Colonial Administration Reports 1887-1903





1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

No. 33.

HONG KONG.

REPORT ON THE BLUE BOOK FOR 1887.

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. November 1888.

MOTEU

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, BY EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE,

PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCEllent majesTY.

And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE, EAST HARDING STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C ; and 32, ABINGDON Street, WeSTMINSTER, S.W.; or

ADAM AND CHARLES BLACK, 6, Norти Bridge, Edinburga; or

HODGES, FIGGIS, & Co., 104, GRAFTON STREET, Dublin

1988.

[C.-5249.-30.]

1

2

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

NEW SERIES OF REPORTS.

The following Reports relating to Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions have been issued and may be obtained from the sources indicated on the title

No.

page:

Colony.

Year.

Price.

8

9

5

12

3

 

3 4 5 6 7∞

Virgin Islands

Mauritius, Seychelles, and

Rodrigues.

Gambia

Victoria

New Zealand

Tobago

Gibraltar

Gold Coast (Governor's visit

to the Eastern Districts).

Heligoland

1887

""

1886

"J

d.

1-2

"

""

دو

21/

1951=A

10

Natal

1887

1

1

وو

11

Straits Settlements

12

Gold Coast (Sanitary Reports)

11

1s. 4d.

13

14

Jamaica and Turk's Islands Newfoundland

1887

2

1886

148

15

Grenada

1887

11

16

Trinidad

59

11

17

Bermuda

1

دو

18

St. Helena

"2

-dot

19

Barbados

1

""

20

Lagos (Sanitary Report for

1

"J

1887).

21

23

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

222428

Bahamas

Labuan

Malta

Straits (Penang and Malacca) St. Vincent

Sierra Leone (Report on Medi-

cal Department).

""

29

1

""

3

رو

وو

1212424

1

"

Leeward Islands

British Guiana

Western Australia

Falkland Islands

Basutoland

St. Lucia

-

༦༦༦༦༦

""

♡ 2

2

Her

3 ਨੂੰ

-5

1

11/

नवल

11/

1887-1903

PAPERS RELATING TO H.M. COLONIAL POSSESSIONS. 3

No. 33.

HONG KONG.

[For previous Reports see 1886 [C.-5239]; 1895 [C.-4904]; 1883 [C.-4193]; 1882 [C.-3794]; 1881 [C.-3642]; 1880 [C.-3208].]

Sir G. W. DES VEUX to LORD KNUTSFORD.

MY LORD,

Government House, Hong Kong,

August 2, 1888,

  I HAVE the honour to forward, for your Lordship's infor- mation, the Hong Kong Blue Book for 1887, together with the usual report of the chief clerk.

2. I much regret the late date of transmission. The Colonial Secretary's Office has been so pressed with other work as to render earlier completion impracticable.

The Right Hon.

Lord Knutsford, G.C.M.G.

&c.

&c.

&c.

I have, &c

(Signed)

G. W. DES VEUX.

REPORT on the BLUE BOOK and DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS for 1887, presented to the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.

1.-TAXATION.

There have been no changes under this head,

2.-REVENUE AND EXPENditure.

The revenue amounted to $2,582,723 81, or excluding premiums from land sales to $1,427,485 79; and the expenditure amounted to $2,023,002 06, including extraordinary works; excluding these, to $1,278,181 68.

3

4

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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO

The revenue and expenditure for the past five years have been :-

Extraordinary

Year.

Revenue.

Premiums from Land.

Ordinary

Expenditure,

Expenditure.

including Defensive Works.

1883

$ C. 1,289,448 29

S C. 25,718 65

$ C.

1,162,247 14

$ C. 180,052 10

1881

1,173,071 48

19,695 00

1,254,634 77

340,763 62

1885

1,251,889 70

66,658 ·50

1,146,103 15

475,147 24

1886

1,367,977 74

34,731 59

1,195,236 81 825,624 84

1887

1,427,485 79

155,238 02

1,278,181 68 744,820 38

3.-LOCAL REVENUES.

 The Chinese inhabitants contributed in 1887, by voluntary assessment among themselves, to the pay of the district watchmen $3,012 17, and received from the Government a grant in aid of $2,000 00.

4.-ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.

 On the 31st December 1887 the assets of the Colony exceeded its liabilities by $631,374 08.*

The surplus assets in :-

1883 were

1884

1885

""

and in

1886 the liabilities exceeded the

assets by

$

C.

-

1,067,200 52

729,562 .02

427,692 42

191,512 29

5.-PUBLIC Debt.

 A public debt of 200,000l. was raised in England by the Crown agents for the Colonies in virtue of Ordinance 11 of 1886.

* A loan having been raised during the year.

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

6.-MILITARY EXPENDITURE.

5

5

The military expenditure (inclusive of the Volunteer Corps) defrayed by the Colony during the last five years has been as

follows:-

Military Contribution, exclusive of Defensive Works, and

inclusive of Volunteer Corps.

Defensive Works.

$

C.

C.

1883

111,962 09

1884

114,498 78

3,464 64

1885

117,337 00

72,564 45

1836

124,561 68

217,901 45

1887

128,815 63

258,444 28

7.-GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.

Government House.

Government House was maintained in repair, and the sanitary arrangements were satisfactory.

8.-PUBLIC WORKS.

Several public works were completed during the year, among which may be mentioned :--

(a.) Sanitary works costing over $93,000.

(b) New market at Hunghom.

(c) Extension of light-keeper's quarters on Green Island. (d) Defensive works, above referred to, to the extent of $258,444 48.

9.-LEGISLATION.

The following Ordinances were passed during the year :-

!

No. 1 of 1887.-An Ordinance entitled "The Post Office

Ordinance, 1887."

No. 2 of 1887-An Ordinance to amend the Promissory

Oaths Ordinance, 1869.

No. 3 of 1887,-An Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 8

of 1879.

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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO

No. 4 of 1887.-An Ordinance for promoting the Revision of the Statute Law by repealing certain enactments which have ceased to be in force or have become un-

necessary.

No. 5 of 1887.-An Ordinance to amend the Law respec-

ting Defamatory Words and Libel. No. 6 of 1887.-An Ordinance to regulate the carrying

and possession of Arms.

No. 7 of 1887.-An Ordinance to remove doubts as to the application of Ordinance No. 2 of 1875.

No. 8 of 1887.-An Ordinance for the Suppression of the Triad and other unlawful Societies,

and for the punishment of the Members thereof.

No. 9 of 1887.-An Ordinance for the better protection of

young Girls.

No. 10 of 1887.-An Ordinance to abolish Transportation and Penal Servitude and to substitute

other Punishment in lieu thereof.

No. 11 of 1887.-An Ordinance for the more effectual

Prevention of Crime.

No. 12 of 1887.-An Ordinance entitled "The French Mail Steamers Ordinance continuation Ordinance, 1887."

No. 13 of 1887.-An Ordinance entitled "The German Mail Steamers Ordinance continuation Ordinance, 1887."

No. 14 of 1887.-An Ordinance to consolidate and amend the Law for the Establishment and Regulation of the Police l'orce of the Colony.

No. 15 of 1887.-An Ordinance authorising the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation to continue incorporated for the further term of Twenty-one years.

No. 16 of 1887.-An Ordinance empowering the Courts to award Whipping as a further punishment for certain Crimes.

No. 17 of 1887.-An Ordinance entitled "The Cattle Diseases, Slaughter - Houses, and Markets Ordinance, 1887.

No. 18 of 1887.-An Ordinance to amend and consolidate

the Law relating to Jurors.

No. 19 of 1887.-An Ordinance to enable the Trustees of the Rhenish Missionary Society to sell and dispose of certain Leasehold property within the Colony of Hong Kong.

7

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

No. 20 of 1887.-An Ordinance for the naturalisation of

Ch'an Kwok Ying.

1

No. 21 of 1887.--An Ordinance to consolidating the Law

relating to various Licenses.

No. 22 of 1887.-An Ordinance for the better regulating

of the trade in Opium.

No. 23 of 1887.-An Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 16 of 1887.

No. 24 of 1887.-An Ordinance for amending the Laws relating to Public Health in the Colony of Hong Kong.

No. 25 of 1887.-An Ordinance to authorise the Ap- propriation of a Supplementary Sum of Three hundred and Ninety-two thousand Four hundred and Sixty- two Dollars and Thirty Cents to defray the Charges of the Year 1886. No. 26 of 1887.-An Ordinance to apply a sum not ex- ceeding One million One hundred and Seventy-six thousand Four hundred and Forty-nine Dollars to the Public Service of the Year 1888.

10.-COUNCIL AND ASSEMBLIES.

Executive Council. The Hon. W. M. Deane, Captain Superintendent of Police, was admitted a member of the Executive Council..

Legislative Council.The Hon. II. G. Thomsett, R.N., harbour master, was confirmed in his appointment as a member of the Council.

The Hon. A. P. MacEwen was nominated by the Chamber of Commerce in the room of the Hon. T. Jackson, resigned. The Hon. J. Bell-Irving was appointed in the room of the

Hon. W. Keswick, resigned.

The Hon. C. P. Chater was nominated by the justices of the

peace in the room of the IIon. F. D. Sassoon, resigned. Sanitary Board.-Mr. Stewart_having been appointed Colonial Secretary his place on the Board was filled by Mr. Lockhart, the Registrar General,

The following acting appointments were made to the Sanitary

Board during the year:-

Dr. Jas, Cantlie, vice Mr. N. J. Ede, on leave.

Mr. W. E, Crow, vice Mr. H. McCallum, on leave.

Board of Examiners.-There was no change in the constitution of the Board during the year.

Medical Board, Dr. Jas. Cantlie was appointed Acting Secretary, vice Dr. Hartigan, on leave.

8

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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPEKS KRELATING TO

11.-CIVIL ESTABLISHMENTS.

 The Hon. W. H. Marsh, C.M.G. (now Sir Wm. Marsh, K.C.M.G.), Colonial Secretary, retired from the Service on the 25th April 1887. The Government was thereupon administered by His Excellency Major-General Cameron, C.B., until the arrival of Sir G. William Des Voeux, as Governor, in October 1887.

The Hon. Frederick Stewart, Registrar General, was con-

firmed in his appointment as Colonial Secretary, and J. H. Stewart Lockhart, Esq., Assistant Colonial Secre-

tary, as Registrar General.

 Several changes occurred in various departments consequent upon officers going on leave of absence.

12.-OFFICERS WHO HAVE GIVEN SECURITY FOR THE DISCHARGE OF THEIR DUTIES.

 The validity of the sureties of the various officers was duly inquired into at the end of every quarter, and found to be satisfactory.

13. PENSIONS.

The following officers retired on pension during the year:

Sir Wm. H. Marsh, K.C.M.G., Colonial Secretary and

Auditor General.

C. J. Wharry, M.D., Superintendent, Government Civil

Hospital.

J. J. Chapman, head turnkey of the gaol.

Joseph Christo, first class assistant turnkey in the gaol.

Tarrah Singh, second class guard in the gaol.

Bedell Lee Yun, first interpreter in the magistracy.

Herah Singh, first class guard in the.gaol.

Mary Collins, matron of the gaol.

Thomas F. Grey, inspector of police.

1. Chinese police constable.

8 Indian police constables.

4 European police constables.

14.-EXPENDITURE OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS.

The amounts paid during the year on account of the Establish-

ments were :-

Payments in Great Britain in sterling money, 23,444l. 15s. 5d. Payments in the Colony in local currency, $656,988 05.

15.-FOREIGN CONSULS.

No new Consulates were established in the Colony during

1887.

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

16-POPULATION.

9

The estimated population on the 31st December 1887 was as

follows:-

Males

Females

Total

-

152,427

60,524

212,951

which is 11,961 more than the estimated population at the end of

1886.

The last census was taken in 1881, the population being then returned as 160,402, of which 115,369 were males and 45,033 females.

The following is the mean estimated population for the last six years :--

Years.

Males.

Females.

Total.

1882

119,704

46,729

166,433

1883

121,768

48,707

173,475

1884

130,560

50,969

181,529

1885

137,079

53,515

190,594

1886

144,550

56,440

200,990

1887

152,427

60,524

212,951

The births and deaths for the last five years were as follows:-

Years.

Per 1,000 of Mean Population.

Births. Deaths.

Births. Deaths.

1883

1,509

4,712

8.70

27.16

1884

1,551

4,311

8.54

23.74

1885

1,555

5,192

8.16

27.24

1886

1,557

5,100

7.74

25.37

1887

1,705

5,317

8.01

24.97

17.-ECCLESIASTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

There were no changes in these establishments as compared

with previous years.

9

10

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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS Relating TO

18.-EDUCATION.

 The total number of schools subject to supervision by the Government amounted in 1887 to 94, as compared with 90 in 1885 and 1884.

 The total number of scholars subject to Government supervision in the Government and grant-in-aid schools during the last five years was as follows:-

Years.

Government.

Grant-in-aid.

Total.

1883

2,080

3,517

5,597

1884

1,978

3,907

5,885

1885

1,803

4,041

5,844

1886

1,893

3,951

5,844

1887

1,814

4,160

5,974

 The total expenditure for these schools for the last five years was as follows:---

1883

1884

1885

1886

1887

1

1

1

1

C.

35,412 26

36,758 14

36,085

27

43,085 50

43,070 91

19.-EXCHANGE, MONEYS, WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

Exchange.

 The rate of exchange on four months' bills on London fell from 3s. 44d. per dollar on the 18th of January to 3s. 1d. on the 12th April.

 During the year it fluctuated between these two rates, closing with 3s 1ąd. in the latter end of December.

Currency.

The law affecting currency has remained unchanged.

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

Bank Notes,

11

The bank notes in circulation in Hong Kong during the last five years, as furnished by the managers of the respective banks, were as follows:

1883

1834

1885

1886

1887

Years.

Average Amount.

Specie in Reserve.

$

$

5,099,661

1,779,166

4,114,787

1,810,033

4,080,071

2,000,833

4,368,705

2,138,333

5,052,473

2,362,833

Money Circulation.

The approximate amount of coin put into circulation up to 31st December 1887 was as follows:-

Hong Kong dollars and half dollars struck

at the Hong Kong Mint

-

Hong Kong silver and copper subsidiary coins (20, 10, and 5 cent pieces; and I cent and mil pieces)

$1,421,487

- $2,481,181

The importation of copper coin has been discontinued.

Weights and Measures.

The weights and measures in use in the Colony are regulated by Ordinance 8 of 1885.

20.-IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.

There being no Custom House it is not possible to furnish an account of the imports and exports.

21.-SHIPPING.

Arrivals exclusive of Junks.

The total arrivals, exclusive of junks, during the year 1887 amounted to 4,078 vessels and 4,607,914 tons, being an excess of 36,618 tons over the arrivals in 1886.

Junks.

23,521 junks measuring 1,793,923 tons arrived in the Colony in 1887, as against 22,971 junks and 1,752,868 tons in 1886, showing an increase of 550 junks and 41,055 tons.

11

12

12

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO

The total arrivals for the last five years were :-

Exclusive of Junks.

Junks.

Grand Total.

Years.

No. of Vessels.

Tons.

No. of Vessels.

Tons.

No. of Vessels.

Tons.

1853

·

3,399

3,450,428

21,258

1,851,239

27,657

5,301,667

1891

3,290

3,479,637

23,473

1,687,594

20,763

5,167,231

1385

3,128

3,866,709

23,674

1,797,222

27,102

5,663,931

1836

·

4,251

4,571,296

22,071

1,752,809

27,222

6,324,164

1997

4,078

4,607,914

23,621

1,793,923

27,599

6,401,837

Immigration and Emigration,

 The following will show the number of Chinese who arrived in and the number who departed from the Colony during the last five years:

1883

1884

1885

1886

1887

Years.

Arrived.

Departed.

74,722

57,438

73,767

51,247

80,773

57,517

89,704

64,532

92,375

82,897

22.-AGRICULTURE.

 The lands of the Colony being limited and not favourable for agricultural purposes there is no inducement for this industry here. The produce is quite nominal, and is for local consumption only.

23. MANUFACTURES, &c.

Manufactories.

 Brick and cement factories have been erected in the Colony, which promise to develop in time.

Steam Launches.

 The total number of steam launches built in the Colony in 1887 was 31 with a total tonnage of 2,872, as against 26 with a

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

13

total tonnage of 1,659 in 1886. The total number of licensed steam launches of all descriptions in the Colony in 1887 were:-

Licensed to carry passengers Private launches

Colonial Government launches

War Department launches

Total

24. GRANTS OF LAND.

42

43

10

7

102

The sales of land on lease during the last five years were:-

1883

1884

1885

1886

1887

Years.

Total No. of Sales.

Total No. of Acres sold.

A.

X. P.

30

GO 1 264

76

25 3 8

145

28 0 144

88

82 2314

187

76 0 8

25.-GAOLS AND PRISONERS.

On the 1st January 1887 there were 612 prisoners in Victoria Gaol; 4,600 were admitted during the year, and 4,541 discharged; the total number of prisoners on the 31st of December 1886 was 632, of whom 49 were Europeans.

The daily average of prisoners was 584, as against 674 in the previous year.

The number of prisoners admitted into gaol during the last five years was as follows:

No. of Prisoners.

Years.

Total.

Men. Women.

Juveniles.

Daily Aver- age Number in Prison.

1883

3,200

137

149

3,486

542.50

1884

3,670

168

185

4,023

552.00

1885

3,327

147

136

3,610

.530.00

1886

4,278

178

149

4,600

674.00

:

1887

4,012

149

147

4,308

584.00

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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO

26. CRIMINAL STATISTICS.

Supreme Court.

 The following is a return of cases tried at the Supreme Court during the last five years :-

Charges abandoned.

Postponed.

Number Number Con-

Ac-

Years.

of

of Cascs. Persons.

victed.

quitted.

Nunbor

Numbor of Cases.

of Per-

sons.

No. of Cascs.

No. of Persons.

1883-

ΟΙ

126

70

1881-

g

G8

101

39

20

1885

91

147

103

1886

75

107

59

1887

94

155

82

36

2 2 2 2 9

26

14

28*

2

8

16

22

16

22

20.

16

27+

1

17

26

00

Total

419

036

379

121

71

119

4

11

Average of

5 years

83 1

127 1

75*1

24 1

14*1

23 2

1

21

Average of

5 ycars ending 1882

125*

183

130

42'

7'1

10:3

1

* One committed suicide.

+ Que recognisance estreated.

Police Magistrates' Court.

The cases before the police magistrates during the last five years were as follows:-

Ycars.

Total No. of

Cases.

Total No. of

Prisoners.

Convicted

and

Punished.

Discharged.

Cases how disposed of.

Committed

for Trial.

Committed pending

Orders.

Ordered to

find Secu-

rity.

Punished for False Tes-

timony.

Undecided.

Ba

1883

10,653 12,101

8,797 2,747

129

38

216

6

171

1884

14,005 15,935

12,836 2,502

103

38

281

8

107

1885

10,231 11,901 8,900

2,416

161

14

456

18

1886

14,011 16,017 12,923 2,388

159

5

969

35

168

1887

12,015 13,458 10,679 2,779

167

32

463

14

48

Total

61,625 70,045 01,035 12,022

719

127 2,396

69

612

Average of 5 years

13,325 | 14,009 10,807 2,584'4 143.8

25.4

477°0 13.8

102'4

Average of 5 years

ending 1852

7,795*4 8,867*4 | 6,776°4 | 2,001-2

193'2

15.4

280*2 23'0

47'4

1887-1903

HIER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

15

15

Marine Magistrate's Court.

The cases before the Marine Magistrate Court during the last five years were as follows:-

Dofondants how disposed of.

Years.

Number of Cases.

Number of Defen- dants.

Imprisoned.

Fined.

Forfeiture

of Pay.

Repri-

manded.

Sent back to

duty.

from Ship.

To be dis-

charged

Dismissed.

Committed

for trial.

1883

1881

-

1885

1886

1867

90

$7

58

78 169

111

58

8.888

221

ཎྜཊྛ ཡི

87

152

ི ཧྨ ཧྨ་ྒུ ཝོ

13

11

5

1

15

1

85

136

43

47

25

32

11

1

9

දිය

3

47

14

2

1

-

21

282

12

28

24

2

1

-

11

37

6

21

15

3

23

Total

374 687 324 151

42

27

41

7

35

95

Average of last 5

years

74.8 137.4

64.8 30*2

8.4 5'4

8.2

1.4

19'0

Average of last 8

years ending 1882- 1180 213-0

85.8

41.2

22.8 8*2 19'4

2.0

SO 2

Police.

The cases brought under the notice of the police during the last five years were as follows:-

Sorious Offences.

Minor Offences.

Years.

Number of Convicted. Discharged.]

Cases.

Cases.

Number of Convicted. Discharged.'

1883

2,423

1,178

485

5,265

4,014

1,024

188-1

2,652

1,207

500

7,551

4,713

1,102

1895

·

2,466

1,298

561

4,309

3,707

757

1886

2,500

1,389

472

6,336

6,457

672

1687

2,577

1,231

565

5,90.1

6,310

1,214

Total

12,018

6,396

2,643

29,365

25,231

4,709

Average of 6 years -

2,523'6

1,270*2

528.6

5,873.0

5,016*2

953.8

Average of 5 years

cnding 1882

2,396*8

1,387'6

490'G

4,083*0

3,759'6

819*2

I

J

1

16

16

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS KRELATING TO

27. HOSPITALS, &c.

Civil Hospital.

The admissions to the Government Civil Hospital during the year were as follows as compared with 1886-

1886.

1887.

Police

602

619

Board of Trade

132

103

Private paying patients

381

324

Government servants

144

147

Police cases

142

208

Destitutes

-

222

255

1,623

1,656

 The total admissions to the hospital and deaths during the year were as follows:-

1883

1884

1885

1886

1887

Years.

Admissions.

Deaths.

1,502

70

1,354

50

1,510

76

"

1,623

79

1,656

89

The admissions from the police force and the number of deaths for the past five years were as follows:-

1883

1884

1885

1886

1887

Years.

Admissions.

Deaths.

599

-10

486

7

495

9*

602

14†

619

9

* Only five of these died in hospital, one died at his own residence, and three died

Whilst on leave.

† In hospital.

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

17

The admissions of Europeans were, in 1886, 138 as compared with 139 in 1887; the Chinese were 221 in 1886 as compared with 187 in 1887; and the Indians were 243 in 1886, as com- pared with 293 in 1887.

Military Hospital.

The admissions from among the troops during the past five years were as follows:-

1883

1884

1885

1886

1887

Years.

Admissious.

Deaths.

1,105

10

1,097

12

1,090

24*

1,607

9

1,749

14

Small-pox Hospital.

The admissions during the past five years were as follow:--

Years.

1883

1884

1885

1886

1887

Inquests.

Admissions.

12

7

14

11

65

The inquests held during the past five years were as follows:-

Admissions.

Years.

1883

1884

1885

1886

1887

· 101

· 82

G

100

-

120

C

115

28.-CHARITABLE AND LITERARY INSTITUTIONS.

No fresh institution was formed.

* Twelve died of cholera.

17

18

18

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO H.M. COLONIAL POSSESSIONS,

29.-RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.

An Ordinance (19 of 1887) was passed during the year to enable the trustees of the Rhenish Missionary Society to sell and dispose of certain leasehold property within the Colony.

Hong Kong, 31st July 1888.

ARATHOON SETH,

Chief Clerk

LONDON: Printed by EYRE and SPOTTIS WOODE, Printers to the Queen's most Excellent Majesty.

For IIer Majesty's Stationery Office,

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

No. 77.

HONG KONG.

REPORT ON THE BLUE BOOK FOR 1888.

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, BY EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE,

PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE, EAST HARDING STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C., and 32, Abingdon Street, Westminster, S.W.; or

ADAM AND CHARLES BLACK, 6, NORTH BRIDGE, EDINBURGH; or HODGES, FIGGIS, & Co., 101, GRAFTON STREET, Dublin.

1889.

[C.-5897.-7.]

19

20

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

NEW SERIES OF REPORTS.

from

The following, among other, Reports relating to Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions have been issued, and may be obtained for a few pence the sources indicated on the title page :-

No.

Colony.

27

Leeward Islands

28

British Guiana

29

Western Australia

-

30 Falkland Islands

Year.

1887

"}

""

"

""

""

31

Basutoland

32

St. Lucia

33

Hong Kong

34

Fiji

35

36

British Honduras

Mauritius, Seychelles, and Rodrigues

37

Ceylon

38

British New Guinea

39

British Guiana

40

Lagos (Westeru District)

41

Gambia

42

Sierra Leone

"9

""

,,

""

""

1884 and

1885

1888 1887

""

43

Victoria

44

British Bechuanaland

45

New Guinea

46

Newfoundland

47

New Zealand

""

""

39

"

48

Heligoland -

1888

49

Gibraltar

-

50

Bermuda

51

Trinidad

52

53

54

55

Bahamas

56

Jamaica

57

Malta

Turk's Islands

Jamaica (Coolie Immigration)

Falkland Islands

1887-8 1888

"}

"

"

"

""

""

""

58

St. Helena

""

59

Straits

60

Natal

61

Gambia

62

Barbados

"

""

""

63

Labuan

64

Grenada

65

Straits (Penang and Malacca)

66

Gold Coast (Gold Mines)

67

St. Lucia

""

"2

1889 1838

68

Lagos

""

69

Trinidad (Tobago)

70

Basutoland -

71

British Honduras

72

British Guiana

73

Western Australia

""

29

""

""

74

Gold Coast

--

75

Sierra Leone

"3

76

Gold Coast (Sanitary Reports)

*

"

1887-1903

PAPERS RELATING TO H.M. COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

3

21

No. 77.

HONG KONG.

Administrator STEWART to LORD KNUTSFORD.

MY LORD,

Government House, Hong Kong,

September 2, 1889.

I HAVE the honour to forward the Blue Book for 1888, and to express my regret that it has not been possible to send it earlier. There has been great pressure of work in the Colonial Secretary's Department, and I trust that your Lordship will on that account. be good enough to overlook the delay.

2. The usual summary accompanies it, and beyond a few remarks on some of the more important headings I do not think it neces- sary to review the year at any considerable length.

3. The steady increase in the revenue, apart from premiums on land sales, is a source of much satisfaction. The increased value of the opium farm is one of the chief causes of the increase, but how far this may extend, and how long it may continue, is a subject of some uncertainty.

4. The steady increase in the revenue is accompanied by an equally steady increase in the expenditure, but the many public works which are urgently required for the development of the Colony will, for years to come, constitute a sufficient justification for the sums which will have to be spent on them. These public works, from causes with which your Lordship is acquainted, have not lately had the attention to which they are legitimately entitled, but when the re-organisation of the Surveyor-Genoral's Depart- ment, now under consideration, has been completed, they will be pushed on with all possible energy. It is some satisfaction to think that the special contribution for defence works will soon terminate, and leave our resources available for the prosecution of works which the necessities of an increasing population imperatively demand.

5. Our local statutes were increased by 29 Ordinances during the year. Some of these are of considerable importance. The Vagrancy Ordinance will probably require amendment, as there has been much difficulty in fixing under it the responsibility which it was sought to cast upon owners and agents of vessels. It is a measure which cannot be lost sight of. From the peculiar circum- stances of the Colony there is a constant tendency to throw upon

22

4

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO

us the cost of the repatriation of persons of all nationalities, and, in self-defence, it will be necessary to reduce this cost to its legitimate minimum. Foreign Consuls will assist none of their nationals unless they can produce papers to prove their nationality, and this rule is so rigidly enforced that the care of 99 per cent, of the destitutes arriving in the Colony has hitherto devolved, on mere grounds of humanity, entirely on the Government of the Colony. The Trees Preservation Ordinance seems to be serving its purpose, and it is hoped that by means of it the villagers may, in time, be taught to leave untouched that which adds so much to the beauty and the salubrity of the island. I think it may be safely asserted that the Ordinance for judicial investigations into the causes of Fires has been a great success. The insurance companies recognise this to the fullest extent. Immediately on its passing into law the number of fires decreased at once, and although prosecutions for arson have not been very successful there can be no doubt that the effect of the measure on the minds of the Chinese community has been most salutary. The European District Reservation Ordinance will require some amendment. It is a most necessary measure, but as there has never been any clearly defined Chinese quarter of the city it is most difficult to draw a line which will not inflict some hardship on someone.

 6. The Sanitary Board, as re-constituted under the Public Health Ordinance, has not hitherto been of much public utility. The anomaly of placing the house drains under the Board and the public sewers under the Surveyor-General has led to a good deal of friction; but the subject is receiving every attention, and an amendment of the Ordinance is contemplated.

 7. The influx of Chinesc, leading to a steady increase of popu- lation in spite of the restricted area of the Colony, is a subject of great importance and of no little embarrassment. Doubtless the land made available by the Praya reclamation scheme will tend to diminish the difficulty, but the relief from overcrowding will only be temporary, and I think it is clear that, before long, building land will have to be sought for in the interior of the island, and communication established with it by means of trainways. Those residents who have most closely watched the development of Hong Kong believe that its present prosperity is only beginning, and that, at no distant period, every available corner of the island will be covered with dwellings or manufactories. The history of the past few years seems clearly to indicate that this is no mere ideal; but the realisation of it will have to be accompanied by much forethought, to prevent the mistakes of the past from being re- peated. A complete survey of the island will have to be made; the land laws will have to be revised; the best means of opening up the interior carefully thought out; and a complete understand- ing arrived at with the military authorities as to the land which they require for defensive purposes.

 8. The advance in education is one of the most gratifying features in the progress of the Colony. There is yet much to be

23

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

5

done, and female education is only in its infancy; but the lines. on which the system is moving seem to be correct, and time alone is required to reclaim those portions of the field which remain. untouched. We have now four highly efficient public schools, not including the convents, which do so much for the educa- tion of girls. Government schools and grant-in-aid schools are penetrating into the outlying villages. The Education Code is working most smoothly, and seldom gives rise to any question. which cannot be easily settled.

9. There is a slight decrease in the total tonnage returns, but nothing to call for any special remark. The increase in the number of junks indicates a transfer of some of the trade of the port from foreign to native vessels. Kerosene oil especially, which forms a most important item in the trade of the Colony, is now chiefly exported in junks.

10. The immigration and emigration returns show that the passenger traffic is very large. It is one of the most important items in the trade of the place. I am sorry to say that there are not a few abuses connected with it; but the subject has been engaging the most earnest attention of the Government for some time. Facts have been steadily accumulating. A committee is now considering the question; and, later in the year, a Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council making due provision for the welfare of the emigrant.

11. The admissions into the civil hospital and the small-pox hospital show a steady increase. The deaths in the former, how- ever, were fewer than in 1887; and, as regards the latter, it is to be hoped that the epidemic which occurred was quite excep- tional. The subject of the health of the Colony is fully treated by the Colonial surgeon, whose annual report will be forwarded by this mail. The record for the year is by no means favourable, but it is unnecessary to discuss it here, except to say that the very severe outbreak of small-pox contributed largely to the unfavourable result.

The Right Hon.

I have, &c. (Signed)

Lord Knutsford, G.C.M.G.,

&c. &c. &c.

FREDERICK STEWART, Administering the Government

24

24

6

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO

REPORT On the BLUE BOOK for 1888, presented to the Legis- lative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.

1.-TAXATION.

There have been no changes under this head.

2.-REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.

 The revenue amounted to $,1,717,988-67, or excluding premiums from land sales to $1,557,30003; and the expenditure amounted to $1,992,32967, including extraordinary works; excluding these, to $1,461,459 · 64.

The revenue and expenditure for the past five years have been :-

Year.

Revenue.

Premiums from Ordinary

Land.

Extraordinary Expenditure,

Expenditure.

including

Defensive Works.

1884

$ C. 1,173,071 48

1885

1,251,889 70

$ C. 19,695 00

66,658 50

$ C.

$ C.

1,254,634 77

340,763 62

1,146,103 15

475,147 - 24

1886

1,367,977 74

34,731. 59

1,195,236 81

825,624 84

1387

1888

1,427,485 79

1,557,300 03 160,688. 64

155,238 02

1,278,181 68

744,820 38

1,461,459 64 530,870 03

3.-LOCAL REVENUES.

 The Chinese inhabitants contributed in 1888, by voluntary assessment among themselves, to the pay of the district watchmen $4,094 78, and received from the Government a grant-in-aid of $2,000.00.

4.-ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.

 On the 31st December 1888 the assets of the Colony exceeded its liabilities by $360,649.76.*

The surplus assets in:-

1884 were

$

C.

729,562 02

1885

"

In 1886 the liabilities exceeded the

assets by

-

In 1887 the surplus assets were

427,692 42

191,512 29

-

631,374 08*

* A loan of 200,000l. having been raised during 1887 to be paid off on the 1st of March 1907. To provide for the repaymcut of this loan a sinking fund of 7,0721. was established.

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

5.-PUBLIC DEBT.

No new loan has been raised.

6.-MILITARY EXPENDITURE.

25

25

7

The military expenditure (inclusive of the Volunteer Corps) defrayed by the Colony during the last five years has been as

follows:-

Military Contribution, exclusive of

Defensive Works, and Defensive Works.

inclusive of

Volunteer Corps.

$ C.

C.

1884

114,498 78

3,464 64

1885

117,337 00

72,564 45

1886

124,561 68

217,901 45

1887

128,815 63

258,444 28

1888

134,594 68

62,115 90

7.-GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.

Government House.

Government House was maintained in repair, and the sanitary arrangements were satisfactory.

8.-PUBLIC WORKS.

The expenditure under this head was $25,102 14 for ordinary repairs to buildings, $51,518 for upkeep of the roads and streets; and $62,115 90 for defensive works.

9. LEGISLATION.

The following Ordinances were passed during the year :-

-

No. 1.-An Ordinance entitled "The Vaccination Ordi-

nance, 1888."

No. 2.-An Ordinance entitled "The Defences Sketching

Prevention Ordinance, 1888."

No. 3.-An Ordinance to amend the Crown Remedies

Ordinance, 1875.

No. 4.-An Ordinance for prohibiting the enclosure of

Verandahs erected over Crown Lands.

26

Co

8

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO

No. 5.-An Ordinance entitled "The Official Signatures

Fees Ordinance, 1888."

No. 6.-An Ordinance for the naturalisation of Fritz

Adolph Friccius Grobien.

No. 7.-An Ordinance for the naturalisation of Hillune

Loo Ngawk, otherwise Loo Kiu Fung.

No. 8.-An Ordinance for the naturalisation of Lai Shang,

otherwise Lai Chek Kün.

No. 9.-An Ordinance for the naturalisation of Lai Kit,

otherwise Lai Cheuk.

No. 10.-An Ordinance to provide for the preservation of copies of books printed in Hong Kong, and for the registration of such books..

No. 11.-An Ordinance entitled "The Unclaimed Balances

Ordinance, 1888."

No. 12.-An Ordinance entitled "The Vagrancy Ordi-

nance, 1888."

No. 13.-An Ordinance entitled "The Regulation of

Chinese Ordinance, 1888.

No. 14.-An Ordinance entitled "The Trees Preservation

Ordinance, 1888."

No. 15.-An Ordinance entitled "The Rating Ordinance,

1888."

No. 16. An Ordinance for the reservation of a European

district in the City of Victoria.

No. 17.-An Ordinance entitled "The Coroner's abolition

Ordinance, 1888."

No. 18.-An Ordinance entitled "The French Mail

Steamers Ordinance continuation Ordinance, 1888."

No. 19.-An Ordinance entitled "The German Mail Steamers Ordinance continuation Ordinance, 1888."

No. 20.-An Ordinance for the naturalisation of John

   Wong Chun, otherwise Wong Yiu Shang. No. 21.-An Ordinance for the naturalisation of T'ám Iu

Ts'ün, otherwise Tám Fuk-siu.

No. 22.--An Ordinance for the naturalisation of Li Ó Mi,

otherwise Li Tải Fung.

No. 23. An Ordinance to authorise in certain cases

judicial investigations into the causes of fire. No. 24.-An Ordinance to authorise the Appropriation of

a Supplementary Sum of One hundred and Ninety-four thousand Four hundred and Sixty- Eight Dollars and Sixty-three Cents to defray the Charges of the Year 1887.

No. 25.-An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding One million Two hundred and Thirty-nine thousand Eight hundred and Ninety-seven Dollars to the Public Service of the Year 1889.

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

22

27

9

No. 26.-An Ordinance entitled "The European District Reservation Ordinance Amendment Ordinance, 1888."

No. 27.-An Ordinance to amend Ordinance 9 of 1876. No. 28.-An Ordinance for the naturalisation of Elias Isaac Elias, otherwise Elias Isaac Elias Zachariah.

No. 29.-An Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 15 of

1886.

10.-COUNCIL AND ASSEMBLIES.

Executive Council.-The Hon. H. E. Wodehouse, C.M.G., Acting Colonial Treasurer, was admitted as a member of the Executive Council, in the room of the Hon. Alfred Lister, absent on leave.

Legislative Council.--The Hon. H. E. Wodehouse, C.M.G., Acting Colonial Treasurer, was admitted as a member of the Legislative Council, in the room of the IIon. Alfred Lister, absent on leave.

The Hon. B. Layton was nominated by the Chamber of Commerce in the room of the Hon. A. P. MacEwen, absent on leave.

Sanitary Board.-The Sanitary Board was re-constituted during the year under the Public Health Ordinance, 1887, with the Colonial Surgeon and the Captain Superintendent of Police as President and Vice-President, respectively.

Board of Examiners.-Mr. T. Sercombe Smith, a passed cadet, was appointed Honorary Secretary to the Board.

Medical Board.-Dr. Hartigan returned to the Colony, and resumed the Secretaryship to the Board.

11.-CIVIL ESTABLISHMENTS.

Sir G. William Des Voeux was absent from the Colony, by permission, from the 7th to the 20th March, and again on the 26th November to the 18th December. On both occasions Mr. Frederick Stewart, the Colonial Secretary, administered the Government.,

Judicial.-Sir George Philippo, Kt., Chief Justice, retired on pension on the 5th October 1888; and Mr. Justice Russell, Puisne Judge, succeeded to the office of Chief Justice. Mr. Justice Clarke, Chief Justice of Fiji, was appoined Puisne Judge.

Several changes occurred in various departments consequent upon officers going on leave of absence.

28

10

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO

12.-OFFICERS WHO HAVE GIVEN SECURITY FOR THE DISCHARGE OF THEIR DUTIES.

 The validity of the sureties of the various officers was duly inquired into at the end of every quarter, and found to be satisfactory.

13. PENSIONS.

The following officers retired on pension during the year :-

Sir George Phillippo, Kt., Chief Justice.

Henry George Thomsett, R.N., C.M.G., Harbour Master. Ho Chuck Shan, Senior Master of Chinese, Central School. 1 European police constable.

1 Chinese police constable. 5 Indian police constables.

14.-EXPENDITURE OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS.

The amounts paid during the year on account of the Establish-

ments were:

Payments in Great Britain in sterling money, 28,814l. 3s. 4d. Payments in the Colony in local currency, $699,525·19

15.-FOREIGN CONSULS.

 No new Consulates were established in the Colony during 1888.

16.-POPULATION.

 The estimated population on the 31st December 1888 was as follows:-

Males Females

Total

-

-

154,500

61,300

215,800

which is 2,849 more than the estimated population at the end of 1887.

 The last census was taken in 1881, the population being theu returned as 160,402, of which 115,369 were males and 45,033 females.

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

11

The following is the mean estimated population for the last eight

years:

Years.

Males.

Females.

Total.

1882

119,704

46,729

166,433

1883

124,768

48,707

173,475

1884

130,560

50,969

181,529

1885

137,079

53,515

190,594

1886

144,550

56,440

200,990

1887

152,427

60,524

212,951

1888

154,500

61,300

215,800

The births and deaths for the last five years were as follows:-

Per 1,000 of Mean

Population.

Years.

Births. Deaths.

Births.

Deaths.

1884

1,551

4,311

8.54

23.74

1885

1,555

5,192

8.16

27.24

1886

1,557

5,100

7.74

25.37

1887

1,705

5,317

8.01

24.97

1888

1,662

6,034

7.70

27.96

17.-ECCLESIASTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

There were no changes in these establishments as compared with previous years.

18.-EDUCATION.

The total number of schools subject to supervision by the Government amounted in 1888 to 97, as compared with 94 in 1887 and 90 in 1886.

29

30

12

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO

 The total number of scholars subject to Government supervision in the Government and grant-in-aid schools during the last fivo years was as follows:-

Years.

Government.

Grant-in-aid.

Total.

1884

1,978

3,907

6,885

1885

1,803

4,041

5,844

1886

1,893

3,951

5,844

1887

1,814

4,160

5,974

1888

1,933

4,325

6,258

 The total expenditure for these schools for the last five years was as follows:-

1884

1885

1886

1887

1888

I

$.

C.

36,758 14

-

36,085 27

43,085 50

43,070 91

45,518 93

19.-EXCHANGE, MONEY, WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

Exchange.

 The rate of exchange on four months' bills on London fell from 3s. 2 d. per dollar on the 3rd of January to 2s. 11d. on the 19th May.

 During the year it fluctuated between these two rates, closing with 3s. 1d. in the latter end of December.

Currency.

The law affecting currency has remained unchanged.

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

Bank Notes.

13

The bank notes in circulation in Hong Kong during the last. five years, as furnished by the managers of the respective banks, were as follows:

1881

1885

1886

1887

1888

Years.

Average Amount.

Specie in Reserve.

$

$

4,114,787

1,810,033

4,080,071

2,000,833

4,368,705

2,138,333

5,052,473

2,362,833

5,759,875

2,660,000

Money Circulation.

The approximate amount of coin put into circulation up to 31st December 1888 was as follows:-

*

Hong Kong dollars and half-dollars struck

at the Hong Kong Mint Hong Kong silver and copper subsidiary coins (20, 10, and 5 cent pieces; and 1 cent and mil pieces)

-

$1,421,487

- $2,482,091

The importation of copper coin has been discontinued.

Weights and Measures.

The weights and measures in use in the Colony are regulated by Ordinance 8 of 1885.

20.-IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.

There being no Custom House, it is not possible to furnish an account of all imports and exports, but a record of raw opium imported and exported during 1888 has been kept, and is as

follows:--

Imported Exported

-

-

-

71,512 27 chests

71,139

27

رو

The fraction 27 is explained by the fact that one broached chest was landed here containing 27 instead of 40 balls, and was exported in the same condition.

21. SHIPPING.

Arrivals exclusive of Junks.

The total arrivals, exclusive of junks, during the year 1888 amounted to 3,821 vessels and 4,536,442 tons, being 71,472 tons under the arrivals in 1887.

31

32

14

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO

Junks.

 23,958 junks measuring 1,863,968 tons arrived in the Colony in 1888, as against 23,521 junks and 1,793,923 tons in 1887, showing an increase of 437 junks and 70,045 tons.

The total arrivals for the last five years were:-

Exclusive of Junks.

Junks.

Grand Total.

Years.

No. of Vessels.

Tons.

No. of Vessels.

Tons.

No. of Vessels.

Tons.

1894

3,290

3,479,637

23,473

1,687,594

26,703

5,167,231

1885

3,128

3,866,700

23,074

1,797,222

27,102

6,CC3,931

1986

4,251

4,571,200

22,971

1,752,869

27,222

6,324,161

1887

4,078

4,607,914

23,521

1,793,923

27,599

6,401,837

1998

3,821

4,536,442

23,958

1,863,968

27,779

6,400,410

Immigration and Emigration.

 The following will show the number of Chinese who arrived in and the number who departed from the Colony during the last five years:

1884

1885

1886

1887

1888

Years.

Arrived.

Departed.

73,767

51,217

80,773

57,517

88,704

64,522

92,375

82,897

98,800

96,195

22.-AGRICULTURE.

 The lands of the Colony being limited and not favourable for agricultural purposes, there is no inducement for this industry here. The produce is quite nominal, and is for local consumption only.

23.-ManufacŢures, &c. Manufactories.

 No new manufactories have been added to those already in existence.

Steam Launches.

 The total number of steam launches built in the Colony in 1888 was 24 with a total tonnage of 1,655, as against 31 with a

3333

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

15

total tonnage of 2,872 in 1887. The total number of licensed steam launches of all descriptions in the Colony in 1888 were:-

Licensed to carry passengers

Private launches

Colonial Government launches War Department launches -

Total

24. GRANTS OF LAND.

41

42

8

6

97

The sales of land on lease during the last five years were:-

Years.

Total No. of Sales.

Total No. of Acres sold.

A.

R. P.

1884

76

25

3 84

1885

145

28 0 14

1886

88

82

2 314

1887

187

76

0 8

1888

202

104 0 4

25.-GAOLS AND PRISONERS.

On the 1st January 1888 there were 576 prisoners in Victoria Gaol; 3,627 were admitted during the year, and 3,700 discharged ; the total number of prisoners on the 31st of December 1888 was 503, of whom 51 were Europeans.

The daily average of prisoners was 531, as against 584 in the previous year.

The number of prisoners admitted into gaol during the last five years was as follows;-

No. of Prisoners.

Years.

Total.

Men.

Women. Juveniles.

Daily Aver- age Number in Prison.

1884

3,670

168

185

4,023

552.00

1885

3,327

147

136

3,610

530.00

1886

4,278

173

149

4,600

.674.00

1887

4,012

149

147

4,308

584.00

1888

-

3,390

98

139

3,627

531.00

34

16

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO

26. CRIMINAL STATISTICS.

-

Supreme Court.

The following is a return of cases tried at the Supreme Court during the last five years :-

Charges abandoned,

Postponed.

Years.

Number Number Con-

Ac-

of

of Cases. Persons.

victed.

quitted.

Number of Cases.

Number

of Por-

No. of Cascs.

No. of Persons.

sons.

1881-

1885

32

CS

101

91

147

103

1986

75

107

1887

94

155

1888

101

180

3 8 8 8

2228

20

8

16

22

59

20

16

27

1

1

82

36

17

26

8

99

47

23

40

2 2 2 2 $

16

Total

·

429

696

408

145

85

131

2

9

Average of

5 ycurs

801

139)

81;

223

20

17

201

}

11

Averngo of

5 years

ending 1883

111:

1653

112

381

214

142

1

Police Magistrates' Court.

 The cases before the police magistrates during the last five years were as follows:-

Years.

Total No. of

Cases.

Total No. of

Prisoners.

Convicted

and

Punished.

Cases how disposed of.

Undecided.

1581

1885

14,005 16,935 12,836 2.662

10,291

103

38

38

281

8

107

11,901 8,800 2,410

161

14

450

C

18

1886

14,611 16,617 12,923 2,388

169

5

969

35

168

1887

·

1898

12,015 13,458 10,679 2,779 167

11,017 13,309 9,932 2,849

174 109

32

403

14

48

192

50

Total

02,619 71,250 65,170 13,024

704 108 2,361

CO

391

Average of 5 years 12,523 8 14,250°0′ 11,034′0| 2,604*8

152'8 39'6 472.2

13'2

78.2

Average of 5 years

ending 1883

8,106*0 9,775*4|6,977*0 [2,165*2

200*0

22.8 305*4

27.2

77'8

Years.

1887-1903

HIER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

Marine Magistrate's Court.

35

17

The cases before the Marine Magistrate's Court during the last five years were as follows:-

Number of Cases.

Number of Defen-

dants.

Imprisoned.

Defendants how disposed of.

Fined.

Forfeiture

of Pay.

Repri-

Juanded.

Sent back to

duty.

from Ship.

To be dis-

charged

Dismissed.

Committed

for trial.

1987

-

1899

70

1991

78 169

85

32

11

9

28

1895

-

111

1336

བྱ ཤྩ སྐྱ;

221

136

47

14

2

1

21

58

87

43

21

6

2

1

11

152

47

87

G

21

15

co

23

107

66

39

8

2

2

53

1

5

Total

407 796

377 178

89

23

79

7

88

Average of last 5

years

81*4 159.2

75'4 35'6

7.8 5.6

15.8

1.4 17.0

Average of 5 years

ending 1883

83'6 166*0

66'8 33'0

13.2 6*8 18:0 2.0

26.8

Police.

The cases brought under the notice of the police during the last five years were as follows:-

Serious Offences.

Minor Offences.

Years.

Number of Convicted. Discharged.

Cases.

Cnses.

Number of Convicted. Discharge

1884

-

2,652

1,207

560

7,551

4,743

1,102

1885

2,466

1,208

661

4,309

3,707

757

1886

2,500

1,389

472

6,336

6,457

672

1887

2,577

1,234

505

5,901

0,310

1,214

1898

2,436

1,116

556

5,678

5,772

1,105

Total

12,631

6,33-1

2,714

29,778

26,989

4,850

Average of 5 years -

2,526*2

1,266'8

542-8

6,955*6

5,397.8

970'0

Average of 5 years

ending 1883

2,359*2

1,312 4

473*4

4,291*2

3,791 6

869'0

1

|

|

36

18

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO

27.-Hospitals, &c.

Civil Hospital.

 The admissions to the Government Civil Hospital during the year were as follows as compared with 1887 :-

1887.

1988.

Police

619

657

Board of Trade

103

153

Private paying patients

324

313

Government servants

147

159

Polico cases

208

242

Destitutes

255

248

1,656

1,772

The total admissions to the hospital and deaths during the last five years were as follows :-

1884

1885

1886

1887

1888

Years,

Admissions.

Deaths.

1,354

50

1,510

76

1,623

79

1,656

89

1,772

80

The admissions from the police force and the number of deaths for the past five years were as follows:-

1884

1885

1886

1897

1888

Years.

Admissions.

Deaths.

486

7

495

9

602

14†

619

9

657

15

Only five of these died in hospital, onc died at his own residence, and three died

whilst on leave.

† In hospital.

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

19

The admissions of Europeans were, in 1887, 139, as compared with 147 in 1888; the Chinese were 187 in 1887, as compared with 231 in 1888; and the Indians were 293 in 1887, as com- pared with 279 in 1888.

Military Hospital.

The admissions from among the troops during the past five years were as follows:-

1884

1885

1886

1887

1888

Y cars.

Admissious.

Deaths.

1,097

12

1,090

24*

1,607

9

1,749

14

1,485

21

Small-pox Hospital.

The admissions during the past five years were as follows:--

Years.

1884.

1885

1886

1887

1889

Inquests.

Admissions.

7

14

-

11

65

99

The inquests held during the past five years were as follows:-

Years.

1884

1885

1886

1887

1888

Inquests.

82

100

-

120

-

115

63

By Ordinance 17 of 1888 the office of coroner is abolished, and the duties thereof transferred to the police magistrates.

• Twelve died of cholera.

37

38

20

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO H.M. COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

28. CHARITABLE AND LITERARY INSTITUTIONS.

No fresh institution was formed.

29.-RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.

No fresh institution was formed.

Colonial Secretary's Office,

FREDERICK STEWART,

· Colonial Secretary.

Hong Kong, 30th August 1889.

LONDON: Printed by. EYRE and SroTTIS WOODK,

Printers to the Queen's most Excellent Majesty. For Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

No. 84.

HONG KONG.

39

FURTHER REPORT ON THE BLUE BOOK FOR 1888.

(In continuation of Colonial Possessions Report No. 77.)

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty,

March 1890.

DROIT

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, BY EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE,

PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE, EAST HARDING STREET, FIFET STREET, E.C., and 32, ABINGDON STREET, Westminster, S.W.; or

ADAM AND CHARLES BLACK, 6, NORTH Bridge, EDINBURGH; or HODGES, FIGGIS, & Co., 101, GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN.

1890.

40

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

REPORTS ON II.M. COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

The following, among other, Reports relating to Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions have been issued and may be obtained for a few pence from the sources indicated on the title page:-

No.

Colony.

Year.

34

Fiji

1887

35

36

37

Ceylon

-

38

British Honduras

Mauritius, Seychelles, and Rodrigues

British New Guinea

""

""

39

British Guiana

40

Lagos (Western District)

41

Gambia

42

Sierra Leone

43

Victoria

44

British Bechuanaland

45

New Guinea

46

Newfoundland

47

48

New Zealand

Heligoland

49 Gibraltar

-

50

Bermuda

"J

"9

1884 and

1885

1888

1887

""

""

""

19

""

""

1888

39

"J

51

Trinidad

52

53

55

Bahamas

56

Jamaica

57

Malta

58

St. Helena

59

Straits

Turks Islands

Jamaica (Coolie Immigration)

54 Falkland Islands

""

""

""

39

1887-8 1888

99

""

60

Natal

61

Gambia

62

Barbados

63

Labuan

64

Grenada

65

Straits (Penang and Malacca)

66

Gold Coast (Gold Mines)

-

67

St. Lucia

68

Lagos

69

Trinidad (Tobago)

70

Basutoland

71

British Honduras

72

British Guiana

73

Western Australia

""

"J

1889

1888

1887

1888

""

29

19

""

74

Gold Coast

75

Sierra Leone

76

Gold Coast (Sanitary Reports)

"

77

Hong Kong

"

78

Ceylon

99

79

Fiji

""

80

Lagos

29

81

82

83

Victoria

Leeward Islands

Natal (Liquor Traffic)

"}

"

1

1887-1903

PAPERS RELATING TO H.M. COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

3

41

No. 84.

HONG KONG.

(In continuation of Colonial Possessions Report No. 77.)

Sir G. WILLIAM DES VEUX to LORD Knutsford.

MY LORD,

Government House, Hong Kong, October 31, 1889.

  IN connexion with the Blue Book for 1888 (forwarded with the usual Colonial Secretary's Report during my temporary absence in the late Mr. Stewart's despatch* of the 2nd ultimo) I think it may prove of interest that I should make some obser- vations, at the same time giving additional information and statistics in respect of the present condition of the Colony and its progress in the two years during which I have administered the Government.

Revenue.

2. The ordinary revenue shows a constant tendency to grow in amount pari passu with the increasing population and wealth of the Colony: and that of 1888 ($1,557,300) was larger than in any former year. The increase by comparison with 1887 ($1,427,485) was principally in (1) "Stamps," which advanced to $187,150 from $170,233; (2) "Municipal Rates," which afforded $360,291 in the place of $332,863; (3) "Postage," which returned $144,218 instead of $137,436; (4) "Miscellaneous Receipts," principally profit on subsidiary coins, $107,341 as against $61,227.

3. The improvement in all of these items was, no doubt, largely due to the increased business and wealth of the Colony. That in "Municipal Rates" was, however, more immediately occasioned by the better assessment of property, which was brought about by an officer recently appointed for this special duty. I have reason to believe that there is still much opening for improvement in respect of valuation, and that from attention to this point, as well as from the largely increased value of property, there should be a still greater advance in this item during the next few years.

4. Profit on subsidiary coins is a comparatively new item of revenue, and is showing a constant tendency to increase. Appended is a table showing the number of coins issued since

* Colonial Possessions Report No. 77.

42

4

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO

the supply commenced, together with the profit obtained each

year.

Silver Coins.

Copper Coins.

Profit.

$

1864

15,638.70.

30,293.92

13,333.22

1865

49,447.00

30,343.58

6,758-58

1866

60,014:60

30,000.00

5,877-49

1867

10,000.00

29,987.28

14,249.41

1872

14,000.00

950*52

1873

105,317.00

9,000.00

7,878 70

1874

49,883.00

11,000.00

2,628.91

1875

47,287.00

3,500.00

5,361.52

1876

44,623.00

6,500.00

8,038.13

1877

57,680.00

12,500.00

10,781.51

1878

38,815.00

14,700,00

8,572.34

1879

50,595.00

12,000.00

11,528.36

1880

50,400.00

6,300.00

7,454.80

1881

46,600.00

4,500.00

2,850.67

1882

100,800.00

10,000.00

10,000 08

1883

101,900.00

2,403 47

1884

212,500.00

26,285.37

1885

282,200.00

33,464'87

1886

476,500.00

41,848.48

1887

497,300.00

24,352.73

1888

910,000.00

72,904-77

 The issue this year will, according to present indications, again show a great advance, having already (October 23rd) reached a total of $948,500, consisting of 11,854,250 separate coins, and though this must not be counted on as a permanent source of revenue I see no reason to anticipate any falling off in the demand in the immediate future.

 5. The desire of the Chinese for these coins (consisting of picces representing 20 cents, 10 cents, and 5 cents, manufactured at Her Majesty's Mint for this Colony) appears to be almost insatiable; and if from any cause there is delay in the supply from England, the purchasing price at once rises to a premium, which has been known at the Chinese New Year to be as high as 20 per cent. I understand that this coinage is growing more and more in favour among the vast population of the neighbouring Empire, probably owing to confidence in its exactly uniform standard of value, and that the coins are not only used as money, but are to a considerable extent converted into buttons and other ornaments.

 6. Besides the causes for increase of receipts above indicated there is another which in the next few years is likely to have a greater effect in this direction than any other. I refer to the enhanced return from the opium farm, which was in 1888 granted for three years from April 1889 at an increase of $295,200 per annum over the price obtained for the previous term. This result is attributable partly to the large increase of population and partly to efforts, which proved successful, to arouse competition on the part of the Chinese capitalists of Singapore and Penang.

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

5

7. It should be mentioned that the revenue has, in Hong Kong, a much smaller proportion than in most Colonies to the amount of trade and realised wealth, owing to the complete absence of import duties, and to the fact that there are no tonnage duties. on shipping beyond the small charge of one-third of one per cent. per ton for lights. Moreover, the rates, which at the highest (in the town of Victoria)-are fixed at only 13 per cent. of the annual rateable value, compare very favourably with those of the principal towns of England, ranging, I understand, from 20 to 30 per cent. I see no probability of any necessity for increased taxation, and should much deplore it if it occurred, as the lightness of the public burthens has, without doubt, contributed largely to the extraordinary prosperity of the Colony. I refer to the above facts, therefore, merely for the purpose of showing that the amount of the revenue, by which the importance of a country is not unfre- quently gauged, is, when applied to this purpose in Hong Kong, entirely misleading.

Land Sales Receipts.

43

8. "Land premiums " (the sums received for leases of land sold by auction) which, being wisely separated from "revenue," are applied to defence and other permanent works, amounted to $160,688 in 1888 and $155,238 in 1887, and thus show an enormous increase by comparison with all former years, though the increased area sold was by no means in the same proportion. In the absence of some calamity, such as war, the amount of these premiums is likely to remain large for some years to come, and that already obtained from the same source this year (in the first three quarters) is $156,200. As only a very small proportion of the available building sites in the Colony are as yet leased, it may be expected that the cost of the public works required will for a long time to come be largely defrayed from this source, and this especially if Hong Kong should, according to present promise, become a large manufacturing, as well as commercial, centre,

9. It will be observed that a comparison between the years 1887 and 1888 shows an advance in the aggregate of rents which is proportionately somewhat larger than that in premiums. This is' due to a change effected last year by which the rent fixed for land to be leased bears a somewhat larger proportion than formerly to the upset price at which leases are offered for competition by auction. În the belief that we had been unduly sacrificing the future to the present by obtaining in premiums so large a share of the proceeds, I had hoped to carry this change still further; but I was induced to be content at first with a short step in the desired direction, partly by the consideration that we are at present burthened with a specially heavy charge for defence and other permanent works, and partly because the local experience of my advisers suggested a doubt whether there would not be a loss in premiums out of proportion to the increase of rents. Owing to the increasing value of land it is impossible to ascertain from subsequent experience whether this doubt had substantial

44

6

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO

foundation; but as the premiums per acre received since the change was effected have, in most instances, been higher than they have ever been before for land in the same localities, I am disposed to think that a further advance may safely be made in the same direction. In view of the financial difficulties which have arisen elsewhere from the reckless sale of the Crown Lands and the use of the proceeds as ordinary Revenue, and bearing in mind the precarious nature of some important items of our present receipts, I cannot but think that it would be worth while, even at some sacrifice of present advantage, to apportion a larger share of the proceeds to permanent income.

10. This consideration will be kept in view; and if it should be found inadvisable, for the reason above indicated, to further increase the rent fixed in connection with the auction sales, it may perhaps be expedient to attain the same object by giving pur- chasers the right of commuting the premiums for increased rent on terms which would be likely to induce its exercise.

Expenditure.

11. Though the total expenditure of the year 1888, $1,992,329, was somewhat smaller than that of 1887, $2,023,002, this was entirely due to a large decrease in "Extraordinary Expenditure on "Defence" and other permanent works, the aggregate cost of which in 1888 was only $530,870 as against $744,820 in 1887. Ordinary Expenditure, however, increased from $1,278,181 in 1887 to $1,461,459 in 1888, a result which might be expected from the demands of our rapidly increasing population. It is at the same time satisfactory to note that even this increased expenditure was exceeded by Ordinary Revenue to the extent of some $95,000.

 12. The decrease in Extraordinary Expenditure is chiefly accounted for by the fact that our Defeuce Works were approach- ing completion and cost only $62,115 as against $258,444 in 1887. The Tytam Waterworks, moreover, cost only $51,150 as against $230,811 in 1887. This great enterprise, (which comprises the confinement of some 350 millions of gallons of water by a dam con- structed of granite and concrete at a distance of five miles from the City of Victoria, and the conveyance of the supply by means of a tunnel 2,450 yards in length, and a cut granite aqueduct for the remaining distance,) was so far completed that the water was let into some of the existing "Mains" in October 1888.

                    in October 1888. But as the "Distribution Works" which are required in connection with the. new supply are not commenced, it has not been possible to obtain any return in Revenue for this improvement in supply, and the large expenditure on the works, which up to this date amounts to $1,137,315, is as yet pecuniarily unremunerative.

 13. Not only for this reason, but chiefly because this magni- ficent supply of water is, and for some time to come must remain, comparatively unavailable, it is unfortunate that provision for "Distribution " was not made at an earlier period during the progress of the main works. The delay in this and various other

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

7

even more needed public works must be chiefly attributed to the undue weakness of the Staff of the Surveyor General's Department. The extraordinary density of the population, living for the most part on or under the abrupt slopes of a hill 1,100 to 1,800 feet in height, together with the comparatively recent and very rapidly increasing settlement of Europeans on and in the neighbourhood of the summit, requires from this Department, in the interests of public health and safety, a far closer supervision of Private Works than is ordinarily necessary elsewhere, and imposes duties which are probably more in number and far heavier in degree than are required for any similar area or population in the world.

14. From various indications it would appear open to question whether for years past the Department referred to has been strong enough in numbers to discharge its duties satisfactorily in a climate which every summer renders unfit for duty a large proportion of out-of-door officers. The health of the able and indefatigable Surveyor General, Mr. Price, who has just retired from the service, gradually succumbed and eventually broke down completely in the endeavour, naturally but very imperfectly successful, to do the work of several ordinary men; and the Department has con- sequently now to cope with the arrears and difficulties, resulting from these shortcomings, in addition to the new demands arising from the large increase of population. For the above reasons the reorganisation and strengthening of the Department now under your lordship's consideration are imperatively required, as it is only by that means that we can hope to make energetic progress in the various sanitary and other public works which are already, and are becoming more and more, grievously required. And I refer to the subject in this place in order to show that, notwith, standing the completion of the great works specially referred to, there are others equally required and as yet not commenced which will in the next few years necessitate an expenditure on permanent improvements at least equal to, if not greater than that of recent years. Fortunately, as remarked elsewhere, there is every prospect of a sufficient supply of funds to meet the necessary cost without increase of taxation,

Military Expenditure,

15. "Military Expenditure" (apart from "Defence Works "), which is included in the above total of expenditure, was $134,594 in 1888 as against $128,815 in 1887, the increase being almost altogether due to the depreciation of silver, and the consequently increased number of dollars required to make up the annual contribution of 20,0001, towards the support of the troops.

16. With reference, however, to the contemplated increase of this contribution, it is to be remembered that the above expenditure by no means fairly represents the burthen which is really borne by the Colony. The War Department and the Admiralty occupy land in various localities which in its aggregate area is of great

45

46

$

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO

extent, and much of which, being in the centre of the town of Victoria, is of very great valuc. Unlike the other land of the Colony this pays no rent, and, what is of more importance, con- tributes nothing to the rates from the expenditure of which the departments in question receive the benefit. When this is taken into account, and there is also added the interest of the cost of the defence works and other lesser items, I estimate that the real. contribution of the Colony to its defence exceeds $300,000 per annum, a sum equal to nearly one-fifth of the revenue.

 17. Judging from the information at my command, I question whether there is paid towards this object by any other Colony so large a proportion of its receipts, or anything like it; and it is moreover to be borne in mind that the defence of Hong Kong practically includes to a considerable extent that of all the British incrcantile communities in the many Treaty ports of China and Japan, which contribute nothing to its revenue. All things con- sidered, therefore, it seems open to question not only whether Hong Kong can be fairly called upon to increase its military contribution, but also whether additional areas of land (such as are continually being requisitioned for the military and naval depart- ments) should not contribute to the Colonial revenue in the shape of either rent or rates or both.

Financial Position,

 18. The only debt of the Colony is one of 200,000%. raised in 1887 for defensive and other works. The sinking fund of 7,0721. per annum is expected to discharge this debt in 1907. Though the total expenditure in 1888, $1,992,3291., exceeded the total receipts (ordinary revenue and land premiums), $1,718,188, by $274,141, there was at the close of the year a Treasury balance to credit of $360,649 · 76.

Legislation.

 19. Of the 29 Ordinances passed in 1888, only the following deserve notice :-

 (1.) "The Vaccination Ordinance, 1888," constitutes the first effort made in this Colony to render general a protection which is especially required in consequence of (1) the frequency with which small-pox is introduced by steamers coming from all parts of the world; (2) the impracticability of its exclusion by effective quarantine; and (3) its fatal prevalence when it has once obtained a footing, owing to the density of the population and the unfavour- able sanitary conditions in which a large portion of it habitually lives.

 20. We have happily in the Colony none of those or at least none have made themselves known-who look to the few cases in which evil has been caused, and who ignore the comparatively enormous good which vaccination has achieved for humanity. The Chinese are thorough believers in the advantage of this pro-

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

tection, and accept it readily-a fact which is the more remarkable, inasmuch as they, for the most part, reject altogether other applications of Western medical science.

21. (II.) "The Vagrancy Ordinance, 1888," was an attempt to meet an evil of growing magnitude, by rendering those having the management or control of vessels liable for the cost incurred by the Colony in respect of destitute persons introduced. Scarcely a week passes without the necessity of sending to their homes in Europe or elsewhere persons who have come here ostensibly to seck a livelihood; this repatriation being the preferable and cheaper alternative to their perpetual maintenance in gaol or other public institutions. Sonic of these are sent here apparently, accord- ing to instructions, by Her Majesty's consuls in China and Japan ; and not a few come, I suspect, with the object of being sent home at the public expense. Those of them who are foreigners are almost invariably repudiated by their consuls, as having no means of proving their nationality; and thus, from one cause or another, all become a charge on the Colony. The Ordinance above referred to, which was intended as a remedy for this state of things, has probably done some good by inducing greater caution in the intro- duction of such persons; but it cannot so far be said to have been a marked success; and though it may perhaps be susceptible of beneficial amendment, I fear that the evil is one which can never be completely cured, and must be regarded as an inseparable incident of our position as a great shipping centre.

22. (III.) "The Rating Ordinance, 1888," was, as the title implies, enacted for the improvement of the rating system of the Colony. It embodies the more valuable portions of previous Ordinances, and contains at the same time various useful additions and amendments, principally with the object of simplifying pro- cedure, which are the result of the experience gained by Mr. Lister, the treasurer, in the supervision of the system, and of the careful attention given by him to the subject.

23. (IV.) "The European District Reservation Ordinance" deals with an evil which has been recognised by successive Gover- nors for years past, but for which this represents the first effort to provide a remedy. The close packing of the Chinese in their houses, which is the normal condition of all classes among them, including in some degree even the well-to-do, enables a much larger rent to be obtained from land in Chinese occupation than from that inhabited by Europeans, whose health in a climate unfavourable to them (not to mention their comfort) requires much more breathing space in connexion with their residences. Thus the large influx of Chinese in recent years, and the comparative advantage to landowners in providing residence for them, has caused a continually increasing intrusion of Chinese houses upon the quarter of the town formerly occupied exclusively by Europeans. This result would have been comparatively endurable if it were possible for Europeans to live in health or comfort when surrounded by such houses. But, unlike the Chinese, who have, probably by

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a long process of natural selection, become inured and insensible to the conditions inseparable from extreme density of population, they are rendered ill and miserable by the effects of habits which such insensibility produces. Thus, little by little, and at a gradually increasing rate, the Europeans were being, so to speak, pushed out of the town of Victoria; and it seemed probable that before long there would be no suitable area for their residence there, and that such as remained in the Colony would have to choose between the alternative of living under most disagreeable and unhealthy con- ditions, or of incurring the heavy expense, possible only to the comparatively wealthy, of residence in the Hill District.

 24. Had the above state of things been allowed to continue there can be no doubt that it would have brought about a diminu- tion, if not actual at least relative, of the already small European population, a result which could not be otherwise than prejudicial to the Chinese themselves. For, though possessed of many valuable characteristics, the latter are still, and are likely to be for a long time to come, lacking in some of the qualities which are essential to true progress; and I can scarcely think there is any opening for rational doubt, that without the presence of a considerable complement of Europeans (apart from those engaged in Govern menî) this Colony could no more maintain, that it could ever have reached, its present condition of prosperity.

 25. By the Ordinance in question a certain portion of the town is reserved, not for exclusively European occupation, but for houses built according to European models, and occupied in much more limited numbers than is usual with Chinese, If Chinese choose to live under these conditions, as I am informed they commonly do in the neighbouring Penang, there is nothing in the Ordinance to prevent their doing so; and the provisions of this law are simply directed to secure for Europeans a prescribed portion of the town in which they can live in reasonable comfort,

 26. No opposition was offered to the Ordinance on the part of the Chinese, possibly because they themselves prefer to be segregated from Europeans; and there was none from any other quarter, though I had looked for at least some on the part of land- owners, who might naturally be expected to resent such a limita- tion on the right of property. To their credit, however, they, tacitly or expressly, assented to a measure which may thus be regarded as universally recognised to be necessary.

 27. (V.) "An Ordinance to authorise in certain cases judicial investigations into the cause of fires "sufficiently explains itself." The effect of this measure has so far apparently been beyond anticipation, as the number of fires, which had become very serious, very largely diminished immediately after the law came into force. It remains to be seen whether this comparatively happy state of things will continue. If so, I apprehend that the result will be largely due to greater care in the selection of insurance risks and decreased recklessness of competition among insurers,

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28. The principal of the twenty-six Ordinances which have already been passed this year are as follows:-

(4.)." The Praya Reclamation Ordinance, 1889," is a measure for facilitating a great scheme of reclamation along the whole of the western front of the Town of Victoria extending for 3,051 yards. By this project 57 acres will be added to the town, includ- ing a Praya or Esplanade 70 feet wide, together with other streets of an aggregate length of 5,518 yards. The cost estimated at $2,921,365 is to be defrayed by the proprietors (including the Government) of the land now facing the sea, who will in return receive the reclaimed land opposite to their frontage. As the profits on the work are expected to be large, it is probable that the great majority of the frontage proprietors will accept the terms offered. In the case of dissentients the expense of carrying out that portion of the work in which they decline to participate will fall on the Government.

29. Though it is hoped that the public Treasury will gain largely by this work: (1) from the difference between the cost of reclamation and the value of such of the reclaimed land, as will belong to the Crown; (2) from the building sites which will be rendered available at the west of the town by the removal of earth required for the reclamation; and (3) in rents and rates from the large area added to the town; the principal objects of the scheme were: (1) to afford an opening for relief from the present overcrowding of the population; (2) to bring the front of the town in immediate juxtaposition with deep water in the place of the present foreshore which is for the most part silted up and often extremely noxious; and (3) to improve the appearance and increase the mercantile convenience of the town front by the provision of better buildings, and of a wider Praya more adapted to the requirements of a vast and growing commerce.

30. The carrying out of this great scheme, which is due to the initiation of the Honorable C. P. Chater, does not appear likely to present any serious engineering problems, and the successful solu- tion of such as there are may be regarded as only a question of time. The principal difficulties are in connection with the financial arrangements and the due adjustment of private interests and claims. This portion of the subject, which has already occasioned much consideration and a large correspondence, is likely to require the careful attention of the Government for some time to come. But while it cannot be expected that all of the many concerned will be completely satisfied, nor that during the progress of the works there will be an entire absence of complaints on the score of inconvenience, I do not permit myself to entertain a doubt that when the whole is completed the undertaking will be almost universally regarded as having been a great and lasting benefit to the community.

31. (B.) "The Building Ordinance, 1889," is an elaborate measure of 89 clauses intended to meet a want which has been of late years more and more seriously felt, viz.:-the means

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of compelling greater attention to security and sanitary require- ments in the construction of buildings.

32. (c.)

     "The Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance, 1889," is intended to make better provision for the acquirement of land for public purposes, and constitutes a tribunal of arbitration for the award of compensation. One of the principal objects of the measure is to facilitate a contemplated experiment having for its object a permanent improvement in the sanitary condition of the town. A large portion of the population is densely crowded in houses which are without yards or windows at the back, and which as regards five-sixths of the rooms are in perpetual and complete darkness. It is proposed to acquire one or more portions of land covered with such houses and to re-sell them (1) either after the replacement of the present houses by others constructed under better sanitary conditions, or (2) with an obligation attached to the purchase for the building of such houses. Probably the first alternative will have to be adopted at the outset; and if that should prove financially successful there would be compara- tively little difficulty in respect of the second and more convenient one, It is hoped that the cost of reconstruction and the loss of building area from the provision of "back-yards " will be largely compensated by demand for the. improved dwellings. If the event should prove otherwise the project need not be pushed further; but I apprehend that it would be worth some cost to the public to get rid of a grave scandal and a serious danger to the public health by the only method yet suggested which would not cause widespread distrust and discontent among the Chinese population. It will, however, be worth consideration in the future, whether a portion or all of the loss, if any, which may be incurred on resale should not be recouped by a special rate levied on the district benefited or by a quasi-penal rate on houses unprovided with back-yards.

:

 33. (D.) The title of "The Protection of Women and Girls Ordinance, 1889," sufficiently explains itself. The system of pur- chasing or kidnapping girls, often of very tender age, for the pur- pose of training them to a life of prostitution seems to be gene- rally prevalent in China, and its suppression in Hong Kong is attended with many difficulties, So many are interested in it, and so much of the extraordinary cunning of the Chinese is employed- in concealing its operation, that its complete extinction at an early date can scarcely be anticipated. It is hoped, however, that this measure, which occupied many days in its consideration by the Executive and Legislative Councils, will at least impose a serious check upon it, and will eventually render this abominable. trade too dangerous to be any longer attractive.

 34. But while the greater part of this Ordinance may be hoped to be productive of unmixed good, there is one special provision of it, passed in deference to the present condition of public opinion in England, which I cannot conscientiously approve and in respect of which, therefore, I have felt it an obligatory duty to give

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emphatic support to the protest of the unofficial Members of Council. I refer to the clause which give legislative sanction to the policy, already adopted by executive order before my arrival in the Colony, of terminating the compulsory examination of women. The full expression of my views on this vexed question being inappropriate to this report is given in a separate despatch; and it will be sufficient to mention here (1) that "examination" is not only not objected to, but has been shown by positive proof to be approved and desired by the whole of the unfortunate class which was subject to it, and (2) that the measure of abolition now. adopted is against the wishes of all classes and races of the community.

35. (E.) "The Chinese Extradition Ordinance, 1889," represents an effort to improve the law relating to the rendition, in accord- ance with treaty obligations, of Chinese subjects charged with the commission of crime in China. The principal change is one which, with regard to the rendition of prisoners, lessens the responsibility of the magistrate, and increases that of the Governor in Council, who, however, will now receive the assist- ance of the Chief Justice in the consideration of the evidence. There is also a much-needed schedule specifying the crimes in respect of which rendition may be granted, and a provision (passed in deference to fears generally prevalent among the intelligent Chinese) by which special security is afforded to persons who have been for a year resident in the Colony. I have dealt at length with this extremely difficult subject in other despatches; and it will be sufficient to say here that, so long as Chinese ideas às to the methods and the sufficiency of proof are so utterly at variance with the requirements of British Law, it will, I fear, be practically impossible to avoid international disagreements as to what prisoners rightly come under the designation of "criminals " whose extradition is obligatory by the Treaty.

+

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36. Among the principal of the legislative measures now under consideration, the following are among the most important:-- (1.) An amendment of the law regulating emigration, intended to check the serious abuses which, according to evidence continu- ally accumulating, attend the exportation of the enormous number of Coolies, now probably exceeding 50,000, who annually leave the Colony for service in Sumatra, Borneo, the Straits Settle- ments, and elsewhere. (2.) A law for better defining the powers of the Sanitary Board established by the Public Health Ordinance, 1887. (3.) The constitution of a Public Officers' Widows and Orphans' Fund. (4.) An amendment of the bankruptcy law. I had much hoped, moreover, to have initiated before now Ն measure for the settlement of titles, and for rondering more simple the transfer of land on the principle of the Torrens Act. But in view of the minute sub-division of many of the most valuable lots, and of the frequent uncertainty as to arca and boundaries, I find, to my regret, that any such measure, in order to be satisfactorily effective, must be preceded by a trigonometrical survey, for which accordingly I have asked your Lordship's approval.

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Education.

 37. On this important subject I can scarcely do better than quote some remarks in a report written just before his death by the late Mr. Stewart, Colonial Secretary, whose deep interest in the cause of education was evinced by the valuable aid which he rended to it during the whole course of the long period of his public service, now unhappily come to an end.

 "The advance in education is one of the most gratifying features in the progress of the Colony. There is yet much to be done and female education is only in its infancy; but the lines on which the system is moving seem to be correct, and time alone is required to reclaim those portions of the field which remain untouched. We have now four highly efficient public schools, not including the convents, which do so much for the education of girls. Government schools are penetrating into the outlying villages. The Education Code is working most smoothly, and seldom gives rise to any question which cannot be easily settled."

""

 38. It is gratifying to note that since the above was written your Lordship has approved a scheme for the establishment, by way of experiment, of a Government central school for girls similar to the boys' school, now called the "Victoria College, which has already proved so successful. The various objections to the establishment of such a school, which I have heard urged in the Colony or which have been suggested by my own experience, were, in my opinion, entirely overcome by an able report of Dr. Eitel, the Inspector of Schools (dated the 5th of July 1889), which has been already forwarded to your Lordship. There appear to be strong grounds for believing that the institution now to be established will meet a very urgent need; and that its success, by giving a general impetus to female education, will con- siderably reduce the unhappily large number of children in the Colony (8,000, the great inajority girls) who are still without education.

39. The completion of the new building for "Victoria College," as providing greatly increased accommodation for pupils, together with the additional strength given to the teaching staff, may be expected to assist largely in the good work which this institution has already effected-not only for the higher education of the youth of the Colony, but in introducing a leaven of European acquirements in knowledge among the people of the neighbouring Empire. I should not, however, omit to state that this latter object, as well as the higher education of the Colony, is being largely served by several other institutions which, supported mainly by private subscription, are assisted by Government contribu- tions, under the grant-in-aid system established by Governor Sir John Pope Hennessy.

Shipping.

 40. With regard to the tonnage statistics contained in the Colonial Secretary's report, it may be noted that the aggregate

*

* Colonial Possessions Report No. 77.

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tonnage of vessels entering the port of Victoria during 1888, 6,400,410 tons, shows a slight falling off from the returns for 1887, 6,401,837 tons. In view (1) of the diminished export of tea from China in consequence of the competition of India and Ceylon; and (2) of the serious checks given to Chinese emigration in the United States and the Australian Colonies, with the con- traction of trade thereby occasioned, it might have been expected that the shipping returns would have been much more seriously affected. But though, probably as the result of these causes, the tonnage of European vessels, feli from 4,607,914 to 4,536,442 tons, it will be seen that that of junks rose from 1,793,923 to 1,863,968 tons, so that the decrease of trade in one direction was almost entirely compensated by increase in another. It should be noted that the shipping returns of this Colony are very far from merely indicating the entry of steamers for the purpose of coal supply, as is probably the case with the greater portion of the large tonnage returned by some of the Mediterranean ports. For Hong Kong is the terminus not only of the whole of the junk trade (in 1888 1,863,968 tons) and of nearly all of the European and American sailing ships entering, but also of many lines of Ocean steamers, including three trading to America, two to Australia, one to Cal- cuila, two to Europe (the Austrian Lloyd's and Florio Rubattino), and others to Manilla,, Borneo, Siam, and the coast ports of China; while of the steamships of the other great_lincs, the P. & O., the Messageries Maritimes, the German Lloyd's, the "Ocean," "Glen," "Shire," and "Ben" Lines, which proceed onwards to Shanghai or Japan, there are very few which do not leave here on the outward voyage, and take in on the homeward a considerable portion of their cargo.

Afforestation.

41. The work of afforestation, begun in 1881, is being still continued. According to a return furnished by Mr. Ford, the Superintendent of the Department, 374,882 trees were planted in 1887 and 682,325 in 1888, the number planted altogether having been 5,676,207. In so far as I have been able to judge from personal observation, a very large proportion of these plants have either failed altogether or are merely stunted shrubs.

I am awaiting a report from Mr. Ford as to the actual extent of success, with the causes of failure, before considering what measures should be taken under the circumstances.

Gaols.

42. It is satisfactory to note that the number of prisoners in the gaol, which was 4,600 in 1886, fell to 4,308 in 1887 and to 3,627 in 1888, the daily average having similarly fallen from 674 in 1886 to 584 in 1887 and to 531 in 1888, the total decrease in both cases being over 20 per cent. The returns of prisoners tried in the courts show also falling off, which, if it may be taken to

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indicate a decrease of crime, is probably due to the severer disci- pline introduced into the gaol. The number of prisoners still bears an abnormal proportion to the population, and the fact can scarcely excite surprise in view of the hard struggle for livelihood among the people of China, and the immediate neighbourhood to the Colony of the Province of Kwangtung of which the extremely dense population is said to be the most lawless in the Empire.

Population.

 43. Statistics of the estimated population are given in the Colonial Secretary's report, but it may be well to point out here that the difference between the number returned at the census of 1881 (160,402) and that estimated for 1888 (215,000) shows an increase of 34 per cent. in seven years, and that the ratio of women to men, which was 1 to 2:56 in 1881, is now estimated at 1 to 2:52. This great, and apparently permanent, disproportion between the sexes would appear to justify special caution in applying to Hong Kong that deprivation of protection from certain disease which has been deemed expedient in England,

Public Works.

 44. The Tytam waterworks have been already mentioned under the head of Expenditure. During the period under review the great dam of the main reservoir, the tunnel and conduit received their finishing work, and the service reservoir and filter beds were commenced and completed.

 45. Victoria College, which has been several years in construc- tion, was also completed in July last. It is unquestionably a very handsome building of which the Colony may be proud, but it has cost a large sum ($251,587) and promises also to be extremely costly in maintenance. Seeing how grievous is and must have been the need of other public works, and noting that provision might have been made for the same number of pupils in a more modest building, I cannot but feel that it would have been better if much of the expense incurred, and time devoted to this edifice, had been diverted in other directions.

 46. A building has been commenced and completed for the reception of girls, in charge of the Registrar General, who have been rescued from kidnappers or from brothel slavery, their maintenance, as hitherto has been customary, in a building connected with the Tung-Wa Hospital having proved unsatis- factory.

 47. Of the works now most urgently required, the filter-beds for the Pokfulam waterworks, which previously to the construction of the Tytam Works afforded the chief supply of the town, have been commenced; and, it may be hoped, will be completed before next summer, which is the season of the heaviest rain. The water

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of this reservoir, which is carried into the town round the base of Mount Davis and the Victoria Peak by a conduit some 34 miles in length, has always been rendered muddy by heavy rains, and this disagreeable and most undesirable effect has been aggravated this year not only by an exceptional season, but by the number of excavations for houses which have been made at the brink of the watershed. As the upper levels and other outlying portions of the town must be still dependent upon this supply, it is a matter of urgent importance that a work which ought to have been commenced long ago should be as quickly as possible pushed to completion.

48. Owing to the causes referred to under the head of expenditure, other works, although equally needed, have either made very slight progress or have not been commenced at all. The general improvement of the drainage, the necessity of which is continually increasing, will be commenced as soon as the engineers, who are being consulted on the subject, have decided on the system to be adopted; and the same may be said respecting the distribution works required for the Tytam Water. The Western Market has not proceeded beyond the preparation of the site, and there has as yet been no possibility of commencing the public laundries which appeared on the estimates for the year and are very much required, the present process of clothes-washing being in various ways dangerous to health, especially from the quantity of soap in solution which in some quarters pollutes the air. The Epidemic Hospital has not been built because not a single site that was, or apparently can be, selected was without grave objections. In consequence, it has been determined to have recourse to a bulk; and it is to be hoped that the efforts to obtain one, commenced some months ago, may now be shortly successful.

