HONGKONG IN 1901.
TRADE AND FINANCE,
FINANCES.
THE HONGKONG
previous year. Of this increase, 165,128 tons are due to the fact that steam launches trading to poris outside the Colony liave been included this year, whereas in former years they have At this Legislative Council Meeting this after been retumed separately. There were 45,349 noon the report on the Blue Book for 1901, arrivals of 9,681,203 tons, and 45,171 departures prepared by H.E. Major-General Sir W. J. of 9,544,181 tons. Of British ocean-going ton- Gascoigne, K.C.M.G., was laid on the tableage, 1,917,780 tons entered, and 2,897,200 ions From it we have made the following extracts leared. Of British tiver ateamers, 1,697,342 a grand total of British tonnage of 9,213,619 tops entered, and 1,701,417 tons cleared, making tons entering and clearing. Of foreign ocean- going tonnage, 3,637,552 tons entered, and 3,609,çoz tone cleared. Of foreign river stea mers, 48,545 tons entered, and 49,503 tons cleared, making a grand total of foreign tonnage of 5,345,430 tons entering audclearing. Of steam, launches trading to ports outside the Colony, 82,56 tons entered and 83,564 tons cleared. Of junks in foreign trade, 1,631,272 tons entered, and 1,634,896 tons cleared. Of junks in local trade, 666,248 tons entered, and 668,699 tons cleared. Thus British ocean-going tonnage represented 30.1 per cent. British river 17.2 per cent.; foreign ocean-going 7.5 per cent; foreign river 0.5 per cent; steam 16.9 per cent.ijunks (local trade) 6.9 per cent. launches 0.9 per cent; junks (foreign trade)
The actual number of ships of European steam-launches entering the port during 1901 was 682, being 337 British and 345 foreign Thus 682 vessels entered 3,570 times, and gave a total tonnage of 5,595,332 tons. A comparison of the shipping returris for 1900 and 1901 showed that though there was a large decrease in the number of vessels under the British flag (chiefly due to the withdrawal of some river steamers) there was an increase in British tonnage of 58,441
the business of which showed an increase of more thari 700,000 tons over that of the preced-
The revenue for the year 1901, exclusive of land sales, was $3,973,578, or.5636,933 more than the estimate; inclusive of land sales the total revenue was $4,313,893. The expenditure, exclusive of the cost of Public Works Extract dinary, was $3,723,249, or $455,317 more than the estimate; including the heavy outlay on Public Works Extraordinary, the total ex- penditure was $4,117,722-tiere was thus an excess of revenue over expenditure of $102,177. The sources of revenue which proved most productive and were chiefly responsible for the excess of actual over estimated receipts were the opium monopoly, the assessed taxes, chair and jiaricksha and some other forms of licences, the Post Office, and stone quarries. The items which yielded a smaller sun than the estimate were not numerous, and represented no very large amounts, with the exception of the item
LEGRAPH
HONGKONG, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9th, 1902.
PUBLIC WORKS.
SUPPLEMENT
the year was 5687,335.70. The principal work The total expenditure on Public Works during initiated was a greatly colarged scheme for the Kowloon Peninsula with water by gravitation, construction of Water-works to supply the the estimated cost of the work being $835,000 in the New Territory, in connection with Tho reservoir to be constructed is situated the development of which several works the road to Taipo, 16 miles in length. Work, were in progress, principal among them being was begun on an additional reservoir at Tylam for increasing the supply of water to the City of V-ctoria. A number of buildings were in progress, including the New Law Courts, Harbour Office, Western Market, and Gover- nor's Peak Residence. A large Reclamation Scheme in front of the eastern section of the City, estimated to cost $5,000,000, was under consideration, and arrangements for the con- struction of an electric tramway, 9 miles in length were nearly brought to a conclusion.
