Page
March 19, 1898.]
A Handbook of Colloquial Japanese. By BABIL HALL CHAMBERLAIN, Emeritus Pro- fessor of Japanese and Philology in the Im. perial University of Tokyo. Third Edition. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Limited. Tokyo: The Shuyeisha. Yokohama, Shanghai, Hongkong, Singapore: Kelly & Walsh, Limited. 1898. THE fact that a third edition of Prefessor Chamberlain's handbook has been called for is the best testimonial to its value as an aid to the acquisition of the Japanese language. It is divided into two parts, the theoretical part, or grammar, and the practical part, or reader, and the arrangement of both appears excellent.
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CRIME.
THE POLICE REPORT FOR 1897.
The annual report of the Hon. F. H. May Captain Superintendent of Police, is published in last Saturday's Gazette, from which we take the following particulars :-
The total of all cases reported to the Police was 9,629, being a decrease as compared with 1896 of 3,346, or 25.78 per cent. In the division of these cases into serious and minor offences, there appears an increase as compared with 1896 of 382 cases, or 25.15 per cent., in the former, and a decrease of 3,928 cases, or 36.84 per cent., in the latter. The year 1896 cannot be regarded as a normal one, for the existence of plague here diminished the population, and the constant visitations of the house-to-house- search parties, and the cleansing operations in the houses carried out by the Sanitary Board, tended to prevent crime. Comparing the re- turns for 1897 with those for 1895, which was a normal year, it will be seen that there are only 129 more reports of serious cases in the latter year than in the former. Such an in- crease may well be accounted for by increase in population aloue,
GAMBLING.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
It is
licensing and registration such would be im- possible."
CONDUCT OF THE FORCE. Leaving out of account the Wa Lane Bribery Scandal, the conduct of the Force, Mr. May states, has on the whole been good. satisfactory to note that among the Water Police there was no case of extortion or the like. This Mr. May attributes to the effect of the improvement in the status of the Contingent made by the increase of pay given and increased security required during the year.
BARRACKS.
The following appears under this heading:- "During the year I have recommended certain additions and alterations in the Police Stations at the Peak and Hunghom, for which provision has been made in the Estimates for the current year. A sum has also been inserted with which to make a beginning of the building of a new station at West Point, which is urgently required. An entirely new Station is also required at East Point, and No. 5 Police Station (the Central Fire Station) requires very large additions and improvements, which, I trust, will soon be taken in hand. The three last named Stations are in their present condi- tion by no means a credit to the colony, and must be injurious to the health of the men stationed in them."
ALION MEMORIAL AND NETHER- SOLE HOSPITALS.
Alice Memorial and Nethersole Hospitals was A meeting of the Finance Committee of the
held on 11th March at the Alice Memorial Hospital. Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockbart presided, and there were also present-Dr. R. M. Gibson (Hon. Secretary), Mr. A. Ross (Hon. Treasurer), McKenzie, and Mr. Wong Shing. Rev. T. W. Pearce, Dr. J. C. Thomson, Mr. A.
and that a bright prosperity was in store for the hospitals.
1
213
be better to have somebody in the saddle than have the saddle empty for some time, but he hoped his absence would have no ill effects on the welfare of the hospitals.
The report and balance sheet were taken as
read.
Mr. Ross, in explaining the balance sheet, said the institutions were in a' good financial position. The donations had increased by $922 and the special donations by 8334.98 over those of last year. Extra expenses had been incurred during the year, and a balance of $790.15 was carried forward exclusive of the Young begnest, which had been invested in safe land stocks.
The Chairman moved that Mr. A. MoKenzie be appointed treasurer and said he very much regretted Mr. Ross was unable to continue hisser- vices as he was shortly going home. They were, however, fortunate in having secured Mr. Mc- Kenzie. They were losing one Highlander and they had got another, and he did not think they could go to a better part of the world to get a treasurer. He hoped Mr. McKenzie would prova a treasurer worthy of the good old Highland name he possessed.
Mr. Ross seconded the resolution, which was carried.
The Chairman, in concluding the proceed. ings, alluded to the satisfactory position of the hospitals, the increase of the work, and the ex- cellent services rendered by the two licentiates at the Nethersole Hospital. He hoped the subscriptions would continue to increase, par ticularly amongst the Chinese, because it had to be borne in mind that it was the Chinese who benefited by the excellent skill placed at their disposal in the hospitals. Having been connected with the institutions since they were founded he felt very proud of their success and trusted they would continuo to Aourish.
TWO LAND INVESTMENT
COMPANIES.
[COMMUNICATED.]
