February 2, 1901.]
furnished; and if a traveller wishes to enjoy such luxuries, he is expected to bring a chair with him. Should he forgot the latter article, he may be so fortunate as to obtain a 7-inch sest on a side rail crowded between coolies, or he may be specially favoured with a soat on the roof of the little boiler room trae delight in winter, but quite another thing a in summer. The Chinese launches have no special hour for starting. Passengers are soli- cited by a continuous shrieking of the whistle, and when a sufficient number have arrived on board the little boat gets under way.
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- CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
through the island to Takow, and the line just With the railway now being constructed described running across the north of the island from Kelung to Tamsni, the Government will have completed the system of railways most required. A line from the west across the political valne, but it is doubtful if it would mountains to the east coast would be of great
difficult engineering work which the construc- ever be profitable, considering the cost of the tion would necessitate.
89
and the best of the rolling stock has been ran Russis has cleared out the workshops here into Manchuria.
of the line without Germany's promise not to Apparently Russia is loth to let go her hold give it to England, and this the Germans na- what is? And who can tell what will be P— turally resent. So it seams, but who knows N.-C. Daily News,
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CORRESPONDENCE.
[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]
THE ACCESSION CEREMONY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE “DAILY PRESS,"
In connection with the railway building" Ordinarily, the river trip is made in an hour general rolling-stock material, 60 miles of 60- |
through the island, six locomotives, considerable and a half; but frequently, to the great dis pound rails and fastenings, and 400 tons of gast of the suffering passenger, who is gener-bridge work will be shortly purchased by the ally unprotected from the rain or sun save by railway office. There are at present four large an abbreviated, tattered roof awning, the little craft seats herself securely on a sand bank, and isfaction, though the chief engineer informs me Baldwin locomotives here, giving splendid sat- sometimes three hours are required before the that there are very few Formosa trains suffi- tido has risen sufficiently to float her.
and the six locomotives now desired are to be saying amongst Englishmen, namely Don't spoil ciently heavy to obtain full value from them,
Hongkong, 29th January. DEAR SIR,—There is an old and well known lighter and consume less coal. Although the sport" and a very excellent molto it is; but as an specifications for the new engines will call for observer of the proceedings at the Cricket Ground will be more in conformity with the English all the non-selfish thinking people in this colony, some parts of American design, the general type to-day I think there is but one fooling amongst machine; and, unless home manufacturers are that to hold on the only well-kept patch of prepared to follow the specifications, the orderground that we have for cricket and tennis the will probably go to England. The rails and ceremony of to-day is one of the most incon- most of the bridge work are, it is reported, to siderate things our "Powers-that-be come from the United States
done for a long time.
At the port of Tamani is the custom-house, but the commercial centre is round about the capital and its suburbs, Banka and Daitotei ('I'watutin). Much inconvenience is felt and valuable time wasted in making the necessary trip to Tamsui to pass goods through the cus- toms and commercial matters dependent upon frequent communication with the port are diffi- cult to care for. The new railway will lessen these difficulties greatly.
The proposed line will run from Taihoku (Taipeh) to Tamsui vis Maruyama, Shirin, Hokuto, and Kantan Maruyama is a pictur- esque park on the Kelung River, much fre- quented by Japanese merrymakers. Hokuto (Puk-tan) is a village at the entrance of the well-known North Formosa sulphur district. There is an excellent Japanese inn here-per- haps the best in the island-and the sulphur springs provide hot mineral baths, healthy and delightful. The Japanese have recognized the value of the place as a sanitary resort, and ex- tensive barracks and bath houses for the troops have been erected. Beyond the springs lies a gorge reeking with sulphurous fumes. The ground appears to be but a thin, ashy orust, vegetation does not exist, the rocks are burnt out and ash like, and sulphur has permeated both rocks and earth.
Numerons geysers, roaring and hissing like the escape valves of a hundred steam boilers, throw out quantities of hot sulphur and steam, The effect on entering the gorge is at first somewhat terrifying; but later, as confidence is regained, the scene becoines one of groat in- terest, and numerous visitors are attracted to the place. Hokuto is the scenic resort of North Formosa, and with railway .communication will doubtless grow greatly in popularity. From this district is shipped monthly some 200 tons of sulphur, the product of three Japanese extracting plants.
The sulphur-spring district, as well as Maru- yama, present many attractive residential si es; and if the train service is convenient, it is quite possible that the city business men may elect to have their residences at one or the other of these interesting places.
Shirin and Kantau are villages of triding importance, though the railway may give them new life.
To obtain the maximum of benefit from the new road, the trains must run' frequently, and, that this may be possible without too great ex- pense, the cars will be small and the locomotives light. The gauge will be 3 feet 6 inches, the same as the main line; but only 36-pound rails will be laid. The construction of thirteen bridges will be required, but only two of them are of any considerable sizo. In building this line, the materials from the old Chineso Kelung and Teckcham linos, which have now been almost entirely replaced, will be utilized. Thero are three or more old 25-ton locomotives in good order, a sufficiency of rails, and nearly all the re- quired bridge ironwork now in possession of the railway office; and it is fortunate for the local government that this serviceablo material can be put to such good advantage. There is no difficult engineering work required in the con- struction of the road, the maximum grade being but 1 în 100 and the curves very slight. The total length of the now line as surveyed is 13 miles, and it is expected that trains will be running by June, 1901. The cost of the same, exclusive of the materials referred to above, is estimated at 420,000 yen ($210,000).
