:
:
290
rapid growth of the Japanese Mercantile Marine during the last few years, although it is to a certain extent a matter of chance how many vessels of each flag happen to be in harbour on the day fixed for taking a census. The British retains are less by the number of the crew of a steamer which left the harbour without returning the census schedules which had been served on her.
The Chinese floating population amounted to 40,100, composed of 25.402 males and 14.698 females. This represents an increase of 8,348 over 1897, and 8,085 over 1891. 63 per cent. of the population consists of males. The remark- able increase is partly to be attributed, no doubt, to the increased efficiency of the steps taken to enumerate this portion of the popula. tion, which is never an easy task.
The boats were divided into six classes:- Passenger Boats, Cargo Boats, Trading and Passenger Junks, Harbour Boats, Fishing Boata, and Steam-launches. The total number of vessels was 5,836, composed of 1,442 pas- senger boats, 1,424 cargo boats and lighters, 495 harbour boats, 236 trading and passenger junks, 2,809 fishing boats and junks, and 200 launches. The latter figure is a remarkable one, and is probably equalled in very few other harbours. In 1891 the various classes of vessels amonnted in all to 5,220, the increase in 1901 being, therefore, 616,
The population of the Harbour was 28,329, of whom 11,558 were found in boats near the northern Kowloon) shore, 13,022 along the southern (or Hongkong) shore, and 3,949 in the middle of the harbour and at its eastern and western entrances. In 1891 the respective figures were 17,215 along the north shore and in the centre of the harbour. and 6,447 along the southern shore. The float- ing population of the villages is as follows:-—--- Shaukiwan. 5,439 persons on 624 vessels; Aberdeen, 5,251 persons on 947 vessels; Stanley, 881 persons on 119 vessels. The number of boats at Shaukiwan is 19 fewer than in 1891, but the population appears to be 1,811 more. Aberdeen shows an increase of 230 boats and 1,274 persons, and Stanley one of 29 ressels and 313 persons......
.:
The number of Chinese families in the Kowloon Peninsula and in the villages of Stanley, Shaukiwan, and Aberdeen, was as- certained, as well as in the city of Victoria. The number of families in Kowloon was 6,718, and 2,804 in the above menti ned villages. There are 25,123 families in Victoria, so the grand total amounts to 34,645. The figures for Kowloon and the villages were not obtained in 1897 and 1891 and no comparison can there fore be made.
The number of European, American and other Non-Chinese children between the ages Of this of 6 and 15 (inclusive) was 3,178. number 889 were described as being students. 132 children below the age of 6 were returned as attending school, as were 56 who were above the age of 15. In the case of the European and Portuguese especially it is probable that nearly all the children between the age limits above mentioned are in the habit of attending school whether they were returned as doing so or not.
Of the Chinese population, the number of children between 6 and 15 years of age was 15,139 boys and 12,132 girls, making a total of 27,271. As in the case of the Non-Chinese community, the number (6,576 of boys reported as being students is very much below the a tual one. Nearly all Chinese boys, except of the lowest class, habitually attend school or have private teachers. In the case of the girls it is different and the number of students among them would be very small.
Philatelists will be interested to learn that the Japanese authorities have under considera- tion a proposal to issue a new three sen pos al stamp in memory of the late Prince Kitashira kawa. The design recommended for the new. stamp bas in the centre a picture of the For- mosa Shrine, which is dedicated to the Prince, with the Imperial crest beside it surrounded by the letters "Imperial Japanese Post." Accor- ding to present arrangements the new stamps will be issued about the 20th of this month, a week or so before the inauguration festival of the shrine mentioned, which takes place on October 27th:
:
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE EVACUATION OF PEKING.
A N.-C. Daily News correspondent writes from Peking on the 17th September:
This is the day that really shows that evacua- tion has happened. Early in the morning the 3,000 soldiers of Yuan Shi-kai, under the command of General Chiang Kuei-ti, entered the city. They came through the famous An- ting-men at the north, where the Allies in 1860 came as conquerors. They scattered to their respective quarters throughout the Tartar city, A portion of these Chinese troops marched to the south gate of the Forbidden City called the Wu- men. This gate has been nnder the guard of the American con ingent from the beginning of the foreign occupation. At this gate all visitors with passes have been admitted on stated days, generally two days a week. Drawn up in the court in front of this gate were the Chinese soldiers on the east side, and the Americans and Japanese on the The Japanese were present as those. west. honoured with the guard of the north, east, and west gates of the Forbidden City. American and Japanese officers stepped to the front, near to the gate, to salute the Manchu and Chinese officials who bad assembled to take back the Forbidden City. The responsible persons were the three Military Governors of the Tartar City-Prince Ching, Ching Feng and Ti Liang. With them were Chinese officials, ex-Governor Hn Yü fen, who is in charge of the Chinese military in the Tartar City, and General Chiang Kuei-ti. This is the first time that Chinese have had jurisdiction or authority in the Tartar City.
