Sessional_Paper_1899 — Page 48

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The HARBOUR MASTER. In reply to the third question I beg to state as follows:-(1.) Yes. Tenders were invited from three local Firms. (2.) Yes. The total cost of the three vessels will be $91,100. In the interests of the contractors it is not proposed to give the respective cost of each vessel. (3.) The sizes of the hulls and engines are as follows:-(1.) Hull 120 ft. x 20 ft. × 10 ft. Engines of sufficient size to obtain the guaranteed speed. (2.) Hull 83 ft. x 14 ft. × 9 ft.

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Engines: Cylinders 11 in. and 22 in., Stroke 14 in. (3.) Hull, 75 ft. × 13 ft. x 8 ft. Engines: Cylinders 11 in. and 22 in. Stroke 12 in. (4.) The frames will be hard-wood. (5.) The frames will be cut partly from natural crooks and partly from straight timber. (6.) As the Government does not intend building composite vessels, it is not in possession of the information necessary for replying to the question.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY.-The answer to the fourth question is-" Not at present, His Excel- lency the Governor is considering the matter."

The HARBOUR MASTER. In reply to the fifth question I beg to state as follows:-The passenger certificate allowed for 741 passengers and the number given as being on board was in excess of this. The Harbour Master was, therefore, obliged by law to refuse clearance. When he was informed later that the necessary life-saving apparatus for the larger number was on board, he at once granted clearance.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY.-The answer to the sixth question is-"The answer to the first part is, because they were not there before the 15th. The answer to the latter part is that the precaution was taken of observing the attitude of the inhabitants towards workmen at Táipó-hu and survey parties, which was apparently quite friendly, in addition to which nine elders of the district waited upon the Governor on the 12th April and expressed on behalf of the people in general their regret for what had occurred on the 1st April and declared that the false reports having been refuted the people had become more settled."

His Excellency then addressed the Council as follows:-

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

I have the honour to submit for your consideration the Estimates for the coming year, and in doing so I venture after the usual custom to make a few observations on the position of the Colony. But first, I take this earliest public opportunity that has presented itself to express my acknowledgments for the cordial manner in which Lady BLAKE and I have been received by the community of this important Colony,

The ten months that have elapsed since my assumption of the government have been months fraught with exceptional anxiety and responsibility. Under the Convention between Her Majesty the QUEEN and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China, the area of twenty- nine square miles that has hitherto been the extent of the Colony was increased by a lease for ninety-nine years of an area of four hundred square miles, with an esti na ted population of 100,000.

It was assumed that the knowledge of the just treatment of the Chinese inhabitants of Hongkong and British Kowloon would induce the population of the leased area to accept the jurisdiction of Great Britain with equanimity, if not with pleasure. Had it been possible to take over the possession immediately this assumption might have been verified. But there were unavoidable delays. The question of delimitation had to be settled, and when a tenta- tive arrangement had been arrived at it was found that there was an unfortunate misconcep- tion on the part of the Chinese Government as to the effect of the Convention upon the position of the Chinese Imperial Customs authorities who had hitherto exercised jurisdiction within the leased area. At the earnest request of Her Majesty's Minister in Peking I deferred the taking over of the Territory until the 17th April, completing in the meantime the neces sary arrangements for the carrying out of Executive functions.

Unhappily, the interval was taken advantage of by agitators who disturbed the minds of the people by statements that their lands would be forcibly taken from them and their most cherished customs forbidden. The first symptoms of hostility were shown on the 31st March when the building of a matshed at Táipó-hü was prevented, and the men engaged in erecting boundary posts were stopped from working. I saw the Viceroy on the 2nd April at Canton and pointed out that if protection was not afforded to working parties and surveying parties I could not adhere to my undertaking not to take over the Territory until the 17th. The necessary protection was promised, and surveying parties were not molested, nor was the rebuilding of the matshed prevented. What took place on the 15th of April and following days has already been laid before you. The resistance