7. The following Table shows the number and class of vessels arrived in the Colony in 1885 and 1886 :-
Years. Steamers Tons. Sailing Vessels. Tons. Junks. Tons. 1885, 3,084 3,632,051 344 234,658 23,674 1,797,222 1886, 3,963 4,359,906 288 211,390 22,971 1,752,868 Increase, 879 727,855 ... ... ... ... Decrease, ... ... 56 23,268 703 44,3548. These returns do not give more information than the number of vessels and their Registered tonnage whether with cargo or in ballast, so that the actual trade with the Colony is unknown.
9. Whether it is advisable that an Import and Export Office, similar to the one at Singapore, should be established at this Port is a question that the Chamber of Commerce might be disposed to consider. Such an Office would require quarters to be built, and a staff of proper Officers to perform the duties. It is a question of expense and whether such a Department, if created, would be to the advantage of the Mercantile Community. It certainly would make known what we have hitherto been in ignorance of.
JUNKS.
10. The junk trade for the year, excluding that with villages in the locality, shows a decrease of 703 vessels and 44,354 tons. From the Coast of China and Formosa, it is 486 vessels and 12,355 tons, and from Macao 217 vessels and 31,999 tons. The trade in junks with Canton suffered somewhat in July of last year, consequent on the additional taxation of imports and exports; but the trade is gradually resuming its former condition. The trade with Macao also dropped at the same time, consequent on the Chinese Government exacting taxes on cargoes to that place in junks, and the trade has improved but very little since, nothing but rice and coals being now conveyed in junks from Hongkong to that Settlement. This taxation has led to increased steam communication between Hongkong, Canton and Macao.
EMIGRATION.
11. There is an increase of 7,005 emigrants to various places during the year, the Straits Settlements showing an increase of 11,136, while there is a decrease of 3,854 Chinese to San Francisco. 2,690 Chinese left for various places in the Australian Colonies showing an increase of 343 on the previous year.
REGISTRY OF SHIPPING.
12. Nine vessels were registered during the year, and eight Certificates of Registry were cancelled.
MARINE MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
13. Fifty-eight Cases were heard in the Marine Magistrate's Court during the year.
EXAMINATIONS FOR THE POSTS OF MASTERS, MATES AND ENGINEERS UNDER SECTION 15 OF ORDINANCE 8 OF 1879.
14. The following Table will show the number of Candidates who passed, and who failed in obtaining Certificates of Competency :-
GRADE. PASSED. FAILED. Masters, 2 6 First Mates, 8 25 Only Mates, 6 13 Second Mates, 1 5 First Class Engineers, 2 3 Second Class Engineers, 20 31 ... 5 ...MARINE COURTS, UNDER SECTION 13 OF ORDINANCE 8 OF 1879.
15. The following Courts have been held during the year :-
1. On the 19th February, 1886,-Inquiry as to the loss of the British Steam-ship Douglas, Official No. 84,357 of Hongkong, on the White Rocks on the 11th February, 1886. The Master's (MATTHEW YOUNG) Certificate of Competency was suspended for four months.
2. On the 10th March, 1886,--Inquiry as to the striking of the British Steam-ship Thames, Official No. 85,898 of Glasgow, on the South-west point of the Lyemoon Pass, on the 2nd March, 1886. The Master's (WILLIAM ARTHUR SEATON) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.
3. On the 24th March, 1886,-Inquiry as to the loss of the British Barque Bothwell Castle, Official No. 47,822 of Newcastle, N.S.W., on the Reef surrounding Ngarik Island, Caroline Group, on the 21st December, 1884. There was not sufficient evidence before the Court to enable them to apportion any blame for the casualty. A Court of Inquiry was also held at Sydney on the arrival of the Master, Second Mate and two of the Crew at that Port.
4. On the 1st April, 1886.--Inquiry as to the loss of the British Steam-ship Breconshire, Official No. 79,674 of London, on the White Rocks, on the 17th March, 1886. The Master's (WILLIAM EDWIN POPE) Certificate of Competency was suspended for three months.
5. On the 19th April, 1886,-Inquiry as to the stranding of the British Steam-ship Venetia Official No. 68,388 of Glasgow, on Isaki Reef off Cape Tanabé, near Kobe, on the 26th March, 1886. The Master's (WILLIAM EDWARD LAWRENCE CLEMENT) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.
6. On the 12th July, 1886,-Inquiry as to the loss of the British Steam-ship Compton, Official No. 77,080 of London, on the South-west side of the Island of Balabac in the Palawan Passage, on the 12th June, 1886. The Master's (MATTHEW BRYCE WALKER) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.
7. On the 30th August, 1886,-Inquiry as to the loss of the British Steam-ship Madras, Official No. 70,626 of London, on a rock in the Bay within the West side of the Tai Chow Islands, on the 15th August, 1886. In the absence of the Master (HENRY PLENGE) who was washed overboard and drowned, and the Chief Mate's injuries having incapacitated him from performing his duties, there was not sufficiently good evidence to enable the Court to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion as to the exact position of the rock on which the Madras struck, nor are the courses the ship is said to have been steered, very reliable.
8. On the 14th October, 1886,-Inquiry as to the stranding of the British Steam-ship Dafila, Official No. 68,501 of Sunderland, on the South Bank, Hainan Straits, China, on the 12th May, 1886. The Master's (JAMES MOONEY) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.
9. On the 25th November, 1886,-Inquiry as to the stranding of the British Steam-ship Greyhound. Official No. 31,647 of London, on a reef running out from Nan Sa Point in the Gulf of Tonquin, on the 2nd November, 1886. The Master's (THOMAS ABRAHAM THOMAS) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.
In the latter Case, the Court recommended that the attention of the Chinese Government be called to the want of lights and marks in the Hainan Straits, which has led to the stranding of several vessels.
SEAMEN.
16. 8,589 Seamen were shipped at the shipping Office during the year, and 9,229 discharged.
17. I am glad to see that provision is made in the Estimates for this year for the construction of long wanted jetty off this Office, and I trust there will be no delay in building it. The present pway answered very well when nothing but gigs were used, but it is only at certain times of the tide that a steam-launch can get in to land people, and the boats not unfrequently touch the ground to the injury of their keels and bottoms.
18. Provision has also been made for making Hunghom, a "Harbour Master's Station," under Section 38 of Ordinance 8 of 1879. Great inconvenience is felt by the Owners and Masters of boats frequenting that place, in having to go to Victoria or Yaumati report their arrivals and obtain their papers. This Station will, I hope, soon be ready. At present an Officer has to visit Hunghom daily, but this is attended with much loss of time, expense, and inconvenience.
I have the honour to be,
The Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D.,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
H. G. THOMSETT, R.N., Harbour Master, &c.
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