Directory_and_Chronicle_1871 — Page 673

Page 673 Page 673

HONGKONG.

(From the "Colonial Office List.")

Hongkong is one of a number of islands called by the Portuguese "Ladrones," or Thieves, from the notorious habits of the old inhabitants; it is situated off the south- eastern coast of China, at the mouth of the Canton River, about 40 miles east of Macao, between 22 ° 9′ and 22 ° 1/ N. lat., and 114° 5' and 114° 18/ E. long. This island is an irregular and broken ridge, stretching nearly east and west: its broken and abrupt peaks rising sometimes to a great height above the sea level. Its length is about 11 miles, its breadth from 2 to 5 miles, its area rather more than 29 square miles. It is separated from the mainland of China by a narrow strait, known as the Ly-ee-moon Pass, which does not exceed half a mile in width. The opposite peninsula of Kow-loon has been ceded to Great Britain by a Treaty entered into by Lord Elgin in 1861 with the Government of China; it now forms part of Hongkong. The general aspect of the Colony has been described as extremely beautiful. In possesses one of the most magnificent harbours in the world, surrounded by picturesque hills rising between 3,000 and 4,000 feet high, and offers a coup d'œil which blends the wild scenery of Scotland to the classic beauty of Italy, and just enough of the tropics to heighten the effect. The annual range of the thermometer is said to be from 40 to 93 Fahr., but it is probably greater.

The Colony was first ceded to Great Britain in January, 1841; the cession was confirmed by the Treaty of Nankin, in August, 1842; and the charter bears date 5th April, 1843. But Hongkong perhaps comes more properly under the designation of a great commercial depôt than that of a Colony; it is valuable to Great Britain mainly as a factory for our commerce with China, and as a military and naval station for the protection of that commerce; it possesses an excellent harbour, affording convenient, safe, and commodious anchorage for shipping; its distance from Singapore is about 1,520 miles.

The occupation of Hongkong at its outset was effected at considerable cost to Imperial funds, the vote from Parliament in the year 1845 being nearly £50,000, in additional to military expenditure.

Hongkong may be considered to have paid its local establishments since 1854, The Government is administered by a Governor, aided by an Executive Council com- posed of the Colonial Secretary, the Officer Commanding the Troops, the Attorney- General, and the Auditor-General. The Legislative Council is presided over by the Governor, and is composed of the Chief-Justice, the Colonial-Secretary, the Attorney- General, the Treasurer, the Auditor-General, and four unofficial members, nominated by the Crown on the recommendation of the Governor.

There is a large Police force in the Colony, numbering 649 men, of whom 129 are European, 383 Indians, and 137 Chinese, and 100 Sikhs added in March, 1867.

Hongkong is the centre of trade in many kinds of goods. Amongst the principal may be noticed opium, sugar, and flour, produced in Tungkoon. Salt, earthenware, oil, amber, cotton and cotton goods, sandalwood, ivory, betel, vegetables, live stock, granite, &c., &c. The principal transactions in the Tea and Silk trade are also con- trolled by firms residing in Hongkong.

As it is a free port, it is impossible to give a correct return of import and exports. A Stamp Tax was introduced by the Government in December, 1866, and is now in operation.

Annual average rain fall, 81 inches.

Hongkong pays £20,000 a year to the Imperial Government as a Military Con-

tribution.

Page 673 Page 673