August 6, 1898.]
TROUBLE ON THE “J. V. TROOP."
At the Harbour Office on the 30th July, before Commander Rumsey, another charge of assault was preferred against E. R. Beveridge, master of the British ship J. V. Troop, the complainant in this case being the cook and steward, Kit Sam.
Mr. Thompson appeared for complainant and Mr. Slade for defendant.
care a
Complainant said-I sailed from Newcastle to Manila in the J. V. Troop. I remember being on deck on March 11th at sea. I wanted water for cooking, and the captain only gave me five buckets for the purpose, though there were 18 persons on board. I told the captain it would not be enough, and he said that there was too much water used for cooking. The captain then called me everything. He said, "I don't you must give the men enongh to eat."
I replied that if he did not give me any more water I could not give the sailors auy soap. After this I got two jugs of water from the filter to make lime- juice, and the Captain again called me everything, afterwards telling me to go to the lazarette to take the pickle out of the lazarette. When I got there the Captain caught hold of me, subsequently catching me by the throat and trying to throw me down. He afterwards struck me about the head, first with the one hand and then with the other. I told him if he kept hitting me like that I would jump over- board. I had never been hit like that before on board ship. The Captain then left me.
for
In answer to Mr. Slade, complainant said ac- cording to the articles three quarts of water were allowed for each man. There were two and a half gallons of water in a bucket. There were 18 persons on board, including one pas- senger. The five-buckets of water were allowed him for cooking purposes every day, and the men got other water for drinking. A gallon of water was put in the filter in the cabin every day. He took the water to make lime-juice from this filter. He took one jug one day and two another. He told the captain all the time he had not enough water. He said nothing the first day, but the second day he tried to strike him. When he got to the lazarette there were two pieces of beef in the pickle barrel. He did not tell him to put them into another barrel. He put a piece of beef on to a barrel. He did not know it was a flour burrel. The captain then called him a dirty beast and struck him over the head.
No corroborative evidence was called. Mr. Slade, for the defence, said there was continual trouble about the water, and the captain had to be particularly careful at this time because during a storm he had had to get rid of a quantity. The captain simply boxed complainant's ears for putting a piece of wet
beef on to a flour barrel.
Mr. Thompson said that even if what Mr. Slade had said were true there was no justifica- tion for the assault.
Commander Rumsey said he did not think
the captain did more than correct the steward, in a way which called for no punishment from him, and the case would be dismissed.
At the Harbour Office on 3rd August, be- fore Commander Rumsey, Joseph. Crews, or- dinary seamen on the British ship J. V. Troop. was charged with disobeying the lawful com- mands of E. R. Beveridge, master of the said ship in Victoria Harbour on the 29th July.
The Captain said that on the date in question it was reported to him that defendant had refused duty by the second officer. When asked why he did this defendant could give no
reason.
Defendant pleaded guilty. He said he had been ill and had no attendance.
Sentenced to 14 days' hard labour.
says:-
The N. C. Daily News of the 1st August Director-General of Railways Shèng was expected to leave Shanghai for Tientsiu by the Hsingu, having been called there to confer with Viceroy Jung on certain "import ant matters," among them being possibly the Lu-Han Railway. He did not anticipate being called to Peking but he may have to go to the capital if the Emperor wishes to personally interview him with reference to the “Belgian loan.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
TIENTSIN,
PEITAIHO CUT OFF.
Tientsin, 20th July. We are now in the midst of our steamy, try. ing weather when every one who can wishes to get away to some cool resort. It is now es- pecially that the benefit of a seaside resort such as has been found near the Peitaiho railway station is manifest to those who can get away from their business for a few days. Unfortun ately, a bridge beyond Lanchou, with quite a stretch of the embankment, was washed out a few days ago, so that there has been no com. munication since Saturday evening. A train will leave to-morrow, but it may find some difficulty in getting through. It is hoped, how- ever, that on Friday repairs will be so com- pleted that no difficulty will occur in passing the break. After a heavy rain the little streams from the mountains pour out a flood of angry water that carries everything before it. This place was made extra strong last year after the experiences of former years, but the water proved too much for it. Some of the telegraph poles were carried away also and communication interrupted for a time.
NO TELEGRAMS.
127
local papers in Tientsin, Shanghai, Hupsk, and Kwangtung should be sent to the yamen of the Chief Justice and the Great Imperial College by the Viceroys and Governors of the respective cerning the progress of public affairs should provinces, and any remarks made therein con-
be presented for Our perusal. All the papers should be strict and forward in commenting on public affairs without shrinking. They are allowed to say anything concerning the local and foreign affairs, so as to help the Imperial Court to bring the public affairs into perfection, The means recommended to defray the expenses of the said official paper are approved."
The rebels, having been defeated by the Can- ton soldiers in Paulau, made their escape first to the district of Yeungmoi, but they after- they are wards shifted to the border of Hing-Ip, where now hemmed in on all sides by the soldiers under the command of General Sou, who arrived there on the 25th altimo. It is said that General Son has decided not to make any attack on the rebels, but to starve them out.
