Tthe 80, 1902.1
at that port and whether thegs taxes
« levied Within such area. D-ALTERATION OF" THE LAW RELAT- ING TO CHINESE EMPLOYED WITH By spolu FORÊIGN FIRMS.**
let£r LABSCONDING (HINESE DEBTORS,
Messrs. Mounsey & Bratton, so icitors, addressed a letter on 9th inst. setting forth the case, judgment, and attempted carrying into effect of same between Fuk Tai - merchant in ́this Colony, and the partners in the Wo Mang firm, of Canton, who also
· had an agency in this Colony, until the repayment of debt due by them to the plaintiff was demanded. Judgment was obtained for the debt and costs, but the British Consul refused to use his influence to collect same from
defendants in Canton on the ground that it was not a case of absconding and suggesting the proper method of collecting the debt was to take fresh action in the Cantonese Court of
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
THE HEALTH OF HONGKONG.
史
During the week ended on the 23rd inste were 49 cases and 51 deaths from cases of cholers, with 9 deaths 3- cases of enterio fever; and 1 case of
The mortality returns for May show during the month, of which no less than 67.({ sivilians, 3 Army, I Navy) were in the European and Foreign community and 714 among the binese, Cholera caused 149 deitlis (21 among
European and Foreign cömunity) and plague 133 (4 in the same community The districts were:-British and Foreign civilians, principal death-rates in different registration 61.7 per 1,000 per annum (an enoriaons increase on the figures of the previous four months 20,21,3, 20.7; 29,3); Chinese, Victoria, land 33.5, harbour 21.5; Chinese, whole Colony, Land 30,1, boat 24.1, land and boat 29.2; whole civil com- munity, 30.3. The figures for Stanley may also be noticed; the Chinese death-rate was:70.5 per 100 per annum, the estimated population being 850.
The plague figures at noon on Saturday, stood at 373 cases for the whole year.
THE CANTON RUN.
NEW.STEAMER BUILDING.
I admit and heartily give him credit for the fact that he never spared himself, and that he | brought to bear on his public work an amount of seal, earnestness, and assiduity which could be equalled by few, and was surpassed by none, and A letter was read from the Secretary of the by his example in thus keeping alive a keen in- Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godownterest in public questions be undoubtedly did much Co. Lay of 5th instant, bringing to the notice good service for the community, which it will of the Chamber the growing tendency of Chinese ever bear in mind. If proof of this were in the service of foreigners to leave employ required I need only remind you of the apprecia- ment without notice and the inconvenience and tive and generous tribute spoken by His Ex-
·loss to which employers are subject in couse-cellency the Officer Administering the Govern quence. The company's letter goes very fully men at the farewell banquet given last week into detail as to the cause, and expresses the by the Chinese commercial community to Mr. hope that the Chamber will address the Govern Whitehead, a tribute extremely gratifying not ment on the subject with a view to the matter only to its recipient, but also to this Chamber of complaint being made a punishable offence, which had elected him it representative. I feel an is the case with domestic servants.
sure that all members of this Committee must Consideráble discussion followed." It was regret the loss this Chamber sustains through resolved to further discuss the matter at the Mr. Whitehead's departure, and that, while you next meeting,
will accord him a hearty vote of thanks for the many services he has rendered in the past, you will also join in wishing him every suco ss in his work at home, and a similar ca eer of public usefulness there. As his depar are was somewhat sudden I regret that time did not permit of our meeting him and expressing our thanks in person, but I would now propose the following resolution:-Re- solved, that this Committee hereby r cords its high appreciation of the valuable services
Speaking in London some little time ago at render d by Mr. T. H. Whitehead throughout
a general meeting of shareholders of the P. & the long period from 189 to the present time. during which he represented the Chamber of O. S. N. Co., Sir Thomas Sutherland, the pre- Commerce on the Legislative Council of Hong-sident, referring to the development of the kong, and expresses its profound regret at the shipping trade in the Far East, more especially loss sustained by the Chamber through his in its building branch, said. it was possible that in the future vessels of large tonnage would be departure from the olony.
built on the banks of the Yangtaze. His words, viewed in their application to the Far East generally, have had their verification here in Hongkong, for the Hongkong & Whampoa Dock Co. have already laid the keel of a steamer of dimensions somewhat similar to those of the Heungshan, now running between_this*** and Macao. The new vessel, which is tử ang. ment a daily passenger service between here and Canton will be owned jointly by the Victo Steamboat Co., and Messrs. Buttera ld & Seite., Her length will be 300 feet and speed 15 kiötä, the total cost of construction will amount to something like four lakhs of dollars ($400,000). From the foregoing figures it will be s-eli that the new steamer will probably be the largest yet built in Hongkong, and the fact that the Dock Company have contracted to deliver her in twelve months says much for the resources of that establishment and marks pronouncedly the g owing importance of the Colony as a marine base generally. The vessel, when com- pluted, will be handsomely fitted up, and will leave H ngkong at noon on the daily run to Canton. When the differential duties have been abolished, the steamer, it is anticipated, will carry cargo at present junk-borne. On behalf of the owners, the building of the stamer is being superintended by Mr. Goddard, marine surveyor, who looks after its con-traction generally; Mr. Innes, who will make the con- struction of he bull his particular care; and Mr. Ramsay, whose task will be to superin- tend the fitting up of the engines.
