NOTICE.
New advertisements, will he received, until 4 O'Clock, on the uenings previous to publi. cation, viz. Tuesdays and Fridays.
LATEST DATES.
August August 10 July 30 August Foo.cnow.roo June June AMOT
ENGLAND
June 24
UNITED STATES April
CALCUTTA
July
10 19
SINGAPORE MANILA
CHUSAN
BOMBAY
June 28.
SHANGHAI
STONKY. MADRAS BATAVIA
-June- 13
Misy
June 18.
AND HONGKONG GAZETTE. VICTORIA, SATURDAY, AUGUST 30rn, 1845,
6
THE FRIEND OF CHEN, AND HONGKONG GAZETTE,
Government,
of the Government, in common with their fellow- But of the purchases made at that sale, you, Sir, ceeding to Canton, but not a single bale of their subjects in England, nothing of the kind is known to must be well aware, that many of the lots remain Cargoes has been landed or sold here, and the the richest colonist of Hongkong. It seems unfair unoccupied, and are likely to continue so as the same remark by generally apply to the ships from and partial, after the resources of the mother country Government have, we believe, no security under England: But it would be as erroneous to infer have been profusely expended in protecting the per- which they can enforce the completion of the agree from the number of inward vessels, that there is an increase of trade, or indeed that there is any Trade sons, and extending the markets of its mercantile subments. 7jects in China, that the greater part of the future civil - When the Memorialists stated, that the ground at all, as to suppose, because all the English Tea expenses of this colony should fall on the British rent alone in Hongkong exceeds the House rent, laden ships from Canton call here for their dispat and all charges attendant on the occupation of a ches, that Hongkong is the centre of the Tea trade. With regard to the report of Mr Gutzlaff "that public, as an exception to most other colonies.
The alleged absence of progress in the trade and residence in Macao or Canton, they did not allude population of Hongkong can only be judged of by an to the existing rates paid in Macao, which are un-120,000 Pieces of Colton Goods have been taken appeal to facts. The Harbour-master's official re usually low, but to what were generally paid 3 and 4 away by 13 Junks this Year" we are not pre- pared to deny, that this officer may have access to turn shews that the European Tonnage of the half-
If the rent of Houses in Canton, since the destruc- sources of information of which we are deprived; THE FRIEND OF CHINA, year ending 30th June last was 62,264, while in the years ago, prior to their removal to Hongkong.
previous corresponding half year it was only 49,371. tion of half the foreign factories by fire, has tempo. but we submit, that some doubt may be entertained It has been admitted even by those opposed to the rarily been higher than it was prior to that event, the of the authenticity of Mercantile statements, which that a growing native trade in junks circumstance is easily explained by the statement, appear to have eluded the observation of the wholo bas commenced in spite of the 13th Article of the that Sir Henry Pottinger, with the view, it is pre- mercantile community. We are quite satisfied Mr We beg to apologise for the barren appear, Supplementary Treaty. Mr Gutzlaff reports, that sumed, (indeed it was at one time openly avowed), Gutzlaff must have been convinced that such a ance of this issue. The Overland paper cha 120,000 pieces of Cotton goods have been taken of forcing the British Merchants to Hongkong, trade really existed, but as we cannot find that his studiously neglected to provide by treaty for any ex information has been derived from any of the Brit- ncing upon this day, the indisposition of printers, away by 13 junks in this year.tudies
It is little more than a twelvemonth since life and tension of the ground allotted to the foreign Commu isb Merchants, we are apprehensive that he has re- and the difficulty of getting out a first issue, have all conspired to occupy a greater degree of property were constantly endangered by the nocturnity in Canton, or indeed for adequate facilities being hed on the reports of the Chinese Junk people a nal attacks of banditti, and 12,000 Rupees of go- afforded to build on the space they formerly occu class by no means remarkable for strict adherence Supposing however the reports to be correct, it vernment money carried off by force, the soldiers pied: Many months were indeed allowed to elapse, to correctness in questions of statistical detail. who guarded it being murdered. A strong and after the retirement of Sir Henry Pottinger, before effective Police, and the rigorous execution of the any steps were taken by his successor to remedy this by no means follows that such deliveries of cotton kong, for nothing is of more common occurrence lairs, have put an end to this, and the consequences grave evil; and even at this moment, H. M. Consul cloths can be deemed part of the trade of Hong- than for the Junk owners to purchase goods in Can- are seen in the increased numbers and respectability is residing in a Hong Merchant's Warehouse of the Chinese population. The rapid rise of good Canton.
