328
PAKHOI.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
Pakboi, 17th April.
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
remains the same, viz., 10 cents per half-ounce and regis ration 10 cents. This is a wonder- fn'ly cheap rate. There is one little thing I wish to see adopted by the Post Office hore, and that is the undertaking to remit small sums of money to Hongko: g. as people here experience great difficulties in so doing through fr.onds.
NO RAIN YET.
THE "SOUTHERN REB LLION. The so-called rebellion in Kwangsi and Kwangtung is apparently fast dying out. For fully a week nothing has been heard
The weather is hot and dry, with the ther- regarding its progress or of a movement of any kind as far as this part of the country is mometer between 85 deg, and 90 deg. in the concerned. Th only reliable news is that shade at mid-day. Still we have to rain, and that received by the native merchants, whose business. means great scarcity of water. The sky pre it concerns most, with their properties at stake.sented a somewhat mournful aspect last evening; The merchants seem now to be more confident it looks like a school-boy in ponnance who wants regarding the situation, and goods are being to cry but can't. We heard also some distant taken up the river lately as far as Watlam rol ing of thunder last night and this morning, (Yulin) in Kwangsi in greater quantities. the usual precursor of rain, but it was deceitful, as we have to-day a very bright sun. It is to be wondered how we still enjoy immunity fromi epidemics of any sort in these adverse circnm- stances. There were, it is true, a few sporadic cases of plague in the west portion of bina- town, but they were few and far between.
CAPTURE OF PIRATES.
The Chinese gunboat On-Lan has succeeded in capturing another piratical junk, with several pirates on board. The gunboat, with the junk in tow, arrived here on the 9th inst.
OFFICIAL MOVEMENTS.
Consul Flayelle, with Mrs. Flayelle aud family, who left here on the 25th ultimo for Haiphong board
01
the French cruiser Kersaint, returned to this port on the 10th inst. on board the s.8. Hue.
The Chinese gunboat Fuk-l'o arrived here on the 10th instant with the new Chun-t'oi P'oon, to relieve the former official Li. The new man comes from Hoihow, and, it is said, will be more energetic in dealing with the lawless and desperate characters up in Lim- chan and its surronndings. The Fuk-Po left for Canton on the 13th inst., with the old
Chun t'oi on board.
Pakhoi, 21st April.
EUROPEAN DEATHS. The steamer Hué, from Hongkong via Kwanchauwan and Hoihow, arrived here yesterday (Sunday) morning, with her flags flying at half-mast high. On enquiry being made on board it was ascertained that an European passenger (a French marine from Kwanchauwan to Haiphong) succumbed during the previous night. The deceased was suffer ing from an acute attack of dysentory. His remains were conveyed on shore shortly after the steamer's arrival and interred in the Roman Catholic cemetery, after the usual ceremonies. In respect for the deceased the flags on the steamer Hoihao, as well as those at the Cou- sulates and Custom House, were at half-mast during the forenoon.
This is the second European who has left his remains in the newly-acquired Roman Catholic cemetery hero-the first being ako a Frenchman, a blue-jacket from the French gunboat De idée, who died here on the 22nd December last.
THE SOUTHERN REBELLION."
There is a lull at present of news regarding the progress or otherwise of the reported rebellion in the Two Kwang. The region between Limehow and Kwangsi is said to be still not safe owing to the presence of robbers ready to pounce upon the peaceful travellers when opportunity offers them.
case
NOTES FROM THE NORTH.
Tientsin, 9th April.
DISTURBANCE AT HEUNTEHFU.
A recent letter in your columns reported disturbances in the neighbourhood of Hsut- tehfu, south-west of this some 40 or 500 li. Recent information confirms the report, and indicates that the trouble is more serions and wide-spread than was thought then. Taiming and other large centres appear to be involved; indeed, it seems to be a very extended movement in opposition to the collection of indemnity taxes, and little headway has as yet been made towards suppressing the disturbance, so far as can be learned. Report says that villagers have been killed to the number of nearly 2,000. This may or may not be a fairly correct estimate. There is nothing reliable as to the number of soldiers employed or killed in the skirmishes.
DISQUIETING RUMOURS.
[April 26, 1902.
the river restored. It is essential to the con- tinned prosperity of this place.
A MENACE TO HEALTH
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Over two weeks ago a paper, signed with 30 or 40 names, was sent to the French Consul, complaining of themells emanating from the dumping ground of the French municipality just west of the residential part of the Settle- ment, and close to some residences. It urged the menace to health of such a place, and so near, and respectfully requested that m asures be taken speedily to abate such a nuisance and danger. It was promised that it should receive attention, and as the hot weather is near at hand it is to be hoped there will be no delay in remor- ing all canses of such danger.-N.-C. Daily News,
CORRESPONDENCE.
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.}
to a
THE
CORONATION COMMEMORATION.
·
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS.
