Sessional_Paper_1892 — Page 46

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The question of preferential duties in favour of Chinese Junks and to the detriment of European ships and steamers in the Canton River has been, as you are aware, satisfactorily settled- at least for the present.

I had the pleasure of discussing this matter and the more important one, perhaps, of the contemplated Telegraph Convention with Her Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary at Peking, Mr. O'CONOR, when he passed through Hongkong at the beginning of the month. I think we may safely anticipate that His Excellency will do all that he possibly can to prevent the ratification of that Convention.

The propriety of reorganizing and re-establishing the Volunteer Force was referred by me in May last to a representative Committee of citizens. They have reported strongly in favour of it, and have attributed the complete failure that has hitherto attended each successive effort to establish a permanent and effective Volunteer Force in Hongkong, to a want of inducement, encouragement, and sufficient liberality on the part of the Government. The scheme proposed by the Committee would involve an additional expense of at least $8,000 a year if adopted in its entirety. I propose to refer the matter to the Finance Committee by suggesting a specific grant of about $10,000 for the initial cost and $13,000 for the annual maintenance of the Corps. This appeal for support comes at a most inopportune moment, but some of the recommendations of the Committee are undoubtedly good, and others can be accepted with modifications. The Volunteer Force is entitled to favourable consideration on account of its past services. If it were to cease to exist it is possible that the Imperial Government might insist upon some pecuniary contribution in lieu of it. I therefore advise its maintenance on more liberal terms than now exist, if, by the 31st December next, 150 men have in writing stated that they are ready and willing to join the force and -fulfil the conditions to be imposed upon them.

With reference to Education it is gratifying to observe that steady progress is being made. Over 10,000 scholars are under instruction. The Government in conjunction with a member of this Council, who is noted for his princely munificence in aid of this cause, is about to provide educational facilities for the hitherto neglected Eurasian girls, and when the New Girls' Central School is completed, it will at once be occupied by about 250 pupils, of whom 110 will be Eurasians, and 140 Chinese. Owing to the action of the Government, local missions are also bestirring themselves in the same direction. Out of a total of about $84,000 to be expended this year by the Government on education, Victoria College is responsible for no less a sum than $19,000. During 1893, I trust it will be possible for the Headmaster and Committee of the College to suggest a reduction in this charge, and also that the Chinese inhabitants of Hongkong, whose children principally benefit by this excel- lent Institution, will not be averse to the payment of a rather higher fee than that now imposed.

It may also be possible to reduce the expenditure in other ways.

Much remains to be done by Government in respect to elementary education, for which at present there are not sufficient funds.

There are, I regret to say, some 20,000 children who attend no school whatever. The grant-in-aid system, which is a most admirable one, has been extended during the course of the year. No less than 14 new grant-in-aid schools have been started, indicating an extra- ordinary increase in the demand for education. These 14 new schools include 2 English schools, 6 Chinese girls' schools, 5 Chinese boys' schools, and 1 Chinese mixed village school. Only once before has there been a similar increase, namely, in 1881 when 13 new schools were opened by managers. The average annual increase has been 6 only. There are now 95 grant-in-aid schools at work.

It is my desire in the interests of the general community to encourage voluntary educa- tional enterprise, and to extend in every direction the grant-in-aid system.

With regard to physical drill, a very important matter, the successful parade which was held last Monday on the Cricket Ground, and which was attended by upwards of 500 scholars, will prove to those interested in Education that the physical not less than the mental development of the boys has been attended to.

The number of Criminal cases in the Supreme Court this year does not show any striking contrast with the number last year, but the returns for 1891 and 1892, taken together, exhibit a marked diminution in crime as compared with previous years. The number of cases tried up to date is only 27. In 1891, the number was 32. The average annual number of cases between 1887 and 1890 was 86. A considerable portion of this decrease is of course owing to the increased power given to Magistrates in 1891, to deal summarily with indictable offences. Notwithstanding this, it may fairly be said that the condition of the Colony with regard to crimes of the more serious kind is satisfactory.