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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Section No. 7.-A. single line (with passitig places) 1 mile 2 furlongs 4.5 chains (or there- abouts) in length, commencing in Shau-ki-wan Road by junction with Section No. 6 at the point where such Section will terminate, thence passing, in an easterly direction, along the new road to Shau-ki-wan now being constructed in place of a portion of the existing road to Shau- | ki-wan, thence, in an easterly direction, along the existing Shau-ki-wan Read and terminating in that road at a point 20 feet or thereabouts east of the intersection of the centre lines of Wo Hing Street and Shau-ki-wan Road.
Further paragraphs give the Company power to convert single "into" double lines, and vice versa; power to widen bridges, etc.; to make additional crossings, etc.; to lay down sea-water pipes; and to open and break up roads.
The guage of the tramway is specified as not less than 3 feet 6 inches in width.
As to " Motive Power," it is specified that the cars used on the tramway shall be moved by electric power conveyed by means of a bare overhead wire and the rails of the tramway In the event of the Company being unable at any time or times to move the cars by electric power, the cars may temporarily be moved by animal power.
Finally we quote from the sections relating to "Fares and Charges:"-
48. The Company may demand and take for every passenger travelling upon the tramway or any portion thereof, including every expense incidental to such conveyance, the fares follow- ing, that is to say:-(.) From or to the point where Section No. 1 is authorised to commence to or from the existing General Post Office in Queen's Roal Central, for any distance, for a first class passenger 15 cents, for a second class passenger 10 cents, and for a third class
passenger 5 cents. (ii) From or to the existing General Post Office in Queen's Road Central to or from the point in Causeway Road where Section No. 2 is authorised to terminate, or to or from the point in Wong Nei Chong Road where section No. 5 is author ised to terminate, for any distance. for a first class passenger 15 cents, for a second class passenger 10 cents, and for a third class passen- ger 5 cents. (iii.) From or to the point in Causeway Road where Section No. 6 is author- ized to commence to or from the point in Shau-ki-wan Road where Section No. 7 is authorised to terminate, for any distance, for a a first class passenger 20 cents, for a second class passenger 15 cents, and for a third class passenger 5 cents.
49. The Company shall at all times after the tramway shall have been opened for public traffic run on the tramway at least two cars each way every morning and evening in the week at such hours not being later than seven o'clock in the morning or earlier than half-past five o'clock in the evening, respectively, as the Company shall from time to time think most convenient for artisans, mechanics and daily labourers at fares not exceeding three cents per journey: Provided that in case any complaint shall be made to the Governor in Council of
the hours appointed by the Company for the running of such cars the Governor in Council shall have power by order to fix and regulate
the same.
50. A separate car shall be provided by the Company for Chinese third class passengers.
58. No passenger may take on the tramway his personal luggage other than small hand baskets, bags or parcels, any one of which shall not exceed sixteen pounds in weight, or one cubic foot in measurement. All such personal lug- gage shall be carried by hand, and at the responsibility of the passenger, and shall not occupy any part of a scat, nor be of a form or description to annoy or inconvenience other passengers.
In the June number of Blackwood's Magazine appears an interesting little sketch entitled A Night's Adventure on the Pearl River," describing how a party of four European residents of Canton were attacked by pirates while on a picnic on the Canton river. The story, it need scarcely be said, loses nothing in interest from the fact that it happens to be true. Although no names are mentioned the incident recorded is none other than the piratical attack upon Messrs. Spalinger, Burckhardt, Huygen and Hogg in Jannary last
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THE SANTA CASA DA MISERICORDIA OF MACAO.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY From recent notes appearing in these onl lumns from our Macao corespondent, our readers will have seen that some excitement was caused in the Portuguese colony in connection with the late election of new directors of the Santa Casa da Misericordia. As an outcome of party polemics, certain innuendos appear to have been published in the Portuguese press alleging the existence of corruption in the administration of the above institution. We have received from our correspondent the report of the Commis. sion of Enquiry appointed by H.E. the Governor of Macao. The following is our correspondent's communication :-
Macao, 1st July,
At a meeting, held on the 19th June, of the Directors of the Santa Casa da Misericordis, it be resolved that His Excellency the Governor be requested to appoint a Committee to inquire into the direction of the Santa Casa during the last two years. In the letter to the Colonial Secretary asking for the inquiry, it was stated that the Board, being satisfied that the affairs of the institution had been conducted with earnestness, zeal, disinterestedness and honesty, cannot refrain from protesting against the insinuations and suspicions of their conduct which appeared in the newspaper O Porvir.
Accordingly, by Proclamation No 40, dated the 21st June, 1901, the Commission was ap- pointed. The following is a rough translation of the text of the proclamation :-
Whereas it is just that the right of defence should be accorded without restriction to those who seek it; and whereas the Board of the Santa Casa have requested that a Commission be ap. pointed to inquire into their conduct with a view to defend themselves against the rumours that have been put into circulation in respect of their administration: and whereas the main subsidy of the Santa Casa da Misericordia is that derived monthly from the lottery, and it is desirable that this source of revenue be not impaired in any way and so retain the good name which it has earned; and whereas the Enquiry, if affecting the question of the lottery alone, will be the means of enlightening the Public in respect of its administration; it is therefore expedient to appoint a Commission consisting of the Chief Justice, Dr. Albano de Magalhaes as president, with L. Cardoso and A. J. Brandao as members, to conduct a search- ing enquiry into the management of the affairs of the Santa Casa da Misericordia of Macao during the two years last passed.
