1867 — Page 167

PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE

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Reference

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OLION-ALIVYOJOEM THOMAJOJ

BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHBG-| ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE

PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE. LONDON

follow a career of piracy ; but the_Returns accompanying this Report prove how erroneous and groundless those fears and doubts were. I trust it may not be considered out of place to give a slight description of the measures adopted with a view to impressing on the Chinese mind that the new order of things was not opposed to the freedom of trade, bui was intended to ensure it a greater saonat of protection than it had hitherto enjoyed.

6. By the 1st of January. 1867, the day on which the Ordinance was proclaimed to take effect, the Junks with but few exceptions bad left the harbors of Victoria, Sowkewan, Stanley and Aberdeen. Those which remained were immediately moved into their proper anchorages and their Masters were informed that they could not proceed to sea without previously obtaining Port Clearances. Only a few vessels bringing a small quantity of fuel and provisions for the markets, and some boats to load granite arrived during the first few days. This reduction in the supplies soon showed itself in the increased price of all articles required for immediate consumption, but the Chinese in their calculations for starving the Government into a repeal of the new Law, if such ever was their idea, son saw that the Colony was not depending on their Junks for its ordinary supply of food, as the steamers of the Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steam-boat Company were able to bring large quantities, and if it had become necessary, doubtless other European vessels would have been ready to assist. However, the natives could not afford to leave their vessels idle and soon began to make enquiries as to what real injury (if any) was likely to happen to them if they resumed their trade. As each owner came forward for information, the object of the Law was cure- fully and patiently explained to them. From their books of surprise on finding the real nature of the Law, it was evident their minds had been filled with stories totally at variance with the object and intention of the Government. Their objections soon resolved themselves into two only. The first was the too frequent reporting at this Office by those Vessels whose business led them into Port five or six times a month, and the second objection was the laring to find security before a License could be issued. The first objection was met by granting the Licensee a monthly Special Permit exempting him from reporting in person more frequently than was necessary to change his Permit, and the second objection was wet by adapting the amounts of the bonds to the importance and nature of the trade of the Vessels desirous of obtaining Licenses. In the meanwhile the Officers of the Department were actively engaged atfout here and at the Outstations to see that no breach of the Law took place. By these means and by a careful exercise of the powers invested in the Magistrates in the cases of offenders, the Lax and its object soon became extensively circulated amongst the natives, and applicants rapidly came forward for Licenses, and that part of the Harbor and the line of the Praya frequented by Junks soon became as full and active as ever. There are now 364 Licensed trading Junks, measuring in the gimmerute 27524 tons manned by 3,940 Chinese; but in addition to this, a far larger number of other Junks trade to this Colony, obtaining the necessary Anchorage and Clearance Documents on each visit. 7. During the Year the total number of Chinese Vessels entered inwards "engaged in Foreign traile was 20,787, measuring 1,367,712 tons with crews consisting of 251,897 men, and there were entered outwarde 20,443 vessels with 1,353,700 tons, and crews of 278,725 men. These Vessels trade with 37 Ports West and South of Hongkong, and with 33 Ports to the East and North of Hongkong. Their cargoes consist of Opium, Rice, Cotton, British and Foreign Manufactures, Earthen- ware, Granite, Lime, Peas, Salt Fish, &c., besides bringing Firewood, Cattle, Poultry, Fruit and Vegetables, &c., for the subsistence of a resident population of 117,471 sɔuls,

8. The owners of the numerous Fishing Boats in the vicinity of the Colony also hesitated for some time before they could be induced to return to the Ports of the Island and sent their fish to the markets by means of small boats, but they soon found that to be a slow and unprofitable process. The several Inspectors at Victoria and at the Outstations were directed to visit the Fishing Junks in their neighbourhood to explain to their owners the object of the Law. These boats eventually returned and there are now 1,111 of them licensed, with a carrying capacity equal to 43,833 tons and crews composing of 6,130 mea.

