524
me assure
concerning the inconvenience and danger of the Plantation Road Tram Station is one of old standing, and dates back to the first days of the Company's existence as a working venture. Both danger and inconvenience, however, are greatly intensified, on account of the largely increased number of people who now make use of this station as their termin us. Let "Peakito" that the grievance is likely to continue to exist unremedied. It is an open secret that the company could increase their already ample fares, were they not prevented from doing so by statute. The most convincing evidence of their utter in- difference to public wants, is the substantial granite chair-shelter that the Government, not the Tram Company, mind you, is magna- nimously erecting at Victoria Gap. More thau one lady-my wife among others-has had dresses and shoes hopelessly ruined by contact with the greasy rope, while getting in and out of the car at Plantation Road. Competition might move the General Managers. Nothing short of this will ever cause them to budge. On the contrary, they will sit tight until the agitation becomes so strong that, out of sheer pity, Government will step in and make them a charitable gift of land, or rebuild their awkward station. Their shares are quoted at 90 per cent. premium, and last year they paid a 12 per cent. dividend. They are thus far removed from a state of in- solvency, and ought not to pose, hat in hand, as needy, wayside beggars. Economy is always praiseworthy, unnecessary stinginess is provor- bially contemptible.-I enclose my card, and, am, dear sir, yours, etc.,
46
HILLS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS."
Hongkong, 22nd December. SIE,-Referring to the letters which have appeared in your columns on the 20th and 22nd inst. signed respectively "Peakite" and "Hills," we notice the former in referring to the pos- sibility of improving the Plantation Road Station says that "It is not impossible and the expense would not be great." As we are, and always have been, very desirous of remedying the defects of this station, we shall be greatly obliged to your correspondent if he will point out any practical manner in which this can be done without stopping the traffic.
With regard to "Hills' " letter, which we are comewhat surprised you should have published, it is so manifestly ridiculous that any comment on it is unnecessary.-Yours, etc.,
JOHN D. HUMPHREYS & SON, General Managers, The Hongkong High-level Tramways Company, Limited. [With regard to the letter signed "Hills," it is only necessary to state that the writer is a resident of standing in the colony, whose re- marks on the subject under discussion we saw no reason for suppressing.-Ed. D. P.]
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS." Hongkong, 24th December. SIR,-In reply to the letter of to-day from the General Managers of the Tramways Co., I beg to state-
Firstly, the obvious and easiest remedy of my grievance is the erection of a platform on the east side of the line at Plantation Road Station and a slight alteration of the cars. This is not impossible.
Secondly, another remely is a hoisting gang- way similar to those used by the Ferry Com- pany's double-enders, to be raised and lowered ás occasion required. This I am not sure about, but I think it possible.
Thirdly, there are five lines of rails at the Plantation Road Station, including the two rails for use by the brakes. On the two rails nearest the present Station, place a small platform or trolley on wheels. The car on the eastern line would similar manner to the carry it up in a "depressor" to the top-side station. It would bring it down again on the return journey, drop it by means of detachable gear at the Plantation Road Station, and when the car on the western rails arrived at this station on its upward journey, the trolley is there (the objec- tionable rope underneath it) for passengers to step on to before getting on to the platform. This car would then continue its journey up and down without in any way interfering with
he suggested trolley.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
|
I hope the explanation of my suggestion will be understood, if not, shall be glad to call and see the General Managers and explain it fully. It may interest them to know that in the course of conversation with Messrs. Orange and Buyers, their consulting engineer and manager respectively, I put this last sug- gestion before them and they both considered it practicable.
I think there may be other ways of getting over the difficulty, but not being an engineer I am not able to suggest further.
Suffice it to say, "Where there's a will there's a way," and if the General Managers take the matter up seriously they will find a means of doing it and so earning the gratitude of a largo number of the residents of the upper levels, including yours, &c.,
PEAKITE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS,
Hongkong, 24th December. SIR-The letter from the General Managers of the above Company, as published in your columns of to-day's date, furnishes but another instance, if more were indeed needed, of their inexplicable reluctance to consider the comfort or convenience of those who help them to pay splendid dividends. It is so wholly character- istic of them to ask, publicly too, for gratuitous expert advice. After the magnificent returns of the working year just ended, their question- able policy of turning an absolutely deaf ear to what amounts to a serious grievance to pas- sengers getting on and off at Plantation Road is, to say the least, more quixotic than ever.— Yours, etc.,
HILLS.
Shun Hing
pradore.
do.
