CO129-279 - Public Offices - 1897

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Disappear-

ance of

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CHINA,

No Chinese merchant vessel of foreign type has visited this port since 1883, and there has not been a sailing vessel of foreign Chinese flag type here for trading purposes since 1881. The French sailing vessel shown in the customs returns as entering in 1894 and clearing in 1895 was a hulk,

and of sailing vessels from port.

Emigration. Straits and Stam passenger trade.

British passenger steamers.

Hong Kong passenger trade.

Conclusion.

While the number of emigrants to Bangkok remained almost the same as in 1895—the figures being 4,393 in 1896, and 4,361 in 1895—the number proceeding to the Straits Settlements was considerably less, being only 6,782 in 1896, against 10,154 in 1895.

There was a considerable increase in the number returning by steamer from both countries, the figures being, from Singapore 5,003 in 1896, against 2,072 in 1895, and from Bangkok 2,935 in 1896, against 1,684 in 1895.

British steamers, which formerly had almost a monopoly of this trade, have had recently rivals of several nationalities to contend with, and a marked decrease is shown in the number of passengers conveyed by them. In 1895, 1,482 passengers were conveyed to Singapore in British vessels, and only 590 in vessels under all other flags. In 1896 only 1,811 passengers were conveyed to Singapore in British vessels, while the number proceeding in foreign vessels rose to 3,192. In 1895 all the 1,684 passengers to Bangkok were conveyed by British steamers; the number travelling thither in 1896 by British steamers was 1,803, while 1,132 went in foreign steamers.

Considerably more passengers are conveyed from Hong-Kong to this port than are conveyed thither. The figures for 1896 and 1895 respectively were 8,506 and 7,971 passengers from Hong-Kong, and 5,126 and 4,146 passengers to Hong-Kong. A number of the Singapore and Bangkok emigrants are constantly travelling backwards and forwards; and, though they usually proceed abroad direct, frequently return by way of Hong-Kong, thus accounting in some measure for the above figures.

The passenger trade to and from Hong-Kong by British steamers is insignificant.

In conclusion I must express my thanks to the Commissioner of Customs at this port for his kindness in supplying me with information, and permitting me to inspect the returns of his office.

KIUNGCHOW.

Table I.—RETURN of all Shipping at the Port of Kiungchow during the Year 1896.

Nationality ENTERED Total Value of Cargo Steam Sailing Total Number of Vessels Tons Number of Vessels Tons Number of Vessels Tons £ s. d. British 23 32,520 31 3,403 6 8 31 32,520 3,403 6 8 Chinese 49,481 97 40,481 57,203 13 4 4 5,660 4 5,660 540 16 8 Danish 102 71,992 102 71,992 41,387 16 8 French 188 105,022 188 105,022 142,980 3 0 German Swedish and Norwegian 7 5,264 7 5,264 270 10 0 Total 870 7289,248 for 1895 316 194,440 371 269,248 316 194,440 245,338 13 7 Nationality CLEARED Total Value of Cargo Steam Sailing Total Number of Vessels Tons Number of Vessels Tons Number of Vessels Tons £ s. d. British 31 32,529 31 32,529 3,480 16 8 Chinese 97 49,481 97 49,481 63,382 9 4 Danish 4 5,660 4 5,660 540 16 8 French 102 71,292 102 71,292 4,325 0 0 German 138 103,022 138 103,022 108,881 0 0 Swedish and Norwegian 7 5,264 7 5,264 1,912 0 0 Total 379 348 312 269,246 215,551 10 8 for 1895 316 194,758 183,528 13 7

Note.—Exchange: Haikuan tael in 1895 ≈ 3s. 3d.; in 1896 3s. 4d. * Value of contraband goods seized by the customs on board a junk.

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