CO129-278 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [11-12] — Page 154

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As regards the attendance at the various educational establishments in the Colony, I re- gret to say that the check experienced in 1894 on account of the Plague has been more per- mament in its results than was originally anticipated, and recovery has been further impeded by its recrudescence in 1896. I hope that, given favourable circumstances, the progress this direction which was so noticeable during the first three years of my term of office, may again make itself evident at an early date, and that education will receive that support which it so fully deserves.

The shipping returns, though not attaining to the figures of 1896, are, nevertheless. quite satisfactory. During the nine months ended on the 30th September, 7,108 vessels of European construction, aggregating nearly 9,000,000 tons Register, entered and cleared at the Harbour Office. The increase of shipping under Foreign flags (principally German and Japanese) has been very noticeable, but 68 per cent, of the total tonnage, and 56 per cent. of the ocean-going tonnage alone was British. These ships carried, in and through our waters, about 5 million tons of cargo and bunker coal, and over a million passengers.

As might be expected, junks followed the European shipping, and the figures do not come up to those for the corresponding period of last year.

There is no reason, however, for assuming that the falling off is anything but temporary. and it can in a large measure be traced to a short rice crop in the period under review, during which 430,000 tous less were reported than in the same period of 1896.

The commercial progress of the Colony during the last five years is very marked. The tonnage, which is always a more or less reliable indication, has increased by 2,510,255 tons, whilst the value of the transit trade has improved to the extent of 28,933,788 Haikwan taels, or nearly £5,000,000 sterling. No less remarkable is the development of local indus- tries, of which, believing in the policy of independence, I have always been a warm supporter. The establishment of two large kerosene oil depôts, feather-dressing and match factorie.. soap, coal briequette and rattan works, the extensions of the Docks, the large Sugar Refine- rics, the

and cement works are standing monuments of that development, whilst the spirit of local enterprise is again evident in the recent formation of a Public Company for the establishment of cotton mills in this Colouy.

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I am particularly gratified at this latest movement. It is nearly four years since I first made the suggestion to you in this Council and promised my co-operation so far as the ac- quisition of land was concerned. It is nearly two years since I repeated the suggestion and renewed my promise. I trust that whilst you have given practical effect to the former, 1 have not failed in my fulfilment of the latter.

It remains to mention one other event of great importance to the trade of this Colony, riz., the opening of the West River ports to Foreign trade on the 3rd June last. You will recollect that in my address to you of the 25th November, 1895, I assured you that although for a time, at least, local interests might necessarily be postponed in favour of purely Imperial interests, this question had by no means been lost sight of.

The result has proved that I was justified in making that statement, and it affords me much pleasure to have witnessed before my departure the accomplishment of this object. When communication has been satisfactorily established between Hongkong and the West River ports, this Colony will, doubtless, share to the fullest extent in the harvest to be reaped from these additional fields for commercial enterprise.

My relations with the Chinese community of this Colony have always been of the most cordial nature. I have had no reason to change my earliest-formed impression of their industrious, peaceful, and law-abiding qualities. On the other hand, I have had every reason to a here to my original promise that they would find in me not only a Governor but also a friend. And if ou one or two occasions I have had to disguise my good intentions under the cloak of official authority, I have on such occasions endeavoured to combine firmness with consideration for their feelings and national customs. My object has always been to promote their welfare and secure their best interests.

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In proof of the sincerity of these professions, if any such proof is required, I would refer to the concessions granted during the Plague Epidemic of 1894 under circumstances which involved a very large degree of responsibility. I would also mention the support accorded by the Government to the Pó Léung Kuk, which has enabled that charitable Society to erect a new home, which I opene in person, and to continue its beneficial work under nore favourable circumstances. Great improvements also have been effected in the administration and sanitary condition of the Tung Wa Hospital, the benefits of which are alrevly evident and are daily becoming more appreciated by the native community.

I have already referred to the modification of the Light and Pass Regulations which prove to have been an unnecessary restriction. And if any further illustration is needed of my regard for the interests of the Chinese, I would mention the additional representation on this Council recently accorded to them at my suggestion.

And here I desire to express my indebtedness to the Registrar General, whose know- ledge of the Chinese characteristics and of the language, and whose advice in all matters relating to their interests, has always been of the greatest assistance to me.

I cannot conclude my remarks without reference to that unique occasion in the annals of our national history which has recently been celebrated throughout the vast British Empire.

mean, of course, the completion of the sixtieth year of Her Majesty's beneficent reign.

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It is impossible to appreciate adequately or relatively the enthusiastic expressions of loyalty, respect, and devotion towards our beloved Queen-Empress which that commemo- ration called forth from countless millions of British subjects throughout the world; but I venture to state that in no other corner of British territory were those expressions more spontaneous and sincere in their utterance, or more practical proof of their sincerity furnished, than in this remote Colony of Hongkong.

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Gentlemen, I am proud of the loyalty of this community; and it will always be a pleasing reminiscence of life that I had the privilege of representing our august Sovereign in Hongkong on that occasion. I trust that you will continue to eo-operate with the Imperial Government for the defence and maintenance of that immense Empire, of which this Colony is a small but not unimportant part.

In conclusion, I thank you for your patient hearing. I have endeavoured to illustrato, in the course of my remarks, a marked progress during the last six years--financial, commercial, industrial, and social-u progress upon which the Secretary of State for the Colonies in a recent despatch was pleased to comment in favourable terms, and which the result of a comparison between the Hongkong of 1891 and the Hongkong of to-day places beyond all doubt.

I appreciate the enterprising spirit of the community which has contributed to that result, and I trust that I have not failed in the fulfilment of my desire to encourage that spirit and to promote that enterprise.

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I thank you, Gentlemen, for your co-operation in the past, and rely on a continumoce your loyal support and valuable assistance during the remainder of any term of office. is a source of gratification to me that I have been connected with this Colony during a period of prosperity. I need hardly say that I contemplate my approaching departure with regret, and whilst I feel assured that I shall take away with me an expression of your good-will, I trust that I may also have gained, in some degree, the confidence and respect of the entire community.

COUNCIL CHAMBER, Hougkong, 25th October, 1897.