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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 Territory) 283,975. This shows the remarkable increase of 35,095 within a period of four years, and affords eloquent testimony of the prosperity of the Colony.
The following is the estimated population to the middle of 1904 :--
[Non-Chinese Civil Community,
City of Victoria including Peak and
Stonecutters,...
Chinese Population, Villages of Hongkong,
10,181
190,690
15,614
Old Kowloon,
65,072
New Kowloon (approximate),...
20,000
Floating population,
50,930
Total Chinese Population,
342,306
Army,
4,359
Navy,
4,360
Total Population of the Colony,... 361,206
At the Census taken in 1901, the population of New Kowloon was found to be 17,243; it is impossible to make any exact estimate of the present population in this area, as no previous Census had been taken, and so the data necessary to indicate the rate of growth are lacking.
In addition to the foregoing there is a population of about 85,000 in that por- tion of the Kowloon Hinterland which is not under the jurisdiction of the Board.
The total strength of Troops in Garrison on June 30th, 1904, was 101 British officers and 1,415 British warrant officers, N.C.O.'s and men, with 48 Indian (native) officers and 2,515 Indian warrant officers, N.C.O.'s and men. There were also 239 British women and children and 41 Indian women and children, making a total of 4,359 as compared with 4,100 in the middle of 1903.
The total strength of the British Fleet on the China Station on June 30th, 1904, was 10,067 as compared with 8,905 in the previous year. 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 1904 is put at 4,360.
The Chinese boat population (exclusive of the New Territory) num- bered 41,280 at the Census taken in January, 1901, and has been estimated at 50,930 to the middle of 1904.
The following is the number of registered boats belonging to the Port, which constitute the homes of this floating population :-
Fishing and Trading Junks,.......
7,011
Cargo-boats, Lighters, Sampans, etc., ...... 5,237-
Total,
.12,248
The number licensed in 1903 was 11,458.
These figures do not include the registered fishing boats belonging to the New Territory, which number as follows:-
Cheung Chau, Tai 0, Tai Po, Deep Bay, Sai Kung,
1,682
899
1,481
1,518
842
Total,......
6,422
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