Page
824
THE RAISING OF THE “ CANTON
RIVER.
The final stages in the raising of the sunken dredger Canton River have made satisfactory progress since they were last reported in these columns. The parbuckles have been taken off, and the purchases have been removed. The nine anchors have been lifted, and the five coffer- dams, two on the port and two on the starboard side, forward, and one aft over the engine [room, have been taken off prepara- tory to clearing the way for the raising oper- -ations. It was found that the bucket rack was unshipped, that evidently having been brought away by her läst turn-turtle, and as it was in a very dangerous condition for divers, workmen· had to be put upon it to place it into its original. position. That has been satisfactorily done, and all the mats and canvas cofferdams, &c., have been cleared. We understand that the idea is to go over the work again, as sketched out by Captain Scott, with some few additions. It should be mentioned that Mr. Ford, boatswain of H.M.S. Terrible, and a party of men, were left behind to complete the operations, Commander Blackburn superintending in the absence of Captain Scott. The dredger's stern has been already brought in by the stern purchase of the first trial, and all that remains now is to continue the work of lifting. Her present position is said to be safer than ever, for she is now on more of an even keel all round, and experts state there is no danger of her toppling either way. We believe it is pro- posed, however, with a view of making assurance doubly sure, to drive piles round her before the actual work of lifting is carried out.
It may be noted that in the Daily Graphic of the 5th ult, will be found some reproductions from instantaneous photographs of the dredger before her second disaster.
RICKSHA COOLIES' HOUSING . SCHEME.
We understand that in view of the intention of the Government to issue 300 additional licenses for rickshas in the colony, a number of well-known Chinamen intend to form a syndicate for the purpose of carrying out the conditions of the notification published in last week's Government Gazette on the subject. There are at present over 500 public rickshas plying for hire within the colony; and now the number is to be increased to
THE HỎNGKÔNG WEEKLY PRESS AND
•
FOOD COMMISSION REPORT. The following report is published in the Gazette, signed by Messrs. E. Osborne, A. M. Marshall, F. Maitland, Fang Wa Chun, and (Dr.) W.. Hartigan :--
(1) A number of meetings were held, wit- nesses examined, and a mass of information obtained from Steamship Lines, Hotels, the Gaol, the Government Civil Hospital, Mili- tary Authorities, and other sources.
(2.) An advertisement asking information from householders was inserted in the local papers, to which 8 persons (ladies) replied.
(3) The following table shows the percentage of rise in the wholesale and retail prices in 5
Retail.
20 per cent. 50
years :- Articles. Bread,
Wholesale.
Fish, Beef, ... Mutton, Eggs, Fowls, Ducks,... Potatoes, Firewood, Ground Nat Oil, 110-
Rice,
11.
19
13 per cent.
f!
33
33
11
25
45
""
15
50
80
45
40
J
19
50.
31
59
"
25
"
90
"1
J
100 33
"
+9
*
95
33 (4.) Beyond natural fluctuations of supply and demand, the main causes of this increase have been:-
(v.) Depreciation of Silver. (b) Increased Cost of Rice. (c) West River Piracy. (d.) Increased Rents.
[April 20, 1901.
for the purchase of stack (to be repaid when the animal is brought to market) or with heifers from a Government stockyard.
(10.) We also recommend that an attempt be made to induce them to grow vegetables and rear ponitry, and suggest that attached to each Police Station should be a European gardener whose business, assisted by Chinese, it would be to cultivate vegetables as an object lesson to surrounding natives and to provide them with seed imported by Government.
(11.) We specially recommend that trials be made in the New Territory (Shatin Valley for instance) in growing Potatoes.
he best Potatoes sold in Hongkong are those grown at Macao, and it does not appear unreasonable to suppose that what will grow near Macao will grow equally well in the New Territory
(12) We desire to state in conclusion that the delay in the publication of the food com- mission report has been due to the Chairman of the commission being unable to afford the time for the prosecution of the enquiry and the pre- paration of the report.
The following is Mr. Francis's letter with re- gard to the delay in the report :-
Hongkong, 20th December, 1900, Sir, I have, within the last hour, received from Messrs. Osborne, Marshall, Maitland, Fung Wa Chuen and Hartigan, members of the Food Supply Commission of which I have the honour to be chairman, a copy of a report signed by them and sent in to you with a cover- ing letter dated the 18th instant, of which they alco sent me a copy. I received from them at the same time a joint letter addressed to my- self, of which it appears they have also sent you
a copy..
(e.) Enforcement of Sanitary Laws. (5.) The augmentation of the Military and Naval forces in Hongkong and Manila has con- tributed towards a rise in certain commodities,
I have no objection to make to the report as the sources of supply are limited and take time to accommodate themselves to the in-they have sent in to you on the subject-matter creased demands.
of the inquiry. It embodies in brief the con- clusions at which we unanimously arrived. I should have had very much pleasure in signing it if they had asked me to do so.
