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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841–1941
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
39,017 persons, exclusive of troops. As to the climate, the report of Dr. Harland, the acting colonial surgeon, appended to the Blue Book, contains very accurate statistical information connected with this subject. The sanitary condition of the colonial gaol is given in the enclosed return from the acting sheriff, which shows that amongst its inmates, averaging 138 throughout the year, only three deaths occurred, and all in January. According to the enclosed memorandum, the mortality amongst the European troops was 5.7 per cent., being an increase over that of 1852, when it was 3.6 per cent. The number of deaths amongst the native troops (Malays and natives of India) was at the rate of 5.3 per cent., being a decrease of nearly 50 per cent. on the mortality during 1852, when it amounted to 10.02 per cent.
Education.
7. No remarkable change has taken place in the number of the local schools; and as to the progress of the five native ones receiving Government aid, I would refer your Grace to the annexed report of the education committee entering fully into the subject.
Trade.
8. The information under this head, from the unwillingness of the parties concerned to afford it (Hong Kong being a free port), may still be said to be as defective as in former years; but from the acting harbour master's returns annexed to the Blue Book, it will be perceived that 1,103 square-rigged vessels, carrying altogether 447,053 tons, arrived in Victoria harbour during the year 1853. Of these vessels, 201 imported and 154 exported goods into and from the colony, being a very considerable increase over the numbers returned for 1852, when they amounted to 74 and 79 vessels respectively. The total tonnage of vessels arrived, as compared with that of the preceding year, is also on the increase, and shows an excess of 13,670 tons in 1853. The enclosed return of imports and exports for the year 1853, by the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamers alone, gives the following result when compared with the previous year:
HONG KONG. No. 6. No. 7. No. 8. No. 9. No. 10. Imports. Chests of opium 36,499; Increase $10,776,085; Treasure 20,752 $10,659,774 Exports. $3,742,914 Treasure 82,331,931; DecreaseWith regard to the native trade of the colony, I am satisfied it has increased in an equal ratio with the population; but, unfortunately, no reliable statistics on the subject can be given, owing to the absence of any means of obtaining regular returns.
The trade with California has continued undiminished, no less than 32 vessels having left for that port during the past year, conveying in them 4,949 Chinese; three vessels have likewise left for the colonies, carrying 268 emigrants.
Crown Lands.
9. The following statement is an abstract of the rent roll for 1853, and exhibits the fixed revenue under this head:
Lands leased by mercantile firms £ 4,721 12 4 d. Private individuals 4,439 8 103 Chinese 1,586 10 95 ** £10,747 12 0Police.
10. The enclosed return of felony cases coming under the cognizance of the police, shows a decrease of fifty-two cases in 1853,
No. 11.