June 4, 1898.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
whole of the bay. Two days ago they were at last able to find and pick up the cable to Iloilo, which they promptly out, completely isolating the Spaniards from the outside world, as messages had previously been sent to Madrid via Labuan per steamer from Iloilo. The Spaniards expect help in the shape of four big cruisers, but it is very doubtful whether that help can be spared.
447
the numbers of animals slaughtered for each of the last ten years, the totals being 182,374 cattle, 115.083 sheep, and 1,263,738, swine. Continuing, the report said "I estimate that the following staff at the salaries given will be required-Inspector in charge $1,440 on appointment, rising by annual increments of $60 to $1,800. Considering the responsi- bilities of the position and the large amount money to be collected, I do not think that à DEATH OF PRINCE KÙNG.
salary of $120 a month, rising in six years $150, is at all too much. The officer should be [SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DAILY PRESS." well paid and therefore placed above tempta- SHANGHAI, 1st June. tion. Shroff, $360 on appointment, rising by Prince Kung died on Sunday.
annual increment of $60 to $600 per annum. Prince Kung was an uncle of the Emperor Two assistant shroffs $180 each on appoint- of China and was for many years Presidentment, rising by annual increments of $12 to of the Tsungli Yamen, from which office he retired some years ago.]
"
The Spanish bave concentrated all their energies on defending the front of Manila; it may not have struck them that the Americans may choose to march from Cavite and assault it in the rear. The survivors of the orews of the men-of-war have been formed into a naval battalion ou shore to man the batteries. In an interview I had with the Admiral yesterday, who was somewhat incensed on reading the ac- count of an interview with him in one of your contemporaries, he, deprecating the comments of the interviewer, pointed out to me that the Americans state that the Spanish had about 1,000 killed and wounded. As the total number of men composing the crew of the Spanish men-of-war only amounted to 1,057, and there are a considerable number whom I myself this morning saw drilling, there is something radically wrong with the figures on one side or the other. The total number of wounded from the fight I have seen in the hospitals amounts to 25, but I believe a number were left at Cavite. Some natives report that an attempt was recently made by Spanish troops to recapture Cavite but was repulsed by the Americans with heavy loss. I have no confirmation of this. It is stated on very good authority that the Americans are sending not 5,000 but 15,000 troops and Reuter once again is somewhat inaccurate. It is to be trusted that they will (President and Principal Civil Medical Officer)," | ing them out as formerly. I do not think it
arrive soon, as the present state of affairs is by no means pleasant.
The Spanish are considerably incensed against the British, and perhaps not without reason, if the impolitic articles that have appeared recently in some of the riongkong papers be taken into account. It is not too much to say some of the statements, intended doubtless lo be humorous, have joepardised the lives of British subjects here. The Spanish mind, official or lay, cannot dissociate the Du- tionality of the English and Americans- and to them they are the same. On Sun- day last a vile placard, in MS., was posted on the Escolta, and was read by scores, de. nouncing the British, and it could not be ac- cepted as a testimonial to the British Consul here, who has undertaken the task of protecting
Americau interests.
Previous to the bombardment the American Admiral will allow twenty-four hours to enable British subjects and other foreigners to leave, and the British will proceed to Cavite, where they will be protected by the guns and crew of the Immortalité.
It is difficult to realise what the Spanish intend doing with their women and children to avoid the fearful consequen es of the bombard- ment. They cannot be sent with safety into the interior, as the rebels are congregating every. where over Luzon and are rapidly centering on Manila. After the manner in which the natives have been treated it can hardly be expected that they will be merciful to any Spanish civilians who may be unfortunate enough to fall into their clutches. There are thousands of women and children in Manila, and it seems a pity that the British Consul cannot negotiate with both combatants for their removal to a position of safety.
The Spanish are apparently placing too much reliance on professions of repentance on the part of a few leaders of the rebels. The re- bels, they state, are with them and will defend the flag of Spain and its holy religion against the Americans. Consequently inany of the na. tives are being armed by the Spanish and drill. ing and recruiting are going on everywhere. It seems wonderful that the Spanish are so misled as to believe in the protestations of a few wily
rascals whose one aim is to obtain arms and to turn them against their old oppressors. The experiences that the natives have gone through, the vigours of martial law, should acquaint the authorities that such things cannot be forgotten in a day, nor is a sincere repentance engendered in an Asiatio mind by multitudes of promises when no other course is left open. The natives well know that Spanish promises under the circumstances, like those of a few other nations, like piecrusts, made to be broken," and the wrongs of the natives are too deep and bit- ter to be so easily assuaged.
Bre
Yesterday the Americans captured another small launch that was creeping into the bay, and from their position at Cavite they command-the
the
HONGKONG SANDAKY BOARD.
