Directory_and_Chronicle_1897 — Page 276

HONGKONG

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Colony infected was withdrawn. The total number of deaths recorded was 2,547. In the meantime the trade of the Colony had suffered severely. Large numbers of the natives fled, it being estimated that the population was reduced at one time by no less than 80,000, and the usually busy Queen's Road appeared almost deserted. As the disease waned the population returned, business was gradually resumed, and with the withdrawal of the quarantine imposed at the other ports vessels which had for the time being passed by Hongkong resumed their regular calls. In 1896 the disease again made its appearance, but was much less virulent than in 1894. A vigorous policy of sanitation is now being carried out.

The following is a list of those who have administered the Government from the date on which the Island was erected into a Colony 1843 Sir Henry Pottinger, Bart., G.c.B. 1844 Sir John Francis Davis, Bart., к.c.B. 1848 Samuel George Bonham, C.B. 1851 Major-General W. Jervois (Lt.-Governor) 1851 Sir S. George Bonham, Bart., K.C.B. 1852 John Bowring, LL.D. (Acting) 1853 Sir S. George Bonham, Bart., K.C.B. 1854 Sir John Bowring, LL.D. 1854 Lieut.-Colonel Wm. Caine (Lt.-Governor) 1855 Sir John Bowring, Knight, LL.D. 1859 Colonel Caine (Lieut.-Governor) 1859 Sir Hercules G. R. Robinson, Knight 1862 William 'l'homas Mercer (Acting) 1864 Sir Hercules G. R. Robinson, Knight 1865 William Thomas Mercer (Acting) 1866 Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell, Knt., C.B.

1870 Mj.-Gl. H. W. Whitfeild (Lt.-Governor) 1871 Sir Richard G. MacDonnell, K.C.M.G., C.B. 1872 Sir Arthur E. Kennedy, K.C.M.G., C.B. 1875 John Gardiner Austin (Administrator) 1876 Sir Arthur E. Kennedy, K.C.M.G., C.B. 1877 Sir John Pope Hennessy, K.C.M.G. 1882 Wm. Hy. Marsh, c.M.G. (Administrator) 1883 Sir George Ferguson Bowen, a.c.M.G. 1885 Wm. Hy. Marsh, c.M.G. (Administrator) 1887 Mjr.-Gen. W. G. Cameron, c.B. (Adminis.) 1887 Sir George William Des Voeux, K.C.M G. 1890 Francis Fleming, c.M.G. (Administrator) 1890 Sir George William Des Vœux, K.C.M.G. 1891 Mjr.-Gen. G. Digby Barker, c B. (Adm.) 1891 Sir William Robinson, K.C.M.G.

The Government is administered by a Governor, aided by an Executive Council of five officials and two unofficials. The Legislative Council is presided over by the Governor, and is composed of the Officer Commanding the Troops, the Colonial Secretary (who also holds the office of Registrar-General), the Attorney-General, the Treasurer, the Director of Public Works, the Harbour Master, the Captain Superin- tendent of Police, and six unofficial members, one of whom is elected by the Chamber of Commerce and another by the Justices of the Peace. The other four, two of whom are Chinese, but British subjects, are appointed by the Government.

FINANCES.

The estimated revenue for 1896 was $2,288,366, and the ordinary expenditure 82,158,562, in addition to which an expenditure of $320,500 on extraordinary public works chargeable against the loan was provided for. The Colony has a small public debt, a loan of £200,000 having been contracted in 1886. Another loan of £200,000 was contracted in 1893, and in 1894 the unredeemed balance of the first loan was converted from 4 per cent. debentures into 3 inscribed stock, thus bringing it into uniformity with the loan raised in 1893. At the end of 1894 the public debt stood at £341,800, repayment of which is provided for by a sinking fund.

The annual rateable value of the city of Victoria is $3,247,726, that of Kowloon 3318,326, and that of the various villages on the island and the Hill District $259,693.

DESCRIPTION.

The island is about 11 miles long and from 2 to 5 broad; 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. The only valleys worthy of the name are those of Wong-nai Chung and Little Hongkong, both of which are remark, ably beautiful and well wooded, being in fact the only parts where any considerable arborescent vegetation was formerly to be found. The island is well watered by numerous streams, many of which are perennial. The city and suburbs are sup plied with water from the Pokfolum and Tytam reservoirs. The former, constructed in 1866-69, has a storage capacity of seventy-four million gallons, while the Tytam reservoir, constructed in 1883-88, and extended in 1896, has an area of about 29 acres and a storage capacity of about three hundred and ninety million gallons. From the Tytam reservoir the water is conveyed into town by means of a tunnel a mile and one-third in length and a conduit along the hillside some 400 feet above the sea level and nearly four miles in length, on which a fine road-called the Bowen Road-has been formed, which commands the most charming views of the city and the eastern district, and is a favourite resort of pedestrians.

In many parts the conduit is carried over the ravines and rocks by ornamental stone bridges, one of which, above Wanchai, has twenty-three arches.