March 30, 1901.]
but the latter would not. Suspecting that she was a piratical launch, as is so often the case, the wheelboat opened fire and shot dead a girl on board the launch. The case is under in- vestigation, both parties claiming damages.
SWATOW.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Swatow, 25th March.
AN OUTRAGE VRY DEARLY PAID FOR.
I
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
969
something in the way of a ratepayers' association. Į other hand, the trade from Manila to this has A deliberata resolution by such a body that not improved as we expected. Shipments of they severally and separately would pay no hemp and sugar are few and far between, but rates or taxes until their grievances were the circumstances, especially as regards the attended to would even bring the puissant first-named staple, are peculiar, and I have no Secretary of State for the Colonies to doubt that time, the great haler of all our ills, become aware of the fact that British people will bring about a change for the better, and live in Hongkong, and the little tin gods that a full cargo from Manila will no longer who happen to be here would understand. It remain, as at present, a thing of the past. was remarked once at a public meeting that the There is nothing I can see in the accounts that greatest want of Hongkong is the want of requires explanation. I may say that outstand- public spirit, and Dr. Eitel's history of the ing freight for 1899 is now all collected, as well fresh blood and amongst our later arrivals there 1900, and before moving the adoption of the colony confirms this dictam, but the colony has as the greater part of that outstanding for may be a village Hampden with the fear of God report I shall be pleased to answer any questions only before his eyes, to lead us to obtain the same government that our forebears strove and died
that shareholders may wish to put. for when necessary.-Yours, etc.,
WAITING.
AN APPEAL FOR BOOKS.
During the late troubles in the village of Shao An, which I communicated to you at the time, one of the native Christians had his eyes pierced out by the mob. As the sufferer of this outrage belongs to the Roman Catholic Mission, the latter instituted a separate claim to the then officiating Shao Ah Shen. It so happened that, after a short lapse of time, dent's opening sentence he is really in agree [It seems to us that in spite of our correspon- another official replaced the acting Shao Ahment with us as to the point of the matter, Shen, and the former was approached about which is that public apathy is largely respon. settling the claim. The new official proceedled sible for the state of affairs.—Ep. Ď.l'.] to the village of Shao An to exact punishment and arrested a few of the auspects, but he had very soon to release them, as the whole clan to which the prisoners belonged set on him and his followers. Seeing that this official was powerless in bringing their demand to a satis- factory end, the Mission appealed to the Foo- chow Viceroy, who despatched one regiment of Fohkienese braves, under the command of a pre. fect, to bring the guilty parties to book and to arrive at a definite settlement. After the usual preliminary pourparlers the case was very satisfactorily settled. Two houses belonging to the suspected gang were burnt down, two of the villagers who were supposed to have taken part in the disturbances were severely punished, and the Shao Ah Shen in office at present had to pay $18,000 to the Mission, which sum, however, is to be repaid to him by the non-Christian in- habitants of Shao An.
31
"
B.M.8. **SEEADLER"
་
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS,'
City Hall,
Hongkong, 28th March. SIR,-Now that the annual exodus of residents is at its height, I venture to beg a corner of your valuable space to appeal for the gift of any books for which intending home-goers have no further use, to the Free Lending Collection of the City Hall Library, which has to rely upon such gifts, as there are no funds available for the purchase of books.
Gifts of bound or unbounds will be wel come and may be sent to the compradore at the Library.
The Lending Library is well patronised and goes some way towards filling a gap in our local institutions.--I am, Sir, yours, etc.,
F. B. L. BOWLEY,
Secretary.
CHINA AND MANILA STEAM- SHIP CO., LIMITED.
left for Amoy, after having stayed in this port for about three months. During the time they were here, the Commander and the officers made themselves liked by everybody. The hand of the Seeadler played every evening, to the great appreciation of the whole commuvity, and much regret is felt at its absence from our The eighteenth ordinary general meeting of midst. Before leaving the port, athletic sports the shareholders in the China and Manila Steam- were arranged for the crew of the Secadler, audship Company, Limited, was held on Saturday, some very smart feats were performed by them. 23rd inst., at noon. Mr. R. Shewan presided, The sports included a tug-of-war, Swatow v. and the others present were Messrs. D. Gillies, the Seeadler, in which the latter were con- N. A. Siebs, H., P. White (Consulting Com- querors. Unfortunately one sad accident oc- mittee), A. Babington, M. Watson, Fung Wa curred to one of the crew of the Seeadler, who, Chuen, and J. McMurtrie (Secretary). whilst climbing up the greasy pole, slipped and The SECRETARY read the notice convening fell to the ground from a height of about 15 the meeting. feet, whereby he dislocated bis arm. Medical¦ The CHAIRMAN said-Gentlemen, the report assistance was immediately rendered, and I am and accounts having been in your hands for informed that the sufferer is getting on well some days, I will, with your permission, follow Mme. Streich, wife of the German Consul, the usual custom and take them as read. The distributed the different prizes, pewter articles, figures in the accounts speak for themselves, to the winners of the various events.
and indicate that the Company has had a very H.I.J.M.S. TAKAO
successful year. Cargo, during the first half arrived here from Hongkong on Thursday last, of the year especially, was plentiful, and to and left the next day for Amoy.
