Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS.--ANNUAL.
Europeans generally enjoyed immunity from the disease, the difference is striking as pointing to the non-susceptibility of Western blood to the plague-germ in its most virulent form.
The above rough outline of the history of the plague epidemic of 1894 would be incomplete without an expression of the indebtedness of the Colony to the officers and men of the army and navy who volunteered their valuable and timely assistance, to the executive committee of the Sanitary Board, to the police, to the civilian volunteers, and lastly but not least to the Medical Staff. The most prominent individual claims on the gratitude of the Colony have already been brought to the notice of the Imperial Government and have received public recognition from the community, and it therefore only remains to add a tribute of praise to all who took an active part in battling with the disease, and to the community generally for the coolness and patience displayed in the face of what at one time threatened to be a very grave public danger.
Effect of the Plague on Trade, &c.
The effects of the epidemic on the trade and general prosperity of the Colony can more easily be imagined than described here. From the 11th May to the 3rd September Hong Kong was under a ban, and, in illustration of the state of affairs which obtained during that melancholy period, I cannot do better than quote the following extract from my despatch of the 20th June 1894*:
29. As to the effect of the plague it is felt in every branch of business, and the loss to the public revenue, to bankers, merchants, shipping companies, the sugar refining industry, traders, shop-keepers, owners of property and the labouring classes never be accurately determined. On the whole, perhaps, the shipping interests are the most affected. At this season the emigrants to the Straits Settlements have hitherto been counted by thousands per month, and the movements of passengers up and down the Chinese Coast, to and from Kwangtung and through Hong Kong usually amount to vast numbers. Pacific mail steamers leaving for Vancouver, Honolulu and San Francisco refuse to take Chinese passengers. The English, French, and German mails refuse to take native passengers, and the two latter decline cargo also, or even to enter the limits of the harbour. Irregular liners avoid calling at the port altogether.
30. Considering the great importance of Hong Kong as a shipping port, it is only possible to conjecture what is lost by quarantine regulations against her in every direction which drive away vessels from her harbour, and deprive all, down to the humblest labourer, of their proportion of gain from the coaling, victualling, loading and discharging of the immense fleet which ordinarily frequents these waters.
31. Chinese hong merchants have retired to the mainland, leaving their premises to caretakers and their commercial engage-
* No. 2 in C. [7545].
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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS.--ANNUAL.
Europeans generally enjoyed immunity from the disease, the difference is striking as pointing to the non-susceptibility of Western blood to the plague-germ in its most virulent form.
The above rough outline of the history of the plague epidemic of 1894 would be incomplete without an expression of the indebtelness of the Colony to the officers and men of the army and navy who volunteered their valuable and timely assistance, to the executive committee of the Sanitary Board, to the police, to the civilian volunteers, and lastly but not least to the Medical Staff. The most prominent individual claims on the gratitude of the Colony have already been brought to the notice of the Imperial Government and have received public recognition from the community, and it therefore only remains to add a tribute of praise to all who took an active part in battling with the disease, and to the community generally for the coolness and patience displayed in the face of what at one time threatened to be a very grave public danger.
Effect of the Plague on Trade, &c.
The effects of the epidemic on the trade and general prosperity of the Colony can more easily be imagined than described here. From the 11th May to the 3rd September Hong Kong was under a ban, and, in illustration of the state of affairs which obtained during that melancholy period, I cannot do better than quote the following extract from my despatch of the 20th June 1894*:
29. As to the effect of the plague it is felt in every branch of business, and the loss to the public revenue, to bankers, merchants, shipping companies, the sugar refining industry, traders, shop- keepers, owners of property and the labouring classes never be accurately determined. On the whole, perhaps, the shipping interests are the most affected. At this season the emigrants to the Straits Settlements have hitherto been counted by thousands per month, and the movements of passengers up and down the Chinese Coast, to and from Kwangtung and through Hong Kong usually amount to vast numbers. Pacific mail steamers leaving for Vancouver, Honolulu and San Francisco refuse to take Chinese passengers. The English, French, and German mails refuse to take native passengers, and the two latter decline cargo also, or even to enter the limits of the harbour. Irregular liners avoid calling at the port altogether.
30. Considering the great importance of Hong Kong as a shipping port, it is only possible to conjecture what is lost by quarantine regulations against her in every direction which drive away vessels from her harbour, and deprive all, down to the humblest labourer, of their proportion of gain from the coaling, victualling, loading and discharging of the immense fieet which ordinarily frequents these waters.
"31. Chinese hong merchants have retired to the mainland. leaving their premises to caretakers and their commercial engage-
* No. 2 in C. [7545].
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