Page
182
Actual
Net
Expenditure.
Average Expense of each Scholar per Average
Daily
Attendance.
Number
Year.
of Number
Sobolars.
of
School
Days.
Average
School
Daily
Attendance.
Fees.
27,245
1,024
233
547
$12,667
$28.431.50
$49.61
1896,
235
521
9,948
27,541.15
52.86
1897,
1,212
230
825
13,160
25,623.52
31.06
1898,
1,344
235
21,593
16;303.91
21.65
1,344
230
14,262.89
16,08
896
1899,
From absence and rsignation the staff has bean shorthanded this year, and frequent changes have ensued. Four out of ten English masters have been absent throughout the year. Mr. A. W. Grant, B.A., of Pembroke College, Cam- bridge, arrived at the end of August. A Boheme for articling three additional papil teachers is under consideration.
The results of the Oxford Local Examina- tions are as follows:-Of seven Senior can- didate, six of whom were Chiness, four, or 57 per cont. passed'; of the Juniors all non-Chinese, only one out of seven or 14 per cent passed. We sent in no preliminary candidate. C. B. Hayward, who headed in 1-95 our Junior list and was distinguished in English, oocupied the same position aud o t ined the same distinction na a Senior ínst July.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE HONGKong fire BRIGADE.
I am happy to report that four Free Scholars from the Gorerument District Schools were elected last March and have worked most satis- factorily in the Fourth Class to which they were admitted.
119 boys from this College obtained various situations in the Colony and elsewhere. Of these 21 were employed by her Majesty's Govern- meat, and 35 by local professional a and mercanille
Arms.
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The Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade for the year 1899 has been published. We make the following extracts:--- There were 31 fires and 97 incipient fires during the year. Details regarding each are attached. The Brigade turned out 38 times during the year.
[March 17, 1909.
and will not be further Inerossed. Woxin. formed you last year that we would only put *4,689 50 to this account, as we were under the impression at that time that calls paid by certain shareholders who were indebted to the Bank could be set off against the amɛunta due to the Bank from these bankrupt shareholders, but counsel's opinion in London diff red from ours on this point, so in order to be on the right side your directors have made the amount up to The estimated damage caused by the fires was $191,973.33, which is the total amount received 8829 814 and and by the incipient fires $354.
on forfeited shares nooount!” Norwithstand- The year will be remembered by the disastrousing this payment we have been able to pay a fire at the Chap Yik Godown in Hing Lung larger dividend than before, have placed Lane by which property to the value of some $17,533.35 to the commencement of new re $500.000 was destroyed. The fire originated serve fund, and have carried forward the among some matting on the upper floor of a
sum of $9,884.01. The totals in the balance compartment of the godown on the ground sheet are necessarily somewhat smaller, prin- floor of which were stored in close proximity cipally owing to the closing of two supro- large quantities of sulphur and saltpetre. The table branches, bat the profit and loss Briade, which had bad timely notice of the account shows that your directors acted' wise- fire, was engaged in extinguishing it, when a ly in concentrating their fands with Hong- violent explosion took place which blew a portion || kong as a centre. Furniture, st tionery, etc., of the roof off that particular compartment of has been reduced by $1.476.92. Your directors the godown and shattered a portion of its walls. regret the loss by death of their colleague, Mr. Que of the firemen was seriously burnt about the Kwan Hoi Chaon, who had been on the Board face and bands, and injured about the head by from the commencement of the Bank. Silver falling bricks, and narrowly escaped with his during the past year has not fluctuated much, life. A few minutes afterwards another terrific exchange being nearly the same at the end of explosion occurred. The remainder of the roof 1899 as it was at the end of 1898. Trade has was lifted off that half of the godown which is been fairly profitable and the financial standing on the east side of Hing Lang Lane, and an of both Chinese dealers and British and foreign immense mass of burning matter wis blown into merchants has been eminently satisfactory. the air to a height of from 50 to 6 feet. The Before moving that the report and accounts be roof of an adjoining building on the east side was adopted, I will be happy to answer any ques- seriously damaged, and a building in Queen'stions which shareholders may desire to ask.”" Road West at a distance of 140 yards was ignited by burning débris and completely destroyed.
