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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 12TMп MARCH, 1870.
SHIPPING.
2. It is satisfactory to find that the trade of the Colony in 1869 shows an improvement on that of the previous year, and although the difference of grand total of European shipping and of Junks is but 23,593 tons, the excess in British ships is 45 vessels measuring 41,615 tons, and in Foreign ship. ping, exclusive of Chinese, is 135 vessels with a capacity of 95,230 tons, or a total of 180 slips and 136.845 tons, the difference being made up by loss on the Junk Trade.
3. This large increase of trade is mostly due to the extended traffic between the Colony and Australasia, the United States, the Phillipine Islands, and Japan.
4. The trade between this and British India remains nearly the same.
5. The amount of tonnage arriving during the current year will probably exceed that of any other similar period during the Colony's existence.
6. The successful opening of the Suez Canal, the anticipated doubling the number of steamers belonging to the Messageries Impériales, and to the Pacific Mail Company, together with two newly formed local Steam-ship Companies will add immensely to the activity, progress, and it is to be hoped,
wealth of the Island.
7. The total average of ships of all classes exclusive of Chinese and Native Craft lying here daily was, in January, 109; February, 100; March, 81; April, 78; May, 73; June, 90; July, 100; August, 103; September, 138.4; October, 154; November, 132.5; and December, 131.3; or the daily average throughout the year was 107.5; 18.7 per cent being vessels propelled by steam.
JUNK TRADE.
8. On this subject I am not able to report favorably. During the year there has been a falling off in arrivals of 2,222 vessels equal to 113,252 tons. It is however satisfactory to find that this decrease is not the result of local legislation, as in my last annual Report I was able to shew an increase of tonnage in 1868 as compared with 1867 of 142,996 tons.
9. In the 13th paragraph of that Report I alluded to the action of the Chinese Government in having then recently established Customs stations in the vicinity of the Colony. I think the decrease of tonnage in Junks can reasonably be attributed to the existence of these stations and to the activity
of the Cruisers attached to them.
10. Whether the result of this policy has been beneficial to the Chinese Imperial Treasury it is difficult to say, but it is a fair assumption, unsatisfactory though it be, that if the Junk trade of Hongkong has decreased, so, in proportion must that of the Ports with which the vessels traded.
11. Although the close blockade kept up by these Cruisers appears to be producing a bad effect on the native shipping of the Colony, it may eventually result in the supersession of Junks by European vessels as carriers, to the ultimate advantage of the foreign snip builder and trader.
12. Between the Cruisers and the rumored possible appointment of a Chinese Consul at Hongkong, the destruction of trade in native vessels and ruin of the sea-faring population of China trading with Hongkong seems imminent.
13. Of the arrivals of Junks, those from Macao shew a diminution of 298 measuring 51,227 tois, so that the neighbouring Colony would appear to be suffering equally with ourselves and probably from
the same canse.
14. In a few instances Junk Masters have reported that officers from the Chinese Revenue Crui- sers have searched their vessels whilst in Colonial Waters, when prompt measures have been taken to obtain redress and to prevent a recurrence of the offence. The constant cruising of the Victoria outside the Harbor and visits of the Blanche have doubtless been an effective check on the proceedings of Chinese Officials in these matters.
15. An important Commission was appointed by His Excellency, consisting of Officials and Merchants, to enquire into the result of the application of the Harbor and Coasts Ordinance (No. 6 of 1866) to the Colony, and to determine if any and what changes the present immunity of the Colonial waters from Piracy rendered desirable. The Commissioners' Report is in the hands of the Government.
EMIGRATION.
16. In the return under this head it will be found that there has been an increase of 9,408/ Adults, or 47.4 per cent on the return for 1868.
17. The increased traffic is principally to San Francisco, which is resuming the position it held in that respect previous to the American War.
18. The rapidity and greater comfort offered by the vessels of the Pacific Steam Ship Company have obtained them great success, native passengers preferring this mode of conveyance to that by sailing vessels. 69 per cent of the Chinese conveyed to San Francisco during the year have gone by
those steamers.
19. A report was circulated in the Colony that women kidnapped in the province of Annain were placed on board these vessels to be conveyed to California for purposes of prostitution.
The
20. Every measure which suggested itself to the Government with a view to ascertaining the truth of the rumor was adopted, His Excellency the Governor, the Attorney General, the Registrar General, the Police and some natives of Annam visited the ships to examine for themselves. circulators and believers of the report were urged to give up their authority or produce some proof of the truth of their statements. At length the report was stated to have emanated from some Jesuit
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