June 18, 1898.]
CANTON NOTES.
"
[FROM THE CHƯNG NGOI SAN PO” It is satisfactory to learn that the plagne in Canton is gradually dying away, the number of admissions to the plague hospitals being much smaller than a fortnight ago, when from three to four hundred cases were reported daily. Now there are only about fifty cases a day. It is said that the plague this year has been more violent than in 1894, when the people. affected with the disease were mostly of the lower class, whereas this time a good number of upper class people have been claimed as victims by the pest. The district affected most seriously is San-oi, where over twenty thousand people have suc- cumbed to the disease. The report that the Magistrate of Pun-u and his wife had suc- cumbed to the disease is incorrect. The Magis- trate was seen on the 6th instant in his yamen attending to his duties.
A party of native Christians have raised a subscription to establish a library named Ta- Kwong-lau, in Wai-Ben Street, where people are to be admitted free. The building will be completed by the end of August.
On the 10th instant the people were much alarmed by the sudden breaking of a gale. The gunboats at once fired at the black clouds for the purpose of scaring away the tailless dragon which was supposed to have shown its appear- ance. Not long afterwards the gale peased. During the gale some small boats capsized and some houses were unroofed.
Rice is very dear in Swatow, where the new crops have been completely destroyed by the continued drought. A dollar can only buy seventeen catties. Some local Sansz have asked the local magistrate to find a means to import rice from other places. The people do not show anything of a rebellious spirit.
A Sansz named Chan Kwong-Chiu petitioned the Sin-Hau-Kuk some days ago asking to be allowed to establish a tax on all the eating houses, of which he would like to be a farmer. His application was declined.
Two rebellions have broken out in Kwangsi, one in Waichap and the other in Lauchow. The Governor of Kwangsi has sent soldiers to the rebellious districts, but no fight between the rebels and the soldiers has taken place as yet.
HONGKONG.
There were 1,408 visitors to the City Hall 'Museum last week, of whom 169 were Europeans. Mr. G. Stafford Northcote, Assistant Post- master-General, left by the Gaelic on 16th June for England on six months' leave of absence.
The stamp revenue last month was $14,552, being an increase of $5,015 on the amount collected in the corresponding month last year. The maximum temperature last month was 91.5 on the 30th, and the minimum 64.9, on the 1st, the mean for the month being 78.4. The rainfall amounted to 5.7 inches.
The paddle-wheel steamer Kwong Hoi, lately engaged in the Canton trade. left on 15th June for Manila with, we understand, a full cargo, consisting mainly of provisions for the men-of-war of various nationalities now stationed in Manila Bay.
|
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
It is notified in the Gazette that H.E. the Acting Governor has been pleased to appoint Captain J. H. Laurie, The King's Own Regi- ment, to be Private Secretary, vice Captain F. R. Loveband, who vacates that appointment.
493
Peking has been taken in badly, we learn from a correspondent of the N. C. Daily News, by a foreign swindler who gave himself out as an Englishman named Wilson. Pretending to have Sir Claude Macdonald's letter of introduction, Our readers will learn with regret of the sad he secured a letter from the Hongkong and death of Mr. Gustave Bernard, late secretary Shanghai Bank compradore to H. E. Hu Yü to the Austro-Hungarian Consulate in Hong-fen, Director of the Imperial Railways, and kong. Mr. Bernard, who had been ailing for victimised him to the extent of one hundred some time, had voyaged to Bangkok by the dollars. Two guests of the Hotel de Pekin lent Siam, transferring there to the Phra Chom Hlao. him sixty dollars "until the Bank opened," and Desiring to go ashore he called for a sampan, and other good-natured confiding foreigners and while stepping into the boat slipped and fell natives were taken in to his confidence in the over board, sinking out of sight immediately. sum total of over five hundred dollars. He got The body was subsequently recovered and taken away with his plunder, but Sir Claude Macdonald ashore for burial. The deceased gentleman, who had him arrested at Tangku by a wire to Tien-- was a Mason, was well known in Hongkong, and tsin. on account of his kindly nature was much res- pected. During the troubles in the Transvaal he was a member of the Reform Committee. Mr. Bernard was 40 years of age, and a uative of Hongkong.
A telegram
It was with sincere sorrow that the com- munity learned on Wednesday of the death of Mrs. Burdon, the wife of the Right Rev. Bishop Burdon, which occurred at sea on board the steamer Freje on Tuesday. Mrs. Burdon had been suffering for some time at Pakhoi from the effects of a chill and when her illness took a serious turn it was decided to bring her to Hongkong in order that she might enjoy the benefit of the Peak climate. was accordingly despatched requesting that the Frejr might call in at Pakhoi on her present trip, and Bishop and Mrs. Burdon took passage by her, accompanied by Dr. Horder. Mrs. Burdon died, however, before the voyage was completed. The body was brought on to Hongkong and was buried on Wednesday afternoon. The funeral was largely attended, many ladies being present. The service was conducted by the Rev. R. F. Cobbold, The deceased lady during her long residence in this colony won the loving regard of all with whom she was brought in contact, and the affection in which she was held was warmly expressed when her husband resigned the bishopric and severed his connection with Hongkong. After a visit to Europe Bishop and Mrs. Burdon returned to China a few months ago and took up their residence at Pak- hoi, where they have since resided. The most sincere sympathy will be felt with the Bishop and is sons in their sad bereavement.
