688
CONTRACT FOR PROVISION &e.
Commissariat Office, "Hongkong, 27th January 1846, Nwill be received at this Office, until Monday OTICE is hereby given, that Sealed Tenders
the 4th February, from such persons as may be willing to contract to supply the undermentioned articles, in such quantities and at such place as may be required, for the use of the Troops and Hospitals in the laland of Hongkong, for twelve months, commencing the 1st April, 1845, and nding the 31st March, 1846;-Viz:
Bread, Fresh Beef,
Sugar, 1st quality,
Vegetables, Leeches,
Flour,
Fruit,
Milk,
Sugar, 2nd
do.
Sago,
Tea,
Salt,
Fresh Mutton,
Wood,
Garlic,
Dil
Onions.
Salt Fish, Eggs,
Cotton Wick, Candtes,
Fowls
Rice Straw for bedding,
W, MILLER.
THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.
itself that a union is all but hopeless. We fear that at present, the harmony of sweet sounds must be confined to the precincts of the diaw- ing room or the saloon; but though we despair pleased, should aur fears or doubts, prove of any public musical assembly, we will be
groundless.
AMOY.
POST OFFICE ABUSES.
sum thus drawn from the pockets of the com munity will cover nearly, if not, quite all the ex pences of the establishment, leaving the amount'' of postages available for other purposes, and as a reward for their financial knowingness, their own letters were, and are delivered free, and that too, when the overland mail arrives, though on these occasions, the persons who the runners,
pay for
must send their own servants
for their letters No reasonable man will We hear that Mr. Alcock, British Consul object to any of the little concessions which it is at that port; has obtained permission to build a customary to pay to official dignity-we have suitable Consular residence, and it is believed, seen a Negro pilot strut the quarter deck. speak- that this permission will be extended to the othering trumpet in hand with all the dignity of a post- foreign residents. Mr. Alcock has also arrang Captain and in his official capacity he was treat- ed the relative values of specie, or coined ed with respect-but in a colony like Hongkong, money--and bullion, heretofore there has been where their is of necessity, such a deep anxiety much difficulty in settling for duties to the for an early delivery of mercantile letters, we mutual satisfaction of the payer and receiver.really think if any preference is shown, it should It is rumoured that Mr, Alcock, will proceed be to those who in addition to supporting the shortly to Foo-chow-foo, and relieve Mr. Lay, post office, have thousands pending on advices the latter Gentleman, assuming the duties of contained in letters, which are probably thrust Consul at Amoy.
aside until the letters for officials-perchance containing tailors bills or similar interesting do. Further particulars, including the form and con-
cuments--are sorted and delivered. The charges, ditions of the contract required to be entered into, may be known on application at this Office, and We have for some time had it in contempla. for the ostensible purpose of delivering letters, security equal to the amount of two month's ex-tion to notice some of the abuses of this departare fur mercantile houses & 2 (Ss 8d) per month, penditure will be required for its due performance. ment of the public service, for however te merchantile inen (a rather curious distinction by luctant we are at all times to animadvert in the way) 1 (48 4d), private individual 50 cent Deputy Comm--Gen's
terms of censure upon the conduct of officials, (2s. 2d) or respectively £6, 4s. £2, 12 and £1, 6 it is a duty from which a public Journalist may per annum; or according to our calculations a not shrink, if he would retain his character for gross amount of post office revenue from this of about £ 500, the expenses of the equeeze, mpartiality, and vigilance in guarding the pu- blic interests, from the enroachments of govern-runners certainly not being over £50.
We have thus briefly pointed out two ment, or of government servants. The subject which we now take in hand, is unfortunately glaring abuses in the post office; and when we return to the subject, we think there are one prolific of matter for editorial censure it is one which deeply interests the entire popula- others not less objectionable, which demand the notice of the press. The post office depart- tion-and if in the present article we only notice one or two prominent blotches on the ment is one of great importance, for although leper's body, it is not that others equally dis. but a very small portion of the trade of China agreeable are entirely hid from the observers is transacted in this Colony, nearly all the cor- eye, or that it is his intention to permit their respondence, with India or Europe, arrives and existence without at least an attempt at purifiis despatched from the port. Punctuality, and despatch, are therefore of the first importance, and so long as they are observed, few or none will complain of charges, legal or illegal, but lacking them, the spirit which controls this department, exhibits itself more prominently, and the conviction is that a paltry revenue of a few hundred pounds, is more value than the en- tire commercial interests of China, in the eyes of these, who framed the post office regulations.
· METEOROLOGAL TABLE FROM 9TH TO 16TH FEBRUARY, 1845.
