Directory_and_Chronicle_1879 — Page 203

HONGKONG.

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s heds and fitting shops on a large scale, and repairs can be effected to the machinery

of the British men-of-war with great expedition.

There are several good hotels in the Colony. The leading establishments are the Hongkong Hotel, close to the Clock Tower; Hotel de l'Univers, in Wyndham Street; the Oriental, in Wellington Street; and the Stag, in Queen's Road, all of which are centrally situated and provide good accommodation for travellers.

There are two daily papers published in English, the Hongkong Daily Press, which appears in the morning, and the China Mail, issued in the evening. There are also two fortnightly papers, which are published on the morning of the departure of the English mail, namely the China Overland Trade Report (the commercial journal of the Far East), and the Overland China Mail. The Hongkong Catholic Register is a religious paper published weekly. The Chronicle and Directory for China and Japan app ars annually, and is issued from the Daily Press office. The China Review, which is devoted to reviews and papers on Chinese topics, is published once every two months, an l contains valuable articles. The native Press is represented by three daily papers-the Chung Ngoi San Po, which is the oldest, published at the Daily Press Offic; the Wa Taz Yat Po, or Chinese Mail; and the Teun Wan Yat Po, or Universal Circulating Herald. There is also a bi-weekly called Kan Sz Ping Luk. The Govern- ment Gazette is published once a week in both English and Chinese, by the Govern- ment printers, Messrs. Noronha & Sons.

Manufactur's are represented by two large sugar refineries, the China and the Onental, a Distillery, ind some nitive factories. A nong the industries pursued by the Chinese are glass blowing, vermilion manufacture, tanning, dyeing; bean-curd, tooth-powder, cigar and tobacco making, &c.

There are several villages on the island, the largest of which is Shau-ki Wan, situate in a bay in the Li-ü Mun Pass, where there are some large works employed in producing Chinese iron ware for export. Aberdeen, on the south of the island, possesses a well sheltered little harbour, much frequented by fishing craft. Two large docks of the Hon kong and Whampoa Dock Company are also situated there, and add to the importance of the place. Pokfolum, on the road to Aberdeen, about four miles from Victoria, is a place of resort for European residents in the hot weather, and some elegant bungalows have been erected in pleasant and picturesque situations, command.ng fin sea views and cool breezes. The sanatarium of the French Missions is located at Pokfolu n, and is a fine building with an elegant chapel attached. Stanley, situated in a small bay on the south-east of the island, was once the site of a military station, but the barracks were pulled down a few years back, and the village is stagnant. There are good carria re roads from Victoria bɔth to Aberdeen and Shau-ki Wan, and a bridle road to Sta ley.

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Across the harb var is the dopen Incy of British K›wlon. This peninsula wis ceded to Great Britain in 1861. It has an area of four square miles, and, though formerly a most arid and desolate strip of laud, has latterly made considerable pro- gress. Yau-ina Ti, the principal village, has largely increased in population, and bids fair to become an important town. A number of European houses and a club bave been erected and numerous ga dens laid out at Tsim-sha Tsui, which place is much resorted to by the British and foreign residents. Steam ferries ply regularly between this place, Yau-ma Ti, and Victoria.

The total population of the Colony of Hongkong according to the cnsus of 1876, was 139,144, showing an increase of 17,159 since 1872, when the preceding census was taken. The European and Am ·rican community was larger by 247, but this increase was solely due to the immigration of Portuguese from Macao. Nearly every other nationality showed a considerable reduction, there being 86 British, 12 German, 12 American, and 10 Danish male adult residents fewer than in 1872. The total population of the city of Victoria was returned at 111,684; that of Kowloon at 7,704; of Shau-ki Wan 3,011; of Aberdeen 1,669; and Stanley 944. The rest of the population is distributed among the smaller villages and the boat population other than in Victoria harbour. The total British and foreign population numbers 7,525,