370
THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.
ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. enquiry. Of Rice, the sales were one cargo and the conduct of him who sanctions such to infuse the spirit of popular representationt cannot be too strongly re-into the sinallest and least important of British of interior quality, at 81 60. Another cargo transactions,
those who colonial possessions, is well known to all ac drug, Malwa was chiefly in brought from 81 80 to 82 per picul. In the probated. At a time
cannot build quainted with colonial affairs, sales purchased allotments being considerable at no, though there have pure, or lack of a road or access; population is too small to afford sufficiere the
(To the Editor of the Friend of China.)
Victoria, 24th May, 1844- Nir,--A low months ago the port regulations were very plearly defined, and attended to, by every voals in the harbour mooting so alter her, afrival. Pray are you avent if those regulations have now became dead letters ? I am led to ask this, as autongst others, a very fine American brug has, with every puff of wind, amused hergeli by ploughing. up the mud, and describing (I have no doubt) very proy nigonometrical figmes over the bottom of the harbour." In plain words, constantly driving with every breeze
For the makety of the quietly disposed, those roving gen.) teneu ought to be accstrely memed, under the superinland.
enes of our respected bayisir master, or his sary oxcellent there are plenty to be purchased, as our wharves are abad.
stat; and if their ground tackle is not forthcoming, lutely, «brisding with aplandid anchors, and a suffieisney of phagus adapted to then easily to be obtained. Tan, Mr Editor, Your very studrý
OBSERVER.
F. 9.--Ticklish weathe theas to the without proper ground
tackle --Typhoata in prepojivo.
NOTICE.
Now
The Friend of China is regularly filed in London
by Mr. P. L. Simmonds, Agent for the Colonial papers, British and Foreign Newspaper and ad pointing to Cardill (opposite the Royal Exchange), who will receive any commu nications, order x and advertisements.
was some dissatisfaction among the natives at the introduction of opium into the city itself, disturbance had taken place, nor wore any anticipated.
110
Merchant Vessels at China, 14th May, 1841/ Folkstone, Saije, Zax, and Trinidad.
for elective representatives of the people, the at a time when there is scarcely a street, a sewer, or a drain upon the Island, when the Governor is instructed to nominate seven er with him in coun- servicos of du Engineer or Surveyor are so much more of the inhabitants to sit required, we find the parbos holding such cil, of these the majority must be non-official offices, busily occupied in designing building members. Had Sir Henry Pottinger acted plans for any man who chooses to employ them. upon these instructions, how much shame and We are possessed of some curious facts con- bumiliation would now have been spared him, nected with the land-office, which are sin and in what a different position would this gularly illustrative of the low paltry jobbing colony now have been placed. He may have which was permitted under the late Govern, been ignoraut of his duty in this particular, ment. Our units will not admit of our but surely among the many autollites who sur entering into detail of this affair at present, rounded him, some one might have been found we may again very soon return to it, and sufficiently magnanimous to point out the in rather astonish those, who, honest and honour propriety of his measures. Such, however, ablo themselves, believe all mon to be the appears not to have been the case; they greed. dy picked up much morsels of the public pro- mume,
perty au in his moments of good honour the Autocrat was pleased to throw in their way. they pocketted the salaries attached to the of ions which they nominally held, bun offering advice to him who for a time had raised them from obscurity to station, it would
Tak to
were ho a practical surveyorit will be admitted nos of Trade, I have been toomed nothing short of ligh
of lus extraors
treason.
We are told by one who carmot lie that no man can serve two masters. Of the truth of this the sceptic has convincing evidence in the person of the Surveyor-General of the Colony of Hongkong; he finds he cannot serve the Private Architect (himself,) and also, the Gov- ernment who have been pleased to place him in an honourable and responsible position. Which of these services receives this gentleman's care and and attention?--Let the disgraceful state of our streets and roads testify, Mr. Gordon, a Ox taking a dispassionate view of the career Portins sending advertisements, are requested so
write on the face of them, how often, or how our volaiton of Sir Henry Pottinger, has now of our late Governor, since signing the treaty long they with them inserted, in all indances a have alim, ad which period he may office, drawing a large salary from the Colonial bo said to have changed the character of the won-subscribers, will pay in advance.
