520
(14)
(D.) Climate.
(1.) Rainfall. --The total rainfall for the year was 57.025 inches. In 1897 it was 100.03. The wettest months were June (14.25 inches) and August (9.9 inches). The driest month was December, with 0.025 inches. The greatest rainfall on any one day was that on August 25th (2.585 inches). On 213 days there was no rain. The relative humidity of the atmosphere throughout the year was 74.6%; December was lowest with 52%, May and June were highest with 83%. The sunshine throughout the year was 5.8 hours, as compared with 4.78 in 1897. On 41 days only, no sunshine was recorded.
(2.) Temperature.--The average monthly temperature throughout the year was 72.29°F., as compared with 71.7°F. in 1897. The maximum monthly temperature was in July, with 81.7°F.; the minimum in January with 60.1°F. The highest recorded temperature was on May 30th, with 91.5°F.; the lowest on January 25th with 46.1°F.
(3.) Direction and Force of Wind.--The typhoons of 1898 were above the average as regards both number and intensity. Telegraphic connections were interrupted 12 times as well as during some thunderstorms. The maximum wind velocity for any month was 62, in August; the minimum 26, in September.
VIII. POSTAL, TELEGRAPH, AND TELEPHONE SERVICES.
(A.) Postal Service.
I have already transmitted to you a copy of the Postmaster General's Report in which he makes a number of recommendations regarding the future administration and expansion of the Postal Department.
I need not, therefore, refer here to his proposals beyond calling your attention to the urgency of many of the present requirements of this important branch of the public service.
As compared with 1897, the amount of international correspondence shows an increase of 734,460; the local correspondence--by which is meant correspondence with the Agencies where Chinese covers; the sale of stamps increased to Post Offices are now established--shows an increase of 26,930 covers.
The nett increase of Revenue derived from all postal sources in 1898 compared with 1897 was $68,563.50. The corresponding increase in Expenditure was $34,480.83. The balance of Revenue over Expenditure was $93,618.47, an increase of $34,082.27 above that shown in 1897.
(15)
The working expenses of 1897 were only $15,666.25 less than those of 1898; yet the deficit of $20,000 in the former year has become a surplus of $95,000 in the latter.
In ten years this Department has paid into General Revenue $278,189.11.
The Postmaster General reports that he is able to speak highly of most of the seniors on the staff, but that the juniors lack a sense of responsibility, and it is doubtful if many of them intend to remain in the Service.
IX.--MILITARY FORCES AND EXPENDITURE.
(1) Regular Forces.
The following Table shows the numbers and nature of the Forces employed in the Colony during 1898:-
EUROPEAN INDIAN CHINESE TOTALS General Staff Garrison Staff Royal Artillery 10 10 Hongkong-Singapore Battalion, R.A. 404 404 Royal Engineers 8 8 Chinese Sub.-Miners 434 434 1K.O. Royal Laner. Regt. 459 459 Army Service Corps 10 171 182 Hongkong Regiment 69 953 1,010 Royal Army Medical Corps 5 7 38 Ind. Sub-Med. Dept. 3 3 A.O.D. and Corps 14 6 21 A.P.D. and Corps, Educational 9 2 97 TOTAL 220 1,606 1,419 3,222(2.) Volunteer Forces.
The Field Battery numbered 117, of whom 93 were efficient; while the figures for the Machine Gun Company were 38 and 43 respectively.
X.--GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
The establishment of penny postage, together with the reduction of the local rate from 10 cents to 4 cents per half ounce with the United Kingdom, its dependencies and Canada, has been estimated to cause a probable loss of $80,000 during the current year.
The most important event of the year 1898 as regards this Colony was the grant by China of a lease for 99 years of a portion of the Mainland and some of the surrounding islands to Great Britain as an extension of the Colony.
The Honourable J.H. STEWART LOCKHART, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary, who was on leave in England, returned to Hongkong, and in August visited the territory thus granted, upon the capabilities of which he made an exhaustive report.
The occupation of the extended area was not effected during the year under review and will be more properly dealt with in the report on the Blue Book for the current year.
Branch Post Offices were opened during 1898 at Kowloon and West Point.
