216
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
regulate the markets, and three having reference to the Supreme Court The sixth respects the unclaimed balances of intestate estates, and is again under consideration of the Council.
"
With the exception of this last all have received Her Majesty's confirmation, as has a Regula Generalis, passed in November for increasing the number of criminal sessions of the Supreme Court, and reducing fees. L, IST
6. By the returns of the Registrar General it will be seen that a most remarkable increase has taken place in the Chinese population of the colony. In 1853, the Chinese numbered 37,536, in 1854 54,072. This increase is mainly referable to Victoria, and arises directly and indirectly from the confusion which has prevailed in the city of Canton and its neighbourhood, more particularly in the latter half of the year. The influx of people flying from the troubles that threatened the provincial city caused the direct addition to our numbers; and as amongst these were many tradesmen, business also came with them, and with increase of trade came further increase of population.
The Registrar General's Returns are of course exclusive of troops, and I may add that to the presence of these troops, though much reduced in number, is to be attributed the confidence with which, during the recent disturbances, the colony has been regarded.
#
7. The colonial surgeon's Report is interesting, and his remarks on the necessity of drainage and ventilation have already received consideration, but the habits of the Chinese render them difficult to be dealt with in these respects. Small pox seems to have been the principal scourge of the island during the past year, and I think it may be said that with this exception the climate is undoubtedly improved.
8. The Report of the Chinese Education Committee does not show a very satisfactory result, but the attention of Government is directed to the subject.
9. That the trade of the colony is largely increasing, the removal of so many mercantile firms to this place is a sufficient proof, and a glance at the harbour will show the great improvement in the extent and importance of the native trade.
It is, however, much to be regretted that the numerous piratical bands infesting the surrounding waters present a serious check to the further development of this branch of commerce.
10. An emigrant officer was appointed in May, and I believe the measure to have been attended with good effect. The efflux of Chinese to California and New South Wales, especially to Melbourne, still continues.
let
11. The number of Chinese and others who resorted, as above described, to Hong Kong during the year rendered it necessary to make provision for their habitation, and two sales of land by public auction were accordingly held.
The result of these is as follows:-Four acres for building lots have been leased; the annual rental on which due to Government amounts to 4927. 5s. 3d., and the premium paid on the leases to 1,177l. 1s. 8d.
In the Surveyor General's letter, No. 18, of 28th March, which will be found in the Blue Book, and is well worthy of perusal and consideration, the necessity
Page 305.
Pago 305.
Surveyor General's Reports.
is shown of extending the city along the water in a western direction. As in that locality are to be found almost the only valuable spots now left for carrying on trade with facility, and as, should this ground not be disposed of, the town itself, especially in the Chinese part, will be unhealthily over-crowded, I would earnestly support Mr. Cleverley's recommendation that the land to the westward be planned forthwith for sale.
The nearer portion of the ground to which I allude has already been sold, and in the stagnant days of the colony was thrown back on the hands of Government; the further part has been occupied, but is now abandoned by the Naval Department, who have acquired a more convenient position in the centre of the town.
I see, therefore, no obstacle to the sale of this land as suggested, for if necessary a battery can be erected here, which will meet all the requirements of the Ordnance officers.
12. As regards crime, I learn from the Superintendent of Police that this has not, as might have been expected, increased in proportion with the augmented population. Still there is an increase as shown in the Gaol Returns, and a heavy expenditure is incurred on this account.
I am not aware of any further points demanding particular remark, but am convinced that a careful perusal of this book will induce considerable surprise
Page 235Page 236
216
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S 'COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
regulate the markets, and three having reference to the Supreme Court The sixth respects the unclaimed balances of intestate estates, and is again under consideration of the Council.
"
With the exception of this last all have received Her Majesty's confirmation, us has a Regula Generalis, passed in November for increasing the number of criminal sessions of the Supreme Court, and reducing fees. L, IST
6. By the returns of the Registrar General it will be seen that a most remarkable increase has taken place in the Chinese population of the colony. In 1853, the Chinese numbered 37,536, in 1854 54,072. This increase is mainly referable to Victoria, and arises directly and indirectly from the confusion which has prevailed in the city of Canton and its neighbourhood, more particu- larly in the latter half of the year. The influx of people flying from the troubles that threatened the provincial city caused the direct addition to our numbers;' and as amongst these were many tradesmen, business also came with them, and with increase of trade came further increase of population.
The Registrar General's Returns are of course exclusive of troops, and I inay dd that to the presence of these troops, though much reduced in number, is to be attributed the confidence with which, during the recent disturbances, the colony has been regarded.
#
7. The colonial surgeon's Report is interesting, and his remarks on the néces sity of drainage and ventilation have already received consideration, but the habits of the Chinese render them difficult to be dealt with in these respects.' Small pox/seems to have been the principal scourge of the island during the past year, and I think it may be said that with this exception the climate is indoubtedly improved.
8. The Report of the Chinese Education Committee does not show a very satisfactory result, but the attention of Government is directed to the subject.
9. That the trade of the colony is largely increasing, the removal of so many mercantile firms, to this place is a sufficient proof, and a glance at the harbour will show the great improvement in the extent and importance of the native trade.
It is, however, much to be regretted that the numerous piratical bands infesting the surrounding waters present a serious check to the further development of this branch of commerce.
10. An emigrant officer was appointed in May, and I believe the measure to have been attended with good effect. The efflux of Chinese to California `and New South Wales, especially to Melbourne, still continues.
let
11. The number of Chinese and others who resorted, as above described, to Hong Kong during the year rendered it necessary to make provision for their habitation, and two sales of land by public auction were accordingly held.
The result of these is as follows:-Four acres for building lots have been leased; the annual rental on which due to Government amounts to 4927. 5s. 3d., and the premium paid on the leases to 1,1771. 1s. 8d.
In the Surveyor General's letter, No. 18, of 28th March, which will be found in the Blue Book, and is well worthy of perusal and consideration, the necessity
Page 305.
Pago 305.
Surveyor General's
Reports.
is shown of extending the city along the water in a western direction. As in 28th March 1855. that locality are to be found almost the only valuable spots now left for carrying Pages 298 and 301.
on trade with facility, and as, should this ground not be disposed of, the town itself, especially in the Chinese part, will be unhealthily over-crowded, I would carnestly support Mr. Cleverley's recommendation that the land to the westward be planned forthwith for sale.
The nearer portion of the ground to which I allude has already been sold, and in the stagnant days of the colony was thrown back on the hands of Government; the further part has been occupied, but is now abandoned by the Naval Department, who have acquired a more convenient position in the centre of the town.
I see, therefore, no obstacle to the sale of this land as suggested, for if neces sary a battery can be erected here, which will meet all the requirements of the Ordnance officers.
12. As regards crime, I learn from the Superintendent of Police that this has not, as might have been expected, increased in proportion with the augmented population. Still there is an increase as shown in the Gaol Returns, and a heavy expenditure is incurred on this account.
I am not aware of any further points demanding particular remark, but am convinced that a careful perusal of this book will induce considerable surprise
Page 235Page 236
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