Committee of the House of Commons on China Affairs in June last, that the jurisdiction of the Consuls over Civil Suits should be extended beyond $500, by regular ordinance. N.S. of 1847, which enacts that the Consuls with certain assessors shall have jurisdiction over all Civil Suits whatever, subject to an appeal to Supreme Court of Hong Kong, with the further appeal to the Privy Council in all cases above £500.
The population return for 1847 is beyond the amount of any former year, being 23,872, exclusive of Troops. At the same time that the number of the Chinese has increased, their respectability and fixedness of residence have advanced, as proved by the number of dwellings, and the increased number especially of the outstation of Aberdeen.
The road completed round the island renders them independent of water carriage, by which they were formerly exposed to robbery and piracy. Something must also be attributed to the working of the improved Registry Ordinance, under which only householders are registered (instead of individuals) and made directly responsible for their inmates.
An increase of population simultaneously with a diminution of crime, must be considered as a favourable indication.
Climate. The decidedly favourable early panic in regard to the Climate of Hong Kong, which was spread in 1843, is assignable to causes sufficiently plain. On the termination of the war, large numbers of troops were landed, labouring under disease, and placed unprovided with quarters. Under these circumstances, intemperance had also its share in aggravating the evil; which seems to be proved by the remarkable fact that the prisoners on gaol ...