22
To the
Right Honourable
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES.
THE IIUMBLE PETITION of the Undersigned Merchants, Bankers, Professional Men, Traders, Artisans, and others, inhabitants of the Crown Colony of Hongkong.
RESPECTFULLY SHEWETH :—
1 The Colony of Hongkong, comprising the island of that name, and the recently acquired New Territory on the mainland adjoining, is situate near the south-eastern extremity of the vast empire of China. Since the Colony was founded, 60 years ago, it has progressed to such an extent that it now ranks as the third shipping port of the British Empire. It is the most important British Naval and Military Station in Eastern Asia.
2. The population of Hongkong (not including the New Territory), was estimated (from a preliminary report of the Census taken in January last) to the middle of June, 1900, as being 283,955, exclusive of the Army and Navy, the former being estimated at 2,563 and the latter at 3,110. These numbers are considerably augmented by the constant arrival of numerous British and Foreign ships of war. The total tonnage which entered and cleared Hongkong during the year 1899 amounted to 18,101,309 tons, being an increase compared with 1898 of 835,529 tons. The trade of the Colony is estimated at $500,000,000 per annum. The total revenue from the Colony in 1899 was $3,610,143.25, against. $2,918,159.24 in 1-98. During 1899 the Actual Revenue exceeded the Estimated Revenue by $724,006.25 if the amounts from Land Sales and the Water Account be included. The Revenue for 1899 exceeded the expenditure by $447,350.89 It is believed that the surplus for 1900 will show a much greater increase.
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3-In his report for 1899 (No. 314) H.E. Sir Henry Arthur Blake, G.C.M.G., the Governor of the Colony, said: The general condition of the Colony is most flourishing, and with the command of cheap labour, it gives promise of developing into a great manufacturing centre." The Colony has attained to its present prosperous and important position mainly through the enterprise, ability, energy and perseverance of iis Majesty's loyal subjects resident here, who have spent millions of dollars in industrial, marine, and commercial undertakings; and also because of its being a free port, offering to all races, Europeans and Asiatics alike, freedom from oppression, security for life and property, and a just and orderly government.
4.--The permanent prosperity of Hongkong, in fact its very existence, depends пpon a wise and a just administrative Government, which will ensure the protection and maintain the freedom of its inhabitants. The local Government must secure to an intending colonist a reasonable immunity from preventable disease, and convince and satisfy the existing inhabitants of the Colony, both British and Chinese, on whom its future welfare depends, and who have invested large sums of money in assisting that welfare, that it is doing its utmost to maintain the