1841-1886
75
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS. 149
shall have great satisfaction in reporting that the consuls of other foreign states have applied for leave to act.
In spite of the discouragement afforded by the Supplementary Treaty, the Chinese trade appears to be rather on the increase; and I have the honour to append to this Report a paper by Mr. Gutzlaff on that interesting subject, No. 2.
The total absence of a custom-house, affording the regular, and exact returns connected with such an establishment, while it encourages trade by holding out the advantages of a free port, at the same time renders it impossible to give a very accurate statement of the commerce carried on.
A surprising increase, as well as improvement, has taken place during the last year in the Chinese shops. The Colonial Almanac, of which I have directed two copies to be forwarded, contains a list of 388 retail dealers, in addition to the three government markets.
A principal obstacle to the Chinese commerce of the place is the system of piracy which infests the approaches from the east and west; but measures which are now in progress for checking this (and which shall be reported hereafter), will, I trust, have a tendency to remedy the evil. Any local measures would be useless, previous to the receipt of the Vice-Admiralty commission, which is daily expected by the mail-steamer.
My previous Despatches will have shown that the small quantity of level land available in the colony for agriculture must always restrict this branch of productive industry within narrow bounds; but the few valleys which are to be found will probably be devoted to the growth of market vegetables, rather than rice, which can always be imported by shipping. A better prospect exists for pasture, and endeavours are making to secure an internal supply of bullocks for the use of the Commissariat.
I regret to state (as before observed) that I perceive no immediate prospect of Crown lands. A considerable increase to the present income derived by Government from leases of Crown lands. The additional leases sold during 1845 amount only to about £900 per annum, and raise the whole to something more than £13,000. The available ground about the town of Victoria has been mostly sold; but the future growth of the colony may create a demand for parcels of ground in the neighbourhood.
While it is satisfactory to report that an effectual check has been put to the vast amount of crime prevalent on my first arrival in the colony, the very heavy expense of the police must remain a subject of regret, as long as the peculiar position of this island, within reach of the worst characters from the mainland of China, exposes it to the ingress of a depraved population. Nothing but constant vigilance, and the occasional exhibition of severe examples, will continue to life and property that security which they fortunately enjoy at present. The annual amount of the police-tax, which at present does not produce above £2000 per annum, will, no doubt, increase with the growth of rateable property.
A profitable use of convict labour has been made during the last year in the construction and repair of roads; and I trust that the maintenance of the prisoners will be compensated in this manner. Within the town of Victoria, and its immediate neighbourhood, their services are very available; but much time is lost, and risk of escape incurred, in their employment at considerable distances from the prison.
The extremely defective state of the colonial gaol, which was erected only for temporary use, has been attended with much practical inconvenience; but, with the arrival from England of an authority to construct more suitable prisons, the works have been commenced, and I trust their completion is not very far distant.
The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone,
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. F. DAVIS.
&c.
&c.
&c.
1841-1886
75
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS. 149
shall have great satisfaction in reporting that the consuls of other foreign states have applied for leave to act.
+
*
:。
In spite of the discouragement afforded by the Supplementary Treaty, the Chinese trade appears to be rather on the increase; and I have, the honour to append to this Report a paper by Mr. Gutzlaff on that interesting subject, No. 2.
The total absence of a custom-house, affording the regular, and exact returns connected, with such an establishment, while it encourages trade by holding out the advantages of a free port, at the same time renders it impossible to give a very accurate statement of the commerce carried on.
A surprising increase, as well as improvement, has taken place during the last! year in the Chinese shops. The Colonial Almanac, of which I have directed two copies to be forwarded, contains a list of 388 retail dealers, in addition to the three government markets.
+
1
A principal obstacle to the Chinese commerce of the place, is the system, of: piracy which infests the approaches from the east and...west; but measures which are now in progress for checking this (and which shall be reported here- after), will, I trust, have a tendency to remedy the evil. Any local measures! would be useless, previous to the receipt of the Vice-Admiralty commission, which is daily expected by the mail-steamer."
My previous Despatches will have shown, that the small quantity of level, land available in the colony for agriculture. must always restrict this branch of productive industry within narrow bounds; but the few valleys which are to be found, will probably be devoted to the growth of market vegetables, rather than rice, which can always be imported by shipping. A better prospect exists for pasture, and endeavours are making to secure an internal supply of bullocks for the use of the Commissariat..
I regret to state (as before observed), 'that I perceive no immediate, prospect of Crown lands. a considerable increase to the present income derived by Government from leases of Crown lands. The additional leases sold, during 1845, amount only to about! 900% per annum, and raise the whole to something more than 13,000l. The available ground about the town of Victoria has been mostly sold; but the future, growth of the colony may create a demand for parcels of ground in the neigh-i bourhood.
#1
t
While it is satisfactory to report that an effectual check has been put to the Police. vast amount of crime prevalent on my first arrival in the colony, the very heavy expense of the police must remain a subject of regret, as long as the peculiar position of this island, within reach of the worst characters from the mainland of China, exposes it to the ingress of a depraved population. Nothing but con- stant vigilance, and the occasional exhibition of severe examples, will continue to life and property that security which they fortunately enjoy at present. The annual amount of the police-tax, which at present does not produce above 2000/- per annum, will, no doubt, increase with the growth of rateable property.
4
A profitable use of convict labour has been made during the last year in the construction and repair of roads; and I trust that the maintenance of the pri soners will be compensated in this manner. Within the town of Victoria, and, its immediate neighbourhood, their services are very available; but much time is lost, and risk of escape incurred, in their employment at considerable distances from the prison.
The extremely defective state of the colonial gaol, which was erected only for temporary use, has been attended with much practical inconvenience; but, with the arrival from England of an authority to construct more suitable prisons, the works have been commenced, and I trust their completion is not very far distant.
The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone,
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. F. DAVIS.
&c.
&c.
&c.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.