"Lately it is reported,” says The Kobe Chro- nicle.”“that an exodus of artizans and trained factory hands from Odessa (to the Far East) has commence, and that every vessel of the flent lately arriving has been bri ging scores, if not hundreds, of these to Port Arthur. This latter fnot is a suggestive one. It is just within the bounds of possibility that Russia means to have her new vessels for the Far East bailt al- timately in the Far East. With the develop. ment of the mineral wealth of Manchuria and of Northern China, there will be no lack of materials for this 'purpose, while labour will he even cheaper and perhaps more efficient than it is in Russia. Some years ago, if we mistake not, Sir Thomas Sutherland, the Chairman of the P. & O. Company, had visions of the not very far distant likelihood of having the big Vesels of his fleet built on the Yangtae by Chinese labour The chances are that before Chinese labour does anything for P. & O. lin- orn it will havo nervel ■ pretty good apprentice. ship on the construction of Russian battle-ships and cruisers,”
&
There was a very large quantity of Chinese crackers stored in the Cháp Yik Godown, but not in the immediate proximity of the seat of the original fire.
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The danger arising out of the uncontrolled storage of fire crackers is one that had not escaped attention, and long before this fire occurred proposals were under consideration for guarding against it, and a Bill is about to be introduced into the Legislature dealing with the subject.
There are no regulations for the storage of sulphur or saltpetre, and this is a matter which I confess it had is now receiving attention. escaped me before,
The water in the mains was not turned off at auy time during the year,
The mobility of the Brizade at the Central +ire Station has been materially increased by the acquisition from Messrs. Merryweather and Sons of a quatricycle despatch box by means of which four firemen can transport themselves and 600 feet of hose and the necessary appliances to the scene of a fire in a very short time. There has not yet been sufficient opportunity to thorou bly test the usefulness of this machine, b.ct it has already proved of service and ought to be a valuable aid to the Brigade.
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The conduct of the Brigade during the year has been good.
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There being no questions, the CHAIRMAN moved that the report and soconuta be adopted, Mr. J. R. MICHAEL seconded and the motion was carried.
Mr. TERREY proposed that Mr. Gillies be re- elected to the Head Office Board at Hongkong and that Mr. Wotton be re-elected to the Lon don Committee.
Mr. LAUTS moved that Messrs. J. H. Cor and W. Hatton Potta be re-elected auditors at the Head moe, and that Messrs. Deloitte, Dever, Grifiths and Co., U. A., be re-elected auditors at London; these gentlemen to receive - the same remuneration as before.
Mr. RUMJAHN seconded and the motion was carried.
This was all the basiness. The CHAIRMAN announced that dividend warrants would be ready on Monday.
GREAT EASTERN AND CALEDONIAN GOLD MINING CO., LIMITED.
The first general meeting in connection with the above company was held at the office of the general agents (Messrs. Lütgens, Einstmann and Co.), No. 9, Praya Central, on the 14th inst., at noon. The chair was occupied by Mr. A. Deni- son and there were also present: Messrs. R. Abesser (director), L. Lambotte (secretary), E. Georg, J. M. Michael, J. dos Remedios, M. Jaffer, and J. Atzenroth;
The CHAIRMAN-This is only the statutory
THE NATIONAL BANK OF CHINA, meeting called in accordance with the Ordinance.
LIMITED.
Bank.
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We have no business to transact, but if any of you would like to ask any questions I should be glad to answer them.
The ninth ordi ary annual general meeting
Xr. GEORG—Have you any information from of shareholders. The National Bank of
Skeld on the 10th inat, at "the mines ? China, Limited.
Mr. Chan Kit The CHAIRMAN-There is a telegram here noon at the offiod
ventlemen present | which says prospects are more hopeful. That Shau presided. Menara
Tung Shang is the main thing. were:-
\\chief man- Mr. Grong-When was that telegram-re- (directors); G. ager). Fung Water gives a delightfḥael, J. H. | osived?
The CHAIRMAN-On the second of March. Cox, W. M. Hudiam. "People seeman, E. W. Terrey, Chan Hoying themselves imok. Chal There is no letter confirming that yet. He Wung Ki, Lak hring January thing Ping added, after reading an extract from the last Cho, Fang_Hoi, murder there and tag Sam, letter received from Mr. Beat (the manager of the mines), that he believed all the capital was Fang Ki Chouk for the established others.
Mr Fang W with all the che Chairman's | subsoribed except about 4 per cent. Most of that speech as follows ? were oniza, I have now the was represented by shareholders who were not pleasure to submitope forde report and balance | in the colony-who had gone either to England sheet to 31st Degle writ1899 (which" with your | or to other places. permission we Biamas as read), and, although the figures spead it themselves, I would make a fow remarivill your guidance. The grows
The CHAIRMAN—Oh you, în cases where peo- profits are thelargest we have yet shown, and as wè indicator last year, the charges account shows ple are known, I think we have got money a decided reduction, and we hope to show a fur- enough to last until the end of September be- ther reduction in the ensuing year. The capital fore making any other call, and very likely reserve fund will now finally stand at $191,973,93 * longer. That is all the business, gentlemen.
Mr. MICHAEL said he had a friend who wan out of the colony. Would shares be left open to him and other shareholders who were away?