710042-1868-GOVERNMENT-NOTIFICATION-NO-104 — Page 1

DIE

MON

DROIT

THE HONGKONG

Government Gazette.

Published by Authority,

No. 37.

VICTORIA, SATURDAY, 5TH SEPTEMBER, 1868.

VOL. XIV.

No. 104.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.

The following Report of the Harbor Master, with Comparative Summary Table annexed showing the Junk Trade of the Colony for the first Six Months of the Years 1867 and 1868, is published for general information.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 4th September, 1868.

J. GARDINER AUSTIN, Colonial Secretary.

HARBOR MASTER'S DEPARTMENT, HONGKONG, 1st September, 1868.

SIR, In accordance with His Excellency's instructions of the 11th ultimo, I have the honor to forward tabular compara- tive statements of the number of Junks entering and leaving Hongkong for the first Six Months of 1867 and 1868, respectively, 2. The enclosed returns are prepared and numbered in the same manner as the returns which accompanied my Annual Report of the 19th February last, but I have included the number of Passengers arrived and left, by Junks only.

3. His Excellency will be glad to observe that the rumours of the Junk trade having fallen off during the period now treated of are without foundation, as the returns of arrivals shew an increase of 2,262 vessels, 120,879 tons and 4,707 passengers over the arrivals in the corresponding period of 1867. This is most satisfactory and should clear up the doubts that appear to have existed as to the results attending the working of Ordinance No. 6 of 1866.

4. I hear it has been advanced that the larger class of Junks has given way to small sized ones. This is partially true, but it is the natural consequence of the introduction of steam and of the large addition of a small description of Continental vessels which now frequent Chinese waters. These latter are able to navigate the coast of China almost as cheaply as Junks and have absorbed a good deal of the trade between this and the Consular Ports. But when it is said that the trade between this and the West Coast has fallen off and that Macao has profited by our loss, I again refer to figures to see if the assumption is correct. I find 96 vessels arrived in Hongkong from West Coast Ports in the first Six Months of 1867, whilst 104 arrived in the corresponding Months of this Year, being 8 vessels in favor of the current Year, and this is the more surprising as trade in general has been more stagnant than hitherto. Of the sizes of these vessels, I can say that the capacity of the larger number averages from 120 to 250 tons each.

5. I am satisfied that if the whole of China was opened to the world, the Junk trade would almost wholly cease to exist, as Chinese are becoming too alive to the value of time to neglect the advantages of speed and safety which the employment of European vessels as carriers offer.

6. What may be termed the Home trade of the Colony has fallen off. The decrease in arrivals is 1,531 vessels, 44,736 tons and 6,110 passengers. This trade consists chiefly of vessels carrying Stone and Lime for the erection of works; and Ballast for vessels. The remaining portion of the trade is the conveying Fish and other articles of food between the various Villages and City of Victoria. The typhoons in the autumn of last Year destroyed a large number of this class of vessels which have not, and probably will not, be replaced as their owners are in many instances too poor to be able to build new Junks. If the population has not decreased, the food carrying and passenger trade must be much the same, but conveyed in small boats, of which this Department keeps no record. The Stone and Lime carrying trade must of course depend on the buildings and other works in course of erection; and the demand of European vessels for Ballast.

7. The third paragraph of His Excellency's Minute has reference to a state of things, which if true, would reflect very great discredit on the Officers of this Department.

8. No complaints of vexatious delays have been brought to my notice, although I must admit that there are occasions when many Masters of Junks have to wait some time before they can get entered. As for instance when from 60 to 70 vessels arrive in one day.

9. It is scarcely possible that any undue favoritism, the result of a bribe, can occur in the Chinese office without its coming to the knowledge of the Assistant Harbor Master or myself. Mr. Tonnochy's room is next to and communicates with this branch of the Department. I am frequently in the room myself and if anything.unfair has been practised, I do not think the Chinese would hesitate to report it. However, be it as it may, unless they complain to me they are not likely to get redress. I would suggest that the persons to whom the Chinese have complained should communicate to me the information they have obtained. "Any person may say trade is ruined, and that it is all in consequence of the mal-administration of the Harbor Master's Department, but I am much more prepared to meet properly grounded charges than to reply to what, I must at present assume, are unfounded statements.