o has had a considerable catab Warrior and Plampotentiary into that of the advertisements, will be received, until 4 O'Clock, | Exchequer, he
lishment of assistants, and every opportunity Civil Governor and on the evenings previous to publication, riz
afforded him Tuesdays on Fridays.
himself, or did he keep his assistants upon dinary acts are to be accounted for by that We lately published the copy of a despatch Government work, of having the town and its perversity of disposition, or fatuity of mind, from Lord Stanley to the Governor of Nouth vicinity laid out in streets and roads, with which impelled him forward in his legislative Australin, instructing him to form a legislative complete professional plans and maps drawn career, without calling to his council parties council there, and stating the parties of whom up for the use of those who may feel desirous capable to advise with him as to the demands it was to be composed. In pointer of of building, the information of Her Majesty's of the colony. With courage which, in a betcial importance, South Australia is not of one Government, and in evidence of his own qualtfor cause, might have been designated heroic, tenth the value to Great Britain that Hongkong fication to retain a situation, which he only is Excellency plunged boldly forward, like a is, nor doce her community offer one tenth of obtamed through the interest of a distinguished second Agis, bearing the colony upon his the material from which a selection of eligible relative, whose talents had raised him to shoulders. Without one member of his gov councillors could be chosen; still a legislative eminisce. We ask those who have been so crnment in whose knowledge he could place council has been formed there, of which wo long on the Island as to be able to answer the the slightest faith; without one individual whom are still deprived. For the especial benefit of question,what evidence is there afforded us he would entrust to write even the most simple. Sir Henry Pottinger, and the clique of imbe- of there being a gentleman in the Colony who document, hanself, as he confessed on his first ciles with which he surrounded himself, we holds the office of Surveyor, General 1 in arrival in China, perfectly ignorant of all that print Governor Grey's speech on opening the what state wore the streets and roads when he relates to commerce-witch all these disadvan | council, the members of which are His Excel first placed foot on the Island Could not tages he boldly took upon himself the onerous lency the Governor, the Colonial Secretary, any qualified Surveyor who gives his sole atten- duty of passing legislative enactments for a the Advocate General, and the Registrar Gon tion to his duties as a Surveyor de all--aye,mercantile colony, the trade of which, directoral, on behalf of Government, with Messrs and more, in six months, than Mr. Gordon has and indirect, is somewhere about ten millions T. 8. O'Halloran, T. Williams, J. Morphett, done in eighteen, although he has for a great per annum. Who can be astonished if the and G. T. Dashwood, as independant repres portion of that time had the benefit of the affairs of the colony are plunged into almost sentatives of the Colony. services of an assistant, at a salary of £500 inextricable, confusion, and that ordinances have a-year 1 We venture to assert, that oven now, been passed that are only not amusing because after all the time and money which has been they are highly injurious to the interest of the spent to effect it, there is not a plan nor a map citizens? We would submit to the Chie which could bear being tested by a genuino Justice and the Attorney General, upon their professional Surveyor. The lines of the Queen's arrival, the propriety of immediately reading Road, the only street which as yet approaches over the memorable acts passed a the appearance of one, have been altored three Hongkong in 1844. If they can reconcile then or four times---and now we see one house with the common or statute law of England thrown half-a-dozen feet back of the present they will possess a degree of acuteness only to line-another, half-a-dozen feet in advance of be surpassed by him from whom they oman it. The impression conveyed to the mind of amted. Menge us have been laidongkong is that Never, we submit, was there a British colony the town has never out at all, every
such a state of affairs.
THE FRIEND OF CHINA, AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.
VICTORIA, SATURDAY, MAY 9örä 1844,
Yesterday was the twenty fourth anniversary of her Majesty's birth day, she being now twenty five years of age. The ships of war in the harbour were gaily decorated with flags, from the dying b-boom to the truck, and from the truck to the spanker-boom. The British merchant vessels all showed the nation- al colours: which were likewise displayed in several quarters of the town-the American cusign also being hoisted at the consulate flag stai. At 12 o'clock salutes were fired Gon the Agincourt and Castur. In the afternoon the troops were under arms; on the arrival of His Excellency, the Governor on the ground, they fired the usual fiu de jois, the artillery also saluting.
