JAPANESE EMPLOYES IN THE
CHINESE CUSTOMS.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
The fact of Mr Kurosawa's engagement as a omaisi of the Chinese Customs has already en published, It is now stated that Sir Robert Hart has decided to give positions of the same nature to six or seven Japanese in tion. The credit of having brought this atter to the notice of Sir Robert and effooted the preliminary arrangements with him is assigned to Mr. Homura, who formerly served in the Customs at Tamsui and Kelung. It is possible that the method of competitive examin- tion may be employed to choose from among candidates should their number be large, Ich is very probable, seeing that the salary ohed to the post is from 150. to 160 yen thly. At the same time, as an exceptional owledge of the English language and of ok keeping is required, and as Japanese pos- ensing such a knowledge can command fine positions in their own country, the Chinese Customs may not prove too attractive. —Japan Mail.
CANTON NOTES.
"
[FROM THE CHUNG NGOI BAN PO.” There has been a great flood in Loongkong, In the Sub-prefecture of Waichow, in conse- quence of the late continued heavy rain. The people there are very poor, many of them living in flimsy huts and cottages, a great number of which have been destroyed by the flood, and thousands of people have been rendered homeless. As the rice crops there have also been destroyed, famine is threatened. The Canton Government, being informed by the Magistrate of the district In question, has sent a large quantity of rice and a sum of money for distribution among the sufferers in the distressed district.
The only cases of infectious disease reported last week, in addition to plague, were one case of enteric fever, on the steamer Diomed, and one case of smallpox.
On Friday 7th July Sergeant Watts, of the Royal Engineers, was taken to hospital, his tem! perature registering 110, and he died on Saturs day morning from heat apoplexy. Deceased, who was a native of Plymouth, leaves a wife and a young child. The funeral took place on Sun day, and was attended by many of deceased's late comrades and the Fusiliers Band.
The following returns of the average amount of Bank notes in circulation and of specie in reserve in Hongkong, during the month ended 30th June, as certified by the Managers of the respective Banks, are published:
Banks.
Chartered Bank of Ludia, Australia and China, Hongkong and Shanghai Bank- ing Corporation National Bank of
China, Limited,
Total
Average Specie.in amount.
L
reserve.
32,049,940 $1,300,000
7,974,167 5,000,000
446,538 150,000
$10,470,645 $6,450,000
On Monday afternoon Mr. G. J. W. King offered for sale by public auction several lots of Crown land. Inland lot No. 155, which is situated in Kennedy street, Wanchai, and con- tains 1480 square feet, and Inland lot 1555, in the same street and containing 1862 square feet, were bought by Mr. Li Pang, contractor, the former for $1,200 (upset price $740, annual rent $17) and the latter for $1,560 (apset price $930; annual rent 821). Several lots above Robinson road were offered. Lot 1544 was bought by Mr. Sin Sui Wan for $5,500. The lot contains 41,060 square feet; annual rent $2-3; upset price $4,930. Lots 1345, 1546, and 1547 pro- duced no bids. Mr. A. Shelton Hooper bought lot 1548 for 85,730 (upset price $5,720; annual rent $327; area 47,530 square feet). Mr. M. J. D. Stephens was the purchaser of lot 1549, which contains 22,250 square feet; annual rent $153. The upset price was $2,670, and the amount realised was $4.010.
On the 29th ultimo two junks having on board two hundred soldiers who were sent from Canton to cope with the robbers in Ta-¦ konghu, which as previously reported has been oppressed by the robbers under a leader named Foo, Tsang-hoi, were attacked by about one hundrejt robbers at night by surprise. When the robbers arrived the soldiers were still in sound so that the robbers, being provided with i a favourable opportunity, were able to do they liked. They set fire to the two junks took away all the weapons, ammunition, , and uniforms. All the soldiers jumped overboard to make their escape and it is said about fifty of them have been killed or are mising. The robbers then put on the uniforms of the soldiers and marched to the villages to commit robberies and demand money by force.
A serious outbreak of plague has occurred in Kuchow and several thousands of victims have been claimed by the pest. When the annual-Defendant said he was a Norwegian and did examination was to be held the other day for the degree of Buiteoi, a very small number of sohplars were present, so the examination was postponed sine die.
The rebels who have been dispersed by the Centon soldiers in Lakfung district have fled Hoifung district, where they have com- tood their depredations and attacked the anne. The Canton Government has ordered The Canton soldiers stationed in Lukfong to
march to Hoifung to root them out.
It is reported that on the 26th ultimo the peroy received a telegram from the Tsungli.
saying that the French want all the Customs slations in Kwongohowwan to be re- removed within a certain period..
T
HONGKO G.
HE. the Governor has gone to his Peak residence, "The Cliffs."
Mr. E. V. Brenau has taken over charge of the Kowloon Customs as Acting Commissioner. A Government Gazette extraordinary was issued on Monday afternoon declaring Amoy an infected port.
The Sanitary Board is making a call for lunteers to aid in the house to housevisitation
ection with the plague.
report has been received by telegram from gapore that the steamer Shantung is ashore the vicinity of the South Natuna Lalands.
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(July 15, 1899.
