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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE COOLIE QUESTION.
(Daily Press, 5th December.)
efficient shelter from wind and rain, had served to shade waiting passengers from the rays of the sun. It is true that the matsheds speedily became dilapidated and It is to be devoutly hoped that the Govern- were sometimes carried off bodily by ment will give early effect to the eminently typhoons, but they afforded a shelter practical recommendations, which we have when on the wharf, though perhaps already noticed, of the three Commissioners precarious one. Something more perman- who recently reported on the difficulties ent and more worthy of the new structure connected with obtaining and retaining was looked for, and with good reason. A private chair and ricksha coolies. Appendix large site had been prepared in front of the F, the admirably concise draft Bill, should pier, which had been constructed without be taken in hand, and The Private Coolie any sordid considerations of cost. The Ordinance of 1901 passed through the Le- ra epayers were not averse to a handsome gislative Council and made operative at the There are vote being taken for the effective completion earliest possible opportunity. of the work, and no one was disposed to also other divisions of the Chinese coolie cavil at any reasonable sum being placed class who urgently need bringing under in the estimates for the purpose.
control. If the ordinary unregistered street The assembly were not disappointed. coolie could be kept in check in some such Sir HENEY BLAKE did allude, and in 1.0 way as it is proposed to deal with chair- uncertain language, to the needed addi- bearers and richehn-drawers, a great boon tion to the pier. He said: "I am glad would be conferred on the whole community. "to hear from the Director of Public The native labouring classes are getting Works that the timely precaution has increasingly troublesome from day to day. been taken to so arrange the foundations For instance, there exists a legalised tariff that in time to come the Clock Tower of hire for street coolies, but it is actually may be erected at the base of the Pier. null and void, as it is distinctly stated that I hope that by next year I shall be nothing in the scale affects a mutual private able to include in the Estimates arrangement. The inevitable result is that sum to provide for the removal of the in the case of luggage-carrying, furniture- 'Clock Tower from its present position, moving, or any of the thousand and one odd " where it is a serious obstruction to traffic, jobs for which outside labour is generally and its replacement at the base of this requisitioned, these men with bamboos and "Pier." His Excellency, in further proof of ropes cannot be engaged, except on their hia abiding interest in the matter, subse- own arbitrary terms, which, invariably, are quently called for plans for a new Clock exorbitantly in excess of the legal standard. Tower, a prize being offered for the best Refusal to accept these terms is instantly' designs. This was awarded to Mr. FISHER, met with what is tantamount to a boycott. of the Public Works Department, who sent These men, naturally, are the veriest riff- in a very handsome design which included raff, many of them being confirmed opium- waiting-rooms for passengers using the smokers, and all of them lead a shiftless, pier, as well as a Clock Tower that would haud-to-mouth existence that puts them on a prove a most effective ornament to the water par with the Neapolitain laııaroni of a front, while at the same time its clock would generation ago, who, once they had enough be visible for miles along the harbour and for the day's macaroni, resolutely refused to shore. This design has been in the hands stir either foot or finger, thus giving a new of the Government for many months, during reading to the expression: Sufficient unto The amount of which there has been plenty of time to obtain the day is the evil thereof." tenders for the work and to put it in hand. But vilification and foul language that literally we are not aware that it has got any further floods forth from an angered coolie, bearer than to receive approval as the best design, or drawer, can only be partly measured, and we should be most agreeably surprised even by those who speak and understand to learn that a tender hul been accepted their dialect, although the accompanying and the work authorised. It would be a gestionlations and facial contortions are thousand pities to delay this work. The broadly indicative of what is meant. reconstruction of the Clock Tower is part insolent and insistent loquacity of some of of the scheme of the creation of a suitable these pampered servants not infrequently public landing-place for the City; it has
overpasses all decent bounds. Occasional been re-named, very fittingly, after the pre-applications of the provisions of Sections sent Governor, and it would be a matter for 15 and 16 should act as a wholesome deter- sincere regret if, after deferring its con- rent. It needs no great length of local struction, it should be left to his successor residence to come to the conclusion that the to erect or to crucel as he pleased. Sir servant question, private and public, in-door HENEY BLAKE need not fear for a want of and out-door, requires the most urgent funds. There is money enough to provide attention. And, despite the adverse report for the comfort of the thousands of persons on the matter of the registration of domes. who have to use Blake Pier by giving it a tic servants by the Committee of the shelter from the elements. His Excellency Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce appeared to entertain no misgivings on th-pertinently alluded to, in Appendix K, subject a year ago, and the revenue has not declined since. The contemplated sanitary works will no doubt cost a great deal, but they must not shoulder all other works out of the way. Nor should Sir HENRY allow his courage to ooze through the tips of his fingers. The Secretary of State for the Colonies is not likely to begrudge a small outlay which can be shown to be not only desirable but necessary.
