THE CHINESE IN CALIFORNIA.

New Zealander, Volume 6, Issue 481, 23 November 1850, Page 2

THE CHINESE IN CALIFORNIA.

Much has been »aid of the value of the Chinese emigration to this country, and of the excellent diposition manifested by those of the celestials who hate come amongst us. We are glad to learn that the emigration is on the increase— the more 10, that nearly all who hate armed, as well as thoie on the way, arc from Fokien or Shang-hai,— -a more industrious, honest and sober race than those from the vicinity ot Cauton. j These lait have never felt the power of the red-haired barbarians, and have, comequently, never learned to respect them. Although tbe Mandarins ransomed Canton for three millions, the people have been taught to believe the English were driven away by Mandarin valor and strategy. Their arrogance is of course proportionate. An erroneous impression prevails that the Chinese are all alike— completely stereotyped, and wedded to old customs. " That luch is not the fact," says an intelligent ob. server of Chinese character, " a man need not travel over many parts of the country to find out. At Canton the attire of the males i« showy, and often selected with a reference to the contrast of colors, while the wearer is obviously thinking of the effect his outward appearance is likely to make upon the beholders. At Ning-po, instances of this kind are very rare. The garments of the wealthy are sometimes rich in their texture, but never fanciful in cither their *hape or color The gait ot such persous is simple and unaffected ; their demeanor without ostentation or conceit. At Ningpo, females who have a regard for their reputatons never visit the theatre. At Canton they have the front boxes always reserved for them. At Suchan, the seat of eveiything eleigant and refined, ladies are seen at the theatre without subjecting themselves to the reflections' of the critical and censorious. At Amoy and Tuchau-fu, females, old and young, decorate their heads with the most gaudy flowers ou all occasions. At Ning-po and Chusan, the young only wear head ornaments, and then only on occasions of festivity. The elderly ladies at Canton dispense with their ornaments altogether. At Canton the guests observe the ceremony of pledging and re-pledging at table; in the midland this rite seems to be unknown. Any guest when he wishes to drink, takes up his cup, and reque tl all the rest to follow hit example ;— -and to as to almoit every habitAt to the stereotype character of the Chinese one has but to cast his^eye jover their ancient prints and diagrams, to perceivejtherehas been an entire revolution in their costume. The ancient official dres» was fantastic, elaborate and disproportioned : the modern is simple and becoming. At present if there be anything pecu« liarly denoting a great man among them, apart from his retinue, it is his unpretending demeanor,--very different from ancient times, when a measured pace, and an air of self-importance were deemed the first requisites in the carriage a man of rank." And so instances might be multiplied. Although most of those among us still retain the curious costume of their country, there are some who have even already adopted tbe garb of .the Americans and in process of time, the change will be more extensive. Tliey are a most valuable class of citikens, and are seemingly much attached to the country of their adoption. We hope they may not be persecuted with ill-advise and premature attempts to make proielytes of them.

Statement showing the total amount of receipts and expenditure! on account of the city of San Francisco, from its organization to May 3l«t, 1850, and the and the objects to which they were applied, accom* an estimate of the probable amount required to defray the expenses of the city for the fiscal year, ending on the 31it day of May, 1851. Streets and landings, general improvement, #9752 06 Pacific street wharf, labor & material!, 29,189 13 Market do do do do 9,354 15 California do do do 18,832 U Hospital, current cxpeuies, 66,973 66 Cemetery, do do 12,554 25 City prison do do 12 58185 Fit c department, purchase of engine, &c. 19,925 25 Police, current expenses, 61<,252 55 Real estate commission on sales, &c. 17,994 78 Courts, purchase of Graham house, & improvements 187,974 67 Printing, public printing, 12,086 60 Salaries of public officers, 18 823 32 Contingent expences, elections, &c. &c. 41,976 17 Surveying 1 , surreys ordered by the city, 22,922 64 Commissions for collecting licenses, &c. 3,663 00 Rents of public offices, 9,290 00 Tieasurer'a office, contingent expenses of, 316,97 Alcalde's do do do C7B 80 Comptroller's do do do 613 84 Smveyor's do do do 191 69 Common Council, do do I,OSI 50 Total, .;..... (>49 ( 85y 32

~ Real estate, payments on act purchase, 389 ( 196 92 Licenses (o merchauts, &c. &c, 55,270 18 Public Salei, 69 42 California ilreet wharf, vvharfoge col» lectod, BG9 fil PJiee, 79 00 Balance 204,374 19 619.859 32

Estimate shewing the probable amount required to ! meet the cuneut expenses of the City of San Francisco, for the fiscal year, ending May 31st, 1851, and the revenue to be derived from city property. ' Amount of the indebtedness of the city, May 31st, 1850, /5204,374 19 Pacific st. wharf, to complete existing contracts, 30,968 82 California st. do do do 91.9-S7 Market it. do do do 77,232 23 Streets and Landings, improvement of, 150,009 Police, current expenies 180,630 Prison, do do 12,100 Engineering & Surveying of Streets 18,000 : City Hospital and Cemetery current expenses, 200,000 Fire Department and Reservoirs do 75,009 City Printing, public documents, 45,000 Courts, salaries of Judges, 22,500 Do contingent expenses, 1,000 Mayor's office, do do 2,000 Complroller's office, do do 2,000 Treaiurer's office, do do 1,000 Surveyor's office, do do 1,000 City Marshall's office, do do 1,000 Recorder s office, do do 1,000 StreetComroissicner's office, do 500 Board of Aldermen, current do 1,000 Assistant do do do 1,000 Salaries of Public Officers, do 175,000 Total #1,291292 24 I Recorder 1 ! Court Fines, #10,000 I Superior do do 15,000 I City Hall, , 150,003 Amount Taxes Real and Personal Estate, 250,000 Do Licenses, 75,000 Do Instalments on wa* ter Loti, 224,306 75 Do Rentals, 33,000 Do City Property as per assessment, 887,000 Do do do not assessed, 500,000 Do Piers belonging to the City, 400,000 2,534,306 75 ' #1,240,014 51 In the above estimate of our expenditures we contemplate tome useful improvements, which when coin* pleted, will greatly enhance the value of city property, protect commerce, and in course of time yield to the Treasury a large amount of revenue. Respectfully submitted. Bknj. L. Beruy, Comptroller, Comptroller's Office, San Francisco, Augmt 26, ISSO.