22162 İRECO CX (Reat 3 OCT 98
Blue Book 1897
it previous Paper.
sends with report
J & £ (98)—390—10000-12-97 7938-2000-7-98
t subsequent Paper.
Share copies to Sebra Minutes) PRINTED FOR PARLIAMENT
Six W. Hamilton
Printing depr
6 copies of
Sir W. Hamilton
Mr. Johnen
Colonial Reports annual N° 245
? Print Report for
A. E 3/10.
Blue book reed. in
in Lebrany ・WS. 4.10
hine with, for
authority to publish. E. DR.
Mr. Lucas
how publish
"Official Signatures" is the
at $214,000 about
fall in exchange, this comes of close to
262,000.
allowing for
The figures given as delit balance Loan fund are the loan mumis the Sucking Fund.
Thank you
M: Rockett
Lorkhan when printed
privately "the reard
classification of the fees loved under and 4/5 of 188, for the und under the Ash the atun of M Governor (#5) or the col. Sec. (#2); and Order in Council of July 24, 1875, Ana passport under the hand of the Governor (#2).
The latal expenditure de
$2,641,409.71.
As I take it the "Balance of
1893 Loan", - #262,091.955. amount of that loan which has not yet
been expended
Public Works extraordinary
This would tallyvery wellwith figures on 1.499 of the accompanying volume of sessional faters, according to which that loan has been exfunded Staturally
in amounts varying from $43,000 to $19,500. The return of Public Was Extraordinary chargeable against the New Loan
Pablish please
/ fo this gul should. astmishent to the India Office
calling attention
increase t this head
See Furiani Returns, we in 19833
22 Oct- at once
Mr. Fiddian
for carrying
now available out it. Lucaso menuite.
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
HONG KONG.
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1897.
(For Report for 1896, see No. 210).
Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty.
October 1898.
PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY
BY DARLING & SON, LTD., 1-3, GREAT ST. THOMAS APOSTLE, E,C. And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE & SPOTTISWOODE, EAST HARDING STREET, FLEET STREET, E.,; and 32, ABINGDON STREET, WESTMINSTER, S.W.; or JOHN MENZIES & Co., 12, HANOVER STREET, EDINBURGH, and
90, WEST NILE STREET, GLASGOW; or HODGES, FIGGIS, & Co., LIMITED, 104, GRAFTON STREET, DUBLI
] Price d.
COLONIAL REPORTS.
The following, among other, reports relating to Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions have been issned, and may be obtained for a few pence from the sources indicated on the title page :-
Gold Coast
British Guiana
Rodrigues
Basutoland
Bechuanaland Protectorate
Leeward Islands
Turks and Caicos Islands
Barbados...
St. Vincent
Sierra Leone
Falkland Islands
Straits Settlements
British New Guinea
St. Lucia...
St. Helena
Trinidad and Tobago
British Honduras
Leeward Islands
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
HONG KONG.
(For Report for 1896, see No. 209.3
ACTING Governor BlaCK to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.
Government House,
Hong Kong.
31st August 1898.
I HAVE the honour to forward to you the Blue Book for 1897, together with the subjoined report on that year.
Mauritius and Rodrigues
Malta Fiji
Subject.
Economic Agriculture. Forests.
Geology and Botany.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Gold Coast...
Zululand
Sierra Leone
Sisal Industry.
Hong Kong
Newfoundland
Western Pacific
Dominica
Virgin Islands
Emigration.
Bubonic Plague. Mineral Resources.. Solomon Islands.
Agriculture.
FINANCES.
The revenue collected during the year amounted to $2,686,914.70, as against $2,609,878,94 collected in the preceding year, and as against $1,427,485.79 collected in the year 1887: this shows an increase of revenue during the last ten years of $1,259,428.91 (or approximating to 100 per cent.), whilst the population, during the same period, has only increased by 35,759 or 1679 per cent.
The receipts from land sales during the year show a decrease of $48,358.40, but this is necessarily an uncertain and, in a sense, a speculative source of revenue during any fixed period, the receipts on other more settled accounts are necessarily more satisfactory.
Under the more reliable items of revenue the following most substantial increases are shown as compared with the year 1896:--
Assessed Taxes
26,924,21
36,699.20
Official Signatures
13,895.11
Queen's College Fees
3,512.00
Sunday Cargo-Working Permits.
