246
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
I
to his report, that 1857 was a more than average unhealthy year, in consequence, believe, of the failure of the usual amount of rain, but still, on the whole, there is every reason to believe that the colony is gradually improving in salubrity, however bad may be the character that it bears in this respect at home.
7. Imports and Exports.
I have deviated from the usual custom of adding to the Blue Book tables of the supposed imports and exports, because, after a careful investigation, I am convinced no reliance can be placed on such returns in this colony. We have no custom-house machinery here of any description whatsoever, and no means of ascertaining whether the lists furnished by captains of ships are true or false. Such being the case, I think it preferable, in a document of so much importance as the Blue Book, to avoid anything which may possibly mislead, and will merely add that there is every reason to believe far larger trade operations have taken place within the colony in 1857 than in any preceding year.
8. Education.
It is with the utmost pleasure that I can at last say that the Government education of Chinese children throughout this colony shows signs of healthy vitality. It must have been a painful subject in former years to notice how little was done in this respect; but now that the services of Mr. Lobscheid have been permanently secured, to superintend the whole system, I believe that a new era has commenced. Your Excellency is aware of my having personally visited all these schools throughout the island, and that inspection has satisfied me that if a prudent liberality in the employment of competent native teachers is persevered in the rising generation of our Chinese fellow subjects will not be such aliens to us in feelings and habits as the great bulk of our population is at present. It is only through the native schools that this very desirable change can be introduced; and I would hope that the expenditure on their account in future years will be on a somewhat larger scale than has hitherto been the case. With an aggregate amount of 7,586 children of the land population, to say nothing of 6,560 belonging to the boats, a daily attendance of less than 500 is hardly a result to be alluded to with satisfaction, after we have held this island for 15 years; but I am afraid that I must remark that there is not at present accommodation for more, and that until proper schoolrooms are erected at the public expense this number can hardly be increased. The committee refer to the report of Mr. Lobscheid, as being appended to their own. The Bishop has gone on a visit to the ports, without returning such report, and I am therefore unable to lay it before your Excellency on this occasion.
Having thus brought to the notice of your Excellency all the more salient points bearing on the Blue Book, I am almost afraid that I have exceeded the limits of an official report of this nature, but if I have done so I trust your Excellency will pardon me, and attribute my error to the very great interest I take in the colony.
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246
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
I
to his report, that 1857 was a more than average unhealthy year, in consequence, believe, of the failure of the usual amount of rain, but still, on the whole, there is every reason to believe that the colony is gradually improving in salubrity, however bad may be the character that it bears in this respect at home.
7. Imports and Exports.
I have deviated from the usual custom of adding to the Blue Book tables of the supposed imports and exports, because, after a careful investigation, I am convinced no reliance can be placed on such returns in this colony. We have no custom-house machinery here of any description whatsoever, and no means of ascertaining whether the lists furnished by captains of ships are true or false. Such being the case, I think it preferable, in a document of so much importance as the Blue Book, to avoid anything which may possibly mislead, and will merely add that there is every reason to believe far larger trade operations have taken place within the colony in 1857 than in any preceding year.
8. Education.
It is with the utmost pleasure that I can at last say that the Government education of Chinese children throughout this colony shows signs of healthy vitality. It must have been a painful subject in former years to notice how little was done in this respect; but now that the services of Mr. Lobscheid have been permanently secured, to superintend the whole system, I believe that a new era has commenced. Your Excellency is aware of my having personally visited all these schools throughout the island, and that inspection has satisfied me that if a prudent liberality in the employment of competent native teachers is persevered in the rising generation of our Chinese fellow subjects will not be such aliens to us in feelings and habits as the great bulk of our population is at present. It is only through the native schools that this very desirable change can be introduced; and I would hope that the expenditure on their account in future years will be on a somewhat larger scale than has hitherto been the case. With an aggregate amount of 7,586 children of the land population, to say nothing of 6,560 belonging to the boats, a daily attendance of less than 500 is hardly a result to be alluded to with satisfaction, after we have held this island for 15 years; but I am afraid that I must remark that there is not at present accommodation for more, and that until proper schoolrooms are erected at the public expense this number can hardly be increased. The committee refer to the report of Mr. Lobscheid, as being appended to their own. The Bishop has gone on a visit to the ports, without returning such report, and I am therefore unable to lay it before your Excellency on this occasion.
Having thus brought to the notice of your Excellency all the more salient points bearing on the Blue Book, I am almost afraid that I have exceeded the limits of an official report of this nature, but if I have done so I trust your Excellency will pardon me, and attribute my error to the very great interest I take in the colony.
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