not suitable to this Central American anded to you in September last, and the outcome Malayan tree, and most of the plants died in will probably be the establishment of one or the cold season. Much interesting botanical more good schools for European boys and girls work is yearly carried on in Hongkong. Mr. and similar schools for the children of the Ford, the Superintendent, has shown that the better class Chinese. total number of plants, exclusive of mosses, lichens, soa-weeds and fungi, indigenous to Hongkong, is 1,397, probably more than are indigenous to the whole of the British Isles, with other botanical institutions, and the Plants and seeds are regularly interchanged number of plants which are successfully in troduced into the Colony by this means is constantly increasing. It is hoped that before long an experimental Economic Garden will be established in the New Territory for the purpose of introducing and dis- tributing amongst the natives new plants of economic value. The hilly character of the island and its comparative absence of fer tilising soil has prevented agriculture from becoming an active source of industry in Hongkong. The acreage of cultivated land in the island is a little over 400 acres only. The old dependency of British Kowloon, which is chielly composed of level ground, contains almost the same amount of cultivated land. This, however, tends to diminish as buildings extend. The only part of the Colony where
thrive is the New Territory, which, though in Government Hospitals consist of the Civil contains valleys where rice and sugar and other in Hospital; Kennedy Town infectious Diseases tersected by extensive ranges of barren hills, Hospital, to which is attached an isolated Lying crops are grown with success. The acreage of Hospital, and the Hospital hulk Hygein. The cultivated land in the New Territory (including Civil Hospital contains 124 beds in 18 wards; the islands) is not far short of 100,000, but much the Lying-in Hospital 6 beds for Europeans of this contains exceedingly poor soil and and 4 for Asiatics; and Kennedy Town Hospital- consists of minute holdings belonging to the 78 beds. In 1901, 267 cases were treated at poorest class of peas.nts. The Government Kennedy Town, of which 204 were cases of has taken steps to introduce some better plague, 42 of small-pox, and 15 of cholera 2,948 Some attempts have been made to grow the at the Goverment Civil Hospital in 1901, mulberry, but without success.
showing a slight decrease in the figures for 1900. Malarial fever alone was responsible for over Boo admissions. The Tung Wa Hospital, sup- Chinese and only to a small extent endowed ported by voluntary subscriptions among the
by the Government, takes-the-place-of-a-Poor- destitute. Chinese as well as European met House and Hospital for the Chinese sick and hods of treatment are employed in accordance with the wishes expressed by the patients or those who are responsible for them,
of New Territory Land Revenue, from which a construction (Exclusive of river-steamers and agricultural industries can be expected to sum of $140,000 had been anticipated and only $18,783 received. This retaro, however, com pares well with that of 1900, when only $1,300 was collected from the source. As has already been pointed out in New Territory reports, the difficulties in connection with the settlement of land claims make the collection of Crown rent a slow process. The figures quoted above do not represent the whole of the revenue derived from the New Territory during 1901, as they do not include its share, in the considerable
opium monopoly and other miscellaneous Bources. The amount realised from land sales was much less than that realised in 1900. Ining year. that year more than 5816,000 was received from
GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.
Hospitals,
4-on the same date in 1900, 96 in 1899, $5 in the Gaol on the 31st December, 1901, against 1898. This shows an increase of 135 per cent. during the past 3 years. This large increase is synchronous with and largely attributable to the inclusion of the New Territory in the Colony.
amounted to $24,783 as compared with $17,458 The total profit of all industrial labour
the Gaol have been carried out by prison for the preceding year. All minor repairs to labour. A new wing was completed and oc- year. The question of extending the Prison pied by long-sentence prisoners early in the accommodation in the Colony has been for Government. some time engaging the, attention of the
the troops stationed there began to be attacked After a brief period of freedom from malaria, in considerable numbers and had to be wholly withdrawn from the building, which now stauds empty. The treatment with larvicides of the breeding places of the "anopheles mosquito is being actively continued.
Sanitation.
past few years, the sanitary state of the Colony In spite of the efforts of the Government, the Sanitary Board and the Legislature, during the
still leaves much to be desired. The City of Victoria retains its unenvied pre-eminence in the enforcement of this provisions of the In- the matter of surface crowding, and in spite of sanitary Properties Ordinance of 1899, the con- dition of the vast majority of the Chinese The Superintendent of the Gaol is also, Cap-dwelling-houses it far from meeting the require- by an Assistant Superintendent, a medical seemed to be no prospect of amelioration with taio Superintendentof Pobee, and is assisted ments of modern sanitary science. As there officer, chaplain, and European and Indian warder.
Fire Brigade.
