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77
POPULATION.
The population of the Colony at the Census taken in January, 1897, was 248,880, while at the Census taken in January, 1901, it was (exclusive of the New Territories) 283,975. This represents an increase of 35,095 within a period of four years and affords a remarkable proof of the rapid pro- gress of the Colony.
The increase is, of course, very largely Chinese and is to be found mainly in Kowloon, where the population increased during the four years from 26,442 to 42,976, and in the City of Victoria, where it increased from 160,273 to 175,056.
The increase in the non-Chinese Civil population during the same period amounted to 951.
The following is the estimated population to the middle of 1902:-
Non-Chinese Civil Population,
9,816
Chinese Population, Kowloon,
City of Victoria including Peak and Stonecutters, Villages of Hongkong,
..182,800
14,185
51,560
Floating Population,
44,755
Total Chinese Population,
..293,300
Army,...... Navy,
4,204
4,504
Total Population of the Colony,
.311,824
The total strength of Troops in Garrison on June 30th, 1902, was 63 British Officers and 1,327 British Warrant Officers, N.C.O.'s and men, with 46 Indian Officers and 2,553 Indian Warrant Officers, N.C.O.'s and men. There were also 169 British women and children, and 46 Indian women and children making a total of 4,204. At the Census taken in January, 1901, there were 5,501 Officers and men and 2,139 camp followers resident in the Colony, making a total of 7,640.
The total strength of the British Fleet on the China Station on June 30th, 1902, was 10,400, as compared with 11,598 in the previous year and 7,110 in 1900. At the Census taken in January, 1901, the actual number of Officers and men of His Majesty's Navy present in the Colony was 5,597, and the estimated average number resident here (ashore and afloat) throughout the year 1902, is put at 4,504.
The Chinese boat population of the Colony (including 1,180 Chinese on the merchant ships in the Harbour) numbered 41,280 at the Census taken in January, 1901, and has been estimated at 44,755 to the middle of the year 1902.
The following is the number of registered boats belonging to the Port:-
Fishing and Trading Junks,
T
Cargo-boats, Lighters, Sampans, etc.............
Total,
6,663
4,796
...11,459
The number of boats licensed in 1901 was 12,399, and in 1900 it was 12,367, so that the figures for 1902 shew a considerable falling off, mainly in the number of fishing and trading junks licensed, but this reduction is only apparent as it is more than compensated for by an increase of no less than 1,898 in the number of boats and junks licensed for the villages in the New Territory which are not included herein, as these villages do not come within the jurisdiction of the Sanitary Board and are not included in the estimates of population. The number licensed for each of these villages was as follows:-
For Cheung Chau, 1,727; for Tai 0, 966; for Tai Pò, 1,187; for Deep Bay, 1,029; for Sai Kung, 918; and for Mirs Bay, 5; making a total of 5,832, as compared with 3,934 in 1901.