44
go
Dr. Thomson introduced his successor. Dr. Gibson, and said he was sure Dr. Gibson would The following is the reference to the gamb-efficiently and satisfactorily carry on the work, ling scandal:"Since the breaking up of the
ago, one in poverty, the other in the lap of They were brought into existence nine years Wa Lane and Cheung Hing Street establish- ments in June last there has been little gambling.
luxury, and it ends now in shares of the poor The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, beggar standing at 85 per cent. premium, while On the list of recipients of bribes from the Wa extended a most hearty welcome to Dr. Gibson shares in the Hongkong jewel, fought for at Lane gambling house seized at No. 3, East and added that the Committee very much its birth at 140 per cent. premium, are now Street, were found the names or numbers of 14 regretted losing Dr. Thomson's services. Those actually below their original cost. It was as European Police Officers (one Chief Inspector services were well known and highly appre- Acting as Deputy Superintendent of Police, 6 ciated, but he was
clever a move as the Honourable Hongkong sure that although Dr. Statesman ever made, when he doubled the Inspectors, one Acting Inspector, 4 Sergeants, Thomson was severing his connection with the capital of his company at 100 per cent, premium and 2 Acting Sergeants), 38 Indian Sergeants institutions as far as the secretarial duties were and erected therefrom a reserve equal to half and Constables, and 76 Chinese Sergeant Inter-concerned he would help them with the benefit the paid up capital. If there was any preters, Sergeants, and Constables. Une Euro- of his advice on all occasions.
left in Hongkong, shareholders in the Hong- pean Inspector was convicted of receiving bribes The minutes of the previous meeting hav-kong Land Investment Co. would long since and sentenced to 6 months' imprisonment with ing been read, Dr. Thomson reported that have transferred this reserve to capital account hard labour. Three Inspectors and one Sergeant all the gentlemen appointed on the Committee and had their scrip converted into paid up shares were dismissed. Two Inspectors and two Ser-
had consented to act with the exception of M, of $75 each. The 9th annual reports of the two geants (one was Acting Inspector when the list G. C. C. Master, who wrote stating that he had companies are poorly constructed affairs, not, I was discovered) have been called upon to resign. no time to devote to the work. Dr. Thomson think, because directors have anything to con- Two Sergeants and one Acting Sergeant were further reported that a meeting of the Chinese ceal, but merely because they would perhaps not not re-engaged on the expiration of their terms members of the Finance Committee was held in know how to justify the fees they draw unless of 5 years service. One Acting Sergeant re- the Registrar-General's office on the 1st October they made a mystery of something. Hongkong signed. The Inspector who was Acting as iast under the chairmanship of Mr. Lockhart, smothers its borrowing under the head of "Ad- Deputy Superintendent had already retired from
with Dr. Thomson as hon. secretary. Messrs. counts Payable" and Shanghai gives the balance the Force when the list was discovered. Nineteen Ho Tung and Ho Fook were appointed to or only of its "Interest Account" leaving people in of the Indian Police were dismissed and one was ganize a party of collecting shroffs. The work the dark as to what they pay and what they not allowed to re-engage. Seventeen still re-
had been done very successfully and the Chinese receive. I want the amount of the Hongkong main in the Force. Twenty-six of the Chinese donation list had increased. The thanks of the Co.'s borrowings. I write to the Secretary and Police were dismissed and eighteen resigned. Committee were due to Mr. Ho Tung and Mr. he replies $875,000. I wish to know what in Thirty-two still remain in the Force. There Ho Fook and also to the other gentlemen who terest the Shanghai Co. received on its mort- are thus 49 Asiatio Policemen still serving whose co-operated with them for the valuable work gages and the agents informed me Tis. 42,098. names were on the list."
they had done on behalf of the hospitals So there is no wish to deprive shareholders of (Applause).
information, only indisposition to afford it. Stripped of their garbage the accounts of the two Co.'s stand thus, the Shanghai Co. being converted into dollars for comparison,
PROSTITUTION.
Concerning prostitution Mr. May says:- "Complaints have continued to be made of the indiscriminate opening of brothels in respectable quarters of the City. Some houses in Wyndham Street were successfully proceeded against under Ordinance 6 of 1894 on the complaint of Enfo- pean householders in the street. But I have failed to induce any Chinese householders to have recourse to the legal remedy for what is becoming an intolerable nuisance."
LICENSING OF DOMESTIC SERVANTS.
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Dr. Thomson then proposed the re-election of the Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart as Chair- man of the Committee. Mr. Lockhart had been chairman for several years and by his influence had rendered a very great deal of help in the matter of collecting the donations, especially among the Chinese community. He was about to leave the colony for a few months, but the Committee would willingly grant him leave and no doubt they would also favourably con. sider any application for prolonged leave. (Laughter). Mr. Locl.hart's name as chair. man would continue to render them very sub. stantial help, although he himself might not be present in the colony.
Under the head of "Licences the following paragraph appears-"I have again during lect year advocated the licensing of domestic ser- vants. Several families were boycotted by their chair coolies during the year, because the coolies objected to do a reasonable day's work, Coolies who are dismissed for misconduct or dishonesty Mr. Lockhart' returned thanks for the find re-employment as readily as do well-con- honour, which he accepted on the conditions ducted and honest men. Under a system of' named by Dr. Thomson. He thought it would
Rev. T. W. Pearce scoonded the motion, which was carried.
Capital Reserve Loans Accounts Payable Final Dividend Balance 1896 do. 1897
Properties Mortgages Cash & Debtora
Shanghai Hongkong 1,728,733 266,666 1,333,333
3,750,000
875,000
68,804
26,434
112,666
100,000
2,812
56,559
3,341
1,297
3,516,355
4,809,290
2,786,788 - 2,778,085
1,989,788
685,333 44,284
41,417
3,516,355
4,809 290