1
10
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
HONGKONG RIFLE ASSOCIATION. The Long Range Cup and Spoons were shot for on Thursday and Saturday afternoons over the 800 and 900 yards distances, the Cup fall- ing for the first time to Mr. W. M. Deas, who also became the winner of the first spoon. The second spoon was won by Petty Officer Bishop, R.N.
Appended are the best scores :--
Mr. W. M. Deas
OR CRCR CR
800 yards..
900 yards.
Allowance
for
M. H. rifle.
33 22
15
P.O. Bishop, R.N.
23
15
Mr. A. Brown
27
15
P.O. Goodger, R.N.
14 24 15
IN JAPAN.
GREAT LOSS OF LIFE.
15 85
80
12
9 69
10
Shanghai, 18th June.
63
An official telegram from Tokyo, dated 19th | instant, and despatched by Mr. Kume, Secre- tary for Home Affairs, who had been specially sent to the Prefecture of Miyage to investigate the extent of damage done and loss of life, reports 73,103 lives have been lost in that pre- fecture alone and 550 severely injured. Houses engulfed or totally destroyed are given as 2,973. A telegram from Iwate prefecture, dated 19th, states that the loss of life there is about 14,000, houses destroyed and engulfed 4,000.
A telegram from the Governor of Aomori, dated the 20th, states that 308 lives were lost and 143 severely injured and 480 houses de- stroyed.
A later telegram from Iwate gives the loss of life as 22,186.—Meroury.
There appears to be mistake in the figures given above. The Japan Mail of the 20th June, received last night, says:
The details of the seismic disaster in the north grow more appalling the more accurate EARTHQUAKE AND TIDAL WAVE their recital. Acording to the Official Gazette, the total number of houses swept away in seven seaside towns in Miyagi Prefecture was 973; the number of persons drowned 3,103, and the number wounded 555. In Iwate Prefecture, eleven towns suffered, but from three only are approximate returns furnished as to loss of life and property, the total figures being 5,681 lives lost and 974 houses washed away. Thus the aggregate for the two Prefectures is 8,784 deaths, 555 wounded, and 1,947 houses, but these figures are obviously below the mark. At the same time, they are the most trustworthy yet available.
We are courteously informed by the agent here of Reuter's Telegram Co. that news. has been received by wire that the north of Japan has been visited by a great earthquake wave and a succession of earthquakes, by which many lives have been lost and great damage has been done to property.
19th June.
Kameishi is given as the name of the town in Japan at which the catastrophe mentioned yesterday occurred. It is stated that there were 150 earthquake shocks in 20 hours, and that 1,000 lives were lost.
20th June.
We are courteously. informed by Reuter's agent here that a telegram has been received from Japan stating that it is estimated that ten thousand persons were drowned by the recent earthquake wave, which extended seventy miles along the north-east coast of Japan. Many towns were also destroyed.— N. C. Daily News.
Shanghai, 24th June. Through the kind courtesy of Mr. Scott, Reuter's agent here, we learn that, according to the official report, the three prefectures Iwati, Miyagi, and Aomori have suffered severely, and ap. to the present no less than 17,400 lives are reported lost.
The fuller accounts of the earthquake in Sendo would seem to mark it as one of the most disastrous of the century. We are as yet without particulars, but the impact of three tidal waves in succession would seem to imply a considerable movement of the floor of the ocean. Meanwhile we are given to understand that in addition to the enormous loss of life there is widespread distress in the shaken districts, and Mr. S. Hirai, the acting Japanese Consul- General, has asked us to mention that he would be thankful to receive the smallest donation for the benefit of the survivors.
On account of this sad catastrophe the enter tainment that was to be given to-night at the Japanese Consulate, and the dinner and display of fireworks, in honour of the captain, officers, and crew of H.I.J.M. man-of-war Kongo, has been given up altogether.
Shanghai, 22nd June. The Nippon Yusen Kaisha have received the following telegram, which the manager has kindly placed at our disposal:---Oginohama to Aomari is where the most damage has been done, and it is now reported that quite 40,000 lives have been lost. The N.Y.K. steamers are all safe.
Another private telegram states that Iwate prefecture is where the most damage has taken place. The town of Kamise (Miyage prefecture) has wholly disappeared and the sea now rolls over where it lately stood.
[The last great earthquake in Japan was three years ago, when Gifu and Aichi prefec- tures suffered greatly. It is fifty or sixty years ago since a severe earthquake occurred in the district that has lately been the scene of the disaster.]
