1841-1886
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS. 499
Imports Exports 1847. £. s. d. 498,239 0 0 £. s. d. 169,446 17 6 1848. £. s. d. 328,792 2 6 £. s. d. 226,130 16 8 Increase, £. s. d. 236,298 19 2 Decrease. £. s. d. 169,447 2 6The export of sugar from the colony, which amounted in 1847 to 144,827l. 15s., has increased in 1848 to 147,936l. 15s., showing an excess over 1847 of 3109l. 15s.
No great dependence can be placed on these statements, for with the view of preventing all interference with the native traders, and of giving every encouragement for them to resort to this port, no regular returns of the imports or exports are ever required; and these returns have therefore been compiled from statements given in by the local traders. But as regards the item of sugar, there is reason to apprehend that the return is correct. The Registrar-General reports the imports in native vessels at 150,000 piculs, while the harbour-master reports the exports in square-rigged vessels as follows:-
To India Piculs. 51,056 To New South Wales 15,689 To Shanghae 98,522 165,267, or 9427 tons.I have consulted many of the mercantile gentlemen of the colony as to the state of the native trade, as well as others who I considered had the means of being acquainted with, and who had moreover paid attention to, the subject, and by all I have been assured that the trade is gradually extending; from none have I heard any complaints of the native traders being in any way molested, and the only suggestion that has been made to me for its further extension, is the abolition of the opium farm, or rather that part of it by which persons are interdicted from dealing in opium, in quantities less than one chest without a licence.
This subject was brought to your Lordship's notice in my Despatch No. 18, of the 14th ultimo.
I beg to annex the remarks of Dr. Gutzlaff on the Chinese trade of the colony for the year 1848.
Crown Lands.
11. The fixed revenue derivable from Crown lands on the 31st December, 1848, stands thus :-
Lands leased by mercantile firms £. s. d. 4,742 12 5¼ individuals 4,562 5 7 Chinese 1,802 19 9¼ 11,107 17 11Police.
12. The advantage of general police control over the whole island continues to be productive of beneficial results. Crime has decreased considerably. Indeed, when the locality of this island is borne in mind, the facilities it offers as a refuge for all desperate characters from the main land, and the nests of pirates in the adjacent waters, it is to me a matter of surprise that the amount of crime is not much greater than the returns herewith enclosed exhibit; and I consider much credit is due to Mr. May for the manner in which the arduous duties of the police have been conducted.
I beg to forward a letter from that officer, accompanied by two documents which fully exhibit the number of persons apprehended during the years 1846, 1847, and 1848, and the manner in which they were disposed of before the magistrates and the Supreme Court respectively, during the past year.
By reference to Enclosure No. 8, your Lordship will see that out of 157 prisoners tried before the Supreme Court last year, only 41 were convicted. This arises partly from the migratory nature of the population, and the hitherto infrequent holding of the criminal sessions, Ordinance No. 1, of 1849, for the
Page 97
1841-1886
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS. 499
Imports
Exports
1847.
1848.
Increase,
Decrease.
£. $. d. 498,239 0 0
£.
d. 169,446 17 6
£.
$.
d.
£. 328,792 2 6
d.
226,130 16 8
236,298 19 2 10,168 2 6
The export of sugar from the colony, which amounted in 1847 to 144,827, has increased in 1948 to 147,936. 15s, showing an excess over 1847 of 31091. 15s.
No great dependence can be placed on these statements, for with the view of preventing all interference with the native traders, and of giving every encou- ragement for them to resort to this port, no regular returns of the imports or exports are ever required; and these returns have therefore been compiled from statements given in by the local traders. But as regards the item of sugar, there is reason to apprehend that the return is correct. The Registrar-General reports the imports in native vessels at 150,000 piculs, while the harbour- master reports the exports in square-rigged vessels as follows:-
To India
To New South Wales To Shanghae
*
Picals.
51,056
15,689
98,522
160,267, or 9427 tons.
I have consulted many of the mercantile gentlemen of the colony as to the state of the native trade, as well as others who I considered had the means of being acquainted with, and who had moreover paid attention to, the subject, and by all I have been assured that the trade is gradually extending; from none have I heard any complaints of the native traders being in any way molested, and the only suggestion that has been made to me for its further extension, is the abolition of the opium farm, or rather that part of it by which persons are interdicted from dealing in opium, in quantities less than one chest without a licence.
This subject was brought to your Lordship's notice in my Despatch No. 18, of the 14th ultimo.
I beg to annex the remarks of Dr. Gutzlaff on the Chinese trade of the colony for the year 1848.
Crown Lands.
11. The fixed revenue derivable from Crown lands on the 31st December, 1848, stands thus :-
Lands leased by mercantile firms
*
individuals Chinese
Police.
*
d.
£. 4,742 12 5t 4,562 5 7 1,802 19 91
11,107 17 11
12. The advantage of general police control over the whole island continues to be productive of beneficial results. Crime has decreased considerably. Indeed, when the locality of this island is borne in mind, the facilities it offers as a refuge for all desperate characters from the main land, and the nests of pirates in the adjacent waters, it is to me a matter of surprise that the amount of crime is not much greater than the returns herewith enclosed exhibit; and I consider much credit is due to Mr. May for the manner in which the arduous duties of the police have been conducted.
I beg to forward a letter from that officer, accompanied by two documents which fully exhibit the number of persons apprehended during the years 1846, 1847, and 1848, and the manner in which they were disposed of before the magistrates and the Supreme Court respectively, during the past year.
By reference to Enclosure No. 8, your Lordship will see that out of 157 pri- soners tried before the Supreme Court last year, only 41 were convicted. This arises partly from the migratory nature of the population, and the hitherto infrequent holding of the criminal sessions, Ordinance No. 1, of 1849, for the
97
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