333
+
Hongkong is also directly interested in emigration of Chinese to British North Borneo. As far as I have an opportunity of judging, emigration of labourers to that Colony from Hongkong does not seem to be very flourishing. The class of men who now go compare very unfavourably with the Hakka farm-labourers who used to be recruited some years ago, but the terms offered on the tobacco-plantations do not seem attractive enough. In the Canton river delta the farm-labourer receives $36 a year and board and lodging, and something more than that will be needed to attract good labourers. In June a number of coolies were discovered on board the S.S. "Mausang" bound for British North Borneo. They were shut up in the wheel-house and forepeak. They had all been questioned before embarkation and had expressed their willingness to go.
There is no direct emigration to Samoa from Hongkong, but it is believed coolies are taken from the neighbourhood of Hongkong and Canton to Swatow and embarked there. In June a placard was found posted in Queen's Road purporting to be a letter addressed by a Chinese labourer in Samoa to his clansmen complaining of ill-treatment. The emigration from Swatow appears to be conducted under regulations made by the Chinese Local Authorities.
During the year 52 hotel-licences and 36 enigration house licences were issued. The former houses accommodate men and women, and are patronised not only by intending emigrants but by visitors to Hongkong. The boarding houses are made use of by male emigrants or returning emigrants, of the labouring class.
Licensed on 31st December, 1905.
Accommodation for boarders.
Licensed on 31st December, 1906.
Accommodation for boarders.
Hotels,
49
Emigration
houses,
18
2,615
250
47
2,714
29
412
The increase in the number of licensed emigration-houses is satisfactory, and may be attributed perhaps to the supervision exercised by the Police. One European Sergeant is detailed to board emigrant ships and visit emigrant houses, and reports regularly to the Re- gistrar General.
4. Regulation of Chinese. Ordinance No. 3 of 1888.
(i.)-Registration of Householders.
(See Tables IV a and b.)
Ordinance No. 13 of 1906 enables the provisions of Part III of the Ordinance to be ex- tended by Order-in-Council to parts of the Colony other than Victoria. Steps are now being taken to bring the Ordinance into force in the urban part of the Kowloon peninsula.
(ii)-District Watchmen.
(See Tables Va and b.)
The work of enlarging the Central District Watchmen's Quarters at Taipingshan was completed on the 1st March.
The balance to the credit of the Fund on 31st December was $10,276 as against $9,452 for the preceding year. The total expenditure for the year is less by $7,253 than for 1905, but this is more than accounted for by the small expenditure on new quarters-$3,607, com- pared with $12,347 for the previous year. Wages shew an increase of $749. The item rent has now disappeared from the accounts. It was in 1897 that it was first decided to build
;