11. Cooktown still absorbs a goodly number of Chinese, and is the only Port in the Australian Colonies that takes many. Little or no advantage has as yet been taken of the facilities offered by Ordinance No. 5 of 1876, which permits of contracts being entered into with Servants; and also allows first class Chinese passengers to proceed in Einigrant vessels without being passed through this Office. 12. It is reported that the Queensland Quarantine laws have been brought to bear hardly on the British Steamer Mecca, which left this for Cooktown on the 11th December last with 378 Chinese Jassengers. This vessel arrived at Cooktown on the 28th of the saine month with one case of sinall-pox board. The vessel was placed in Quarantine and the Master is reportel to have been ordered to perform about 21 days Quarantine with the whole of his passengers on board; or proceed to Keppel Bay, about 600 miles South of Cooktown, and there perform Quarantine. The Master very properly adopted the latter course rather than run the risk of spreading the contagion on board his crowded vessel. The loss to the Charterers in Hongkong is very considerable, and it is to be regretted that greater facilities for the performance of Quarantine at or near Cooktown were not provided.
13. A total of 46,350 emigrated in 1876, against 48,152 who left in 1875; and of the returned Chinese, 42,390 landed at Hongkong in 1876, against 38,502 landed in 1875.
REGISTRY OF SHIPPING.
14. There are at present 66 vessels registered in Ilongkong as against a total of 70 vessels on the luks at the end of 1875. Nothing noteworthy under this heading has occurred during the year.
MARINE MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
15. There have been the usual number of enses for trial. Refusal of duty being the principal darge brought against Seamen.
EXAMINATIONS FOR THE POSTS OF MASTERS AND MATES, UNDER
ORDINANCE No. 17 OF 1860.
16. Of fifty-four applicants for examination, 66.7 per cent. obtained Certificates, and 33.3 per cent. were rejected, which is the usual average.
MARINE COURTS, UNDER ORDINANCE No. 11 OF 1860.
17. The following Courts have been held during the year:-
On the 9th August, 1876,-Inquiry as to the alleged misconduct of the Chief Mate (WILLIAM Hlesny Moss) of the British Schooner Bethany, Official No. 62,560. The Master failed to prove the charges.
On samne date,-Inquiry as to the misconduct of the Chief Mute (JOHN RUSSELL HELLYER) of the British Barque Corea, Official No. 21,333. The Chief Mate was ordered to be discharged from the ship.
On the 5th September, 1876,-Inquiry as to the loss of the British Brig Rob Roy, Official No. 51,781, on the North Shoal, Paracels Group. Certificate of Competency returned to the Master.
On the 24th November, 1876,—Inquiry as to the misconduct of the Second Mate (GEORGE GREY) of the British Steamer Esteponu, Official No. 68,353. Certificate of Competency suspended for 12 months.
On the 30th November, 1876,-Inquiry as to the collision of the British Steamer Leonor, Official No. 64,129, with the American Schooner Frances Lewy, off the White Dogs Island near Foochow result- ing in the loss of G lives. Third Mate's (HARRY THOMAS WAVELL) Certificate of Competency was sus pended for 12 months.
SEAMEN.
18. A record was kept for six months during the year with a view to ascertaining the proportion of foreigners to natives of Great Britain serving in British vessels, with the following result:-
Of 143 British vessels arriving during that period, 4 per cent. of Masters and Officers were foreigners; and, of the crews, 47.16 per cent. were British subjects; 25.21 per cent. Chinese; 17.92 per cent. Eust Indians; 3.83 per cent. Norwegians and Swedes; 1.14 per cent. German; 1.08 per cent, West Indians; 0.98 per cent. natives of North America; the remaining 2.68 per cent, being Seamen of other nationalities than those mentioned.
19. Shipmasters, when their vessels are employed in the Coast trade, prefer to have a Chinese rew. Chinese make fair Seamen, they are sober, industrious and subordinate; and, as a rule, they obtain as high a rate of wages as Europeans.
20. There have been 7,147 men shipped and 7,194 discharged during the year.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
The Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary,
Hoxokosa.
II. G. TuomsETT, R.S., Harbour Master, fe,
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