.
August 2, 1902.]
Japanese Government is now reported to be preparing to start another expansion pro- gramme, the execution of which is to date from April, 1904. It may be mentioned that Japan has now 8 battleships, 20 cruisers, 10 coast defence vessels, 16 gunboats, 4 despatch boats, 1 torpedo tender, 15 torpedo destroyers, and 79 torpedo boats.
THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY.
The directors of the Chinese Eastern Railway complain of the Press criticisms that have been levelled at the line, and the directors regard it *s their duty to make a statement on the subject. They state :-
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The work of constructing this railway of 2,377 versts in length was begun in the second half of 1897, but the actual work of laying down the line was only begun in 1898. If we deduct the period of the disorders in 19.0, less than four years have been spent on the line. In this time it has not been possible to complete the work in consequence of the exceedingly great local diffi- culties. It has only been as the result of extra- ordinary exertions that the rails were laid over the whole extent of the line towards the end of last year. That by no means signifies that the work of construction has been completed. This cannot be expected to take pla e even at the beginning of 1903, when much will still remain to be done. It will only be a ter the lapse of several years that the line will be in full work ing order. The management of the railway bas, nevertheless, consented to carry passengers and goods in spite of the delay thus caused in the work of construction. This has only been because they recognised the great importance of opening railway communication with Port Arthur as soon as possible, and in order to meet the most pressing needs of the passenger and goods traffic. But in return for this concession the management expected that the public and the Press would appreciate its motives and refrain from-un-ympathetic criticism. But, as a matter of fact, the attitude of the public has been very different from what was expected. Many of those who avail themselves of the ser- rices of the Eastern Chinese Railway make demands upon in which can only be fulfilled by a railway in complete working order. There would have been no occasion for these attacks if the management had not opened a line for tem- porary traffic, but in that case the very people
who are now complaining would have been the sufferers.
HONGKONG.
The appointment of Mr. E. H. Sharp, bar- rister-at-law, to be one of H. M. Counsel for Hongkong, is officially notified in the Gazette. His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government has been pleased to appoint Mr. R. Fenton to be an Inspector of Nuisances for the Kowloon City, in accordance with section 15 of the Public Health Crdinance, 1901, with effect from the 16th ult.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
ult.
97
The local agent of the Pacific Mail Steamship While patrolling in the vicinity of Cheung Co, informed us On the 31st alt. that the Hue island the other day, No. 2 police launch City of Peking, which broke her thrust shaft and came across a junk floating bottom-upwards. block and was anchored at the east end of [. The accident could not long have happened, for Kurieshima Straits, in the Inland Sea, has been two men were swimming in the water and towed to Kobe, arriving there on the 31st eleven other of the occupants were clinging to the bottom of the junk, where they were Owing partly to the recent heavy rains and perched in comparative safety. Sergeant partly to the reconstruction of the adjoining Ashmore was in charge of the police launch, building, which left them unsupported, two and he had a boat lowered and rescued the kitchens at 56. First Street collapsed on the unfortunate people, who, when they got on board 29th ult., burying one coolie. He was dug out the launch, informed him that the master of the by the police and removed to hospital. where junk was imprisoned in the cabin. Taking with he succumbed on the 30th ult, to his injuries. him an axe, Sergeant Ashmore was rowed to We have been informed that the disbandment the junk, on to which he climbed and knocked of the Hongkong Regiment has been definitely in the bottom a hole through which the China- decided upon by the War Office, and will man, frightened but none the worse for his ad- take place probably in November. As will be venture, was drawn to safety. seer above, H. E. Major-General Gascoigne made reference to the event at the parade on the Cricket Ground on Saturday afternoon, and voiced the regret that, we feel certain, will be felt by the entire community at the prospect of so soon severing its connection with this fine regiment.
Four days late in leaving Vancouver owing to the mails having been delayed by a mountain slip caused by beavy rains, the Č. P. R. mail steames Empress of China arrived here on the 28th ult. well within schedule time, the liner not being due until on the 30th ult. Most of the time was made up on the run to Yokohama, the trip, including the usual call at Victoria, B.C., being made in 10 days, 18 hours. The Empress's feat is an example of what can be done by the C.P.R. fleet when a question of running against time is concerned.
A gentleman residing in Kowloon has a grievance to ventilate, one that concerns the Sanitary Board. He says that on the road leading past Tsimshatsui Police Station there is daily to be seen-and smelt-a Sanitary Board dust-cart laden with evil-smelling offaf, which is strewn also on the surrounding roadway. Every day the cart is there, aud indeed seems to have been constituted permanent feature of the landscape. The sight and odour are disgraceful, adds our corr spondent, who concludes by asking what should be done. We do not know; perhaps a note to the Sanitary Board offices would have a salutary effect. advise our correspondent to try it.
