f
April 15, 1899.]
made public, to be published in the Colony at as early a date as possible.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
been pointed out to me by Mr. Lockhart that, owing to the known habits of the Chinese in 3.You have already become acquainted with the matter of correspadence, there may be the general aspects of the questions involved in considerable difficulties in carrying it into the transfer of this territory, and it is unneces-operation, and I should wish you to use sary therefore that I should here dwell upon considerable discretion in the matter. You them at any length. There are three points may possibly find it desirable to come which Her Majesty's Government have regard to some arrangement with the Chinese Sub- ed as of special importance in the preliminary Post Offices such as is in force in the stages of the negotiations. They relate to Straits Settlements, and in that case the Kowloon city, the northern boundary of the Governor of that Colony would doubtless be leased territory, and the collection of the able to give you every information. Chinese duties ou opium.
4.-The questions of the civil administration of Kowloon city and of the extension of the northern frontier so as to include the town of Sham Chan will require no immediate action on your part pending negotiations with the Chinese Government, but-while such negotia- tions are pending-no time should be lost in giving attention to the third question, that of the prevention of China and the collection of the Chinese Cus. sinuggling into
toms duties on opium. You will see that Her Majesty's Goverument have come to the con clusion, which—if I understand right is your own conclusion also, that the only satisfactory solution of this question will be the establish- ment of some system whereby the Chinese cus- toms duties on opium imported into China from Hongkong, including the newly-added territory, shall be actually collected by the Government of Hongkong.
5.-I should wish you to understand that in my opinion the new territory should from the
ordinance 21 or 1887.—LICENSING CONSOLIDATION.
11.-I concur in Mr. Goodman's opinion that it would be as well not to extend this Ordinance to the new territory for the present. ORDINANCE 24 or 1887.-PUBLIC HEALTH
AND AMENDING ORDINANCES.
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stances of the case. But I agree with Mr} Goodman that sections 4 and 5 of Ordinanos 23. of 1890 dealing with the sale and importation of unwholesome food should be extended
the
20.-As all Ordinances not -
not specified schedule attached to Mr. Goodman's draft Ora dinance will apply to the new territory, you should carefully consider whether there are any others not alluded to in his memorandum, which it might be also desirable to exclude.
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21. There are various other questions to be considered in connexion with the new territor which will require your careful consideration, and some of which have doubtless already received your attention. I do not proposej however, to do more than refer to them gener ally at the present moment, as their ultimate decision must depend in a great messure on the course of events."
12.—I regard this as one of the most import-vious remarks that I am in favour of utilising 22.-You will have gathered from my pres ant and at the same time one of the most difficult the existing machinery of Government in Honig. questions to be considered in connexion with kong as far as local circumstances will allowi the new territory. I entirely agree with Mr. Goodman that the new distriot must not be
This principle should, therefore, be borne in
sider that it would not be advisable to extend penditure is incurred should appear on the left without any sanitary laws, but I con-
mind in considering all questions connected with expenditure and taxation. Whatever ex- to it without any modification the sanitary laws Hongkong Estimates, and what ever revenue of Hongkong. It has been represented to me by Mr. Lockhart that they are too complicated is collected should go into the Hongkong Ex-
chequer.
and too advanced for the circumstances of the
new territory; and that although the Sanitary Board may be the best machinery for dealing with the sanitary affairs of Hongkong, which is in the main a city and a seaport, it is not suited
outset be regarded as an integral part of the for the direction of sanitary matters in a ter the first year or two at any rate,
colour of Hongkong, and, as such, should be brought under the general administration of the colony at as early a date as possible. It appears to me that future difficulties will be obviated by taking this course, and that it will
be found to be at onos more effective and more economical than treating the leased district as separate from the old colony. It has, there- fore, become necessary to consider whether and
in what manner the existing laws of Hongkong
Lockhart is of opinion that the Village Councils
ritory extending over 376 square miles. Mr. and Elders should be held responsible for main taining their villages in a sanitary condition, subject to the inspection and control of an officer of health and his staff, who should be held directly responsible to the Government. By this means the Village Councils and Elders will constitute the Sanitary Board in each village or group of villages, the influence of
may be adapted to the circumstances of the new
the leading men will be enlisted on the side of territory, and this question, as I need hardly sanitation, and matters will work more effec- observe, presents many features of great diff.tively and smoothly than they would under any culty. On the principle that the new territory other system. The expense, moreover, of apply shall be taken to be and so far as possible being the Sanitary laws of Hongkong would, I treated as an integral part of the colony, it is
am informed, probably be very great, whereas desirable that as many of the existing laws of under the alternative system proposed it would Hongkong as are applicable to its circumstances be comparatively trifling. should be at once applied, the administration of the laws being carried out with tact, discretion, sud sympathy with native custom and pre- judice; but there are some laws which are in applicable and they require some special notice. 6.—I have taken advantage of the presence in this country of Mr. Goodman, Attorney General of Hongkong, and he has drawn up a memorandum on thesubject together with a draft Ordinance, copies of which are enclosed. This memorandum has been of great use to nie in considering the question, and the conclusions at which I have arrived as regards the various Ordinances therein referred to are as follows :—— ORDINANCE 3 of 1844.—LAND, etc., regis- TRATION OF DEEDS, ETC., RELATING
TO REAL PROPERTY,
7. I concur in Mr.Goodman's opinion that for the reasons given by him this Ordinance need not be excluded. The land question, how- over, is one which must be dealt with promptly, and one of the first steps to be taken must be the appointment of a Land Commissioner with a staff of native surveyors. To this subject I refer in a later paragraph of this despatch. ORDINANCE 16 of 1896.—REGISTRATION OF
BIRTHS, AND DEATHS.