A Chinese merchant sürmaned Chan has ap- plied to the Viceroy to be allowed to found a Fire Insurance Company in Canton to insure property and goods. His application is under the consideration of the Government.
For some days we have had no telegraphic communication with the south.
A Sansz named Lenog U-lam petitioned the The Yollow Viceroy asking permission to make a levy on River- China's Sorrow "-appears to have houses equivalent in amount to one month's rent to been the cause. I understand it has broken its raise funds for the engagement of lukongs for banks near Chinaufu, pouring out a large volume the preservation of order. His application was, of water on the plain to do its work of lestruc- however, refused, on the ground that there is a tion. This is not simply flooding and destroy-sufficient number of soldiers and district watch- sand to such an extent as to nearly spoil the ing crops and other valuables, but despositing men to keep the place in order.
land for cultivation. It is said that six hundred of the telegraph poles were also toru down.
One line I understand, has been repaired, but full restoration of the whole line, in present conditions of flood, will require time.
JUNG LU'S ENTERPRISE.
Two incidents in the political world are of some importance. One is local, and well repre- sents one phase of China's internal life, and a great obstacle in the way of development. The of office as you know. He has taken some other new Viceroy, Jung Lu, has taken over the seals things as well. Some hundred miles to N.E. of Tientsin are gold mines which a company has been working with some success for several years. This worthy gentleman appears to look upon them as legitimate booty pertaining to his position, or as perquisites of his office: at any rate, he has notified the Directors that their services are no more needed "or charge, and has done so. words to that effect," and that he will take Will the share- holders get anything is a question of some importance. This is one of the mountains in the way of China's progress. It is td to be hoped that the Emperor will hear of interfere for some degree of justice.
and
ENGLAND AND RUSSIA. Word reaches us that Russia has vigorously protested against the reorganisation of the Chinese army and navy under British suspices, and relations between England and Russia are very strained in consequence. Such protest was to be expected. It is much to be hoped that England will not weaker, that China will be firm, and that the U. S. will give them the situation is uncalled-for.-N. C. Daily News fuHest " moral" support. Comment on this
correspondent.
CANTON NOTES.
|
HONGKONG.
There were 1,693 visitors to the City Hall Museum last week, of whom 165 were Europeans.
Amended regulations with regard to piers, including the rents payable to the Crown, are published in the Gazette.
It is notified in the Gazette that twelve months'
leave of absence has been granted to Lieutenant W. Machell, Hongkong Volunteer Corps.
H.M.S. Barfleur arrived on 1st Aug. from Weihaiwei, flying the paying off pennant. Her relief crew is coming out by the Blenheim.
A squadron circular issued by Admiral Dewey announces the value of the Mexican dollar for the quarter ending 30th September as $0.454.
The flags of the German Consulate, the Ger. man Club, and the various German hongs were half-masted on 2nd Aug., in respect to the late Prince Bismarck.
The Secretary of the Punjom Mining Co., following telegram from the mines, giving the Limited, advises us that he has received the
result of the July clean up-"The mill ran 27 days' crushing 2,000 tons, yielding 212 ozs. of smelted gold. The mill is idle for want of water."
The Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart, C.M.G., the Colonial Secretary, arrived by the Empress of China on 2nd Ang. He has been commissioned to report on the recent boundaries extension, and with this object in view he will make an inspection in the course of a day or so in com- pany with the Hon. R. D. Ormsby, Director of Public Works, and Captain Rundall, R.E.
Among the passengers booked by the Inaba Maru, which left for home on 1st August, was Mr. W. Machell, assistant master at Queen's College and lieutenant in the Hongkong Volunteer Corps. Mr. Machell has been granted 12 months' leave. Before sailing Mr. Machell [FROM THE CHUNG NGOI BAN PO”] was presented with a handsome silver bowl on An Imperial edict was issued on the 26th July behalf of the members of the Victoria Recreation in response to a memorial presented by Soon Club in recognition of the valuable services Kai-lai, the President of the Board of Civil Ap-rendered by him as secretary. Mr. W. 8. pointments, asking to be allowed to recognise Bailey, the new acting secretary, made the the Shanghai local paper, the Chinese Progress, presentation. as an official paper. The edict grauts the re- quest, as the three regulations set out in the memorial are properly framed, and as the news- paper is of great utility in making known the affairs of the country and the feeling of the people. "It is therefore right that the officials should stand at the head in carrying out such undertaking. We are pleased to appoint Houg Yan-wai, the third Secretary of the Board of Works, to be Superintendent of the paper, and the issues of the paper must be presented to Ts regularly. All the issues of the other
Commenting on the fact that Mr. and Mrs. George Dodwell were passengers: to Tacoma on the Arizona recently, a Tacoma paper remarks their coming as "significant." Mr. Fred Dodwell, it says, arrived in Tacoma a month previously and took up his residence there as manager on the Pacific Coast for Dodwell, Carlill & Co. "It is reported that Mr. George Dodwell will make his home on the coast, and be and his brother will hereafter have headquarters in Tacoma intead of Hong- kong."
{
i