•
108
CHINESE CERTIFICATES, Papers were submitted as to the increase to allowances for knowledge of Chinese.
The Secretary reported to the Colonial Se- cretary on the 23rd January as follows:-
"I have the honour by the direction of the Sanitary Board to point out that by C. S.. 2,961 of 1895 it was sanctioned that the regula. tions governing the study of Chinese and the mouetary reward granted for the possession of a certificate by the members of the police should be extended to the Inspectors of the Sanitary Department.
Since that time certificates have been gained by inspectors in this department, and at the present time four are in possession of such cer- tificates, namely; two of second and two of first certificates It is, however, found that there is some cause which prevents the main body of the inspectors from acquiring a useful knowledge of Chinese and thus acts prejudicially against the value of their services in sanitary matters.
"The reason for this may be partially due to the comparatively small reward paid for the possession of a certificate, namely, $2,50, $5, and $10, for a first, second or third respectively, and to-revive this I am directed to recommend that as the police allowances have been doubled by C.S.0.538 of 1899, so may the same privilege be extended to the inspectors of this department; to the present holders of certificates on the same terms as therein quoted for the police, namely, on passing a test examination and to all who may in future gain certificates.
The rate on the estimates for this de- partment is $300), and the increase if granted will require an additional $250 for the current year. namely, $150 for certificates already joined and $100 for prospective grants."
The foar inspectors mentioned in the report J. Reidis ($10). F. Fisher ($10), H. J. Kuight ($2.5 ), aud J. Hoggarth (2.50).
are:
The Colonial Treasurer (the Hou. A M. Thomson) reported (January 24th):-"I think the allowances should be the same as in the police, but doubt whether the officers who have not taken up or passed in Chinese a e influenced altogether by the amounts, Incapacity and disinclination to study would account for a num. ber of them.
The Colonial Secretary (the Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart) wrote (January 25th): -“ I agree with the Treasurer, and, speaking from my previous experience, I doubt whether the increase in pay will lead to many more inspec- tors being able to speak Chinese. I shall be agreeably surprised if it does.
THE REPORTED OUTBREAK OF PLAGUE
'IN MANILA.
Correspondence re bubonic plague in Manila was submitted.
Answering an enquiry made by the Secretary on behalf of the Sanitary Board, Consul-General Wildman wrote on the 27th Jaunary :-"I wrote yesterday to His Excellency Major-Gen- eral Otis asking for detailed information regard-
the iug newspaper reports that bubonic plague had broken out in Manila, and that information he transmitted to this office for the benefit of the Colonial Government. I have no official information that leads me to believe that plague has broken out in Manila
""
Mr. Harford, H. B. M. Consul at Mauila, wrote to H. E. the Governor on the 25th January:-"I have the honour to report. that eases of bubonic plague have opened lately in Manila, the majority of them ending fatally. These cases as yet are entirely confined to the very lowest class of Chinese and natives, etc. The disease has not yet assumed an epidemic form."
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At the meeting another letter from Consul- General Wildmau was submitted. In this letter Mr. Wildman stated that he had received an official report to the effect that there had been five-anthenticated cases of plague in the city of Manila. The first was discovered on the 2nd instant, and these cases; with mine other suspects, had been confined to two districts in the city. There had been one case developed within the last seven days. The present death rate of the city was lower than it hat. een for many months. Underdate February 4th, Major- General Otis wrote "The health of the city is most excellent and there is no cause for appre- hension that the plague will take any serious hold in this city. House to house inspection
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
was inaugurated several weeks ago and the physical condition of all the inhabitants.
THE PLAGUE IN FORMOSA.
Mr. W. G. Kepny, H. B. M. Cousul in Tainau, forwarded a return of bubonic cases in Formosa during the year 1899, and added that there had been no reported cases in the district since November 25th. The return showed the number of cases to be 2,633; deaths, 1,974; recoveries 606; ander treatineut 54.
MORTALITY STATISTICS.
The death rate for the colony of Hongkong for the week ended January 27th was 21.8, against 2.' for the previous week and 17 for the The rate for correspondia week last year. the following week was 19.8, against 14.6 for the correspoiling week last year.
The deaths in Macao for the week ended 21st Janary numbered 44 (including three from bubonic plague). The deaths for the following week numbered 54 (including two from plagae).
This was all the business.
THE FUALITY ON THE
WHEELING."
T
PRATICAL BRITISH SYMPATHY.
In connection with the recent explosion on board the US gunboat Wheeling, which oc ourred when a salute was being fired in honour of the birthday of the German Emperor, result- ing is Gunner's-mate Campbell being killed and Lieut.-Commander Beatty, Gunners Nelson Bite and Conray, being injured, several (tritish resi. dents have given practical expression of their sympathy. H.A. Sir Henry Blake and several other gentlemen, made up the sum of 81,000,
which has been transmitted to the relatives of Campbell. Captain Burwell and the officers of the Wheeling expressed their gratitude and communicated the matter to Admiral Watson, who also wrote thanking the donors. Admiral Watson and the officers of the Wheeling then paid a call on H.E. the Governor, and further ex- pressed their appreciation. The incident, com ing so recently after the baseball match by the American sailors, which contributed $535 to the South African Widows' and Orphans' Fund, certainly illustrates, better than all the talking in the world, the sympathetic and friendly feel- ing existing between the British and Americans
in the Far East.
