Directory_and_Chronicle_1899 — Page 722

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HONGKONG

be reconstructed in accordance with sanitary requirements. The disease reached its climax on the 7th June, when 107 deaths and 69 new cases were reported. After that date its virulence decreased, and on the 3rd September the proclamation declaring the Colony infected was withdrawn.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, and in 1898 there was another visitation, in connection with which two of the sisters of the Government Civil Hospital lost their lives, having contracted the disease while in the discharge of their duties. A vigorous policy of sanitation is now being carried out. Sir William Robinson left Hongkong on the 1st Feburary, 1898, and until the arrival of Sir Henry Blake on 25th, Nov. 1898, the Government was administered by Major-General Wilsone Black.

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., K.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 Win. Caine (Lt.-Governor) 1855 Sir John Bowring, Knight, LL.D. 1859 Colonel Caine (Lieut.-Governor) 1859 Sir Hercules G. R. Robinson, Knight 1862 William Thomas 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 ir 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.o. (Administrator) 1883 Sir George Ferguson Bowen, G.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 Vœux, K.C.M.G.) 189 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, G.c M.G. 198 Mj.-G. Wilsone Black, C.B.. (Admiur.) 1898 Sir Henry Arthur Blake, C.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 t'r Peace. The other four, two of whom are Chinese, but British subjects, are appointed by the Government.

FINANCES,

The estimated revenue for 1898 was $2,694,867, and the ordinary expenditure $2,430,290, in addition to which an expenditure of $340,416 on extraordinary public works chargeable against the loan was provided for. The Colony has a small public debt, a lo in 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. The public debt now stands at £341,800, repayment of which is provided for by a sinking fund.

The annual rateable value of the city of Victoria is $3,828,577, that of Kowloon $382,062, and that of the various villages on the island and the Hill District $311,308.

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 sixty-eight million gallons, while the Tytam reservoir, constructed in 1883-88, and extended in 1896, has an area of about 29 acres and a