all
only a mile removed from the mainlands of China, from whence persons of all descriptions are able to cross over. The last year has made a great difference in this
I respect for the better, and the Registry system, it is confidently expected, will enable the Government to exercise such
a check upon this most numerous and active portion of the Colony, as to attain all the ends of public peace and security.
Mr. Fearon, the Registrar, pointed out by his intimate knowledge of the people and their local dialect as the fittest person to conduct the Registry, in which he has been employed since the 14th January, and already made great progress, though the Chinese population amounts to 20,000.
By clause No. 10, the Chinese village constables have been made available to the purpose of registering their countrymen; and as the object in some cases is to escape a fine, the readiness and alacrity with which they repair to the offices for registration is very great.
The regulation in dividing the island into districts, as provided by clause 41, has been found useful in preventing too great an afflux at one time to the office.
The registration by this Ordinance has been extended to the boats in the Harbour. Besides the purposes of local Police, this enactment will provide the means of classifying the different descriptions of the population, and aid in the levying and collection of Taxes.
The Harbour Regulations originally established by my predecessor having proved insufficient, it became necessary to revise and enlarge them;
vide G.G. No. 145, 30 Oct 1845