49. A similar difficulty in respect of site has occurred in connection with the Lunatic Asylum intended to be provided for Chinese. Such a building is required because the present Asylum. is sufficient only for Europeans, Chinese patients having been ordinarily confined under most undesirable conditions in a building in the charge of the Directors of the Tung-Wah Hospital. It is, however, necessary to restrict the use of the proposed Asylum to Chinese either born or long resident in the Colony, or we should be very quickly inundated with lunatics from the neighbouring Empire. But for service within these prescribed limits such an institution is, and must have been for a long time past, very grievously required on the simplest grounds of humanity. I ani glad, therefore, to be able to report that a site has at length been selected, and the plan of the buildings approved; so that, it may be hoped, the work will now proceed without further delay.

50. But second to no other work in importance or necessity is that which is intended to effect the junction of the East and West Prayas by an embankment* carried along the front of the Naval

*Not the reclamation mentioned under the head "Legislation."

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Yard and the Military Cantonments, the plans of which were forwarded to your Lordship early in the year. This work (the expediency of which has been recoguised by the Colonial Government for many years past, though it has now for the first time received the entire concurrence of the local authorities representing the Army and Navy) has for its principal object the provision of additional means of communication between the eastern and western portions of the town, now almost cut off from one another by land in the occupation of the Admiralty and War Departments; the one narrow road which runs through this property being insufficient for the present traffic and entirely inadequate to, permit of that expansion of the town eastward which is required to provide an outlet for an overcrowded population. Besides the main advantage derivable from the scheme there are other incidental ones of much importance to the Imperial Departments concerned. Thus the Admiralty will obtain reclaimed land worth (at the low estimate of $3 a square foot) $156,792, and, what is of more importance, will save the cost which would shortly have to be incurred for the removal of the present silted-up and often noxious foreshore in front of the Naval Yard, obtaining in its place a convenient cut-stone basin, 400 feet by 200 feet, offering a much needed protection to boats and launches, as well as sufficiently deep water close along shore at all times of tide. While the War Department will obtain land worth, at a similar low valuation, $1,325,856, much of which will not, I understand, be required for military purposes and will thus be available for sale. Under these circumstances I do not permit myself to entertain a doubt that a substantial Imperial contribution will be made towards the cost of the work, estimated at $691,000, which would be a heavy burthen if required to be borne entirely by the Colony-and this more especially inasmuch as it is the obstruction caused by Imperial property which has necessitated the expense. In any case it may be hoped that an improvement so absolutely needed for the welfare and progress of the Colony will not be long delayed.

Various Statistics.

51. The following statistics furnished to me by Mr. Wodehouse, Acting Treasurer, may prove of interest :-

30th Sept. 1879.

30th Sept. 1889.

Total amount of deposits current and fixed in the

European banks in Honk Kong.

7,068,600

23,882,000

Ditto (estimated) in Chinese banks-

15,000,000

Total amount in the savings bank

211,000

Notes in circulation with bullion in reserve of all

4,776,856

9,100,826

banks.

Market value of all registered Companies in 39,380,000

63,921,700

Hong Kong.

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Prospects of the Colony.

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52. At the beginning of the period of two years above referred to, viz., in November 1887, occurred the celebration of Her Majesty's Jubilee. The British community fell short of no other in its outward expression of loyalty; but the most striking feature of the occasion was the heartiness with which the Chinese took part in it, and the very large expense, estimated as exceeding $100,000, which they incurred for processions and illuminations in honour of the event. There could scarcely be better practical proof that they are, on the whole, satisfied with the rule of which they have now had some 45 years' experience.

53. In the following months occurred a very serious epidemic of small-pox among the Chinese, and one of fever among the European inhabitants of the Western District. The former was similar to what has occurred frequently, and is only what might be expected among a dense population hitherto so largely unvaccinated. The latter, though attributed at the time to other causes, has been shown by later information to have been distinctly malarial (there having been only one case which showed symptoms of drain-poison), and was, in all probability, due principally to the upturning of earth over large areas in connexion with the Belcher's Bay Fort, and many private works.

54. In the spring of 1888 occurred a great "strike" on the part of some 4,000 cargo-boatmen, which caused much interference with the trade of the port and at one time threatened serious disturbance. The cause was a regulation, passed before my arrival in the Colony, according to which cach cargo-boatman, as the condition of obtaining a license, was compelled to provide (in addition to the fee of 25 cents per annum) a photograph of himself for the purpose of identification. My inquiries into the subject at once rendered it evident that, supposing a license to be expedient for each boatman, the photograph was really necessary to preclude facility of transfer. But it was at the same time equally evident that this very facility of transfer had rendered comparatively tolerable a tax on labour which somewhat savoured of oppression, and to the burthen of which the cost and trouble involved in providing photographs would make a very considerable addition. And it, moreover, seemed probable that the principal object of the measure, viz., facility of police supervision over cargo-boats, might be equally well attained by less questionable means.

55. While, for these reasons, sympathising with the strikers as having a just ground of complaint, I felt that, in a community of this kind, it would be unwise to amend the regulation until they had modified their attitude of combined obstruction to trade, inasmuch as the success of pressure under such circumstances would have quickly caused it to be used for less legitimate objects. Notification was therefore made to them that while they, as free men, were of course at liberty to cease work if they chose to do so any attempt

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on their part at disorder or intimidation of others would be visited with the strongest measures of repression; and they were at the same time informed in conciliatory terms that, when they returned to work, their complaints would at once receive careful considera- tion. In somewhat less than a fortnight from the commencement of the "strike" this policy had at length the desired effect, and after the men had returned to work the regulations were recon- sidered. As now amended, the tax on ordinary boatmen is abolished, and the necessity of a license, with its accompanying photograph, is imposed only on the head man in charge of each boat; the restricted requirement being, it is believed, quite sufficient to fix responsibility in respect of irregularities such as had originally given occasion for the regulations.

 56. One of the fortunate events of the year 1888 was the settlement with the Chinese Government of the ng pending and much vexed question of the provision of a site for lighthouse in connexion with the southern approach to Hong Kong. The only suitable sites are on one or other of certain rocky islets belonging to China situate some 28 miles from the Colony; and among the various difficulties which have obstructed the settlement of this question, the principal one was the objection of the Chinese Government to cede, or even lease, to a foreign Government the: smallest portion of its territory. As the discussion of this subject had been dragging on for many years past and the matter appeared to be of sufficient importance to justify urgent measures and very liberal terms, I caused to be conveyed to the Chinese Government various distinct proposals under any one of which the Dominion of China would remain unimpaired and the control of its Govern- ment, ordinarily nominal, might at their option be completely secured, while the whole cost of construction would fall on the Colony.

 57. With the valuable and most necessary co-operation of Sir Robert Hart, the Inspector-General of Chinese Maritime Customs, Her Majesty's Minister at Peking was able to secure the consent of the Tsungli Yamên to a settlement which, though differing somewhat from all the proposals made, accepted their main principle; and the work is now in progress, conducted by the Works Department, and at the sole cost of this Government.

 58. As the hope of assistance from the Lighthouse Department of the Chinese Maritime Customs has failed, it has been necessary to purchase a steam vessel of considerable tonnage specially for this service. The work has also been delayed by an extremely unfavourable season, for landing can be effected at the Gap Rock (on which the lighthouse is to be built) only in very calm weather, which has during the last year becn of rare occurrence.

While further difficulty has arisen from the fears on the part of the contractors and workmen that they, on this isolated rock, will become the object of attack from the pirates, who unfortunately still abound in these seas, and whose presence in the neighbourhood may probably render necessary either a guard for the lighthouse-

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keeper or cable communication with the rock, as soon as the light is in operation.

,59. Owing to these various causes, I expect that both the construction and maintenance of the lighthouse will cost more than was at first anticipated; but even if the expense should be con- siderably greater there can be no doubt that the object would be fully worth it. Considering that vessels of an aggregate burthen of fully 2 millions of tons annually reach Hong Kong from the south, and that all those which arrive on dark nights or in obscure weather are subject to delay and danger (sometimes for many hours) which would be for the most part precluded by this light- house with its warning fog-horn, it may readily be estimated how enormously valuable will be this work to the trade of the Colony.. Indeed it is a matter for surprise that more vigorous efforts were not long ago made to secure so great a benefit.

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60. A serious outbreak on the part of convicts employed on works in gangs outside the gaol took place in the month of Sep- tember 1888, and resulted in the death of a valuable officer besides that of two of the prisoners, killed while violently resisting recapture. My serious attention having thus been attracted to this subject, I found that similar events had occurred not unfre- quently in the past, and I became satisfied that, without an utterly disproportionate expense for guards, they were not likely to be prevented in the future, so many are the chances of escape offered by the situation of the island, and increased, as there is every reason to believe, by the powerful secret societies of China, which devote themselves to the assistance of criminals in confinement. A report from the Surveyor General strongly deprecating the use of convict labour on public works under ordinary circumstances strengthened the doubt which I had previously entertained as to its economical value in a Colony where free labour is so cheap, and completely satisfied me that with any additional expense for guards it would mean actual loss. Being, moreover, convinced, both by medical opinion and from the results of experience, that the working of the convicts outside was not at all necessary to their health, I, under all the circumstances, determined that they should. for the future be confined to the precincts of the gaol, and I am glad to say that, in the 10 months which have since elapsed, there has been no cause whatever to regret the decision.

61. In May of this year occurred the severest storm of rain and thunder ever experienced in the Colony. During 36 hours there fell some 38 inches of rain, and lightning was constant during the whole time, fifty flashes and more being occasionally observable in a single minute. The effect upon a place situated, as is Victoria, on the lower slopes of a ridge of high hills may be easily imagined. Landslips caused the discharge of many thousands of tons of loosened stones and earth upon the lower levels, uprooting trees, filling reservoirs, blocking and bursting sewers, and raising some of the waterside streets from 6 to 10 feet above their natural level. In one place a strong stone and brick sewer was burst and the 19-feet-deep earth above it was carried away, leaving a gap 300

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square yards in extent; and huge granite boulders, descending from the heights, destroyed in three places the solidly built cut- stone conduit of the Tytam waterworks. Fortunately but few houses were destroyed or seriously injured, but roads, streets, sewers, and other Government property suffered greatly, costing, it is estimated, $112,783 for repairs. Some few lives were unhappily lost, principally by lightning; and it is matter for wonder that the number was not much larger; indeed when it is calculated how many millions of tons of water fell on the steep incline above the town, it is a subject of congratulation, and speaks well for the general solidity of work, that there was not a far greater aggregate of destruction. In the course of a few months reconstruction and repairs will have removed in most places all traces of the storm, but some of the damnage is reparable only by time, and it will take years before Glenealy Ravine, hitherto remarkable for its abun- dant and luxuriant foliage, and other similar spots, can completely recover their former beauty.

 62. Quite recently occurred an incident which at one time threatened a serious complication with China. Two Chinese were arrested in Kowloon, on territory belonging to this Colony, by a number of Chinese soldiers evidently acting under superior autho- rity. There was at first much unwillingness to restore the prisoners on the ground that the place of arrest was not British. But on further investigation it became certain that the information at first received by this Government was correct, and the news having in the meantime arrived that the men were about to be executed, as actually happened in a similar case some years ago, there was immediately made a second and more energetic protest on behalf of this Government, which happily produced the desired effect. The men were delivered to Mr. Alabaster, Her Majesty's Consul at Canton, by the Viceroy of the Two Kuang and brought to this Colony.

 63. The Viceroy had doubtless been misled by the reports of his officers as to the place of the arrest. They, it appears, had for some time previously been on the look-out for the chief prisoner, who lived on British ground close to the border; and at last, apparently losing patience, they crossed the line and seized him in his own house. I have not yet heard, however, that any of them have been punished either for the act or the subsequent mis-report of it.

64. The arrested men having, after their return here, been tried before a Magistrate on a charge of piracy and murder pre- ferred on behalf of the Chinese Government, they were discharged from custody, the evidence against them being held insufficient to warrant extradition, and they forthwith left the Colony before their release became known to the Government. If, as there seems reason to believe, at least as regards one of them, they were really guilty of atrocious crime, this result is a matter for much regret; but the case will serve to accentuate the necessity of improvement in the testimony produced in connection with extradition charges; and, what is of more importance to this

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23

Colony, it will, it may be hoped, induce greater caution on the part of Chinese officials in respect of the violation of British territory, of which this is by no means the first example, though it is, I believe, the first occasion of the restoration of the prisoners. 65. Among the leading features of the period under report should be noticed the great rise in the price of land. Since 1881 the market value of marine lots has become enhanced at least 50 per cent. on the average, the rise in some instances being much greater, while inland town lots have advanced 15 to 20 per cent. The greater part of this rise has taken place within the last two years, and by way of illustration, as well as to show how great is the present value of land in favourable situations, I may mention that an area of 7,037 square feet, which cost $40,000 in 1883, sold for $70,000 in 1887, and is now refused for sale on a bond fide offer of $150,000, over 31. the square foot, or at the rate of more than 130,000 sterling per English acre. Another area of 44,000 square feet, which cost $335,000 in 1887, actually sold in 1888 for $465,000, about 32s. a square foot, or 70,000l. per acre. Another of 33,000 square feet, costing $250,000 in 1886, sold for $500,000 in 1889 (45s. per square foot or £98,000 per acre). The price of another of the same area rose in the same period from $310,000 to $500,000, and another of 33,000 square feet, which cost $310,000 in 1882, is now refused for sale at $450,000, or over 50s. per square foot. The above instances are all of marine lots; but I am informed on good authority that inland lots, of large arca in the aggregate, situate in the Chinese business quarter could not be obtained at a price less than $15 to $20 (45s. to 60s. sterling) a square foot, or 97,000l. to 130,0001. an acre.

66. In the Hill District the advance in value has been rela- tively even greater than elsewhere; as, for instance, from $2,000 in 1879 to $35,000 in 1888; $10,000 in 1882 to $16,000 in 1888; $23,000 (estimated) in 1885 to $50,000 in 1888; while Govern- ment land, which could not have been sold at 5 cents a square foot within this decade, has realised at auction from 20 to 50 cents per square foot.

67. The most recent advance in marine lots has been probably due to the prospects of profit from the reclamation scheme men- tioned above, and that in the Hill District is, no doubt, in con- siderable measure owing to the tramway from the town to Victoria Gap (1,100 feet above the sea), worked on a plan similar, I under- stand, to that of the railway on Mount Vesuvius. By means of this line (which was opened in May 1887, and which carried 148,344 passengers in its first year) residence at "the Peak" is rendered inuch more easy to those-and they include nearly all the male population of the neighbourhood-whose occupations require their daily presence in town. And from this and other causes the demand for houses at this high altitude has become so great that 35 have been erected within the last two years, and 39 more are in course of construction.

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68. Each of these houses is built on a site more or less precipitous, the requisite level for buildings and tennis courts being obtained by blasting; and as every brick, stone, timber, and other article used in construction, as well as the furniture on completion, requires to be carried on Coolies' shoulders for distances varying from one to two miles to a height of 1,100 to 1,600 feet,* it may be imagined what has been the labour and cost involved in the work, and why it is that residence at the Peak must be confined to the comparatively wealthy.

69. Another of the leading features of the most recent history of the Colony is the number of joint-stock enterprises undertaken almost entirely with local capital-to which, it may be noted, Chinese have, for the first time, begun to make considerable sub- scriptions in common with Europeans. Since the beginning of 1888, 35† companies have been formed, with capital already paid- up aggregating $9,508,475, for land investment, manufacture, and trade in Hong Kong and for mining and for planting enterprises in the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and Tongking. So strong has been the tendency towards joint-stock investment that the shares of most of the companies have been insufficient in number for the demand; and it may be mentioned as showing the amount of capital available for the purpose that within two months of this year the sum of $4,890,000 was paid into the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank in connexion with the shares of one company.

 70. As far as is known, all, or nearly all, of these companies, especially those whose field of operations is in Hong Kong, have good, some of them excellent, prospects of success.

                                    There can, moreover, be little doubt that land in Hong Kong will eventually be even more valuable than now. But it remains to be seen whether property in either land or shares is at present worth the high price to which it has been advanced by speculative purchase. It may, indeed, be taken as certain that in a very few instances can the profits within the next year or two afford a fair interest on present outlay; and hence probably arise the signs of reaction which are now beginning to show themselves. If this depression of values should continue, it would no doubt cause much distress among those who have been speculating beyond their means; but any general injury is not at all likely to be other than temporary; and in a Colony having so many solid elements of prosperity it may be taken as certain that, in the absence of calamity, the wound will be very quickly healed.

 * According to a return made for me by the police there are at the present time being carried thus to "the Peak" from 2,800 to 3,000 loads per diem of bricks and

other materials.

  There are 10 other companies registered in Hong Kong, of which I have been unable to ascertain the paid-up capital, making a total of 45.

  The Hong Kong Land Investment Company, Limited, capital $5,000,000, of which $2.500,000 has been paid up, together with $1,250,000 premium on the second issue. The sum of $1,140,000 paid for shares not allotted was returned to the applicants.

1887-1903

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!

25

71. Though the absence of any Custom House and of any returns* of imports and exports precludes any certain estimate of the amount of trade, it may be gathered from the above remarks in connection with " Shipping" that the enormous commerce of the Colony is in a condition of healthy progress. We may have not yet felt the full effects of the restrictive measures against Chinese in the United States and Australia, and of the decline in the Chinese tea trade; but there is good reason to think that any contraction from these causes is being rapidly compensated in other directions. But while commerce pure and simple is, and must be for a long time to come, the principal element of our prosperity, it is, I think, from manufacture that may be hoped the greatest progress of Hong Kong in the future. We can readily have abundant and cheap supplies of raw materials; and there is available, to a practically unlimited extent, the cheap labour of China; while we have also, what is absent there, the advantage of general confidence that enterprise will not be unnecessarily hampered and mulcted of its legitimate reward. Already we have seen established in the last few years sugar refineries which are doing an exceedingly large and apparently †prosperous business; we have, moreover, ship and boat building yards, rope works, ice works (now doing a large export trade), and some 30 minor in- dustries enumerated in the Blue Book. But, considerable as is the aggregate of manufacture already, it is in all probability inappreci- able by comparison with what it would shortly become if there were to be any important reduction of the price of coal, which, as being almost exclusively obtained from distant countries, is at present very costly ($8 to $16 per ton); and such a reduction may, I think, be regarded as only a question of time. Enormous and as yet completely undeveloped coal deposits are known to exist in China and other neighbouring countries, and there is abundant evidence that the progressive party among the Chinese are beginning to awaken to the advantage of utilising their mineral wealth. Indeed unless all of the various movements, there and elsewhere, for the production of coal in the neighbourhood should prove abortive, it may be expected that the only element needed for rapid progress in manufacturing enterprise will in no long time be supplied.

72. To render more complete the information derived from the above account of events aud observations on statistics, and in order to enable a fuller appreciation of the condition and progress of the Colony, it may be well to give, however imperfectly, some idea of its outward appearance from a contrast of the present with the past.

* There are at present strong objections on the part both of Europeans and Chinese to any provision for such returns, partly because they would involve a certain restriction upon the complete freedom of trade, and partly on other grounds, arising from our vicinity to China.

 The shares of the China Sugar Company, which own one of these refineries not the largest, are now quoted in the market at 130 per cent. premium.

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 73. There must be some still living who saw the island before the British occupation. If one of them, having been absent during the whole interval, were now to return, even the extremely salient and beautiful features of the natural landscape would scarcely enable him to identify with the Hong Kong of to-day what he would remember as a bare rock, with a fisherman's hut here and there as the only sign of habitation, and a great sea-basin only very rarely disturbed by a passing keel.

 74. For now he would see a city of closely-built houses stretching for some four miles along the island shore, and rising, tier over tier, up the slopes of the mountain, those on the upper levels interspersed with abundant foliage; while on the opposite peninsula of Kowloon, which was (until very recently) an uninhabited waste of undulating red rock, he would now see, in the distance, prevalent verdure, in the foreground and along the whole sea-board numerous houses, together with docks,* great warehouses, and other evidence of a large and thriving population. Again, the silent and deserted basin has become a harbour so covered with shipping† that, even if he has been round the whole world, he could never before have seen so much in a single coup d'œil. At anchor or moving are some 40 to 50 ocean steamers, including ships of war, large European and American sailing vessels, and hundreds of sea-going junks; while in the space intervening and around are many thousand boats, for the most part human habitations, with steam-launchest rushing in all directions.

 75. Going ashore, our visitor would see long lines of quays and wharves, large warehouses teeming with merchandise, shops stocked. with all the luxuries as well as the needs of two civilisations; in the European quarter a fine town hall, stately banks, and other large buildings of stone; in the Chinese quarters houses, con- . structed after a pattern peculiar to China, of almost equally solid materials, but packed so closely together and thronged so densely as to be in this respect probably without parallel in the world;§ and finally he would see streets stretching for miles abounding with

* There are several docks, one of them a dry dock constructed entirely of granite, which cau take in the largest vessels now afloat in the world, except perhaps the two recently built for the White Star Line. In the Kowloon warehouses of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company, all in immediate contiguity, and for the most part under one roof, may be seen at any time merchandise worth over half a million sterling.

†The tonnage return of Hong Kong shows it to be the third port of the British Empire, and therefore (with the possible exception of New York, of which I have no statistics) the third in the world. The aggregate burthen of shipping is greater than that of all the British possessions on the Continent of America, or than that of the four leading Colonics of Australia.

  Apart from those belonging to British and Foreign War Ships, there are 98 steam-launchos in the harbour.

§ It is believed that over 100,000 people live within a certain district of the city of Victoria not exceeding half a square mile in area. It is known that 1,600 people live in the space of a single acre.

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27

carriages (drawn, for the most part, not by animals, but by men), and teeming with a busy population, in the centre of the town chiefly European, but towards the west and east almost exclusively Chinese.

76. Ascending higher up, he would find churches, public buildings, and many houses, all of exclusively European design (extending now about one-third of the distance up the mountain), for the most part detached or semi-detached, some of handsome appear- ance and nearly all fronted with stone arched verandahs, which at a distance give somewhat of a palatial flavour even to the smallest; he would see, moreover, beautifully laid-out gardens, public and private, and solidly constructed roads, some of them bordered with. bamboos and other delicately fronded trees, and fringed with the luxuriant undergrowth of semi-tropical vegetation ; while meeting here but comparatively few passengers he would scarcely realise the neighbourhood of a large population, except from what has been aptly termed "the indescribable hum of congregated humanity" arising from the town and harbour beneath.

77. Ascending still further to the summit of the ridge, he, in the course of a two-mile walk, would observe that not only Victoria Peak, but Mount Gough, Mount Kellett, and the heights above the Magazine Gap, with the many intervening knolls and ravines at a high elevation, are, for the most part, intersected by roads, and studded with houses, similar to those last described, built, in one or two places, so close together as to present almost an urban aspect; and looking down whence he came, he, while no doubt recognising the grand mountain-amphitheatre of his early recollection, would at the same time notice that its arena, occupied by city and shipping, has changed as though by the wand of an enchanter.*

78. Hong Kong has indeed changed its aspect; and when it is remembered that all this has been effected in Her Majesty's reign, and indeed during a space of less than fifty years, on ground in immediate contact with the most populous Empire in the world, by a comparatively infinitesimal number of an entirely alien race, separated from their homes by nearly the whole earth, and, unlike their countrymen in Australia and Canada, living in an enervating and trying climate; and when it is further remembered that the Chinese, whose labour and enterprise under British auspices have largely assisted in this development, have been under no com- pulsion, but have come here as free men, attracted by liberal institutions, equitable treatment, and the justice of our rule; when all this is taken into account, it may be doubted whether the evidences of material and moral achievement, presented as it were

Besides the houses and shipping every one of several thousand boats and sampans carries a light after dark; so that, seen from the Peak on a dark night, the wide expanse of the city and harbour beneath has the effect of a nether firmament with more stars in it than a similar space above.

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PAPERS RELATING TO H.M. COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

in a focus, make anywhere a more forcible appeal to eye and imagination, and whether any other spot on the earth is thus more likely to excite, or much more fully justifies, pride in the name of Englishman.

The Right Hon.

I have, &c.

(Signed) G. WILLIAM DES VŒUX.

Lord Knutsford, G.C.M.G.,

&c.

&c.

&c.

LONDON: Printed by EYRE and SPOTTIS WOODE, Printers to the Queen's most Excellent Majesty. For Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

No. 117.

HONG KONG.

67

REPORT ON THE BLUE BOOK FOR 1889.

(In continuation of Colonial Possessions Reports Nos. 77 and 84.)

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. November 1890.

DRO

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, BY EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE,

PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE, EAST HARDING STREET, FLEET STREET, E.Ç., and 32, ABINGDON STREET, WESTMINSTER, S.W.; or

JOHN MENZIES & Co., 12, HANOVER STREET, EDINBURGH, and 21, DRURY STREET, GLASGOW ; or

HODGES, FIGGIS, & Co., 104, Grafton STREET, DUBLIN,

1890.

[C.-6221.-6.]

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REPORTS ON H.M. COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

 The following, among other, Reports relating to Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions have been issued, and may be obtained for a few pence from the sources indicated on the title page :-

No.

Colony.

Year.

67

St. Lucia

68

Lagos

69

70

Trinidad (Tobago)

Basutoland -

1888

1887

1888

1888-9

71

British Honduras

1888

-72

British Guiana

73

Western Australia

74

Gold Coast

་ཝཱ

75

Sierra Leone

,,

76

Gold Coast (Sanitary Reports)

77

Hong Kong

·

78

Ceylon

79

Fiji

-

"}

80

Lagos

81

.82

Victoria

Leeward Islands

"

""

83

Natal (Liquor Traffic)

84

Hong Kong (Further Report)

85

86

87

88

89

Zululand

Bahamas (Fibre Industry) -

Heligoland -

Newfoundland

Mauritius, Seychelles, and Rodrigues

1889

1889

1888

""

1889

90

Gibraltar

"

91

Grenada

92

Bermuda

93

St. Vincent

94

St. Vincent

95

Bahamas

"

""

1888 1889

99

96

St. Lucia

97

British Bechuanaland

98

Turks and Caicos

1888-9 1889

99

Gambia

100

101

St. Kitts-Nevis

102

Straits Settlements

Basutoland (Governor's Visit)

103

British New Guinea

""

1886

1890 1888-9

104

Natal

105

Malta

106

British Guiana

1889

29

-

""

107

Barbados

108

Trinidad and Tobago

""

109

Western Australia

19

110

Gold Coast (Agriculture)

111

Labuan

112

Jamaica

1889

19

113

Falkland Islands

114

Basutoland

1

115

Sierra Leone

116

Fiji

1889-90 1889.

"J

1887-1903

PAPERS RELATING TO H.M. COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

No. 117.

HONG KONG.

[In continuation of Colonial Possessions Reports Nos. 77 and 84,]

3

Acting Governor FLEMING to LORD KNUTSFORD.

MY LORD,

Government House, Hong Kong, September 15, 1890.

I HAVE the honour to forward the Blue Book of this Colony for the year 1889.

Revenue,

2. It is satisfactory to find that the revenue continued to increase. Sir G. William Des Voeux, in his Despatch of the 31st of October, 1889,* remarked that the revenue for 1888 ($1,557;300) was larger than in any former year. But the revenue for 1889 was $1,823,549, exceeding that for the previous year by $266,249.

3. There was a continued increase on the amount derived from "Stamps" and "Assessed taxes," the former rising from $187,150 in 1888 to $213,479 in 1889, the latter from $360,291 to $374,857.

The very large amount of business done during the year on share transactions must have given rise to this addition in stamp revenue, however much this speculative business may have proved detrimental in other respects.

The increase in "Assessed taxes" may in great measure be attributed to the number of houses built during the year, but the better assessment of property no doubt tended to further the increase.

4. The large increase of $246,325 derived from opium is owing to an agreement which was entered into in March 1889, in virtue of which the opium monopoly was sold for a period of three years at $477,600 per annum, being $295,200 over the price previously obtained.

5. Another important increase is that of $10,582 on leased lands, which is to be accounted for by several land sales that took place during the year.

6. The decrease of $12,586 under the heading of fines tends to show a falling off in the number of convictions before the Police Magistrate's Court, while the increase of fees is some proof that the business before the Supreme Court had not lessened.

* Colonial Possessions Report No. 84.

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Expenditure.

7. The ordinary expenditure in 1889 was $1,459,167 as against $1,461,459 in 1888, the extraordinary expenditure being $374,551 as against $530,870. The total expenditure, therefore, in 1889 was $1,833,718, being $158,611 less than in the year before.

8. The decrease in the amount expended on extraordinary public works in 1889, when compared with 1888, is, to a considerable extent, attributable to a large amount spent in 1888 for the distribution of water, and for the purchase of land for a new central market in the city of Victoria.

9. It may be added in connexion with revenue and expenditure that the Chinese inhabitants contribute, by a voluntary assessment among themselves, towards the pay of what are called district watchmen, who are appointed by the Governor under an Ordinance passed in 1888, for protecting those portions of the town especially allotted for the residences of the Chinese inhabitants. In 1889 the amount contributed by them was $7,350, to which $2,000 were supplemented by a grant-in-aid from Government.

10. The military contribution so-called was in 1889 the same as in former years, viz.: 20,000l. a year, although it has since been increased, under the instructions of the Imperial Government, to double that amount on the assumption that the garrison is to be considerably enlarged.

But the amount paid for this military contribution by no means represents the entire cost entailed on the Colony for military purposes. The military property, which is of considerable extent, is situated in the centre of the town; it is in itself of great value, but apart from this it pays no rent nor taxes.

Legislation.

11. There were 35 Ordinances passed during 1889, the principal being an Ordinance referring to Chinese emigration, an Ordinance to regulate the construction of buildings in the Colony, and one providing for the extradition of Chinese criminals. Some laws of importance have been passed since the commencement of the present year, and several of more or less consequence, including a new Ordinance on bankruptcy are under consideration.

Education.

12. Two additional schools subject to Government supervision were opened last year, the present number being 99.

The total number of scholars in Government schools during the year was 2,388 as compared with 1,933 in 1888; in grant-in-aid schools 4,814 as compared with 4,325.

The total expenditure for these schools amounted to $44,321, which was somewhat less than in 1888, owing to a discontinuance

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of a scholarship, and the amalgamation with salaries of rent allowances formerly given to some of the masters.

13. The Victoria College, the principal school of the Colony, was opened during 1889. This has proved a very costly building, but it no doubt provides much increased accommodation for scholars as well as for a teaching staff.

14. The Government central school for girls was opened not long since. It is as yet premature to offer an opinion on its future success, but any step towards the better education of females should receive every encouragement. Much good must result in Eastern countries by the proper position of women being felt and recognized, and there is nothing more likely to bring this about in this Colony than a careful training and education of Chinese girls.

15. The principles upon which the grant-in-aid system is worked in Hong Kong give every satisfaction, and it is seldom that any question arises in connexion with the system that cannot be amicably settled.

Population.

16. The estimated population at the close of the year was 194,482, of which only 56,449 were females. The number was less by 21,318 than that estimated at the end of 1888 and less than in any year since 1886.

I entertain doubts whether the population of the Colony has a tendency to increase at the present time. It is, of course, difficult to form any safe opinion on somewhat unimportant fluctuations of a comparative short period, while a mere estimated calculation is necessarily of no great value. The census, however, which will take place next year will be a far more accurate criterion as to what the population really is.

Public Health.

17. It is very gratifying to find, from the report of the Colonial Surgeon, that the general health of the Colony during the year was exceptionally good.

The number of deaths among the European residents was lower than for several years past, while among the Chinese the number was the smallest for the last 16 years.

There was no epidemic and even the influenza which, during the latter portion of the year, attacked with such virulence so many different countries, only appeared here in its ordinary form.

The improved condition of the Colony as regards health is in all probability due to the many measures which have been lately taken to secure a more perfect sanitary system, and a more plenti- ful supply of wholesome water for the community.

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Prisons.

 18. The only gaol in the Colony is the Victoria Gaol, situated in the town, in which the average number admitted during the last few years has been about 4,000. The daily average during 1889 was 581 as against 531 in the year before. Many among these belong to the mendicant class, who find their way to Hong Kong from the mainland of China, and who, when they arrive here, are arrested as vagrants, and committed accordingly. It is to be feared that prison life in regard to these is anything but a deterrent to crime. They frequently enter prison in such a state as to be at once placed on the sick list, and the gaol is, in fact, rather a hospital in which they are cared for than a house of detention in which they are punished. The introduction into the Colony of this class of Chinese should be discouraged as much as possible; but with the constant means of communication between Hong Kong and the different parts of China their arrival is very difficult to guard against.

 19. The prison accommodation in the Victoria Gaol is unques- tionably insufficient for the number detained there, and this subject is now receiving the serious attention of the Colonial Government. It is very satisfactory to find, however, notwith- standing its somewhat crowded condition, that the gaol is so healthy. There were only four deaths during the whole of the year, and the admissions to the hospital were but 244 as compared with 306 in 1888.

Public Works.

20. Most of the public works now in course of construction were referred to by Sir G. William Des Voeux in his Despatch above mentioned, but I may state that the Praya reclamation scheme (the object of which is to reclaim a large portion of land along the western front of the town of Victoria), the new drainage and water works, the new central market, and a new lunatic asylum for Chinese are rapidly being proceeded with. To these may be added the progress of the work connected with the Gap Rock Lighthouse, the foundation stone of which was laid a short time since. The rock on which this lighthouse is destined to stand is a small island, 400 feet in length, about 34 miles south-west of Hong Kong. It consists of two rugged mounds of rock separated from one another by a long narrow gullet, and this it is which gives the island the name of the Gap Rock. Much difficulty was at first encountered in obtaining the permission of the Chinese authorities to erect the lighthouse on what still continues to be Chinese territory. It is, I think, to be regretted that when Hong Kong was ceded to Great Britain some of the small islets around, and which naturally belong to it, were not also acquired.

 To have lighthouses adjacent to Hong Kong, although situated on Chinese territory, is no doubt better than to have none at all;

1887-1903

HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

7

but in case of a war, or of any complications taking place between the British and Chinese Governments, it is impossible to say what difficulties may not arise.

73

Miscellaneous.

21. No particular event happened during 1889 to call for special notice.

22. It became generally known towards the close of 1889 that their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Connaught would visit Hong Kong on their way home from India, on the termination of His Royal Highness' period of service as Com- mander-in-Chief in Bombay.

Their Royal Highnesses accordingly arrived in Hong Kong on the 31st of March last, when they were received with a most loyal welcome by all classes of the community. After seeing as much of the Island as the limited time at their disposal would permit of, and after having paid a visit to the neighbouring city of Canton, their Royal Highnesses sailed for Japan en route for Canada on the 4th of April.

23. The present condition of this Colony, its increased popula- tion, and its rapid strides in advancement generally since it became a British possession less than half a century ago, were vividly described by Sir G. William Des Vœux in the Despatch I have quoted.

I venture to think, however, that the future prosperity of Hong Kong must, in a great measure, depend upon the future of that great Empire to which it belongs geographically although not politically.

The more trade with China is opened up, which can only be done by an increase in the means of her internal communication and by a reduction of her inland taxation, the more advantageous will it be in the interests of this Colony.

The Chinese are naturally averse to innovations and tardy in carrying out changes of any description, but there are some among them as shrewd and as intelligent as can be found in any other nation, and when these perceive what the extension of the railway system and the introduction of modern improvements have done for the neighbouring Empire of Japan, where during the last few years the foreign trade is said to have doubled, they will scarcely be able to close their eyes to the expediency of doing what cannot fail to benefit a country which possesses the largest population of any country in the world.

To encourage China in the adoption of modern ideas, to assist her, in so far as possible, in opening up her vast territory, and to facilitate intercourse between her and other nations, should surely be the duty of a Colony, whose interests are interwoven with her

74

8

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

PAPERS RELATING TO H.M. COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

interests, and whose prosperity will be retarded in proportion as hers is held back by a policy of too conservative a nature.

The Right Hon.

&c.

Lord Knutsford, G.C.M.G.,

&c.

&c.

I have, &c. (Signed)

F. FLEMING.

LONDON: Printed by EYRE, and SPOTTIS WOOD L, Printers to the Queen's most Excellent Majesty. For Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

No. 29.

HONG KONG.

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1890.

(In continuation of Colonial Report No. 117, Old Series.)

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty.

IEU

DROIT

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, BY EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE,

PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE, EAST HARDING STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C., 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., 104, GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN.

1892.

[C.-6563.-13.]

75

76

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.

 The following among other Reports relating to Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions have been issued, and may be obtained for a few pence from the sources indicated on the title page :-

*

No.

Colony.

Year.

102

Basutoland (Governor's Visit)

103

British New Guinea

104

Natal

105

Malta

106

British Guiana

1890 1888-9

1889

99

35

107

Barbados

-

108

109

110

Gold Coast (Agriculture)

111

Labuan

112

Jamaica

Trinidad and Tobago Western Australia -

""

"J

1890 1889

""

113

Falkland Islands

""

114

Basutoland

115

Sierra Leone

1889-90 1889

116

Fiji

117

Hong Kong

118

St. Helena-

">

"

""

NEW SERIES OF COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

1

British Honduras

-

1889

2

Mauritius

British Bechuanaland

4

Victoria

5

Newfoundland

6

7

8

9

British New Guinea

St. Vincent

Bermuda

Leeward Islands

10

St. Lucia

11

Bahamas

-

99

1889-90 1889

""

1889-90 1890

""

1889 1890

**

12

Turks and Caicos Islands

-

13

Gibraltar

14

Zululand

""

19

15

Sierra Leone

16

Barbados

-

17

Falkland Islands

""

18

Labuan

19

British Honduras

20

Basutoland

21

Trinidad and Tobago

""

1890-91 1890

22

Leeward Islands

23

Grenada

24

Straits Settlements

""

"

35

25

British Guiana

26

St. Helena-

27

Mauritius

""

28

Gambia

""

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

No. 29.

HONG KONG.

[In continuation of Colonial Report No. 117, Old Series.]

112

77

3

Major-General BARKER to LORD KNUTSFORD.

MY LORD,

Government House, Hong Kong, August 27, 1891.

I HAVE the honour to transmit the Blue Book for the year 1890, together with the Acting Colonial Secretary's Report thereon.

2. It is satisfactory to note that the revenue for 1890 has exceeded that of any previous year.

The Right Hon.

Lord Knutsford, G.C.M.G.

&c.

&c.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

G. DIGBY BARKER.

REPORT on the BLUE BOOK and DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS for 1890. Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of his Excellency the Officer administering the Government on the 19th June 1891.

1.-TAXATION.

There have been no changes under this head.

2.-REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.

The revenue amounted to $2,011,859.27, or excluding pre- miums from land sales to $1,995,220.47; and the expenditure amounted to $1,915,350.47, including extraordinary works, excluding these, to $1,517,843.05.

78

4

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

The revenue and expenditure for the past five years have

been :-

Extraordinary

Year.

Revenue.

Premia from Land.

Ordinary Expenditure.

Expenditure,

including

Defensive

Works.

1886

$ C. 1,367,977 74

$ C.. 34,731 59

C.

$ C.

1,195,236 81

825,624 84

1987

1,427,485 79

155,238 02

1,278,181 68

744,820 38

1888

1,557,300 03

160,688 64

1,461,459 64

530,870 03

1889

1890

-

1,823,549 13 154,725 60

1,995,220 47 16,638 80

1,459,167 16

374,551 63

1,517,843 05 397,507 42

3.-LOCAL REVENUES.

 The Chinese inhabitants contributed in 1890, by voluntary assessment among themselves, to the pay of the district watchmen $7,266.32, and received from the Government for the same object a grant-in-aid of $1,500.00.

4.-ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.

 On the 31st December 1890 the assets of the Colony exceeded Its liabilities by $399,732.25.

$

C..

The surplus assets in:-

1885 were

427,692 42

1886 the liabilities exceeded the

assets by

191,512 29

1887 the surplus assets were

631,374 08*

1888

"

>>

"

360,649. 76

1889

"

505,109 87

5.-PUBLIC DEBT.

No new loan has been raised.

Amount of present loan, 200,000%

24,7521.

 * A loan of 200,000l. having been raised during 1887 to be paid off on the 1st of March 1907.

Amount of sinking fund,

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

10

5

6.-MILITARY EXPENDITURE.

The military expenditure (inclusive of the Volunteer Corps) defrayed by the Colony during the last seven years has been as

follows:-

Military Contribution,

exclusive of

Defensive Works and Defensive Works. Defensive Works.

inclusive of

Volunteer Corps.

$

1884

114,498 78

1885

117,337 00

1886

124,561

1887

128,815 63

30 8 8 8

C.

$ C. 3,464 64

£ S. d.

650 0 4

68,153 45

12,576 10

2

68

217,901 45

39,230 0

()

258,444 28

43,710 7

6

1888

134,594 68

62,115 90

10,036 4 0

1889

134,261 12

63,750 73

9,678 14 5

1890

124,646 96

5,082 92

832 1 1

7.-GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.

Government House.

Government House was maintained in good repair, and a new wing has been added.

8.-PUBLIC WORKS.

The expenditure under this head was $53,515.26 for works and buildings, $45,299.88 for upkeep of the roads, streets, and bridges; $36,861.18 for storm damages; and $5,082.92 for de- fensive works.

9.-LEGISLATION.

The following Ordinances were passed during the year :-

No. 1.-An Ordinance to appoint an additional member on

the Sanitary Board.

No. 2.-An Ordinance for the naturalization of Lanı

Neungshing otherwise Lam Yuk Po.

No. 3. An Ordinance for the incorporation of the Procureur Général, in Hong Kong, of the Society of the Missions Etrangères.

No. 4.-An Ordinance to amend "The Public Health Ordi-

nance, 1887."

79

80

6

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

No. 5.-An Ordinance entitled "The Vaccination Ordinance,

1890."

No. 6.-An Ordinance to repeal Ordinance No. 32 of 1889. and amend Ordinance No. 14 of 1862, entitled " An "Ordinance for granting Patents for Inventions " within this Colony."

No. 7.-An Ordinance to amend the Law with reference to

the Falsification of Accounts.

No. 8.-An Ordinance to amend the Hong Kong Code of

Civil Procedure.

No. 9.--An Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 4 of 1865

relating to Offences against the Person.

No. 10.-An Ordinance entitled "The Magistrates Ordinance,

1890."

No. 11.-An Ordinance entitled "The Women and Girls'

Protection Ordinance, 1890."

No. 12.-An Ordinance to amend the Cattle Diseases, Slaughter-Houses, and Markets Ordinance of

1887.

No. 13.-An Ordinance to amend the Law relating to the

Official Administrator.

No. 14.-An Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 16 of 1886,

entitled "The Stamp Ordinance."

No. 15.-An Ordinance entitled "The Merchandise Marks.

Ordinance, 1890."

No. 16.-An Ordinance entitled "The Waterworks Ordi-

nance, 1890."

No. 17.-An Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 15 of 1888,

entitled "The Rating Ordinance, 1888."

No. 18.-An Ordinance to repeal Ordinance No. 29 of 1888, and to amend Ordinance No. 15 of 1886, entitled "The Peace Preservation Ordinance, 1886."

No. 19.-An Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 8 of 1873, entitled "The Dangerous Goods Ordinance, 1873." No. 20.-An Ordinance to amend "The Police Force Consoli-

dation Ordinance, 1887."

No. 21.--An Ordinance to authorise the Appropriation of a Supplementary Sum of Three hundred and Forty- nine thousand Seven hundred and Twenty Dollars and Eighty-five Cents to defray the Charges of the Year 1889.

No. 22.-An Ordinance to amend "The Chinese Emigration

Consolidation Ordinance, 1889."

No. 23.-An Ordinance to amend "The Cattle Diseases,

  Slaughter-Houses, and Markets Ordinance, 1887.". No. 24.-An Ordinance to amend "The Arms Ordinance

G

1889."

No. 25. An Ordinance to give further Powers to Companies with respect to the Alteration of their Memoranda of Association.

No. 26.-An Ordinance to amend the Public Health Ordi-

nance of 1887.

>

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

7

81

-1

No. 27-An Ordinance entitled "The Squatter's Ordinance,

1890."

No. 28.-An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding One Million Six hundred and Eighty-two thousand

Eight hundred and Seventy-four Dollars to the Public Service of the Year 1891.

No. 29.-An Ordinance to repeal Ordinance No. 13 of 1860,

for the Establishment of a Civil List.

No. 30.-An Ordinance entitled "The Widows' and Orphans'

Pensions Ordinance, 1890."

10. COUNCILS AND ASSEMBLIES.

Executive Council.-His Excellency Major-General G. Digby Barker, C.B., the Senior Military Officer, was admitted a mem- ber of the Executive Council. The Honourable W. M. Goodman joined the Council on appointment as Attorney-General. Honourable A. Lister, Colonial Treasurer and Postmaster-General, died on the 14th July 1890.

The

Legislative Council.-The Honourable W. M. Goodman, Attorney-General, the Honourable Ho Kai, and the Honourable T. H. Whitehead were admitted members of the Council. The Honourable N. G. Mitchell-Innes was appointed temporarily vice the Honourable J. H. Stewart Lockhart, on leave.

Sanitary Board.-No changes were made.

Board of Examiners.-The Honourable A. Lister died on the 14th July 1890. Dr. Eitel, Inspector of Schools, and the Rev. F. E. W. Hartmann joined the Board.

11.-CIVIL ESTABLISHMENT.

Sir G. William Des Voeux was absent from the Colony, by permission, from the 19th February to 22nd December, and during such absence Mr. Francis Fleming, the Colonial Secretary, administered the Government. Honourable Alfred Lister, Colo- niai Treasurer and Postmaster-General, died on the 14th July.

Temporary changes occurred in various departments owing to officers going on or returning from leave.

12.-OFFICERS WHO HAVE GIVEN SECURITY FOR THE

DISCHARGES OF THEIR DUTIES.

The validity of the sureties of the various officers was duly inquired into at the end of every quarter and found to be satis- factory,

13. PENSIONS.

The following officers retired on pension during the year-

2 turnkeys

12 Indian police constables.

82

دی

S

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

14.-EXPENDITURE OF THE DEPARTMENTS.

The amounts paid during the year on account of the depart-

ments were :-

Payments in Great Britain in sterling money, 23,0681. 14s. 5d. Payments in the Colony in local currency, $846,880.84. .

15. FOREIGN CONSULS.

No new Consulates were established in the Colony during 1890.

16.-POPULATION.

 The estimated population on the 31st December 1889 was as follows:-

Males -

Females

Total

138,033

56,449

194,482

which is 21,318 less than the estimated population at the end of 1888.

 The last census was taken in 1881, the population being theu returned as 160,402, of which 115,369 were males and 45,033 females.

 The following is the mean estimated population for the last nine years:

Years.

Males.

Females.

Total.

1882

119,704

46,729

166,433

1883

124,768

48,707

173,475

1884

130,560

50,969

181,529

1885

137,079

53,515

190,594

1886

144,550

56,440

200,990

1987

152,427

60,524

212,951

1888

154,500

61,300

215,800

1889

138,033

56,449

194,482

1890

198,742

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS

-ANNUAL.

The births and deaths for the last five years were as follows:-

Years.

Per 1,000 of Mean Population.

Births.

Deaths.

Births. Deaths.

1886

1,557

5,100

7.74

25.37

1887

1,705

5,317

8.01

24.97

1888

1,662

6,034

7.70

27.96

1889

1,683

4,597

8.65

23.64

1890

1,617

4,553

8.14

22.90

17.-ECCLESIASTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

There were no changes in these establishments as compared with previous years.

18.-EDUCATION.

The total number of schools subject to supervision by the Government amounted in 1890 to 112, as compared with 99 in 1889 and 97 in 1888.

The total number of scholars subject to Government supervision in the Government and grant-in-aid schools during the last five years was as follows:-

1886

1887

1888

1889

1890

Years.

Government. Grant-in-aid.

Total.

1,893

3,951

5,844

1,814

4,160

5,974

1,933

4,325

6,258

2,293

4,814

7,107

2,514

4,656

7,170

The total expenditure for these schools for the last five years was

as follows:-

$.

C.

1886, after deducting school fees

43,085 50

1887

43,070

91

1888

-

1889

· 1890

وو

35

-

"}

"

45,518 93 44,321 98 56,081 75

83

84

10

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

19.-EXCHANGE, MONEY, WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

Exchange.

 The rate of exchange on four months' bills on London was on 1st January 1890 3s. 2d., it fell to 3s. 1d. on the 19th March, and rose to 3s. 101d. on 4th September, and was at the end of the year 3s. 5gd.

Currency.

The law affecting currency has remained unchanged.

Bank Notes.

 The bank notes in circulation in Hong Kong during the last five years, as furnished by the managers of the respective banks, were as follows:

1$86

1897

1888

1889

1890

Years.

Average Amount.

Specie in Reserve.

$

$

4,368,705

2,138,333

5,052,473

2,362,833

5,759,875

2,660,000

6,034,984

*2,552,500

6,073,332

2,775,833

Money Circulation.

 The approximate amount of coin put into circulation up to 31st December 1890 was as follows:-

Hong Kong silver and copper subsidiary

coins (20, 10, and 5 cent pieces; and 1 cent and mil pieces)

Weights and Measures.

$5,599,125

 The weights and measures in use in the Colony are regulated by Ordinance 8 of 1885.

20.-IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.

 There being no Custom House it is not possible to furnish an account of all imports and exports, but a record of raw opium imported and exported during 1890 has been kept, and is as follows:-

Imported Exported

-

-

62,463 chests.

58,023 40

12

13

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

85

11

21.-SHIPPING.

Arrivals exclusive of Junks.

The total arrivals, exclusive of junks, during the year 1890 amounted to 4,114 vessels and 5,093,733 tons, being 575,119 tons over the arrivals in 1889.

Junks.

23,512 junks measuring 1,795,261 tons arrived in the Colony in 1890, as against 22,926 junks and 1,716,922 tons in 1889, showing an increase of 586 junks and 78,339 tons. The total arrivals for the last five years were:-

Exclusive of Junks,

Junks.

Grand Total.

Years.

No. of Vessels.

Tons.

No. of Vessels.

Tons.

No. of Vessels.

Tons.

1896

·

4,251

4,571,290

22,971

1,752,868

27,222

6,324,16-1

1887

·

4,078

4,607,914

23,521

1,793,923

27,599

6,101,837

1888

3,821

4,536,442

23,958

1,863,968

27,779

6,400,410

1889

3,820

4,518,614

22,926

1,716,922

26,716

6,235,536

1890

4,111

5,093,733

23,512

1,975,261

27,626

6,698,99+

Immigration and Emigration from and to Ports other than ir

China and Japan.

The following will show the number of Chinese who arrived in, and the number who departed from, the Colony during the last five years:-

1886

1887

1888

1889

1890

Years.

Arrived.

Departed.

88,704

64,522

92,375

82,897

98,800

96,195

99,315

47,849

101,147

42,066

22.-AGRICULTURE.

The lands of the Colony being limited and not favourable for agricultural purposes, there is no inducement for this industry here. The produce is quite nominal, and is for local consumption only.

86

12

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

23.-MANUFACTURES, &c.

Manufactories.

 No new manufactories have been added to those already in existence.

Steam Launches.

 The total number of steam launches built in the Colony in 1890) was 31, with a total tonnage of 2,377.10, as against 26 with a total tonnage of 1,172.58, in 1889. The total number of licensed steam launches of all descriptions in the Culony in 1890

were:

Licensed to carry passengers

47

Private launches

53

Colonial Government launches

10.

War Department launches

5

Total

115

24.-GRANTS OF LAND.

The sales of land on lease during the last five years were:

1886

1887

1888

1889

1890

Years.

Total No. of Sales.

Total No. of Acres

sold.

A.

R. P.

88

82

2 313

187

76 0 8

202

104 0 4

65

88

1 154

6

2 3 101

25.-GAOLS AND PRISONERS.

 On the 1st January 1890 there were 549 prisoners in Victoria Gaol; 3,444 were admitted during the year, and 3,444 discharged; the total number of prisoners on the 31st of December 1890 was 549, of whom 42 were Europeans.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

13

The daily average of prisoners was 566, as against 581 in the previous year.

The number of prisoners admitted into gaol during the last five years was as follows

No. of Prisoners.

Daily Aver-

Years.

Total.

Men.

Women. Juveniles.

age Number in Prison.

1886

4,278

173

149

4,600

674.00

1887

4,012

149

147

4,308

584.00

1888

3,390

98

139

3,627

531.00

1889

3,453

131

121

3,705

581.00

1890

3,218

119

107

3,441

566.00

26. CRIMINAL STATISTICS.

Supreme Court.

The following is a return of cases tried at the Supreme Court during the last five years: -

Charges abandoned.

Postponed.

Number Number Con-

Years.

of

of Cases. Persons.

Ac- victed. quitted.

Number of Cases.

Number of Per-

sons.

No. of Cases.

No. of Persons.

1886-

1887-

1888:

1889

1890

F རྒྱངྦྲྀསྐྱ ྂ

75

107

94

155

101

186

92

143

59

89

80

* 2 8 * $

222

Total

421

671

347

164

26

92

59

20

16

27

1

82

36

17

26

99

47

23

40

41

24

37

43

20

7

17

147

2

9

ลง

Average of

last 5 years

951

143

941

29

101

181

#

H

Average of

5 years

ending 1885

·

841

134t

693

32

187

291

રૈ

11

87

Years.

Years.

888

14

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.- -ANNUAL.

Police Magistrates' Court.

 The cases before the police magistrates during the last five years were as follows:-

Total No. of Cases.

Total No. of Prisoners.

Convicted

and

Punished.

Discharged.

Committed

Cases how disposed of.

for Trial.

Committed

pending Orders.

Ordered to

-nɔɔg puy

rity.

Punished for

False Tes-

timony.

Undecided.

1896

1897

14,611

16,617 12,923 2,398 159

10

5

969

35

168

12,015 14,182 | 10,679

2,779

167

32

403

14

to

48

1888

11,647 13,309 9,932

2,849

174

109

192

3

50

1859

8,670 10,033 6,894 2,497

167

54

337

17

67

1890

9,739

10,772 7,740 2,557

102

15

318

3

$7

Total

56,692 64,943 48,168 13,070

769 215

2,279 72

370

Average of last

years

· 11,336*4 12,988*6] 9,633'6 | 2,614′0 153*8 43.0

455*8 14:4

74.0

Average of 5 years

ending 1885

-

10,153*8| 11,670*2| 8,851*6|2,356'6 181.8 26.6 350*0 18'4

88*2

Marine Magistrate's Court.

 The cases before the Marine Magistrate's Court during the last five years were as follows:-

Number of Cases.

Number of Defen-

dants.

Imprisoned.

Fined.

Forfeiture

Defeudants how disposed of.

of Pay.

Repri-

I

11

1

manded.

Sent back to |

Duty.

To be dis-

charged

from Ship.

Dismissed.

for Trial.

Committed

1386

58

87

49

1857

-

90

152

47

1888

70

167

66

1889

53 107

5.1

1890

81 239

92

25 83 8

24

6

2

1

37

6

21

15

Co

3

23

2

53

1

5

25

1

15

84

6

15

1

1

18

41

Total

352 752 302 208

20 26

99

4

36

93

Average of last 5

years

70*4 150*4 60'4 41'6 4'0

5.2 19.8 0.8

18.6

Average of 5 years

ending 1885

77.6 150*2 71.6 31.0

8.2

2.6 15'8 1.8

24.8

1

1

1

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

89

15

Police.

The cases brought under the notice of the police during the last five years were as follows:-

Serious Offences.

Minor Offences.

Years.

Number of Cases.

Convicted. Discharged.

Number of

Cases.

Convicted. Discharged.

1886

2,500

1,389

472

6,336

6,457

672

1887

2,577

1,234

565

5,901

6,310

1,214

1889

2,436

1,116

556

5,678

5,772

1,105

1889

2,893

1,409

618

4,563

4,529

1,131

1890

·

3,100

1,412

616

5,324

5,007

1,213

Total

13,506

6,560

2,827

27,810

28,075

5,335

Average of last 5

years

2,701 2

1,312.0

565'4

5,562 0

5,615'0

1,067'0

Average of 5 years

ending 1885

2,493*2

1,313'6

514.6

5,011'0

4,105'0

886*2

27.-HOSPITALS, &c.

Civil Hospital.

The admissions to the Government Civil Hospital during the year were as follows as compared with 1889:-

1889.

1890.

Police

590

582

Board of Trade

135

110

Private paying patients

402

527

Government servants

135

191

Police cases

252

264

Destitutes

279

283

Total -

1,793

1,957

90

16

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

 The total admissions to the hospital and deaths during the last five years were as follows:-

1886

1887

1888

1889

1890

Total

Average

Years.

Admissions.

Deaths.

1,623

79

1,656

68

89

1,772

80:

1,793

77

1,957

98

8,801

423

1,760-2

84.6

 The admissions from the police force and the number of deaths for the past five years were as follows:-

1886

1887

1888

1889

1890

Total

Average

Years.

Admissions.

Deaths.

602

14*

619

657

15

590

14

582

7

3,050

59

610

11.8.

 The admissions of Europeans were, in 1889, 166, as compared with 149 in 1890; the Chinese were 194 in 1889, as compared with 179 in 1890.; and the Indians were 230 in 1889, as com- pared with 254 in 1890.

* In hospital.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

Military Hospital.

91

17

The admissions from among the troops during the past five years. were as follows:-

1886

1887

1888

1889

1890

Years.

Total

Average

Admissious.

Deaths.

1,607

9

1,749

14

1,485

21

1,732

16

1,915

15

8,488

135

75

1,697-6

150

Small-pox Hospital.

The admissions during the past five years were as follows :--

Years.

1886

1887

1888

1889

1

Total

Average

Inquests.

}

1

J

Admissions.

11

65

99 19

2

196

39.2

The inquests held during the past five years were as follows:-

1886

1887

1888

1889

1890

-

120

115

63

76

101

By Ordinance 17 of 1888 the office of coroner is abolished, and the duties thereof transferred to the police magistrates.

92

18

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.- -ANNUAL.

28.-CHARITABLE AND LITERARY INSTITUTIONS.

No fresh institution was formed.

29.-RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.

No fresh institution was formed.

Colonial Secretary s Office,

W. M. GOODMAN, Acting Colonial Secretary.

Hong Kong, 16th June 1891.

LONDON: Printed by EYRE and SPOTTISWOODE, Printers to the Queen's most Excellent Majesty.

For Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

1887-1903

HONGKONG.

93

REPORT ON THE BLUE BOOK AND DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FOR 1891.

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor, on the 23rd May, 1892.

1.-TAXATION.

Be There have been no changes under this head.

2.-REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.

     The Revenue amounted to $2,025,302.51, or excluding premiums from Land Sales and Water Account to $1,907,054.43; and the Expenditure amounted to $2,4-19,086.26, including Extraordinary Works; excluding these, to $1,868,073.26. The revenue has been classified in couformity with the instructions of the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

The Revenue and Expenditure for the past five years have been :-

Extraordinary Expenditure, including Defensive Works.

Water Account Water Account

Receipts. Expenditure.

Feur.

Revenuc.

Premia from Land.

Ordinary Expenditure.

1887,...$1,427,485.79

$155,238.02

$1,278,181.68

$744,820.38

1888,... 1,557,300.03

160.688.64

1,461,459.64

530,870.03

1889,... 1,823,549.13 154,725.60

1,459,167.16

374,551.63

1890,... 1,995,220.47

16,638.80

1,517,843.05

397,507.42

..

1891.... 1,907,054.43

51,761.47

1,868,073.26 514,526.39

$66,486.61

$66,486.61

3.-LOCAL Revenues.

     The Chinese inhabitants contributed in 1891, by voluntary assessment among them- selves, to the pay of the District Watchmen,

and received from the Government for the same object a grant-in-aid of.

4.-ASSETS And LiabilitiES.

.$7,209.76 2,000.00

On the 31st December, 1891, the assets of the Colony exceeded its liabilities by......$231,177.51 The surplus assets in :-

1885 were

1886 the liabilities exceeded the assets by

1887 the surplus assets were

.$ 427,692.42

.$ 191,512.29

$ 631,374.08 (a)

$ 360,649.76

.$ 505,109.87

$ 309,732.25

1888

Do.

1889

Do.

1890

Do.

1891

Do.

$ 281,177.51

5.-PUBLIC DEBT.

No new loan has been raised.

Amount of present Loan, £200,000. Amount of Sinking Fund, £34,053. 8s. 3d.

6.-MILITARY EXPENDITURE.

     The Military Expenditure (inclusive of the Volunteer Corps) defrayed by the Colony during the last seven years has been as follows :-

Military Contribution, exclusive of

Defensive Works, and

inclusive of Volunteer Corps,

Defensive Works.

$ 68,153.45

Defensive Works.

£12,576.10.2.

1885,

1886,

1887,

1888,

1889,

1890,

1891,7

..$117,337.00

$124,561.68

$128,815.63

$134,594.68

$134,261.12

$124,646.96

.$421,002.01 (b)

$217,901.45 $258,441.28 $ 62.115.90

$ 03.753.73 $ 5,082.92

$ 20,005.45

£39,230. 0.0. £43,710. 7.6. £10,036. 4.0.

£ 9,678.14.5. L 832. 1.1. £ 3,102. 1.7.

(#) A lonn af €200,000 having been raised during 1887 to be paid off on the 1st of Marel, 1907, (4) The Military Contribution was doublest from 1st January, 1890, and the arreurs for 1890 were paid in 1891.

94

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

7.-GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.

Government House.

Government House has been maintained in fairly good repair.

8.-PUBLIC WORKS.

The expenditure under this head was $93.283.55 on account of Annually Recurrent Works, and $820,279 on account of Extraordinary Public Works.

9.-LEGISLATION.

The following Ordinances were passed during the year:-

No. 1.-An Ordinance for the Naturalization of LAI SUI TONG (R).

No. 2.-An Ordinance for the Naturalization of CHOI WAI (fi) otherwise Cuoi Tsun

(蔡俊)

No. 3.-An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Edward Jean Max PaquiN.

No. 4.-An Ordinance to amend The Printers and Publishers Ordinance, 1886.

No. 5.-An Ordinance for the Naturalization of LAU SAI ( ) alias Lau Wai Ch'ün

(劉渭川)

No. 6-An Ordinance to restrict the Loading and Unloading of Cargo on Sunday in the

waters of the Colony.

No. 7.-An Ordinance entitled The Gambling Ordinance, 1891.

No. 8.-An Ordinance to provide for the making of a Table of Fees to be taken in connec-

tion with the Grant of Letters Patent in this Colony.

No. 9.-An Ordinance to give the same validity to Ordinances Nos. 18 and 19 of 1884 as if they had been proclaimed to come into force on the 23rd day of September, 1884.

No. 10.-An Ordinance entitled The Forts Protection Ordinance, 1891.

No. 11.-An Ordinance to provide against abuses connected with the crection of Public

Latrines.

No. 12.-An Ordinance to further amend The Public Health Ordinance, 1887.

No. 13.-An Ordinance to license the present Church of the Immaculate Conception for the

celebration of marriages from the time of its opening.

No. 14.-An Ordinance to amend The Women and Girls' Protection Ordinance, 1890. No. 15.-An Ordinance to amend the Law in respect of the sale of Shares in Companies registered under the Companies Ordinances 1865 to 1886 and in other Joint Stock Companies.

No. 16.-An Ordinance to authorise the Appropriation of a Supplementary Sum of Five hundred and Thirty-nine thousand One hundred and One Dollars and Eighty-three Cents to defray the Charges of the Year 1890.

No. 17.-An Ordinance to amend and consolidate the Law relating to the carriage and

possession of deadly weapons.

No. 18.-An Ordinance to amend The Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Ordinance, 1890. No. 19.-An Ordinance for the Incorporation of the Senior Missionary in Hongkong of the

London Missionary Society."

No. 20. An Ordinance to amend the Law relating to Bankruptcy.

No. 21.-An Ordinance to repeal Ordinances No. 1 of 1884 and No. 17 of 1886 and to

amend the Law relating to the preparation of Opium.

No. 22.-An Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 22 of 1887.

No. 23.-An Ordinance to apply a further sum not exceeding Six hundred and Thirty-one

thousand and Seven Dollars, to the Public Service of the Year 1891.

No. 24.-An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding Two Millious Four hundred and Fifty-three thousand Nine hundred and Ninety-six Dollars to the Public Service of the Year 1892.

No. 25.

An Ordinance to amend The Building Ordinance, 1889.

No. 26. An Ordinance to consolidate and amend the laws relating to merchant shipping, the duties of the Harbour Master, the control and management of the waters of the Colony, and the regulation of vessels navigating the same.

1887-1903

10.-COUNCILS AND ASSEMBLIES.

95

    Executive Council.-The Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Registrar General, and the Honourable N. G. MITCHELL-INNES, Colonial Treasurer, were admitted Members of the Executive Council. The Honourable A. J. LEACH joined the Council on appointment as Acting Attorney General.

    Legislative Council.-The Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Registrar General, and the Honourable N. G. MITCHELL-INNES, Colonial Treasurer, were admitted Members of the Council. The Honourable F. A. COOPER and the Honourable W. C. H. HASTINGS joined the Council on appoint- ment as Acting Surveyor General and Acting Harbour Master respectively.

    Sanitary Board.-The Honourable J. H. S. LOCKHART appointed Chairman, vice The Honourable S. BROWN. Mr. U LIN YUEN appointed rice Mr. WONG SING, resigned.

·Board of Examiners.-No changes were made.

11.-CIVIL EStablishment.

    Sir G. WILLIAM DES VEUX was absent from the Colony, by permission, from the 7th May till his retirement, and during his absence Major-General G. DIGBY BARKER, C.B., administered the Government. The Honourable FRANCIS FLEMING, C.M.G., was absent on leave from February till the end of the year. Mr. GOODMAN acted during his absence. The Honourable W. M. DEANE, C.M.G., Captain Superintendent of Police, was pensioned.

    Temporary changes occurred in various Departments owing to Officers going on or returning froin leave.

12.-OFFICERS WHO HAVE GIVEN SECURITY FOR The DischargES OF THEIR DUTIES.

    The validity of the sureties of the various Officers was duly enquired into at the end of the year and found to be satisfactory.

13.- PENSIONS.

The following Officers retired on pension during the year-

2 Heads of Departinents, 2 Turnkeys, 2 Overseers of Works, 2 Inspectors of Police and 19

Police Constables.

14.-EXPENDITURE OF THE Departments.

The amounts paid during the year on account of the Departments were :-

Payments in Great Britain in Sterling money,

Payments in the Colony in Local Currency,

15.-FOREIGN Consuls.

No new Consulates were established in the Colony during 1891.

16.-POPULATION.

The estimated population on the 31st December, 1890,

which is 4,260 more than the estimated population at the end of 1889.

..£24,724. Gs. 8d.

$916,809.71.

.198,742

     The census was taken in 1891, the population being returned as 221,441, of which 157,585 were males, and 63,856 females.

The following is the mean estimated population for the last 9

years:

Years.

Males.

Females,

Total.

1883.....

124,768

48,707

173,475

1881,..

..130,560

50.969

181,529

1885,...

.....

..137,079

53,515

190,594

1886,..

...144,550

56,440

200,990

1887,.....

.152,427

60,524

212,951

1888, .....154,500

61,300

215,800

1889.138,033

56,449

194,482

1890,

198,742

1891,159,969

64,845

224,814

96

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

The Births and deaths for the last 5 years were as follows:-

Per 1,000 of mean Population.

Years.

Births.

Deaths.

Births.

Deaths.

1887,......

.1,705

5,317

$.01

24.97

1888,....

.1,662

6,034

7.70

27.96

1889,...

..1,683

4,597

8.65

23.61

1890,..

.1,617

4,553

8.14

22.90

1891,

.1,734

5,374

7.71

23.90

17.-ECCLESIASTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

The Colonial Chaplain was pensioned and the Office abolished.

18.-EDUCATION.

      The total number of Schools subject to supervision by the Government in 1891 was 117 as against 112 in 1890, and 99 in 1889.

The total number of Scholars subject to Governinent supervision in the Government and Grant in-aid Schools during the last 5 years was as follows :--

Yeurs.

1887,

1888,

1889,

1890,

1891,

Govt.

Grant-in-aid.

Total.

.1,814

4,160

5,974

.1,933

4,325

6,258

.2,293

1,814

7,107

.2,514

4,656

7,170

...2,540

5,132

7,672

The total expenditure for these Schools for the last 5 years was as follows :-

1887, (after deducting School fees),

1888, (

"}

>:

1889, (

11

), ).

1890, ( 1891, (

"?

*

),

22

21

),

.$43,070.91

45,518.93

14,321.98

56,081.75

60,359.10

19.-EXCHANGE, MONEY, WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

Exchange.

The rate of Exchange on 4 months' Bills on London was on 1st January, 1891, 3/5. it fell to 3/17 on the 3rd June, and rose to 3/33 on 6th August, and was at the end of the year 3/13.

Currency.

The law affecting currency has remained unchanged.

Bank Notes.

The Bank Notes in circulation in Hongkong during the last 5 years, as furnished by the Managers of the respective Banks, were as follows:-

Average Amount.

Ycurs.

1887,

1888,

1889,

1890,

1891,

.$5,052,173

5,759,875

6,034,984

6,073,332

0,050,122

Money Circulation.

Specie in Reserve.

$2,362,833

*2,660,000

2,552,500

2,775,833

2,650,833

The approximate amount of Coin put into circulation up to 31st December, 1891, was as follows:- Hongkong Silver and Copper Subsidiary Coins (50, 20, 10, and 5 cent pieces; and 1 Cent

and Mil pieces), .

.......$7,216,125.

Weights and Measures.

The Weights and Measures in use in the Colony are regulated by Ordinance 8 of 1885.

1887-1903

97

20.-IMPORTs and Exports.

There being no Custom House, it is not possible to furnish an account of all Imports and Exports, but a record of Raw Opium imported and exported during 1891 has been kept, and is as follows:-

Imported, Exported,

21.-SHIPPING.

Arrivals exclusive of Junks.

58,419 chests. ......57,998!

71

    The total arrivals, exclusive of Junks, during the year 1891, amounted to 4,351 vessels and 5,138,627 tons, being 244,894 tons over the arrivals in 1890.

Junks.

22,806 Junks measuring 1,634,616 tons arrived in the Colony in 1891, as against 23,512 Junks and 1,795,261 tons in 1890, showing a decrease of 706 Junks and 160,645 tons.

The total arrivals for the last 5 years were-

EXCLUSIVE of Junks.

Years. Number of Vessels. Tons.

1887....... 4,078 4,607,91

JUNKS.

Number of Vessels. Tons. Number of Vessels.

GRAND TOTAL.

Tons.

23,521

1,793,923

27,599 6,401,837

1888..

3,821

4.536,442

23,958

1,863,968

27,779

6,400,410

1889,.

3,820

4,518,614

22,926

1,716,922

26,746

6,235,536

1890,.

4,114

4,893,733

23,512

1,795,261

27,626

6,688,994

1891, 4,351

1

5,138,627 22.806 1,634,616 27,157 6,773,243

Immigration and Emigration from and to Ports other than in China and Jupan.

The following will show the number of Chinese who arrived in, and the number who departed from the Colony during the last 5 years :-

Years. 1887,

1888,

1889,

1890,

1891,

Arrived.

92,375

98,800

99,315

101,147

.105,199

22.-AGRICULTURE.

Departed.

82,897

96,195

47,849

42,066

15,162

    The lands of the Colony being limited and not favourable for agricultural purposes, there is no inducement for this industry here. The produce is quite nominal, and is for local consumption only.

23.-MANUFACTURES, &c. Manufactories.

Several new Manufactories have been added to those already in existence.

Steam-Launches.

The total number of Steam-Launches built in the Colony in 1891 was 25, with a total tonnage of 2,324.03, as against 31 with a total tonnage of 2,377.10 in 1890. The total number of licensed Steam-Launches of all descriptions, in the Colony, in 1891, were:-

Licensed to carry passengers, .

Private Launches,

Colonial Government Launches,

War Department Launches,

48

.44

8

5

105

24.-Grants of Land.

The grants of land on lease during the last 5 years were:-

No. of Grants. No. of acres sold. No, of acres re-granted.

Years,

1887......

187

A. R.. P. 21.3.16

1888..

202

44.0.31

1889,.

65

44.1. 92

1890,.

29

1891,.

37

9.3.17 26.0.331

A. R. P.

Total No. of acres

granted. A. R. P: 76.0. 8 104.0. 43

5.4.0.31% 59.3.13 14.0. 54

15.3.30 43.0. 54

88 1.15 25.3. 7 69.0.38

Note. The Returns in the Blue Book report for 1890 state: for that year lands sold by auction only viz. :-2 A. 3 R. 101⁄2 P. and did not include lands sold by way of extension to Lots already existing, the addition of the lutter increasing the number of acres sold in that year to 9 A. 3 R. 17 P. us above.

98

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

25.-GAOLS AND PRISONERS.

On the 1st January, 1891, there were 549 prisoners in Victoria Gaol; 5,221 were admitted during the year, and 5,268 discharged; the total number of prisoners on the 31st December, 1891, was 502, of whom 27 were Europcuns.

The daily average of prisoners was 507, as against 566 in the previous year.

The number of prisoners adınitted into Gaol during the last five years was as follows :--

YEARS.

Men.

NO. OF PRISONERS.

Women.

TOTAL.

DAILY AVERAGE. NUMBER

Juveniles,

IN PRISON.

1887,

4,012

149

147

4,808

$84.00

1888, ....

3,890

און

139

3,627

531.00

1889,

3,453

131

121

8,705

581.00

1890, 1891,

3,218

119

107

3,444

566.00

4,805

223

203

5,231

307.00

26.-CRIMINAL STATISTICS.

Supreme Court.

The following is a Return of cases tried at the Supreme Court during the last five years :-

1887,

1888,

1889,

CHARGES ABANDONED.

POSTPONED.

Nunber Number

YEARS.

of Сичен.

of Convicted. Acquitted. Persons.

|Number of | Number of | No. of Cases. Persons. Casos.

No. of Porsous.

94

155

101

186

92

143

59

80

32

37

26

28242

82

36

99

·

64

43

34239

17

26

47

28

41

24

20

****

37

7

SOHEN

40

...

17

...

2

1890,

1891,

Total,..

378

601

814

153

78

122

Average of last 5 years,

75%

1201

623

303

15%

243

Do.

ending 1886,

891

1882

81!

251

131

221

Police Magistrates' Court.

The Cases before the Police Magistrates during the last 5 years were as follows :----

-

TA

8

12

1}

CASES HOW DISPOSED OF.

Total No. | Total No.

Ordered Punished

YEARS.

oľ Casex.

of Prisoners.

Convicted

and · Punished.

Dis- charged.

Committed Committed

for pouding Trial. Orders.

t.o Find Security.

for False Tes- timony.

1887,

12,015

14,182

10,679

2,779

167

32

463

14

1888,

11,647 13,309

9,932 2,849

174

109

192.

3

1889,

8,670 10,033

6,894 2,197

167

54

837

17

1890,

1891,

9,739 10,772 13,676 16,382

7,740 2,657

102

15

318

13,972 2,040

40

12

172

1.

It is of er t

Un-

decided.

50

67

37

145

Total,.....................

55,747

Average of last 5 years, 11,149.4

6.1,678

12.935.6

49,217

9,813.4 | 2,544.4

12,722

650

222

1,482

38

347

130.0

44.4

296.4

7.6

69.4

Do. ending 1886, 11,485.4

13,197.8

9,959.8 | 2,464.0

165.6

26.8

457.0

14.4

110.2

1887-1903

Marine Magistrate's Court.

99

The Cases before the Marine Magistrate's Court during the last 5 years were as follows :-

DEFENDANTS HOW DISPOSED' OF.-

Number

Number of

Forfoi-

To be dis-

Com-

YEARS.

of

Cases.

Dofend- Impri- ants. soned.

ture

Fined.

of

Ropri- manded.

Sent back to

charged

Dis-

Pay.

Duty.

froin Ship.

mitted missed. for

Trial.

1887,

1888,

1889,

1890,

1891,

147

80355

90

152

47

37

70

: 167

66

38

6 N

21

15

23

2

53

3

5

107

54

25

15

13

...

239

92

84

6

15

41

311

62

205

10

9

23

**

Total,......

441

976

321

389

16

34

107

•1

105

:

Average of last 5 years,

88.2

195.2

64.2

77.8

3.2

6.8

21.4

0.8

21.0

Do. ending 1886,...

72.0

144.8

66.6

28.4

9.0

2.6

13.0

1.0

23.8

...

:

Police.

The Cases brought under the notice of the Police during the last 5 years were as follows:-

SERIOUS OFFENCES.

MINOR OFFENCES.

YEARS.

Persons.

Porsous.

Number of

Number of

Ca808.

Cases.

Convicted. Discharged.

Convicted. Discharged.

1887,

1888,

1839,

1890,

1891,

2,577

1,234

565

5,904

6,310

1,214

2,436

1,116

556

5,678

3,772

1,105

2,893

1,109

618

4,568

4,529

1,131

3,100

1,412

616

5,324

5,007

1,218

2,991

1,687

444

7,875

9,320

673

Total,...

14,000

6,858

2,799

29,349

$0,938

5,386

Average of last 5 years,

2,800.0

1,371.6

559.8

5,869.8

6,187.6

1,067.2:

Do. ending 1886,

2,527.4

1,313.4

527.8

5,437.8

4,501.6

880.2

27-HOSPITALS, &C.

Civil Hospital.

The admissions to the Government Civil Hospital during the year were as follows, as compared with 1890.

1890.

1891.

Police,

582

570

Board of Trade,

110

135

Private paying Patients,

527

46-1

Government Servants,

191

179

Police Cases,

261

210

Destitutes,

283

279

Total,..

1,957

1,867

The total admissions to the Hospital and Deaths during the last 5 years were as follows :--

Yours.

Admissions.

Deaths.

1887,

1,656

89

1888,

1.772

80

1889,

1,793

77

1890,

1,957

98

1891,

1,867

81

Total,

9,045

428

Average,.

1,809

85.6

100

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

     The admissions from the Police Force and the number of Deaths for the past five years were as follows:-

Years.

1887,

1888,

1889,

1890,

1891,

Total,

Average,

Admissions.

Deaths.

619

9

657

15

590

14

582

7

570

8

3,018

53

603.6

10.6

     The admissions of Europeans, Chinese, and Indians in 1891 were 167, 118, and 285 respectively, as against 149, 179, and 254 in 1890.

Military Hospital.

The admissions from among the troops during the past five years were as follows :-

Years.

Admissions.

Deaths.

1887,

1.749

14

1888,

1,485

21

1889,

1,732

16

1890,

1,915

15

1891,

1,251

17

Total,

8,132

83

Average,

1,626.4

16.6

Small-Pox Hospital.

The admissions during the past five years were as follows:-

Years.

Admissions.

1887,

65

1888,

99

1889,

19

1890,

2

1891,

17

Total,....

202

Average,............................ 40.4

Inquests.

The inquests held during the past five years were as follows :-

1887,

1888,

1889,

1890,

1891,

115

63

76

101

59

28.-CHARITABLE AND LITERARY INSTITUTIONS.

No fresh Institution was forined.

29.-RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.

No fresh Institution was formed.

COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,

Hongkong, 19th May, 1892.

G. T. M. O'BRIEN,

Colonial Secretary.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.--ANNUAL.

No. 85.

KONG.

HONG

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1892.

(For Report for 1890, see Culonial Report [Annual] No. 29.)

101

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty.

September 1893.

DIEU-ET

OROIT

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, BY EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE,

PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE. EAST HARDING STREET. FLEET STREET, E.C.. 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, DUBLIN,

1893.

[C.-6857.-35.]

102

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORT'S.

from

The following among other Reports relating to Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions have been issued, and may be obtained for a few pence the sources indicated on the title page :-

No.

ANNUAL.

Colony.

Year.

49

Gibraltar

50

Falkland Islands

51

Leeward Islands

52

Grenada

53

St. Lucia

54

Labuan

1891

""

""

""

""

""

55

British Guiana

56

Zululand

-

57

Mauritius

""

58

Lagos

59

60

Ceylon

61

Natal

62

Basutoland

63

St. Helena-

64

65

66

67

68

69

Sierra Leone

Jamaica

Trinidad and Tobago Newfoundland

British New Guinea Victoria

-

Straits Settlements

"}

""

""

1891-92

""

1891

""

1891-92 1891

""

-

1891-92

70

Rodrigues

71

Bermuda

72

Fiji

73

74

75

British Honduras

Turks and Caicos Islands Gibraltar

1891

""

1892 1891

1892

76

Bahamas

""

""

77

Leeward Islands

78

Trinidad and Tobago

79

Malta

21

*

""

80

Gambia

وو

81

Straits Settlements

$2

Grenada

83

Barbados

-

84

St. Vincent

""

"

No.

123

MISCELLANEOUS.

Colony.

Gold Coast

Zululand

-

Sierra Leone

Subject.

Economic Agriculture.

Forests.

Geology and Botany.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS,

M

-ANNUAL,

3

No. 85.

HONG KONG.

[For Report for 1890 see Colonial Report (Annual) No. 29.]

103

SIR W. ROBINSON to the MARQUESS of RIPON.

MY LORD MARQUESS,

Government House, Hong Kong, June 10, 1893,

  I HAVE the honour to transmit, for Your Lordship's information, the Blue Book for 1892. The following is the Report thereon by the Acting Assistant Colonial Secretary,

REVENUE.

The revenue amounted to $211,630-86 on that for 1891.

$2,236,933-37, an increase of

This increase may be explained as follows under various heads,

viz. :-

Assessed Taxes, including the Water Account.-Increase $76,771. Oftl.is some $50,000 may be set down to the energy of the Treasury in the middle of the year in the collection of arrears.

Carriage Licences.-Increase $18,100. In 1891, by an Order of the Governor in Council, the monthly fee for a jinricksha license in Victoria was raised from $3 to $6 thus bringing in a total increase of $18,000 in respect of the 500 vehicles permitted in the

town.

Opium Monopoly.-Increase $18,000. The previous opium farin, let for three years up to the end of February, 1892, yielded a monthly rental of $35,800 after reduction by consent of the Government, whereas the present farm, let from 1st March, 1892, yields only $28,400 per mensem, so that the revenue from this source during the months of January and February was greater by $14,800 than what will be obtained in the two corresponding months in any year under the present contract.

But by agreement with the Government the last opium farmer was permitted to hold over till 1892 a payment of $50,000 which was due in 1891, thereby making a difference of $100,000 in a

104

4

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

comparative s'atement of the revenues for these two years from this source.

Other Miscellaneous Receipts.-Increase, $15,619-30, is due to the sale of the Laziretto on Stonecutters Island to the Military Authorities for $20,000.

 Land Sales.-Increase, $70,067-37, is due to a larger sale of land than in 1891, and chiefly to a very large sale that occurred at the end of the year.

 The new items and increases under the heads of Steam Launch Licenses, Discharge of Crews and Seamen, Rent of Private Moorings and Buoys, &c., are due to the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Consolidation Ordinance, No. 21 of 1891, which came into force on the 1st of January 1892.

The decrease of $21,219.84 under the head "Stamps" is due mainly to reduced speculation in stocks and shares.

 From the foregoing considerations it would follow that if allowance be made for the exceptional circumstances affecting the revenue of 1891, the apparent increase of $211,630 will be reduced to a real increase of $41,630, which again is subject to discount owing to land sales having produced more than they can be normally expected to realise.

EXPENDITURE.

The expenditure of the year, including that on Public Works Extraordinary, amounted to $2,342,837-26, a decrease of $106,249 on that for 1891, which is caused generally as follows:-

The Military Contribution shows a decrease of $151,996.74 although the rate of exchange was less favourable than in 1891.

But in 1891, besides the usual annual contribution, the payment of 20,0007. had to be made to the Military Authorities in respect of arrears for 1890, thus the total payment in the former year was 60,000l. as compared with 40,000l. last year.

The decrease of $120,650 on Public Works Extraordinary, chiefly arises from the fact that, while $100,000 was paid as the Government contribution to the Praya Reclamation during 1891, only $10,000 was so paid in 1892. On the subject of the expenditure on this work, Your Lordship will be addressed shortly in a separate despatch.

The total decrease under these heads amounts to about $270,000, but on the other hand there were increases in the ex- penditure of almost every department for the following reasons:-

The payments to the Crown Agents for the debt, pensions, materials and stores, and other charges, &c., were made at a lower rate of exchange. The average rates for the two years 1891 and 1892 were 3/21 and 2/9.97 respectively.

The payment in December of Salaries and other charges properly payable from votes for the year, but hitherto paid out of

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUALI..

5

the votes for the following year, involved a disbursement of 13 monthly payments in 1892, and an apparent additional expenditure amounting to $78,190.

The excess of Revenue over Ordinary Expenditure amounted to $354,458, but if we deduct the sum of $134,800, which is shown above to have been of an exceptional and non-recurrent character, the excess is reduced to $219,659. If, further, the sum of $67,500, derived from an exceptional land sale at the close of the year be deducted, the excess becomes reduced to $152,158.

It should be observed in this connexion that the Revenue from Land Sales will have to be largely discounted in future years, for the reason that, as the Colony becomes more settled, there is less demand for Crown land and a diminished supply of land avail- able for sale; and that the revenue derived from profits on the sale of subsidiary coins is of a most precarious nature.

