May 11, 1901.]
are now. With one or two exceptions, the beaten tracks are exactly the same now as they were 2,000 years ago, both by land and sea." The
(CHINA ÖVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
339
395
handle trust money honestly; tell a plain, un- ↑ 1895. Sir William was educated at Eton varnished story; be punctual; show nerve in and Christchurch, Oxon., and is a Justice times of sudden danger; eat cheese; or tolerate of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant of
female master.'""
Kent. He was o Arrival of Europeans" is a valuable
There are, within the ex-
called to the Bar of the summary, dealing briefly with the arrival and perience of all of us, exceptions even to these. Inner Temple in 1884, and from 1895-97 acted settlement of the Portuguese at Macao, down to Now that the missionary problem is being so as Attorney-General for the Gold Coast Colony. recent events in China, and detailing the causes widely discussed, the opinion of Mr. Parker is Sir William is an author, and wrote The Law leading to the introduction of treaties. It is aluable. Briefly, he agrees with Mr. Michie's of Theatres and Music-halle and. The Law of cheering to learn that in obtaining the pening recent utterano s. "There would never be any Marriage and Family Relations; Chitly on Con- of the West River we acquired rights forcibly 'missionary rows,' writes the author, "if tracts was jointly edited by him. He practised taken by China from the King of Yüeh, 2,000 things were allowed to stand in the view law at Lagos, privately, as a barrister, from years ago. The river might still remain the pro-stage; but unhappily our churches militant 1898-99, after resigning his position as Attorney- perty of this ancient king for ought British trade think it their duty to try and effect a change, General for the Gold Coast Colony. He was the has benefitted, owing to Chinese opposition and not only of view, but also of behaviour by prosecuting counsel in the well-known libel evasion. Russia very early had connection active means, instead of allowing the China-action of Bishop Tugwell. At the last general with China, and what it lacked in energetic ra man to think and act (as they themselves do) election he contested Durham City in the Liberal presentation in those days it is making up for for himself. The average Chinese though interest against the Hon. Arthur Elliot, but now. Concerning the compulsory acquirement behindhand in science, is, in many matters, was defeated. Sir William is making a tour of of territory by the Powers the author wisely the intellectual superior of the average Eu- the East and Far East in order to become remarks that "in the long run, perhaps this ropean more especially is he the superior. familiar with commercial affairs in this part of aggressiveness may redound to the advantage of the average European-more especially is he the world; it was with the idea of furthering of the Chinese people, but there is rather an the superior of the untrained Protestant mis- that. object that he applied to be admitted as a unsavoury smell about it all, and possibly we sionary of the colporteur class, who has only a barrister in Hongkong. He does not intend to should do better for our descendants if we agreed call to Christ' to justify his turning teacher of reside here permanently, and leaves, in fact, to put things back upon their former honest the world: hence comes trouble. The fact at the end of a few months. He has been basis."
is that, politics apart, the Chinese take an easy travelling in India and Burmah, and came to and broadminded view of all religions, and Hongkong from Singapore a week ago by H.M.S. Arethusu, and left on board that vessels, would never persecute anyone so long as no gross immorality or interference with adminis- on the 7th inst., on a visit to Shanghai, tration, custom and liberty took place." Mr. turning here shortly. It is his intention when for Parker estimates that there are 500,000 he arrives back in England to stand again nominal (hristians in the empire, ie., about | Parliament. one for every thousand souls, and it must cost about £500,00 a year to give them ghostly comfort. What causes trouble is the clashing of militant doctrine with the vil- lage customs and social habits naturally dear to the rustic mind." Mr. Parker thinks the Chi- nese are "religions-minded, tolerant and non- militant; but neither the educated nor the ignorant classes will have what they honestly believe to be humbug thrust down their throats, and religious.animosity- which has never been exercised in one single instance against the Russian Orthodox Church-has to thank the mistaken zeal of Roman Catholic and Protestant missionaries for its own birth and growth." Mr. Parker is to be congratulated on having produced an instructive and useful addition to the literature on this wonderful empire.
Under the head of "Modern Trade" a brief sccount is given of the treaty ports and their staple manufactures and exports, with com- parative figures. Concerning revenue, the author estimates Tls. 87,000,000 as the maxi- mum probable receipts up to the time when the "Boxer" rebellion broke out, which gives an excess over ordinary expenditure of Tis. 46,000,000, which total still leaves Tls. 25,000,000 for the service of loans; 3,000,000 for arsenals; 2,000,0 0 for railways, palaces and other novelties; and Tls. 16,00,000 for provincial needs. Mr. Parker writes, as may be expected from one with his knowledge of the subject, on the weakness of the Chinese financial system. He thinks it is a system "rotten, to the core; childish and incompetent; and should be swept away root and branch. Until there is a fixed currency, a Euro- pean accountancy in all departments, and a system of definite sufficient salaries, all reform is hopeless to look for." We think so too. The chapters on the Salt Gabelle, Lekin and the Army will be found of much interest, whilst under the head of "Personal Charac. teristics" Mr. Parker presents a very enter- taining and realistic account of the Chinese people. He is not impressed with his experience of the military Manchus; socially he believes them to be more gentlemanly and jovial then
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1
SUPREME COURT.
Tuesday, 7th May.
TON, C.M.G. (CHIEF JUSTICE).
