of the taxes known as 'Verghis.' Municipal councils exist in the principal towns, elected practically by all resident householders and ratepayers. Those eligible to the council must be voters rated upon property of the annual value of from 107. to 201., according to population.

Area 3,584 square miles. Population, 1901 :-121,066 males, 115,956 females; total, 237,022, exclusive of the military; per square mile, 66.13. Mohammedans numbered 51,309; Greek Church, 182,739; others, 2,974. The birth-rate was computed in 1890 at 33 4 per 1,000, and the death-rate at 24 per 1,000.

The principal towns (1901) are Nicosia (the capital and seat of government), 14,752; Larnaca, 7,964; Limasol, 8,298 (two chief ports); Famagusta (with Varoshia), 3, 825; Papho (including Ktima), 3, 134; Kyrenia, 1,336 in 1901. The island is divided into six administrative districts called respectively by the names of these six towns.

Excepting a gymnasium and 4 high schools' for Greek-Christians, and an Idadi or high school' for Moslems, the schools of the island are of an elementary character. There is a Government inspector, and the Government contributes 4,4837. per annum to education. In 1902 there were 267 elementary Greek-Christian schools aided by the Government, with 16,197 scholars; and 113 Moslem schools, with 4,617 scholars, 3 Armenian schools, and 2 Maronite. Also 37 Christian and 39 Moslem schools maintained by endowments or by local contributions, without Government aid. Total number of elementary schools, 456 (152 Moslem and 304 Christian). Total enrolment 22,631 : 5,457 Moslems and 17,174 Christians. There are 8 weekly newspapers in Greek.

The law courts (reformed in 1883) consist of (1) a supreme court of civil and criminal appeal; (2) six assize courts, having unlimited criminal jurisdiction; (3) six district courts, having limited criminal jurisdiction and unlimited civil jurisdiction; (4) six magisterial courts with summary jurisdiction; (5) ten village judges' courts. In all, except supreme court, native (Christian and Mohammedan) judges take part. In the year 1898-99 the number of offences was 4,584; in 1899-1900, 5,831; serious crime, however, is decreasing; in 1895-96 there were 55 murders or attempts to murder; in 1899-1900, 14. The number of persons committed to prison in 1898-99 was 3,984; in 18991900, 3,982. The police force when at full strength consists of about 700 men. The revenue and expenditure for five years, ended March 31, were :—

Revenue is derived chiefly from tithes (in kind) on the principal products of the island, taxes on immovable property and trade profits, military exemp tion tax, sheep, goat, and pig tax, customs duties, excise, stamps, and court fees, and a salt monopoly. Customs revenue 1898-99, 28,9437.; 1899-1900, 30,5717.; 1900-01, 31,6097.; 1901-02, 32,9227.; 1902-03, 26,2857.

In 1898 there was no public debt, but in 1899 an advance of 314,000l. by the British Government for harbour, railways, and irrigation was authorised. A sum of 92,8007. is payable annually to the Sublime Porte under the convention of 1878. Annual grant from imperial funds to revenue, 1898-99, 33,0007.; 1899-1900, 13,000Z.; 1900-1901, 32,0007.; 1901-02, 16,000%. ; 1902-03, 30,0007.

Cyprus is essentially agricultural. Chief products: wheat, 885,436 bushels in 1902; barley, 1,354,641 bushels; olives, cotton. Grapes are produced in large quantities, but the amount cannot be stated. Other products are carobs, fruit, linseed, silk, cheese, wool, hides. In 1898 there were 62, 174 horses, mules, and asses, 47,242 cattle. In 1903, 261,204 sheep, and 252,706 goats. One-third of cultivable land under cultivation. Irrigation works have been constructed from the loan of 60,000l. granted by the Imperial Parliament. Gypsum, terra umbra and marble are found in abundance; mining for copper has commenced. Sponge fishery yields sponges valued at between 20,000l. and 30,000l. per annum, but the coasts are not fished by natives of the island.

The commerce, exclusive of specie, and the shipping for five calendar years were :

The import value is that at the port of arrival, and includes cost, freight. and other charges; the export value is that at the port of shipment when the goods are ready for exportation. Quantities and values are ascertained from declarations by importers and exporters, verified in the case of dutiable imports by actual weighing and measuring. countries of origin and of destination of goods are also obtained from declarations checked by invoices or bills of lading when necessary.