The balance of assets over liabilities on the 31st December, was $35,105.87, but in the assets $300,000 is included as value of subsidiary coins in transit which it may take a considerable time to dispose of.

PUBLIC DEbt.

The debt incurred under Ordinance 11 of 1886 still stands at 200,000, while the sinking fund to be applied for its redemption has increased from 34,0537. to 42,7587. during the year.

LEGISLATION.

105

The following Ordinances were passed during the year :-

No. 1-An Ordinance to give effect to the change in name and style of the Surveyor General and Surveyor General's Department.

No. 2.-An Ordinance entitled "The Patent Ordinance,

1892."

No. 3. An Ordinance to make further provision as to the

issue of Night Passes for Chinese.

No. 4.--An Ordinance to amend Ordinances No. 3 of 1860, No. 15 of 1885, and No. 17 of 1891 in relation to the power of the Governor in Council to grant certain licenses.

No. 5.-An Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 15 of

1888, entitled "The Rating Ordinance, 1888,' and Ordinance No. 16 of 1890, entitled "The Waterworks Ordinance, 1890."

No. 6.-An Ordinance to amend "The Bankruptcy

Ordinance, 1891."

No. 7.-An Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 4 of 1865, relating to Offences against the person.

No. 8.--An Ordinance to repeal Ordinance No. 19 of 1890, and to amend "The Dangerous Goods Ordinance, 1873. "

106

6

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

No. 9. An Ordinance to amend "The Merchant Shipping

Consolidation Ordinance, 1891."

No. 10.-An Ordinance for the incorporation of the Chairman of the Committee of the Diocesan School and Orphanage.

No. 11. An Ordinance to provide for the due performance of divine worship and other services in accordance with the rites of the Church of England at St. John's Cathedral Church at Victoria in this Colony and elsewhere, to incorporate a Church body, to vest the said Cathedral in such body and for other purposes in connexion therewith. No. 12.-An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding Two millions two hundred and fifty-six thousand three hundred and seventy-five dollars to the public service of the year 1893.

No. 13. An Ordinance to authorise the Appropriation of a Supplementary Sum of Three hundred and sixty thousand six hundred and eighty-seven dollars and thirty-seven cents to defray the charges of the year 1891.

No. 14.-An Ordinance entitled "The United Kingdom

Probates Ordinance, 1892.

""

No. 15.-An Ordinance to repeal Section 45 of Ordinance No. 8 of 1860, and to amend Schedule A to Ordinance No. 1 of 1883.

Of these the more important were No, 2 and No. 4.

 Ordinance No. 2.-The necessity for this Ordinance arose from certain difficulties in the way of granting Letters Patent, and it was thought desirable to consolidate the law at the time of amending it.

Ordinance No. 11 was rendered necessary by the abolition of the Colonial Chaplaincy, and the withdrawal of State aid from the Church of England in the Colony.

 In accordance with its provisions the Cathedral Church has been handed over to trustees after being put in a thorough state of repair.

COUNCILS.

 During the year Mr. G..T. M. O'Brien assumed his seat on both Councils as Colonial Secretary, Mr. F. A. Cooper's appointment to a seat on both Councils during his tenure of the office of Director of Public Works was confirmed, and Mr. R. M. Rumsey, Harbour Master, was appointed to the seat on the Legislative Council vacant by the retirement of Mr. Deane, late Captain Superintendent of Police.

 In January the Legislative Council sustained a loss by the death of the Honourable P. Ryric, who had been a member for

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

107

7

over 25 years. Mr. E. R. Belilios was appointed to fill the

vacancy.

ESTABLISHMENTS.

Mr. G. T. M. O'Brien, C.M.G., arrived in March and assumed the duties of Colonial Secretary, relieving Mr. Goodman, the Attorney General, who had been temporarily discharging them.

Sir J. Russell, C.MG., Chief Justice, retired on pension, and Mr. F. Clark, Puisne Judge, was promoted to the vacant office, and the Puisne Judgeship was filled by the promotion of Mr. E. J. Ackroyd, Registrar of the Supreme Court.

Mr. A. G. Wise, police magistrate, was subsequently appointed Registrar, and Mr. H. B. Lethbridge was appointed Superintendent of the Gaol. No other permanent changes of importance occurred during the year, but Mr. F. H. May performed the duties of Colonial Treasurer for six months, during the absence on leave of Mr. Mitchell-Innes.

PENSIONS.

The general pension list was reduced by the deaths of H. G. Thomsett, Ho Chuk Shan and Hadrian Raptis, who drew $2,728, $150, and $168 respectively; but it was increased by the addition of Sir J. Russell with a pension of $6,000, G. Rogers, $425, Mrs. Siminons, $154, J. White, $258, and Geo. Rae, $444. The increase in the Police Pension list amounted to about $600 per annum. The whole amount of the pensions paid exceeded that of the previous year by $14,635, which includes increase of loss. by exchange, the figures for 1891 and 1892 being $52,541 and $67,086 respectively.

CONSULS.

The following changes in the Consular body took place during 1892, viz.:

Country.

Former Consul.

New Consul.

Spain

Denmark

Germany

Mr. Ortiz

Mr. Melbye -

Mr. Coates

Mr. Zugasti.

Mr. Kramer.

Mr. Michaelsen

Mr. Poesnecker

Mr. Von Loeper.

Mr. Jantzen.

Mr. Kramer.

Russia

Austria

Belgium

Mr. Coxon

Chili

Mr. Forbes

-

Mr. Shewan.

Mr. Heemskerk.

108

8

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS -ANNUAL.

POPULATION.

 The births registered during 1892 numbered 1,813 and the deaths 4,907, being at the rate of 7.96 and 21.18 per 1,000 respectively.

This excess of deaths over births is due to the character of the population, the proportion of males to females being nearly as 3 to 1.

 The Registrar General estimates the population of the Colony at the end of the year at―

Males Females

Total -

164,808

66,854

231,662

an increase of over 10,000 on the number obtained by the Census

in 1891.

Of this the Chinese number 221,072, the remainder being Europeans and of other nationalities, including about 2,000 Asiatics other than Chinese.

.

The number of marriages celebrated under Ordinance 14 of 1875 was 75, but there is no register of marriages of Chinese contracted according to Chinese manners and customs.

EDUCATION.

The number of Government Schools decreased from 36 to 35, and the number of schools aided by Government grants increased from 74 to 87.

In the 35 Government Schools the number of scholars on the roll was 2,622 whilst in the 87 Voluntary Grant-in-Aid schools the number was 5,655. The corresponding numbers in 1891 were 2,540 and 5,132 respectively, showing a total increase of 821 scholars.

  The number of girls entered at the Girls' Central School last year amounted to 139, although there were only 93 in regular attendance at the end of the year. It is hoped, however, that when the new Central School for Girls, which is being built at the expense of the Honourable E. R. Belilios, is completed, the attendance will be largely increased. At present the accommodation is too limited for even the small number attending last year. There are abundant indications that the policy of the Government in providing education for girls is greatly appreciated in the Colony.

Besides Government Schools and the schools aided by Govern- ment grants there were 99 other schools which are not under the supervision of the Education Department.

The total cost of the Education Department during the year amounted to $87,258.57, which however includes the payment for the month of December, 1891, as above explained. Of this amount Victoria College is responsible for $32,16843 with an average daily

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.---ANNUAL.

attendance of 728 scholars, and the special grant of $5,000 to the Building Fund of the Diocesan Home and Orphanage raised the expenditure above what might be taken as the average annual expenditure.

The average expenditure per annum on each scholar at Victoria College, after deduction of fees recovered from the paying scholars, was $27-09 on the daily attendance, whilst the figures for the other schools were as follows;-

Girls' School

Other Departmental Schools Grant-in-Aid Schools

$

36.95

8.82

6.39

9

As it has been estimated that there are 20,000 children in the Colony who do not attend school, efforts are being made to increase the attendance of children of both sexes, especially among the boat people, who have not hitherto been appreciably affected by the efforts for the spread of education. An attendance officer has been appointed, and it is hoped that this will have a good effect in increasing the attendance at the various Government and State aided schools, in which no fees are charged.

Great progress has also been made in the physical training of the scholars. I was present in November last at a parade of over 500 scholars from various leading schools in the Colony, and was much impressed by the manner in which the boys showed how carefully they had been instructed. A public School Cadet Corps has also been recently formed, to which the Military Authorities have been kind enough to grant certain privileges.

SHIPPING.

There are no general statistics available for showing the trade of the Colony beyond those relating to shipping.

In 1892 the total number of vessels arrived at ports in the Colony was 36,470, with a tonnage of 7,104,888 tons, of which 4,396 were steamers, 103 sailing vessels, and 31,971 Chinese junks. The total tonnage entered and cleared amounted to 14,152,819 as compared with 14,005,698, an increase of 147,151 tons.

Of the steamers which arrived last year 71 per cent. were British, an increase of 5 per cent. over the figures for 1891, showing that British shipping is still holding its own against its

rivals.

Emigration slightly improved during the year, the numbers amounting to 52,143, being an increase of 6,981 over the previous year. The number of returned emigrants during 1892 was 97,991.

On the 1st of April, the Gap Rock Lighthouse was completed, and the light exhibited. A cable was also laid between the light- house and Hong Kong, which is being used to a considerable extent for the purpose of signalling the approach of vessels to the port.

109

110

10

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

 The erection of a lighthouse on Waglan Island was undertaken by the Imperial Chinese Customs, and has just been completed. These lights will prove of the greatest advantage to vessels arriving from the South and North respectively, and complete the effective lighting of the approaches to Hong Kong.

The revenue collected by the Harbour Master's Department was $181,157-85, an increase of $16,485.93 over that collected in 1891.

 Although no statistics taken in the Colony are available to show the trade of the port, yet it may not be out of place to mention that from the returns of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs, it has been ascertained that the approximate value of the trade of Hong Kong with China alone for 1891 and 1892 was 126,346,736 Haikwan taels (about 31,000,000l. sterling) and 128,973,819 Haikwan taels (about 31,600,000l. sterling) respectively, showing an increase in the latter year of 2,627,083 Haikwan taels (about 600,000l. sterling).

GAOLS, &c.

 I am glad to be able to state that the returns from the gaol show the continuance of the decrease, in recent years, of offences, especially of the more serious order.

"The total number of committals in 1892 was 5,046 as compared with 5,231 in 1891, which figures were made up as under :-

For debt

For safe custody or want of security

For penal imprisonment

1892.

1891.

45

60

302

312

4,699

4,859

thus showing a decrease under each head.

Of the total number committed for penal imprisonment there were 4,390 men, 146 women

women and 163 juveniles, and these committals may further be classified as follows:-

For a first offence

For a second offence

For a third offence

For a fourth (or more) offence

Total

3,724

506

212

257

4,699

The cost of the gaol for the year was $59,771.40 (including payments for the month of December, 1891), while the profit earned by the industrial labour of the prisoners amounted to $3,122.54.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

11

The daily average number of prisoners confined during the year was 515, and it therefore appears that (after deducting the value of their labour and making allowance for the 13 monthly payments during the year) the average cost of each prisoner to the Colony was nearly 28 cents per diem.

Among serious crimes committed in the Colony in 1892, there were three cases of murder, in one of which the accused was acquitted, and in the others no arrests were made owing to the murderers having escaped into China.

POLICE

The new Police Station at Kennedy Town was occupied by the police on the 31st December.

HOSPITALS.

During the year 1,715 cases were treated in the Civil Hospital exclusive of the cases in the temporary sinall-pox hospital on the Hygeia, in the lunatic asylums, and women's hospital.

The deaths in hospital amounted to 68 or 39 per cent. of the cases treated.

In the lunatic asylums the number admitted was 61, of which 4 died, and the number of cases in the temporary small-pox hospital and on the Hygeia was 13, of which 2 died. The women's hospital had 62 admissions during the year, of which none died.

The hospital still commands the confidence of the paying public, as is shown by the increased demand for accommodation for first class patients, while the Chinese are also beginning to perceive the advantages of the western system of medical

treatment.

111

PUBLIC WOrks.

The following more important Public Works were completed during the years :-

Work.

Total Cost.

Gap Rock Lighthouse

Site for Western Market

Staff quarters, Government Civil Hospital

Telegraph Cable to Gap Rock

199,035

88,053

64,382

87,253

The cost of the Fame, $45,000, is included in the amount opposite Gap Rock Lighthouse. Efforts were made last year by Govern-

112

12

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

ment to dispose of this vessel, but without result. It is now laid up, pending an opportunity for sale.

 Besides these works considerable progress was made with the Central Market, new streets in Kennedy Town, the slaughter house and pig and sheep depôts, and the new water and sewer mains in Victoria.

 The water mains are at present complete in accordance with present requirements, but some extension will be necessary in the future. The sum expended on this work is $164,023 out of an estimate of $200,000.

 Besides these, numerous other minor works were either completed or advanced, the whole involving a total expenditure during the year of $460,362.

AFFORESTATION.

 This work is progressing favourably, 353,663 trees having been placed in permanent positions during the year as compared with 115,081 in the previous year.

 Only 2,000 trees were destroyed by fire, and extra precautious have been adopted for the purpose of preventing these fires in future; none of the firs were very much injured by the abnormal frost, but a quantity of indigenous plants, especially those above 800 feet, were killed.

 The amount realised by the sale of felled trees was only $492,. but the trees are still young, and it is hoped that in the course of a few years the revenue from this source may be slightly increased.

GENERAL REMARKS.

 The general condition of the Colony seems at least fairly pros- perous; and there is no reason to doubt that the revenue will continue to meet the ordinary expenditure if it is administered with a strict regard to. economy, and no new and unforeseen charges occur, while the cost of extraordinary public works will be provided for by the new loan of 200,0007. which has been issued during the current year.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

WILLIAM ROBINSON.

The Right Hon. the Marquess of Ripon, Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State

for the Colonies,

&c.

&c.

&c.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.--ANNUAL.

No. 107.

HONG

KONG.

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1893.

(For Report for 1892, see Colonial Report [Annual] No. 85.).

113

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty.

26 June 1894.

DIEUDE

OROIT

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, BY EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE,

PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE, EAST HARDING STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C., 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, DUBLIN,

1894.

[C.-7319.-5.]

114

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.

 The following among other Reports relating to Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions have been issued, and may be obtained for a few pence from the sources indicated on the title page :-

No.

ANNUAL.

Colony.

Year.

71

Bermuda

72

Fiji

73

74

75

-

76

British Honduras. -

Turks and Caicos Islands

Gibraltar

Bahamas

1892

1891

99

1892

""

وو

77

Leeward Islands

78

Trinidad and Tobago

79

Malta

80

Gambia

#

81

Straits Settlements

""

""

""

"

**

82

83

Grenada

Barbados

·

""

84.

85

86

87

88

Gold Coast

89

90

Ceylon

91

92

93

St. Vincent

Hong Kong

St. Lucia

Falkland Islands

Basutoland

Zululand

Mauritius

Labuan

-

-

1892-93 1892

"

22

"

""

""

94

British Honduras

""

95

Lagos

">

96

Sierra Leone

""

97

Fiji

""

98

Rodrigues -

""

99

St. Helena -

"

100

British Bechuanaland

101

British Guiana

102

Newfoundland

103

Jamaica

1892-93

""

1892 1892-93

104.

Victoria

-

1892

105

Bermuda

106 Gambia

1893

""

No.

123

MISCELLANEOUS.

Colony.

Gold Coast

Zululand

-

Sierra Leone

Subject.

Economic Agriculture.

Forests.

Geology and Botany.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

No. 107.

HONG KONG. .

[For Report for 1892 see Colonial Report (Annual) No. 85.]

3

تت

115

Acting GOVERNOR O'BRIEN to the MARQUESS OF RIPON.

MY LORD Marquess,

Government House, Hong Kong,

April 24, 1894.

I HAVE the honour to transmit, for your Lordship's information, the Blue Book for 1893, with the following remarks thereon:

Revenue.

The revenue for the year amounted to $2,078,135.26, a decrease of $158,798.11 as compared with 1892, which may generally be accounted for as follows:--

Assessed Taxes. -Decrease $63,928.72. Of this, $50,000 is explained by the exceptional activity displayed by the Treasury in the collection of arrears in 1892.

Opium Monopoly.-Decrease $67,100. The Farm, which had been let from March 1889 to March 1892, brought in in January and February 1892 $35,800 per mensem, while the new Farm let from the 1st March, 1892, only yields $28,400 per mensem. Again, $50,000 of the receipts in 1892 really represented revenue of 1891, the farmer having been allowed to hold over payment of that sum.

Stamps. Decrease $9,366.64 is owing to the decrease in share transactions, mortgages, &c., and to the fact that postage stamps are now more largely used than previously for certain revenue purposes.

Other Miscellaneous Receipts.-Decrease $23,112.63. In 1892 the sale of the Lazaretto on Stonecutters' Island to the Military Authorities brought in a sum of $20,000 under this head.

116

4

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL,

 The decrease of $58,857.76 under Land Sales is owing to the fact that one exceptionally large sale took place in 1892, while the decrease of $7,956.94 under Water Account is due to the same reason as that under Assessed Taxes.

 Against these decreases there are to be set off various increases, of which the more important are:-Postage $9,897.74, and leased lands $20,982.66. The increase in the latter case is largely due to the cessation of the systematic defalcations by Alves, late clerk in the Treasury.

 An increased number of subsidiary coins were disposed of, giving an increase of revenue under this sub-head of over $10,000, an exceptionally large amount having been got rid of towards the close of the year.

Expenditure.

 The expenditure of the year, including that on Public Works Extraordinary, amounted to $2,258,839.52, a decrease of $83,997.74 as compared with the previous year; of the former sum $338,315.96 was charged to the new loan in respect of the works for which it was raised. The causes of the decrease are generally as follows:--

 In December 1892 salaries and other charges, properly payable from the votes for the year, but in former years paid out of the votes for the following year, were disbursed, involving an extra cxpenditure of $78,190, and the total amount spent on Public Works Extraordinary in 1893 was only $355,144.95 as compared with $460,362.77 in 1892.

 Against these decreases there are to be set off increases under the heads "Pensions, Loan, and Military Contribution" in consequence of the fall in the rate of exchange and, in the case of the loan charges, in consequence also of a new loan having been raised last year.

  The increase and decrease under Public Works Recurrent and Miscellaneous Services, respectively, are due to the transference of certain items from the latter head to the former.

Assets and Liabilities.

The balance of assets over liabilities on the 31st December amounted to $1,489,023.54, including the unspent balance of the last loan.

Public Debt.

The debt has been increased from £200,000 to £400,000 by the raising of a further loan of £200,000 under Ordinance 2 of 1893, for the carrying out of the Extraordinary Public Works mentioned in the schedule thereto.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.- -ANNUAL.

The Sinking Fund of the original loan has increased during the year from £42,758 to £51,768. Contributions to the Sinking Fund of the new debt do not commence till April 1896.

Legislation.

5

The following Ordinances were passed during the year:-

No. 1--An Ordinance to declare the terms and conditions applicable to loans authorised to be raised by the Government of Hong Kong and to provide for the creation of Inscribed Stock.

No. 2.-An Ordinance for raising the sum of £200,000 by loan for the purpose of defraying the cost of certain Public Works.

No. 3.-An Ordinance to amend "The Marriage Ordinance,

1875."

No. 4.-An Ordinance to amend "The Medical Registration

Ordinance 1884."

No. 5.-An Ordinance to amend "The Hong Kong Code

of Civil Procedure."

No. 6.-An Ordinance to provide for the establishment of a volunteer force and to empower the Governor to raise a special force of Coast Defence Volunteers in the event of anticipated war.

No. 7.-An Ordinance to provide means for ascertaining the amounts to be paid by way of compensation in respect of the wharves and piers along the line of the Praya Reclamation, to fix the periods for the payment thereof and for other purposes in connexion therewith.

No. 8.--An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Meyer

Fredericks.

No. 9.-An Ordinance to make provision for regulating the keeping of dogs and for the prevention of the importation and spread of rabies.

No. 10.-An Ordinance for the establishment and incor- poration of the Chinese Society for the preven- tion of kidnapping and for the protection of women and children commonly known as "The Pô Léung Kuk."

No. 11.-An Ordinance for the Incorporation of the trustees of the Hong Kong and South China Masonic Benevolence Fund.

No. 12.-An Ordinance concerning statutory declarations. No. 13.-An Ordinance for the suppression of the pernicious practice of injecting preparations of morphine by unqualified persons.

117

118

6

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

No. 14.-An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding two millions three hundred and forty-seven thousand, four hundred and eighty-one dollars to the public srevice of the year 1894.

No. 15.-An Ordinance to authorise the appropriation of a supplementary sum of two hundred and thirty-five thousand one hundred and eleven dollars and ninety-three cents to defray the charges of the year 1892.

 No. 1 was passed for the purpose of enabling the Colony to raise any future loans that might be thought desirable, by Inscribed Stock, and to convert into such stock the existing loan which was raised by debentures.

 No. 6 puts the Volunteer establishment on a more satisfactory footing, and enables the Government to raise a special force in the event of anticipated war.

 No. 9 provides for the registration of dogs and dealing with them in cases of rabies.

 No. 10 was passed to give a better status to the Pô Leung Kuk, a Chinese Society, which is of the greatest assistance to the Registrar General in dealing with cases arising under the Women and Girls' Protection Ordinance of 1890.

Councils.

Mr. A. M. Thomson was appointed on the 9th June and Mr. E. Bowdler on the 9th November to seats on both Councils during the absence from the Colony of Mr. Lockhart, Registrar General, and Mr. Cooper, Director of Public Works, respectively.

Establishments.

Mr. F. H. May was appointed to be Captain Superintendent of Police in room of Major-General Gordon, deceased.

Pensions.

The amount paid in respect of pensions was $86,706.79 as compared with $67,086.54 in 1892.

The list was reduced during the latter half of the year by the death of Sir James Russell, whose pension amounted to $6,000 per annum, and increased by pensions granted as follows:-

J. A. Carvalho

J. M. A. Silva

M. Gutierrez

·

$

2,368.00

- 2,528.00

·

1,251.20

Sir Cecil C. Smith -

1,916.66

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

77

together with some smaller amounts granted to others, including police officers.

The increase in the total is also due in a great extent to the fall in exchange..

119

Population.

The births registered during the year numbered 1,801, and the deaths 5,422, being at the rate of 7.54 and 22.71 per 1,000 respectively. The acting Registrar General estimated the popu- lation at the end of the year at 238,724. Of these the British and foreign community number 10,686, while the Chinese amount to 228,038.

There were 84 marriages in 1893, excluding marriages according to Chinese customs.

Education.

The number of Government schools decreased from 35 to 24, while the number of schools aided by Government grants increased from 87 to 93.

The policy of the Government is to encourage the extension of the establishment of grant-in-aid schools, to take the place of such of the Government schools as are unable to command more than a week average attendance of scholars, as it is found that more satisfactory results are obtainable in the former than in the latter class of schools.

There were 2,356 scholars on the roll of Government schools and 6,250 on that of the grant-in-aid schools.

The total number of scholars, 8,606, is an increase of 329 scholars over the number for 1892.

The new Central School for Girls, built at the expense of the Honourable E. R. Belilios, C.M.G., was completed and handed over to Government in December last year. The number of girls on the roll was only 128, as compared with 139 in the preceding year; but since the opening of the new building the provision of larger accommodation has already resulted in a material increase to the number of scholars.

Besides the schools above referred to, there are over 100 in existence which are not under the supervision of the Education Department. The total cost of education for the year amounted to $78,213.59, of which Victoria (now Queen's) College is re- sponsible for $34,426.42, with an average attendance of 683, being at the rate, after deduction of fees recovered, of about $32.30 per head.

Efforts are still being maintained to increase the attendance at the various schools, and the physical training of the scholars at certain of the town schools is being atteeded to with success.

120

8

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS -ANNUAL. ·

Shipping

 In 1893 the total number of vessels arrived at ports in the Colony was 32,983, with a tonnage of 7,177,025 tons, of which 4,278 were steamers, 93 sailing vessels, and 28,612 Chinese junks.

 The total tonnage entered and cleared amounted to 14,349,122, an increase of 196,273 over the figures for 1892.

 Of the vessels of European construction or design that entered and cleared last year 6,128, with a tonnage of 7,732,195 were British, while the corresponding figures for Foreign shipping were 2,630 and 2,803,664.

 British shipping thus represents over 69 per cent. of the number, and over 73 per cent of the tonnage, of all vessels of European construction

 The Foreign Junk trade shows an increase of 295,931 tons, while the local Junk trade decreased by 341,365 tons, due to the temporary cessation of work on the Praya Reclamation.

The total number of Junks entered and cleared was 57,083, with a tonnage of 3,813,263 tons.

 Emigration greatly revived during the year, the number of emigrants being 82,336, an increase of 30,193 over 1892. During the same period 108,644 Chinese passengers returned from various places to which they had emigrated.

 An idea of the importance of Hong Kong as a trading centre may be gathered from the fact that the total arrivals of passengers during 1893 amounted to no less than 1,152,810, while during the same time the departures, including emigrants, were 1,130,744.

 An attempt was made by the Harbour Master to obtain. statistics of the trade of the Colony, but as there are no customs duties the figures are probably a good deal below the mark.

 The ascertained amount of cargo carried by the 65,841 vessels entered and cleared was as follows:-

Discharged Shipped

In transit

Gaols, &c.

- 3,343,602 tons.

- 2,472,549

">

-

1,335,264 "2

The returns from the gaol show a further satisfactory decrease in the number of prisoners.

 The number of committals in the last two years respectively was as follows :-

1893.

1892.

For debt

50

45

For safe custody or want of security

234

302

For penal offences

3,726

4,699

Total

4,010

5,046

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

9

Of the above total for 1893 there were 3,777 men, 138 women, and 95 juveniles under 16 years of age, and the number of penal offenders may be further classified as follows:-

First conviction

121

Second

29

Third

"J

Fourth (or more) conviction

Total

- 2,970

378

160

218

- 3,726

The cost of the gaol amounted to $54,748.84, and the average daily number of prisoners confined during the year was 458.

After deducting from the cost mentioned the profit on earnings by industrial labour, which amounted to $2,726.76, it appears that the average cost of each prisoner was slightly over 31 cents per diem, as compared with 28 cents in 1892.

The extension to the gaol, which is intended to facilitate the introduction of the system of separate confinement, was commenced towards the end of the year.

Of serious crimes committed in the Colony there were three cases of murder, in one of which the culprit was executed; in the second case the murderer escaped t› China; and in the third one of the men engaged was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment for manslaughter. There were also 19 cases of robbery with violence, but the statistics on the whole show a decrease of over 8 per cent. in serious crimes reported to the police.

Hospitals.

.

During the year 1,999 cases were treated in the Civil Hospital Lunatic Asylums, and Women's Hospital, &c. Of these, 1,835 were treated in the Civil Hospital, of whom 67 died, amounting to 37 per cent. In the Lunatic Asylums 40 cases were treated, of which 5 died, and 19 were cured or relieved, and in the Women's Hospital there were 63 cases, of whom none died and 60 were cured.

In the Small-pox Hospitals 61 cases resulted in the death of 8 and the cure of 49 persons during the year.

Public Works.

No extraordinary Public Work was completed in 1893, but considerable progress was made with the New Central Market, Slaughter House, Sheep and Pig Depôts, Sewerage of Victoria, and the Water Supply in Kowloon.

As regards the Praya Reclamation, in the early part of the year a proposal was made by certain of the marine lot holders that the undertaking in regard to sections on which work had not been commenced should be temporarily postponed. It was ultimately

122

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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

decided to carry on the work, but the delay pending decision on the proposal prejudicially affected the amount of work executed. The total sum spent on Public Works Extraordinary during 1893 amounted to $355,144.95, of which $338,315.96 has been charged against the new loan.

Afforestation.

This work is progressing as usual, 287,905 trees having been planted during the year.

There were unfortunately no fewer than 21 grass fires, destroying 4,000 trees, and, besides, the appearance of a caterpillar scourge was destructive to several thousands more.

The sum realised by sale of trees and plants, etc. from the gardens amounted to $1,310.

General Remarks,

The condition of the Colony is prosperous taken as a whole, but the heavy fall in exchange has seriously affected the public expenditure. The issue of the new loan gave considerable relief, enabling the more important public works to be proceeded with; but as a large proportion of the charges on the Colony have to be met by gold payments, it may prove necessary, in view of the enormous depreciation of silver, to devise methods of raising additional revenue.

The Government has been fully alive to the need of retrenchment as far as possible, consistently with the efficiency of the public service, and a Commission has been appointed to enquire into and report on the expenditure of the Colony with a view to the recommendation of such reduction as may be found feasible.

I have, &c. (Signed)

G. T. M. O'BRIEN, Officer Administering the Government,

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

No. 148.

HONG

KONG.

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1894.

(For Report for 1893, see Colonial Report [Annual] No. 107.)

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. February 1896.

TOLEU ET

PROST

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, BY EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE,

PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE, EAST HARDING STREET, FLEET STREET. E.C., 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, DUBLIN.

1896.

[C.-7944.]

123

124

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.

The following among other Reports relating to Her Majesty's Colouial Possessions have been issued, and may be obtained for a few pence from the sources indicated on the title

page :-

No.

ANNUAL.

Colony.

Year.

113

114

Barbados Malta

·

1893

115

116

Zululand

British Honduras

117

Trinidad and Tobago

་་་ཝཱ

118

Falkland Islands

""

""

119

Rodrigues

120

Mauritius

121

Straits Settlements

""

122

Labuan

123

Basutoland

124

St. Lucia

·

125

St. Helena-

1893-94 1893

""

126

Ceylon

127

Fiji

128

Grenada

""

129

Sierra Leone

130 British Bechuanaland

1893-94

131

British New Guinea

132

Lagos

133

British Guiana

1892-3&

1693-94 1893 1893-94

134

Jamaica

135

Newfoundland

-

1893

136

Gold Coast

137

Zululand

99

1894

138

Bermuda

-

"

139

Bahamas

""

140

Barbados

""

141

Turks and Caicos Islands

""

142

Malta

""

143

144

Gambia

Windward Islands

145

Trinidad and Tobago

""

146 Gibraltar

دو

147

Falkland Islands

MISCELLANEOUS.

No.

2

1834

Gold Coast Zululand

Colony.

Sierra Leone

Canada

Subject.

Economic Agriculture.

Forests.

Geology and Botany.

Emigration.

1887-1903

125

COLONIAL REPORTS.--ANNUAL.

3

No. 148.

HONG KONG.

[For Report for 1893 see Colonial Report (Annual) No. 107.]

Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON to Mr. CHAMBERLAIN.

Government House, Hong Kong,

July 10, 1895.

SIR,

  I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the Blue Book for 1894, together with the following review of a singularly eventful year to which, by reason of the troubles and misfortunes that occurred within it, the previous history of this Colony cau furnish no parallel.

Rute of Exchange.

The year 1894 was greeted at its opening by a rapid depre- ciation in the value of silver; the gold value of the dollar, which towards the end of 1893 had been fairly steady at 2s. 4d., fell suddenly during the first two months of 1894 to ls. 111⁄2d., reducing business transactions to the level of a mere game of chance and materially affecting the prospects of the import trade from gold-standard countries. During the month of April, however, there was a slight recovery, the value of the dollar advancing to 2s. 1d., and the rate of exchange remaining fairly steady at that quotation and having a further upward tendency at the beginning of May, business prospects improved proportionately and there was reason to look forward to an improvement in trade generally. It was, however, at this juncture that a great calamity intervened in the form of a disastrous epidemic.

The Plague Epidemic.

Early in April it was rumoured that a disease of unusual severity and accompanied by an appalling mortality was raging in a district near Canton ; inquiries were made, but at first no definite information was forthcoming as to the features of the disease or its origin, and it was not until the epidemic gradually spread in the direction of the city of Canton that any reliable details were obtained.

.obtained. It was then reported that the disease which was causing such a terrible mortality resembled in its symptoms the scourge known as the "Black Plague" which

0 88500. Wt. 20348.

A 2

126

4

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.--ANNUAL.

decimated the population of London in the latter half of the 17th century. A medical officer of the Government was accordingly sent up to Canton in order to ascertain the truth of this report by personal observation of the cases under treatment in the native hospitals of that city, and to make a study of the symptoms peculiar to the disease. Upon his return he reported that the disease was undoubtedly that known as the "Bubonic Plague," that it was said to be endemic in certain parts of China, notably in Yun-nan, that it was vaguely termed by the Chinese wan-yik" or "epidemic," and that there was no record of its appearance in Canton or the immediate neighbourhood in previous years in epidemic form. The origin of the disease in the province of Kwang Tung must always remain a mystery in the absence of any reliable evidence to show that it was imported from those parts of China in which it is said to be endemic. It is possible, of course, that it may have been endemic in the neighbourhood of Canton for years without exciting either the attention or the interest of the Chinese until it assumed an epidemic form. If this be the case, the prolonged drought which preceded the outbreak and its natural effect upon an overcrowded and insanitary city like Canton, with its narrow streets ranging in breadth from some 12 to 15 feet, and its entire lack of any water or drainage system, were quite enough to call forth into life any latent disease that owes its existence to such conditions. However, whether the plague originated in, or was imported into, Canton, the fact remains that it spread, and continued to spread during the month of April, with alarming rapidity, eventually shaping a southerly course in the direction of this Colony.

Three months elapsed between the outbreak of the plague on the Chinese mainland and its first appearance in Hong Kong. On the 11th May the first note of alarm was sounded in our midst by the medical authorities, who reported that seven undoubted cases of plague had been discovered in the local Chinese hospital known as the Tung Wa hospital. This institution is essentially Chinese, is under a Chinese Directorate, and is conducted by Chinese doctors. It is practically the pauper hospital of the Colony.

Upon the discovery of the disease in the Colony, the provisions of the Public Health Ordinance for the prevention, &c. of epidemic diseases were at once called into force by proclamation, which declared the city of Victoria to be affected by an infectious or contagious disease, and from that date our troubles began in

earnest.

The prolonged drought had reduced the water supply to a minimum, there was as yet no sign of rain, and the temperature was gradually rising. Thus local conditions tended to favour the spread of the disease, and it was not surprising to learn two or three days later that it had assumed an epidemic form. The fall of rain within a week failed to produce the expected result; the disease still continued to claim new victims, and to increase in virulence with the increasing moisture of the atmosphere and with the stirring up of the soil caused by the flow of storm water.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

It was evident that the epidemic had gained a firm footing ir. the most densely populated district of the town, Taipingshan, a district abounding in coolie houses and common lodging-houses, where, despite the vigilance of the sanitary inspectors, the pernicious system of overcrowding and other predisposing conditions tended to foster the disease.

5

In the meanwhile (as reported in my Despatch 20th June 1894*) the executive committee of the Sanitary Board, which had been appointed to deal with the epidemic, had recognised the urgency of the situation, and, amongst other measures which it had devised with great promptitude, had organised cleansing parties consisting of volunteers from the garrison, under the direction of their officers, for the purpose of whitewashing and disinfecting all houses in which the disease had made its appearance. The medical authorities had also been equally active in making arrangements for suitable hospital accommodation. The hospital bulk Hygeia, ordinarily used for the reception of small-pox cases, had been moored some 200 or 300 yards off the shore opposite a police barracks, situated at the western extremity of the town, which had likewise been converted into a plague hospital; matsheds fitted up in accordance with medical require- ments had also been erected in the same locality as temporary hospitals, and a conveniently situated landing stage and suitably equipped boats facilitated the conveyance of patients to and from the floating hospital. In short, the hospital arrangements made by the medical staff were in every way satisfactory from a European point of view. Unfortunately, however, the Chinese do not see things with European eyes and herein lies the story of what was perhaps the greatest difficulty experienced in dealing with the epidemic.

From the first, the Chinese strongly objected to the removal of their sick to hospitals under European management. Educated to insanitary habits, and accustomed from infancy to herd together, they were unable to grasp the necessity of segregation; they were quite content to die like sheep, spreading disease around them so long as they were left undisturbed, and they preferred to see their sick friends and relations suffering unspeakable miseries rather than be parties to their removal to European hospitals, where every comfort was provided.

These feelings, no doubt the result of blind prejudice and superstition, naturally prompted concealment, which eventually necessitated the organisation of search parties and a system of house-to-house visitation. Harrowing tales are told of how, upon a search party entering a house in which there were cases of sickness, every possible method of evasion and concealment was hurriedly devised. In some instances a dying person was dis- covered half suffocated under a heap of dirty rage, in others the patient was hurriedly removed through a trap door on to the roof in the hopes of escaping detection and in total disregard of the

* No. 2 in C. [7545].

127

128

6

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

consequences of such exposure to the wretched sufferer. Never was Chinese ingenuity put to so sore a test, or exercised in such a pitiable cause.

 Concealment being at length rendered practically impossible by the vigilance of the search parties, who profited by the above experiences, popular feeling among the Chinese gradually intensified and eventually found expression in mischievous stories attributing every imaginable act of cruelty to the foreign doctors, which were made current by means of offensive placards posted freely in the Chinese quarter of the Colony and in the city of Canton, and in the latter place the popular indignation at the alleged sufferings of the Chinese in Hong Kong ran so high as to seriously menace the safety of the European residents in the foreign settlement.

 In this state of affairs every effort was made to pacify and reassure the minds of the Chinese as to the good intentions of the Government and its medical officers towards the sick. Notices were issued by the Government and by the Chinese directors of the Tung Wa Hospital urging the people to place no credence in the idle rumours that were being circulated by mischievous persons, and a similar course was followed by the Chinese autho- rities in Canton at the instance of Her Majesty's Consul at that port. Notwithstanding, however, these contradictions and efforts at persuasion, the native mind refused to be disabused of the blind prejudice that possessed it, and further rumours of the gradual spread of anti-foreign feeling in Canton and of a contem- plated attack upon the foreign community at that port led to a concession being made which, however undesirable it may have been from a purely medical point of view, was fully justified by the urgency of the occasion and by circumstances generally. I allude to the establishment of a temporary plague hospital under the management of Chinese doctors belonging to the staff of the Tung Wa native hospital, but under the supervision of the Government medical staff, the concession being dependent on this

latter condition.

 The Chinese hospital was established towards the end of May, and thither many of the patients in the Government hospitals were transferred at their own request. The Chinese sick had now the choice of European or native treatment, and although many elected in favour of the former, the vast majority preferred to be attended by their own countrymen.

At this period, notwithstanding the efforts of the cleansing parties and the other sanitary measures that were being taken to stay the progress of the epidemic, the number of cases reported was daily increasing a state of things in some measure due perhaps to the fact that since the establishment of the Chinese hospital fewer cases were concealed, and to increased vigilance on the part of the searching parties, but pointing unmistakeably to a general increase of the epidemic. The number of fresh cases rose with alarming rapidity during the month of June from between 20 and 30 daily to 60 and 70, and even to 80 and 90 towards the

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

7

latter end of the month, and on one occasion the official returns for the previous 24 hours recorded the terrible total of 109, including dead bodies picked up in the streets.

The Executive Committee of the Sanitary Board had not been slow to see that the staff engaged in sanitary operations was in- adequate to cope with the progress of the disease, that they were, so to speak, still behind the epidemic, and that an increased staff was necessary to enable them to overtake it. The staff accordingly received a reinforcement of some 150 more volunteers from the garrison, and the work of cleansing and disinfecting, which in the earlier days of the epidemic had been confined to houses in which cases of plague had occurred was now extended to all houses which were reported to be in an insanitary condition. The committee further took the precaution of closing a number of unhealthy habitations and of walling-in several streets in the infected district. These and other sanitary measures produced in due course the desired result, and by the middle of July there was a perceptible decrease in the epidemic. The disease further decreased during the latter half of that month and during the succeeding month of August, until it gradually disappeared in the early days of September, leaving the Colony the ghastly legacy of a death-roll extending to some 2,550 names, including that of the much-lamented Captain Vesey of the Shropshire Light Infantry who, as a volun- teer in command of one of the cleansing parties, nobly sacrificed his life in the interests of the Colony.

The above figures represent, of course, only the number of deaths from the disease that occurred in the Colony. It is impossible to say how many persons who fled to their native places only to fall victims there contracted the disease in Hong Kong, but their number must have been very large.

 One or two further incidents in connection with the epidemic, which added to the troubles and difficulties of the Government, may be conveniently recorded here. I have already alluded to the hostile attitude of the Chinese towards the European doctors -an attitude doubtless due to the horror which they have of surgical operations, based on their belief that there is no place in the next world for mutilated bodies, or at least that they must ever remain so mutilated. I have also referred to the beneficial effect produced by the establishment of a Chinese hospital, where patients received Chinese treatment. This effect was unfortunately but short-lived. As the disease progressed, and the number of deaths increased, a further grievance was urged by the native population in connection with the burial of the dead. With the large daily mortality at the height of the epidemic, it was no longer possible to give the same care to each individual grave, and the burying parties had to dispose of the dead by burying the coffins in trenches, with the result that in some cases the friends and relatives were unable to trace at once the graves of their own dead. This was a great shock to the feelings of a people whose chief form of religion consists in the rites and ceremonies of burial, and in the annual worship of the dead, and

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as a consequence popular feeling again found expression in anti- foreign placards, accusing the Government of every kind of atrocity and inciting the people to take vengeance on the foreigners in Canton. So serious was the state of affairs at this time, and so deeply was the responsibility of this Government involved that it became absolutely necessary to consider what form of concession could be granted to allay popular feeling consistently with the public safety.

 The Chinese were clamouring for free and unrestricted removal of plague patients to their homes without any supervision. It was, of course, impossible to grant this unreasonable request of an unreasoning and excited people, but arrangements were even- tually made, through Her Majesty's Consui at Canton, with the Chinese Benevolent Society in that city for the removal of such inmates of the hospitals as desired to leave the Colony and were pronounced medically fit to bear the fatigue of the journey. Specially-equipped junks were provided for their conveyance and suitable hospital accommodation for their reception in Canton, and the removals were carried out under the supervision of the medical staff,

 It was anticipated that the above concession would tend to allay the popular indignation, but the Chinese now clamoured for a further unconditional concession, viz., that plague-stricken persons should be free to leave the Colony at their own. will and pleasure without first being obliged to go to hospital and without any restriction or supervision whatever. This was a most pre- posterous demand, aud all the more so seeing that it was made by a deputation of Chinese gentlemen who should have known better than to make it. It was, of course, refused, and the Chinese retaliated by leaving the Colony en masse. Compradores, contractors, shroffs, tradesmen, domestic servants and coolies all joined in the general exodus numbering altogether some 100,000 persons. The large sugar

     refineries stopped working, nearly all the Chinese shops were closed, business generally was at a standstill, and private families were put to the greatest inconvenience for want of servants. No more melancholy sight than that presented by the city of Victoria at this period can well be imagined. Shops and houses were shut up, and in the usually busy and well-thronged streets the only signs of life were here and there a solitary foot passenger, or the rumbling of a transport waggon proceeding to the hospitals to take up its ghastly freight for conveyance to the cemeteries, or the measured tread of a party of" cleansers " returning from their filthy work in the infected slums.

Some painful sights were witnessed on the various wharves from which the Canton and Macao steamers start. The police had strict orders to prevent plague-stricken persons from leaving the Colony except in accordance with the arrangements sanc- tioned, and it was their melancholy duty to stop many such persons on the point of embarkation. In some cases the wretched victims, urged by the strong desire to die in their native villages, had collected all their remaining strength for the final effort of

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getting on board the steamer only to collapse utterly on gaining the wharf or the gangway under the scrutinising gaze of the police. The anxious expression worn on the faces of the sufferers too sure an indication of the disease lurking within- led to the detection of the majority; few managed to evade the watchful and experienced eye of the police; fewer, if any, reached their destination alive. Such painful details cannot fail to arouse one's deepest sympathy with the unfortunate sufferers, but the force of circumstances was too strong and the law of necessity too inexorable to admit of indulgence to mere feelings of sentiment and pity at such a time.

As regards the nature of the terrible disease which worked such havoc in our midst, much valuable information is contained in Dr. Lowson's carefully prepared and interesting report on the subject, which I had the honour to forward to Lord Ripon recently. I do not therefore propose to trespass on what is purely medical ground beyond referring to the very valuable discovery of the plague bacillus by Professor Aoyama and Dr. Kitasato, of the Japanese Medical Mission which visited Hong Kong for the purpose of studying the disease. Both these gentlemen conducted their researches with a steady and patient devotion that cannot but command admiration and gratitude, and it was only fitting that their untiring and unselfish efforts in the interests of science should meet with a richly-deserved success. It was an unkind fate that destined Professor Ayoama to have a passive as well as a practical experience of the disease, but that he made a satisfac- tory recovery under an enlightened treatment of the disease must add considerably to the value of the knowledge which he and his colleague have given to the world.

We

Experience of the plague has not unnaturally dispelled much of its mystery and robbed it of many of its initial horrors. now know, thanks to the valuable discovery referred to above, that the disease is caused by a bacillus or plague-germ in the blood, that that germ thrives in a temperature ranging from 60° to 90°, that it is abundantly found in filthy matter of all sorts, and that its great enemy is the sun. We have also a knowledge of the pre-disposing and generating conditions, of the period of incubation (which ranges from six to nine days), and of the extent to which it is contagious under healthy conditions. With this valuable information which has been acquired at such a terrible cost, it is earnestly to be hoped that science will ere long devise some safeguard in the form of inoculation or otherwise against this disease, as against others.

It was a noticeable feature in the recent epidemic that, whereas only some 18 per cent. on an average of the patients of Eastern extraction recovered, 82 per cent. of the Europeans who were attacked survived. The difference may, of course, be attribut- able to the fact that the latter cases were carefully treated from the first, whilst many of the former were admitted to hospital in a moribund condition or in such an advanced state of the disease as to render recovery almost hopeless, but, taken with the fact that

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Europeans generally enjoyed immunity from the disease, the difference is striking as pointing to the non-susceptibility of Western blood to the plague-germ in its most virulent form.

 The above rough outline of the history of the plague epidemic of 1894 would be incomplete without an expression of the indebtedness of the Colony to the officers and men of the army and navy who volunteered their valuable and timely assistance, to the executive committee of the Sanitary Board, to the police, to the civilian volunteers, and lastly but not least to the Medical Staff. The most prominent individual claims on the gratitude of the Colony have already been brought to the notice of the Imperial Government and have received public recognition from the community, and it therefore only remains to add a tribute of praise to all who took an active part in battling with the disease, and to the community generally for the coolness and patience displayed in the face of what at one time threatened to be a very grave public danger.

Effect of the Plague on Trade, &c.

 The effects of the epidemic on the trade and general prosperity of the Colony can more easily be imagined than described here. From the 11th May to the 3rd September Hong Kong was under a ban, and, in illustration of the state of affairs which obtained during that melancholy period, I cannot do better than quote the following extract from my despatch of the 20th June 1894*:-

 "29. As to the effect of the plague it is felt in every branch of business, and the loss to the public revenue, to bankers, merchants, shipping companies, the sugar refining industry, traders, shop- keepers, owners of property and the labouring classes can never be accurately determined. On the whole, perhaps, the shipping interests are the most affected. At this season the emigrants to the Straits Settlements have hitherto been counted by thousands per month, and the movements of passengers up and down the Chinese Coast, to and from Kwangtung and through Hong Kong usually amount to vast numbers. Pacific mail steamers leaving for Vancouver, Honolulu and San Francisco refuse to take Chinese passengers. The English, French, and German mails refuse to take native passengers, and the two latter decline cargo also, or even to enter the limits of the harbour. Irregular liners avoid calling at the port altogether.

"30. Considering the great importance of Hong Kong as a shipping port, it is only possible to conjecture what is lost by quarantine regulations against her in every direction which drive away vessels from her harbour, and deprive all, down to the humblest labourer, of their proportion of gain from the coaling, victualling, loading and discharging of the immense fieet which ordinarily frequents these waters.

66

31. Chinese hong merchants have retired to the mainland, leaving their premises to caretakers and their commercial engage-

* No. 2 in C. [7545].

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The

ments in abeyance until the public health shall be restored. effect of this is much felt by merchants whose merchandize is left on their hands beyond the contract time, and many have had to call on their bankers to enable them to tide over the lock-up of money. The bankers under such circumstances buy and sell fewer bills, and they witness the contraction of all the ramifications of trade in which they have a financial interest. The turn-over in sugar and sugar-refining is reckoned not by thousands but by millions of dollars, and, although happily not suspended, it is for the moment crippled for want of labour. Landlords in the affected districts of the city receive no rents, and the natives generally in the midst of all their troubles find their necessary articles of food 30, or even 50, per cent. above the usual price.

"32. Without exaggeration, I may assert that, so far as trade and commerce are concerned, the plague has assumed the importance of an unexampled calamity.

""

With the gradual decrease of the epidemic in the latter part of July, the anticipation of an early removal of quarantine restrictions against Hong Kong shipping, and the expected return of the Chinese to the Colony, there were reasonable grounds for hoping that the recent disastrous period would in some measure be atoned for by a re-action in the commercial world, and that trade would receive a stimulus from the recent inevitable suspension.

Outbreak of War between China and Japan.

This ray of hope was, however, soon rudely obscured by the cloud of war which appeared on the political horizon and which, daily assuming a more threatening aspect, eventually burst into storm on the 1st August. The formal declaration of war between China and Japan on that date was followed by the usual restrictions on, and inconveniences to, neutral commerce, whilst the progress of hostilities produced an unsettled state of affairs which for a time partially paralysed the China markets. To these dis- advantages were added obstructions to shipping caused by the measures of coast defence adopted by the Chinese authorities, increasing the difficulties of navigation and involving considerable delay and expense to shipping companies, which naturally resulted

n increased rates of freight, passage, and insurance.

Taking, therefore, into consideration the combination of circum- stances which penalised Hong Kong merchants during the greater part of the year, it is more than satisfactory to note that the value of the trade between this port and China during an unprecedentedly unfavourable period amounted to 133,217,855 Haekwan Taels (the Haekwan Tael is worth about 3s. 2d.) as against Taels 129,181,223 in 1893 or an increase of Taels 4,036,632, and as a further instance of the gradual expansion of the trade of the Colony with China it may be mentioned that the returns for 1894 show an increase to the value of Haekwan Taels 44,063,627 as compared with those for 1887. The figures for 1894 have, of course, not been unaffected by the appreciation

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of gold which has added considerably to the silver value of imports, but the comparison may be taken as a fair indication that, whilst the import trade from gold standard countries has not fallen off proportionately to the depreciation in silver, the export trade has benefited to the full thereby.

Shipping.

Turning to the shipping of the port, as an indication of the condition of the Colony generally, the returns for 1894 under the unfavourable circumstances recorded, are more than satis- factory. The total tonnage of vessels entered and cleared during the year amounted to 14,248,670 tons, a decrease of 100,452 tons as compared with the returns for 1893, but an increase on 1892 of 95,821 tons.

 The decrease as compared with 1893 was distributed as follows:--

Foreign Ships

Foreign Junk Trade -

Local Junk Trade

No.

Tonnage.

306

66,677

1,336

5,883

1,408

27,892

 It is almost certain, judging from the shipping returns for the first quarter of 1894, that instead of the above decrease there would have been an increase over 1893 of some 700,000 tons but for the visitation of the plague and the severity of the quarantine restrictions universally enforced against Hong Kong, which kept many vessels from entering the harbour. During June, July, and August, for instance, the large mail steamers of the Messageries Maritimes Co. would neither enter the port nor take cargo or passengers from Hong Kong. The P. & O. S. N. Co. followed suit in the latter respect, and several other large com- panies similarly "boycotted" the Colony.

 British shipping still reigns supreme in Eastern waters, and in the year under review represented over 70 per cent. of the total tonnage of foreign ships entered and cleared at this port. It is also satisfactory to note in this connection that, notwith- standing that 106 fewer vessels flying the British ensign entered and cleared, there was an actual increase in the tonnage of British shipping of some 46,200 tons in 1894, as compared with 1893, a result to be attributed to the gradual supersession of smaller by larger and more powerful vessels.

Passenger Traffic.

 The passenger traffic returns show a marked decrease on the previous year, but compare favourably with the returns for 1892 and preceding years. The number of emigrants amounted only

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to some 46,000 as against 82,000, and the number of arrivals to 96,000 as compared with 108,000 in 1893. Although sickness must have been in a large measure responsible for this falling off, the returns for 1894 would doubtless have been considerably larger had not the various shipping companies been debarred from carrying passengers by the severity of the quarantine restrictions universally enforced.

On the whole, the experiences of the year 1894 have affected the shipping interests of the Colony to a considerable extent, but, notwithstanding this interruption, the progress of the business of the port of Hong Kong during the past quarter of a century has been steady and satisfactory, as evidenced by the fact that since 1869 the annual returns of the shipping have nearly been trebled, whilst the passenger traffic returns have been more than quadrupled. There is every reason to hope, therefore, that, in the absence of a recurrence of recent misfortunes, this progress will be maintained in future years, and that Hong Kong, which is already the third largest port in the world, will eventually advance yet higher on the list.

Finances.

Notwithstanding the fact that every opposing circumstance was present during 1894, the revenue for the year reached the surprising total of $2,287,203.32, the largest sum hitherto collected in any single year. This very satisfactory result was, of course, partly due to one or two extraordinary receipts, e.g., the accumula- tion of interest on the unexpended balance of the loan raised in 1893, but after deducting these items there still remains a hand- some increase on the revenue for the preceding year, chiefly derived from stamps, permits, licences, postage, and profits on subsidiary coins, the last-mentioned item alone producing an increase of $54,682 as compared with 1893.

to

The total expenditure for the year, inclusive of public works extraordinary chargeable to current revenue, amounted $2,299,096 or $11,893 in excess of the revenue. As compared with the preceding year the expenditure for 1894 shows an increase of $378,572, nearly the whole of which is accounted for by the fall in exchange, which materially affected payments in sterling and involved the extra charge of exchange compensation to Government servants, and by the large expenditure incurred in battling with the plague epidemic, which latter item alone exceeded $150,000. Taking, therefore, the above circumstances into con- sideration and the fact that the revenue suffered severely during the months of June, July, and August, the financial results of the year 1894 cannot but be regarded as an eminently satisfactory indication of the vitality of the Colony.

The item of $150,000 referred to above represents, of course, only a fraction of what the plague must eventually cost the Colony. Under the heading "Legislation" in the Blue Book will be found an Ordinance entitled "An Ordinance for the Summary Resump-

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"tion of certain Crown Lands situate in the Taipingshan District "of the City of Victoria and for other purposes," which by the light of the foregoing remarks on the epidemic needs little explana- tion here. It is enough to state that this district (which at the time of writing has already been resumed by the Crown) is that in which the plague wrought the greatest havoc, and an idea of the value of the property may be gained from the fact that the Government has had to pay some $800,000 for the resumption of an area extending over some 400,000 square feet.

 It is perhaps beyond the scope of this despatch to deal with current and prospective events, but I may limit myself to the remark, as a further instance of the satisfactory financial condition of the Colony, that the above large sum has been defrayed entirely from balances in hand. The work of improvement and the prospective financial results arising from the resumption of the above-mentioned area belong to the future, and cannot be appro- priately discussed here.

Conversion of the Loan.

 During the year a financial transaction of some importance was effected satisfactorily by the Crown agents, to whom the thanks of this Government are due, viz., the conversion of the unredeemed balance of the loan of 200,000l., raised under authority of Ordinance No. 11 of 1886 by the issue of 4 per cent. Debentures, into 3 per cent. Inscribed Stock, thus bringing it into uniformity with the further loan of 200,0007. raised in 1893. The Public Debt of the Colony now stands at 341,8007, bearing interest at 3 per cent., 140,000l., of the first loan having been converted, and the balance of 60,000l. redeemed from the Sinking Fund provided for the purpose. The amount of 1,8007. over and above the sum of 340,0001, thus accounted for represents extra stock issued in. connection with the expenses of conversion. The ultimate gain to the Colony from the above transaction is estimated at something over 3,000l., and the other advantages are sufficiently apparent to render comment unnecessary.

Financial Progress of the Colony,

Whilst on the subject of the finances of the Colony, a compari- son between the revenues for the years 1869 and 1894 may be of interest as an indication of its progress in this respect. The revenue in 1869 amounted to $923,653 and the population to some 121,000. In 1894 the revenue, as stated above, reached a total of $2,287,208, and the population was estimated at some 246,000. It will thus be seen that there has been an advance both in the amount of the revenue and in the number of the population and that the per caput contribution to the public purse remains to-day very much the same as it was 25 years ago-a satisfac- tory proof that, despite the increase in revenue, the burden

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on the individual resident is as light as ever, viz., between $8 and $9 a head.

It is not possible to trace here the direct incidence of taxation or to prove that any particular class has not gained at the expense of others, but it may be assumed that, whilst the additional taxation which has been imposed during the last 25 years may have fallen directly more hardly upon one class of the community than upon another, the process of filtration through which all taxation passes until it indirectly touches all classes preserves the balance, so to speak, of its incidence, and the above comparison may therefore be taken as a reliable illustration of the constancy of individual contributions to the revenue during the last 25 years.

Again, taking the respective sterling value of the revenues for the years 1869 and 1894 as an indication of the effect on Colonial finances of the recent steady decline in the value of the dollar, the year 1869 produced an income in sterling of 192,4647, whilst the exceptionally large revenue collected in 1894 (taking the dollar at two shillings as a convenient and approximate average rate for the year) is represented in gold by some 228,7201., or an increase of 36,2567. in 25 years, during which period payments in sterling have necessarily become considerably more numerous. Looking at the financial position of the Colony from this point of view, the state of affairs would appear to be less satisfactory than it was a quarter of a century ago, but, seeing that the bulk of the Colony's liabilities are incurred locally and discharged in silver, the position is purely a fictitious one for practical purposes, and is only useful as an illustration of what the financial position of Hong Kong might have been but for the depreciation in silver.

The Public Health, &c.

The mortality statistics of a year darkened by the visitation of a disastrous epidemic must necessarily disclose an increase in the death-rate and compare unfavourably with those of previous years. It is not surprising, therefore, to find that the total number of deaths from all causes recorded in 1894 amounted to 7,362, giving a death-rate of 30-3 per 1,000 as against 23-3 in 1893 and 21.3 in 1892. The number of deaths reported from plague amounted to 2,552, or over 10 per 1,000, leaving a balance of 4,810 deaths due to ordinary causes or less than 20 per 1,000. It thus appears that but for the plague, which is the key-note of all our misfortunes, the year 1894 would have shown a death-rate lower than that of the remarkably healthy year of 1892, and very far below that of other years.

Against the above mortality returns, the number of births registered in 1894 was 1,455, giving a birth-rate of 591 per thousand of the estimated population. The difference between the birth and death-rate would with a normal population point to a considerable decrease in the population during the year, but, as a matter of fact, it is estimated that there was little, if any, decrease in this respect, the vacancies in the labour market being filled as

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fast as they occurred, and there being a constantly increasing demand for labourers.

 The lesson taught by the sad experience of the plague has been very bitter, but it is being turned to the best account. Every effort is being put forward to remedy the defects in sanitation which have recently been revealed: steady progress is being made with the re-drainage of the city of Victoria, and a general inspection of house drains was instituted in December last. In addition to this, legislative measures have been taken to compel householders to carry out extensive sanitary improvements on their properties in accordance with local requirements and with a special view to preventing a recurrence of the epidemic, and, as has been already stated, the Government has itself undertaken the improvement of a large and hitherto unhealthy district in the centre of the city. The necessity of increasing the existing water supply to meet the requirements of a daily growing population and to tide over the apparently lengthening periods of drought has also been recognised from recent experiences, and the work of adding to the storage capacity of our largest reservoir is now far advanced.

 It is to be hoped that with all these precautions the Colony may be spared a repetition of the calamity which befel it in the summer of 1894, and that there may be an improvement generally in the public health; but the habits of the lower classes of Chinese, who form the larger half of the population, and the difficulty of instilling into them any ideas of cleanliness, must always be a source of great anxiety to the sanitary authorities and render the strictest vigilance at all times imperative.

Public Peace and Good Order.

 The Police returns for the year are satisfactory and show a decrease in the number of both serious and minor offences as com- pared with previous years, there being 2,575 cases of the former (of which over 2,100 were cases of larceny) as against 2,725 in 1893, and 2,983 in 1892, or a criminal class of rather less than one per cent. of the population.

 There was, however, a serious breach of the public peace in the month of March which deserves special notice, resulting as it did in one man being shot dead in the street and nine others more or less seriously wounded. It appears that during the celebration of the Chinese Feast of Lanterne, which is usually made the occasion of a grand procession through the streets, some coolies from the Tung Koon and Sz Yap districts of China came into collision, an incident which served to arouse the dormant ill-feelings between the two tribes or clans. The quarrel was at once taken up by certain clubs, the members of which consist for the most part of professional fighting men and bullies, and these latter, constituting themselves the champions of either party, carried on for a period of four days a form of guerilla warfare and committed the most

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barefaced assaults in broad daylight and in the most frequented thoroughfares upon any unoffending individual members of the opposite faction whom they might chance to meet. These assaults appear to have been timed so as to elude the vigilance of the police and the armed patrols, and the numerous eye- witnesses were intimidated into silence. In the meanwhile some 12,000 coolies ceased work through fear of exposing themselves to attack, and for four days all work on board the steamers in the harbour was suspended. Peace was eventually restored by the arrest of 13 men who were found carrying arms in the streets and were doubtless implicated in the riot, and by a thorough police search of all suspected coolie-houses and clubs, which led to the flight of the ringleaders, and the coolies eventually returned to work, after some persuasion, under police protection.

The disturbance had no political significance-clan fights in China being of frequent occurrence and often resulting in con- siderable loss of life-but it caused a serious inconvenience to the shipping, and revealed the existence in our midst of a class of ruffians dangerous to the safety of the community, the most prominent of whom have since been banished from the Colony. It further revealed the necessity of imposing additional restrictions on the sale of arms and of introducing a law for the registratio of Chinese clubs, and steps have been, or are being, taken in those directions accordingly.

There were also 9 serious gang robberies during the year, and except in one case the perpetrators of these outrages made good their escape. Unhappily the only robbery in which the police were successful in bringing the offenders to justice was attended by loss of life-an Indian constable and a Chinese coolie being shot dead in the affray which followed the discovery of the thieves. Two of the gang were eventually hanged for murder, and three others were sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment with

hard labour.

The difficulties of the police in preventing these crimes or in tracing the offenders can only be fairly estimated with a know- ledge of local circumstances. The assailants are in most cases apparently respectable Chinese, dressed in the orthodox long coat with voluminous sleeves, which afford a convenient place of conceal- ment for fire-arms or other, deadly weapons; they enter a Chinese shop, ostensibly for the purpose of making a purchase, and, taking the unsuspecting shopmen unawares, throw pepper or some other substance in their eyes, and, covering them with revolvers, proceed to ransack the shop for money or other valuables. Active resistance is seldom, if ever, offered, and, after collecting their spoils and intimidating the wretched storekeeper and his staff into silence, the thieves take their departure in the quietest manner. Thus, unless they are caught red-handed, the police rarely, if ever, have a fair opportunity of arresting these criminals through lack of timely information. In many instances no report is made of these crimes until days after their occurrence. There is, perhaps, no Colony in which police duties are so varied and so responsible

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as in Hong Kong. The Chinese criminal, and his name is legion, is a veritable desperado, and the proximity of the mainland of China, where there is little, if any, police system, affords a secure and convenient basis of operations to numerous bands of robbers who constitute an ever-present danger to the Colony and render the maintenance of a large and efficient police force here absolutely necessary.

The Climate, Weather, &c.

 Perhaps the most treacherous feature in the climate of Hong Kong is the sudden and almost hourly change of temperature which takes place, more especially in the dry season. A remark- able instance of this is furnished by the readings of the thermo- meter in March 1894, the maximum temperature registered during that month being 79:2 and the minimum 496, or a difference of nearly 30 degrees. The highest temperature during the year was recorded in September, the thermometer registering 92.9 in that month, and the lowest reading, 41-4, was registered in the month of February.

The weather during the year calls for some comment. The dry season lasted longer than usual, extending far into May, and the backwardness of the wet weather at one time threatened a serious scarcity of water. All anxiety on this account was, however, dispelled by a copious fall of rain on the 12th May, which continued, with the usual intervals of fine weather, until the end of October, the total rainfall for the year amounting to some 104 inches, to which November and December contributed but the fraction of an inch.

Typhoons.

Towards the latter end of September and during the first week of October, the Colony experienced no less than three typhoons within as many weeks. The first two were not serious and may be dismissed with the bare record of their occurrence, but the third, which occurred on the 5th October, is said to have been almost as severe as the memorable storm of 1874.

 The typhoon appears to have passed over the island of Luzon on the 2nd October, travelling W.N.W. at an average speed of 10 miles an hour until at noon, on the 5th October the centre was some 50 miles south of Macao. At this point it appears to have taken a more northerly course, embracing Hong Kong in the right-hand semicircle. For no less than 30 hours the Colony experienced a very strong gale veering from N.E. to S. W., which increased to typhoon force between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., the barometer falling to 29-20 at 5 p.m., at which time the centre of the storm was said to be passing over Macao, a distance of some 30 to 40 miles. Owing to the breakage of the Observatory anemograph, the velocity of the wind could not be accurately ascertained, but it is estimated that some of the gusts at the height

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of the storm must have had a velocity at the rate of 89 miles an hour.

Some damage was done to property, several houses being unroofed and some partially demolished, but the more substantial buildings remained intact, and the results of the storm were more noticeable in the deplorable wreckage of the beautiful public gardens and the uprooting of several very fine old trees, some of them being more than 43 years old and measuring over six feet in circumference of stem. Much of this damage was doubtless due to the heavy rain which fell during the storm, over 10 inches falling during 24 hours.

Happily there was no damage done to shipping, beyond the stranding of a few junks and small Chinese craft, and no loss of life occurred, a result due to the timely information furnished by the Manila Observatory authorities, and to the local system of giving warning of the approach of typhoons by the hoisting of signals differing in shape and colour according to the direction and distance of the storm, and by firing guns as danger signals.

Afforestation.

It remains to record one more occurrence during the

                            year 1894 which is worthy of special mention. Concurrently with the epidemic of bubonic plague, and as though Nature had purposely designed a retaliatory attack on the vegetable world by the animal world, a pest of caterpillars committed terrible ravages on the pine trees, which are such a conspicuous feature of the Colony, and which have been planted and reared at considerable cost. The assailant s the caterpillar of the large moth known as Eutricha Punctata, and its large numbers first attracted attention in the month of April. The necessity of taking timely steps for its destruction was immediately recognised, and Chinese villagers were hired to collect the caterpillars and paid in proportion to the quantity collected. In this manner sonie 35,000,000 insects were collected and destroyed, and within a period of two months the scourge was, temporarily at least, got rid of.

This particular species of caterpillar is said to be well known on the mainland of China, but its appearance in the Colony was remarked for the first time in 1892. In 1893 it re-appeared in considerably increased numbers, and some 30,000 trees were killed by its ravages. And in 1894 its numbers had further increased to an extent which at one time threatened the destruction of all the pine trees in the Colony.

It has been suggested that the cause of this marked increase in the number of these caterpillars since 1892 is due to the extinction of some unknown natural enemy during the very severe winter of 1892 and the close resemblance of the insects in marking and colour to the branches of the pine tree, pointing to a form of protection against some other insect or bird, lends credit to this view.

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COLONIAL REPORTS. -ANNUAL.

 It is satisfactory to note that, owing to timely operations, a very small per-centage of the many thousands of trees attacked have been killed, and the Colony has thus been spared an irreparable loss, for it is generally acknowledged that, besides adding greatly to the natural beauty and attractiveness of the island our pine trees have also added considerably to the healthiness of the climate.

Conclusion.

 The above review of the year 1894 speaks for itself, and needs little, if any, comment. To borrow a simile from the greatest disaster which occurred within it, the history of the year is essentially the history of a malignant disease permeating every channel of the Colony's life blood and arresting circulation for a while; but it is also the history of a marvellous recovery, indicating a wonderful vital power. To some the experiences of the year will furnish food for bitter disappointment at the non- fulfilment of great promises and possibilities; to others, who take a more optimistic view of things, they will lend additional confidence in the resources of the Colony, and renewed hope for the future. For myself, looking backward to the past melancholy experience, and forward to the good that must result therefrom, I am tempted to remark,-Forsan et hæc olim meminisse juvabit.,

I have, &c. WILLIAM ROBINSON,

Governor.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

No. 178.

HONG

KONG.

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1895.

(For Report for 1894, see No. 148 of this Series.)

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty.

September 1896.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, BY EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE,

PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE, EAST HARDING STREET, FLEET STREET, R.C., 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 STREHT, Dublin,

1896.

[C.-8279.-2.]

143

144

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.

 The following among other Reports relating to Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions have been issued, and may be obtained for a few pence from the sources indicated on the title page :-

ANNUAL.

No.

Colony.

145

Trinidad and Tobago

146

Gibraltar

147

Falkland Islands

148

Hong Kong

149

Straits Settlements

150

Lagos

151

Seychelles

152

Basutoland

153

Fiji

154

St. Helena-

155

Ceylon

-

156

Mauritius

157

Labuan

158

Gold Coast

159

British Guiana

160

Sierra Leone

161

Jamaica

-

162

British Honduras

163

British Bechuanaland

164

Newfoundland

165

Gambia

166

Bermuda

167

Leeward Islands

168

British New Guinea

169

Zululand

170

Sierra Leone

171

Gibraltar

172

Malta

173

Barbados

·

174

Turks and Caicos Islands

175

176

177

Falkland Islands

St. Helena-

Bahamas

-

-

No.

1

ISO ES67

MISCELLANEOUS.

Year.

1894

19

71

1894-95 1894

-

""

."9

وو

""

""

-

1894-95

1894 1894-95 1894

-

99

·

""

"

-

1894-95 1895

"

""

""

""

Gold Coast Zululand

Colony.

Sierra Leone Canada Bahamas

Hong Kong Newfoundland

Subject.

Economic Agriculture.

Forests.

Geology and Botany. Emigration. Sisal Industry. Bubonic Plaugue. Mineral Resources.

""

"

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.--ANNUAL.

No. 178.

HONG KONG.

(For Report for 1894 see No. 148.)

145

3

Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON to Mr. CHAMBERLAIN.

Government House, Hong Kong,

July 30, 1896.

SIR,

  I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the Blue Book for 1895, and to submit the following remarks upon the few occurrences of general interest in a prosperous but somewhat uneventful year.

2. I am happy to say that the terrible scourge known as the bubonic plague, which devastated the Colony during the early summer months of 1894, did not re-appear in epidemic form during the year under review. There were, however, sporadic cases to the number of 44, of which all except one ended fatally. Three of those cases were Portuguese, and the remainder were Chinese. The measures which were taken to prevent the spread of the disease were-

(i.) Isolation of those attacked by the disease at the Kennedy

Town Plague Hospital.

(ii) Disinfection of the infected houses.

(iii.) Segregation for a period of ten days of the people exposed to the infection, in house-boats moored on the confines of the harbour.

It is impossible to say how far the absence of the disease in epidemic form was due to climatic conditions, and how far to the carrying out of the above-mentioned precautions.

3. Finances.

to

The total revenue collected during 1895 amounted $2,486,228.89, an increase of $199,025.37 over the revenue of 1894, which was itself larger than that collected in any previous year. The items of revenue which contributed principally to this increase were Land Sales, Post Office, Pawnbrokers' Licences, and Stamps, which show increases of $59,000, $52,000, $24,000, and $37,000 respectively, as compared with the preceding year. On the other hand, there was a decrease of $45,000 in the amount derived from the Opium Farm, due to the less favourable terms of a new contract which came into force on the 1st March 1895, and a decrease of $31,000 in interest, due to the withdrawal of deposits to meet the expenditure requisite ou the resumption of the plague-infected area of Taipingshan,

• 93539, Wt. 20348.

▲ 2

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COLONIAL REPORTS.- -ANNUAL.

 The expenditure in 1895 was $2,972,373.01, or $903,580.52 in excess of that of the previous year. By far the larger part of this increase, however, viz., $821,000, was expended in the resumption of the area known as Taipingshan, which was the principal scene of the ravages of the plague during 1894. Most, if not all, of this formidable expenditure will doubtless be recouped by the Government when the area, which is being completely redrained and laid out anew, is put up to public auction.

 Deducting the sum of $821,000 from the expenditure of $2,972,373.01, the revenue and expenditure would be as follows:--

$

2,486,228.89

2,151,373.01

334,855.88

Showing a surplus of

 Other items of increased expenditure to which special attention may be drawn are:-Pensions $12,699 increase, Post Office. $10,000 increase, due principally to a larger expenditure on transit charges incidental to extension in the business of the office, and, finally, certain very necessary additions to the staff of the Sanitary Department have raised the expenditure on that department from $61,566 to $84,082.

All things considered, the financial position is one of which the Colony has no reason to complain.

 The average sterling value of the dollar was slightly lower than in 1894, being about 2s. 11d., as against 2s. 1d. in that year. The former rate, however, shows a slight improvement over the average rate for the last nine months of 1894. The lowest rate touched was 1s. 11ąd. (in February and March), and the highest was 2s. 24d. (in November). Since May the rate varied only between 2s. 13d. and 2s. 24d.

 The new British dollar was declared equal to the standard coin of the Colony from the 1st April, and the first consignment of the coins arrived on the 12th July.

4. Coolies' Strike.

 Towards the end of March a general strike of coolies took place which lasted several days, and caused very serious losses to all interested in the trade and shipping of this Colony. As this episode presents several features of more than ordinary interest, I shall venture to relate its history at some length.

 This strike had its origin in the opposition of the keepers of common lodging-houses used as dwellings by the labouring classes to certain sanitary measures designed to prevent overcrowding with all its attendant evils. These measures are embodied in certain byelaws made by the Sanitary Board in 1890, and approved by the Legislative Council in May 1891, providing for the registration of common lodging-houses. It was generally believed that these byelaws would, when enforced, meet with

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

5

prompt and determined oppositiou, so their operation was postponed until a date to be subsequently named, and the matter was allowed temporarily to stand over.

In view, however, of the terrible experience of the effects of the plague in 1894, aggravated as they undoubtedly were by over- crowding in the common lodging-houses, the Sanitary Board passed a further resolution to the effect that the byelaws previously made by them should come into force on and after the 1st January 1895, which resolution was unanimously approved by the Legislative Council on the 16th December 1894, and the byelaws accordingly came into force on the 1st January 1895.

tr

As I have already stated, it was anticipated that there would be difficulty in inducing the keepers of the lodging-houses to comply with the provisions of the byelaws. A Chinaman abhors the slightest departure from old custom, and in every fresh measure of the Government which concerns his daily life is prone to see an attempt at ultimate, if not immediate, " squeeze or taxation. Every possible attempt was made by the Registrar General, both by oral communication and the distribution of thousands of pamphlets, to remove any apprehensions of this nature, and to assure them that the measure was not-as they at first affected to believe a preliminary step by the Government to the imposition of a poll-tax, but that it was, on the contrary, designed with a view to their health and comfort. Beyond this alleged fear of the ultimate imposition of a poll-tax, there was not the slightest hint of any grievance on the part of the coolies. Explanations and assurances were continued for nearly three months, but as the coolies still maintained their obstructive attitude, it became evidently necessary to enforce the law without further parley. Summonses were accordingly issued against the recalcitrant keepers of common lodging-houses. But here a fresh difficulty arose, as it was found that they had decamped from the Colony.

This was met by the introduction of an Ordinance defining anew the term common lodging-houses and imposing the responsibility of registering, in the absence of the keepers of such houses, upon the "householder" as defined in the Public Health Ordinance, ¿e., the actual tenant or occupier, or where there is no such person the immediate landlord of a building.

In consequence of the measures taken to enforce the byelaws, a strike of the coolies employed in working coal and cargo began on the 23rd March, and on the arrival of the daily steamer from Macao on that day a number of coolies on strike endeavoured to interfere with and coerce the coolies engaged in carrying goods and baggage to the shore. The attempt was promptly defeated by the police, and two of the ringleaders were arrested and sentenced to six weeks' hard labour. The Chinese being generally of a peaceable and law-abiding disposition, there was never any serions apprehension of any outbreak of violence; nevertheless every precaution was taken to enable the Government to nip any turbulent manifestation in the bud; the Police Force was strengthened, and the streets and harbour were constantly patrolled by armed pickets,

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and it is satisfactory to note that with the exception of the episode above recorded no attempt at disturbance took place during the whole period of the strike. By the evening of the 23rd March there were some 3,000 coolies on strike, and next day the strikers were joined by the whole of the coolies who load and discharge coal: This rendered the coaling of steamers impossible unless assistance of an unusual nature could be obtained. I accordingly on the 25th March caused the P. & O. S.S. "Verona " to be coaled by a gang of 50 convicts from Victoria Gaol, while the services of 100 men of the Rifle Brigade, which were voluntarily rendered and which proved highly useful, were availed of in discharging the cargo of the P. & O. Mail S.S. "Pekin."

23

 As it was impossible to induce coolies to work cargo in the harbour on account of the strike, it was thought that they might be induced to labour if removed to some spot remote from the scene of the strike. With this view the S.S. "Rio de Janeiro' steamed round to Aberdeen (a village on the south side of Hong Kong) where she was able to have her cargo of rice, destined for Canton, discharged into river junks. On the 26th March several other steamers followed this example. The coolies engaged in this work were protected night and day by a strong body of police in launches afloat, and police patrols were placed along the road from Victoria to Aberdeen to prevent coolies who were travelling in search of work from interference at the hands of the strikers. Work proceeded all day on the steamers without interruption.

 On the morning of the 26th the licensed owners of the boats which removed cargo to and from ships endeavoured to go out on strike, but on being warned by the police that they could not leave the waters of the Colony without a clearance and that their sureties would be dealt with by the Registrar General, remained passive. Some difficulty was nevertheless experienced by firms in hiring the boats. The police therefore undertook to hire boats for them, and during the remainder of the strike cargo boats were supplied to the public by the police on the usual terms and in whatever numbers desired.

On the 26th March the hands at the East Point and Lee Yuen Sugar Refineries also began to show signs of disaffection, and special pickets of police were told off to protect such of them as were willing to continue at work. In spite, however, of these precautions nearly the whole of the coolies at both establish- ments were out on strike by nightfall. On the 27th the coolies who had been working cargo on steamers at Aberdeen struck work.

 The strike had now reached its acutest stage. All the coolies who handle cargo on ship and on shore and who work coal, together with nearly all the hands at the Quarry Bay, East Point, and Lee Yuen Sugar Refineries, making a total of at least 20,000, were on strike. The coolies employed by building contractors did not join in the movement, nor did any of the coolies who carry chairs and pull jinrickshas. There were also a certain number of

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.-ANNUAL.

7

what are called "street coolies," who do odd jobs, carrying luggage, &c., whose services were obtainable. These men were employed by the police in stevedore and coaling work, while a number of men from the Hong Kong Regiment also rendered useful aid in discharging vessels, and six petty officers of the Royal Navy were sworn in as special constables to strengthen the water police.

On the morning of the 28th the hands at the Hung Hom Docks showed a disposition to join the strike. The police were quickly on the spot and succeeded in arresting two strangers, doubtless emissaries from the strikers in Victoria.

They could give no satisfactory account of themselves and were sentenced by the magistrate to three months hard labour as rogues and vagabonds, and the hands at the dock gave no further trouble.

The few remaining hands at the East Point refinery also struck work on the 28th March, and on the same day a public meeting of the community, convened by the Chamber of Commerce, was held to consider the crisis. An influential committee was elected to deliberate and communicate its views to the Government. Several leading merchants addressed the meeting, which appeared to be unanimous in its desire to support the Government in its letermination to grant no concession whatever to the foolish prejudices of the strikers. Meanwhile there were not wanting signs that the strike was breaking down. An offer was made to

one of the largest shipping firms in this Colony by a Chinese to undertake the stevedore business of the firm within 24 hours on condition that he was guaranteed permanent employment as stevedore for five years. This offer was made on the 28th March, and on the following day similar offers were made to other firms.

 The hands at the three refineries returned to work on the 29th March, and the Captain Superintendent of Police was able to hire 50 coolies for a local firm at $1 a day, and to engage 50 more at the same rate for another firm for the next morning, and more could have been obtained on the same terms if required.

Moreover the P. & O. stevedore now expressed his willingness to obey the provisions of the byelaws as regards registration. There seemed every likelihood that the strike was about to come to an end, but the well-founded hopes of an immediate termination of the deadlock was unfortunately frustrated by the ill-timed action of the committee appointed at the public meeting to which I have referred. The committee met in conference on the 29th March with a certain number of Chinese compradores and stevedores, and the outcome of that conference was an agreement to endeavour to effect a compromise with the recalcitrant coolies, the substance of which was that the owners of lodging-houses should be allowed to register instead of the head coolies. On the evening of the same day the committee, without previously ascertaining the views of the Government, or obtaining its authority for the measure, published and circulated a handbill in Chinese stating that they intended next day to recommend a compromise of this nature to the Government, and that they felt confident that their suggestion

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would meet with approval. The false hopes thus raised in the coolies' minds bore bitter fruit; for, of course, the proposal when placed before the Government was unhesitatingly rejected.

The compliance with it at such a juncture would have been a complete victory for the rebellious coolies, the consequences of which could not have failed to prove disastrous to the Colony for many years to come from whatever point of view the circumstances are regarded: disastrous to health and sanitation, for the modifica- tion proposed would have been a decided obstacle to the smooth working of the very necessary byelaws; disastrous to trade and commerce, for success in this strike would inevitably have meant a succession of strikes in future years; and, far worse than all, disastrous to the future peace and good order of the Colony. It was perfectly clear that the strike was not an economical one, but was in fact nothing short of a rebellion on the part of a large section of the inhabitants against the law and the Government. This rebellion, it is true, took the form not of active opposition but of passive resistance, but it was perhaps all the more difficult to terminate on that very account. The moral effect of the slightest display of weakness on the part of the Government at such a crisis would have been harmful beyond all calculation and would have resulted in a disastrous legacy to future adminis- trations. It is a commonplace that the Chinaman, judging others by himself, as a rule regards every concession as a sign of weakness, and had the coolies gained their point in this case, it is certain that they would have looked upon themselves as masters of the situation on any future occasion in which their wishes might conflict with the will of the Government.

The circular, however, was issued by the committee, containing what, to the Chinese mind, amounted to a pledge that Government would accept a compromise. The result was that the strike, which showed signs of collapsing, continued.

·

On the morning of the 30th March a large number of coolies resumed work in the expectation that the compromise referred to would be carried into effect. When, however, it became known that it had not been accepted by Government, they left off work again, with the exception of the hands at the sugar refineries, who had never been very determined in their attitude. The coolies engaged by the Captain Superintendent of Police the previous afternoon for certain shipping firms did not keep their engagements, and before noon of the 30th March the strike had re-assumed its acutest form.

-

On the 1st April matters once more appeared hopeful. Early in the morning of that day the police succeeded in hiring 350 coolies for various firms at $1 a day. A public meeting was held at 11 a.m. at which a vote of confidence in the Government was passed, and later in the day an agreement was made by the stevedore who had, as has been mentioned, in the preceding week approached certain firms, to supply stevedore coolies to the Government by whom they were let out through the agency of the police to all who required their services.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPOKTS.-ANNUAL.

9

This was the beginning of the end. The strike soon collapsed, and by the 4th April the labouring coolies once more resumed their work as usual.

On the 2nd April upwards of 500 coolies were supplied to various firms at $1 a day. On the 3rd April more than 1,000 coolies were supplied at 75 cents a day, and by noon of the 4th April the strike was at an end. The victory of the Government, against which, and not against employers of labour, the strike was organised, was complete.

This happy result was, of course, not achieved without heavy losses to the mercantile community, owing to the temporary dead- lock in business, and more especially shipping, but the crisis was one which did not admit of compromise, and, apart from the benefits to be looked for from the byelaws, to prevent the enforcement of which was the object of the strikers, the coolie class, who were beginning to think they held the reins of power, have received an object lesson which, it may be hoped, they will not soon forget.

Peace and Good Order.

The police statistics show an increase of 7 per cent. over 1894 in serious (so called) offences, but this may be accounted for by the depletion in population which the plague gave rise to during three months of 1894; the increase as compared with 1893, which was a normal year, is only 1.54 per cent.

                      Three supposed murders came under the notice of the police, but in no case was the crime traced home to the perpetrator. This is just the average number of cases for the past five years. There was a very large increase (75 per cent.) in minor cases, largely due to increased activity in prosecutions for offences against sanitary arrangements, good order in the streets, and kindred offences.

Two gang robberies were reported. On the 18th November at 6.30 p.m. three men armed with revolvers entered a shop in Praya West, overawed the shop people and stole a watch, and four days later a similar robbery was successfully perpetrated in a shop in Wellington Street; the three ruffians concerned in this case succeeding in making good their escape with notes and silver to the value of $900. The difficulties under which the police labour in their efforts to trace the offenders are very great. The possession of revolvers or other deadly weapons without a license is illegal, but from a case which has come to light during the current year it appears that these ruffians have been in the habit of evading detection by placing their weapons in pawn as "old iron" and redeeming them when required for the purposes of some outrage.