ton, deliverable outside the Port, at Macao, Hong: native shops in different parts of the town is visible. to all, and at the same time only one of the proofs
kong, or elsewhere, and if this place did not exist, which the Government possesses of an increase and
the business would be carried on at any other con improvement which mere allegations cannot unsubs
venient anchorage.
our attention than usual. The matter for the *Overland Friend of China" has also grown upon us, until we have had to add a supple ment. A disappointment in the receipt of fresh type from Macao, has also compelled the Com- positors to have resort to some type of an un- usual size. With all the imperfections of a first appearance, the " Overland Friend of Chi- na," is before the public, and we hope it will be approved of by those who have liberally contributed toward its support.
At about 11 o'clock A. M. to-day, a portion of the Hill directly under the harbour master's house fell on the top of some men that were at work building the drain; two were dug out alive, and one was dead, his body jammed to pieces, and dreadfully disfigured.
(Communicated.)
From the late hour at which we received the answer from the Committee of Merchants to the letter from the Hon'ble Colonial Secre- tary on the subject of the memorial to Lord Stanley, the proof has not received the benefit of a revision from the Gentleman who wrote it. If there are any errors in the rough draft, or in the typograpy, we must therefore, claim them, as we are compelled to go to press before morning,
The letter appears to be a very conclusive reply to the several matters unnecessarily brought forward by His Excellency in Council, whilst simply acknowledging a memorial sent him for transmission.
To
Messrs JARDINE, Matheson & Co.
DENT & CO. MACVICAR & Co., &c. &c.
tantiate.
A rent of just £1000 per annum is at present paid for an indifferent house, which did not cost double that sum in building. The daily and increasing growth of dwellings on all sides, each surpassing the other in accomodation, must certainly tend to de- preciate such properly as this. It is much better that it should, being the natural result of that law by which supply increases with demand, and pride di- minishes with supply, until all has reached a more permanent level.
With regard to the Opium and the smaller licen sed farms, which (with the exception of Crown Rents) form at present the chief sources of Revenue, these have been strictly adopted in their details from free-trade prosperity, Singapore, a place generally quoted as a model of
There
cannot be a stronger proof that the high rents, and generally unsatisfactory state of the Colony, deter others frori settling here, than the fact, that the Canton and Macao, notwithstanding, all the boasted Americans, and all other foreigners, remain in advantages of Hongkong as a free Port
That a particular House was, under very pecu. liar circumstances, rented for £1000, a year, may be very true, and that in a place where for 3 years the strange anomaly appeared of a Government offering every inducement to the Merchants to com- mence Building, but delaying even the commence ment of Barracks for their officers to an extent that rendered it at one time a question, whether they should not be billeted on the public; is equally the fact: But that when Government Buildings, suf ficient to accomodate their Establishment, are finish- ed, the rent of Houses will be sufficient to pay an interest on the money expended on them, is an ex- not entertain, while the present system continues in pectation, which the most sanguine Proprietors can- force.
The substantial Buildings to which your letter refer, were most, or all of them, commenced many months, and some even 2 years, since; but altho Hongkong has been nearly 4 years in existence, the commencement of new houses of any magnitude can no where be seen a state of matters, we believe, without a parallel in the history of the British Co- lonies.
