56
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
It is notified in the Gazette that loose letter boxes will in future be placed on board the Canton steamers. Correspondence posted in these boxes, fully prepaid in Hongkong stamps, will be treated as paid at Canton.
The Government Analyst's return of samples examined under the Sale of Food and Drugs Ordinance for the quarter ended 30th June is published in the Gazette. Three samples of whisky were examined, one of which was found genuine and the other two adulterated.
trade were freed within the colony. Things grow worse and worse day by day, the prices of provisions are steadily increasing, and the cost of living is becoming so great that our indus. tries are threatened. I mentioned in one of my recent letters that the Leal Senado was con- sidering the abolition of the beef monopoly. I also thought of saying that this was perhaps intended as a little dust to be thrown into the eyes of the public, but I abstained and waited for the decision. It appears now that the idea was only entertained for a moment, and the
The Great Eastern and Caledonian Gold Min- monopoly has been let at an advance of $500 on the amount paid before. The price of beefing Co., Limited, was registered on the 5th July, in the market was immediately increased. Thus shares of $5 each. The object of the Company
with a capital of $350,000 divided into 70,000 | a little here and a little there trade is being ham- pered and rendered impossible. What reason have Caledonian Gold Mines at Mount MacDonald, is to take over and work the Great Eastern and we then to cry out against another Government New South Wales, which are on the same line for not facilitating our trade when our own Gor-
of reef as Olivers Mines, The vendors take the ernment is the first to treat us in this way, and purchase price in shares and the remainder of even the Leal Senado, a representative body the shares have all been subscribed privately, pledged to look after our welfare, treats us in the same way. The sooner the Government does away with all trade monopolies the better. The gambling and opium monopolies I do not object to, because they refer to vices and are not oppressive on the general public, but to make provisions and articles of common and daily use the subject of monopolies is oppressive and prejudicial to the interests of the colony.
As a result of this ill-advised policy we are in danger of losing the fire-cracker industry. The cracker factories afford employment to a large section of the Chinese population, but the proprietors are now saying they will soon have to find other quarters, because the duties they have to pay to the monopolist of gunpowder, sulphur, and saltpetre are so high that they cannot conduct the business at a profit. It would indeed be a misfortune if these factories were compelled to leave the colony, as large numbers of people would be thrown out of work and great distress would follow, and other branches of trade would suffer in sympathy. This is a very serious matter.
HONGKONG.
The Secretary of the Punjom Mining Co., Limited, advises us that he has received the following telegram from the Mines giving the result of the June clean-up-"The mill ran 30 days crushing 421 tons yielding 147 ozs. of smelted gold; 2,050 tons of headings crushed yielding 155 ozs. of gold. Pockets found yielding 25 ozs. Twenty-five tons concentrates caloined for a yield of 37 ozs. of gold. The cyanide plant ran 38 days, treating 940 tons of tailings, yielding 267 ozs. of bullion of an assay value of £1 6s. 6d. per ounce.'
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We are informed by Messrs. John D. Humphreys and Son, General Managers of Olivers Freehold Mines, Limited, that they have received the following telegram:—“ Å crushing of 150 tons of quartz from Eureka has yielded half-an-ounce to the ton." The Goneral Managers further inform us that the Mine is now steadily paying its way, no funds having been remitted from Hongkong since the first crushing in March last. The additions to the milling machinery are now being made and as it is expected the output will shortly be greatly increased there is every reason to believe that much larger results may be ex- pected in the near future.
On the 7th inst. the Chartered Bank received a letter from the Singapore Manager, dated 29th ult., in which he writes: On the evening of the 22nd instant Mr. C. E. Hume arrived here, but so seriously ill that he had at once to be removed to the General Hospitul. He is suffer-
A deep sensation was caused this week by the discovery that gambling house keepers have been in the habit of paying hush money to the police. A private inquiry is now being con- ducted by the Captain Superintendent of Police, who has already suspended four of the best known officers in the Police Force. The result of the inquiry is eagerly awaited. The Jubileeing from a severe attack of typhoid fever, and, Gymkhana was held on Saturday under fairly favourable weather conditions, and the pony races were productive of some interesting finishes. The sad death at Swatow of Mr. D. K. Sliman, one of Hongkong's most promising young men and a fine tenor singer, created a profound feeling of regret amongst his large circle of friends., His funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon at the Happy Valley, his body having been conveyed from Swatow. Some interesting cases have occupied the atten- tion of the Law Courts during the week.
It is notified in the Gazette that Messrs: Hughes and Hough have been appointed Government Auctioneers, with effect from the 8th inst.
Mr. F. S. A. Bourne, of the Consular Service, who accompanied the Blackburn Com- mission on its recent tour through China, goes home on leave by this mail.
The stamp revenue for the half-year ended 30th June last was $126,885, being an increase of $347 on the amount collected in the corres- ponding half of last year.
The roof of a verandah of a house at 40, Praya East collapsed on Sunday afternoon and crashed the verandah of the two floors beneath. Fortunately no one was injured.
At 10.30 on Sunday night a godown coolie fell from the second floor verandah of a house at 8, Elgin Road, Kowloon, to the pavement below, a distance of 40 feet, and was instantly killed.
