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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
The Births for 1884 amounted to 1,551, of which 1,365 were Chinese, the remainder being among the British and foreign community, including every nationality except Chinese.
The Deaths amounted to 4,318, (Chinese 4,159, other nationalities 159). The annual death rate per 1,000 for the whole population was 26.91 as compared with 30.04 in 1883. The number of marriages celebrated was 53, and the number of baptisms 2,375.
5.-RETURN OF LANDS.
The total number of grants of land during 1884 was 76 as compared with 30 in 1883; the number of acres being 25.3.8. The acreage in 1883 amounted to 60.1.261.
6.-SHIPPING.
The total arrivals, exclusive of junks, during the year 1884 amounted to 3,290 vessels, with a tonnage of 3,479,637 tons, being a decrease of 111 vessels, and an increase of 29,209 tons as compared with the arrivals in 1883. 23,473 junks with a tonnage of 1,687,594 tons arrived in the Colony in 1884, as against 24,258 junks and 1,851,239 tons in 1883, showing a decrease of 785 junks and 163,645 tons. The total tonnage of the shipping that entered this harbour in 1884 was, therefore, 5,167,231 tons. These figures show that the Chinese junks are being gradually superseded by steamers and sailing vessels built on the European model.
7.-CRIMINAL STATISTICS.
POLICE.
The number of offences reported to the Police was 10,203 as against 7,688 in 1883; the number of persons convicted was 6,040 as against 5,192 in 1883; the number of persons discharged was 1,662 as against 1,509 in 1883. The general depression in trade, in consequence of the prolonged Franco-Chinese hostilities, has thrown large numbers of Chinese coolies out of employment; hence an increase in the criminal classes.
MAGISTRATES COURT.
The total number of persons tried was 15,935 as compared with 12,104 in 1883; the convictions amounted to 12,836, and the discharges to 2,502. 103 persons were committed for trial; the remaining cases were either undecided or the defendants had to find security.
1884 1883 The total number of cases tried was SUPREME COURT. 101 126 Convictions 65 70 Discharged 16 27 Cases which fell through **** Committed 20 26 Suicide................... Postponed 17 1 1 2 Total.. 101 Total......... 126MARINE MAGISTRATE.
The total number of persons who appeared before the Marine Magistrate during the year 1884 was 169, of whom 128 were convicted, and 41 acquitted, as compared with 58 in 1883, of whom 29 were convicted, and 29 acquitted.