No. 40.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Census Returns of the Population of the Colony, for the year 1876, are published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 24th February, 1877.
[No. 6.]
J. GARDINER AUSTIN, Colonial Secretary.
REGISTRAR GENERAL'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 12th February, 1877.
SIR,-I have the honour to enclose the returns of the Census which was taken on the night of the 4th December last in accordance with the directions of His Excellency the Governor contained in C. S. O. 1263.
No Census has been taken since 1872, the returns for which are contained in the Government Gazette of the 15th February, 1873.
As great care has been taken in collecting the information on both occasions, a comparison of the returns may be relied on for giving a correct knowledge of the increase or otherwise of the different items of population in the Colony.
The whole population in 1872, numbered 121,985, it is now 139,144, showing an increase in four years of 17,159. The major part of this increase is in the Chinese population in Victoria, Kowloon and the Villages.
The European and American Community, is larger by 247, but this is almost solely attributable to the number of Portuguese who have made Hongkong their residence since the partial destruction of Macao by Typhoon and Fire in 1874. Nearly every other nationality shows a decrease, especially amongst male adults. There are now 86 British, 12 German, 12 American and 10 Danish inale adult Residents less than in 1872.
All the Villages, with the exception of Stanley, have more or less added to their inhabitants. The Typhoon in 1874 destroyed a large number of houses in the Village of Stanley, and many of these have not been since re-built. Certain projected improvements will, however, it is to be trusted, restore the place to its former thriving state. The fishing Villages, as Aberdeen, Stanley, and Shau-ki Wan may be called, should prosper, as they are now frequented by more than three times the number of fishing boats to what they were four years ago. Late sanitary reforms have done much to improve the condition of the inhabitants in these Villages.
Yau-ma-ti in Kowloon has become a new Town within the last few months, and it will continue to increase, if facilities are afforded to the boat-builders and to the junk people, who repair thither to careen and repair their vessels, for on these the trade of the place chiefly depends.
The introduction of Steain Ferries has not had the depressing effect which was expected on the pull-away boats, but the contrary, as they have increased largely in number.
It is satisfactory to notice the addition which has been made to the number of shops, and other buildings, since the last Census.
I beg to enclose certain Returns required for the Annual Blue Book.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
The Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary,
HONGKONG.
Your most obedient Servant,
M. S. TONNOCHY, Acting Registrar General.