The pawnbroker in the case cited received exemplary punishment.

Shipping.

The shipping of Hong Kong has been aptly termed the "lifeblood of the Colony "and supplies a very fair index of the progress of its prosperity.

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The following facts may therefore be of some general interest. The total tonnage entering and clearing during the year under review amounted to 15,632,113 tons, as compared with 14,248,670 in 1894 and 14,349,122 in 1893.

 There were 36,908 arrivals with a tonnage of 7,827,398 tons, and 36,853 departures, with a tonnage of 7,804,715 tons.

 The daily average of entries was 85 vessels (including junks) as against 75 in 1894, and it may be mentioned that on one occasion there were in the harbour 241 trading vessels, viz., 69 steamers, eight sailing vessels and 164 junks. For European- constructed vessels the average daily entry was 12.45 as against 11:57 in 1894, and of the steamers arriving 73 per cent. were British. It is an interesting fact that the total tonnage entering and clearing at Hong Kong (exclusive of local trade) in 1895 exceeded the 1894 tonnage entering and clearing at London (exclusive of coasting trade) by 775,706 tons, also that, excluding our junk trade entirely, the tonnage entering and clearing in 1895 exceeded the 1894 tonnage at Liverpool (exclusive of coasting trade) by 1,036,008 tons, and that of Cardiff by 1,047,195 tons, while at Hong Kong in 1895, British tonnage alone exceeded the British and Foreign tonnage (exclusive of coasting trade) at Newcastle, the next port in the United Kingdom, by 3,641,524 tons. Hong Kong being a free port, no perfectly accurate statistics of imports are obtainable, but, from enquiries made of shipping firms, it appears that the total amount of cargo imported was 2,760,954 tons, as against 2,625,610 tons in 1894. 'The principal variations are as follows:-

1894.

1895.

Flour

60,250

101,766

Rice

619,075

764,368

Sugar

170,499

185,616

Timber

16,040

26,399

Kerosine

100,367

67,051

General -

1,079,676

1,026,004

 The above figures cannot, of course, be relied upon as strictly accurate, but they may be regarded as fairly trustworthy.

Population, &c.

The population of the Colony in 1895 is estimated by the Registrar General as follows:-

British and Foreign ·

Chinese

10,828.

237,670

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS.--ANNUAL,

11

as against 10,782 and 235,224 respectively in 1894. The death- rate per thousand in 1894 was for British and Foreign, 23-28 and for Chinese, 30:42. The death-rates in 1895 were 17.64 and 21.92 respectively, which are about the same as those of 1892 and 1893.

Public Works.

The new Central Market was completed in April and opened on the 1st May. It consists of two blocks, each two stories in height, the lower story having the main entrance from the Praya and the upper from Queen's Road, side entrances being also provided from Victoria and Jubilee Streets. Between the two blocks is a central avenue 20 feet in width, over which Inspector's quarters are constructed at each end.

The total area is 51,274 square feet, or 40,000 square feet exclusive of the approaches and central avenue.

The work occupied five years from the commencement of the foundations, and the total cost, including the site, was $416,000).

The extension to the gaol which was commenced in October 1893, was completed on the 20th December. The new building consists of two main blocks, three stories in height, and contains 155 separate cells, in addition to workshops and store-rooms. The whole is surrounded by a high masonry wall, and communi- cation with the older gaol premises is provided by a sub-way under Old Bailey Street.

153

The Kowloon Waterworks, commenced in June 1891, were completed during the year, and the peninsula is now entirely independent of the Hong Kong reservoirs for its water supply. The sources of supply are three valleys situated north of the village of Yaumati. In these wells have been sunk and puddle dams constructed across their outlets to prevent the escape of sub-soil waters. A clear water tank has been constructed at Yaumati, with a capacity of 148,000 gallons, and there are reservoirs at Yaumati and Hunghom with respective capacities of 162,600 and 92,850 gallons. The water is conveyed from the wells by cast-iron inverted syphons to the clear water tank at Yaumati from which it is pumped to the reservoir on the hill north of the Rifle Range and through the distributing mains to the reservoir at Hunghom. The pumping machi: ery was started on the 24th December, and water has been delivered under pressure since that date,

The provision of an adequate and constant water supply is one of the most important problems with which the Colony is con- fronted. With a view to preventing a recurrence of the state of affairs which obtained in the spring of 1894, when the long delay in the commencement of the rainy season rendered it necessary to curtail the supply to the smallest possible dimensions, to the great detriment of the health and convenience of the Colony, it was decided to enlarge the Taitam Reservoir, which is the main source of the Colony's water supply. The project included the raising of the main embankment by 12 feet 6 inches, and the

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overflow weir, 10 feet, thus increasing the storage capacity of the reservoirs to 390,000,000 gallons. The work on the main embankment is nearly completed and the overflow weir has been raised 5 feet.

The rainfall in 1895 was the smallest recorded: 46 inches as against an average fall of 90 inches. The yield was consequently insufficient to fill the reservoir and meet the daily requirements of the Colony. It was therefore considered desirable to extend without delay the catchment area of the Taitam Reservoir by the construction of a catchwater to intercept the flow of water from the hillside to the east of the reservoir. This work is in progress and the catchment area has already been increased by 80 acres. On the completion of the work the catchment area of the Taitam reservoir will be increased by 220 acres, making the total area 900 acres.

Within this additional area are situated some perennial streams which will be intercepted, increasing not only the flow into the reservoir during the rainy season but also that during the dry season.

The Praya Reclamation is being steadily proceeded with. The improvement of the resumed plague-infected area of Taipingshan is in progress, and several other public works extraordinary of less importance have been completed or are in hand.

Legislation.

There is little of general interest to record under this head. An amendment to the Trade Marks Ordinances was passed, rendering it necessary that notice of an application to register marks shall be inserted at least once a month for a period of three months in the "Government Gazette" and a local newspaper before the application can be granted.

 The law relating to the carrying and possession of deadly weapons was consolidated, new provisions being added (a) prohibiting the export of arms from the Colony except under permit from the Captain Superintendent of Police; (b) requiring dealers in arms to keep a register showing particulars of all arms sold, with the name, address, &c. of the purchaser; and (c) requiring purchasers of arms to present to the vendor a valid licence to carry or possess arms.

 The Stamp Ordinance of 1886 was amended, and Ordinances were also passed (1) for the protection of the Colonial defences from sketching, and (2) to empower the Governor to prohibit immigration into the Colony from ports infected by plague or other epidemics.

 The above is a brief review of a year which presents few striking incidents, but which was perhaps one of the most prosperous in the not very lengthy history of this interesting and unique Colony.

This will probably be one of the last Blue Book reports which I shall have the honour to address to you from Hong Kong, and in concluding it I would point out that the expectations I formed

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13

155

and gave expression to some four and a half years ago, and which were then adversely criticised and even treated in some quarters with derision, have been, or are in course of being, fulfilled. 1894 and 1895 have been exceedingly prosperous years, notwithstanding serious impediments, and I hope and have every reason to believe that this Colony, looking to its remarkable vitality, will, in the future, continue to advance in wealth and prosperity.

I have, &c.

WILLIAM ROBINSON,

Governor.

east view

INFORMATION SERVICES

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

No. 210.

HONG KONG.

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1896.

(For Report for 1895, see No. 178.)

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty.

October 1897.

OILU-

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, 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.C.; or JOHN MENZIES & Co., 12, Hanover Street, EDINBURGH, and 90, WEST NILE STREET, GLASGOW; or

HODGES, FIGGIS, & Co., LIMITED, 104, GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN,

1897.

[C.-8650-8.] Price 1d.

157

158

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.

 The following, among other, reports relating to Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions have been issued, and may be obtained for a few pence from the sources indicated on the title page :-

No.

ANNUAL.

Colony.

177

Bahamas...

:

Year.

1895

178

Hong Kong

...

...

11

179

Windward Islands

...

...

...

...

180

Labuan

...

...

181

182

183

...

Trinidad and Tobago

Seychelles

Mauritius and Rodrigues

184 British Honduras

...

...

...

...

:

...

""

1894 and 1895

1895

...

...

1895-96

...

...

...

...

...

::

1895 1895-96 1895 1895-96 1895

1896

"

...

...

...

...

...

""

...

""

...

...

...

1895-96

1896

185

Lagos

186

Basutoland

187

Ceylon

...

188

189

British Guiana

Gold Coast

...

190

Jamaica

...

...

...

191

Canada

192

193

194

Bermuda

Bahamas...

Zululand

195

Gambia

...

...

196

Malta

...

197

198

British New Guinea

Turks and Caicos Islands

199

Barbados

200

Leeward Islands

201

Trinidad and Tobago

202

Gibraltar

...

203

Fiji (Trade)

...

204

Straits Settlements

205

Straits Settlements

...

206

Falkland Islands

207

British Honduras

208

Sierra Leone

209

Grenada

...

1895

...

1896

""

""

1895 1896

...

""

...

...

...

""

""

""

No.

1

HQ∞4 COD ∞

3

4

5

6

7

MISCELLANEOUS.

Colony.

Gold Coast... Zululand

Sierra Leone Canada

Bahamas Hong Kong Newfoundland

8 Western Pacific

...

...

Subject.

Economic Agriculture.

Forests.

Geology and Botany. Emigration.

Sisal Industry.

Bubonic Plague. Mineral Resources.

Solomon Islands.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

No. 210.

HONG KONG.

(For Report for 1895, see No. 178 of this Series.)

159

GOVERNOR SIR WILLIAM ROBINSON to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

SIR,

Government House, Hong Kong,

23rd July, 1897.

I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the Blue Book for 1896, and to submit for your information the following general review of the year.

FINANCES.

The revenue collected during the year shews an increase of $123,650.05 over the revenue of the preceding year, the gross receipts amounting to $2,609,878.94 as against $2,486,228.89 collected during 1895. This very satisfactory result is, however, more than accounted for by the exceptionally large receipts derived from Land Sales, which realised $270,858.99 or an increase of $140,387.20 over the proceeds from the same source of revenue in the previous year.

Substantial increases are also shewn under the following

heads

(a) Light Dues

(b) Fines

(c) Licences

(d) Stamps

$9,998

27,289

5,000

9,477

(e) Rent of Government Property, &c. 7,175

 There is also a general increase under "Fees of Court or Office, &c.," but it is chiefly accounted for by the transfer to the revenue side of items which were treated in 1895 as appropria- tions in aid of expenditure.

14650*-75-9/97 Wt 20613 D & S-5 (B)

A 2

160

4

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 Against the above mentioned increases must be set the follow- ing noticeable decreases :-

$42,404

-

64,585

(a) Profits on Subsidiary Coins (b) Other Miscellaneous Receipts,

due to a falling off in the profits derived from balances in the hands of the Crown Agents.

(c) Interest

5,936.

EXPENDITURE.

The total expenditure, chargeable to current revenue, amounted to $2,474,910.37 as compared with $2,972,373.01 expended during 1895. This marked difference is mainly due to a decrease of $768,331.07 in the expenditure on Public Works Extraordinary, the sum expended in 1895 on the Taipingshan Improvement Scheme amounting to $821,261 as against only $17,847 so expended during the year under review. There is also a saving on salaries of some $11,000, and a decrease in the expenditure of the Post Office on account of Transit Charges amounting to $5,959, giving, with the addition of other minor decreases, a total decrease in expenditure of $795,248.15 as compared with the year 1895.

  From the above total decrease must be deducted a total increase of $297,785.51, giving a net decrease of $497,462.64 in the expenditure for 1896 in comparison with the preceding year.

The increases are distributed and accounted for as follows:-

(1) Military Expenditure, $156,971.

(2) Charge on account of Public Debt, being the contri-

bution to the new Sinking Fund, $16,779.

(3) Fire Brigade, $13,786, due to the purchase of a new

Floating Fire Engine.

(4) Sanitary Department, $10,736, due to an increase of

the staff.

(5) Public Works Recurrent, $15,184, due to extensive repairs to Government Buildings during the year, the cost of maintenance of the new Kowloon Waterworks, and the improvement of street lighting.

(6) Appropriations in aid of expenditure transferred to

General Revenue, $65,096.

 The expenditure on Public Works Extraordinary, chargeable to Loan, amounted to $230,619.32 for 1896 as against a sum of $183,186.27 expended thereon in 1895.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS ANNUAL.

161

10

5

The surplus of Revenue over Expenditure chargeable thereto, amounting to $134,968.93, must be regarded as fairly satisfactory, and more especially in view of the fact that whilst the receipts were undoubtedly affected to some extent by the prevalence of Bubonic Plague in the Colony during the year, the expenditure was increased by some $71,000 on account of the measures adopted to suppress the epidemic.

LEGISLATION.

The following are the most important Ordinances passed by the Legislative Council during the year :-

(1) An Ordinance to amend the practice as to the vacating of the registration of a Lis Pendens, which follows the lines of the English Act (30 & 31 Vict. c. 47) and brings the Law of this Colony into line in this respect with that prevailing in England.

(2) An Ordinance to amend and consolidate the Law relating to Factors, which introduces (mutatis mutandis) the provisions of the English Factors' Act of 1889.

(3) An Ordinance for codifying the Law relating to the Sale of Goods, which brings into force the codifica- tion of the Law relating to the sale of goods which is contained in the English Sale of Goods Act 1893.

(4) An Ordinance to amend the Marriage Ordinance, 1875, which enables parties to enter into a valid civil marriage before the Registrar - General even although neither party professes the Christian religion, the power of contracting such a marriage being limited to parties who are not bound by any previous marriage contracted in accordance with their laws and religion.

POPULATION.

The population on the 30th June, 1896, was estimated at 239,419, distributed as follows:-

Non-Chinese

7,870

Chinese Land Population

193,560

Chinese Boat Population

33,150

Army

2,739

Navy

2,100

In consequence, however, of the disturbances caused in the distribution of the population by the general exodus of Chinese

162

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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

in 1894 and the subsequent resumption of the district known as Taipingshan, arrangements were made during last year for taking a census early in the current year, and the result of the census, which was taken on the 20th January, gives a total population of 245,000.

EDUCATION.

 Owing to the prevalence of plague during the year, there was, I regret to state, a considerable decrease in the number of pupils attending the various schools. The total number of Educational Institutions open during 1896 amounted to 215, (of which 101 were Grant-in-Aid Schools and 17 were Government Schools) with an enrolment of 9,686 scholars as compared with 236 schools with 10,876 pupils in 1895. It is a noticeable fact that since the epidemic of 1894 the number of scholars attending the several schools has decreased by 2,293.

No material change has taken place as regards the nature of the education given in the local schools since the Government announced its intention to promote an English rather than a Chinese education among the native population. Only one-third of the schools can be said at present to offer an European education, and the fees charged at such schools appear to be prohibitive to the mass of the people. I am pleased to notice, however, a tendency on the part of the managers of Grant-in-Aid Schools to meet the wishes of the Government as soon as it is practicable to do so, and in view of the growing demand amongst the Chinese for an English education, the need of a Training School, which will furnish a supply of qualified native teachers and so place the means of acquiring a knowledge of the English language and Western ideas within the reach of the poorer classes, is gradually becoming more pressing, and will, doubtless, receive the early consideration of the Government.

 As regards female education, the epidemic which prevailed during the year considerably reduced the general attendance at the different schools; but, notwithstanding this temporary check, there is distinct evidence to indicate that a progressive movement is at work and that the prejudice of the Chinese against female education is gradually yielding so far at least as a purely Chinese education is concerned. On the other hand, however, the objection to an English education, as tending to imbue the minds of Chinese girls with a desire for independence inconsistent with the subordinate status assigned to them in Chinese society, still prevails and opposes progress in this direction.

TRADE.

·

 I regret to state that from a local commercial point of view the year 1896 was somewhat disappointing. Trade was, generally speaking, unprofitable, and importers oharacterise it as one of the

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

7

worst years they have experienced for some considerable time- a condition of things which is illustrated, to some extent, by the returns of the Imperial Maritime Customs for Kowloon and District, the statistics shewing a decrease in the value of imports from Hong Kong to China amounting to 434,935 Haikwan Taels or some £72,722 as compared with the year 1895.

I learn on reliable authority that all classes of goods-yarns, piece-goods, metals, and sundries-were imported on a very limited scale, and sales were generally unsatisfactory, being confined, for the most part, to the supply of immediate wants. Shipping employed in Eastern waters shared correspondingly in the general depression, freights being very scarce, and rates unremunerative. The dulness in demand and general absence of all speculative enquiry are commonly ascribed to the after-effects of the China-Japan war, but reasons may possibly also be discovered, so far as the experience of British merchants is concerned, by the light of subsequent remarks and statistics illustrative of foreign competition.

The opium import for the year shews a decrease of 2,400 chests, and importers have sustained losses owing to the unfavourable rupee exchange without a corresponding rise in the price of the Indian drug in the China market. The price of the Indian product has, however, necessarily risen sufficiently to give an impetus to the production of the native drug, and the shortness of the Bengal opium crops year after year and the diminished auction sales of the Indian Government, added to unfavourable exchange conditions, are factors affecting the price of the Indian drug to such an extent, that, if such conditions continue, the native product must eventually entirely supplant the imported drug.

A noticeable feature of the year was the marked displacement of Indian cotton yarns by the Japanese product in the Chinese market, and although this fact may be in some measure accounted for by the unfavourable exchange which similarly affected the opium import, and by the closing of the Bombay mills, which tends to further penalise importers from India, there is every indication that the Japanese have taken full advantage of the situation, and there is little doubt, I fear, as to the ultimate result of the competition.

The main exceptions to the general dulness in demand during the year were the Flour trade and the Kerosine Oil trade. The former business yearly increases, aud yielded very handsome profits owing to the high prices of wheat caused by the Indian famine. The kerosine trade also continued to be brisk, and the demand for the Sumatra product is advancing rapidly in China, and is being developed by German agency in this Colony.

Before concluding these general remarks on trade, it may be of some interest to quote the following extract from my speech to

163

164

8

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

the Legislative Council on the 4th December, 1893, as bearing on the situation :-

"The Japanese are quite alive to the situation so far as it concerns them, and are not only erecting new Cotton Mills, to the number of 20 it is said, but are about to take the Import Duty off Raw Cotton. It is possible therefore that we may soon see Japan, for a time, supplying China with goods which she formerly obtained from Europe or India. It seems anomalous that whilst England should be striving to extend her commerce and commercial relations in China on the one hand, she should on the other be countenancing measures which apparently have the effect of creating competition against herself and her own productions in the East.

"Under these circumstances the attention of the Community should be directed to the desirability of establishing Cotton Mills in Hong Kong. The Govern- ment is in possession of several eligible sites, and if only capitalists, either European or Chinese, will come forward and invest their capital in such enterprises, I will en- deavour that, so far as the acquisition of land is concerned, they shall be treated with exceptional liberality. The success which has attended other efforts of this nature in Hong Kong ought, under these favourable circumstances, to lead to the introduction of additional local Industries, such as Cotton Spinning and Weaving, and no more fitting time than the present seems likely to occur. This matter is worthy therefore of the earnest consideration, not only of this Community, but of capitalists in the neighbouring provinces in China.

""

SHIPPING.

 Owing to the epidemic of Plague during the year, quarantine restrictions were enforced from March to the end of July at Singapore, Manila, and the Northern ports against ships arriving from Hong Kong. With the exception, however, of Manila, these restrictions were made as little irksome as possible, and the effect on the shipping returns was inconsiderable.

The total tonnage entered and cleared during the year amounted to 16,515,953, being an increase of 883,840 tons on the returns for 1895. There were 40,244 arrivals, aggregating 8,250,853 tons and 40,219 departures aggregating 8,259,100 tons. Exclusive of River steamers and Chinese-owned vessels which in 1895 appeared under the British and German Flags, there was an increase of 142 British ships aggregating 286,557 tons or 5 per cent., an increase under the German flag of 267 ships aggregating

1887-1903

·COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

165

9

331,070 tons or 23 per cent., and an increase under the Japanese flag of 194,104 tons or 195 per cent. British shipping repre- sented 534 per cent. of the total tonnage entered and cleared during the year (as compared with some 70 per cent. for 1894) and Foreign tonnage, exclusive of native craft, represented 21 per

cent.

The above statistics are of considerable interest as affording a further illustration of the rapid progress and commercial development of Japan, whilst the increase in the number of German vessels would appear to point to lower freights outwards in foreign bottoms and to cheaper railway transit to foreign ports of shipment.

PUBLIC PEACE AND GOOD Order.

The criminal statistics for the year are exceedingly satisfactory. The total number of cases reported to the Police was 12,975, shewing a decrease, as compared with the returns for 1895, of 400 cases or nearly 3 per cent. Dividing these cases into serious and minor offences there is a decrease, as compared with the previous year, of 453 cases or 16.37 per cent. in the former, and of 53 cases or 49 per cent. in the latter category.

Whilst, however, it is gratifying to notice a remarkable decrease of such offences as larceny and unlawful possession, which are only too common amongst the Chinese, I regret to have to record 8 cases of murder as against 3, and 120 cases of burglary and larceny in dwellings as against 81 in the pre- ceding year. There were also 6 somewhat serious gang robberies during the year, one of which was unhappily attended by the murder of a district watchman, for which the assailant ultimately suffered the extreme penalty of the law.

PUBLIC HEALTH.

I regret to say that during the year the Colony experienced another serious outbreak of Bubonic Plague, and although the epidemic was neither so extensive nor so appalling in its results as the terrible visitation of 1894, it was attended by an alarm- ing mortality and taxed the resources of the Sanitary and Medical Authorities to the fullest extent before it was finally controlled.

The disease broke out in the first week of January and continued to run its course notwithstanding every effort to arrest it until in the week ending the 30th May no fewer than 100 cases with. 81 deaths were recorded. From that date the epidemic rapidly declined, although cases continued to occur until the end of November.

166

10

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 The total number of cases recorded during the above period was 1,204, and the number of deaths from the disease 1,078, giving a mortality rate of 89.5 per cent.

 From these figures it will be observed that the extent of the epidemic was much more limited than that of 1894 which resulted in 2,550 deaths in the Colony itself, but it is a re- grettable experience of the year 1896 that notwithstanding the fuller knowledge possessed by the scientific world of its nature and the improved methods of treatment, the disease does not lose any of its virulence and shewed a greater tendency to spread to Europeans, of whom 16 were attacked and 8 succumbed, including, I regret to record, two Sisters in the Italian Convent, two British soldiers, and two British employés of the Government.

 During the progress of the epidemic the Sanitary Board and its staff, ably assisted by the police and some soldiers, whose services were kindly placed at the disposal of the Government, and others who voluntarily gave their assistance, were untiring in their efforts to suppress the disease. They were, however, confronted with the same difficulties at the outset that were experienced in 1894, and with a misapprehension of the situation which is essentially Asiatic, the Chinese persisted in eluding the vigilance of the Sanitary Authorities and availed themselves of every facility for the secret removal of their sick relatives and friends from the Colony. In many cases they were detected in the endeavour to dispose of their dying or dead in total disregard of all sanitary principles, casting them out into the streets or into the harbour, or at best removing them to some unoccupied dwelling. It was thus extremely difficult for the sanitary officers to discover "infected" dwellings, and it became necessary to resort to drastic measures for the general disin- fection and lime-washing of all Chinese dwellings within the infected districts.

I am glad to be able to state that but little opposition was offered by the Chinese Community to this very necessary preventive measure, and to their co-operation in this matter and to the tact with which the Sanitary Authorities performed an unpleasant duty, I attribute the ultimate success which attended the efforts to confine the epidemic during its duration within comparatively narrow limits.

The expenditure incurred in dealing with the disease amounted to some $71,000 as against some $150,000 expended in suppressing the epidemic of 1894, a financial aspect of the case which serves to illustrate the comparative severity of the two visitations and indirectly the beneficial effects of improved sanitation and the value of experience even though such experience costs dearly. Another gratifying feature of the more recent epidemic was the entire absence of anything in the form of a general panic amongst

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

11

the Chinese, and the inconsiderable effect it produced upon the trade and general prosperity of the Colony, as is evidenced by the satisfactory Revenue and Shipping returns for the year. It is true that a few of the wealthier Chinese sent their wives and families away during the height of the epidemic, but there was no general exodus, no scarcity of labour, no suspension of business, no lock-up of capital; in short, none of the disastrous results which characterised the year 1894, and but little indeed to indicate the prevalence of an alarming epidemic in the Colony.

167

As is not unusual during the prevalence of an epidemic, the Public Health in other respects was satisfactory. The total number of deaths registered during the year was 5,860, of which 5,607 occurred amongst the Chinese. This gives a total death- rate of 24.5 per 1,000 as compared with 21.65 per 1,000 for 1895 and an average of 22.65 for the last 5 years, exclusive of 1894, the year of the disastrous plague epidemic. If deaths from Bubonic Plague are excluded, the death-rate for the year under review is reduced to 19.9 per 1,000, and compares most favourably with the average for previous years.

SANITATION.

The experience of a second epidemic of Plague reveals the necessity of further speedy and effective measures in the direction of sanitation; for it cannot be denied that the sanitary condition of the Colony is still capable of much improvement, and more especially in regard to the native quarters of the city. With this object in view I have appointed a Commission to enquire into and report on the existence of insanitary dwellings and the best method of dealing with them. It is to be hoped that the Com- missioners will be able to suggest some effective remedial measures in this direction, the importance of which cannot be over-estimated, if "the house is to be put in order" against the apparently re- current attacks of the Plague.

In the meanwhile active progress is being made in other directions. The sewerage of practically the whole of Victoria, of the Peak District, and of some of the more important villages, has been completed and over 5,800 houses have been drained and connected with the new sewers. The district of Taipingshan covering some 6 acres in extent, which was resumed by the Government after the epidemic of 1894, is being laid out in a manner that cannot fail to improve greatly the health of that district and the City of Victoria generally. In addition, some- thing in the nature of a transformation is being effected in the smaller but populous villages by the formation of proper streets and the regulation of the occupation of land.

..

The water supply, which is of vital importance to the health of the community, has been increased by the raising of the dam

168

12

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

·COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

at Tytam Reservoir so as to impound an additional supply of 100,000,000 gallons, and the streams from an additional area of 400 acres have been intercepted by catchwater channels and led into the reservoir. A new storage reservoir to contain some 30,000,000 gallons is in course of construction at Wongneichong Gap and will be fed by the streams from a drainage area of 200 acres, furnishing a valuable contribution to the water supply of the Eastern districts. In addition to the above works two covered service reservoirs have been constructed, two others are in progress, and additional filter-beds are being made, whilst the populous villages of Aberdeen and Shaukiwan, and the greater part of the Kowloon Peninsula, including the important villages of Hunghom and Yaumati, have all been provided with a supply of excellent water, laid on to street hydrants or individual dwellings.

 It will thus be seen that every attention is being paid to each branch of sanitation, and as the Chinese gradually become better acquainted with Western sanitary principles there is reason to hope that the public health will improve materially within the next few

years.

[CLIMATE, &c.

The average monthly temperature during the year was 72° Fahr., the highest recorded temperature reaching 94° Fahr. in the month of July, and the lowest 40-7° in the month of December. The maximum monthly temperature, viz., 88.1° Fahr. was registered for the former month, and the minimum monthly temperature-53-1° Fahr.-is credited to the month of February.

The total rainfall for the year was 72-780 inches, towards which total the months of June and July contributed over 31 inches, which, taking into consideration the high temperature that prevailed during those months, illustrates the trying nature of the summer in Hong Kong as compared with the conditions obtaining in hotter but drier climates. The greatest variation in temperature, which is another trying feature of this climate, occurred in the month of December, when the highest tempera- ture reached 76.5° Fahr. and the lowest stood at 40-7° Fahr., a difference of more than 35 degrees in one month.

TYPHOONS.

 There were four typhoons during the year, viz., on the 29th July, 9th August, 5th October, and 11th October, but that which occurred on the first mentioned date is alone worthy of special record, and is generally considered to have been the

1887-1903

COLONIAL reportS-ANNUAL.

13

worst hurricane experienced in the Colony since the memorable storm of 1874.

169

The Observatory reports indicate that the disturbance originated in the Pacific some days previously and entered the China Sea to the North of Luzon on the 28th July. Moving thence in a W.N.W. direction at a somewhat high average speed of 13 miles an hour, the centre of the storm had attained a position 150 miles to the south-east of the Colony at noon on the 29th July. Its course was maintained, and at 4 p.m. a strong gale from N.E. by N. was experienced in Hong Kong. Subsequently, the wind veered round to East by South, and the storm reached its height at 10 p.m., the Observatory anemograph recording at that hour the great wind velocity of 108 miles an hour, exceeding by 19 miles an hour the greatest velocity of the wind recorded during the very severe storm experienced in September, 1884. A strict comparison with the force of the typhoon which passed over the Colony on the 5th and 6th October, 1894, cannot be made owing to the damage sustained by the anemograph on that occasion, but it is almost certain that the velocity of the wind in July last was considerably greater.

The barometric minimum (28.87 inches) was registered at the Observatory between 9.30 p.m. and 10 p.m., whilst at Gap Rock Lighthouse, some 30 miles south of Hong Kong, the lowest reading, 28.54, was observed at 9 p.m., the centre of the typhoon at the time being within 10 miles of that station and some 40 miles distant from the Colony.

At Victoria Peak, which is some 1,500 feet above the level of the sea, the damage caused by the storm was much greater than on the lower levels, the maximum velocity of the wind being about 140 miles an hour.

A noteworthy feature of the typhoon was the small rainfall (3.09 inches during the 29th and 30th July) which accompanied it, as compared with 16·11 inches which fell during the typhoon of October, 1894.

This was perhaps a fortunate circumstance as a heavy rainfall invariably adds to the destructive powers of the wind, and I am glad to be able to record that there was but little loss of life, although a not inconsiderable amount of damage to property.

GENERAL.

In the concluding paragraphs of this my last Blue Book report from Hong Kong, it may not be inappropriate to invite your attention to the following comparisons between the years

170

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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

1891 and 1896 as indicative of the general progress of the Colony during the period of my administration here.

REVENUE.

$2,025,302.51

1891

1896

Increase

POPULATION.

1891

1896

Increase

SHIPPING TONNAGE.

1891-

1896 -

Increase -

$2,609,878.94

$584,576.43

-

224,814

245,000

20,186

14,005,698

-

16,515,953

2,510,255

TOTAL VALUE OF TRANSIT TRADE.

1891

1896

Increase

-

126,346,736 Haikwan Taels 155,280,524

28,933,788

99

The history of every period and of every country contains its darker as well as its brighter records, and the history of this Colony during the past five years furnishes no exception to the rule. There are the dark pages which record the general financial depression which greeted me on my arrival, the melancholy experience of the Plague Epidemic in 1894, followed by the unfortunate outbreak of war between China and Japan, and the re-visitation of the Plague in 1896, but although these may be unpleasant reminiscences, they are experiences which have taught this Community a greater reliance on its own resources, and the test of adversity has been productive of good results in more directions than one.

The establishment of two large kerosene oil depôts, a feather- dressing factory, soap works, rattan works, match factories, coal bricquette works, and the extensions of the large sugar refineries, rope works, docks, besides other enterprises of less importance, all furnish a satisfactory illustration of the increasing public

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

15

confidence in the success of local industries; whilst the Praya Reclamation, upon which several fine buildings are in course of construction, and the rapid development of British Kowloon provide ample evidence of the general expansion of the Colony. Add to these the extensive works which have increased the water supply to some 400,000,000 gallons, the fine Central Market, Cattle and Slaughter Depôts, which have a most important bearing on the food supply of the Colony, the Taipingshan Improvement Scheme, the new sewerage works, and the general improvement of the outlying villages, and we have further illustrations of progress in the direction of sanitation.

In short, despite its darker records-and happily they are few-the history of Hong Kong is summed up in the single word "Progress." If, in some measure, my administration has contributed to that result the pleasure derived from the retro- spect will tend to mitigate the regret with which I regard my approaching departure from a Colony with whose interests I have for six years, without interruption, been identified.

I have, &c.,

WILLIAM ROBINSON,

171

Governor.

east view

INFORMATION SERVICES

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

No. 245.

HONG KONG.

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1897.

(For Report for 1896, see No. 210).

173

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty.

October 1898.

PRINTED FOR

LONDON:

HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY

OFFICE

BY DARLING & SON, LTD., 1-3, GREAT ST. THOMAS APOSTLE, E.O. And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE & SPOTTISWOODE, EAST HARDING STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C.; ana 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, Dublin.

[C.-9046-13.] Price d.

1898.

174

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.

The following, among other, reports relating to Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions have been issued, and may be obtained for a few pence from the sources indicated on the title page :-

No.

ANNUAL.

Colony.

Year.

219

Lagos

1896

...

220

Gold Coast

...

...

221

Labuan

...

222

British Guiana

...

...

223

Rodrigues

...

...

...

224

Basutoland

...

...

1896-97

1896 1896-97

225

Jamaica ...

...

226

Bechuanaland Protectorate

227

Leeward Islands

228

Bermuda

...

229

Gambia

...

77

1896 1897

""

230

Turks and Caicos Islands

231

Barbados...

...

...

232

Lagos

...

...

...

233

St. Vincent

...

234

Sierra Leone

...

235

Falkland Islands

236

Straits Settlements

...

"

""

""

""

""

...

""

""

237

British New Guinea

...

...

...

238

Bahamas

1896-97

1897

...

239

St. Lucia...

...

""

240

St. Helena

...

241

242

Trinidad and Tobago

British Honduras

...

""

31

243

Malta

244

Fiji

...

...

...

""

MISCELLANEOUS.

No.

Colony.

1

Gold Coast...

2

Zululand

3

Sierra Leone

Canada

Bahamas

Sisal Industry.

6

Hong Kong

Newfoundland

8

Western Pacific

9

Dominica

10

Virgin Islands

11

Grenada

...

Subject.

Economic Agriculture. Forests.

Geology and Botany.

Emigration.

Bubonic Plague.

Mineral Resources.

Solomon Islands.

Agriculture.

Condition during 1897.

Agriculture in Carriacou.

SIR,

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL

No. 245.

HONG KONG.

(For Report for 1896, see No. 210.)

ACTING GOVERNOR BLACK to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

Government House,

Hong Kong,

31st August 1898.

3

  I HAVE the honour to forward to you the Blue Book for 1897, together with the subjoined report on that year.

FINANCES.

to

The revenue collected during the year amounted $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 16.79 per cent..

The receipts from land sales during the year show a decrease of $46,358.40, 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 more satisfactory.

Under the more reliable items of revenue the following most substantial increases are shown as compared with the year 1896:-

Assessed Taxes

Stamps

...

...

$ 26,924.21

...

...

Official Signatures..

Queen's College Fees

...

36,699.20 13,895.11

...

...

3,512.00

Sunday Cargo-Working Permits...

Postage

...

...

4,275.00 23,336.15

Leased Lands

...

24,516.31

Interest

Profit on Coins

...

Water Account

704*-75-10/98 Wt 21620 D & S-3 (B)

4,576.84 4,819.71 21,207.41

175

176

4

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

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 $3,558.45 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 $46,358.40 on premia from land sales mentioned above.

""

The net result of a comparison with the year 1896 shows an increase of revenue amounting to $77,035.76 during the year 1897.

EXPENDITURE.

The total expenditure during 1897 was $2,641,409.71, a net increase of $166,499.34 as compared with the expenditure

of 1896.

The most noticeable increases on the expenditure side were :-

Public Debt Pensions

...

...

$$ 30,337.03

...

... 22,769.51

Public Works Department

Post Office ...

...

...

...

Lighthouses

...

...

Medical Department

Miscellaneous Services

...

...

Transport

...

Public Works Recurrent

...

...

3,862.82 18,799.12 2,721.90 5,215.61 4,458.46

67,946.03

20,982.54

58,205.40

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.

LOAN.

 The Balance Sheet of the Loan Account showed at the end of the year a debit balance amounting to £336,625 Os. 9d.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNual.

MILITARY ACCOUNT.

177

5

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 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 years (exclusive of 1894, the year of the great epidemic of Bubonic Flague).

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.

178

6

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

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 previous year 88-1° F.; the minimum 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 0-815 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 6:03 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 48 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 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 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 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

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

Trade" which is attributable, inter alia, to the failure of the rice crop and to the increased river steamer traffic.

TRADE.

179

7

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 yarns 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 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 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 quarter sacks, as against 3,831,499 quarter 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.

180

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

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 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, a comparison with 1895- is 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.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

No. 282.

HONG KONG.

REPORT FOR 1898.

(For Report for 1897, see No. 245.)

181

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. December, 1899.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE 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.C.; 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, Dublin.

1899.

[Cd. 3-] Price 21d.

182

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.

 The following, among other, reports relating to Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions have been issued, and may be obtained for a few pence from the sources indicated on the title page :-

No.

ANNUAL.

Colony.

Year.

255

Basutoland

1897-98

256

Newfoundland ...

1896-97

...

257

Cocos-Keeling and Christmas Islands

1898

258

British New Guinea

1897-98

259

Bermuda

1898

260

261

Jamaica ...

262

Barbados

...

Niger.-West African Frontier Force

1898

1897-98

263

Falkland Islands

264

Gambia

...

265

St. Helena

266

267

St. Lucia

268

Fiji

...

269

Leeward Islands

Turks and Caicos Islands

270

Malta

271

Gold Coast

19

17

19

,,

>>

"}

""

...

""

"

272

Trinidad

**

273

Sierra Leone

274

Ceylon ...

275

British Solomon Islands

276

Gibraltar

...

1898-99 1898

277

Bahamas...

278

British Honduras

49

279

Mauritius and Rodrigues

280

Grenada ...

10

281

St. Vincent

...

19

MISCELLANEOUS.

No.

Colony.

1

Gold Coast...

Zululand

...

Sierra Leone

Canada

...

...

Bahamas

6

Hong Kong

7

Newfoundland

Western Pacific

9

Dominica

...

10

Virgin Islands

11

Grenada

...

12

Anguilla

::

...

Subject.

Economic Agriculture. Forests.

Geology and Botany. Emigration.

Sisal Industry.

Bubonic Plague.

Mineral Resources.

British Solomon Islands.

Agriculture.

Condition during 1897.

Agriculture in Carriacou.

Vital Statistics, 1898.

SIR,

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

No. 282.

HONG KONG.

(For Report for 1897 see No. 245.)

GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

Government House,

Hong Kong,

22nd September, 1899.

183

3

  I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the Blue Book for 1898, and to submit for your information the following general report on that year :-

I.-FINANCES.

The following tables will show in succinct form the heads of revenue and expenditure. They are compared with those of last year; and it will be seen that during the year 1898 the revenue has exceeded the expenditure by $76,354.04. I have also given in tabular form the total revenue and expenditure of each year for the last five years.

Under the headings (B), (C), (D), and (E) I have drawn your attention to matters concerned with taxation, the assets and liabilities of the Colony, the public debt, with the provision made for its gradual liquidation, and the present state of the

currency.

1898.

Increase.

Decrease.

(A.) GENERAL REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE,

Revenue.

1897.

184

4

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

Light dues

114,176.41

51,645.15

Licences and internal revenue not otherwise specified Fees of court or office, payments for specific purposes, and reimbursements in aid.

62,531.26

1,222,542.05

1,459,095.90

236,553.85

187,720.79

225,356.86

37,636.07

Post office

268,616.49

337,179.99

68,563.50

...

...

...

Rent of Government property-land and houses Interest

Miscellaneous

Total, exclusive of land sales and water account

Land sales

Water account

396,125.89

401,114.11

4,988.22

D

4,576.84

4,576.84

...

...

...

...

...

158,607.85

197,715.79

39,107.94

...

2,352,366.32

2,672,107.80

386,849.58

67,108.10

Total

:

::

::

:

::

:

224,500.59

133,318.87

91,181.72

110,047.79

112,732.57

2,684.78

2,686,914.70

2,918,159.24

389,534.36

158,289.82

Deduct Decrease

Nett Increase

...

158,289.82

:

$

231,244.54

1897.

1898.

Increase.

Decrease.

Expenditure.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

$

$

157,490.70

163,805.03

6,314.33

...

140,824.22

164,210.26

23,386.01

:

44,243.94

51,809.58

7,565.64

...

25,691.46

34,862.11

9,170.65

12,103.80

7,386.61

4,717.19

22,249.23

22,409.02

159.79

89,556.92

89,574.10

17.18

207,080.29

241,561.52

34,481.23

12,195.32

14,994.92

2,799.60

61,485.00

65,835.25

4,350.25

16,394.03

14,934.94

1,459.09

14,563.99

12,728.85

1,835.14

Charge on account of public debt...

Pensions

...

...

Governor and Legislature

...

Colonial Secretary's department

Audit department

Treasury

...

...

Public works department

Post office

...

:

:..

:

:

...

...

:

:

...

...

:

:..

:

Registrar-General's department

Harbour Master's department

Lighthouses

...

Observatory

...

...

...

:

:

:

:

:

.

:

...

:

:.

:

:.

:

:

:

:.

:

:

T:

:

:

:

...

10

5

185

186

6

1897.

1898.

Increase.

Decrease.

Expenditure-continued.

:

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports,

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

3,564.62

3,615.80

51.18

***

18,862.41

17,842.44

1,019.97

...

76,382.20

76,092.45

...

1,825.00

1,815.00

289.75

10.00

:

...

72,984.83

72,420.12

564.71

...

114,978.80

115,502.48

523.68

...

21,082.51

21,405.00

322.49

218,905.85

222,163.90

3,258.05

59,372.25

57,954.61

1,417.64

...

22,662.47

14,920.09

7,742.38

96,662.40

101,613.41

4,951.01

4,231.09

4,034.79

· 196.30

:.

:.

:

:

:

:

:

:..

:

:

...

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

...

:

:

:

DD.

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

Stamp office

...

Botanical and afforestation department

Legal departments

...

Ecclesiastical department

Education

...

Medical departments

Magistracy

Police

...

:

...

Gaols

Fire brigade

...

...

Sanitary department

Charitable allowances

1841-1941

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

:

...

7,712.86

9,400.92

1,688.00

...

307,265.81

290,808.49

16,457.32

:

...

476,869.66

519,274.89

42,405.23

...

206,451.67

194,447.57

12,004.10

:

127,716.38

234,381.05

106,664.67

S

2,641,409.71

2,841,805.20

248,109.08

47,713.59

...

:

:.

:.

:

:

:

:.

:.

:

:.

:

:

:

Transport

Miscellaneous services

Military expenditure

Public works recurrent

Public works extraordinary

:

...

...

Total

...

:

Deduct Decrease

Nett Increase

47,713.59

200,395.49

...

:

...

2,918,159.24

:

...

...

...

2,841,805.20

$76,354.04

:

:

...

:

:

...

:.

:

:.

Revenue in 1898

Expenditure in 1898

Surplus

...

...

...

...

...

:

7

187

Revenue

Total Revenue and Expenditure for the last Five Years: 1894-1898 inclusive.

α

188

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

1894.

1895.

1896.

1897.

1898.

$

$

2,287,203.32

2,486,228.89

2,609,878.94

2,686,9 2,686,914.70

2,918,159.24

2,299,096.00

2,972,373.01

2,474,910.37

2,641,409.71

2,841,805.20

11,892.68

486,144.12

+ 134,968.57 + 45,504.99

+ 76,354.04

:

:

:

:

...

:

:

There was in 1898 an additional expenditure of $135,845.85; but this was due to public works extraordinary, and was therefore chargeable against the loan. The amount so expended was $1,984.15 less than had been estimated.

(B.) IMPORTANT CHANGES IN TAXATION.

In deference to the wishes of the shipping community the light dues were in 1898 reduced from 2 cents to 1 cent per ton. This accounts for the difference (amounting to $62,531.26) between the receipts from this source in 1897 and 1898,

Expenditure

Surplus or deficit

ASSETS.

(C.) ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.

LIABILITIES.

82,000.00

60,370.34

107,080.76

2,500.00

...

26,613.00

...

12,881.99

5,900.00

Drafts drawn by Crown Agents in transit Military contribution

Deposits not available

...

...

...

...

345,000.00

650,000.00

...

...

21.87

40,433.92

48,885.07

Refund of taxes

5,461.75

...

...

...

Officers' remittances, not yet paid...

Money orders, not yet paid

Transit charges

Pensions due to civil officers

...

...

...

Subsidiary coins

}

Arrears of taxes

>

in transit

Crown rent

Advances to be recovered Suspense house service

Total Assets

...

...

$

1,089,802.61

"}

11

police

Private drainage works Overdrawn balance

...

...

Total Liabilities

Balance

Total

Balance of Assets over Liabilities

Less Balance of 1893 Loan

...

Total

:

⠀ ⠀

:

...

...

:

:..

...

:

:

:

:.

...

213,358.39

...

123,334.14

...

$90,024.25

ގ

***

15,900.00

11,000.00

292.36

251,905.77

876,444.22

213,358.39

1,089,802.61

$

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

9

189

190

10

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

(D.) PUBLIC Debt.

 In 1893 the Government borrowed £341,799 15s. 1d. (sterling) for the purposes of certain extraordinary public works. The principal of these works were the Praya Reclamation, a central market, water, drainage and sewerage works. The loan was an inscribed stock loan, bearing interest at 3 per cent., to be paid off on April 15th, 1943. In 1896 a sinking fund was created for the purpose of gradually paying off the loan, and during that year the sum of £1,594 9s. 9d. (sterling) was devoted to it. In 1897 the sinking fund stood at £5,174 14s. 4d. (sterling), and during the past financial year it has risen to £8,854 8s. ld. (sterling).

(E.) CURRENCY.

 The only legal tender is the Mexican dollar, and the British and Hong Kong dollar, or other silver dollars of equivalent value duly authorised by the Governor. Silver coins, representing some multiple of the cent or hundredth part of the said dollar, are legal tender for any sum not exceeding two dollars, and the copper or bronze coins representing the cent or one-hundredtlı part, and the cash or mil, representing one-thousandth part of the dollar, are legal tender for any amount not exceeding one dollar. There is also a large paper currency in use, in the form of notes issued by the Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, and the National Bank of China, Limited.

Amount of Paper Currency in Circulation.

The notes of the Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, and the National Bank of China, Limited, in circulation during the year ending 31st December, 1898, were in amount as follows:-

Month.

Chartered

Bank of India, Australia, and China.

National

and Shanghai Bank of China,

Hong Kong

Bank.

· Limited.

:

:

:.

:

:

:

3,051,947

8,126,528

449,740

2,808,273

7,676,009

448,587

2,995,966

6,609,031

450,000

:

:.

2,938,719

6,764,001

448,960

...

...

2,836,976

6,439,806

450,000

:

...

2,775,838

6,176,267

448,824

January

February

March

April

May

June

:

:

...

...

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

Chartered

Bank of India,

Hong Kong

Month.

Australia, and

and Shanghai

Bank.

China.

July...

August

September...

October

November

December

:

:

:

:

:

:

:..

T:

F:

:

.:.

:

11

National

Bank of China, Limited.

$

2,914,252

5,087,096

450,000

2,917,093

5,747,676

444,905

2,873,076

6,180,333

445,879

2,534,743

6,419,676

449,538

2,583,714

5,721,000

439,057

2,873,594

6,799,128

448,875

191

II.-TRADE, AGRICULTURE, AND INDUSTRIES.

Under the heading (A.) I have endeavoured to give such statistics as are ascertainable with regard to exports and imports. The fact that Hong Kong is a free port makes it a matter of unusual difficulty to give anything like a complete statement on this important subject. In the absence of a Custom House it is necessary to rely upon returns which may be only approximately accurate, but which will probably be found useful in giving a general idea of the present state of Hong Kong commerce. The tax on opium renders that article of commerce the only one of which I can offer clear returns. In the following tables I present the export and import returns of opium for the last five years :-

(A.) IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF OPIUM FOR

OPIUM FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

Imports

Exports

...

...

1894. 1895.

1896. 1897. 1898.

Chests.

Chests.

Chests. Chests.

Chests.

...

41,578

36,609

34,208 37,708

37,708 39,392

38,978

36,241

33,38535,808

37,828

Through cargo reported in 22,98616,190 | 14,838 | 13,739 | 15,482

manifests but not landed.

192

12

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 The opium exports of 1898 represent, in piculs*, a total of 43,142,525.

 The year 1898 was marked by a considerable increase in the dealings in rice and coal, and by the introduction of the trade in bulk oil from Langkat (Sumatra). The large dealings in rice were due to local famines in the Kwangtung and neighbouring provinces, and those in coal were due partly to the ordinary increase in shipping traffic and the growth of manufacturing industry in the Colony, and partly to the large purchases made by foreign Governments during the period of impending war.

 The import trade of the Colony was increased, during 1898, from all parts of the world; and this increase amounted in the aggregate to 659,833 tons of cargo discharged. The cargo in transit was during the same period advanced by 167,860 tons. In exports generally there was an increase of 1,205 ships and 229,151 tons of cargo.

 The junk trade has naturally not increased with the same. rapidity as that conducted by European vessels. The circum- stances of a free port, added to the difficulty of identifying and distinguishing native craft, and Chinese proficiency in evasion, make it extremely hard to keep an absolutely true return of some 50,000 or 60,000 junks, and it is probable that a number of these junks come and go without leaving any trace on our records. The following extract from the Chinese Imperial Customs Report for 1898 gives the following figures as representing, in Mexicau dollars, the value of the Hong Kong junk trade for the year under review, and the number of junks entered and cleared :-

Imports from

Exports to

Total.

Hong Kong.

Hong Kong.

Number of Junks entered.

Number of Junks cleared.

$

33,190,202.13 33,992,383.12

$ 67,182,585.25

30,217

30,212

In addition to these, 5,379 fishing junks were licensed.

(B.) MINES, MANUFACTURES, AND FISHERIES.

 Mines. The only mining done in the Colony at present is in granite. Some silver and tin have been discovered, by not in paying quantities. In past years a considerable sum was expended in a silver mine on the Island of Lantao; but the mine was afterwards abandoned.

* One picul = 133 lbs.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

13

It is difficult, as yet, to say what impetus to mining in the Colony may be given by mineral discoveries in the new territory; and until mining experts and geological surveyors have made a careful examination of the territory, it will be difficult to speak with certainty on the subject of future prospects.

Manufactures and Industries.

The present prosperous state of the industry and manufactures of the Colony, especially of the City of Victoria, seems likely to continue. A survey of the industrial returns for the last five years shows an increase in the number of workmen employed in most of the colonial industries, and the growth in the number and variety of the manufactures themselves show that Chinamen are not too conservative to turn their capital and abilities into new directions. The chief industries are sugar refining, the manufac- ture of cement, paper, bamboo, and rattan ware, carving in wood and ivory, working in copper and iron, gold beating and the pro- duction of gold, silver, and sandal wood ware, furniture making, umbrella making, jinricksha making, and large industries con- nected with kerosene oil, cotton, and matches. But while most of these industries are subject to considerable fluctuations from year to year, chiefly on account of the absence of capital to enable the traders to tide over a period of sluggish business, one of the forms of industrial activity which seems to be uniformly and increasingly prosperous is ship and boat building, and especially the building of steam-launches, together with all the minor industries connected with docks and ship-yards, such as rope and sail-making.

The manufacture of cotton is a new industry, but one which may become one of the most important. The Hong Kong Cotton Spinning, Weaving, and Dyeing Company (Limited) commenced the erection of a large mill in 1898, which will pro- vide for the working of 50,000 spindles. The building has now been completed, and 12,000 spindles are already at work. The engines and machinery have given full satisfaction, and the Chinese have shown much celerity and deftness in acquiring a knowledge of their work.

Some of the industries mentioned are carried on to a greater or less extent all over the Colony; many are confined to the City of Victoria; and there seems to be a tendency towards greater industrial activity in Kowloon. One industry-that of tanning is practically confined to Kowloon.

Fisheries.

The number of fishing and other boats frequenting the harbour and bays of Hong Kong during the year under review may be roughly estimated at about 5,000. There are no means of ascertaining the proportions in which the different kinds of fish are caught, nor the quantities; and it is therefore impossible to give even an approximate value of the fishing industry.

193

194

14

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

(C.) AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES AND BOTANICAL

STATIONS.

 Beyond the cultivation of vegetable gardens there is practi- cally no agricultural industry in the Colony.

In the botanical and afforestation department there is a Chinese staff of 53. The following statement shows the revenue of this department for the year :-

Revenue from plant sales

*

674.46

...

""

""

loan of plants

...

202.02

"

forestry products

...

444.51

Total

...

...

$1,320.99

 There were 33,923 new trees planted in different localities. Grass-fires, which have proved so destructive to trees and shrubs. in the past, were greater in number than usual, owing to the dryness. There were no less than 16 between October 20th and December 23rd. Ten fires destroyed 3,285 trees.

 Gardening, a minor industry which is eminently adapted to the Chinese, is always improving. New kinds of trees and. shrubs have been introduced, often by means of a system of exchange with other botanical stations. Fruit is largely

cultivated.

(D.) LAND GRANTS AND GENERAL VALUE OF LAND.

 The following table gives particulars of land sales, extensions and grants on short leases :-

No. of

Area in Lots. Square Feet.

Crown

Premium.

Rent.

$

Sales by auction

:

24

24

245,131

107,127.00

2,282.00

Extensions granted

18

402,451

30,260.68

1,454.68

Grants on short leases

13

152,356

1,332.00

Total

799,938

137,387.68

5,068.68

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

15

21.26 acres of land were surveyed in connection with the issue of leases and re-adjustment of boundaries; 5.61 acres were surveyed in connection with land sales; 2:37 acres in connection with extensions, and 137 acres in connection with grants on short leases,

The sales of Crown land were considerably short of the estimate for the year, owing to the few applications for land in the Taipingshan resumed area. Only five lots were sold, at prices varying from $4.13 to $2.00 a foot. Elsewhere there was considerable demand for land, and prices went up consider- ably. The price of building lots between Kennedy Road and Bowen Road went up from 6 to 12 cents a foot, and in one case even 25 cents a foot was paid. In Kowloon there was also considerable demand, and as much as 80 cents a foot was realised for lots in Yaumati.

A considerable area of land at Causeway Bay has been reserved for the purpose of a public recreation ground; whilst in Kowloon, a hill known as the Hill of the Emperor of the Sung Dynasty, which has some Chinese historical associations, has also been reserved.

195

Increase in 1898.

1898.

Tonnage.

Ships.

1897.

(E.) SHIPPING.

Ships.❘ Tonnage.

Ships.

Decrease in 1898.

Tonnage.

Ships.

Tonnage.

16

196

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL reports-ANNUAL.

Entered:

Steamers in

3,071

4,262,283

3,888

4,750,148

267

487,865

River steamers in-

1,547

1,694,077

1,975

1,768,489

428

74,412

Sailing vessels in

356

107,280

226

121,065

13,785

130

Junks in

88,789

1,904,966

84,276

2,008,572

037

108,606

Total

88,713

7,968,606

89,815

8,648,274

1,102

679,668

130

180

Nett Increase

972

679,668

Cleared:

Steamers out-

3.067

4,263,453

3,819

4,728,952

252

465,499

River steamers out

1,548

1,690,644

1,970

1,765,555

422

74,911

Sailing vessels ont

855

106,862

280

118.524

11,662

125

Junks out

33,610

1,908.609

#4,295

2,004,475

685

95,866

Total

38,580

7,969,568

39,814

8,617.506

1,359

647,938

125

125

Nett Increase

1,234

6-17,938

Grand Total Entered and Cleared, 1897 - 1898 -

77,298

15,938,174

"}

79,629

17,265,780

Nett Increase in Ships and Tonnage

2,336

1,327,606

1894.

1895.

1896.

1897.

1898.

Comparative Statement of Total Shipping Entered and Cleared: 1894-1898 inclusive.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

Ships.

Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage.

Ships. Tonnage.

Ship*. Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage.

Total Entered and Cleared

62,791 14,248,670 73,761 | 15,632,113

80,463 16,515,953

16,515,953 77,298 77,293 15,938,174 79,629 | 17,265,780

17

197

Analysis of Shipping Entered and Cleared: 1897 and 1898.

198

18

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

1897.

1898.

Increase.

Ships.

Tonnage.

Ships.

Tonnage.

Ships.

Tonnage.

Ships.

Decrease.

Tonnage.

British

6,783

8,268,766

7,456

8,705,648

673

436,882

Foreign:

Chinese junks

67,349

0,813,575

68,571

4,013,047

1,222

199,472

German-

1,364

1,687,571

1,486

1,789,575

122

152,001

Japanese

30-1

599,276

481

1,005,455

177

406,179

--Chinese

396

511,508

424

523,667

28

12,159

Norwegian

285

238,994

410

877,893

125

88,899

French

290

341,564

314

351,796

24

10,232

American

226

148,756

231

179,531

30,778

Austrian

ፊፋ

133,188

51

132,395

Danish

-

1-15

70,810

137

86,451

Italian

28

89,414

28

39,578

15,641

164

Hawaiian

8

16,512

14

27,710

Dutch

-

8

6,576

12

17,678

11,198

11,102

Russian

10

29,170

7,796

* *

793

21,374

Belgian-

4,348

2

4,348

Spanish-

11

4,816

2,591

2,225

Siamese

6

3,242

618

Swedish

26

24,436

26

Total

77,293

15,938,174

79,629

17,265,780

2.388

1,379,058

52

+22

4

2,624

24,436

51,452

Deduct Decrease

52

51,452

Nett Increase

2,336

1,327,606

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

19

The nationalities in this table are arranged according to the relative amounts of tonnage carried under the various flags in 1898. As compared with the figures of 1897, it will thus be seen that four countries, Norway, Hawaii, Holland, and Belgium, have improved their relative positions, and that France and Russia have gone down one and two places respectively. Sweden in 1898 deserted the port altogether, taking 24,436 tons with her. A very noteworthy increase in tonnage was achieved by Japan, the shipping of which country sprang from less than 600,000 tons in 1897 to over a million tons in 1898. The Norwegian increase is also noteworthy. No other features call for special remark. British shipping and tonnage preserve their supremacy, the tonnage being nearly quintuple that of the next nationality (omitting the Chinese junk trade), namely, Germany.

III.-LEGISLATION.

There were no important changes in the law of the Colony enacted in 1898.

The law relating to trade marks was amended to allow of interested parties residing outside Hong Kong obtaining due notice of applications for registration, while the Liquor License Ordinances were re-enacted with some slight changes.

Ten Ordinances of the thirty passed related to naturalization, while most of the rest consisted of slight amendments to the existing laws. Two, Nos. 3 and 14, were intended to provide for the more effectual punishment of bribery and conspiracy in connec- tion with Government officers and the course of public justice respectively.

IV.-EDUCATION.

The total number of educational institutions open during 1898 amounted to 109 (of which 93 were grant-in-aid schools and 16 were Government schools), with an enrolment of 8,522 scholars, as compared with 109 schools and 7,999 pupils in 1897.

No material change has taken place as regards the nature of the education given in the local schools.

QUEEN'S COLLEGE.

The total number on the roll for 1898 was 1,344, or 132 in excess of 1897. Over 120 boys had to be turned away owing to lack of accommodation. In order to make the accommodation

199

200

20

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

equal as far as possible to the demand for admission, the rate of fees was increased from the 1st April. The total amount of fees was $21,593, being an increase of $8,138 upon the receipts for 1897, and more than double the receipts for 1896. Owing to various departmental economies, and to a reduction of $1,200 in the Crown Agents' account, the actual nett expenditure amounted to $16,303.91, as compared with $25,623.52 in 1897. Two additional English masters and one native mathematical master were appointed during the year.

 The results in the Oxford locals showed marked improvement, the percentage of passes being 59 instead of 18 in 1897.

 The lower and preparatory schools were examined by the headmaster, and out of 550 boys, 457 or 83 per cent. passed. The upper school was examined by independent examiners appointed by the Government, and showed satisfactory results.

V.-GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.

(A.) HOSPITALS.

 There are several hospitals in the Colony, of which only one, the Civil Hospital, is entirely a Government institution, though the Tung Wa Hospital is also under Government supervision. These, of course, are in addition to the military and prison hospitals. Further information as to the cases treated in the two hospitals named will be found under the head of Public Health VII. (B.).

 Among the patients treated by the Government Civil Hospital there were 469 deaths, of which 103 were British and foreign and 366 Chinese. 319 of the deaths recorded were due to plague. The Tung Wa Hospital treated 3,019 in-patients and 90,880 out- patients. The total number of deaths was 1,187, of which 243 were due to plague and 280 to phthisis. The percentage of deaths to admissions was 35.05, as against 35-24 in 1897 and 38-80 in 1896. It may be mentioned that the provision of free burial and the restoration of destitutes to their homes are regarded as two of the most important functions of this institution

(B.) ASYLUM.

 The lunatic asylum is managed in connection with the Govern- ment Civil Hospital, and is divided into European and Chinese wards. There were 82 patients admitted in 1898, of whom 73 were cured and relieved. Six patients died during the year.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

(C.) Pook HOUSES.

201

21

There is no poor house in the Colony, but the Tung Wa Hospital does good work in relieving and sending destitutes back to their native villages.

(D.) REFORMATORIES.

Hitherto there has been no properly organized reformatory in Hong Kong, but the Government has for some time been engaged in making arrangements for the establishment of such an institu- tion in the near future. A building has been generously presented by Mr. Belilios, which is in course of construction, and should be ready for occupation before the middle of 1900.

(E.) SAVINGS BANKS.

The Hong Kong Savings Bank, started on 1st May, 1885, is con- ducted by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, and receives deposits from $1 up to $250 in any one day, with a maximum of $2,500 in any one year. The deposits bear interest at the rate of 33 per cent. per annum on the daily balance. Withdrawals are paid on demand, upon production of the pass- book by the account holder, or his duly appointed agent:

The following figures will give an idea of its growth :- On 30th June, 1886, the deposits amounted to $122,000.

On 30th June last there were over 3,000 accounts with a total of some $1,100,000, as against $900,000 on the corresponding date last year and $800,000 in 1897.

Correspondence, relating to business of the Hong Kong Savings Bank, if marked "On Hong Kong Savings Bank Business," is forwarded free of charge by the various British post offices in Hong Kong and China.

(F.) SOCIETY FOR PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS.

The Pó Léung Kuk is a society, under the supervision of Government, for the protection of women and girls. The number of cases dealt with by the society during 1898 was 412, which is 27 more than the previous year. The receipts of the working committee amounted during 1898 to $5,054.17, and the expendi- ture came to $4,778.72, leaving a balance in hand of $275.45. The society co-operates with the benevolent societies of Canton, Macao, and other places in restoring women and girls to their relations, and in other ways. No money grant is received from the Government.

202

22

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

VI.-JUDICIAL STATISTICS.

(A.) POLICE.

The total strength of the Police Force during 1898 was as

follows :--

Europeans Indians

...

Chinese

...

...

:

112

...

226

292

Total

630

 Besides these there are a captain superintendent and deputy superintendent, a paymaster, three clerks, and 43 coolies. This brings the total number of the entire staff up to 679.

 Several rewards were granted to members of all three contingents for intelligence and promptness. The Chinese constables, it is remarked, never appear to fail in courage.

 Several of the staff were detailed for plague services. Seven of the force died of plague during the year, but only one of these was on plague duty. Altogether there were 19 deaths, of which 12 were among the Chinese, 4 among the Europeans, and 3 among

the Indians.

(B.) PRISON.

 The total number of prisoners admitted to Victoria Gaol in 1898 was 5,427, as compared with 5,076 in 1897. The daily average in the prison was 511, as compared with 462 in 1897. The offences of a criminal nature numbered 3,590; the offences of a non-criminal nature, 1,837. Offences against prison discipline numbered 4,038, as against 2,619 in 1897, being an increase of 2-24 per head of population. This increase is attributed by the superintendent partly to the interruption of regular routine work and the placing of a larger number of prisoners in association during the progress of structural alterations, and partly to numerous resignations in the Indian staff giving rise to the employment of inexperienced officers and consequent relaxation of discipline.

 The capacity of the gaol accommodation extends to 557 prisoners; yet on several occasions during 1898 it was found necessary to accommodate a slightly larger number, and on one occasion room had to be found for as many as 589. It is evident that with a growing population and the acquisition of new terri- tory the question of increasing the gaol accommodation for the Colony will become a pressing one.

The prisoners are employed on productive labour, on unproductive labour, and on gaol services. The value of the productive labour and that utilised on prison services is returned at $9,919.45.

The establishment consists of 29 Europeans and 44 Indians. Besides these there are a superintendent, a chief warder, clerical staff, and servants.

(C.) CRIMINAL STATISTICS.

The following table will show the total number of cases reported to the police during each of the past five years :-

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

!

1894.

1895.

1896.

1897.

1898.

Increase in 1898.

2,575

2,767

2,314

2,896

2,935

39 or 1.34%

6,062

10,608

10,661

6,733

7,661

928 or 13·78%

1

8,637

13,375

12,975

9,629

10,596

967 or 10.04%

:

:

:

:

In "serious" offences reported, the year 1898 shows an increase over 1897 in the following crimes :-" Unlawfu! possession" (38 cases), "larceny " (45 cases), "burglary" (11 cases), and "assault with intent to rob" (1 case). But against these increases must be set decreases in the following:-" Murder" (7), " robbery " (7), "kidnapping" (19). and "other felonies " (23).

Serious cases reported

Minor

"}

"}

Total

...

23

203

204

24

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 The statistics of minor offences reported for the last two years may be tabulated as follows:-

Cases Reported in 1897.

Cases Reported in 1898.

Increase.

Decrease.

Assault

Gambling

...

...

Miscellaneous

Drunkenness

Nuisances

1,404

1,765

361

145

265

120

...

:

4,122

4,531

409

132

161

29

:

...

780

939

159

150

6,733

7,661

1,078

150

No light or pass

150

...

Total

Deduct Decrease

Nett Increase

150

...

928

 The following tabular statement shows the number of persons convicted and discharged on account of all offences, serious and minor, during each of the last five years:

1894

Year.

:.

1895

1896

.1897

1898

...

...

:

:

Convicted. Discharged.

7,379

1,042

9,625

1,379

8,698

841

8,496

1,110

10,523

808

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

205

25

The following is a comparative statement of the various classes of convictions in the five years ending with 1898 :-

Murder

Robbery

...

:

Burglary and larceny in

dwelling-house.

Serious Offences.

1894. 1895. 1896.

1897.

1898.

3

2

4

21

3

1

3

9

15

5

30

30

32

29.

Assault with intent to rob...

1

21

Kidnapping

...

22333

42

52

55

63

Unlawful possession

272

433

298

386

454

Larceny

Other felonies

Total

...

...

878

937

970

954

1,042

39

35

23

57

47

...

1,224

1,478

1,378

1,497 1,654

Assault

Gambling

...

Miscellaneous

Total

:

:

Minor Offences.

1894. 1895. 1896. 1897.

1898.

:

1,151

1,503

1,441

1,795

2,380

843

...

676

732

666

1,077

...

:

4,161

5,968 5,147

4,538 5,412

:

6,155

8,147

7,320

6,999 8,869

206

26

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

VII.-VITAL STATISTICS.

(A.) POPULATION.

 The population of the last census, which was taken in 1897, was 246,880. As the returns of the 1891 census gave the figures at 221,441, there is thus an increase of 25,439.

 It is estimated that in the middle of 1898 the population stood as follows:-

Non-Chinese civil population Chinese population :-

...

...

8,732

City of Victoria, including Peak and

Stonecutters' Island

...

Villages in Hong Kong and Kowloon

Floating population

Total...

Army

Navy

...

...

...

165,900

39,940

33,370

239,210

...

3,073

3,385

...

254,400

Total estimated population

of the Colony

...

(B.) PUBLIC HEALTH.

The total number of deaths during 1898 was 5,674, showing a death-rate of 22-3. Of the 5,674 deaths recorded, 1,175 were from plague; therefore excluding deaths from plague the death- rate for the year was only 17·7.

The deaths were distributed as follows :-

Non-Chinese :-.

White

...

200, showing a death-rate of 16.2

Coloured ... 91

Chinese

""

5,383

>>

وو

33.6

22.5

Total 5,674 Average death-rate... 22-3

...

 The deaths in the army numbered 32, of which 23 were British and the rest Indian; in the navy there were 11 deaths among British seamen. Seven per 1,000 of the deaths among British troops were due to malarial diseases alone. Two Indian soldiers and one British soldier died of plague. Of this disease there was a

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

27

serious outbreak in the spring, and of the 1,320 cases reported 1,175 proved fatal. This represents a mortality of 88·1 per cent. There was also an outbreak of small-pox. From enteric fever the total deaths numbered 23, which represents a mortality of 44.2 per cent. The mortality among the European cases was 35.1 per cent.

(C.) SANITATION.

Sanitary conditions are still far from perfect, and the Govern- ment recognises that sanitation is one of the most important matters that can engage its attention. There has been an improvement during the past four or five years, owing to a strict enforcement of the Public Health Ordinance (No. 24 of 1887) and the Insanitary Properties Ordinance (No. 15 of 1894). But this improvement cannot be said to be universal, and it is to be feared that many of the Chinese dwellings in the city are structurally in a very insanitary condition. There was an Insani- tary Properties Commission appointed during the year, and as a result of its enquiries a number of recommendations were submitted to the Government. These recommendations, together with amendments suggested by the Board, will be embodied in a Bill which, when it becomes law, will probably do much for the amelioration of the present unsatisfactory state of affairs.

It has recently been proposed to erect a refuse destructor of the type now common in many English cities, whereby the town refuse may be destroyed in forced draught furnaces instead of being conveyed to dumping grounds as at present. Estimates have been received from two English firms, and the Government hopes to find an early opportunity of giving this matter the attention which it deserves.

207

(D.) CLIMATE.

1. Rainfall. The total rainfall for the year was 57.025 inches. In 1897 it was 100u3. The wettest months were June (14·25 inches) and August (9.9 inches). The driest month was December, with 0-025 inches. The greatest rainfall on any day was that on August 25th (2.585 inches). On 213 days there was no rain. The relative humidity of the atmosphere throughout the year was 74-6 per cent.; December was lowest with 52 per cent., May and June were highest with 83 per cent.

The average

com-

daily sunshine throughout the year was 58 hours, as pared with 4.78 in 1897. On 41 days only no sunshine was recorded.

208

28

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUal.

 2. Temperature.-The average monthly temperature through- out the year was 72.2° F., as compared with 71-7° F. in 1897. The maximum monthly temperature was in July, with 81-7° F.; the minimum in January, with 60-1° F. The highest recorded temperature was on May 30th, with 91.5° F.; the lowest on January 25th, with 46·1°F.

 3. Direction and Force of Wind.-The typhoons of 1898 were above the average as regards both number and intensity. Telegraphic connections were interrupted 12 times, as well as during some thunderstorms. The maximum wind velocity for any month was 62 in August; the minimum 26 in September.

VIII.-POSTAL, TELEGRAPH, AND TELEPHONE

SERVICES.

(A.) POSTAL SERVICE.

As compared with 1897, the amount of international corre- spondence shows an increase of 734,460 covers; the local correspondence-by which is meant correspondence with the agencies where Chinese post offices are now established-shows an increase of 26,930 covers. The sale of stamps increased to the extent of $51,736.27. The nett increase of revenue derived from all postal sources in 1898 as compared with 1897 was $68,563.50. The corresponding increase in expenditure was $34,480.83. The balance of revenue over expenditure was $95,618.47, an increase of $34,082.27 above that shown in 1897.

+

The establishment of penny postage, together with the reduc- tion of the local rate from 10 cents to 4 cents per half ounce with the United Kingdom, its dependencies, and Canada, has been estimated to cause a probable loss of $30,000 during the current year. The Postmaster-General reports that it has already enhanced the volume of correspondence very largely.

Branch post offices were opened during 1898 at Kowloon and West Point.

The money passing through the Money Order Office was about the same in 1898 as in 1897, namely, $521,711 in the latter year and $527,413 in the year that has passed. The nett commission collected, however, was $360 more in 1898 than in 1897.

1887-1903

209

29

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

The following table of revenue for the last ten years shows the increase in postal business that has taken place :-

Year.

Amount.

$

1889

142,309.11

20,818.15 Deficit.

1890

148,459.98

5,458.16 Surplus.

1891

1892

1893

:

:

142,770.03

2,605.02

11

157,699.03

3,450.73

17

167,596.77

14,309.81

,,

1894

:

192,172.42

8,820.27

1895

244,449.71

50,209.44

17

1896

245,280.33

56,999.16

1897

268,616.49

61,536.20

77

1898

337,179.99

95,618.47

"?

The working expenses of 1889 were only $15,666.25 less than those of 1898; yet the deficit of $20,000 in the former year has become a surplus of $95,000 in the latter. In ten years this department has paid into general revenue $278,189.11.

The Postmaster-General reports that he is able to speak highly of most of the seniors on the staff, but that the juniors lack a sense of responsibility, and it is doubtful if many of them intend to remain in the service.

IX.-MILITARY FORCES AND EXPENDITURE.

(A.) REGULAR FORCES.

The following table shows the numbers and nature of the forces employed in the Colony during 1898 :--

CORPS.

210

30

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

EUROPEAN.

INDIAN.

CHINESE.

TOTALS.

Warrant

Officers.

N.C.O.'s Officers. and Men.

Officers.

Warrant

Officers.

N.C.O.'s

N.C.O.'s

and Men. and Men.

General Staff

5

LO

...

Garrison Staff

...

Royal Artillery

16

1

404

...

Royal Engineers...

Hong Kong-Singapore Battalion, R.A.

Chinese Sub.-Miners

...

10

10

1

171

...

1/K.O. Royal Lancr. Regiment

25

2

968

...

Army Service Corps

2

Hong Kong Regiment

10

...

...

Royal Army Medical Corps

9

...

...

Ind. Sub-Med. Department

A.O.D. and Corps

A.P.D. and Corps

3

...

Educational

181

1ཀྪཱུམྦྷཎྜ|g 1&|ཀ

8

5

17

29

14

...

Total

:

:

:

5

1

421

434

459

182

69

69

995

7

1,010

38

3

21

6

9

2

97

1,606

21

1

1,419

69

3,222

983

2

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

(B.) VOLUNTEER FORCES.

31

The field battery numbered 117, of whom 93 were efficients; while the figures for the Machine Gun Company were 58 and 43 respectively.

X.-GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The most important event of the year 1898 as regards this Colony was the grant by China of a lease for 99 years of a portion of the mainland and some of the surrounding islands to Great Britain as an extension of the Colony. The Honourable J. H. Stewart Lockhart, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary, who was on leave in England, returned to Hong Kong, and in August visited the territory thus granted, upon the capabilities of which he made an exhaustive report. The occupation of the extended area was not effected during the year under review, and will be more properly dealt with in the report on the Blue Book for the current year.

The year 1898 witnessed a recurrence of the plague, which carried off 1,175 people. The proportion of Europeans attacked was somewhat greater than during the preceding epidemic. So far medical science appears to be equally at fault as to its prevention or its cure. The most active measures were taken by the health officers and the Sanitary Board, but without any apparent effect upon the course of the epidemic, which appeared, increased, declined, and disappeared synchronously with the epidemic in Canton and other towns where no attempt whatever was made to check its ravages. The terror inspired by the epidemic of 1894 among the Chinese has apparently ceased, as there was no exodus during 1898. The coolies, who are almost exclusively the victims, seem to accept the possibilities with stoical equanimity.

Emigration decreased as compared with 1897. At the Emi- gration Office 8,497 women and children were examined under the "Chinese Emigration Consolidation Ordinance, 1889," and allowed to proceed to their destination. In 1897 the numbers were 8,501. Immigration from China to the Colony is considerable, and among the immigrants, as is inevitable, there are many representatives of the vicious and criminal classes of the mainland, who add considerably to the difficulties with which the Hong Kong police have to contend.

The increase of piracy on the West River is a serious hindrance to the advancement of our trade, and the time is coming when this question must be taken up if our trade is not to be strangled. It is at present one of the most important factors in the future condition of the trade of this Colony with the West River.

211

212

32

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 The public works undertaken during the year have been extensive, and are expected to be of permanent value. The Praya Reclamation is still being proceeded with, and is adding to the beauty as well as to the value of the City of Victoria.

 Rents, wages, and the price of food have for some time past been on a rapid increase. The wages of coolies are about seven or eight dollars a month, and of house servants twelve to twenty, whereas in Canton the same class of servants can still be hired for six dollars and seven dollars respectively.

 The climate of Hong Kong for five months in the year is very good, though the temperature is rather subject to sudden fluctua tions. The summer months are trying to Europeans, owing to the damp heat.

 It does not appear that there are very many available openings for white labour; and it would not be advisable to emigrate to this Colony without some definite prospect of employment.

 Openings for the investment of capital, if we except trade investments, have perhaps hitherto been rather restricted; but in view of the development of the Kowloon Extension there will probably be openings for capital in the future.

 The social condition of the Colony is fairly satisfactory. No complaint can be made of the attendance of the Chinese at the numerous schools which exist primarily for their benefit, and all the pupils seem anxious to acquire a good working knowledge of the English language.

 The year 1898 was marked by the retirement of my predecessor, Sir William Robinson, G.C.M.G., who is to be congratulated on the amelioration in the general condition of the Colony during his administration of the Government. He left the Colony in February, 1898, and from that date until my arrival towards the close of the year the Government was administered by Major- General Wilsone Black, who, in his capacity as General Officer Commanding the Forces, reached the limit of his term of office at the same time. He was succeeded in his military command by Major-General Gascoigne, C.M.G., who arrived in the Colony on Christmas Day. During a great part of the year the Colonial Secretary, Mr. J. H. Stewart Lockhart, C.M.G., was absent from his post and his place was taken, as Acting Colonial Secretary, by Mr. T. Sercombe Smith. The only other change of importance in the public service of the Colony consisted in the resignation of Mr. H. E. Wodehouse, C.M.G., after a long and meritorious service in various offices in the Civil Service.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

33

I arrived in Hong Kong on the 25th November and assumed the administration of the Government. I am informed on what I consider excellent authority that the commercial condition of the Colony was never more satisfactory. The value of property is steadily increasing, and of the companies quoted in the weekly share lists more than 80 per cent. of the shares are quoted above par. What the ultimate results of the political events in the Far East during the year 1898 may be as regards the trade of this Colony I know too little at present to forecast, but I see no ground for apprehension that Hong Kong will not continue to enjoy in the future the prosperity that the energy of her merchants has won for her in the present.

I have, &c.,

.

HENRY A. BLAKE,

213

Governor.

east view

INFORMATION SERVICES

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

No. 314.

HONG KONG.

REPORT FOR 1899.

(For Report for 1898, see No. 282.)

215

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. January, 1901.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE

BY DARLING & SON, LTD., 34-40, Bacon Street, E.

And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE & SPOTTISWOODE, East Harding STREET. FLEET STREET, E.C., and 32, ABINGDON STREET, WESTMINSTER, S.W.; or

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HODGES, FIGGIS, & Co, LIMITED, 101, Grafton Street, DüBLÍA,

1901.

[Cd. 431-6.] Price 24d.

216

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.

The following, among other, reports relating to Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions have been issued, and may be obtained from the sources indicated on the title page :-

ANNUAL.

No.

Colony.

289

Niger Coast Protectorate

290

British Guiana

::

::

Year.

1898-99

1897-98 &

1898-99

291

Falkland Islands

...

:

292

British New Guinea

...

293

Bermuda

...

...

1899 1898-99 1899

294

Barbados

...

...

...

295

Malta

296

Fiji

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

99

...

""

297

Turks Islands

...

...

...

298

Bahamas

...

...

...

...

""

299

Sierra Leone

...

...

...

...

300

Gambia...

...

301

Seychelles

...

...

302

303

Mauritius and Rodrigues

Trinidad and Tobago

...

...

304

Straits Settlements

305

Gibraltar

...

...

306

Gold Coast

...

307

Ceylon

...

...

308

309

St. Helena

310

Leeward Islands

British Honduras

...

...

...

...

...

311

St. Lucia...

...

...

312

St. Vincent

...

313

Basutoland

...

...

...

"

"J

...

""

"9

...

...

...

""

""

...

""

...

...

**

...

99

***

...

...

""

""

""

"

...

1899-1900

MISCELLANEOUS.

Colony.

No.

1

Gold Coast...

•••

...

2

Zululand

...

...

...

3

Sierra Leone

...

4

Canada

...

5

Bahamas

6

Hong Kong

...

7

Newfoundland

...

8

Western Pacific

9

Dominica

10

Virgin Islands

...

11

Grenada

12

Anguilla

...

13

Cook Islands

14

Bahamas

15

Canada

...

...

Subject.

Economic Agriculture. Forests.

Geology and Botany. Emigration.

Sisal Industry.

Bubonic Plague.

Mineral Resources.

British Solomon Islands.

Agriculture.

Conditions during 1897.

Agriculture in Carriacou.

Vital Statistics, 1898. Trade, 1899.

Fibre Industry.

Legal Status of British

North American Indians.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

No. 314.

HONG KONG.

(For Report for 1898, see No. 382.)

3

217

SIR,

GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

Governmeu House,

Hong Kong,

6th October, 1900.

  I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the Blue Book for 1899, and to submit for your information the following general Report on that year:-

I.-FINANCES.

During the year 1899 the Actual Revenue exceeded the Estimated Revenue by $290,622-76, exclusive of the amounts derived from Land Sales and the Water Account. If these sums are included, the excess of actual over estimated revenue was $724,006·25. The Expenditure exceeded the Estimate by $467,369-80. This is exclusive of the amount spent on Public Works Extraordinary, which was considerably less than had been estimated. The total excess of actual over estimated ex- penditure was, therefore, only $288,520-56. The excess was due to expenditure in connection with the New Territory which amounted to $233,000. Of this, $47,000 was expended on account of the Police Establishment, while $112,000 was spent on Roads and Police Stations.

The amount received from Land Sales was very large, being more than double the estimated receipts from this source.

The excess of actual over estimated revenue under this head was $417,824-72.

Only $7,273-03 was derived in revenue from the New Terri- tory, the collection of Crown rent which will be the principal source of revenue not having been begun.

The following tables show the heads of Revenue and Expendi- ture, from which it will be seen that the Revenue for 1899 has exceeded the Expenditure by $447,350:89. The figures are compared with those of the four previous years, and the results show that practically without the imposition of any additional taxation the financial resources of the Colony have continued to show a gratifying elasticity:-

Light dues

...

...

(A.) GENERAL REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.

Revenue.

1898.

1899.

...

...

Increase.

Decrease.

218

4

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS--ANNUAL.

C.

51,645.15

C.

52,406.93

5

C.

1,459,095.90

1,559,387.99

225,356.86

240,084.23

761.78

100,292.09

14,727.37

...

337,179.99

317,909.36

19,270.63

401,114.11

434,487.00

33,372.89

...

...

197,715.79

261,484.25

63,768.46

2,672,107.80

2,865,759.76

212,922.59

19,270.63

...

::

133,318.87

617,824.72

484,505.85

...

112,732.57

126,558.77

13,826.20

:.

2,918,159.24

3,610,143.25

711,254.64

19,270.63

Deduct Decrease

19,270.63

Nett Increase

...

691,984.01

Licences and internal revenue not otherwise specified Fees of court-payments for specific purposes, and

reimbursements in aid.

Post office

...

Rent of Government property-land and houses Miscellaneous

...

...

...

Total, exclusive of land sales and water account $

Land sales

Water account

...

...

Total

...

...

::

:

:

:

Expenditure.

1898.

1899.

Increase.

Decrease.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

C.

C.

3

:

...

...

163,805.03

158,819.38

4,985.65

...

...

:

...

:

:

164,210.26

170,646.26

6,436.00

...

...

...

:

...

51,809.58

48,889.22

2,920.36

.:.

...

...

:

...

34,862.11

32,187.34

2,674.77

...

...

:

:

:

F:.

7,386.61

9,518.72

2,132.11

...

:.

...

22,409.02

22,381.83

27.19

:

...

:

.:.

...

89,574.10

93,909.77

4,335.67

:..

...

241,561.52

237,902.76

3,658.76

...

...

...

***

14,991.92

14,448.22

546.70

...

...

:

:

:

:

65,835.25

62,933.00

2,902.25

:

...

14,934.94

11,864.44

3,070.50

.:

...

...

...

12,728.85

13,068.32

339.47

Charge on account of public debt...

Pensions

Governor and Legislature

Colonial Secretary's department

Audit department

· Treasury

Public Works department

Post office

...

Registrar-General's department

Harbour Master's department

Lighthouses ...

Observatory

...

219

1898.

1899.

Increase.

Expenditure-continued.

Decrease.

220

220

6

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

C.

:

3,615.80

3,689.97

C.

74.17

17,842.44

18,293.87

451.43

76,092.45

83,711.52

7,619.07

:

...

1,815.00

1,810.00

5.00

...

72,420.12

75,152.57

2,732.45

:.

115,502.48

113,663.19

1,839.29

:

:

D:.

.:.

:

21,405.00

21,353.58

51.42

...

222,163.90

263,965.71

41,801.81

57,954.61

58,447.14

492.53

14,920.09

17,244.42

2,324.33

101,613.41

122,605.05

20,991.64

...