Anyhow, we should
a
preri us day a rather serious stabbing affray took
The police reported on Saturday that on the
place in Wing Lk Street, off Queen's Road, as the result, it is said, of a long-standing quarrel between two clansmen, Some time ago a house in which an illicit traffic in opium was going on was raided by the police. The one of his occupier of the place blamed acquaintances for playing the informer, and the other retaliated by declaring that his accuser had been a kidnapper. A fight ensued, and the incident of Friday is supposed to be the sequel of it. The wounded man was about to enter an opium divan when someone from behind seized him by the queue and plunged a knife in his side, inflicting a wound which allowed part of the entrails to protrude. The assailant escaped and has not since been was removed to the arrested; his victim
His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government is pleased to direct that Monday, the 4th inst, being a Bank Holiday, is to be observed as a holiday by the Government Government Civil Hospital, where he now lies Departments. I be Police Magistrate's in a dangerous condition
Department is excluded from this notification.
On Monday night about nine o'clock, an At the Police Court the other day a China-accident happened on the Peak Tramway which man was charged with hawking live frogs
resulted in the temporary stoppage of the without a licence. Diving a hand into his
running of the cars. The accident, in its circumstances, W35 wallet, he pulled out a squirming lizard, which
& very simple опе he held up in front of the magistrate, exclaiming
indeed, merely the sudden putting on of No, I wasn't hawking frops; this is what
the brake ou H car coming down the hill I was bawking." However, the sale of liz rds and the dislocation practically of the cable. apparently requires a licence quite as much as From enquiries made at the office of the general does that of frogs, and the hawker was fined a
managers, Messrs. John D. Humphreys & Son, couple of dollars.
we learn that the driver of the car in question just after the downward journey had been commenced, for some reason or other suddenly lowered the brake-handle, the result being that the brakes clutched the rails with such force as to stop the car instantaneously and, as has already been said, jarring the cable to the point of dislocation. The driver's explanation is that the brake handle was wet and accidentally slipped. The necessary repairs were carried out with all possible expedition, and the running of the cars was resumed at 7 o'clock last night,
We note in the list. of Coronation Ilonours,
published in full in the Times, the name of Commodore Francis Powell, CB., who has been made a K.C.M.G. It is curious that Router should have omitted meution of this when telegraphing the local honours. Probably the fact that Commodore Powell had but just left Hongkong escaped observation. His numerous friends in the colony and the Fleet will receive with much pleasure the news of the honour conferred on him, which was undoubtedly deserved.
The inclement weather did not mar a very
interesting event which took place in S. John's Cathedral on the 28th ult., when Dr. Leigh Norris, of H.M 8. Tamar, was married to Miss Dyson, who arrived in the Catherine 4pear from Singapore. A large number of Naval people were present, and the bride looked very charming. Lieut. R. Corbett, R.N., was the best man, Dr. Canton, R.N., gave the bride away, and the Rev. E., H. Good, MA, the Naval Chaplain, officiated. Mr. A. G. Ward presided at the organ, and the happy pair left the church to the familiar strains of the Wedding March and in the deluge of rain which awaited them. The reception was held on the Tamar, and among those present were Commodore and Mrs. Robinson and I eputy Medical Inspector- General W. B. Drew.
The bride and bride-
groom were rowed in the Admiral's pinnace→→ which carried a slipper on the ensign-to the Heungshan, in which they left for Macao. The Catherine Apcar dressed ship for the occasion.
The Portuguese gunboat Diu left for Macao on the 30th ult., and the German gunboat Luchs
for Canton.
H.M.S. Rinaldo will leave the harbour on Monday next for Tytam Bay for firing purposes, and will return on the Friday following. This sloop is likely to be our only protector for
some time.
MISCELLANEOUS.
It is announced from Tientsin that the Pro- visional Government will end on the 15th inst., and the Ostasiatische Lloyd adds that the city will be restored to Viceroy Yuan Shikai, who will be present personally on the 15th inst.
The local agents of the Ostasiatische Handels- of a wire from Lloyds' agent at Labuan, Gesellschaft inform us that they are in receipt
dated 27th ult, reading_as follows:- 8.8. Adelheid is a total wreck, Captain arrived here this afternoon.
It is stated that the Governor-General of the Amur district proposes to open an exhibition on a large scale in Manchuria with the object of encouraging the sale of Russian goods in that country, the import of which is at present
very poor.
vitel left Yokohama on the O. & O. 8.8. Coptic The Russian Grand Duke Boris Vladimiro.
at noon on the 15th ult. for San Francisco, via Honolulu. He will stay at San Francisco for several days, and then will proceed to Washington by way of Chicago, Boston, and New York.
A telegram, dated the 16th ult., from Peking, states that insurgents have risen in rovolt at Tungwha-cheng, in the Shingking division of Manchuria. The Shinking General sent troops for the suppression of the rising, but these were attacked by the insurgents on the way, and 8,000 rifle-cartridges, which it is stated had been supplied by the Russian troops, were seized by the insurgents.
A telegram to the Shanghai Times, dated Port Arthur, 23rd July, says: Owing to the rigid sanitary measures enforced by the authorities, this port has hitherto enjoyed an immunity from the scourge now visiting Shanghai and other places in China. Unhap- pily one or two suspicious cases have come to light, and while 10 official announcement has been made, it is feared and currently reported that cholera has broken out. If these reports are confirmed there will be considerable delay and inconvenience in regard to mails and
steamers.