The

The import duties are in general specific with provision for 10 per cent. ad valorem duty on articles not minutely specified, but in some cases (e.g. arms and ainmunition) the duty is 25 per cent. ad valorem. The specific duties on cotton yarns and thread range from 4s. 4d to 7s. 7d. per cwt.; on cotton manufactures from 5s. 3d. to 10s. 8d. per cwt., while for unspecified cotton yarns and manufactures the duty is 10 per cent. ad valorem. On woollen yarns and thread the specific duty is 26s. 8d. per cwt.; on woollen, linen and silk manufactures there is an ad valorem duty of 10 per cent. Similarly for iron work specified the rates are from 13s. 6d. to 21 s. 94d. per ton, and for unspecified, 10 per cent. ad valorem. There are specific duties on alcoholic liquors, tobacco, and also on cocoa, coffee, tea, sugar, rice (17s. per ton), butter. cheese, bacon, while on other provislons the duty is 10 per cent. ad valorem. Fresh meat and fishi, grain and flour are not named in the tariff list.

Imports from United Kingdom, inclusive of specie, in 1898, 86,7057.; in 1899, 82,4117.; in 1900, 83,0407.; in 1901, 154,655l.; in 1902, 61,2657. Exports to United Kingdom, in 1898, 97,0547; in 1899, 55,6327.; in 1900 78,9097.; in 1901, 122,6297.; in 1902, 85,8451.

Chief exports-Wheat, barley, carobs, wine, cotton, raisins, silk cocoons, hides and skins, wool, cheese, vetches, animals, fruit and vegetables. The principal imports are-Cotton and woollen manufactures, tobacco, groceries, rices, iron, leather, petroleum, timber, sugar, soap, and copper manufactures.

According to the Board of Trade Returns the imports into the United Kingdom from Cyprus, and the exports of home produce from the United Kingdom to Cyprus in five years were to the following amount :—

The chief imports from Cyprus in 1902 were locust beans, 117,3201.; barley, 1,2507. (10,8757. in 1901). The chief British exports to Cyprus in 1902 were cottons, 18,0547.; cotton yarn, 13,3997. ; iron and copper wrought and unwrought, 3,7347.

In 1902, 1,445 vessels of 344,849 tons entered, and 1,386 of 340,881 tons cleared at the six ports. The vessels were mostly French, British, Turkish, Austrian (mail), or Greek.

The

Coins current-English, gold; Cyprus silver; Cyprus copper piastres, half piastre and quarter piastre pieces (9 piastres = one shilling). Imperial Ottoman Bank has establishments in the island. Turkish weights and measures current.

In 1903 there were 740 miles of good carriage road, 240 miles of telegraph lines; cable connects with Alexandria and Syria. Total number of letters (including postcards, newspapers, and book-packets) delivered in Cyprus, 1902-03 local, 465,063; received from abroad, 340,190; posted for foreign countries, 190,360.

Books of Reference concerning Cyprus.

Annual Report of H.M.'s High Commissioner.

Statistical Abstract for the Colonial and other Possessions of the United Kingdom. Annual. London.

Cobham (C. D.), An Attempt at a Bibliography of Cyprus. 4th ed. Nikosia, 1900.
Fyler (Colonel), Development of Cyprus, and Rambles in the Island. London, 1899.
Hackett (J.), History of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus. London, 1901.
Hutchinson (Sir J. T.) and Cobham (C. D.), A Handbook of Cyprus. London, 1903.
Lang (R. H.), Cyprus, its History, Resources, and Future Prospects. 8. London, 1878.
Macmillan's Guides: The Eastern Mediterranean. London, 1901.

Mallock (W. H.), In an Enchanted Island. 8. London, 1889.

Mariti (G.), Travels in Cyprus. [Translated from the Italian.] Nicosia, 1896

Palma di Cesnola (Luigi), Cyprus: its Ancient Cities, &c. 8. London, 1877.

Robinson (Phil), Cyprus: its Physical, Commercial, Economical, and Social Aspects. 8 London, 1878.

Stevenson (Mrs. Scott), Our Home in Cyprus. 3rd ed. 8. London, 1880.
Vizetelli (E.), From Cyprus to Zanzibar by the Egyptian Delta. London, 1900.

HONG KONG.

Constitution and Government.

THE Crown colony of Hong Kong, formerly an integral part of China, was ceded to Great Britain in January 1841; the cession was confirmed by the treaty of Nanking, in August 1842; and the charter bears date April 5, 1843. Hong Kong is the great centre for British commerce with China and Japan, and a military and naval station of first-class importance.

The administration of the colony is in the hands of a Governor, aided by an Executive Council, composed of the Colonial Secretary, the General Officer Commanding the Troops, the Attorney-General, the Treasurer, the Harbour Master, and the Director of Public Works, (special appointment), and two unofficial members. There is also a Legislative Council, presided over by the Governor, and composed of the General Officer Commanding the Troops, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General, the Treasurer, the Director of Public Works, the Harbour Master, the Captain-Superintendent of Police (the last two being special appointments), and six unofficial members-viz. four nominated

by the Crown (two of whom are Chinese), one nominated by the Chamber of Commerce, and one by the Justices of the Peace.

