March 12, 1896.]
TO THE EDITOR OF THE
"DAILY PRESS." SIR,-I quite endorse the remarks over the signature of Shareholders" in this morning's issue of your paper. I feel certain that in no instance where the Directors' fees have recently been raised has it mot the concurrence of the majority of the shareholders. I believe that the shareholders in the Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Co. have no wish to add to their abilities by permanently raising the fees of the Directers, ¦ and I hope the resolution irregularly passed at ; the last half-yearly meeting will be rescinded. In fact I am sure it will be rescinded if the shareholders haro sufficient independenco and choose to exercise their power of voting. I very much doubt now, after reading Mr. Reeco's letter, whether the resolution passed at the last meeting of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank to increase the fees of the Directors was in, order. I have no copy of the Articles by me, but I believe they provide that a fixed sun, the amount hitherto paid-and which is handsome remuneration for the work done-shall by devoted to payment of the Directors' fees, and I doubt whether it was not necessary to propose a spécial resolution, to be confirmed at aù extra- ordinary meeting, to make the chango hastily carried through at the last meeting. I do not make these remarks in any carping spirit, but I think things of this kind should be done only after due deliberation, with the full consent of all the shareholders, and in a thoroughly legal manner. The labourer is worthy of his hire, and I think that Directors should be paid for the responsibility they take, for the use of their naines-often of great service and for the work they do. But they should not be paid more than the Company can afford in had
times, and hence the fees should not be in- creased without very grave consideration. If the Directors of any joint stock concern have had exceptional work, or some business of a specially remunerative naturo has been put through in the half-year, then, I would suggest, give them a bonus for that period, and not raise their fees. -I am, sir, yours faithfully,
Hongkong, 10th March, 1896.
BONUS.
WHY HONGKONG DOES NOT BECOME A MANUFACTURING CENTRE,
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS. DEAR SIR,Your leader of the 26th ultiino begins thus "The industrial development of Hongkong has not proceeded at the same pace as that of Shanghai, but it is nevertheless making substantial progress." You know, sir, And there are many more in this colony who know the reason why, but if there are a fow who do not know, I should feel obliged if you would grant me sufficient space in your valuable columns to enlighten them.
On the 24th ult. Mr. Prosser sold three lots of Crown land which realized a little more than the upset price and/or very nearly $1 per super- ficial yard. The conditions of sale are that the purchaser shall expend upon this land, within one year, the sum of $150,000. This together with the first year's Crown rent brings the cost up to over $11, at present rate of ex- change and roughly reckoning, £148. Od.sterling per superficial yard. This is the reason that Hongkong, is making slow progress, and that Shanghai is making such rapid progress. Hongkong is the Bletchly of the East, and many of the great companies which were floated in Shanghai would have been better hore, and would have been here had it not been for the exorbitant price of land, which is prohibi- tive to any company with limited means.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
I know of one company that should be floated this year or very early in next. The directors will not spend more than £10,000 sterling on plant and land, and they would require some twenty or thirty acres of land to their works. At the above price of conrso they would not be able to do it. I'erhaps they will also go to Shanghai, or Macao, as the little extra for freight would not make very much difference to their profits in comparison with what the price of land would to their capital.
If our Government want the population and industries to increase they should make granis of land to anyone willing to open up industries, and of course levy a small ground ront and tax
and insist upon improvements being made nc- cording to occupiers capital and means. More particularly should this be done on the south side of the Island, where I believe there are good frontages and deep water. This would also help to develop our possessions at tjo back of Kowloon and near the Chinese frontier, Had this been done thirty years ago we should have had ten times as large a European and Chinese population as we have to day. Even now it is not too late, but while the above prices and conditious exist and are exacte the inhabitants of this colony will never number A MILLION.
Hongkong, 3rd March, 1896.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS.” DEAR SIR-Will you kindly grat mo sufficient space in, your valuable compus to reply to the letter written by A Million." That there is a great deal of truth in the letter goes without saying. That the Coventment conld let manufacturers have chap all, if it thought fit also goes without saying. That there are good frontages and deep water on the south side of the island is also vory trie, hut thero is one thing (and the main thing which the writer does not mention--perhaps he forgets, did not think of, or does not know--that there is a scarcity of fresh water for manufacturing purposes on the south side of the island This the Government could also remedy at very little cost in comparison to the benefits to be flerived from it.
Before factories could do any good on the south side of the island there must first be a good supply of fresh water. To and sh this the Government would have to make one great reservoir, say one square mile in extent nt in one main for use in Victoria and another main for use on the south side of the island This would give an abundant supply of water for all manufacturing purposes, flushing of drains, fires, &c., and.it would leave Tytam and the other reservoir entirely free for potable purposes only. I remain, with thanks, yours faithfully,
OBSERVER.
Hongkong, 5th March, 1896.
THE SALE OF BUILDING MATERIAL FROM THE PLAGUE DISTRICT. TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS.”