The money passing through the Money Order Office was about the same in 1898 as in 1897, namely, $521,711 in the latter year and $527,413 in the year that has passed.
The nett commission collected, however, was $360 more in 1898 than in 1897.
The year 1898 witnessed a recurrence of the Plague which carried off 1,175 people.
The proportion of Europeans attacked was somewhat greater than during the preceding epidemic.
So far Medical Science appears to be equally at fault as to its prevention or its cure.
The most active measures were taken by the Health Officers and the Sanitary Board, but without any apparent effect upon the course of the epidemic, which appeared, increased, declined and disappeared synchronously with the epidemic at Canton and other towns where no attempt whatever was made to check its ravages.
The terror inspired by the epidemic of 1894 among the Chinese has apparently ceased as there was no exodus during 1898.
The coolies who are almost exclusively the victims seem to accept the possibilities with stoical equanimity.
Year Revenue Expenditure Surplus/Deficit 1889 $142,309.11 $20,818.15 Deficit 1890 $148,459.98 1891 $142,770.03 $2,605.02 Surplus 1892 $157,699.03 $3,450.73 Surplus 1893 $167,596.77 $14,309.81 Surplus 1894 $192,172.42 $8,820.27 Surplus 1895 $244,449.71 $50,209.44 Surplus 1896 $245,280.33 $56,999.16 Surplus 1897 $268,616.40 $61,536.20 Surplus 1898 $337,179.99 $95,618.47 SurplusEmigration decreased as compared with 1897.
At the Emigration Office 8,497 women and children were examined under the “Chinese Emigration Consolidation Ordinance, 1889,” and allowed to proceed to their destination.
In 1897 the numbers were 8,501.
Immigration from China to the Colony is considerable, and among the immigrants, as is inevitable, there are many representatives of the vicious and criminal classes of the Mainland, who add considerably to the difficulties with which the Hongkong police have to contend.
520
(14)
(D.) Climate.
(1.) Rainfall. --The total rainfall for the year was 57.025 inches. In 1807 it was 100.03. The wettest months were Juan (14.25 inches) and August (9.9 inches). The dryest month was
December, with 0025 inches. The greatest rainfall on any one day was that on August 25th (2.585 inches). On 213 days there was no rain. The relative humidity of the atmosphere throughout the year w 74.6%; December was lowest with 52%, May and June were highest with 83%. The sunshine throughout the year was 5.8 hours, as compared with 4.78 in 1897. On 41 days only, no
sunshine was recorded,
average
(2.) Temperature.--The average mouthly temperature throughout the year was 72.29 F.. ast compared with 71.7° F., in 1897. The maximum monthly temperature was in July, with 81.7° F. the minimum in January with 60.1° F. The highest recorded temperature was on May 30th, with 91.5° F.; the lowest on January 25th with 46.1° F.
(3.) Direction and Force of Wind.-The typhoons of 1898 were above the average as regards both number and intensity. Telegraphic connections were interrupted 12 times as well as during some thunderstorms. The maximum wind velocity for any month was 62, in August; the initium 26, in September.
amit
E
VIII. POSTAL, TELEGRAPH, AND TELEPHONE SERVICES,
(A.) Postal Service.
I have already transmitted to you a copy of the Postmaster General's Report in which he makesaj number of recommendations regarding the future administration and expansion of the Postal Depart
ment.
I need not, therefore, refer here to his proposals beyond calling your attention to the urgency of many of the present requirements of this important branch of the public service.
As compared with 1897, the amount of international correspondence shows an increase of 734,460 the local correspondence-by which is meant correspondence with the Agencies where Chinese covers;
The sale of stamps increased to Post Offices are now established-shows an increase of 26.930 covers.
the extent of $51.786.27. The nett increase of Revenue derived from all postal sources in 189S 281 compared with 1897 was $68,563.50. The corresponding increase in Expenditure was $34,480.83. The balance of Revenue over Expenditure was $93,618.47, an increase of $34,082.27 above that
shown in 1897.
in
( 15 )
The working expenses of 1889 were only $15,666.25 loss than those of 1898; yet the deficit of $20,000 in the former year has become a surplus of $95,000 in the latter.
In ten years this Depart- ment has paid into General Revenue $278,189.11.