4,275,00
Condition during 1897. Agriculture in Carriacou,
23,336.15
Leased Lands
24,516.31
Interest
4,576.84
Profit on Coins
4,819.71
Water Account
21,207.41
704-6-10/98 Wt 21620 D & S-5 (B)
Hong KoXGA 1897.
Hana KONG. 1897.
The total
1x handiture
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL,
There are no very noticeable decreases to be set against the above-mentioned increases except that of $31,683.68 under the heading Fines "--which Sir W. Robinson characterised as an unsatisfactory source of revenue; of $3,548.45 on account of Junk Licences-which is probably explained by lower freights on river steamers; of $5,469.62 under "Other Miscellaneous Receipts "an ever-varying source of revenue; and the decrease of $46,368.40 on premia from land sales mentioned above.
The nett result of a comparison with the year 1896 shows an increase of revenue amounting to $77,035.76 during the year 1897.
EXPENDITURE.
Or the expenditure side there is a nett increase of $166,499.34 during 1997 as compared with the pussies gear of 1896,
af revenue of $99,403:56:
expenditure during The most noticeable increases on the expenditure side were
1897 was
Public Debt
30,337.03
2,641,409.71;
Pensions
22,769.51
Public Works Department
3,862.82
Post Office ....
18,799.12
Lighthouses
2,721.90
Medical Department
5,215,61
Transport
4,458.46
67,946,03
20.982.64
58,205.40
Miscellaneous Services
Public Works Recurrent
Public Works Extraordinary
The amount expended on Public Works Extraordinary chargeable to the Loan amounted to $321,705.89, as against $230,619.32 in 1896, and $186,970,87 in 1895.
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.
The Statement of Assets and Liabilities shows a debit balance on the 31st December, 1897, amounting to $264,649.87, of which $262,091.95 were loan monies.
Against this apparent deficit, however, the Colony had a prospective asset of $350,000 worth of coins which were paid for before the 31st December, but were not yet in transit on that date.
It should also be mentioned that the expenditure for the year 1897 included a sum of $116,000 on account of Her Majesty's Jubilee Celebration.
The Balance Sheet of the Loan Account showed at the end of the year a debit balance amounting to £336,625 Os. 9d.
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
MILITARY ACCOUNT,
The amount in sterling contributed by the Colonial Govern- ment during 1897 in aid of Military Expenditure was £42,993 12s. 3d. as against an expenditure of £162,588.
LEGISLATION.
The most important Ordinances passed during the year were-
(1) An Ordinance to declare and amend the Law of
Partnership.
(2) An Ordinance to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to the Construction of Ordinances, to further shorten the Language used in Ordinances, and for other like purposes.
These Ordinances assimilate the law of the Colony to that prevailing in England.
There was also an Ordinance passed to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to Probates and Letters of Administration in this Colony.
POPULATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
The population in 1887 numbered 212,951, as against an estimated population in the latter part of 1897 numbering 248,710, including members of the Army and Navy to the average number of 5,118. The European civil population during the year was estimated at 8,555.
The total number of deaths registered was 4,668 as compared with 5,860 during 1896, but in the latter year there were no fewer than 1,078 deaths from Bubonic Plague; deducting deaths from that discase, however, there has been a material reduction in the death-rate which for 1897 stands at 1885 per 1,000 as compared with an average of 23 per 1,000 during the previous five years (exclusive of 1894, the year of the great epidemic of Bubonic Plague).
The above statistics show an improvement in the state of the public health, which may be regarded as satisfactory; notwith- standing the fact that 293 cases of small-pox and 65 cases of enteric fever were reported during the year, the latter being chiefly confined to Europeans and the origin traceable to the milk supply.
It is only natural that a port like Hong Kong should be largely exposed, through the shipping, to epidemics of an infectious nature, and it is probably an indication of the adequacy of the Quarantine Regulations that such epidemics are not more frequent.
It is satisfactory to note that only 21 cases of Bubonic Plague were reported during the year.
HONG KONG.
HONG KONG, 1807
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
CLIMATE.
As bearing on the above, the following particulars regarding the climate during the year under review may prove of interest. The average monthly temperature was 71-7° F., as compared with 72° F. during 1896. The maximum monthly temperature was attained in July when it reached 82·1° F., as compared with a maximum monthly temperature in the same month of the
A minimum pevious year 88.1° F.; the past monthly temperature was
recorded in February, as in 1896, being 54.2° F., as compared with 53.1° F. The highest recorded temperature was 91-8° F. in the month of September, and the lowest was 41° F. in the month of February.
