16th Feb.
'Tux first' subject under Watch Matters in the Municipal Report for 1890 is the Census taken on the 24th of June last, the remarkable results of which have hardly been sufficiently appreciated. As to the foreign population, it showed that the net increase in the number of adult foreign residents m five years was only 4, the decrease in adult females being 32, which is accounted for by the falling-off in the number of Japanese women, of whom there were 288 here in 1885, and only 154 in 1890. We suppose that the census must be correct, but as to the stationariness of the adult foreign population we can only add that the "Who's Who" pages in our Hong List Wave grown from 30} pages of males and 125 of females in 1885, to 364 of males and 16} of females in 1890. Wo have already referred to the discrepancy between the increase in the Chinese population, and the decrease in the number of houses they occupy. It is also to be noticed that the 148 extra foreigners—of whom 144 were children—occupied 66 more houses. It would be well if some explanation of these figures were given at the forthcoming meeting, It is satisfactory to see from the correspondence as to lighting, that the Gas Company continues to reduce the cost of its illuminant, and we would recommend to the Council that the thrifty residents. on the Bubbling Well Road should be allowed to pay for any extension of lighting in that direction. he Licences we have already dealt with, and the next subject is the Police. The information, returns, &e., given as to this important branch of the Council's duties are very full and complete. What cannot but strike an outsider is the remarkable absence of serious crime in the settlements, the total value of property reported stolen during the year and nut recovered being under $15,000, This says volumes for the efficiency of the force, which comprised on 31st December last a total of 379 men, of whom 50 were foreigners, not including one sergeant actin, as store-keeper. The difficulty which oceurred- with some of the foreign constables in June last is mentioned, and the complaint of the men is apparently still under the consideration of the Council; and ratepayers will no doubt notice the remark that "the pay offered is not sufficient to induce good men to leave the British Forces to come out here." he Council ought soon to come to sume arrangement with the British govermmeut for the acquisition of the British gaol. The average number of prisoners confined in 1890 in the municipal cells, which can only be called gaols by courtesy, was 119}; and, as Captain McBueu points out, imprisonment under the custody of the deterrent to crime until a proper prison is obtained:
Under - the heading of "Garbage Yard, Soochow Creek" is some corresdence between Mr. Browett, the taotai, and the Council of great pul importance. The foreshore of a certain Jot on the creek is used by the Council Taotai objects that rubbish from this as a posit for garbage. First the foreshore falls into and deteriorates the creek, and then Mr. Browett announces that as owner of the land he intends to resume possession of the foreshore, and has obtained a title to it from the "Taotai. The matter appears to have been settled by Mr. Browett's accepting the Council's representation that the foreshore in question was surrendered to public use by Article VI of the Land Regulations. Passing next over the page devoted to Markets, we come to the Health Officer's report. We all know that 1890 was a disastrous year, marked by the largest number of deaths from cholera in any year since 1874. There were 32 deaths of foreigners from cholera in 1890 against an average of 11.4 fur the previous 15 years. The death-rate per 1,000 from all causes in 1890 was 23.9, the average for the previous 20 years being 23:75; but these figures are only approximate, the population being only estimated, except in the census years, and all depending on the accuracy; of the enumeration. Dr. Henderson adds some useful remarks on precautions against cholera, and talks of the "comparative immunity which foreigners enjoy year after year when cholera prevails among the natives." This immunity was absent last year, however, if the number of native deaths from cholera is correctly given. 'I'here were 6 er 1,000 deaths from cholera among foreigners last year, and less than 4 per 1,000 among natives. The correspoudence as to the proposed Pasteur Institute and Asylum for Lunatics is very interesting. 'I'he latter question is also dealt with in the Report of the Shanghai road. General Hospital, from which it may be inferred that the establishment of jis much-needed incident of civilisation coming nearer.
The Local Postmaster's Report is a somewhat terse one, and it will be noted that the general work of the office has gone on satisfactorily; but we can hardly imagine that there. were-no complaints during the year, although none are noticed in the report. It is mentioned that all the mails sent by the Shanghai, except the Chinkiang bag, were burnt on her last voyage, and something might have been added as to how the mails are carried on these steamers. The Office dealt altogether with 858,879 separate packages, and made a profit of over 2,500 taels, of which Tls. 1,176 was a windfall from the sale of old stamps. Now thatthe British Post Office has reduced its rates to the same level approximately as those charged by the other offices here, why should not the Municipal Council approach the foreign governments with offer to undertake the-whole postal business of Shanghai? It seems "lane order," but it is perfectly practicable. It would be a great convenience to all foreigners, and an economy to foreign governments. 'I'here can be little question now of the stability and reliability of the Council's Post Office. he only thing which could abolish the Local Post Office now would be the relinquishment of extraterritoriality, and the assumption by the Chinese of the control of the foreign settlements, and in that case the foreign post-offices would be necessarily withdrawn, and the whole would go into Chinese hands. This change, too, if it ever comes, will be more easily effected if all the postal business is centred in one office. We hope that the incoming Council will take this matter up seriously, and we do not imagine fora moment that the British goverment will put any difficulties in the way.
TI
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.