1841-1886
COLONY OF HONG KONG, &c.
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In illustration of the mode in which the public money was proposed to be spent, I give the following, which is a portion of the estimate of public works in Hong Kong for 1844, and which Sir Henry Pottinger transmitted to England for approval.
Dollars.
Completion of Queen's Road from West Point to the east side of Wongnichung Valley
28,000
Ditto, to godowns of Jardine & Co.
15,000
New street formation in Victoria
35,000
Sewers in Victoria
100,000
Value of houses to be removed from Upper Bazaar and other places
Drainage of Woonichung Valley
25,000
7,000
Bridle-path to Saiwan
3,000
New church
35,000
Government House, with suitable office, &c.
70,000
House for Judge
24,000
**
Advocate-general
20,000
Queen's Solicitor-general
20,000
**
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Colonial Secretary
20,000
*
Chief Magistrate
20,000
Treasurer
18,000
Land Officer
18,000
Clerk of the Council
16,000
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Colonial Surgeon
16,000
Chaplain
16,000
House of correction, Hong Kong
Ditto
Range of building for Advocate-general, Queen's Solicitor, &c. &c.
Prison, with house for gaoler, Hong Kong
Debtors' gaol, Hong Kong
Two police stations, north side of island
Two smaller ditto
Police station at Chuck-Choo
Ditto
at Saiwan
at Pock-foo-lum
Keeping in repair Chuk-choo Road
Contingencies of five per cent.
Consulate at Canton
100,000 45,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 4,000 8,000 3,000 3,000 1,500 715,500 35,775 751,275 45,000 Total Dollars 796,275(signed)
A. F. Gordon, Land Officer.
Land Office,
10 February 1844.
This is but a small portion of the contemplated expenditure; it does not include the formation of streets and roads in Hong Kong, which (on account of the mountainous nature of the island) would cost about 100,000l. sterling; it does not include barracks, stores, forts, arsenals, dockyards, wharfs, &c., all projected, and which would cost several millions sterling, before they would be completed.
It is unnecessary to pursue this branch of the service further; sufficient has been said to show the absurd and ruinous projects which were entertained, and the utter failure of the colony in regard to the nature and extent of its population. Notwithstanding the large sums of money expended, the Governor is now obliged to hire a residence which belongs to the late Deputy-governor, Mr. Johnston. The Government offices are in a temporary building, which is falling to pieces; the general commanding has hired an inn for his residence. There is only one small barrack in Victoria, and that has been recently erected; it is not possible to rent a decent house under 150 dollars to 180 dollars per month, above 400 L sterling per annum. The church service is conducted in a mat shed; the civil and military officers are glad to get a location, or even a room in any spot on any terms, and the prices of living and of servants, &c. (see Documentary Appendix) are enormous; while the whole population of the island is entirely dependent for its daily supply of food on the Emperor of China's subjects on the main land of China.
COMMERCE.
There is no trade of any noticeable extent in Hong Kong; vessels occasionally touch here, on their way to Canton, or on their return from thence when laden, and about to proceed to Europe, for orders. Vessels, also, proceeding to or coming from the ports to the northward sometimes touch here for instructions from the owners or consignees, but very few “break bulk" at Hong Kong. There is some business done in opium. Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, & Co. have a large opium "receiving ship," the "Hormanjee-Bomanjee,"
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