1841-1886
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PRESENT STATE
Arrear of Rates.
299
14. During the past year the collection of rates has fallen considerably into arrear, and a commission of inquiry was instituted, and a report made.
Official Reports.
15. I would call special attention to the annual reports of the following officers, as from them much information may be collected as to the position of the Colony:
1. The Harbour Master's,
2. The Registrar General's,
3. The Colonial Surgeon's,
4. The Postmaster General's, and
5. The School Inspector's.
Effect on Hong Kong of proposed Railways in China.
12. It may not be out of place to conclude with a matter which will hereafter have intimate connexion with the well-being or otherwise of the Colony, and that is the proposed establishment of railways in China.
17. In the early part of the year I was applied to privately for my views on this subject, which were forwarded to Sir MacDonald Stephenson (the introducer of railways into India), who had visited this Colony for the purpose of informing himself on railway prospects in China. Later in the year I introduced a deputation of the merchants of the Colony to Sir Rutherford Alcock, Her Majesty's minister at Peking, when the project was discussed.
18. I do not see any immediate prospect of the scheme being carried out, but as the question is important in its bearings on the future of Hong Kong, and as it has engaged public attention during the year now past, I may be pardoned for taking this opportunity of putting forward my views upon it.
19. I think benefit instead of harm will result to the Colony by the introduction of railways into China, and in this way: the most central spot of Chinese commerce, i.e., of foreign commerce with China, is Hankow and the valley of the Yangtze. Foreign vessels must come up from the south to reach these marts, and thus have a long coasting voyage say from Hong Kong to Shanghai, 800 miles, and nearly 600 miles from that port to Hankow. All the risk and expense and waste of time involved in such a voyage is saved if a railway be made from Hankow to the south of China, and it is evident that this line, being the most natural and the most feasible, will be the first or one of the first established.
20. The port in the south to which it would probably, from old association, be directed is Canton, and here the very same reason that would suggest a rail from Hankow to Canton would point to its continuation to the magnificent harbour of Hong Kong, only 90 miles distant.
21. Vessels would attain the same object in a smaller degree by getting their cargoes brought from Canton to Hong Kong, and thus saving an 80 miles tow to Whampoa, 12 miles from Canton (for they can get no nearer), as they achieve by the Hankow rail, which saves them the lengthy and hazardous voyage which I have just described.
22. There can be little doubt then that this is the course which railways in China will take, and that their establishment will result in making Hong Kong a greater commercial emporium than it now is, or than its fondest promoters ever conceived.
His Excellency Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell, C.B.,
&c.
&c.
&c.
I have, &c. (Signed)
W. T. MERCER,
Colonial Secretary,
1841-1886
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PRESENT STATE
Arrear of Rates.
299
14. During the past year the collection of rates has fallen considerably into arrear, and a commission of inquiry was instituted, and a report made.
Official Reports.
15. I would call special attention to the annual reports of the following officers, as from them much information may be collected as to the position of the Colony :
1. The Harbour Master's,
2. The Registrar General's,
3. The Colonial Surgeon's,
4. The Postmaster General's, and
5. The School Inspector's.
Effect on Hong Kong of proposed Railways in China.
12. It may not be out of place to conclude with a matter which will hereafter have intimate con- nexion with the well-being or otherwise of the Colony, and that is the proposed establishment of railways in China.
17. In the early part of the year I was applied to privately for my views on this subject, which were forwarded to Sir MacDonald Stephenson (the introducer of railways into India), who had visited this Colony for the purpose of informing himself on railway prospects in China. Later in the year I intro- duced a deputation of the merchants of the Colony to Sir Rutherford Alcock, Her Majesty's minister at Peking, when the project was discussed.
18. I do not see any immediate prospect of the scheme being carried out, but as the question is important in its bearings on the future of Hong Kong, and as it has engaged public attention during the year now past, I may be pardoned for taking this opportunity of putting forward my views upon it.
19. I think benefit instead of harm will result to the Colony by the introduction of railways into China, and in this way: the most central spot of Chinese commerce, ie, of foreign commerce with China, is Hankow and the valley of the Yangtze. Foreign vessels must come up from the south to reach these marts, and thus have a long coasting voyage say from Hong Kong to Shanghai, 800 miles, and nearly 600 miles from that port to Hankow. All the risk and expense and waste of time involved in such a voyage is saved if a railway be made from Hankow to the south of China, and it is evident that this line, being the most natural and the most feasible, will be the first or one of the first established.
20. The port in the south to which it would probably, from old association, be directed is Canton, and here the very same reason that would suggest a rail from Hankow to Canton would point to its continuation to the magnificent barbour of Hong Kong, only 90 miles distant.
21. Vessels would attain the same object in a smaller degree by getting their cargoes brought from Canton to Hong Kong, and thus saving an 80 miles tow to Whampoa, 12 miles from Canton (for they can get no nearer), as they achieve by the Hankow rail, which saves them the lengthy and hazardous voyage which I have just described.
22. There can be little doubt then that this is the course which railways in China will take, and that their establishment will result in making Hong Kong a greater commercial emporium than it now is, or than its fondest promoters ever conceived.
His Excellency Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell, C.B.,
&c.
&c.
&c.
I have, &c. (Signed)
W. T. MERCER,
Colonial Secretary,
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