December 2, 1901]
four, when the partial eclipse became notice- able, the officials gathered in front of the chief official building, following Hsü P'u and Shih Hsi, the two Presidents of the Board, both having remained here since the siege. An alter with burning incense and offerings was placed in the open Court. The officials knelt down on the inner side, facing the setting sun. They remained motionless for some fifteen minutes, when the rescue of the sun was announced. During the ceremony there was beating of drums and gongs, to frighten away the dragon,
THE INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL.
The International Hospital, under the control of the Lazarist Mission, stands next to the Board of Rites in the most suitable site in the city. The buildings, costing some 3,00 taels, are nearing completion. Already in the main building a few beds for patients are ready. The Sisters of Charity will be from different coun- tries, and speak different languages for the convenience of the patients, whether military or civit. The selection of the site was a fortunate occurrence. Mgr, Favier formerly had a piece of land on Legation Street, which by the deci sion of the military authorities would be within the area of the military quarter of the Russian Legation. By conferring together the Bishop gave up the original land and took in exchange land that was intended as part of the Russian glacis. The site being narrow, the Chinese authorities yielded a piece of the land within the area of the Board of Rites, thus providing sufficient quarters for the new and large Hos- pital. The Board of Rites is on the north, the American military quarter is on the south, across the Legation Street, the wall of the Imperial City, next the Chienmén, is on the west, across the street allotted to Chinese traffic, and the Gaselee Road, or former street of the Board of War, is on the east. While the Hospital is meant specially for foreigners, a few Chinese of better class will be admitted, and a dispensary be open on certain days to Chinese out-patients.
THE WORK OF THE BOARDS.
Four Boards remain in what was first intend ed to be the Legation area, viz., the Board of Rites, Board of Revenue, Civil Board, and Board of the Imperial Clan. The Board of Revenue required the greatest repairs, as all the silver was taken by the Japanese, and much of the timber and bricks by Russians, British, and local poor.
AN EXTENDED AREA.
The area of the Peitang has also been ex- tended clear to the main street, leading from the west gate of the Imperial City to the Imperial Palaces.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Chefoo. We are sorry to learn that his health is in a serious condition, the result of the strain put upon him in June of last year, when he guided a party to the relief of the Christians at the old Portuguese cathedral of Nantang.
A TRIP TO KALGAN,
Capt. Poole, who has been on special service at the British Legation, and is here to study Chinese, has returned from a trip to Kalgan and on into Mongolia. He had only a Chinese escort, and that only part of the way. He found the country quiet, though he came across some armed bandits this side of Kalgan.-N.-C. Daily News.
CORRESPONDENCE.
[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]
OUR WATER FAMINE AS A PRO. MOTER OF PLAGUE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE." DAILY PRESS."
23rd November. SIR, The following cuttings from your paper for the purposes of comparison I think are interesting--
H.E. THE GOVER NOR (speaking at the at the new
ceremony
Tung Wa Hospital:-
I know that many people are discommoded and irritated by the precautions that are being taken, but I ask you to remember that these precautions are not being taken as an experiment, but as the result of experiments mado elsewhere and which in other coun- tries have been found to be efficacious, I want to stop this scourge if it can be stopped by human agency.”
The PRINCIPAL MEDICAL OFFICER, speaking at the last meeting of the Sanitary Board, said:
"Ia considering what
should measures
be taken to check the year- of Hy recurrence
plague, it appeared to the Board, seeing that plague always dis- appears in the winter months,that it would be advisable to attempt some general cleansing of the whole City dur. ing this time. Un- doubtedly the The city octroi is on a steady increase under bacillus must be pre- the capable management of Prince Su. All sent in our midst, and goods for foreigners are also being taxed, the object of this clean- whether for private use or for sale. Dr. Colt-sing and disinfection is man, as specially-deputci commissioner, assists to attack it in its lair and in the collection from the latter class, as com- remove everything as pliance has not been an easy thing. Probably far as possible which foreigners will be permitted to carry on trade will conduce already begun outside the Legation area, it growth." being understood that they pay taxes and duties The DIRECTOR OF the same as Chinese.
PUBLIC WORKS said it is obvions to everyone that some such measure as this must be adopted if we hope in any way to
A CHINESE PROCLAMATION.
To-day a new proclamation is issued by the authorities, reiterating warnings against thieves and other criminals, and commanding attention to regulations and orders already issued. It states that the soldiery, policemen and watch- men will be on patrol throughout the whole city night and day. It adds that all persons, with or without a lantern, will be arrested after ten o'clock at night, unless ont on official business.
A BUSINESS PRINCE.
- INCREASED LIVING EXPENSES.
