238
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS:
places are being erected by means we have been enabled to provide. The docks at Aberdeen (a private enterprise) are rapidly progressing. The praya or quay is already making great advances in the part of the city where the Chinese population have had principally to be dealt with, and I hope the time is not distant in which the resistance of the opulent European merchant will be subjugated without any demand upon the British treasury for carrying on this very important work.
It would be a source of gratification to me if the liberality of Parliament, on the recommendation of Her Majesty's Government, would enable me to construct a prison more efficient for discipline and security, more in harmony with the intelligence and benevolence of our times, more adapted to the necessities of a rapidly growing population; and as our gaols are the recipients not only of the criminals of the island but of the offenders collected all along the coast, and sent by the different consulates for punishment to Hong Kong, I cannot but hope that we may be relieved from a portion of the charges which are not entailed upon us for local but for national purposes.'
So, again, as regards proper buildings for the magistracy, and for the supreme court, and all offices connected with the administration of justice. This island provides and pays for all the machinery of appeal and superintendence associated with our vast trading interests in China. These interests supply nearly one eighth of the whole revenues of Great Britain and British India; on an average scarcely less than ten millions sterling. Those revenues may naturally be expected to come to our aid, as this colony contributes so largely to their creation and protection.
Our civil hospital, now in a very unsatisfactory state, has a somewhat similar claim. Hong Kong, independently of its own commerce, is the calling place of the ships of all nations, the central point from which vast relations are directed, so that its harbour and its streets are crowded with strangers.
Following the course which is adopted in the letter of the Acting Colonial Secretary, I would observe, that in the past year the character of the legislature has been greatly improved, and established on a broader basis by the augmentation of the number of its members, while from the beginning of the present year publicity has been given to its proceedings by publishing an analysis in the Government Gazette. I propose to extend these reports into greater details, and hope Her Majesty's Government will in the course of the present year consent to the admission of the public to the debates of the council.
As regards the ordinances and notifications reported in the Blue Book, I think the stringency of several, called for in the peculiar circumstances of the colony, may now safely be lessened; while at the same time I cannot but state that the severest of the checks which it was deemed necessary to impose have met with the general approval of the inhabitants, not excepting the respectable part of the native population, upon whom, on the Chinese continent, far heavier restrictions are habitually placed. From the 1st of April the right of the Chinese to circulate in the streets without passes will be extended from eight to nine o'clock p.m.; but the maintenance of the power to interdict nocturnal ramblers is a cheap, efficacious, and even popular measure, and one quite in conformity with the local legislation of the Chinese. With reference especially to the Registration Ordinance, No. 6 of 1857, I consider many of its experimental provisions wholly to have failed. I surrendered my own judgment to some extent when I consented to the passing of this Ordinance; but there was a strong feeling that some system of registration would add greatly to the public security. I concur with Mr. Bridges in thinking that it is as impracticable to register a population like ours as to hold mercury between the fingers.
I reserve my opinion as to the operation of the Venereal Disease Ordinance, though I am, on the whole, disposed to think favourably of its action, with the special attention Mr. Bridges has kindly given to the subject.
With reference to the finances of the colony, you will observe generally, that if the expenditure (mainly for public works) has been considerably increased, the resources have been augmented in adequate proportion; and while the demands for outlay will for the most part be of a transitory and temporary character, the increased income is likely to be permanent and substantial. Though it is undoubtedly my desire to expend considerable sums upon public buildings and improvements, I will take care that no embarrassments shall be created; and, unless circumstances wholly unanticipated should arise, no claims shall, without your sanction, be made on the imperial treasury.
* £5,000 out of the £10,000 voted by Parliament will be applied to the building and re-arrangement of the gaols.
† 2,000 will also be applied to the hospital out of the Parliamentary grant.
Note.-The public are now admitted to the Legislative Council Chamber during the debates.