Sessional_Paper_1887-1888 — Page 290

16.-POPULATION.

The estimated population on the 31st December, 1887, was as follows:-

Males, Females,

.....152,427 60,524

212,951

which is 11,961 more than the estimated population at the end of 1886.

The last census was taken in 1881, the population being then returned as 160,402, of which 115,369 were males, and 45,033 females.

The following is the mean estimated population for the last 6 years:—

Years.

1882,

1883,.....

1884,.

1885,

1886,..

1887...

Males.

Females.

Total.

119,704

46,729

166,433

.124,768

48,707

173,475

.130,560

50.969

181,529

..137,079

53.515

190,594

.144,550

56,440

200,990

..152,427

60,524

212,951

The births and deaths for the last 5 years were as follows:-

Per 1,000 of mean Population.

Fears.

Births.

Deaths.

Births.

Deaths.

1883,

1,509

4.712

8.70

27.16

1884.

.1,551

4,311

8.54

23.74

1885,

.1,555

5,192

8.16

27.24

1886,

.1,557

5,100

7.74

25.37

1887,

..1,705

5,317

8.01

24.97

17.-ECCLESIASTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

There were no changes in these Establishments, as compared with previous years.

18.-EDUCATION.

The total number of Schools subject to supervision by the Government amounted, in 1887, to 94, as compared with 90 in 1885 and 1884.

The total number of Scholars subject to Government supervision in the Government and Grant- in-aid Schools during the last 5 years was as follows:-

Fears.

1883,

1884,

1885,

1886,

1887,

Govt.

Grant-in-aid.

Total.

2,080

3,517

5,597

1,978

3,907

5.885

1,803

4,041

5,844

1,893

3.951

5,844

1,814

4,160

5.974

The total expenditure for these Schools for the last 5 years was as follows:-

1883,...

1884,

1885,

1886,

1887,

$35,412.26

3€,758.14

36,085.27

43,085.50

43.070.91

19.—EXCHANGE, MONEY, WEIGHTS AND MEAsures.

Exchange.

The rate of Exchange on 4 months' Bills on London fell from 3s. 44d. per dollar on the 18th of January, to 3s. 1d. on the 12th April.

During the year it fluctuated between these two rates closing with 3s. 1d. in the latter end of December.

Currency.

The law affecting currency has remained unchanged.

Bank Notes.

The Bank Notes in circulation in Hongkong during the last 5 years, as furnished by the Managers of the respective Banks, were as follows:--

Specie in Reserve.

Years.

1883,

1884,

1885,

1886,

1887..

Average Amount. $ 5,099,661

4,114,787

4,080,071

4,368,705

5.052.473

$ 1,779,166

1,810,033

2,000,833

2,138,333

2,362,833