HONGKONG.
Tuis, the most eastern of British possessions, is situate off the coast of the Kwangtung province, at the mouth of the Cinton river. It is distant about 40 miles from Macao and 90 from Canton, and lies between 22 deg. 9 min. and 22 deg. 1 min. N. lat., and 114 deg. 5 min. an 114 dg. 18 min. E. long. The name of the island (Heung Kong) signifies Good Harbour. Hongkong is a Crown Colony and was ceded to Great Britain by the Chinese Government in 1841. The Government is admi- nistered by a Governor, aided by an Executive Council of five officials. The Legis- lative Council is presided over by the Governor, an i is compos 'd of the Chief Justice, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General, the Treasurer, and four unofficial members nominated by the Crown on the recommendation of the Governor.
The island is about 11 miles long and from 2 to 5 broad; its circumference is about 27 miles. It consists of a broken ridge of loty hills, with few valleys of any extent and scarcely any ground available for cultivation. It is well watered by numerous streams, many of which are perennial, and from the waterworks at Pok- folum water of excellent quality but in limited quantity is supplied to all parts of the city of Victoria. New waterworks to provide an ample supply were commenced at the close of last year.
The harbour of Hongkong is one of the finest and most beautiful in the world, having an area of ten square miles, and with its diversified scenery and varied ship- ping, presents an animated and imposing spectacle. It consists of the sheet of water between the island and the mainland, and is enclosed on all sides by lofty hills, unfortunately bare of foliage, except where trees have been planted uear the city, but pleasingly green during the south-west monsoon. An extensive scheme of afforesta- tion has, however, lately been commenced. The City of Victoria is magnificently situated, the houses, many of them large and han lsome, rising, tier upon tier, from the water's edge to a height of several hundred feet on the face of the Peak, while several bungalows are visible on the very summit of the hills. Seen from the water at night, when la nps twinkle among the trees and houses, the city, spreading along the shore for upwards of four miles, affords a sight not to be forgotten.
Nor on lan ling are the favourable impressions of the stranger dissipated. The city is well built, the roals and streets are for the most part aluirably male and kepts the Public Gardens almost unrivalle I for their beauty, and many of the thoroughfarey delightfully shaded with well grown trees. The chief public building is the Cits Hill, erected in 1866-9 by subscription; it contains an elegant theatre, numerou, large rooms used for balls and public meetings, an excellent and valuable Library, and a Museum yearly increasing in importance. The Government Offices, Supreme Court House, and Club are plain out substantial structures. Government House occupies a commanding situation, in picturesque grounds pleasingly laid out, in the centre of the city. The Gaol is a large and massive structure, but the accommodation afforded by it is not in excess of the large demands made on it, owing to the inroads of the criminal population of Kwangtung being so constant and persevering. The Civil Hospital is a large but plam building in Taipingshan. The Gover..ment Central School, a most important institution, having som six hundred pupils, is very badly housed at present. The Tung Wa Hospital, a Chinese institution, occupies a large and roomy uilling. The barracks for the garrison are large, and constructed with great regard to the health and comfort of the troops, and the buildings belonging to the Naval Establisument are substantial and spacious. The Central Market is a dirty and inconvenient place, which is entirely given up to the natives owing to its repulsive condition. The Praya wall, which was reconstructed in 1879-80, is a work of much solidity and strength, reflecting the greatest credit on tue Survey Depart- ment. It is faced with large blocks of hewn granite and backed with concrete, and presents a good effect from the water. The Clock Tower, near Peddar's Wharf, was erected by public subscription in 1862, and the iluminated clock was presented to the Colony by the firm of Messrs. Douglas Lapraik & Co.