390
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
consisting of 133 vessels and 161,520 tons. The number and tonnage of vessels under the French and American flags have also increased, whilst those under the North-German flag, in consequence of the war, have 87 vessels with 20,148 tons less than in 1869, and this large diminution is but the effect of a few months' hostilities.
6. To this Report I have appended a comparative statement of the trade of the Colony during the several years I have been connected with Hong Kong.
7. Some idea can be formed of the necessity for having increased the number of employés in the Department when it is seen that the total of arrivals and departures combined in 1870, is 62,572 vessels, and 5,864,514 tons, as against 2,179 vessels and 1,164,640 tons in 1859; or 2,771 per cent. more vessels' movements are recorded and 403 per cent. more tons are registered now than in the year brought forward, for purposes of comparison.
Junk Trade.
8. In my last Report on this subject, I attributed the then falling off of this trade to the effect of the Customs stations in the vicinity of the Colony. Whether it is that the officers, in charge of them are less zealous in the performance of their duties, or that brighter days have dawned on the commercial prosperity of the Colony, I am unable to say, beyond that the latter would seem probable. But certain it is that trade in native bottoms has increased, and now stands at its highest since the "Harbour and Coasts Ordinance, "1866," was introduced.
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9. The former opponents of this measure, it is to be hoped, will now rest satisfied that its anticipated baneful effects have not been realized, but that on the contrary, the general trade of the Colony, whether native or foreign, is in a highly healthy condition, and piracy, once so rife in these waters and their neighbourhood, is now seldom, if ever, heard of.
Emigration.
10. Under this heading there is a sensible decrease, amounting to 3,460 men, 1,549 women, 204 boys, and 80 girls.
11. The opposition evinced in the United States of America to the introduction of Chinese labour is having its effect, whether for good or evil remains to be seen.
12. Emigration under contract is at present prohibited at Hong Kong, except to British Possessions, but to these the restrictions and difficulties are so great, that only 70 Chinese left for Labuan during the year.
Hon. J. Gardiner Austin,
&c. &c; &c.
I have, &c., (Signed)
H. G. THOMSETT, R.N.,
Harbour Master, &c.