8.—I concur in Mr. Goodman's opinion that this Ordinance should for the present be ex- oluded. Registration of births and deaths should, however, be carried out as soon as possible, and might be entrusted to the Village Councils and Elders, working under the super. vision of an Assistant Registrar General or other European Officer.
ORDINANCE 14 or 1875.-MARRIAGE
REGISTRATIONS.
9-I agree with Mr. Goodman that this Ordinance need not be excluded.
ORDINANCE 1 OF 1887.-POST-OFFICE. 10.—I agree with Mr. Goodman that this Ordinance need not be excluded. But it has
13. L'am of opinion, therefore, that these laws should be excluded, but you should lose no time in procuring the enactment of a simpler law on the lines above suggested, and here again you may possibly find it desirable to consult the Governor of the Straits Settlements as to the system under which Sanitary Boards are work ing in the Federated Malay States. ordinance 21 or 1886.—SPIRIT LICENSES. 14. I concur in Mr. Goodman's opinion that this Ordinance should be excluded for the pre- sent.
·
Ordinance 15 of 1889.—BUILDING ORDINANCE AND AMENDING ORDINANCE.
15.-I concur in Mr. Goodman's opinion that these Ordinances should be excluded unless the Director of Public Works reports that they can be satisfactorily carried out in the new territory.
ORDINANCE 5 of 1890.—VACCINATION.
16.-I agree that this Ordinance may pro- perly be included.
ORDINANCE 26 of 1891.—MERCHANT
SHIPPING.
17.-As a new Merchant Shipping Consolida- tion Ordinance is about to be introduced it may be advisable to exclude the existing Ordinance from the new territory.
18.-There is no question as to the "waters of the colony," the limits being clearly marked in the map attached to the convention, a copy of which is annexed, and which should be closely followed in any definition in the proposed new
Ordinance.
ordinance 27 of 1887.-—QATILE DISEASE
AND AMENDING ORDINANCES. 19. Before deciding whether this Ordinance should be extended to the new territory, the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon might with ad- vantage be called upon for a report of any re- commendations he may be able to make after
full and careful consideration of all the cireum
23.-It will be seen from p. 16 of Mr. Look- hart's report that the total revenue from tax tion of the new territory is estimated at about £16,000, and this may be regarded as the ins come which you will have at your disposal for It should amply suffice to defray the initial cost or simply administration which at first will amount to little more than supervising local bodies and protecting life and property, unless there in a large outlay on public works. Some expendi- from the very first, and as the territory pro ture on public works will no doubt be necessary
gresses this expenditure may naturally be ex- pected to increase. To meet it Mr. Lookhart has recommended that recourse should be had to a loan; but, while I am in principle not averse to borrowing for the purpose of developing district, a province, or a colony which promises. to be remunerative, I must keep in view the present state of the finances of Hongkong, and if the new territory can be developed without having recourse to a loan it will no doubt be preferable. I shall expect to receive your recommendations on this point after you have considered it in all its bearings. It would, however, I think under any circumstances: be desirable that the Director of Public Works possibly with other expert assistance, should consider and make suggestions as to what public works, in the nature of roads, bridges, police stations, etc., should be undertaken at once, and also to advise as to future undertaki |ings. Whenever money is available for the purpose it will be desirable to secure the services of a mining expert to make a detailed geological report, and I shall be glad if you will bear this latter point especially in mind: 2005
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24. The question of titles to land should be settled as early as possible; and in order to expedite the work of registration, holders of land should be allowed to register their titles at an office in the new territory instead of har ing to waste time by coming to an offos El Victoria. The officer, moreover, who is eni trusted with the duty of settling the land titles should, within reason, be given for the time being full powers to deal with all questions of the kind that may come before him;& When - all the land titles have been settled and proper surveys made the principal land office will be in Hongkong itself. The examination inte. titles should not be of too technical; a nature, and where lengthened docupation or improve- ments can be shown, with no adverse « claims from private individuals, a Government, title should be granted, even if no other in forth coming. Security for all reasonable rights in regard to land will be a great inducement to content and loyalty and to the popularising of British rule.
25.--The land question, however, by no means ends here, and there will be much left to con sider after the preliminary survey is completed. The land tax will no doubt be at first the prin- cipal source of revenue, and it should be di. tinetly understood from the first that, f land becomes more yaluable, the tax will
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