The Superintendent of Fire Brigade is also Captain Superintendent of Police and Superin- tendent of Victoria Gaol. members of the Brigade, with the exception of The European
the Engineer, are also members of the Police Force voluntarily enlisted, and for their:ervice in the Brigade they receive a small addition to their pay. There are also a number of Chinese possesses a powerful floating fire engine for foremen and engine-drivers. The Brigade use in the Harbour, four fand steam engines, and 29 despatch boxes. The 5 fire engines were all built by Messrs. Shand & Mason, during the year, and the Brigade turned out There were 58 fires and 84 incipient fires 57 times. The estimated damage caused by the fires was $630,381 and by the incipient fires was done by fire was 1898, when the total
lamage was $829,814
out the adoption of more radical measures than had hitherto been attempted, and as the Com- nunity showed by a Petition which they. addressed to you in the course of the year that they were prepared to face the licavy expendi
involve, Sir Henry Blake asked you to send out lure which Stronger measures would certainly.
an expert to enquire into the sanitary state of the Colony and report upon the steps which in defects. In October, 1901, you informed Sir. his opinion should be taken to remedy existing
Chadwick, C.M.G., a sanitary expert of wide Henry Blake that you had selected Mr. Osbert. experience and no stranger to Hongkong, for... this special work. About the same time you informed him that you had selected Professo Simpson, M.D., to pay a simultaneous visit to being made into the origin of bubonic plague, the Colony with a view to a thorough inquiry and the best means of providing against its done by these gentlemen, who had not yet arrived in the Colony at the end of root, will. it is hoped, appear in next year's Report. A certain result of their visit must be the intro- duction of legislative measures to consolidate. and amend the present Health and Building Ordinances.
increases to general revenue derived from the tous. This did not include junks in local trade. qualities of sugar-cane into the New Territory, in-patients and 12,663 out-patients were treated $212. The only year in which greater damage annual re-appearance. A notice of the work
this source; in 1got only $240,315, or nearly
$160,000 less than the estimate.
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES,
At the end of the year under review the total assets of the Colony amounted to $2,013,581.60, and the liabilities to $987,0;8.06, thus leaving a credit balance of 81,036,523.54, not including certain arrears of revenue amounting to 561,132.
...
PUBLIC DEBT.
The nature of the loans contracted by the Colony and the conditions governing their re- payment may be ascertained by reference to I (D) of the Blue Book Report for 1898, page 3. TRADE, INDUSTRIES, FISHERIES, AGRICUL TURE, AND LAND.
The problem of providing berthing necom modation in the harbour for the ever-increasing tonnage frequenting the port is one that is getting more circuit each year, and though there may not be any very pressing necessity just at present, there can be no reasonable doubt that, with the constant advance in size, draught, and number, as well of ships-of-war as of the mercantile marine, and of foreign as well as British shipping, the water space will soon be found inadequate.
INDUSTRIES.
During the year 1901, most of our focal industries, which are chiefly carried on upon joint stock principles, were well employed throughout the year, with satisfactory results. Trade and Shipping -
Cotton-spinning by the local company was There was a considerable decrease in coal hampered by the plague. The results 10 imports as compared with 1900, but the amount original shareholders were not good, owing to imported in 1903 was far above the average.
the initial cost of the mill being higher than The coal imports for 1898, also, were stated to originally estimated. However, the capital was have been abnormally large, but the returns for written down largely, and fresh capital brought last year show as increase as compared within, with the effect that the present condition of that year of nearly 100,000 tons.
-A
The principal features to be remarked in the reported trade of the port for the year 1901
are :-*
1. A decrease in the coal impors of 12.3 per
cent.
2. A decrease in the colton imports of 27.8
per.cent.
3. A decrease in the rice imports of 8 percent. 4. A decrease in the timber imports of 18.7
per cent..
5. A decrease in the hemp imports of 42.3
per cent.
6. An increase in the general imports of 9,8
per cent.
the company is very satisfactory, and the future outlook promising. Improved dwellings for their operatives are shortly to be erected, and the system of piece work has been successfully introduced.
The sugar industry has been hampered by the large importations of Continental bounty fed sugar into-japan-and other markets which used to draw their supplies from bere.
|
LAND GRANTS AND GENERAL VALUE
OF LAND.
