1841-1886
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS. 263
The accompanying memorandum, by the assistant Chinese secretary, bears upon the native trade of Hong Kong, and shows that in 1851 the harbour of Victoria was visited by 1,004 sea-going junks, being an increase of nearly 20 per cent. upon the monthly average of 1850.
With regard to the whaling trade, upon which I offered some observations in my last report, I may state that it has, as anticipated, increased considerably during the present season. Between the 2d December 1851 and the 21st February last, 37 vessels of this description arrived at Hong Kong. Their cargoes, as appears from the enclosed printed statement furnished by the consignees (an American firm), consisted of
Sperm oil, 140,017 gallons. Whale oil, 476,185 gallons. Whale bone, 74,174 lbs.
Of the above, it seems by the Harbour Master's returns (page 206 of the Blue Book), that only 17,675 gallons of sperm, 20,080 of whale oil, and 8,399 lbs. of bone, were exported from hence to England.
Crown Lands.
9. The fixed revenue under this head, abstracted from the rent-roll for the year ending 25th December 1851, was as follows:-
Mercantile firms £ s. d. 4,906 8 5 Private individuals 609 Chinese 4,277 9 0 1,512 7 7 163 BONG SONG. No. 12. No. 13. 10,696 5 3The decrease in this item of the colonial revenue, as compared with that for the year 1850, is £971. 7s. 2¼d.; but this difference arises from certain reductions in the land rent and the resumption of sundry lots, already reported upon, and sanctioned by your Lordship.
Police.
10. From the enclosed return, furnished by the Superintendent of Police, it will be seen that the number of felony cases coming under the cognizance of his department was 488, whilst in 1850 they amounted to 674.
On the subject of administration of justice, I beg to refer your Lordship to the under-mentioned returns, showing the business performed during the past year by the Supreme Court and the Police Courts; namely:-
Criminal cases tried in the Supreme Court.
No. 14.
No. 15.
Number of civil cases tried by the Chief Justice, and actions commenced. Causes brought before and decided by the Chief Magistrate of Police and the Court of Petty Sessions.
No. 16.
No. 17.
General Observations.
11. In conclusion, my Lord, I would observe that I am satisfied the true interests of the colony are progressing as favourably as could be anticipated. During the year no less than 1,082 square-rigged vessels anchored in the harbour, being an increase of 198 over the preceding one; of these 167 proceeded with cargoes to the ports of Shanghae and Amoy; and by the Harbour Master's report it seems that 207 entries have been made by steamers alone from the Canton River, a service conducted by five steamers of from 50 to 175 horse-power. A regular monthly communication between Hong Kong and Calcutta is announced by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, by which the colony will have the advantage of a bi-monthly communication with England. A monthly steam communication is now carried on with Shanghae, and a bi-monthly one with Amoy, by vessels belonging to the same company. These facts are convincing evidence of the advantage and benefit that this colony is to Canton, and to the trade of China in general. I would add, moreover, that Hong Kong affords a subsistence to three newspapers and two advertisers, one published daily, and the other three times a week; a tolerably significant proof, were others wanting, that the colony is not in a very languishing condition.
The Right Hon. Earl Grey,
&c. &c. &c.
I have, &c.
(Signed) S. G. BONHAM.
No. 18.