December 30, 1899.] hostility to France, but circumstances may have changed his policy towards the French Republic. There is, however, one point upon which Lr's appointment may be regarded with satisfaction. Under his rule the pirates and brigands who have infested the two provinces under his predecessor's ad- ministration will find short shrift.
RUSSIAN POLICY IN THE NORTH.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
she would not lack friends who would assist | her to preserve her integrity, but while she continues in her present condition she will remain exposed to aggression on all sides. The United States and the various Euro- penn Powers appear to have arrived at an agreement that in any territory any of them may acquire in China there shall be no curtailment of existing trading privileges, and that is the meaning now attached to the often misused term "the open door" but none of the Powers appear prepared to guarantee the maintenance of China's terri- torial integrity.
527
creased protection on that account. The fact that they are so highly esteemed by the Chinese as an article of their daily diet may in itself afford some gurantee against their extermination.
If any alteration is to be made in the game laws it might be well to authorise the shooting of kites and magpies by the holders of licences. If these birds of prey were not protected, and if sportsmen gave them a little of their attention, there would be a considerable increase of game in the colony. The late Mr. RYBIE's attempt to breed rab bits on Stonecutters was frustrated by the kites, and oth kites and magpies prey on
QUAIL AND THE GAME PRESER the young of all descriptions of game, nor
VATION LAWS.
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are poultry yards exempt from their depre- dations. It is perhaps not desirable that kites and magpies should be exterminated, even if that were possible but we cannot see that they are entitled to the protection now accorded them.
HONGKUNG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
On Thursday afternoon a meeting of the Hongkong Legislative Council was held in the there being present:— Council Chamber at the Government Officer,
His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR (Sir HENRT BLAKE, G.C.M.G.).
The Hon. J. H. STEWART Lockhart, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary).
Hon. H. E. POLLOCK (Acting Attorney- General).
Hon. R. MURRAY RUMSET (Harbour Master). Hon. F. H. MAY, C.M.G. (Captain Super- intendent of Police).
Hon. A. M. THOMSON (Colonial Treasurer). Hon. R. D. ORMSBY (Director of Public Works).
Hon. C. P. CHATER, C.M.G. Hon. Dr. Ho Kal
Hon. E. R. BELILIOS, C.M.G. Hon. WEI A YUK.
Hon. J. J. Keswick.
Mr. R. F. JOHNSTON (Acting Clerk of Councils).
FINANCIAL
The COLONial SecretARY laid on the imble the report of the Finance Committee (No. 19) and moved its adoption.
(Daily Press, 29th December.) From the telegram of our London corres- pondent it will be seen that the continue despatch of Russian reinforcements to the Far East is attracting attention in Europe, and the Odessa, correspondent of the Times views with scepticism the allegation that the field hospital staff that is being sent eut
(Daily Press. 27th December.) is intended to combat the plague in Mun- At the last meeting of the Sanitary Board churia. There have for some time past a letter was submitted from Mr. C. VIVIAN been rumours of strained relations between LADDS, the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon, Kussia and Japan, and, although the reports suggesting that the period during which have been officially contradicted, it is cer certain classes of game may not be offered tain that there is no love lost between the for sale should be extended, and that quail, fwo countries. 8 ould they come into which at present may be offered for sale alí actual conflict, however, we are inclined to the year round, should be included in the think it would he Japan who would start prohibition. The Board considered the the game. From that point of view the suggestion a good one and decided to for- strengthening of Russia's forces in the Farward it to the Government with a recom- East may be regarded as preparation for mendation that it be adopted. Now the an anticipated attack. It is true the attack question as regards quail was carefully con- may be provoked by Russian encroachments sidered in connection with the Ordinance upon what Japan may consider her own passed in 1884, and when that Ordinance special sphere, but if there is to be fighting was replaced by another in 1885 (the oue Russia will leave it to Japan to commence now in force) the decision arrived at upon it. But over and above possible complica- that point was not disturbed.