Hongkong, except in the New Territory, is so The available amount of building land in
limited that it has for many years commanded rents form a considerable portion of the a very high price, and laud premia aed Crown Colonial revenue. Land in private hands has proved to be a most lucrative source of wealth scarcity and high value have tended to raise to its owners, while at the same time its
house-rents to such an extent as to seriously embarrass large numbers of Chinese and Euro. pean tenants. Very extensive reclamation works have been and are still being successful. ly carried out, and large areas of level building ground have thereby been created. It is hoped that before long a practical commencement will be made of a new reclamation which will extend from the Naval Dockyard in the centre of the town to Causeway Bay in the East. The sales of Crown land in 1901 were, as has been already stated, much less than those in 1900.
LEGISLATION.
Thirty seven Didinmwwan wese pornesi Aurina 1901, of which fificen were amendments of Ordinances already in force, and two were private Ordinances for the naturalisation of Chinese. From the Imperial point of view perhaps one of the most important measures of the year was the first Ordi -ance, which raised the annual Military Contribution of the Colony from 17 per cent. to 20 per cent. of the total grass revenue, exclusive of land sales and premia on leases or statutory land grants. Ordinance 5 is perhaps the most important measure of the year. It is an Ordinance to establish a Code of Procedure for the Regula- tion of the Process, Practice, and Mode of Pleading in the Civil Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the Colony." The Supreme Court was established by legislative enactment in 1845 and all its proceedings were regulated by the practice of the English Courts unless and until otherwise ordered by rule of the said | Court. Successive attempts at improving the the Civil Procedure of the Court were made in 1855, 1856, 1858, 1860 and 1861, and led to the enartment of what is known as the Old Code of Civil Procedure, in 1873, which abolished the old distinction between common law and equity, and established a uniform procedure for the administration of both.
Alterations
Asylum.
The Lunatic Asylum is under the direction of the Principal Civil Medical Officer. Euro pean and Chincie patients are separated, the European portion of the Asylum containing 8 beds in 8 separate wards, and the Chinese portion containing 16 beds. Ninety patients of all races were treated during 1901, and there were 7 deaths.
The Chinese College of Medicine. This institution was founded in 1887, largely through the efforts of Dr. Patrick Manson, Dr. Canţlic and others for the purpose of teaching surgery, medicine and midwifery to Chinese. The day man, de van d of day outlugu vesicu i the Court, of which the Rector of the College, who has always been a Government official, is president. 57 students had been enrolled up to igor, and of these 12 have become qualified licentiates, who have obtained various posts under Government and elsewhere. The in- stitution is of great value in spreading a know- ledge of Westém medical science amongst the
Chinese.
Po Leung Kuk.
Towards the end of the year the work of extinguishing fires was rendered more arduous by the drought and the consequent want of water in the mains.
JUDICINE STKAITSTICS," The number of convictions in the Superior Courts during the last 4 years is as follows-
1898 1899 1900 1901 1. For offences against
the person
2. For offences against
property
19 49
$4
17
3
18
7
7
10
12
21
|
Climate.
The average monthly temperature through- out the year was 72.1 deg. F as compared with 71.6 deg. F. during 1900; the maximum 54 monthly temperature was attained in July, when it reached 82 2 deg. F., and the minimum monthly temperature was recorded in the month of February, being 54.8 deg. F. Tho highest recorded temperature during the year was 38.4 deg. F. on Febuary 4th. The total rainfall for the year was 55.78 Inches, as was 92.7 deg. F. on August 3rd, and the lowest
compared with 73.73 inches in ryoo and an average of 77.2 inches during the past ten incbes, while there were also 14 inches of rain years. The wettest month was May with 14 10
ia the month of August; the driest month was January, *uly 0.655 inch. The greatest amount of rain which h
3. For other offences
The total of all cases reported to the Police was 9,172 as against 9,873 in 1900. This re- presents a decrease of 7.10 per cent. In offences which are classed under the term "serious" there was a decrease of 128 cases or 3.62 per cent; in minor offences a decrease of 573 cases or 9.03 per cent. Three men were arrested and convicted for being members of an unlawful (the Triad) society. There was a notable decrease in piracies and armed robberies, partly ao deshe nine in the money of resume impçizla. tion on the subject.
VITAL STATISTICS.
