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une 22, 1901.]
arriving from Hongkong who are unable to go home. There they will be attended to by doctors and medicine supplied free of charge.
SEIZURE of contraband GOODS.
A Chinese steam-launch engaged in passing contraband goods was seized off the Kang Pak Custom House by a Customs cruiser with 17 chests of opium on board. The launch, together with the goods and the smugglers, was taken to Canton the other day, and the case is under investigation. The contraband goods and launch are estimated at the value of over $30,000.
SETTLEMENT FOR THE ATTACK ON EUROPEANS, In the case in which the silk inspector, Mr. Burckhardt and others from the firm of Messrs. Carlowitz & Co., of Canton, were wounded by pirates, and a boatman killed, while they went for a picnic off 8am Yung Kee ut Shun Tak, an arrangement for the payment of indemnity has been made by Li Ka-chenk, a military official in command of the Shun Tak garrison, and the amount proposed is said to be $13,501, all included.
BRIGAND SOCIETIES.
It was well known that last year there were several brigand chief at Eai Chew who collected large number of followers, and formed two societies, under the names of the Lun E Tong and Wo E Tong, to plunder. Of late in consequence of the strict orders issued by the Viceroy to the military authorities to arrest and punish them they have dispersed and hidden themselves. But there is now another new gang of brigands at Fatshan, who have clubbed together under the name of the Shing Wo Tong, and whose chiefs are Leong Choi, Leong Cheung, Leong Tung, Leong Ping, Luk Shik, and Luk Chew. A few days ago they sent letters to the junks that plied between Lung Kong, Tai Leong, Ping- Chow and other places, to demand blackmail. The junks, through fear of their threats, have ceased from plying.
PIRATES AND BRAVES.
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By order of the Viceroy guardboats are anchored at different stations along the Canton river as far as Tung Kun, and Shik Lung to watch for pirates. A few nights ago several small boats manned by pirates went closs to one of the guardboats, when they rushed on board, seized and tied up some of the "braves," and took away all their firearms and uniforms, and left. Other braves who pursued them were wounded by shots from the fugitives.
MACAO.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Macao, 17th June.
MACAO V. HONGKONG AS A RESIDENCE.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
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leaving the bread-winners to remain at Hong- kong. While rents in your port have been systematically increased so as to make them a little less than an extortion from the middle class, it is undeniable that from an hygienic as well as from a moral point of view the quarters now occupied by the veritable "horses of the mill are in an indirect ratio, as to ameliora- tion, to the exactions forced from them. Since no power will move to check a long admitted evil, it is for the sufferers themselves to devise ways and means to secure the urgently needed reform before any remedial measures are put out of the pale of practicability. That Macao affords the means to such a measure is a conviction that has gradually forced itself upon the minds of those who have given the question serious thought in all its bearings.
THE IMPROVEMENT OF MACAO.
Good building sites can be had here for the mere asking. With the professional instinct of an efficient civil engineer (as the present Governor, H. E. Horta e Costa, is), assisted by a no less talented and energetic official in the person of the director of public works, Mr. A. C. d'Abreu Nunes, the plan (first conceived on the outbreak of plague here in 1896) for the resumption of the insanitary districts and their subsequent improvement has been consistently and energetically carried for- ward. The result is at once apparent to any casual visitor who might remember the veritable hotbeds of diseases in the insanitary districts of Vo-long and the like. Vo-long has now made way for a faultlessly laid out portion of the city situated just before the approach to and to the left of the Avenida da Vasco da Gama. In part the resumed area has been built on, and a considerable section of the remaining portion was recently put up to public auction, when it was knocked down to the Santa Casa da Misericordia, the premium per square metre being 50 cents and the annual Crown rent 30
cants.
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509
The idea of utilising the waste land of Macso for profitable building operations has already been taken up in certain quarters among the Chineso magnates of Hongkong. Authentic information is, however, lacking for the rumour that the new gambling farmer is formulating a schem for the purchase of a large portion of Bella Vista with a view to the erec- tion of semi-detached houses, in American style, for European residents, and in conjunction with this plan a hotel will be built within the same sito for visitors. If it is to be a bond fide enterprise, may success attend the venture; but if the hotel and its adjuncts be utilised for another Monte Carlo, let their existence be relegated to the limbo of unrealisable projects.
A CAFE CHANTANT,
A Spaniard has applied for and obtained the sanction of government for the opening of a café chantant.
