The births and deaths for the last 5 years were as follows:-
Per 1,000 of mean Population.
Years.
Births.
Deaths.
Births.
Deaths.
1985,
1,555
5,192
8.16
27.24
1886,
.1,557
5,100
7.74
25.37
1887,
1,705
5,317
8.01
24.97
1888,
.1,662
6,034
7.70
27.96
1889,
1,683
4,597
$.65
23.64
17.-ECCLESIASTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
There were no changes in these Establishments, as compared with previous years.
18.-EDUCATION.
The total number of Schools subject to supervision by the Government amounted, in 1889, to 9o. as compared with 97 in 1888 and 94 in 1887.
The total number of Scholars subject to Government supervision in the Government and Grant. in-aid Schools during the last 5 years was as follows:-
Years.
1885,
1886,
1887,
1858,
1889,
Gorl.
Grant-in-aid.
Total.
1,803
4,041
5,844
.1,893
3,951
5,844
.1,814
1,160
5,974
..1,933
4,325
6,258
.2,385
4,814
7,202
The total expenditure for these Schools for the last 5 years was as follows:- 1885, (after deducting School fees), ..................! $36,085.27
1886, (
11
1887, (
1889, (
1889, (
"
},
43,085.50
},
43,070.91
"
}.
),
...... 45,518.93 44,321.98
19.-EXCHANGE, MONEY, WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Exchange.
The rate of Exchange on 4 months' Bills on London was on 2nd January, 1889, 3/14, it fell to 3/01 on the 6th March, and rose to 3/33 on 27th November, and was at the end of the year 3/2§.
Currency.
The law affecting currency has remained unchanged.
Bank Notes.
The Bank Notes in circulation in Hongkong during the last 5 years, as furnished by the Managers of the respective Banks, were as follows:-
Years.
1885,.
1886,.
1887,.
Average Amount. .$4,050,071
4,368,705
5,052,473
1888,. ........ 5,759,875
1889,
6,034,98.1
Money Circulation.
Specie in Reserve.
$2,000,833
2,138,333
2,362,833
2,660,000
2,552,500
The approximate amount of Coin put into circulation up to 31st December, 1889, was as follows:-
Hongkong Dollars and half Dollars struck at the Hongkong Mint,......$1,421,487
Hongkong Silver and Copper Subsidiary Coins (20, 10, and 5 cent
pieces; and 1 Cent and Mil pieces during 1889),
nortation of Copper Coin has been discontinued.
Weights and Measures.
..................................................$1,040,000
*aures in use in the Colony are regulated by Ordinance 8 of 1885.