The Harbour Master, Hon. Commander R. Murray Rumsey, appeared as a prosecutor at tho Police Court on 6th inst. On Saturday last he gave his coolies. their way and three of them bolted, while another decided Monday not to do any more work for his master. He was arrested and Mr. Wodehouse fined him $5 or fourteen days' imprisonment,
on
we understand, was ill when he left Hongkong. On the journey to Singapore Mr. Hume's tem- perature ran above 103 deg., causing anxiety, and it still continues high, while his strength is greatly reduced by the prolonged illness." already announced, a telegram was received on the 2nd July conveying the sad intelligence of Mr. Hume's death.
As
From information to hand by last English mail it appears the Aden left Colombo on 1st June and would be expected to reach Suez about 17th idem, but considering the time of year her non-arrival on that date would not occasion alarm. On the 21st June it was decided to send the Mayo out in search of her, and she left Aden the following day. The steamer Logician passed Socotra on 13th June and reported on arrival at Suez on 22nd that there was a wreck on the East side of Socotra, and as nothing had been heard of the Aden in the meantime the Rohilla was sent out from Bombay on the following day. Arrivals at Bombay reported a severe cyclone in the locality of Socotra on 8th and 9th June.
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[July 15, 1897.
COMMERCIAL.
TEA CANTON, 18th July.-Congon Settlements during the past two weeksam oust to about 8,700. boxes at The. 10 to 28, prices having in some instances been easier. Several small lots of 80- called "hand made" tcas have been (ffered, but only a few of these have been withered and fermented in a proper manner and most of the improvement displayed has been effected by sifting the chops into grades and labelling them after the Ceylon style. Hoyunes continue in demand at Canton at about Tls. 16 to 20 per picul. boxes at Tls. 10 to 30 per picul, prices showing Scented Capers.-Settlements amount to 21,600
not show the marked superiority over other seasons little or no change. The second crop lenf does that was apparent in the first crop produce, in fact it is only of average quality, and as soon as this became known, some eagerness was display. ed in securing any parcels showing good quality, for first crop leaf. Total settlements to date are and at the monent Natives are asking higher prices 93,100 bores against 86,000 boxes last season, but many of the recent purchases cannot be delivered for some time owing to the scarcity of scenting flower. Stocks in native bands ure computed at only 30,00 boxes and there is little doubt now that the first crop is at least 15 per cent short of last year's. There has been no further business in Longleaf Scented Orange Pekoes.
SHANGHAI, 9th July:-From Messrs. Welch, Lewis & Co.'s ¡Circular.-Our last "printed" Tea market advices were dated 24th ultimo. Our latest news from Hankow is to the effect that show an advance of Taels 1 to 2 a picul. The there was rather more business passing and prices
first crop of Black Tea this season amounts to 670,000 half-cbests, against 830,000 half-cheste last season. The second crop promises to be the smallest on record, and will probably not be much more than half the size of last year's yield. The quality is reported on unfavorably generally.
One or two Keemuns we have seen are much superior to any second crop Tea from the same district last season; they are reported as settled at Tls. 17 short a picul. Black Tea.-There is a small business passing at what appears to us to be very full prices, chiefly for shipment to the United States. The lowest quotation for whole- leaf Tea is Taels 13 a pical, against Taels 114 at the same time last year. As usual most of the chops on offer are only represented by chest mus ter, the bulk being kept up River until teleg- raphed for. The Export figures to Great Britain look most favorable, if one had any confidence in there being any demand for China Congon in London, but they appear to be able to do without it. Macao Congous have had a shocking reception..
Settlements reported are:- Ningchow... 470.chts. at Tls. 132 to 23 a picul
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Hohow... 196.
16 to 16) Kutoan...... 166
17 to Wenchow... 222
15 to 174 Oonam 609
133 to 14 Stock, 6,378 half-chests, against 20,193 half- chests at same date last year.
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Green Teas.-Pingsneys.-The fear of the U. S. Customs Inspector is continually before the eyes of buyers with the result that makers of really pure Teas are reaping an unexpected barvest. Our market opened on 26th ultimo at about five taels a picul higher prices than were paid for similar quality last season, and since the opening prices have hardened. At the close the best chops are in demand at an advance of Tls. 1 Pingsueys now offering are merchantable Tens, to 2 apicul. In our opinion the whole of the and should not be" shot out" from any market the crop is fully average. Local Packs and Wen- where Green Tea is sold. The style and colour of chows.-There are the same washy vapid Tens as usual, sadly underfired, but being pure, they have been taken at full rates. The settlements to date are nearly equal to last season's total, and the supply promises to show an increase of five to six thousand half-chests. Fychows if any thing are more smoky and more undesirable than they were last year, but business has been done in them at three to four Taels a picul higher than the same chops were settled at last year, the results of which are still remembered by those who shipped them. Tienkais.-The first chop arrived yester- day and if succeeding chops are like it, we shall have some Teas worth attention from this district. It lacks strength, but in armoa, style and freedom 2,500,000 from dust or blemishes It is superior to last year's chop. This chop last year was settled at Tls. 254 205,000 and lost money in London, Tl, 32 a picul has, we hear, been refused for it. Moyunes have not $3,905,000 | yet arrived, but the quality is well spoken of by
The following returns of the average amount of Bank notes in circulation and of specie in reserve in Hongkong during the month: ended respective Banks, are published:- 30th June, as certified by the Managers of the
Banks.
Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China... Hongkong and Shanghai Bank- ing Corporation, National Bank of China, Limited...
Total
Average Amount.
$2,338,427
5,214,437
327,096
$7,879,960
Specie in Reserve.
$1,200,000