The Earl Grey -
Governor Bonham,
Metnis, Doug Kom 14 March 1860.
Acceived
N. 17.
18 Melorures.
Transmitting the Blue Book
the
of Hong Kong for 4851, and reporting
State of the Colony. -
J-T
122
)
HONG KONG.
(No. 17. Civil.)
MY LORD,
No. 1.
Victoria, Hong Kong, March 14, 1852. (Received May 22, 1852.)
I HAVE the honour to transmit the Blue Book of Hong Kong for the year 1851.
Revenue and Expenditure.
2. The revenue of the colony for the year 1851 was 23,7211. 7s. 61d., and the expenditure for the same period amounted to 34,1157. 78. 6d.
Military Expenditure.
3. The total expenditure of the commissariat and ordnance departments amounted to 51,8957, being 12,733. less than in the year 1850. This decrease arises from certain reductions in the force, and from the completion of military works and buildings.
Public Works.
4. The sums paid during 1851 on account of civil works and buildings, &c., are stated at 1,611. 8s. 1d., including the additional grant of 4551. towards the completion of St. John's Cathedral. The Surveyor General's report, which I beg to enclose, shows the nature of these works. I also forward this officer's annual report upon the state and progress of his department for the past year.
Legislation.
5. Four ordinances, the titles of which are given at page 56 of the Blue Book, have passed the Legislative Council, and the three first have already received the confirmation of Her Majesty.
Population.
6. The census recently taken shows the population to be 32,983, con*
HONG KONG.
No. 1.
No. 2.
No 3.
sisting of
Europeans and Americans
647
Goa and Macao Portuguese
489
Indians, Malays, and natives of Manilla
221
Aliens (chiefly foreign seamen and temporary residents) Chinese
163
31,463
Total
32,983
The above is an abstract of the returns prepared by the officiating Registrar General, copies of which I append for your Lordship's information. There has been a small decrease of males in the Chinese population within Victoria, as compared with the census for 1850, owing to emigration to California.
The number of deaths amongst the white population has been 67, being at the rate of 10.35 per cent.; and the deaths amongst the Chinese inhabitants are estimated at 1,020, as appears by the enclosed statement, showing an average mortality amongst the native population of 3 24 per cent.
No. 4.
No. 5.
No. 6.
No. 7.
The average monthly number of Chinese and coloured prisoners in the gaols was 146, amongst whom eight deaths occurred (exclusive of one by suicide), giving an average mortality of 5.48 per cent. The average monthly number of European prisoners under confinement was 33, of whom two died.
The Sheriff's return, showing the inmates of the gaol during 1851, is here- with transmitted.
No. 8.