PUBLIC
RECORD OFFICE
Reference
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO | BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC--
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
CO. 133/26 ALLT WITHOUT PERMISSION
380.
7. The total average of ships of all classes exclusive of Chinese and Native Craft lying here daily was, in January, 109; February, 100; March, 81; April, 78; May, 73; June, 90; July, 100; August, 103; September, 138.1; October, 154; November, 132.5; and December, 131.3; or the daily average throughout the year was 107.5; 18.7 per cent being vessels propelled by steam.
JUNK TRADE.
8. On this subject I am not able to report favorably. During the year there has been a falling off in arrivals of 2,222 vessels equal to 113,252 tons. It is however satisfactory to find that this decrease is not the result of local legislation, as in my last amual Report I was able to shew an increase of tonnage in 1868 as compared with 1867 of 142,996 tona.
9. In the 13th paragraph of that Report I alluded to the action of the Chinese Government in having then recently established Customs stations in the vicinity of the Colony. I think the decrease of toumage in Junks can reasonably be attributed to the existence of these stations and to the activity of the Cruisers attached to them.
10. Whether the result of this policy has been beneficial to the Chinese Jinperial Treasury it is difficult to say, but it is a fair assumption, unsatisfactory though it be, that if the Junk trade of Hongkong has decreased, so, in proportion must that of the Ports with which the vessels traded.
11. Although the close blockade kept up by these Cruisers appears to be producing a bad effect on the native shipping of the Colony, it may eventually result in the supersession of Junks by European vessels as carriers, to the ultimate advantage of the foreign ship builder and trader.
12. Between the Cruisers and the rumored possible appointinent of a Chinese Cousul at Hongkong, the destruction of trade in native vessels and ruin of the sea-faring population of China trading with Hongkong seeins imminent.
13. Of the arrivals of Junks, those from Macao shew a diminution of 298 measuring 51,227 tons, so that the neighbouring Colony would appear to be suffering equally with ourselves and probably from the same cause.
14. In a few instances Junk Masters have reported that officers from the Chinese Revenue Crui sers have searched their vessels whilst in Colonial Waters, when prompt measures have been taken to obtain redress and to prevent a recurrence of the offence, The constant cruising of the Victoria outside the Harbor and visits of the Blanche have doubtless been an effective check on the proceedings of Chinese Officials in these matters.
15. An important Commission was appointed by His Excellency, consisting of Officials and Merchants, to enquire into the result of the application of the Harbor and Consts Ordinance (No. 6 of 1866) to the Colony, and to determine if any and what changes the present inmunity of the Colonial waters from Piracy rendered desirable. The Commissioners' Report is in the hands of the Government.
EMIGRATION.
16. In the return under this head it will be found that there has been an increase of 9,408} Adults, or 47.4 per cent on the return for 1868.
17. The increased traffic is principally to San Francisco, which is resuming the position it held in that respect previous to the American War.
18. The rapidity and greater comfort offered by the vessels of the Pacific Steain Ship Company have obtained them great success, native passengers preferring this mode of conveyance to that by sailing vessels. 69 per cent of the Chinese conveyed to San Francisco during the year have gone by
those steamers.
19. A report was circulated in the Colony that wonen kidnapped in the province of Annam were placed on board these vessels to be conveyed to California for purposes of prostitution.
20. Every measure which suggested itself to the Government with a view to ascertaining the truth of the rumor was adopted, His Excellency the Governor, the Attorney General, the Registrar General, the Police and soine natives of Annan visited the ships to examine for themselves. The circulators and believers of the report were urged to give up their authority or produce some proof of the truth of their statements. At length the report was stated to have emanated from some Jesuit Priests residing at Macao, who were also questioned but who declared themselves unable to say anything beyond "having heard that such was the case."
21. A ship was laid on during the year for the conveyance of contract laborers to Peru. Emigra tion to that country from Macao had attained so unenviable a notoriety that the Captain and Owner of a Belgian ship thought to try the experiment of despatching a number of Chinese from Hongkong in order to ascertain if a system could not be organised here that should be free from censure.
331.
177
22. A draft contract was submitted to, and after some alteration approved by the Government, which had no legal power at the time to prevent such Emigration. The amended contract contained a special stipulation prohibiting the employment of the laborers in the working of Gunno. Two Emi- gration Depôts were opened at West Point, and at first Chinese came in tolerably freely. During the first mouth 200 lud been medically examined and registered in the books of this Department.
23. This apparent sitccess of the scheme did not however last long, and Coolies presented themselves in many instances only to avail of the good food and lodging which the Depot offered. Many left to seek employment elsewhere, whilst others were induced by small advances and promises of a better contract to find their way to Macao, where they have been finally shipped on terms not nearly so favorable.
24. This scheme cannot be said to have succeeded, as the ship did not get her complement of pus- sengers until the first week in January last; 762 having been registered, whilst 382 only actually left the Port, the absentees being at the rate of 50 per cent. It remains to be seen whether on arrival in Peru the terms of the contract will be fulfilled.
25. The Home Government and Chargé d'Affaires at Lima having lists of the persons embarked as also copies of the contracts entered into, it may be presumed that no evasion of their contents will be attempted.
26. A large demand for labor in the Southern States of America, as also a request for a farther sup ply of Chinese for Dutch Guiana has met with a check so far as the contract system in Hongkong is concerned, the Home Government having prohibited it, except to British Possessions and in British ships.
27. The American Agents have however decided to obtain the labor, leaving the Chinese free, on arrival at new Orleans to enter into any agreement they may choose.
28. This is a novel and doubtful experiment, but the demand for labor in these States appears so urgent that it is considered worth the cost of a trial. It is thought success may attend it on the assumption that the Chinese, although now only verbally promising to serve a terin of years (varying from three to five) will consider theinselves morally bound to complete a contract on arrival at their destination if it is in keeping with the promises held out to them here. It has however been fully explained to those that have passed through this office that their freedom of action is undoubted, and they have been assured, in the presence of the United States Consul, who was good enough to be pre- sent on the occasion of 140 being questioned, that they have the same protection in the country to which they are proceeding as they find in Hongkong,
29. These Emigrants are procured without the intervention of Chinese brokers, an extensive circulation of notices in the Colony and neighbouring Villages being the only means employed to obtain them. This system will doubtless in the first instance prove a slow process, but the Agents trust to the favorable reports sent to China by the earlier arrivals to enable them to engage laborers more rapidly during the full of the present year.
REGISTRY OF SHIPPING.
30. 16 vessels have been registered and 13 have been struck off during the year.
SEAMEN.
31. Although there has been a larger amount of shipping frequenting the port during the year, there is no great difference in the number of scamen shipped and discharged, the year under review exhibiting 7,113 of the former and 6,713 of the latter.
MARINE MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
32. 239 Cases have been tried as against 198 in 1868, the principal complaints being those of Refusal of duty.
cates.
EXAMINATIONS FOR THE POSTS OF MASTERS AND MATES IN THE MERCANTILE MARINE.
33. Of 40 Applicants for examination under this Ordinance, 20 per cent failed to obtain Certifi- This is a large proportion, but is owing to the want of opportunities for study and the means of preparation for examination.
I have the honor to be,
The Honorable J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary,
ft.
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
H. G. THOMSETT, £.I., Harbor Master, ģe.
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