The Postmaster General reports that he is able to speak highly of most of the seniors on the staff, but that the juniors lack a sense of responsibility, and it is doubtful if inany of then intend to remain
the Service.
IX.-MILITARY FORCES AND EXPENDITURE.
(1) Regular Forces.
The following Table shows the numbers and nature of the Forces employed in the Colony during
1898:-
General Stair,
Garrison Staff,
Royal Artillery,
EUROPEAN.
ISDIAN.
CHINESE.
Conrs.
TOTALS.
Officers.
Warruut N. C. O. Officers, & Men.
Ofteors.
WarrantN. C. O. Officers. & Men.
N. C. O. & Mon.
Hongkong-Singapore Battalion, R. A., 10
Royal Engineers,
Chinese Sab.-Miners,
1K. O. Royal Laner. Regt,,..
Anay Service Corps,
Hongkong Regiment,
Royal Army Medical Corps,
Ind. Sub-Med. Dept.,
A. 0. D. and Corps,
A. P. D. and Corps, Educational,
TOTAL...
220***
5
1
1
16
404
421
8
434
459
10
171
182
69
968
995
5
7
953
1,010
29
38
3
14 6
21
9
2
97
6 1,606
21
1,419
69
3,222
(2.) Volunteer Forces,
The Field Battery numbered 117, of whom 93 were efficients; while the figures for the Machine Gan Company were 38 and 43 respectively.
X.-GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
The establishment of penny postage, together with the reduction of the local rate from 10 cents
The most important event of the year 1898 as regards this Colony was the grant by China of a to 4 cents per half ounce with the United Kingdom, its dependencies and Canada, has been estimase for 99 years of a portion of the Mainland and some of the surrounding islands to Great Britain To cause a probable loss of $80,000 during the current year. The Postmaster General reports that
as an extension of the Colony. The Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART. C.M., Colonial Secretary, space it has already enhanced the volume of correspondence very largely accentuating the want of
who was on leave in England, returned to Hongkong, and in August visited the territory thus granted, the building, and heavily increasing the duties of an already insufficient staff.
upon the capabilities of which he made au exhaustive report. The occupation of the extended area was not effected during the year under review and will be more properly dealt with in the report on Branch Post Offices were opened during 1898 at Kowloon and West Point.
the Blue Book for the current year, The money passing through the Money Order Office was about the same in 1898 as in 1897, namely, $521,711 in the latter year and $527,413 in the year that has passed. The nett commission collected, however, was $360 more in 1898 than in 1897.
propor-
The year 1898 witnessed a recurrence of the Plague which carried off 1,175 people. The tion of Europeans attacked was somewhat greater than during the preceding epidemic. So far Medical Science
appears to be equally at fault as to its prevention or its cure. The most active measures were
The following table of revenue for the last 10 years shows the increase in postal business that taken by the Health Officers and the Sanitary Board, but without any apparent effect upon the course of the epidemic, which appeared, increased, declined and disappeared synchronously with the epidemic
Canton and other towns where no attempt whatever was made to check its ravages. inspired by the epilcie of 1894 among the Chinese has apparently ceased as there was no exodus during 1898. The coolies who are almost exclusively the victims seem to accept the possibilities with stoical equanimity.
has taken place
1889,
$142,309.11
$20,818.15 Deficit.
1890,
148,459.98
1891,
142,770.03
1892,
157,699.03
5,458.16 Surplus. 2,605.02 3,450.73
"
17
1893,
167,596.77
14,309.81
1894,
192,172.42
8,820.27
"
1895,
244,449.71
50,209.44
11
1890,
245,280.33
1897,
1898,
56,999.16 268,616.40 61,536.20 337,179.99 95,618.47
*
"
The terror
Emigration decreased as compared with 1897. At the Emigration Office 8,497 women and children were examined under the “Chinese Emigration Consolidation Ordinance, 1889," and allowed proceed to their destination. In 1897 the numbers were 8,501. Immigration from China to the Colony is considerable, and among the immigrants, as is inevitable, there are many representatives of the vicious and criminal classes of the Mainland, who add considerably to the difficulties with which the Hongkong police have to contend.
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