S. Of the whole tonnage arrived from various countries, the following is the proportion due to each: Australia, 2.06 per cent; China and Formosa, 56.34 per cent; Cochin-China, 3.71 per cent; Continent of Europe, 3.82 per cent; Great Britain, 8.38 per cent; India and Singapore, 4.88 per cent; Japan, 5.04 per cent; Macao, 7.19 per cent; Philippine Islands, 1.62 per cent; ports in Hainan and Gulf of Tonquin, 2.35 per cent; Siam, 2.09 per cent; United States of America, 2.22 per cent; the remainder in too small proportions for calculation.
9. There is an increase of tonnage in 1880 on 1879 of 126,879 tons from coast of China and Formosa, of 17,881 tons from the continent of Europe, of 47,586 tons from Great Britain, 19,175 tons from Japan, and of 25,484 tons from the Island of Hainan and the Gulf of Tonquin. There is a decrease of 40,486 tons from Cochin-China, of 7,527 tons from the Philippine Islands, and of 15,425 tons from Siam.
10. Two steam lines in addition to those already frequenting the Colony, made their first appearance in these waters in 1880, the Austro-Hungarian Lloyd's Steam Navigation Company, and the Nederlandsche-Indische Stoomvaart Maatschappij. The former is a monthly line, the steamers of which leave Trieste via Bombay, calling at intermediate ports. The latter is at present a three-monthly line running between the Island of Java and Amoy, calling at intermediate ports, having connecting lines with Europe and the Australian Colonies.
JUNK TRADE.
11. This trade with Macao shews an increase on 1879 of 10,568 tons. With the coast of China, there is a decrease of 12,133 tons, the result principally of the increase of trade with that country in Foreign bottoms.
12. The local trade—that between the several villages of the Island and with the city of Victoria—shews a decrease of 26,849 tons, the licensed steam-launches causing the falling off of this portion of the junk trade.
EMIGRATION.
13. There is an increase on 1879 of 16,796 Chinese leaving this year for various parts of the world. Of this increase, 47.2 per cent more have gone to the Straits Settlements than left for that Colony in 1879.
14. Of the 50,325 persons leaving, the following percentage will shew the countries to which they have proceeded: Australian Colonies, 9.67; Bangkok, 12.53; Manila, 0.13; Portland, Oregon, 2.03; San Francisco, 12.39; Straits Settlements, 61.8; Vancouver's Island, 0.86. Port Darwin continues to draw a good number of emigrants.
15. On the 18th August, 1880, Manila—so far as steam-ships are concerned—was withdrawn from the provisions of the Chinese Passengers' Act, 1855, the voyage, with the fast steamers of the present day, being now performed in considerably less than seven days.
16. The difference between the total numbers of Chinese passengers leaving and those returning, is inconsiderable, 686 more having returned than left.
17. 51,011 Chinese returned to their native country during the year. Of this number, the following is the percentage due to each country whence the Chinese have returned:—Bangkok, 6.27; Honolulu, 0.85; Manila, 6.41; Port Darwin, 1.35; Queensland, 1.61; other Australian Colonies, 2.05; Portland, Oregon, 1.01; San Francisco, 18.99; Straits Settlements, 66.46.
REGISTRY OF SHIPPING.
18. Seven vessels have been registered during the year, and six struck off, leaving fifty-eight vessels and 21,545 tons on the Ships' Registry of Hongkong.
MARINE MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
19. The Cases tried in this Court have been fewer than in any previous year, and those of but slight importance.
EXAMINATIONS FOR THE POSTS OF MASTERS, MATES AND ENGINEERS, UNDER SECTION XV. OF ORDINANCE No. 8 OF 1879.
20. There were 56 candidates for Masters and Mates, of whom 53 obtained Certificates.
21. There were 64 candidates for Engineers' Certificates; 62 obtained Certificates at once, one was re-examined after a period of one month, and one applied, but left the Colony before being examined.
22. The following remarks made on the 20th January last on the subject of Examination will find a fitting place in this report:
1
Her Majesty's Orders in Council provide that Colonial Certificates of Competency (to be valid in the United Kingdom) shall be granted only to any person who for a period of three years immediately preceding his application for such Colonial Certificate, or for several periods amounting together to three years, the earliest of which shall have commenced within five years prior to such application, has been domiciled in, or has served in a ship or ships registered in the Colony where the Certificate is to be issued.