Sessional_Paper_1887-1888 — Page 258

and Mates in the Mercantile Marine. On these matters being brought to the notice of the Government, the following Ordinances, affecting these great interests, were framed and became law :-

No. 10 of 1860, regulating fees under Merchant Shipping Act 1854.

No. 11 of 1860, to constitute Marine Courts of Enquiry.

No. 15 of 1860, to regulate Cargo-boats.

No. 17 of 1860, to constitute a board of examination for Masters and Mates.

No. 1 of 1862, to regulate and control the Harbour.

6. Previous to 1866 Piracy in Colonial and neighbouring waters was of common occurrence, and Shau-ki-wan bore a very bad name as the centre where Junks fitted out for piratical purposes. Its close proximity to the Lyeemun Pass enabled Masters of heavily manned and armed Junks to follow vessels that had been ascertained to have opium, or other valuable cargo, on board. These were too frequently come up with and attacked at night, stink-pots and arms of all descriptions being freely used. Shortly after Governor Sir RICHARD MACDONNELL'S arrival his notice was attracted to the unenviable character Hongkong bore as a Pirate resort, and he introduced Ordinance 6 of 1866, which brought all Junks under the supervision of this Department, which was considerably increased to ineet the requirements of the Ordinance. Harbour Master's Stations were created at Shau-ki-wan, Stanley, and Aberdeen (now supplemented by Stations at Yau-ma-ti and Hung-hom) so as to bring all Junks visiting these waters under close inspection, and no Junks have since been allowed to leave or enter the waters of the Colony without undergoing an examination by Inspectors appointed for the purpose. Ordinance 7 of 1866 compelled the registration of all Chinese householders, and the two Ordinances assisted by Gunboats which the Senior Naval Officer kept constantly cruizing had the desired effect, and Hongkong soon ceased to be a resort for Pirates, and that trade (if it may be so called) came to an end. Isolated acts of Piracy are still reported, but they are not attended with the slaughter and burning that existed in Hongkong's earlier days.

7. In 1867 Messrs. LANDSTEIN & Co., were permitted to keep a hulk off Yau-ma-ti, clear of all shipping, for the storage of Gunpowder. At 1.15 P.M. of the 17th January, 1867. a vessel was lying alongside the hulk discharging Gunpowder when an explosion took place and the two vessels and people on board were destroyed. A Gunpowder Ordinance (No. 4 of 1867) was at once passed bringing the storage of all private Gunpowder within the control of the Government, with a result that has proved satisfactory.

8. In 1867, the increasing shipping of the Colony brought the question of Lighthouses promi- nently before the Government. Reports were made and with the assistance of the late Staff Com- mander REED, a Naval Surveyor in command of H.M.S. Rifleman, the Islet of Waglan at the Eastern approach to the Harbour, Green Island at the Western entrance, and the Gap rock to mark the Southern approach to the Colony were recommended as the most favourable sites for Lighthouses. Difficulties were raised then, and they apparently continue, by the Chinese Government as to the Colony erecting such buildings on Chinese Territory, and it was not until after much loss of time and a great deal of correspondence that this Government was compelled to build Lighthouses within its own jurisdiction, and Cape d'Aguilar, Cape Collinson, and Green Island Lighthouses were erected under the provisions of Ordinance 17 of 1873, and lit for the first time on the 18th April, 1875. The concession, or letting of Waglan and Gap rock at a nominal rent to this Colony, together with Green Island, would have made the lighting of the approaches to Hongkong complete. At present such is not the case, and all apparently owing to a sentimental feeling on the part of the Chinese Government, for most certainly neither Waglan nor Gap rock are of any value except as sites for Lighthouses.

ment.

9. Ordinance 1 of 1874 brought the survey of unseaworthy ships under the control of the Govern-

10. In 1875, an explosion and loss of life on board a steam launch in the Harbour caused an Ordinance to be brought into force for the regulation of steam ferry boats, of which there are now 42 licensed. The Masters and Engineers of these boats undergo an examination at this Office, the boats are thoroughly examined every six months, and no further accident has occurred.

11. Till 1876, steamers plying between Hongkong, Canton and Macao were under no regulation whatever, and they at times carried as many passengers as could be crammed into them. These vessels are now, as indeed are all vessels carrying more than 12 passengers, under stringent regulations as to the number of passengers they can convey, the condition of boilers and engines is ascertained and it is stated on the ship's certificates in what parts of the ships and how many passengers can be carried.

12. The Shipping Ordinances passed previous to 1879 were consolidated by Ordinance 8 of 1879, and in framing this Ordinance advantage was taken to introduce regulations for the Survey of ships carrying more than 12 passengers, for the appointment of practical Marine Surveyors to conduct the surveys, for the examination of Engineers as to their qualifications, for the carriage of dangerous goods, for holding Courts of Survey, for regulating medicines and medical stores, and other smaller details were introduced to meet the requirements of the time.

13. The following table from 1861 to 1887 inclusive, will at once show the yearly increase of the arrivals of vessels at this Port. Where it has been possible to separate sailing ships from steamers and Junks I have done so, and the result will show a very satisfactory statement of the Colony's progress:-