THE PLAGUE AT AMOY,
On the afternoon of 31st May, a special meeting of the Hongkong Sanitary Board was held for purpose of considering the advisability of re- commending the Government to declare the chair was occupied by Dr. J. M. Atkinson port of Amoy infected with plague. The
May (aptain-Superintendent of Police), Mr. and there were also present the Hon. F. H.
and Dr. F. Clark (Medical Officer of Health). E. W. Brewin (Acting Registrar General),
acted as secretary, read the business of the meet- The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH, who
ing, and a telegram from Amoy dated the 19th of May which said. "Sporadic cases of plague 27th. said. "Bubonic plague at Amoy is now of reported." A subsequent telegram, dated May an epidemic character."
The ACTING REGISTRAR-GENERAL-Are those from the Cousul P
The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH-Yes. The PRESIDENT said they had direct evidence of the existence of plague in an epidemic form at Amoy, and he proposed that the Board ad- fected port. risa the Goverument to declare Amoy an in-
The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH SOConded, and the motion was carried unanimously.
The Board then adjourned.
On the afternoon of 2nd June, a meeting of the Hongkong Sanitary Board was held. The obair was occupied by the President(Dr. J. M.Atkinson, Principal Civil Medical Officer), and there were also present the Vice-President (the Hon. F. H. May, Captain Superintendent of Police), the Director of Public Works (the Hon. R. D. Ormsby), the Acting Registrar General (Mr. E. W. Browin), the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. F. W. Clark), and the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon (Mr. C. Vivian Ladds), the last named acting as secretary.
MINUTES.
annum ;
| 8240 per annum; two tallymen, one at $180 the othér st $120 per annum; eight butchers at $180 each per sonum; eight butchers at $120 each per annum; 12 butchers at $96 per annum; four scavengers at $84 each per annum; one stoker at 884 per $300. This totals up to $8,352, and as I may firewood $720; gas $660; incidenfals
have overlooked some small items I recommend“ that provision be made in the estimates for 1899 for $8,500 as working expenses should the Government decide to adopt the course of managing the slaughter houses instead of lens.ˆ
would be necessary to provide any more qu✩rters. for the staff, except some for the inspector in charge, and until these are available the usual house allowance of $20 a month should be given in lieu of it."
The following minutes were appended : The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH-I ap
expressing an opinion I should like to have full prove of the scheme.
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-Before
details of how the Veterinary Surgeon's ex- timates both of revenue and expenditure are arrived at. As now put forward the schemé seems a good one.
The ACTING REGISTRAR-GENERAL-Whát · practical advantages are expected to follow from this change? None are stated in these рарнга.
The VICE-PRESIDENT-The advantage is that the profit which the lessee now makes will go into the Treasury instead of into his greasy pocket. I should like to see the estimate of revenue in more detail, however.
The PRESIDENT—This should be considered- in connection with the estimates now in course of preparation.
The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH in s subsequent minute-Details of expenditure are already given by the Colonial Veterinary Surgon in his letter. Revenue is arrived at by multiplying the number of animals slaughtered by the fee paid for each, as provided for in section 57 schedule B, of Ordinance 17, 1887.
A discussion followed.
The PRESIDENT said that this matter was before the Board in 1897, and the general The minutes of the previous meeting were opinion then seemed to be that it would be accepted as a correct record.
THE MANAGEMENT OF THE SLAUGHTER- HOUSES.
advisable for the slaughter-houses to be under the Board's control, and he thought it was postponed until the estimates were considered. Of course a new staff would be required. The Colonial Veterinary Surgeon recommended that provision should be made in the estimates for the amount required, and that the Board should take control over the staff,
The ACTING Registrar-GENERAL asked what sort of competition there had been for the position of lessee. Had there been more than one tender?
The COLONIAL VETERINARY SURGEON said there had not been much. There had really
The ACTING Registrar-GENERAL-And it has been the same man for some years ?
The COLONIAL VETERINARY SURGEON re- ported-" In accordance with the wish expressed in the Vice-President's minute dated 8.12.97, to the effect that in his opinion the Government should take over control of the slaughterhouses instead of farming them out by tender, I have the honour to report as follows, regretting that stress of work has prevented me from doing so before:-I see no insuperable difficulty against the proposal beyond the usual native objection to change" olo custom," which might at first give rise to some little trouble; but when this is over-only been one tender. come the business could work smoothly and well, as in the case of the animal depôts. Under the present system the outlying districts of Kow- foon, Shaukiwan, Aberdeen, and Stanley are sub-let by the contractor, and this method might be followed for a time should the above proposal be given effect to. I estimate that the gross revenue from slaughter-houses for the year 1899 will exceed $56,000. The present farmer is only paying $42,000, From this deduct 88,500 for working expenses, and it leaves $5,500 profit on the first year. These profits will rapidly increase year by year, whereas the cost of working will practically remain stationary." Then followed a list of
The COLONIAL VETERINARY SURGEON— The same man has had it I think for two years.
The VICE-PRESIDENT said he wrote that one of the reasons for wishing to bring about the change was that the Government would benefit by it. That was not the only reason nor the best reason. One of the best reasons was that the entire food supply of the colony was in the hands of the contractor whilst it ought to be under the supervision of the Board. He begged to move that provision be made in the estimates, and that the Government be asked to sanction the scheme and vote the money.
!