By Proclamation No. 11 of the 22nd June, the Colonial Secretary was appointed chairman of the Commission vice Dr. Magalhaes.
Having duly prosecuted their enquiry, the Commission forwarded their report, dated the 27th June, to the Governor, as follows:-
(July 6, 1901.--
various public companies with their head offices in the neighbouring colony of Hongkong. The utmost caution has invariably flictated the choice of the investment of the funds in order to obtain the greatest security. The market rates of the day of the shares held by the Banta Cass show an appreciation of from 40 to 50 per cent. "over and above the rates at which they were purchased. Furthermore, it should be noted that the dividends paid by the Companies represent an annual income of eight per cent. on the capital invested. Recently the board, duly authorised, sold the shares which they held in the Hongkong, Canton, and Macao Steamboat Co., Ld.. so as to have the funds wherewith to make a loan to the Leal Senado. This sale resulted in a profit equivalent to 18.51 per cent. This is good evidence of the successful administration of the institution and of the sound judgment that directs it.
*
“The institutions under the immediate charge: ADM of this corporation, like the S. Raphael Hospital, the asylums and others, are carefully managed. Their expenditure has not exceeded the sums authorised by the estimates.
"Moreover, the Commission have to state that this institution is at the present time in a very flourishing condition, dne, no doubt, to an honest and judicious administration that has devoted its utmost care and seal to the manage- ment of the lottery which is now most credit. ablo, and that has strictly carried out the condi- tion imposed by Government for the drawing of the lottery and for its general management. The board have likewise properly observed the stipulations of the contract between the board and the concessionaires for the sale of the tickets. These concessionaires, having previously entered into a bond, receive the full number of the tickets according to the prospectus. The tickets are then sealed by them with their particular seals and then forthwith offered for sale in the man- nor best suited to their convenience, without the least interference in any respect on the part of the board of directors of the institution in question.”
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The Colonial Secretary, in transmitting, by direction of the Governor, a copy of the Com- mission's report to the Provedor of the Bants Casa, wites, under date the 28th June, 1901, as follows." His Excellency congratulates the board under your worthy presidentship not only for the high degree of prosperity which the Santa Casa da Misericordia of Macao has now attained, but also for the careful, sealous, and honest administration which has presided over the destinies of so useful an institution, as clearly evidenced by the report of the Com- mission of Enquiry.
CANTON.
[FROM OUR CorrespondenT.]
Canton, 28th June. DRAGON BOAT CATASTROPH®.
A HOUSE TAX.
Sir, The Commission appointed by pro- clamation No. 40 of the 21st instant, to inquire into the management of the affairs of the Santa It is a custom that on the third day after the Casa da Misericordia of this city by the present dragon-boat festival they repair to the temple board of directors, beg to submit to Your of the Mother-Dragon at Wong Chuk Kee to Excellency in this report the synthesis of their worship her. There were this year flower-boats enquiry and the conclusions they have arrived and steam launches taking large numbers of at. On the day following their appoint pilgrims to the temple and theatrical perform ment, the Commission met at the offices ances. While the dragon-boats were having a of the benevolent institution in question. contest of speed with one another two of them In the presence of the board of directors had come into collision, throwing the men and with assistance of the administrador into the water, seventeen of them being do concelho (a public officer) they examined | drowned. and found that the cash in hand and other valuable securities tallied with the respective entries in the books of the institution. The Commission then examined the books and found them to be duly authenticated and posted up to date, the accounts being, kept by the double entry system as being the more convenient form of bookkeeping. The accounts relating to the lottery are kept in a separate set of books, in accordance with instructions framed by Government. No irregularity was observed as regards these books, and the cash balances arising from each monthly drawing of the lottery, as shown by the respective books, were duly and properly transferred to the " 'general' cask book. The lottery has been the principal source of revenue of this institution and con- tributed to the increase of its funds, which have been employed in the purchase of shares of
The prefect She, known as Kwong - Chaufu, has issued a notification that a house-fax will be charged. In the case of a house that pays rent of 8:20 and upwards per annum, the tax will be 82, and if under none need be paid. If the occupier is owner of the house he must pay $1 per month for every ridgepole of the house wherein be lives. This order has been sent to all the districts, and to the headmen
of the streets.
BARBAROUS PUNISHMENT OF KÖBBEKA. A few nights ago in the village of Chang. shing, after a burglarious attack, the villagers succeeded in catching three thieves. Instand of handing them over to the mandarins to be pun- ished, which necessarily involves some expense for petitioning, runners, &o, the elders of the village ordered them to be wrapped around with
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