His Excellency the Governor and the Legislative Council will be happy to carry out any alteration which her Majesty's Government may please to prescribe as to the mode of levying the Police-rate, As the present Ordinance was drawn up with the assistance and advice of the colonial Law-officers, it may be presumed to be sufficiently correct as a mere legal measure. In reply to the objection that Go | vernment Assessors are empowered arbitrarily to
value all household property, it must not be forgotten While the place continues the seat of Govern- that there is an appeal open to those who deem thentment, and the head quarters of Steam Communica- selves over-rated. The moderation of the assess tion, many English mercantile housas may find it ment (whatever the rode may be) is best proved by necessary to keep up establishments here; and a the deduction of 40 per cent from the gross annual small Chinese pupulation will remain with them value, jo consideration of the exhorbitant rents at but when the present Government and other build- present paid for houses. The same is to be inferredings, long since commenced, are finished, a large from the total estimated collection of not more than proportion of the present Inhabitants must ernigrate one-third of the actual expense of the Police force, a from a place, where, from the absence of trade, they body whose efficiency has been generally admitted, can have no occupation; while the continuance of and whose protection few are unwilling to enjoy. oppressive taxation will be but too certain to prevent
an increase of property or population of any kind,
Colonial Office, Victoria, Hongkong, 25th Angust, 1945, GENTLEMEN,→I am directed by his Excellency
It may be presumed that if the colonial commu the Governor to acknowledgd the receipt, on the 23d instant, of your letter dated the 13th, enclos. nity were to be charged with the management of the ing a Memorial to Lord Stanley, and to inform Police, it would be required to provide for its entire you that the said Memorial shall be duly forward-outlay, and in this manner the Government would
have both less trouble and less expense. ed to His Lordship, according to your wish.
In the perusal of this paper, several observations have occurred to the Governor and Council, which they consider the present a convenient occasion slightly to notice.
His Excellency's predecessor, Sir Henry Pot tinger, in consequence of complaints againt the high Land Rents, similar to those urged in the present address to Lord Stanley, appointed a Board of Of ficers to value the lots disposed of at the early sales, with the provision, that should any individual deem his lot overvalued by the Board, he should be at li berty to hold it at the average rate at which simi- larly situated lots might be disposed of at the ap proaching public sale. This sale took place not, long afterwards. The minimum price affixed to the lots was the same as that placed on similar lots pre- viously granted, and the result was, that while the upset price of the lands amounted to £1300, they were sold by auction for a rental of £2000,-proving that the former rates had not been unfair.
ones.
His Excellency the Governor and the Executive Council, for the reasons above stated at length, and because the preparatory measures have already taken much time, see objections to suspending Ordinance No. 2; and they therefore regret that in this respect it is out of their power to meet the wishes of the subscribers to the Memorial.
I have the honour to be, &c., (Signed).
W. CAINE, Officiating. Colonial Secretary.
We are unable to admit the force of the remarks of H. E. in Council by which it is endeavoured to justify the Opium and other licensed farms, "Be "cause the same system is in existence at Singi.. pore." It is difficult we conceive to find two places, whose situation is more dissimilar in every
respect
Singapore is a place where rent of land is re- markably moderate, it is the Emporium of an im- portant and valuable Trade, with a large and com paratively wealthy population. Hongkong on the other hand is already taxed in ground rents alone higher than any Colony in the world; it has no trade at all; and is the mere place of residence of Government and its officers, with a few Britih Mer. chants, and a very scanty and poor Chinese popu
tion.
Giving however the fullest measure of credit, both to Mr Gutzlaff's informants, and the inference that H. E. in Council appears to deduce from the report, we venture to remark that if, after 4 years occupa tion of the Colony, the only trade which can be found to exist, after apparently the most diligent en quiry, is an export ef 120,000 pieces of Cloths, in a place possessing all the advantages of a free Fort, so pointedly enumerated in your letter now under reply, there is yet scarcely sufficient business trans- acted, or likely soon to be transacted, in this Colony, as to justify heavy taxation.
The following Tabular statement, taken from of more accurately, assuming (what as above stated, ficial returns, will shew the position of the question we do not think it would be correct to admit), that the 120,000 pieces of Cotton Cloths belong to the trade of this place:-
IMPORT TRADE.
Canton, for the Year 1844-
Tonnage 83,679 Tons, Falue £ 3,883,828 Shanghai, for year, ending 30 June 45
Tonnage 6,578 Tons, Value £ 442,757 Hongkong, year, ending 30 June 44
Tonnage 62,264.
