30
population caused an improvement
in the value of landed property, and rent
at this date is on the
average 60 per cent
higher than on the 30th
June 1854. It
is worthy of note that the accommodation
of so vast an increase in so limited a space could not have been effected with
as much ease in any
other Country than China; evidencing, in this as in other matters, the peculiar readiness of this people to suit themselves to Circumstances and surmount difficulties.
During the last six months nearly a hundred houses have been erected, many
improved upon, another story added, and at the present time to my knowledge arrangements
have been made to build
about two hundred
more.
A surer indication of the great
increase of population could not be given than the comparative return of Licensed Hawkers at the dates here specified.
Licensed Hawkers in City of Victoria.
Total No Quarter ending Total No Quarter ending
317 December 1854 542
30th June 1855 906
These Hawkers sell fruit, vegetables, salt
fishes, edibles peculiarly Chinese, materials for clothing and small wares, supplied to all classes, and there is nothing but the increase of population to account for the disparity.
The Population of the Villages within the Colony has not perceptibly
altered since December 1854, nor
has there been any
great increase in the Boats Population
at that date. The Census return then
prepared shows an increase
since ...
increase of boat...
7.