60.
"I may not, however, close this gossiping column of first impressions without saying that, despite the difficulties of climate and of space, the Europeans in Hongkong do not seem very unhappy. Colonial politics interpose their difficulties as colonial politics always will; apart, I know no place where social intercourse is more frank and cordial. The common tie of civilisation is a common bond of brotherhood."
441
but, these
Old files of the Friend of China, first newspaper published in Hongkong, have provided much material for these columns.
To-day, I propose to reproduce a few extracts from these old files, dealing with more or less commonplace events between 1846 and 1854. There is little actual history in the following paragraphs, but the discerning reader will be able to read between the lines, and get an accurate idea of how the early colonisers spent their time, and of the dangers they encountered.
In the news columns of the Friend of China on January 28, 1846, the following appeared: The Chinese New Year has set in with the customary noisy demonstrations of joy. On Monday eight men were flogged at the usual place, four of them had stolen goods from the naval stores, and two, we hear, were Chinese policemen who had been guilty of extorting money from their countrymen on false pretences. Two Coroners' inquests have been held; one on the body of a Municipal policeman under suspicious circumstances; the other on a Chinaman killed in an affray with robbers who attacked some men engaged in quarrying stones to the westward of the town. A boat crossing to Macao with a European gentleman on board was attacked by Ladrones a few evenings ago. The robbers pulled off from shore in an ordinary fishing boat, but they did not succeed in capturing the fast boat, the crew of which defended themselves with pikes. Some fire balls were thrown on board which burnt two or three men but no lives were lost".
A well-worn copy of the Hongkong Almanac and Calendar for 1846 came into my possession the other day. Between its dark blue paper covers is a veritable mine of information concerning events in Hongkong and South China from the time the first traders arrived here up till the date of issue.
Since it would take hours of strenuous work to sort out the events and reproduce what appears in the Almanac in the order given there. Following dates and data are contained in the first four months.
January 2, 1837, Canton Chamber of Commerce published first regulations.
January 5, 1841, British armament attack on the Bogue Forts.
January 6, 1843, British Lorcha Enterprise attacked by Chinese.
January 11, 1844, Major-General d'Aguilar proclaimed Lieutenant-Governor of Hongkong.
January 14, 1843, First number of Aurora Macanese published.
January 16, 1803, French tricolour first hoisted at Canton.
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