YEARS TRADE, 120,000 Pieces Cloths, say at 10s—£60,000. In conclusion while expressing our sense of the. courtesy of H. E. in Council, in furnishing us with the remarks in question on our Memorial, we cannot but again lament, that the existing Govern- ment appears resolved to disregard the deliberate opinions of the whole Mercantile Community, and sacrifice to a fallacious appearance of present pros perity, the just claims of the Colonists and the real interests of the settlement.
We have the honor to be,
Sir, Your most obedient Servants,
Victoria, 29th August, 1845.
A. MATHESON, GEORGE T. BRAINE, GILBERT SMITH. CRAWFORD KEER
SHIPPING
ARRIVED,
Committee.
GENCE.
25, Comarjee Family, Durham, Typa. AUGUST.
27, Ocean, Fookes, Mazatlar. 27, Resolution, Wood, Chusan. 28, Montauk, Michaels, Manila:
SAILED. A UGUST.
26, Poppy, Cole, East Coast. 27, Macedon, Redknap, Whampon. 27, Ann Mackim, (Am.) Vasmer, East Const. 27, Natchez, Waterman, South America.
28, Victory, Hull, Whampoa. 28, Mauritius, Simpson, London.
REPORTS.
When Hongkong is as able to bear taxation as Singapore, it may, in our humble judgment, be still question, whether the heavy ground rents ought not to exempt the Inhabitants from further pay ments; but whatever may eventually be considered expedient, we would wish to impress upon the Go-Lady Sale, Castor, Singapore. vernment our belief, that oppressive burthens laid Anonymn, Thomas, Bombay on an infant trade, and on a New Colony, situated Patan. Ponsonby, Whampoa
Amazon, Abbott, Whampoa and Cylon. as Hongkong now is, must inevitably be not only Cowasjee Family, Durham, Typa. Settlement itself. unjust to the early settlers, but ultimately fatal to the Anilu, King, Whampoa and Sydney,
PASSENGERS. Alligator, Cook, Chusan and Shanghai Spy. Wooden, Amoy and Hobat Town,
Per Laly Mary Wood" Marquis de Ferriere, Gideon Nye, Esq.
P. Hanson, Esq.
do's. Native servant.
Suez.
do.
Ceylon.
do.
Singapore. Sucz
Col. Cameron.
Mr. and Mrs. King, Mr. Viegas and sarvant.
Ceylon.
L Dent and Friend
do..
do's Native servant,
ed
do.
de.
THE HONBLE. MAJOR W. CAINE, Officiating Colonial Secretary. Sin-We are directed by the parties, who signed the Memorial forwarded through 11. E. the Go- vernor on 13th inst, to transmit the following reply to the remarks contained in your letter of 25th inst The reasoning by which it is attempted to shew, The lots disposed of at the latest sales, with the that the high rents in Hongkong, have been volun- full knowledge of the terms of existing leases, have tarily paid, we conceive to be entirely fallacious. continued to average as high us at the preceeding The facts, connected with the early sales of land have Lord Stanley remarks in a recent despatch, been already adverted to in the Memorial. We may that, "it would be difficult, as Sir Henry Pottinger however observe, in further explanation, that in "has observed, to apply any better test of value June 1841, when the first Salo was held, 100 Lots We are bound, as Merchants, to speak with dif having water frontage, and 100 Suburban Lots,fidence on points of law where we find our views at than sale in a fair and open market.” With all the alleged discouragernents and disad were advertized for Sale, but owing to the very unvariance with those of the Colonial Law Officers; vantages, the building of substantial private houses fortunate selection of the site of the New Town, (abat we must still adhere to our opinion, and reas has continued uninterrupted, until the present year matter, in which the Merchants had no voice), suffisert our conviction, that ordinance No. 2 is alike We quite concur with H. E. in the wisdom of depirved Macao of its remaining English merchants.cient available ground could be found to admit of unconstitutional and illegal If rents are now reduced to nothing at that place, only 50 loss being put up, and great competition
As no money was his having refused to levy a small tonnage duty in this must arise chiefly from its desertion. As at was the natural consequence. Canton, the rents and prices at that principal seat of paid, or penalty, beyond forfeiture of the land, Hongkong, for as most of the business transacted the Chinese trade are notoriously exhorbitant, and, incurred by non-completion of the purchase, it is not in this Harbour, consists in the mere transhipment and it is impossible to conjecture what they would a matter of surprize, that when a number of lots, of goods from one vessel to another, we are satisfi have been, but for the outlet and the advantages af insufficient for one-third of the intending buyers,ed, that any attempt to enforce such a charge, would forded to the merchants of warehousing their goods were brought to Sale, the biddings should have been 10erely have had the effect of driving the ships to unusually high; but as H. M. Plenipotentiary found one of the adjacent anchorages, without the limits in a British colony.