11
CORRESPONDENCE.
[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]
THE SANITARY BOARD.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAI: Y PRESS.'
Hongkong, 21st March. SIE,-Your leader of this morning with reference to Dr. Hartigan's resignation from the Sanitary Board is very much to a point, but not to the point, and that is that those who pay the piper should call the time. All the grambling in the world will not affect the official phalanx," but they could be promptly brought to listen to reason, and to understand that they are in reality public servants paid by the public, and to do what they are told to do by the commonsense of most. Some of our good citizens have shown that they have public spirit enough to give valuable time and energy, in no small measure, to the service and welfare of the public; it remains for the public to show if they eare enough for their own interests to form
meet the increased trade, we felt we had to get more tonnage, or else lose our position and hold on the Line to a considerable extent. Fortunately, just at the time we required an extra boat, we were able, as I informed you at the last annual meeting, to buy the Perla (late Menmuir) on very advantageous terms, and I am glad to report to you that she has proved a most satisfactory vessel for our purposes, and has paid the Company well for the time she has been running. As you are aware, we have contracted for two new steamers of a more | modern type, and with rather more cargo capacity, which we hope to have out here towards the beginning of next year. We are sure they will prove a very valuable addition to our line, and enable us to meet the changed condition of the traffic with Manila with more up-to-date vessels. We have been asked by several shareholders why we do not recommend a larger dividend, but the answer to that is You can't eat your cake and still have it.” We have to pay for the two new boats and until that is done you must be satisfied with moderate dividends, although I might add that 10 per cent. is by no means a poor return. Prospects for the year seem to be very fair. Export business from here is good, but on the
14
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There being no questions, the CHAIRMAN proposed the adoption of the report and accounts as submitted.
Mr. MAXWELL. WATSON seconded. Carried.
tion of the Consulting Committee, Messrs, Mr. FUNG WA CHUEN proposed the re-eleo-
Showan, Gillies, Siebs and White.
Mr. BABINGTON seconded. Carried.
Mr. GILLIES proposed the re-election of Messrs. T. Arnold and Fullarton Henderson: as auditors.
Mr. SIEBS seconded. Carried.
Dividend warrants will be ready on Monday.
The CHAIRMAN-That is all the business.
HONGKONG HOTEL CO., LTD.
The ordinary meeting of shareholders in the above company was held on Tuesday, the 26th inst. Mr. W. Parfitt presided, and there were also present Messrs. E. Osborne, R. C. Wilcox (Directors), C. Mooney (Secretary), W. H. Gas- kell, G. U. Anderson, . Murray Bain, F. D. Goddard, W. A. Cruickshank, H. C. Wilcox, J. E. Gomes, Ho Kom Tong and Lo Chung Shia.
The SECRETARY read the notice convening the meeting.
The CHAIRMAN said-Gentlemen: As the report and accounts have been for some days in your bands I will, with your permission, take them as read. It is proposed to pay away $60,000 in dividend, which is a very large pro portion of the sum at credit of the profit and loss account, viz., $83,698.29. I think it right to say that in proposing such a large division of profits the Directors have been influenced by the action at the last shareholders' meeting of a number of proprietors holding a majority of shares, who required the payment of a dividend in excess of that recommended by the Directors. Recently also certain influential shareholders have intimated to members of the Board that they would require nothing less than a 10 per ceat, dividend for the half-year. If any share- holder present should be of opinion that the proposed payment of $60,000 in dividend is somewhat beyond the bounds of business-like cantion, the Directors will be pleased to hear him stata, his reasons for his belief. It is shown in the report and accounts that a profit of very nearly $12,000 was made during the half-year on the sale of a small piece of the Praya Re- clamation measuring 651 square feet. As this land was cut off from the principal portion of the Reclamation owned by the Hotel Company by the Chater Road, it was not likely to be of use in the future for the Company's business, and the opportunity was taken of selling it at a handsome profit. A change has been made in the form of the account of furni. ture and fixtures. Formerly this account included such articles as linen, crockery, glass-ware, cutlery, carpets, etc., and to provide for their issue to the various departments the Hotel certain sums were written off half-year from the furniture and fixtures ac count. In order to avoid the risk of not writing on a sufficient sum to cover the heavy wear and tear and loss of the articles I have just enu- merated, the Directors transferred the m 1st July last, as the accounts show, to a separate account of their own, and have since thes credited that account and debited the working account direct, with the actu of each inue. The present furniture and ture account includes heavy items of furniture and machinery not
of