1841-1886
HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
95
tion, as by it they will be able to know the direction in which their strong and their weak points lie.
32. The last subject for consideration is the School Book Committee's series. Four books have now been completed, namely, the Primer, and Books I., II, and III. of the series. The Committee, without dissolving, intend to pause here for the present, until the test of actual experience has been fairly applied. It is highly probable that a second edition of the books already published will be prepared before new ground is broken. In addition to reading books, manuals of arithmetic, geography, and history are very much wanted, but as these require greater unity of design it is necessary that they should be compiled by individual members rather than by each member of the Committee contributing his quota; and this involves a greater expenditure of time than any member can at present possibly devote to such a purpose.
I have, &c. (Signed) FREDERICK Stewart,
The Hon. J. Gardiner Austin,
Colonial Secretary, Hong Kong.
Inspector of Schools.
No. 59.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Report of the Harbour-master, with returns annexed, for the year 1875, is published for general information.
By Command,
(Signed)
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hong Kong, March 17, 1876.
SIR,
J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary.
Harbour Department, Hong Kong,
February 15, 1876.
I HAVE the honour to forward the Annual Returns of this Department connected with the trade, &c. of the Colony for the year ending the 31st December 1875.
Shipping.
2. The grand total of all vessels, foreign and Chinese, arriving in Hong Kong during the year under review, has been 587 vessels, and 412,672 registered tons in excess of the arrivals in 1874. This is a more satisfactory condition of things than I was able to give in my last Annual Report, which showed a large falling off of tonnage as compared with the year 1873. This increase of vessels includes the junk trade, but as that trade will be dealt with under its proper heading, the remarks under the head shipping will refer only to cargoes carried in European and American built vessels, including the trade in such vessels as are owned by the Chinese Merchants' Company.
3. Of the arrivals at this port in European and American built ships, steam as well as sailing, there is a total increase of 418
431
Page 450
Page 451