January 14, 1897.1
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
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On the 31st De Boletim · Official was issu of Timor and its adminis Macao, so the two colopi separate from each other, to help Timor with $60,000 we very badly need ourselves.
This will
from the commercial ports and the facility of business. The Magistrate promised to dismiss | of the natives of Portuguese Timor have:
the Red River, a place which pro-the seventeen Hunan soldiers.” The wounded refu in Dutch Timor es a good outlet for French manufactures Canton soldier was compensated with sixty no market for
goods. The local papers have gallantly dollars and the shop which the military officer the revenue fall seconded the efforts of their home con- had laid the blame on was also amply com- temporaries, and the Government has at last pensated, and each shop in the disturbed district been persuaded to move Once it has started, was given a packet of crackers, which were it is not easy for it to stop. The Lyons Mission fired on the afternoon of the 31st December, ~has overrun the greater part of Yunnan, visit-when all the shops were reopened.
ing all the commercial centres, and studying carefully its trade prospects. The Red River has been studied by experts with the view of facilitating the navigation of its numerous rapids. Messrs. Marty & D'Abbadie sent up several engineers in 1895 to blast the rocks which obstruct the river and have done much already towards this end. They will no doubt continue the work so well begun, and clear the river of its obstructions.
The activity in pushing forward the railway from Hanoi to Dong-dang, and from thence to Lungchow, whence it is said the Compagnie de Fives-Lille have likewise obtained the conces. sion to continue it to Pose-ting, the highest navigable port on the West River, is another proof of the eagerness of the Government to meet the wishes of the people. Lastly, owing to the numerous complaints brought against the Customs regulations here the Government has submitted several schemes to ameliorate the existing state of affairs. Nothing more is wanting but a few enterprising merchants to at once establish firms in Yunnan. At present none exist. Mr. Bleton, who holds the opium contract, has no business house in Yunnan, but deals with the Chinese through his son and compradore at Laokay. The store of Mr. Guilbert at Mengtzu is managed by Chinamen and bears a Chinese name. It is, besides, altogether too small, and the goods exhibited are of a miscellaneous character-plates, lamps, watches, music-boxes, etc., pot at all what is wanted in such a place. Messrs. Marty & D'Abbadie have erected a godown at Manhao, a very good idea, as they are thus enabled to convey goods for the merchants at Mengtau direct from Hongkong, whereas hitherto these merchants were obliged to pay a commission on each package to their agents at Laokay and Manhao for storing the goods on arrival and superintending their conveyance by junk to Manhao and thence by mule to Mengtzu.
£
The Annamites are becoming more insolent and intolerable every day. A gentleman, while out shooting, saw some teal in the middle of a large pond, and wishing to get at them hailed a native canoe which was close by. The boatman in helping him to enter the craft took hold of his gun, which went off suddenly, mortally wound- ing the native. In spite of the efforts made to save him, the man died a few minutes after. A crowd of natives who had witnessed the whole sosne, but who had abstained from giving any assistance, thereupon surrounded the French- man and forcibly conducted him to a post of native guards in the neighbourhood. The doi, the Annamite in charge of the post, instantly ordered the European to be chained and con- ducted between four bayonets to Hanoi, in spite of the protestations of four gentleman who happened to pass at the time. Upon arrival here the captive was of course at once released, and the doi had to kowtow to the man he so daringly insulted, and will, no doubt, lose his appointment. The villagers will like wise be severely punished. The family of the dèceased has asked $100 as compensation, a great sum for the Annamites.
CANTON NOTES.
... FROM THE “ CHUNG NGOI SAN PO,”|
On the 31st December, two men took a cow to the market for sale, but the animal being very wild the men were unable to manage her. She broke loose and rau furiously along the streets and trampled down everything that was in her way. An old woman, an old man, and a beggar were thrown down, the old woman being killed instantly and the two others, who were removed to their houses, dying afterwards. Several other people were also injured. The COW at last got to a pond, into which she jumped, and she was then shot. The owners of the cow escaped.
Rumours have been current in Canton that a European has applied to the Viceroy to be allowed to buy a site at Samsui on which to erect a godown. Samsui is midway between Wuchow and Canton. It is further said that the Viceroy sent for the Magistrate of Samsui on the 1st instant to consult with him on the question | of building a large wharf at Samsui for the benefit of trade, when Wachow is opened. The Magistrate returned to Samsui on the 3rd in- stant, but no information has been given as to whether the application of the European has been granted or not.
Several days ago a man was sent by the Wai On bank to carry three hundred dollars to a house. While he was passing along the streets some criminals sprang upon him and seized all the money in his possession. The man gave pursuit and three robbers were arrested by the policemen. The captives reported that a good number of their brother-thieves were in a paper shop named Kung Tai. The policemen then at once made a raid on the house in question and a large quantity of powder and many revolvers, besides many valuable articles, were found there- in. The house was sealed up and the captives were sent to Canton for trial.
