706964-1869-GOVERNMENT-NOTIFICATION-NO-31 — Page 2

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 20тп MARCH, 1869.

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8. There is a point worthy of consideration and which so long as Hongkong remains a Free Port will always obtain, that is, the inability of this Department, as at present constituted, to arrive at the quantity, quality and value of Imports and Exports. An increase to the Harbor staff would enable me to collect this information, but as such a course would materially interfere with the now absolute freedom of the trade of the Colony, I hesitate to suggest the adoption of any measures tending to such a result. But in consequence of this want, the Government can never be in a position to know the actual trade of the place, for vessels arriving, although only partially laden, are entered as "with cargoes" in contradistinction to those in ballast only.

JUNK TRADE.

9. In my last Report I was enabled to point out the probable success of the addition of the "Harbor and Coasts Ordi- nance" to the laws of the Colony. In the year under review it is convincingly shown that what in 1867 was but an interesting experiment is now a great reality.

10. The increase of Arrivals in 1868 on 1867 amounts to 4,670 vessels and 142,996 tons. This is a result which the warmest supporters of the novel measure could scarcely have anticipated. I always felt that Chinese traders would soon perceive the real object and bent of examining and registering all native craft visiting the Port and that directly they saw it clearly, all ill grounded fears would vanish and they would carry on their business with greater confidence than ever.

11. During the year the Government has reduced the fees collected from junks. Firstly, by classifying all trading and fishing vessels, and secondly, by reducing the fees on Anchorage Passes to one half their previous amount. This measure which is attended by serious loss to the Revenue, has had a good effect on the trading and fishing population.

12. In my Report of the 1st September last, on the Junk Trade, I remarked on the decrease of the local or home trade of the Colony, that is, in vessels plying between the outstations and villages of Kowloon and Victoria. The same decrease is now perceptible, but there are so many means of transport in small sampans, of which this Department can take no account, that the diminution is more apparent than real.

13. During the last year the Chinese Government established Customs' Stations in the near vicinity of the Colony, the existence of which, it was thought, would tend to check the native trade of this place, but this does not as yet appear to be the case. Occasional complaints have been made that vessels were improperly boarded and their owners subjected to illegal exactions, but it is most likely, that these robberies were committed by persons who, under pretence of being Revenue Officers, took the opportunity of levying squeezes on junks as they passed from the protection of Colonial waters to their destination.

14. In May last an Ordinance (No. 2 of 1868) was passed enabling His Excellency in Council to frame orders for the gradual disarming of all native vessels. A commencement was made on the fishing craft which had been represented to this Government as being the fruitful source of Piracy. Stinkpots being weapons more of offence, than of defence, no vessel was to be permitted to carry them. Through the medium of this Department the provisions of the Ordinance were being stringently adhered to, and fishing vessels were deprived of their arms, but it was soon observed that many of the more important of those vessels deserted the Colony and on the matter being enquired into, it was found that this Government alone was acting up to the spirit and intention of the understanding come to on this subject with the Canton Authorities. The Order in Council was consequently repealed and the fishing trade has again resumed its former briskness.

15. The work of this branch of the Department has materially increased during the year, there having been 40,122 documents issued in 1868 as against 36,713 documents issued in 1867.

16. It is satisfactory to notice the decrease of Piracy. A North German barque was attacked near Hoi Nam and 14 attacks on junks have also been reported during the year as against 29 reported in 1867.

17. The schooner Victoria and the launch Blanche will, when completed, greatly augment the efficiency of this De- partment. The junk has been useful and in her much valuable service has been rendered, but from her inferior sailing qualities, the uncertainty as to the time of reaching the place of destination and eventual return to the harbor is so great that the outstations have not been visited as frequently as they should be. It is essential to the proper performance of the Police duties of the Colony that such vessels as those in progress should be at all times, if not actually cruising, at least ready for the performance of any duties which may devolve on them. At present the Government is compelled, even in most trivial instances, to call on the Navy for assistance and although this is always most willingly accorded, it must occa- sionally happen that there is not a Gunboat available for the service required.

18. The Colony will henceforth be freed from this disadvantage and will be able to act at all times in its jurisdiction whenever circumstances shall render it necessary.

EMIGRATION.

19. 4,421 more Chinese have left Hongkong during the year under review than appeared to have left in 1867. This is partially caused by a large number of laborers being required for the construction of railways in the United States, and also from the check which has been placed on vessels hence to Bangkok. These vessels do not now carry Chinese indiscriminately, but clear in the usual way. Formerly they cleared with 20 passengers and afterwards took in others when beyond the harbor limits.

20. But one vessel carrying 252 hired emigrants to Surinam was dispatched during the year. This was owing to the cheapness of rice, &c. The planters in Dutch Guiana are extremely desirous to obtain this class of labor and spare no pains or money to encourage Chinese to embrace their offers. A free passage back at the end of their five years' service is now offered or should the emigrant desire to remain, he receives a bonus of $60 and a piece of ground.

21. It has been prominently brought to the notice of this Government by the Government of Victoria that the Dayspring, an English vessel of 393 tons which left here for Melbourne in May last with 99 Chinese passengers, had arrived at the latter place having disease of a scorbutic nature on board, from which a number of the passengers had died. This vessel left here after the usual examination of the ship, provisions, and medical comforts which such vessels invariably undergo, by a Government Marine Surveyor, Medical Inspector of Emigrants and myself. In addition to her passengers she had a cargo consisting almost entirely of edibles. She appears to have been 22 days longer on the passage than is calculated for at that time of the year and consequently provisions and water ran short. But the Master had access to the hold where he might have obtained the former and for the latter he could have replenished at any island that he neared, but he appears to have shewn himself most reckless as to the requirements of his passengers and proceeded on his voyage despite the advice of a European passenger who was on board. Want of proper food, which appears to have deteriorated from the length of the voyage, the deficiency of water, undue attention to cleanliness and the absence of healthy exercise, all conduced to nurture the disease. The Authorities at Melbourne dealt with the Master for a breach of the Chinese Passengers' Act.

22. An Italian vessel has lately arrived at this Port from Havana on board which a disease of a similar character manifested itself, but attended with much more serious consequences. The Consul held a lengthy investigation into the case, when it was shewn that no blame attached itself to the Master, Officers, or Crew.