4,034.79

4,101.64

66.85

:

:

:

:

:

...

...

...

...

...

...

J

:

:

...

Stamp office

...

Botanical and Afforestation department...

Legal departments

Ecclesiastical department

Education

Medical departments

Magistracy

Police

:.

:

...

:

:

...

...

***

:

:

.:..

:

:

.:.

:

:.

:

...

:

...

...

:

:

:

:

:

:

...

:

Gaols

...

Fire brigade

Sanitary department

.Charitable allowances

Transport

...

...

...

::

.:.

...

...

...

:

...

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

9,400.92

9,636.96

236.04

290,808.49

513,033.54

222,225.05

...

:

519,274.89

649,388.53

130,113.64

...

194,447.57

198,464.65

4,017.08

...

234,381.05

131,660.76

102,720.29

2,841,805.20

3,162,792.36

446,389.34

125,402.18

...

:

:

:

:

Miscellaneous services

Military expenditure

Public works recurrent

Public works extraordinary

Total

...

:

:

...

:

:

:

...

...

:

Deduct Decrease

...

Nett Increase

...

$

125,402.18

320,987.16

:

...

::

::

:

.:.

:..

Revenue for 1899

...

Expenditure for 1899

...

...

Surplus

3,610,143.25

3,162,792.36

$447,350.89

:.

7

221

Revenue

1897.

Total Revenue and Expenditure for the Five Years: 1895-1899.

:

:

1895.

1896.

1898.

1899.

8

222

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

2,486,228.89

2,609,878.94

2,686,914.70

2,918,159.24

3,610,143.25

2,972,373.01

2,474,910.37

2,641,409.71

2,841,805.20

3,162,792.36

486,144.12

+ 134,968.57

+

45,504.99

+ 76,354.04

+ 447,350.89

* Includes expenditure of $820,000 on account of resumption of insanitary property.

There was in 1899 an additional expenditure of $121,240.10 on public works extraordinary which was chargeable against the new loan. The amount so expended was less than the estimate by $62,459.90, but was more by a small amount than the balance of the loan, which is, therefore, now wholly expended.

:

Expenditure

...

...

Surplus or deficit

...

:

:

...

:

(B.) CHANGES IN TAXATION.

There were no important changes in taxation.

ASSETS.

Balance in bank at current account

(C.) ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.

LIABILITIES.

C.

...

...

...

40,980.16

200,000.00

293.47

Crown Agents' drafts in transit Military contribution

Deposits not available

...

...

:::

...

...

38,242.60

Refund of taxes

...

...

40,000.00

...

...

1,517.41

Money order remittances

...

...

124,843.54

Officers' remittances

Transit charges, General Post Office

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

20,000.00

53,581.78

443,664.77

2,300.00

22,505.81

9,342.30

665.95

Civil pensions

...

8,000.00

Police

...

Private drainage works

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

6,360.00

19,100.00

13,400.00

292.36

Public works

...

...

...

...

...

...

:

...

60

454,543.13

Miscellaneous

...

...

...

...

...

Suspense account

...

...

...

:..

311,773.32

Balance overdrawn, Crown Agents

...

...

766,316.45

TOTAL LIABILITIES

...

...

:

$

37,224.70

14,016.87

115,809.52

8,718.34

766,316.45

Coins in transit

...

Arrears of taxes

**

...

...

"

Crown rent

...

""

"

11

"}

Advances

miscellaneous

...

...

New Territory

Suspense house service Pr fit Money Order Office

TOTAL ASSETS*

BALANCE

...

...

...

...

:

• Not including $831,109.92, value of silver at Mint.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

6

223

224

10

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

£

8. d.

12,625 18 11

(D.) PUBLIC DEBT.

The nature of the loans contracted by the Colony and the conditions governing their repayment may be ascertained by reference to I (D) of the Blue Book Report for 1898, page 3.

Loan Account.

Dr.

To Inscribed Stock Loan at 34% interest, to be paid off on the 15th April, 1943.

£ 8. d. 341,799 15 1

Cr. By Sinking Fund

...

(E.) CURRENCY.

The currency of the Colony remains unchanged.

:.

...

...

:

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

TRADE, AGRICULTURE, AND INDUSTRIES.

(A.) IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.

225

11

The following table shows the principal articles of import in the years 1898 and 1899 in vessels of European construction: ----

Articles.

1898.

1899. Increase. Decrease.

...

$ 11,092

$

8,110

2,982

500

1,800 1,300

817,967

687,557

130,410

36,611 34,470

2,141

...

:

103,544

101,939

1,605

55,160 32,868

22,292

67,362

61,027

6,335

:

...

59,115

80,588 21,473

...

4,200

6,468 2,268

2.150

2,150

2,638

2,775

137

Beans

Bones

...

Coal

:

:

:

:

:

:

Cotton Yarn and Cotton

Flour

Hemp

...

...

Kerosine (bulk)

(case)

:

:

:

:

...

:

:

:.

:

:

***

...

Lead

...

Liquid Fuel

Opium

Pitch

Rattan

Rice

...

D:

...

...

Sandalwood

Sulphur

Sugar

Tea

Timber

General.

...

...

...

...

...

:

:

:

:

...

:.

...

...

...

:

...

:

...

...

:

:

***

:.

...

:

...

6,441

*3,998

747,395 771,830 24,435

2,443

2,055

1,282

773

...

535

506

29

:

267,422

183,162

81,260

6,554

6,287

267

46,599

61,110 14,511

...

1,151,149

1,135,828

15,321

:

:.

...

|

3,388,489 3,181,605 64,124

271,008

2,020,322

1,957,703

62,619

5,408,811 5,139,308 64,124

333,627

Nett

...

$

269,503

:

:.

:

:.

Total

Transit

...

Grand Total

226

12

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL reporTS-ANNUAL.

 The import of coal had increased in an abnormal manner in 1898, which accounts for the large falling off in 1899.

 The totals in tons of imports and exports for the last five years are as follows:

Imports

Exports

In Transit

:

1895.

1896.

1897.

1898.

1899.

3,485,504 3,425,436 3,414,728 4,077,740 3,915,481

2,704,974 2,661,873 2,787,535 3,015,263 2,949,342

| | 1,623,883 1,845,400 1,852,462 2,020,322 | 1,957,703

 The following table shows the imports and exports of junks in foreign and local trade during 1898 and 1899:-

Imports

...

:

Exports

...

:..

:

1898.

1899.

•*•

...

689,251

783,876

...

...

774,069

945,446

The principal exports are kerosine and rice.

 While British goods hold their own in the main with those of foreign manufacture, the following items may be specially noted:-

Cements.

 Very little British cement is now imported, the Hong Kong manufacture being now chiefly used all over the East, with small quantities of Belgian make.

Rope...

 The local company's article now entirely supplies the wants of the local market, to the exclusion of other manufactures, and in addition large quantities of the rope are shipped to all Eastern ports, and Australia.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

Coal.

227

13

Japan imports of coal supply practically all the local market, both for steamer and manufacturing uses.

ported almost solely for Admiralty use.

Matches.

Cardiff coal is im-

These goods are now imported entirely from Japan; a few local companies also make for this market.

Metals.

The principal demand in this market is for Belgian iron, owing to its cheapness; only small quantities of British are imported in comparison with Belgian. Americans will doubtless be very soon severe competitors for this trade, the facilities they have for manufacturing allowing them to import their metals as cheaply as from Belgium.

Wire Nails.

These goods up till two years ago were imported entirely from Germany, now the trade is almost entirely done from the United States, their nails being fully as good as, and cheaper than, the German article.

Miscellaneous articles, including hardware of all kinds, glass, cutlery, beer, cotton hosiery, and woollen goods, come almost entirely from Germany, although America is now start- ing the importation of such also.

(B.) MINES, Manufactures, AND FISHERIES.

There are no mines in the Colony.

The principal manufactures are:-

Two large sugar refineries, the products of which are exported to almost every part of the world. No figures are available to show their present position, but they are in a flourishing con- dition.

A rope manufactory, which entirely supplies the local market and does a large export business. The rope is made from the best Manila hemp.

A cement factory, with a branch for the manufacture of bricks and drain pipes. The cement of this company has practically ousted the British manufactured article from the local market,

228

14

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

being used for civil and military works of all descriptions and by local engineers, architects, and contractors, and is extensively exported to Japan, Manila, Straits Settlements, Australia, and Pacific Coast Ports. The works were originally situated at Macao, but a large extension has now been made in the Colony and the output more than doubled. The price per barrel of 375 lbs. net weight is from $4.00 to $4.50 (silver). Bricks and pipes are largely used in the Colony and exported.

 A cotton mill, which so far, however, has hardly realised. expectations.

 Engineering and shipbuilding firms to the number of eight, which between them constructed 116 vessels of various descrip- tions (principally steam vessels) of an aggregate tonnage of 5,965 tons.

 The principal of these firms is the Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co., which, besides constructing 21 vessels, docked 330 vessels of an average of 2,336 tons each during 1899, the largest vessel docked being H.M.S. Powerful. This firm employed a daily average of 4,510 workmen, and spent $1,225,280 in wages.

 The boat building industry is also a very large one, and is carried on by numerous Chinese yards, boats being largely exported from here.

 A paper factory. The paper made is for Chinese use and is largely exported to China.

 The manufacture of preserved ginger, which was formerly confined to Canton, has assumed large dimensions in the Colony, the principal market being Great Britain. Some large factories have removed from Canton to this Colony.

 There are three factories, on a very small scale, for the manu- facture of Chinese fireworks. This is a large industry in Canton and neighbourhood, which the absence here of a duty on saltpetre and sulphur ought soon to attract to this Colony. Soy is another article the manufacture of which has been attracted to this Colony. There are five soap factories, the latest addition being under the management of a German firm; while for the manufacture of vermilion, which is exported to Bombay, Japan, and North China, there are seven small factories. With the acquisition of the New Territory, which affords room for ex- pansion, manufactures in this Colony are likely to increase to a considerable extent in the near future.

 Salt is manufactured at four places in the New Territory, the yearly output being about 4,466 tons, worth some $16,000, which in part supplies the local demands of the population, the fishing junks which keep the fish they catch while at sea in brine, and the various fishing stations where fish is salted and dried. A much larger quantity is, however, imported at certain places for the use of the fleets of fishing junks. The imported salt is

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

15

also largely used for the salting and drying of fish, for which purpose it seems to be preferred to the locally manufactured salt. The manufacture of salt is an industry which is likely to increase and develop in the New Territory, and which is worthy of being encouraged seeing the important connection it has with the food supply of the Chinese, one of whose staple articles of food is salt fish.

Fisheries.

229

There are no fisheries of any importance. The local demand for salt and fresh fish is met by fleets of fishing junks and a large number of net stations, the fish that are required for salting being dried and salted on the beach.

(C.) AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES AND BOTANICAL

STATIONS.

The principal agriculture in the New Territory is the cultiva- tion of rice, which is almost entirely used for the consumption of the population, a small quantity being exported to the neigh- bouring towns in Chinese territory. It is estimated that there are 90,000 acres under rice cultivation.

The next most important agriculture is that of sugar. There are about 750 acres growing cane, which is crushed in 81 sugar mills of a very primitive nature scattered over the territory.

The total value of the sugar produced annually is about $175,000, rather more than half that sum being required to cover wages and other expenses of crushing.

A fourth of the sugar produced is used for local consumption, the rest being exported to Hong Kong and Canton.

New varieties of cane have been imported by the Botanical and Afforestation Department, which have been planted at certain places in the territory as an experiment.

Pine-apples are cultivated to a considerable extent and two factories, under Chinese, management, in which they are canned are established in Hong Kong.

The annual output amounts to about 39 tons, of which a con- siderable quantity is sold locally, the rest being exported to England, America, Russia, and Formosa.

New varieties of pine-apple plants have been imported by the above-mentioned department and have been introduced into the districts where the fruit is cultivated.

Camphor trees are grown to some extent in the New Territory, and experiments are being made with a view to ascertaining the quality of the camphor that can be produced from them.

230

16

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL reports-ANNUAL.

Land Grants and General Value of Land.

The following table gives particulars of land sales, extensions, and grants on short leases made during the year under review :-

No. of Lots.

Area in Square Feet.

Annual Crown Rent.

Premium.

$ c.

C.

$ c.

SALES BY AUCTION :-

Is'and of Hong Kong

New Territory

EXTENSIONS GRANTED :-

Island of Hong Kong Kowloon Peninsula

New Territory

Grants on Short Leases, &c. :-

Island of Hong Kong...

43

...

Kowloon Peninsula

...

...

...

***

...

...

:::

640,863

:::

40

83

1.353,4751,994,338

4,458.00

12,123.00

}}

192,651.00

16,581.00 | 361,711.00 554,362.00

}

15

...

...

...

...

:::

:::

:::

580

10.870

105.10

23

32,353

43,223

417.00 522.10

2,913.24

15,716.00

0

}

18,629.24

54

...

...

...

104,649

489.00

Kowloon Peninsula

New Territory...

...

...

...

...

112 168

2

68,420 173,069

not stated

236.00

1,300.00)

2,025.00

}

19,128.10

572,991.24

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

17

The sales of Crown land were considerably in excess of pre- vious years, the area and number of lots sold and the premium realised being five times more than in the year 1898. There was also much competition, so that prices were greatly enhanced. One inland lot, favourably situated for Chinese shops and dwell- ings in the Western District, realised a premium of $14 per square foot, the highest price yet obtained for land in that dis- trict. The highest price paid for Crown land in Hong Kong during the year was $18.39 a square foot. There was a greatly increased demand for land in the Kowloon Peninsula, and the value of land there has more than trebled during the last five years. The market town of Yaumati is now rapidly increasing and extending in a northerly direction.

Private sales of land within the City of Victoria also increased greatly during the year, the number of conveyances or assign- ments registered in the Land Office during the year showing an excess of eight and a half million dollars in purchase moneys paid over any previous year. The highest price per square foot obtained at private sale was $55.

It is to be noted that the first sale of Crown land under the new condition of selling for a term of 75 years, renewable for one further term, took place in July, and 27 lots under this condition were sold before the end of the year.

The appreciation in value of land is due to the fact that, owing to the insecurity of life and property in the neighbouring pro- vince of China, Chinese capital flowed into the Colony for investment.

The making of a survey for the proposed Canton railway probably also had the effect of stimulating investment in landed property in the Kowloon Peninsula.

231

(E.) SHIPPING.

The total tonnage entering and clearing during the year 1899 amounted to 18,101,309 tons, being an increase compared with 1898 of 835,529 tons, and the same number in excess of any previous year.

There were 44,278 arrivals of 9,052,501 tons, and 44,349 departures of 9,048,808 tons.

Of British ocean-going tonnage 2,587,478 tons entered, and 2,587,369 tons cleared.

Of river steamers (British) 1,774,728 tons entered, and 1,775,441 tons cleared; making a grand total of British tonnage of 8,725,016 tons entering and clearing.

232

18

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 Of foreign ocean-going tonnage 2,352,740 tons entered, and 2,347,745 tons cleared.

 Of foreign river steamers 5,823 tons entered, and 5,823 tons cleared; making a grand total of foreign tonnage of 4,712,131 tons entering and clearing.

 Of junks in foreign trade, 1,849,435 tons entered, and 1,846,749 tons cleared.

 Of junks in local trade, 482,297 tons entered, and 485,681 tons cleared.

Thus―

British ocean-going tonnage represented 28.5 per cent.

""

river

Foreign ocean-going

river

19.5

""

93

25.8

""

""

0.6

""

Junk (foreign trade)

20.3

33

""

"3

(local trade)

5.3

""

""

""

 Five thousand three hundred and eighty-six (5,386) steamers, 58 sailing vessels, and 22,566 junks in foreign trade entered during the year, giving a daily average of 76·9, as against 96 in 1898.

 For European-constructed vessels the daily average of entry would be 14.91, against 15-17 in 1898, and, of the steamers entering, 68-17 per cent. were British.

 The actual number of ships of European construction (ex- clusive of river steamers), entering the port during the year 1899 was 603, being 312 British and 291 foreign.

 A comparison between the years 1898 and 1899 is shown in the following table:-

Comparative Shipping Return for the Years 1898 and 1899.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

1898.

1899.

Increase.

Decrease.

Ships.

Tonnage. Ships.

Tonnage.

Ships.

Tonnage.

Ships. Tonnage.

British

:

...

7,456

8,705,648

7,408

8,725,016

19,368

48

Foreign

...

3,602

4,547,085

3,497

4,712,131

165,046

105.

Junks in Foreign Trade

...

58,936*

3,626,754°

45,067+

3,696,184+

69,430

13,869

Total...

...

69,994

16,879,487

55,972

17,133,331

253,844

14,022

Junks in Local Trade

...

9,635

386,293

32,655‡

967,978‡ 23,020

581,685

Grand Total

79,629

17,265,780

88,627

18,101,309

23,020

835,529

14,022

...

NETT...

...

...

8,998.

835,529

* Including 18,700 Conservancy and dust boats measuring 409,840 tons. Including 4,918 Conservancy and dust boats measuring 108,834 tons. Including 12,826 Conservancy and dust boats measuring 316,300 tons.

19

233

234

20

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 For vessels under the British flag, this table shows a falling off of 48 ships. This may be attributed to the return to normal conditions of the shipping of the port. In 1898 there was a large extra number of tramp colliers entered from home. These were subsequently employed in the inflated rice trade to Japan, which continued up to the end of 1898. These steamers have now returned home. An additional cause for the diminution lies in the fact that the steamers of the Northern Pacific Line have turned over to the United States flag. There is also a great decrease in the number of sailing vessels calling here, which, alone, would account for more than the 48.

 The British tonnage, on the other hand, shows an increase of 19,368 tons. This may be accounted for by the gradual substi- tution of large for small vessels.

 For vessels under foreign flags, there is also a numerical decrease, with an increase of measurement. The decrease of 105 ships is explained by:-(i.) The total disappearance of West River Lorchas under German colours. (ii.) A certain number of German coasting steamers, usually calling here, having been, during the greater part of the year, on time charter in the northern ports. And (iii) three Danish steamers, of small tonnage and of former frequent entry, have ceased to call here.

 The increase of tonnage of 165,046 tons is accounted for by:- (i.) The starting of a new Japanese line of steamers, the Osaka Shosen Kaisha, calling here. (ii.) The increased number of Japanese coasting steamers. (iii.) An increase in Marty's Fleet (French). (iv.) The Northern Pacific Line, having shifted from British to United States colours, were running here during the first half of the year. (v.) The greatly increased size of many steamers now employed on the European runs. The remarks as to British sailing vessels (above) also apply here.

Comparative Statement of Total Shipping Entered and Cleared: 1895-1899 included.

1895.

1896.

1897.

1898.

1899.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

Ships. Tonnage.

Ships. Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage.

Total entered and cleared.

...

73,761 15,632,113 80,463 16,515,953 77,293 15,938,174 79,629 17,265,780 88,627 18,101,309

21

235

236

22

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL reporTS-ANNUAL.

1898.

Ships.

Tonnage.

Ships.

Tonnage.

Analysis of Shipping (Steamers) Entered and Cleared: 1898 and 1899.

1899.

Decrease.

Tonnage.

Increase.

Ships.

Tonnage.

Ships.

British

7,224

8,601,880

7,354

8,665,828

130

63,948

Foreign:

German-

1,385

1,757,238

1,265

1,653,895

120

108,343

Japanese

481

1,005,455

658

1,338,973

177

333,518

Chinese

424

523,667

456

506,696

32

16,971

French

-

312

349,568

444

437,393

132

87,825

Norwegian

404

373,097

252

234,799

152

138,298

American

130

91,967

152

160,566

22

Austrian

50

132,818

54

142,890

Italian

-

26

37,990

80

58,420

***

68,599

10,072

15,430

Danish -

184

85,101

24

48,105

110

36,996

Russian

2

6,854

11,817

4,963

Hawaiian

10

23,392

4

9,192

6

* 14,200

Belgian-

2

4,848

7

8,048

3,700

Spanish-

6

2,591

15

7,706

5,115

Dutch

12

17,678

4

5,040

12,638

Portuguese Siamese

Swedish

-

62

3,344

62

3,344

Total

10,602

13,013,144

10,790

13,287,212

584

596,514

396

322,446

396

822,446

Nett Increase

188

274,068

Analysis of Shipping (Sailing) Entered and Cleared: 1898 and 1899. -

1899.

Decrease.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

1898.

Increase.

Ships.

Tonnage.

Ships.

Tonnage.

Ships

Tonnage.

Ships.

Tonnage.

British

232

103,768

54

59,188

178

44,580

Foreign:

American

101

87,567

49

71,207

52

Austrian

1

77

Danish

1,350

French

2

2,228

German

101

82,837

Hawaiian

Italian

Norwegian

Russian

Siamese

TNGN2

4,318

1,588

17,158

2,382

794

92

འདྲེ ཡ ཤྩ 2 ཀ༔ ཨཽ

16,860

77

1,350

2,228

15,179

4,318

1.796

9.12

618

Spanish

T

F

4,796

942

618

Swedish

Total

456

239,589

Nett Decrease

Junks: 1898 and 1899.

115

149,985

79-4

342

1

90,4-18

794

841

89,654

1898.

Ships.

Tonnage.

Ships.

68,571

4,013,047

77,722

1899.

Increase.

Tonnage.

4,66.1,162

Ships.

9,151

Tonnage.

651,115

Ships.

Decrease.

Tonnage.

23

237

238

24

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

LEGISLATION.

 Forty Ordinances were passed during the year, of which ten were for the Naturalisation of Chinese.

 The Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance was amended so as to enable resumption for any "public purpose."

Three had special reference to the New Territory. One was to exempt the Territory from the operation of certain Ordinances not considered applicable to it. A second was to give power to divide the New Territory into districts and sub-districts, to appoint committees of districts and sub-districts, make rules for the good order, health, and general good government of the Territory, for the constitution of local tribunals in districts and sub-districts, for the hearing and deciding of petty civil and criminal cases, and the levying of contributions on the inhabi- tants where extra crime requires the provision of extra police. The local tribunals under this Ordinance have not been established.

The third Ordinance gives power to make rules for the farm- ing out for revenue purposes of the right to sell or otherwise deal in any commodity, and for the collection of rent and taxes. Opium is the only commodity that has been dealt with under this Ordinance.

An important sanitary measure was passed in the Insanitary Properties Ordinance, which has for its object the improvement of light and ventilation in existing domestic buildings, and of open spaces in rear of them, and the provision of larger open spaces in rear of new buildings, and the sanitary maintenance of private streets and lanes.

The provisions of the Ordinance still fall short of similar re- quirements in England, but are as exacting as perhaps could be imposed without involving questions of compensation for loss of space in a city where land is extraordinarily valuable. Ordi- nances were passed to consolidate and amend the law relating to criminal procedure, merchant shipping, and prisons, and an important amendment of the Protection of Women and Girls. Ordinance was passed, giving larger powers of dealing with brothels and disorderly houses, and making it penal to permit a woman suffering from contagious disease to remain in a brothel.

The provisions of this Ordinance have already had a salutary effect.

1887-1903

239

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

25

EDUCATION.

Primary education in Hong Kong may be divided into two great divisions:-

I. Schools in which an English education is given.

II.

"".

a vernacular

""

22

39 33

Each division may again, be divided into three sub- divisions:-

A.-Government schools, that is, entirely supported by the

Government.

B.-Grant-in-aid schools, receiving a yearly grant from the

Government, based on the results of examination. C.-Private schools, that is, schools that do not come under

Government inspection, and so receive no grant.

I.A.-There are four Government schools, outside Queen's College, which give an education in English. These are under the charge of native teachers, who are capable of teaching at least up to the fourth standard. A competitive examination is held each year of boys from these four schools, of whom four are selected for free scholarships tenable at Queen's College. The education at these schools is free, and by far the greater majority of the scholars are Chinese and Eurasians, but there are a few Indians. The number attending these four schools is 631. There is also one school (Belilios Public School for girls) where an English education is given to girls, and a few very young boys who are too young to enter Queen's College, but eventually go there. The number of scholars attending this school is 255, and the five schools together have an average daily attendance of 484.9.

I.B.-of the grant-in-aid schools giving an English educa- tion there are 18, having an average daily attendance of 1,320. Nearly all these schools are attached to, and under the guidance of, some religious body; and with the exception of three, viz., the Diocesan School, St. Joseph's College School, and Victoria English School, give quite a primary education only. These three will be mentioned again among the schools giving a secondary education.

I.C.-Private schools in which an English education is given. The number of these schools cannot be very correctly stated, especially as it is difficult to say what number of scholars constitutes a school in these circumstances. They also fluctuate a great deal, sometimes being opened till the venturer finds a more lucrative occupation. It appears, however, that there are seven that may be properly called schools. Some of these should come more under the head of Evening Classes held in private houses, generally of some of the native masters of Queen's

240

26

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

College. These seven are doubtless attended by those who cannot (on account of distance or want of place) get into any of the above-named four Government schools-or who are crowded out of Queen's College, or cannot afford to pay the fees of that institution. The education given in some of these is of a very varied nature, an attempt being made to meet the special requirements of nearly every individual. The great object of boys attending these schools seems to be to get a smattering of English to enable them to get employment as shroffs, copying clerks, office boys, compositors, &c., and thus, it is feared, they must not be considered educational institutions from a proper point of view.

 II.A. Of the Government schools which give an education in Chinese only, there are now seven (three having been closed at the end of 1898), having an average daily attendance of 249-9. Some years ago, when a boy was obliged to reach a certain standard in Chinese before he could enter the Government Central School (alias Victoria College, now Queen's College) to study English, it would appear that these schools were greater in number and attended by a larger number of scholars, e.g., in 1879 there were 27 Chinese Government schools, with an attendance of 1,231 scholars for the year; whereas in the four English schools there was an attendance of only 222 scholars for the year.

Since then the desire for an English education has greatly grown, and the Government now requires that English shall be taught in all new schools that are opened. In 1879, as above stated, there were only 222 scholars in the four schools in which English was taught, but in 1899 in the five schools- i.e., including the Belilios Public School for Girls-there were 886 scholars, of which 255 are girls. Again, in 1879 there were 27 Chinese Government schools, with 1,231 scholars in attend- ance, and in 1899 there were seven schools, with a yearly attend- ance of 558 scholars. The education in these Chinese schools follows somewhat on the lines of that given in an ordinary native school as far as the books used are concerned, but with a healthy leavening of a Western system.

 II.B-There are 73 grant-in-aid schools, having an attendance of 3,811 scholars for the year, of whom 1,806 are boys and 2,005 girls. The books. in use for these schools include some of the smaller Chinese classics, but being, like all the grant-in-aid schools, under the control of some religious sect, books, compiled under the guidance of these various sects and of a religious character, are, subject to the approval of the Inspector of Schools, substituted for ordinary Chinese books.

 Under this heading must be reckoned the Portuguese schools in which the Portuguese language is taught with a hope of sub- stituting, in time, the pure language for the patois which now prevails. There are five of these schools, with an attendance of 11 boys and 143 girls for the year.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

241

27

II.C.-Private schools in which a Chinese education is given.-Considering the facilities offered both by the Govern- ment and the grant-in-aid system for a free education in Chinese, it seems hardly credible that private schools could exist and be made to pay, but it is evident that they both exist and pay sufficiently for many ventures to be made, for they number 100, with an attendance of 2,195 scholars, one of them being a girls' school. This number includes the seven schools mentioned above in which an English education is given. These are doubtless attended by the children of those parents whose faith is pinned to an ordinary Chinese education, under the ordinary Chinese system. Cumbersome as this system doubtless is, it is believed in even by some highly educated Chinese. In some of these schools the fees are paid partly in money and partly in kind, which in some instances means a bare existence for the teacher. Many of the wealthier Chinese have their sons, perhaps with those of some near friend or neighbour, taught in their own homes by an accomplished teacher according to Chinese ideas. Comparing the number of scholars with the schools it will be seen that there is only an average of 22 boys to each school.

SECONDARY EDUCATION.

As it is still an unsettled point in England where a primary education ceases and a secondary one begins, it will be still more difficult to draw a line of demarcation in Hong Kong, where there is no one institution that pretends to give a secondary education only. The four principal English schools, viz, Queen's College, Diocesan School, St. Joseph's College School, and the Victoria English School, prepare candidates for the Senior Oxford Local Examinations, and so may he said to give a secondary education to a certain, but very limited, extent; but in all these institutions by far the majority of the boys receive only a primary education.

Queen's College, which is a Government institution, has a staff qualified to give a secondary education, but the time is not yet ripe for it to be turned into a secondary education insti- tution only. The number of scholars on the roll is at present 1,126, and during 1899 the average daily attendance was 887-05, and the total number of scholars on roll was 1,344. The staff consists of one head master, one second master, four assistants (senior grade), and four assistants (junior grade), all Europeans, assisted by 11 native teachers and five pupil teachers. Now that no test is applied to a knowledge of Chinese, very young boys, say nine years old, Chinese reckoning, enter, and con- sequently education here commences with the "A. B. C." and goes up to the Senior Oxford Local Examination standard.

242

28

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 The education given in the three other named institutions is very similar. The number of scholars attending these schools for the year is as follows:-

Diocesan School

252

St. Joseph's College School

336

Victoria English (boys)

278

""

""

(girls)

49

 It should here be mentioned that girls educated at the Belilios Public School also go in for the Oxford Local Examinations including the senior division.

V.-GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.

A.-Hospitals:-

 The Government hospitals consist of the Civil Hospital, to which is attached an isolated lying-in hospital; Kennedy Town Infectious Diseases Hospital, and the Hospital hulk "Hygeia."

 The Civil Hospital contains 124 beds in 18 wards. Eight beds are reserved for first and second class paying patients; 38 for Europeans of all nationalities; 54 for Chinese, Japanese, and Indians, and 16 for females of all nationalities.

 The Lying-in Hospital contains six beds for Europeans and four for Asiatics.

Kennedy Town Infectious Diseases Hospital has 28 beds in the main building and 50 beds in mat-shed annexures. The "Hygeia" has accommodation for 12 European patients and 100 Asiatics.

Two thousand seven hundred and thirty-four in-patients and over 13,000 out-patients were treated at the Government Civil Hospital in 1899. The nursing staff consists of a matron and trained nurses obtained from England.

-

 The Tung Wa Hospital is supported by charitable contribu- tions of the Chinese community and by an endowment from the Government. All the land on which it stands was granted by the Government.

 It contains 170 beds, for Chinese patients only; 2,542 in- patients and 90,081 out-patients were treated at this hospital during the year, and 2,261 persons were vaccinated.

 The hospital is under the daily supervision of a European member of the Government Medical Staff. The Resident Surgeon is a Chinese qualified in Western medical science.

60

Number of Beds for

Inmates.

- 17

B.-Asylums.-The European Lunatic Asylum contains eight beds in eight separate wards. The Chinese Lunatic Asylum has 16 beds.

C-There is no poor house in the Colony. The Tung Wa Hospital undertakes in a great measure the relief of Chinese destitutes.

D.-A reformatory has not been opened yet.

E.-There is no Savings Bank under Government control.

F.-The following return shows the work of the Pó Léung Kuk Society for the year 1899:-

PO LEUNG Kuk, 1899.

Inmates remaining Inmates admitted

on the 31st Dec.,

for the year

1898.

1899.

Staff.

51

Women.

Girls.

12

Boys.

Total.

Women.

Restored to

Parents

or Relatives.

Girls.

Boys.

Total.

Women.

Girls.

Boys.

1 64 178 50 24252117| 38 | 21 |176

Total.

Sent to Missionary

Schools.

Sent to Convent.

Married.

Adopted.

Total.

Died.

Permitted to leave.

Women.

Girls.

Boys.

Total.

Inmates remained

on the 31st Dec.,

1899.

10

47

9

3 12

4 | 30 | 28

2 131

243

29

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUal.

244

30)

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

(G.) FIRE Brigade.

The Fire Brigade is a sub-department of the Police Depart- ment, and is under the control of the Captain Superintendent of Police.

The European staff consists of:-

1 Superintendent.

1 Assistant Superintendent.

1 Engineer.

1 Assistant Engineer.

1 Overseer of Water Works.

8 Foremen.

7 Engine-drivers.

28 Firemen,

 All of these, except the Engineer, are members of the Police Force.

The Chinese staff consists of:-

3 Engine-drivers.

8 Stokers.

22 Firemen.

15 Watchmen.

3 Seamen.

4 Interpreters.

 The brigade has a powerful floating fire-engine for use in the harbour, four land steam-engines, and 28 despatch boxes, each carrying 300 feet of hose and the necessary appliances, placed at fixed points throughout the city, either in charge of firemen or of policemen on beat duty.

VI.-JUDICIAL STATISTICS.

(A.) POLICE.

 The strength of the Force was largely increased during the year, owing to the occupation of the New Territory on the 17th April.

Prior to that date the Force of Land and Water Police con- sisted of:

Europeans Indians

Chinese

Total

112 226

...

292

...

630

with two executive officers, an accountant, three clerks, inter- preters, and 43 servants.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

After that date it was gradually raised to:

Europeans

Indians

Chinese

Total

129

350

348

...

827

:

Made up of the following ranks: --

European Police (Land).

Chief Inspectors

Inspectors

Sergeants

Constables

2

12

28

72

...

114

Total

Indian Police (Land).

Sergeant-major

Sergeants

Constables

Total

Chinese (Land).

Sergeants

Constables

Total

1

17

332

...

350

European and Chinese (Water).

European:

Inspectors

Sergeants

Constables

Total

7

214

221

2

...

...

4

9

15

245

31

246

32.

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

Chinese :-

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

Sergeants

2

Constables

60

Coxswains, engineers, stokers,

carpenters,

boatmen,

and

65

detectives

Total

127

 The Detective Police consists of eight Europeans (one Chief Inspector, one Inspector, and six Sergeants) and 54 Chinese.

 The police are distributed in 30 different police stations, 12 of which are on the Island of Hong Kong, four in the old Kowloon Peninsula, and 14 in the New Territory.

The water police do duty in three steam pinances and one row boat in Victoria Harbour, and in three steam launches and two row boats in the New Territory.

The European and Indian police have just been re-armed with Martini-Enfield carbines and bayonets, but carry revolvers or their old Martini carbines on rural patrols and night duty.

Chinese are armed with sword bayonets.

The area policed is as follows:

Old Colony (Hong Kong and Kowloon) New Territory (Mainland)

Islands

Water

Total

Square miles.

312

286

90

724

...

1,1313

...

Miles.

The mileage of streets in Victoria is

44

Streets and roads, Kowloon

20

Hill District and Island of Hong Kong

48

Total

112

 The mileage of native roads (so-called) in the New Territory, which are only foot-paths, cannot be given.

The population of the old Colony is as follows:

Non-Chinese

...

...

Chinese, City of Victoria

...

15,820 168,260

""

Villages

...

"

Boat and Junk Population

40,530 34,700

Total..

...

259,310

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

33

The population of the New Territory, which is exclusively Chinese, is estimated at 100,000.

The total expenditure in the Police Force on pay, pensions, and stores amounted in round figures to $350,000, or an average of (say) $1 per annum per head of population.

(B.) PRISON.

There is only one prison in the Colony-the Victoria Gaol.

247

It contains 421 cells on the separate system and 14 associated cells.

The prison is conducted entirely on the separate system, except when the numbers exceed 435.

The building of an additional ward, containing 78 separate cells, was commenced during the year.

The staff consists of a Superintendent, who is also Captain Superintendent of Police, an Assistant Superintendent, a Medical Officer, four Chaplains, a Chief Warder, 26 European and 44 Indian Warders.

The total number of prisoners committed to gaol during the year was 4,789, as against 5,427 in the previous year.

The daily average of prisoners confined in the gaol during the year was 434, as compared with 511 for 1898.

The average reports per prisoner for breaches of prison discipline was 5.66.

Penal labour consists in shot drill, stone carrying, and crank labour.

The progressive stage system is in force and industrial labour is utilised as much as possible.

The profits on industrial labour for the year amounted to over $16,000.

The total expenditure of the prison was $63,820-27.

CRIMINAL STATISTICS.

The following tables show the number of cases dealt with i" the Police Magistrate's Court and by the Supreme Court:-

SUMMARY CONVICTIONS. (Police Court.)

TABLE showing the Number of Summary Convictions for various Classes of Offences,

and the kind of Punishments Inflicted.

Assaults

and

Total

Malicious

other

Number

Punishments.

Offences

Injuries

of

to

Injuries to

Offences.

against

the

Property.

Person.

Property or Prædial Larceny.

Offences against Property other than Malicious

Offences against Revenue Acts, Highway Acts,

Health Acts, and other Acts relating to the Social Economy of the Colony.

Offences against

Masters and Servants Acts, including Acts relating to

Indentured

Coolies.

34

248

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

6,460

563

89

1,349

91

45

383

519

307

1,659

18

3,305

120

235

308

9

541

...

1,564

146

101

7

1

1

181

1,082

2

2

331

84

1

...

13

9

2

...

48

11

1

...

102

44

1

7

9

48

41

...

9,640

852

135

650

1,725

1,978

29

29

4,271

Fine

...

...

Imprisonment in lieu of fine or

security.

Peremptory Imprisonment

Whipping

...

...

Escaped

...

...

Solitary Confinement

Exposed in Stocks

...

Sent to House of Detention Bound over with or without

NOTE. Where there has been an Appeal from the Magistrate's decision the case is entered as finally decided, and not necessarily according to the Magistrate's original decision.

sureties

...

Total

...

...

INDICTMENTS AND INFORMATIONS IN THE SUPREME Court of Hong Kong,

Including Courts analogous to the Courts of Quarter Sessions in England, i.e, District Courts, &c.

(Year, 1899.)

Including Attempts and Conspiracies to commit the several offences.

Showing how the cases tried in the Superior

Courts ended.

(Each Prisoner tried counts as a separate case ; where a large number of Prisoners have been convicted together, the fact is mentioned in a note.)

Total.

Murder.

Judgment for the Crown

77

...

...

...

...

Judgment for the Prisoners...

12

...

...

...

...

...

...

9

ON 11

2

Prisoner found Insane

Cases which fell through for want of prosecution or absence of accused, and cases thrown out by the Grand Jury (Attorney General).

Cases postponed

...

...

:

18

98

8

11 11

| | | │..

1111

Manslaughter.

Attempt at Murder.

Concealment of Birth.

Abortion.

I

I

I

I

Rape.

Unnatural Crimes.

Robbery with Violence.

Other Offences against the

Person.

Offences against Property.

Miscellaneous Offences.

~|||

2

*~ | +

1

34

6

18

3

1

5

4

2-11

04-

10

41

11

21

11

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

249

35

250

36

COMPARATIVE TABLE.

COMPARATIVE TABLE showing the Number of Offences, Apprehensions, Convictions, and Acquittals for

the last Four Years.

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

1896

1897.

1898.

1899.

The Number of Cases reported to the Police

...

...

12,975

9,629

10,596

9,023

The Number of Persons apprehended by the Police or summoned before the Police Magistrates.

19,568

12,886

15,289

11,440

The Number of Summary Convictions:-

1. For Offences against the Person

...

...

...

...

...

572

704

1,013

808

2. Gambling

...

...

...

...

...

...

730

...

661

1,072

648

3. For Offences against Property other than Prædial Larceny 4. For other Offences

...

...

...

1,620

1,683

1,840

1,853

...

...

14,567

7,766

9,605

6,228

2. Prædial Larceny

...

The Number of Convictions in the Superior Courts :- 1. For Offences against the Person

3. For Offences against Property other than Prædial Larceny

4. For other Offences

The Number of Persons Acquitted 1. In the Inferior Courts

2. In the Superior Courts

...

...

...

15

24

19

49

***

...

10

...

...

...

...

92

10

17

18

5

3

10

=*=

...

...

...

...

***

...

...

::

...

1,574

32

1,632

1,289

1,611

28

15

27

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

251

37

There was an increase during the year of 15.57 per cent. in the numbers of serious offences reported to the police during the year compared with the previous year. This increase was in part due to the large area comprised in the New Territory being added to the old Colony and partly to the lawlessness prevailing in the neighbouring province of China.

VII.-VITAL STATISTICS.

(A.) POPULATION.

The following is the estimated population in the middle of

1899:

Non-Chinese population

Chinese

8,915

City of Victoria, including Peak and Stone Cutter's

Island

168,260

...

...

population.

Villages of Hong Kong and

Kowloon

40,530

Boat and Junk population

34,700

252,405

New Territory

100,000

Total Chinese population

352,405

Army (including wives and families)

3,520

Navy

3,385

Total population

359,310

The birth rate

There were 1,132 births and 6,181 deaths.

1898. These

was 4.3 per 1,000, as against 4.7 per 1,000 in figures are exclusive of the New Territory, for which no figures are available.

(B.) PUBLIC HEALTH.

The death rate was 23.8 per 1,000, as compared with 22:30 per 1,000 in 1898. Excluding the deaths from plague the death rate would have been 18-8 per 1,000.

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 The following figures show the comparison of the death rate in the different nationalities for the last two years:-

252

38

Whites

Coloured

Chinese

...

...

:

...

1898.

1899.

per 1,000.

per 1,000.

16-2

12.5

:

...

33.6

28.3

22.54

24.4

:

:

...

: :

The increased mortality amongst the Chinese was occasioned by the greater number of deaths from plague.

The average death rate for the 14 years 1880-1893 was 26.74.

 From 1894 (when plague first made its appearance) to 1899 the average has been 23.78 including plague, and 19-51 exclusive of plague.

 The total number of cases of plague reported during the year was 1,486, and the total number of deaths from this disease 1,428.

 Small-pox was less prevalent than in 1898, only 69 cases being reported.

 Fifty-nine cases of enteric fever were reported during the year. Of these 31 were contracted locally as against 38 in 1898.

There were nine cases of diphtheria reported.

 For the third year in succession the Colony was practically free from cholera.

 Malarial fevers and beri-beri were more prevalent than in the previous year.

 Beri-beri is common among the Chinese, but the disease is not, as it now exists here, very infectious and does not become epidemic.

(C.) SANITATION.

 Some progress has been made during the year towards the improvement of the general sanitary condition of the Colony.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

253

39

The most important measure has been the passing of the Insanitary Properties Ordinance, by the provisions of which every existing domestic building must be provided with an open space in the rear of not less than 50 square feet, while every domestic building erected after the passing of the Ordinance must be provided with an open space in the rear pro- portionate to the depth of the house.

Back-to-back houses are thus prohibited.

The Ordinance contains various other provisions for the improvement of the light and ventilation of domestic buildings.

The water supply of the city was augmented by the construc- tion of a new reservoir, with a capacity of 33,000,000 gallons, at Wong-nei-chong Gap.

Two filter beds were also added and an addition made to the means of impounding water at Kowloon.

(D.) CLIMATE.

The average monthly temperature was 71.9° F., as compared with 72-2° F. during 1898.

: The maximum monthly temperature was in July, when it reached 82.9° F.; while the minimum was recorded in January, being 59.0° F.

The highest recorded temperature was 92.9° F. and the lowest 43.60 F.

The total rainfall for the year was 72·7 inches.

The wettest months were August with 19.98 inches and June with 18.975 inches, and the driest was January with 0.85 inch.

The relative humidity of the atmosphere throughout the year was 75 per cent., being lowest in November with 62 per cent., and highest in August with 85 per cent. No rain fell on 237 days in the year. On 34 days only was there no sunshine.

The direction and force of the wind were as follows:-

1899.

Mean Direction

in

Points.

Mean Velocity in Miles

per Hour.

Corresponding Force in

40

Maximum

Hourly Velocity during the

Month.

Corresponding Force in

Beaufort's Scale

(0-12).

Beaufort's Scale (0-12).

254

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

January

February

...

...

NE by E

12.3

44

74

March

April

May

June

...

...

...

July

August

...

...

...

***

...

...

...

...

E by N

14.3

46

8

E by N

13.9

35

6

...

...

...

E by N

13.4

2

42

7

...

...

E by S

10.3

13

31

51

...

...

SE by S

13.1

43

-42-44

...

...

...

...

SE by S

11.2

ESE

11.0

11

...

September...

October

...

...

E by N

113

...

E by N

16.4

21

-2-2-2- 401

46

8

32

6

34

35

6

...

...

November

...

...

...

...

...

December

...

::

NE by E

13.2

2

36

G

E

12.4

2

37

61

Year

E

12.7

2

46

8

:

...

:

...

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

255

41

VIII-POSTAL, TELEGRAPH, AND TELEPHONE

SERVICES.

There was a large increase in postal business, the number of covers and articles received and despatched showing an increase of 1,255,610 over the figures for the previous year.

International correspondence showed an increase of 409,860

letters.

The sale of stamps at Hong Kong realised $216,791-45, or $16,404-32 less than in the previous year.

The volume of correspondence, as shown above, largely increased, and the decrease in receipt for stamps was due to the adoption of the penny postage rate on letters to the United Kingdom and to the majority of British Colonies.

There is reason to believe, however, that the increasing corre- spondence will gradually remove this loss.

The total revenue for the year was less by $19,270-63 than that for the previous year. The expenditure was also less by $3,658.76.

The nett profit on the year's transactions to the Hong Kong Post Office was $80,006-60.

TELEGRAPHS.

There are no Government telegraphs.

TELEPHONES.

All the principal police stations in the old Colony and in the New Territory are connected by telephone, as are the Gap Rock and D'Aguilar Lighthouses.

7246-5

D

IX.-MILITARY FORCES AND EXPENDITURE.

(1.) REGULAR FORCES.

The following return shows the number and nature of the forces employed in the Colony during 1899:-

256

42

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

EUROPEAN.

INDIAN.

CHINESE.

[ Corps. Į

TOTALS.

Officers.

Com-

missioned

Officers.

N.C.O.'s

and Men.

Officers.

Com-

missioned

Officers.

N.C.O.'s

and Men.

N.C.O.'s

and Men.

General Staff

...

...

...

...

...

5

LO

Garrison Staff

***

...

...

Royal Artillery ...

Hong Kong-Singapore Battalion, R.A.

17

...

12

...

Royal Engineers...

11

721

...

***

...

***

Chinese Sub. Miners

...

Second Royal Welsh Fusiliers...

...

Army Service Corps

...

...

...

...

སྶཨ

22

2

Hong Kong Regiment

...

...

...

10

Royal Army Medical Corps

...

9

...

Ind. Sub. Med. Staff

...

...

5

1

~

403

422

8

174

449

477

185

69

69

953

976

5

7

17

980

1,007

33

42

2

3

A.O.D. and Corps

A.P.D. and Corps Educational

Total

LO DO 14

5

1

15

21

3

6

9

1

2

...

...

...

:

97

5

...

...

...

1,598

25

1

1,431

69

3,226

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

43

The Colony contributed $530,444-30 (17 per cent. of its revenue) towards the cost of the above, besides $45,000 in aid of the construction of barracks, and $45,300 for defence works, making a total of $620,744-30.

(2.) VOLUNTEER FORCES.

The total establishment of the corps is 350 of all ranks. The strength last year was one field battery (93) of six 2.5 q.f. machine guns, three machine gun companies (146) of four Maxim guns each, an infantry company (31), an engineer com- pany (20), and a band (13).

The corps was re-armed with 303" Martini-Enfield artillery carbines and magazine Lee-Enfield rifles.

The '45" Maxim guns are being converted into guns of 303" calibre.

The expenditure on the volunteers, which is entirely borne by the Colony, was $28,644-23 for the year.

(3.) EUROPEAN AND INDIAN POLICE.

The European and Indian police are a Constabulary Force, being armed with Martini-Enfield carbines.

257

X.-GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The most important event of the year was the taking over and subsequent government of the New Territory, upon which I have already fully reported.

The plague again visited the Colony in epidemic form.

The flow of Chinese to and from the Colony is continual. Over sixty-one thousand persons emigrated from here, nine- twelfths of them going to the Straits Settlements, 7,500 went to San Francisco, and 3,500 to British Columbia.

One hundred and ten thousand Chinese returned to Hong Kong from ports other than Chinese, of whom 94,000 came from the Straits Settlements. The vast majority of these emigrants and immigrants merely pass through Hong Kong en route from and to China.

258

44

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 But Chinese show an increasing tendency to settle in the Colony. The richer Chinese have during the year purchased many residences in Victoria hitherto occupied by Europeans, while the villages in the Kowloon Peninsula have been rapidly extended to give accommodation for an increasing industrial population.

 The future prospects of trade are good and there are promis- ing openings for the investment of capital in manufactures and industries. There are no openings for white labour except in limited numbers for supervision in connection with any new industries.

 There has been no important change in the establishment except in the large increase made to the Police Force.

 The general condition of the Colony is most flourishing, and, with the command of cheap labour, it gives promise of develop- ing into a great manufacturing centre.

I have, &c.,

HENRY A. BLAKE,

Governor,

1887-1903

HONG KONG.

259

REPORT

ON THE

NEW TERRITORY AT HONG KONG.

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty.

November, 1900.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, BY DARLING & SON, LTD., 31-40, Bacon STREET, E.

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1900.

[Cd. 403.] Price 3d.

east view

INFORMATION SERVICES

1887-1903

HONG KONG.

REPORT

ON THE

261

NEW TERRITORY AT HONG KONG.

SIR,

GOVERNOR SIR H, A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

Government House, Hong Kong,

February 19, 1900. I HAVE the honour to forward for your information a report which by my direction has been prepared by Mr. Stewart Lockhart, Colonial Secretary, showing the result up to the present of the operations of the various departments in the New Territory. Mr. Lockhart's report shows very clearly the difficulties with which we have had to contend and their satisfactory solution. The work of arranging the districts and sub- districts, with their committees, was carried out by Mr. Lockhart with conspicuous energy and ability. It involved much physical labour and required the exercise of tact and discretion. In this arrangement of districts Mr. Lockhart was ably assisted by Mr. Ts'oi, the first Chinese Clerk.

2. Much of the satisfactory feeling now being shown by the people is due to the sense of security induced by the police arrangements and personal exertions of Mr. May, the Captain Superintendent of Police, whose vigorous action against the disturbance of the peace by land and sea has brought quiet and protection to a community hitherto subject to frequent attacks from gangs of armed robbers and pirates.

3. Since Mr. Lockhart's return to Hong Kong in July the work of the New Territory has been carried on by Messrs. Messer, Kemp, and Hallifax, three cadets who are carrying out their instructions in a most satisfactory manner.

4. It remains to be seen to what extent the New Territory can be developed. Much depends upon the possibility of producing succulent grasses or trees of commercial value upon the hill slopes. If the former, there is no reason why a very valuable cattle- breeding industry should not develop. Mr. Ford is about to try some experiments with camphor trees and vines. Either could be a valuable addition to the resources of the colony. No systematic examination of the territory for minerals has yet been made. Silver exists in Lantau Island, where some years ago a considerable sum was expended on a silver mine by a Chinese syndicate. Kaolin of good quality is found on the main- land, and examination of the rocks that replace the granite in various districts may result in the discovery of payable mines.

5. It will be necessary to complete the main road through Taipo-hui to the frontier. This and the completion of the police stations and quarters for the staff at Taipo-hui are the only public works that I contemplate at present. Later on it will be necessary to make practicable roads between Taipo-hui and Deep Bay and Castle Peak Bay. The existing roads are not even bridle-paths, being merc footpaths zigzagging over the narrow divisions between the paddy fields.

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6. A request was made to me by elders from Ping Shin, an important village in the centre of the April disturbances, that a school should be opened for the teaching of English; I promised to accede to their request, and intend to do so as soon as possible.

    7. So far the experiment of taking over 100,000 Chinese and bringing their customs as far as possible into line with our ideas of good government has worked satisfactorily. I find the people peaceable and industrious, and I am informed on good authority that they are now quite contented with our rule and are envied by the inhabitants of the Sam Chun valley, that we held in military occupation for some months. The Captain Superintendent of Police informs me that he hopes before long to be able to reduce the strength of the police force in the different stations, and with economy in the administration of the territory it will, in my opinion, pay its way in a few years, and leave an appreciable balance to increase the general revenue of the colony.

I have, &c.,

HENRY A. BLAKE,

Governor, &c.

SIR,

Colonial Secretary's Office,

Hong Kong, 7th February, 1900.

    I have the honour to submit the following Report on the New Territory since the inauguration of British rule.

DISTRICTS AND SUB-DISTRICTS.

After the disturbance, which occurred when the New Territory was first taken over, had been settled, steps were at once taken to define the districts and sub-districts under section 4 of the Local Communities Ordinance, No. 11 of 1899. -

The principle followed in dividing the territory into districts and sub-districts was to adhere as closely as possible to the divisions recognised by the Chinese inhabitants for

many years.

These divisions as a rule follow the natural features of the country. Each sub- district on the mainland is in most cases contained in a valley, throughout which are dotted groups of villages and small hamlets.

In some cases a sub-district originally arose from the combination of a number of villages. Clan fights have been a common practice in the San On District for centuries, and it has not been unusual for groups of villages to combine together for purposes of offence and defence.

Each of the islands has been treated as a sub-district with the exception of the large island of Lantao, which has been divided into three sub-districts.

When considering the divisions of the territory, it appeared advisable not to include within the Local Communities Ordinance that portion of the territory to the south of the Kowloon range of hills, lying between Liümun on the east and Laichikok on the west. As this area is immediately contiguous with what has hitherto been known as British Kowloon, it was thought best, for police, sanitary, and other purposes, not to treat it lifferently from the older portions of the colony, especially as the inhabitants are well acquainted with the laws and customs of Hong Kong proper.

    The island of Lamma also, owing to its proximity to Aberdeen, was excluded from the operation of the Local Communities Ordinance.

On the 25th of May a list of the chief districts and sub-districts on the mainland and islands was gazetted, and a supplementary list was published on the 7th of July.

NUMBER OF DISTRICTS, SUB-DISTRICTS AND VILLAGES.

The territory has been divided into 8 districts and 48 sub-districts.

   An alphabetical list of villages has been compiled. The total number of villages on the mainland and in the islands amounts to 597. This number includes even hamlets of

1887-1903

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two or three houses, which were considered as belonging to larger villages when my report of last year was drawn up, or in some cases omitted owing to the somewhat hurried nature of my first visit to the territory. Some of these villages are walled, the object being, as I pointed out in my former report, to afford the inhabitants greater security if attacked by robbers, and to place them in a stronger position for purposes of defence in case of clan feuds. One of these walled villages in the sub-district of Lung Yeuk T'an was once besieged for three months by robbers.

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE-MEN FOR SUB-DISTRICTS.

After the districts and sub-districts had been defined, circulars were issued to all the villages on the mainland and in the islands, requesting the villagers to send in the names of such persons as they wished to recommend for appointment as Committee-men of the sub-districts under section 4 of the Local Communities Ordinance.

   Every village with a population of from 50 to 100 persons was entitled to nominate one Committee-man, as were also the smaller villages, the combined populations of which amounted to from 50 to 100 persons. In the case of a large village, a Committee-man was allowed for every hundred of its population.

The names of the Committee-men for the sub-districts were duly submitted and approved by the Governor.

   The first list was published in the Gazette on the 7th of July and a second list on the 15th of the same month.

   On the 2nd of August, the Committee-men of the eastern portion of the territory waited on the Governor at Túipó, and on the 4th of August the Committee-men of the western portion waited on his Excellency at P'ing-shan. I attach a copy of the Governor's remarks on those occasions and of the replies of the Committee-men (see Appendix No. II).*

These Committee-men have formed a useful link between the Government and the villagers, and have been of much assistance in explaining to the people the objects of the various measures of Government which have been introduced from time to time. The Committee-men as a rule are those who possess influence in their own immediate neighbourhood, whose advice is listened to, and whose lead is generally followed. The wisdom of affecting with responsibility those to whom the people have been accustomed to look for leadership and of using them to elucidate the objects of Government is evident.

   No Chairmen of Committees have been appointed under section 5 of the Local Communities Ordinance, and it is not proposed to make such appointments until experience has shown them to be desirable.

   No local tribunals have been established under Part VI of the Ordinance. It is very doubtful whether it will be ever necessary, even if it were regarded as desirable, to bring this part of the Ordinance into force.

LAND.

After the hoisting of the flag and the appointment of Sub-District Committee-men, attention was given without delay to the work of land registration.

   I attach a memorandum on Chinese land tenure (see Appendix No. III) which has been prepared with the assistance of Mr. Messer and Mr. Ts'oi. A perusal of this memorandum will, I think, show that, though the Chinese system may be excellent in theory, it has not been well carried out in practice, with the result that the land question has proved one of great difficulty.

The Land Office in Victoria 'was constituted the head office. A branch office was established at Túipó in July under Mr. Messer, assisted by a Chinese staff, and another at Ping-shan in the month of October under Mr. Kemp, to deal with the work of registration in the districts north of the Kowloon range of hills and in the islands to the East, whilst

* Not printed.

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the head office in Hongkong, with the assistance of Mr. Chapman and Mr. King, attended to the work of registration in the districts south of the Kowloon range of hills and in the islands to the West of Hongkong.

    The first object aimed at was to secure the registration of all the owners of cultivated land in the New Territories in order to prepare a Crown Rent Roll.

On the 12th of July a Chinese proclamation was issued by the Governor (see Appendix No. IV), informing the people of the procedure which the Government intended to adopt in connection with the registration of land, and the amount of land tax that would be charged.

The procedure adopted in inquiring into and registering claims is as follows The Assistant Land Officer, having settled which sub-district is to be dealt with, issues a notice to the villages in such sub-district, informing the inhabitants that their claims must be sent in by a certain date, and distributes forms to be filled in, giving the owners of land to understand that such forms must be accompanied, whenever possible, by such title deeds as the claimants may possesss.

    In all cases of registration the landlords or their representatives and the tenants are required to bring their title deeds to the Land Office in person.

                               The landlords in every case have to report the names of their tenants, and the latter, in addition to giving a detailed account of the land occupied by them, have to report the names of their landlords. The object of requiring a report from both landlords and tenants is to provide against false and fictitious claims and to save confusion.

    Title deeds are of two classes, officially stamped deeds which have been registered and stamped by the Chinese Magistrate of the San On District; private deeds which are not officially stamped, and which are records of private sales only.

In many cases deeds have been lost or destroyed. When this happens, the claimants to the land are required to produce substantial proofs of their ownership, such as their rent roll, receipts from the Chinese Government for land tax, and other particulars pertinent to the land in question.

The claimants have to report the nature of the land, whether cultivated, fertile or otherwise, the kinds and number of crops it produces, the rent paid, &c. The object of this is to help the Land Officers in their classifications; and the information is important owing to the fact that the Crown rent charged varies according to the several classes of land.

Owners or occupiers report their land in maus or Chinese acres, but as it has not been the general custom in the districts to calculate the area of land by maus, but rather by the amount of grain required to sow a field, they also report the area of their land in this manner, two and a half tau of grain being equivalent to one mau (0·1515 English acre).

     But even this tau varies in different localities. The Kun Tuu, or Chinese official standard measure of 10 shing, is adopted at Táipó, in the Sheung U District, and at Shat'aukok. The Ts'ong Tau, or grain measure of 11 shing, is used throughout the Ün Long District. The Ts'in Tau of S shing is employed in the Ts'in Wán and some other Districts. The areas reported can only be regarded as approximate for the present, and no exact data can be obtained until the survey of the territory has been completed.

Claimants also have to state the situation of their fields. They generally give the local name of the land and the nearest village, but since no exact indications are given of the situation, it will not be easy to find any field from the description given by the

claimants.

The Land Officer gives a number to each form filled up by a claimant, and a corresponding number to the title deed, if there be any, which will facilitate future reference.

    After all the claims to land in the special district have been reported and examined, a list is posted in the neighbourhood of each village of all owners of land and of the holdings claimed, and the villagers are called upon to report any claim that is not inserted in the list or any alteration that may be required to make the list as accurate as possible.

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After the Crown rent fixed as due on a claim has been paid, a provisional certificate of title will be issued in the first instance, and if, after the lapse of sufficient time, dispute regarding the claim arises, a certificate of the owner's title will be issued and registered.

no

I attach a memorandum by Mr. Bruce Shepherd on the work done in the Head Land Office at Victoria in respect of the area south of the Kowloon Hills and the islands to the west of the Colony (see Appendix No. VIII).

Although the system of land registration adopted by the Chinese Government is apparently simple, the difficulties that have been experienced in connection with it show it to be of the most unsatisfactory mature, especially as not much reliance can be placed upon the accuracy of any title deeds registered under it.

   One great difficulty has been suspicion on the part of the inhabitants of the intentions of the Government. The people seemed to fear that the Government intended to take their land away from them, and, in order to effect this object, wished to find out the owners by inducing them to register all their lands.

Before the territory was taken over the Governor issued a proclamation in Chinese, a translation of which will be found in Appendix No. IX. In this proclamation the people are assured that "their commercial and landed interests will be safeguarded and their usages and good customs will not in any way be interfered with," and that "as subjects of the great British Empire their perfect freedom from oppression is assured. "Should they have any complaint to make the Governor will always be willing to hear "it and to order what is right."

   When the territory was taken over the Governor in a speech assured the people "that the taxes will be equal and the revenue will be collected justly. You need now "have no fear of being squeezed by the officials. If exactions are made in excess of the "just charges, the Governor will dismiss the officials responsible. The taxes collected "will be expended in maintaining order and in public improvements.'

:

17

In the proclamation regarding land registration issued in July, His Excellency the Governor stated: "If any one has been forcibly deprived of his land or been fraudulently "induced to sell land at a low price, he may present a petition to the District Officer, if "he lives north of the Kowloon range of hills, or, if he lives south of it to the Registrar "General or the Visiting Officer, to be forwarded to the Squatters Board for enquiry" (see Appendix No. IV).

:

It may seem peculiar that suspicion should have arisen, seeing that His Excellency the Governor informed the inhabitants both by proclamation and by speech that the tenure of land would remain practically undisturbed, and that the Chinese authorities repeatedly notified the inhabitants that the tenure of land would remain the same as before, and that the rights of property would be respected. But, as is well known, the Chinese are a suspicious race and it is not an easy matter to allay their suspicions when once aroused.

   Another cause of difficulty and delay has been the ignorance of the landlords regarding their own land.. For generations landowners have been content to collect their rents without ever having taken the trouble to enquire into the land itself, which has been left entirely under the control of the tenants. These tenants have changed from time to time; sub-leased the land; sold the right of cultivation or mortgaged that right, without consulting the landowners, who were quite satisfied so long as the rent was regularly paid. It has often happened that some crafty tenant has asked his landlord to reduce his rent, giving as an excuse that it was impossible to make the land pay unless the rent were reduced, and that if the reduction were not agreed to the tenant must give up the land. The landlord, who has inherited the land without knowing any particulars regarding it, is practically at the mercy of his tenant, and is constrained to comply since it is impossible for him to take over possession of land which in many cases is far removed from his own village or district. Besides, tenants generally form a

                                    "ring," agreeing among themselves that no other person shall be allowed to take over cultivation from the tenant in occupation. It is easy to see how such farming rings are able to boycott the landlords. In fact, it is not an unusual proceeding for tenants, taking advantage of the ignorance of their landlords, to make an absolute sale of a part of the land, the part retained being sufficient to pay the rent.

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    A reference to paragraph 12 of Mr. Bruce Shepherd's memorandum (Appendix No. VIII) shows that farmers or tenants have made a stand against the clans, their landlords. He states: 66

The clans and farmers agree that the farmers are absolute แ owners of the soil in perpetuity, but have been paying money or produce to the clans "for generations, which the clans claim to be rent payable to them. The case for the "farmers is that the land is and always has been theirs absolutely, free from rent, and "that the amount paid by them to the clans was the Government land tax, which they "claim to pay direct to the Hongkong Government without the intervention of the "clans." It is hoped that some way out of this difficulty will soon be found.

A further source of delay has arisen from the fact that much of the land under cultivation has never been reported to, or registered by, the Chinese Government. According to Chinese law all cultivated land must be registered, and should any land be discovered that has not been registered. the Government either enforces registration or confiscates the property, after due notice has been given and a reasonable tine allowed for registration. Long experience of their own Government methods has made the inhabitants distrustful of officials generally- distrust which cannot be easily over- come at once, and which will require time to remove entirely. This want of faith in the justice of Government, and the fact that they are the possessors of land which has not been registered, have made owners most reluctant to report their land. They are afraid that the Government, having learned all the circumstances, might resume possession of their holdings.

    Delay has also been due to disputes between individual landlords, as distinct from clans, and tenants as to whether rent is to be paid to the landlords or to the Government. These disputes have arisen owing to the tenants having confounded the rent due to their landlords and Crown rent due to the Government. The tenants have been under the impression that, if they made payment to the Government, they would not have to pay rent to their landlords. They thought that, if they paid taxes directly to the Govern- ment, they would forthwith be regarded as the owners of the land, because, according to Chinese law or custom, whoever pays the tax on any land is regarded as the owner of that land. They hoped by this step they would gain the land and be freed from the payment of rent to their landlords.

    The landlords, being afraid of losing their rent as well as their land, were in great perplexity. Moreover, they did not seem to know for certain whether the tenants had the sanction of the Government for refusing to pay rent. At first they seemed inclined to refrain from reporting their claims to land altogether, but they finally represented the matter to Governinent, as did also the tenants on their side, the work of land registration being in the meantime at a standstill. At this juncture the proclamation, dated the 20th of October, was issued, informing tenants that they should pay their rents to their landlords as heretofore (see Appendix No. XI).*

This proclamation proved so satisfactory that the work of registration of clainis proceeded rapidly.

The small owners of land have shown themselves the most eager and willing to report, while the large owners of land and the clans have not been so prompt, and have always asked for time to find out particulars regarding their property, of which they are ignorant. As a rule, the tenants of the clans have extended the area of land cultivated by them without having informed the clans. The result is that the returns furnished by the clans and their tenants seldom agree, the returns from the clans showing much less land under cultivation than that returned by their tenants. This is owing to the clans being willing to pay Crown rent only on such land as was originally leased to the tenants, while at the same time they receive increased rent from their tenants for their encroach- inents. Under these circumstances, the importance of obtaining returns from both land- lords and tenants, so that they may check each other, is obvious.

So far as can be judged, the areas reported have never been exact owing to lack of surveys and any fixed standard of measurement, the deeds of sale in many cases reciting that the boundaries are clearly defined but that the area has not yet been ascertained.

Up to the 20th January last Mr. Messer had registered at Táipó 21,736 claims and

Mr. Kemp at P'ing-shán 5,613 claims.

    It was thought advisable to have the question of claims settled before proceeding to collect any Crown rent. Now that such satisfactory progress has been made with the

Not printed.

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work of registration, no time will be lost in fixing the Crown rents to be paid as accurately as possible, and making the necessary collections for the past and the present

year.

   As Mr. Shepherd states in his memorandum (Appendix No. VIII), arrangements have been made for the voluntary registration of all Chinese deeds by memorial under the Deeds Registration Ordinance of 1843.

   It was thought at one time that it would be well to grant Crown Leases in exchange for existing Chinese titles, but, as Mr. Shepherd points out, the Government can only grant

   leases for a term not exceeding 99 years from the date of the Convention under which the New Territory is leased to Great Britain, so the idea of granting such Crown Leases had to be abandoned.

   When it is remembered that great confusion has existed in the matter of land in the New Territory for years, and that disputes and family feuds have been general in conse- quence, it is not surprising that, now an endeavour is being made to adjust all difficulties and to introduce a well-ordered system, there should be many cases requiring readjust- ment by the Government.

   The Government has come to the conclusion that such disputes can be most easily and readily dealt with by a Land Court, especially established for the purpose, and it is hoped that such a Court will shortly be created by law, as it cannot fail to be a great boon to the inhabitants of the New Territory.

BOTANICAL AND AFFORESTATION DEPARTMENT.

I attach a brief report (see Appendix No. XII) from Mr. Ford, Superintendent of the Botanical and Afforestation Department, which shows that steps have already been taken to protect trees in the New Territory. At the suggestion of Mr. Ford, a notice was issued in Chinese, urging the people not to cut down the old trees which surround most villages.

   The result of the notice has proved satisfactory. With a view to encouraging the cultivation of sugar cane, the Governor obtained two Chattanooga Sugar Mills from America. Trials have been made with these mills, at which sugar-cane growers were present. They expressed themselves as satisfied with the superiority of the new mills over their own mills, and it is not improbable that in time the Chattanooga Mill will supplant the native mill, when the natives realise that the former effects a saving in labour and produces more satisfactory results than the latter.

   Improved varieties of sugar-cane are being obtained from Java, the Straits Settlements, and Honolulu, and arrangements have been made for cultivating them when received.

   Pine-apple is largely grown in the New Territory, especially in the neighbourhood of Ts'ün Wan, where a Cannery for canning the fruit of the pines has been started.

   A superior variety of pine-apple has been introduced from Ceylon by Mr. Ford for distribution among the growers of the piant.

PUBLIC WORKS.

   I attach a memorandum (Appendix No. XIII) from the Director of Public Works, showing the work done by his Department in the New Territory during 1899.

The chief work on which the Director of Public Works has been engaged is that of the Main Road from British Kowloon to Táipó, which was commenced immediately after the territory had been taken over. The only means of communication hitherto existing between Hongkong and the newly-leased area has been by sea, which in bad weather is impracticable, and by a rough footpath over a pass about 1,000 feet high from Kowloon to Sha-t'in, situated on an arm of Mirs Bay. There can be little doubt that the construction of this road, which is desirable both for strategical and administrative purposes, will bring the New Territory into closer relations with Hongkong proper, aud will lead to an increase in tratlic.

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    A reference to paragraph 8 of the meinorandum of the Director of Public Works will show that good progress has been made with this work, six miles being already open to traffic.

   Communication between British Kowloon and Kowloon City has been improved by the extension of the Hunghom Road on the cast side of the Kowloon peninsula to Kowloon City. This work has been almost completed.

Telephone lines have been laid for a distance of about thirty miles, connecting British Kowloon with Kowloon City, Sha-tin, Taip, Futi Au, Sheung Shui, Au-t'au, and Ping-shin. The lines will be further extended to Shataukok. The thanks of Government are due to the Royal Engineers for having laid the line between Kowloon City, Taipó, and Futi Au.

    The Public Works Department has also been kept busy during the year in crecting permanent Police Stations and providing temporary quarters for the executive staff and the Police.

A permanent Police Station has been completed and occupied at Taipó. The permanent stations at Au-t'au and P'ing-shán are almost ready for occupation.

    No definite decision has as yet been arrived at regarding the erection of permanent quarters for the executive staff, as it was deemed advisable to gain experience of the healthiness of the neighbourhood where the temporary quarters of the executive staff are situated before committing the Colony to any large expenditure on account of permanent buildings. In view, however, of the opinion of the Principal Civil Medical Officer that much of the malaria from which Government officers have suffered so much is due to the temporary nature of the buildings occupied by them, it seems desirable that permanent buildings should be erected without unnecessary delay.

SURVEY.

    In my Report on the New Territory, dated 8th October, 1898, it was pointed out that, to deal satisfactorily with the land question, it would be necessary to have an accurate survey.

    The desirability of a survey of the whole Territory was recognised by the Colonial Office, and I was instructed on iny way out from home at the end of 1898 to place myself in communication with the Surveyor General of Ceylon, Mr. Griulinton.

    I had the advantage of an interview at Colombo with him and the Honourable F. A. Cooper, Director of Public Works in Ceylon, and both these officers were strongly in favour of a complete survey of the territory being made, being of opinion that such a survey would, in the long run, prove most economical for Government, and recommended that an application should be made to the Government of India for the officers necessary to carry out the work. After my arrival in Hongkong in February last, the matter was referred to Mr. Ormsby, the Director of Public Works, who consuited with Colonel Elsdale, Commanding Royal Engineer, and, acting on their advice, the Governor decided that a survey should be undertaken. Application was made to the Government of India, which kindly consented to lend the staff required for the work.

    On the 19th of October Mr. Tate, who is in charge of the survey operations, arrived, and was followed, on the 1st November, by Mr. Newland, the second survey officer, who brought with him a small staff of Indian trained surveying coolies and surveyors. The Detail Surveyors arrived at the end of November, and were able to commence their work at once on the scale of 16 inches to a mile.

    Before surveying was actually commenced, a Chinese notice was issued and posted throughout the territory, explaining the objects of the survey, which, it was feared, might be misunderstood by the natives.

I attach a report on the survey operations with which Mr. Tate has been good enough to furnish me, and which shows that steady progress is being made in the work of

survey.

    Mr. Tate is struck by the fact that the Chinese take little or no notice of the operations being carried on in their fields, and that no incivility or hindrance has been

• Not printed.

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 experienced. He thinks this is due to the employment of Chinese coolies, but there can be no doubt that the issue of the Chinese notice, to which reference has been made, has also had a good effect.

   The commencement of the survey has already induced many waverers to register their claims to land. The sight of the surveyors at work has convinced them that the Government is determined to ascertain the exact amount of land under cultivation, and that any further attempts to conceal the extent of their holdings well be useless.

EDUCATION.

For the purpose of ascertaining the general state of education in the New Territory, forms have been distributed throughout the villages in the various districts and sub- districts which the school teachers have been requested to fill up.

In reply to the request, 314 forms have been filled up and handed in. Out of this total, 121 are from Hakka schools, 97 from Punti schools, 15 from mixed Hakka and Punti schools, and 1 from Lamma Island, where Hakka, Punti and Hok-lo are taught in one school. Eighty of the forms have not been properly filled up, so will have to be re-written. The lowest number of pupils in any school is 3 and the highest 56, but from 15 to 20 pupils seem to be the average. Holidays are frequent but long holidays are rare, the longest being the winter or New Year holidays, which last for a month or two. The spring holidays are next in length, which continue for about 20 days or a month, and which are generally spent in worshipping the graves of ancestors. schools in the New Territory are all adventure schools.

The

   The teachers are generally natives of the sub-district in which the school is situated. Few hold any literary degree. The salary is small, from $5 (say 10s.) to $10 (£1) a month being the average pay. In many cases the salary is paid in grain. Tea and fuel are supplied gratis to the teachers by the parents of the pupils.

   In a few instances teachers are hired by wealthy families, as for example in Ts'oi Hang, which seems to be the only place in the New Territory where girls are educated. The buildings used for schools are private houses, ancestral halls, or temples. In no case has any building been specially erected as a school-house. The books used are the usual Chinese school books. The subjects taught are the Chinese classics. The school hours commence in the morning before breakfast, which is taken about 9 or 10 a.m. After breakfast lessons are continued, and school does not break up till about an hour before sunset, whatever the season may be.

The schools are mostly elementary and even the most pretentious are only secondary.

The Chinese Government has never paid anything towards the maintenance of these schools. The teachers are always paid by the parents of the pupils.

   It is important to note that the greatest number of holidays and the shortest hours of study occur in the cold weather, whilst in the hot and trying weather the pupils have the shortest holidays and the hardest work.

Many of the inhabitants seem anxious to learn English, and it is hoped that before long arrangements may be made for encouraging the study of English. It might be well to establish a school for the teaching of English at Ün Long, in the Shap Pát Heung District, which is the most central and populous of all the sub-districts. I am of opinion that the present village schools should be retained, but that steps should be taken by the Government to encourage the teachers.

MEDICAL.

   I attach a Report (see Appendix No. XVII) drawn up by Dr. Atkinson, the Principal Civil Medical Officer, showing the work done by his Department in the New Territory during the past year.

   From this Report it will be seen that the officers of the executive staff and of the police suffered much from malaria. Dr. Atkinson is of opinion that much of the fever

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was caused by the temporary nature of the buildings occupied by the executive and the police, and anticipates a considerable decrease in the number of cases of malarial fever when permanent buildings have been erected.

   There was an outbreak of plague in the Island of Cheung Chau in April. Prompt measures were taken to combat it, with the result that by the middle of June the disease was stamped out.

   Arrangements have been made to perform vaccination throughout the territory, and to prescribe for any villagers, who may apply for advice or medicine, free

of cost.

HARBOUR DEPARTMENT.

Up to the end of the year two Harbour Master's Stations had been established in the New territory-one at the Island of Ch'eung Chau and one at Tái Ó, in the Island of Lantao.

   The station at Ch'eung Chau was opened in September and that at Tái Ó in October.

Up to the 31st December last, 2,616 licences,, clearances, permits, &c., had been issued to junks at Cheung Chau, and 1,353 at Tái Ô.

POLICE.

    Simultaneously with the taking over of the New Territory on the 16th April last, Police Stations were opened at Taipó, Shá-t'in, and Kowloon City. On the 22nd of April 2 station was opened at P'ing-shan, and on the 29th of that month another on the Island of Ch'eung Chau. One was opened at Futi Au, close to the northern boundary, on the 14th of May, at Tái Ó on the 18th, and at Yung Shu Wan, in Lamma Island, on the 30th of the same month; at Au Tau, near Un Long, on the 3rd, and at Tung Chung, in the Island of Lantao, on the 24th June; at Kat O, in Mirs Bay, on the 14th; at Starling Inlet on the 24th of October, and at San T'in on the 14th of December.

Want of suitable accommodation and of European officers to take charge prevented the opening of a station at Sai Kung and of another at Ts'ün Wan, both of which are required to complete the policing of the territory.

Two steam launches were chartered for the purpose of patrolling the waters of the New Territory and visiting the numerous islands, and these began their work as soon as the territory was occupied. A steam pinnace, formerly used for police work in the harbour, was also sent to Táipó, to patrol from thence the waters of Mirs Bay.

    To man the stations and launches mentioned 75 Indian Police, 39 Chinese Police, with 4 coxwains, 4 engineers, 4 stokers, and 8 interpreters were enlisted in excess of the Estimates for the year, while 24 men of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers were, by the kind permission of His Excellency the General Officer Commanding, enrolled as special constables and utilised partly to assist the European Police Officers in the New Territory and partly to replace those officers in Hongkong.

    Fifty more Indian recruits were obtained from India at the close of the year for the further stations that will be required, and to release the men of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers serving with the Police.

The efforts of the Police were from the first entirely directed to the prevention and detection of crime, to learning the country, and to cultivating friendly relations with the inhabitants.

    The first case that demanded investigation was the murder of the man Tang Cheung on the night of the 16th of April.

Two persons, one an elder of the village of Ha and hanged for this murder. Two other men had and by the same party as murdered Tang Cheung. Long, his nephew, and a third person were indicted,

Ts'in, were brought to justice been murdered at the same time An elder of the village of Un convicted and sentenced to death

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271

for the murder of one of the two men. The nephew of the elder mentioned was pardoned, and the sentences on the cider and the third prisoner were commuted to imprisonment for life and ten years with hard labour respectively. These convictions had a wholesome effect upon the population, especially as two of the culprits belonged to the local gentry.

   It was found that robberies by night by gangs of armed Chinese, principally from Chinese territory, were very frequent, and no fewer than 27 cases of this description occurred during the first five months of the administration of the territory.

Twenty-five persons were arrested in respect of these robberies, of whom 18 were convicted and sentenced to long terms of imprisonment.

   The Triad Society was also found to be very active, and steps were taken to suppress it.

   One leader of the Society was arrested in possession of insignia and documents of the Society and was convicted and sent to prison. Another prominent member suffered the same fate, while two more leaders were arrested, convicted of robbery, and sentenced to long terms of imprisonment.

   During the last quarter of the year there has been a marked decrease in robbery and other crime in the territory, the result being due partly, no doubt, to the arrests and convictions above referred to, and partly to the system of patrols, especially at night, which the gradual opening of the required stations has rendered possible.

The Police have also been utilised in various ways in obtaining information on various

matters.

   The territory as a whole has been found exceedingly malarious, and the Police of all nationalities suffered severely from fever.

   The total number of Police stationed in the New Territory at the end of the year after the opening of San T'in, the last station opened, was-

32 Europeans 86 Indians

27 Chinese

7 Interpreters.

There were also employed in patrolling in launches the waters of the New Territory-

**

9 Europeans 41 Chinese.

CRIME.

   I attach a return of cases from the New Territory tried in the Police Court of Victoria during 1899, with which I have been furnished by Mr. Gompertz, Acting Police Magistrate, who has also given me the figures and information on which the following remarks are based.

   The first case was heard on April 24th, which gives roughly eight months, or three- quarters of the year, as the period during which cases from the New Territory have been brought into Hongkong.

The total number of cases, exclusive of those from the New Territory, heard in the Police Court of Victoria in 1899 was 10,003, comprising 11,175 accused persons for the twelve months. In addition there were 155 cases from the New Territory, with an aggregate of 271 accused persons.

The cases from the New Territory represent 0154 of the whole. If, however, the first quarter of the year be omitted, as the newly leased area was not then under the jurisdiction of this Colony, these cases will be '0206 of the whole.

• Not printed.

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    They become more important, however, when the average of serious crime is taken into account.

If the standard be the number of cases committed for trial at the Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court, it appears that out of 10,003 cases arising in Hongkong only 50, or 0049 of the whole, were committed to the Sessions. On the other hand, out of 155 New Territory cases no fewer than 25, or 16 of the whole, were committed for trial.

    This striking difference is no doubt chiefly due to the lawlessness which was rife in the New Territory when it was taken over, and which continued until the Police Force had been organised.

    The appointment of a Magistrate to try cases in the districts north of the Kowloon range of hills has relieved the Magistrate in Hongkong from the work of trying cases that occur in those districts, and owing to the small number of cases that the Magistrate in the New Ferritory has hitherto had to try, he is able to sit twice a week in Hongkong. This has sensibly lessened the strain which had to be borne by one Magistrate.

    Up to the end of the year the Magistrate sitting at Táipó had to deal with 23 cases. only which occurred in the districts north of the Kowloon range of hills. Two of them were serious. The remainder were trivial.

     Cases from the Islands of Lamma and Lantao and from the district south of the Kowloon range of hills are still brought to Victoria. From this portion of the New Territory have come one case of piracy and several of robbery with violence and aggravated assault.

    The return of cases from the New Territory gives no particulars of Death Enquiries. The Police Magistrate in Victoria officiates as Coroner, and there have been four cases of death in the territory as to which it has been found necessary to hold a formal inquiry, extending in each case over several days. In three of the cases a jury was summoned.

The total amount paid on account of fines and forfeitures in connection with the cases tried in the New Territory in 1899 amounted to $936.12; a sum of $783.65 has been' paid in fines, and a sum of $152.47 for forfeitures.

REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.

I attach a statement of Revenue and Expenditure (Appendix No. XIX) on account of the New Territory up to 31st December last, which has been drawn up by the Treasurer.

The total expenditure for 1899 amounted to, approximately, $233,000. Of this amount a sum of over $47,000 was expended on account of the Police Establishment, whilst Public Works were responsible for about $112,000, chiefly for roads and Police Stations.

Three new launches are being constructed, and a sum of $31;875 has been expended on account of them. When they are finished no outlay for the construction of launches will be necessary for some time, and a large saving will be effected under " Transport," which is responsible for a sum of $12,114. Some of the other items are also non- recurring, such as Matsheds, $3,964; Furniture, &c., $1,381; while the expenses of the Survey will, no doubt, be very much larger during this and next years.

Very little revenue was collected during last year, as it was deemed advisable to push forward the work of land registration before commencing to collect Crown rent.

     The Revenue for this year from all sources has been estimated at $100,000, including arrears for 1899, while it is roughly calculated that the Expenditure, exclusive of Public Works Extraordinary, will be about $175,000, $150,000 of which, in round figures, will be required for the Police Establishment.

The expenditure on account of Public Works will amount to about $80,000, most of which will be expended on Police Stations, the Táipó Road, and the Survey.

P

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LEGISLATION.

273

By the Governor's Proclamation of the Sth day of April, 1899 (see Appendix No. XX), it was directed that from the 17th day of that month all laws and Ordinances which should be at that time in force in the Colony of Hongkong should take effect in the New Territory also, and should remain in force there until they should be altered or repealed by legislative enactment.

It was found expedient, however, to exempt the New Territory from the operation of certain Ordinances owing to local conditions and variations. Accordingly an Ordinance (No. 10 of 1899) was passed by which the New Territory was duly exempted from the operation of a number of Ordinances, a list of which was furnished in a schedule attached to the Bill, and which will be found in Appendix No. XXI.

In addition to the framing a list of Ordinances confined in their operation to the old limits of the Colony, it was found necessary to pass certain new laws to be enforced in the New Territory only.

   Three of these laws were passed during 1899. The first, No. 11 of 1899, was entitled "An Ordinance relating to Local Communities and Tribunals." and was passed on April 18th. Reference has already been made to the Committees appointed under this Ordinance.

The second law passed for the New Territory, No. 12 of 1899, was entitled "An Ordinance to provide for the Better Regulation of the New Territories." This law entrusted the Governor-in-Council with the power of making rules for the farming out or licensing of the right to sell dutiable articles, or any other commodity whatever; and to make rules for the levying, collection, and custody of all revenue obtained from the New Territory.

The third law, No. 40 of 1899, was entitled "An Ordinance to provide for the summoning of Chinese before the Registrar General." This law was unanimously passed at the sitting of Legislative Council held on December 28th. The object of this measure is to secure the attendance of the people, so that full explanations of Government measures may be given to them, and so that the Government may learn from the people what their views may be regarding any proposed measure, and what objections they may have to urge when matters do not appear to be working smoothly. No enquiry under the Ordinance can be held except by direction of the Governor.

