*
HONG KONG.
152
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PAST AND PRESENT
The large vessels which arrived in summer from Canton to go to Teintsin, and brought the large quantity of piece-goods formerly reported, were originally Fokien craft, and chartered by Shantung and other merchants. At present, the prices of our cotton manufactures at Shanghae do not much differ in price from those of Hong-Kong, and, on account of the large importa- tion, the speculation will not probably be repeated.
The cargoes were intended for Northern China and Mongolia, to make covers for the sheep- skins and cotton-wadded jackets of the peasantry, the exclusive dress of the peasantry and poorer classes in winter, as the cheapest stuff procurable.
We have also had a few junks from Ningpo and Fuh-choo, on their way to Canton, and vice versâ; some direct from Formosa, though belonging to Fokien; and very few from Amoy and Hwuy-an.
Many have poor cargoes, and do not buy much; but there is always some trade, though always exclusively confined to Chinese living here.
So long as no custom-house exists, it is impossible to obtain accurate returns. The above was collected from the natives on board their own vessels; and the writer has frequently, with his own eyes, seen the export and import cargoes.
He is anxious to investigate the subject in all its bearings; and if there happens any favourable change, he will not fail to report the same, after having duly investigated the matter in all its bearings.
(Signed)
Victoria, 6th January, 1846.
(True Copy)
CHARLES GOTZLAFF,
Chinese Secretary. FREDERICK W. A. BRUCE.
235
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS. 153
As to the pilot regulations, the Lieut.-Governor would observe that he was enabled, through HELIGOLAND. his professional experience, to digest a scheme of pilotage, which many considered would have proved highly lucrative to the pilots, and beneficial to the Merchant Service: but he found the majority so much prejudiced in favour of their old régime, and so blind to the fact that the constantly diminishing calls for their services was the natural result of their own high charges, of the improvements in charts, and of the extensive increase in steamers, that they could not be persuaded to adopt a lower or indeed any scale of charges to tempt mariners, nor sanction any plan which had not been handed down to them from their fathers.
By the liberal assistance of Her Majesty's Government, the large building, containing the public schools and two clergymon's houses, has been put into a good state of repair during the past and previous year, to the great comfort of all connected with the establishment.
The Lieut.-Governor is of opinion, that the more extensive intercourse of the Heligolanders with educated strangers, and the reformations agitated in many parts on the Continent, and the influx of doubtful political characters who annually resort hither, have induced a growing dissatisfaction with their present constitution.
The Lieut.-Governor has, however, already taken occasion to intimate, that some modifi- cation might be introduced with advantage, although he by no means recommends any change until the general voice of the inhabitants demands it.
(Signed) J. HINDMARSH,
Lieut.-Governor.
HELIGOLAND.
No. 39.
(No. 1.)
Encl. in No. 39.
HELIGOLAND.
No. 39.
COPY of a DESPATCH from Lieut.-Governor J. HINDMARSH to the Right
SIR,
Hon. W. E. GLADSTONE.
Heligoland, February 26, 1846.
I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith the Blue Book for 1845, together with my Report thereon.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
J. HINDMARSH
&c.
The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone,
&c.
&c.
Enclosure in No. 39.
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR'S REPORT accompanying the BLUE BOOK, for 1845.
Heligoland, February 26, 1846.
THE Island of Heligoland being scarcely more than a rock, of about a third of a square mile in extent, and its inhabitants chiefly fishermen, their circumstances, both political and social, are less liable to alter probably than those of any other commnnity on the face of the globe. The fact also of their laws and customs having been guaranteed to them at the capture of the island from Deumark, in 1807, and the absence of any legislative authority to effect any change beneficial or otherwise in their institutions, has the natural tendency of preserving things in a uniform state from year to year. Hence the political prospects of Heligoland are the same that they were five years, if not twenty years, ago; and its social condition, likewise, preserves the same unvarying features,
There is, however, a visible improvement in the pecuniary circumstances of the inhabitants within the last few years, owing to the growing reputation of the island as a watering place, and the consequent influx of visitors from all parts of Germany during three or four of the summer months. The inhabitants have been encouraged to build lodging-houses and hotels for their accommodation; and, besides the large profits they derive from letting apartments and keeping Tables d'Hôtes," the great majority of the inhabitants find advantageous employment during the bathing season in administering to the wants or pleasures of the visitors.
The more indigent inhabitants also have received frequent marks of charity from the hands of these strangers.
The recent removal of the "Stade Duties" has been a great boon to the mass of the people; a tax, roughly estimated at 10,000 marks per annum, having been thereby saved to them.
On the other hand, the severe winter of 1844-45 (the island having been for many weeks surrounded with ice) was the occasion of great distress, and pecuniary assistance was gladly accepted by many that had seldom or never before required the aid of charity.
The interruption to the navigation created a loss of pilotage to men of that calling. But the amount was probably insignificant, as the high prices injudiciously charged by the Heligoland pilots for their services have had the obvious effect of deterring masters of vessels from engaging their services, whenever they can with presumed safety be dispensed with.