BUS
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION,
THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE,
Collectors to make annual re turns and provision
Notice is hereby given, that the exclusive right of for their publica. dealing in Paun, Betel, and Betel Leaf, in the Coton. lony of Hongkong, will be disposed of to the high-
est bidder at Public Auction on the 20th day of pare a detailed statement exhibiting the sums col.
Diplomatic Department,
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION. His Excellency Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary and Chief Superintendent of British Trade, &c. &c, is pleased to direct that the annexed Circular to the address of Her Majesty's Consul in China be published for general information.
By order.
ADAM W. ELMSLIE. Victoria, Hongkong, 31st May, 1845.
CIRCULAR No.
vance.
any
AND HONGKONG GAZETTE. VICTORIA, SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH, 1845. AUSTRALIA.
And be it hereby enacted and THE FRIEND OF CHINA,years been rendered quite unfit for this, having been made the common landing place for ships. ordained, that as soon after the
boats. The lascars, from the country ships, first day of January in each year
are usually found in the garden in crowds as may be found practicable, the
during the season these vessels are at Wham- officer collecting the assessment
poa, and their presence renders a visit far from under this Ordinauce shall pre-
We have Sydney papers to the 15th of Fe- agreeable. It has also been objected to allow- June, at the Office of the Chief Magistrate of Po-lected during the preeding year, and the said state-bruary, via Singapore, but they are unusually ing boats to land at the gardens, that, that pri- lice.
By order,
ment, duly attested by the said officer, shall be bare of news. The proposal to introduce vilege was rendered available for smuggling, FREDERICK W. A. BRUCE, inserted in some newspaper published within this prisoners into the colony from the penitentiary and therefore liable, at any time, to cause dis Colonial Secretary, Colony, and shall also be open to general inspec of Pentonville was making some excitement, putes between the local authorities and H. M. We are well aware that tion at the affice of such officer for one month Victoria, Hongkong, 31st May, 1845,
Southern aud Western Australia have never | representative. from and after the date of its publication.
been tainted by convict labour, and in these nothing can stop smuggling in China: with VI.And be it hereby enacted Rate payable and ordained, that the said rate districts strong opposition is shown to the ad. Fookey smuggling and squeezing are two car Querly in ad shall be payable quarterly is admission of what they designate the Penton- dinal virtues; bat to us it appear desirable vance, unless otherwise precribed villians. In the central district of Sydney, the that, he carry on his smuggling operations in and directed, as hereinbefore mentioned, and that press is more favorable to the Jail-birds. Most such a manner as not to endanger the good, it shall be charged and chargeable on the time of of the old inhabitants had practical experience feeling which at present exists between for
of the advantages which are to be derived from reigners and his own Celestial rulers. such assessment.
We would also state that, in future our price. VIL-And be it hereby enact cheap convict labour, and would willingly see Exemption as to ed and ordained that the owner of a large influx of convicts. The Pentonville current will appear corrected from. Canton property not let,
land, dwelling-house, or pre-prisoners are not convicts, however; correctly once a week. We merely give prices current,. occupied, orused.
mises assessed, which may not be speaking, we believe, they are young people of exchanges, freights, export of tea, ships loading let to any tenant, shall be deemed the occipier whom there is great hope of a reformation; &c., without any pretension to a mercantile thererent, provided always, that if such owner can and it is intended to apprentice them for a few review of the market, with crude speculations shew that the property has not been inhabited for a period of three months or upwards in any year, years to respectable stock holders. By the on the future. We believe our prices will be well aware that, for many obvious reasons, it is. he shall be entitled to a proportional abatement of expiry of that apprenticeship, they will be va as nearly correct, as possible, though, we are luate servants as stockmen, and placed in a assessment levied on the same for the said year.
