1898.
20
COLONIAL REPORTS--ANNUAL.
Hosa Kono, equal as far as possible to the demand for admission, the rate of fees was increased from the 1st April. The total amount of fees was $21,593, being an increase of $8,138 upon the receipts for 1897, and more than double the receipts for 1896. Owing to various departmental economies, and to a reduction of $1,200 in the Crown Agents' account, the actual nett expenditure amounted to $16,305.91, as compared with $25,623.52 in 1897. Two additional English masters and one native mathematical master were appointed during the year.
The results in the Oxford locals showed marked improvement, the percentage of passes being 59 instead of 18 in 1897.
The lower and preparatory schools were examined by the headmaster, and out of 550 boys, 457 or 83 per cent. passed. The upper school was examined by independent examiners appointed by the Government, and showed satisfactory results.
VI.—GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.
(A.) HOSPITALS.
There are several hospitals in the Colony, of which only one, the Civil Hospital, is entirely a Government institution, though the Tung Wa Hospital is also under Government supervision. These, of course, are in addition to the military and prison hospitals. Further information as to the cases treated in the two hospitals named will be found under the head of Public Health VII. (B.).
Among the patients treated by the Government Civil Hospital there were 469 deaths, of which 103 were British and foreign and 366 Chinese. 319 of the deaths recorded were due to plague. The Tung Wa Hospital treated 3,019 in-patients and 90,880 out-patients. The total number of deaths was 1,187, of which 243 were due to plague and 280 to phthisis. The percentage of deaths to admissions was 35.05, as against 35.24 in 1897 and 38.80 in 1896. It may be mentioned that the provision of free burial and the restoration of destitutes to their homes are regarded as two of the most important functions of this institution.
(B) ASYLUM.
The lunatic asylum is managed in connection with the Government Civil Hospital, and is divided into European and Chinese wards. There were 82 patients admitted in 1898, of whom 73 were cured and relieved, Six patients died during the year.
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
21
(C) POOR HOUSES. There is no poor house in the Colony, but the Tung Wa Hospital does good work in relieving and sending destitutes back to their native villages.
(D.) REFORMATORIES.
Hitherto there has been no properly organized reformatory in Hong Kong, but the Government has for some time been engaged in making arrangements for the establishment of such an institution in the near future. A building has been generously presented by Mr. Belilios, which is in course of construction, and should be ready for occupation before the middle of 1900.
(E) SAVINGS BANKS.
The Hong Kong Savings Bank, started on 1st May, 1885, is conducted by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, and receives deposits from $1 up to $250 in any one day, with a maximum of $2,500 in any one year. The deposits bear interest at the rate of 3.3 per cent. per annum on the daily balance. Withdrawals are paid on demand, upon production of the pass-book by the account holder, or his duly appointed agent.
The following figures will give an idea of its growth :---- On 30th June, 1886, the deposits amounted to $122,000. On 30th June last there were over 3,000 accounts with a total of some $1,100,000, as against $900,000 on the corresponding date last year and $800,000 in 1897.
Correspondence relating to business of the Hong Kong Savings Bank, if marked "On Hong Kong Savings Bank Business," is forwarded free of charge by the various British post offices in Hong Kong and China.
(F.) SOCIETY FOR PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS.
The Po Lung Kuk is a society, under the supervision of Government, for the protection of women and girls. The number of cases dealt with by the society during 1898 was 412, which is 27 more than the previous year. The receipts of the working committee amounted during 1898 to $5,054.17, and the expenditure came to $4,778.72, leaving a balance in hand of $275.45. The society co-operates with the benevolent societies of Canton, Macao, and other places in restoring women and girls to their relations, and in other ways. No money grant is received from the Government.
Hosa Kono,
1898.
506