Beptember 28, 1899;]
and would be laid before the Secretary of State for the Colonies, were intended merely to sup- port those passed by Indian Chambers on the subject.
It was also resolved to prepare resolutions dealing with the charges made by Telegraph Cos from Hongkong.
*THE÷PIRACIES AND‹ DISORDERS IN A THE TWO KWANG,
The Secretary reported that in accordance with the decision taken at last meeting, the following telegram was, on the 10th August, sent, through the courtesy of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., for transmission by Mr. W. Keswick, M.P., to the London Chamber of Commerce :-
“Kwang province very unsettled. No reli- ance can be placed in the Viceroy of Canton. Piracy interferes seriously with trade. We urge upon you the necessity of more gunboats to protect our interests West River.”
This was followed on the 11th idem by a letter setting out the facts at length.
On the 14th, a reply was sent to Messrs. Bradley & Co., acknowledging receipt of their letter of the 10th, which was read at last meeting.
On the same date a letter was addressed by the Chamber to H.B.M's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking pressing the matter on his attention.
On the 15th August a letter was sent to the local Government enclosing copies of the last named despatch and, on the 16th idem, a letter was addressed to H.B.M's Consul at Canton transmitting a copy of the Chamber's letter to the British Minister for his information.
Read despatch from H.B.M's Chargé d'Af. faires at Péking, dated 29th August, acknow- ledging receipt of above and stating that fur- ther gunboats had been ordered to the West River to assist the Sandpiper in patrol duty, and urgent representations had been made to Chinese Government which it was hoped might eventually result in the suppression of piracy.
The Chairman said-The representations which have been made to the British Govern- ment from various sources have had the effect of the Tweed and a torpedo boat being de pat- shed to the West River, and we just hear that the Wivern is commissioned to go to Canton. This of course is a step in the right direction sad would be of great help if the Chinese Authorities could be depended upon to make any real effort to improve the deplorable state of affairs in these provinces
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CHINA OVEREAND TRADE REPORTĮ of opium on boardo:through the agency paid informers, ansånquiryl was,con the 81st August; addressed to the local Government, and a reply received next day stating that the matter had been referred to the Secretary of State for the Colonies for his consideration.
THE ALLEGED NEW SYSTEM OF: REVENUE AT KIÄOCHAU.
to the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce A letter was, on the 24th August, addressed enclosing copy of the letter received from the Katikati Road Board: asking for details of a novel system of raising revenue alleged to have been adopted in German Chine, and suggesting that if in Ipossession of any information on the subject they would perhaps be willing to import. it to the New Zealand inquirers.
Read reply to the above, dated 6th September, in which it was stated that as a cosmopolitan Chamber the Committee felt they were not in a position to comment on the system of col lecting revenue adopted at Kisochan nor to reply
to the Katikati latter.
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Board that the Chamber were not in possession Resolved to reply to the Katikati Road of the desired information.
FOURTH CONGRESS OF CHAMBERS OF COM-
MEROR OF THE EMPIRE: /
Read circular letter from London Chamber of Commerce, dated 7th July, in which this Chamber is invited to send representatives to the above congress, to be held in June, 1900 and enclosing nomination form. -
The Chairman said that, as the appointments had to be made by October, it would be as well to take the matter in hand at once.
Hon. T. H. Whitehead having intimated that he expected to be in England next sum. mer, the Committee asked him to be good enough to attend the congress as one of their represon- tatives.
Subsequent to the meeting Sir Thomas Jack. son, who also intends leaving for home in the spring, was invited and consented to attend the congress as one of the Chamber's delegates, - QUARANTINE · AND
THE BUSPENSION or EMIGRATION TO STRAITS SETTLEMENT".
After same discussion, its decided that the time had arrived, the bubonic plague hay ing become merely sporadic, to ask the Gov- ernment to be good enough to write or tele graph to the Straits Settlements Government a request for some modification of quarantine I am afraid, how-restrictions and the removal of the embargo on
immigration from Hongkong.
ever, that if we wait until they do, we shall see matters drift from very bad to much worse, and that more British gunboats; or what would be more
useful; well armed launches for creek work, are argently required. There is a large country to be patrolled, which is all more or less in a state of lawlessness, so that peaceful traders when they start on their travels never know whether they will reach their journey's end without being robbed and plundered: while blackmailing goes on with impunity. There is no question that this condition of affairs is having a serious effect on trade; and the point arises what further steps can be taken.
After considerable discussion, and in the understanding that the Government was giving serious consideration to this question, it was decided to address the Government urging that steps should be taken to further increase the gunboat flotilla on the inland waters of South China.
THE INPOSITION OF A DISCRIMINATING DUTY ON FORMOSA TEÁS.
A letter had been received from the Amoy Chamber of Commerce, dated 12th August, acknowledging receipt of Chamber's letter of 5th idem forwarding copy of despatch addressed to Sir Ernest Satow.
Read letter from the British Legation at Tokyo acknowledging receipt of the Chamber's despatch of the 5th August and stating that H.B.M's Minister had referred the matter to the consideration of Her Majesty's Govern- ment.
