133
84.
must also be borne in mind
mo
that Hongkong is
less connected with the Japanese trade than the China trade-
and
may safely estimate the annual value
to
of the former as already amounting nearly
six millions sterling, whilst it is probably capable of vast extension. Enough however has been said to shew the vast
importance to Great Britain of this small
barren island, which
and comparatively
has become the centre of the leading commercial operations connected with the Colonial trade
to bring
some
of which I have ventured
details to Your Gracious
notice.
It is here that those reside who direct the
principal transactions connected with that
trade, whilst they maintain other
establishments and agencies at the
Commercial Ports
along
the coast. It is also here that Her Majesty's Government
has been enabled to establish their
most
secure depôt for
all Military
and
Naval stores, required East of Singapore.
Here are docks capacious enough to take in almost the largest vessels
of
the
Navy,
at
a
safe
harbor that could shelter
hundreds of the finest ships and is
not surpassed
in convenience of anchorage, and
scarcely in beauty, by any other harbor
in the world.
85
There is however no
parallel
between this and
any
other British
Settlement. It owes
its
importance to no
productions or manufactures of this
...
34th No
Au