The other day we announced that H. E. the Governor and a few other gentlemen subscribed $1,000 to the sufferers from the recent explosion on board the U. S. Wheeling. The following telegram from Secretary Long, of the U. S. Navy has been received by Admiral Watson :-
Watson, Brooklyn, Hougkong.-Nary Depart- ment wishes you to express its high appreciation of the great generosity shown by the resideuts of Hongkong in providing for families of killed and injured on U.S.3. Wheelin; în accident,"
SUPRE IN COURT
9th February.
IN SUMMARY JURISDICTION. BEFORE HIS HONOR A. G. W18E (PUISNE JUDGE.)
THE SHELL, COLLECTING CABES. The cases on the list included four in which Lai Po sud another sued foar junk-owners for $100 each for trespassing on a parcel of ground covered by the sea off the eastern shore of the island of Lantao, and taking therefrom cortain shells and corals, the property of the plaint ffs, who have leased the ground from Her Majesty the Queen.
Messra. Deacon and Hastings are the solici- trs for the pla ntiffs and Messrs Wilkinson and Grist for the defeuce.
His Lordship-With regard to these four shell cases, I take it they are all on the same lines.
Mr. Wilkinson-Yes, my Lord, I think so. His Lordship-Vory well; which are you going to take. I am going to direct pleadings.
Mr. Wilkinson-In which of them?
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{ February 17, 1900,5-
HONGKONG'S CON R.BUTION TO THE WAR KELI. § FUND.
THE LORD MAYOM THANKS THE: COMMUNITY,
His Excellency Sir Henry A Blake, G.C.M.G., has kindly sent us the following letter for publication
The Mansion House, London,
8th January. Sir, I have the honour to-day of receiving, through the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the munificent sum of £7,500 from the Hongkong community for the Soldiers and Sailors' Families Association's branch of the Transvaal War bund.
In acknowledging this handsome remittance, I shall be glad if your Excellency will favour. me by conveying to the subscribers the grati- tude I feel for their liberal response to your appeal, and my sincere and grateful thanks för this splendid manifestation of their sympathy in this national emergency.—I have the honour to be, sir,
Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
(signed) ALFRED J. NEWION, Lord Mayor.
His Excellency Sir Henry A. Bink..., G.C.M.Q.
Governor of Hongkong,
SOUTH AFRICAN WAR.
SAILORS AND SOLDIERS FAMILIES' FUND." The Undersigned begs to acknowledge with thanks receipt of the following subscriptions to the above Fund.
'T. JACKSON, Hon. Treasurer,
Further subscriptions will be thankfully re- ceired.
Already acknowledged Proceeds of Base Ball Game (per
Consul-General Wildman)
A. G. Stokes
A few Cusses
An Africander Boy James Young H. O.
...$95,363 92
635
200
100
100
50
60
Men at No. 2 Police Station W. Staart Harrison Pirato
26.40
25
20
10
7
2.86
..$96,495.18
R. W. Dale
Surplus
Miss A Wood Mail Bag R.N.
Total
THE ROYAL NAVAL SEAMEN'S
CLUB.
PROPOSED NEW PREMISER, The premises in Queens Road East used na the Royal Naval Seamen's Club have long been recognised as not altogether satisfactory. For one thing they are out of the way, and another objection is that they are so closed in by sur- rounding buildings that in summer the rooms are little less than stifling. A cordingly for some time past a sub-committee appointed for the purpose have been on the look out for new promises, and negotiations have been going on with the view to purchasing the fil at two blocks Of course in Praya East, near Arsenal Street considerable alterations will be necessary before they will a suitable for use as a club, but the situation is a very good one, and there is hardly sor doubt that the premises will be secured. Indeed it is reported that they have been secur- ed already, and that the price paid for them is $130,000.
A letter from Consul-General Wildman to~ the Hon'ble the Colonial Secretary, is published in the Government Gazelle, to the effect that the following lighthonse bave been relighted in the Philippines:-Caps Mollville, Babatwo Island. Aparri Lizht, Capones Island" Light and San Bernardino Light.
The Stamp Revenue for last month amounted to $41,017.57, being a neí incresas over January His Lordship. That in for you to say. 1| 1899 of 89,466.98, but as 37,35 was from Con- shall order pleadings in one case and adjourneyance or Assignment and $1,044 from Pro the other three sine die. You and Mr. Looker bate or Letters of Administration, the real had better consult as to which case 1 should increase from the general progress of the order pleadings in
Colony is about $1,000.
+