We hope therefore that His Excellency the Governor, if he has any lingering doubts on the subject, will throw them promptly overboard, take his courage in both hands, and manfully accept ing responsibility, give orders for the im- mediate prosecution of this much needed, long discussed, and generally hoped for
mprovement,
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[December 7, 1901.
THE CRISIS: TELEGRAM.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
SHANGHAI, 1st December, 7.30 p.m. An Imperial Decree. has been issued, which deposes the heir apparent, Pu Chun, owing to his father, Prince Tuan, baving been the author of last year's troubles in China. Pu Chun has been granted a brevet dukedom, and has been ordered to leave the Imperial Palace immediately.
Chang Teb-yi, the former English tutor of the Emperor Kwang Hsu, has been appointed Chinese Minister to Great British, Italy, and Belguim.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
A meeting of the Hongkong Legislative Council was held on the 5th inst. in the Council Chamber. Present.-
HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR (Sir HENBY BLAKE, G.C.M.G.).
Major-General Sir W. GASCOIGNE, K.C.M.G. (Commanding the Troops).
Hon. J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary).
Hon. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C. (Acting Attorney. General).
Hon. Commander. R. M. RUMSEY, R.N. (Harbour Master).
Hon. C. McI. MESSER (Acting Colonial Treasurer).
Hon. W. CHATHAM (Director of Public Works).
Hon. A. W. BREWIN (Registrar. General). Hon. C. P. CHATEB, C.M.G. Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD, Hon. J. THURBURN. Hon. Dr. Ho KAI. Hon. WEI A YUK.
Mr. R. F. JOHNSTON(Acting Clerk of Conn- cils.)
FINANCIAL MINUTES. The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table
Financial Minutes Nos. 69 and 70 and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee, The ACTING Colonial TreaSURER seconded, and the motion was adopted.
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT. The COLONIAL Secretary laid on the table
the report of the Finance Committee (No. 14) and moved its adoption.
The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was adopted.
The REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE.
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS laid on
the table the report of the Public Works Com mittee (No. 7).
SALARIES OF SUBORDINATE OFFICERS.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table correspondence relating to the increase of salaries of subordinate officers. This contained a letter sent by H.E. the Governor to the Right Hon, J. Chamberlain with extracts from report of proceedings of the Finance Committee at a meeting held on 10th October, 1901, and of the Legislative Council at a meeting held on the following effect:—
I
17th October, 1901. The letter was to the
"When the estimates were being considered,
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found that a very strong feeling existed among by His Honour Mr. JUSTICE SERCOMBE the Unofficial Members that any increase of SMITH-there is very large and weighty salaries granted to the subordinate officers should consensus of public opinion to the exact date from the lat January of the present year. contrary. When the out-door geutry have I undertook to forward their unanimous recom- been dealt with, then the domestic confra-mendation to this effect, and I do so now with ternity-boys, cooks, etc.,-can, in due turn, be wheeled into line,
News received in Manila from Honolulu ays the U.S. War Department has lately decided that hereafter transports will not stop at Honolulu unless there is a special object in having them take that route, such as the ship. ping there of supplies of men. The plan of the Department is to try sending the ships by the great circle oute, as the largest vessel in the transport service can carry enough coal to make the complete trip without encroaching too much upon the cargo space.
a strong recommendation that the views ex- pressed by the Unofficial Members, and shared by every member of the Legislative Council, may be acceded to. I attach a report of the proceedings, and if you concur in my recom- mendation I shall be glad to receive a reply by telegram."
In reply to this letter the Right Hon. Mr. Chamberlain wired as follows:-
"In reply to your despatch No. 426, October, proposal approved."
THE WATER SUPPLY. The COLONIAL SECRETARY submitted the following correspondence relating to the inter- mittent water supply:-