STAFF.

Until July of last year I resided permanently in the New Territory in order to start the civil administration of affairs. I was assisted by Mr. Messer, Mr. Ts'oi, and two Chinese assistants.

On my returning to Hongkong Mr. Messer remained in charge as Assistant Land Officer, and was joined by Mr. Hallifax and Mr. Kemp. Mr. Hallifax was appointed to undertake the duties of Acting Magistrate, which had been hitherto discharged by myself, and Mr. Kemp was sent to attend to the registration of land claims at Ping-shán in order to press forward the work of land registration.

Owing to a great increase in this work it was found necessary to strengthen the Chinese staff by the addition of a shroff, three interpreters, and three clerks.

All the members of the staff have worked most energetically, and deserve great credit for the manner in which they have discharged their duties under trying and difficult circumstances.

CONCLUSION.

In view of the difficulties that had necessarily to be encountered in taking over the New Territory and of the short period during which it has enjoyed the benefits of British rule, the progress that has already been made may be regarded as satisfactory. An efficient Police Force has caused a great diminution in crime and has established

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  confidence among the inhabitants. Improved communications have already led to an increase in traffic, and steps are being taken to start new industries and to effect improve- ments in those already established. Progress in the New Territory may be slow, but now that confidence prevails among the people, it may be anticipated that capital will soon be attracted to it, which cannot fail to hasten its development.

I have, &c.,

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,

Colonial Secretary and Registrar General.

Appendix No. III.

MEMORANDUM ON LAND.

Chinese law regarding Land.

Land according to Chinese tenure is held as freehold by grant from the Crown.. and descends in the male line only. Daughters never inherit.

    The land comprised in the original grant can be sold by the proprietors in sub-divisions, and is most usually sold in perpetuity, or for 1,000 years. The proprietors record their names in the district registry as responsible for the tax, and their possession is legally secure so long as that is paid.

Deeds of absolute sale have been brought in from the New Territory for registration which were made in the reign of the Emperor Ka Tsing and of subsequent emperors of the Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1519 to 1626), and which have been recognised by the present dynasty. Strictly, a grant issued by the present dynasty should be attached to all grants made by the previous dynasty. The present owners under such grants are all the existing male descendants of the original grantee, and in one case the proprietors now number over 700.

All land under cultivation is supposed to pay a land tax, and from time to time spasmodic attempts are made to survey the area under cultivation. But in spite of Government orders, all efforts to obtain correct data of the actual acreage brought under cultivation have been frustrated. The landowners, wishing to have their land exempted from the payment of taxes, seem to have succeeded in inducing the survey officers not to make correct reports. But when large and fertile tracts, yielding valuable crops, are not reported for registration, such as has been the case with extensive areas reclaimed from the sea near San T'in, the Chinese authorities generally confiscate and re-sell them to private individuals, after they discover them.

Different kinds of land that pay land tax.

Agricultural land is divided into three classes, each class paying a different rate. First class lands are those near villages in fertile valleys, with a good depth of soil and a good water supply, producing annually two crops of rice, or one crop of sugar

cane.

Second class lands are those less fertile than the first class, and are generally situated higher up the slopes of hills, and have not such a good water supply as the first class. They produce annually one crop of rice, or one crop of sugar cane.

Third class lands are those situated on still higher slopes, and are far removed from a good water supply. They are generally devoted to the cultivation of pea-nuts, sweet potatoes, millet and other hardy crops which do not require much moisture.

    Fish ponds pay a special tax higher than that paid by cultivated land of the first class.

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275

   Building land and orchards pay a very insignificant land tax, whilst burial grounds, which the people wish to be officially recognised and registered, pay once only a stamp fee for the title deed, without being obliged to pay any further tax.

Hill land and Waste land.

   All hills and waste lands are claimed by the nearest villages or most powerful clans in the neighbourhood, or even at a distance.

   Even portions of the sea and the bed of the sea, foreshore, sand beaches, and any land whatever which may be turned into use and profit, are claimed and in some cases registered.

   Crown land is undefined, and adjacent proprietors claim almost every inch of land under cover of vague grants, though they pay no land tax for such illegal possessions.

Land Measurement.

   The acreage of land is not always calculated by square measure in maus (0·1515 English acres), as it should be according to law, but generally by the amount of grain required to sow the land, a method which is very uncertain and unsatisfactory, and causes much friction with the farmers, especially as the grain measures vary in different localities.

Cultivated land.

   All land under cultivation must be registered, or is liable to confiscation. On regis- tration, stamped title deeds are issued by the District Magistrate.

Chinese Title Deeds.

   Officially registered title deeds are called "red deeds" (Hung K'ui), because they are stamped with the official stamp in red.

Private deeds of sale are called "white deeds" (Pak Kai), because they are simply written on plain paper, and do not bear the official red stamp; but the purchaser has the right to register his purchase and obtain a red deed.

There are also mortgages, operating as deeds of sale, redeemable within 30 years; perpetual leases at low rentals, and leases for short terms of 5 or 10 years. Red deeds are the only deeds of which the Government takes cognisance, and the Crown Rent is collected on these deeds only.

The descriptions of land in deeds are always vague, and can only be ascertained accurately by a survey of the actual land in occupation. The local name of the land is given and sometimes the nearest village, but these only show approximately where the land is situated.

Patches of fields situated in different districts are often contained in a single deed, and in one case a deed has been brought in for registration which purports to be a sale of land in 24 distinct villages. It is not rare to find two or three registered deeds produced in proof of ownership of the same lots. The Chinese Authorities kept no register of titles, and, under their system of registry, fraudulent sales could be registered with impunity until litigation ensued, when, after a lapse of years, a vesting order in the rightful possessor could be issued by the District Magistrate.

The consideration money mentioned in the deeds is hardly ever accurate, being usually stated much below the actual sum paid, so that the ad valorem duty payable on obtaining a red deed may be the minimum. In one case in which a sum of $4,000 was paid, the amount entered in the deed was only $475.

Deeds of sale in perpetuity generally state the amount of rent to be paid to the grantor by the grantee.

White deeds are merely unregistered transfers and give very few particulars beyond the rent to be received, and sometimes the amount of grain required to sow the plot and its local name.

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    Forms of red and white deeds, with translations, are attached. No. VI, A. B. C.)*

Varieties of Tenure.

(See Appendix

    In most cases land is owned by clans or private families and individuals, and can be. sold, mortgaged, or settled upon specific trusts. In addition to these there are also the following varieties of tenure :-

Ancestral land, or "Sheung Tin," Temple land, or "Miu T'in," land held by associations, or "Ui T'in."

Ancestral Land.

    Ancestral land is land that has been originally set apart for ancestral worship, and is increased by purchase from time to time in the name of the deceased ancestor, in whose name also the Government taxes are paid. The rent of ancestral lands is devoted to the upkeep of the ancestral temple, to the education of the members of the clan, to the worship of ancestors, to the relief of poor members of the clan, to the marriage expenses of those who require assistance, and to the funeral expenses of those whose relations are poor.

           Such land is always held in the name of the ancestor who bequeathed the property, the land being nearly always leased to members of the clan, who cultivate it and pay a yearly rent. Sometimes the different branches of a clan cultivate the land in rotation, the branch in occupation of the land being held responsible for the payment of the expenses incurred on account of the objects for which the land was originally transmitted. Clan land cannot be alienated without the consent of the representatives and elders of the whole clan. The rent roll is kept by a committee of the clan.

Temple Land.

    Temple land is land devoted to the support and upkeep of a temple dedicated to the service of some specially selected idol in the name of which the land is held. Some of those who originally subscribed towards the erection of the temple or their descendants act as trustees, and keep the rent roll and an account of current expenses.

    Certain land in Kam T'in and Tsiu Káng is devoted to the support of a few nuns. The rent roll is kept by a trustee, the rent in grain being handed over to the nuns, who, in order to increase their meagre income, also go from village to village begging for alıns from the inhabitants.

Land held by Associations.

China is a land of associations, which are as numerous and the objects of which are as varied as the needs of man. Their formation is simple and easy. Certain villages, whatever their object may be, meet in a temple, ancestral hall or private house to deliberate over some scheme. If it is approved, a fund is raised to which the members contribute equally, their contributions being devoted to the purchase of a piece of land, landed property in China being considered the safest investment. The rent derived from this land may be used for the burial of a member of the association when he dies, or may be let out on interest, or may be used to assist members to emigrate to California and Australia, or for any other enterprise or good object that may be desired.

Land Sales.

    If any owner wishes to sell his land, he is supposed to offer such land in the first instance to his nearest relatives, and is not at liberty to sell to anyone outside of his clan, unless the nearest relatives are unwilling to purchase. In large clans transactions in land take place, as a rule, between different members of the clan without the property ever being disposed of to outsiders. In such transactions the deed of transfer is invariably worded as if it were a mortgage, and no period for redemption is fixed, the vendor or mortgagor, or his descendants, thus having every opportunity to redeem the property at the original price even several generations after the transaction has been made. It is customary for the mortgagor to enter into possession, so that a Chinese mortgage is often equivalent to a sale.

• Not printed.

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Collection of Land 1ax.

277

Land tax is collected by the authorities sending out deputies, clerks and runners to different districts, notifications being posted calling upon landowners to pay the land tax with all haste. In some cases these collectors linger for more than a month in certain localities. No pay is given by Government to the land collectors, who are left to their own ingenuity and wits to make as much as they can out of the villagers without creating trouble. The villagers, of course, are anxious to get rid of these men, and are only too glad to pay the "extras" necessary to effect that object, especially as they have not infrequently placed themselves in a false position by not having reported portions of their land on which taxes should be paid. The villagers are not slow to understand that the longer these collectors remain in their neighbourhood the greater the probability of their unregistered land being discovered. On this account the "extras "demanded are paid without much demur and indeed at times with alacrity.

   Land that has been once registered but the cultivation of which has been abandoned is not resumed by Government. It has to pay the same tax as when it was under cultivation. It may be that for this reason the people on the first occupation of the territory were so reluctant to register their land. The District Magistrate, who is required every year to send to the Provincial Treasurer a fixed sum as land tax, is naturally unwilling to exempt such land from taxation, as he himself would have to make up the deficiency resulting from such exemption. The land tax which has to be sent to Pekin from each Province is a fixed sum and has not varied for years. It is easy to see what an opportunity this system offers for incorrect returns, as new lands are continually being brought under cultivation.

New Land brought under Cultivation.

   When land is brought under cultivation for the first time, the cultivator does not make a report to the Magistrate, but applies in the first instance to the clan or village which has taken the land under its protection. Generally, the arrangement with the clan or village results in a lease in perpetuity being made out, stating the situation of the land and the amount of rent in grain or local money that has to be paid by the cultivators. After the cultivator has arranged with the clan or village, he pays such rent as may be agreed upon, and not until it has been found that the land is worth cultivating is a report made to the authorities so that it may be duly registered.

   It is noteworthy that the majority of those who bring out-of-the-way plots of land under cultivation are Hakkas, who can cultivate with success land which the Puntis would never think of attempting to turn into fields. This is due to the industry of the Hakkas, and to the fact that the Hakka women work as hard, if not harder, than their men, and also to the fact that the best and most available land had been appropriated by the Puntis before the Hakkas had settled in the district. The Hakkas have by industry and energy reclaimed large tracts from the sea, and made many a hillside, hitherto barren, yield good crops.

Landlord and Tenant.

The relation between landlord and tenant is often a complicated one, chiefly owing to the system of perpetual lease. Under such leases the landlords have practically renounced all rights to the exercise of ownership, and are contented to do nothing further than to receive a yearly rent. They can sell this right of receiving rent, but the land is otherwise under the absolute control of the cultivators, who often sell their perpetual leases.

The landlord is called the owner of the "Ti Kwat," which may be termed the right of receiving rent. The tenant is said to possess the "Ti Pi," or right of cultivation. Constant lawsuits result from this double ownership and the contending interests which it necessarily involves.

The question of perpetual lease in the case of land brought under cultivation for the first time and of the rights of landlord and cultivator will require very careful consideration.

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    The most common practice in the case of landowners who do not farm their own land is for them to let it out to tenants, who pay them a fixed rent in kind or in money, the amount of which is settled beforehand. In bad seasons the landlords grudgingly reduce their rent on being asked by their tenants, but they are not compelled to do so.

Small villages and hamlets often place themselves under the protection of large and influential clans, to which they refer all their complaints, and from which they expect assistance in case of attack, robbery, and lawsuits. In some instances the smaller villages pay their land tax to the Government through the influential clans.

These clans gain their local influence, not through numbers alone, but owing to the fact that certain of their members have official rank, gained through competitive examinations, or obtained by purchase, which keeps them in touch with the Magistrate and even higher officials.

The clans have, as before stated, claimed large tracts of land, which they have never occupied, but which they have leased in perpetuity to others, who undertake to bring the land under cultivation.

The greater part of the land claimed by clans was never registered, and, as a rule, it` appears that no land tax was ever paid on this land to the Government. The cultivators, who have paid rent for years to the clans, in view of the fact that the land had not been registered, were afraid to dispute the rights of ownership, as they anticipated it would result in the land being resumed by Government, and they would thus be deprived of their right of cultivation.

Appendix IV.

ENGLISH VERSION

OF

CHINESE PROCLAMATION ISSUED BY HIS EXCELLENCY

SIR HENRY ARTHUR BLAKE, G.c.m.G., Governor, &c.

I, Sir HENRY ARTHUR BLAKE, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same, hereby inform you, the landowners in the New Territories, that an Officer will visit the sub-districts for the purpose of registering landowners on a date due notice of which will be given to you. All you who can show that you have had possession of landed property for some time must fill up a schedule in the following form :-

1. Name of owner.

2. Nature of title.

3. Date of lease or grant (if any).

4. Number of years in occupation. 5. Description of land.

6. Dimensions of land. 7. Situation of land.

38

::

be

   When these schedules are distributed to a village, any person who claims land his property must fill up a schedule and bring it in person to the Visiting Officer, when he comes to the village in which such person resides; and the Officer will make an entry in the register that such person is the owner and will add such other particulars as may necessary. A list of those who have been registered as landowners in the village, and of their holdings, will be posted in the village for seven days, and afterwards an extract of the entry of each holding will be made to be handed to the owner. But before it is handed to the owner he must pay the amount of Crown Rent fixed as due by him. If no rent is paid, the land will be forfeited to the Government without fail.

   If there is any unsettled dispute about property, the name of the person in actual possession will be registered, and he must pay the Crown Rent, but an extract of an

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279

entry in the Register will not be issued until the Squatters' Board has ascertained that the

   person in possession is the legal owner and the Board's decision has been approved by me.

In that case an extract will be issued to him, and he will be permitted to remain in possession. But should the Board decide that the property is really not his property, the Crown Rent paid by him will be refunded, and the person who is adjudged by the Board to be the person who should pay the rent, and who is approved as such by me, must forthwith pay the rent due. All you owners of land must report all the land in your possession. Should it be found at any time that any land owned by any person has not been reported, it will be treated as Government land. A survey will shortly be made of the whole of the Leased Territory, so that the boundaries of the various holdings may be clearly known; and any cases of neglect to report on the part of owners of land will be easily discovered, and will involve forfeiture of the property to Government. Do not say that I have not warned you. The Crown Rent, including all charges fixed for the present, is given below. You must all without exception obey. Do not be disobedient. A special proclamation.

(i.) For land draining in a southerly direction to the sea between Limun Point on the East and the Pier in the bay West of Lai Chi Kok on the West per half mau or portion thereof as follows:-

(a.) For First class land 25 cents, or at the rate of $3.30 per acre per

annum.

(b.) For Second class land 20 cents, or at the rate of $2.64 per acre

per annum.

(c.) For Third class land 10 cents, or at the rate of $1.32 per acre

per annum.

(ii.) For all land (except land draining in a southerly direction to the sea between Liiimun Point on the East and the Pier in the bay West of Lai Chi Kok on the West) per half mau or portion thereof as follows:-

(a.) First class land 15 cents, or at the rate of $1.98 per acre per

annum.

(b.) Second class land 10 cents, or at the rate of $1.32 per acre per

annum.

(c.) Third class land 5 cents, or at the rate of 66 cents per acre per

annum.

The above scale of Crown Rent may be altered.

When the survey has been completed permanent certificates of titles will be issued. If anyone has been forcibly deprived of his land, or been fraudulently induced to sell land at a low price, he may present a petition to the District Officer if he lives North of the Kowloon range of hills, or if he lives South of it to the Registrar General or the Visiting Officer, to be forwarded to the Squatters' Board for enquiry.

Dated 12th day of July, 1899.

Appendix No. VIII.

Memorandum of work done in the Land Office, Hongkong, in respect of the New Territories for the Year 1899.

1. The preliminary work of the Land Office in respect of the New Territory consisted in making arrangements for the registration of all the owners of cultivated lands there with a view to the preparation of a Crown Rent Roll; in devising methods for the classification of the lands for the fixing of proper Crown Rents; in assessing Crown Rents according to the classification of the lands, and in the drafting and superin- tending of the printing of the forms to be used in obtaining the requisite information of claims to land and the registers to be kept.

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    2. In the month of May last, soon after the New Territory had been taken possession of by the Colonial Government, questions arose in respect of the following matters, viz. :-

(1.) The registration of Chinese deeds under our Deeds Registration Ordinance

of 1843.

(2.) The grant of Crown Leases by the Government in substitution of the

existing Chinese titles, or

(3.) The grant of Certificates of Title under which the existing titles should be

acknowledged by the Government.

3. As regards (1.), arrangements were then made for the voluntary registration of all Chinese deeds by Memorial under the Registration Ordinance; the last deed before the date of the Convention (19th June, 1898) to be taken as the root of title, the previous title to be produced in support if required, but not necessarily for registration, if the circumstances did not require it. It was also necessary to obtain a translation in English, of the deed forming the root of title, and to secure the payment of the fees under the Registration Ordinance, and the stamping of the deeds with the ad valorem duty under the Stamp Ordinances.

4. The first deed, which was one relating to land at Kowloon Tong, was registered on the 3rd June, 1899, and from that date to the end of the year deeds have been con- tinuously coming into the Land Office for registration. The advantage of this registra- tion is that the Government has no responsibility for the registered title, while the title of the registered owner is secured, and, if he is in possession, becomes absolute in twenty years. The number of deeds translated and actually registered under the Ordinance to the end of the year was 134, leaving over for investigation and decision some 200. As there is only one translator in the Land Office the work done in registration may be considered highly satisfactory.

5. It is worthy of note that in one case the registered owner died within a few weeks after the registration of his title, and the next of kin, on understanding that such was the law of the Colony, applied to the Supreme Court in its Probate Jurisdiction for letters of administration, and paid the administration duty without any demur or question, although" wills, probates, and letters of administration of intestate estates are terms unknown in China outside of Hongkong.

    6. With reference to (2.), as the Government under the terms of the Convention can only grant leases for a term not exceeding 99 years from the date of the Convention, the idea of granting such leases in exchange for the existing titles has been reluctantly abandoned, for the Chinese titles are in perpetuity, subject only to land tax, or, in cases of perpetual underleases, to a rent.

7. As regards (3.), it has been arranged to grant certificates of title in the first instance, provisionally, and if after the lapse of sufficient time there is no dispute, certificate of the owner's title will be issued and registered.

One case in respect of land at Liümun is now being tried in order to decide upon the best method to adopt before granting certificates of title. The last Chinese deed of absolute sale before the Convention has been registered as a new root of title. The ground has been surveyed and marked out with boundary stones and advertisements issued by the owner claiming the land.

If, after the expiration of twelve months, he remains in undisputed possession of the land and no adverse claims are discovered within that time, the matter of granting a certificate of title will be submitted to the Government for decision.

8. The great difficulties to be got over arise from the circumstance that most valuable lands have more than one title, yet if each title is taken alone it appears to be in order. All deeds relating to land in the New Territory were registered in the San On District registry, but that registry is only a deed registry and not a registry of titles to land, and the conflicting titles could not be ascertained from the register there without some other clue than the register.

9. As a typical case of one class I may mention that the land at Cheung Sha Wán, including the foreshore and the sea in front, is claimed under four distinct titles vested im

1887-1903

23

281

four different families. Two of the titles to the same land are derived direct from the Viceroy and Governor of Canton under recited Imperial Orders. The two other titles, before the Convention, conclude by Vesting Orders made at trials before the San On Magistrates, one Magistrate deciding that the land belonged to the Tang Clan and another Magistrate deciding that the same land belonged to the Chiu Clan. Great value is placed upon this land, and the matter is now waiting the formation of the proposed Land Court for decision.

   10. A typical case of another class is that of some farm lands adjoining Deep Bay. About ten acres (English) had in course of time been added to the farm by the silting process of the sea and the detritus brought down by the Canton River. This natural accretion was claimed by the owners of the farın, but was sold by the San On Magistrate as waste land belonging to the Government for Taels 600 ($833) to a friend, who, it is alleged, formed a syndicate consisting of himself, the Magistrate, the Major-General, and, under cover of the sale and by means of the soldiers at their command, took forcible possession of the whole farm, which was worth $60,000. This happened shortly before the Convention. The farm is now claimed by both parties, and the matter is waiting the constitution of the new Land Court for decision.

   11. Other cases there arc of confiscation by the Magistrates and sale and relief from the forfeiture, after sale to others, upon payment of a fine. In these cases the original owners claim to retain possession of the land, and the purchaser claims to be entitled to possession under the deed of sale from the Magistrate. Some land in the Kowloon district is held under a title by capture, where the clans fought, and the losing clan gave up a field as the price of the cessation of hostilities. Much time and trouble have been spent in the investigation of these claims, but without much result, as the parties prefer to wait for the formation of the new Land Court to bring in their claims for decision.

12. The most serious matter of all, however, has been the stand taken by the farmers against the clans, their former landlords. The clans and farmers agree that the farmers are absolute owners of the soil in perpetuity, but have been paying inoney or produce to the clans for generations, which the clans claim to be rent payable to them. The case for the farmers is that the land is and always has been theirs absolutely free from rent, and that the amount paid by them to the claus was the Government land tax, which they claim to pay direct to the Hongkong Government without the intervention of the clans. I have had several interviews with the representatives of some of the clans and with several of the head farmers, and I have also visited the farms at Mui Wo. The farmers there now state that they will act under my advice and will cause no trouble to the Government, but they wish me to suspend any recommendation until I have visited the farms at Tung Ch'ung and Tái Ó, and they wish, if it be possible, that they should all be placed on the same equal footing. The system of payment in produce is one of the farmers' troubles, because the measures used by the clans are larger than those intended by the deeds, and are not the measures in general use in the district.

   13. The consideration of these questions with others, less important ones, has shown the importance, in the interests of the Government and of the owners of the soil (the farmers), of providing for the redemption of the so-called rent of land tax payable by the owners to the clans, and also, in the meantime, of fixing the average price of produce by law, so that payment may be made in money, as the farmers desire, instead of in produce. Provisions for these objects have already been framed for legis- lative enactment.

14. Full particulars have been obtained from the islands of Ch'eung Chau (which includes an important market town of 5,000 inhabitants), A Chau, a fishing station, and Po Tow Wan, and are now under examination. Owing to the value of the police protection now afforded by their incorporation into the Colony, the owners have voluntarily offered to pay increased Crown Rent, or such increased land tax as I may recommend to be fair.

15. Partial particulars have been obtained from the island of P'ing Chau, as well as from the islands of Lantao and Lamma, and the remaining information required is promised as soon as possible.

16. The bed of the sea surrounding Ping Chau, from which coral and shells can be dredged for the lime-kilns, has been granted on lease for five years to the different owners

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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

24

of the lime-kilns on the island, as they appeared to have the prior claims.

                                        The Crowa Rents for this now amount to $1,300 per annum, and investigations are being made into the coral beds of other places for the purpose of granting short leases to any persons entitled in priority, or otherwise on public tender, until the investigations into this peculiar business are completed.

17. The claims to the fisheries in the bays have been partly investigated, and where there are fixed nets worked from the shore an annual Crown Rent of $5 a net has been charged and paid.

    18. The stone and granite quarries of Liümun have been examined and the titles investigated; most of the title deeds have now been lodged in the Land Office for registration, and a Crown rental of $3,725 per annum is now being obtained from them until the alternative policy of charging a royalty has been determined.

19. The number of petitions from the inhabitants of the New Territory relating to land questions and disputes amounted, at the end of the year, to upwards of 1,000, most of which have been dealt with, while others are waiting for the institution of the Land Court, or for the completion of surveys.

    20. At the present rate of progress it would take about two more years to complete the registration of the whole of the New Territory and the completion of correct rent rolls and registers; but now that the questions between the farmers and the clans are likely soon to be satisfactorily disposed of, the work will progress much more rapidly.

    21. Forms showing particulars in English and Chinese of all the cultivated lands from Lai Chi Kok to Kowloon Tong have been completed and posted up in the various villages, and as no objection has been raised the Crown Rent Roll of this district will shortly be completed. The particulars of the cultivated lands from small Kowloon to Liümun are now in preparation and are likely to be completed in a month or

two.

17th January, 1900.

BRUCE SHEPHERD,

Deputy Land Officer..

Appendix No. IX.

Translation of the Chinese Proclamation issued by His Excellency Sir Henry A. Blake, G.C.M.G., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies and Vice-Admiral of the same.

    Whereas His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China has leased to. Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, as an extension of the Colony of Hongkong, certain territory situated in the District of San On, and certain islands adjacent thereto; the boundaries of which are as hereunder stated, viz. :-

    The Northern boundary commences at the point of high water mark in Mirs Bay where the meridian of 114° 30′ East bisects the land, and follows that high water mark to a point immediately to the West of Sha-t'au-kok, and then follows the road along the Northern edge of this town till the middle of a stream becomes the boundary as far as the road to Kang Hau. From Kang Hau to about a quarter of a mile West of Kang 19 the Northern edge of the road is the boundary. From this point to the mouth of the Shamchun river the Northern bank of the Shamchun river forms the boundary. From the mouth of the Shamchun river the boundary follows the high water mark along the coast of Deep Bay till the point where the meridian of 113° 52′ bisects the land.

The Eastern boundary is 114° 30′ East Longitude. The Western boundary is 113° 52′ East Longitude. The Southern boundary is 22° 9′ North Latitude.

1887-1903

25

283

   All the islands situated within those boundaries are within the leased area, as are all the waters of Mirs Bay and Deep Bay.

And whereas Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to appoint me as Governor of the said territory, and whereas it is desirable that British and Chinese territory should be clearly defined, so that the friendly relations now existing between the two nations may be always maintained.

Now therefore I have fixed the 17th day of April, 1899, as the date on which the British Flag shall be hoisted and the administration of the territory be taken over by duly authorized British Officers.

To remove any cause for suspicion in your minds as to the good intentions of the British Government, and to prevent you from being deceived and misled through ignorance by false reports disseminated by lawless persons who may seek to further their own interests by thus causing trouble, it is right for me to warn you against such persons,

    and to assure you that all the inhabitants residing within the limits of British territory will be permitted to follow undisturbed their lawful occupations, whatever they may be.

I would also impress upon you that this territory, having been leased by His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China to Her Britannic Majesty the Queen, as subjects of Her Majesty's Empire, your commercial and landed interests will be safe- guarded, and that your usages and good customs will not in any way be interfered

with.

   It is the wish of Her Majesty the Queen that all her subjects in every part of the world shall be prosperous and happy, and it will be my duty to assist you to improve your position by every means in my power. The most respected of your elders will be chosen to assist in the management of your village affairs, to secure. peace and good order and the punishment of evil-doers. I expect you to obey the laws that are made for your benefit, and all persons who break the law will be punished severely.

:

It will be necessary for you to register without delay your titles for the land occupied by you, that the true owners may be known. Should any land be required for public purposes it will be paid for at its full value.

your perfect freedom from

Remember that as subjects of the Great British Empire oppression is assured.

Should you have any complaint to make the Governor will always be willing to hear it and to order what is right. There will be no injustice allowed, nor any laxity in the administration of justice. All must render implicit obedience.

Dated this 9th day of April, 1899.

Appendix No. XII.

Report by Mr. Ford, Superintendent, Botanical and Afforestation Department.

   Shortly after the territory came under the control of the Government of this Colony steps were taken for rearing trees for planting in such places as needed them, and subsequently an estimate was submitted for the expenditure of $2,500 during 1900 in forestry works in the territory, current expenses for 1899 being defrayed from other votes of this Department. Commencing in April and continuing throughout the year, I personally made tours over the greater part of the territory in order to gain as much knowledge of it as possible, for application afterwards, and to arrange for planting operations during 1900. Up to the end of December about 60,000 pits and sites had been prepared at Táipó, P'ing-shán, Au T'au and Fu-ti Au, and along the course of the new road. The planting of trees and seed sowing will commence immediately.

   His Excellency the Governor suggested that some Chattanooga Sugar Mills should be obtained from America to demonstrate to the sugar growers the advantages of using Western machinery in place of the primitive mills in use. The new mills have arrived

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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

26

and been fixed in the midst of the sugar districts, and satisfactory trials of cane. crushing have been made. His Excellency the Governor and the Colonial Secretary were present at two of the trials. The arrangements of setting up these mills and conducting the trials were entrusted to and carried out by myself.

A considerable number of references have been made to this Department in connection with tree conservation and kindred subjects, and I submitted a draft pro- clamation, which was authorized and published, cautioning the people against the destruction of trees.

I have introduced from Ceylon a superior variety of Pine-apple plant for distribution amongst the growers of this plant.

By His Excellency the Governor's instructions improved varieties of sugar cane are also being obtained from Java, the Straits Settlements, and Honolulu, and I have made arrangements for Mr. TANG HING-T'ONG to receive them and cultivate them during the ensuing season.

Hongkong, 17th January, 1900.

Appendix No. XIII.

C. FORD.

Memorandum on work done by the Public Works Department in the New Territory during the year 1899.

*

    1. Temporary accommodation in the form of matsheds was put up for the Police and Military during the months of April and May at Táipó, Au-t'au, Futi Au, Shá-t'in at a cost of $11,624.41.

    2. The arrangements in connection with the hoisting of the flag on April 16th, which consisted in building a landing stage, forming an approach road, erection of sheds, providing and erecting a flagstaff, &c., cost $2,085.00.

3. Telephone lines have been constructed connecting British Kowloon with Kowloon City, Shá-t'in, Táipó, Futi Au, Sheung-shui, Au-t'au, P'ing-shán, a total distance of about thirty miles, at a cost of $3,763.93.

4. A large permanent Police Station, containing 12 rooms and accommodation for: five Europeans, 32 Indians and Chinese, was erected in 1899 at Túipó, at a cost of $7,650,

5. A permanent two-storied Police Station (11 rooms) at Au-t'au, near Ün Long, with accommodation for six Europeans, 21 Indians and Chinese, was nearly completed, the expenditure on it in 1899 being $8,330.

6. A similar station at Ping-shan was also nearly completed, the expenditure in 1899 being $7,650.

7. A sum of $511.99 was spent in sanitation, in improving the drainage in Kowloon City, in the vicinity of the old Customs Station, now used as a Police Station, and in some minor works at Sheung-shui Police Station.

2.

8. The main road into the territory starting from Mongkoktsui and crossing through a gap on the hills 450′ high behind Ch'eungshawán and then down the Shá-tin Valley to Taiwai was commenced in May. The earthwork for a distance of seven miles from Tsim-sha-tsui ferry was completed in December. Four miles of the rockwork, bridges, culverts, &c., were practically completed in the same time, and the road for six miles from the ferry open and ready for traffic. Considerable progress was made with rock- work and buildings in the Shá-t'in Valley. The trace on towards Táipó was made for three miles beyond Tái-wai. The total expenditure on this road during the year was, $49,066.32. It is estimated that the second section, i.c., from Tai-wai to Taipo will be about seven miles, and the third from Táipó to the Northern boundary of the territory about nine miles more, the total distance from Tsim-sha-tsui ferry to a point near Shamchun being twenty-five miles.

   9. The Hunghom Road on the East side of British Kowloon peninsula was extended to Kowloon City and nearly completed in 1899, at a cost in that year of $14,694.05.

1887-1903

27

285

10. A commencement was made with the renewal of the timber work of Kowloon City pier. Estimated cost, $6,316.00. Expenditure in 1899, $3,013.76.

11. Some improvement was made in the Official Quarters at Táipó to make them more fit for habitation in the winter, at a cost of $355, charged to "Miscellaneous."

12. A three-roomed bungalow was built at Táipó for His Excellency's use, at a cost of $2,139.75, but was afterwards given up for the use of the European members of the executive staff.

13. A survey party lent by the Indian Government arrived towards the close of the year and commenced a complete Trigonometrical and Cadastral Survey of the Territory, the expenditure on this account in the year being $1,206.44.

5th January, 1900.

(Signed) R. D. ORMSBY,

Director of Public Works.

Appendix No. XVII.

Report by Dr. Atkinson, Principal Civil Medical Officer.

From the enclosed returns* it will be seen that malarial fever has been prevalent in the New Territory since it was taken over in April last.

I attach the following tables :-

1. A return showing the admission to hospital of cases of malarial fever from

the New Territory occurring amongst the Police during 1899.

2. A return showing admissions of Police to hospital from the several stations

in the New Territory during 1899.

  It will be seen that Ün Long contributed the largest number of fever cases, viz., 19 out of 65, Táipó coming next with 14 cases. The disease was not of a particularly

severe type, the only fatal case being that of the Inspector at. Ch'eung Chau.

He was admitted to hospital with symptoms of remittent fever and rapidly developed hyperpyrexia.

A careful post-mortem examination was made, and as this was a most exceptional case portions of the various organs were preserved and sent to Dr. Manson for examination. From a report which I have recently received from the Tropical School of Medicine, it is doubtful whether this was a true case of malaria, and it would be more correct to consider it a case of Siriasis or Thermic fever.

In addition to the cases from the Police, three of the cadets were admitted from Taipó suffering from attacks of remittent fever; they recovered.

Three cases of dysentery were admitted to hospital; one patient was a European and two Indians. Knowing how malarious many of the districts were, instructions were drawn up by myself for the guidance of Police and others, a copy of which I enclose, the object being to protect them, as far as possible, from anything that would tend to induce attacks of fever, special prominence being given to the prophylactic use of quinine in small daily doses.

Accompanied by the Director of Public Works and the Captain Superintendent of Police, I spent three days in visiting the territory and selecting the most suitable sites for the Police Stations. This was prior to the occupation of the territory in April. Undoubtedly much of the fever has been occasioned by the temporary nature of the buildings in which the Government servants of necessity have been housed. When permanent brick buildings have taken the place of the temporary buildings, mostly matsheds, I anticipate a considerable diminution in the number of cases of malarial fever.

Dr. Ho Nai-hop, a licentiate of the College of Medicine for Chinese in Hongkong, was appointed Resident Medical Officer and was stationed at Taipó, his duties being * Not printed.

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28

to attend to the minor ailments, mild attacks of fever, &c., occurring amongst the Civil Staff and the Police. Arrangements have been made whereby he regularly visits the several Police Stations and treats free any villagers who may apply for advice and medicine. Free vaccination is also performed by him during the winter months on his periodical visits. I attach a time table showing the days and hours at which he visits the several stations.

Knowledge of the prevalence of plague at Ch'eung Chau was obtained in April last, and Drs. Thomson and Clark were deputed to visit and take the necessary steps to

eradicate the disease.

out.

House to house visitation was instituted, a matshed hospital erected, and free medicine distributed, so that by the middle of June the disease was practically stamped The Police carried out the house to house visitation, Inspector Gillies particularly distinguishing himself. Indeed, I have very little doubt that the assiduous way in which he performed these duties undermined his health and predisposed him to the attack of fever, which unfortunately proved fatal.

    A few cases of plague occurred at Chinese Kowloon. No other cases were reported from any other portion of the New Territory, although the disease was epidemic in Hongkong.

J. M. ATKINSON.

12th January, 1900.

Appendix No. XIX.

NEW TERRITORY.

Statement of Revenue and Expenditure up to 31st December, 1899.

HEAD OF SERVICE.

Stone quarries

Junk licences

Pawnbrokers' licences

Fines and Forfeitures

Fishing nets

Crown Rent

Squatters' Fees

REVENUE.

...

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

EXPENDITURE.

Personal Emoluments, Civil

Do.

Police

...

Other Charges, Civil

Do.

Police

Public Works

Matsheds

Transport

...

***

...

Furniture

Compensation to owners of land

Expenses of Her Majesty's Navy

Steam-launches under construction

Cost of Telephone Line from Kowloon to Táipó Survey Party

...

::

::

...

AMOUNT.

TOTAL.

C.

C.

1,800.00

3,084.00

2,100.00

14.03

24.63

221.37

29.00

7,273.03

T

6,465.78 26,116.83.

32,582.61

...

8,748.94* 21,103.52†

29,852.46

112,012.22

3,964.20

...

...

12,114.00

1,381.79 { 2,566.53 3,061.05 31,875.00

2,543.81

1,079.86

233,033.53

Treasury, 23rd January, 1900.

* Includes expenses of launches, coal, oil, &c. † Usual items under "Other Charges, Police."

A. M. THOMSON, ·

Treasurer.

1887-1903

29

Appendix No. XX.

287

[L.S.] HENRY ARTHUr Blake,

Governor.

PROCLAMATION.

By His Excellency Sir HENRY ARTHUR BLAKE, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commander-in- Chief of the Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same.

   Whereas by an Order of the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council, made on the 20th day of October, 1898, after reciting that by a Convention dated the 9th day of June, 1898, between Her Majesty and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China, it is provided that the limits of British territory in the regions adjacent to the Colony of Hongkong, shall be enlarged under lease to Her Majesty in the manner described in the said Convention; and after reciting that it is expedient to make provision for the Government of the territories acquired by Her Majesty under the said Convention, during the continuance of the said lease, it was ordered (inter alia) as follows :-

1. The territories within the limits and for the term described in the said Convention shall be and the same are hereby declared to be part and parcel of Her Majesty's Colony of Hongkong in like manner and for all intents and purposes as if they had originally formed part of the said Colony.

2. It shall be competent for the Governor of Hongkong, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council of the said Colony, to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the said territories as part of the Colony.

3. From a date to be fixed by proclamation of the Governor of Hongkong, all laws

and ordinances, which shall at such date be in force in the Colony of Hongkong, shall take effect in the said territories, and shall remain in force therein until the same shall have been altered or repealed by Her Majesty or by the Governor of Hongkong, by and with the advice or consent of the Legislative Council.

   And whereas it is expedient that from the 17th day of April, 1899, all laws and ordinances, which shall at such date be in force in the Colony of Hongkong, shall take effect in the said territories, and shall remain in force therein until the saine shall have been altered or repealed by Her Majesty or by the Governor of Hongkong, by and with the advice or consent of the Legislative Council:

   Now, therefore, I, Sir HENRY ARTHUR BLAKE, do hereby, in pursuance of the powers reserved to me by the said Order of Her Most Excellent Majesty in Council and of every other power (if any) enabling me, by this Proclamation proclaim and direct that from the said 17th day of April, 1899, all laws and ordinances, which shall at such date be in force in the Colony of Hongkong, shall take effect in the said territories, and shall remain in force therein until the same shall have been altered or repealed by Her Majesty or by the Governor of Hongkong, by and with the advice or consent of the Legislative Council.

By His Excellency's Command,

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,

Colonial Secretary.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

Given at Government House, Victoria, Hongkong, this 8th day of April, 1899.

288

Number of Ordinance and

year.

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

30

Appendix No. XXI.

Ordinance No. 10 of 1899.

SCHEDULE.

Title or Short Title.

Extent of non-application.

No. 17 of 1887.

No. 21 of 1887.

No. 22 of 1887.

No. 24 of 1887.

No. 15 of 1889.

No. 4 of 1890.

No. 12 of 1890.

No. 23 of 1890.

No. 26 of 1890.

The Cattle Diseases, Slaughter-houses, and Markets Ordinance, The whole.

1887.

The Licensing Consolidation Ordinance, 1887 The Raw Opium Ordinance, 1887

The Public Health Ordinance, 1887

The Buildings Ordinance, 1889

An Ordinance to amend the Public Health Ordinance, 1887 An Ordinance to amend the Cattle Diseases, Slaughter-houses,

and Markets Ordinance, 1887.

An Ordinance to amend the Cattle Diseases, Slaughter-houses,

and Markets Ordinance, 1887.

The whole.

The whole.

The whole.

The whole.

The whole.

· The whole.

The whole except Sections 4 and 5. The whole.

An Ordinance to amend the Public Health Ordinance, 1887 ... An Ordinance to further amend the Public Health Ordinance, | The whole.

1887.

The Raw Opium Amendment Ordinance, 1891

The Building Amendment Ordinance, 1891

The whole.

The whole.

The whole.

The whole.

An Ordinance to amend the Cattle Diseases, Slaughter-houses, | The whole.

and Markets Ordinance, 1887.

No. 12 of 1891.

No. 21 of 1891.

The Prepared Opium Ordinance, 1891

No. 22 of 1891.

No. 25 of 1891.

No. 4 of 1894.

An Ordinance to amend the Prepared Opium Ordinance, 1891

No. 12 of 1894.

No. 15 of 1894.

The Closed Houses and Insanitary Dwellings Ordinance, 1894

The whole.

No. 7 of 1895.

The Building (Amendment) Ordinance, 1895

The whole.

No. 17 of 1895.

An Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 17 of 1887

The whole.

No. 25 of 1895.

An Ordinance to further amend the Cattle Diseases, Slaughter-The whole.

houses, and Markets Ordinance, 1887.

No. 5 of 1896.

No. 16 of 1896.

An Ordinance to amend the Buildings Ordinance, 1889 The Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance, 1896 The Prepared Opium (Divans) Ordinance, 1897

...

No. 15 of 1897.

No. 1 of 1898.

No. 24 of 1898.

An Ordinance to amend the Prepared Opium (Divans)

Ordinance, 1897.

The Liquor Licenses Ordinance, 1898

The whole.

The whole.

The whole.

The whole.

The whole.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

No. 340.

HONG KONG.

REPORT FOR 1900.

(For Report for 1899, see No. 314.)

289

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of His Majesty. November, 1901.

240119

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE BY DARLING & SON, LTD., 34-40, BacON STREET, E.

And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE & SPOTTISWOODE, EAST HARDING STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C., and 32, ABINGDON STREET, WESTMINSTER, S.W.;

or OLIVER & BOYD, EDINBURGH;

or E. PONSONBY, 116, GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIK.

1901.

[Cd. 788-10.] Priceld.

290

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.

 The following, among other, reports relating to His Majesty's Colonial Possessions have been issued, and may be obtained from the sources indicated on the title page :-

ANNUAL.

Colony.

Year.

No.

318

British Guiana

...

...

...

319

Christmas Island

...

...

320

British Solomon Islands

...

321

Lagos

...

1899-1900

1900 1899-1900 1900

322

Bermuda...

323

St. Helena

324

325

326

.327

.328

Sierra Leone

Gambia

Barbados...

Bahamas

...

Turks and Caicos Islands

...

329

Malta

330

Straits Settlements

...

331

Fiji

332

St. Lucia...

...

...

333

Seychelles

...

...

334

Falkland Islands

...

"}

31

...

...

...

...

""

...

...

...

"?

***

31

}}

...

17

""

•••

19

...

"}

""

...

11

...

335

Mauritius and Rodrigues

...

...

""

336

British New Guinea

...

337

Leeward Islands

1899-1900

1900

338

Trinidad and Tobago

...

""

339

British Honduras

No.

1234567

Subject.

Economic Agriculture. Forests.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Colony.

Gold Coast Zululand... Sierra Leone Canada

...

Bahamas... Hong Kong

Newfoundland

...

...

Western Pacific...

...

....

...

8

9

Dominica

...

10

Virgin Islands

11

Grenada ...

12

Anguilla...

13

Cook Islands

...

14

Bahamas...

15

Canada

16

Miscellaneous Colonies

17

Gilbert and Ellice Islands

18

Hong Kong

...

Geology and Botany Emigration. Sisal Industry.

Bubonic Plague.

Mineral Resources.

British Solomon Islands.

Agriculture.

Condition during 1897. Agriculture in Carriacou.

Vital Statistics, 1898.

Trade, 1899.

Fibre Industry.

Legal Status of British North

American Indians.

Medical Reports.

Report for 1896-1900.

Operations in New Territory

during 1899.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS--ANNUAL.

291

3

No. 340,

HONG KONG.

(For Report for 1899, see No. 311.)

GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

Government House,

Hongkong,

25th September, 1901.

SIR,

I HAVE the honour to forward the Blue Book for 1900. The statistics quoted in the Report of the Colonial Secretary show that the Colony is in a sound financial position, and that its business, which is mainly that of a great transhipping port, continues to increase with the expanding trade of the East. The shipping returns show that during the year 1900, 82,456 ships of the aggregate registered tonnage of 18,445,133 tous, carrying 9,862,868 tons of cargo and 2,031,079 passengers arrived and cleared.

2. But this considerable increase of shipping over the previous year by no means represents the enormous increase in the num- ber of ships that entered the harbour during this year of abnormal activity. The Boxer troubles in the North broke out in June, and in July the first contingents of the China Expeditionary Forces began to arrive. Hongkong was practically the British base, and for months the man-of-war anchorage was filled with British and Foreign warships and transports. At first it was feared that there was no available space in which to accom- modate the Indian Brigades landed here to await the settlement of details as to future operations. I gave the Major-General Commanding Troops carte blanche to occupy every spot of ground on which a tent could be pitched, and sufficient accom- modation was found in the immediate neighbourhood. I may add that the conduct of the Indian Troops landed here left nothing to be desired.

3. With the new road now being completed to Taipo, opening up the plains and hillsides of the New Territory, there is now ample accommodation for any number of troops likely to be required in the East.

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 4. It will be easily understood that with the paralysis of trade in the North on the outbreak of active hostilities the entire trade of China was affected, and the godowns in Hongkong and Shanghai were filled to overflowing with imported merchan- dise of which the Chinese merchants were slow to take delivery. In the month of September a rebellious movement was started in the district of Weichou, north of the New Territory and Mirs Bay. The movement was not anti-foreign, and the insurgents refrained from interference with the villages in Tung Kun District in which the Basel Missions were established, nor, so far as I could learn, were any atrocities committed by them. It was a movement of a section of reformers that was not joined by the followers of Kang-Yu-Wei. The disturbance lasted for about a fortnight, and collapsed after several engage- ments with the Viceroy's troops under Admiral Ho, in one or two of which the rebels had some success. About four thousand lives were lost in the fighting, and the movement died out from the want of arms and ammunition, to prevent the smuggling of which the Police of Hongkong left nothing undone. The move- ment created considerable uneasiness in the district around Canton, one result of which was the transfer of a large amount of Chinese money to Hongkong for investment under the pro- tection of the British flag. This may to some extent account for the increased sale of Crown land at enhanced prices during the year.

 5. This small rebellion was, no doubt, attempted in conse- quence of the pre-occupation of the Imperial Government in the North, possibly with a view of inducing the allied Powers to secure peace in the South by a promise to consider the question of internal reform when the time arrived for the imposition of terms of peace upon the Imperial Government. I have heard from fairly well-informed sources this explanation of the rising. Had the Canton district responded, or had the Viceroy acted with less prompitude, the situation might have become very critical. The movement was distinctly anti-dynastic, as there was in the South among the Cantonese a strong feeling against, not alone the reigning dynasty, but against the people of the Northern provinces a feeling of hostility apparently recipro- cated by the Northern Chinese, who were quite as ready to murder a Cantonese as an American or European, and who look upon them as foreigners, if not "foreign devils." I had an illustration of this when the Boxer movement developed in Tientsin. A number of Cantonese young men were engaged in business in Tientsin, and some had gone there to attend the Chinese Medical School. These young men were regarded as foreigners, and found themselves in a position of great danger, and with no apparent means of escape. Some Chinese gentlemen here waited upon me, and, explaining the position, requested my good offices in assisting their return to Canton and Hong- kong, saying that they were prepared to pay ten thousand dollars for the necessary expenses, as the lives of Cantonese would be

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

293

5

in grave peril if the Boxers had any success. I telegraphed to His Majesty's Consul at Tientsin, asking his assistance in re- patriating the Cantonese, for which I undertook to be responsible to the extent of the sum named, and he very kindly made the necessary arrangements, forwarding bills for over nine thousand dollars, which were at once paid by the Chinese gentlemen who had approached me. A deputation of the young men whose escape had been secured waited upon me to express their grati- tude, and one and all were assured that had they fallen into the hands of the insurgents their lives would have been taken. The incident was mentioned in the Chinese newspapers in Can- ton, and has, I hope, had some effect in strengthening the cordial relations that exist at present between the Government of the two Kwangs and this Colony.

6. Among the land sales effected during the year was a large area sold to Messrs. Butterfield & Swire, who propose to build docks there, one of which will be capable of taking in the largest ship now afloat. The Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company have applied for an additional area, upon which the Company proposes to add another dry dock of equally large pro- portions, and, as the Naval Yard extension now progressing in- cludes at least one more dry dock of suitable capacity, the docking facilities of this port will in the near future equal, if not exceed, those of any port in the East.

7. The building of steam-launches proceeds apace, nearly one hundred having been constructed during the year. I question if, in any part of the world, better or cheaper steam-launches are built than those turned out in Hongkong. The extension of the boiler-making trade, due to this expansion of steam-boat building, is now forcing itself upon our attention by complaints of the nuisance created by boiler-makers who have set up their noisy business in quiet quarters of the town, and proceed to prosecute it day and night. It may be necessa to confine this trade to a particular quarter.

S. I regret to have to report the recrudescence of plague at the usual season, the end of February. The epidemic began at the end of February, and lasted 27 weeks, ceasing in the first week in July. During that time there were 1,080 cases, with a case mortality of 95.5 per cent. In 1899 the epidemic lasted for 38 weeks, with 1,428 cases, and a case mortality of 96′1 per cent. In considering this annual recurrence of plague, the situation of Hongkong renders it peculiarly difficult to deal with the introduction of disease from without, for the relief gradually obtained in other places by the death of the susceptible can hardly be looked for here with a perennial influx of sus- ceptible coolies from the surrounding plague-infected provinces. A few hours bring these people to Hongkong, and nothing short of a ten days' detention of from two to three thousand persons who daily enter Hongkong would insure freedom from the in- troduction of plague by these visitors, while even if all are

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healthy, there must be among them a proportion of susceptibles to feed the fuel on the appearance of plague.

 9. One of the most important questions of the immediate future is the problem of reducing the surface population, the density of which in one health district of Victoria is, in round: numbers, six hundred and forty thousand to the square mile, and this in a city crowded under the precipitous northern slope of the Peak range of hills that effectually shut off the south- easterly breezes of the summer months. The abatement of sur- face crowding by the resumption of houses and opening of streets and lanes will probably cost some millions of dollars, as the value of house property in Victoria is very great, houses being sold at from six dollars to thirty-five dollars a square foot; but the taxation of Hongkong is light compared with that of other Colonies, and sooner or later the question of the abatement of surface overcrowding must be vigorously dealt with.

 10. The state of the New Territory taken over in 1899 has been fully dealt with in my despatch of the 12th of last August.* The Financial Accounts of this lately occupied concession afford no reliable basis for an estimate of its ultimate value. Up to the present we have been engaged upon making a good main road that will give ready access to the interior of the Territory, in building Police Stations, and in preparing a cadastral survey, without which, arrangements cannot be made for the payment of Crown Rent and the settlement of land claims, after which I expect to see a rapid development of that portion of the district surrounding the harbour of Hongkong, where the taking over of the Territory has increased the value of land, in some in- stances literally a thousand-fold, but over every acre of which disputed claims await adjustment by the Land Court. The police expense of the New Territory is also a heavy item, as armed robbery on land and sea is a very common offence, and our preventive patrol system is costly as compared with the somewhat drastic Chinese system of disregarding those local irregularities until they become intolerable, when a force is sent to punish the district by eating it out, or, if necessary, destroying a village or villages. Beyond affording protection and bringing home to the people the fairness and justice of the British system of govern- ment, nothing can be done in the New Territory until the land claims have been settled. When that has been done, nothing will remain to prevent its development on a sound and stable basis. The people are intelligent and industrious, and, I am informed, that there is ample capital only awaiting the security of a valid title to be devoted to various agricultural and manu- facturing ventures.

 11. At present the staple crops are rice, sugar, sweet potatoes, and vegetables. Possibly the rice cultivation is as good as we can make it, but the sugar cultivation is capable of great im- provement, and I have reason to believe that sericulture will

See Colonial Report (Miscellaneous) No. 18,

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

295

7

be tried on a large scale, while I see no reason why, with the further propagation of succulent grasses already growing in the Colony, the hills north of the Kowloon range and the island of Lantao should not support a sufficient number of cattle to render Hongkong independent of the supplies now procured from the West and North Rivers.

12. Unfortunately during the year the large river steamers that traded between Hongkong and the West River treaty ports were withdrawn in consequence of the difficulties that beset them on account of the strained interpretation by the Imperial Mari- time Customs of the inland navigation agreement. The Com- panies interested asked no more than that they should have the liberty to carry passengers to and from any place on the river, undertaking to confine the carriage of cargo and parcels to the ports and stages already agreed upon, and being prepared, if necessary, to carry a Customs Official on board and to conform to every local regulation as to inspection, &c. This proposal, which I made personally to the Viceroy Li Hung Chang, when on his way to the North, to the Tsung-li Yamen, and to Sir Robert Hart, was accepted by all three. It was referred to a Committee in Canton appointed by the Acting Viceroy, and, for some reason that I have not discovered, it was recommended by them that the proposal should be rejected. I hope that the proposal may yet be accepted, as its adoption would be effective in checking the piracy so difficult to cope with on the West River, by affording to Chinese travelling to Canton with valuable property, or returning with large sums of money, a safe means of transit to their own towns in a British steamer carrying a regular guard.

13. On the 9th of November the Colony was visited by a very severe typhoon, the centre of which passed over the town and harbour. Although due notice had been given of its approach, there was but little precaution taken, as it was assumed that at this season no typhoon would be more violent than an ordinary gale at most. There had been, besides, several typhoons sig- nalled during the summer, the tracks of which went north or south of Hongkong, so people had become careless. The wind reached typhoon force about 10 o'clock at night, the smaller vessels having taken shelter from the north-easterly gale. At 4 a.m. the centre passed over the harbour, and the wind suddenly veered to South-west, when the boats, junks, and steam-launches found themselves on a lee shore. At 7 o'clock,10 launches and over 110 junks were sunk, and the harbour was a mass of wreckage. H.M.S. Sandpiper sank at her moorings, and a large dredger just out from England foundered. Over 200 lives were lost in those fatal three hours. As soon as a launch could live, I went along the shores of Kowloon, the whole sea face of which was a mass of wreckage, among which the Chinese were already hard at work to effect what salvage they could, and I found that the Directors of the Tung Wah Hospital-a charitable Chinese

296

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COLONIAL REPORTS ANNUAL.

institution-had at once sent out two steam-launches with all the appliances for affording immediate assistance. I mention the fact as I find a widespread idea that the Chinese among them- selves are callous and uncharitable-an impression that is entirely opposed to my experience. After the hurricane, a public meeting was held, and a Committee formed to collect subscriptions. In a few days twenty-eight thousand four hundred and thirty-four dollars were subscribed, of which the Chinese subscribed twenty- one thousand three hundred and sixty-three dollars.

 14. In the early part of the year the Colony had subscribed $153,555 to the South African War Fund, so that within twelve months the European and Chinese people of the Colony volun- tarily contributed to patriotic and charitable purposes the sum of $181,990, over and above the ordinary charities of the Colony, a sum equal to over 5 per cent. of the amount of the public

revenue.

SIR,

I have, &c.,

HENRY A. BLAKE,

Governor, &c.

Colonial Secretary's Office,

Hongkong,

15th August, 1901.

    I HAVE the honour to submit herewith the following Report on the Blue Book for 1900:-

I.-FINANCES.

(a.) Revenue.

 1. During the last five years the revenue of this Colony has shown a steady increase, which has more than counterbalanced the increasing expenditure. In 1895 the balance_of_revenue over expenditure showed a deficit of $486,144.12. In 1900 not only had this deficit been made good, but, notwithstanding an expenditure exceeding that of 1895 by $655,904.12, the revenue of Hongkong showed a surplus of $574,140.37.

 2. The actual revenue for 1900 was $3,235,329.61, exclusive of the amounts derived from Land Sales and the Water Account, which amounted to $816,222.92 and $151 034.87 respectively.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

(b.) Expenditure.

297

9

3. On the other hand the Expenditure amounted to $3,628,447.13, of which a sum of $473,205.89 was expended on Public Works Extraordinary.

(c.) Land Sales.

4. The amount received from Land Sales, $816,222.92, showed an excess over the Land Sales in 1899 of $198,398.20.

5. I append tables* showing:-

(a.) The heads of revenue.

(b.) The heads of expenditure.

(c.) The total revenue and expenditure for the six years-

1895-1900.

(d.) The assets and liabilities of the Colony.

(e.) The amount of paper currency in circulation.

(d.) Taxation.

6. Taxation in Hongkong still remains comparatively light, though the cost of living is high, owing to the increase in the price of food and the difficulty of obtaining house accommoda- tion at a reasonable figure. There were no important changes in Taxation during the year.

(e.) Public Debt.

7. In 1899 the Sinking Fund, which was created three years previously with a view to gradually paying off the public debt of £341,799 15s. 1d., incurred by Government for the purpose of defraying the cost of certain Public Works, some of them, such as Markets and Waterworks, of a remunerative nature, stood at £12,625 18s. 11d., and during the past financial year it rose to £16,485 13s. 2d.

S. With provision so satisfactorily made for the liquidation of the public debt, and with a revenue naturally increasing from year to year, the financial stability of the Colony appears to be assured.

II. TRADE, AGRICULTURE, AND INDUSTRIES.

(a.) Imports and Exports.

1. I append tables* showing:

(a.) The principal articles of import during the years 1899

and 1900 in vessels of European construction.

(b.) The total tonnage of imports and exports for the last

five years.

(c.) The imports and exports of junks in foreign and

local trade during 1899 and 1900.

* Not printed.

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COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 2. The total import trade of the port for 1900 amounted to 23,205 vessels, of 8,626,614 tons, carrying 6,342,138 tons of cargo, of which 4,198,389 tons were discharged at Hongkong. This does not include the local junk trade. The nett increase in imports thus amounted to 422,717 tons.

3. In exports there was a decrease of 70,666 tons.

 4. The chief articles of import are coal, rice, sugar, and flour. Tea, kerosine oil, rice and paddy, and general cargo are the principal exports.

 5. There has been a great increase in the amount of sugar imported, amounting to no less than 76.6 per cent. Similarly the import of timber, flour, coal, and hemp shows increases of 66.1 per cent., 65.7 per cent., and 60.7 per cent. respectively. The trade in bulk oil is almost at a standstill as compared with last year; but case oil shows a decrease of 10,609 tons. The rice trade, which reached its culminating point last year, has diminished by 98,801 tons, and may now be said to be at its normal condition.

(b.) Mines, Manufactures, and Fisheries.

 6. There are no mines in the Colony; but there are granite quarries situated at Shaukiwán and Kowloon, the output of which during the year under review was valued at $45,000 and $80,000 respectively.,

 7. The industries of the Colony include dock work, launch building, boat building, cement manufacture, paper making, sugar refining, brick and tile making, rope making, iron found- ries, boiler making, glass manufacture, vermilion manufacture, and opium boiling. One hundred steam launches and other vessels, with a total burden of 3,755 tons, were built in the Colony during the year. The dock accommodation is to be largely increased in the near future.

 8. The number of ships and boats employed in fishery during the year may be roughly estimated at 7,000; but it is impossible to ascertain the description and the quantity of fish caught, or the actual value of the fishing trade.

 9. Two thousand nine hundred and three (2,903) rowing boats, 2,030 cargo boats and lighters, and 92 steam launches were licensed to ply for hire within the waters of the Colony during the year.

(c) Agricultural Industries and Botanical Stations.

 10. It is estimated that in 1900 the acreage of cultivated land in the island of Hongkong was 406 acres; in Kowloon 404 acres ; and in the New Territory, including the islands, about 90,000 acres. Beyond the cultivation of rice and sugar, and of vege- table gardens, there is practically no agricultural industry in

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS- -ANNUAL.

11

-the old Colony or in the New Territory. It is proposed to try an experimental stock farm in the New Territory, where, if the grass be found good, it ought to be possible to rear cattle required for consumption in Hongkong. The industry of cattle raising in the New Territory seems never to have been attempted beyond the number required for field work.

299

11. The revenue from plant sales was $761.80, an increase of $135.20 over that for 1899. The revenue from loan of plants was $55.39 less than in the previous year. The Government does not make any profit over the sale or loan of plants, the public obtaining them at a price which only covers the actual cost of production.

12. The quantity of land under sugar cultivation in the New Territory is estimated at over 7,000 acres.

13. The advisability of establishing an experimental garden in the New Territory, for the purpose of testing the suitability of economic plants to the soil and climate, is under consideration.

14. Five thousand five hundred and eighty (5,580) trees were planted in Hongkong Island during the year, and 81,154 in the New Territory.

15. The year has been fortunate as regards forest fires, only 25 having been reported, with a destruction of 2,067 trees, as compared with 52 fires and 13,299 trees in the previous year.

(d.) Land Grants and General Value of Land.

16. I append a table* giving particulars of land sales, ex- tensions, and grants on short leases made during the year under -review.

17. The owners of 53 lots on the Praya Reclamation, amount- ing to 290,239 square feet, were permitted to enter into occupation. This Reclamation, authorised by Ordinance No. 16 of 1889, was commenced in 1890, and is now approaching completion. An area of 50 acres has been reclaimed, and the remaining area, amount- ing to about ten (10) acres, is more than half finished.

18. There were two free grants of land at Kowloon-one of 30,000 feet to the Church Missionary Society for the erection of a Home for Chinese girls at Kau Pui Shek; and the other --of 15,000 square feet to the Hildesheim Mission for Blind Girls

at To Kwa Wan.

19. The principal item under extensions during the year was Quarry Bay Marine Lot 2, the area so granted amounting to 323,800 square feet, Crown rent $1,487, and premium $32,380. "This extension has been purchased for the purpose of constructing

a dock.

20. Seven lots in Hongkong were granted on short leases, while at Kowloon similar grants of seven inland lots were made.

* Not printed.

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 21. The demand for land, as evidenced by the larger sales effected, necessitated an unusual amount of work in the survey branch. Special surveys were also made in connection with extension of water storage in Tytam Valley and the military reserve north of Austin Road, Kowloon. In all, it is estimated that nearly 1,000 acres were surveyed.

*

(e.) Shipping.

22. I append tables showing:-

(a.) The comparative shipping return for the years 1899

and 1900.

(b.) A comparative statement of the total shipping entered and cleared between the years 1896-1900 inclusive. (c.) An analysis of shipping (British and foreign steamers)

entered and cleared in 1899 and 1900.

(d.) An analysis of shipping (British and foreign sail)

entered and cleared in 1899 and 1900.

(e.) A return of junk shipping in 1899 and 1900.

 23. The tonnage of British ships entering the harbour of the Colony during 1900 was 4,588,610 tons, and clearing 4,566,588 tons..

 24. The German shipping showed next with 959,173 tons entering and 958,571 clearing.

 25. Then follow in order the Japanese, French, Chinese, American, Norwegian, and Austrian flags.

 26. The tonnage of Chinese junks entering and clearing was 1,604,632 and 1,620,224 respectively; and of Chinese ships, other than junks, 136,765 and 138,507 respectively.

C

 27. The total of foreign ocean-going tonnage which entered and cleared was 2,425,086. and 2,425,311 respectively.

 28. The comparative shipping return for the years 1899 and 1900 shows, in the case of vessels under the British flag, an increase of 103 ships, measuring 430,182 tons; but there was a decrease in the river trade under the British flag of 111 vessels of 58,317 tons. This may be ascribed to the fact that certain British steamers engaged in the West River trade were sold.

 29. Many of the Chinese merchant steamers were transferred to the British flag. There was an increase in the percentage of "tramp" steamers, principally carrying coal. The size of many of the steamers of the regular lines on the home routes, especially of the German Steamers, has increased in a marked degree.

30. The Scottish Oriental Steamship Co. was transferred to the German flag, thus increasing German tonnage by 62,057 tons in arrivals, and 68,806 tons in departures.

• Not printed.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

13

31. As compared with 1899, the British tonnage increased by 4.93 per cent., and the foreign tonnage by 3.20 per cent.

III.-LEGISLATION.

1. There were in all 36 Ordinances passed during last year. Of these, six were Naturalization Ordinances, while 17 were concerned with the amendment of Ordinances already in force.

2. Three Ordinances were passed in connection with the New Territory, by far the widest in scope being Ordinance No. 30, under which the operation of such laws of this Colony as were not already in force in the New Territories was extended to a certain portion of those territories.

3. It was during last year that the Chief Justice, Sir John Carrington, made his generous offer to prepare a new edition of the Hongkong Ordinances, and accordingly at the close of the year a Bill was passed to make provision for the preparation and publication of a new and revised edition of the Statute Laws of the Colony. The first step was thus taken towards a much needed codification of the laws of Hongkong.

4. Ordinances were also passed for the establishment of a hospital for infectious diseases in connection with the Tung Wa Hospital; for the imposition of fees for the issue by the Govern- ment of Hongkong of certain certificates to certain Chinese; and for the provision of more effectual means to ensure the observ- ance, by those in charge of certain steam-launches, of reasonable precautions against piracy and robbery.

IV.-EDUCATION.

1. At the close of 1900 there were in this Colony 13 Govern- ment schools and 91 Grant-in-aid schools, purporting to give an education to 7,481 children. Of this number, no less than 1,440 scholars are claimed by Queen's College. The remaining 103 schools are thus left with an average of not quite 59 pupils each, the smallest number in any given school being 12. This state of affairs cannot be considered satisfactory, and it seems desirable while diminishing the number of educational centres to cultivate greater uniformity in the system and object of teach- ing adopted by the various scholastic esablishments.

2. There are five schools in the Colony-Queen's College being by far the most considerable-which give an education both in English and in Chinese. Twenty-one schools offer an education in English only, while in the remainder only Chinese is taught.

3. No satisfactory provision for the education of European children exists in Hongkong. Whilst European parents prefer to have their sons and daughters educated at home, a preference dictated by climatic and other reasons, there are not a few Europeans now in the Colony who are unable to afford to send

301

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COLONIAL REPORTS- -ANNUAL.

their children to Europe. It would seem only just that educa- tional facilities which are at present wanting should be afforded for such children.

 4. The education of Chinese should have as its two objects the instruction of the native pupils in their own language, and in English. Anything further would seem at present to be pre- mature, save in the case of a very few exceptionally clever scholars. If the Chinese boy on leaving school is equipped with a sound knowledge of English, his so-called "secondary" educa- tion may confidently be left in his own hands, and its evolution will depend on circumstance and opportunity. It is more than doubtful whether this principle is at present realized with sufficient clearness.

V.-PUBLIC WORKS.

 1. The total expenditure on Public Works during the year was a sum of $683,946.74. This shows an increase of $232,581.23 over the expenditure under this head in 1899.

 2. The designs for the new Law Courts were prepared in England by the Consulting Architects to the Colonial Office. The plans for the piled foundations were prepared locally, a satisfactory contract for the work was let in July, 1900, and good progress has since been made.

3. A new Police Station was built on a site selected above the Cattle Depôts on the road leading to the Pokfulam Road. The work was completed on the 1st October. Police Stations are also being built at Saikung and Shataukok in the New Territory.

 4. The Public Works Department Store at Wanchai was com- pleted early in the year. All stores previously deposited at Crosby Store in Queen's Road and in a rented building on. Praya East were then removed to the new store, where they were arranged and catalogued.

5. The construction of two new latrines was completed during the year, while three more are being built. A chair shelter for coolies has also been constructed at the Peak Tram Station.

6. Good progress was made on the Pokfulam Conduit Road during the year, and plans and estimates are ready for its com- pletion as far as a junction with Robinson Road. It has been decided that the Harlech Road at the Peak should be taken over and completed by the military authorities, to give access to sites for batteries on the High West and for buildings beyond to the North of the hill's saddle. The trunk road to Táipó in the New Territory is still in course of construction.

 7. A contract for building a Peak Residence for the Governor has been let, and fair progress was made during the year. The stone foundations of the main building are well advanced, and

1887-1903

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COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

15

the wood-work of the doors and windows was in course of pre- paration.

8. On the 29th November, the Governor opened to the public a new pier opposite the end of Pedder Street, 200 feet long by 40 feet wide, now known as Blake Pier. The base was designed to carry the new Clock Tower which it is proposed to erect to take the place of that which stands in Pedder Street, and which has become an obstruction to the traffic.

VI.-GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS. (a.) Hospitals.

1. A total number of 2,913 cases were admitted into the Government Civil Hospital during the year 1900, showing an increase of 1 per cent. over the number of admissions in the previous year. Two hundred and twenty-five operations were performed, of which only seven ended fatally.

2. Fifty-four (54) cases were admitted into the Maternity Hospital, as against 36 in 1899. Six deaths occurred among the patients.

3. The hospital hulk Hygeia was not used during the year, as the accommodation at the Kennedy Town Hospital is now suffi- cient. It is proposed to use the Hygeia for quarantined pas- sengers under examination.

4. One hundred and seven (107) cases of plague were treated at the Kennedy Town Infectious Hospital during the year, with a mortality of 77.5 per cent.; 83 cases ended fatally. Fifteen cases of beri-beri, with one death, were also treated.

5. The admissions to the gaol hospital numbered 495, as com- pared with 503 in 1899. Six deaths occurred from natural causes, and there were two executions.

6. The number of patients in the wards of the Tung Wa Hospital at the beginning of the year was 154; 2,981 were admitted during 1900, making a total of 3,135 cases treated. There were 1,267 deaths, the high rate of mortality being due to the fact that the lower classes of the Chinese community regard this hospital as not alone a place for the treatment of diseases, but also a refuge in which to die. A free site has been granted on the western side of Inland Lot 1,082 for the erection of a permanent branch hospital for the treatment of contagious diseases. This new hospital will take the place of the temporary matsheds which have hitherto been built for the reception of infectious cases.

(b.) Lunatic Asylum.

7. The Lunatic Asylum is divided into European and Chinese wards. 109 patients were admitted. There was an increase in the number of Chinese patients treated, viz., 97 as against 59 in 1899.

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(c.) Reformatory.

 8. The Belilios Reformatory was opened during 1900, but at the close of the year no case had been admitted.

(d.) Public Mortuary.

 9. During the year 1,712 bodies were removed to the Public Mortuary.

(e.) Vaccine Institute and Government Laboratory.

 10. The Vaccine Institute has been working throughout the year under the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon, and the lymph has, as usual, given satisfaction. 321 articles were examined during the year in the Government Laboratory.

(f.) Pò Léung Kuk.

*

 11. I append a return showing the work of the Pò Léung Kuk, a society for the protection of women and children, for the year 1900. The number of persons admitted to the home was 337, as against 252 in 1899. The balance to the credit of the fund was $13,697.99 at the close of 1900, and the sub- scriptions for the year show an increase of $1,459.80 over the subscriptions for 1899. At the beginning of the year the services of a female teacher were engaged, and the inmates now receive regular elementary instruction.

(g.) Fire Brigade.

 12. At the commencement of the year, the Nam Pak Hong Fire Brigade was re-organized and placed under the immediate supervision of the officers of the Government Fire Brigade, which is itself a sub-department of the Police and under the control of the Captain Superintendent of Police. The Nam Pak Hong now maintains, at its own cost, six trained firemen, while two firemen of the Government Brigade reside in the station house with them.

 13. There were 51 fires and 74 incipient fires during the year, causing an estimated damage of $130,599.73 and $729.10 respectively. The brigade turned out 61 times during the year.

(h.) Police.

14. The total strength of the Police Force, which stood at 630 in 1898, and at 827 in 1899, has been increased to 929, an increase necessitated by additional work in connection with the New Territory. To keep pace with this increase in the numbers of the men, the staff of officers, which had previously consisted

* Not printed.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS--ANNUAL.

17

only of a Captain_Superintendent of Police and a Deputy Superintendent of Police, was doubled by the appointment of two Assistant Superintendents of Police, though only one of these was actually employed in police work during the year.

15. New Police Stations at Kennedy Town and at Shataukok were completed and occupied by the Police on the 1st and 20th October respectively, while new stations are also in course of construction at West Point and at Saikung.

305

16. The conduct of the contingent was on the whole satis- factory, several sergeants and constables being rewarded for their energy and zeal.

(i.) Prison.

17. Victoria gaol at the present time contains. 500 separate cells and 14 association cells. It is thus possible to confine 514 persons on the separate system; while in case of emergency 570 persons could be confined by placing five prisoners in each association cell. The daily average of prisoners in the gaol numbered 486 in 1900, as compared with 434 in the previous year, and 510 in 1898. The sanitary condition of the gaol was, good.

18. There were 125 prisoners convicted from the New Ter- ritory during the year.

19. One hundred and seventy-six (176) prisoners were em- ployed on non-productive labour during 1900. The remaining 310 were utilised either in manufactures, in building, or in the service of the prison, and the profit on this labour for the year amounted to $8,394.25.

VII. JUDICIAL STATISTICS.

1. I append tables* showing:

(a.) The number of summary convictions in the Police Court for various classes of offences, and the kind. of punishment inflicted.

(6.) The number of indictments and informations in the

Supreme Court of Hongkong.

(c.) A comparison of the number of offences, apprehen- sions, convictions, and acquittals for the last five years.

2. There was an increase in serious offences of 140 cases, or 4.12 per cent., and in minor offences of 710 cases, or 12.6 per cent. It was found early in the year that one Police Magistrate could not cope with the constantly increasing work, and accordingly a Magistrate was appointed to hear cases at Táipó, in the New Territory, while a Second Magistrate was also appointe to act in the Police Court at Victoria.

3. Two murderers were convicted and hanged in 1900.

* Not printed.

10183-2

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VIII. VITAL STATISTICS.

(a.) Population.

 1. The population of the Colony, at the Census taken in January, 1897, was 248,880, while at the Census taken in January, 1901, it was 283,975, exclusive of the Army and Navy, which amounted to 13,237 (Army 7,640, Navy 5,597). The total population of the Colony, including the Army and Navy, was estimated at 283,418 up to the middle of 1900.

2. The population of the New Territory, which is exclusively Chinese, was estimated at 100,000 in the year 1899.

(b.) Public Health.

 3. Nine hundred and thirty-nine (939) births and 6,773 deaths were registered during the year. This is equal to a general birth-rate of 3.3 per 1,000, as compared with 4.3 per 1,000 in 1899, and to a general death-rate of 23.9 per 1,000, as compared with 23.8 per 1,000 in 1899.

4. The Matshed Hospital at Kennedy Town was re-opened for the reception of plague cases, and was in use from the 16th May to 15th August. The number of admissions was 224, of whom 200 died. In addition to this, 107 cases of plague were treated in the Kennedy Town Hospital itself, with a mortality of 77.5 per cent. The total number of cases reported during the year was 1,082, and the total number of deaths was 1,034, as against 1,486 and 1,428 in the preceding year.

 5. There were only 17 deaths from small-pox last year; whereas in the three previous years the numbers had been 35, 110, and 209. This continued decrease has resulted in a marked apathy in regard to vaccination, the total number of vaccinations recorded being 2,123 less than in 1899.

 6. The number of deaths from beri-beri almost doubled during the year, the disease being confined to the Chinese population.

7. Malarial and enteric fevers were more prevalent than in 1899. There was a considerable mortality among the troops from malarial fever.

8. In connection with this question of malaria an interesting experiment was tried. The military sanatorium has been abandoned for several years on account of the continued suffer- ing of the troops stationed there from malarial fever. Under the advice of Dr. Young, employed in the China Expeditionary Force, the brushwood was cut down for a distance of three to four hundred yards, swampy places were drained, and ano- pheles pools filled in. For several months a company of Indian troops has been stationed at the sanatorium, and the health of the men is excellent.

4

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COLONIAL REPORTS---ANNUAÏ..

19

307

(c.) Sanitation.

9. Under the provisions of the Insanitary Properties Ordinance of 1899, a large number of buildings throughout the Colony have now been provided with back-yards. The result is a perceptible improvement in the lighting and ventilation of the back part of these dwellings.

10. The questions of the excessive height of buildings, and of the resumption of insanitary or obstructive buildings are also engaging the attention of the Government.

11. The City of Victoria is divided into ten Health Districts, with an Inspector of Nuisances in charge of each. There are also five first-class Inspectors for the City, each of whom has the general supervision of two districts.

12. Of the ten Health Districts, Nos. 5 and 6, which are situated in the centre of the city, show acute surface over- crowding, while Districts 9, 4, 8, and 7 are almost as densely crowded. The average density of population in the whole city is 126 persons per acre, or a percentage of 65 persons per acre in excess of that of Glasgow, itself the most densely crowded of the 36 large towns of Great Britain. It is hoped that the pro- jected construction of tramways from East to West Point may help to relieve this congestion.

13. Towards the close of the year the Sanitary and Building Ordinances of the Colony were extended to that portion of New Territory between the shore and the first range of the Kowloon hills, thus bringing an area on the mainland of 18 square miles, with a sea-frontage of some ten miles, within the jurisdiction of the Sanitary Board.

(d.) Climate.

14. The total rainfall for the year was 73.73 inches, as con- pared with 72.7 inches in 1899. The wettest month was June, the driest was September.

15. The average daily amount of sunshine throughout the year was 5.03 hours, and on 28 days only was no sunshine recorded.

16. The average monthly temperature during the year was 71.6° F., as compared with 71.90 in the previous year. The monthly temperature was highest in August and lowest in January. The highest recorded temperature during the year being 97° F. in the former month, and the lowest 37.5° F. in the latter.

17. I append a table* showing the direction and force of the wind. The most memorable storm during the year was the typhoon of the 9th and 10th November.

That typhoon began on the night of the 9th, increasing in. intensity with the wind from N.E. About 3 a.m., the centre

10185

* Not printed.

B 2

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COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL. ·

passed over Hongkong, when the wind blew with terrific force from the S.W., and within four hours over 110 junks and 10 steam-launches were sunk, with a loss of about 200 lives. H.M.S. Sandpiper sank at her moorings, her crew being, with one exception, gallantly rescued by H.M.S. Otter, under com- mand of Lieutenant Wilkin, R.N. The dredger Canton River, a large vessel just out from England for work on the Naval Dock, was also blown over and sunk. One man was washed off the wreck. The remainder of the crew were rescued with difficulty by a boat from H.M.S. Tamar, under command of Lieutenant the Honourable Fitz Walter Butler, R.N.

IX.-POSTAL AND TELEPHONE SERVICE.

(a.) Post.

 1. The troubles in the North of China, and the consequent despatch of the China Expeditionary Force, added very consider- ably to the work of the Post Office. There was a nett increase of 387,050 in the total of international and local correspondence dealt with as compared with the previous year.

 2. The Indian Postal Administration opened a Base Post Office in Hongkong, and to that office everything received at the General Post Office for the China Field Force was im- mediately sent.

 3. The trouble in the North has also delayed the completion. of the Convention for the Partial Postal Union between this Colony and China, which had already been forwarded for execu- tion. This Convention should certainly be completed as soon as circumstances will permit.

 4. The sale of stamps in Hongkong realized $217,612.24, or $820.79 more than in the previous year. It is hoped that the increasing volume of correspondence will gradually remove the loss of $16,404.32 which was incurred in 1899 owing to the adoption of the penny postage to the United Kingdom and to the majority of the British Colonies.

 5. The nett profit on the year's transactions at the Hongkong Post Office was $90,340.25. This shows a gratifying increase of $10,333.65 over the previous year's balance.

(b.) Telephones.

 6. All the Government telephone lines have been kept in good repair. Considerable expenditure was found to be necessary in the New Territory, where most of the poles are of timber. The Police Station at San Tin was connected by telephone with

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

309

21

Táipó, new switchboards were installed at the Central and Tsim Sha Tsui Police Stations, whereby a great improvement in efficiency was effected.

X.--MILITARY FORCES AND EXPENDITURE.

*

1. I append a return showing the number and nature of the military forces employed in the Colony during 1900.

(a.) Regular Forces.

2. The total strength of troops in garrison on the 30th June was 2,116, as compared with 3,098 in the previous year. There were in addition 81 British women with 150 British children, and 82 Asiatic women with 139 Asiatic children on the strength. The reduction in the number of the troops in the Colony at the mid-year is explained by the absence of a large number on service with the China Expeditionary Force in the North.

3. At the Census taken in January, 1901, there were 5,501 officers and men, with 2,139 camp followers resident in the Colony, making a total of 7,640.

4. The Colony contributed $591,789.78 (17 per cent. of its revenue) in aid of military expenditure in Hongkong, besides $24,800.00 for defence works, making a total of $616,589.78. There was no expenditure towards barrack service during the year.

(b.) Volunteer Forces.

5. The total establishment of the Volunteer Corps was 366 of all ranks, as against 350 in 1899.

6. The expenditure on this Corps, which is borne entirely by the Colony, was $39,096.33 for the year.

(c.) Constabulary.

7. The European Police, 153 in number, and the Indian Police, 366 in number, are a Constabulary Force, being armed with Martini-Enfield carbines.

GENERAL.

Taking everything into consideration, I think the general progress of the Colony, during the year 1900, may be regarded

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COLONIAL REPORTS--ANNUAL.

as satisfactory. Its financial position is sound, and its trade has. been good. The recurrence of plague is the most unsatisfactory feature. Every effort should be continued to get rid of this pest. It is sincerely to be hoped that those improvements in the sanitary condition of the Colony, which all desire to see effected as soon as possible, may help to get rid of this disease altogether, or at any rate prevent its becoming a regular visitor.

His Excellency

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial Secretary.

Sir Henry A. Blake, G.C.M.G.,

Governor, &c.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-MISCELLANEOUS.

No. 18.

HONG KONG.

.

311

REPORT ON OPERATIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORY

DURING 1900.

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of His Majesty.

October, 1901.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE BY DARLING & SON, LTD., 34-40, BACON STREET, E.

And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE & SPOTTISWOODE, EAST HARDING STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C., and 32, ABINGDON STREET, WESTMINSTER, S.W.;

or OLIVER & BOYD, EDINBURGH;

or E. PONSONBY, 116, GRAFTON STR217, Durlik

1901.

[Cd. 832.] Price 21.

312

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.

The following, among other, reports relating to His Majesty's Colonial Possessions have been issued, and may be obtained from the sources indicated on the title page :-

No.

ANNUAL.

Colony.

Year.

316

Grenada

***

317

Jamaica

...

...

...

318

British Guiana

...

...

...

319

Christmas Island

...

...

320

British Solomon Islands

...

C

321

Lagos

...

...

...

1899 1899-1900

1900 1899-1900 1900

322

Bermuda...

...

...

...

...

323

St. Helena

...

321

Sierra Leone

...

...

}}

...

...

}}

325

Gambia

...

...

326

Barbados...

31

:327

.328

329

330

Bahamas...

Turks and Caicos Islands Malta..

Straits Settlements

...

...

.331

Fiji

332

St. Lucia...

333

Seychelles

334

335

336

337

Falkland Islands

Mauritius and Rodrigues

British New Guinea

Leeward Islands

...

...

11

"}

...

}}

""

...

11

...

...

""

...

"}

11

::

:

1899-1900

...

...

1900

No.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Colony.

Subject.

...

...

...

Economic Agriculture. Forests.

Geology and Botany. Emigration.

Sisal Industry.

Bubonic Plague.

Mineral Resources.

British Solomon Islands.

Agriculture.

Condition during 1897. Agriculture in Carriacou.

Vital Statistics. 1898.

Trade, 1899.

Fibre Industry.

Legal Status of British North

American Indians.

Medical Reports.

Report for 1896-1900.

1

Gold Coast

:

2

Zululand...

3

Sierra Leone

...

...

4

Canada

Bahamas...

...

Hong Kong

...

7

Newfoundland

9

Dominica

··10

Western Pacific...

Virgin Islands

...

...

11

Grenada

12

Anguilla...

...

...

13

Cook Islands

14

Bahamas...

15

Canada

16

Miscellaneous Colonies...

17

Gilbert and Ellice Islands

::

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-MISCELLANEOUS.

No. 18.

HONG KONG (NEW TERRITORY).

GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

Government House,

Hongkong,

12th August, 1901.

313

3

SIR,

I HAVE the honour to forward for your information a report furnished by the Colonial Secretary, Mr. J. H. Stewart Lockhart, on the operations in the New Territory during the year 1900.