Population.
when the population was found to be 283.975, The last Census was taken in January, 1901, exclusive of the Army and Navy. The num bers of those forces amounted to 7,640 and 5:597, respectively. In the middle of the year the population is estimated to have been as follows:-Non-Chinese Civil Population, 9,560; This is a Society, under the supervision of Chinese Population, 280,564 Army, 5,462, Government, for the protection of women and Navy, 5,074. Total, 100,660. The New Terri children. It has done much good work in con-tory was not included in the recent Census, but nection with the suppression of brothel slavery, a fairly accurate enumeration of its population which was in Hongkong and still is in China, was made. It numbers about roo,000, which one of the gravest social evils. If the Registrar- brings the total population of the Colony up to General, who acts as president of the Society, rather over 400,000. It is significatt that while has reason to believe that a girl is being sold the total increase in the population of the into a life of prostitution against her will or if Colony during the five years between 1897 and she is, in his opinion, of too tender an age to
1901 was 35,095, the increase during the same judge for herself as to her mode of life, she is period is the population of British Kowloon sent into the Po Leungkuk, where she is fed, (which used to be a garden suburb of Victoria) lodged, and, unless she has relatives who will
was no less than 16,534, or nearly half the in- receive her, appropriately educated until she crease for the whole Colony. There were 1,088 has an opportunity of making a respectable births during the year, and of that number 848 marriage or of earning an honest livelihood by were Chinese. This is equal to a general, her own exertions. The institution is managed birth rate of 3.6 per 1,00, as compared with by a number of Chinese gentlemen who are 3.3 in 1900, 4.3 in 1899, and 4.7 in 1898. annually elected as a. Managing Committed. Owing, however, to the large number of Chinese into the Home during the year was 389, being 52 more than in 1900. 187 were restored direct to parents or relatives or were sent to some Benevolent Society in China, 3 were adopted. $ placed at school, and 50`were married.
4.23 inches on April 7th, while day was 213 days of the year; the relative humidity of the atmosphere throughout the year was 75 per previous year. The average daily amount of:: cent, as compared with 77 per cent. in the
sunshine throughout the year was 5.5 hours, and on 35 days only was no sunshine recorded. It may be mentioned that the rainfall of 1901. was less than half the rainfall of the year 1897, Tytam Reservoir, the principal source of water supply, was not filled throughout the year, and only one rainfall during the last 2 years that of 1899) was lower than that of the year under review.
POSTAL SERVICE. The cessation of the Boxer troubles in the North of China gave an impetus to trade, which was faithfully reflected in the steady increase in postal business. The monthly sales of stamps showed an increase of $21,765, as compared with 1900, and for the first time since the adoption of the penny postage the revenue exceeded the highest revenue from the same : source in former days. The returns from the Branch Post Offices at Shanghai and in China also show gratifying results. The revenue of the Department from all sources in 1901 was $355.912, and the Expenditure $273,685. The nett balance to the Hongkong Post Office on
The shipping industry during 1901 was pros perous throughout the year. Over speculation in shares both here and in Shanghai bas in many cases adversely affected the value of shares in several of the local undertakings, but I think that this is merely a temporary con- 7. Also small increases in case and bulk dition and that things will come to their normal
kerosene and in liquid fuel.
level before long. If the heavy fall in silver The next decrease in import cargo is 133.335 becomes perament, it must eventually stim tons or 3-4 per cent. In exports there appears ulate local productions, particularly in the re- to be an increase of 150,823 tons or 7.7 per cent. pairing and docking of ships, as this work can In transit cargo, a decrease of 9,163 tons or be excellently done by Chinese under Euro 10.4 per cent. The import trade was very de-pean supervision. The local Dock Company pressed throughout the year. In the interior is a large and well equipped institution, and of China there was much poverty, and trade the docking facilities of the Colony will, in was hampered by unauthorised exactions on the course of the next few years, be largely *goods beyond the confines of the Treaty Ports, augmented by the Admiralty Dock and by The fall in the exchange of silver and the high considerable work of the same sort at present values ruling on the home markets-especially under construction by Messrs. Butterfield & in raw cotton and all cotton fabrics-niso | Swire at Quarry Bay. The Hongkong Dock
were from time to time carried out during The number of women and children admitted infants who die unregistered, it is estimated that the year's transactions amounted to $82,127. militated severely against this branch of trade. Co. are at present building a large river many subsequent years, and the new Code, steamer for the Canton route, and if the result which was drafted last year by Sir John Car was far from prosperous during the past satisfactory considerable development in ringlan, C. M.G., and enacted as Ordinance No. year. In the Bengal drug, owing to ship-building may show itself, especially ifs of 1901, contains the final results, up to the Large stocks early in the season and a
silver remains low.