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The negotiations with the Hongkong Whampoa Dock Co. for the building dredger for our harbour have fallen and tenders will now be received fr other concern that will accept the Governa ment's conditions.
In last Saturday's Boletim an order was issued for the making of a sea wall fro north point of Sakong to Green Island mud dredged from the harbour will be deposited here and an area of some 180,000 square metres will be reclaimed. As Senhor Horta e Costa has given orders for the wall to be commenced no doubt he knows where the money is to come from. His Excellency is evidently attending seriously to the subject.
The Praya Grande wall remains in the ruïnous condition in which it was left by the typhoon, although more than six months have now elapsed. It is notso surprising that nothing should be done with the San Domingo market, because that is in the Chinese quarter, and not being constantly before the eyes of the pean community may be forgotten, bu Praya Grande is constantly seen by even and is under the windows of the principal anthorities, so that it cannot be forgotten, yet. it is allowed to remain without attention. for the streets in general, walking in them, when the rains commence, will be like in the paddy fields.
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The year 1897 I hope may be a pros one for our small colony, that all may smoothly, and that public works that commenced will be proceeded with carried to completion, instead of time money being wasted by delay. I hope before the end of the year I may at least Some days ago a mat-shop named Fung Yuen be able to report that the Praya Grande was robbed in broad daylight in Canton. Four has been repaired, the San Domingo market robbers were captured. They will most pro-rebuilt, the square in front of the Leal Senado bably lose their heads.
finished in accordance with the plan, the streets placed in a proper state of repair, the drainage throughout the colony made like that at Volong, and that articles in the märket are again sold at moderate prices.
Last week a Pak-kap lottery was discovered in the Yamen of the Viceroy. Several baskets of old lottery tickets were found. About forty men, ten of whom were petty officers, were ar- rested in connection with the gambling. They have been all sent to the Namhoi Magistrate for trial.
MACAO...
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Macao, 7th January. The last Timor mail brought bad news from that island, and people who have just returned from there are strong in their condemnation of the stupidity and folly with which Senhor Celestino is administering that unfortunate colony. The treasury is quite empty, and though 18 centos (about $35,000) bare been sent from Lisbon the Government servants still remain without the pay that has been due to them for several months past. The wars have come to an end at last, Senhor Celestino having had enough of them, but they have left the colony prostrate and almost ruined. It is said that twenty years' revenue will not be sufficient to bring the finances into order again. The Government's accounts with the Chinese merchants are very large and all have to be settled in some way. Rice, which in Macao is selling for $3 or $4 a pioul, in Timor costs $10. This is chiefly on account of the Govern- ment servants not getting their pay, so that they have to buy all necessaries on credit, and the merchants have to cover themselves by charging high prices. Also the Governor, not knowing how to raise sufficient income to cover, the expenditure, has increased the taxation payable by the Chinese and these in turn charge more for their goods, at a very low ebb, the exports being the imports having ceased almost. "because, owing to the despotism "Celestino and the constant wi
As already reported, all the shops in Kutai, Hupun, and several neighbouring streets sus- pended business and went on strike on the ground that the Hunan soldiers had maliciously truckman old man and wounded a Canton soldier who interfered with them on account of their unjust act; that at last a Hunan soldier also wounded by the Canton soldiers and military officer in command of the ldiers laid the blame on a shop, from able amount of property was lunan soldiers. The matter has The Viceroy and the Gover- strate to advise the eopen their shops and resume
AR SENT OTYLE
kaifong
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Trade is small, and
enhor ibers
A telegram was received yesterday from Lis. bon saying that the Ministry has fallen. A general election will have to take place.
HONGKONG.
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Muggy weather and continuous rain have made out of door exercise an uncomfort able task during the past few day but fortunately the elements were good enoug on Friday and Saturday to enable the cricket match, Scotland. v. The Wo decided. Dr. Rizal caused a sensation by marrying a Hongkong lady an hour and a hal before he was publicly shot in Manila.
The habitants of Kowloon held a meeting on day to consider what steps should be taken establish a school in that district and it cided to petition the Governmen on the On Saturday there was another armed rob the city, the victims being the inmater shop in Winglok Street, who acted stupidly after the danger was over The holders in the Wanchai Warehouse and Co., Limited, and in Dakin, Cruick Co., Limited, have held meetings. In res the latter company arrangements for liquidation of the concern were confirmed shareholders in the City Hall met on f
At & quarter to of the 10th January, the from their slumbers ing of the fire, bell. to have broken out in the Mr. May and hir after an anxious that the alarm:
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I quickly as possible.
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