VIII.-Provided always, that if potion to earn an honest livelihood, with no impossible to make such a document perfectly Appeal against any parson from whom payment of ments to return to the dishonest prac- to meet the views of all who may be buying or selling in the market. Giving, therefore, assessment after the assessment leviable under this tice of boyhood. payment thereof. Ordinancamay have been demand-
such information as we can rely upon, we ed, and who shall have already paid in the amount
leave our mercantile friends in their corres-. demanded of him, objects to the demand on any
pondence to give such a view of the future prospects of the market as best suits their own, other ground than that of valuation, it shall be competent to such person, after payment of the amount demanded, to appeal against such demand to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at such ume and place as the said Chief Justice may be pleased to direct, or that if any person be dissatisfi- ed, or objected to any valuation to be made under this Ordinance on the ground of over-valuation, he or they may, within the period of three calender months after such valuation, or when the said Chief Justice may appoint or direct, appeal to him against such valuation, and that it shall be lawful By His Excellency JOHN FRANCIS DAVIS, for him, if he deem it advisible or necessary, to Esquire, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the have any three persons taken from the exisung list Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies, Her of special jurors to assist him in ascertaining the Majesty's Plenipotentiary and Chief Superinten- question of value which may arise on any such the quality must be good and sufficiently cheap of the arrangements, in order to secure the better accom.
appeal.
Sir,
Victoria, Hongkong, 31st May, 1845. I have to acquaint you, that I have received the Commands of Her Most Gracions Majesty, conveyed through the Right Honourable the Earl of Aberdeen, sanctioning and confirmning Ordi nance No. 6 of 1844, intituled, " An Ordinance to "authorize the execution of the Process of the "Supreme Court of Hongkong in certain Parts within the Dominions of the Emperor of China."
I have &c.
The improvement in the prices of live stock is stisfactory; and the high price of wool in England, with the limited imports are gradual. For the state of the ly relieving the country. market for imports of Indian and China pro. duce see last page.
judgment. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS,
True Copy ADAM W. ELMSLIE, To Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at
HONGKONG.
ANNO OCTAVO, VICTORIÆ REGINÆ, No. 2 of 1845.
dent of the Trade of British Subjects in China, with the advice of the Legislative Council of Hongkang.
Title.
"An Ordinance to raise an as "sessed Rate on lands, houses, and « premises, within the Colony of Hongkong, for the upholding of the requisite Police Force therein."
Preamble.
WHEREAS it is deemed ex- pedient and necessary that the Colony of Hongkong should de-
IX.-And be it further enacted Districts may and ordained, that it shall and may be exempted. be lawful for the said Governor, with the advice of the said Executive Council, to exempt such districts or portions of the said Island of the said rates, as to him and them may seem from the operation of this act, or from the payment
X-And be it hereby enacted Interpretation and ordained, that no assessment made under the authority of this
advisable.
clapse.
It is stated in one of the papers, that Mr. Benjamin Boyd will visit China in his Yacht the Wanderer. Mr. Boyd is said to be de sirous to prove the practicability of introducing Australian wool into the Chinese market. In this he will unquestionably be disappointed; nor do we think that Australia now possesses any export, for which there is a market here in quantity. For farm and dairy produce, such as flour, butter, cheese &c., also salted provisions, there may be in Hongkong some market; but to undersell similar articles sent from Europe or America. Leather, soap and candles might also pay in small lots, but they must be good and cheap. Lumber has already been tried, and we confess it is the only article, which in our opinion, offered a great return to the ship-
pers.
(COPY.)
To the British Merchants resident in Canton,
British Consulate, Canton, 26d June, 1815. Gentlemen,-It boing notorious that smuggling to a great
extent is constantly carried on through the Garden known as the old Company's. and now rented by Her Majesty's Government, and complaints having moreover bsan fre- quoady made of the commission of abuses and guisances by boats crews, who have assumed the right of landing landing pace will henceforth be closed to all ships boate, there, I hereby make known that, the entrance to the said excepting those belonging to Her Majesty's Navy, or to other Vessole of war. A notice to the above effect, will be you will acquaint Masters of Vassale to your consignment this day posted on the spor; besides which I have to request
plishment.
I have the honor to be, &c. (Signed) F. C. MACGREGOR.
The result of the Calcutta opium sales will be found under the head of “ commercial intel-
fray the Expenses attendant on the upholding and Ordinance shall be impeached or affected by reason superior attainments-who has written home. money with which they bid for the drug and
point valuators of
the Island.
maintaining the Police force thereof.