2. I had hoped that the collection of revenue might have been in a more forward state, but the report by Mr. Gompertz of the working of the Land Court shows the difficulties of deal- ing with these small plots and defining the rights of the occupier, the family, the clan, and the Crown. It is possible that a certain amount of revenue might have been got in by rough and ready methods, but there would have been much injustice to individuals indeed an attempt was made to collect, upon a system of averages, Crown Rent upon claims that had been lodged, the result being complaints from several people that they had been compelled to pay two and three times the amounts claimable from them under the terms of Crown Rent as gazetted and notified. Finding that this was true I ordered the money paid in excess to be refunded, and determined that it is better not to press for payment until we have the different plots properly entered and registered. This is slower, but will save much trouble in the future. I attach a copy of another report* of Mr. Gompertz's decision as to ownership in the small Island of Ts'ing I that will illustrate the intricacy of the claims put forward to the Land Court.

* Not printed.

10037*-75-10/19)1 Wt 25152 D & S−5

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COLONIAL REPORTS-MISCELLANEOUS.

 3. I hope to be able to reduce the number of Police in the New Territory immediately. Since the late abortive rebellion in the Wai Chou district the northern portion of Sham Chun Valley has been in a disorderly condition, and several robberies have been effected in our territory by bands from over the border. At my request the Viceroy of Canton, who has shown the ut- most readiness to assist in securing the peace of that district, has ordered that troops shall be stationed at various points along the frontier. I hope that this will have the effect of putting a stop to the trouble, and enable me to reduce our Police force to more modest dimensions.

  4. Unhappily we find the whole of the New Territory malarious. Experiments are now being tried of different treat- ment at different stations and records are being carefully kept. At one station quinine is administered as a prophylactic after Dr. Koch's advice, .e., 15 grains two days running and then an interval of seven days before repetition. At another, 5 grain doses are given daily; at a third arsenic is given instead, &c., &c. Wire gauze windows are being added to stations, but as the men are out almost every night on patrol duty I fear that this will not suffice as a preventive measure.

 5. The question of an experimental garden must remain over until Mr. Ford's return, but I question if the low-lying land can be made to produce more paying crops than at present. The fresh sugar canes imported last year are doing well, but so far the working of the improved steel mills does not meet with the approval of the farmers, the principal complaint being that they break up the cane so finely as to make it useless for fuel. They do not yet realize the waste of using half crushed cane for fuel, and probably do not quite understand the work- ing of the mills. This will come later on.

 6. I have seen one herd of cattle grazing near Saikung, and it appears to me that with the growing of succulent grasses, the hills in the New Territory are capable of supporting a sufficient number of cattle to render Hongkong independent of the present sources of supply on the West and North Rivers. This is a question that will be taken up on the return of the Veterinary Surgeon and the Superintendent of the Botanic and Affore- station Departments.

 7. It is remarkable that the New Territory north of the Kowloon Hills has been quite free from plague although the town of Unlong is apparently everything that a sanitarian would object to, while in the fishing village of Cheung Chau, an island six miles from Hongkong, a single street, kept par- ticularly clean under the supervision of the European Police Sergeant stationed there, and open to every sea breeze, there have been 40 cases this year in a population of about 1,800..

8. A licence has just been issued to a person in Ünlong for powder manufactory, for the making of fireworks-a very

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-MISCELLANEOUS.

5

large industry in China. I am informed that in the neighbour- hood of Kowloon several ventures of various kinds will be started as soon as the land claims have been decided so that capitalists can obtain a title.

9. On the whole I am satisfied with the progress made in the New Territory, where everything is being done without friction and with apparently the full concurrence of the people.

I have, &c.,

HENRY A. BLAKE,

Governor, &c.

315

SIR,

Colonial Secretary's Office,

Hongkong,

15th July, 1901.

IN submitting the following Report on the New Territory, for the year 1900, I must express my regret at not having been able to prepare it earlier. But having been taken ill in March last, I had to leave the Colony under medical orders in April, and I did not return to Hongkong until June. I trust, there- fore, the delay will be excused, as well as any shortcomings in the Report, which has had to be compiled somewhat hurriedly.

I have, &c.,

His Excellency

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,

Colonial Secretary.

Sir Henry A. Blake, G.C.M.G.,

Governor, &c., Hongkong.

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COLONIAL REPORTS- -MISCELLANEOUS.

REPORT ON THE NEW TERRITORY FOR THE YEAR 1900.

LAND.

 The work of the Land Office in Hongkong as regards the New Territory for 1900 falls under two heads:-

(a.) The translation and registration of Deeds under Ordi-

nance No. 3 of 1844.

(b.) The registration of claims for the purposes of the

Rough Rent Roll.

  As regards (a.), the Registration Fees received from the New Territory last year amounted to $1,892, and Deeds relating to 431 Lots situated in 45 different villages were duly registered by Memorials under the Ordinance.

The question has been raised whether it is desirable to con- tinue the registration of instruments in the Chinese language dated in some cases many years before the Convention. It is found that villagers who have deposited their documents for registration and paid the proper fees are apt to imagine that their title has been recognized by Government and that they need not trouble further to bring their claims before the Land Court.

 Moreover, the lot number given on registration of a deed does not relate to any map, for the simple reason that there is not yet one available, and as the boundaries and the description of the land in the Chinese deed are invariably extremely vague, it is impossible to ascertain with any certainty where the land affected by the instrument is really situated.

It is true that the title of a registered owner becomes absolute if he remains in possession for 20 years, but in view of the con- stitution of a special tribunal-the Land Court-all claims will have been enquired into and fresh titles or certificates of title issued by a very much earlier date.

It would no doubt be desirable to continue the operation of the Ordinance in the New Territory for all conveyances and other deeds executed since the territory has become British, but it will probably be advisable to discontinue the registration of older deeds until their validity has been decided on by the Land Court.

As regards (b.)-the Rough Rent Roll-the work of enquiring into and registering claims, as described in my Report for 1899, was carried on until the summer of 1900 by Mr. Kemp, who was subsequently relieved by Mr. Wood at P'ing Shán and by Mr. Messer at Táipó.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-MISCELLANEOUS.

A summary survey of holdings was made by an auxiliary staff, Mr. B. W. Grey, working under the directions of the Deputy Land Officer, being employed on the area to the south of the Kowloon watershed and part of Ts'ün Wán.

In the district to the north of the Kowloon watershed Mr. Messer, assisted by a Corporal detached from the Royal Engineers, was responsible for the survey, plot by plot, of the land in Hap Wo Sub-district and near the villages of Shek Ku Lung and Lin Au (Lam Ts'ün Sub-district), Ha Háng, Sha Lo Tung, and P'ing Shán Tsai (Shün Wán Sub-district).

At P'ing Shán Mr. Kemp and subsequently Mr. Wood assisted by a Sapper from the Royal Engineers made similar measurements over a large area.

These operations were intended by the Deputy Land Officer to furnish a provisional Rent Roll sufficiently accurate for the collection of revenue until such time as it should be superseded by a register of holdings based on the cadastral survey, but as it was realised that it would be impossible to finish the whole Territory on this plan within anything like a reasonable time, it was decided to abandon this scheme.

Until a rent roll based on the cadastral survey and the results of the work of the Land Court has been completed, the land revenue of the New Territory cannot be collected in anything like a satisfactory or thorough manner, though every attempt will be made in the meantime to collect as much Crown Rent as possible.

A number of disputes connected with land were submitted by the villagers to the Land Office in Hongkong and to Messrs. Messer and Kemp, at Táipó. Such of these as involved questions of title now await settlement by the Land Court.

TITLES.

I attach a memorandum* by Mr. Gompertz, Member of the Land Court, upon Land Tenure and Titles in the New Territory.

He recommends a modification of the Torrens System of Title by Registration, such as is in use in Malacca and the Federated Malay States, for the New Territory. In view of the very large number of small Chinese holdings in the New Terri- tory, I am of opinion that this system will prove more effectual than the technical procedure based upon English law now in use in Hongkong.

LAND COURT.

The Land Court, established by Ordinance No. 18 of 1900, was constituted on the 1st June, 1900, Mr. H. E. Pollock being President, and Mr. Gompertz, Member. Mr. Kemp was ap- pointed Registrar, and on his removal to act at the Magistracy, Mr. Wood was appointed Registrar. A very large amount of

* p. 16.

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COLONIAL REPORTS-MISCELLANEOUS.

work had to be done before the Court could commence its sitting. The formation of a proper demarcation Staff and the arrangements connected with the registration and reception of claims provided full occupation for the Court so that no sittings had been held up to the end of the year.

 The Indians making the field to field survey were of course strangers to the country and not knowing the language were unable to ascertain particulars of ownership. It became there- fore necessary to form a Staff of Chinese Demarcators to ac- company the survey parties, and as the outcome of several experi- ments twenty Chinese, mostly villagers of the better class, were enlisted to make the record of holdings. This work they have proved fairly competent to perform, but they are quite unable to read a map, and this necessitates their being accompanied in every case by a Surveyor even when at work upon land the field to field survey of which has been completed.

 The area selected for the commencement of operations was the long and narrow strip of territory, fronting the harbour of Hongkong, and extending from the Liümun Pass on the East to the village of Lai Chi Kok on the West, on account of its great importance as an outlet for the expansion of the Colony and its very high value.

 Unfortunately the inhabitants of this area were fully alive to the possibilities of the situation and it may be said that every foot of land anywhere near the sea is the subject of five or six conflicting claims. It is impossible to believe in the bonâ fides of many of the claimants or to imagine that their own Govern- ment would have given a patient hearing to many of the demands now put forward.

 At the same time when it is remembered that the Chinese authorities had never made a survey and that the Chinese Magistrate seldom or never settled disputes over land of little value by personal inspection, it is evident that considerable patience and caution are now needed.

Besides the strip of country on the North shore of the harbour, 9 lesser islands lying between Hongkong and the large Island of Lan Tao have been taken as test cases. Five of them bein;z barren and practically valueless have not been claimed and will therefore be considered as Crown Land.

 Four of the others were claimed by the representatives of wealthy families on the mainland, but no decision had been given by the Court up to the end of the year.

 The general procedure of the Land Court is given in a Report by Mr. Gompertz, dated the 4th March, 1901 (Appendix la). It may be summarised as follows:-

A district is chosen and marked out by boundaries and a notification then calls upon all land-owners to present their claims to the Court before a given date. All lands claimed are surveyed and particulars of ownership entered on the demar-. cation books, while claimants are summoned to attend the Court

* Not re-printed.

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9

where the proper forms are filled in for them by the clerical. staff. After the last day for presenting claims all land un- claimed in the district is the property of the Crown. The claims themselves are sorted, undisputed ones being available for the rent roll, while those which are contested are set down for hear- ing. The holdings are very small and the idiosyncracies of the people are so productive of delay that it is very difficult to secure even a moderate amount of expedition without a corre- sponding sacrifice of accuracy.

There can be little doubt, however, that the operations of the Court will be far more rapid and the difficulties less in the districts to the north of the Kowloon watershed, from which most of the land revenue must be drawn in the future.

The land outside permanent cultivation has been regarded by the Chinese as of little value and will therefore be rarely claimed, while the ownership of land under crops is usually well known and will hardly ever be the subject of dispute.

319

SURVEY.

Mr. Tate and his assistant, Mr. Newland, with their staff of trained Indian Surveyors and coolies have been continuing the survey of the New Territory throughout the year.

An area of 4,000 square miles has been triangulated, and of the points laid down, those which are situated within the New Territory are being marked.

An area of 300 square miles has been surveyed on the scale of one inch to a mile for the topographical map, while an area of 4,500 acres has been surveyed partly on the scale of 16 inches and partly on the scale of 32 inches to a mile.

A special survey of the Chinese town of Kowloon together with its walled or fortified portion has also been made on the scale of 64 inches to a mile.

Progress has not been rapid, partly owing to unfavourable weather, and it is evident that the work will cost more than was anticipated by this Government on the report of the Surveyor General of India. As, however, the triangulation and the topo- graphical survey are almost complete, it has been decided that Mr. Tate should return to India and that Mr. Newland should be retained with such staff as may be considered necessary for the completion of the cadastral survey.

I attach a report* by Mr. Tate on the progress of the cadastral survey up to the 15th of February, 1901.

The cadastral survey, which gives the position and area of individual holdings, is of course necessary as the basis of a permanent Rent Roll. A commencement was made with a scale of 16 inches to the mile, and the first 40,000 acres of cultivated land were surveyed on this scale, which is probably adequate

• Not re-printed.

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in level country such as is found round P'ing Shán where hold- ings are large and cultivation continuous. For well populated areas where every foot of land is valuable-as for instance to the south of the Kowloon watershed-a survey on a larger scale will no doubt be found necessary, while for land where the holdings are small there is no doubt that the 16-inch scale is totally in- adequate.

For these reasons and because it was desired to have maps of villages on a sufficiently large scale to show each building in the village, it has been arranged that when Mr. Tate, in charge of the surveys, and Mr. Gompertz, Member of the Land Court, agree that for any given area the 16-inch scale is too small, the larger scale of 32 inches may be adopted.

  Since the constitution of the Land Court the area to the south of the Kowloon hills, which had been already surveyed, has been entirely demarcated, and in the Táipó District the work of demarcation and survey is being pressed forward.

BOTANICAL AND AFFORESTATION DEPARTMENT.

Mr. Tutcher, the Acting Superintendent of the Botanical and Afforestation Department, has furnished me with the fol- lowing information concerning the work done by his Depart- ment in the New Territory during last year.

Tree planting was commenced around the Police Stations, at P'ing Shán, Au T'au, Táipó, and on both sides of the road from Sham Shui-pó to Sha Tin 81,154 trees have been planted.

In February 145 cuttings of seedling sugar canes were received from Mr. C. Curtis, F.L.S., Assistant Superintendent of Forests, Penang, and about one-half of these were planted in the Sookunpó Nursery and the rest at Ha Ts'ün. Only 15 plants were obtained in all, as the whole of the cuttings put in at Ha Ts'ün failed. Similarly of 318 cuttings received in July from Mr. E. A. B. Brown, Province Wellesley, only those planted at Sookunpó have done well, being as regards size a great im- provement on the ordinary Chinese cane. Cuttings from them. were taken in this spring so that by next winter there should. be a sufficient quantity of mature canes to test their sugar pro- ducing qualities.

In September a consignment of 2,200 cuttings, in five varieties, was received from Java. These cuttings were planted. at Ha Ts'ün, but owing to the lateness of the season they have not done well, only about 300 plants having survived.

The quantity of land under sugar cultivation in the New Territory is estimated at over 7,000 acres.

At the suggestion of Mr. Tutcher it is intended to establish Experimental Gardens on some of the agricultural land in the New Territory. Mr. Tutcher is of opinion that there are many kinds of fruit which could be grown, and that the experiment if

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successful would improve the varieties already in the market and also supply new kinds. He mentions Agave sisalina as a plant likely to succeed, and states that though sisal hemp is not of such good fibre as Manila hemp it will probably repay culti- vation.

Great difficulty has been experienced in the attempt to prevent tree-cutting, but before effective measures can be taken to stop the practice the Land Court will have to decide the validity of the various leases under which it is alleged that the Chinese Government granted the owners power to cut down trees growing on their property. If such rights are established it may be necessary for the Government to purchase them in cases where the trees are of importance to the health of the New Territory.

PUBLIC WORKS.

I attach a report* of the Director of Public Works on the work done by his Department in the New Territory during 1900.

The main road in course of construction between Kowloon and Táipó, which when completed will be about 16 miles in length, has now reached a point 11 miles distant from Kow- loon. From this point on to Táipó there is a passable foot-path. The plans for the last 5 miles are being completed in the Public Works Department and it is hoped the road will be finished this year. It is intended ultimately to extend this road beyond Táipó to the frontier.

The road to Kowloon City, 14 miles in length, was completed. early in 1900, as was also the cross-road leading from Tái Shek Ku to Yaumati. Both these roads have proved of great value as main arteries for traffic.

Telephone communication was extended to the temporary Police Station at San T'in, and also to Shat'aukok, so that the telephone communication between the various Police Stations in the New Territory and with Victoria is now complete.

Permanent Police Stations have been completed and occupied at Au T'au, at P'ing Shán, and at Shat'aukok near Starling Inlet, while a station at Saikung on Shelter Bay is in course of construction.

An iron and concrete bridge of two spans of 15 feet each has been built on the Saikung Road just beyond Kowloon City, and the attention of the Public Works Department has also been engaged by the renewal of the Kowloon City Pier and the construction of a causeway to connect the hill on which the temporary official quarters at Táipó now stand with an island close up to deep water.

I attach photographs, prepared by Mr. Gale, Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department, which show the nature of the works that have been undertaken.

The temporary quarters at Táipó are only matsheds and not well suited for their purpose. It has been thought advisable

• Not re-printed.

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before finally deciding to erect permanent quarters to ascertain by experience which would be the most suitable situation.

EDUCATION.

 Little has so far been done in the way of Education in the New Territory. It has, however, been decided to build a school for teaching English at Ünlong, and during the cold season the attendance officer of the Inspector of Schools visited the whole of the Territory. An inquiry has been made regarding the schools at present in existence, and steps will be taken to bring them so far as possible under the Education Department.

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.

 I attach a report* drawn up by Mr. Ho Nai Hop, Licentiate of the Hongkong College of Medicine for Chinese, showing the work done by the Medical Department in the New Territory.

 Mr. Ho continued to reside at Táipó throughout last year, treating all Government servants for mild ailments and visit- ing the various villages from time to time. He treated 1,267 cases during the year, of which 961 were new cases and the rest were former patients.

Malarial fever was very prevalent in the rainy season.

I append a report† by Dr. Thomson and Dr. Young on the causes of the marked prevalence of malarial fever at Táipó. Dr. Thomson has also been examining and classifying the specimens of mosquitoes supplied to him from the various Police Stations throughout the New Territory, and his reports confirm what is now so well-known as the anopheles theory.

 There has also been a great deal of dysentery amongst the Police stationed in the New Territory. This, in the opinion of Dr. Bell, Acting Principal Civil Medical Officer, is another form of malaria, as the malarial parasites have been found in the blood and have answered more readily to treatment by quinine than by the other drugs usually employed in treating dysentery. All cases of this disease admitted to the Govern- ment Civil Hospital are being carefully examined with a view to ascertaining the extent to which malaria is a cause of dysentery.

 Free vaccinations have been performed by Mr. Ho, but only 78 in number. There are now 5 Vaccinators with a good supply of vaccine lymph in the New Territory, and it is hoped that the inhabitants may gradually be induced to abandon the practice of direct inoculation now prevalent and submit to be vaccinated in the manner in vogue in civilised countries.

HARBOUR OFFICE.

 A station at Táipó in Mirs Bay was opened during January, 1900.

From the 1st January to the 31st of December last 6,140, licences, clearances, permits, &c., had been issued to junks at Not re-printed. - † p. 25.

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13.

Ch'éung Chau, 3,676 at Tái Ó and 4,764 at Táipó. The figures for last year at Ch'éung Chau were 2,616 and at Tái O 1,353, so there has been a satisfactory increase at both these stations.

POLICE.

The strength of the Police Force in the New Territory up to the 25th of June last was as follows:-27 Europeans, 105 Indians, 30 Chinese, and 10 Interpreters, but on the date men- tioned the stations on the frontier and at Táipó were strength- ened by a total force of 4 Europeans, 40 Indians and 4 Chinese, owing to a rising in the neighbouring Chinese territory.

                                   No attempt was, however, made to disturb the peace in the New Territory.

Nine Europeans and 51 Chinese were employed during the year in the three launches which are used to patrol the waters of the New Territory.

 Four piracies were committed in the waters of the New Territory upon steam-launches owned and licensed in Hong- kong, and the frequency of these cases has led to special legis- lation with a view to compel owners of launches plying out- side the harbour to take proper precautions against such attacks which are invariably committed by persons who embark under the guise of passengers.

The Police in the New Territory again suffered severely from malarial fever in spite of every precaution.

*

CRIME.

I attach a return of cases from the New Territory tried in the Police Court of Victoria during 1900, with which I have been furnished by Mr. Hazeland, the Acting Police Magistrate. Mr. Hallifax has supplied me further with a return of the cases tried in that portion of the New Territory which is situated to the north of the Kowloon range of hills with the exception of the Tung Hoi District.

323

The arrangement previously in force according to which the Magistrate for the New Territory sat twice a week in Hong- kong has been abandoned. Mr. Hallifax, Assistant Superin- tendent of Police, also discharges the duties of Magistrate in the New Territory and tries all cases arising there, with the exception of those from the Tung Hoi or Eastern District,. which are still brought to Hongkong, as it is found more con- venient to try them in Victoria.

The most notable feature is the increase in cases during the year. In 1899 the total number of cases for the New Territory was 155 with an aggregate of 271 accused persons. Of those cases only 23 were dealt with in the New Territory itself. In 1900 the total number of cases had increased to 586, involving 802 accused persons. Of these no fewer than 283 cases, in- volving 393 accused persons, were tried in the New Territory, while 303 cases, comprising 409 accused persons, were tried in Victoria.

* Not re-printed.

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The increase is due partly to the more complete develop- ment of the Police organisation, and partly to the greater readi- ness with which the inhabitants seek the protection of the Police by laying complaints before them.

 By far the largest item in the list of offences is that of an- lawful possession of opium, with which altogether 222 persons were charged.

LEGISLATION.

 During the year 1900 the following Ordinances were passed in connection with the New Territory:-

 No. S.-An Ordinance to facilitate the hearing, determinatior, and settlement of land claims in the New Territories, to establish a Land Court, and for other purposes.

 No. 18.-Re-enacting Ordinance No. 8 with certain amend- ments suggested by the Secretary of State.

 No. 30.-An Ordinance to extend the operation of such of the laws of this Colony as are not at present in force in the New Territories to a certain portion of such Territories.

 The necessity for this Legislation was clearly set forth by the Attorney General (Mr. Goodman) in the objects and reasons attached to those Bills.

REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.

 I attach a statement* of Revenue and Expenditure on account of the New Territory, which has been drawn up by the Acting Treasurer.

 The total expenditure for 1900 was $243,361.66, exclusive of the sums expended on the Police Establishment. Of this amount a sum of $58,196.25 was spent on the construction of steam-launches, and a sum of $13,200 on the charter of launches required whilst the new launches were being built. A sum of $15,880 was also expended on Maxim guns with which it was deemed advisable to equip the Police Stations. Public Works in the New Territory, including the cost of the Survey, were responsible for an expenditure of $143,436.33.

 The expenditure on the Police Establishment in the New Territory amounted to $102,292.48. I attach a detailed state-- ment* of this expenditure with which I have been furnished by the Captain Superintendent of Police.

The revenue collected amounted only to $17,530.75.

 This sum is certainly small when compared with the ex- penditure, but the difficulties in connection with the land settlement, to which reference has been made in this and. previous reports, have hitherto rendered it impossible to make a satisfactory collection of Crown Rents. The work of the Survey and of the Land Court are progressing satisfactorily, though the rate of progress has necessarily been somewhat

Not re-printed.

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slow. When the survey is completed and rent rolls have been compiled in accordance with it, the holders of land will have no means of evading the payment of Crown Rent for their holdings, which will yield a good yearly revenue. It must be remem- bered that most of the money already expended on account of the New Territory has been devoted to works of a permanent nature, which cannot fail to add to its development. The cost of the civil administration has not been large, though the ex- penditure on account of the Police has been high, as it has been necessary to maintain a strong force of Police in the interests of the peace and good order not only of the New Territory, but also of the Colony generally. It is hoped that before long it may be found possible to reduce the present large Police ex- penditure. Though the New Territory does not pay its way at the present time, it seems not at all improbable that it will do so in the near future. Any one who may feel inclined to take a pessimistic view of its prospects should bear in mind the fact that when Hongkong itself, which has become so prosperous, first came under British rule, there was not a few people who prophesied that the Colony would prove a failure, and as a matter of fact it had to receive assistance from the Imperial Exchequer for some years.

STAFF.

Mr. Messer as Land Officer, Mr. Hallifax as Magistrate, and Mr. B. W. Grey as temporary Land Surveyor, resided in the New Territory throughout last year, as also did Mr. Ho Nai Hop, Chinese Medical Officer.

Mr. Gompertz, as member of the Land Court, has worked principally in the New Territory since last May. From May to November he was assisted by Mr. Kemp as Registrar of the Land Court, and from November onwards by Mr. Wood in the same capacity. Mr. Cheung Tsoi acted as Chief Clerk and Interpreter to the Land Court from May onwards, while from January till May Mr. Tsoi Yeuk Shan was Chief Chinese Assistant and Interpreter to the Land Officer.

Mr. S. R. Moore, Demarcation Officer of the Land Court, has been working in the New Territory since November, and Mr. H. T. Watson, Clerk in connection with the preparation of a rent roll for the cultivated portion of the New Territory, resided there permanently from April to July.

I attach a list of the officers who have worked in the New Territory during the year.

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,

Hongkong, 15th July, 1901.

Not re-printed.

Colonial Secretary.

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SOME NOTES ON LAND TENURE IN THE NEW TERRITORY.

General Theory of Chinese Tenure.

It is the commonly received opinion that in China the Crown is the universal landlord in whom the ultimate ownership of all landed property is vested.

Williams says (Middle Kingdom Vol. II., pp. 1-2):-

"The land is all held directly from the Crown, no allodial property being acknowledged; if mesne lords existed in feudal times they are now unknown. The conditions of common tenure are, the payment of an annual tax; the fee for alienation; a money composition for personal service to the Government, a charge generally incorporated with the direct tax as a kind of scutage. The proprietors of land record their names in the district and take out a 'hung-k'i,' or red deed, which secures them in possession as long as the ground tax is paid," that is to say that land once granted by the Crown remained the property of the grantee as long as but no longer than Crown Rent was paid on it.

2. In many parts of the Empire and notably in the San On District of the Kuang Tung Province there are large tracts of land so infertile as to possess hardly even a nominal value. These lands it would be the natural desire of Government to see taken up on almost any terms and it is not surprising to find that it was the custom for a grant of such lands to be made to proper persons without premium on their complying with the regulations laid down for applicants.

The name of the person applying was entered on the register with the area desired- -a description of the land-and the class of tax proper to be paid.

 The following extract from a translation by T. T. Meadows of the Pro- vincial Laws and Regulations of the Province of Kuang Tung, published in 1846 by the Governor and Governor General, gives the prescribed form of application for persons wishing to take up land hitherto uncultivated :

(a.) The party who intends bringing a piece of land, no matter of what extent, into cultivation, must first repair to the local authority and present a statement containing his individual and family names, and indicating the piece in question; which will then be registered as ground being brought under cultivation. After it has been brought into cultivation, so as to form a regular piece, a plan must be drawn showing its extent in every direc- tion, which must be presented to the local authority, with the request that it may be surveyed: and the latter will after the survey grant a deed placing the cultivator in full possession. (b.) Odd patches not forming complete lots, the extent of which does not perhaps amount to 10 mau, and which are barely fit for growing vegetables and miscellaneous produce, need not be reported, &c., &c., as above, at the time their cultivation is undertaken, but only after they have been reclaimed; an exemption granted, "in order to manifest compassion for the cultivators." Whoever has at a former period spent labour and money in cultivating any such piece of land without the cogni- zance of the authorities, and who has succeeded in reclaiming it, shall be allowed to give information thereof; on which the land in question will be surveyed, and a deed given for it by the local authorities.

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The sense of these two paragraphs seems quite clear. A person wishing to take up Crown land might do so on the condition of-

(1.) Reporting to the proper authority.

(2.) Getting a deed issued to evidence his possession. This evidently holds good for all land, but in the case of odd patches amount- ing to less than 10 mau the cultivator need not report until he has already reclaimed the land.

3. No Government professing to derive revenue from the soil can hope to collect that revenue effectively unless the regulations as to registration and enrolment of title are complied with; and that unauthorized occupa- tion was regarded with great disfavour in China is sufficiently shown by the following quotation from Staunton's Ta Tsing Leu Lee, Book II, Section 90:-

"Whoever fraudulently evades the payment of the land-tax, by suppressing or omitting the register of his land in the public books, shall be punishable in proportion to the amount of the chargeable land omitted, in the following manner:-When the unregistered land amounts to one mau, and does not exceed five mau, with 40 blows; and for every additional number of five mau so suppressed, the punishment shall be increased one degree, until it arrives at the limit of 100 blows. The un- registered lands shall be forfeited to the State, and the arrears of the land tax (computed according to the period during which it had been unpaid, the extent of the land, and the rate at which it would have been chargeable), shall be at the same time dis- charged in full.

-

When the land is entered in the register, but falsely represented, as unproductive when productive, lightly chargeable when heavily chargeable; or if the land is nominally made over in trust to another person, in order to exempt the real proprietor from personal service, the punishment, whether corporal or arising out of the payment of the arrears of the tax, shall be inflicted in the manner and according to the scale above stated; but instead of a forfeiture of the lands, the register of them shall simply be corrected, and the assessment and personal service of the real proprietor be established agreeably thereto. If the head inhabitant of the district is privy to any breach of the law, but does not take cognizance of it, he shall be equally punishable with the original transgressors.

Anomalies in the New Territory.

4. Having regard to the opinion of Williams that no allodial property was recognized but that all land was held directly from the Crown, and in view again of the extremely explicit provisions for registration and the severe penalties following on disobedience, how are we to explain the curious state of things prevalent in the New Territory? It is impossible not to be convinced after eren a most superficial examination of the claims brought in that-

·

(1.) Many large tracts of land are now claimed by persons who have never paid Crown Rent on them-who never reported their occupation such as it was-to the authorities and whose claims have never been in any way recognized by the Chinese Government.

(2.) Very many persons have been paying under the name of tax annual sums to families who professed to be giving an account of these sums to the District Treasury but who, as a matter of fact, very often did nothing of the kind and who in many cases had no real title to more than a very small fraction of the territory over which they collected this rent.

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Suggested Explanation.

 5. I hope to be able to show that these claims have their origin in one or the other of two sets of conditions prevalent in the New Territory.

 The first of these was the disorder and unrest prevalent for generations past in the districts bordering on the Canton delta. Usually a clan or family had a registered deed for a small area on which they undoubtedly paid Crown Rent, but it is quite certain that they collected large sums under the name of Land-tax of which they have never given any account to the authorities.

 The explanation usually offered by the people themselves is that these clans are the representatives of the first settlers in the locality.

 6. We know that about 1665 A.D. the coast districts of S. E. Kuang Tung were laid waste for a distance of three leagues inland in order to deprive the Ming partisan "Koxinga" of any base of operations (Williams' Middle Kingdom, Vol. II., 180). After this leader had been conciliated and peace restored on the coast it would no doubt be some time before any large number of persons had settled in the depopulated districts. It is alleged that the Central Government made small grants of money to encourage immigration from other districts. The early settlers would receive as much land as one family could cultivate, on easy terms. One can imagine an immigrant family established in a valley under a deed say for 10 acres of land adopting an attitude of superiority towards later arrivals. No doubt the cultivation was shifting according to the season- swampy and low-lying land being taken up when the year was a dry one to be abandoned in favour of better drained fields when the rains were heavy.

 7. In this way the clan would at one time or another have worked the greater part of the valley though the actual amount of land at any one time under cultivation might not exceed the legitimate ten acres. New- comers wishing to settle would be told that the land belonged to the clan who were responsible for the tax. The strangers would have nothing to gain by objecting to pay. Any refusal would mean bad blood and possibly litigation with the result that the Government would get the tax and that the old settlers would have a lasting feud with the new arrivals.

 Other immigrants would similarly find it to their interest to keep in with the clan and in time every settler in the valley would be paying them a fixed yearly sum under the name of tax although none of it would ever reach the coffers of the Government.

 8. This I take to have been the usual manner in which clan rights over land came to be so universally asserted. The country bordering on the Canton delta has always been turbulent and lawless and the great difficulty of communications in a mountainous region no doubt made the Magistrates willing to condone such frauds on the revenue. No doubt the clan would pay a proportion of their receipts as hush money. When the District Magistrate was honest this would be absorbed by his underlings, when he was not it would form a useful addition to his slender stipend.

 9. I estimate that four-fifths of the land tax in the New Territory passed through the hands of an intermediary before reaching the Govern- ment. The system I have described was not however the only cause of this. The second cause was undoubtedly the desire of evading the heavy registration fees charged in the District Land Office.

"}

In the first place unless a man had a heading -a page with his own name or that of his ancestor in the register-it cost him not less than $100 to begin his registration. Even when he had this heading in the register there were fees legitimate and otherwise, to be paid and the trouble and delay of going to the District City.

 10. The result was that very few sales of land were registered. The more usual course was for the transaction to be evidenced by a white, i.e., an unregistered deed containing a covenant by the purchaser to pay

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the vendor a yearly sum to meet the tax which the vendor continued to pay as before. This was frequently done even when the vendor parted with the whole of the land held by him under a red deed when in order to save the purchaser the trouble and expense of registration the latter took a white or unregistered deed as evidence between himself and the vendor of the transaction and of the payment of the purchase money.

                                               He might also get the original red deed to be kept as security against subse- quent dealings with the land by his vendor. Thus the taxes were still paid in the old name though the land had passed into other hands.

It is possible I think to find in one or other of these sources the origin of all the clan claims in the New Territory. This is to say: either a clan has forced later immigrants to pay to itself an imposition under the name of land tax; or the clan (or individual members of it) has parted with land under a white deed and still continues to be responsible for the tax.

Ownership of Land, how acquired.

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11. It may not be amiss to recapitulate briefly the various methods of acquiring land in the New Territory.

First by grant from the Crown.-On application to the District Magis- trate for unoccupied waste, or for newly formed alluvial land, a notice was posted reciting the application. Then, after five months if no objec- tion had been lodged a grant issued stating the area and class of the land and the tax payable.

Secondly by purchase. The law required that every deed of sale should be registered and the amount of tax due transferred into the purchaser's name. In most cases the instrument was not registered, the vendor con- tinuing to pay the tax and the purchaser indemnifying him by a yearly contribution. It was however usual in such cases as I have stated above for the vendor to hand over the prior registered deed to the purchaser to secure the latter against any subsequent dealings with it to his pre- judice.

The Perpetual Lease.

12. Thirdly by perpetual lease.-This was by far the most common method of dealing with land in the New Territory.

The effect of a grant of land from the Crown was really to make the grantee a perpetual lessee subject to the payment of the proper Crown Rent. Scmething analogous was adopted by private individuals. When the transaction was intended to be registered it was usually called a sale, being in effect the transfer of the perpetual lease granted by the Crown from the vendor to the purchaser who took the place of the former as the person inscribed as tax-payer in the register. When as was usually the case it was preferred to dispense with registration, a sale was in- convenient, for it left the vendor responsible for the tax and without any covenant of indemnity from the purchaser. On the other hand under a perpetual lease the purchaser got practically the full rights of ownership and could mortgage or lease or even sell the property provided always that the rent reserved under the old lease was punctually paid. The vendor got an annual sum sufficient to indemnify him for the tax to be paid but had otherwise no further interest in the land,

13. I have said that the annual sum reserved was sufficient to indemnify the vendor for the tax it was supposed he would continue to pay, but its amount was often very much larger than this. Frequently the rent under a perpetual lease is a full rack rent the explanation no doubt being that in such cases the true relationship of landlord and tenant exists and that through habit people in the New Territory have come to prefer this form of alienation to a regular sale.

14. The perpetual lease was sometimes in writing but very much oftener it was oral merely and so general was it, and so popular that it seems

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usually to have been presumed in the absence of any explicit agreement between the parties. Thus if A builds a house on B's land and B ratifies his action by accepting rent the implied condition is that subject to the payment of annual sum initially fixed and not liable to be raised A can continue in occupation of the land and that B has meanwhile no interest therein beyond the receipt of this annual rent. B has it is true the reversion if A die without heirs but that is a remote contingency in China where in default of issue adoption is freely resorted to.

15. The annual rent may be very small-this usually means either that a capital sum was paid originally or that the value of the land was so insignificant that no more rent was reserved than was necessary to meet the tax. It may again amount to almost the full annual value of the land and in some localities this is said to be as high as $3 and $4 a mau- though in view of the exceedingly elastic ideas of measurement current amongst the villagers it is impossible to place much reliance on their figures.

 16. The interest of the lessee then amounts to this-that as long as the rent is paid the land belongs to him and to his heirs for ever. It seems beside the purpose to ask whether he can leave it by will for the will as we know it does not exist in the New Territory. If the lessee parts with the possession and the rent is not paid he remains liable to the lessor for the amount. The lessor on the other hand has a perpetual right to receive the rent originally stipulated for. He cannot increase it

nor can he alienate more than the right to receive this annual sum. land reverts to him if the lessee's family becomes extinct.

The

17. In several cases that have come to my notice since the Convention landlords have realized that in view of the recent. enhancement in the value of property it is to their interest to compound with their perpetual lessees and resuine for a money payment their original interest in the land. I anticipate frequent attempts to override the rights of lessees by persons who have recently acquired land for parts of which such leases have been originally granted. It may be well to note, that out of the several hundreds of such leases which have come to my notice I have not found a single instance of the lessee's rights not being respected under Chinese rule.

A man could only sell his land subject to the rights of any persons on it who had taken such a lease from him and the only result of the transfer was that the rent reserved under the lease became henceforward payable to the new landlord.

In several sales of land that have taken place since the Convention the purchasers have I believe failed to recognize the importance of ascertaining whether such leases had been previously granted on the property and they have now to face the alternative of either buying out the lessees or being satisfied with the very small annual rent which is all that remains of the landlord's rights.

Mortgages.

18. Fourthly by a mortgage.-Mortgages of land are very common transactions in the New Territory. The Chinese mortgage, as I have found it, is like the Welsh mortgage of the text books, a conditional sale. It may be in writing but is very often oral and in spite of the great strictness of Chinese Laws upon the subject it is hardly ever registered. It is faithfully described in the following account of a Welsh mortgage taken from a well known Text book:-

"What is known as a Welsh mortgage is a transaction whereby the estate is conveyed to the mortgagee, who is to go into posses- sion and take the rents and profits as an equivalent for his interest, the principal remaining undiminished. In such a transaction there is no contract, express or implied, between the parties, for the repayment of the debt at a given time, and though the mortgagee has no remedy by action to enforce payment of his money, yet. the mortgagor or his heirs may redeem at any time.

"

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS MISCELLANEOUS.

21

331

It is only necessary to add that these mortgages when not evidenced by a deed are a fertile source of litigation. If the value of land should go up the mortgagor naturally claims to redeem but the mortgagee frequently resists on the ground that the sale was unconditional.

The mortgagee being from the nature of the transaction in possession becomes the owner for the time being of the property subject to the possibility of redemption at some future time by the mortgagor. Mortgages are frequently assigned three or four times over and this of course increases the possibilities of dispute when the original owner comes to redeem.

19. Short leases of agricultural land for a year are not uncommon but present no features worthy of particular attention they are usually determined at the end of either the Spring or the Autumn harvest by six months' notice on either side.

20. After a District has been dealt with by the Land Court and all claims finally heard and determined there are two important questions that still remain to be considered.

Firstly. Who are the persons to be made liable for the Crown

Rent and in what proportions?

Secondly. What titles are to be issued to persons having interests

in land and what form of registration is most suitable?

Crown Rent-Incidence of.

21. As regards cases where the cultivator is himself the owner holding direct from the Crown and paying his own taxes there is of course no difficulty.

It will be found, however, that a large proportion of the land is held on perpetual lease. In such cases Government should I consider deal directly with the (perpetual) lessee and make him responsible for the Crown Rent. He should then be allowed to deduct the amount he con- tributes as Crown Rent from the sum he pays his landlord.

If the lessor's rent is small in amount-this means either that he received full value for the land originally and that the annual payment was arranged simply to cover the taxes for the payment of which he con- tinued liable-or that he had no real title to the land but has levied this amount under the name of tax from persons who were not in a position to resist the claim.

In such cases the lessor will no longer get anything; for the Crown Rent to be now paid by the lessee will be greater in amount than the old rent under the lease and there will be nothing left for him.

If however the relation between the parties was really that of landlord and tenant the sum paid will approximate more nearly to a rack rent and this sum less the amount paid for Crown Rent by the lessee will still come to the hands of the lessor.

22. In many cases the perpetual lessors are absentee landlords with no other concern in the land than the receipt of their rent, as for instance the L family on the northern half of Lan Tao. In such cases the tendency will be for the lessee to buy out his lessor and gradually to get the full ownership, subject to the rights of the Crown, into his own hands. Where conversely the lessors are powerful and wealthy families resident in the neighbourhood of their lands the tendency will probably be the other way and they are more likely to buy out the cultivator and either till the land themselves or let it on annual lease.

In the case of a mortgage the mortgagee, if he be, as he usually is, in possession, should pay the Crown Rent: the mortgagor has often severed all connection with the land and gone to California or to Singapore whence his return is at least problematical.

332

22

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-MISCELLANEOUS.

Titles.

 23. Next as to the form of title. In my opinion it will be safest to keep at any rate for the present to the tenures which obtain and are well understood among the people.

 A person who has a grant of land from the Chinese Government has in effect a perpetual lease subject to the payment of Crown Rent. If he converts the land to other uses than those to which it was put when he first took it up, his Crown Rent may be raised, but, subject to this. and perhaps to some reservation with regard to minerals the land is his own, as long as he continues to pay the tax.

(C

 Such person need not, I think, be given ordinarily a Crown lease. He should be entered on a Register as a Customary land holder" and be. permitted to have an extract from this Register as evidence of his title upon payment of a small fee. The rights and liabilities incident to such tenure might be summarily defined in a short Ordinance which, however, we need be in no pressing hurry to draft. After a year or two's experi- ence we shall know much more about New Territory customs than we do at present.

24. Such a certificate of title to be issued on payment of a small fee would be amply sufficient for the ordinary cultivator. It would not, however, satisfy the needs of Europeans who might wish to acquire land and it would probably be of little use to a registered company taking up land for industrial purposes. The proper course would be for them to make their own arrangements with the cultivator who would then sur- render his rights to the Crown in favour of the purchaser and this latter would be granted a Crown Lease on such conditions as to the payment of. Premium, Crown Rent and Fees as the circumstances might seem to warrant.

 Under the Chinese régime waste areas were frequently granted on easy terms subject, however, to an increase of Crown Rent, if the grantee converted the waste into agricultural land, or if he erected buildings thereon.

 Land for which a Crown Lease might be issued would of course come under the ordinary law of the Colony as regards registration and so forth.

 But the ordinary cultivator should, I think, be spared for the present the technicalities of English Law.

 It is easy to see how the desire to avoid the expense of registration has complicated the land question in China by rendering unregistered transfers almost universal. Our aim should be to devise a system so simple and so cheap that the Chinese will find it more convenient to comply with the law than to evade it.

The Torrens System.

 25. The best model is, I think, the system of Land Registration adopted in the Native States of the Malay Peninsula in the Settlement of Malacca, which is a modification of the well known Torrens System, in- troduced by the late Sir WILLIAM MAXWELL. The peculiarity of this. system is, that it makes the ownership of property pass by entry in the register title by registration being substituted for title by deed.

 Its main outlines are well described in the following quotation from Sir- WILLIAM MAXWELL'S Essay on the Torrens System, paragraphs 4, 5, 25,. 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30:-

22

"4. Legal expenses incident to the sale and purchase of land were heavy, and every addition to the deeds forming the "chain of evidence of title increased the cost of subsequent "dealings.

"

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-MISCELLANEOUS.

23

5. It was, therefore, with a firm persuasion that great grievances were imposed upon the Australian Colonists by the English "law of real property that Mr. TORRENS (now Sir ROBERT R. "TORRENS, K.C.M.G.) proposed, in 1857, in South Australia, a system of his own invention, adapted from the practice attending the transfer of shipping property, which, reduced "to its elementary principle, substitutes title by registration "for title by deed.

"

"C

"

333

25. A certificate of title is issued to every person entitled to any estate of freehold in possession in land under the Act. Every "certificate is in duplicate. One duplicate is given to the proprietor, the other is retained in the Lands Titles Office. "The certificates in the office constitute the register book, which, "in the words of Mr. TORRENS, is the pivot on which the "whole mechanism turns. Every certificate is marked with the "number of the volume and the folium of the register book. "Crown Grants of land bought since the Acts came into opera- "tion are also issued in duplicate, one of which is bound up "in the register book, and such grants are, in all respects,

equivalent to certificates of title.

"

"

"26. So far, it will be said, the title is simplified, but how is this simplicity to be retained,-how will future complications be 'prevented? This is the problem which the Act endeavours "to solve.

""

"

"27. For the purpose of facilitating transactions, printed forms "of transfer, mortgage, lease, and other dealings, are to be procured at the Lands Titles Office. Any person of ordinary "education can, with very little trouble, learn to fill them up in the more simple cases without professional assistance. "If a proprietor holding a certificate of title wishes to sell "the whole of the land included in it, he fills up and executes a printed form of memorandum of transfer to the purchaser. "The transfer is presented at the Office, and a memorial of the "transfer is recorded by the proper officer on both duplicates "of the certificate of title. The purchaser, by the recording "of the memorial, stands in precisely the same position as the original owner. If only a part of the land in a certificate "is to be transferred, such part is described in the memoran- "dum of transfer, the transfer is noted on both duplicates of .. the original certificate; a fresh certificate is issued to the "purchaser for the part transferred; and the original certi- "ficate is noted as cancelled with respect to such part. This process is repeated on every sale of the freehold, and it will "thus be seen that every person entitled to a freehold estate "in land under the Act has but one document to show his title, through however many hands the property may have passed, and such document vests in him an absolutely inde- " feasible title to the land it describes.

"L

"

"

*C

"

"28. If the proprietor wishes to mortgage or lease his land, or to charge it with the payment of a sum of money, he executes, "in duplicate, a memorandum of mortgage, lease, or encum- "brance, in the form provided by the Act, altered so as to

meet the particular circumstances of the case.

This is pre-

"

"

#

"sented at the Lands Titles Office with the certificate of title; a memorial of the transaction is entered by the proper officer on the certificate of title and on the duplicate certificate form- "ing the register book. The entry of this memorial constitutes registration of the instrument and a note, under the hand "and seal of the proper officer, of the fact of such registration "is made on both duplicates of the instrument. Such note is "conclusive evidence that the instrument has been duly regis- "tered; one of the duplicates is then filed in the office, and the

334

24

"

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

""

"

"

"C

"

COLONIAL REPORTS- -MISCELLANEOUS.

"

"other is handed to the mortgagee, or lessee. The certificate "of title will thus show that the original proprietor is entitled to the land it describes, subject to the mortgage, lease, or " encumbrance; while the duplicate instrument held by the mortgagee, lessee, or encumbrancee, will shew precisely the nature of his interest. Each person has and can have but one document of title, and this shows conclusively the nature "of the interest he holds, and to that interest his title is in- "defeasible. If a mortgage is paid off, a simple receipt is in- dorsed on the duplicate mortgage held by the mortgagee. "This is brought to the office, and the fact that the mortgage "has been paid off is noted on the certificate of title. Here a striking inconvenience of the old system is done away with. Few things are more perplexing to simple minds than the "necessity which that system imposes of a deed of recon- veyance when a mortgage has been paid off. A mortgage "under the Act does not involve a transfer of the 'legal 'estate,' although the mortgagee is made as secure as if such transfer had taken place. The necessity, therefore, for a "deed of reconveyance, when the mortgage is paid off, at once vanishes. If a lease is to be surrendered, it has merely to "be brought to the office with the word surrendered' in- "dorsed upon it, signed by the lessor and lessee, and attested, "and the proper officer will note the fact that it has been "surrendered, on the certificate of title. Mortgages or leases are transferred by indorsement, by a simple form. The Act provides implied powers of sale and foreclosure in mortgages; "and in leases, implied covenants to pay rent and taxes, and to keep in repair, together with power for the lessor to enter "and view the state of repair, and to re-enter in case of non- payment of rent or breach of covenant. All these may be omitted or modified if desired. In order to save verbiage, "short forms are provided, which may be used for covenants in "leases or mortgages, the longer forms which they imply being set out in the Act. Thus, in a lease, the words will not "without leave assign or sublet,' imply a covenant 'that the "said lessee shall not, nor will, during the term of such lease, assign, transfer, demise, sublet or set over, or otherwise, by any act or deed, procure the lands or premises therein men- "tioned or any part thereof, to be assigned, transferred, de- mised, sublet, or set over, to any person whomsoever, with- "out the consent in writing of the said lessor first had and. "obtained."

"

"

(6

"L

"29. Every person, therefore, entitled to a freehold estate in possession, has (if his land is subject to the Act) a certificate "of title, or land-grant, on which are recorded memorials of all. mortgages, leases or encumbrances, and of their discharge or "surrender. If he transfers his entire interest, a memorial " of the transfer is recorded on the certificate, and the transferee takes it subject to recorded interests. The transferee can, if he chooses, have a fresh certificate issued in his own name, and in that case the old certificate is cancelled, and the "memorials of the leases or mortgages to which the land is. subject are carried forward to the new one. If a proprietor "transfers only a part of his land, his certificate is cancelled so far, a fresh certificate is issued, and memorials of outstand- ing interests are similarly carried forward. Memorials of dealings with leases or mortgages are noted on the duplicate lease or mortgage held by the lessee or mortgagee, and_on the folium of the register book. The Officers of the De- partment, therefore, and persons searching, can see at a glance the whole of the recorded dealings with every property;

"

""

"C

"

""

"

cc

"

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-MISCELLANEOUS.

25

"while each person interested can see, by the one document "he holds, the precise extent of his interest.

"

"30. The foregoing extracts give a very clear exposition of the general effect of the system of transfer by registration. It "cannot be too emphatically pointed out that it is not the "execution of the memorandum of transfer, lease, or mortgage, "but its registration in the Lands Titles Office, that operates to "shift the title. No instrument, until registered in the manner prescribed by the Act, is effectual to pass any estate or interest in any land under the operation of the Act, or to render such "land liable to any mortgage or charge; but upon such regis- tration, the estate or interest comprised in the instrument passes, or the legal effect of the transaction, whatever it may be, is complete. Registration takes effect from the time of production of the instrument, not from the time of the actual "making of the entry."

"L

66

"

335

26. There must be 100,000 separate lots of land held in individual owner- ship in the New Territory and of these probably 90,000 are in the country to the North of the Kowloon Watershed.

Land to the South of this range and bordering on the harbour might very well remain under the ordinary land system of the Colony; it is only for land which will in most cases remain in the hands of the peasant cultivators that I recommend a new departure.

SIB,

Hongkong,

17th November, 1900.

  We have the honour to report for the information of His Excellency the Governor that in accordar ce with His Excellency's instructions we proceeded to Táipó on the afternoon of Monday, 12th instant, for the purpose of enquiring into the causation of the marked prevalence of Malarial Fever there recently; and returned to Hongkong on Wednesday evening.

2. We desire to acknowledge the courteous assistance rendered to us by Mr. Messer, Mr. Wood, Dr. Ho Nai Hop, and the police, enabling us to make the most of the short time at our disposal.

3. We already had before us the following statistics as to the prevalence of mosquitoes at Táipó during the preceding months :--

Date.

September 4

""

*7

October

19

24

4

17

""

21

"}

:

:

:. :

November 12

**

Total

10037

:

:

Mosquitoes Caught.

Anopheles.

Culex.

59

50

1

49

11

4

7

62

23

89

50

5

45

37

33

4

44

27

17

686

55

33

22

22

i.e., Anopheles Culex

309

126

183

40 per cent.

60 per cent.

C

336

26

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-MISCELLANEOUS.

By special request there had been no selection of specimens, all those caught on the various dates named being sent for examination and classifi- cation; so that during the period between 4th September and the date of our visit 40 per cent. may be taken as the actual average prevalence of the Anopheles among all mosquitoes found. The species is a larger one than that most common in Hongkong, asd we identify it as Anopheles Sinensis.

4. From police records placed at cur disposal we ascertained that the cases of Fever among the police during the last twelve months have been as follows:

Month.

November, 1899

December,

**

January, 1900

F'ebruary,

March,

17

April,

May,

June,

""

3

""

July,

"

August,

September,

..

:

:

:

Number of Cases.

Strength of Force.

:

...

5

2

2 Europeans, 7 Indians.

**

:

:

:

:

:

...

""

October,

November,

"

:7

:

:

2

2

""

"

"

"

:7

13

27

3 Europeans, 22 Indians.

28

29

17°

1

3 Europeans, 14 Indians.

It is noteworthy, on comparison of this with the preceding table, that while the enumeration of Anopheles rises to 60 per cent. of all mosquitoes found at the date of our arrival at Táipó, Malarial Fever had almost disappeared. We attribute this rapid fall in the number of cases of fever during the period of the cutting of the second rice-crop, which we found in progress, and during which the previous experience of the police would have led to the expectation of an increased number of cases of Malaria, chiefly to the recent adoption of vigorous prophylactic medication with quinine on two days successively at intervals of seven days.

5. We made careful search in all directions around the Government buildings and matsheds for breeding-places of Anopheles, our investigation extending over the adjoining paddy-fields as far as the river to the north, to the villages on the west, and across the river and up certain of the ravines beyond it on the south side.

We show the results of our search on the accompanying rough sketch- map, the places where Anopheles larvæ were found being indicated with red ink. We believe that the negative results in the paddy-fields and in the whole river valley to the south were probably chiefly due to the washing away of larvae by the rain-storm which accompanied the typhoon three days before our visit. The positions in which larvae were actually found abundantly were in the narrow ditches around the uppermost paddy-

• Not re-printed.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-MISCELLANEOUS.

27

fields, where the rain-washing would be least marked, and in a marshy sluggish stream, into which the paddy-fields drain, to the north-west of the Government buildings, where also the disturbance by the storm would be at a minimum.

We direct special attention to two important points: (1) that the breeding-pools that proved most resistant to the severe strain of the recent rain-storm, and which even at this late date in the year contain abundant larvæ, are within 80 yards from the Police Station and 40 yards from the matshed occupied by the Civil Staff; and (2) that the marshy stream above referred to is a permanent and prolific breeding-ground.

337

6. We examined under the miscroscope the blood of ten children from the village nearest to the Police Station. At first we had some difficulty in obtaining the necessary specimens, but having finally persuaded a chair-coolie to bring his own son we presented the child with a five-cent piece, and let it be known that we were willing to pay for blood at the rate of five cents per drop, whereupon more children turned up than our time permitted us to deal with. Results were as follows :---

Sex.

Age.

Type of l'arasite Found.

M.

Benign Tertian Gamete.

F.

Benign Tertian Rosette.

M.

14

Nil.

M.

9

Nil.

M.

3

Aestivo-Autumnal Gamete.

M.

15

Nil.

F.

5

Young Aestivo-Autumnal.

M.

14

Young Aestivo-Autumnal.

M.

9

Nil.

M.

20

8

Nil.

Thus in 50 per cent. of the cases examined we found the parasites of Malaria ; and when it is borne in mind that the amount of blood ex- amined in any case did not exceed the size of a pin's head, and that in no case did time allow us to take a second specimen, it will be apparent that the actual prevalence of Malaria among the village children is probably greater than the percentage above named. Two cases were of benign type and three malignant, and while all five children were infective to the mosquito, rendering any anopheles feeding upon them capable of a few days later transmitting the disease to other persons, in two cases the form of the parasite that actually came under our obervation was the gamete, i.e., the form which when ingested by the mosquito is capable of undergoing metamorphosis in the body of that insect.

7. In the abundance of mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus above de- scribed, with their breeding-grounds almost close up to the Government buildings, and in the near proximity of an extensively infected native population, by which many of these mosquitoes are being continuously rendered infective to healthy persons who may be bitten by them, we have the factors that account sufficiently and conclusively for the fevers that have prevailed among the Government officers at Táipó.

We are of opinion that the seasonal increase of fever cases that has been observed at the time of ploughing, and at the period of harvesting

338

28

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-MISCELLANEOUS.

the two rice-crops, is due to the disturbance at these times of mosquitoes. usually resting among the grass or growing paddy, and feeding on Chinese coming within their reach, such disturbance resulting in their flying further afield and finding their way in larger numbers to the houses on the hills.

 8. Having given our most careful consideration to the facts above stated, in all their bearings, we have come to the conclusion that all temporary measures for the improvement of the health of the station at Táipó should be superseded with as little delay as possible by a definite scheme for the complete eradication of the breeding-places of the Anopheles mosquito over a wide area surrounding the Police Station.

The district involved is too large to be efficiently dealt with by any culcicide; the cutting and clearing of long grass and shrubs from the hillside is only a subsidiary measure, though undoubtedly a useful one; the mosquito curtain, especially if put down an hour before dusk and kept down as long after sunrise, is a valuable preventive of the approach of mosquitoes at night, but with definite limits to its usefulness; and drugging with large quantities of quinine is manifestly undesirable as a permanent method of dealing with the matter.

 We consider that we have no alternative but to recommend, as the one means of rendering the Police Station and its neighbourhood more healthy as regards malaria, the acquirement and reclamation or efficient drainage of all the paddy-fields within a radius of 250 yards from the foot of the hills on which the houses stand, including to the north-west_the whole of the marshy water-bed to which we have already referred as a large permanent breeding-place of the malaria-bearing mosquito.

 9. Finally, we recommend that the matsheds in use for the accom- modation of the Civil Staff, affording as they do ready cover for adult mosquitoes, and also rendering the inmates liable to chills at night, should be replaced by permanent buildings; and we venture to suggest for the consideration of His Excellency that a more suitable and healthier site than those that have been proposed is available for the purpose. Observing that no permanent foundations for these buildings have yet been laid, and that an Island, 900 yards due east of the Police Station, and well removed from any considerable native population, is being connected with the mainland by a solid road and bridge, in order that a pier may be constructed from it to reach deep water, we made a careful examination of this island. We found no larvæ of mosquitoes, and should any breeding-places come to light after the thick undergrowth is cleared away, they could be readily eradicated. The location would probably be found' convenient for executive purposes on account of the proximity of the proposed pier, and its isolation would render it much less malarious than either of the proposed sites even after the improvements we have suggesteď for the existing police station have been carried into effect.

 It would be further conducive to the health of the Civil Staff, if the building were erected in two storeys, the ground floor to be used for office purposes, and residential quarters provided entirely on the upper- floor.

Dr. John Bell,

We have, &c.,

T. M. YOUNG,

M.B., F.R.C.S., Ed. JOHN C. THOMSON,

M.D., M.A..

Acting Principal Civil Medical Officer,

&c.,

&c.,

&c.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

No. 369.

HONG KONG.

REPORT FOR 1901.

(For Report for 1900, see No. 340.)

339

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of His Majesty. October, 1902.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, BY DARLING & SON, LTD., 34-40, BACON STREET, E.

And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE & SPOTTISWOODE, EAST HARDING STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C., and 32, ABINGDON STREET, WESTMINSTER, S.W.;

or OLIVER & BOYD, EDINBURGH;

or E. PONSONBY, 116. GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN.

[Ca. 788-39.] Price 13d.

1902.

340

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.

 The following, among other, reports relating to His Majesty s Colonial Possessions have been issued, and may be obtained from the sources indicated on the title page :-

ANNUAL.

No.

Colony.

Year.

346

347

Northern Nigeria

British Solomon Islands

i..

1900-1901

348

Lagos

***

...

349

British Guiana

...

...

...

350

St. Vincent

351

Jamaica

...

...

1900 1900-1901 1900 1900-1901

352

Cocos Islands

353

354

355

Gambia

Southern Nigeria

Bermuda...

...

...

1901

...

...

1900 1901

...

356

Falkland Islands

357

Northern Territories of the Gold Coast

358

Malta

...

...

359

Gibraltar...

...

360

Straits Settlements

361

Sierra Leone

362

British Honduras

...

...

***

363

364

Turks and Caicos Islands

Seychelles

...

365

Bahamas

...

...

...

"}

"}

...

...

"}

19

...

...

""

...

""

""

}"

...

...

...

1901-1902

366

Fiji

1901

...

...

367

Ceylon

368

Barbados...

...

...

1901-1902

MISCELLANEOUS.

No.

Colony.

1

Gold Coast

2

Zululand...

3

Sierra Leone

Canada

...

Bahamas...

6

Hong Kong

7

Newfoundland

8

Western Pacific...

...

9

Dominica

10

Virgin Islands

...

11

Grenada

12

Anguilla...

13

Cook Islands

14

Bahamas...

15

Canada

...

16

17

18

222

19

20

...

21

...

...

...

...

Miscellaneous Colonies... Gilbert and Ellice Islands Hong Kong

Miscellaneous Colonies...

Wei-Hai-Wei Dominica

Subject.

Economic Agriculture.

Forests.

Geology and Botany.

Emigration.

Sisal Industry.

Bubonic Plague.

Mineral Resources.

British Solomon Islands. Agriculture.

Condition during 1897. Agriculture in Carriacou.

Vital Statistics, 1898.

Trade, 1899.

Fibre Industry.

Legal Status of British North

American Indians.

Medical Reports.

Report for 1896-1900.

Operations in New Territory

during 1900.

Medical Reports. General Report.

Report on Ĉaribs.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1901.

No. 369.

H ONG KONG.

(For Report for 1900, see No. 340.)

341

3

SIR,

ACTING-GOVERNOR GASCOIGNE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

Government House,

Hong Kong, August 29th, 1902.

  I HAVE the honour to submit the following general Report in connection with the Blue Book for 1901.

I.-FINANCES.

The Revenue for the year 1901, exclusive of land sales, was $3,973,578, or $636,523 more than the estimate; inclusive of land sales the total Revenue was $4,213,893. The Expenditure, exclusive of the cost of Public Works Extraordinary, was $3,723,249, or $455,317 more than the estimate; including the heavy outlay on Public Works Extraordinary, the total expen- diture was $4,111,722. There was thus an excess of Revenue over Expenditure of $102,171.

The sources of Revenue which proved most productive and were chiefly responsible for the excess of actual over estimated receipts were the opium monopoly, the assessed taxes, chair and jin- ricksha and some other forms of licences, the Post Office, and stone quarries.

The items which yielded a smaller sum than the estimate were not numerous, and represented no very large amounts, with the exception of the item of New Territory Land Revenue, from which a sum of $140,000 had been anticipated and only $28,783 received. This return, however, compares well with that of 1900, when only $1,300 was collected from this source. As has already been pointed out in New Territory reports, the diffi- culties in connection with the settlement of land claims make the collection of Crown rent a slow process.

The figures quoted above do not represent the whole of the revenue derived from the New Territory during 1901, as they do not include its share in the considerable increases to General Revenue derived from the opium monopoly and other mis- cellaneous sources.

The amount realised from land sales was much less than that realised in 1900. In that year more than $816,000 was received from this source; in 1901 only $240,315, or nearly. $160,000 less than the estimate.

12765*-75-10/1902 Wt 28616 D & S-5

A 2

342

4

Revenue.

1900.

1901.

Increase.

Decrease.

(A.) GENERAL REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.

The following is a brief abstract of the heads of Revenue and Expenditure for 1900 and 1901:

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

$

...

55,379.38

58,375.98

2,996.60

1,847,272.78

2,270,145.69

422,872.91

285,386.11

284,453.22

932.89

325,603.33

355,912.74

30,309 41

482,777.27

555,469.58

72,692.31

1.14

1.14

...

238,910.74

280,100.36

41,189 62

...

151,034.87

169,119.45

18,084.58

:

816,222.92

240,315.06

575,907.86

*A

4,202,587.40

Deduct Decrease

4,213,893.22

588,146.57

576,840.75

...

$

576,840.75

Nett Increase

1.1,305.82

Light dues

...

Licences and internal revenue not otherwise specified Fees of court, &c.

::

Post Office

...

...

Rent of Government property

...

Interest

...

Miscellaneous

...

...

Water account

...

Land sales

***

...

Total

...

:

...

:

Expenditure.

1900.

1901.

Increase.

Decrease.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1901.

$

Pensions,

tion, &c.

Charge on account of public debt...

Public works extraordinary

...

departmental expenditures, military contribu-

153,363.07

3,001,878.17

162,363.84

3,560,885.60

9,000.77

559,007.43

...

...

...

473,205.89

388,473.05

84,732.84

Total

...

...

...

:

3,628,447.13

4,111,722.49

568,008.20

84,732.84

Deduct Decrease

84,732.84

Nett Increase

...

483,275.36

...

Revenue for 1901 Expenditure for 1901

...

Surplus

...

...

...

...

...

...

:::

DO...

4,213,893.22 4,111,722.49

$102,170.73

:

5

343

1899.

Total Revenue and Expenditure for the Five Years 1897-1901.

1898.

1900.

1901.

6

344

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

$

$

$

2,686,914.70

2,918,159.24

3,610,143.25

4,202,587.40

$

4,213,893.22

...

2,641,409.71

2,841,805.20

3,162,792.36

3,628,447.13

4,111,722.49

45,504.99

76,354.04

447,350.89

574,140.27

102,170.73

1897.

:

£ 8. d.

...

20,363 12 8

(B.) ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.

At the end of the year under review the total Assets of the Colony amounted to $2,023,581.60, and the Liabilities to $987,058.06, thus leaving a credit balance of $1,036,523.54, not including certain arrears of Revenue amounting to $61,132.

(C.) PUBLIC DEBT.

Loan Account.

Revenue

...

...

...

...

Expenditure

Surplus

...

:.

...

:

:

...

:..

Dr.

To Inscribed Stock Loan at 34% interest, to be paid off on the 15th April, 1943.

£ Ꭶ. d. 341,799 15 1

Cr.

By Sinking Fund

:

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1901.

7

II.-TRADE, INDUSTRIES, FISHERIES, AGRICULTURE AND LAND.

(A.) TRADE AND SHIPPING.

 The following table shows the principal articles of import in the year 1901 in vessels of European construction, compared with similar returns for 1900. The figures represent the tonnage:-

Articles.

1900.

1901. Increase. Decrease.

Beans Coal

...

*

...

...

560 1,045,812

1,290 917,144

760

128,668

Flour

Hemp

Cotton yarn and cotton

Kerosine (bulk)

Liquid fuel

19,993

14,423

5,570

154,111

145,287

8,824

54,105

31,195

...

22,910

61,732

70,723

5,996

(case)

69,979

77,977

7,998

2.759

3,973

1,214

Lead

...

Opium

Rattan

Rice

Sulphur

Sugar

2,350

260

2,090

....

3,194

2,872

322

10,201

3,488

673,029

618,780

6,716 54,249

Sandalwood

...

3,811

5,272

1,461

22

55

33

138,863

2÷1,291

2,428

Tea

Timber

...

General ....::

6,393

1,473

4,920

82,311

66,860

15,151

1,172,094

1,278,619 | 106,525

Total Transit

...

3,604,322 3,480,987 126,385 2,143,749 | 2,134,585

249,720

9,164

+

Grand Total

5,748,071 5,615,572 126,385

258,884

Nett

...

132,499

 There was a considerable decrease in coal imports as compared with 1900, but the amount imported in 1900 was far above the average. The coal imports for 1898, also, were stated to have been abnormally large, but the returns for last year show an increase as compared with that year of nearly 100,000 tons.

The principal features to be remarked in the reported trade of the Port for the year 1901 are:

(1.) A decrease in the coal imports of 12.3 per cent. (2.) A decrease in the cotton imports of 27.8 per cent.

12765

A +

345

346

8

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

(3.) A decrease in the rice imports of 8 per cent. (4.) A decrease in the timber imports of 187 per cent. (5.) A decrease in the hemp imports of 42.3 per cent. (6.) An increase in the general imports of 9.8 per cent. (7.) Also small increases in case and bulk kerosine and in

liquid fuel.

The nett decrease in import cargo is 123,335 tons or 34 per

cent.

In exports there appears to be an increase of 150,823 tons or 7.7 per cent.

In transit cargo, a decrease of 9,163 tons or 10'4 per cent.

The import trade was very depressed throughout the year. In the interior of China there was much poverty, and trade was hampered by unauthorised exactions on goods beyond the confines of the Treaty Ports. The fall in the exchange of silver and the high values ruling on the home markets-especially in raw cotton and all cotton fabrics-also militated severely against this branch of trade.

The opium trade was far from prosperous during the past year. In the Bengal drug, owing to large stocks early in the season and a declining exchange in the latter half of the year, the business done, though considerable, was productive of loss to both importers and native dealers. The demand for Malwa was poor and disappointing, and the prices obtained left no margin for profit. Owing to the Formosan Government being practically the only buyer of superior Persian, the rates for this drug fell from $825 per picul, the opening quotation, to $640 per picul in the latter end of the year.

As regards the trade in Indian cotton yarn, the year under review shows a decidedly marked improvement over the previous twelve months.

The imports to Hong Kong and Shanghai, which showed a shrinkage of close upon 60 per cent. in 1900, increased again over 100 per cent. during the past twelve months, whilst sales in Hong Kong showed an excess of 45,715 bales and those in Shanghai of 69,083 bales.

A great and important movement has taken place which has opened the whole of the markets of inland China to the world. Manufacturers on the spot will certainly be unable, at least for some time, to meet the greatly increased demand which will thus be occasioned; and in the meantime India may fairly hope to reap some share of the harvest, more especially if Lekin-a veritable millstone round the neck of this trade-is effectually removed.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1901.

The following figures are of interest:

347

9

Comparative Tables of Imports and Exports and Reported Sales of Indian Grey Yarn effected in Hong Kong and Shanghai during the years 1876 to 1901.

Direct shipments

Imports to Hong

Total

Year.

from

Total Imports

Kong from

Sales effected

Total

India to

to China

India.

Shanghai and Japan.

in Hong

Sales in Shanghai.

and Japan.

Kong.

Bales.

Bales.

Bales.

Bales.

Bales.

1876

17,598

17,598

6,758

1877

30,288

30,289

17,806

1878

...

37 799

37,799

30,031

1879

47,338

6,721

54,059

42,093

1880

...

60,265

3,980

64,245

49,571

1881

55,705

7,834

63,539

54,411

1882

82,286

...

6,458

88.744

77,945

1883

...

97,200

16,514

113,714

89,889

1881

137,075

12,858

149,933

112,450

1885

150.221

27,954

178,175

147.894

1886

175,291 50,089 225,380

142,974

1887

...

178,790

88,435

267,225

182,152

1888

...

...

187,368

90.242

277,610

182,198

1889

...

225,457

104,850

330,307

197,941

55,401

1890

209,689

167,353

377,042

187,330

104,016

1891 1892

...

218,732

171,130

389,862 161,504

134,337

...

...

237,569

186,305

423,874

219,189

154.386

1893

...

207,935 119,625

327,560 171,491

112,786

1894

237,260 146,121

384,381 169,117

129,938

1895

257,803 144,250 402,053

213,854

120,911

1896

256,367

244,376

500,743

215,375

151,935

1897

...

279,412

167,623

447,035

187,948

117,861

1898

...

308,978

168,467

477,445

221,144

147,678

1899

315,369

288,307

603,676

205,441

167,860

1900 1901

...

153,610

110,409 264,019

152,277 125,796

291,885

228,688

520,573

197,992

194,879

SHIPPING.

The total tonnage entering and clearing during the year 1901 amounted to 19,325,384 tons, being an increase, compared with 1900, of 880,248 tons, and the same in excess of any previous year. Of this increase, 165,128 tons are due to the fact that steam launches trading to ports outside the Colony have been included this year, whereas in former years they have been returned separately.

There were 45,349 arrivals of 9,681,203 tons, and 45,171 depar- tures of 9,644,181 tons.

Of British ocean-going tonnage, 2,917,780 tons entered, and 2,897,200 tons cleared.

348

10

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 Of British river steamers, 1,697,242 tons entered, and 1,701,417 tons cleared, making a grand total of British tonnage of 9,213,639 tons entering and clearing.

 Of foreign ocean-going tonnage, 2,637,552 tons entered, and 2,609,902 tons cleared.

 Of foreign river steamers, 48,545 tons entered, and 49,503 tens cleared, making a grand total of foreign tonnage of 5,345,430 tons entering and clearing.

 Of steam launches trading to ports outside the Colony, 82,564 tons entered, and 82,564 tons cleared.

 Of junks in foreign trade, 1,631,272 tons entered, and 1,634,896 tons cleared.

 Of junks in local trade, 666,248 tons entered, and 668,699 tons cleared.

Thus-

British ocean-going tonnage represented

Foreign ocean-going

river

J:

river

99

Steam launches

Junks (foreign trade)

**

99

""

""

Per cent.

30.1

...

...

17.2

27.5

0.5

"

""

...

0.9

16.9

""

وو

""

""

""

(local trade)

وو

6.9

 The actual number of ships of European construction (ex- clusive of river steamers and steam launches) entering the Port during 1901 was 682, being 337 British and 345 foreign. Thus 682 vessels entered 3,570 times, and gave a total tonnage of 5,555,332 tons. A comparison of the Shipping Returns for 1900 and 1901 appears in the following table, from which it will be seen that though there was a large decrease in the number of vessels under the British flag (chiefly due to the withdrawal of some river steamers) there is an increase in British tonnage of 58,441 tons.

1900.

1901.

Increase.

Decrease.

Ships. Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage.

British ... Foreign

7,511

3,429

Junks in foreign 35,425

9,155,198 6,715 | 9,213,639 4,866,969 | 4,092 | 5,345,502 663 3,224,856 35,394 3,266,168

58,441 796

478,533

41,312 31

trade.

Total |46,365 | 17,247,023 46,201 | 17,825,309 663 578,286 827

...

 The above table does not include junks in local trade, the business of which shows an increase of more than 700,000 tons over that of the preceding year.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1901.

11

The problem of providing berthing accommodation_in_the harbour for the ever-increasing tonnage frequenting the Port is one that is getting more difficult each year, and though there may not be any very pressing necessity just at present, there can be no reasonable doubt that, with the constant advance in size, draught, and number, as well of ships of war as of the mercantile marine, and of foreign as well as British shipping, the water space will soon be found inadequate.

The following tables, as showing the relative importance of the shipping conducted under the various national flags, will be of interest:

·----

Entered.

Cleared.

Nationality of Vessels.

Vessels.

Tons. Vessels.

Tons.

American

Austrian

...

Belgian

:::

111

155,667

104

147.711

53

128,483

51

122,632

9

12,407

9

12,407

British

Chinese

3,360

4,615,022

138

18,932

3,355 | 4,598,617

140

19,113

...

Chinese junks

17,736

1,631,272

|

17,658 1,634,896

Corean

...

...

...

Danish

Dutch

French

...

...

German

...

Italian

Japanese

1

796

1

796

12

25,903

12

25,903

29

40,872

29

40,872

328

243,588

328 238,427

844

...

1,242,642

843 | 1,239,967

13

18,782

14

19,502

336

692,981

333

688,140

...

Norwegian...

Portuguese

79

78,004

75

73,821

83

10,456

83

...

...

...

10,456

Russian

Siamese

...

Spanish

Swedish

No flag

...

+

...

8,797

4

8,797

407

...

1

784

1

784

7

6,923

7

...

6,923

1

80

7

2,747

Steam launches trading to ports

outside the colony.

1,542

82,564

1,542

82,564

Total

24,687 9,014,955

9,014,955 | 23,056 | 8,892,918

(B.) INDUSTRIES.

During the year 1901 most of our local industries, which are chiefly carried on upon joint stock principles, were well em- ployed throughout the year, with satisfactory results.

Cotton spinning by the local company was hampered by the plague. The results to original shareholders were not good, owing to the initial cost of the mill being higher than originally estimated. However, the capital was written down largely, and

349

350

12

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

fresh capital brought in, with the effect that the present con- dition of the company is very satisfactory, and the future out- look promising. Improved dwellings for their operatives are shortly to be erected, and the system of piece work has been successfully introduced.

 The sugar industry has been hampered by the large importa- tions of Continental bounty-fed sugar into Japan and other markets which used to draw their supplies from here.

The shipping industry during 1901 was prosperous through- out the year.

Over-speculation in shares both here and in Shanghai has in many cases adversely affected the value of shares in several of the local undertakings, but I think that this is merely a tem- porary condition and that things will come to their normal level before long.

If the heavy fall in silver becomes permanent, it must even- tually stimulate local productions in many directions, particu- larly in the repairing and docking of ships, as this work can be excellently done by Chinese under European supervision.

The local dock company is a large and well equipped institu- tion, and the docking facilities of the Colony will, in the course of the next few years, be largely augmented by the Admiralty dock and by considerable works of the same sort at present under construction by Messrs. Butterfield and Swire at Quarry Bay.

The Hong Kong Dock Company are at present building a large river steamer for the Canton route, and if the result is satisfactory a considerable development in ship-building may show itself, especially if silver remains low.

The labour question-the crux of the industrial problem here -gives serious food for thought, and it is to be hoped that the extension of the boundaries of the Colony may make it possible to provide cheaper and healthier house accommodation for the labouring classes, so that the two chief elements of industrial prosperity-cheap labour and cheap money-may be successfully

united.

At present, high rents and some unseen influence-probably Chinese guilds-militate against full advantage being taken of the abundant supply of labour in the adjoining provinces.

(C.) FISHERIES.

There are no fisheries of importance. The local demand for salt and fresh fish is met by fleets of fishing junks and a large number of net stations, and the fish that are required for salting are dried and salted on the beach. There is a very large local demand for fish from the Canton River, which are brought down alive in tanks in the daily passenger steamers.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1901.

13

(D.) FORESTRY, BOTANICAL SCIENCE, AND Agriculture.

The Forestry and Botanical Department is under the charge of a Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, aided by a large staff of gardeners and foresters. Perhaps the most im- portant work carried on by this Department is the planting of trees. Camphors have been planted as an experiment in the New Territory, but it is feared that they cannot be grown there so as to give an adequate return on the capital invested. The experiment was not successful, but will be repeated. Rubbers were also tried, but the climate is not suitable to this Central American and Malayan tree and most of the plants died in the cold season.

351

Much interesting botanical work is yearly carried on in Hong Kong. Mr. Ford, the Superintendent, has shown that the total number of plants, exclusive of mosses, lichens, sea-weeds and fungi, indigenous to Hong Kong, is 1,397, probably more than are indigenous to the whole of the British Isles. Plants and seeds are regularly interchanged with other botanical institutions, and the number of plants which are successfully introduced into the Colony by this means is constantly increasing. It is hoped that before long an experimental economic garden will be established in the New Territory for the purpose of intro- ducing and distributing amongst the natives new plants of economic value.

The hilly character of the Island and its comparative absence of fertilising soil has prevented agriculture from becoming an active source of industry in Hong Kong. The acreage of cul- tivated land in the Island is a little over 400 acres only: The old dependency of British Kowloon, which is chiefly composed of level ground, contains almost the same amount of cultivated land. This, however, tends to diminish as buildings extend. The only part of the Colony where agricultural industries can be expected to thrive is the New Territory, which, though inter- sected by extensive ranges of barren hills, contains valleys where rice and sugar and other crops are grown with success. acreage of cultivated land in the New Territory (including the islands) is not far short of 100,000, but much of this contains exceedingly poor soil and consists of minute holdings belonging to the poorest class of peasants. The Government has taken steps to introduce some better qualities of sugar-cane into the New Territory. Some attempts have been made to grow the mulberry but without success.

(E.) Land Grants and GENERAL VALUE Of Land.

The

The available amount of building land in Hong Kong, except in the New Territory, is so limited that it has for many years commanded a very high price, and land premia and Crown rents form a considerable portion of the Colonial Revenue. Land in

352

14

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

private hands has proved to be a most lucrative source of wealth to its owners, while at the same time its scarcity and high value have tended to raise house-rents to such an extent as to seriously embarrass large numbers of Chinese and European tenants. Very extensive reclamation works have been and are still being successfully carried out, and large areas of level building ground have thereby been created. It is hoped that before long a practical commencement will be made of a new reclamation which will extend from the naval dockyard in the centre of the town to Causeway Bay in the East.

 The sales of Crown land in 1901 were, as has been already stated, much less than those in 1900.

III.-LEGISLATION.

 Thirty-seven Ordinances were passed during 1901, of which fifteen were amendments of Ordinances already in force, and two were private Ordinances for the naturalisation of Chinese.

 From the Imperial point of view perhaps one of the most important measures of the year was the first Ordinance, which raised the annual military contribution of the Colony from 17 per cent. to 20 per cent. of the total gross revenue, exclusive of land sales and premia on leases or statutory land grants.

""

 Ordinance 5 is perhaps the most important measure of the year. It is an Ordinance " to establish a Code of Procedure for the Regulation of the Process, Practice, and Mode of Pleading in the Civil Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the Colony. The Supreme Court was established by legislative enactment in 1845, and all its proceedings were regulated by the practice of the English Courts "unless and until otherwise ordered by rule of the said Court." Successive attempts at improving the Civil Procedure of the Court were made in 1855, 1856, 1858, 1860 and 1861, and led to the enactment of what is known as the Old Code of Civil Procedure, in 1873, which abolished the old dis- tinction between common law and equity, and established a uniform procedure for the administration of both. Alterations were from time to time carried out during many subsequent years, and the new Code, which was drafted last year by Sir John Carrington, C.M.G., and enacted as Qrdinance No. 5 of 1901, contains the final results, up to the present time, of all the changes and improvements which experience had found neces-

sary.

 Ordinance No. 13 of 1901-a Consolidating and Amending Public Health Ordinance-was an important measure which will probably, however, be partially superseded by new legislation during 1902.

1887-1903

HONG KONG 1901.

353

15

IV.-EDUCATION.

The system and methods of education in the Colony are fully described in the Report for 1899, since which time there have been few changes. The whole system of education is at present under consideration, and may shortly undergo considerable modifications as the outcome of the deliberations of a special committee appointed towards the close of the year. A descrip- tion of any changes which may take place should find a place in the next Report.

The principal school in the Colony is Queen's College, an institution which forms a distinct Government Department. The total number of pupils on the roll (European, Chinese and other Asiatics) is nearly 1,500. The average annual expenses of each boy are less than $18, and the total fees received by Government amount to over $28,000. There is a large staff of English and Chinese masters, who provide the pupils with an education which not only enables many of them to compete successfully in the Oxford local examinations but also fits them for important posts as interpreters and clerks in the Government service and in mercantile houses.

There is a growing feeling amongst both British and Chinese residents that the system of educating European and native children side by side in the same schools is not without its serious drawbacks. The subject has been fully dealt with in a Petition forwarded to you in September last, and the outcome will pro- bably be the establishment of one or more good schools for European boys and girls and similar schools for the children of the better-class Chinese.

V.-PUBLIC WORKS.

The total expenditure on Public Works during the year was $687,325.70.

The principal work initiated was a greatly enlarged scheme for the construction of water-works to supply the Kowloon Peninsula with water by gravitation, the estimated cost of the work being $835,000. The reservoir to be constructed is situated in the New Territory, in connection with the development of which several works were in progress, principal among them being the road to Taipo, 16 miles in length.

Work was begun on an additional reservoir at Tytam for increasing the supply of water to the City of Victoria.

A number of buildings were in progress, including the new Law Courts, Harbour Office, Western Market, and Governor's Peak Residence.

354

16

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONTA]. REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 A large Reclamation Scheme in front of the eastern section of the city, estimated to cost $5,000,000, was under consideration, and arrangements for the construction of an electric tramway, 9 miles in length, were nearly brought to a conclusion.

VI.-GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.

(A.)-HOSPITALS.

 Government hospitals consist of the Civil Hospital, to which is attached an isolated Lying-in Hospital, Kennedy Town Infectious Diseases Hospital, and the hospital hulk "Hygeia."

 The Civil Hospital contains 124 beds in 18 wards; the Lying- in Hospital 6 beds for Europeans and 4 for Asiatics; and Kennedy Town Hospital 78 beds. In 1901, 267 cases treated at Kennedy Town, of which 204 were cases of plague, 42 of small-pox, and 15 of cholera.

were

 Two thousand nine hundred and forty-eight (2,948) in-patients and 12,663 out-patients were treated at the Government Civil Hospital in 1901, showing a slight decrease in the figures for 1900. Malarial fever alone was responsible for over 800 admissions.

1

The Tung Wa Hospital, supported by voluntary subscriptions among the Chinese and only to a small extent endowed by the Government, takes the place of a Poor House and Hospital for the Chinese sick and destitute. Chinese as well as European methods of treatment are employed in accordance with the wishes expressed by the patients or those who are responsible for them.

(B.) ASYLUM.

 The Lunatic Asylum is under the direction of the Principal Civil Medical Officer. European and Chinese patients are separated, the European portion of the Asylum containing 8 beds in 8 separate wards, and the Chinese portion containing 16 beds. Ninety patients of all races were treated during 1901, and there were 7 deaths.

(C.) THE CHINESE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE.

 This institution was founded in 1887, largely through the efforts of Dr. Patrick Manson, Dr. Cantlie and others, for the purpose of teaching surgery, medicine and midwifery to Chinese. The government of the college is vested in the Court, of which the rector of the college, who has always been a Government official, is president. 57 students had been enrolled up to 1901,

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1901.

17

and of these 12 have become qualified licentiates, who have obtained various posts under Government and elsewhere. The institution is of great value in spreading a knowledge of Western medical science amongst the Chinese.

(D.) PO LEUNg Kuk.

