Directory_and_Chronicle_1918 — Page 1024

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HONGKONG

of the disturbances which occurred on the taking over of the leased area, the Home Government determined to mark their sense of the duplicity of the Chinese in a suitable manner and orders were accordingly issued to the inilitary authorities to seize Kowloon walled city and Shamchun. This was done on the 16th May, 1899, no opposition being encountered at either place. The Hongkong Volunteer Corps took part in the expedition to Kowloon City. Shamchun, the other place seized, is an important town on the river of the same name just beyond the boundary originally agreed upon. It was, however, restored to the Chinese authorities in November, 1899. The New Territory under British jurisdiction is being developed by the construction of roads; police stations have been established, and a system of administration by means of village communities organised. The headquarters of the adininistration are at Taipolu. The railway from Kowloon to Canton, which passes through the New Territory to Shamchun, has already done much to develop it. The Hongkong Golf Club acquired an area of 55.62 acres in the valley stretching West from Fanling and have converted it into a Golf Course of 1 holes, with a relief Course of 9 holes, which promises to be the best in the East. The principal islands and their populations are as follows:-Lantao, 7,940; Cheung Chan, 2,734; Lamma, 1,134. The islands to the west of Hongkong contain 1,925; those to the east, 1,169. The Chinese population of the New Territories is estimated at 80,000.

Of the islands and islets in the waters of the Colony (exclusive of the above acquisitions) the most important is Stonecutter's Island, formerly known as Wong Chune-chow, opposite to and about three-quarters of a mile from the north-western extremity of the Kowloon peninsula. The island is an irregular ridge about a mile in length, and a little over a quarter of a mile broad; the principal eminences are occupied by batteries and no one is allowed to land without a permit. The Quarantine Station is also located here. After the great typhoon of September, 1874, two or three thousand bodies of the victims found afloat were interred on Stonecutter's Island. Kellet's Island is a small rock near East Point, on which a fort formerly stood, but which has been replaced by a small magazine. Green Island, at the western entrance of the harbour, has been planted with trees and now justifies its name all the year round. A lighthouse has been placed on its south-western extremity. One Tree Island is a tiny rock near the entrance to Aberdeen. Aplichau, a considerable island opposite Aberdeen, of which harbour it forms part, has a populous fishing village on its northern shore facing Aberdeen. Lantao and Lamma Islands were brought under British jurisdiction by the Kowloon Convention of 1898. The former has a considerably larger area than Hongkong, but both this island and Lamma are sparsely populated by agriculturists and fishermen.

POPULATION AND DEFENCES

A census taken in May, 1911, showed the total population of the Colony to be 456,739, consisting of 12,075 non-Chinese and 444,664 Chinese. Of this number of Chinese 383,716 constituted the land population. The boat population numbered 60,948 (of whom 31,893 were in Victoria harbour). In the City of Victoria there were 7,825 non- Chinese and 216,022 Chinese. The Peak population was returned as 723 non-Chinese and 1,749 Chinese. Exclusive of the Army and Navy the white population of the Colony was 6,035. The total civil population estimated to the middle of 1916 was 529,010, consisting of 13,390 non-Chinese and 515,620 Chinese. The Garrison consists of British and Indian troops. There is also a Defence Corps and a Police Reserve Corps.

The approaches to the harbour are strongly fortified, the batteries consisting of well-constructed earthworks. The western entrance is protected by thrce batteries on Stonecutters' Island and two forts on Belcher and Fly Points, from which a tremendous converging fire could be maintained, completely commanding the Sulphur Channel. Pine Wood battery, on the hill above and west of Richmond Terrace, has a wide range of fire. The Ly-ee-mùn Pass is defended by two forts on the Hongkong side and another on Devil's Peak on the mainland, and if vessels survived that fire they would then have to face the batteries at North Point and Hunghom which completely command the eastern entrance. Another battery on the bluff at Tsim-tsa Tsui, Kowloon, commands the whole of the centre of the harbour. The batteries are armed with the latest breech-loading ordnance. The Colony of Hongkong pays a military contribution fixed at 20 per cent. of the revenue,

In addition to the fortifications the Colony possesses a small squadron for harbour defence. The Naval Yard consists of a large dock, an extensive range of workshops