SIR, The Government notification alvertis ing the sale by public auction of the material of the houses in Tank Lane cannot be contem- plated in any other light than that of indigna tion and dismay. This subject, which putirely concerns the whole community, cannot be more forcibly dealt with than through the medium of the press, and with due respect I would beg of you space for the insertion of this letter, as the subject it treats of claims deliberate cousider- ation.
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Tank Lane was the cradle of the plague aud most if not all of its houses saw a few cases of this infectious disease. Now the sale of the material from these houses must of necessity be a factor in spreading the plague and I am quite sure the Government can easily perceive that the step it has taken would injure the whole community as well as itself. What, then, could have induced the Government to take such a shameful step as this? Naturally on would conclude that it is simply for the sake of money. Could the money thus realized be of more im- portance than the loss of many lives it may entail? I leave this question to the discretion of the reader and would conclude by stating that our present Government needs a reform and its heads of departments wiser men.--I remain, sir, your obedient servant,
CHARITY.
Hongkong, 4th March, 1896. "Charity has apparently overlooked the fact that the sale has been cancelled.-Fi. D.I'.'
HOUSE TO HOUSE VISITATION. TO THE EDITOR OF THE “DAILY PRESS.
SIR,-Before proceeding with the subject of my letter I find it incumbent upon me to thank the unofficial members for their action in laving the sale of the material enclosed within the re- sumed area of Taipingshan district called.
Again I would solicit of the patient reader a perusal of this letter, as it has for its aim the general good and the matter on hand if one of the greatest importance to all those who take an
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The
interest in humanity. The subject to which I re- fer is connected with the house to house visitation. It was in 1894 that these risitations were instituted and having given a keen insight into the matter I now find myself amply qualified to report on the way in which the same wers conducted. The visitations wore very impor fant, and I may say necessary, as a means of abating the plague, which was thon rapidly spreading, but the conduct of the visitors re." quires especial attention, In the first place, wherever they found a patient whose illness was somewhat complicated they unhesitatingly inferred that it was plague and the poor sufferer was then immediately taken to the hospital, and not unfrequently died on the way from mere auxiety and fear. Now not only did the patient suffer in such instances, but the whole family shared in the distress, and its furniture was either used as fuel in feeding the street firo or was cast off in some neglected corner. second point to which I would draw your atten- tion is that these visitors often ill-treated the occupants of the houses of the poorer class and would even go so far as to expose their be longings to the mercy of the weather for soveral days while they were having the house whito- washed. These are facts, and facts not only from personal experience but also gathered from other very reliable sources, and I may mention that the sudden efflux of the Chinese popula. tion at present is mainly due to the above cause, for many of the well-to-do Chinamen are not of opinion that they should meet with rough treatment at the hands of the visitors. Feeling that I am encroaching on your valuable space I would now thank you. Mr. Editor, for the insertion of this letter, and in the name of charity would solicit the help of those who are able to relieve the poor sufferers-I remain, sir,... your obedient servant,
:
Hongkong, 6th March, 1896.
CHARITY,
THE SECRET TREATY BETWEEN CHINA AND RUSSIA,
Shanghai, 3rd March. months ago by the despatch from Hongkong to The political world at home was startled some the London Times of a telegrain announcing the conclusion of a treaty between China and Russia by which the latter Power was authorised to use Port Arthur as a naval station. We had our- selves announced some time before that when
Wang Chih-chun went to Russia in the latter part of. 1894 to congratulate the Czar on his accession. he made a secret treaty, but this has of course been strenuously denied at St. Petersburg. Nevertheless, these denials have not been fully accepted, and from time to time separate articles of the treaty have been hinted at. We are now in possession of a letter from Reking, of the important part of which we give a translation, containing a full account of the treaty as agreed on by the two Powers con- cerned. The writer is addressing a friend in Shanghai, and he says “ Although there is a rumour abroad about the existence of such a treaty, on one outside the actual con- tractors knew its details, and I now note the contents in order to show how secretly things have been done, and also that you may have the pleasure of being one of the first outside to know the matter. Furthermore, although the affair causes one to greatly wonder and feel bitter at it, the matter is yet true and not empty words, and of this you may rest assured, all the more as the copy I have seen contained the sign of Hsing ["Proceed" or
Consent given"] made by the various members of the Ministry of War at the end of the document.
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The several articles named therein are as follows:-
The Great Chinese Emperor being exceed- ingly grateful at the friendly acts of the Russian Emperor in forcing the Japanese to retrocede Liaotong with its several tens of cities, and for being the first to lend money to China to pay her war indemnity to Japan, his Majesty the Chinese Emperor is therefore anxious to dis- play his gratitude by seeking methods wherein he might assist Russia, and for this reason his Majesty is willing to conclude a treaty of alliance with Russia. This being the case,
Russia should have any difficulties with any other Power in Asia, it is but right that
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