The total rainfall for the year was 100-03 inches, as compared with 71.78 inches during 1896, the wettest months being August with 25.55 inches and June with 23-355 inches, whilst the driest months were December with 0:48 inch and March with 0815 inch of rain. No rainfall was recorded on 193 days of the year, as compared with 208 days during the previous year. The largest rainfall for the 24 hours during the year was 603 inches on the 28th June. The relative humidity of the atmosphere through- out the year was, approximately, 80 per cent.
The average daily amount of sunshine was 4·78 as compared with 4-8 hours in
On 71 days only no sunshine was recorded.
SHIPPING AND TRADE,
The shipping returns for the year are not quite so satisfactory as might be expected. The total tonnage entering and clearing amounted to 15,938,174, being a decrease of 577,779 tons as compared with the year 1896. British shipping shows an increase of 329 ships and a decrease of 489,528 tons. This numerical increase, with a tonnage decrease, is attributed to the number of small vessels which, since the opening of the West River in June last, have been plying on that route and increasing the number of entries and clearances without a proportionate increase of tonnage, whilst British ocean-going steamers show a decrease of 201 entries, aggregating 275,360 tons, the chief causes of which are attributable to the continued failure of the rice erop and the deflection of the Siamese rice trade owing to the plague and famine in India.
Foreign shipping, on the other hand, shows an increase of 263 ships, and of tonnage aggregating 280,731 tons, the shipping under the Japanese flag having been more than doubled since 1896, and showing an increase of 153,343 tons. German shipping, on the other hand, shows a decrease of 41,000 tons. Shipping under other foreign flags shows a more or less substantial increase, but there has been an appreciable falling off of vessels classified as "Junks in Foreign Trade" and "Junks in Local
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
Trade" which is attributable, inter alia, to the failure of the Hong Kong. rice crop and to the increased river steamer traffic.
The trade of 1897 was on the whole unsatisfactory from a local point of view, and more especially in imports, which were adversely affected by the low rate of exchange and the scarcity of the circulating medium--factors which not only restricted business but greatly curtailed profits.
In cotton piece goods business opened dull, but improved; during the summer a healthier tone prevailed, transactions being above the average of recent years, due possibly to some stimulus derived from the opening of the West River in June, but later in the year an adverse exchange restricted demand, while at the close business came to a standstill owing to the extreme tightness of money. The result was a falling off in the volume of business as compared with 1896, and this was even more marked in the case of fancy and woollen goods.
The trade in English cotton yarns compared favourably with that of the preceding year, and is reported to have been profit- able to dealers, but the margin of profit to importers was slender.
Compared with the business transacted in 1896, the trade in Indian yarus must be pronounced as unfavourable. The pre- valence of plague in Bombay, the prohibition of import into Tonkin during three months of the year, the violent fluctuation in rupee exchange, and the serious fall in the dollar prices of yarn during the final quarter of 1897 combined to check the import of the Indian product and promote that of its Japanese
In metals and sundries a fair business was transacted although not very profitably to importers, the fluctuations of exchange and tightness of money serving to handicap operations.
Although the import of foreign opium showed a slight increase over that of 1896, the trade in this commodity proved generally very unprofitable, chiefly on account of the unfavourable exchange between India and China. The native drug owing to the high rates asked for the Indian product is gradually but steadily replacing the latter in the Chinese markets.
The volume of the import of flour in 1897 was somewhat less than in the previous year (3,312,116) sacks, as against 3,831,499 sacks in 1896) consequent on the higher rates prevailing, but the trade was profitable to importers, who for the most part had bought forward at prices much lower than those ruling on delivery.
The trade in kerosine oil continues to show a steady increase, the import both in case and in bulk comparing favourably with that for 1896.
HONG KONG
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
A considerable development was apparent in the coal trade in 1897, the import of between 700,000 and 800,000 tons being larger than in any preceding year. Prices rose steadily through- out the year and have continued appreciating during the current
Since the opening of the West River to foreign trade on the 3rd June last, regular communication has been established, and it is hoped that this new outlet will, in course of time, prove of considerable advantage to the commercial interests of the Colony.
PUBLIC PEACE AND GOOD Order.
