19 473
18
REPORT ON
Brought forward
Dollars. 178,000
Value of houses to be removed from Upper Bazaar and other
places
25,000
Drainage of Woongnichung Valley
7,000
Briddle-path to Saiwan
3,000
New church
35,000
Government house, with suitable offices, &c.
70,000
House for Judge
24,000
Ditto for Advocate-General
20,000
Ditto for Queen's Solicitor-General
20,000
Ditto for Colonial Secretary
20,000
Ditto for Chief Magistrate
20,000
Ditto for Treasurer
18,000
House for Land Officer
18,000
Ditto for Clerk of Colonial Council
16,000
Ditto for Colonial Surgeon
16,000
Ditto for Chaplain
16,000
Range of buildings for Advocate-General, Queen's Solici-
tor, &c., &c.
100,000
Prison, with house for gaoler, Hong Kong
45,000
Debtor's gaol, Hong Kong
20,000
House of Correction, Hong Kong
15,000
Two Police Stations, north side of the island
Two smaller ditto
Police Station at Chuc Choo
Ditto at Saiwan
Ditto at Pok-fulum
Keeping in repair Chuc Choo road
10,000
4,000
8,000
3,000
3,000
1,500
Contingencies of 5
per
cent.
Consulate at Canton
715,500 35,775
751,275 45,000
Total
796,275
This is but a small portion of the contemplated expenditure; it does not include the formation of streets and roads in Hon Kong, which, on account of the mountainous nature of the island, would It does not include barracks, stores, cost about 100,000/. sterling. forts, arsenals, dock-yards, wharfs, &c., all projected, and which would cost several millions sterling before they would be completed,
It is unnecessary to pursue this branch of the subject farther; suffi- cient has been said to show the absurd and ruinous projects which were entertained, and the utter failure of the colony in regard to the nature and extent of its population: notwithstanding the large sums of money expended, the Governor is now obliged to hire a residence which belongs to the late Deputy Governor Johnston. The Government offices are in a temporary building which is falling to pieces; the General commanding has hired an inn for his residence. There is only one small barrack in
HÙNG HÙNG.
Victoria, and that has been recently erected; it is not possible to rent a decent house under 160 to 180 dollars per month, about 400%. sterling per annum.
The Church Service is conducted in a mat shed; the civil and military officers are glad to get a location or even a room in any spot on any terms; and the prices of living and of servants, &c., (see Documentary Appendix) are enormous: while the whole population of the island is entirely dependent for its daily supply of food on the Emperor of China's subjects on the main land of China.
orders.
Commerce.-There is no trade of any noticeable extent in Hong Kong: vessels occasionally touch here on their way to Canton, or on their return thence, when laden and about to proceed to Europe for Vessels also proceeding to or coming from the ports to the northward sometimes touch here, for instructions from the owners or consignees, but very few "break bulk" at Hong Kong. There is a considerable business done in opium. Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co. have a large opium receiving-ship, the " Homanjee Bomanjee," moored the whole year round in this harbour: Messrs. Dent and Co. have also a large vessel, the "John Barry," for a similar purpose. These receiving-ships contain the opium brought from India, whence it is transshipped to smaller vessels, and sent up the coast. Messrs. Me Vicar, Burn, and Co., Fox, Rawson, and Co., and a few smaller houses, also deal to a limited extent in the opium trade, which re- quires a large ready-money capital. The smaller houses who have no vessels of their own consign opium to agents at the Consular ports, but it is kept on board the receiving-ships moored off or near those ports until the agents sell the opium to some Chinese broker-at Shanghai, for instance, who then receives an order for the delivery of the opium from the receiving-ship at Woosung.
There are no native junks trading here from the coast of China; there are none belonging to the port; and a few fishing and passage boats, which form a safe asylum for ladrones and vagabonds of every description, constitute the native craft of Hong Kong. Even if natural impediments did not exist to the establishment of a native coasting trade, the Articles 13, 14, and 16, in the Supplemental Treaty, would effectually prevent any Chinese junks resorting to Hong Kong. Not only are the junks prevented proceeding thither from any places but the five Consular ports, but they must also obtain special passports for a voyage to Hong Kong, and when arrived there the British Govern- ment are to act the part of spies for the Chinese Government, and to report every vessel, the name of her proprietor, the nature of her cargo, &c., to the authorities at Canton. It is now well understood what was the object of these clauses; no passes will be readily granted; and junks that might proceed to Hong Kong, would certainly be punished by the Chinese authorities, who are exceedingly jealous that anything should occur for the advantage of Hong Kong. These and other circumstances, together with the fear of pirates, the want of a Chinese commercial community, the dearness of provisions, and the absence or high price of any trading commodities, will be sufficient to prevent any coasting trade at Hong Kong.
pro-
Dr. Gutzlaff, whose knowledge of the Chinese character and ceedings is certainly unsurpassed, says, "So long as the trade is main-
c 2
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