I-Be it therefore enacted and Governor to ap- ordained by the Governor of The lands, housea, Hongkong, with the advice of the & premises within Legislative Council thereof, that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Governor. with the advice of the Executive Council, from time to time to appoint two or more persons for the purpose of estimating the annual value of the lands, houses, and premises within the said Island, or within any par- ficular district thereof, which shall be in the tenure or occupation of any person or persons; and the said valuator or valuators shall, when thereunto requir- ed, make a return in writing and on oath of such valuation to the said Governor and Council, and also at the time of having valued each property respectively, he or they shall leave or cause to be jeft with some inmate or the proprietor thereof, a written Notification of their having. made such valuation, and of the Amount therof
II. And be it further enacted Valuation may and ordained that for the purposes be made annually. of this Ordinance, the said Go. vernor and Council may cause a new valuation to- be made annually.
nual valuation and provision for per jods of payment, notice of assess ment, periods of payment, and re- medy for
nonpay- meat
III.--And be it further enacted Assessment and ordained, that for the pur- be made on the an.
pose of levying the said rate, a per Centage at such an amount in the hundred as may annually be de termined on by the Governor with the advice of the Executive Co- uncil not exceeding such a sum as shall be equal to the expenses of the Police establishment, shall be assessed and paid in respect of every such valua- tion by the occupier or owner of each parcel of ground, house, or building, within such time' and fimes as the said Governor, with the advice of the said Council, shall direct, or as is hereinafter pro- vided. In the absence of such direction and in default of the same being so puid. it shall be lawful for any person or persons appointed to collect the said tax to apply to the Chief Magistrate of Police of the Island, who shall, on satisfactory proof of the same having been duly demanded and being dus and unsatisfied, grant his Warrant to levy the same by distress of any goods on or in the lands, houses, or premises so rated; and that any such rate, while unpaid, shall be a lien on the property so assessed, or charged therewith, Provided always that when. god so often as any assessment shall be made ou any such valuation. the particulars and nature of such assessment shall be published in one or more public newspapers of the said Colony.
IV. Provided always that all Charitable Insti- religious edifices, hospitals, ceme tutions exempted teries, and buildings strictly and from assessment. exclusively appropriated to chari- table purposes, and not being used as dwelling- bouses, shall be exempted from assessment under this Ordinance.
•
of any mistake in the name of any person liable to assessment, or of any thing chargeable with access ment, provided the directions of this Ordinance be in substance and effect complied with.
And be it further enacted and ordained, that this Ordinance shall come into operation and take effect, from and after the first day of July next ensuing.
Moderate
guaty.
J. F. DAVIS. Governor, &c. &c.
Passed the Legislative Council of Hongkong this 23rd day of May, 1845. ADOLPHUS E. SHELLEY,
Clerk of Councils.
3
4
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1
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77
moderate.
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no
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NOTICE.
METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER FOR THE WEEK VICTORIA, MONGKONG,
RRIOR
Mean
Chinese day Month Week. Mouth of Barometer, Max Min | Mean Thermometer
Fore. ** Latter
Winds
ENDING, 41a MAY, 1845. Prvisor.
Ramanas
Inches
Fine etsar,
New advertisements, will be received, until 4 O'Clock, an the evenings previous to publi- cation, vis: Tuesdays and Fridays.
V-And be it hereby enacted Provisions for and ordained, that the Governor, the appointment with the advice of the executive of collectors. Council, shall have power to ap- Essland point such officer or officers as may be deemed re- TanaD STATES quisite for the collection of the Rate leviable under CALCHERA this Ordinanes, allowing him or them as remus- neration for this service such a per Centage as to MAWAS the Governor in Council shall seem fit
BATAVIA
SAMELY
SYDNEY
May,
8. April. 3
LATEST DATES. Mar. 7 SINGAPORK Feb
MANIZA 1
CSSSAN April 39 April 40
SHAMFELL BCY. Jan. 16
17
13
·Feb 23 Feb. 12
May,
Foo..700 Axaz
ligence." We notice the large quantity pur- chased by Bazaar speculators, and think that We pick up a rather amusing paragraph in justice to the bona fide purchaser for ship-
Who the veracious regarding Hongkong. writer of the letter may be we are at a loss to ent, some alteration should be made in the guess. But the high official-the gentleman of terms of sale. The merchants here send on to the government recommending the aban- clear it at once; the Indian speculators, how- donment of the island, may blush to see his ever, attend and raise the price for the mere
purpose of gambling. They are the nominal- statements published in a Hongkong paper. purchasers of large parcels, upon which Where is the swampy land in front of Vic they pay a deposit, hoping before the day of toria? God help the dotard, there is nothing clearance arrives to have raised the price so as but good salt-water opposite Victoria-a very
