468
square mile; and precious stones, such agree as the Government of India may decide upon its meritain each case. Leases may be granted over one or more blocks, each not exceeding: in extent the area permitted for the particu lar mineral concerned, but the total agree held by a lessee and those in joint interest with him is not to exceed ten square miles. The term for which a mining lease is granted is not to exceed thirty years, and no aver ment for renewal is to be inserted without the sanction of the Governor-General in Council. The lessee must commence operations within two years and carry them on to the satisfac- tion of the local Government. Surface rent is payable, not exceeding one rupee per acre, and the royalties are: coal, one anna per ton; oil, eight,annas per forty gallons, or 5 per cent. on the gross; gold or silver, 71 per cent. on the net annual profit; iron, anna per ton of ironstone; copper, tin, lead, and other metals, 2 per cent. on the sale value at the pit's mouth; precious stones, 30 per cent. on the net annual profits.
•
In the New Territory, where the mines are likely to be comparatively few in uum- ber, very elaborate rules seem to be un- necessary, and at the beginning the most satisfactory course would probably be to deal with each case on its merits, care being taken that rights are only granted where there is a bona fide intention to work the mines and subject to forfeiture in the case of failure to do so. Subsequently, should it be discovered, contrary to expec- tation, that the country is rich in minerals, and a
"rush "set in, the Government might raise its terms, in order to ensure for the community a fair share in the returns, but at the outset the terms should be liberal, with a view to encouraging prospecting. The knowledge acquired by the prospecting work of the pioneers becomes valuable to those who enter the field later, and it is but reasonable that those who commence the opening up of the country should re- ceive a premium for their enterprise in the shape of more liberal terms than are usually accorded in countries whose mineralogy is well known and where mining work is comparatively plain sailing. The object of the Government should be to encourage the development of the country, and, to begin with, licences to prospect for minerals might reasonably be granted on terms which would involve the prospectors in no preliminary expenses for official fees or dues, and subject only to the payment of a royalty should success be attained.
GERMANY'S ACQUISITION OF THE CAROLINES.
富
"R
CC
45
was
been
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND Yap, the capital. The Germau view was expressed by the National Zeitung of the 16th August of that year as follows:- "The recognition of the ancient Spanish claim to the Caroline Islands, which "in reality only exists on paper, has
on several occasions
expressly and "withheld by Germany
other Powers on the ground that Spain has "never taken actual possession of these "islands. Germany had a right to hoist her flag there, inasmuch as several German "firms trading in the Pacific, to whom the the Empire has to afford protection, have "branch establishments in the Carolines."- Germany's action was, however, strongly resented by Spain, in which country popular feeling became excited to
a dangerous pitch, and full sovereignty over the islands claimed by the Spanish Govern ment. Germany proved conciliatory, and ultimately the dispute was referred to the arbitration of the Pope, who gave his award in favour of Spain. Since that time Spain has maintained small garrisons in the islands and sent occasional gunboats there. With the downfall of her sovereignty in the Philippines, however, she would find the maintenance of ber rule in the dis- tant and outlying groups of the Carolines, Pelews, and Ladrones (or Marianas) costly and unremunerative, she having no material interests there to yield any return the outlay. Germany, on the other hand, has considerable tradal interests in the islands, which will largely increase under set- tled government, in the benefits of which other nations will no doubt also share. Whether Germany will follow the policy she has adopted at Kiaochou and give equal trading opportunities to all comers remains to be seen, but in any case the establishment of effective civilised rule must be accounted
on
|
[June 10, 1899.
SUPREME COURT,
5th June.
IN SUMMARY Jurisdiction.
BEFORE MR. JUSTICE WISE (Puisne JUDGE..)
HUGHES AND HOUGH V. VAN EPS, This was a olaim by Hughes and Hough, auctioneers, for $17.94, the balance due on cer- tain purchases.
Mr. E. J. Grist appeared for plaintiffs and Mr. Hursthouse for defendants.
:
Mr. Grist said that on the 11th of March de- fendant attended an auction sale conducted by plaintiffs and purchased 16 tins of paint one drum for $12; and at another and auotion on the 16th May he purchased three cases of beer at $19.75. Defendant refused or neglected to take delivery of a portion of the goods. He took delivery of seven tins of paint and one drum, and as delivery was not taken of the remaining portion, the three cases of beer, nine tins of paint, and one drum were sold for $13.81. The sum of 39.75 had been paid into court. There had been considerable correspondence on the matter. In one of his letters, dated May 28th, defendant said he had examined the drum and found it con- tained a solid piece of stone and not drop of oil. Defendant returned the dram and wanted to take $175 from the account. He sent a cheque for $30 in payment of the remainder of the two lots According to a visited the office and snatched the cheque from letter from plaintiffs, defendant afterwards the hands of a clerk. Coutinning, Mr. Grist contended that it was for Mr. Hursthouse to open if non-delivery was set up as a défence.