present time, of all the changes and improve. declining exchange in the latter half of the The labour question-the crux of the indus- year, the business done, though considerable, ris problem here gives serious food for was productive of loss to both importers and thought, and,itid to-be hoped that the exten- tative dealers. The demand for Malwa was sion of the boundaries of the Colony may make poor and disappointing, and the prices obtain. It possible to provide cheaper and healthier ed left no margin for profit. Owing to the For-house accommodation for the labouring clas- mosan Government being practically the only ses, so that the two chief elements of industrial buyer of superior Persian, the rates for this prosperity-cheap labour and money-may. be drug fell from $825 per picul, the opening successfully united. At present, high rents quotation, to $640 per picul in the latter end o and some unsesi lefluence-probably Chinese the year.
guilds-militate against full advantage being taken of the abundant supply of labour in the adjoining provinces,
THE OPIUM TRADE
COTTON YARN.
As regards the trade in Indian cotton yarn, the year under review shows a decidedly marked improvement over the previous twelve
months
FISHERIES.
There are no fisheries of importance. The local demand for salt and fresh fish. is met by The imports to Hongkong and Shanghai, feats of fishing junks and a large number of which showed a shrinkage of close upon 60 per net stations, and the fish, that are required for cent. in 1900, increased again over 100 per cent. salting are dred and salted on the beach. during the past twelve months, whilet sales in There is a very large focal demand for Esh Hongkong showed an excess of 45,715 bales from the Canton River, which are brought and those in Shanghai of 69,083 bales.
down alive in tanks in the daily passenger
A great and important movement has taken | steamers, place which has opened the whole of the markets of Inland China to the world. Manu-
facturers on the spot will certainly be unable, at least for some time, to meet the greatly in creased demand which will thus be occasioned; and in the meantime India may fairly hope to reap same share of the harvest, more especially || lakin--n veritable millstone round the neck of this trade-il effectually removed.
FORESTRY, BOTANICAL SCIENCE, AND
AGRICULTURE
The Forestry and Botanical Department is under the charge of a Superintendent, and Assistant Superintendent, aided by a large staff of gardeners and foresters. Perhaps the most important work carried on by this department is the planting of trees. Camphors have been planted as an experiment in the New Territory, but it is feared that they can The total tonnage entering and clearing durs not be grown there so as to give an adequate the year 1901 amounted to 15,323,384 tons, return on the capital invested. The experiment being an increase, compared with, 1900, of was not successful, but will be repeated Blo,243 tons, and the same in excess of any | Rubbers were also tried, - but the climate is
Shipping
ments which experience had found necessary. Ordinance No. 13 of 1901-a Consolidating and Amending Public Health Ordinance was an important measure, which will probably, how. ever, be partially superseded by new legislation during 1902.
EDUCATION.
Reformatory.
The Beliios Reformatory, presented to the Celony by Mr. E. R. Belilios, C.M.G., has not been occupied. It has been proposed to make use of the building, with the donor's consent, by turning it into a school. The matter is at present under consideration.
.
Savings Bank.
Police.
The system and methods of education in the Colony are fully described in the Report for 1899, since which time there have been few There is no Post Office Savings Bank in changes. The whole system of education is at Hongkong. A branch of the Hongkong and present under consideration, and may shortly Shanghai Banking Corporation takes the place undergo considerable modifications as the out-of such an institution in this Colony, come of the deliberations of a special Com mittee appointed towards the close of the year.