Hongkong, 22nd April. SIR. Now that the Coronation commissioners are beginning seriously to consider plans för the approaching Ceremonial, no doubt they will be delighted to be told what is expected of them. Each of us knows just the right thing to do so much better than they, but if we don't tell them how will they know? So it seems that suggestions ought to be in order, and even if they are worth nothing, that is just what they cost and so there is no loss. At present it would seem that the fancy of the public lightly turns King's Park in Kowlcon, doubtless a great acquisition and a boon for the Kowloon public, besides incidentally benefitting the Star Ferry Co.. but the turning of the first sod would seem to be rather an out-of-the-way and weak function for the principal ceremonial of the day, and in hot June weather it is doubtful if it would attract many people across the water; it a'so seems to have a sort of family likeness to the Jubilee hoad, which was (or is) hardly a conspicuous success. The idea being to make it somewhat of an epoch-marking memorial. would it not be better to have a much more central and conspicuous object, one which would meet and attract the eye of the stranger and visitor? Snch conditions would be more completely filled by the new Clock Tower than any
other possible erection or construction, and the
the foundation stone and laying of
name of christening it by some
that would "Coronation Tower," perpetuate the event.
And now a further rumour reaches us of the murder of two Frouch priests in Honan. Fur- ther information will be awaited with great interest. Hitherto only reports of peaceful con- ditions and of great respect being shown to the foreigners have reached us, and these coming in the main from missionaries and other foreigners, not a few of whom bave gone into that province within the last few months, makes this report appear the more startling. One can but feel that there must have been a special cause-- possibly inspired from without. But we can only await further information. Tales unsettled conditions in Shausi are also floating about, and although other information seenis to discredit them to an extent, yet the fact that such stories are continually in the air and increasing in number, indicates an unsettled, and perhaps one may say, an expectant state of mind, which it is not pleasant to contemplate.
RELEASE OF BOXERS.
Tow aspire to the position of a prophet, much less to be an alarmist or "a prophet of evil"; but some facts are not wholly reassuring, e g., the return of the former (1990) magistrate of Shencho to his old post, wh r he has released A THEFT OF CARTRII GES;
some 80 ex-Boxers from prison, and trat sformid Some little excitement was caused the other
a state of peace and quiet into such conditions -day in military ciro'es in Limehow through the that native pastors and preachers cannot visit mysterious disappearance of a of rifle that section to labour among their flocks. It cartridges while it was being transported. As may be that the Boxers had been sufficiently soon as it was perceived, orders were given punished by their long conflement, looked that no junk should leave her moorings until a nt from the standpoint of mercy, but in their thorough search of all the junks and boats release, conditions of peace should have been had been instituted. This cansed a total stopp ge preserved in some way, One cannot help of traffic of the passage boats. Fortunately for questioning the significance of such a situation. the principal military officer, the missing It is also a fact that within the last few weeks cartouche was found, after a good deal of exer-
young fellows sporting Boxer flags and tion, in one of the junks. Who can predictments have been seen practising here in Tient what would be the disgrace which the office in charge would be thrown into if the cartridges had not been found,, considering the disturbed state of the country?
POSTAL IMPROVEMENTS.
I observe the Imperial Chinese Post Office has reduced the rate of postage to a considerable extent. On letters to or from any part of the Celestial Empire the charge is only 1 cent per half-ounce, while registration remains at 5 cents as before. To Hongkong the charge is 4 cents per half-ounce instead of 5 couts, and registra tion 10 cents. To Union countries the rate
gar-
sin. It is the continuity of the many little things in so many places, coupled with certain fácts and conditions in the capital itself, that seems to indicate no change whatever in the attitude of the reactionary party in Peking towards reform and those things which make for the best interests of this vast empire.
SEVERAL STEAMERS
have come up to the Bund recently, and there is good reason to hope that it will not be long till our largest vessels will be visiting us. It will be a great convenience to travellers, and a help to business, to have the old conditions in
King Edward's Tower," or any approprate designation, would seen a suitable and impres sive ceremonial. The situation cleared of a lot of the encumbering building material, which I sup- pose might be arranged for, seems to lend itself to display more readily than any other place, and many more of the Chinese population would be attracted than if they had to go to Kowloon. The buildings in the neighbourhood are imposing, and with so e expenditure and decoration would make a splendid background and would illumine well at night, and if the signal for the demolition of the awful structure at the bead of Pedder Street could be given simultaneously by pressing a button it would be a gratification to the public. Well, that's my sngestion, quantum valeat, Other functions of for the central cerenny, course would fall into their own places, but there is a somewhat kindred subject that it an opportune time to mention. We of one of how are deploring the loss those men who show England the way to Empire. Such men it is our custom to honour, but is it not true that we are deplorably ready when their mission is fulfilled to drop them out of sight? Hongkong is not guiltless in this. Something doubtless in the fitting nature of the population makes it inevitable; one genera tion succeeds another, the old landmarks are obliterated and the footmarks of the wayfarers who have gone before effaced. The history of: the past does not interest Hongkong of the present. This may be expected, but is it right? Hongkong was the theatre for notable per formances, but the stage is cleared, the first act, of the drama closed, and the protagonists forgotten. Search around Hongkong and see if the names or services of Sir Harry Parkes
seems