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S.
At page 185 of the Blue Book will be found a Return of the different schools in the Colony, from which it will be seen that there are four for the education of the Children of Europeans (one of which also receives other Christian children), and six for Chinese. Three of these last receive a small monthly allowance from Government, and are under the inspection and superintendence of the Colonial Chaplain and the Chief Magistrate of Police. The Report of these gentlemen which I append hereto shows that the number of Scholars has materially increased during the past year. As a proof of the estimation in which these schools are held by the Chinese community, and of the importance which they attach to education, I may mention that the inhabitants of Wongneichung, one of the poorest villages on the Island, have lately petitioned me to afford some slight pecuniary aid towards establishing a School in their neighbourhood, and I have thought it right to accede to their application by granting them a similar sum to that bestowed on the others, commencing from which I trust will meet with Your Lordship's approval.
Trade.
896 Vessels arrived at Hongkong during 1849, of an aggregate burthen of 293,711 tons, showing an increase over the preceding year of 196 Vessels and 64,893 tons. Of these ships 167 are reported to have imported and 167 exported goods into and from the Colony. From the Returns in the Blue Book under the head of Imports and Exports, furnished to me by the Harbour Master, it will be seen that Treasure to the value of $10,057,986 equal to £2,095,413.15.0, have been shipped at this Port for exportation as follows:-
To Great Britain - $1,200,644 = £250,134.3.4
To British India - $8,704,247 = £1,813,384.15.10
To Manila - $28,095
To Whampoa and Canton - $125,000
5,853,246
26,041.134
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