CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
May 12, 1867.] countries perhaps because of the isolation of the buoys and anchors laid in October. At the China from Western influence for so many mines there are employed about 600 men, in centuries; but whatever may be the case, the addition to about 250 men, who discharge lamentable effect is seen in the present, back-coal from the waggons and load steamers. The ward state of China among the nations of the general health of the workmen is good. world.
DIAMOND JUBILEE,
The social, educational, and official systems of The precise form which the celebration of China have tended to give to the educated classes H.M.'s Diamond Jubilee is to take in Sandakan control of the destinies of the nation. Whether has not yet been decided on. As already an- anch a monopoly of power be good or bad need nounced, a public recreation ground is, for one not now be considered; it exists, and the practi-thing, to be laid out, and the Chinese advocate cal question is how to turn it into beneficent a display of fireworks. and useful channels.
You have set about solving this problem in a way that should commend itself to every friend of humanity. Unquestionably, if you can give to the blind leaders of our people light and learn- ing enjoyed in the West, they, in turn, will lead our people out of their darkness. I think I may claim to have many friends in the United States where you now go. The cordial recep- tion I met with. wherever I went there made a deep impression upon my heart and has greatly endeared your people to me. If it would interest them to know that I regard you highly and will give you a helping hand in your future efforts to bring more light into the world and encourage higher aims for aspirations, you may use for that purpose this letter from
Your friend,
[Signed] LI HUNG-CHANG,
Senior Guardian of the Heir
Apparent; Classical Reader to His Ma-
jesty the Emperor ; Senior Grand Secretary of
State; Minister of the Foreign Office; and Earl of the First Rank,
-N. G. Daily News.
·BBITISH NORTH BORNEO.
TRADE RETURNS, The British North Borneo Herald publishes the trade returns of that State for 1896. The total imports amount to $1,882,188 against $1,663,906 for 1895. Out of 37 headings 27 show an increase, treasure coming first, then follow foodstuffs (rice, sugar, vegetables, &c.), machinery and railway material, kerosine and other oils, opium, tobacco, and clothing. The total exports amount to $2,420,234 against $1,962,350 for 1895. Out of 38 headings 28 show an increase. Tobacco shows the largest,
and accounts for one-third of the total increase on exports for the year; 8,700 bales were shipped in 1895, 10,448 in 1896, and it is estimated that the 1896 crop shipped in 1897 will amount to 14.500 bales. Rattans, cuteh, timber, gutta, coffee, dried fish, copra, live stock, and gambier come next. The gross volume of trade has in- creased by over 18 per cent.
TELEGRAPHS, Sandakan became connected with Labuan telegraphically on the 7th April. The latter port is connected with Hongkong as well as Singapore, thus giving residents in the Ter- ritory an alternative telegram route to Europe. That the upkeep will for some time be difficult is very probable, as jungle lines suffer under special disadvantages; but the fact that messages have gone through demonstrates the feasibility of the lines. In process of time the line trace will probably develop into a broad high road between the two termini-the surest means of inducing settlement and trade..
LABUAN,
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The annual report on Labuan for 1896 con- tains the following information on the Central Borneo Company's colliery at that port-A new colliery is being opened at Batu Merending about 1 miles from the existing colliery, which latter is being extended considerably, and new machinery, pumps, locomotives, waggons, &c., are being made in England at present, and are due bere in April and May. Two tunnels and a shaft are in progress, and it is expected that next month the seam will be reached, when there will be a considerable increase of output. A now wharf was built during the year. It has a depth of water alongside of 27 feet at low water. Near the wharf are placed anchors and buoys to which steamers coaling there can make fast. The wharf was completed in July, and
CANTON NOTES.
FROM THE
CHUNG NGOI BAN PO” An annual Court was opened on the 3rd inst. Thirty-five prisoners from the various districts were brought before H.E. the Governor. Their crimes were of various descriptions. After trial the prisoners were sent back to the prisons of the various districts. The Governor has memo- rialised the Throne stating his decisions in the various cases. It is a rule that after the final trial in this Court the prisoners are each granted by the Government one thousand two hundred cash, two cakes, a fan, a rain hat, and a rain coat. The Governor this time granted. in addition to the above presents one dollar to each prisoner.
A good many Chinese merchants have made preparations for carrying on business at Wuchow. A merchant has farmed the lekin tax on kerosine and matches. A lekin station is to be established in Tung-ki Street. A Chinese newspaper to be called the Kwang Yan Po is to be established shortly. The Custom House was opened on the 2nd instant. A Sansz named Lo Kam-wing applied some days ago to the Prefect of Wushow to be allowed to employ steam launches running between Canton and Wuchow. The Prefect sent the application to the Viceroy of Canton, but His Excellency refused to grant it on the ground that it would be a danger to the lekin tax.
