1841-1886
339
# OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
23
peculs. The abundant harvest, however, of 1868 will account in a great measure for the falling off in so important an article of trade.
In sugar it is estimated that the native trade did not exceed 150,000 bags, thus showing considerable decrease compared with previous years.
That sold from the refinery at East Point is not, I learn, much consumed by the Chinese here, as it is dearer than the other sugar, and does not possess, in their opinion, the same amount of sweetness.
It may be interesting to note that of live stock (the majority of which comes from Tam-Shui, in a neighbouring district) about 30,000 pigs, 9,000 bullocks, and 3,240 sheep have been slaughtered in the eastern and western slaughter houses for the use of the Community and shipping.
In the markets there has been an increasing improvement in the meat and vegetables therein sold, and both are slightly cheaper. Indeed as regards the latter they frequently compare well with those grown in the numerous private gardens in the Colony.
The dealers, however, complain of a depression in this trade and report sales amounting only to $146,000 against $165,000 in the previous year. Still the revenue derived by Government from the various lettings in the markets being in 1869 $31,941-08 against $32,131-18, showing a decrease of $190-10, exhibits the fact that in the different kinds of business a thriving state continues.
The trade in salt fish remained on the decrease, as had been the case since the establishment of the cordon of revenue stations in our neighbourhood. Ping-chow and Tam-Tsai opposite Macao, have apparently reaped the benefit of the falling off of the trade here, but I am glad to report, that this year has opened with a great improvement, and the dealers in this important trade are anticipating better times than the last three years have produced.
A large business has been done in prepared opium, the exports to Australia and California, reaching an aggregate of about 2,562,000 taels in weight. The value of this opium is 5 mace and 5 candareens of silver per tael, so that the value of the amount exported was $1,950,000. In Hong Kong about 648,000 taels weight was purchased.
The rent of Chinese houses has fallen about 25 per cent. There was very little building during the year, and there are about 250 houses in some of the principal streets alone empty and unoccupied.
In the few buildings, however, both in the foreign and native districts, which have been erected or restored, attention has been paid to a recognized system, which has a decided tendency towards utility as well as appearance.
In conclusion I may refer to the Ordinances which are peculiarly connected with this department. The Registration Ordinance still works satisfactorily, and under it 663 householders have been registered, while the re-registration or removals amounted to 169, thus showing the changeable nature of the native population in the Colony. Regarding the registration of servants, matters remain almost in statu quo, owing to the lack of co-operation on the part of employers.
The special watchmen complain that they are not as successful as formerly, owing to the manifest decrease in crime cases of any note in the police courts. They have been engaged in forty-eight cases.
The Contagious Diseases Ordinance, 1867, well serves the aim and object of Government in passing such a measure; what is now most wanted is the building of a suitable and commodious hospital. The control of the registered houses is good, and it is believed that but few breaches of the Ordinance are committed. It is noteworthy how the feeling at home is changing on this subject, and how rapidly the opinion of the necessity of extending the powers of the Act (on which the Ordinance is founded) is gaining ground. There is not, I believe, any general feeling in Hong Kong, amongst those who interest themselves in public affairs, against the working of such a legislative measure here, but I may add that the magisterial functions exercised and the method of procedure which is clearly defined by the Ordinance, are based entirely on the provisions of the Imperial Act.
During the year sixty-one cases were heard in this Office, of which nine were dismissed, convictions being obtained in the remaining number. The amount of fines paid was $329.
The Honourable J. Gardiner Austin,
Colonial Secretary.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) CECIL C. SMITH,
Registrar General.
1841-1886
339
OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
23
peculs. The abundant harvest, however, of 1868 will account in a great measure for the alling off in so important an article of trade.
In sugar it is estimated that the native trade did not exceed 150,000 bags, thus showing considerable decrease compared with previous years.
That sold from the refinery at East Point is not, I learn, much consumed by the Chinese hero, as it is dearer than the other sugar, and does not possess, in their opinion, the same amount of sweetness.
It may be interesting to note that of live stock (the majority of which comes from Tam-Shui, in a neighbouring district) about 30,000 pigs, 9,000 bullocks, and 3,240 sheep have been slaughtered in the eastern and western slaughter houses for the use of the Community and shipping.
聾
In the markets there has been an increasing improvement in the meat and vegetables therein sold, and both are slightly cheaper. Indeed as regards the latter they frequently compare well with those grown in the numerous private gardens in the Colony.
The dealers, however, complain of a depression in this trade and report sales amounting only to $146,000 against $165,000 in the previous year. Still the revenue derived by Government from the various lettings in the markets being in 1869 $31,941-08 ́against $32,131-18, showing a decrease of $190-10, exhibits the fact that in the different kinds of business a thriving state' continues.
The trade in salt fish remained on the decrease, as had been the case since the establish- ment of the cordon of revenue stations in our neighbourhood. Ping-chow and Tam-Tsai opposite Macao, have apparently reaped the benefit of the falling off of the trade here, but I am glad to report, that this year has opened with a great improvement, and the dealers in, this important trade are anticipating better times than the last three years have produced. produced!
A large business has been done in prepared opium, the exports to Australia and California, reaching an aggregate of about 2,562,000 tacls in weight. The value of this opium is 5 mace and 5 candareens of silver per tacl, so that the value of the amount exported was $1,950,000. In Hong Kong about 648,000 tacls weight was purchased.
The rent of Chinese houses has fallen about 25 per cent. There was very little building during the year, and there are about 250 houses in some of the principal streets alone empty and unoccupied.
:
In the few buildings, however, both in the foreign and native districts, which have been erected or restored, attention has been paid to a recognized system, which has a decided tendency towards utility as well as appearance...
In conclusion I may refer to the Ordinances which are peculiarly connected with this department. The Registration Ordinance still works satisfactorily, and under it 663 house- holders have been registered, while the re-registration or removals amounted to 169, thus showing the changeable nature of the native population in the Colony. Regarding the registration of servants, matters remain almost in statu quo, owing to the lack of co-operation on the part of employers.
The special watchmen, complain that they are formerly, owing to the manifest decrease in crime. cases of any note in the police courts..
unable to display the same success as They have been engaged in forty-eight
The Contagious Diseases Ordinance, 1867, well serves the aim and object of Government in passing such a measure; what is now most wanted is the building of a suitable and commodious hospital. The control of the registered houses is good, and it is believed that but few breaches of the Ordinance are committed. It is noteworthy how the feeling at home is changing on this subject, and how rapidly the opinion of the necessity of extending the powers of the Act (on which, the Ordinance is founded) is gaining ground. There is not, I believe, any general feeling in Hong Kong, amongst those who interest themselves in public affairs, against the working of such a legislative measure here, but I may add that the magisterial functions exercised and the method of procedure which is clearly defined by the Ordinance, are based entirely on the provisions of the Imperial Act.
During the year sixty-one cases were heard in this Office, of which nine were dismissed, convictions being obtained in the remaining number. The amount of fines paid was $329.
The Honourable J. Gardiner Austin,
Colonial Secretary.
I have, &c., (Signed)
CECIL C. SMITH,
Registrar General.
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