1841-1886
OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
Emigration.
333
17
18. From the Harbour Master's Report the number of emigrants would appear to have greatly increased in 1869, being indeed in excess by 9,408 of the preceding year; but it must be clearly understood that the emigration is not from the Colony, and that it is simply owing to the rapidity and comfort of the vessels of the Pacific Steamship Company that Hong Kong is now being made the entrepôt of passenger traffic between China and the United States of America.
Two vessels were despatched to Surinam in the early part of 1869, and one was on the point of departure at the close of the year. With them, unless resumed for British Colonies, the system of emigration under contract through Hong Kong has been terminated.
Imports, Exports, and Shipping.
9. The port being free, no reliable information can be obtained in reference to imports and exports. That the trade of the Colony has, however, greatly increased is clear from the excess over 1868 of 45 British ships, measuring 41,615 tons, and of 135 foreign vessels (exclusive of Chinese), measuring 95,230 tons.
This large increase of shipping is apparently owing to extended traffic between the Colony, Australia, the United States, the Philippine Islands, and Japan, as trade to and from British India is much the same as in the preceding year.
Of the daily average of 107 vessels in port throughout the year, 18 per cent. were vessels propelled by steam; and although recent events may falsify the anticipations assumed by the Harbour Master at the beginning of the year, that the tonnage of 1870 would exceed that of any other year since the existence of the Colony, still the successful opening of the Suez Canal, the doubling of the number of steamers of the Messageries Impériales and Pacific Mail Company, and the formation of two additional local steam companies, leave little doubt of the undiminished importance of the Colony in connection with the trade of China and Japan.
Grants of Land.
10. The grants of land during the year have been trifling, viz. six lots at a yearly rental of £280, and one farm lot of six acres at Kowloon, at a rental of £17 0s. 10d. The outlay of nearly $200,000 in this last-mentioned locality, with but little advantage as yet attained, cannot be otherwise than a source of some disappointment; but the establishment of the Union Dock, and the increased activity resulting from its connection with the Aberdeen and Whampoa Dock Company, gives some hope that Kowloon may yet become of some monetary value.
Gaols and Prisoners.
11. The number of prisoners committed to gaol for different crimes has been steadily reduced from 6,246 in 1865 to 3,059 in 1869, and the total number of prisoners convicted at the Supreme Court has decreased during the same period from 200 to 75.
There is very little doubt that to the system of deportation, as carried out by Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell, latter results are greatly owing; and I am satisfied that any relaxation will again make the increase as marked as was the decrease.
The gaol of Victoria is in a perfect state of repair, and reflects the greatest credit on the Superintendent, Mr. Douglas, for its discipline and general management.
Hospital.
12. It is much to be regretted that a similar Report cannot be given of the Civil Hospital, and of the arrangements made therein for the treatment of the many Europeans who are driven by a trying climate to claim medical relief. Many have been the adverse representations made by the Colonial Surgeon, and as frequent the consideration by the Government of plans for the erection of a new hospital, or for improvement of the old one; but want of funds, coupled with a desire to defer outlay until the plans could be carried out in a manner which would be creditable to the Colony, have interposed.
Major-General Whitfield,
&c. &c. &c.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary.
:
1841-1886
OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
Emigration.
333
17
18. From the Harbour Master's Report the number of emigrants would appear to have greatly increased in 1869, being indeed in excess by 9,408 of the preceding year; but it must be clearly understood that the emigration is not from the Colony, and that it is simply owing to the rapidity and comfort of the vessels of the Pacific Steamship Company that Hong Kong is now being made the entrepôt of passenger traffic between China and the United States of America.
Two vessels were despatched to Surinam in the carly part of 1869, and one was on the point of departure at the close of the year. With them, unless resumed for British Colonies, the system of emigration under contract through Hong Kong has been terminated.
call and dabei
Imports, Exports, and Shipping.
9. The port being free, no reliable information can be obtained in reference to imports and exports....That the trade of the Colony has, however, greatly increased is clear from the excess:over: 1868 of 45 British ships, measuring 41,615 tons, and of 135 foreign vessels (exclusive of Chinese), measuring 95,230 tons.
This large, increase of shipping is apparently owing to extended traffic between the Colony, Australia, the United States, the Philippine Islands, and Japan, as trade to and from British India is much the same as in the preceding year..
а
Of the daily average of 107 vessels in port throughout the year, 18 per cent. were vessels propelled.by steam; and although recent events may falsify the anticipations assumed by iho Harbour Master at the beginning of the year, that the tonnage of 1870 would excced that of any other. year since the existence of the Colony, still the successful opening, of the Suez Canal, the doubling of the number of steamers of the Messageries Impériales and Pacific Mail Company, and the formation of two additional local steam companies, leave little doubt of the undiminished importance of the Colony in connection with the trade of China and Japan.
I se wit and
Grants of Land.
10. The grants of land during the year have been trifling, viz. six lots at a yearly rental of 2801., and one farm lot of six acres at Kowloon, at a rental of 17. Os. 10d. The outlay of nearly $200,000 in this last-mentioned locality, with but little advantage as yet attained, cannot be otherwise than a source of some disappointment; but the establishment of the Union Dock, and the increased activity resulting from its connection with the Aberdeen and Whampoa Dock Company, gives some hope that Kowloon may yet become of some monetary value..
Gaols and Prisoners.
11. The number of prisoners committed to gaol for different crimes has been steadily reduced from 6,246 in 1865 to 3,059 in 1869, and the total number of prisoners convicted at the Supreme Court has decreased during the same period from 200 to 75.
There is very little doubt that to the system of deportation, as carried out by Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell, latter results are greatly owing; and I am satisfied that any relaxa- tion will again make the increase as marked as was the decrease.
The gaol of Victoria is in a perfect state of repair, and reflects the greatest credit on the Superintendent, Mr. Douglas, for its discipline and general management.
£
Hospital.
12. It is much to be regretted that a similar Report cannot be given of the Civil Hospital, and of the arrangements made therein for the treatment of the many Europeans who are driven by a trying climate to claim medical relief. Many have been the adverse represen- tations made by the Colonial Surgeon, and as frequent the consideration by the Govern- ment of plans for the erection of a new hospital, or for improvement of the old one; but want of funds, coupled with a desire to defer outlay until the plans could be carried out in a manner which would be creditable to the Colony, have interposed.
Major-General Whitfield,.
&c. &c. &c.
#
I have, &c., (Signed)
*
J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary.
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