As already reported, a rebellion has broken out in Shikson, a district belonging to the pre- fecture of Kuchow. The violence of the rebels has become very great and their number has been enlarged. Several days ago the city of Shikson was surrounded by the rebels and all the citizens deserted the city. The local Ma- gistrate and the soldiers escaped. The rebels broke into the city and took possession of the fort. It is said that the Canton Government will send Colonel Cheng Yau-tsoi to cope with
the rebels.
A notorious robber named Hu has gathered together a large number of criminals and the band has taken up its abode in Lo-hon-shau, in the district of Hoi-ping. They often come forth in large numbers to commit robberies and other serious crimes. Nearly all the people re- siding in the neighbourhood have suffered more or less from their ravages, Some days ago the local Magistrate went himself with a number of soldiers to cope with the robbers. Two of the robbers were caught and sent to Canton for
trial.
MACAO.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
Macao, 7th May.
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A few days ago a telegram was received from Lisbon ordering some six or seven officers to proceed from Macao to Timor and that $25,000 was to be sent for the expenditure of that island. The mail which left only, a few days before took $20,000, so that in one month Timor has drawn from Macao the sum of $45,000. No words can express the chagrin of the people of Macao at seeing our money going out in this way. The Lisbon Government is quite blind to the interests of Macao. This colony wants money to meet her own requirements and ought to be allowed to expend its own revenue instead of having to keep up the sister colony, Everyone knows how the Praya wall was rained by the typhoon of last year, and, shameful to say, the wall still remains in the same state, as if the typhoon had only occurred yesterday. The Government said the Leal Senado must repair the wall, but after all this time nothing has been done. The Government should make enquiry and see if it is true that the Leal Senado cannot effect the repairs, The fact
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is this Corporation has no means for the ex- ecution of great works, and the Government, instead of sending money out of the colony, should retain it for the rebuilding of the Praya wall and the execution of other necessary works.
If the colony is to be left like this, without care or attention on the part of the home Government, the local Government being left without power and without resources, better would it be to offer the colony to any other nation that will accept it. We would then be happier than under our own flag. Our hopes for better days for this colony have all faded away and we see ruin for the colony and its inhabitants daily approaching nearer. Soon Maçao will be blotted out from the number of European colonies in the Far East and forgotten. Our communication with the civilized world is interrupted, the shipping trade is almost finished on account of the silting up of the harbour, and the telegraph lines are interrupted almost daily. Why is all this ? Because the Government will not look to the colony's welfare.
Another way in which Macao's money is wasted is in payment of the passages of Government servants going to and coming from Lisbon almost monthly. The Govern- ment should see to this and be a little more particular.
An-
Last Wednesday a very sad accident hap- A Chinaman pened at the Cement Works.
one of the crushing while working at machines accidentally got his foot in
who Was other man
near stopped the machine, otherwise the man's whole body would have been crushed, and as it was the foot and lower part of the leg were taken off. Medical assistance was sent for, but unfortu nately no doctor could be found and the injured man died a few hours after the accident,
No serious apprehension is entertained con. cerning the plague. It is said that cases still occur occasionally and that last month (thirty- five cases were reported to the authorities.
H.E. Senhor Galhardo is due here on the 11th inst. The Thomaz d'Andrea will be sent to Hongkong to meet His Excellency and convey him to Macao.
It is to be hoped that Pollard's Lilliputian Opera Company will give the people of Macao a chance of seeing them. I am certain a visit from them would prove very welcome. It as a long time since we have had a good company
here."
Macao, 10th May.
The Lisbon Government has at last awakened
to the detrimental effect of the high tonnage dues charged at this port, and in Saturday's Boletim Official the following notification ap. pears
For its due effect and in order that im- mediate execution may be given to it the fol- lowing telegram is published :-
́ ́Lisbon, 6th May, 1897. "' Council of Government, Macao! *** Article 3 of a decree of 30th April provides that steamers from Hongkong, Canton, Pakhoi, Hoihow, ports on the West River, and all other Chinese ports shall be exempt in Macao from tonnage dues and all other port dues. Execute.
** 'MINISTER.'
"F
of the Government of Macao, 8th May, 1897.
To be complied with.-Secretariat General
ALFREDO LELLO
名宿
Secretary General.”
No doubt we will now again seo steamers visiting the port, though they have to wait for the tide.
This encourages us to hope that gradually the Lisbon Government will pay more atten- tion to the welfare of Macao. Now that ton- nage dues have been abolished we hope the next step will be the abolition of all tradal monopolies, notwithstanding that the great advocate of monopolies is on his way out again to resume his duties as Inspector da Fazenda. Let every one enjoy freedom in trade and I am persuaded the colony will once more flourish and the revenue increase.
་-
Many rumours are in circulation in connec tion with the arrival of the new Governor. It is said that on the day when the Commission r charge to of Government has to hand over Senhor Galhardo the Chairman will appear