to be finished this year.
N.B. This R
The other works from 1879 were repairs to Buildrip (£12,523) Water Works (£14,656) Submarine Cable, to Kowloong & Green Island, & maintenance of Telegraphs (£760) Drainage Sewerage (£12,873) New Hospital (£1,685), Sanitarium (£1,240) Gaol alterations (£1,242), Road Work (£15,273) & Tree Planting (£3,571).
An important work, begun this year (1881).
The Breakwater, to protect the harbour population from Typhoons, delayed until the Praya Wall was finished, to cost about £16,000.
Education: The changes in the grant-in-aid Scheme (omission of words "secular" & "Elementary") are reported.
and in English. Small education in Chinese is deplored. English Education is however improving in the Government schools.
Trade: steadily improving for several years. The German & Americans, who at one time were displacing British Traders, are now being displaced by the Anglo-Chinese of Hongkong who do a considerable trade with China in British Manufactures.
Opium: $498,394,858 worth brought from India, a small quantity of which remained in Hong Kong. The Opium Farm brings in $205,000 p.a. practically 100% tax to the consumer.
Smuggling opium is carried on considerably, which it is hoped Sir J. Wades or any other may be able to stop, lest friendly relations with China may be endangered.
Crime & Prison Discipline & Flogging: A really interesting history of the "Branding Ordinance" (1872), & the circumstances leading to its repeal.
The previous system had increased the criminal community, whereas now the provisional suspension thereof has already made an improvement, seen in the diminution of number of convictions.
Other improvements in Prison particulars have been brought about, e.g. the introduction of the separate cell system, & of a better class of warders, & of Chinese turnkeys. A new gaol however is required, before the whole prison system can be put on a sound basis; plans for rebuilding Stan Cutter's Island have been prepared.
Piracy: has almost ceased, through the joint exertions of H.M.'s Navy & the Chinese Government, whose recovered strength has enabled them to put down that form of crime which only arose in their weakness.
Police: The efficient condition of the force, established by Sir A. Kennedy, has been maintained by following in his lines. It now numbers 610, viz. 125 Europeans, 314 Chinese, & 171 Sikhs (not counting 52 Coolies).
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