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The Puntis, or Cantonese, as they are termed by Europeans, belong to the race which is supposed to have come from the provinces bordering on the south of the Yang- tsz river. The term Punti means "Natives of the soil"; but the existence of aborigines in many parts of the Kwong-tung province shows that the Puntis were not the aboriginal inhabitants.

It is not improbable that they commenced to find their way to the south of China during the early periods of Chinese history. At any rate they were firmly established in the south during the time of the Southern Sung Dynasty, which reigned from_A.D. 1127 to A.D 1278. Most of the Punti inhabitants easily trace their descent from ancestors who were settled in the San On district in that period. The Puntis speak the dialect commonly known as Cantonese. Their population amounts to 64,140, and is contained in 161 villages. They chiefly inhabit the valleys, especially those drained by the Sham Chun and Ün Long rivers. Their main pursuit is that of agriculture; but they are also excellent traders, and full of that enterprise for which as a race the Cantonese are so justly famous.

The Hakkas, or "Strangers," as the term signifies, are supposed to be descended from the Mongols, and to have reached the southern provinces of China when the Mongol Dynasty was overthrown, about the middle of the 14th century. They are regarded by the Puntis as aliens, and speak a dialect quite distinct from Cantonese. The villages occupied by the Hakkas are 255 in number, containing a population of 36,070. As a rule their villages are inhabited solely by members of their own race, just as the Punti villages are inhabited only by Cantonese, though there are a few villages in which both races are represented. The Hakkas are a hardy and frugal race, and are generally found in the hill districts, their chief pursuits being agriculture and quarrying.

The Tankas, or boat people, form the floating population, of which it has not been possible to obtain even an estimate, except in the case of the islands, where they have been included in the general population. They form a class by themselves and are looked down upon by the land population. They inhabit the creeks, harbours, water- ways, and the islands, and make excellent sailors, being very clever in the handling of junks and smaller craft. They are also largely engaged in fishing.

Appendix 3 shows how the various races are distributed throughout the area. Taken as a whole the inhabitants may be regarded as an industrious, frugal, and well-behaved people. During the inspection of the territory they gave us an excellent reception except in two instances, one of which was so marked that it was necessary to bring the conduct of the villagers concerned to the notice of the Viceroy of the two Kwong Provinces, who will, it is hoped, deal with the matter in a proper manner. There are, of course, bad characters and rowdies to be found among the population, and one or two villages have earned an unenviable notoriety for lawlessness, but there ought to be no difficulty in bringing such characters and places under proper control, and putting an end to the present state of affairs.

The inhabitants, though by no means wealthy, seem to be, as a rule, comfortably well off, and able to earn an honest livelihood without difficulty. Few signs of anything approaching destitution were seen, and only a few beggars were met. From informa- tion received it appears that there are only 1,600 beggars throughout the whole of the San On district, the majority of whom are said to be outside the new territory.

INDUSTRIES.

The population is chiefly occupied in the cultivation of the soil with the various crops produced. But in addition to agricultural pursuits there are large fisheries, in which many persons are engaged, in the bays surrounding the territory on the east, south, and west, fishing being carried on chiefly by means of stake-nets.* The fish are sorted, salted, and sun-dried, and exported to various markets. The trade in salt fish is one of the most important, and employs a large number of persons.

Pearl fisheries exist in Tolo harbour, where pearls of value are said to be sometimes found.

In addition to salt-water fish the rearing of fresh-water fish in ponds for the Hong market and elsewhere occupies the attention of the villagers of the Un Long

Kong division.

The cultivation of oysters is also carried on to a large extent, especially in Deep Bay.

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* See Photographs, Album II., No. 6. † See Photographs, Album I., No. 5.

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