Mr. Hursthouse said the auctioneer described a certain sealed-up drum as a drum of oil and it was afterwards found to contain a A month later defendant bought solid stone. some beer, and he was perfectly willing to take delivery of the beer, but the auctioneer would not allow him to take it unless he paid for the drum.
His Lordship said defendant had made mistake in merging the two purchases together. He added that he did not think defeudan, had a show at all. He wanted to take what he liked aud leave what he did not want. There would be judgment for plaintiffs with costs.
gain to the world at large, and no other Powers are likely to raise any objection, Mr. Hughes said he did not describe the drum nor does it appear that they would have as containing oil.. The lot was sold as a mis- any right to do so. America, however, iscellaneous lot and the sale was subject to the in possession of Guam, the principal island usual conditions. of the Ladrones, which was ceded to her by the terms of the treaty of peace with Spain, and presumably she will remain there, as it is intended to make the island a landing place for the proposer cable between the States and the Philippine. Germany and America will therefore be close neighbours and it is to be hoped they may find no difficulty in maintaining amicable relations.
THE SITUATION IN TE PHILIPINES.
DAILY CHANGES AND COMPLETE UNCERTAINTY,
ON THE LINES. VOLUNTEERS GOING HOME.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
For the unlearned in geography it may be mentioned, to avoid confusion, that there are two groups of THE FILIPINO COMMISSIONERS' EXPERIENCES islands known by the Dame of the Ladrones, one on the coast of Kwangtung, of which Hongkong may be considered one, and the other in the Pacific. It is of-- course the latter that is now in question.. The Pelews are in 7.30 N. lat. and 134.45 E. iong., the Carolines in 10 N. 148 E, and the Ladrones or Marianas in 17. N. 146 E. The three groups have together an area of rather under a thousand square miles and about 50,000 inhabitants.
(Daily Press, 6th June.) When it was seen that as a result of the Hispano-American war Spain was going to lose the Philippines it was anticipated that Germany would try to obtain possession of the Carolines, and reports have since been in circulation from time to time that negotia-| tions with that object were proceeding,
No surprise will be occasioned, therefore, by the The Manila Times says:-With reference to announcement made by the Queen Regent the plague it may interest our readers to know of Spain at the opening of the Cortes to the that passengers arriving from Hongkong will effect that Spain has sigued a Convention not be placed in quarantine. After being sub- ceding the Caroline, the Pelex, and thejected to a severe medical examination and Ladrone Islands to Germany, subject to the the event, however, of there being a case of disinfection they will be allowed to land. In ratification of the Cortes: There can be plague on board the passengers will be removed little doubt that the ratification will be to the lazaretto, where they will be placed un- accorded, for Spain has absolutely no.com. der observation for a few days. Ouly a certain mercial interests in the islands, which she class of merchandise will be subject to disinfec has done nothing to develop, her occupatio. tiou, and this will be d ne us-rapidly as possible. being merely nominal. It may be remem- The U. S. Cousal at Hongkong advises the Manila authorities daily by telegram of the bered that Germany laid claim to the total of plague patients, the number of new Carolines in 1885 and hoisted her fing at
cases, and of the deaths that occur,
Manila, 2nd June. and business men like to gamble on the future, People are fond of speculation: speculators and as there is no place that admits of more diversities of opinion with very little balance of probability on any one side more than on an- other, Manila is filled with every class of that- transient population which is ready to take advantage of each change in the wind.
The great topic is the situation, the return of the Volunteers, and the possible cessation of hostilities. Opinions change with the hour the arrival and departure of a transport, and with the results of the fights that occur almost daily about Manila. The frequent visits of the
FILIPINO COMMISSIONERS-
have led a large number of people to believe that peace is almost at hand and that the long looked for surrender is a matter of a few days only. But the crafty Filipinos have their pow- Wow with General Otis, spend a few hours with the McKinley Commissioners, followed by one or two days of high living in Manils, where their appearance, resplendent in gay uniforms and shining swords riding about the city