Siemssen & Co. Compradore... Bradley & Co. Cheung Kam Tin Tong Wan Chiu Ming Keo... Yep Wo Yuen Foong Yan Fook On Cheong Fook Loo
Tai Chan
***
Chi Chung Wo...
On Tai
Yan Cheong
Po Foong Cheong Sing Kee Wing Sing Loong Loo Chung Kin
S. J. David & Co. Compradore Ip Chuk Kai
Meyerink & Co. Compradore Wong Shu Tong Wassiamull Assamull
[December 29, 1900.
$60
China Sugar Refg. Co., Ltd..
$50
Cheong Loong.....
50
A Tack & Co.
50
Wong Yu Chuen
50
Dodwell & Co., Ltd., Com-
50
50
50
50
40
50-
40
440
30
30
30
30
Kwong Hang Shaing
30
Sin On Loong .......
Tu Wing
30
**
Kwong Yuen Shing
Kwong, Fook Loong
25
25
Hang Tai...
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
20
20
Yokohama Specie Bank Com-
pradore...
20
Arnold, Karberg & Co. Com-
pradore
20
Tong Lai Tsun
20
Leang Sing
21
A. G. Romano
-20
A. H. Chinoy
15
C. A. Camroodin
10
Heuermann, Herbst & Co.
10
Carlowitz & Co. Compradore
10
10
10
10
10
10 J
10
10
10
10
***
10
00000 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
10:
WHY NOT A PUBLIC HOLIDAY?_
TO THE EDITOR OF THE
DAILY PRESS.
Hongkong, 27th December. SIB, Next Monday, the 31st of December, is not only the last day of the year, but the closing day of this wonderful nineteenth century. According to the most recently received mail papers, it will be a general holiday throughout France and other countries using the Gregorian Calendar. The day, unhappily, is a mail day here, so that a whole holiday would be highly inconvenient. But those who take the initiative in such matters-is it the Government, the Chamber of Commerco, or the leading Banks?
might declaro a holiday, say, from noon. The absence of a regatta has this year already deprived the community of at least two half-day holidays.
The suggestion comes late, but not too late to be acted upon.-Yours, etc.,
ALMANAC.
FUND IN AID OF SUFFERERS
FROM THE TYPHOON.
The Hon. Treasurer begs to acknowledge re- ceipt of the following amounts to the aboro Fund, and will be glad to receive further subscriptions:-
Previously acknowledged £50 & $17,352.20
Wing Kee & Co.
Mok Tso Tsun...
g Sui Chi ...
N. Y. K. Compradore
Tak Lee
Kwong Wah Cheong
Cheung Loong... Yea On
A. Babington Dr. Francis Clark
John Meior
F. Hohnko E. Thonert
And. Gohonemanu Dr. Gerlach H, D. Jones C. Haggo A. Rodgor...
J. Mook
H. Wobster
J. Cartlidgo
J. N. MacDougall
L. C. do Rozario J. J. Leiria
Ang. J. do Rozario. H. J. M. de Carvalho F. M. Gutierroz G. A. Woodcock
...
Dhanamal Chollarum
Jme. M. E. Machado
250
J. J. Bryan
Robert Jack & Co. ...
250
E. G. Figg
Hongkong & Shanghai Bank
Compradore...
150
L Noronha
A. Rumjahn
100
C. Cheo Boo
Chi On
100
C. L....
Chan Shek Shan
100
Wong Chuk You
100
A. C. Moro
100
J. Dickie
Pacific Mail S.S. Co. Compra-
B. C. Postwalla
dore
100
R. D. Vanis
Leung Yan Po....
100
F. J. V. Jorgo
Li Pak
100
J. P. Xavier
Kwok Siu Lan
100
W. Fincher
Wong Shin Tong
100
E. D. Rogers
Wei Lun Shek
100
H. White ...
Yung Hin Pong
100
V. I. dos Remedios
Tang Cheuk Hing
100
L. G. d'Almada o Castro
100
A. Camoron
*..
Young Lan Kee
100
A. Bain
Teoi Chan...
100
T. Blair
Canton Insurance Office, Ltd.
100
R. Adam
Hongkong Fire Ins. Co., Ltd.
10:0
J. Rodger..
E. E. Telegraph Co...
100
T. Baulk
Nam Cheong
70
70
60
Wan Ho
Wo Lun Ko Loong Tai...
40
223
J. Gloyn ...
H. E. McKenzie E. Smillie...
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