As the law tions with Japan, Russia is no doubt streng- now stands quail are included in the de- thening her military position for the ad- finition of game, and no person may kill vancement of the forward policy she has or take game without a licence, issued determined upon and which she is now pur- under such conditions as the Governor in suing. The present time, when Great | Council may from time to time decide; but Britain is preoccupied in South Africa- while pheasant and partridge are further may als suggest itself to the Russian Gov-protected by prohibiting their sale during ernment as favourable for special activity | certain months, quail may be and are sold in pursuit of that policy. But even if our in the market the whole year round. They hands were free there would be good reason are generally sold alive. As the question why Great Britain should hesitate before of prohibiting their sale during the breed- attempting to thwart Russia's policy, so ing season has again been raised it may be long as our own trade is uninterfered with. useful to recall the reasons by which the This is not a popular view, Russophobia legislature was influenced in 1884. being scarcely less agreeable to the English originally drafted the Bill placed quail on
THE PIERS ORDINANCE. palate than Anglophobia is to the French, the same footing as pheasant or partridge, As Lord ROSEBERY remarked in his but when the second reading was reached sir, to move the second reading of the Bill en- The ACTING Attorney-GenerAL-I beg, recent criticism of Mr. CHAMBERLAIN's that ardent sportsman and game preserver, titled the Piers Ordinance, 1899. Honourable speech, we have ever been too ready to the late Hon. P. RYRIE, said:" My ob members will have had the opportunity of read- flout other nations, and it is no wonder 'jection to the Bill is that I am informed ing the objects and reasons attached to the that Great Britain is unpopular abroad. quail is held in high estimation by the Bill, and I do not think I need go through them Especially have we been ready to font Rus- Chinese, who use it every day in certain
now. This matter, sir, has formed the subject of sia, iu senson and out of season. One of the
preparations of their food, and it might be a good deal of discussion between the Govern charges brought against us by foreigners is a hardshipt them if this measure is passed, in the Bill being drawn up in its present form. ment and the pier owners, and this has resulted that of hypocrisy and insincerity, and it Quail, I believe, are kept for months, and Apart from this Bill the owners of piers are must be admittel that the attitude of it would be hard to deprive the Chinese liable to have their licences determined by many Englishmen towards Russin's rail- "of them." The Bll was postponed for three months notice. They were very sa- way schemes in Asia gives some colour the consideration of this poiut, and at a sub-xious to be given something in the shape, of to the charge. For well nigh a century sequent meeting Mr. RYBIE formally moved permanent tenure of their piers and wharves in we have been calling out for the opening that the word "quail" be struck out of the the view of the valuable nature of the piers and of. China, but a proposal to link Peking section. Sir THOMAS JACKSON, who was
wharves erected is this colony, and it is in- up with the European railway system at then a member of Council, seconded, and intended, sir, if this Bill is passed that, leases shall be granted to owners of piers and wharves once excites our violent hostility, because a doing so said quail was an article of diet all for a period of 50 years, at the rate for Russian line would form the main link. the year round among the Chinese and i 50 years mentioned in the schedule, subject For our own part we hold that railway would press hardly on them to interfere with to revision at the end of 25 years, if * communicaticus in China are to be welcomed them in that matter. The amendment was thought desirable: I think, sir, the principle of no matter by whom they niny be established. | carried without a division, quail being_ac-
this Bill has been accepted on behalf of the Instead of opposing the making of Russian cordingly struck out of the prohibition. The pier owners by a committee appointed by them, railways it would be more to the purpose if decision then at arrived at may possibly consideration of the Bill, and in the detaila and have taken a great deal of trouble in my Great Britain would promote railway enter- have been a mistaken one, but the onus connected with the Bill. I think, sir, the com- prises of her own in order to bring Peking into of showing that it was so rests those promise suggested in this Bill-lengthened communication with India and, ultimately, who now advocate its reversal. No attempt term for pier owners, this being a great benedt with Egypt and Europe. Still more satis has been made to show that such พล to thêm, and the increase of rent, which I think factory would it be if the spirit of progress the case, the Sanitary Board having ap-is a fair increase of rent—is a fair compromise could be instilled into China herself, so that parently adopted Mr. LADDS's suggestion she should develop her resources on her as a matter of course without giving it any own account în as liberal a spirit as Japan consideration whatever. It can hardly be has done jud is tʊing. If there were any contended, we think, that quail have been sincerity" and honesty of purpose in China becoming scarcer and that they require in- ' this Bill.
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The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was carried.
to arrive at. I understand that the committee anderstanding that their term is long hened to appointed by the pier owners have, upon thè the period I have mentioned, agreed to accept the scale of rent inserted in the schedule of