HONGKONG.
(From the Colonial Office List.)
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Hongkong is one of a number of Islands called by the Portuguese "Ladrones," or Thieves, from the notorious habits of the old inhabitants; it is situated off the south-east- ern coast of China, at the mouth of the Canton River, about 40 miles east of Macao, be- tween 22° 9' and 22° 1' N. lat., and 114° 5' and 114 18 E. long. This island is an irregular and broken ridge, stretching nearly east and west; its broken and abrupt peaks rising sometimes to a great height above sea level. Its length is about 11 miles, its breadth from 2 to 5 miles, its area rather more than 29 square miles. It is separated from the mainland of China by a narrow strait, known as the Ly-ee-moon Pass, which does not exceed half a mile in width. The opposite peninsula of Kow-loon has been ceded to Great Britain by a Treaty entered into by Lord Elgin in 1861 with the Government of China; it now forms part of Hongkong. The general aspect of the Colony has been described as extremely beautiful. One of the most magnificent barbours in the world, surrounded by picturesque hills, rising between 3,000 and 1,000 feet high, and offering a coup d'œil which unites the wild scenery of Scotland to the classic beauty of Italy, with a touch of the tropics to heighten the effect. The annual range of the thermometer is said to be from 47° to 93° Fahr., but it is probably greater.
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The Colony was first ceded to Great Britain in January, 1841; the cession was confirmed by the Treaty of Nankin, in August, 1842; and the charter bears date 5th April, 1842. But Hongkong perhaps comes more properly under the designation of a trading station than that of a Colony; it is valuable to Great Britain mainly as a factory for our commerce with China, and as a military and naval station for the protection of that commerce; it possesses an excellent harbour, affording convenient, safe, and commo- dious anchorage for shipping: its distance from Singapore is about 1,520 miles.
The occupation of Hongkong at its outset was effected at cousiderable cost to Imperial funds, the vote from Parliament in the year 1845 being nearly £50,000 in addition to military expenditure.
Hongkong may be considered to have paid its local establishments since 1954. The Government is administered by a Governor, aided by an Executive Council, composed of the Colonial Secretary, the Officer Commanding the Troops, and the Attorney-General. The Legislative Council is presided over by the Governor, and is composed of the Chief Justice, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General, the Treasurer, the Auditor-General, the Surveyor-General, and three unofficial members, nominated by the Crown on the recommendation of the Governor.
There is a large Police force in the Colony, numbering 550 men, of whom 60 are Europeans, 482 Indians, and 108 Chinese.
Hongkong is the centre of trade in many kinds of goods. Amongst the principal may be noticed opium, sugar, and flour, produced in Tungkoon. Salt, earthenware, oil, amber, cotton and cotton goods, sandalwood, ivory, betel, vegetables, live stock, granite, &c., &c.
As it is a free port, it is impossible to give a correct return of imports and exports. The Stamp Tax has just been introduced by the Government (Dec., 1866).
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