1841-1886
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
to about 1300. The English population is 618, of whom 167 are females; the resident strangers amount in all to 768.
81
231
and
In my Despatch to Viscount Palmerston, No. 183, of December 28th, I took occasion to point out the remarkable fact, that the progress of this colony presents a most favourable contrast with that of Singapore, at the same period from the commencement, even when reduced to the test of figures Mr. Crawford, formerly resident at Singapore, states, that when that settlement had existed six years, the population consisted of 84 Europeans, and 11,851 Malays, Chinese, and other Asiatics; the revenue, he says, amounted to 87,000 dollars, or 18,125l. Hong Kong has not yet reached its sixth year, and the Blue Book for 1846 shows a total population of 22,453 (exclusive of troops), of which 619 are European; while the revenue was 27,047l.
The question of climate seems to be finally set at rest. I have already had to report the rapidly progressive improvement in the health of the European troops of this garrison, in proportion as they were provided with good barrack accommodations, and as the general drainage of the colony advanced. The following statement exhibits at one view the extraordinary improvement since
1843:-
Deaths in European Force.
Year.
1843
1844
1845
1846
Number.
¿
373
216
143
56
The total European force by the "Weekly State" returned to me on the 3rd January, 1846, was 911.
The annual mortality was therefore not more than about six per cent. The colonial surgeon's report shows that the deaths among all persons in civil employment were only 1 in 30·25, or rather more than three per cent., and he concludes by saying," It thus appears that the year 1846 has been quite as healthy, if not more so, than the preceding one."
There are four educational establishments in Victoria, conducted by Europeans. One of these is under the charge of the colonial chaplain, and teaches the children of the inferior English population. One is for the instruction of both Europeans and Chinese in the Romish religion, and under the direction of the Propaganda Society of Italy. Two are for the exclusive education of Chinese in European knowledge and the Protestant faith, and entirely of a missionary character.
There are four Chinese schools in Victoria, and about nine others in the different parts of the island. I have before observed that some slight contribution from Government to these native seminaries would be attended with a good effect. They teach only the elements of reading, writing, and accounts, and there is nothing exceptionable on the ground of idolatrous instruction. Neither would they be of a purely eleemosynary character, the greater portion of the expense being borne by the pupils. If these schools were eventually placed in charge of native Christian teachers, bred up by the Protestant missionaries, it would afford the most rational prospect of converting the native population of the island.
Under the head of Christian places of worship, I have to enumerate one English Episcopal church, one Romish church, and four Dissenting chapels in Victoria. There is also a Protestant chapel in the English Cemetery, of a neat and suitable construction, for the performance of the burial service.
Of Pagan places of worship there are four. One being a Mahommedan mosque and three Chinese temples.
In addition to the Danish and American consuls reported in my last, an American vice-consul has been appointed to act at Victoria. The Blue Book will show an increase in the shipping arrived at Hong Kong, of 387 vessels, as contrasted with 334 in the former year; and 130,199 tons, in lieu of 117,210 tons in 1845.
A branch of the Oriental Bank is established here on a very extensive scale. It issues notes of from 5 to 100 dollars, and these are found such an exceedingly convenient substitute for the former system of paying sums by weight, that the Chinese themselves readily receive and exchange them. Should this
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