As loyal subjects, we trust Queen Victoria will see many happy returns of the auspicious day, abiko blessed in all the ties of Wife, Mother, and Queen.
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* GENTLEMEN --I have for some timo past been anxiously anticipating the arrival of that penod when the Legislative Council would be unread by the addition of tion official members, whoss knowledge of local details, and acquaintance with the requirements of the different classes of the community, might facilitate the deliberations of the Council, and strengthen my confidenes in the line of polley I pursued. It is, therefore, with no ordinary degree of satisfaction that I welcome you to your seats at this board on so auspicious a day, It must be to us a subject of congratulation, that other piversary of the Queen's necession. should witness new benelis conferred by her Majesty's fostering caro on this remote portion of that love for their Sovereign and sutive land, which her dominions i thus giving ronewod energy to the first founders of a new empire feel glowing more warmly from the distance that intervangs and the years that have elapsed since they quitted the homes of their childhood,
* Well aequifatod as Lan with all of you, it is. hardly necessity for me to assure you, that, you may rely upon receiving the must eleual assist
tion to the gracious assurances contained to the despatch which I have laid on the table, that though the form of Council now instituted has, for the present, appeared to her Majesty's Government they concur in the view taken in the report of the best suited to the wants and condition of the colony, Committee of the House of Cormous, that it may be expedient at
an early period to grant to the inhabitants of this colony a certain degree of can- trol over its revenue and expenditure, by the in- sign of the element of popular representation into the local Legislature.
Iman building whore he pleases, without restric- Hongkong, upon the rod as in Mr. Davis Denise one of the dark wet nights of the tion or plan. Certainly the scattered and Not even in New South Wales, when the in presont week, the Godowns of a highly re-irregular way in which houses were built habitants were compelled to send Governor spectable firm were broken into, and three would lead to such a conclusion. Even after flyth home in irons. Paople were deprived cases of goods abstracted. The thieves cut month's residence, were we asked, where of their lands by the mere fint of a despotic through a stone and brick wall nearly four feet is the town of Victoria, we would have some power which had been foolishly entrusted to deck. The boxes were deliberately broken difficulty in answering the question. Judging His Excellency for temporary purposes--com- open and the contents carried off in bags. As from appearances, we would say Victoria niered was laid under arbitrary restrictions, all smilar cases, the thin which may lead to the proper extends from the site of Gibb, Living such as no where else are imposed the ship
stone & Co.'s intended godowns to Landsay & iping, which it has ever been the jealous care auct from me in the performance of your duties, The strict watch kept by the police, ashore Co.'s---from thence to the Barracks there is of our country to foster and protect, was sa
and the most hearty co operation in your efforta an alleat, may make the landing of any large half-a-mile of tabooed ground, intended for crificed, through ignorance, we admit, but still for the advancement of the public welfare. body of men after dark almost impossible, but what, no man can tell, but at prestat only it was sucrificed--ordinance followed ordi. fuel great pleasure in directing your atten until there is a complete registration of all the graced with a mat shed, made to serve for a nance, each more voluminous, impracticable, Chinese mhabitants, and security given for good place of worship, and a coal depot. Passing and contradictory than its predecessors; true behaviour, we will never be protected from the Barracks we have another small town, but no attempts were made to carry many of them midnight burglaries.
as distinct from the first as Dublin from Kings-into effect, as if satisfied with the bauble which It is a question worth the serious considera- ton--from thence to East-point, the houses are had agused to-day, they were thrown aside ation of government, whether this registration planted at the rate of three por statute mile. to-morrow, and some new toy taken into favor ought not to be gone about at once, and a re- So much for the town; Roads, Drams, Sewers,men were placed at the heads of depart sident Magistrate, with a small body of police, and Bridges remain in pretty much the same ments which they were notoriously incompe- appointed to each native town or village in the state as they were when we first were honored tent to manage, who, in their intercourse with colony. The principal is recognised so far by with the services of a Surveyor-General, who the public, behaved in the most discourteous the appointment of Mr. Hiller to Chup chew, appears to have a must conservative hatred of manner. No colony was ever in a similar state but it may be advisable to extend it to Seywan
change.
of confusion, and in no colony was there ever and other parts of the island.
