The greater part of London_and_hidia has doubt been shipped for Officem.
11111 shipped for return.
The estimated value of Sugar exported from Hong Kong during 1849 was £2103, 14.0.... being £126,855 less than in 1868.
I have attached to the Blue Book a short Return prepared by the Harbour Master, showing the quantity of Tea exported from Hong Kong during 1847 to be about 900,000!!
It is satisfactory to state that this Port has lately become a place of resort for American Whalers for the purpose of refitting and refreshing their crews. Thirteen vessels of this description anchored here during the past Year, their cargoes aggregating 21,585 Barrels equal to 679,927 gallons of oil and 266 tons of bone.
344 tons cr. 108,360 Gallons of oil and 52½ tons of bone were transhipped from three of them and exported to England.
I have annexed a Memorandum of the Native Trade of the Colony, drawn up by the Assistant Chinese Secretary.
The absence of a Custom House or other description of officer having any legal power to investigate correct Returns of the Imports and Exports no doubt affords facilities to the European Trader, and encouragement to the Chinese Settlers and others engaged in trade, who are extremely jealous of any interference with them in their commercial transactions, but at the same time it prevents any accurate Return of the trade of the Colony being prepared.
The Statements under this head in the Blue Book are therefore, in my judgement, not at all to be relied on. For instance, in those tables no notice whatever is taken of the export of "Opium", but I am assured by many well-informed gentlemen that the retail export trade in this drug may be estimated at 300 Chests per month. Should this estimate be correct, and presuming a chest to be worth $500,
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