Directory_and_Chronicle_1880 — Page 204

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HONGKONG.

189

Street; the Oriental, in Wellington Street; and the Stag, in Queen's Road, all of which are centra ly situat d and provide good accommodation for travellers.

There are 'wo daily papers published in English, the Hongkong Daily Press, whic ap; ears 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, Japan, &c., 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, and con ains 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 Office; the Wa Tsz Yat Po, or Chinese Mail; and the Tsun 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.

Manufactures are represented by two large su ar refin ries, the China and the Oriental, a Distillery, and some native factories. Among the industries pursu: d by the Chinese are glass blowing, vermillion 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 w re for export. Aberdeen, on the south of the island, possesses a well sheltered little harbour, much frequented by fishing crait. I'wo large docks of the Hongkong 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, commanding fine sea views and cool breezes. The sanitarium of the French Missions is located at Pokfolum, 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 carriage roads from Victoria both to Aberdeen and Shau-ki Wan, and a bridle read to Stanley. A good bridle road leads up to the summit of Victoria Peak, with other paths branching off from it along the adjoining hills. Within the past three years the number of bungalows on and about the Peak has increased so much that they now form quite an alpine village.

Across the harbour is the dependency of British Kowloon. This peninsula was ceded to Great Britain in 1861. It has an area of four square miles, and, though formerly a most ar d and desolate strip of land, has latterly made considerable pro- gress. Yan-ma Ti, the principal village, has larely increased in populat.on, and bids fair to b come an important town. A number of European houses and a club have been erected and numerous gardens laid out at Tsim-sha Tsui, which place is much reso ted to by the British and foreign residents. St am frries ply regularly between this place, Yau-ma Ti, and Victoria.

The total population of the Co:o y of Hongkong according to the census of 1876, was 139,144, showing an increase of 17,159 since 1872, when the preceding Census was taken. The European and American community was larger by 247, but this iucr as was solely due to te immigration of Portuguese irom Macao. Nearly every other nationality showed a consid rable reduct on, there being 86 British, 12 German, 12 American, and 10 Danish male adult residents fewer ti an 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 villnges and the boat population other than in Victoria harbour. The total British and foreign population numbers 7,525, but the residents proper are return d at 2,767, the former figures including the

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