per cent. It is however necessary to observe
that the Returns cannot be relied on as furnishing an approximate view of the proportion of mortality in the native population, as the greater number of the Chinese inhabitants when attacked by disease immediately quit the Colony for the purpose of going to their native places, where they either die or remain until their recovery.
Your Lordship will find in Dr. Morrison's Report, which is appended to the Blue Book, copious information regarding the sanitary condition and prospects of the Colony.
9. The three Chinese schools for the education of Native youths, established at Victoria, Stanley, and Aberdeen, as sanctioned by Your Lordship's Despatch No. 109 of 19th August, 1847, have been in operation during the whole of the year 1848. The accompanying Report from the Committee does not show as great an attendance (285) as had been expected, but I trust there will be an improvement as the object and usefulness of the schools become better known to the Chinese.
The Colonial Chaplain continues to bestow the greatest attention towards a school for European children of parents who are ill-able to support this desirable institution, which, under the able and zealous superintendence of Mr. Stanton, is well-attended, though the means for supporting it are very limited.
10. The number of shipping, exclusive of Chinese vessels, which arrived in Hongkong in 1848, as compared with the preceding year, is as follows:
Shipping Tonnage 1847 1848 694 700 229,465 228,818 of which 163 imported and 193 exported