Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PAST AND PRESENT
No. 6 of 1863 for controlling Chair Bearers; this Ordinance has worked well and been admitted to be a great boon to the public.
The Ordinance against fraudulent trade marks may also be noted.
Government Notifications.
8. Several useful notifications on local points have appeared from time to time in the Government Gazette, but I am not aware that any require special notice here.
Gaols.
9. The gaol in Victoria was finished in this year and occupied; a new superintendent arrived from home, and a great improvement was visible in the gaol discipline and management.
The drafting off of a large number (280) of long-sentence men from Victoria Gaol to the convict hulk at Stonecutters' Island assisted this amelioration of the former establishment; but the movement was one that caused much anxiety to the Government, not only from the isolated position of the new prison and the uncertainty of a military guard or naval gunboat being furnished, but from the extreme difficulty of getting trustworthy and careful gaol officers.
To obtain experienced men on the spot was out of the question; but, on application to the Home Government, an expert superintendent has since been appointed.
After a very short time the military guard was withdrawn, and some time after the gunboat. The police strength was then as far as possible increased, and but one attack has hitherto been attempted. The only casualty up to the end of the year being the loss by drowning of 38 of the convicts, owing to their upsetting a boat in their eagerness to seek shelter on board the hulk.
Since then the original intention of the Government to moor the hulk alongside a shore pier instead of anchoring it at a distance off has been carried into effect, and prevented a repetition of such accidents.
Waterworks.
10. Towards the conclusion of the year the waterworks were reported so far completed as to warrant the levy of the rate under Ordinance No. 12 of 1860. They have cost considerably more than was originally anticipated, but the insufficiency of the estimate was recognized in the original ordinance.
The works have been efficiently constructed and are a great benefit to this populous city, but they will require large extension, as it is found impossible to afford a supply to that part of Victoria lying to the farther east.
Gas.
11. I alluded in my last year's report to the subject of gas, and am glad to say that during 1863 the matter was further ventilated, and has now been advanced nearly to completion.
Population.
12. The population seems to increase in an equable ratio with the place itself, and shows a small advance on last year's return, the numbers being 123,511 for 1862, and 124,850 for 1863.
Shipping.
13. The harbour master's returns show a considerable increase on the shipping arrived in the port, as thus:-
1861, 1,259 vessels of 658,196 tonnage. 1862, 1,390 688,829 1863, 1,822 894,924Emigration.
14. There is a slight falling off in Chinese emigrants, the number being 7,809, and nearly an equal number returned from foreign countries during the year.
Military Stores Proclamation.
15. In the month of February, by direction of Her Majesty's Government, a proclamation was issued forbidding the export of military stores, with a view to prevent
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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PAST AND PRESENT
No. 6 of 1863 for controlling Chair Bearers; this Ordinance has worked well and been admitted to be a great boon to the public.
The Ordinance against fraudulent trade marks may also be noted.
Government Notifications.
S. Several useful notifications on local points have appeared from time to time in the Government Gazette, but I am not aware that any require special notice here.
Gaols.
9. The gaol in Victoria was finished in this year and occupied; a new superintendent arrived from home, and a great improvement was visible in the gaol discipline and management..
The drafting off of a large number (280) of long-sentence men from Victoria Gaol to the convict hulk at Stonecutters' Island assisted this amelioration of the former esta- blishment; but the movement was one that caused much anxiety to the Government, not only from the isolated position of the new prison and the uncertainty of a military guard or naval gunboat being furnished, but from the extreme difficulty of getting trustworthy and careful gaol officers.
To obtain experienced men on the spot was out of the question; but, on application to the Home Government, an expert superintendent has since been appointed.
After a very short time the military guard was withdrawn, and some time after the gunboat. The police strength was then as far as. possible increased, and but one attack has hitherto been attempted. The only casualty up to the end of the year being the loss by drowning of 38 of the convicts, owing to their upsetting a boat in their eagerness to seek shelter on board the hulk.
Since then the original intention of the Government to moor the hulk alongside a shore pier instead of anchoring it at a distance off has been carried into effect, and prevented a repetition of such accidents.
Waterworks.
10. Towards the conclusion of the year the waterworks were reported so far com- pleted as to warrant the levy of the rate under Ordinance No. 12 of 1860. They have cost considerable more than was originally anticipated, but the insufficiency of the estimate was recognized in the original ordinance.
The works have been efficiently constructed and are a great benefit to this populous city, but they will require large extension, as it is found impossible to afford à supply to that part of Victoria lying to the farther east.
Gas.
11. I alluded in my last year's report to the subject of gas, and am glad to say that during 1863 the matter was further ventilated, and has now been advanced nearly to completion.
Population.
12. The population seems to increase in an equable ratio with the place itself, and shows a small advance on last year's return, the numbers being 123,511 for 1862, and 124,850 for 1863.
Shipping.
13. The harbour master's returns show a considerable increase on the shipping arrived ia the port, as thus:-
1861, 1,259 vessels of 658,196 tonnage.
1862, 1,390
*
1863, 1,822
姿势
688,829 894,924
"
Emigration.
14. There is a slight falling off in Chinese emigrants, the number being 7,809, and nearly an equal number returned from foreign countries during the year.
Military Stores Proclamation.
15. In the month of February, by direction of Her Majesty's Government, a proclamation was issued forbidding the export of military stores, with a view to prevent
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