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344 Stirling, had no such immediate effect upon the trade of Hongkong, but laid the basis of an important though slowly developing branch of commerce. So also the trade with the Philippine Islands, materially furthered by the opening (June 11, 1855) of the ports of Saul, Iloilo, and Zamboanga (on the island of Mindanao), waited only for the establishment of regular steam communication to benefit Hongkong more extensively by an annually increasing demand for British manufactures. Chinese emigration continued to develop from year to year. An emigration officer was appointed by Sir John (May, 1854) with good effect. The first ship-load of emigrants to Jamaica was reported (November, 1854) to have arrived safely at Kingston. The efflux of emigrants to California and Australia (especially to Melbourne) continued to increase. As many as 14,683 Chinese emigrants were shipped from Hongkong in the year 1855, and 13,856 in 1858. The prohibition placed at one time (September 1, 1854) on the coolie trade to the Chincha Islands, when that trade was believed to result in the most aggravated form of slavery, was withdrawn again (February 3, 1855) as measures had meanwhile been taken for the better treatment and regular supervision of Chinese labourers on those Islands. About the same time new regulations concerning the diet and provisions of Chinese passengers in emigrant ships were made (March 7, 1855). Hongkong continued to be the port from which all South-China emigrants, able to pay their passage, preferred to embark for foreign countries. The existence at one time (March, 1857) of closed coolie barracoons in Hongkong was a shocking discovery, and was immediately put down. Sir John thought the Chinese Passenger Ordinance too stringent as regards Chinese emigrants paying their own passage, though for the emigration of hired labourers under contract he considered the Act much needed. The disturbed condition of affairs within and without the Colony did not interfere much with the trade of the Colony. The junk trade, indeed, fell off suddenly in 1857, during the pause in the hostilities when the Canton River was virtually closed to Hongkong junks, and decreased by