December 9, 1896.]
20
A merchant named Hu Yung-chak has ap- plied to the Government to be allowed to establish a flour mill in Canton. His ap. plication has been sent to Im Hau-kuk for consideration.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT: could not be recognised. They plundered all and absolution for any fault committed. But the honses and got away scot free without for all this some one has to provide the money. meeting with any opposition. A good many
In my last leftor I referred to the monopolies wealthy families have removed from the dis-granted in this colony and the decay of trade turbed place to safer localities. It is said thereby caused. The last quarterly issue of the robbers had a very large force and their the Chinese Customs Gazette shows how trade leaders are named Chan, Wong, and Ho. They has been falling off during the last three years. have sent out men to all the districts to induce In 1894, during the June-September quarter, people to join them to raise a rebellion.
the export of kerosine from Macao. was 107,17 gallons, in 1895 during the same months 57,970 gallons, and in 1896 during the same months 28,700 gallons. A comparison of these figures will show if the monopoly has not killed trade in this article, and as the amount payable for the monopoly was increased at the last letting the price of the article will surely be raised and the small remaining trade be diminished. Another important branch of trade affected is that of salt-fish. The export figures for the June-September A restaurant named Fuk-tim inside the city quarter in 1894, 1895, and 1896 are as follow:- was robbed on the 1st instant. The robbers, 1894, 4,991 piculs; 1895, 2,667 piculs; 1896, about six in number, went into the shop in the 1,150 piculs. This falling off naturally results evening to take refreshments. After they had from the high price charged by the salt mono- finished their dinner they tied up all the in-polist for salt, in consequence of which the mates and took away all the money found there- fishermen of Macao are transferring their in- in to the value of four hundred taels. The case dustry to places where they can get salt cheaper. has been reported to the Pun- Magistrate and
If the Government does not look seriously rewards have been offered for the arrest of the into this matter and do away with monopolies on articles of trade soon this place will be completely ruined. Already our hopes of better days to come have dwindled to a very low ebb.
It is said that a memorial has been submitted to the Throne by censor recommending a gold currency for China. The memorialist states that China suffered has great loss from the currency of silver, which has depreciated in value.
robbers.
MACAO,
The Hongkong, Canton, and Macao Steam. FROM A CORRESPONDENT.
boat Co. have addressed the Government, The last number of the Echo Macaense has a representing that their steamers cannot reach leading article referring to my correspondence, the wharf at low tide and requesting that the and especially to the letter of the 20th Novem- approaches may be dredged. An order was ber published in your issue of the 21st idem, in given the other day to proceed with the which reference is made to the Leal Senado. I dredging, but this will prove effective only have indeed very often mentioned the Leal for a few weeks or months. What is required Senado and why? Because this corporation is a comprehensive scheme of harbour im- has not been acting wisely or properly discharg-provement, and if it cannot be done all at once ing the duties for which it was elected, and again I must say that all matters in charge of the Senado are in a disgraceful condition and its administration is conducted in a most un- satisfactory manuer.
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In the second paragraph of the article in question it is stated that in this colony Chinese passengers are
not examined on their arrival, nor yet their luggage. Per haps the work is not carried out so seriously or systematically as in Hongkong or by the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs, because in this colony seriousness or system in public matters are almost unknown, but whoever wrote the article must have a very short memory, for was not a pot of opium found in a pillow box to belonging to a Chinese passenger from Hongkong only a week ago? When the owner saw detection was imminent he handed the box to a servant of a Chinese boarding house, and when the case was taken into court next day the proprietor of the boarding house was held responsible and was fined $90. A day or two before this case happened was not a man who came over from Lappa arrested for having a small quantity of opium in his possession? believe this man is still in gaol, not having money to pay the fine. Can the writer of the article in the Echo Macaense say by whom these arrests were ordered to be made ? If no search is made of Chinese passengers and their lug- gage how is it that opium smuggling is so often detected and people arrested for having opium| in their possession P How can any one guess what another person has in his pocket or in his box without a search?
I
By the law of this country is a person who is unable either to read or write entitled to vote ? Certainly not; but perhaps such a per- Bon may be eligible for election to the Leal Senado. That is what I would like to know, but the writer of the article says not a word on this important point.
As to the rest of the article, it is unworthy of notice, but I should like to refer to the fine poem of the late Joao de Deus entitled "Money." in which he says." The thrilling sound of money can much effect." What the distinguished auther says might be well applied to many people in this colony, for the thrilling sound of money seems to make them forget all about their dignity and publio duty. People who can make money jingle in other people's pockets can secure good testimonials and decorations
let it be done little by little. Some of Engineer Loureiro's plans have already been commenced, and they should be continued steadily, a bit at a time, remembering that Rome was not built in a day.
The following have been elected members of the Leal Senado for 1897-98-Antonio Joaquim Basto, Pedro Nolasco da Silva, Antonio Gomes Brandao, Luiz Joao Baptista, Jozé Ribeiro, and Fermino Machado de Mendonça.
Next Sunday there is another election for three members if the Tribunal das Contas. I hope the public will re-elect the present mem. bers, who are worthy of the position.
