PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference:~~~
C.O. 882
5
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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The Puntis, or Cantonese, as they are termed by Europeans, belong to the race which is supposed to have come from the provinces bordering on the south of the Yang- The term Punti means "Natives of the soil"; but the existence of aborigines in many parts of the Kwong-tung province shows that the Puntis were not the aboriginal inhabitants.
tez river.
It is not improbable that they commenced to find their way to the south of China during the early periods of Chinese history. At any rate they were firmly established in the south during the time of the Southern Sung Dynasty, which reigned from A.D. 1127 to A.D 1278. Most of the Punti inhabitants easily trace their descent from ancestors who were settled in the San On district in that period. The Puntis speak the dialect commonly known as Cantonese. Their population amounts to 64,140, and is contained in 161 villages. They chiefly inhabit the valleys, especially those drained by the Sham Chun and Un Long rivers. Their main pursuit is that of agriculture; but they are also excellent traders, and full of that enterprise for which as a race the Cantonese are so justly famous,
The Hakkas, or "Strangers," as the term signifies, are supposed to be descended from the Mongols, and to have reached the southern provinces of China when the Mongol Dynasty was overthrown, about, the middle of the 14th century. They are regarded by the Puntis as aliens, and speak a dialect quite distinct from Cantonese. The villages occupied by the Hakkas are 255 in number, containing a population of 36,070. As a rule their villages are inhabited solely by members of their own race, just as the Punti villages are inhabited only by Cantonese, though there are a few villages in which both races are represented. The Hakkas are a hardy and frugal race, and are generally found in the hill districts, their chief pursuits being agriculture and quarrying.
The Tankas, or boat people, form the floating population, of which it has not been possible to obtain even an estimate, except in the case of the islands, where they have been included in the general population. They form a class by themselves and are looked down upon by the land population. They inhabit the creeks, harbours, water- ways, and the islands, and make excellent sailors, being very clever in the handling of junks and smaller craft. They are also largely engaged in fishing.
Appendix 3 shows how the various races are distributed throughout the area. Taken as a whole the inhabitants may be regarded as an industrious, frugal, and well-behaved people. During the inspection of the territory they gave us an excellent reception except in two instances, one of which was so marked that it was necessary to bring the conduct of the villagers concerned to the notice of the Viceroy of the two Kwong Provinces, who will, it is hoped, deal with the matter in a proper manner. There are, of course, bad characters and rowdies to be found among the population, and one or two villages have earned an unenviable notoriety for lawlessness, but there ought to be no difficulty in bringing such characters and places under proper control, and putting an end to the present state of affairs.
The inhabitants, though by no means wealthy, seem to be, as a rule, comfortably well off, and able to earn an honest livelihood without difficulty. Few signs of anything approaching destitution were seen, and only a few beggars were met. From informa tion received it appears that there are only 1,600 beggars throughout the whole of the San On district, the majority of whom are said to be outside the new territory.
INDUSTRIES.
The population is chiefly occupied in the cultivation of the soil with the various crope produced. But in addition to agricultural pursuits there are large fisheries, in which many persons are engaged, in the bays surrounding the territory on the east, south, and west, fishing being carried on chiefly by means of stake-nets.* sorted, salted, and sun-dried, and exported to various markets. The trade in salt fish is one of the most important, and employs a large number of persons.
The fish are
Pearl fisheries exist in Tolo harbour, where pearls of value are said to be sometimes found.
In addition to salt-water fish the rearing of fresh-water fish in ponds for the Hong Kong market and elsewhere occupies the attention of the villagers of the Un Lang
division.
The cultivation of oysters is also carried on to a large extent, especially in Deep Bay.
* See Photographs, Album II., No. 6.
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Lime burning is an important industry, coral and oyster-shells being burnt in the place of lime-stone. The largest lime-burning works seen were near Castle Peak Bay, where coal obtained from Hong Kong was being used as fuel. Lime was also being burnt at Taipò Hü, Shat'au Kok, Sha Tin, Ts'ün Wán, Ping Shán, and other places visited. It is understood that a great deal of the lime used in Hong Kong is imported from the San On district.
The manufacture of bricks and the quarrying of stones enable the inhabitants to obtain building material at a cheap rate.
Salt is manufactured in several places. Salt pans were seen at Shat'au Kok and Castle Peak Bay.
The indigo grown in the district is used for dyeing cloth, both men and women being engaged in the work of dyeing. Boatbuilding is carried on. Mirs Bay.t
A boatbuilding shed was seen on the shores of
A large establishment exists near Ts'ün Wán for the manufacture of joss-powder, out of which joss-sticks, used in the worship of idols, are made. The powder is made from fragrant wood, which is pounded into dust by means of water-wheels, six of which were seen at work.
Although there is a large force of water throughout the territory available for water-power, this is the only instance in which we saw water utilised for manufacturing purposes.
Ropes and nets are manufactured out of the hemp which was observed growing in various places.
One village we visited was engaged entirely in the manufacture of pottery, the clay for which is found in the mountain immediately above the village. The villagers are said to have learned the art of manufacturing pottery from an Italian missionary who formerly resided amongst them.
In almost every village is carried on the rearing of pigs, large numbers of which are exported annually.
Pine trees are grown, and cut down for firewood, which is an important article of export.
Poultry breeding and fruit growing for the Hong Kong market form lucrative occupations for many villages.
With the introduction of capital, which is sure to follow when the territory comes under British occupation, and with that feeling of greater security which just govern ment is bound to inspire, the present industries will be greatly developed, and new industries will be created.
PRESENT ROADS AND BRIDGES.
ROADS.
There are no roads in the ordinary acceptation of that term in the territory. Communication between the villages and market towns is effected by means of foot- paths, which are about five feet wide, paved with slabs of granite. Through the land under cultivation the paths are merely the ridges between adjacent fields. The paths across the hill ranges have been traced with care, and at fairly easy gradients. At all crossings stones are erected informing travellers which road to follow to reach such centres as Sham Chun, Un Long, and Kowloon. On Map II. the routes traversed by the Commission are shown, as well as some other paths, the general direction of which has been ascertained.
BRIDGES.
Crossings over all the small streams are effected by means of huge blocks of stone. The wider streams are crossed by bridges. The largest bridge we saw is near Taipò Hü. It is well constructed of some 10 or 12 spans, 15 feet in width. The piers are of good masonry in mortar; the platform is constructed of granite slabs, laid side by side, 18 to 20 feet in length, and there is a handrail of iron bars. In the same locality there is another bridge, of similar construction, consisting of three spans of 15 feet sich.
• Sa Photographs, Album I., No. 38.
↑ See Photographs, Album I., No. 11. ↑ See Photographs, Album I., No. 5.
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