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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
The Ordinance (No. 13), “to consolidate and amend the laws relating to the process and practice, and mode of pleading in the Supreme Court of the Colony, and to provide a uniform code of procedure at common law and in equity;” Nos. 17 and 18, "to establish light-houses, buoys, and beacons within the Colony," and "to provide for the oral examination of prisoners," are also in the direction of necessary and useful legislation, more especially those relating to Chinese Emigration.
Education.
The Report of Mr. Frederick Stewart, the Inspector of Government Schools, which accompanies the Blue Book Tables, continues to be satisfactory, though, as usual, much remains to be done. The advantages accruing from the Colonial Schools and the principles on which they are conducted cannot be over-estimated.
Shipping.
The Harbour Master's Report will be found most interesting and indicative of the prosperity of the Colony, even during this trying year.
Gaol and Prisoners.
I have to submit a Report drawn up by Mr. Hayllar, Q.C., Acting Attorney-General, with a Table giving an abstract of cases brought under cognizance at the Police Magistrate's Court, during a period of ten years from January 1st, 1864, to December 31st, 1873, inclusive, which your Lordship will doubtless peruse with interest.
Mr. Hayllar states that the year 1873 was distinguished by a marked diminution of serious offences.
The total annual cost of the prison during the year 1873 was £6,025 as against £8,715 in 1872, accompanied by greater efficiency, and the undoubted result of deterring a numerous class of habitual criminals, who were wont to make the gaol a refuge at certain seasons of the year.
Hospitals.
The accompanying Report of the Colonial Surgeon conveys all the information I am able to afford.
The site of a new hospital is in course of preparation, to commence building as soon as the plans are received from England.
The general health of the Colony has been satisfactory.
Works and Buildings.
A glance at the Return of Public Works, &c., at page 36, will show a laudable activity on the part of the Survey Department, of which Mr. Price took charge during the year. The amount of important work done (and well done) by his often short-handed establishment is most creditable.
The repair and reconstruction of drains, of originally faulty construction, will involve a large outlay. The supply of water has been greatly improved, and larger works are still under consideration of the Legislature.