9. The before mentioned Junks (with the exception of the Fishing ones), are those connected with the Foreign Trade only, (ie. ther trade to places outside of Hongking and its Dependencies) but there is a daily trafic between Victoria and the various Villages of the Colony by Junks conveying Passengers and supplies. These amount to 10,774 Vessel, 319,203 tons and 13,483 crews cntered and 109,-32 Vessels, 321,3 tons and 43,047′ crews cleared during the Year under review; consequently the Foreign and local trade of this Colony in Junks alone (except those engaged in Fishing) amount to 31,561 Vessels, 1,656,910 tons and 325,350 men entered; and 31,275 Vessels, 1,675,563 tons and 322,372 men cleared, or a grand total of 62,835 Vessels, 3,302,473 tons and $47,752 Chinese seamen.

10. The introduction of the Harbor and Coasts Ordinance has led to a large increase to the Staff and to the labor of this Department.

11. As each of the 31,561 Junks arrived in the varions Ports of Hongkong in 1867, she was boarded and a full description of her Guns, Arms, Ammunition, &c., was taken and a record kept of them. In addition to this the greater por tion of the 1,444 Fishing Junks which are licensed eume in or lease the Ports almost daily during the winter months. At Stanley I have seen as loany as 300 of these boats arrive in the evening and all leave the following morning. Of course it is impossible to visit the whole of them in so short a time, but as many as can be, are boarded and as the Vessels are taken indiscriminately the check on any misconduct should be complete. "A full description of all licensed native craft is kept on record, and they are so frequently boarded, that the Officers are able to see that no change takes place in their respective fittings

12. Besides the afbat work there have been 3,713 documents issued in the various Offices.

13. I am glad to be able to report that the fees collected have been found sufficient to cover the expenses of the Ordinance.

14. Fifty-one trials have taken place under this Ordinance, but in very rare instances was it proved that the charges preferred were otherwise than the result of ignorance of the Law.

15. The Outstations have been frequently visited by the Assistant Harbor Master and myself in the Colonial Tender and other means of converance. The former has answered her purpose as well as could be expected, but being a Jank her A resse! movements are slow and it is at times incnavenient to be away from the Harbor of Victoria for any length of time, with steam power would enable the Department to perforia the duties required by the Ordinance with greater expedition and the visits to the creeks and bays round the Island would be more frequent and consequently of more value as a help in the work of checking piracy.

16. From the following list it may be fairly presumed that the effect of this Ordinance has been to produce as good results as its warmest supporters could have hopel, for it will be observed that while piracy has sensibly decreased, attacks on European vessels have entirely ceased, but it will be difficult to ensure the complete suppression of Piracy until either s tutal disarmament of all native vessels shall be assented to, or the whole Coast of China shall be blockaded by men-of-war.

17. Statement of Piracies committed in the vicinity of lungkung during the following Years :--

Year.

1804

1865

1806

1867

Junks uttitched. European Vessels attacked, Totul.

30

2

38

61

4

55

31

16

47

Nil

29

142

169

18. There can also be little doubt that the result of the new Law has been to keep many evil disposed persons ont of Hongkong. Formerly there was gooil reason to suppose that Piratical vessels were fitted out in this Harbor. Free traile amongst Junks had become free License and these piratical pests of our waters had unmolested ingress and egress at all hours of the day or night. Under the existing system the certainty of being boarded on arrival and the uncertainty as to the number of times the Junks are likely to be visited whilst lying here, check the operations of any Chinese who may be meditating aggressive measures on Vessels at sea.

19. In concluding that part of my Report which has reference to the Arrivals and Departures of Vessels, I insert a statement of all vessels Foreign and Native (exclusive of Fishing Junks) that have entered and left the Ports of the Colony during the Year of which this Report treats.

No. of Vessels.

Arrived Departed

Grand Total.......

31,007 393,708

67,715

or, including Sundays, 185.5 Vessels enter and leave these waters daily.

Tone.

Crews.

2,881,736

466,093

2,857,057

462,083

5,738,793

929,076

20. Besides the cargoes brought by the above mentioned Vessels they have also brought 420,079 Chinese Passengers to Victoria, and a somewhat less number have left by the same means. This would make it appear that the population of Hongkong has not increased to any great extent. But the Arrivals and Departures of Chinese included in this 'Report must not be taken as affecting the resident population, as many Passengers daily arrive in the Colony by means of the small pulling boats and of whom no register can be kept by this Department.