Thermometer,
Winds
Remarks.
Max | Min! Blean.
Fore.
Batter
Fine clear.
96 74 | 68 170.5)
Fore part dull and thick; latter fine
Dok.
a Fore part fue; latter dull mizzly.
Fore part dui, latter fine cicar.
Doizzly rain until 9 A.; latter part
pe clear.
Fine clear.
fresh.
at.
66 67,4
N. N. W.
suede.
puffy.
E N. E.
Do.
S. Why
modi.
3 3 3 3 3 3 E
71
66 63,7
208029 80 | 29 84.6.70 | 66 67.7
Chinenc day Day of Day of of Month.Mouth Week.
Muz
3
90 | 29 84, 29 Barorter
Afean
4
29 95
5
9
NOTICE.
60 1.08
10 08
14 Fri.
15 Sat,
6
3
L
10
16 sum.
cation.
A couple of months ago, a new set of post office regulations, were drawn up by the Act ing Deputy Post-master, under the supervision, and with the concurrence of government. Among these regulations are the following:
"After the 5th January next a Mail will be male up and closed daily at the Post-Office-at 10 o'clock P. M. for Canton and Macan to go by Fast-boat The Fast-boat-man will call at the Post-Office for this Mail and will receive daily a fresh pass or Certificate from the Post Master with the date. Stamp of the office attached which will enable him to pass the Guard-boats in the Harbour as late as 10 o'clock at night without this pass the Boat will be stopped and should any Let-" ters be found on board which have not gone through the Post-Office the above recited Provisions of the Post-Office Act will be strictly enforced."
mail a Magan aftow thys Kik of January whe
be
TENANG PRODUCE MARKET.
28TH DECEMBER, 1841 There have been scanty arrivals of staple produce and the demand is brisk for all descriptions for the English and American market as well as for Bengal.
· Tis.—Arrivals from Pungah and Junk Ceylon are expected, that will meet ready sale, as there exists a brisk demand both for India and Europe,
Pritrýn.—Au import of 10on piculs Soosao bas heen sold during the week at 4-60 for the American market and some Dellie at 4 30 a 435.
RATTANS-Purchases at 8 1-70 a $1-85, uc cording to quality for Calcutta.
Srices.--Nutmegs and Muce are in less demand and the prices have receded in the absence of orders,
BETELNUT.All the remaining Nut in the mar ket has been purchased on American account for the China market, some as high as $6 per Bhac.
Orix.--Nothing doing; Benares nominal at 550.
BENJAMIN. Considerable imports chiefly of low quality. Europe seconds have been bought at $35 per picul
To the comprehension of ordinary men this s perfectly clear. A mail for Canton and a to be made up and despatched from the post office every afternoon, a penalty being inflicted upon those who forward their letters by other conveyances. But mark the meanness--we cannot find another word to express their conduct-News-papers being free of postage, they will not forward by the daily mail boat, unless the proprietor bargains with the Acting Deputy post-master, and agrees to pay certain coins of the lawful currency of Hongkong for the transmission of his papers to these:
SUGAR-The planters are eagerly looking for a places, and further that they (the papers) put up in a parcel and addressed to friends, who speedy participation in the Colonial duty. Ship have the trouble and are at, the expence of cir-ments are ready for England: culating them. We will not venture to ex- press our feelings upon this subject; we state- the simple fact, that to comply with the demands of the post office harpies, the expense of coolies in Canton and Macao, with the further charge entailed upon us of having a person to put a Chinese address on the envelopes, we are mulet Let our bro- of the sum of $200 per annum. thers of the press elsewhere, who enjoy the privileges which liberal governments ever confer read this and be thankful, that their publications, have not to pass through th: clutches of a Hongkong post-master. In the days of penny postage, penny magazines, and THE FRIEND OF CHINA, societies for the diffusion of knowledge and information among British subjects in the west, the opposite feelings guide the actions of Bri Lish colonial governments-at least some of them in the cast, for though they cannot hush H. M. Steamer Vixen, having Rear Admi❘ the voice, nor crush the energies of a free and geen made to Calcutta and Bombay.
New advertisements, will be
received, unlll 4 O'Clock, on the evenings previous to publi- cution, viz: Tuesdays and Fridays.
ENGLAND
United StatÉS
CALCUTTA
LATEST DATES. Oct.
SINGAPORE 7 Augt. 1 MANILA Nov. 28
BOMBAY
YDNEY
MADRAS BATAVIA
Oct. 18
Nov, 22 Sept. 29 Nov. 23
2
5
4
Jany, Jany Feby. CUUSAN SHANGHAI
18 Jasy. Foo.chow-roo Jany. 28 Avor
Jany.
