REVENUE.
45. The total Revenue collected by the Harbour Office during the year was $234,990.16, an increase of $571.87 over 1895.
The details are as follows:—
(i) Light Dues,
(ii) Licences and Internal Revenue,. (iii) Fees of Court and Office,
$117,314.45
34,851.75
82,823.96
$234,990.16
STEAM LAUNCHES.
46. On 31st December there were 135 Steam Launches employed in the Harbour; of these 56 were licensed for the conveyance of passengers, 62 were privately owned, 12 were the property of the Colonial Government, and 5 belonged to the Imperial Government in charge of the Military Authorities. One Master's Certificate was suspended for one month and one Engineer's Certificate for three
months.
EMIGRATION.
47. 66,822 Emigrants left Hongkong for various places during the year; of these 53,376 were carried by British ships and 13,446 by Foreign ships; 119,463 were reported as having been brought to Hongkong from places to which they had emigrated, and of these 89,210 were brought in British ships and 30,258 by Foreign ships.
It was in this branch of the shipping business that the case of an "Infected Port" was most keenly felt during the months March-July.
Returns Nos. XVIII. and XIX. give the details of this branch of the department.
REGISTRY OF SHIPPING.
48. During the year five ships were registered under the provisions of the Imperial Act, and five Certificates were cancelled.
MARINE MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
49. 29 cases were heard in the Marine Magistrate's Court; refusal of duty and assault were the principal offences.
EXAMINATION FOR MASTERS, MATES, AND ENGINEERS.
(Under section 15 of Ordinance 26 of 1891.)
50. The following table will show the number of candidates examined for Certificates of Com- petency distinguishing those who were successful and those who failed:--
Masters,
Only Mates,.
GRADE.
Second Mates,
TOTAL,.
First Class Engineers,
******
Second Class Engineers,
TOTAL,..
PASSED. FAILED.
27
19
1
6
6
∞ 10 130
56
16
11
9
29
28
40
37
MARINE COURTS.
(Under section 13 of Ordinance 26 of 1891.)
51. The following Courts have been held during the year :-
1. On the 7th February, inquiry as to the stranding of the British Steamship On Sang, Official No. 105,745 of London, on Cust Rock, Hongkong Harbour, on the night of the 20th January. The Certificate of the Master (WILLIAM VIZE CARMICHAEL) was not dealt with as he did not appear before the Court. The Court, however, was of opinion that the Master would have displayed better judgment if he had not attempted to enter the Port at night and that it appeared that his local knowledge did not justify him in doing so.