EMIGRATION.

21. Emigration from Hongkong has sensibly decreased, there having been but 4,129 souls despatched in 1887, which is 986 less than in the previous Year. This is in a great measure to be attributed to the present cheapness of Rice and clothing in China, as it is well known that Chinese will not leave their native Country unless driven from it by want of em- ployment or by want of food.

22. The number of Chinese returned from various Countries to their native land is 9,866, being an increase of 613 on the previous Year. In this increase are included 97 from Havana. This is the first Year that any Chinese have been reported as returning from that place.

23. The Netherlands Government is continuing its efforts to encourage Chinese to emigrate to Dutch Guiana and with that view, the advantages to Emigrants have been improved. The terms of their Contracts are most liberal. On Ia their engagement at this place, they receive two suits of clothes with bedding and other comforts for the voyage addition to this a sum of eleven dollars is given them, with which they purchase a few articles, giving a large proportion of their remaining money to their friends who accompany them to see them off. The intending Emigrants agree to serve for a term of Five Years at the rate of Seven Dollars a mouth. They are excused from all labor on Sundays and public holidays. At the end of their service they receive Sixty Dullars bonus, which, with the savings accrued from their monthly pay, enables them either to pay their passage back to China or to embark their little fortune in shopkeeping or in cultivating a piece of ground which the Netherlands Government gives to those who wish to remain in the Country as settlers. During their period of service the Chinese are under the special protection of the Government and enjoy the same rights as other citizens. With so many advantages offered it is difficult to conceive on what facts the opponents to the system of hired Eroigration can ground their arguments, for it must be self-evident that the condition of the Chinese is much improved by their transferrence to British or Dutch possessions.

24. It has lately been prominently brought to my notice that during the North-east monsoon the Masters of some of the Vessels bound to Singapore and Bangkok have been in the habit of carrying more Chinese Passengers than is permitted by the Chinese Passengers' Act, 1855.

25. The Vessels are cleared in the usual manner with 20 Passengers, after which they are dropped a little way beyond Green Island and then take on board large numbers of Chinese. In the possible event of any Vessel so laden falling in with heary weather or calms, the loss of life in the former case from want of proper accommodation, and in the latter from want of food and water together with the risk of an epidemic breaking out would be frightful.

26. Heary penalties have been imposed in each case where the Masters of Vessels have leen proved to have infringed

the Law.

27. I trust that the steps adopted at this Port with the co-operation of the Government of the Straits Settlement, will shortly put a stop to this most objectionable and dangerous practice.

REGISTRY OF SHIPPING.

28. Thirty Vessels bave been registered during the Year and Thirty-seven have for various reasons been struck off The loss on the difference amicunts to 2,152 tons.

SEAMEN.

20. The number of Seamen shipped during the Year amounts to 8,117 and of those discharged to 7,635.

30. A large number of Sesmen have been forwarded to this Colony during the Year from the Consular Ports in China, the Philippine Islands and Siam.

31. The system of doing so, in cases where it could be avoided, is most antagonistic to the good order of Victorią. The legal discharge of Seamen at the local Mercantile Marine Office is purposely limited to meet the probable requirements of the Port; therefore any large influx of Seamen from other Ports tends to overthrow all calculations made here to keep the supply and demand of this class of men on a proper footing and is attended with considerable expense to the Imperial Government as the greater proportion of the Seamen land in a destitute condition. Measures have been taken which I hope will prevent a recurrence of this evil

32. The sum expended in 1867 for the relief of destitute Seamen was $0,515,75.

MARINE MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

33. The total number of cases tried during the Year was 241 or 10 less than in 1860 and of these 51 were for breaches of the Harbor and Coasts Ordinance, so that it will be observed that Seamen have not been so frequently as hitherto before the Court for breaches of discipline.

EXAMINATIONS,--Ordinance No. 17 of 1860.

34. Under this Ordinance 35 Masters and Mates have received Certificates of Competency, 6 ouly have been rejected, showing an improvement on the last Year's Return.

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