1841-1886
HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
419
253
The steamers "Mongal" and "Visayas," with Hong Kong mails for Yokohama and Manilla respectively.
4thly. The average time occupied in conveying the mails was less in 1874 than 1873 by both the English and French packets; the shortest time in which a mail was delivered in Hong Kong from London by British packet viâ Brindisi, being 35 days as against 38 days by French steamer viâ Marseilles. In respect to the homeward mails there was a gain of three days in the shortest French service and an equal loss by the British.
Public Works.
The expenditure on public works has been considerable, amounting to $36,103l, and the energies of the surveyor general have been well taxed in repairing the damages done to buildings and roads by the typhoon. In consequence of the heavy outlay on such account many important works have been necessarily postponed, but the site of the new hospital is ready. The harbour master's office at Aberdeen has been finished. The efficiency of the waterworks has been greatly increased by new piping, and the public gardens and plantations have been maintained and extended with the prospect of future advantage to the salubrity of the Colony.
Emigration.
Although emigration is not from but through the Colony, it may nevertheless be desirable to draw attention to the large number of Chinese who are voluntarily expatriating themselves with a view to the improvement of their condition elsewhere. I may mention, therefore, that during the past year 10,284 Chinese embarked here for Bangkok and the Straits Settlements, 17,299 for the United States, 1,332 for the Australian Colonies, and 2,658 for Manilla, and that already the emigration of 1875 has been of increasing magnitude. It is under such circumstances very satisfactory to find from the harbour master's report that no accidents have occurred to any of the vessels carrying emigrants, and that owing, doubtless, to the care taken in the selection of the Chinese surgeons the health of the passengers has been well secured.
Health.
The report given by the Colonial surgeon of the health of the Colony is very satisfactory, as showing that the admissions to hospital of patients generally, of the troops, and of the police were less than in 1873, even though that year compared favourably with previous years, that the mortality was less, and that the percentage of deaths amongst the foreign residents was 2.85, or somewhat less than the average of the last 10 years.
It will also be seen from this officer's report that the typhoon of September last put the finishing stroke to the old hospital, which suffered so severely that the patients were of necessity