The criminal statistics for the year may be regarded as satisfactory, although they do not compare favourably with those for 1896. Owing to the diminished population during that pear on account of the plague epidemic, tin
sreased population sbree (1895) consideration, and a comparison with the latton ear is theele a more reliable indication of improvement in this direction.
The total number of cases reported to the police in 1895 was 13,376, and in 1897, 9,629. In the former year, however, 10,608 were of a minor nature, leaving 2,767 serious cases as against 2,896 serious cases in 1897. Whilst, therefore, the year 1897 compares more than favourably with 1895 as regard minor offences, it shows an increase of 129 cases of more serious crimes.
CONCLUSION.
There is but little to add to the particulars given above regard- ing the year 1897, which was of an exceptionally uneventful nature. In his previous despatches Sir W. Robinson has so fully reviewed the general progress of the Colony during his tenure of office-financially, commercially, and socially-that I have been content to limit this despatch within the somewhat narrow limits of statistics. I may remark, however, that during my term of office here as General Officer Commanding my observation has convinced me of the Colony's present prosperity and future possibilities.
I have, &c.,
W. BLACK, Major-General,
Administering the Government.
Dix copies
By Book Post.
6. 107 38
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG, 31st Augt,
-RINTED FOR PARLIA
Colonial Reports anmmal N`2ks”
I have the honour to forward to you the Blue Book for 1897 together with
the subjoined report on that year.
FINANCES.
The revenue collected during the year amounted to $2,686,914.70 as against $2,609,878,94 collected in the preceding year and as against $1,427,485.79 col- lected in the year 1887: this shows an increase of revenue during the last ten years of $1,259, 428.91 (or approximating to 100 %), whilst the population, during the same period, has only increased by 35,759 or 16.79 per cent.
The receipts from Land Sales daring the year show a decrease of $46,358,40, but as this is necessarily an uncertain and, in a sense, a speculative source of revenue during any fixed period, the receipts on other more settled accounts are necessarily more satisfactory.
Under the more reliable items of revenue the following most substantial in- creases are shown as compared with the year 1896 :-
Assessed Taxes,
...$26,924.21
36,699.20
Official Signatures,
13,895.11
Queen's College Fees,
3,512.00
Sunday Cargo-Working Permits.........
4,275.00
Postage,
23,336.15
Leased Lands,
24,516.31
Interest,
4,576.84
Profit on Coins,
4,819.71
Water Account,
21,207.41
There are no very noticeable decreases to be set against the above-mentioned increases except that of $31,688.68 under the heading Fines," which Sie W. Robinson characterised as an unsatisfactory source of revenue, of $3,558 45 on account of Jauk Licences--which is probably explained by lower freights on river stearners, of $5,469.62 under “Other Miscellaneous Receipts" an ever-varying source of revenue-and the decrease of $46,358.40 ou premia from Land Sales mentioned above.
The nett result of a comparison with the year 1896 shows an increase of revenue amounting to $77,035.76 during the 1897.
The Right Honourable
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,
Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State
for the Colonies,
EXPENDITURE,
On the expenditure side there is a nett increase of $166,199.34 during 1897 as compared with the previous year of 1896, or a nett increase of expenditure in excess of revenue of $89,463.58.
The most noticeable increases on the expenditure side were :-
Public Debt,
Pensions,
Public Works Department,
Post Office,
Lighthouses,
Medical Departinent,.
Transport,
Miscellaneous Services,.
Public Works Recurrent,
Public Works Extraordinary,
$30,537.03
22,769.51
3,862.82
18,799.12
2,721.90
5,215.61
4,458.46
67,916.03
20,982.54
58,205.40
The amount expended on Public Works Extraordinary chargeable to the Loan amounted to $321,705.89 us against $230,619.32 in 1896, and $186,970.87 in 1895.
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.
The Statement of Assets and Liabilities shows a debit balance on the 31st December, 1897, amounting to $264,649.87, of which $262,091.95 were loan monies.
Against this apparent deficit, however, the Colony had a prospective asset of $350,000 worth of coins which were paid for before the 31st December but were not yet in transit on that date.
It should also be mentioned that the expenditure for the year 1897 included
a sum of $116,000 on account of Her Majesty's Jubilee Celebration.
The Balance Sheet of the Loan Account showed at the end of the year a debit balance amounting to £336,625 Os. 9d.
MILITARY ACCOUNT.
The amount in sterling contributed by the Colonial Government during 1897
in aid of Military Expenditure was £42,993 12s. 3d, as against an expenditure of L162,588.
