
(3) Name, condition or occupation of any person renting any portion of the house for any
period not less than a month.
The householder, after having registered these particulars, receives a certificate of registration. Should any change occur in the tenancy of any portion of his house, after it has been registered, he has to make a report within one week of such change. Table IX. contains a Return (A) showing the number in each district of→→→
(a) the first registration of householders.
(b) the re-registration of householders.
(c) report of changes in tenancy.
In the same Table is a Return B. of the number of Chinese shops together with the nature of their business opened and closed during the year 1891. From the latter Return it will be seen that during the year 932 shops were opened and 876 closed, leaving a balance of 50 in favour of shops opened over those closed. It is hoped that this return may help to throw some light on the nature of the various kinds of business carried on by the Chinese in Hongkong.
The revenue derived from the issue of certificates, &c. under the Registration Ordinance during 1891 amounted to $1,599.75 as compared with $1,761.75 in 1890, showing a decrease of $162. (See Table I.)
Eighteen prosecutions were instituted for neglect to furnish the particulars required by the Registration Ordinance, and in each case there was a conviction. (See Table II.)
MARKETS. (ORDINANCE 17 OF 1887.)
The letting of Market shops and stalls is under this Department. Table I., Return C., shows the number of occupied and vacant shops and stalls at the end of the year together with the amount of the annual revenue derived from each Market.
During the year 4 shops and 99 stalls became vacant and were put up to tender, 71 of which were let. For 32 no tenders were received.
The Central Market still consists of temporary shops and stalls erected on the Praya. The accommodation thus afforded is far from satisfactory, and it will be a great boon to the public and to the Market people when the new Central Market is ready for occupation.
NIGHT PASSES. (ORDINANCE 13 OF 1888, CHAP. VI.)
Applications for the issue of Night Passes or for their renewal are made through this Department. During the year 1891, 188 new applicants for quarterly passes and 25 for annual passes were recom- mended. The total number of quarterly passes issued by the Police during 1891 was 18,836 and of annual and special passes issued by the Colonial Secretary, 381.
PERMITS. (ORDINANCE 13 OF 1888, Chap. V.)
The number of Permits issued during the year was as follows:
To crect sheds for religious ceremonies,
To fire crackers,
To hold processions,
To perform theatricals,
99
... 109
13
20
Total,.........
.241
SURETIES REferred for Report.
In all cases in which Chinese are required to find security in other Government Departments, reference is made to this Office for a report on the validity or otherwise of the surety proposed. The following is a list of the sureties referred in this manner to this Department during 1891:-
Department.
Harbour Master,
Magistrates, Police,
Treasury,
Sanitary Board, Crown Solicitor, Supreme Court,
Botanical Department,
Number.
436
180
272
80
40
12
10
4
1,034