202
HONG KONG.
4
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PAST AND PRESENT
MEMORANDUM showing the Number of DEATHS which have occurred in the Garrison of HONG KONG during the year 1848, &c. &c.
No. 4.
Description of Troops. 1st Quarter. 2nd Quarter. 3rd Quarter. 4th Quarter. Average Strength. Deaths. Proportion of Deaths to Average Strength. Proportion of Deaths to Entire Force. Europeans 624 731 15 606 100 628 8 748 6 775 10 651 133 Per Cent. 20.43 Natives. 713 9736 14 739 38 5.14 1,390 171 12.30The Chinese population for 1848 amounted to 20,338 souls, and the deaths were 227 in number, or at an average of 1·12 per cent. During the year 1847 the Chinese inhabitants were 22,466, and the number of deaths was 147, or at an average of 0.15 per cent. It is however necessary to observe that these returns cannot be relied on as furnishing an approximate view of the proportion of mortality in the native population, as the greater number of the Chinese inhabitants when attacked by disease, immediately quit the colony for the purpose of going to their families at their native places, where they either die or remain until their recovery.
Your Lordship will find in Dr. Morrison's Report, which is appended to the Blue Book, copious information regarding the sanitary condition and prospects of the colony.
Education.
9. The three Chinese schools for the education of native youths, established at Victoria, Stanley, and Aberdeen, as sanctioned by Despatch No. 109, of 12th August, 1847, from your Lordship, have been in operation during the whole of the year 1848. The accompanying Report from the Committee does not show so great an attendance as had been expected, but I trust there will be an improvement as the object and usefulness of the schools become better known to the Chinese.
The colonial chaplain continues to bestow the greatest attention towards a school for European children of parents who are ill able to support this desirable institution, which, under the able and zealous superintendence of Mr. Stanton, is well attended, though the means for supporting the same are very limited.
Trade.
10. The number of shipping exclusive of Chinese vessels which arrived in Hong Kong in 1848, as compared with the preceding year, is as follows:-
Shipping Tonnage 1847. 694 229,465 1848. 700 228,818of which 163 imported and 193 exported merchandise into and from the colony. The value of these imports it is altogether impossible to estimate, as there is no establishment of any description to ascertain the extent and value of the trade of the port.
From the returns furnished to me by the harbour-master, I find that 6,022,578 dollars, equal in sterling money to 1,254,703. 15s. were exported from hence during the year, being principally no doubt in return for opium received by the merchants from India. This fact alone will tend to show that the colony cannot but be of very considerable importance to the firms engaged in this species of speculation.
The following table shows in pounds sterling the amount of imports and exports in Chinese vessels during the years 1847 and 1848, drawn up from statements furnished to the Registrar-General by the Chinese traders and dealers:
1847. 1848. Increase. Decrease. Imports £498,239 0 0 £169,446 17 5 £328,792 2 6 Exports £226,130 16 6 £236,298 19 2 £10,168 2 6The export of sugar from the colony, which amounted in 1847 to 144,827l., has increased in 1848 to 147,936. 15s., showing an excess over 1847 of 31097. 15s.
No great dependence can be placed on these statements, for with the view of preventing all interference with the native traders, and of giving every encouragement for them to resort to this port, no regular returns of the imports or exports are ever required; and these returns have therefore been compiled from statements given in by the local traders. But as regards the item of sugar, there is reason to apprehend that the return is correct. The Registrar-General reports the imports in native vessels at 150,000 piculs, while the harbour-master reports the exports in square-rigged vessels as follows:—
To Piculs. India 51,056 To New South Wales 15,689 To Shanghae 93,522 160,267, or 9427 tons.I have consulted many of the mercantile gentlemen of the colony as to the state of the native trade, as well as others who I considered had the means of being acquainted with, and who had moreover paid attention to, the subject, and by all I have been assured that the trade is gradually extending; from none have I heard any complaints of the native traders being in any way molested, and the only suggestion that has been made to me for its further extension, is the abolition of the opium farm, or rather that part of it by which persons are interdicted from dealing in opium, in quantities less than one chest without a licence.
This subject was brought to your Lordship's notice in my Despatch No. 18, of the 14th ultimo.
I beg to annex the remarks of Dr. Gutzlaff on the Chinese trade of the colony for the year 1848.
Crown Lands.
11. The fixed revenue derivable from Crown lands on the 31st December, 1848, stands thus:-
Lands leased by £. S. d. mercantile firms 4,742 12 5 individuals 4,562 5 7½ Chinese 1,802 19 9¼ 11,107 17 11Police.
12. The advantage of general police control over the whole island continues to be productive of beneficial results. Indeed, when the locality of this island is borne in mind, the facilities it offers as a refuge for all desperate characters from the main land, and the nests of pirates in the adjacent waters, it is to me a matter of surprise that the amount of crime is not much greater than the returns herewith enclosed exhibit; and I consider much credit is due to Mr. May for the manner in which the arduous duties of the police have been conducted.
I beg to forward a letter from that officer, accompanied by two documents which fully exhibit the number of persons apprehended during the years 1846, 1847, and 1848, and the manner in which they were disposed of before the magistrates and the Supreme Court respectively, during the past year.
By reference to Enclosure No. 8, your Lordship will see that out of 157 prisoners tried before the Supreme Court last year, only 41 were convicted. This arises partly from the migratory nature of the population, and the hitherto infrequent holding of the criminal sessions, Ordinance No. 1, of 1849, for the
No. 5.
No. 6.
No. 7.
No. 8.
202
HONG KONG.
4
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PAST AND PRESENT
MEMORANDUM showing the Number of DEATHS which have occurred in the Garrison of HONG KONG during the year 1848, &c. &c.
