1887-1903
HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
5
of a scholarship, and the amalgamation with salaries of rent allowances formerly given to some of the masters.
13. The Victoria College, the principal school of the Colony, was opened during 1889. This has proved a very costly building, but it no doubt provides much increased accommodation for scholars as well as for a teaching staff.
14. The Government central school for girls was opened not long since. It is as yet premature to offer an opinion on its future success, but any step towards the better education of females should receive every encouragement. Much good must result in Eastern countries by the proper position of women being felt and recognized, and there is nothing more likely to bring this about in this Colony than a careful training and education of Chinese girls.
15. The principles upon which the grant-in-aid system is worked in Hong Kong give every satisfaction, and it is seldom that any question arises in connexion with the system that cannot be amicably settled.
Population.
16. The estimated population at the close of the year was 194,482, of which only 56,449 were females. The number was less by 21,318 than that estimated at the end of 1888 and less than in any year since 1886.
I entertain doubts whether the population of the Colony has a tendency to increase at the present time. It is, of course, difficult to form any safe opinion on somewhat unimportant fluctuations of a comparative short period, while a mere estimated calculation is necessarily of no great value. The census, however, which will take place next year will be a far more accurate criterion as to what the population really is.
Public Health.
17. It is very gratifying to find, from the report of the Colonial Surgeon, that the general health of the Colony during the year was exceptionally good.
The number of deaths among the European residents was lower than for several years past, while among the Chinese the number was the smallest for the last 16 years.
There was no epidemic and even the influenza which, during the latter portion of the year, attacked with such virulence so many different countries, only appeared here in its ordinary form.
The improved condition of the Colony as regards health is in all probability due to the many measures which have been lately taken to secure a more perfect sanitary system, and a more plentiful supply of wholesome water for the community.
71
1887-1903
HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
5
of a scholarship, and the amalgamation with salaries of rent allowances formerly given to some of the masters.
13. The Victoria College, the principal school of the Colony, was opened during 1889. This has proved a very costly building, but it no doubt provides much increased accommodation for scholars as well as for a teaching staff.
14. The Government central school for girls was opened not long since. It is as yet premature to offer an opinion on its future success, but any step towards the better education of females should receive every encouragement. Much good must result in Eastern countries by the proper position of women being felt and recognized, and there is nothing more likely to bring this about in this Colony than a careful training and education of Chinese girls.
15. The principles upon which the grant-in-aid system is worked in Hong Kong give every satisfaction, and it is seldom that any question arises in connexion with the system that cannot be amicably settled.
Population.
16. The estimated population at the close of the year was 194,482, of which only 56,449 were females. The number was less by 21,318 than that estimated at the end of 1888 and less than in any year since 1886.
I entertain doubts whether the population of the Colony has a tendency to increase at the present time. It is, of course, difficult to form any safe opinion on somewhat unimportant fluctuations of a comparative short period, while a mere estimated calculation is necessarily of no great value. The census, however, which will take place next year will be a far more accurate criterion as to what the population really is.
Public Health.
17. It is very gratifying to find, from the report of the Colonial Surgeon, that the general health of the Colony during the year was exceptionally good.
The number of deaths among the European residents was lower than for several years past, while among the Chinese the number was the smallest for the last 16 years.
There was no epidemic and even the influenza which, during the latter portion of the year, attacked with such virulence so many different countries, only appeared here in its ordinary form.
The improved condition of the Colony as regards health is in- all probability due to the many measures which have been lately taken to secure a more perfect sanitary system, and a more plenti- ful supply of wholesome water for the community.
71
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