1
134
THE OPENING OF THE WEST
RIVER.
It is with much satisfaction that we are to-day enabled to announce the early open- of the West River. The agreement has at last been signed and is to come into operation on the 1st June next. It is now nearly a year since it was officially stated that the river was to be opened, but that the actual opening was to await the conclusion of an agreement with reference to the Yunnan frontier. Presumably that is the agreement that has now been arrived at, and when its terms are made public it may perhaps be found that other matters of interest to Hong kong, as well as the opening of the West River, have been satisfactorily settled. We hope that such may be the case, but we are for the moment concerned only with the West River. Full particulars of the agree ment are not yet to hand, but it is known that Wuchow and another port, probably Shuihing, are to be opened to foreign trade and that four other places are to be ports of call. As is well known, suitable steamers are held in readiness for the trade and will be placed on the run as soon as the formal opening is announced. Perhaps the traffic may not assume large proportions with a rush, but ultimately a large increase of trade is inevitable, more especially now that goods arriving at the head of steam navigation can be sent further inland under the protection of transit passes. The opening up of this new field will contribute largely to the prosperity of Hongkong and the event is one on which we may all con- gratulate ourselves.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
acc not su
his lights.
in force. At all events, the increased pro tection, if any, that a dock on this side of the harbour, in front of the Naval Yard, appears from Mr., HUANG', le
the Chinese might enjoy over the Kowloon Docks, does four years ago not appear from a practical point of view solicited the worth the difference in the cost, which Settlements Goveri might be more profitably spent in other of opium muggli directions.
junks to Hainan - Intervi
now
.
It
ade. d to ulations
As to the shareholders of the Dock Com-between the Consul and the Governo pany congratulating themselves, it was according to Mr. HUANG' some years before they had any reason SMITH, after stating that
and to congratulate themselves on the con- to enforce the proposed regulatio struction of the present Admiralty Dock, that the Inspector General had b and if they may do so it is advised to that effect, told the Commt thre due in only a very minor degree to the days later that the Inspector General sti work given by the British Admiralty. "wired-begging that a trial should The dock has at length proved profitable, and that since it would but it is owing principally to the increased refuse, said that the demand for docking accommodation by the "might be tried experiment mercantile marine. For some time after its regulations, which preven construction, however, it was.a heavy bur sixty junks with over den on the resources of the Company, and, men leaving the in view of the remarks made at the meeting illegal, but a comprom yesterday by Mr. WHEALLER, it may be been arrived at, by interesting to note the views en- agreed to pay to a tertained at the time, not only by as a guarantee for
but also on the opium they ear many private shareholders, by the directors. At the half-yearly Mr. HUANG, he the ha meeting held on the 26th August, 1889, with the Governor. Mr. J. D. HUMPHREYS opposed a recom-remarked that since mendation made in the report that the sum of $100,000 should be written off the cost of the Admiralty Dock, and the then chairman, Mr. POESNECKER, said that the dock, which had cost over $900,000, was thought by the directors to be worth about $300,000. The dock had at that time been open eighteen months and five ships had been docked in it, but they were not sufficient to cover the working expenses, for the chairman said the dock had been earn- THE PROPOSED NEW ADMIRALTY | ing nothing and that he was certain it would
DOCK.
The taxpayers of Great Britain perhaps even more than the shareholders of the Hong, kong and Whampoa Dock Company will have reason for congratulation if an arrange ment be come to between that Company and the Admiralty for the provision of the increased docking accommodation required by the Navy in these waters. With such a splendid establishment as that already main tained by the Dock Company at Kowloon, which is capable of being extended at comparatively small cost, it would be a waste of public money for the Ad- miralty to enter on the construction of a dock of their own on a new site. The theoretical considerations arising from the supposition that an enemy's ships might possibly throw shells over the Peak which might strike the Kowloon dock, whereas they would be less likely to drop in a
add very little to the revenue for some time to come, the other docks being quite capable of doing all the Company's business. If a new Admiralty Dock were built by the Dock Company now the same experience would in all probability be repeated and it would be several years before the investment began to yield a return.. If the Admiralty want a new dock, therefore, it is reasonable that they should contribute to the cost in a larger proportion than on the last occasion. This is only fair to the shareholders and it would certainly pay the Government much better than going to the expense of construct ing a dock of their own. Up to the present the parties have been unable to come to terms, but the case is eminently one for equitable arrangement and it is to be hoped the renewed negotiations may have a successful issue.
this to there w "form with Ep
adds
As there was no
on these subjects I could Colonial Secretary of the
the
and I am Excellency
not aware whether or not “has noted our conversation in your regist If this account be correct it seems an ordinary, way of doing busines and hardly credible that such a safe and ca official as Sir CEOIL SMITH should have allowed an important agreement involving questions with a foreign Power to be arrived at except by official correspondence in due form Mr. HUANG, however, appeals to Sir CECIL SMITH'S recollection of the circum stances and in effect, though not directly, asks that gentleman for a reply that shall dispose of the reports that have led the German Göy- ernment to refuse to accept his appointment as Minister to that Court. He says the tax was not, as represented, a compulsory one, and that from beginning to end the money has never been in his own hands, having been deposited to await instructions. All this may be so, and the odium which has fallen on Mr. HUANG may be unjustified by his part, but any personal delinquency on the circumstances unmistakably point to the inconvenience of allowing Chinese Consuls in British colonies
Where there is, a possibility of irregular taxation being levied. Mr. HUANG's letter leaves a good deal un- explained and for the clearing up of the whole matter we must await Bir CROLL The letter addressed by Mr. HUANG CHUN-SMITH's reply, which will no doubt be pub- re strong enough on the on a bombardment at their HSIEN to Sir CECIL C. SMITH, and repro- lished in due course. hell Kowloon over the Peak duced in another column, ought to serve sumed it would not be as a solemn warning to the British Gevern- o they succeeded in effecting ment against ever permitting the appoint-. srce, and, moreover, by the ment of a Chinese Consul in this colony. ow dock in front of It has been deemed that Singapore being could be completed it is not situated at some distance from China, the provements in guns may appointment of a Chinese Consul there "hich would allow of was unobjectionable, if not indeed advisable, against as readily Even, there, however, we find the Consulate, they might now be being used as an agency for the collection The danger in of revenue by irregular means. How muc largely imaginary, greater therefore would be the danger l the way to meet similar occurrences in Hongkong, whi ide of the inland so is in immediate contiguity to the provii
aafe diruince, of Kwangtung and where the Chinese in effect though population has such intimate connection necessary for the by family ties with the mainland. - Mr. enemy, landing HUANG'S .. intentions may have been good
on this side of the harbour, seem worthy of serious attention, for
CHİNESE CONSULS AND IRREGULAR TAXATION.
|
RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION IN “CHINA
We have always bee inclined simism in regard to railway devel China. The Imperial Govern sanctioned the construction
Land it has been decided
sections, but it is appar ifference when these are
the Treasury is ecuniosity there is acceleration in
ally
it will be many
dhron