It is notified in the Gazette that the Police Station at Kowloon City has been declared a Register Office of births and deaths.
arion iniment of
for New Territories, under the Local Communities Ordinance, is gazetted.
varions sub-districts on
mainland of the
The maximum temperature last month was 88, on the 23rd, and the minimum 68,9, on the 10th, the mean for the month being 79.7. The rainfall amounted to 18.975 inches.
It is notified in the Gazette that arrange ments are being made to hold in Hongkong, in the course of the month of January next, an examination for diplomas of the college of Pre- ceptors.
The stamp revenue for the first half of the present, year was $194,681, being an increase of $3048 on the amount collected in the cor responding half of 1898. There were increases in 29 items and decreases in 13, amongst the decreases being one of $23,290 under the head of probate.
The ribbon originally attached to the Jubiles medal, is not allowed to be worn, on account of its resemblance to the St. Michael and St.. George ribbon, the prohibition being contained in Government notification No. 15 of 10th Jan. last. A new ribbon has now been issued to replace it, which has a white centre and yellow edges.
On Saturday Messrs. Hughes and Hough offered for sale by auction Marine Lot No. 10.1 The property, which is known as 66, 67, 68. Praya East, and 63 and 70, Wanchai Road, is held for the residue of a term of 999 years it a yearly crown rent of $67.10. It was purchased. by Mr. Ting Tap Ling for $51,450, which is at the rate of $1.75 per foot.
During the week ended 8th July there were 100 cases of plague and 96 deaths, as compared with 142 cases and 144 deaths the previons week. The daily returns for the present week are as follows:-Sunday, 12 cases and 15 deaths; Monday, 14 cases 10 deaths; Tuesday, 7 cases, 7 deaths; Wednesday, 8 cases, 8 deaths; Thurs day, 8 cases, 10 deaths; Friday, 6 cases 8 deaths. It is notified in the Gazette that H.E. the Governor has been pleased to appoint the fol lowing committee to enquire into and report.. upon the question of subsidiary coinage in the colony, namely:-Hou, A. M. Thomson, Col- onial Treasurer, Chairman; Sir Thomas Jack- son, Hon. T. H. Whitehead, Mr J. Thurburn, and Mr. R. M. Gray, Chairman of the Hong- kong General Chamber of Commerce.
At the Harbour Office on Thursday morning, before Commander Rumsey, H. Hansen, cook of the British barque Rose, was charged by Alfred Rickers, master of the vessel, with re- fusing duty on Wednesday in the harbour.— Captain Rickers said defendant was on the
At the Magistracy on Monday afternoon eight articles of the Rose as cook and steward. On Wednesday morning there was some dispute
men were charged with being concerned in an about lard, and defendant started thumping the armed robbey at Pat-Heung, near Ug Loong, table. Witness told him to leave the cabin, but on the 5th inst., when $1,500 in money: was be refused to do so. Defendant was very stolen and goods to the value of $1,600. A much excited and said, "I don't chuck you Chinese constable said that he went to the scene over the side," whatever he meant by it.of the robbery on the evening of the 17th inst. for the purpose of making enquiries, and on the following morning he and Inspector Mo- Donald and two Chinese constables went to a place called Sai Kok Tsui, and arrested seven of defendants on a boat there. On searching the boat he found some of the articles which had been stolen and also five loaded rifles, eight swords and knives, and some revolvers. Pri soners were remanded, and on Thursday were committed for trial.
not understand.-The Captain said defendant understood English well enough at other times. -His Worship said that that was generally the case-they did not understand English when they came there.-His Worship directed that a letter should be sent to the Norweghh Consul so that an interpreter could be obtained. At the Magistracy on Tuesday, before Mr. Gompertz (Acting Police Magistrate), two men were placed in the dock on a charge of robbery with violence. It appears that on Monday night defendants and two other men engaged a bort at Shaukiwan in charge of two women. When about a mile from, the village one of the men called out "Now's the time." and while he held one of the women by the throat another of the men pulled a bangle valued at $11.50, from her arm. The women called out, and some fishermen who beard their cries came to their assistance. In the struggle which ensued the boat capsized. The women were rescued and taken on board the fishermen's boat as were also two of their assailants, the other two being either drowned or getting away. The woman made their fay to the Shaukiwau Police Station and told Inspector Robertson their story. The Inspector accom panied them to the fishermen's boat, and received defendants into custody.-First defendant said two men engaged the boat and they arent with them-Second defendant had nothing to say.
They were each sentenced to three months with hard labour and ordered to receive six strokes with the brich rod.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Shanghai Mercury understands that it is the intention of the Russo-Chinese Bank to erect a very grand building on the site of Dont's hong. Provision will be made for very ample banking accommodation and also offices for the various Russian steamship companies that have uow their cramped quarters at the Bank. The Russian Consulate will also be situated in the building and it is expected that several Russian tea merchants will have offices there also.
On the 27th June a steam-launch named the Florida, of 40 tons, was towed into Manila harbour by the Princeton. having been cap- tured in the gulf of Lingayan on the 25th. is supposed hat she had been running contra- band of war and when sighted by the Ameri cans she tried to escape. Nothing illgal was found upon her, however, when she was searched, She was under the command of a British subject and was manned by a crew of Chinese. The captain said the launch had come from Hong- kong.