336
20
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PRESENT STATE
3. This large increase of trade is mostly due to the extended traffic between the Colony and Australasia, the United States, the Philippine Islands, and Japan.
4. The trade between this and British India remains nearly the same.
5. The amount of tonnage arriving during the current year will probably exceed that of any other similar period during the Colony's existence."
6. The successful opening of the Suez Canal, the anticipated doubling the number of steamers belonging to the Messageries Impériales and to the Pacific Mail Company, together with two newly-formed local steam-ship companies, will add immensely to the activity, progress, and, it is to be hoped, wealth of the Island.
7. The total average of ships of all classes exclusive of Chinese and native craft lying here daily was, in January, 109; February, 100; March, 81; April, 78; May, 73; June, 90; July, 100; August, 103; September, 138.4; October, 154; November, 132.5; and December, 131.3; or the daily average throughout the year was 107.5; 18.7 per cent. being vessels propelled by steam.
Junk Trade.
8. On this subject I am not able to report favourably. During the year there has been a falling off in arrivals of 2,222 vessels equal to 113,252 tons. It is, however, satisfactory to find that this decrease is not the result of local legislation, as in my last annual Report I was able to show an increase of tonnage in 1868 as compared with 1867 of 142,990 tons.
9. In the 13th paragraph of that Report I alluded to the action of the Chinese Government in having then recently established Customs stations in the vicinity of the Colony. I think the decrease of tonnage in junks can reasonably be attributed to the existence of these stations and to the activity of the cruisers attached to them.
10. Whether the result of this policy has been beneficial to the Chinese Imperial treasury it is difficult to say, but it is a fair assumption, unsatisfactory though it be, that if the junk trade of Hong Kong has decreased, so in proportion must that of the ports with which the vessels traded.
11. Although the close blockade kept up by these cruisers appears to be producing a bad effect on the native shipping of the Colony, it may eventually result in the supersession of junks by European vessels as carriers, to the ultimate advantage of the foreign ship-builder and trader.
12. Between the cruisers and the rumoured possible appointment of a Chinese Consul at Hong Kong, the destruction of trade in native vessels and ruin of the seafaring population of China trading with Hong Kong seems imminent.
13. Of the arrivals of junks, those from Macao show a diminution of 298 measuring 51,227 tons, so that the neighbouring Colony would appear to be suffering equally with ourselves and probably from the same cause.
14. In a few instances junk masters have reported that officers from the Chinese revenue cruisers have searched their vessels whilst in Colonial waters, when prompt measures have been taken to obtain redress and to prevent a recurrence of the offence. The constant cruising of the 'Victoria' outside the harbour and visits of the 'Blanche', have doubtless been an effective check on the proceedings of Chinese officials in these matters.
15. An important Commission was appointed by his Excellency, consisting of officials and merchants, to inquire into the result of the application of the Harbour and Coasts Ordinance (No. 6 of 1866) to the Colony, and to determine if any and what changes the present immunity of the Colonial waters from piracy rendered desirable. The Commissioners' Report is in the hands of the Government.
Emigration.
16. In the return under this head it will be found that there has been an increase of 9,408 adults, or 47.4 per cent. on the return for 1868.
17. The increased traffic is principally to San Francisco, which is resuming the position it held in that respect previous to the American war.
18. The rapidity and greater comfort offered by the vessels of the Pacific Steam-ship Company have obtained them great success, native passengers preferring this mode of conveyance to that by sailing vessels. 69 per cent. of the Chinese conveyed to San Francisco during the year have gone by those steamers.
19. A report was circulated in the Colony that women kidnapped in the province of
Page 355
Page 356