1888 — Page 6

The births and deaths for the last 5 years were as follows:-

Per 1,000 of mean Population,

Years. 1884,

Births.

Deaths.

Births.

Deaths.

1,551

4,311

8.54

23.74

1885, ..............

...1,555

5,192

8.16

27.24

1886,

1,557

5,100

7.74

25.37

1887.

.1,705

5,317

8.01

24.97

1888,

.1,662

6,034

7.70

27.96

17.-ECCLESIASTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

There were no changes in these Establishments, as compared with previous years,

18.-Education.

The total number of Schools subject to supervision by the Government amounted, in 1888, to 97, as compared with 94 in 1887 and 90 in 1886.

The total number of Scholars subject to Government supervision in the Government and Grant- in-aid Schools during the last 5 years was as follows:

-

Years. 1884,....

1885,.

1886.

1987.

1888,.

Gort.

Grant-in-aid.

Total.

.1,978

3,907

6,885

.1,803

4,041

5,844

.1,893

3,951

5,844

.1,814

4.160

5,974

..1,933

4,325

6,258

The total expenditure for these Schools for the last 5 years was as follows:-

1884,

1885,

1886,

1887.

1888,

..$36,758.14

36,085.27

43.085.50

43,070.91

45,518.93

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19. EXCHANGE, MONEY, Weights and Measures.

Exchange.

The rate of Exchange on 4 months' Bills on London fell fro:n 3s. 24. per dollar on the 3rd of January, to 28. 117d. on the 19th May.

During the year it fluctuated between these two rates closing with 3s. 1d. in the latter end of

December.

Currency.

The law affecting currency has remained unchangel.

Bank Notes.

The Bank Notes in circulation in Hongkong during the last 5 years, as furnished by the Managers of the respective Banks, were as follows:-

Average Amount.

Years.

1884,-

1885,

1886,.

1887.

1888,.

..$4.114,787

4,080,071

4,368,705

5,052,473

5,759.875

Money Circulation.

Specie in Reserve.

$1,810.033

2,000,833

2.138.333

2,362,833

2,660,000

The approximate amount of Coin put into circulation up to 31st December, 1888, was as

follows:

Hongkong Dollars and half Dollars struck at the Hongkong Mint,......$1,421,487 Hongkong Silver and Copper Subsidiary Coins (20, 10, and 5 cent

pieces; and 1 Cent and Mil pieces),

The importation of Copper Coin has been discontinued.

Weights and Measures.

$2,482,091

The Weights and Measures in use in the Colony are regulated by Ordinance 8 of 1885.