Shanghai, 23rd June. We are indebted to the courtesy of Mr. S. Hirai, H.I.J.M.'s Consul-General, for the fol- lowing translation ----
The Asahi this morning gives the following figures relating to the tidal wave disaster up to yesterday :-
Buildings
swept
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[July 2, 1896.
work our lines much more efficiently than has been done hitherto. In carrying out our trading operations we have had the advantage of the advice and superintendence of our marine superintendent, who came home from Shanghai for the purpose. He has given very great at tention to this business, and I think the fruits of the course we have taken will be apparent in the improved type of vessel which we have now placed on the most important sections of our various lines, and which are now commenc- ing to do very good work in China. The whole fleet is in excellent condition, and it should not now require improvement for a considerable time to come. With reference to the case of the Kow Shing, I can only repeat what is said in the report. It has not been lost sight.of, and no one laments the unreasonable delay that has taken place in coming to a settlement more than myself. It must be obvious to you. that the decision of this matter does not rest with the board at all. All that we can do is what we have been doing, and that is to keep the question prominently before ourselves, and upon fitting occasions to urge the requisite ac- tion on the part of the Foreign Office. They are meeting us fairly so far as they can. They always inform us that they are doing their best in the matter, but Chinese delay is a good deal responsible for the disappointment which we have experienced in this matter. We still hope that our efforts in this direction will be crowned with success. The amount stated as the present value of the fleet shows a material increase on the previous figures, and we have been able to get the money required for that addition so far The Tokyo Shimpo's estimate is from fourteen upon moderate terms. The amount due to the to fifteen thousand killed and wounded in the Company in China has again been materially re- three Prefectures of Miyagi, Iwate, and Awo-duced, but with the large number of agencies mori, and it expects that when full returns have which we have at work there it must always · been obtained, the number will not be far from show a pretty considerable figure. The higher rate of exchange has fortunately put a stop to twenty thousand. A telegram received by our-
the drain that we have for so many years ex- selves from Sendai last evening puts the num.
perienced on that account. I think the share- ber of killed at ten thousand.
holders may take it from me that they need be under no apprehension that the talue of the Fessels of the Company stands at any fictitious amount, but that it is really a fair and proper estimate at which they are valued. However, notwithstanding this, the caution which is given by the auditors will, of course receive all fitting attention, and we shall be prepared to meet them so far as may seem reasonable and proper. During the present year, 1896, I am afraid there will be some unusual claims to be met in our underwriting account. The case of the Onwo is alluded to in the report The sad loss of life which occurred when the Onwoo was lost is greatly to be lamented, and the only satisfac- The fifteenth ordinary general meeting of tory feature in the matter is that our own... the Indo-China Steam Navigation Co.; Limited, vessel has been pronounced free from blame for was held on 28th May, at the offices, 29, Corn- the collision. The case is undergoing a friendly hill, E.C., Mr. J. Macandrew (chairman) pre-settlement with the company whose steamer siding. The Chairman said :-Before I address myself to the business topics which you have to consider to-day, I must take the first oppor- tunity in my power of expressing the deep regret that has been felt not only by myself but by all the members of the board at the loss of our respected colleague, Mr. J. McGregor. Mr. McGregor was a director of the Company from its commencement, and always took the greatest interest in its development and welfare. His great experience in connection with steam- ships has been of immense value to the board. The board has already conveyed to his widow and his family the expression of their sincere regret at his loss. I am glad that we are able to show, on the whole, a pretty good year for 1895, and that, notwithstanding some adverse incidents, we are still able to recommend to the shareholders a division equal to that which was made last year of 8 per cent. (Hear, hear). Satisfactory trade has been carried on in spite of the war with Japan, and perhaps even, in some respects, on account of that war. The vessels of the fleet have found good employ. ment throughout the year. At the same time it has been quite apparent to the board, as was indicated at the last annual meeting, that several of these vessels are not up to the modern standard, and more particularly for what is now required in the Chinese passenger trade. It has, therefore, appeared necessary to the board to make a considerable addition to the strength of the fleet during the past year, I am sure that in doing this we are on the right track, and that we shall be able in the future to
Deaths. Injured. 14,000
wwwwww
Iwate Miyagi Aomori
3,103 555
300
+
17,403 555
away.
4,000 973
4,973
INDO-CHINA STEAM NAVIGA- TION COMPANY,
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the Newchwang-ran down ours, and I hope that no difficulty will arise in the matter. There is also a new steamer-the On Sang-which took ground in entering the Hongkong the harbour, and I am afraid that the repairs which will be necessary in that case will be rather We also have just received in- considerable. telligence by telegram to the effect that the Tak Sang has been in collision with another vessel, the Kung Ping, under circumstances of which we have yet no information. Whether. we are to blame in the matter or not I cannot say. However, these instances are somewhat of good luck unfortunate after the run that we have previously enjoyed with our vessels. The freights have not opened very The effect of the war is well this year. beginning to be felt more now than it was while hostilities were active, and trade in the northern provinces particularly has been to a certain extent crippled, and will remain 80 until they have had a little time to recover from their previous loss. At the same time the trade that our vessels have been doing is good, and, therefore, in a way satisfactory, and we may be permitted to hope that the last six months of this year will afford a more en- couraging prospect than the first six months have done, and that when the accounts come to be presented a year hence, we shall still be able to congratulate the Company upon satisfactory and profitable business. (Hear, hear).‚'I ‹will “That, the now move the first resolution: report of the directors and the accounts for 1895 as presented be approved and passed,”