706
WEIHAIWEI
naval base of His Majesty's China Squadron, and the Admiralty propose to build a naval hospital on the island. The harbour is well lighted by two lighthouses at the eastern and western entrances. The climate of Weihaiwei is exceptionally good, and the winter, though cold, is dry and bracing. A European school has been established, to which boys from other treaty ports, Hongkong, &c., are now sent. A land and building society, formed in Shanghai, has already erected several commodious European bungalows. There is a large hotel on the mainland capable of accommodating over one hundred people. Both on the mainland and on the island good roads have been made round the coast by the local government for the convenience of foreigners, and there are recreation and parade grounds upkept by the Admiralty and War Office in both places. In addition to the leased territory there is a zone of influence over which Great Britain holds certain rights. It comprises that portion of the province of Shantung lying East of the meridian 12.40 extending over an area of 1,500 square miles.
The native city of Weihaiwei (which lies on the mainland opposite the island of Liu Kung) is a walled town of about 2,000 inhabitants. By the provisions of the Wei- haiwei Convention of 1898 this town still remains under the jurisdiction of the Chinese authorities. The town is a poor one, and the greater portion of the enclosed area not built on, but cultivated for vegetables. The market or fair held in the town three times a month is the largest in the Settlement. A Chinese sub-district deputy magistrate resides in the town of Weihaiwei.
No customs duties of any kind are collected at Weihaiwei. By agreement, the Chinese Government is permitted to make use of the Bay of Weihaiwei for its fleet, so far as is compatible with British interests. Weihaiwei was originally strongly fortified by the Chinese. Twelve large forts in all were planned and erected for the Chinese Government by Mr. von Hanneken. Eight of these forts and all the guns were completely destroyed in the China-Japan war of 1895.
The revenue collected during the year 1905 amounted to $105,934 while the expen- diture amounted to $146,000. The deficit each year has been met by a grant-in-aid from Imperial funds. In the first year this grant amounted to £11,250, and in the second year to £12,000, but in succeeding years it has been reduced by £3,000 a year, and Wei-hai-wai might next year find itself in no need of a grant from Imperial funds.
PORT EDWARD
GOVERNMENT
DIRECTORY
Commissioner--His Honour J. H.
Stewart Lockhart, C.M.G.
Secretary to Government and Magis-
trate-R. Walter
District Officer-R. F. Johnston
Financial Assistant-H. B. Ching
Cadet-E. Carpmael,
Med. Officers-Dr. Hickin, Dr. Muat
NAVAL ESTABLISHMENT Executive Officer - Commander E.
Yorke, R.N.
Chief Engineer-in-charge-A. E. C.
Deacon, R.N.
Fleet Surgeon-Jonathan Shand, R.N. Assistant Paymr.-in-charge-W. F. E.
O'Byrne, R.N.
Asst. Naval Store Officer-E. C. Sands Assistant Victualling Store Officer-in-
charge-G. C. L. Grant Gunner-W. Martin, R.N.
Writer to Commdr.-T. W. Tuggey,R.N. Dockyard Writer-W. S. Brumage Dockyard Storehouseman-E. Blower Island Guard - Lieut. J. W. Seigne,
R.M.L.I. (in charge)
Victualling Storehouseman
Shearer
W. S.
Victualling Writer-J. W. Steele
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Inspectors--A. Whittaker, F. Forcey,
F. Crudge
POSTAL AGENCY In charge D. Clark
CALDBECK, MACGREGOR & Co., Wine and
Spirit Merchants
Lavers and Clark, agents.
CLARK & Co., D., General Merchants and Naval and Military Contractors: Tel. Ad. Cleirach
D. Clark
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