general rule the Coast is well surveyed, but it is almost impossible in the most careful examination of Coast to discover and lay down the position of every rock and stone lying near the shore. Much must be left to the discretion of the officer in charge of the navigation of the ship as to how near the Const, ou dark nights or in hazy weather, it is prudent to approach. A timely cast of the lead will Conally caution him as to his nearness to it. This neglected, all theories as to position are based on mere
conjecture.
JUSK TRADE.
18. It is satisfactory to find that, in the great increase of the traffic of the Colony, the Junks are maintaining their ground, and still retain a goodly proportion of the carrying trade. This arises from wo reasons; one is the greater cheapness of this means of conveyance; the other is that Junks only are permitted to visit non-Consular Ports. But for this prohibition steam would shortly drive nearly the
ole native craft out of all competition, as it must already have considerably reduced it.
19. If the Junk trade is not what it was ten years ago, it inust not be attributed to the so called alty Legislation of the Government, but rather to the fact that Chinese traders are as much alive to the value of time in the transport of their goods as are any other merchants. As a proof of this we see Chinese themselves becoming owners, or part owners of steam vessels, to the exclusion of their own intive slow-going craft.
20. The Junk arrivals for the year 1872 exceed by 61,644 tons from Macao, by 301,460 tons From Ports in China and Formosa, and by 91,888 tons from the villages of the Colony (denominated the returns Local trade), the arrivals for 1870; and the total number of Chinese passengers brought in this class of vessels from the same places is 22,051 more than arrived in the sanie year.
21. I attach a Diagram showing the monthly range of the number of documents issued by this Departinent in connection with the Junk trade, which will readily show its improved condition. The mallest number (2,200) issued was in February, 1867; the greatest nuinber (5,400) was issued in May, 1872.
22. In considering the steady increase shown by these figures, it must be remembered that every re- laration has, from time to time, been made that the objects for which Ordinance No. 6 of 1866 was framed, would admit of. The prices of Licenses, l'asses, &c., have been gradually reduced; and a large number of well known Junk owners have been permitted to avail themselves of the Special Permits which, requiring them to report but once a month, materially decrease the irksomeness attending the frequent reporting at this Office which necessarily obtained in the early stage of the introduction of the new law, and of which Native traders so constantly complained. These concessions have tended to decrease the issue of papers considerably, nevertheless a far more than corresponding increase of grade has more than doubled it.
EMIGRATION.
23. The introduction of Ordinance No. 8 of 1871 has been attended with great success.
It relaxes be stringent nature of the Chinese Passengers' Act, 1855, allowing a greater number of passengers to e embarked in vessels proceeding on voyages proclaimed as being of less than 30 days' duration than
hitherto been permitted from Hougkong and the Consular Ports of China..
24. Before this Ordinance was passed, the restrictions were so great, and the number of passengers lowed to be carried so small, that ships leaving here for the Straits Settlements took but their twenty Chinese passengers in each ship. Under the new order of things 8,480 men, 1,042 women, and 268
ale and female children under 12 years of age were despatched to Singapore in 1872.
25. There is no material change in the Emigration to other Countries.
26. The records exhibit a large number of Chinese as having returned to their native Country. There were 886 from the Australasian Colonies; 719 from Siam; 3,236 from Manila; 4,259 from the Waited States of America; 4,065 from Saigon, and 10,482 from the Straits Settlements.
27. In marked contrast with this, I find that the two vessels which arrived here from Havana During the year, brought but 58 Chinese from that Colony; whilst in 26 vessels measuring 20,566
only 68 Chinese were brought from Callao.
REGISTRY OF SHIPPING.
28. Twenty-six vessels, measuring 7,856 tons, of which 17 are propelled by steam, aggregating 520 Horse Power, have been registered at this Office during the year.
29. Twenty-four vessels, incasuring 7,644 tons, of which 13 are steamers with a total of 1,656 Horse Power, have had their Registers cancelled in this Registry for the reasons stated against their espective names in the proper Return.