The American Legation, in the necessary absence of Mr. Conger, was represented by Mr. Bainbridge. An address was made by Prince Ching, expressing appreciation of the protection afforded, and by Major Robertson and the Japanese officer. After formalities in handing over the keys, and the arrival of the guards from the four gates, after being relieved by Chinese and Manchu guards, the American contingent marched out, followed by the Japanese. The latter marched in much better style than the former. The Chinese then wheeled around to a position clear across the court, and later, marched out of a gate at the west. The appearance of the Chinese was more creditable than that of the Manchus. The decline of Manchu power was noticeable. A large number of spectators, especially German, American and British, was present. Some had passed through the siege of last year, and could be heard expressing disgust at honours paid to the Chinese and suspicions of permanency of security Already the three gates leading up to the south gate of Forbidden City have been painted over; the walls and building around these courts, and the towers above the gate-ways, being repaired, plastered and painted in bright red, and the roofs coloured anew in cleanest yellow By the time the Court returns, there will be nothing that it can see in any way to humiliate its pride or prestige. The Legation quarter adjoining the main entrance will be hid from view, and the Empress Dowager and her satellites will come home to refurnished, refurbished palaces, as from a pleasant vacation to the hill-side. What will happen is plainly indicated by the ceremon- ies of this day.
This evening the Ministers and the Chin- ese potentates give a dinner to the Japanese and American officers, though the latter will be unable to attend on account of mourning for their President, Thus closes the pleasure of a | year, afforded to tens of thousands to enter the city that heretofore has been forbidden to out- side nations, except to the high representatives who were allowed to enter only at the east gate and to pass thence only into the side courts and buildings. The Manchu Dynasty has suffered but little when one considers what crime it committed. Shopkeepers, innocent residents, obedient followers of Imperial orders, the Chin- ere people, have all suffered, but the party supremely oulpable has fared well.
19th September. The British have practically evacuated, outside of a few at the Temple of Heaven to guard the railway station at that point. The Chinese soldiers are now seen passing through all the streets and are well-behaved. They have taken the place of the Manchus on guard at the City gates.
}
[October 7, 1901.
MUSICAL NOTES.
In connection with the forthcoming Cricket Week, it has been arranged that one of the entertainments to be provided for visitors-from Shanghai and Singapore will take the form of
A selection of “coon a minstrel concert. and "nigger" melodies has been made, and An excellent practices are about to commence. programme should be rendered, as there is no lack of the musical talent in our midst requisite for such solos and choruses as are peculiar to this class of entertainment. Doubtless, too, many wits are now busy concocting the con- undrums and sayings indispenable to the There has of late been ample "corner-men." material for the provision of witticisms of this kind.
Many will be glad to learn that a concert has been arranged on behalf of that excellent and most deserving institution, the Missions to Sea- men, of which that erer genial and hard-working padre, the Rev. J. H. France, is senior chaplain. The entertainment, which takes place on the 16th inst., at 9 p.m., will be given entirely by the members of the Choir of St. John's Cathe dral, and will be held in the Hon. C. P. Chater's bungalow at Kowloon, the loan of which has been kindly promised for the occasion. The programme, which will be an attractive one, will consist of vocal and instrumental music, and amongst those who will sing will be Mrs. Lowson, Mr. Alec Marsh, and Mr. G. P. Lammert. Bandmaster Moir, R.W.F., who is a member of the Choir, will give a 'cello solo, and part-songs will also be sung. The whole of the proceeds, after paying expenses, will be handed over to the Mission. Á good audience will doubtless be present to assist the Choir in the furtherance of this good work amongst needy seamen and others in our midst.
Lovers of music will be gratified to know that it has been decided by the nglican Church choirs in Hongkong, in emulation of the work at home, to give an annual Festival in St. John's Cathedral, the object being the further- ance of choir work and the promotion of Church music.
The first Festival, it is hoped, will be given in November; and the oratorio selected is Gaul's Holy City. It will be rendered by about seventy voices, those taking part being the members of the Choirs of `St. John's Cathe- dral, St. Peter's Church, and the Garrison Church.
The band of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, by kind permission of Colonel Bertie and the officers, will be in attendance, and will most likely play the opening processional hymn, Sullivan's "Onward, Christian Soldiers," and the opening Voluntary. Mr. G. P. Lammert, who will be tenor soloist, will conduct the practices, and Bandmaster Moir will conduct on the night of the Festival, while the soloists will be trained by Mr. Alec Marsh. The precise date of the Festival is not yet fixed but it will probably be about the end of November, as already stated. will be free, but a collection will be taken on behalf of the Cathedral choir fund.
Admission
become
The concert given in the Soldiers' Club on Monday evening was a pleasing success, and was much enjoyed by those present. Now the cool weather is setting in, it is to be these entertainments will hoped more frequent as they are much appreciated. by the officers and men of the Garrison. Bandmaster Moir has a wonderful amount. of energy and is an able musician, and to him and his bandsmen, supplemented with the in- terest displayed by the officers of the R.W.F., is due the credit of these excellent entertain- ments. Much praise is a'so due to Mr. Terrili, the manager of this prosperous Club, and the Committee, whose one united amibition is to brighten the lot of Tommy Atkins in this usually, dull Colony, and keep him out of mischief by providing healthy recreation and amusement. More power to their elbow!
It would really be interesting to know if the Hongkong Choral Society and the Hongkong Philharmonic Society exist otherwise than in the local Directory! The Choral Society has a valuable music library stowed away somewhere in the City Hall (possibly the Museum); but apart from the list of officials published annually-and the same applies to the Philhar monie Society-gives no actual evidence of its existence. Why this should be so it is difficult to imagine, for if the present officers have no
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