1841-1886
[ 3 ]
PAPERS RELATING TO THE COLONY OF HONG KONG, &c.
No. 1.-
5
(Separate.)
Copy of DESPATCH from Governor Davis to the Right Hon. Lord Stanley.
My Lord,
Victoria, Hong Kong, 20 August 1844. (Received, 5 December 1844.)
(Answered, No. 06, 17 December 1844, p. 15.)
HAVING been requested by Mr. R. M. Martin to forward to your Lordship the accompanying observations from himself on the colony of Hong Kong, I have complied with his request; but at the same time caused to be addressed to him the enclosed letter, in which I have conveyed my general opinion as to his paper:
It is fair, however, to Mr. Martin to observe, that his remarks were written after only a few weeks' residence, under circumstances of very indifferent health. I could easily point out errors in regard to facts and conclusions (did I deem it necessary to dwell upon the subject), some of which will be sufficiently apparent from the public despatches.
I regret the strength of expression which Mr. Martin has made use of in this paper, since much of it must be viewed as applying to the proceedings and representations of my distinguished predecessor, Sir Henry Pottinger. I do not deem it necessary, however, to detain your Lordship further on the subject, except to observe, that I cannot give the sanction of my opinion on its general tenor.
Enclosure 1, in No. 1.
I have, &c. (signed)
REPORT on the Island of Hong Kong.
J. F. Davis.
No. 1. Governor Davis to the Right Hon. Lord Stanley.
20 Aug. 1844.
Enclosure No. 1.
Enclosure No. 2.
Page 15-
Encl. 1, in No. 1.
LOCALITY.
HONG KONG, which in the Chinese language signifies, "Red Harbour," is in north lat. 22° 16′ 27′′, east long. 114° 14' 48", distant about 40 miles east from Macao. It forms one of the numerous but scattered group of lofty islands termed the "Ladrones," which vary in size and height, but agree in their arid and rugged features. The length of the island from east to west is about eight miles, with a breadth of from two to four miles. It is separated from the main land of China by a strait or inlet of the sea, varying in breadth from half a mile to three miles; one entrance, the Lymoon Pass, being only about one quarter of a mile wide.
PHYSICAL ASPECT.
The island consists of a broken ridge or "hogsback" of mountainous hills running from W. N. W. to E. S. E., at an average height of about 1,000 feet; but from this ridge and its spurs various conical mountains are elevated to the height of 1,500 to 2,000 feet above the sea, and very precipitous; the whole island, indeed, rises abruptly from the ocean, particularly on the north face. There are a few narrow valleys and deep ravines through which the sea occasionally bursts, or which serve as conduits for the mountain torrents; but on the north side of the island, especially where the town of Victoria is built, the rocky ridge approaches close to the sea, and it was only by hewing through this ridge that a street or road could be made to connect the straggling town of Victoria, which stretches along the water's edge for nearly four miles, although only comprising about 60 European houses, and several Chinese huts and bazaars. Here and there, on the tops of some isolated hills, or along the precipitous slopes of the mountains, some houses have been constructed; but the rugged, broken, and abrupt precipices, and deep rocky ravines, will ever effectually prevent the formation at Victoria of any concentrated town, adapted for mutual protection, cleanliness, and comfort. Hong Kong cannot be said to possess any vegetation; a few goats, with difficulty, find pasturage; after the heavy rains of May, June, and July, the hills
148.
A 2
hills
1841-1886
[ 3 ]
PAPERS RELATING TO THE COLONY OF HONG KONG, &c.
No. 1.-
5
(Separate.)
Cory of DESPATCH from Governor Davis to the Right Hon. Lord Stanley.
My Lord,
Victoria, Hong Kong, 20 August 1844. (Received, 5 December 1844.)
(Answered, No. 06,.17 December 1844, p. 15.)
HAVING been requested by Mr. R. M.. Martin to forward to your Lordship the accompanying observations from himself on the colony of Ilong Kong, I have complied with his request; but at the same time caused to be addressed to bim the enclosed letter, in which I have conveyed my general opinion as to his paper:
It is fair, however, to Mr. Martin to observe, that his remarks were written after only a few weeks' residence, under circumstances of very indifferent health. I could easily point out errors in regard to facts and conclusions (did I deem it necessary to dwell upon the subject), some of which will be sufficiently apparent from the public despatches.
I regret the strength of expression which Mr. Martin has made use of in this paper, since much of it must be viewed as applying to the proceedings and representations of my distinguished predecessor, Sir Henry Pottinger. I do not deem it necessary, however, to detain your Lordship further on the subject, except to observe, that I cannot give the sanction of my opinion on its general
tenor.
Enclosure 1, ín No. 1.
I have, &c. (signed)
REPORT on the Island of Hong Kong.
J. F. Davis.
No. 1. Governor Davis to the Right Hon. Lord Stanley.
20 Aug. 1844.
Enclosure No. 1.
Enclosure No. 2.
Page 15-
Encl. 1, in No. 1.
LOCALITY.
HONG KONG, which in the Chinese language signifies, "Red Harbour," is in north lat. Report on the 22° 16′ 27′′, east long, 114 14' 48", distant about 40 miles cast from Macao, It forms Island of Hong one of the numerous but scattered group of lofty islands termed the "Ladrones," which Kong, vary in size and height, but agree in their arid and rugged features. The length of the island from east to west is about eight miles, with a breadth of from two to four miles. It is separated from the main land of China by a strait or inlet of the sea, varying in breadth from half a mile to three miles; onc entrance, the Lymoon Pass, being only about one quarter of a mile wide.
PHYSICAL ASPECT.
The island consists of a broken ridge or "hogsback" of mountainous hills running from W. N. W. to E. S. E., at an average height of about 1,000 feet; but from this ridge and its spurs various conical mountains are elevated to the height of 1,500 to 2,000 feet above the sca, and very precipitous; the whole island, indeed, rises abruptly from the ocean, particu- larly on the north face. There are a few narrow valleys and deep ravines through which the sea occasionally bursts, or which serve as conduits for the mountain torrents; but on the north side of the island, especially where the town of Victoria is built, the rocky ridge approaches close to the sea, and it was only by hewing through this ridge that a street or road could be made to connect the straggling town of Victoria, which stretches along the water's edge for nearly four miles, although only comprising about 60 European houses, and several Chinese huts and bazaars. Here and there, on the tops of some isolated hills, or along the precipitous slopes of the mountains, soinc houses have been constructed; but the rugged, broken, and abrupt precipices, and deep rocky ravines, will ever effectually prevent the formation at Victoria of any concentrated town, adapted for mutual protection, Cleanliness, and comfort. Hong Kong cannot be said to possess any vegetation; a few goats, with difficulty, find pasturago; after the heavy rains of May, June, and July, the
148.
A 2
hills
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