Justice.
In view of the fact that by this action trade between the two places is rendered insecure, to the detriment of the trade of Hongkong, the writers ask the Committee to consider the matter and make such representati ns in the
· proper quarter as it thought fit.
It was decided to advise the applicants to represent the matter to the Government,
INCREASED DUTY ON OPIUM AT CANTON. HBM Minister at Peking was addressed on 13th ult. to the effect that the new duty proposed amounts, in addition to the duty and lekin paid under the terms of tho Chefoo con- vention, to Tls. 115.20 per picul, and that the importers are to be held responsible and expected to collect the tax. It was pointed out that although the duty was to be payable on both the native and imported article the former would escape much of the duty as at present happens and the latter would pay in full and practically the import here would bear the whole burden of the tax. Attention was drawn to the fact that smuggling would certainly be much more resorted to in view of the greatly enhanced cost of the ar icle and that the pro posal to double the imports on foreign opium was a poor return for the consideration shown by the British Government to China in helping her to collect the opium taxes. It was sug gested that a provincial share of the indemnity might easily be met by increasing the duty on the native product to the level of the foreign one and enforcing its collection...
Sir E. Satow's letter of 26th ult. was read stating that he has brought the matter to the notice of His Majesty's. Government..
A translation of the proc'amation of the Viceroy Chang Chih-tung re increase of lax on opium in the Hu Kwang province by Hk. Tis, 65 per picul was also laid before the meeting. It was decided that nothing further could be done pending result of H.B.M. Minister's cor-
spondence with the Home Government.
RESIGNATION OF HON. T. H. WHITEHEAD.
The CHAIRMAN—Before we separate I should like to say a few words with reference the long and valuable services rendered to this Chamber of Commerce by Mr. T. H.White head, its late representative on the Legislative Council of this Colony. In this capacity, and wit only short intervals of absence, Mr. White- head sat for the past twelve years, and during the whole of that period he took the most
and solive interest in every
to all public affairs in Hong- not "ll of us or at all times, itire sympathy or support to
• methods of carrying on his blic duties, but, be that as it I feel certain, must readily
lest
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you
Mr. WILO X-I have much pleasure in seconding the resolution just proposed by the Chairman. In doing so 1 heartily endorse his appréciative remarks on Mr. Whitehead's uso- ful work in the Legislative Council. I should at the same time liko to refer to Mr. White- head's services for many years as a member of this Committee. Mr. Whitehead took a very keen interest in all the various questions that came before the tommittee, and he was prolific of suggestions, some of which were very valuable. In this connection I may mention that he was 'the originator of the idea of publi hing the minutes of the month'y
I am sure meetings in the Press. will all admit the value of this suggestion. The publication of our minutes has, I am con- fident, done much not only to arouse the interest of the members of the Chamber but also that of the public in our proceedings. It has also served in no slight degree to increase the prestige and strengthen the influence of the Chamber both with the Government and with other public bodies. Personally I am indebted to Mr. Whitehead for the assistance be willing- ly rendered to me in securing new members when the finances of the Chamber were at a rather low ebb and there were many firms ont side its pale, and who were then induced to join. Mr. Whitehead never spared trouble and was always ready to help in any emergency. I am sure, gentlemen, you will all cordially endorse the terms of the resolution. (Applause)
The resolution was unanimously carried. The meeting then terminated.
The Chinese government proposes to have a railway line between Shanghai and Nanking constructed in the near future, the privilege of. construction to be, gran ed to any merchant syndicate willing to take up the enterprise. According to Shanghai mandarin reports the contract is to be granted to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., who have tendered for the job, and it only remains for the agreement to be signed, when work is to be commenced at once.
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HONGKONG EDUCATION. IN 1901.
port
: The following is the report for 1901 of Mr. E. A. Irving, Inspector of Schools
STAFF,
heir
I was appointed Inspector of Schools from 26th April, 19, I and took over ointrol of the. Department from Mr Brewin on lah May, Messrs Curwen and Bullin were appointed.on mba, 1900, 30th August, 1900, and on 24th De respectively, to the Belilios – appointments dating from Marcb, 1901. - Mrand as Headmaster and He loon British 80 100l. review, but had nof its termination.
Amintant. as Second Girls' School from 1st Sept
The Civil Administrator of Newchwang has informed the Consular Body at Shanghai that vessels arriving at Port Arthur from Shanghai, | Taku, or Tientsin will be liable to seven days' quarantine on account of cholera. H proposes that the local quarantine regulations shall be similarly applied at Shanghai. He is the more urgant as several deaths from cholers have occurred among coolies loaded from the British steamer Hunan, from Tientsin. The Consular ment consiste in th Body has agreed to bis proposal, with the proviso | Girls' School. Those fee that the coolies are to be landed in quarantine." month of September from
The sale source:
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