Directory_and_Chronicle_1879 — Page 201

HONGKONG.

This, the most eastern of British possessions, is situate off the coast of the Kwangtung province, at the mouth of the Canton river. It is distant about 40 miles from Macao and 90 from Canton, and lies between 22 deg. 9 min. and 22 deg. 1 min. N. lat., and 114 deg. 5 min. and 114 deg. 18 min. E. long. The name of the island (Heung Kong) signifies Good Harbour. Hongkong is a Crown Colony and was ceded to Great Britain by the Chinese Government in 1841. The Government is admi nistered by a Governor, aided by an Executive Council of five officials. The Legislative Council is presided over by the Governor, and is composed of the Chief Justice, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General, the Treasurer, and four unofficial members nominated by the Crown on the recommendation of the Governor, The island is about 11 miles long and from 2 to 5 boad; its circumference is about 27 miles. It consists of a broken ridge of lofty hills, with few valleys of any extent and scarcely any ground available for cultivation. It is well watered by numerous streams, many of which are perennial, and from the waterworks at Pok- folum water of excellent quality is supplied to all parts of the city of Victoria.

The harbour of Hongkong is one of the finest and most beautiful in the world, having an area of ten square miles, and is always crowded with shipping, presenting an animated and imposing spectacle. It consists of the sheet of water between the island and the main and, and is enclosed on all sides by lofty hills, unfor- tunately bare of foliage, exc pt where trees have been planted near the city, but pleasingly green during the south-west monsoon. The City of Victoria is magnifi. cently situated, the houses, many of them large and handsome, rising tier upon tier, from the water's edge to a height of several hundred feet on the face of the Peak, while some bungalows are visible on the very summit of the hills. Seen from the water at night, when lamps twinkle among the trees and houses, the city, spreading along the shore for upwards of four miles, affords a sight not to be forgotten.

Nor on landing are the favourable impressions of the stranger dissipated. The city is well built, the roads and streets are for the most part admirably made and kept, the Public Gardens almost univalled for their beauty, and many of the thoroughfares delightfully shaded with well grown trees. The chief public building is the City Hall, erected in 1866-9 by subscription; it contains an elegant theatre, numerous large rooms used for balls and public n eetings, an excellent and valuable Library, and a Museum yearly increasing in importance. The Government Offices, Supreme Court House, and Club are plain but substantial structures. Government House is admirably situated, in picturesque grounds pleasingly laid out, in the centre of the city. The Gaol is a large and substantial structure, but the accommodation afforded by it is not in excess of the large demands made on it, owing to the inroa is of the criminal population of Kwangtung being so constant and persevering. The Civil Hospital is located in temporary and very ina lequate buildings, wholly unfitted for the purpose. The Government Central School, a most important institution, having some six hundred pupils, is also very badly housed at present. The Tung Wa Hospital, a Chinese nstitution, occupies a large and roomy building. The barracks for the garrison are large, and constructed with great regard for the health and comfort of the troops, and the buildings belonging the Naval Establishment are