230
22. Some little difficulty has been experienced with the Chinese Staff of the Lighthouses. After being trained to their work of watch-keeping in the lantern, they frequently find the duty too irksome and laborious, and leave, with or without permission, as most convenient to themselves. A new man has then to be obtained and his training taken in hand, and with a temperature in the lantern of 83° as it often is in the Summer nights the duty of training these men, which falls on the European Light-keeper, is a very trying one, seeing that he has his own watch to keep besides. Notwithstand- ing this, the lights have been efficiently maintained. I propose, however, recommending that a better class of Chinese shall in future be obtained for the posts of Light-keepers, these to receive higher rates of wages than at present, and to give security for the proper performance of their duty, and entering into an agreement to serve for a certain length of tinie.
BOKHARA ROCKS.
23. During the past year, experiments have been made by the Royal Engineers, with the object of determining the practicability or otherwise of blasting a portion of the Bokhara Rocks, so as to obtain a minimum depth over the Rocks of 5 fathoms. These experiments have shewn that without special appliances the operation cannot be successfully carried out. The matter is, however, still receiving attention.
GOVERNMENT GUNPOWDER DEPÔT.
24. During the year there has been stored in the Government Magazine at Stone Cutters' Island.
No. of Cases, &c.
Approximate Weight,
ibs.
Gunpowder, Privately owned,
31
Government owned,
Cartridges, Privately owned,
Government owned,
Explosive Compounds
Privately owned,...
Government owned,
Total,..
On the 31st December, 1889, there remained as under:-
18,200
449,370
632
63,200
499
106,232
138
15,130
1,830
90,941
9
750
21,308
725,623
No. of Cases, &c.
Approximate Weight,
lbs.
Gunpowder, Privately owned,
31
4,849
98,810
Government owned,
632
63,200
Cartridges, Privately owned,
299
35,739
رو
Government owned,
116
17,000
Explosive Compounds Privately owned,
707
36,832
Government owned,..
9
750
**
Total,
6,612
252,331
25. The condition of the Magazine is not such as might be desired. For several years, white-ants have been at work in the rafters of the roof, and although their depredations have from time to time been restored the pests themselves have not been got rid of. The eastern outer wall is cracked owing apparently to the subsidence of the foundation. The wharf also is in a state bordering on the "unsafe."
The subject also of excluding the public from the precints of the Magazine is one which, I submit, should receive consideration. At present, this is the only portion of Stone Cutters' Island where the public can land without special "Permit" and when it is considered with what care such like premises are generally guarded, the omission in this case seems to call for remark.
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS (OPIUM) OFFICE.
26. The Return shows that during the year the amount of opium reported was as follows:--
Imported, Exported,
Through cargo reported but not landed,
67,42922 chests. .61,808 2 .12,306
27
"}
79
19,327 Permits were issued and a daily memo. of exports was sent to the Kowloon Customs Office.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
R. MURRAY RUMSEY, Ret. Com., R.N.,
Harbour Master, §c,
The Honourable W. M. DEANE,
Acting Colonial Secretary, &c.,
& Co
&c.
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