to realize a profit; should it fall considerably noble and capacious harbour, on crossing which they forfeit the deposit, and it is again thrown to the mainland there is a dry salubrious coun. try. It is very true that, for two years the pon the Company. This we look upon a
just, and injurious to trade, leading to all sorts mortality among the troops has been great of deceptions and desperate gambling; and the and deeply to be deplored. But where is the
sooner the sales are made for prompt cash, the tropical climate where this is not invariably the better for the seller and the fair dealer, who case, when troops are badly lodged, exposed to
comes forward with money and pays for hig the rains and dews, and in addition to this are
goods. Some years ago, the Company were landed from shipboard in a sickly state? The stack" with many chests, which had been bought deaths among civilians last summer were not by these gambling gentlemen, but which they numerous; and of those who did die, few, or would not clear, in consequence of bad new none, were old stagers. We certainly think from China; another such occurrence will the way in which the troops are quartered perhaps open their eyes to the objectionable disgraceful to the colony but whose fault is
terms of their present sales.. this? The gentlemen of Liverpool and else. where, who have feted the late Governor-the wiley Negociator of Scinde, and great Paci ficator of China-may not like to hear that to the last day of his holding office he opposed every proposition to build barracks for the troops, though they were dying near his regis dence like rotten sheep. He refused even to grant the site for a Military Hospital, until shamed into it by a threat from the Commander of the forces, that he would purchase the ground and pay for it out of the Military chest. When high officials write letters injurious to the colony they ought to protect, let them state causes as well as effects;-but behold the paragraph itself.
"HONGKONG.
By private letters, we are sorry to learn that the above now settlement is very far from a healthy place of residence for Europeans; and we have authority for stating, that sach is the extent of sickness, and alarm for the consequences, that a high official gentleman of superior attainments-has written to the home suthorities, recommending the abandon ment of the settlement, if not of this island altogether.
The land fronting the town of Victoris is described as of the most swampy character, and has been used for years as paddy fields, which, while lying fallow, exude so destructive a miasme that it is almost certain death to inhale the atmos phere in the immediato vicinity. AUSTRALIAN.”
}
assess-
POLICE ASSESSMENT BILL. To the abstract principle of an ment for the support of a police we do not object; but we certainly think that this bill is premature, and in other respects obnoxious. As it is presently formed, we deny that the legislature of Hongkong can constitutionally tax British subjects. In that legislature the inha- bitants are perfectly without representation, either by election, or by choice of the govern ment. Neither is this a legislative council, though so mis-named; the members have no legislative privileges, they can neither veto the measures of the Governor, was can they propose. measure of their own. Such a council.is per- fectly irresponsible, and we look upon His Excellency; the Governor, as in his own person forming the entire legislature of Hongkong. Whether in his past carcer Mr.Davis has shown himself to be a person with whom the rights and privileges of the inhabitants could be intrust- ed-even admitting this to be constitutional--it is for others to judge-we think he is not. From education, habits, and possibly constitutional temperament, we fear Mr. Davis looks more
In consequence of the absence of the Gen-to the rights of the crown than to those tlemen, who kindly favors us with his meteoro of the people, though the obligations of crown and logical jottings, they have not appeared for a | his office. bind him to afford few weeks. We are, however, put in posses
people protection alike. We do not mean to sion of the weekly retaras, which were duly impune in any degree the rectitude of His
kept by another party, and as they may be use. ful for reference hereafter, we will publish one in each paper, until we bring them up to date; as formerly they will then appear weekly.
CANTON.
We have a letter from the provincial city dated the 4th. Our correspondent mentions that much satisfaction is felt at the issuing of a circular from H. M. Consul, Mr. Macgregor, a copy of which we annex.
The Company's gardens, intended for the recreation of the foreign community and af- fording them a pleasant shade, have of late
|
Excellency's intentions, but for the reasons wo have now given, as well as from his past meas ures,we don't think that he is the man to levy as sessment, choosing his own servants to value the property assessed, upon which valuation he lays such a per centage as appears to him proper. The scheme in this respect is unsatisfactory. Con- sidering the present position of the colony with little or no trade, also a party in Chios being strongly inimical to it, and the desirability by liberality on the part of the gover- ment, and the protection and encouragerment they afford commerce, to draw as many of the foreign merchants, and as many of the Chinese traders, to the colony as possible, we cannot
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