944
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 6TH NOVEMBER, 1897.
The shipping returns, though not attaining to the figures of 1896, are, nevertheless, quite satisfactory. During the nine months ended on the 30th September, 7,108 vessels of European construction, aggregating nearly 9,000,000 tons Register, entered and cleared at the Harbour Office. The increase of shipping under Foreign flags (principally German and Japanese) has been very noticeable, but 68 per cent. of the total tonnage, and 56 per cent. of the ocean-going tonnage alone was British. These ships carried, in and through our waters, about 54 million tons of cargo and bunker coal, and over a million passengers. As might be expected, junks followed the European shipping, and the figures do not come up to those for the corresponding period of last year.
There is no reason, however, for assuming that the falling off is anything but temporary, and it can in a large measure be traced to a short rice crop in the period under review, during which 430,000 tons less were reported than in the same period of 1896.
The commercial progress of the Colony during the last five years is very marked. The tonnage, which is always a more or less reliable indication, has increased by 2,510,255 tons, whilst the value of the transit trade has improved to the extent of 28,933,788 Haikwan taels, or nearly £5,000,000 sterling. No less remarkable is the development of local indus- tries, of which, believing in the policy of independence, I have always been a warm supporter.. The establishment of two large kerosene oil depôts, feather-dressing and match factories, soap, coal briquette and rattan works, the extensions of the Docks, the large Sugar Refine ries, the rope and cement works are standing monuments of that development, whilst the spirit of local enterprise is again evident in the recent formation of a Public Company for the establishment of cotton mills in this Colony.
I am particularly gratified at this latest movement. It is nearly four years since I first made the suggestion to you in this Council and promised my co-operation so far as the ac- quisition of land was concerned. It is nearly two years since I repeated the suggestion and renewed my promise. I trust that whilst you have given practical effect to the former, I have not failed in my fulfilment of the latter.
It remains to mention one other event of great importance to the trade of this Colony, viz., the opening of the West River ports to Foreign trade on the 3rd June last. You will recollect that in my address to you of the 25th November, 1895, I assured you that although for a time, at least, local interests might necessarily be postponed in favour of purely Imperial interests, this question had by no means been lost sight of.
The result has proved that I was justified in making that statement, and it affords me much pleasure to have witnessed before my departure the accomplishment of this object. When communication has been satisfactorily established between Hongkong and the West River ports, this Colony will, doubtless, share to the fullest extent in the harvest to be reaped from these additional fields for commercial enterprise..
My relations with the Chinese community of this Colony have always been of the most cordial nature. I have had no reason to change my earliest-formed impression of their industrious, peaceful, and law-abiding qualities, On the other hand, I have had every reason to adhere to my original promise that they would find in me not only a Governor but also a friend. And if on one or two occasions I have had to disguise my good intentions under the cloak of official authority, I have on such occasions endeavoured to combine firmness with consideration for their feelings and national customs. My object has always been to promote their welfare and secure their best interests.
In proof of the sincerity of these professions, if any such proof is required, I would refer to the concessions granted during the Plague Epidemic of 1894 under circumstances which involved a very large degree of responsibility. I would also mention the support accorded by the Government to the Pó Léung Kuk, which has enabled that charitable Society to erect a new home, which I opened in person, and to continue its beneficial work under more favourable circumstances. Great improvements also have been effected in the administration and sanitary condition of the Tung Wa Hospital, the benefits of which are already evident and are daily becoming more appreciated by the native community,
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