125 of 1879.
Inclosure. No. 4 in Despatch
Chinese
Hee-
for superintending Schools, for the half-
Report by the Committe
year ending, 31 December 1848.
3rd March, 1849.
Remarks upon the native trade at Hong Kong during the half-year ending 31 December 1848.
AVC(85)72
1072649
335
In the absence of regular returns, I can only talk in general terms of what comes under my immediate observation: The Chinese traders are moreover very reluctant to give a true detail of their actual transactions, for fear of provoking competition; their statements are always under the real amount.
Much business is done here by small traders, who come to Hongkong from the neighbouring cities, such as Tung kwan, Nan tow, Hwei shen, and other places. They generally bring an investment of sugar and other produce for immediate consumption. They attend auctions, and buy up things from agents wherever they find them at reduced prices. In these they invest their proceeds, and sell...