(6) Whilst it is difficult by means of direct evidence to prove that a combination exist with the object of keeping up the price of meat, the fact that practically the whole supply is in the hands of two men, who acknowledge being supported by a syndicate, and from whom other market butebers bay, must tend to crush other individual effort and enterprise, give them a monopoly, and enable them to regulate prices as they please. The fact also that the two in- dividuals put forward as owners of this large business in a trade which has a world-wide re- putation for being most lucrative, swore they have been losing money in it during three con- secutive years, and that during the whole course of their examination they were manifestly prevaricating and concealing the truth, makes all evidence on this point most unreliable.
over eight hundred. We understand, that the idea of the syndicate is to construct
(7.) We consider that market rents are not upon a favourable site at West Point, a large excessive (except in particularly choice sitna- building capable of housing nearly one-half oftions) and have not contributed to the increase. the men with their vehicles.
The plan, which will be submitted to the Captain Superintendent of Police, shows that on the ground floor there will be a large hall, so to speak, wherein the rickshas can be stored ́st night, and taken ont in the morning: on the upper floors cubicles will be built, and sleeping accommodation furnished for the coolies, while at the rear will be erected bath. houses, latrines, and lavatories in the most approved style. We are informed that on each side of the building grass-plots will be laid out, and provision made for the recreation of the inmates. We have it on good authority that the project has taken definite shape, and on the local Government approving the plans, steps will at once be taken to secure an eligible site for a similar building at East Point, thus supplying the much needed house accommoda- tion for the whole of the ricksha coolies in the colony.
Anent the above, we are now enabled to state that the necessary plans have been prepared and will be at once submitted to the Govern- ment. The site chosen for the building is Marine Lot 205, and the area of the space apart for coach house sccommodation is 4,082 square feet. There will be three floors to the building,
The
Bet
containing 2,294 square feet. the lot will be devoted to kitchens, bath privies and wash-houses, and at the front ther will be a spacious verandah. Mr. John Lemm of Queen's Road Central is the architect.
At the same time we regard rents as a tax on food, and think they should be kept as low as possible.
(8.) Our enquiries have failed to suggest any practical remedies of real value, and, bearing in mind the many objections there are to legis- lative interference in trade affairs, we can only make the following recommendations:
(a.) That increased Market accommodation be provided, and meanwhile, in order to reliève pressure on existing Markets, that fruit and vegetables be sold outside in licensed shops,
(6.) That Markets be used for the sale of perishable food only, Biscuits, Hams, Tinned Meat, Jains and such like stores should not be sold in Markets, as the letting of stalls for such purposes tends to crowd out the legitimate vendors of fresh produce.
(c.) That further endeavours be made to stamp out piracy.
(d.) The cheapening of rents by opening new building areas with means of conveyance by tramways and ferries.
(e.) The reduction of Market rents to such level as will provide just sufficient funds to cover interest on capital and working expenses. Markets should not be a source of profit.
(f.) The encouragement of foreign ladies to make their own purchases by having the Markets kept clean and by clearing the passages of loafers.
(9.) We recommend that an attempt be made to encourage the villagers of the New Territory to breed cattle by providing them with funds
|
|
I only wish to correct one trifling mistake in the last paragraph, which runs as follows :—
(12) We desire to state, in conclusion, that the delay in the publication of the Food Com- mission report has been due to the Chairman of the Commission being unable to afford time for the prosecution of the inquiry and the pre- paration of the report.".
There was no delay in the prosecution of the inquiry. The members were unable to sit for more than two days in the week for a couple of hours each day, and the taking of evidence was proceeded with with all due diligence, and was completed in July last. The delay has been in the preparation of the draft report, and I regret to say that my time was so fully occupied with my own business that I could not get it completed in time to satisfy the impatience of my colleagues. I am unable myself to see that there was any very great urgency. I was. preparing a very full and detailed report, two- thirds of which had been completed and approved by Mr. Marshall, to whom I sent it a short time ago, with a request that he would, as I was so full of work, finish it for me, being fully acquainted with my views, and con-- curring in them.
he
Instead of doing so, a meeting of the other members of the Commission was held, to which I was not summoned, and the report prepared which has been sent you,
I probably ought not to have accepted the appointment as a member or chairman of the Commission knowing how fully occupied I am in my profession at all times, If I have put the Government to any inconvenience by so doing I apologise to the Government and to the public.
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient Servant,
JNO. J. FRANCİS.
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary,
&c., ·&o., &o.
the
ship t The U.SS. Wisconsin, a sister al Alabama, which was built at the Union Iron Works, San Francisco, and which is construct- ed almost on the lines of the U.S.8. Kentucky, but without the superimposed turrets, is coming out East, and will probably call at Hongkong during the early part of next month.