10 is still considerably underestimated, though I admit the difficulty of arriving
6. at a correct calculation. The European Houses show an increase against 716, 780 or 724 of 8.
and the extravagance of House Rent, which is still rising, will lead of necessity to further Building of this kind, so far as our now limited space will permit.
7. The Chinese Houses increased by 261, and here I think it right to explain lest the increase of the houses should not seem in ratio to that of the population that a large portion of the population is housed on boats in the Harbours.
8. But the fact is that our population has outgrown our means of accommodation, and the only remedy is the occupation of Kowloong on the opposite side of the Harbor, where level ground and convenient water frontage will draw off the superabundance of people, invite settlers and improve trade.
9. The steps taken in this matter are well known to Your Excellency and were reported up to date in Colonel Caine's Despatch to the Colonial Office Nr. 109 of 17