16
to
its
The city octroi on goods for foreigners and the duty of five per cent, at Tientsin to the Maritime Customs will mean more costly living in Peking. We are beginning to pay the in-rid ourselves of plague demnity before the indemnity pays us for our or to alleviate its attacks losses last last year. The British claimants in this Colony. have already found that they cannot get what they deem just and full compensa- tion. It is surmised that Americans will also lose, though no information has been received from Washington as to the payment of private claims. Other nationals do not fare so badly.
A PROMINENT FOREIGNER.
Mr. William Pethick, for so many years the secretary and adviser to Viceroy Li, arrived in Pexing to-day, after a stay for his health at
The thing almost every- one says when we begin disinfection after the plague has begun is
"What is the use of waiting until the thing has begun? Why did you not do this before it began? Why were you not ready for it ? We want to take these
1
When
A correspondent, No signing himself Water," wrote as fol- lows on the 19th inst:-
"Sir,-No wanderer lost in a Sahara longs as the residents of the Belilios Terrace are at the present time long- ing for water! there is a dearth, as at this season, it is well and good that the water-supply should be ent down and limited to certain hours in the day, but there is no reason why in some quarters the supply should be, it seems, shut out altogether."
Many of us are paying as much as 40 to 50 cents a day to outside coolies for a few pails of more or less furbid water and just enough for wash- ing the hands! letter on the matter appeared in your paper some days back but it had, to all appearance, the
A
same effect to rouse the W. A. as if one were to present a n address to a
mummy. Thanking you for the insertion of these lines."
The above is a general grievance, and for the past two weeks I have had to suspend the daily washing and clean- work- sing of my
Chines shops and quarters on account
measures in order to be ready for it, and the inconvenience caused to the people generally, I am sure, is only a frac- tional portion of what they will suffer in trade if regard to
as at matters go on present-if these mea- snres are not adopted."
449
of there being no water, though most men are, I medical think, agreed that soap and water are the best preventives against plague. They are surely more efficacious than official speeches.
Yours, etc.,
OBSERVER.
THE WATER SUPPLY.
1#
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS,
Hongkong, 25th November. SIR, I should feel grateful if you will further accord me a little space in your valuable paper. If these lines should meet the eye of those whom they may concern and should make them less adamant and more solicitous of publio welfare on a matter of such extreme importance, I shall not have written in vain and much. grievance and discomfort will be removed for which many must needs feel thankful. The cry one hears everywhere in this Colony is,
Whose fault it is we have no water, why does nobody listen to our petition?" Indeed, none are so deaf as those who will not hear.
cure
#1
Since the 11th ult., and notwithstanding "Sufferer's" appeal and my letter of the 19th, the water-pipes in the Belilios Terraces have remained obstinately dry, have been given as a holiday and are turning rusty it were through disuse. Soon many residents of that highly felicitous lecality would be shunned by all persons of sensitive natures.
Observer' In your issue of Saturday last, has aptly touched upon a vital question and has very wisely hinted what evil threatens us in the near future if matters
were to remain very much as they are at present. | The old saw that " prevention is better than can never be too deeply inculcated. Timely, active measures were resorted to, but instead water is being shut out from certain quarters when according to medical authorities it is consided an indispensable factor as a preventive against such an inveterate enemy as we have in our midst every year! Admit the scarcity to which we are reduced to-day, yet If past ex- why not have forestalled this? periences had been availed of and efforts were exerted in the right direction, the public would have to-day no cause to complain, rather one for which to be thankful. A couple of new reservoirs would be far more beneficial to the Colony than many things to which much attention has, been bestowed of late.
Must public interest and welfare stand in the background and wait their turn, while we, too, wait till the horse is stolen to see the stable door shut? Thanking you in anticipation.-Yours, etc.,
STILL NO WATER.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS."
Hongkong, 25th November. SIR,-I am not fond of seeing privato grievances aired in the public Press, but I think that one's experiences in connection with the present unequal distribution of the curtailed water supply, typical, I understand, of those of many other house-holders here, may be con- sidered of sufficient public interest to excuse a few lines on the subject. It will be recollected that notice was given by the Water Authority that the curtailed service would come into force on the 11th inst., and I feel sure that all will readily agree that, in view of the seriously short supply of water in storage, this was a very necessary and proper measure to take. My ex- perience, which I believe is similar to that of some others, has been that since the 11th inst. I have not been able to get one drop of water from the pipes in my house, although I have reason to believe others have been fortunate enough to get pretty fair and regular supplies. Twice during the past fortnight I have written to Mr. Chatham representing my plight, and asking if something could not be done, but my representations (true, they were not official ones) have produced neither the courtesy of an answer, nor the supply of a drop of water.
Is this unequal distribution of one of the first necessaries of life fair to householders ? Shall I and others in the same plight have to do as best we can without a water supply till