1887-1903
251
COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.
37
There was an increase during the year of 15.57 per cent. in the numbers of serious offences reported to the police during the year compared with the previous year. This increase was in part due to the large area comprised in the New Territory being added to the old Colony and partly to the lawlessness prevailing in the neighbouring province of China.
VII-VITAL STATISTICS.
(A.) POPULATION.
The following is the estimated population in the middle of 1899:-
Non-Chinese population 8,915
City of Victoria, including Peak and Stone Cutter's Island 168,260
Villages of Hong Kong and Kowloon 40,530
Boat and Junk population 34,700
252,405
New Territory 100,000
Total Chinese population 352,405
Army (including wives and families) 3,520
Navy 3,385
Total population... 359,310
There were 1,132 births and 6,181 deaths. The birth rate was 4.3 per 1,000, as against 4.7 per 1,000 in 1898. These figures are exclusive of the New Territory, for which no figures are available.
(B.) PUBLIC HEALTH,
The death rate was 23.8 per 1,000, as compared with 22.30 per 1,000 in 1898. Excluding the deaths from plague the death rate would have been 18.8 per 1,000.