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HONGKONG.
An
some large golowns have been built and wharves made, for coaling purposes. Observatory was also completed at the end of 1883 on Mount Eigin; and a large and handsome Police Station for the Water Police has been erected on an eminence just above the new praya.
A Time Ball occupies a prominent position in front of this Station, and is dropped daily. Steam ferries ply regularly between Kowloon and Victoria.
The total population of the Colony of Hongkong, according to the census of 1881, was 160,402, showing an increase o: 21,258 since 1876, when the preceding census was taken. The European community was larger by 273, but this increase was in women and children among the British, German, and Portuguese r sidents. The male adult population had decreased. The total population of the city of Vic- toria was returned a 141,494; that of Kowloon at 9,021; of Shau-ki Wan 3,274; of Aberdeen 1305; and Stanley 829. The rest of the population is distributed among the smaller villages and the boat population other than in Viet ria harbour. The total British and foreign population nun.bered 7,990, but the residents proper are re:urned at 3,040, the former figures including the naval and militar, establishments, police, shipping in harbour, and temporary residents. The Indians and others of nixed blood numbered 1,722. The population is now probably not less than 180,000.
Hongkong formerly enjoyed a most unenviable notoriety for unhealt in ss, and in years past the troops garrisoned here undoubtedly suffered s verly. A great deal of the sickness in the early days of the Colony was caused by excavating ana oʻher- wise disturbing the disintegrated granite of which the soil of the island mainly con- sists, and which appears to throw off malarious exhalations when upturned. At the present time, however, the Colony is one of the healthiest spots in the world in the same latitude, and when the ignorance of newcomers respecting the climate, the rashness and excesses of seamen, and the squalor and the crowded condition of the Chinese quarter of the town are considered, the mortality is by no means excessive. New sanitary regulations were inan urated in 1883. The annual death rate per 1,000 for the whole population in 1884 was 26.91, for the British and foreign population 16.37, or deducting non-residents 14.65. The annual average rain:all is a out 80 inches, while the average annual range of the thermometer is from 43 deg, to 89 deg. The finances of the Colony have for several years gone on improving, and the estimate i revenue for 1886 is $1,274,973 and the expenditure $1,152,382.
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Hongkong is a free port, and it is therefore impossible to give any return of its imports and exports. During the year 1884 the following tonnage entered and clared with cargoes:-
NATIONALITY
American
Austrian
Belgian
British
Chinese
ENTERED
Vessels Tons.
133... 177,720...
CLEARED
Vesse s.
117...
12... 22,251... 11.
NATIONALITY
Ton*, 154,559
French
20,511
German
Italian
Japanese Norwegian
ENTERED
CLEARED
Vessels, Tons. Vessels. Tong,
103...
lō5,262... 9) 150,459
413...
1,671...
289,454... 391... 250,553
2...
16...
19,851... 18... 20,539
4...
1,411...
3...
1,502
4..
5,71
3...
4,650
14
6,477...
12...
5,609
40... 16,319...
.10...
18,69
1... 1,100...
2,361.. 2,6 3,346... 2,205... 2,493,806
32... 21,531... 26... 19,3-2
Chinese Junks... 15,101... 1,196,128... 17,170.. 1,358,597
Danish Dutch
11... 2,918... 11... 2,819 21... 31,013...
29,918
Russian
Siamese
Spanish
A total of 18,304 vessels, of 4,614,955 tons entered, and 20,035 vessels, of 4,531,924 tons cleared. There also entered in ballast 8,459 vessels, with 552,276 t‹ ns, and cleared 6,239 vessels with 617,160 tons. The total shows a decrease as compare with the previous year of 134,436 tous, being chiefly apparent in the junk trade. There is a steady yearly increase in the steamer tonnag, and a corresponding falling-off in that of sailing ships.
The trade c iefly consists in opium, sugar, salt, flour, oil, cotton goods, earthen- ware, amber, ivory, sandalwood, betel, vegetables, granite, &c., &c. The bulk of the European trade of China and Jatan passes through this port.
Hongkong possesses unrivalled steam communication. The P. & O. S. N. Co. and the M. M. Co. convey the European mail weekly, the P. M. S. S. Co. and the O. & O. S. S. Co. maintain a mail service with San Francisco, and the E. & A. S. S. Co., the Gibb Line, and the C. N. Co. keep up a frequent but irregular service with the Australian Colonies. In addition to all these, several great lines of merchant steamers maintain regular communication between London, Liverpool, and Hongkong, of which
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