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"strenuous objection to the incidence of the charges as levied under the new regula- tions, which they say work quite differ- ently from the old system, and we are in
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[April 15, 1899.
of the Colony of Hongkong from the operation of certain laws, and for other purposes." Section 4 provides that where, in any existing grant of any right or privilege or farm or in any existing contract, the expression "the Colony word "Hongkong" or any similar expression referring to geographical limit or extent in relation to the Colony of Hongkong occurs the
or the
same shall apply to which was within the limits of the Colony at the time when fact that the steamer Hankow is for the use of
We are requested to draw attention to the such grant or contruct was made. The Ordin. ances which are not to come into operation in the invited guests only. The Kong On Com- new territory number twenty-two and include pany, as already stated, have offered their the Cattle Diseases, Slaughter houses, and steamer Kongnam for the conveyance of those Markets Ordinances, the Licensing Ordinauces, members of the community whom it has not the Opuim...___'rdinaners, Public Health Ordin. been possible to invite on the Hunkow. Asances, the Building Ordinances, and the Births only a limited number of tickets can be issued and Deaths Registration Ordinances. for the Kongnam, early application should be made for them at the Registrar General's Office, be obtained free. The Kong- nam will leave Central Market Wharf. Ar. rangements will be made for landing passengers. As the place where the ceremony of hoisting the flag is only about 200 yards from the shore, no chairs or other conveyances will be required.
The times mentioned above are, we believe, | being reconsidered.
where they may
Various papers relating to the new territory are published in the Gazette. The first dated 20th October, 1898, is the following.
H.E the Governor on landing will be received with a royal salute and six bars of "God save the Queen." Addresses will then be read, on the conclusion of which Lady Blake will raise the Royal Standard and an Imperial salute of "formed that the Cantonese and Tientsin
a hundred and one guns will be fired. The "merchants have stopped ship ing any troops will be in review order and H.E. Major
cargo until some obnoxious wharfagedes-General Gascoigne and staff will bo present, export cargo which were never On conclusion of the ceremony the "before-are repealed." Probably the diffi- Governor will re-embark under a royal salute. culties al'uded to by our contemporary will be adjusted-in course of time, but, now that the wharfage dues have been inade practically an addition to the Customs duty, perhaps some attention may be given to the question of principle involved. However convenient the dues may be as a source of revenue, and however light their inci- dence, we cannot but think their imposi- tion a grave mistake on the part of the foreign community as represented by the ratepayers in annual meeting assem ble, which is the source whence authority for the charge is derived.
In the " Memorandum the
upon
present "conditions of foreign trade in China," issued in the early part of this year by the Shanghai Branch of the China Association, stress was laid upon the transit pass question and the importance of getting rid of all irregular levies, and Lord ELGIN's view that payment of the transit duty should clear goods of all further charge of toll, octroi, or tax of any description whatever is quoted. Yet here we find the Shanghai Municipality setting the example of im- posing a toll or octroi at the very port of entry, before a transit pass can even be applied for That the money is honestly applied to the purpose for which it is levied of course goes without saying; but that is not the question. The point is that the tax is what in Chinese might be called taoli, and if tsoli may be im- posed for the convenience of the foreign settlement at Shanghai, why not for the convenience of Chinese towns, which equally require money for their municipal charges, and have from time immemorial been accus- tomed to regard dues on merchandise as one of the best ways of raising it? The Shang- bai wharfage dues have never, so far as we Are aware, been considered in the light of a practical hardship, but as a matter of prin- ciple their imposition appears to entirely give away the case of the foreign merchant against the imposition of dues or duties in excess of those specified in the treaty.
THE KOWLOON EXTENSION.
ا
THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE
NEW TERRITORY,
Monday next, 17th April, is appointed for the hoisting of the British flag in the new territory, and a notification in the Gazette declares that day a public holiday under the provisions of section 6 of Ordinance 6 of 1875.
ORDER OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN COUNCIL:- Whereas by a convention dated the 9th day of June, 1898, between Her Majesty and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China, it is provided that the limits of British territory in the regions adjacent to the colony of Hong. kong shall be enlarged under leases to Her Majesty in the manner described in the said convention.
And whereas it is expedient to make provision for the Government of the territories acquired by Her Majesty under the said Convention, during the continuance of the said lease,
It is hereby ordered by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advise of Her Majesty's Privy Council, as follows:-
1. The territories within the limits and for the term described in the said Convention shall be and the same are hereby declared to be part and parcel of Her Majesty's colony of Hong- kong in like manner and for all intents and purposes as if they had originally formed part of the said colony.