ADMISSION OF A BARRISTER.
Mr. J. J. Francis, K. C., moved that Sir William Noville Montgomery Geary, Bart, he approved, admitted and enrolled as a barrister in Hongkong.
Mr. Francis produced an affidavit from Sir William Geary showing that he was admitted a member of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in or about the month of Novem- ber, 1880, and that he was called to the degree of the Outer Temple on 26th January, 1884. A certificate was also submitted showing that Sir William was a baronet of Great Britain, and that formerly ho held the important appoint ment of Attorney-General for the Gold Coast Colony.
the Chinese, at lacking their sobriety and BEFORE HIS HONOUR SIE JOHN Carring- business ability. Concerning the Chinese character, the author is certainly appreciative by comparison. He agrees with the universal belief that the Chinaman is a liar, who differs only from the European in that respect in the matter of motive. The Chinaman "is not so nice and particular about the truth as we are: and that is about the measure of my condemnation. On the other hand, he is not nearly so hypocritical." Mr. Parker was fortunate that during the whole of his life in China he was never robbed of any- thing. He qualifies the accusation of a Chinaman! being dirty: his cleanliness depending upon his, geographical situation. “The nastiness of the Chinese," he thinks, is in form rather than fact; for instance my servants used at a pinch to wipe my dishes with their sleeve or coat-tail; blow down the spout of my teapot in their anxiety not to keep me waiting for a drink; themselves take a swig from the spout; draw the said coat-sleeve across their noses, wipe their faces after washing with a pair of trousers, a coat-tail, or the lining of a hat; spand hours hunting for body vermin (a favourate Chinese pastime); and so on. But, for all that, I do not call them dirty beyond the ordinary rancidity of poverty all over the world." He totally denies that the Chinese are ungrateful, and he says with truth "that the fidelity of Chinese servants is really extraordinary, if they are treated with even moderate sympathy and consideration." He believes the Chinese to be cruel, but pays a tribute to their mercantile honour. After dealing with the moral, and industrial aspects of the Chinese character, Sir William thanked His Honour for making the author thinks that Jack as a “handy the order, and for the good wishes accompany
man
Captain Startin, H.M.S. Arethusa, produced an affidavit of identification of the applicant, whom he said he had known for twenty years.
Mr. Francis intimated to bis Honour that the name of Sir William Neville Montgomery Geary appeared in the Law List as a member of the Inner Temple, and stated that there could be no doubt as to his identity and qualifications.
His Honour directed that Sir William be approved, admitted, and enrolled to practice as a barrister in the colony. He had every plea sure in making the order, and should Sir William decide to stay in Hongkong and prac tise amongst then, he (His Honour) wished him a pleasant and prosperons time.
" is nothing to a Chinaman. “Whating it. a Chinaman cant do may be summed up as follows: Shave himself; do up his own hair; cure his own maladies; keep off vermin; fight with his fists; keep military or naval discipline;
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Wednesday, 8th May.
IN ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION.
BEFORE HIS HONOUR SIR JOHn Carring- TON, Kt., C.M.G., COMMANDER BLACK- BURN, R.N., Captain Ander80 ♥, AND ASSESSORS.
THE
HANGCHOW GLENGYLE COLLISION —CROSS ACTION FOR DAMAGES, This was a cross-action for damages, for colli- sion, between McGregor Brothers and Gow, owners of the steamship Glengyle, and the China Navigation Company, Limited, owners of the steamship Hangchow.
Mr. Francis, K.G. (instructed by Messrs. Johnson, Stokes and Master) appeared for the Hangchow, and Mr. Sharp (instructed by Messrs. Deacon and Hastings) for the Glengyle.
Mr. Francis said that as the suits had been. prepared rather speedily, and as there was no time just then to go into arguments, Mr. Sharp and himself had agreed to simply put in the evidence, in order to let the Glengyle got away, and take the arguments afterwards. There were four preliminary acts, two for each suit. These preliminary acts were substantially the same, and that for the Hangchow was as follows:-
Names of ships which came into collision, and the names of the masters-The steamship Hangchow (Joseph Pearce, master) and the steamship Glengyle (Temperley Darke, master).
'Time of collision-About five o'clock in the afternoon of 21st March, 191,
Place of collision-In the Harbour of Hong- kong, at a point about half-way between the easternmost buoy of the Messageries Maritimės and the Canadiau Pacific buoy, and a little to the north of a line joining the two buoys.
The direction and force of the wind-About E. N. E., light, force about 2.
State of weather-Fine weather. State and force of tide-Young flood, about five hours before high water. Current running from east to west, about one to two knots.
Course and speed of the ship Hangchow when the other ship, Glengyle, was first seon- Nearly due west, heading for the C. P. R. buoy, speed about six knots; engines at half-speed.
The lights, if any, carried by the Hangchow -None; collision in the day time.
The distance and bearing of the other ship when first seen-About half • mile off and about 13 to 2 points on starboard bow ; apparent- ly lying at the P. & 0. buoy.
The lights, if any, on the other ship collision occu were first seen--None; the day time.
The lights, if any, on the other ship, than those first seen, which came into before the collision-None; collision occurre
Dod Peerage gives the following particulars regarding Sir William Neville Montgomery Geary. He is the fifth baroret,, and was born in 1859, succeeding to the title in'in day time.