THE ĮSYSTEM: OF LEVYING FINES : FOR --
OPIUM: SMUGGLING- AT: BAIGON.
PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF A RIVER CON-
SERVENCY BOARD AT SHANGHAI.
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INLAND'WATERO NAVIGAZION, A letter from the representatives of the Hong kong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Co., Ld, the Indo-China Steam Navigation Co., Ed., and the Chins Navigation Co., Ld., accompanied by copies of extensive correspondence relating to the withdrawal of certain rights under the Steam Navigation Inland Rules and Rerula, tions on the West River was laid on the table.
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THE "NEW KOWLOON? CUSTOMS. 1
We understand the new stations to „b established by the Chinese Customs in anbatikus ka tion for the old ones which are now included in in British territory are to be loosted as followserve On the east, Tuning Island and Sha U Choong ti and Yip Paknin? Miri Bay: On the weekn Lintin Island, Boddam: Covej Taiobani Inlan and two others on the northern shore of Deips Bay not yet named, aja
The following is the translations ofan prosca clamation which is being issued to the Chinese 15 junks trading to and from Hongkong minera
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This is to notify that as the Kowloon Customer have hitherto levied customs and lekin duties, v being Governor have instauoted; the Magis-je trates of Bunon and Heangshan districts to consult together with the Commissioners of Customs at Kowloon and Lapps and to select suitable sites on Taichan, Lintin; Tangão, Sayucheung, and Sanmur Island for ethere establishment of sustom-houses. It has been iɛ reported by the said Commissioners thatnas uu the buildings for the said customs stationsto will soon be completed a notification should be issued for the information of the public: I,|| being Governor, therefore jointlydtwith othe st Superintendent of Customs issue this notice to Customs is to be changed to the "Now Kow inform the publio that the name of the Kowloonni loon Customs" and that from the first day of the ninth moon (5th October):allojunksio and boats hitherto reporting at Kapadimoondj are to report and pay duties at the Customan stations of Taichan or Lintin, that those hitherton reporting at Cheungohan ars to report and pay- duties at Tungho, and that those hithertoo re-ci porting at Fotauchau are to report and pays duties at Sayuoheung or Saumun Island. We:) hereby jointly notify the public that all meri chants and boat people must understand that is they are required to pay their Customs duties and lekin taxes at the new stations fromęźbsli. above mentioned date according to the regulac tions now in force. Smuggling is striofly prohibited under heavy penalties, Obey thin. Dated the 30th day, 7th moon, 25th year softi Kwang Su.
ANOTHER PIRACY CASE NEAR PINGHOI.
Chamber of Commerce, dated 21st August, en- Read oiroular letter from the Shanghai
closing copy of correspondence with the Con- salar Body at that port on the proposal to es- tablish a Board of Conservancy for the River Whangpu. The letter asked the support of this
A STOUT RESISTANCE. Chamber in the endeavour to impress on the various Treaty Powers the great necessity in the police as having taken place near, Pingbel,
Another case of piracy has been reported t the interests of international trade for the es- tablishment of a Conservancy Board in Shang-inst. & Chinchew junk on which wore sigh
some little distance to the north. On the 15th hei.
Resolved to reply to the effect that while quite in sympathy with and approving of the object in view, the Committes were not aware what this Chamber could do to forward the soheme but if the Shanghai Chamber could re- commend any particular line of action they would be pleased to give it consideration. - THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL CONGRESS AT PHILADELPHIA,
Read letter from Mr. A. M. Townsend dated New York 31st July accepting with pleasure the invitation of the Chamber to represent it át the forthcoming Congress.
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Also read letter from Dr. Wilson, Secretary to the Congress, in reply to Chamber's letter intimating the appointment of Mr. Townsend. and expressing much satisfaction thereat,
BIUTER'S COMMERCIAL TELEGRAMS, The Secretary stated that various suggestions: for improved information had been collected and would be placed before Renter's Agent but that as the same ontward messages were supplied to Shanghai the subscribers there would have. to be consulted before-au alteration could be
The Secretary reported that nothing having been heard as to the result of the representa tion the British Consul at Saigon was requested in May last to make to the French Authorities made. with reference to the hardship inflicted on It was generally conceded that Anse levied for discovary.... ment was 204.
persons was in the neighbourhood, mentioned. when she was attacked by twe boats, each con- taining ten persons. From these two bosts.re- volver shots were fired and stink pots thrown. Those on board the junk, however, made for close on a couple of hours before stout resistance, and the contest. had,
pirates get aboard the junk and battened orew down in the forepart of the vessel, pirates took the junk into an adjoining. having taken away money and clothing, and other commodities of the total about $450 cleared off. The junk was brought to Hongkong by the crow matter was reported to the police. One was shot, but he declined to go into the hosp
H.M.S. Orlando arrived at Nagasaki on thei 15th September.:^
A report has reached us from Canton to the effect that the night steamer Pakhong, on har voyage from Hongkong to Canton on Sunday last, was attacked by pirates when of Lintis. On enquiry at the agents oflce in Hongkong, however, we learn that the report is unfean It is supposed that it may have arisen the fact of the Pakkong arriving late at Ca on Monday morning.