SIR,
HONG KONG,
No. 44.
Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir John BOWRING to the Right Honourable H. LABOUCHERE, M.P.
(No. 82.)
Government Offices,
Victoria, Hong Kong, May 24, 1856.
(Received August 6, 1856.)
I HAVE now the honour of forwarding to you the Blue Book for the Year 1855, and have no doubt you will share my satisfaction in reviewing the position and the prospects of the colony.
2. I need not refer to the various topics which the Colonial Secretary has made the subject of his interesting and comprehensive letter, except where some observation seems specially required.
3. The increase of trade in all its branches, though not recorded in custom house statistics, is a matter of notoriety, and evidenced by every indication of prosperity.
4. There is an improvement in the character of the Chinese population. Many of the natives, growing in wealth, have grown in respectability. There is more disposition than there has ever been among a better class of Chinese traders to settle on the island, while many great commercial houses in China, both British and American, have lately made Hong Kong their central point of establishment. The development of steam navigation, the rapid extension of trading relations with Australia and California, the increase of trade on the coasts of China, the opening of Siam, and the security which the flag of Great Britain offers against piratical attacks, are among the causes which have led to the happy results we are daily witnessing.
5. My exertions will be zealously directed to the securing for the colony an income from sources which shall in no respect interfere with its progressive prosperity, and which shall be adequate, without assistance from the Imperial
1841-1886
227
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS. 365
SIR,
HONG KONG,
No. 44.
Cory of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir John BownING to the Right Honourable H. LABOUCHERE, M.P
(No. 82.)
Government Offices,
Victoria, Hong Kong, May 24, 1856.
(Received August 6, 1856.)
I HAVE now the honour of forwarding to you the Blue Book for the Year 1855, and have no doubt you will share my satisfaction in reviewing the position and the prospects of the colony.
2. I need not refer to the various topics which the Colonial Secretary has made the subject of his interesting and coinprehensive letter, except where some observation scems specially required.
3. The increase of trade in all its branches, though not recorded in custom house statistics, is a matter of notoriety, and evidenced by every indication of prosperity.
4. There is an improvement in the character of the Chinese population. Many of the natives, growing in wealth, have grown in respectability. There is more disposition than there has ever been among a better class of Chinese traders to settle on the island, while many great commercial houses in China, both British and American, have lately marle Hong Kong their central point of establishment. The development of steam navigation, the rapid extension of trading relations with Australia and California, the increase of trade on the coasts of China, the opening of Siam, and the security which the flag of Great Britain offers against piratical attacks, are among the causes which have led to the happy results we are daily witnessing.
5. My exertions will be zealously directed to the securing for the colony an income from sources which shall in no respect interfere with its progressive prosperity, and which shall be adequate, without assistance from the Imperial
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