AND HONGKONG GAZETTF.
VICTORIA, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 925, 15-15.
ral Sir Thomas Cochrane on board, sailed on Tuesday. It is understood that, she returns to this harbour in a few days, the object of her present cruise, being to examine the l'iscadores a group at the entrance of the Formosa chan- nel) in the hopes of discovering a harbour of refuge,
O
In the absence of extracts from English papers, we publish Mr. Boyd's speech at a dinner given on his election as a Member of the Legislative Council N. S. W. Mr. Boyd is not altogether unknown here, and his speech will possess in- terest, alike to his personal friends, and to those who are connected with the Australian
colonies,
independent paper, which has never obeyed their dictates nor feared their power, they lay upon it heavy burdens, burdens however that will not bear it down, so long as it continues to receive the countenance of the community.
EASTERN ARTICLE ANNISEED-In ng inquiry; a small supply re- mains in the hands of importers.
ARRACK, Batavia-previous to recent arrivals sales were made 8a 9 per half leaguer ; at prese.t] $7 is only offered.
BENJAMIN.Supplies to the extent of 270 piculs, of first and second quality, arrived from the West Coast of Sumatra but no sales have yet been made, CLOVES, Bourbon,--None in hands; last sale at
22 per picul:
CuBgus-are wanted for shipment to Calcutta and moderate imports would command § 84 per pcl.
CAMPHOR, China-None in first hands and quo- tations nominal. Mederate shipments have recently
sale.
Cassia-Of good quality is wanted and none for First supplies will command an advance on prosent quotations.
COFFEE is in some enquiry and early imports will find purchasers.
Corros.-Stock in first hands small. Some ac. tivity may be expected in this article on the ar. rival of the China Junks.
Gran Market well supplied. retailing at $ 2 per bag.
A few
We notice another regulation, god in itself, but based upon the three and four penny prin- ciples which are so conspicious in the legislation of the grave taxers, tombstone tasers, marriage' GAMBIER, Supplies fast increasing which may taxers, and who by and bye, when the warm be bought at 8 1.75 a 1. 80 per picut. weather sets in, we hear are to be the Umbrella Plantations have recently been abandoned in conse- taxers (why don't they levy a tax on the charch quence of the destruction of human lives by Tigers settings? one pew is labelled as reserved," but, generally speaking, the cultivation is extending tabooed from the cannaille for the courtly per- in every direction; should Government however sons, who occupy it). Under the old regime;be demand a high rate for the land the cultivatiors fore historians of empires held the reins of will leave Singapore and settle on the main-land office, the post-master-as he ought to do when the increased expense of bringing it to mag- In our advertising columns there appears ent round the letters and papers shortly after ket willcause an advance in price.
he arrival of mails, and if this was not done sɔ a notice, calling a meeting of the juha- bitants, to make arrangements for giving unct lality as could be wished for, there was concerts in Hongkong. We fear that, however | still a disposition shown to oblige. But a laudable the intention--and however zealous change came o'er the spirit of the Acting De- the parties may be, with whom the idea origi.puty post-master's dreams. Revenue, revenue nated-in the present state of the colony it will was the desideratum in Hongkong, and what a not succeed so well as might be desired. We magnificent sam might not be realised, by oblig. doubt, whether among the limited aufbber of ing the public, in addition to the regular postage, the European inhabitants, there is sufficient to pay for the services of the runners who deli- musical talent to make such an affair creditable | vered their letters. The mu
•
F
and if there is talent, it is so cut up, by the ly arranged, by the meget vas and diffunted to different sections into which society has forined 'ilemen who drop lån bugdist kad
Gamsoror -Continues to be much sought af er: supplies being readily bought up al 8 75 a 90 per for good quality.
GOLD DUST-has been imported to some extent lately and sull at about quotations.
GUNNIES. -Market well supplied; limited sales at quotations.
Henr, Manda-in little enquiry at present. HIDES, Buffalo. - Saleable as they arrive at 84 a 41 per picul.
Isnico, Liquid-in considerable consumption
Stock in first
MOTHER O'PEARL SHELLS, —None in the market and in great request...
OPIUM-has been very dull during the week and the advices brought by the John Brightman from China being unfavourable prices have a ten- dency downwards. In Putnu there is noting doing, A few chests of Benares have heen sold at about 530. No Male in the market and no salos re- ported in Turkey.
|
Opium advertised for sale in 1845.