At
THE SANTA CABA BOAED ELECTION. The much talked of election of the new board of directors of the Santa Casa came off on Saturday last, the 15th inst. To those who bave followed with any enthusiasm the articles appearing in your Portuguese contemporary, especially directed against the retiring Provedor, and who were in consequence led into great expectations, the result of Saturday's election must have come as a sore disappointment the oleventh hour it seemed patent, as it should have appeared before, to the active canvassers for the overthrow of Mr. Nolasob that the task they had set themselves to put through was not easy of accomplishment. Their real nominee retired to the background, and in order to give the semblance of opposition to an election that would otherwise be robbed of interest, Mr. A. J. Basto was nominally put forward as the con. testant against Mr. Nolasco. But to those behind the scenes it was well-known that Mr.. Basto never desired the Provedorship to the exclusion of his friend and colleague. His failure (if failure it can be called) when pitted A little beyond are situated the hills of against the tried Provedor was, on this occasion, Casilha and the Bella Vista as the eminence a foregone conclusion. The result of the elec- overlooking the familiar beach of Area Pretation is as follows:-Mr. P. Nolasco da Silva, is called. Casilha still retains its primitive | Provedor (re-elected); Mr. C. D. Azado, Vice- simplicity. But the bare hillock opposite and Provedor; Mr. Albino Pachedo, Secretary; Mr. to the left of it as one journeys in the direction José Ribeiro, Treasurer (re-elected). of Porta do Cerco is in the process of trans- The ballot showed that Mr. C. A, R. ♂ Assump- formation into the "Montanha Russa," as the çao was the nominated person for the vice-Prove- circuitous promenade built from the base to the dorship. This gentleman did not see his way top of the little hill has been named. The hand accept the honour accorded him in his nomination, of the artistic engineer is at once seen in this alleging ill-health as the reason for the rejection most useful and beautifying public work. The of his seat. There were sixty-six voters pre- narrow bridlepath that erstwhile answered for sent at the meeting. The Provedor was the road across Chinese vegetable-gardens lead-ro-elected by 112 votes. That Mr. Nolasco will ing from the main thoroughfare to Bella Vista justify the wisdom of the electors in reinstating has been widened to a 29-foot road and raised to the level of the same. This road, metalled after the most approved style, is a source of no little pleasure to cyclists, and beyond and to the seaward side of the Montanha Russa a pleasing surprise awaits the pedestrian and cyclist alike. Riding on the road here is like wheeling on a billiard board, so perfectly has the road been cemented over. Its gentle gradient while causing no effort for its ascent affords a de- light in its descent. The expanse of the blue sea so pleasing to the eyes and the briny breeze are not the least of the pleasures that reward a walk along this beautiful road.
to
him as the helmsman in the most important public institution, next after the Senate, of this city, is the confident belief of his supporters.
A DESERVED DECORATION.
The many friends of Mr. Antonio Joaquim Basto will be pleased to know that this gentle- man has been recommended for the Order of the Grand Cross De Conceição. It is the most coveted order in the gift of the Portuguese sovereign to bestow upon any of His Majesty's subjects. Incidentally it may be remarked that no colonial-born, nor indeed any Portuguese colonial governor, has yet been accorded this special mark of royal favour. If Mr. Basto should be signalled out for such rare distinction his continued labours for the good of Macao and his willing assistance on occasions at the sacrifice of his professional practice-to its successive governors will have amply received their just reward.
The distressing state of overcrowding in Hongkong revealed in the Sanitary Board Committee's report a few years ago has been further accentuated each year as Hongkong attracted to its busy centre the Chinese from the mainland. In connection with the subject of affording healthy residence for the white population of Hongkong, within easy reach of the colony, Macao may be advantageously considered. It cannot be doubted that one who has long resided in both places and who has It is within sight of this lovely place that a accordingly had an opportunity to judge of the suggestion is offered for a residential district merits and demerits of the two cities might. for those people of Hongkong who feel the not unreasonably expect that some faith be want of a healthy habitation most acutely, not given his unbiassed opinion. The opinion is least amongst them being the Macaenses one that has been forced upon him in favour of themselves. No better or healthier locality the Portuguese settlement. The conformation
can be found. Granite is found in sufficient of the island of Hongkong and the situation quantity and of good quality on
the very of the city of Victoria cannot be favourably sites recommended for building.
No step
One of the most distinguished sinologists compared with the geographical position of the hill-slopes present themselves-like the building of his time, Dr. E. Bretschneider, of St. city of Macao. In the latter place the absence sites of Bowen or MacDonnell Roads in Hong- Petersburg, whose death was announced last of any lofty hills like the Peak on the one side kong and therefore no massive or expensive month, was an honorary corresponding momber and Kowloon range on the other and its exposed retaining walls need be built. The estimated of the Royal Geographical Society. It was position to the sea, render it far healthier and cost for preparing sites for a hundred European while fulfilling his duties as physician to the oooler. Add to this the smallness of its popula- villa residences is, as far as can be ascertained, Russian Legation in Peking that he devoted tion, the better class of its native tenements, not more than $10,000. The premium for the himself to the investigation of Chinese the cleanliness of its roads and public thorough land is not likely to exceed five cents per square archæology, history, language, geography, &c fares, and a drainage system better suited to its foot and the annual Crown rent is from 30 to One of his most recent works was the History inhabitants, it must at once become apparent 50 cents the square metre. The stringency of of European Botanical Discoveries in China, that of the two places Macao as a healthier the Hongkong building regulations is not and he had also written learnedly on the place of habitation must claim the preference. enforced here. There are no costly house knowledge possessed by the ancient Chiness of
On economic grounds also it may be worth drainage system and concreting of ground the while of many to consider seriously whether | surfaces. Labour is comparatively cheaper. it may not be to their advantage to make Macao In short, all the elements satisfying the con- the habitat for their women-folk and children, ditions of economic politics exist here.
the Arabs and Arabian Colonies, on Chinese medieval travellers to the West, and on archaeological and historical researches in Poking and the neighbourhood,