LEGISLATION.
The most important Ordinanees passed during the year were :-
(1) An Ordinance to declare and amend the Law of Partnership.
(2) An Ordinance to cousolidate and amend the Laws relating to the Construction of Ordinances, to further shorten the Language used in Ordinances, and for other like purposes.
These Ordinances assimilate the law of the Colony to that prevailing in England.
There was also an Ordinance passed to consolidate and amend the Laws relat- ing to Proutes and Letters of Administration in this Colony.
POPULATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
The population in 1887 numbered 212,951 as against an estimated population the latter part of 1897 numbering 248,710, including members of the Ariny and vy to the average number of 5.118. The European civil population during the
ir was estimated at 8,555.
The total number of deaths registered was 4,668 as compared with 5,860 ring 1896, but in the latter year there were no fewer than 1,078 deaths from bonic Plague; deducting deaths from that disease, however, there has been a terial reduction in the death-rate which for 1897 stauls at 18.85 per 1,000 compared with an average of 23 per 1,000 during the previous five
e of 1894, the year of the great epidemic of Bubonic Plague).
years (exclu-
The above statistics show an improvement in the state of the Public Health, ich may be regarded as satisfactory; notwithstanding the fact that 293 cases of all-pox and 63 cases of enteric fever were reported during the year, the latter ng chiefly confined to Europeans and the origin traceable to the milk supply.
It is only natural that a port like Hongkong should be largely exposed, through shipping, to epidemics of an infectious nature, and it is probably an indication the adequacy of the Quarantine Regulations that such epidemics are not more quent.
It is satisfactory to note that only 21 cases of Bubonic Plague were reported ring the year.
CLIMATE.
As bearing on the above, the following particulars regarding the climate ring the year under review may prove of interest.
The average monthly temperature was 71.7° F. as compared with 72° F. during .96. The maximum monthly temperature was attained in July when it reached
1° F. as compared with a makinam monthly temperature in the same month of e previous year 88,1° F.; the maximum monthly temperature was recorded in bruary, as in 1896, being 4.2° F. us compared with 53.1° F. The highest corded temperature was 91.8 F. in the month of September, and the lowest was 1.0° F. in the month of Fruary.
The total rainfall for the year was 100.03 inches as compared with 71.78 ches during 1896, the wettest months being August with 25.55 inches and June ith 23.355 inches, whilst the driest months were December with 0.48 inch and arch with 0.815 juclk of rain. No rainfall was recorded on 193 days of the year compared with 20% days during the previous year. The largest rainfall for the bours during the year was 6.03 inches on the 28th June. The relative humi- ty of the atmosphere throughout the year was, approximately, 80
The erage daily amount of sunshine was 4.78 as compared with 4.8 hours in 1896. n 71 days only no sunshine was recorded.
SHIPPING AND TRADE.
per cent.
The shipping returns for the year are not quite so satisfactory as might be spected. The total tonnage entering and clearing amounted to 15,938,174, being decrease of 577,779 tons as compared with the year 1896.
British shipping hows an increase of 329 ships and a decrease of 489,528 tons. This numerical crease with a tonnage decrease, is attributed to the fumber of small vessels which, nce the opening of the West River in June last, have been plying on that route nd increasing the number of entries and clearances without a proportionate in-
EXPENDITURE.
On the expenditure side there is a nett increase of $166,499.34 during 18 as compared with the previous year of 1896, or a nett increase of expenditure excess of revenue of $89,463.58.
The most noticeable increases on the expenditure side were :-
Public Debt,
Pensions,
Public Works Department,
Post Office,
Lighthouses,
Medical Departinent,.
Transport,
Miscellaneous Services...
Public Works Recurrent,
Public Works Extraordinary,
€30,337.03
22,769.51 3,862.82
18,799.12 2,721.90
5,215.61
4,458.46
67,946.03
20,982.54
58,205.40
The amount expended on Public Works Extraordinary chargeable to the Lot amounted to $321,705.89 as agaiust $230,619.32 in 1896, and $186,970.87 in 189
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.
The Statement of Assets and Liabilities shows a debit balance on the 31 December, 1897, amounting to $264,649.87, of which $262,091.95 were lor monies.
Against this apparent deficit, however, the Colony had a prospective asset $350,000 worth of coins which were paid for before the 31st December but we not yet in transit on that date.