No. 4.
Description
of
Troops.
1st
2nd
3rd Quarter. Quarter. Quarter,
4th Quarter.
Proportion Proportion
Average Strength.
Deaths.
Average Strength.
Deaths.
Average Strength.
Deaths.
Average Strength.
Deaths.
Average Number of of
of
Strength Deaths
Deaths
Deaths
during the during the
to Average
to Entire
Year.
Year.
Strength.
Force.
22
Natives.
Europeans 624
731
15 606 100 628 8 748
6 775
10
651
133
Per Cent.
20.43
Per Cent.
9 713 9736
14
739
38
5.14
1,390
171
12.30
The Chinese population for 1848 amounted to 20,338 souls, and the deaths were 227 in number, or at an average of 1·12 per cent. During the year 1847 the Chinese inhabitants were 22,466, and the number of deaths was 147, or at an average of 0.15 per cent. It is however necessary to observe that these returns cannot be relied on as furnishing an approximate view of the proportion of mortality in the native population, as the greater number of the Chinese inhabitants when attacked by disease, immediately quit the colony for the pur- of going to their families at their native places, where they either die or remain until their recovery.
pose
Your Lordship will find in Dr. Morrison's Report, which is appended to the Blue Book, copious information regarding the sanitary condition and prospects of the colony.
Education.
9. The three Chinese schools for the education of native youths, established at Victoria, Stanley, and Aberdeen, as sanctioned by Despatch No. 109, of 12th August, 1847, from your Lordship, have been in operation during the whole of the year 1848. The accompanying Report from the Committee does not show so great an attendance as had been expected, but I trust there will be an improvement as the object and usefulness of the schools become better known to the Chinese.
The colonial chaplain continues to bestow the greatest attention towards a school for European children of parents who are ill able to support this desirable institution, which, under the able and zealous superintendence of Mr. Stanton, is well attended, though the means for supporting the same are very limited.
Trade.
10. The number of shipping exclusive of Chinese vessels which arrived in Hong Kong in 1848, as compared with the preceding year, is as follows:-
Shipping Tonnage
1847.
694 229,465
1848.
700 228,818
of which 163 imported and 193 exported merchandise into and from the colony. The value of these imports it is altogether impossible to estimate, as there is no establishment of any description to ascertain the extent and value of the trade of the port.
From the returns furnished to me by the harbour-master, I find that 6,022,578 dollars, equal in sterling money to 1,254,703. 15s. were exported from hence during the year, being principally no doubt in return for opium received by the merchants from India. This fact alone will tend to show that the colony cannot but be of very considerable importance to the firms engaged in this species of speculation.
The following table shows in pounds sterling the amount of imports and exports in Chinese vessels during the years 1847 and 1848, drawn up from statements furnished to the Registrar-General by the Chinese traders and dealers :---
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
5
HONG KONG.
1847.
1849.
Increase.
Decrease.
Imports
Exports
£. 498,239 0 0
226,130 16
d.
£. 169,446 17
5.
d. 6
£.
*
d.
£. 328,792
S. d. 2 6
8
236,298 19 2
10,168 2 6
The export of sugar from the colony, which amounted in 1847 to 144,8271., has increased in 1848 to 147,936. 15s., showing an excess over 1847 of 31097. 15s.
No great dependence can be placed on these statements, for with the view of preventing all interference with the native traders, and of giving every encou- ragement for them to resort to this port, no regular returns of the imports or exports are ever required; and these returns have therefore been compiled from statements given in by the local traders. But as regards the item of sugar, there is reason to apprehend that the return is correct. The Registrar-General reports the imports in native vessels at 150,000 piculs, while the harbour- master reports the exports in square-rigged vessels as follows:—
To India
To New South Wales To Shanghae
Piculs.
51,056
15,689
93,522
160,267, or 9427 tons.
I have consulted many of the mercantile gentlemen of the colony as to the state of the native trade, as well as others who I considered had the means of being acquainted with, and who had moreover paid attention to, the subject, and by all I have been assured that the trade is gradually extending; from none have I heard any complaints of the native traders being in any way molested, and the only suggestion that has been made to me for its further extension, is the abolition of the opium farm, or rather that part of it by which persons are interdicted from dealing in opium, in quantities less than one chest without a licence.
This subject was brought to your Lordship's notice in my Despatch No. 18, of the 14th ultimo.
I beg to annex the remarks of Dr. Gutzlaff on the Chinese trade of the colony for the year 1848.
Crown Lands.
11. The fixed revenue derivable from Crown lands on the 31st December, 1848, stands thus:-
Lands leased by mercantile firms
individuals Chinese
19
Police.
£. S. d.
4,742 12 5
4,562 5 71
1,802 19 94
11,107 17 11
12. The advantage of general police control over the whole island continues Crime has decreased considerably. to be productive of beneficial results. Indeed, when the locality of this island is borne in mind, the facilities it offers as a refuge for all desperate characters from the main land, and the nests of pirates in the adjacent waters, it is to me a matter of surprise that the amount of crime is not much greater than the returns herewith enclosed exhibit; and I consider much credit is due to Mr. May for the manner in which the arduous duties of the police have been conducted.
I beg to forward a letter from that officer, accompanied by two documents which fully exhibit the number of persons apprehended during the years 1846, 1847, and 1848, and the manner in which they were disposed of before the magistrates and the Supreme Court respectively, during the past year.
By reference to Enclosure No. 8, your Lordship will see that out of 157 pri- soners tried before the Supreme Court last year, only 41 were convicted. This arises partly from the migratory nature of the population, and the hitherto infrequent holding of the criminal sessions, Ordinance No. 1, of 1849, for the
No. 5.
No. 6.
No. 7.
No. 8.
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