HONGKONG,
The Legislative Council met on the 3rd inst. for the first time this Session and a second meeting was held on Monday last. Important and interesting business was transacted on each occasion. His Excellency the Governor met the newly elected directors of the Tung Wah Hospital on Thursday and made suggestions for the future conduct of the institution. The Sanitary Board met on the same day, and on Saturday the second meeting of the New Balmoral Gold Mining Company was held.
The German Cruiser Kaiser arrived from Amoy on the 4th December.
The Hongkong Philharmonic Society will give a concert on Thursday, 17th December.
There were 2,319 visitors to the City Hall Museum last week, of whom 199 were Euro- peans.
It is notified in the Gazette that. M. Frandon has been recognised as in charge of the French Consulate during the absence of M. E. Leroux.
The football match on Monday between the Hongkong Football Club and an Artillery team resulted in a draw, each side scoring one goal.
The Hongkong Amateur Dramatic Club will give performances of "Charley's Aunt" on Saturday, 19th December, and Monday, 21st December.
With the awakening of the Hongkong Vo- lunteer Corps has come a new crest. The motto is "Nulli secundus in Oriente." The Corps has always been modest.
At the regular meeting of Zetland Lodge on Tuesday night Bro. R. Mitchell was elected Worshipful Master for the ensuing year and Wor. Bro. G. A. Caldwell Treasurer.
Sentence of three months' impri nment on the 2nd December passed on holder who tried to swindle a private Yorkshire Regiment. The soldier bought oranges and his change consisted of 94 cents of bad money,
kong from Manila because he thought he would A Spanish gentleman recently came to Hong. be safer in this colony than in his own disturbed country. He stayed at a friend's house in Mosque Street and one day had the misfortune to be robbed of two gold rings, set with diamonds and rubies and valued at $150. The thief turned out to be the houseboy, and on the 3rd Decem ber he was charged at the Police Court and sent to goal for three months.
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A very pleasant evening was spent at the Union Church on Thursday night, when social meeting was held Light refreshments were served and s most successful con- cert was then given. Mr. G. Grimable ao- companied and the vocalists were Mrs. Mudie, Mrs. Hagen, Miss Crawford, Mr. J Gilchrist, and Mr. J. Waddell. The Misses Crawford and Mr. Lindsay Crawford contri- buted a trio for violin, flute, and piano, and Miss L. Crawford a violin solo.
At the Supreme Court on the 2nd December his Honour Dr. Carrington (Chief Justice) sentenced Lai Su to nine months' imprison- ment for unlawfully detaining a girl for the purposes of prostitution. The prisoner was found guilty the other day, but sentence was reserved owing to a point of law raised by Mr. Robinson, who appeared for the prisoner.
Full Court, and their Lordships dismissed it The point was argued before the
General to reply. without calling upon the Acting Attorney-
near Green Island were put on their trial at the The two men charged with piracy and murder.
Criminal Sessions on the 4th December. Hon. H. E. Pollock (Acting Attorney-General), in- structed by Mr. H. L. Dennys (Crown Solicitor), appeared for the prosecution, and Hon. Ho Kai, instructed by Mr. Mounsey, defended. The special jury were Messrs. F. Dodwell, S. C. Michaelsen, J. 8. Van Buren, G. C. Anderson, R. C. Wilcox, J. B. Heemskerk, and J. Grant Smith. The case was not concluded until the 7th, when a verdict of not guilty was returned.
The following returns of the average amount of Bank notes in circulation and of specie in
30th November, 1896, as certified by the Mana- reserve in Hongkong during the month end
gers of the respective Banks, are published :-
Average Spécie in amount.
Banks.
reserve.
Chartered Bank of India,
Australia and China... $1,910,776 $1,000,000 Hongkong and Shanghai
National Bank of China,
Banking Corporation. 4,575,137 2,500,000
Limited
368,109 165,000
Total... $6,854.022 $3,665,000
Competition met on Friday evening and drew The Committee of the Hongkong Football
the ties for the first round of the Tournament. The results were as follow:-
A Company, 14th Regiment, bye. Royal Engineers, bye. H.M.S. Centurion, bye.
H.M.S. Narcissus v. Kowloon.
H Company, 14th Regt. v. D Co. 14th Regt. Hongkong Colts v. 35th Company, R.A. Hongkong Football Club v. 12th Co., R.A. - B Company, 14th Regt. v. Officers 14th Regt. The first-named teams have choice of ground and must supply balls. The matches in this round must be played off before 14th January.
On the 2nd December Hon. Commander Hast- ings held an inquiry respecting the death of two children who were drowned in the har- bour on the 25th inst. The British steamer Fooksang was coming into port from the eastern entrance when she had to port her helm to get clear of the Chiyuen." "A cargo boat went across the bows of the Fooksang, which ran into and cut her in two. The occupants of the cargo boat were thrown into the water. They were all rescued, but the two children did not recover, although the police used artificial respiration. The Magis trate returned the following verdict by drowning, the result of an accident due to an error made by the cargo boat people...
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