2.-It shall be competent for the Governor of Hongkong, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council of the said colony to make laws for the peace order and good government of the said territories as part of the colony.
of the Governor of Hongkong, all laws and 3-From a date to be fixed by proclamatiou ordinances which shall at such date be in force in the colony of Hongkong shall take effect in the said territories and shall remain in force therein until the same shall have been altered or repealed by Her Majesty or by the Governor of Hongkong, by and with the advice or conseut of the Legislative Council.
4. Notwithstanding anything horein con- tained the Chinese officials now stationed within the city of Kowloon shall continue to exercise jurisdiction therein except in so far as may be inconsistent with the military requirements for. the defence of Hongkong.
And the Right Honourable Joseph Chamber. lain, one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, is to give the necessary direction herein socordingly.
A. W. FITZROY,
PROCLAMATION.
In accordance with the above order a pro- clamation by H.E. the Governor directs that from the 17th April, 1899, all laws and ordin- auces which shall at such date be in force in the colony of Hongkong shall take effect in the said territories and shall remain in force until the same shall have been altered or repealed by Her Majesty or by the Governor of Hongkong, by and with the advice or consent of the Legis
The arrangements for the ceremony of hoist ing the flag at Taipo on Monday are as fol- lows The Hongkong Regiment will send out
■ hundred men on Sunday, who will encamp for the night and probably for ten days after- wards. On Monday morning the storeship Humber will take a hundred men of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, including the band, a force of Royal Artillery, and a portion of the Volunteer Corps. The Humber leaves at 5 a.m. H.E. the Governor and party go out in H.M.S. Brisk and the ceremony will take place at 12.30 Invited guests will be conveyed by the river steamer Hankow, which has been placed at thelative Council. disposal of the government by Messrs. Butterfield and Swire, and the Kwong On Company have kindly offered their steamer Kongnam for the conveyance of those members of the com. munity whom it has not been possible to invite on the Hankow.
NEW. ORDINANCES. The drafts of three Bills which it is pro- posed to introduce shortly into the Legislative Council are published. The first of these is entitled "An Ordinance to exempt the territories comprised in the recent extension
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The second is entitled “An Ordinance relating to local communities and tribuuals." Its object is to establish village tribunals in the new territory for the trial of petty civil and criminal cases. The civil jurisdiction of these tribunols is limited to cases in which the amount involved does not exceed $100, and in criminal matters their power of punishment is limited to the in- fliction of a fine of $10, with a further fine u t exceeding $10 per day for a continued offence; imprisonment not exceeding one month in de- fault of the payment of the fiue; or, in lieu of imprisonment, a flugging'not exceeding twolve strokes. (l'his seems to be equal to eighty-three cents per stroke. It does not app ar to be in- tended to flog offenders who can afford to buy themselves off by the payment of fines.) An appeal lies from the lowest village tribunal, from the latter court to a magistrate, and from the magistrate to the Governor. The Gover nor-in-Council is given power to make rules for the peace, good order, health, cleanliness. good government, and well-being of the new territory and for certain specified purposes, The Governor-in-Council is also empowere i to
the sub-district court, to the district court, uni
make rules for the levying of cout. ibutions for the payment of watchmen aud for other pur- poses. The district and sub-distr.ot committees have the duty thrown upon them of enforcing such rules, whilst the district and sub-distriól courts have power to punish breaches of any such rules. Section is provides a summary punishment for perjury, and section 28 brings
the president and members of village bodies and
watchmen under the operation of the bribery provisions of Ordinance 3 of 1898. Section 29 provides for the levying f the whole or any portion of the cost of the polics upon a district where good order is not preserved.
The third is entitled "An Ordinanca to pro. vide for the better regulation of the new territories." The object is to confer temporary power upon the Executive Council to make rules for the collection of revenue in the new terri-
tories. The measure is introduced as a tempo- rary expedient in order to remove difficulties which must necessarily be experienced in dealing with certain sources of revenue which are new to this colony, and in order to obviate the necessity for, and the delays which would be occasioned by passing unmerous Ordinances and Amending Ordinances." Rules may be made for, amongst other purposes, the farming: out or licensing of the right to sell "spirits, opium, salt, or any other commodity whatever." The Ordinance is to remain in force for one year and for such further period or periods as may from time to time be determined by tho Legislative Council.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S
DESPATCH.
SECRETARY OF STATE TO GOVERNOR.
Sir, I am now in a position to communicate to you the views of Her Majesty's Government as to the fature administration of the territory which, under the Convention between the United Kingdom and China of the 9th June last, has been added to the Colony of Hongkong, and to convey to you their instructions as to the steps to be taken for its formal occupation in the name of Her Majesty the Queen.
2.-I have in the first place to euclose an Order of Her Majesty in Council dated the 20th October last and declaring the territories within the limits and for the term described in the above Convention to be part and parcel of the Colony of Hongkong. You will cause this Order in Council, which has not at present been