1868 — Page 174

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No. 31.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.

The following Report of the Harbor Master, with Returns annexed for the Year 1868, is published for general information.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 18th March, 1869.

J. GARDINER AUSTIN,

Colonial Secretary.

No. 18.

SIL,

1. Number, Tonnage and Crews of Vessels entered.

HARBOR MASter's DepartMENT, VICTORIA, Honoxona, 25th February, 1800,

1. I have the honor to enclose the undermentioned Annual Returns of the Shipping and other matters connected with the

Marine Department of this Colony, for the year 1868.

II. Number, Tonnage and Crews of Vessels cleared,

III. Number, Tonnage and Crews of Vessels of each Nation entered.

IV. Number, Tonnage and Crews of Vessels of each Nation cleared,

V. Total Number, Tonuage and Crews of Vessels entered at each Port.

VI. Total Number, Tonnage and Crews of Vessels cleared at each Port.

VII. Return of Junks entered at each Port from Macao.

VIII. Return of Janks cleared at each Port for Macao.

IX. Return of Junks entered at each Port from Coast of China and Formosa.

X. Return of Junks cleared at each Port for Coast of China and Formosa.

XI. Gross Total Number of Junks entered at each Port.

XII. Gross Total Number of Junks cleared at each Port

XIII. Return of Junks (Local Trade) entered.

XIV. Return of Jauks (Local Trude) cleared.

XV. Summary of Arrivals and Departures of all Vessels, and of all Chinese Passengers.

XVI. Return of Vessels Registered.

XVII. Return of Vessels Registered and Struck off,

XVIII. Retura of Emigrant Ships cleared by the Emigration Officer.

XIX. Return of Vessels bringing Chinese Passengers to Hongkong from places out of China.

XX. Amount of Fees received under Ordinance No. 10 of 1860.

XXI. Return of Marine Cases tried.

SHIPPING.

1. The Returns for the year under this head will enable the Government to arrive at a better conclusion as to the increase or decrease of the triute of Hongkong than has hitherto been the case. The Registry of trade in European bottoms

is still kept separated from that in Chinese craft, encb being under different legislation. But in the ordinary Board of Trade Returns, Nos. I, to VI. inclusive, the native trade is exhibited under the common term " Foreign.”

1. In former Reports Macso has been included under "Coast of China and Formosa." In the present instance I have treated it as an independent Colony and under this head it will appear for the future. This trade is of course, with the exception of the daily steamer, wholly in junks. Occasional vessels enter and clear in connection with Macao, but they either come here to load for Ports to the North, or to refit prior to making their voyages from Macao with Coolies.

1. In British Shipping there is exhibited a decrease on the year 1867 of Arrivals of 117 vessels with cargos and 11 in ballast having a gross tonnage of 130,133 tons. This is of course composed of vessels of various dimentions. Of the smaller class, the Hongkong and Canton Steam Dont Company pay a large sum annually to Mr. Kwok Acheong as an inducement to withdraw his vessels from the Canton River. This enterprising Chinese ran his steamers nightly (Sundays not excepted.) He naturally received large support from his countrymen, and his carrying capacity, whether for passengers

nt cargoes, was generally fully engaged. The withdrawal of these boats accounts for i portion of the reduction illuded to. Of the larger ships, those trading between British India and Hongkong form the principal. In this trade alone them is a loss of 17 vessels and 29,170 tour, shewing that the competition, at one time in action against the Peninsular and Oriental Company, the Messageries Imperiales and the steamers owned by Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Company, could not be successfully sustained.

1. The Foreign Arrivals show a large excess, but is entirely due to the increased activity of the junk trade (treated separately), the foreign trade baring diminished by 215 vessels and 73,076 tons.

1. The Grand Total of all Foreign and Native Arrivals shews itself in a singular manser. There is an increase of 4,287 vessels, but a decrease of 60,713 vons, caused by the addition of a large number of native junka visiting the Colony and the subtraction of European vessels of larger tonnage.