It should also be mentioned that the expenditure for the year 1897 include
a sum of $116,000 on account of Her Majesty's Jubilee Celebration.
The Balance Sheet of the Loan Account showed at the end of the year a debi balance amounting to £336,025 0s. 9d.
MILITARY ACCOUNT.
The amount in sterling contributed by the Colonial Government during 189
in aid of Military Expenditure was £42,993 12s. 37, as against an expenditure e £162,588.
LEGISLATION.
The most important Ordinances passed during the year were :-
(1) An Ordinance to declare and amend the Law of Partnership.
(2) An Ordinance to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to th Construction of Ordinances, to further shorten the Language used in Ordinances, and for other like purposes,
These Ordinances assimilate the law of the Colony to that prevailing i England.
There was also an Ordinance passed to consolidate and amend the Laws relat ing to Proutes band Letters of Administration in this Colony,
Paskates and
POPULATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
The population in 1887 numbered 212,951 as against an estimated population in the latter part of 1897 numbering 248,710, including members of the Army and Navy to the average number of 5,118. The European civil population during the year was estimated at 8,555.
The total number of deaths registered was 4,668 as compared with 5,860 during 1896, but in the latter year there were no fewer than 1,078 deaths from Bubonic Plague; deducting deaths from that disease, however, there has been a material reduction in the death-rate which for 1897 stands at 18.85 per 1,000 as compared with an average of 23 per 1,000 during the previous five sive of 1894, the year of the great epidemic of Bubonic Plagne).
years (exclu-
The above statistics show an improvement in the state of the Public Health, which may be regarded as satisfactory; notwithstanding the fact that 293 cases of small-pox and 65 cases of enteric fever were reported during the year, the latter being chiefly confined to Europeans and the origin traceable to the milk supply.
It is only natural that a port like Hongkong should be largely exposed, through the shipping, to epidemics of an infectious nature, and it is probably an indication of the adequacy of the Quarantine Regulations that such epidemics are not more frequent.
It is satisfactory to note that only 21 cases of Bubonic Plague were reported during the year.
CLIMATE.
As bearing on the above, the flowing particulars regarding the climate during the year under review may prove of interest.
The average monthly temperature was 71.7° F. as compared with 72° F. during The maximum monthlyftemperature was attained in July when it reached 82.1° F. as compared with a maximum mouthly temperature in the same month of the previous year 88.1° F.; the maximum monthly temperature was recorded in February, as in 1896, being 42° F. as compared with 53.1° F. The highest recorded temperature was 91. F. in the month of September, and the lowest was 41.0° F. in the month of eruary.
The total rainfall for the year was 100.03 inches as compared with 71.78 inches during 1896, the test months being August with 25.55 inches and June with 23.355 inches, whilst the driest months were December with 0.48 inch and March with 0.815 inch of rain. No rainfall was recorded on 193 days of the year as compared with 20 days during the previous year. The largest rainfall for the 24 hours during the year was 6.03 inches on the 28th June. The relative humi- dity of the atmosphère throughout the year was, approximately, 80 per cent. The average daily amount of sunshine was 4.78 as compared with 4.8 hours in 1896. On 71 days only no sunshine was recorded,
SHIPPING AND TRADE.
The shipping returns for the year are not quite so satisfactory as might be expected. The total tonnage entering and clearing amounted to 15,938,174, being British shipping a decrease of 577,779 tons as compared with the year 1896. shows an increase of 329 ships and a decrease of 489,528 tons. This numerical increase with a tonnage decrease, is attributed to the number of small vessels which, since the opening of the West River in June last, have been plying on that route and increasing the number of entries and clearances without a proportionate in-
crease of tonnage, whilst British ocean-going steuners show a decrease of 201 entries aggregating 275,360 tons, the chief causes of which are attributable to the continued failure of the rico crop and the deflection of the Siamese rice trade owing to the plague and famine in India.
Foreign shipping, on the other hand, shows an increase of 263 ships and of tonnage aggregating 280,731 tous, the shipping under the Japanese flag having been more than doubled since 1896, and showing an increase of 153,343 tons. German shipping, on the other hand, shows a decrease of 11,000 tons. Shipping under other foreign flags shows a more or less substantial increase, but there has been an appreciable falling off of vessels classified as "Junks in Foreign Trade” and "Junks in Local Trade" which is attributable, inter alia, to the failure of the rice crop and to the increased river steamer traffic.