Governor of Hong Kong.-Sir Matthew Nathan, R. E., K. C.M.G.; formerly Governor of the Gold Coast. Appointed Governor of Hong Kong, 1903. The Governor has a salary of 5,000l. sterling per annum.

Area and Population.

Hong Kong is situated off the south-eastern coast of China, at the mouth of the Canton River, about 40 miles east of Macao, and 90 miles south of Canton. The whole of Hong Kong island forms an irregular and broken ridge, stretching nearly east and west about 11 miles, its breadth from 2 to 5 miles, and its area rather more than 29 square miles, that is a third larger than Guernsey. It is separated from the mainland of China by a narrow strait, known as the Lyeemoon Pass, which does not exceed half a mile in width. The opposite peninsula of Kowloon, forming part of the mainland of China, was ceded to Great Britain by treaty in 1861, and now forms part of Hong Kong. The city of Victoria extends for upwards of four miles along the southern shore of the beautiful harbour. In view of requirements for the defence of Hong Kong a convention was signed at Pekin on June 9, 1898, leasing to Great Britain for 99 years from July 1, a portion of Chinese territory including the port of Kowloon, and land further inland, mainly agricultural, together with the waters of Mirs Bay and Deep Bay and the island of Lan-tao. The British occupation of the new territory began in April, 1899. Its area is 376 square miles, with 100,000 inhabitants, exclusively Chinese. A survey of the territory is being executed and rolls of crown rents compiled; roads (about 18 miles) and bridges are being constructed; a police force of 172 men (27 European and 105 Indian) has been established; and the administration of justice has been organised (708 criminal accusations in 1901). The local revenue chiefly from land tax, drink and other licenses) in 1901 amounted to 53, 890 dollars, and the expenditure to 354,260 dollars (including 174,141 on public works and 101,884 on police).

The population of Hong Kong, excluding the military and naval establish ments, was as follows at the census, taken in 1901 :

The population of the naval and military establishments was 5,597 and 7,640, respectively, in 1901. Of the coloured population in 1901, 1,453 were Indians, and 233,263 Chinese, largely Cantonese; about one-third of the Chinese are British subjects by birth. Of the resident white population, exclusive of the military, police, naval establishment, &c., almost one-half are Portuguese by origin, and only one-third English. Next follow natives of Germany, the United States, Spain, France, Italy, and Norway, the remainder being divided among about sixteen nationalities. A considerable proportion of the Indian population are included in the military and police.

INSTRUCTION-JUSTICE AND CRIME

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

1898

1899

1900

1901

1902

Year

127

There is a constant flow of emigration and immigration from and to China passing through Hong Kong. In 1898 the number of Chinese emigrants was 60,432, and of immigrants 105, 441 respectively; in 1899, 61,075 and 110,448; in 1900, 83,643 and 121,322; in 1901, 69,774 and 129,030; in 1902, 71,711 and 129,812.

Instruction.

The Government schools of the Colony include Queen's College, with an average attendance of 990 scholars, mostly Chinese; the Kowloon school, exclusively for children of both sexes of European British parentage, with an average attendance of 44; the Belilios girls' school, a mixed school with an average attendance of 90; and three Anglo-Chinese District schools and a Normal school, with an average attendance of 223. All the above schools have staffs wholly or partly composed of English teachers. There are also 6 Vernacular Boys' sehools and 1 Vernacular Girls' school, with a total average attendance of 274.

Besides, there are schools (mainly managed by representatives of various religious societies) which receive grants from Government and are subject to Government inspection. The average attendance in these schools was 3,020

in 1902.

The total expenditure on the above schools in 1902 was 92,355 dollars, and the total number of scholars in average attendance was 4,641. This expenditure is equivalent to 2·13 per cent. of the total revenue of the Colony (excluding land sales) as against 1‍73 per cent. for 1901, and 1·90 per cent. for 1900.

There is also a police school with about 313 scholars. There are 115 schools with about 3,027 scholars, which receive no aid from Government. There is a College of Medicine for Chinese which does good work without Government support.

Justice and Crime.

There is a supreme court, a police magistrate's court, and a marine magistrate's court. There were 1,720 civil cases before the supreme court in 1902, of which 686 were settled or withdrawn before trial. The number of criminal convictions before the supreme court in 1899 was 77; 1900, 73; 1901, 82; 1902, 74; before the police magistrate's court; 1899, 10,158; 1900, 14,081; 1901, 14,225. The daily average number of prisoners, including naval and military prisoners, confined in the gaol was 576 in 1902 as compared with 499 in 1901, 486 in 1900 and 434 in 1899. On December 31, 1902, there were 215 convicts in gaol; 1901, 180; 1900, 141; 1899, 96. In 1902, 2,729 persons were admitted to gaol for offences not of a criminal nature, chiefly for offences under the opium and gambling ordinances. There is a police force in the colony numbering 919 men, of whom 133 are British, 367 Sikhs, and 419 Chinese.