Directory_and_Chronicle_1900 — Page 777

HONGKONG

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assistance. Amongst other measures taken to combat the disease, a portion of the Taipingshan district, where the cases were most numerous, was cleared of its inhabit- ants, for whom accommodation was provided elsewhere, and the property in the con- demned area was subsequently resumed by the Crown, the intention being that it shall 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 After that date its virulence decreased, and on the 3rd September the proclamation declaring the Colony infected was withdrawn.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. The year 1899 saw still another visitation, the number of deaths amounting to over 1,400. A vigorous policy of sanitation is now being carried out. Sir William Robinson left Hongkong on the 1st February, 1898, and until the arrival of Sir Henry Blake on 25th November, 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. 185 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 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, к.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.м.G. (Administrator) 1887 Mjr.-Gen. W. G. Cameron, c.B. (Adminis.) 1887 Sir George William Des Voeux, K.C.M G. 189 Francis Fleming, c.M.G. (Administrator) 1890 Sir George William Des Voeux, K.C.M.G. 189 Mjr.-Gen. G. Digby Barker, c B. (Adm.) 1891 Sir William Robinson, G.C M.G.

1-98 Mj.-G. Wilsone Black, C.B., (Admiur.) 1898 Sir Henry Arthur Blake, & 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 revenue for 1898 was $2,918,159, being an increase of $231,245, on the revenue of the previous year, and the ordinary expenditure was $2,841,805, in addition to which an expenditure of $135,846 on extraordinary public works chargeable against the loan was incurred. 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. 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 $4,241,919, that of Kowloon (not including the New Territory) $418,977, and that of the various villages on the island and the Hill District $325,938.