The trade of 1897 was on the whole unsatisfactory from a local point of view, and more especially in imports, which were adversely affected by the low rate of exchange and the scarcity of the circulating medium-factors which not only restricted business but greatly curtailed profits.
In cotton piece goods business opened dull, but improved; during the sum- mer a healthier tone prevailed, transactions being above the average of recent years, due possibly to some stimulus derived from the opening of the West River in June, but later in the year an adverse exchange restricted demand, while at the close business came to a standstill owing to the extreme tightness of money. The result was a falling off in the volume of business as compared with 1896, and this was even more marked in the case of fancy and woollen goods.
The trade in English cotton yarns compared favourably with that of the preceding year, and is reported to have been profitable to dealers, but the margin of profit to importers was slender.
Compared with the business transacted in 1896, the trade in Indian yarns must be pronounced as unfavourable. The prevalence of plague in Bombay, the prohibition of import into Tonkin during three months of the year, the violent fluctuation in rupee exchange, and the serious fall in the dollar prices of yarn during the final quarter of 1897 combined to check the import of the Indian pro- duct and promote that of its Japanese rival.
In metals and sundries a fair business was transacted although not very profitably to importers, the fluctuations of exchange and tightness of money serving to handicap operations.
Although the import of foreign opina showed a slight increase over that of 1896, the trade in this commodity proved generally very unprofitable, chiefly on account of the unfavourable exchange between India and China. The native drug owing to the high rates asked for the Indian product gradually but steadily re- placing the latter in the Chinese markets.
The volume of the import of flour in 1897 was somewhat less than in the previous year (3,312,116 sacks as against 3,831,499 sacks in 1896) consequent
on the higher rates prevailing, but the trade was profitable to importers, who for the most part had bought forward at prices much lower than those ruling on delivery.
The trade in kerosine oil continues to show a steady increase, the import both in case and in bulk comparing favourably with that for 1896.
A considerable development was apparent in the coal trade in 1897, the import of between 700,000 and 800,000 tons being larger than in any preceding year. Prices rose steadily throughout the year and have continued appreciating during the current year.
Since the opening of the West River to foreign trade on the 3rd June last, regular communication has been established, and it is hoped that this new outlet will, in course of time, prove of considerable advantage to the commercial interests of the Colony.
PUBLIC PEACE AND GOOD ORDER.
The criminal statistics for the year may be regarded as satisfactory, although they do not compare favourably with those for 1896. Owing to the diminished population during that year on account of the plague epidemic, there is the import- ant factor of an increased population since 1895 to be taken into consideration, and a comparison with the latter year is therefore a more reliable indication of im- provement in this direction.
The total number of cases reported to the Police in 1895 was 13,376 and in 1897 9,629. In the former year, however, 10,608 were of a minor nature leaving 2,767 serious cases as against 2,896 serious cases in 1897. Whilst therefore the year 1897 compares more than favourably with 1895 as regard minor offences, it shows an increase of 129 cases of more serious crimes.
It is unnecessary here to make more than a passing reference to the grave irregularities which were discovered in the Police Force during the year or to make inrther remark than that apparently long standing abuse of authority has been revealed and that the most stringent measures have been taken to suppress further irregularities of this nature,
CONCLUSION.
There is but little to add the particulars given above regarding the year 1897, which was of an exceptionally uneventful nature. In his previous despatches Sir W. ROBINSON has solly reviewed the general progress of the Colony during his tenure of office-fancially, commercially, and socially-that I have been content to limit this desperth within the somewhat narrow limits of statistics. I remark, howevthat during my term of office here as General Officer Commanding my observasi has convinced ine of the Colony's present prosperity and future possibilities.
I have the fronont to be
Your most obedient,
hunrble Servant,.
Major General,
Administering the Government.
22162 98
Hong Kong
Indened.
U.S. 1S. for Indian
Mr. Dale 31/10
Sun W. Hamilton 31
Mr. Cox,
Mr. Lucas.
Mr. Graham,
Mr. Wingfield.
Earl of Selborne.
Mr. Chamberlain.
betben 1898
I an dericted by lus. Secretary
Chamberlain to transmit to you,
to be laid before Lord George
Hamilton, the annual report for
1897 upon the Colony of Hong Kong.
to request you
call his lordship's special
attention to page 7 1
which deals
Report in connection
the subgret of
the trade in Endean yarns and
in opeum.