1841-1886
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PAST AND PRESENT
of population simultaneously, with a diminution of crime, must be considered as a decidedly favourable indication.
Climate.
The early panic in regard to the climate of Hong Kong, which was spread in 1843, is now assignable to causes sufficiently plain. On the termination of the war large numbers of troops were landed, labouring under disease, in a new place unprovided with quarters. Under these circumstances intemperance had also its share in aggravating the evil, which seems to be proved by the remarkable fact that the prisoners in gaol were healthy while the troops suffered so extensively. Hong Kong is certainly healthier than most parts of India, and under every circumstance it has been free from the visitations of cholera.
Education.
I have caused three Chinese schools to be selected by a Committee, of which the Colonial Chaplain was member, as the recipients of an allowance of 10 dollars a month each from the 1st January, according to your Lordship's authority conveyed in Despatch 109, of August 12. One of these will be at Victoria, and the others at the out-stations of Aberdeen and Stanley.
The Colonial Chaplain has used praiseworthy exertions towards the education of children belonging to the lower grades of the European population. He has unfortunately not met with a great deal of support from the resident Europeans, and I had the honour to enclose a representation from him upon this subject in my Despatch No. 126, of December 26.
Trade.
The European shipping arrived at Victoria during the year 1847 has been returned by the harbour master at 694 vessels and 229,465 tons, a great increase on former years. The Chinese junks have also increased considerably, having amounted to 50,058 tons, and this in spite of the interpolation in Article 13 of the Chinese copy of the Supplementary Treaty. The imports in Chinese vessels consist principally of sugar, alum, sulphur, rice, nut-oil, and salt, and in 1847 reached the amount of 498,239l, while the exports appear to have been principally opium and long cloths, and to have amounted to 226,130l.
Goods have been sold by auction to the aggregate amount of 33,354l, of which 23,154l were exempt from auction duty.
The Blue Book contains the particulars of a trade in Chinese sugar which has entirely sprung up during the past year. The total amount ascertained as shipped in English vessels has been 21,529,600 lbs., valued at 144,827l. The greatest quantity of this has been shipped for New South Wales, and the rest for England and India, with a portion for the northern port of Shanghae.
The former prevalence of piracy has been checked (as appears best proved by the increase of native trade) through the active exertions of Captain Loring, of Her Majesty's ship "Scout," by whom nearly 300 pirates were captured in the last year, and delivered over to the Chinese Government. Twelve outlaws of the same description were convicted here before the Admiralty Court in January, and four of them executed, as already reported by me to your Lordship.
I have before had occasion to state that the American whalers from the Pacific have begun to resort to this harbour for provisions and repairs, attracted by its advantages as a secure shelter, the cheapness of supplies, and the total absence of all port dues and customs. The American Consul informs me, that for these reasons he expects the numbers will increase.
Police.
The benefits of the police have been extended since the commencement of this year to the out-stations of the island. With a view to reducing the amount of crime, and rendering persons and property as safe generally as they are within the town of Victoria, police protection has been provided for at all the principal villages and stations through the colony. To carry out this measure, without loss to the Government, it was deemed just that the inhabitants should defray the expenses of the force required for their protection, and as none of the occupants of houses out of Victoria had hitherto paid any police-rate, I felt the less reluctance in requiring them to do so now. The assessors were accordingly directed, in
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