Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PAST AND PRESENT
Memorandum showing the Number of DEATHS which have occurred in the Garrison of HONG KONG during the year 1848, &c. &c.
Description of Troops 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Average Strength Deaths Proportion of Deaths to Average Strength Proportion of Deaths to Entire Force Europeans Average Strength: 624The Chinese population for 1848 amounted to 20,338 souls, and the deaths were 227 in number, or at an average of 1.12 per cent. During the year 1847 the Chinese inhabitants were 22,466, and the number of deaths was 147, or at an average of 0.65 per cent. It is however necessary to observe that these returns cannot be relied on as furnishing an approximate view of the proportion of mortality in the native population, as the greater number of the Chinese inhabitants when attacked by disease, immediately quit the colony for the purpose of going to their families at their native places, where they either die or remain until their recovery.
Your Lordship will find in Dr. Morrison's Report, which is appended to the Blue Book, copious information regarding the sanitary condition and prospects of the colony.
Education.
9. The three Chinese schools for the education of native youths, established at Victoria, Stanley, and Aberdeen, as sanctioned by Despatch No. 109, of 12th August, 1847, from your Lordship, have been in operation during the whole of the year 1848. The accompanying Report from the Committee does not show so great an attendance as had been expected, but I trust there will be an improvement as the object and usefulness of the schools become better known to the Chinese.
The colonial chaplain continues to bestow the greatest attention towards a school for European children of parents who are ill able to support this desirable institution, which, under the able and zealous superintendence of Mr. Stanton, is well attended, though the means for supporting the same are very limited.
Trade.
10. The number of shipping exclusive of Chinese vessels which arrived in Hong Kong in 1848, as compared with the preceding year, is as follows:-
Year Shipping Tonnage 1847 694 229,465 1848 700 226,818of which 163 imported and 193 exported merchandise into and from the colony. The value of these imports it is altogether impossible to estimate, as there is no establishment of any description to ascertain the extent and value of the trade of the port.
From the returns furnished to me by the harbour-master, I find that 6,022,578 dollars, equal in sterling money to 1,254,703. 15s. were exported from hence during the year, being principally no doubt in return for opium received by the merchants from India. This fact alone will tend to show that the colony cannot but be of very considerable importance to the firms engaged in this species of speculation.
The following table shows in pounds sterling the amount of imports and exports in Chinese vessels during the years 1847 and 1848, drawn up from statements furnished to the Registrar-General by the Chinese traders and dealers:-
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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PAST AND PRESENT
Memorandum showing the Number of DEATHS which have occurred in the Garrison of HONG KONG during the year 1848, &c. &c.
4th
1st
2nd
3rd Quarter. Quarter. Quarter. Quarter.
Description
of
Troops.
Average Strength.
Deaths.
Average Strength.
Deaths.
Average Strength.
Deaths.
Average Strength.
Deaths.
Proportion Proportion
Average Number of
Strength Deaths
of
of
Deaths
Deaths
| during the during the
|to Average] to Entire
Year.
Year,
Strength. Force.
Europeans
624
Natives
8 748 15 606 (100 628 10
1731 6 775 9 736 9 713 14 739
651
133.
Per Ceat. | Per Cent.
20-43
38
5.14
1,390
171
12.30
་
The Chinese population for 1848 amounted to 20,338 souls, and the deaths were 227 in number, or at an average of 1-12 per cent. During the year 1847 the Chinese inhabitants were 22,466, and the number of deaths was 147, or at an average of 0 15 per cent. It is however necessary to observe that these returns cannot be relied on as furnishing an approximate view of the proportion of mortality in the native population, as the greater number of the Chinese inhabitants when attacked by disease, immediately quit the colony for the pur- pose of going to their families at their native places, where they either die or remain until their recovery.
Your Lordship will find in Dr. Morrison's Report, which is appended to the Blue Book, copious information regarding the sanitary condition and prospects of the colony.
Education.
9. The three Chinese schools for the education of native youths, established. at Victoria, Stanley, and Aberdeen, as sanctioned by Despatch No. 109, of 12th August, 1847, from your Lordship, have been in operation during the whole of the year 1848. The accompanying Report from the Committee does not show so great an attendance as had been expected, but I trust there will' be an improvement as the object and usefulness of the schools become better known to the Chinese.
The colonial chaplain continues to bestow the greatest attention towards a school for European children of parents who are ill able to support this desirable institution, which, under the able and zealous superintendence of Mr. Stanton, is well attended, though the means for supporting the same are very limited.
Trade.
10. The number of shipping exclusive of Chinese vessels which arrived in Hong Kong in 1848, as compared with the preceding year, is as follows:-
Shipping Tonnage
1847.
694 229,465
1849.
700 226,818
of which 163 imported and 193 exported merchandise into and from the colony. The value of these imports it is altogether impossible to estimate, as there is no establishment of any description to ascertain the extent and value of the trade of the port.
From the returns furnished to me by the harbour-master, I find that 6,022,578 dollars, equal in sterling money to 1,254,703. 15s. were exported from hence during the year, being principally no doubt in return for opium received by the merchants from India. This fact alone will tend to show that the colony cannot but be of very considerable importance to the firms engaged in this species of speculation.
The following table shows in pounds sterling the amount of imports and exports in Chinese vessels during the years 1947 and 1848, drawn up from statements furnished to the Registrar-General by the Chinese traders and dealers:-
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