MISCELLANEOUS.
At the British Consular Court at Kobe a man named Edward Allan Wallace Mackay has been committed for trial on a charge of obtain- ing from Inouye Mankichi, of the Yaami Hotel, Kyoto, the sum of 50 yen, with intent to de- fraud. The prisoner went to the office of the hotel and asked for a loan of 50
yen, stating that he would give a cheque on the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank for the amount, which would be duly honoured. On presentation of the cheque the Bank refused to cash it and stated that the prisoner had had no dealings with them whatever. The hotel proprietor also had a claim against the prisoner of 18.54 yen for lodging and chits. Another similar base in reference to a cheque for 100 yen given to tradesman was adjourned.
Mr. Hugh McCallum has resigned the The Kobe Herald says:-We have just re Secretaryship of the Sanitary Board, owing to ceived further particulars with regard to the ill-health, The eulogies pronounced on Mr. deplorable accident which happened to Captain McCallum at the meeting of the Board on Thurs-Wright of the steamer Mogul at Portland, Or. day will be heartily endorsed by all who have followed the sanitary history of the colony during the past ten years. His resignation and the cause of it will be sincerely regretted.
The following returns of the average amount of Bank notes in circulation and of specie in reserve in Hongkong during the month ended 31st May, 1898, as certified by the managers of the respective Banks, are published:
Average Banks.
Amount. Chartered Bank of
+
India, Australia
and China,
Hongkong and
Shanghai Bank-
$2,836,976
ing Corporation, $6,439,806
National Bank of
China, Limited,
Total
$ 450,000
$9,726,782
COMMERCIAL.
TEA.
Foocнow, 10th June,-Musters were placed on districts have since been dealt in :-- the market on the 23rd ultimo, and the following
Congous-71,845 half-chests.
Viz.:
Pakling Paklum Panyong Yung How Seu Moo
.38,08 boxes,
6,786 half-chts. .38,330
دو
102
"
..11,426 2,526
Tong Fong Tong Souchongs-26,889 half-chests. Oolongs-None..
Scented Teas-6,767 boxes. Flowery Fekoes-4,078 chests.
HANKOW, 9th June.-Business reported since the 2nd inst. is as under :-
1898. Settlements.... 99,946 .chts. Consisting of the following Teas Ningchows... 21,318 -chts. at Tls.
Khemaus
J
#5
1897. 116,677 -chts.
15,25 to 41.00 per picul.
24.00 to 51.50 14.50 to
10.90 to 43.00
1,613 1,367 9,961 * 28,787 82,312
"
35
"
"
10.30 to 32.00
"
"
Ho-hows...... Oopacks Oonams Oonfans Seang-tams.. 4,585
13.00 to 29.00 10.30 to 15.50 The following are statistics at date compared with the corresponding circular of last season, viz., 7th June, 1897. Hankow Tea.
1898. Settlements...365,456 )-chts.
Stock.
34,553
Arrivals.........400,009
1897. 276,160 -chts. 114,270
"
390,4301
**
1897. 151,984 .chts.
43, 67
11
195,551
"
Kiukiang Tea.
1898. Settlements...177,483 -chts. Stock............. 25,495 *
Arrivals.........242,978
دو
The entire business to date as compared with the corresponding circular of last year is estimated as under :-
For London,
A'rica and European Continent
1898.
1997.
102,939 -chts.
"
542,939 -chts.
109,863 fchts.
318,281
428,444 1-chts.
For Russia......410,000
EXPORT OF TEA FROM CHINA TO UNITED. KINGDOM AND CONTINENT.
Hankow Foochow
AVORI
1898-99 lbs. 3,699,315
679,235
1897-98 18. 3,866,035 2,639,934
4,378,550
6,555,969
He was struck by a falling boom at No. 4 hatch, just as the last sling load came out of the hold, and the falls must have touched the boom which had been properly lashed, but, dur- ing the day, some one, unbeknown to the officers, had removed the lashing. As the boom fell, the block struck the Captain over the shoulders or back, crushing him to his knees, and holding him in this doubled up position. EXPORT OF TEA FROM CHINÀ TO ODESSA. Specie in Needless to say, the officers extricated him with Reserve. all possible haste, but it was at once seen tha
1898-99 1897-98
lbs.
lbsi he was very dangerously injured.
He wa taken to St. Vincent's Hospital immediately
Shanghai and Hankow... 8,481,349 3,696,800 $1,300,000 after the accident, and was conscious the whole EXPORT OF TEA FROM JAPAN, TO UNITED
time, although suffering greatly He died at
STATES AND CANADA. 4.30a.m. Dr. Adam, his Chief Engineer, and the
1898-99 $3,000,000 | Chief Officer and the hospital nurse were with
lbs. him when he died. Captain Wright was a
594,850 widower and leaves a son of about 16. Unfor
686,260 Lunately our advices do not give the date of the
coident.
1,221,110
$ 150,000
$4,450,000
Yokohama.......
Kobe .............................................P9 LEA
1897-98 lbs.