6 Jang.-4,00 PATNA--1,800 BEXARES--Tutal 5.200 chiesta 10 Feby.-1.830 24 April--3,620
26 May-1,800
29. Juac--3,985
*
850 1,500
$50 1,611
31
2,659
"
5,131
12
+
2,650
21,528
PEPPER, black. Rhio and Singapore-plies plentiful; sales of the former at 931; also 300 pls..
among at dollars 41⁄2 per pel.
RHUBARB of good quality in some inquiry; in- ferior quality is also in some enquiry for shipment
to Java.
Rick-abundant supplies and prices daily declin- ing. Arracan-offered at dollars 40 per soyan and no buyers.
:
RATTANS.--Stock large Banjermassin have been sold at dollars 24 a 21 and other sorts at dullar 1.60 per picul.
SUGAR- no supplies of Siam, Cochin China or Manila; moderate imports of Jazn, but no sales have been reported Sing Free Press 2d Jany.
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
ARRIVED. FEBRUARY 19-Marie, Drysdalo, Chusan & Amoy.
19-Ariel, Macfarlane, East Coast.
SAILED.
FEBRUARY 18-Str. Vizen, Gifford, Eastward, with 19-Str Proserpine, Hough, Macao, [the Admiral. 19-Clarissa, White, Macao and Singapore. 19-Thomas Crisp, Metcalf, Macao. 10-Sarah, Espinasse, Macao 20-Isabella Anna, Beard. Chusau and Shanghae. 21-Sidney, Scholfield, Whampoa. 21-Sum, Taylor, Shanghac.
The Dumfries, hence to Liverpool was spoken on the 21st December, off second point, straits of Banca, by the Indiarene arrived at Singapore.
ARRIVALS AT SINGAPORE. December 29th, John Brightman from Macao: January 1st, Regina, Macao; Mercury, Amoy,
MANILA SHIPPING. ARRIVALES. January 19th, Cheerful, from Sydney 20th; John N. Gouler, Buones Ayres Antendo, Cartiz; Querida, Liverpool; 23rd. Fortuna, Macan - anthe, New Zealand; Leondes, Batavia; 25th, Sil, Macao; 26th. Trining, Macao; 28th, Narwich, Feejee Islnds.
SAILED.
January 29th, Munro, Sydney; Durde, Singa; pore; Correo, Hongkong ; 23rl, "Amistad, Macao, 24th, Luisa, Cadiz; 26th, Panurge. Singapore.
VESSELS IN Vicronja HardOUR,
II. M. S. Agincourt. Capt. Bruce, bearing the flag
of Real Adiniraf Sir Thom is Cochrane, C. B.. H. M.. S. Castor. Capt. Grahamn.
H. M. S. Iris, Cupt Mundy. H.M.S. Minden, Master Commanding Wellington,
Hospital and Store Ship. Mazeppu, Fraser. Warlock, Jauncey. Ariet, Macfarlane. Yonge Quene,85, Me1Nal'y. Linnet, 100, Emery & Frazer. Amazon.
-Abbot.
Geo Buckham, Sim. Earl Powis, Wilson. Alligator, Cook.
Petrel. (Am.) Rodgers, Corsair, Fraser. Denia, 133, Burn.
Jardine Matheson & Co,
do. do.
Fletcher & Co.
- Macvicar & Co.
Hegan & Co.
Fischer Willis & Co.
N. Daus,
do.
D. and M. Rostomjee, Dent & Co.
Swithumley, Jennings. Fox Rawson & Co.
Order. Daniel, Denie. Minerva,
Brown. Areatus, (Am) Mungford. New Margaret, Ager. Snipe,
do.
do.
Turner & Co.
Reddle. Hughesdon Calder & Co.
Order, Elvira, Gething, Ernaad, Field," Gibb Livingston & Co. Marie, Drysdalc. Humphreys & Co.
or tiere lo.
FOR SINGAPORE AND CALCUTTA.
THE brig SNIPE Captain Reddles will be dispatched on 7th March.--- For Freight or passage apply in Canton
HUGHESDON CALDER & Co.. Hongkong, 22nd February, 1845,
FOR FREIGHT OR CHARTER.
THE Barque EARL POWIS, A. I. 209 tons Register. Apply to, FISCHER WILLIS & Co. Victoria, 21st February, 1845.
SCHOONER FOR SALE
copper fastened Schooner DIDO, (late Rappa) Thirty One THE Teak built, Coppered and Tons burden being well found in Sails, Rigging, Arms &c.; and can be sent to sea at an hours notice. For particulars apply to
Victoria, 20th February, 1845.
N. DUUS.
TO LET OR FOR SALE.
elegant and will built house in Caine's road. contains ter rooms and a spacious Hall 45 feet long by 23 wide.
HUGHESDON CALDER & Co.. Hongkong, 22nd February, 1945,