We also fully concur in the sound policy, The Memorial states, that "in a place nominally that these nominally enormous rents were deterring of the Port “declared to be a free port, every description of com- parties from building, be considered it expedient to
duty, in as much as any revenge which could ❝ merce or trade is a subject of taxation or source of give the assurance contained in his letter annexed to which has exempted Wine, Beer, and Spirits from "revenue." The answer to this is the well-known our Memorial.
Neither under Capt. Elliot's administration, nor have been derived from the limited consumption in fact, that not a single Customs Duty is levied on the
to pay the expence of collection. import or export of a single article of commerce or under that of his successor Sir Henry Pottinger, so small a community, could not have been expected That the Civil, Naval, and Military Servants of consumption-no package is inspected by a govern- were any rents at first claimed, or leases published; ment officer in either landing or shipping-no cus-and it was only after the holders of Land" had been tom-house whatever is in exigence and ahhough induced by a variety of promises and encouragement Government are subject to the payment of 2 per cent advised by Her Majesty's Government to levy a to expend large sums of money in Buildings, that is as an Income tax in Hongkong, from which the Mer- small Tennage-duty, to pay the Harbour expenses, was found the Government intended to adhere to the chants are exempt, we submit does not apply to this
that tas at other places, and even on the high Boss. His Excellency the Governor has disobeyed his scale of rent first paid, and to repodiate Capt. Ellier's as a Colonial question, for they are equally able to instructions rather than interfere with the freedom aber engagement-
In the later sales, held in the time of Sir Hear It remains for us to notice the remarks of H. E. of the port, by imposing creo sixpence a ton, when the barbour dues at the five ports and at Macao are Postinger, still more limited quantities of eligible in council on whas is termed the trade of Hong-4, Lesie (Am) from Hongkong in 7 days
land (we allade more particularly to water fron kang about three shillings.
The reported increase in tonnage we cannot can- No Import duty whatever has yet been levied on age-a zituation almost indispensable for a Mercan- eren wines and spirits productive source of retile House), were brought forward; and as at that sider any proof of extended trade, for it shows no- venue in other colonies It would be difficult to time it was well known the greater number of the thing more than the number of ships that have an shew that any direct tax whatever (uakes Land Rent British Merchants had made arrangemens, reader chored in Hongkong Bay on their way to offer be so termed) has been paid by the English portioning their removal to Hongkong unavoidable, it is ports. of the community. While an Income-tax of 3 per not surprizing, that the falte standard originally cent is paid by the civil, military, and naval officers' established, should have continued to obtain.
JULY.
A Hindos Gentleman.
do's, 2servanta Capt. D'Aguilar. John Taylor, Esq. Major de Almeida Capt Hazelwood. Major Wigeton. Mr. Payne.
MANILA SHIPPINGS, ÁRRIVALS
da
Singapore,
Suez.
Cezlon
do. Singapore.
3, Caroline (Spanish), from Liverpool in 276 days. 3, Judith, from Hongkong in & daya.
3. Dragnen Drongon, from Etongkon in 6 days.
3, E Counsjes, from Macao in 8 days.
4. Dardo (Spanish) from Singapore in 10 days
4, Manila, from Hongkong in 8 days.
7, Medira, from Boston in 129 days.....
8. Cecelia, from Spiney in 34 days,
Oritz (French), from Bordeaux in 134 days
DIED –A; Victoria, on the 28th Instant, Pasos« All, or rently all, the cotton ships from India ni Josera, the enly surviving Bon of the for have stoppal a few hours in Hongkong before pro' Dres Bate, &o aged 5 years 11 months and 12dsay,
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.