This is a Society, under the supervision of Government, for the protection of women and children. It has done much good work in connection with the suppression of brothel slavery, which was in Hong Kong, and still is in China, one of the gravest social evils. If the Registrar-General, who acts as president of the Society, has reason to believe that a girl is being sold into a life of prostitution against her will, or if she is, in his opinion, of too tender an age to judge for herself as to her mode of life, she is sent into the Po Leung Kuk, where she is fed, lodged, and, unless she has relatives who will receive her, appropriately educated until she has an opportunity of making a respectable marriage or of earning an honest livelihood by her own exertions. The institution is managed by a number of Chinese gentlemen who are annually elected as a Managing Committee.

The number of women and children admitted into the Home during the year was 389, being 52 more than in 1900. 187 were restored direct to parents or relatives or were sent to some benevolent society in China, 3 were adopted, 5 placed at school, and 50 were married.

(E.) REFORMATORY.

The Belilios Reformatory, presented to the Colony by Mr. E. R. Belilios, C.M.G., has not been occupied. It has been proposed to make use of the building, with the donor's consent, by turning it into a school. The matter is at present under consideration.

(F.) SAVINGS BANK.

There is no Post Office Savings Bank in Hong Kong. A branch of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation takes the place of such an institution in this Colony.

(G.) POLICE.

355

The total strength of the Police Force, which stood at 630 in 1898, 827 in 1889, and 929 in 1900, now stands at 920, including 145 Europeans, 366 Indians and 409 Chinese. The gradual diminution in armed robberies and lawlessness in the New Territory made it possible to withdraw a number of men. from that part of the Colony during the year to strengthen the force in the city of Victoria and Kowloon. The executive staff now consists of a Captain Superintendent, a Deputy Superinten- dent, and two Assistant Superintendents. The conduct of all the contingents is reported to have been satisfactory.

12765

B

356

18

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 Since the middle of the year the Chinese provincial authori- ties have maintained a force of soldiery along the northern boundary of the New Territory, who have co-operated with our Police in preventing the incursion of armed robbers into the Colony.

(H.) PRISON.

 The daily average of prisoners confined in Victoria Gaol was 499, as compared with 486 for the year 1900. There were 180 convicts in the gaol on the 31st December, 1901, against 141 on the same date in 1900, 96 in 1899, 55 in 1898. This shows an increase of 125 per cent. during the past three years. This large increase is synchronous with and largely attributable to the inclusion of the New Territory in the Colony.

 The total profit of all industrial labour amounted to $24,783 as compared with $17,458 for the preceding year. All minor repairs to the gaol have been carried out by prison labour. A new wing was completed and occupied by long-sentence prisoners early in the year.

 The question of extending the prison accommodation in the Colony has been for some time engaging the attention of the Government.

 The Superintendent of the Gaol is also Captain Superintendent of Police, and is assisted by an Assistant Superintendent; a medical officer, chaplains, and European and Indian warders.

(1.) FIRE BRIGADE.

 The Superintendent of Fire Brigade is also Captain Super- intendent of Police and Superintendent of Victoria Gaol. The European members of the brigade, with the exception of the engineer, are also members of the Police Force voluntarily enlisted, and for their services in the brigade they receive a small addition to their pay. There are also a number of Chinese foremen and engine-drivers. The brigade possesses a powerful floating fire engine for use in the harbour, four land steam engines, and 29 despatch boxes. The five fire engines were all built by Messrs. Shand and Mason.

 There were 58 fires and 84 incipient fires during the year, and the brigade turned out 57 times. The estimated damage caused by the fires was $630,381 and by the incipient fires $212. The only year in which greater damage was done by fire was 1898, when the total damage was $829,814.

 Towards the end of the year the work of extinguishing fires was rendered more arduous by the drought. and the consequent want of water in the mains.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 120,

VII-JUDICIAL STATISTICS.

357

19

The number of convictions in the Superior Courts during the last four years are as follows:

1898. 1899. 1900. 1901.

1. For Offences against the Person ... 2. For Offence against Property 3. For other Offences...

19

49

54

17

3

WH

18

10

12

772

54

7

21

The total of all cases reported to the Police was 9,172 as against 9,873 in 1900. This represents a decrease of 710 per cent. In offences which are classed under the term "serious" there was a decrease of 128 cases or 3.62 per cent.; in minor offences a decrease of 573 cases or 9:03 per cent. Three men were arrested and convicted for being members of an unlawful (the Triad) society. There was a notable decrease in piracies and armed robberies, partly no doubt owing to the efficacy of recent legislation on the subject.

VIII.-VITAL STATISTICS.

(A.) POPULATION.

The last Census was taken in January, 1901, when the popula- tion was found to be 283,975, exclusive of the Army and Navy. The numbers of those forces amounted to 7,640 and 5,597 respec- tively. In the middle of the year the population is estimated to have been as follows:-

Non-Chinese civil population Chinese population

Army

Navy

:

9,560 280,564

5,462

5,074

300,660

The New Territory was not included in the recent Census, but a fairly accurate enumeration of its population was made. It numbers about 100,000, which brings the total population of the Colony up to rather over 400.000.

12765

R 2

358

20

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 It is significant that while the total increase in the population of the Colony during the five years between 1897 and 1901 was 35,095, the increase during the same period in the population of British Kowloon (which used to be a garden suburb of Victoria) was no less than 16,534, or nearly half the increase for the whole Colony.

 There were 1,088 births during the year, and of that number 848 were Chinese. This is equal to a general birth-rate of 3'6 per 1,000, as compared with 33 in 1900, 4·3 in 1899, and 47 in 1898. Owing, however, to the large number of Chinese infants who die unregistered, it is estimated that a more correct birth- rate for the past year would be 4.7 per 1,000.

(B.) PUBLIC HEALTH.

 As compared with the 1,088 births mentioned above, there were 7,082 deaths in 1901. This gives a death-rate of 23.5 per 1,000, as compared with 23·9 in 1900, 238 in 1899, and an average of 22.5 per 1,000 during the past five years. The deaths included 1,562 from bubonic plague, which again visited the Colony and ran its usual course. Excluding the deaths from plague, the death-rate for 1901 would have been 19:03 per 1,000. Among the non-Chinese the deaths numbered 412, of which 302 were among the civil population, 96 among the Army, and 14 among the Navy. This is equal to a death-rate of 20'5 per 1,000. The British deaths among the non-Chinese numbered 116; the rest were chiefly Indians, Malays and Portuguese.

 One thousand six hundred and fifty-one (1,651) cases of plague were reported during the year, of which all but 89 were fatal. The disease showed an increased tendency to attack Europeans. The chief causes of death among the non-Chinese resident civil community were plague, phthisis, malaria and pneumonia. There were more cases of small-pox than usual, and some cholera cases were imported.

 It is hoped that when the much-needed improvement in the sanitary condition of the city is effected, there will be a large decrease not only in the deaths resulting from bubonic plague but also in those from phthisis and other chest diseases, which are more or less directly attributable to overcrowded and in- sanitary dwellings.

 It is to be regretied that the experiment of once more sending troops to reside in the building which was originally destined to be a military sanitarium has not proved successful, and the hopes expressed in the Report on the Blue Book for last year have not been realised. After a brief period of freedom from malaria, the troops stationed there began to be attacked in con- siderable numbers and had to be wholly withdrawn from the building, which now stands empty.

 The treatment with larvicides of the breeding places of the anopheles mosquito is being actively continuel.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1901.

(C.) SANITATION.

21

In spite of the efforts of the Government, the Sanitary Board and the Legislature during the past few years, the sanitary state of the Colony still leaves much to be desired. The city of Victoria retains its unenvied pre-eminence in the matter of surface crowding, and in spite of the enforcement of the pro- visions of the Insanitary Properties Ordinance of 1899, the con- dition of the vast majority of the Chinese dwelling houses is far from meeting the requirements of modern sanitary science. As there seemed to be no prospect of amelioration without the adoption of more radical measures than had hitherto been at- tempted, and as the community showed by a petition which they addressed to you in the course of the year that they were prepared to face the heavy expenditure which stronger measures would certainly involve, Sir Henry Blake asked you to send out an expert to enquire into the sanitary state of the Colony and report upon the steps which in his opinion should be taken to remedy existing defects. In October, 1901, you informed Sir Henry Blake that you had selected Mr. Osbert Chadwick, C.M.G., a sanitary expert of wide experience and no stranger to Hong Kong, for this special work. About the same time you informed him that you had selected Professor Simpson, M.D., to pay a simultaneous visit to the Colony with a view to a thorough enquiry being made into the origin of bubonic plague, and the best means of providing against its annual re-appearance. Ꭺ notice of the work done by these gentlemen, who had not yet arrived in the Colony at the end of 1901 will, it is hoped, appear in next year's Report. A certain result of their visit must be the introduction of legislative measures to consolidate and amend the present Health and Building Ordinances.

(D.) CLIMATE.

A

The average monthly temperature throughout the year was 72-1° F. as compared with 71.6° F. during 1900; the maximum monthly temperature was attained in July, when it reached 82.20 F., and the minimum monthly temperature was recorded in the month of February, being 54.8° F.

The highest recorded temperature during the year was 92.7° F. on August 3rd, and the lowest was 38-4° F. on February 4th.

The total rainfall for the year was 55.78 inches, as compared with 73.73 inches in 1900 and an average of 772 inches during the past ten years. The wettest month was May, with 14·10 inches, while there were also 14 inches of rain in the month of August; the driest month was January, with only 0685 inch. The greatest amount of rain which fell on any one day was 4.23 inches on April 7th, while no rain fell on 213 days of the year; the relative humidity of the atmosphere throughout the

359

360

22

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

year was 75 per cent. as compared with 77 per cent. in the pre- vious year. The average daily amount of sunshine throughout the year was 55 hours, and on 35 days only was no sunshine recorded.

 It may be mentioned that the rainfall of 1901 was less than half the rainfall of the year 1891. Taitam Reservoir, the prin- cipal source of water supply, was not filled throughout the year, and only one rainfall during the last 20 years (that of 1895) was lower than that of the year under review.

IX.

POSTAL SERVICE.

The cessation of the Boxer troubles in the North of China gave an impetus to trade, which was faithfully reflected in the steady increase in postal business.

 The monthly sales of stamps showed an increase of $21,765, as compared with 1900, and for the first time since the adoption of the penny postage the revenue exceeded the highest revenue from the same source in former days. The returns from the Branch Post Offices at Shanghai and in China also show gratifying results.

 The Revenue of the Department from all sources in 1901 was $355,912, and the Expenditure $273,685. The nett balance to the Hong Kong Post Office on the year's transactions amounted to $82,227.

X.-MILITARY FORCES AND EXPENDITURE.

(A.) REGULAR FORCES.

The following return shows the number and nature of the forces employed in the Colony during 1901 :-

CORPS.

EUROPEAN.

INDIAN.

CHINESE.

TOTALS.

Officers.

Warrant

Officers.

N.C.O.'s

Warrant

N.C.O.'s

N.C.O.'s

Officers.

and Men.

Officers. and Men. and Meu.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1901.

...

6

...

...

མཁའ།&tc2

རྨ

21

2

12

||

578

9

++

221

2

1,012

6

1

46

52

...

1

6

1

601

co

437

466

238

65

65

1,041

8

56

59

10

3

...

13

13

111

2

17

898

928

....

12

678

703

10

...

13

...

:

150

13

1,930

$}=t

16

652

678

15

671

699

68

3.338

65

5.564

General Staff

...

Garrison Staff

...

Royal Garrison Artillery

...

Hong Kong-Singapore Battalion, R.A.

Royal Engineers...

...

...

Chinese S. M. M. Co., R.E.

...

Second Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Army Service Corps

...

Royal Army Medical Corps

...

A.O.D. and Corps

A.P.D. and Corps

...

Ind. Sub-Med. Department

Educational Department

Hong Kong Regiment.

...

22nd Bombay Infantry.. 3rd Madras Light Infantry 5th Infantry Hyderabad Contingent...

...

Totals

...

23

361

362

24

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

(B.) COLONIAL CONTRIBUTION.

 The Colony contributed $801,275 (being the statutory con- tribution of 20 per cent. of revenue) towards the cost of the maintenance of the regular forces in the Colony and barrack services.

(C.) VOLUNTEER CORPS.

 The total establishment of the Corps is 351 of all ranks. The strength in 1901 was:-staff, 7; one field battery (80) of six 2.5 inch R.M.L. mountain guns; three machine gun companies (157) of four 303 inch Maxim machine guns each; an infantry company (53); an engineer company (25); and a band (19).

 The 45 inch Maxim machine guns have been converted into guns of 303 inch calibre.

 The expenditure on the Volunteers, which is entirely borne by the Colony, was $26,772.60.

I have, &c.,

W. J. GASCOIGNE,

Major-General,

Officer Administering the Government.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

No. 393.

HONG KONG.

REPORT FOR 1902,

(For Report for 1901, see No. 369.)

363

Presented to both Mouses of Parliament by Command of His Majesty. August, 1903.

QROTT

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, BY DARLING & SON, LTD., 34-40, Bacon Street, E.

And to be purchased, either directly or through any_Bookseller, from EYRE & SPOTTISWOODE, EAST HARDING STREET, FLEET STREET, E.Ɑ.. and 32, ABINGDON STREET, WESTMINSTER, S.W. ;

or OLIVER & BOYD, EDINBURGH ;

or E. PONSONBY, 116, GRAFTON STREET, Dublin.

[Cd. 1388-17.] Price 11⁄2d.

1903.

364

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS.

The following, among other, reports relating to His Majesty's Colonial Possessions have been issued, and may be obtained from the sources indicated on the title page :

ANNUAL.

Colony.

Year.

No.

371

St. Helena

...

372

373

374

British Solomon Islands

Jamaica

Leeward Islands...

...

375

Gold Coast

376

Grenada

377

Northern Nigeria

...

378

British Guiana

379

Mauritius

...

...

380

Basutoland

381

Southern Nigeria

...

382

Trinidad and Tobago

383

Bermuda...

384

St. Lucia...

385

St. Vincent

386

387

Falkland Islands

Gibraltar...

388

Wei-Hai-Wei

389

Sierra Leone

...

390

British Honduras

391

Gambia

392

St. Helena

...

...

***

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

1901 1901-1902

11

1901

...

19

...

19

...

1901-1902

1901 1901-1902 1901 1901-1902

...

...

1902 1901

...

1902

...

...

""

"

"1

""

No

1234 LOG

Subject.

Economic Agriculture. Forests.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Colony.

Gold Coast Zululand... Sierra Leone Canada

Bahamas... Hong Kong Newfoundland

...

...

Western Pacific...

...

...

.....

...

...

...

7

8

9

Dominica

...

10

Virgin Islands

...

11

Grenada

...

12

Anguilla...

13

Cook Islands

...

...

...

14

Bahamas...

15

Canada

16

17

178

18:

19

2282203

21

Miscellaneous Colonies

Gilbert and Ellice Islands

Hong Kong

Miscellaneous Colonies

Wei Hai-Wei Dominica...

::

::

...

...

Geology and Botany. Emigration. Sisal Industry.

Bubonic Plague.

Mineral Resources.

British Solomon Islands. Agriculture.

Condition during 1897. Agriculture in Carriacou.

Vital Statistics, 1898.

Trade, 1899.

Fibre Industry.

Legal Status of British North

American Indians.

Medical Reports.

Report for 1896-1900.

Operations in New Territory

during 1900.

Medical Reports. General Report.

Report on Caribs.

SIR,

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

No. 393.

HONG KONG.

(For Report for 1901, see No. 369.)

GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

Government House,

Hong Kong,

22nd June, 1903.

3

365

I HAVE the honour to submit, for your information, the following general Report on the Annual Blue Book for the year 1902.

I.-FINANCES.

The Revenue for the year 1902, exclusive of land sales, amounted to $4,329,712.48. Land sales for the year reached $571,361.22. The total Revenue from all sources was the there- fore $4,901,073.70, or $295,108.70 more than the estimate. All the main sources of Revenue showed an excess over the esti- mated receipts with the exception of Interest on Credit Balances and the Water Account, which yielded $2,996.08 and $14,050.53 respectively less than the estimate.

 Licences and Internal Revenue showed an excess of no less than $158,340.55 over the estimate, and there were also con- siderable excesses under Fees of Court or Office, &c., Post Office and Light Dues.

The Expenditure for the year, chiefly owing to the sums disbursed (under the head of Miscellaneous Services) in con- nection with Plague, was very large, and far in excess of the estimate. The estimated Expenditure (including that on Public Works Extraordinary) was $4,558,955.26, but the actual disbursements exceeded this estimate by $1,350,593.25.

The total actual Expenditure was $5,909,548.51. Deducting from this the total actual receipts, there was a deficit of $1,008,474.81 on the actual working of the year, though the surplus of Assets on December 31st amounted to $66,869 exclu- sive of arrears of Revenue.

875 Wt 21109 8/1903 D & S-3 15374

A 2

366

4

1902.

Increase.

Decrease.

(A.) GENERAL REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.

The following is a brief abstract of Revenue and Expenditure for the years 1901 and 1902:-

Revenue,

1901.

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL reportTS-ANNUAL.

Light dues

...

...

...

...

Licences and internal revenue not otherwise specified Fees of court, &c.

58,375.98

2,270,145.69

66,106.52

7,730.54

2,600,520.55

330,374.86

...

...

...

284,453.22

296,709.19

12,255.97

Post Office

...

...

355,912.74

387,066.19

31,153.45

Rent of Government property

...

...

***

...

555,469.58

572,286.15

16,816.57

Interest

Miscellaneous

Water account

Land sales

...

...

...

...

1.14

2,003.92

2,002.78

...

...

...

...

...

280,100.36

233,070.49

47,029.87

...

...

...

...

...

...

169,119.45

171,949.47

2,830.02

...

240,315.06

571,361.22

331,046.16

Total

:

...

...

:

:

:

$

4,213,893.22

4,901,073.70

734,210.35

47,029.87

Deduct Decrease

...

47,029.87

Nett Increase

$

687,180.48

...

Revenue Expenditure

Surplus

Deficit

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1902.

Total Revenue and Expenditure for the Five Years 1898-1902.

367

5

...

1898.

1899.

1900.

1901.

1902.

$

$

2,918,159-24 8,610,143-25 4,202,587-40 4,213,893-22 4,301,073-70 2,841,805-20 | 3,162,792-36 | 3,628,447-13 4,111,72249 | 5,009,548.51

447,310.89 574,140-27 102,170-73

76,354-04

1,008,474.81

(B.) ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.

At the end of the year 1902 the surplus of the Assets of the Colony over the Liabilities amounted to $66,869.88, the total Assets being $815,903.89 exclusive of arrears of Revenue amounting to $90,780, and the total Liabilities to $749,034.01.

(C.) PUBLIC DEBT.

There is a public debt of £341,799 15s. ld. outstanding. The original debt was incurred in connection with the Praya Reclamation, the Central Market, and Water, Drainage and Sewerage Works.

Interest at 3 per cent. is payable upon the loan, which is being paid off by a Sinking Fund.

II.-TRADE, INDUSTRIES, FISHERIES,

AGRICULTURE AND LAND.

(A.) TRADE AND SHIPPING.

The following table shows the principal articles of export in the year 1902 in vessels of European construction, compared with similar returns for 1901. The figures represent the

tonnage:-

Articles.

Beans

Coal

...

Cotton yarn and cotton

Flour

Hemp

...

Kerosine (bulk)

Lead"

(case)

15374

...

1901.

1902.

Increase. Decrease.

1,290

917,144

300 1,040,906 123,762

990

14,423

11,498

2,925

145,287

107,826

37,461

31,195

22,923

8,272

70,728

54,461

16,267

...

77,977

60,400

17,577

260

625

365

A 3

368

6

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

Articles.

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

Trade and Shipping-cont.

1901.

1902. Increase Decrease.

Opium Liquid fuel

Rattan

...

...

...

2,872

4,871

1,999

...

3,973

6,299

2,326

...

...

...

...

3,488

4,742

1,254

Rice

...

618,780

819.919 | 201,139

Sandalwood Sulphur

Sugar Tea Timber General

...

...

...

...

...

5,272

5,374

102

...

...

***

...

:::

5.5

555

55

2+1,291

268,268 26,977

...

1,473

25

1,448

66,860

75,023 8,163

1,278,619

1,480,003 201,384

Total Transit

Grand Total

...

...

3,480,987 3,963,463 567,471 2,134,585 2,372,397 237,812

84,995

...

5,615,572 6,335,860 805,283 84,995

Nett

720,288

 It will be observed that coal imports resumed their upward tendency, and the figure for 1902 is not appreciably smaller than that for the abnormal year 1900. Still more noticeable are the large increases in the import of opium and rice.

The principal features to be remarked in the reported Trade of the Port for 1902 are:

In Imports reported:-

Increases in opium

69.6 per cent.

""

""

دو

35

""

rice ... general

...

32.6

""

""

15.7

:

""

""

""

""

coal ...

,, sugar

13:4

""

""

...

11:1

35

timber

""

""

10·7``.

""

"

Decreases in hemp

26.5

""

""

flour

25.1

"

23

33

"}

bulk oil

22.9

39

""

">

""

case oil

22.5

...

""

36

cotton

20:3

""

ور

The net increase under this head amounts to 482,476 tons. In Exports, there is an increase reported of 126,814 tous. In transit cargo there is an increase reported of 237,812 tons. The total reported Import Trade of the Port for 1902 amounted to 26,037 vessels of 9,867,486 tons, carrying 6,921,928

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1902.

7

tons of cargo, of which 4,549,531 tons were discharged at Hong Kong. This does not include the number, tonnage or cargo of local trade junks, or steam launches.

These returns show a decided improvement upon those for 1901, when the Import trade was much depressed. This is a hopeful sign, especially as the further fall in silver exchange and the high values ruling on the home markets in certain staple commodities continued throughout the year to militate against the Import trade of the Colony.

It must not be forgotten that figures such as those given above are necessarily imperfect in the case of a free port. The returns depend for accuracy upon the information voluntarily afforded to the harbour master by the masters and agents of the vessels concerned, and their reliability cannot be tested as thoroughly as might be desired.

The total tonnage entering and clearing during the year amounted to 21,528,780 tons, being an increase, compared with 1901, of 2,203,396 tons, and 3,083,644 tons in excess of any previous year.

There were 51,542 arrivals of 10,783,502 tons, and 51,547 departures of 10,754,278 tons.

Of British ocean-going tonnage, 3,010,441 tons entered, and 3,005,148 tons cleared.

Of British river steamers, 1,775,960 tons entered, and 1,780,238 tons cleared.

Of foreign ocean-going tonnage, 3,273,817 tons entered, and 3,238,719 tons cleared.

Of foreign river steamers, 95,766 tons entered, and 95,909 tous cleared.

Of steam launches trading to ports outside the Colony, 97,607 tons entered, and 97,607 tons cleared.

369

Of junks in foreign trade, 1,613,875 tons entered, and 1,624,344 tons cleared.

.

Of junks in local trade, 916,016 tons entered, and 903,313 tons cleared.

Thus

British ocean-going tonnage represented...

river

""

river

Foreign ocean-going

وو

"

""

Per cent.

27.94

16.52

...

30.25

0.89

0.91

15.04

""

""

...

""

""

Steam launches in foreign trade

Junks

"3

""

""

local

رو

""

""

""

"}

:

15374

8:45

100.00

A 4

A comparison between the years 1901 and 1902 is given in the following table. Steam launches are not included:-

8

370

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

1901.

1902.

Increase.

Decrease.

Ships.

Tonnage.

Ships.

Tonnage.

Ships.

Tonnage.

Ships.

Tonnage.

...

6,715

9,213,639

7,102

9,571,787

387

358,148

...

...

...

4,092

5,345,502

5,359

6,704,211

1,267 1,358,709

...

35,394

3,266,168 36,245

3,238,239

851

27,929

:

:

:

...

46,201

17,825,309 48,706

19,514,237

2,505

1,716,857

27,929

:

***

41,235

1,334,947

50,743

1,819,329

9,508

484,382

19,160,256

87,436

Net

...

99.449

21,333,566

12,013

2,201,239

27,929

:.

...

:.

12,013 2,173,310

British

Foreign

...

...

Junks in Foreign Trade

Total

Junks in Local Trade

Grand Total

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1902.

For vessels under the British Flag, this table shows increase of 387 ships of 358,148 tons. These figures are, how- ever, misleading, for river steamers increase of 397 ships of 157,539 tons. of 10 ocean-going ships, with an 200,609 tons.

371

are responsible for an This leaves a net decrease increase in tonnage of

The above increase in river steamers is due to the fact that the one vessel which ran in 1901 and not in 1902 is more than counterbalanced by two which started to run at the end of 1901, and two which started to run at the beginning of 1902.

The fall of 10 ocean-going vessels is a genuine decrease, which loses a portion of its significance when we consider the increased size of vessels as evidenced by the increase in tonnage.

For vessels under Foreign Flags, we find a large increase, viz., 1,267 ships of 1,358,709 tons, of which 301 ships of 93,627 tons are due to river steamers, one new French vessel having started to run in 1902, and another French ship having run more often in 1902 than in 1901. The remainder, 966 ships of 1,285,082 tons, is due to

1. An increase of 453 Norwegian ships of 372,021 tons.

2.

3.

دو

186 German

""

""

>>

""

221,619

169 Chinese

""

307,897

""

150 Japanese

;)

رو

342,668

""

""

"}

4.

"

"J

and smaller increases in other nationalities.

The actual number of ships of European construction (exclu- sive of river steamers and steam launches), entering the Port during 1902, was 718, of which 350 were British, and 368 foreign. These 718 ships entered 4,047 times, giving a total tonnage entered of 6,284,258 tons. Thus, compared with 1901, 37 more ships entered 477 more times, and give a total tonnage increased by 728,926 tons.

The following table indicates the nationality of the various ships entering the Port, the numbers of vessels under each flag, and the tonnage carried by them, compared with the similar figures for the previous year:

Ships.

No. of times Entered.

Total Tonnage.

Flag.

1901. 1902. 1901. 1902.

1901.

1902.

British Austrian Belgian Chinese Corean

....

...

321

20 20

324 1,770 1,753

2,894,519 | 2,965,030

53

50

128,483 125,929

3

1

.9

3

12,407

3,624

...

...

4..

17

10

135

3,349

163,396

1

1

796

...

...

372

10

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

Number of Vessels and Tonnage-cont.

Ships.

No. of times entered.

Total Tonnage.

Flag.

1901. 1902. 1901. 1902.

1901.❘ 1902.

Danish Dutch French German

:

8

***

...

...

9

22

122

123

...

Italian

Japanese

Norwegian

Portuguese

...

Russian

Spanish

Swedish

2

65

26

6*72489

206

842

336

ដតខ្លះៗក្លិន

12

13

25,903 23,374

29

23

40,872 26,464

228

209,094

219,111

939

1,242,499 | 1,360,524

14

17,988

23,428

409

692,981

865,400

300

78,004

263,379

3

46

4,948

7,897

4

11

4

16

8,797

32,046

1

784

...

1

4

15

6,923

14,325

United States

No flag

***

Total

...

19

23

89

56

...

1

1

...

130,476 80

121,939

:

632 676 3,510 4,000 5,498,903 6,215,866

 The above return refers to steamers only. In addition, 42 sailing vessels visited the port during the year, with a total tonnage of 68,392, as compared with 50 ships and 56,429 tons during 1901. 26 of these ships were British, and 9 American.

 The total Revenue collected by the Harbour Department during the year was $266,765.99, being an increase of $15,168.60 on the previous year.

(B.) INDUSTRIES.

 Most of the local industries of the Colony were carried on with satisfactory. results during 1902, and were less hampered by plague than during the preceding year.

 The fall in the exchange value of silver, to which Sir W. Gascoigne referred in his Blue Book Report for 1901, continued throughout 1902 with hardly a break. The effect of this fall, however embarrassing in other respects, is undoubtedly advan- tageous as regards many local productions and industries.

 Cotton spinning in Hong Kong was carried on in 1902 under more favourable circumstances than have prevailed since the initiation of this industry.

 Comparative immunity from plague, together with improved skill on the part of operatives, resulted in largely increased production, and, aided by declining exchange which checked excessive imports of Indian yarns, the local spinnings were freely sold at gradually advancing dollar prices.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1902.

Under normal conditions the progress of this industry may now reasonably be considered as assured, but the possibility of an annual recurrence of plague which experience has proved drives many of the workpeople from the Colony, owing to their strong dislike to the measures instituted by the Sanitary Autho- rities, is a factor which must not be overlooked in attempting a forecast.

The sugar industry had many adverse conditions to contend against during the year which was a most unprofitable one. Chief amongst these was the continued competition with bounty- fed beet sugars, which low prices in Europe (the result of enor- mous overproduction) allowed of being placed in Eastern markets at a level never before reached. The preferential treatment accorded to refineries in Japan and the very onerous conditions there to be contended against, constitute a very severe handicap to trade with that country, which was formerly an important outlet for the production in Hong Kong. Scarcity of water and greatly increased cost of labour were factors which further conduced to an unfavourable result to local refineries.

In other respects the outlook for industrious enterprise in Hong Kong is on the whole promising.

(C.) FISHERIES.

A considerable proportion of the boat-population of Hong Kong supports itself by deep-sea fishing, in which pursuit a large number of junks are engaged. In the immediate neigh- bourhood of the Colony, or within its territorial waters, the fishing industry has not assumed any considerable dimensions. About $2,000 was paid into the Treasury during the year from fees for fishing stakes and station licences in the New Territory.

(D.) FORESTRY, BOTANICAL SCIENCE, AND AGRICULTURE.

Nearly 6,500 new trees were planted in Hong Kong during the year, and more than 31,500 in the New Territory, the majority being pines. It has been found that camphors will grow suc- cessfully in the New Territory and nearly 3,000 of these trees were planted in the neighbourhood of the new Taipo Road.

Forestry and botanical work generally made good progress during the year, though hampered to a considerable extent by the excessive drought in the Spring, and the severity of the typhoons during July.

Good experimental work is carried on by a Chinese gentleman in the New Territory, who has under cultivation sugar cane, mulberries, and various fruit trees, flowers, and vegetables. As the cultivation is carried on strictly according to Western. methods, and with the assistance of Government, it is hoped that the Chinese of the New Territory will benefit by this excellent object lesson.

373

374

12

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

In another district of the New Territory a considerable area is being cultivated by a small company under European super- vision. So far success has attended the growing of vegetables, and both hemp and Chinese tobacco give promise of repaying cultivation.

(E.) LAND GRANTS AND GENERAL VALUE of Land.

 Sales of Crown land for the year 1902 amounted in value to $571,361.22, or more than $70,000 in excess of the estimated receipts from this source, and more than $330,000 over the actual receipts for 1901. The only year in which a larger sum has been realized was 1900, when the receipts were $816,222. The value of the land in the New Territory which is contiguous to the harbour or south of the Kowloon range of hills has enor- mously increased in value since the British occupation com- menced. As an example of this, a case may be cited of a small landowner who before the New Territory was taken over held about 127 acres of land near Devil's Peak, west of the Lyeemon Pass, and paid a tax to the Chinese authorities of $5 per annum. As soon as his title to the land was confirmed by the Hong Kong Land Court, he sold it to a local company for $50,000.

 The cadastral survey of the New Territory and the demarca- tion of the farm lots was a difficult and costly work owing to the rugged and mountainous nature of the ground and the small size of the holdings. This work is now practically finished, and rapid progress is being made with the new rent-roll.

Building land in the urban portion of the Colony is limited in extent and continues to be very costly.

III.-LEGISLATION.

 Forty-seven Ordinances were passed during 1902, of which 22 were amending and 12 private Ordinances.

The dependence of the Colony for its water-supply on the annual rainfall, and the occurrence of a serious water famine in the Spring of the year under review, showed the necessity of introducing new legislation to regulate and control the supply. The result was the Water-works Consolidation Ordin- ance, which had for its object the economising of water.

Four Ordinances dealt with the New Territory, chiefly in connection with Crown lands resumption, rent recovery, and the registration of titles.

Of the private measures the most important was the Tramway Ordinance (No. 10 of 1902), by which the construction of an electric tramway within the Colony was authorized and the necessary legal powers conferred upon the Company by which the tramway is to be constructed.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1902.

IV.-EDUCATION.

375

13

The educational system in the Colony is at present undergoing revision, and it is as yet too early to speak with confidence of the results which may be expected from measures which are, to some extent, only tentative.

Of recent years the demand among the Chinese for instruc- tion in the English language has largely increased, and is now so keen that all the Anglo-Chinese schools of the Colony are full, and many would-be pupils cannot find admittance. There is also a growing number of night-schools and other non-aided institutions where English is taught. One such school, founded little more than a year ago, has a total enrolment of 300; and application has been made by its manager for its inclusion, under the Government Code, among aided schools.

Of Government Schools, Queen's College, with an average attendance of nearly one thousand, is the most important. Three Anglo-Chinese District Schools, with a total enrolment of about 400, were entirely re-constituted and put under Euro- pean headmasters from the end of the year. Of aided Anglo- Chinese Schools, the Roman Catholic Cathedral School has an average attendance of over one hundred. In all these schools a large proportion of the staff consists of European masters.

During the year a school for children (both sexes) of European British parentage was established at Kowloon; it has already a total enrolment of over sixty.

A Committee was appointed early in the year to consider the whole question of education in the Colony; and it pub- lished a report in which were enunciated several important principles. Of these, perhaps, the most universally accepted is the dictum that while educating Chinese in English and Western knowledge, it is also desirable to ensure a certain standard of proficiency in the Chinese written language.

The Inspector of Schools, who was in England during the summer, made a study of the methods employed by the Board of Education, and on his return drew up a new Code for aided schools. This draft has since received the full approval of the managers of schools.

V.-PUBLIC WORKS.

The principal public works undertaken or completed within the year were the new Law Courts, the road to Taipo, the Western Market, the new Harbour Office, an extension of the Tytam Reservoir, the Kowloon Water-works, and the Governor's new Peak Residence. The Law Courts are to be built on the Praya Reclamation. The greater part of the year was occupied

376

14

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

in forming the foundations, which were nearly completed. The road to Taipo, the administrative centre of the New Territory, was practically finished. Its width is 14 feet and its length 18 miles. The foundations of the new Western Market were nearly completed up to ground level, and also those of the new Harbour Office. The new Water-works at Tytam and Kowloon have been undertaken in consequence of the inade- quacy of the existing water supply to meet the requirements of the city of Victoria during the dry season. The excavation of the foundations for the new Tytam Reservoir, over a length of about 280 feet, was practically completed, and a portion was filled in with cement concrete. The new Kowloon Water-works scheme is in the hands of a firm of local architects and engineers. Beyond the laying of mains, the defining of drainage boundaries and a certain amount of excavation, there has not yet been time to make any decided progress with the work.

  The Governor's new Peak Residence was completed in July and occupied shortly afterwards. The house is large and sub- stantial, and stands near the highest point on the island.

 The total amount spent on Public Works Extraordinary dur- ing the year was $1,157,104; and on works annually recurrent, $506,793. Of the former sum, $508,000 was expended in the purchase of a site on the Praya Reclamation for the new Post Office.

VI.-GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.

(A.) HOSPITALS.

 Government Hospitals consist of the Civil Hospital, to which is attached an isolated Maternity Hospital; Kennedy Town Infectious Diseases Hospital, and the hulk Hygeia.

 The Civil Hospital contains 150 beds in 20 wards; the Maternity Hospital, 6 beds for Europeans and 4 for Asiatics; and Kennedy Town Hospital, 26 beds in the main building. In 1902, 206 cases were treated at Kennedy Town, of which 94 were cases of plague, 10 of small-pox, and 52 of cholera.

 3,108 in-patients and 11,815 out-patients were treated at the Government Civil Hospital in 1902. There was a decided decrease in the number of admissions from malarial fever, the figures being 349 as compared with 787 in 1901.

 The Tung Wa Hospital is mainly supported by voluntary subscriptions, and only receives a small contribution from the Government. It takes the place of a Poor-house and Hospital for Chinese sick and destitute. Chinese as well as European methods of treatment are employed in accordance with the wishes expressed by the patients or those who are responsible for them.

1887-1903

HONG KONG 1902.

(B.) ASYLUM.

377

i5

The Lunatic Asylum is under the direction of the Principal Civil Medical Officer. European and Chinese patients are separated, the European portion of the Asylum containing 8 beds in 8 separate wards, and the Chinese portion 16 beds. 120 patients of all races were treated during 1902, and there were 13 deaths.

OTHER GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.

The Prison, Observatory, Post Office, Educational establish- ments and other Government institutions are dealt with under separate heads.

VII.-INSTITUTIONS NOT SUPPORTED BY GOVERNMENT.

Among institutions recognised and encouraged, but not to any considerable extent supported by Government, may be men- tioned the Po Leung Kuk and the College of Medicine for Chinese. The Po Leung Kuk is an institution presided over by the Registrar-General and an annually elected Committee of twelve Chinese gentlemen, for the protection of women and children. The inmates of the Home receive daily instruction in elementary subjects, and sometimes earn pocket-money by doing needle-work. During 1902 a total of 617 persons were admitted, made up of 494 women, 93 young girls, and 30 small boys. Of these, 261 were restored to their parents or sent to charitable institutions in China, 27 were sent to missionary schools and convents, 19 were married, 10 adopted, and 310 allowed to leave. The Home is medically attended by one of the Colonial Surgeons.

The Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese was founded in 1887, for the purpose of teaching surgery, medicine, and midwifery, especially to Chinese. The Government of the College is vested in the Court, of which the Rector of the Col- lege, who has always been a Government official, is President. 76 students have been enrolled up to 1903, and of these, 18 have become qualified licentiates and have obtained various posts under Government and elsewhere. The institution is of great value in spreading a knowledge of Western medical science amongst the Chinese; and in addition to the employ- ment of certain of the licentiates in the public service, the senior students have frequently been made use of for various purposes during epidemic seasons. A Government grant-in- aid of $2,500 is made to the College, to be used as honoraria to the lecturers.

378

16

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

VIII.-CRIMINAL AND POLICE.

STATISTICS.

 The number of convictions in the Superior Courts during the last five

years

is as follows:

1. For Offences against the Person 2 For Offences against Property 3. For other Offences

...

1898. 1899. 1900. 1901. 1902.

19

...

17

***

3

998

49

18

10

272

54

54 55

12

21

12

372

 The total of all cases reported to the Police was 10,421, as against 9,172 in 1901. This shows an increase of 1361 per cent. In the division of these cases into serious and minor offences there appears an increase, as compared with 1901, of 594 cases or 17:45 per cent. in the former, and of 655 cases or 11:35 per cent. in the latter. The serious offences in which the increase was most noticeable were burglary and larceny

 The increase in crime in the Colony is no doubt largely due to the restlessness of the neighbouring districts in China, and the influx of Chinese paupers who were the victims of bad harvests and spasmodic rebellions in the two adjoining provinces.

 The Police Force is composed of 133 Europeans, 367 Indians, and 419 Chinese, and has thus increased, largely owing to the necessities of the New Territory, by nearly 300 members during the past five years. The executive staff consists of a captain superintendent, a deputy and two assistant superintendents.

 The daily average of prisoners confined in the gaol during 1902 was 576. The average may be said to have been raised by about 25 per cent. during the past ten years.

 Constant attention is given to the instruction of long-sentence prisoners (first offenders) of good conduct, who are employed at industrial labour, viz.:-Boot and shoe-making, tailoring, mat-making, carpentry, tinsmithing, net-making, mattress- making, rattan work, knitting, printing, and book-binding- the knowledge of which is useful and educational, rendering many of them much better adapted to earn an honest livelihood after their discharge from prison.

 The total number of forms printed at the Gaol during the year 1902 was 3,050,828, and 11,949 books were bound. The value of work done by the Printing and Book-binding Depart ment was $29,039.13. Deducting the cost of paper, leather, &c., used during the year, from the net earnings, the total profits on all industrial labour amounted to $29,439.91 for year 1902.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1902.

17

The Chinese inhabitants contribute by a voluntary assessment. among themselves to the pay of district watchmen, a native force which is of material assistance to the regular police. During the year 1902 over $17,000 was contributed for this purpose.

IX.-VITAL STATISTICS.

(A.) POPULATION.

The last Census was taken in January, 1901, when the popu- lation was found to be 283,975, exclusive of the Army and Navy. The estimated population at the beginning of the year unde review (the naval and military forces being similarly excluded from the estimate), was 311,824, including 18,524 non-Chinese. This is exclusive of the Nev Territory, the population of which is probably slightly under 110,000. The total population of the Colony may therefore be estimated in round figures at 421,000 of all nationalities. The total number of births regis- tered in the Colony was 1,200 and of deaths 6,783. This gives an annual birth-rate of 3·8 and a death-rate of 21.7 per 1,000. The excess of deaths over births is explained by the fact that thousands of Chinese families are represented in Hong Kong by men only, and that a large proportion of the population of the Colony is a floating population of adult males. It should also be remembered that a large proportion of births among the Chinese remains unregistered. The preponderance of male over female births is very marked among the Chinese com- munity, being in the proportion of 190 males to every 100 females. The proportion among the non-Chinese community was 111 to 100 as compared with 107 to 100 in 1901.

(B.) PUBLIC HEALTH AND SANITATION.

The Colony was again visited by plague in the Spring and Summer of 1902, though the outbreak was much less severe than in several former years. 546 Chinese are known to have died of this disease in the Colony, and 26 members of the British and Foreign community, which includes Asiatic Portu- guese. 57 cases of small-pox, of which 41 were fatal, occurred during the year, and a somewhat serious outbreak of cholera, which was responsible for 433 deaths took place synchronously with plague. It is probable that the spread of the disease was encouraged by the shortage of the water-supply in the Spring, which was the result of the deficient rainfall of 1901. There were 425 deaths from malarial fever, and 453 from beri-beri. The total number of deaths from all causes was 6,783, including 352 members of the British and Foreign community.

15374

B

379

380

18

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 There was a very marked diminution in the number of malarial fever cases reported from the New Territory. The treatment with larvicides of the breeding places of the anopheles mosquito is still being actively continued with good results.

The sanitary condition of the City still leaves much to be desired, and the overcrowding in Chinese tenement houses is excessive. New legislation will ameliorate present conditions by degrees, but it is evident that real improvement can only be gradually attained. A new consolidating and amending law relating to buildings and public health was prepared with great care under the supervision and by the advice of Mr. Osbert Chadwick, C.M.G., and Professor Simpson, M.D., who, as ex- perts in sanitation and plague respectively, were commissioned to hold investigations into the present sanitary condition of the City, and to trace the causes of the continued prevalence of bubonic plague. The new Ordinance, which embodies most of the recommendations of Messrs. Chadwick and Simpson, did not actually come into operation during 1902, though it practically passed through all its legislative stages before the end of the year.

(C.) CLIMATE.

The average monthly temperature throughout the year has been 73-4° F., as compared with 72-1° F. during 1901; the maximum monthly temperature was attained in the months of August and September when it reached 81-8° F., and the mini- mum monthly temperature was recorded in the month of February, being 59.5° F.

The highest recorded temperature during the year was 92.2° F. on July 27th, and the lowest 40.5° F. on February 4th. The returns from the Hong Kong Observatory show that the total rainfall for the year was 97.50 inches as compared with 55.78 inches in 1901, and an average of 77.83 inches during the past ten years. The wettest month was May with 26-73 inches, while there were also 26.5 inches of rain in the month of August; the driest month was February, with only 0.02 inch. The greatest amount of rain which fell on any one day was 8.06 inches on August 2nd, while no rain fell on 223 days of the year; the relative humidity of the atmosphere throughout the year was 75.6 per cent., as compared with 75 per cent. in the previous year, while during March to August it averaged continuously over 82 per cent. The average daily amount of sunshine throughout the year was 5.3 hours, and on 51 days no sunshine was recorded.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1902.

X.-POSTAL SERVICE.

381

19

The Revenue derived from all sources of the postal service amounted to $387,066.19, an increase of $42,554.61 on that of the previous year.

         The sale of stamps realised $353,949.99, or $29,886.03 more than was realised in 1901. All branches of the postal organisation shared in the general increase except exchange on Money Order transactions, the profits of which showed a decrease from slightly over $10,000 to $2,768.

It is hoped that before long a direct parcel post exchange with the United States of America will be established, effecting an appreciable reduction in the time now occupied in transit.

The Penny Letter postage was extended to the British postal agencies in China from 15th February. The agencies exist at Amoy, Canton, Foochow, Hankow, Hoihow, Liu Kung Tau (Wei-Hai-Wei), Ningpo, Shanghai and Swatow.

XI.-MILITARY FORCES AND EXPENDITURE.

(A.) REGULAR FORCES.

The following return shows the number and nature of the forces employed in the Colony during 1902 :-

15374

B 2

CORPS.

EUROPEAN.

N.C.O.'s

Officers. and Men.

Warrant

Officers.

INDIAN.

Officers.

N.C.O.'s

CHINESE.

N.C.O.'s

and Men. and Men.

TOTALS.

20

382

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

6

21

162

2 J

82

1

570

8

2

186

2

865

569

4

32

7

1

48

3

1

7

1

1

593

462

494

200

69

69

897

588

5

42

56

11

1

1590979

2

13

763

781

16

700

725

16

723

749

15

723

747

15

684

706

16

666

692

176

10

2,290

99

4,721

69

7,365

General Staff

Garrison Staff...

...

...

Royal Garrison Artillery

Royal Engineers

...

::

Hong Kong-Singapore Battalion, R.A.

Chinese S. M. M. Co., R.E.

...

...

...

...

16

12

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

30

19

...

...

...

...

Second Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers

...

...

1st Sherwood Foresters

Army Service Corps...

...

...

Royal Army Medical Corps

...

A.O.D. and Corps

...

A.P.D. and Corps

...

Ind. Sub-Med. Department

Educational Department

...

...

Hong Kong Regiment

10th Bombay Light Infantry

...

14th Bombay Infantry

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

***

:

:

33rd Burma Infantry

22nd Bombay Infantry

...

...

5th Infantry Hyderabad Contingent

Totals

:

...

...

...

:

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1902.

21

The 2nd Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers left the command on the 9th November, and were relieved by the Sherwood Foresters. The 22nd Bombay Infantry and the 5th Infantry Hyderabad Contingent left on the 9th August and 20th June, respectively, and were replaced by the 10th Bombay Light Infantry, the 14th Bombay Infantry, and the 33rd Burma Infantry.

(B.) COLONIAL CONTRIBUTION.

The Colony contributed $914,038.83 (being the statutory con- tribution of 20 per cent. of Revenue) towards the cost of the maintenance of the regular forces in the Colony, and Barrack Services.

(C.) VOLUNTEER CORPS.

The total establishment of the Corps is 400 of all ranks. The strength in 1902 was 274, made up as follows:-Staff, 6; 2 Garrison Artillery companies, 235; 1 Engineer company, 27; and a Band, 6.

The Field Battery, Machine Gun companies, and Infantry company were changed to two Garrison Artillery companies. during 1902.

The Expenditure on the Volunteers, which is entirely borne by the Colony, was $21,026.91.

383

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

From 4th January, 1902, to 8th September, 1902, during my absence on leave, Sir W. J. Gascoigne, K.C.M.G., administered the Government.

In April, 1902, Mr. W. M. Goodman was appointed Chief Justice, and towards the close of the year received the honour of Knighthood. Sir Henry Spencer Berkeley, late Chief Justice of Fiji, succeeded him in the Office of Attorney-General. Mr. J. H. Stewart-Lockhart, C.M.G., was appointed Commissioner of Wei-Hai-Wei in April, 1902, and was succeeded as Colonial Secretary by Mr. F. H. May, C.M.G.

The Coronation of His Majesty the King was celebrated in the Colony by a Special Service in the Cathedral, by general illuminations, and by the presentation of loyal addresses.

A statue of His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught- the gift of Sir Paul Chater, C.M.G.-was unveiled on 5th July, 1902, and it was announced on that occasion that the same donor and Mr. J. J. Bell-Irving, intended to present the Colony with statues of His Majesty the King and of His Royal High- ness the Prince of Wales.

384

22

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 The New Territory has continued its gradual and peaceful development; and if it were not for the occasional inroads of disorderly characters from the Chinese side of the frontier there should be but little to record in the way of robbery or outrage. The demarcation of the whole of the New Territory, with the exception of certain strips, and the Island of Lamma, was finished during the year. The construction of an excellent road from Kowloon to Taipo, a distance of about 18 miles, was practically completed. The system of Police Stations is also complete, and nearly every Station is connected with the City by telephone. The settlement of land claims has been steadily progressing, and it is hoped that the work for which the tem- porary Land Court was created will shortly be concluded. The area of the New Territory is about 370 square miles, of which the cultivated area is about 45,000 acres or 60 square miles. The estimated population is slightly over 100,000. At present the Expenditure on the New Territory, largely due to the cost of the Land Court and Public Works Extraordinary, is con- siderably in excess of the Revenue; but judging from the present rate of progress and prospects for the future, it may be expected that the Revenue will equal the Expenditure within seven or eight years.

 The local Chamber of Commerce has pronounced itself strongly in favour of the compulsory adoption of the Metric System of Weights and Measures throughout the Empire, and will welcome any change in that direction.

 In spite of the depression caused especially in Import Trade, by the fluctuations in the Silver Market and other more remote causes, the prosperity of the Colony has continued to expand during the past year. Statistics show that in spite of the heavy drain upon the resources of the Colony caused directly and indirectly by the annual recurrence of plague, the financial position of the Colony is sound and gives no cause for uneasiness for the future. At the same time it is well to remember that the assets of this Colony are practically the goodwill of its com- merce, and it is only by a continuance of its sea-borne trade- which fortunately as yet shows no signs of declining that the Colony can expect to remain in its present prosperous condition.

I have, &c.,

HENRY A. BLAKE.

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

No. 421.

HONG KONG.

REPORT FOR 1903.

(For Report for 1902, see No. 393.)

385

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of His Majesty.

July, 1904.

LONDON:

OFFICE,

PRINTED FOR HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY

BY DARLING & SON, LTD., 34-40, BACON STREET, E.

And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE & SPÓTTISWOODE, EAST HARDING STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C., and 32, ABINGDON STREET, WESTMINSTER, S.W.;

or OLIVER & BOYD, EDINBURGH;

or E. PONSONBY, 116, GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN.

[Cd 1768 26.] Price 1d.

1904.

386

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

CONTENTS.

AGRICULTURE,

I. FINANCIAL

...

IL TRADE AND

SHIPPING,

FISHERIES And Land

...

III.

LEGISLATION

...

:

IV. EDUCATION .....

...

V.

PUBLIC WORKS

...

:

...

:

...

:

:

PAGE.

3

...

INDUSTRIES,

***

...

...

:

:

:

13

:

...

...

100

...

14

:

:

VI.

Government INSTITUTIONS

...

...

15

...

16

:

:

:

VII. INSTITUTIONS NOT SUPPORTED BY GOVERNMENT

VIII.

CRIMINAL AND POLICE

IX.

VITAL STATISTICS ...

X. POSTAL SERVICES

...

:

:

17

...

...

...

...

18

XI. MILITARY FORCES AND EXPENDITURE...

:

...

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS .....

...

***

:

***

:

:

19

...

20

:

...

...

21

:

222

:

:

1887-1903

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

No. 421

HONG KONG.

(For Report for 1902, sec No. 393.)

ACTING GOVERNOR MAY to MR. LYTTELTON.

Government House,

Hong Kong,

12th May, 1904.

387

3

SIR,

  I HAVE the honour to submit for your information the following general Report on the annual Blue Book for the year

1903.

REPORT ON THE BLUE BOOK FOR 1903.

I.-FINANCES.

The revenue for the year, exclusive of Land Sales, amounted to $4,728,692.17, or $398,979.69 more than the previous year. Land Sales amounted to $510,165.71, or $61,195.51 more than in 1902. The total revenue from all sources was therefore $5,238,857.88, or $337,784.18 greater than in any previous year, and $305,562.88 more than the estimate. All the main sources of revenue show an excess over 1902, with the exception of Miscellaneous Receipts and Land Sales, and all items similarly show an excess of actual over estimated receipts, with the exception of Rent of Government Property, Miscellaneous Receipts, and the Water Account. Licences and Internal Revenue not otherwise specified show an excess of $187,836.09, while Fees of Court or Office, &c., and the Post Office yielded over $50,000 and slightly under $30,000 respectively over the estimate.

The expenditure for the year was $4,746,838.44 exclusive of Public Works Extraordinary; inclusive of that item it was $5,396,669.48, or $512,879.03 less than the total expenditure of 1902. Deducting from the actual expenditure for 1903 the total actual receipts, there was a deficit of $157 811.60 on the actual. working of the year.

75 Wt 22378 7/1904 D&S 5 18697*

A 2

1903.

Increase.

(A.) GENERAL Revenue and Expenditure.

The following is a brief abstract of Revenue and Expenditure for the years 1902 and 1903 :-

1902.

Decrease.

388

4

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

Light dues

...

...

...

...

...

...

Licences and internal revenue not otherwise specified Fees of court, &c.

66,106.52

2,600,520.55

74,960.00

8,853.48

2,849,936.09

249,415.54

...

...

296,709.19

352,719.02

56,009.83

Post Office

...

...

...

...

...

Rent of Government property

...

387,066.19

572,286.15

414,867.20

27,801.01

615,683.01

43,396.86

Interest

...

...

...

...

2,003.92

5,964.73

3,960.81

Miscellaneous

...

...

...

233,070.49

178,602.00

54,468.49

Water account

...

...

171,949.47

235,960.12

64,010.65

Land sales

...

...

:

571,361.22

510,165.71

61,195,51

Total

:

...

:

...

4,901,073.70

5,238,857.88

453,448.18

115,664.00

Deduct Decrease

...

115,664.00

Nett Increase

...

337,784.18

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1903.

TOTAL REVenue and Expenditure for the FIVE YEARS

1899-1903.

Revenue Expenditure

Surplus

...

Deficit

...

1899.

1900.

1901.

1902.

1903.

|3,610,143.254,202,587.40 4,213,893.22 | 4,901,073.70 | 5,238,857.88

| 8,162,792.36 | 3,628,447.13| 4,111,722.49 |5,909,548.51 | 5,396,669.48

447,350.89 574,140.27 102,170.73

1,008,474.81 157,811.60

389

(B.) ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.

At the end of the year 1903, the assets of the Colony amounted to $609,950.40, exclusive of arrears of revenue which with the sum just mentioned bring the total assets up to $731,218.40 The total liabilities were $672,661.86, so that the surplus of assets over liabilities amounted to $58,556.54.

(C.) PUBLIC DEBT.

There is a public debt of £341,799 15s. 1d. outstanding. The original debt was incurred in connection with the Praya Reclama- tion, the Central Market, and Water, Drainage and Sewerage Works.

Interest at 3 per cent is payable on the loan, which is being paid off by a Sinking Fund.

18697

A 3

390

6

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL 'REPORTS-ANNUAL.

II.-TRADE AND SHIPPING, INDUSTRIES, FISHERIES, AGRICULTURE AND LAND.

(A.) TRADE AND SHIPPING.

 The following table shows the principal articles of export in the year 1903 in vessels of European construction, compared with similar returns for 1902. The figures represent the tonnage :-

Articles.

1902.

1903. Increase. Decrease.

...

...

...

Lead Liquid fuel

...

Beans Bones Coal

...

...

Cotton yarn and cotton

...

Flour Hemp Kerosine (bulk) (case)

...

::

...

300

3,120 2,820

1,040,906

1,186,686 145,780

...

11,498

20,795

9,297

***

107,826

120,430

12,604

...

...

22,923

24,149 1,226

...

...

54,461

40,607

13,854

60,400

82,960 22,560

625

550

...

...

6,299

1,000

75 5,299

Opium

...

4,871

4,997

126

Pitch

...

...

1,900

1,900

Rattan

...

...

...

4,742

4,020

Rice

...

...

819,919

597,730

722 222,189

Sandalwood

...

5,374

4,713

661

Sulphur

961

961

...

Sugar

...

268,268

229,946

38,322

Tea Timber General

25

...

1,746 1,721

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

75,023 1,480,003

64,400

10,623

1,594,600 114,597

Total Transit

...

...

::

...

...

3,963,463 3,985,310 | 313,592 2,372,397 2,874,950 502,553

291,745

Grand Total

...

6,335,860 6,860,260 | 816,145

291,745

Nett

...

524,400

 The total tonnage entering and clearing during the year 1903 amounted to 24,039,862 tons, being an increase, compared with 1902, of 2,511,082 tons, and the same number in excess of any previous year.

 There were 53,991 arrivals of 12,027,092 tons, and 54,009 departures of 12,012,770 tons.

 Of British ocean-going tonnage, 3,396,314 tons entered and 3,382,121 tons cleared.

 Of British river steamers, 2,237,249 tons entered and 2,234,613 tons cleared.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1903.

391

7

Of foreign ocean-going tonnage, 3,667,871 tons entered and 3,665,880 tons cleared.

Of foreign river steamers, 217,619 tons entered and 216,744 tons cleared.

Of steam launches trading to ports outside the Colony, 93,239 tons entered and 93,239 tons cleared.

Of junks in foreign trade, 1,347,001 tons entered and 1,351,458 tons cleared.

Of junks in local trade, 1,067,799 tons entered and 1,068,715. tons cleared.

Thus :-

Per cent.

British ocean-going tonnage represented 28-20

33

Foreign ocean-going

River

River

""

وو

Steam launches in foreign trade

Junks

وو

18.60

30.51

99

1.81

0.77

11.22

""

""

Local trade

8.89

""

100.00

A comparison between the years 1902 and 1903 is given in the following table; steam luunches are not included :-

A 4

18697

COMPARATIVE SHIPPING RETURN for the YEARS, 1902 and 1903.

...

...

...

Junks in Foreign Trade

British.

...

Foreign

Total

...

Junks in Local Trade

Grand Total

...

392

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

1902.

1903.

Increase.

Decrease.

Ships.

Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage.

Ships.

Tonnage.

7,102

9,571,787

8,449

11,250,296

1,347

1,678,509

5,359

6,704,211

6,040

7,768,115

681

1,063,901

36,245

3,238,239

31,766

2,698,459

4,479 539,780

48,706

19,514,237

46,255 21,716,870

2,028

2,742,413

4,479

539,780

50,743°

1,819,329* 58,215+

2,136,514+

7,472

317,185

99,449

21,333,566 104,470 23,853,384

9,500

3,059,598

4,479

539,780

Net

...

...

...

...

5,021

2,519,818

:::

:.

:

:

***

:

...

:

• Including 17,210 Conservancy and Dust Boats of 637,052 tons. † Including 25,582 Conservancy and Dust Boats of 932,078 tons.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1903.

393

For vessels under the British flag, this table shows a total increase of 1,347 ships of 1,678,509 tons, viz., an increase of 427 ships of 762,845 tons to ocean-going, and an increase of 920 ships of 915,664 tons to river trade.

The above increase in ocean-going trade is principally due to the fact of some new lines having been established the China Commercial Steamship Company, the British India steamers now visiting the port, the addition of some new steamers to local firms, and lastly to an increase of coal imported from Australia in steamers new to the port.

9:

The increase in river trade is almost wholly due to the new steamers "Kinshan" and "Wing Chai" being in the river trade during the greater part of 1903, and to an increased number of sailings by the Hong Kong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Company, Limited.

Under foreign flags, the table shows an increase of 681 ships of 1,063,904 tons of which 328 ships of 821,216 tons are ocean- going, the remainder 353 ships measuring 242,688 tons are river steamers.

The increase in ocean-going tonnage is due principally to an increased number of steamers under the United States flag calling at the port in 1903, to the increased tonnage of some of the Pacific Mail Steamers, and to an increase under Chinese, Japanese and French flags.

The increase in river trade is due to two French steamers "San Cheung" and "Kong Nam" (the former being a new steamer and the latter having been transferred from the British flag in July, 1903), also to the Chinese steamers "Chan Wai" and "Chan On" whose running commenced in the first quarter of 1903.

The actual number of ships of European construction (exclusive of river steamers and steam launches) entering the port during 1903 was 741, of which 344 were British and 397 foreign. These 741 ships entered 4,419 times, giving a total tonnage entered of 7,064,185 tons. Thus compared with 1902, 23 more ships entered 372 more times and gave a total tonnage increased by 779,927 tons.

STEAMERS.

British Austrian Belgian

Ships.

No. of times

entered.

Total Tonnage.

Flag.

1902. 1903. 1902. 1903.

1902.

1903.

...

324

331 1,753 1,982

2,965,030

20

15

50

...

...

42

125,929

3,368,788 106,944

1

3

3,624

394

10

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

Steamers-cont.

Ships.

No. of times entered.

Total Tonnage.

Flag:

1902. 1903. 1902.| 1903.

1902.

1903.

Chinese Danish Dutch French German Italian Japanese Norwegian

...

...

123

::

***

70022

17

14 135 172

163,396

222,164

6

8

13

27

23,374

48,676

8

11

23

21

26,464

34,575

42

228

262

219,111

246,837

126

939

937

1,360,524

1,345,567

4

3

14

12

23,428

32,732

...

...

56

69

409

467

865,400

1,017,263

49

51

300

318

263,379

319,685

Portuguese

3

1

46

30

***

...

7,897

7,110

Russian

...

...

Swedish

***

United States

...

...

143

11

9

16

19

32,046

30,781

4

15

31

14,325

26,093

23

24

56

61 121,939

200,706

No flag...

1

}

2

1,260

...

Total

676 709 4,000 4,383 6,215,866 7,009,181

 During the year 1903, 14,489 vessels of European construction, of 19,018,411 tons (net register), reported having carried 9,768,405 tons of cargo, as follows:-

Import cargo

Export

""

Transit

Bunker coal shipped

...

...

Tons. 3,985,310

...

...

...

2,245,119 2,874,950

...

663,026

9,768,405

The principal features to be remarked in the reported trade of

the port for 1903 are :-

In imports reported :-

Increases in coal of

""

cotton of

...

:::

Per cent.

14.0

80.8

...

Flour of

11.6

وو

...

29

""

Case petroleum of General of...

37.3

...

7.7

...

"9

Decreases in bulk petroleum of

Liquid fuel of

...

25'4

84.1

...

Rice of

"

...

27.1

...

19

Sugar of...

Timber of

...

14.3

14.1

...

...

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1993.

The net increase under this head amounts to 21,847 tons. In exports there is an increase reported of 24,252 tons.

395

11

In transit cargo there is an increase reported of 502,553 tons. The total reported import trade of the port for 1903 amounted to 24,819 vessels of 10,959,293 tons, carrying 7,392,320 tons of cargo, of which 4,517,370 tons were discharged at Hong Kong. This does not include the number, tonnage, or cargo of junks or steam launches employed in local trade.

Similarly, the export trade from the port was represented by 24,966 vessels of 10,944,055 tons, carrying 3,034,683 tons cargo, and shipping 675,891 tons of bunker coal.

Eighty-three thousand three hundred and eighty-four (83,384) emigrants left Hong Kong for various places during the year; of these, 55,681 were carried by British ships and 27,703 by foreign ships; 140,551 were reported as having been brought to Hong Kong from places to which they had emigrated, and of these, 107,166 were brought in British ships and 33,385 by foreign ships.

The total revenue collected by the Harbour Department during the year was $285,288.42, being an increase of $18,522.43 on the previous year :-

1. Light dues

74,960.00

2. Licences and Internal Revenue 55,475.50

3. Fees of Court and Office

Total

(B.) INDUSTRIES.

...

154,852.92

285,288.42

The conditions of the sugar industry in the Colony during 1903 were much more favourable than in the previous year, when a serious collapse in prices was experienced all over the world, rendering profitable working impossible. In contrast to the wide range of prices during 1902, fluctuations were much more moderate, and with values at a low level the consumption of sugar showed a considerable advance, especially in the China market. This steadiness in prices may be attributed to the passing in the spring of 1902 of the Brussels Sugar Convention, under which Enropean sugar bounties were abolished, and which came into operation on the 1st September, 1903. The markets in Europe, however, were still overstocked as the result of enormous over- production in previous years, so that the full effect of the abolition of bounties has not been felt. When such stocks have been worked off the sugar trade generally will be relieved of a factor which has hitherto accentuated its necessarily speculative nature, and there is no reason why the local refineries should not share in the benefits likely to result.

396

12

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

 The cotton spinning industry during the first half of 1903 was carried on under not unsatisfactory conditions although the recurrence of plague, by its indirect effect on the labour supply, interfered with production for several months. From June onwards prices fluctuated violently owing to speculative opera- tions, and at the end of the year had reached a figure which made profitable spinning impossible, prices for yarns not having responded to the advance in the prices of the raw material. The outlook for the industry at the end of 1903 was far from promis- ing, and is not likely to improve until cotton be obtainable at a more reasonable figure. If the valleys of the New Territory could be utilised for cotton plantations, whereby the raw material could be procured locally at permanent prices or at least at prices which could be approximately foretold, the industry would un- doubtedly receive a much-needed impetus.

 In other respects the outlook for industrial enterprise in Hong Kong continues on the whole to be promising.

(C.) FISHERIES.

 A considerable proportion of the boat-population of Hong Kong supports itself by deep-sea fishing, in which pursuit a large number of junks are engaged. The villages of Aberdeen, Stanley, Shaukiwan and many others in the New Territory are largely dependent upon this industy for their prosperity. Fresh- water fish is largely imported from Canton and the West River.

(D.) FORESTRY, BOTANICAL SCIENCE AND AGRICULTURE.

Afforestation of the island and the New Territory has proceeded normally, the year being a favourable one as regards absence of typhoons and diminution of fires and forestry offences. The Colonial Herbarium was enriched during the year by several small but interesting collections from different parts of China, and was visited by botanists from Europe, America and Japan. The efforts of the Government to improve the cultiva- tion of sugar-cane in the New Territory have been continued by the distribution of better varieties of cane among the farmers. The kinds introduced have grown well at the experimental estate. at Castle Peake, and give a better percentage of sugar than any hitherto cultivated in this part of China.

 The hilly character of the island and the comparative absence of fertilising soil have prevented agriculture from becoming an active industry in Hong Kong. The area of cultivated land in the island is only a little over 400 acres. The old dependency of British Kowloon, which is chiefly composed of level ground, contains almost the same amount of cultivated land. This, how- ever, tends to diminish as buildings extend. The only part of the Colony where agricultural industries can be expected to thrive

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1903.

13

397

is the New Territory, including the large islands of Lantao and Lamma. Valleys intersected by extensive ranges of barren hills are utilised to the utmost extent for plantations of rice and other crops. The area of cultivated land in the New Territory (including the islands) may be roughly estimated at 90,000 acres, but much of this contains exceedingly poor soil and consists of minute holdings belonging to the poorest class of peasants.

(E.) Land Grants and GENERAL VALUE OF LAND.

The amount received from sales of Crown land was over $510,000, which was considerably over the average amount received from such sales, though $60,000 less than the receipts for the previous year.

The survey of the New Territories has been completed and valuable maps of each sub-district are now in the possession of the Government.

Building land in the urban portion of the Colony and in the Peake District is limited in extent and steadily increasing in value. The natural consequence is that house-rents, especially on the higher levels, have advanced to an extent probably un- known in other British Colonies.

III.-LEGISLATION.

Twenty-four Ordinances were passed by the Legislature during 1903, of which 10 were measures for the amendment or repeal of previous enactments. The most important measures of the year were the Public Health and Buildings Amendment and Consolidation Ordinance (No. 1 of 1903) and the Waterworks Ordinance (No. 16 of 1903). The latter repeals the Waterworks Consolidation Ordinance of 1902, which was referred to in the Blue Book Report for that year, and makes fresh provisions for economising the water-supply. The former was undoubtedly the most important measure which has been enacted for many years. It is hoped that the ultimate benefits which it may be expected to confer upon_the_health and well-being of the Colony will be far-reaching. Further reference to this measure will be found under the heading of Vital Statistics (B). As in other parts of the Empire, an Ordinance was passed to declare a perpetual holiday on the anniversary of the birth of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria.

398

14

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

IV.-EDUCATION.

 The educational system of the Colony is still undergoing revision, and the results which may be expected from the changes cannot yet be judged with exactness. The demand among the Chinese for instruction in the English language continues to increase, and every effort is made to meet that demand and to render the methods of instruction as thorough as possible. All the Anglo-Chinese schools have their full complement of pupils, and Queen's College, the principal school in the Colony, is unfortunately obliged, through lack of accommodation, to refuse admittance to many applicants. A Sub-Committee of the Governing Body of that institution was appointed during the year to draw up a course of study for the Chinese classes in the College. The same course has been adopted in the Anglo- Chinese District Schools, and in most of the Anglo-Chinese and Vernacular Grant Schools.

 One of the most important changes recommended by the Committee on Education which sat in 1902 was the substitution of a new Code for the then existing Grant-in-aid Code. The new Code was drafted early in the year under review and has met with general approval. It was decided not to bring it into universal operation till January 1st, 1904, but schools were per- mitted, if they so desired, to adopt it from the 1st July, 1903, About one-half of them elected to do so. The following are some of the points of difference which distinguish the new from the old Code:-

(a.) The Grants are paid upon the results of the Inspector's observation throughout the year, and not upon the success or otherwise of individual scholars at an annual examination.

(b.) The Code recognizes that schools employing a well educated staff are worthy of special treat- ment by giving a higher rate of Grant, paid in sterling, to such schools. The staff must, in order to meet the requirements of the Code in this respect, be partly composed of Europeans, or natives of every unusual qualifications.

(c.) The old Code gave Grants to schools giving a Chinese education on the time-honoured Chinese lines, as well as to schools in which Portuguese or German was the medium of instruction. The present Code recognizes only modern Western methods of imparting instruction, and insists that either English or Chinese must be the medium of instruction; other languages may of course be studied as class subjects.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1903.

15

The Kowloon School for European British subjects has now been open for nearly two years. The attendance during 1903 averaged 46-4, as compared with 39-3 in 1902, an increase of 18 per cent.

The District Schools were entirely re-organised at the beginning of the year. Special attention has been paid to the improvement. of the Chinese Masters in their methods, especially in the method of teaching English.

Of the Anglo-Chinese Schools, three at least the Roman Catholic Cathedral School, the Ellis Kadoorie School, and the St. Stephen's Anglo-Chinese School-have given evidence of a desire to attach greater importance than heretofore to the study of spoken English. The last-named is an encouraging example of a well conducted school under Chinese Masters only.

The Vernacular Schools have on the whole greatly improved in the last two years. This improvement is most apparent in the schools which elected to come under the new Code at once, thus freeing themselves from a hard-and-fast line of study.

399

V.-PUBLIC WORKS.

The principal public works in progress during the year were the new Law Courts, new Harbour Office, and extension of the Tytam Reservoir, the Kowloon Waterworks, the provision of temporary pumping plant for water-supply purposes at Tytam Tuk and preliminary works there to ascertain the most favourable position for a large dam, the reconstruction of street gullies, large extensions of the cattle depôts, and the training of nullahs for the improvement of the sanitary condition of some of the residential districts. A substantial start was made with the superstructure of the Law Courts and Harbour Office before the close of the year, and the extension of the Tytam Reservoir was nearly com- pleted. The foundations of the main dam for the Kowloon Waterworks, which is to be 90 feet in height above the level of the ground, were ready to receive concrete; a large covered service reservoir to contain two million gallons was well advanced; and the preparation of a site for the filter-beds and the cutting of a tunnel for the main from the reservoir were in progress. In consequence of the inadequacy of the water supply to meet the growing demands of the City of Victoria, and pending the con- struction of permanent works in the Tytam Tuk Valley for augmenting the supply, a temporary pumping engine capable of raising half a million gallons daily was erected there and the necessary main laid to the Tytam tunnel. A small dam to impound the ordinary flow of the stream during dry weather was also constructed. Trial works were in progress throughout the

400

16

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS- -ANNUAL.

year in Tytam Tuk Inlet for the purpose of determining a suitable site for the construction of a dam to impound over 1,000 million gallons, but had not been concluded at the end of the year. The reconstruction of the street gullies throughout the City was undertaken principally on sanitary grounds, one object being to confine sewage to the sewers and exclude it from the storm-water drains. In consequence of the large exports of cattle from Hong Kong to the Philippines considerable extensions of the depôts had to be undertaken. The accommodation is being increased to provide for 1,241 head of cattle instead of 480. Some extensive operations in the way of training the mountain streams were carried out, largely with a view to ridding residential areas of the anopheles mosquito.

 The total amount expended on Public Works Extraordinary exclusive of the Praya Reclamation was $629,831, and on works annually recurrent $529,551.

VI.-GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.

(A.) HOSPITALS.

 Government Hospitals consist of the Civil Hospital, to which is attached an isolated Maternity Hospital, the Victoria Hospital for Women and Children, Kennedy Town Infectious Diseases Hospital, and the hulk "Hygeia," which is also used for the

treatment of infectious diseases.

 The Civil Hospital contains 150 beds in 20 wards. 2,794 in-patients and 11,911 out-patients were treated during the year 1903. 346 cases of malarial fever were admitted as against 349 in 1902 and 787 in 1901. The Maternity Hospital contains 6 beds for Europeans and 4 for Asiatics. 62 confinements occurred during the year, without any death. The Victoria Hospital was opened towards the end of the year by Sir Henry Blake. It is situated on the higher levels and is therefore better adapted for the treatment of children than the Civil Hospital. It contains 41 beds. Kennedy Town Hospital contains 26 beds in the main building. In 1903, 400 cases were treated, of which 301 were cases of plague, 61 of small-pox, and 2 of cholera.

(B.) LUNATIC ASYLUM.

 The asylum is under the direction of the Superintendent of the Civil Hospital. European and Chinese patients are separated,. the European portion containing 8 beds in separate wards and the Chinese portion 16 beds. 155 patients of all races were: treated during 1903, and there were 12 deaths.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1903.

(C.) THE TUNG WA HOSPITAL.

This hospital is mainly supported by the voluntary subscrip- tions of Chinese, but receives an annual grant of $6,000 from the Government. Á new wing was opened by Sir Henry Blake in 1903. Only Chinese are treated in this institution, which takes the place of a poor-house and hospital for Chinese sick and destitute. Chinese as well as European methods of treatment are employed in accordance with the wishes expressed by the patients or their friends. The hospital is managed by a Committee of Chinese gentlemen annually elected, their appoint- ment being submitted to the Governor for confirmation.

OTHER GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.

The prison, observatory, post office, educational establishments and other Government institutions are dealt with under separate heads.

401

VII.-INSTITUTIONS NOT SUPPORTED BY

GOVERNMENT.

Among institutions recognised and encouraged but not to any considerable extent supported by Government may be mentioned the Pó Leung Kuk, the College of Medicine for Chinese, and the City Hall. The Pó Leung Kuk is an institution presided over by the Registrar-General and an annually-elected Com- mittee of 12 Chinese gentlemen, for the protection of women and children. The inmates of the Home receive daily instruction in elementary subjects and are allowed to earn pocket-money by needle-work. During 1903 a total of 826 persons were admitted, of whom 632 were women, 134 young girls, and 60 small boys. Of these, 360 were restored to their parents or sent to charitable institutions in China, 24 were sent to missionary schools and convents; 22 were married, 15 adopted, and 409 allowed to leave. The Home is medically attended by one of the Colonial Surgeons.

The Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese was founded in 1887, for the purpose of teaching surgery, medicine, and obstetrics to Chinese. The government of the college is vested in the Court, of which the Rector of the College, who has always been a Government official, is President. Seventy-eight students have been enrolled up to the end of 1903, and of these 19 have become qualified licentiates and have obtained various posts under Government and elsewhere. The institution is of great value in spreading a knowledge of Western medical science among the Chinese; and in addition to the employment of certain

18697

B

402

18

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

of the licentiates in the public service the senior students have frequently been made use of for various purposes during epidemics. A Government grant-in-aid of $2,500 is made to the college, to be used as honoraria to the lecturers.

The City Hall receives an annual grant of $1,200 from Government. It contains a reference library and a museum..

VIII.-CRIMINAL AND POLICE.

 The total of all cases reported to the Police was 11,251, as against 10,421 in 1902, being an increase of 830 or 7.96 per cent. In the division of these cases into serious and minor offences there appears an increase, as compared with 1902, of 863 cases or 21.58 per cent. in the former and a decrease of 33 cases or 51 per

cent. in the latter. The increases in crime was principally in respect of larceny. The Police Force is composed of a Captain Superintendent, a Deputy and two Assistant Superinten- dents, and three contingents of Europeans, Indians and Chinese. The European contingent consists of 133 men, the Chinese of 421 and the Indian of 367, making a grand total of 921 besides the superior officers already named and a staff of clerks and coolies. Of this force, one Assistant Superintendent (who also acts as Police Magistrate) and 14 Europeans, 96 Indians and 43 Chinese were stationed in the New Territory during the greater part of the year. After September the number of Indians was reduced to 80.

The number of prisoners admitted to Victoria Gaol under the sentences of the ordinary Courts was 7,144, besides 74 soldiers and sailors sentenced by Courts Martial. The daily average number of prisoners confined in the gaol was 653, the largest number on record. In 1902 the number was 576, and in 1901 it was 499. As a means of relieving the congested state of the gaol pending the erection of a convict prison the Belilios Reformatory was fitted up as a temporary prison, and short- sentence prisoners are now located in that building. The re- munerative labour carried on in the gaol consists of printing and book-binding, carpentry, boot-making, knitting, painting and whitewashing, mat-making, oakum-picking, &c. The value of the earnings during the year amounted to $31,489.

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1903.

IX.-VITAL STATISTICS.

(A.) POPULATION.

403

19

The last Census was taken in January, 1901, when the popula- tion was found to be 283,975 exclusive of the Army and Navy. The estimated population at the beginning of the year under review (the naval and military forces being similarly excluded from the estimate) was 317,130, including 10,080 non-Chinese. This is exclusive of the New Territory, the population of which is probably slightly under 110,000. The military forces account. for about 8,500 in addition. No reliable estimate can be given of the naval population, as it naturally varies within very wide. limits. The total population of the Colony may therefore be estimated in round figures at 445,000 of all nationalities. The total number of births registered in the Colony was 1,034, and of deaths 6,185. This gives an annual birth-rate of 3.17 and a death-rate of 18.9 per 1,000 as compared with 3.8 and 21.7 in 1902. The excess of deaths over births is explained by the fact that thousands of Chinese families are represented in Kong Kong by men only, there being a very large floating population of adult males. It should also be remembered that a large pro- portion of births among the Chinese remains unregistered, though steps are being taken to remedy this irregularity as far as possible.

(B.) PUBLIC HEALTH AND SANITATION.

Reference has already been made, under the heading of Legislation, to the very important Public Health and Buildings Ordinance passed early in the year under review. It is still too early to look for many immediate benefits arising from this measure, as many of its sections apply to houses to be hereafter erected, and others, such as the resumption of insanitary areas,. the provision of open spaces in crowded districts, and the im- provement of the internal construction of Chinese houses, are works which must necessarily be enforced gradually. It is gratifying to note that a large section of the Chinese is begin- ning to appreciate the advantages of improved sanitation and healthy surroundings, and shows an increasing willingness to co- operate with the sanitary authorities in cleansing and disinfect- ing operations. Much credit for this tendency is due to the results of the successful experiment initiated and carried out by Sir Henry Blake in the course of the summer, whereby the in- habitants of a typical district in the poorer part of the city were induced, by the exercise of tact and sympathy and judicious instruction, but without the pressure of official authority, to work. out their own sanitary salvation. The system of establishing free bath-houses and washing-tanks for the people of this district. provel remarkably successful and is being largely extended. In spite of the strenuous efforts of the medical and sanitary staffs to prevent a recurrence of plague, the number of deaths from this

18397

B 2

404

20

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

cause in 1903 was over the average. There were 1,415 cases of plague reported during the year, as compared with 572 in 1902. Of the total cases, 1,251 resulted in death. As usual, the greatest number of cases occurred in May and June. Sixty cases of small-pox were notified, 10 of cholera, 44 of enteric fever, and 397 of beri-beri.

The gradual improvement of the sanitation of the Colony is shown by the fact that, in spite of the long death-roll from plague, the death-rate from all causes among both non-Chinese and Chinese shows a diminution. This is partly and indirectly due to the steady decline in the mortality from malarial fever, against which a crusade is being maintained in this Colony with conspicuous success.

(C.) CLIMATE.

The average monthly temperature throughout the year was 71.5° F., as compared with 73.4° F. in 1902 and 71-3° F. during the ten preceding years. The maximum monthly temperature was attained in June, when it reached 82·0° F.; and the minimum monthly temperature was recorded in January, when it was 58.3° F. The highest recorded temperature during the year was 92-4° F. on July 31st, and the lowest 41.9° F. on February 3rd.

The returns from the Hong Kong Observatory show that the total rainfall for the year was 93.65 inches, as compared with an average of 77.86 inches during the past ten years. The wettest month was June with 25·23 inches the driest December with only 0.03 inch. The greatest amount of rain which fell on any one day was 8.50 inches on the 28th June, while no rain fell on 230 days of the year. The relative humidity of the atmosphere throughout the year was 77 per cent., as compared with an average of 78 per cent. during the past 10 years. The average daily amount of sunshine was 4-7 hours, being 42 per cent. of the possible duration.

X.-POSTAL SERVICE.

 The revenue derived from all sources of the postal service amounted to $414,867.20, an increase of $27,801.01 on that of the previous year. The sale of stamps realised $373,877.73, or $19,927.74 more than was realised in 1902. All other branches of the service shewed an increase over the returns for the previous pear.

Negotiations were entered into for the establishment of parcel- post services between this Colony and the United States of America and the Philippine Islands, and between this Colony and the Netherlands East Indies.

 The transmission of letters to Europe via the Siberian route at the same rates of postage as for transmission viú Suez came into operation on the 13th October.

XI.-MILITARY FORCES AND EXPENDITURE.

(A.) REGULAR FORCES.

The following return shows the number and composition of the forces employed in the Colony during 1903 :-

General Staff

Garrison Staff...

CORPS.

...

EUROPEANS.

INDIANS.

CHINESE.

TOTALS.

Warrant

Officers.

N.C.O.'s Officers. and Men.

N.C.O.'s

N.C.O.'s

Officers.

and Men. and Men.

...

5

...

...

...

...

...

...

20

...

...

16

...

13

Royal Garrison Artillery

Hong Kong-Singapore Battalion, R.G.A........

Royal Engineers

...

Chinese S. M. M. Co., R.E. 1st Sherwood Foresters

Army Service Corps

...

Royal Army Medical Corps A.O. Department and Corps A.P. Department and Corps

...

...

Indian Sub-Medical Department Educational Department

Army Chaplain's Department 110th Mahratta L. I. ... 93rd Burma Infantry 114th Mahrattas

...

...

...

...

...

Totals

My

...

...

...

31

3

...

8

7

...

3

...

...

...

...

1

...

1

...

11

...

9

...

:

::

:

12

140

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1903.

5

12

2212 1

1

534

556

10

480

514

172

189

70

70

744

777

7

12

42

51

51

60

7

11

8

8

1

2

1

15

703

729

17

731

757

16

724

752

15

1,576

56

2.638

70

4,495

21

405

406

22

Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.

(B.) COLONIAL CONTRIBUTION.

The Colony contributed $961,408.50 (being the statutory contribution of 20 per cent. of revenue) towards the cost of the maintenance of the regular forces in the Colony and Barrack Services.

(C.) VOLUNTEER CORPS.

 The total establishment of the Corps is 400 of all ranks. The stength in 1903 was 239, made up as follows :-Staff, 7 ; two Garrison Artillery Companies, 203; one Engineer Company,. 26; and a Band, 3.

 The expenditure on the Volunteers, which is entirely borne by the Colony, was $37,965.58.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

 Sir Henry Blake, K.C.M.G., left the Colony for Ceylon on the 21st November, and I administered the Government from that date until the end of the year. Major-General Sir William Gascoigne, K.C.M.G., who has commanded the troops for the: last five years and who on two occasions (1900 and 1902) ad- ministered the Government of the Colony, relinquished his com- mand in September, and was succeeded by Major-General Villiers Hatton, C.B.

 The figures already given at the beginning of this Report are evidence of the continued prosperity of this port. The fluctua- tions of the silver market and the partial commercial depression arising from the prospect of political disturbances in the Far East have with other causes contributed to prevent the past year from being marked by special buoyancy of trade or steadi- ness in the stock market; but there is nothing to indicate that the trade interests and the wealth of this Colony have ceased to expand. But if the port is to preserve its predominant position as a great emporium for shipping, there are many problems which demand early consideration and timely action, such as the increase of the accommodation in the harbour for ocean-going steamers, the provision of more space for the housing of an ever increasing population, and the further development of the trade of the West River and its tributaries by the opening of new ports. Over-shadowing all these questions, however, is the pressing necessity for the speedy construction of the railway between Hong Kong and Canton, for which a concession was

1887-1903

HONG KONG, 1903.

23

granted to a British syndicate some years ago by the Chinese Government. The development of railway enterprise in other parts of China has, in the opinion of the Government and the entire commercial community, rendered it of paramount im- portance to the prosperity of Hong Kong that this Colony should be connected by railway with the capital of the Kwangtung Province, which is to be connected by a trunk line. with the Yangtse Valley.

I have, &c.,

F. H. MAY,

Officer Administering the Government.

407


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