February 15, 1902.]
HONGKONG.
The local A.D.C. is advertising a Smoking Concert on Saturday week. The programme will be published later on. We are glad to sco this sign of the activity of Hongkong amateur actors, who have had many difficulties to contend with of late.
Nine large matsheds, the property of Messrs. Butterfield & Swire and used in connection with their reclamation works at Quarry Bay, were burned to the ground on the 11th inst. The cutbreak, needless to say, is attributed to cracker-firing,
Writes a correspondent:- trust that, if the operation of removing the Clock Tower to Blake Pier is to be much luger delayed, the authorities will see to the improvement of the light which presently illuminates (?) the dials. After sundown it is impossible to tell what time it is at a distance of more than fifty yards.
In reference to the question of the water supply, alluded to elsewhere. we are pleased to announce that the water anthorities have under consideration & scheme for importing water from the New Teritory to Hongkong, to be supplied, we believe, at a cheap rate, to the in- habitants of the thickly-populated districts which bare for weeks past been deprived of their regular allowance.
The following returns of the average amount of banknotes in circulation and of specié in reserve in Hongkong during January, as ver- tified by the managers of the respective banks, are published in the Gazette :--
Banks. Chartered Bank of India, Aus.
tralia and China
Hongkong and Shanghai Bank-
ing Corporation National Bank of thinn. Limited
Total
Average Amount.
Specie in Reserve.
$ $ 3,178,700 1,700,000 9,655,851 5,000,000 446,890 1:0 000
$13.281,441 $6,850,000 It is much to be regretted, a correspondent writes to us to say, that the International Polo Tournament for Cups presented by Mr. W. A. Cruikshank, which was fixed for Saturday and Monday uext, has had to be post- poned owing to a series of accidents to ponies and to the indisposition of some of the best players. The Scots are the only people able to put a team in the field, and they are prepared to play the World on Saturday. The Hon. Secre- tary is endeavouring to get together a team to beat them. Play cominences at 4 30 p.m.
The increased numbers who were present on the Parade Ground on the 12th inst. to hear the military band music was the best thanks that could be accorded His Excellency the Acting Governor for instituting this welcome and pleasant form of entertainment. On this occasion, the performers were the Hongkong Regiment Band and the Pipe Band of the H.K.S.B.R.A. : both acquitted themselves well. The Pipers and Drummers marched round the grounds as they played. Major General and Lady Gascoigne were present during the performance.
On the ith inst, in the Chaplain's Room, H M. Naval Yard, a tea and concert were given under the auspices of the Royal Temperance Society. A splendid programme of music had been arranged by Mr. A. Cunningham; those taking part being Misses Weatherston (violin and piano) and King (piano), Mrs. A. Cunningham, Messrs. Arthur, Cunningham, and Coster, and Masters E. and W. Hagen. The audience, about 10, strong, vociferously -applanded the performers-the lasters Hugen being special favourites. The piano was kindly lent for the occasion by the Robinsen- Piano Co.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
There are six trained Sanitary Inspectors now in Hongkong, in place of the one solitary inspector hitherto engaged here.
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It is notified in the Gazette that Mr. S. B. C. Ross has passed his final examination in Cantonese.
A local amateur of racing says that this year's meeting looks as open as possible, and that there are absolutely no' certainties."
Mr. A. Mackie. Chief Inspector of Police, who on the 11th inst. completed the unprecedented record of thirty years' service in the Force, has reengaged for a further term of five years.
A big gambling raid by Inspector Collett, Wanchai Police Station (No. :) who arrested altogether 78 Chinamen, has resulted in fines and forfeitures amounting to nearly $1,000,
everal members of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps who are leaving the Colony at an early date are, we understand, to represent the Corps at the Coronation ceremony in London in June. The visitors to the City Hall Library and Museum last week included 127 non-Chinese and 43 Chinese to the former and 45 non- Chinese and 1,997 Chinese to the latter institn tion.
The cases of communicable disease reported e-diphtheria 1 in the Colony last week were:- (fatal); enteric 1 (fatal); small-pox 1 (a Chinese case imported from Singapore on Hong Bee).
the s.s.
With reference to the rumour that the Volunteer Corps is, to be represented at the Corouation ceremony in London in June, we are enabled to state that there is no likelihood of meu being specially selected for that purpose. As we reported on the 12th inst., there is in official circles a feeling in favour of asking those members of the Corps who are likely to be in London in June to take part in the Coronation procession, but nothing definite has as yet been arranged.
The French cruiser Styx left on the 7th inst. for Saigon.
On the 11th inst. the U.S.S. Brooklyn left for Mauila and the French cruiser Chasseloup Laubnt for Saigon.
H.M.S. Orlando went out for a cruise on the 12th inst.
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The Siam Observer understands that upon hearing the melancholy news of the death of M. Rolin-Jaequemyns, the King of Siam grant- ed a pension to the widow and another smaller pens on to the daughter of the late Minister. This might be regarded as a singularly fitting inauguration of the new Pension Act.