The total strength of the Police Force, which A description of any changes which may take stood at 630 in 1898, 827 in 1899, and 929 in place should and a place in the next Report, 1900, now stands at 920, including 143 The principal school in the Colony is Queen's Europeans, 366 Indiana and 409 Chinese. The College, an institution which forms a distinct gradual diminution in armed robberies and Government Department. The total number lawlessness in the New Territory made it of pupils on the roll (European, Chiness and possible to withdraw a number of men from that other Asiatics) is nearly 1,500. The average part of the Colony during the year to strengthen annual expenses of each boy are less than $18, the force is the City of Victoria and Kowloon, and the total fees received by Government The executive staff now consists of a Captain amount to over $28,000. There is a large staff Superintendent, a Deputy Superintendent and of English and Chinese masters, who provide two Assistant Superintendents. The conduct the pupils with an education which not only of all the contingente is reported to have been enables many of them to compete successfully satisfactory. Since the middle of the year, the in the Oxford local examinations but also fits Chinese Provincial Authorities bave maintained them for important posts as interpreters and a force of soldiary along the northern boundary clerks in the Government service and in mer of the New Territory, who have co-operated cantile houses. There is a growing feeling with our Police la preventing the lacursion of amongst both British and Chinese residents that armed robbers into the Colony, the system of educating European and native. children side by side in the same schools is
י
Prison.
The daily average, of prisoners confined in
not without lis serious drawbacks. The subject Victoria Gao was 459, as compared with 485 has beenjully desit with In a Patition forward» } for the year 1900. There were 180 convicts in
Public Health.
a more correct birth-rate for the past year The Acting Postmaster General conuments on would be 4-7 per 1,000.
the fact that though many foreiga. Post Offices were opened at various ports in China during opened. He is strongly in favour of the estab- roor, no new British Offices or Agencies were.
above, there were 7,082 deaths in 1901. This As compared with the 1,088 births mentioned
gives a death-rate of 23.5 per 1,000 as compared with 23.9 in 1900, 23.8 in 1899, and an average of 22.5 per 1,000 during the past five years, The deaths included 1,562 from bubonic plague, which again visited the Colony and ran its usual course, Excluding the deaths from plague, the death rate for got would have been 19.03 per 1,000. Among the non-Chinese the deaths numbered 413, of which sea were among the Civil population, 6 amdag the Army, and 14 among the Navy. This sequal to a death-tale of 20.5 per 1,000. The Brkish deaths among the non-Chinese numbered 116; the rest, were chiefly Indians, Malays and Portuguese, 1,651 cases of plague were reported during the year, of which all but 89 wema fatal. The disease showed an increased tendincy to attack
Europeans, The chief causes of death among the non-Chinese resident, civil com- munity were plague, phibies, malaria and pacumonia. There were more cases of small- pox than usual, and some choera cases were imported. It is hoped that yhen the much- needed improvement in the sanitary condition of the City.is effected, there will be a large de- crease not only in the deaths resulting from bubonic plague but also in thise from phthisis and other chest diseases, which are more or less directly attributable to vercrowded and sanitary dwellings. It is the regretted that the experiment of once mor sending troops to reside in the building whin, was originally destined to be a Military Saltarium, has not
paragraph VII! (A) 8 of 1 Report on the proved successful and the hoes expressed in
Blue-book for last year have et been realised,
lishment of Agencies at Chefoo, Tientsin and Peking.
MILITARY FORces and expeNDITURE, Regular Forces.
The following return shows the number and. nature of the Forces employed in the Colony during 1911-General Staff, 6; Garrison Staff, 1; Royal Garrison Artillery, 6o1; Hong- Long-Singapore Battalion, R.A., 466; Royal Engineers, 238; Chinese S. M. M. Co., RE, 65; Second Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers, 1,041; Army Service Corps, 8; Royal Army Medical Corps, 56; A.O.D. and Corps, 591 A.P.D. and Corps, to; Indian Sub-Medical; Department, 3; Education Department, Hongkong Regiment, 928; 22nd Bombay Infantry, 703; 3rd Madras Light Infantry, 6781 5th Infantary Hyderabad Contingent, 699 Total, 5,564.
Colonial Contribution: The Colony contributed $801,275 (being the statutory contribution of 20 per cent of revenue) towards the cost of the maintenance of the ra gular forces in the Colony and barrack services,
Volunteer Corps. !
The total establishment of the Corps is 351 of all ranks. The strength in 1901 was —Staff 71 one Field Battery (80) of six 2.5«in. R. M; Lễ
Mountain Guns; three Machine Gun Com panies (157) of four jo3-in. Maxim machine guns each: an Infantry Company (53); an Engineer Company (25), and a Band (19) - The 45-in. Maxim machine guns have been converted into guns of 303-in, calibre, 777
The expenditure on the Volunteam, which is entirely borne by the Colony, was $16,771.60;