Mr. Gordon, so far, has given no evidence the same feeling of dislike entertained towards of bis being a Surveyor, although he is in the a governor by the governed. The treatment annual receipt of £1000 for holding the no- the heads of departments received from their minal appointment—his assistant who does Chief they quietly submitted to, and as near as Our correspondent writes of date 14th May dabble a title in the matter, with a degree of in them lay they copied the original for the The Driver had then arrived from hence, but accuracy, we know not, has also lus private benefit of their subordinates These things grievous complaints were made at the few pureon in the shape of architectural business, have now happily passed away; but it will katters received by her. It appears the irrege which, of course, requires some proportion of take a time before the very efficient atall sent gularities of the Post-office are felt severely his time; an
another assistant whose appointment from England to supplant them, succeed in there, and made the subject of apimadversion we cannot correctly designate, but who weeding out the abusos which now exist, and It is questioumble, however, if all the blame is receives $100 per month of Government pay, inform themselves of the true state of affairs to be attached to the Postmaster; on Her, is chiefly employed in drawing private archi in Hongkong. Majesty's vessels departing for any port, it is tectural designs for the two Surveyors, What not usual in this place to give sufficient intina will the Secretary for the Colonies think of tinger may well regret his not leaving China The Tracks and admirers of Sir Henry Pot tion, which has caused much inconvenience in these doings in Hongkong? They surely will immediately on the termination of the war several instanICOS,
not suit the honourable feelings of the hour to Then he would have retired with the reputa the title and estates of Deiby, Neither his tion of an sole diplomatist, and at some fiture Lordship nor his colleagues in office has ever date, m fudin, which is his proper field, a luera- made their official appointment subservient to live appointment would have private purposes, nor will they permit it in services of the successful soldier this or any other British Colony,
It is impossible that he can for governor of a free color
CHUSAN.
The French frigate Alonene, arrived on the 19th. After making a short stay at Chusan, she will visit Ningpo and Shanghai.
The Arun, from Singapore, was reported outside by the steamer, but she had not got
to port on the 14th.
It is not from any pleasure derived from We regret to hear that some seizures of pouting out abuses, that we now allude to thes opium had been made at Slangbai, although imiquitous partiality shown by Sir Henry Pot of small amount, still sufficient to cause much tinger to his relation at the end of the land excitement. The drug was seized in the city office. Not contented itself, not at Woosung.
his past services will forever unfit him for such an appointment; but for nego Amruta, where unbending obationey viving him onerand requjato, no man is botter qualified. Thorn uppours a appointment, the duties of which it is very Sir Henry Pottinger degros of folly in endangering the legitimate quonionable whether ha la comp to the We are bound to admit that His Exce trade of the port by conveying opium within the
of the city, when it can with
The disposed of at Woonit, a low
way, which is perfoufly
Chinese authornios are ju and talk of popping therapy:
The s
At Shanghai there
76, duty paid, Woollen
* privalo first
undor great dim
The period at which this change is likely to be introduced into the constitution of this colony apeares to bo mainly dependent upon the advancos made in wealth and populations and also upon the internal resoureus of the colony being shown to be fully adequate to provide for its own expen ditero. But I conceive that it will also, in a great deren, depend upon the mole in which the moth bers of this Council may dianbarge their functions, ge may affort, that, even at no early in period in and upon the proofs that their wote and proced the history of this colony, it number
habitante gentlemen, who, summated
of promoting the general welfare, will willing! and who, having brought with them from their devate a portion of their time to public aflaus
alive and requirements cultivated foru Various kinds of knowledge, which can outy ba rained in u mighly-educated atute of society, are prepared to exact thess in the service of abelt adopted home.
You are aware that, by the introduction of the system of the publication of the estimates of the revenue and expenditure, I have already madatb finblio ut large neguainted with the mi
Luo linuantel arinig einents of tko but it is my riterijön stil mare larice their knowletrezal the Govorvment by sanctioning the agil
WILDESH
1