A decree was issued from Peking on the 30th ult., in the name of the Empress Dowager. to the following effect :-We have a memorial from the Grand Secretary, Yung Lu, praying that he be permitted to resign all the important positions to which he has been appointed by us. Now, Yung Ln is a most loyal and earoful Minister in whom we have for many years placed our full confidence, and who, in spite of the terrible storm of unpleasant criticism raised against him during the late Boxer movement was able to abstain from taking part in the
end;
and. movement from beginning to although, by his great efforts, the political situation has been assured, yet the wound inflicted upon the country by the late troubles is still fresh and has to be healed with special Thus the present is just the time when one and all of our Ministers should exert themseves to the utmost in assisting us to improve the administration of the conntry. How conhl Yung Ln feel at ease to part with ns at such a juucture: We, therefore, bereby announce that we have decided not to arrede to his request.
care.
COMMERCIAL.
TEA.
EXPORT OF TEA FROM JAPAN TO UNITED STATES AND CANADA.
1900-1
lbs. 23,172,695
Yokohama
Kobe Hliogo
1899-00 Jbs. 21,778 617
12,299,300
13,907,750
35,771,995
38,686,367
SILK.
CANTOS, 1st February :-Re-revis.—A purchase Filatures. of 20 bales No. 1 is reported at $620.
The U.S. monitor Monadnock went out on a │-During the earlier part of the fortnight muder cruise on the 13th inst.
MISCELLANEOUS.
A telegram to the Shanghai Times dated Peking, 6th inst., says: Captain Brew:ter bus been appointed to relieve Major Robinsou; of the Ninth U.S. Infantry, in command of the U.S. Legation Guard at Peking.
The I abuan and Borneo correspondent of the Singapore Free Press says:--From áll sides come in complaints of the heavy taxation. The popular stengah" is now almost unknown in Borneo owing to the tax on soda-water. In the proper Sandakan it is not considered thing" to lake soda-water even if offer. d.
review, a considerable business has been done, two or three firms buying eagerly all desirable parcels on offer. The total settlements for the fortnight amout to 1,000 bales, and the advance realised is $20 to 30 per pieul. Stocks are now very small and well held, and the very high prices asked have checked further transactions. a little better demand has set in lately, and 300 Short-reels.--Though the market is rather quiet, Waste.-The to 400 bales have changed band2. market has been fairly active with a good demand for all grades. Buyers are anxious to operate, but business is rendered very difficult by the reticence of holders and the high prices asked.
EXPORT OF SILK FROM CHINA AND JAPAN TO EUROPE.
Yokohama
1900-1901
1899-00
bales.
bales.
18,420
16,378
18,420
16,378
EXPORT OF SILK FROM CHINA AND JAPAN TO AMERICA.
Despatches received in Shanghai from the North state that the anti-missionary riot at Shanghai Pinglo, Kansu, last December, in which at least one Roman Catholic priest was killed and hostile mob, not one badly injured by a counting converts who were either killed or wonnded, originated through a dispute between The Mahomedans and Romanist converts. Mahomedaus were aided by the masses and the Roman Catholics got the worst. The district magistrate of Pinglo, Li Sui-ting, has captured Shanghai five of the alleged murderers of the priest and converts, only one of the former being a Mahomedan. Tung Fuhsiang's hand in the riot is denied.
The Foochow Echo of the 1st inst. says:- The police report that on the 11th inst. while Artillery practice was being carried on at There was a very pretty wedding at the English Stonecutters Island, a shell burst over a dust- Church this morning, that of the Rev. G. A. boat and injured the occupauts, three coolies. Baubury, M.A., of the Church Missionary The boat was somewhat badly damaged, but did Society, Hongkong, with Miss Alice Clayton not sink, and the coolies, whose injuries were not of the Zenana Mission, Foochow. The Church of a serious nature, were rescued and ultimately was tastefully, though simply, decorated for the sent to the Government Civil Hospital for treat occasion. The Rev. Ll Lloyd, assisted by the Rert J. Martin, officiated. The bride was given mont. A piece, of the exploded shell was found in the boat. It is not quite clear how the acui- away by Mr. William Muller and Dr. Wilkinson dent happened, as the dust-boats, on their journeys acted as best man, Miss Cooper, P.S.A.. and to and from Gindrinkers' Bay, generally keep Miss Faithfull-Davie were the bridesmaids. in-shore. The boat, of course, may have | After the ceremony a large company assembled at the residence of Mr. Muller, where con- drifted into the line of fire, bat in such a contingency the supposition is natural that gratulations and good wishes were tendered to firing would be discontinued until it got clear. the happy couple.
Yokohama
1900-1901
1899-00
bales.
bales.
32,882
15,673
32,882
15,673
CAMPHOR. HONGKONG, 14th February.-No arrivals,
SUGAR, HONGKONG, 14th February.-The market has not been opened on account of the China New Year, and the prices are the same as when last reported. Quotations are:--- Shekloong, No. 1, White..
do. Shekloong,
do. Swatow,
do.
H
$8.48 to $8.52 pel.
7.30 to 7.55 5.95 to 6.00 5,83 to 8.35 to
2. White.. No. 1, Brown 2, Brown No. 1, White...
1. White...... 7.33 to 7.40
5.90 to
Swatow, No. 1, Brown 2, Brown do. Foochow Sugar Candy Shekloong
6.90 8.40
#3
5.95
5.75 to 5,80
12.50 to 12.55 .........10.20 to 10.25