FOOCHOW.
The following items are from the Foochow Daily Echo of the 19th ult.:-
From a notice issued by the Acting Harbour Master we learn that the position of the sunken rock struck by the Hsin-fung last autumn has been marked by a Red Spar Buoy.
There was a large fire in the suburbs about Breaking out in a basket-maker's shop at about half way between the City and the Bridge. 8 o'clock, it continued burning until half-past 10, by which time upwards of 150 houses had been consumed. It is reported that only one life was lost, but several natives were badly burnt by the flames..
be taken in this game. On Monday and Friday Hockey.-The greatest interest continues to the ladies had the ground and on both occasions capital games were played, on-lookers declaring the play to be rapidly improving. The Club's game on Tuesday was merely a practice, but unfortunately got a black eye, not from a stick was much enjoyed by all present. Our parson or ball but from another player's elbow. On Thursday a match was played, sionaries v. Foochow." The raw, cold drizzle "The Mis of the afternoon kept spectators away, which was unfortunate, as it was a splendidly contested game, ending in "Foochow" scoring 3 to "The Missionaries 2. With much good play all round, Mr. Doodha's goal-keeping was remarked upon as being magnificent.
SHANHAIKWAN.
[FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]
lave
As far as I can see or hear (for the matter has been well commented on) there was no rea- son whatever for holding the ceremony on the undoubtedly the Happy Valley, where one of Cricket Ground the proper place for which was the finest displays in the Military and Naval given, especially with the number of troops forces ever seen in Hongkong could have been there are just now in the colony, and I am of the Hongkong Cricket Club are with me in quite sure that the feelings of all the members
the cricket and tennis-playing community in saying that a great hardship has been done to having their ground out up as it has been after nursing it for so many months in the summer for the brief little season now in full swing. It is to be hoped that it will be a long
sion that of course with the ceremony in itself blunder occurs again. I might add in conclu- time before such a stupid and ill-conceived
no one has any cause to find fault, but there is a place for all things and the Cricket Ground is the place for cricket. As knows King Edward VII. takes an interest all the world
nothing would have been farther from his in every kind of sport, and I am quite sure that thoughts than that the ceremony in honour of did, especially with other places much better. his accession should have taken place where it adapted for it in every way.— ➡Yours, eto.,
↑ A MEMBER OF THE HONGKONG
CRICKET CLUB.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE “DAILY PRESS.
Hongkong, 29th January. SIB, The proclaiming of King Edward VII. on the Cricket ground this afternoon was a miserable fiasco, as could only be expected by the selection of such a place for such a purpose. The Governor and a few of his satellites, some- sailors and soldiers occupied all the available too proud and happy to acolaim their now space, and the public, who would have been only Monarch, were conspicuous by their absence. The Governor by his action has insulted the Hongkong public and the sailors and soldiers of the Garrison, all of whom should have, boen given the opportunity of acclaiming the new Monarch,-Yours, etc.
"DISGUSTED."
Shanhaikwan, New Year's Day. The Russians are still in possession of the railway and soom most reluctant to give it up. So far the Gormans have not hoisted their flag but have got the staff up ready for the purpose. They too are wearying of Russian bluff and say they will take the railway by force if this kind of thing goes on. Russian bluff is amusing ouough at close quarters, though it seems offec- tivo "enough at a distance, judging from its Success. The soldiers aro slaves, soul and body, to their officers, and have the life of dogs. A
TO THE EDITOR OF THE “ DAILY, PEÈSS.” cheery crowd they are though, and pipe away at
Hongkong, 30th January theirquaint old-world songs-nearly all of which Cricket Club," seems to forget that the Cricket. SIB,-Your correspondent, “ A Member of the have a dash of the minor key in them. They Ground, so-called, does not belong to the Crick- foreigners, certainly they have been so to me, this fact, the damago dono yesterday was infi. are very kind as a ralo in their treatment of et Club, but to the community. Apart from bat rough is not the word for their treatment nitesimal, as ho can discover by going to look of the Chinese. The Russians in war will not at the ground now. ba hampered with heavy commissariat wagons. cricket-matches was practically untouched. The arcs devoted to They live on what they pick up. Their coarse Tho Cricket Ground is the only suitable area black bread and coffee seems to be their princi- in the centre of the city for such a ceremony pal stay. With better treatment and enlighten- as that of yesterday. I do not know whether ment they would prove the best soldiers in the there was any nec mity for holding it în world. As it is, they are slovenly and stupid-centre, but had it been held in tha looking, if hardy and brave.
Valley it certainly must have been car