356
required protection. 826 persons were admitted to the Pó Leung Kuk during the year compared with 617 in 1902. The disturbed state of parts of the Canton Province, the famine in Kwangsi and certain restrictions imposed on the boats at Canton are some of the causes to which this increase is due.
EMIGRATION.
(Chinese Emigration Ordinances, 1889 to 1901.)
Table III gives a return showing the number of female and male Emigrants under 16 years of age examined and passed at the Emigration Office and at the Registrar General's Office under The Chinese Emigration Consolidated Ordinance, 1889, as amended by the Chinese Emigration Amendment Ordinance, No. 37 of 1901.
One hundred and forty-four emigrants were detained for enquiries, and the usual arrangements were made for restoring to their friends and relatives those who were found to have been persuaded to emigrate under false pretences.
During the year 1903, six hotels and seven emigration houses (for men only) were licensed.
At the end of the year there were 50 hotels and 16 emigration
houses holding licences.
CHINESE POSTAL HONGS AND CHINESE POSTMEN.
(Government Notifications 273 and 274 of 1902.)
The number of Postal Hongs licensed during the year was 42, and of letter- carriers 99. The number of letter-carriers licensed in 1902 was 162.
CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY TO CHINESE ENTERING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, &c.
(Ordinances No. 13 of 1898 and No. 7 of 1900.)
The revenue derived from this source was $3,925 compared with $2,275 in 1902.
The number of certificates issued during the year was:-
To the United States,...
To the Hawaiian Islands,
To the Philippines,.....
19
0
119
The number of certificates issued for the Philippines in 1902 was 43.
POPULATION.
The following is an estimate of the population of the Colony, exclusive of the New Territory, on the 30th June, 1903:
British and Foreign Community.
18,581
Chinese. 307,500
Total, 326,081.
The population of the New Territory, according to the census taken in 1901, was 102,254.
MARRIAGES.
(Ordinance No. 14 of 1875, as amended by Ordinances No. 14 of 1896
and No. 15 of 1902.)
The number of marriages solemnized during the year was 146 as compared with 120 in 1902.
BIRTHS AND DEATHS.
(Ordinance No. 16 of 1896, as amended by No. 20 of 1899.)
Table IV (4.) gives the number of Births and Deaths registered during the year. The death-rate at various ages and the causes of death will be found in Table IV (B.) and IV (C.).
BIRTHS.
The births registered during the year were as follows:-
Chinese, Non-Chinese,
Males.
Females.
Total.
521
228
749
150
135
285
671
343
1,034