A copy of the Treaty will be found in the Appendix Z 6.
(May 29, 1908. Messrs. Holliday, Wise & Co. have cean their membership, and Mr. B. Byramjee died during 1902.
The following have been admitted to mem- bership, subject to confirmation at the annual meeting:-Messrs. Artston V. Apcar & Co., Mounsey & Brutton, Alex. Ross & Co., Edwards, Piry & Co., Limited, Rozario & Co., British-American Tobacco Co., Limited, Wil- Meet-kinson, Heywood & Clark, Limited, Inter- national Banking Corporation, Mr. H. M. H. Nemazee, Mr. D. S. Dady-Burjor, Mr. Ferd. Bornemann, Mr. H. E. Pollock, K.O, Mr. A. G. Gordon, and the China Commercial Steam- ship Co., Limited.
SUPPLEMENT TO THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS. obtain the views of their shipnissters on the| The 5 per cent. specific tariff came into subject. This was well responded to, and force on 1st November last. During the representatives from the Shipping Depart-year the Committee were in constant com- ments of the Peninsular & Oriental & N. Co. munication with Sir James L Mackay on Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Butterfield various matters, to all of which he gave
Swire, and Melobers & Col were appointed, earnest attention. as & Sub-Committes, to report on_the_best method of signalling for use in the Obser- vatory:: Their report, advising the adoption of an extended system of symbol signals by day and lanterns by might additional signaling, and observation stations, direct telephonic communication between the Harbour Office and the Observatory, daily simultaneous telegraphic observation from other Observa- tories up and down the coast, and that. the latest instruments should be placed at the disposal of the staff was adopted_by_the General Committee and sent on to the Gov ernment for consideration together with the whole correspondence received by theChain ber.
Over three months have elapsed without the receipt of any communication as to the attitude H.E. the Governor intends to take, but it is hoped that something will be done to improve the Observatory system of warnings before the 1903 typhoon season
coinmeno88.
THE GENERAL COMMITTER. Since its election at the last Annual
the following changes have taken place: The Chairman, Sir Thomas Jackson, Bart., the Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving and Mr. Thomas Whitehead left the Colony. The Hon. C. 8. Sharp, Messrs. W. Poste and A. Haupt went "home on leave. Their places were filled by the Hon. C. W. Dickson, the Hon. R. Shewan and Messrs J. R. M. Smith, A. G. Wood, C. Michelau and E. R. Law. All the new members, with the exception of Mr. Michelau, have served on the Committee in previous years. On Sir Thomas Jackson's retirement in May, 1902, the Vice-Chairman, Hon. C. S. Sharp, was elected to the Chair, Mr. W. Poate taking the latter's position as Vice- Chairman, At present Mr. E. A. Hewett, the Vice-Chairman appointed on Mr. Poate's departure, acts as Chairman.
THE SECRETARY.
NEW BRITISH COMMERCIAL TREATY-THE
SAEFFECTIVE 5 SPECIFIC TARIFF. The Treaty between Great Britain and
Mr. R. C. Wilcox's resignation was notified China signed at Shanghai on the 5th Sep- tember last, reflects greatly to the credit of in last year's report and the Committee the British Commissioner Sir James Lyle appoined Mr. A. R. Lowe to fulfil the duties Mackay, and should the other Foreign of Secretary on 17th April, 1902. In order Powers interested in the trade of China see to conform with Rule XII this appointment fit to follow suit, the mutual benefits likely requires to be confirmed by the members at to-accrue with the abolition of lekin, the the annual meeting. institution of a national currency, the aboli- tion of the artificial obstructions in the Canton River, the improving of the inland, waterways, regulations as to trade-marks, the increase in the number of Treaty Ports, etc., the importance of the Treaty will have far-reaching effects.
FINANCE.
The Pinnacle Rock Fund amounts with interest to $4,073.54 and is separately invesved. No demands have been made on it during the year for discovery of rocks dangerous to navigation.
The Committee regret having to report that during the year it was discovered that the Clerk had been misappropriating the monies of the Chamber and that the defalcations extended over two or three years. During 1902 82,595.63 was stolen, of which $1,250 was afterwards recovered. The Committee prose- cuted, and on the prisoner pleading uilty, he was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard inbour.
The accounts now presented are in the form of an income and expenditure account and balance sheet instead of, as before, merely a summary of the cash receipts and payments. These show that, after writing off $1,480,63 for defalcations and prosecuting expenses, the surplus for the year (54.85) has been added to the Reserve Fund or Accummulated At the date of the annual meeting in 1902 Surplus Fund which now stands at 812,159.02. the total membership was 121, composed of. The reduction in this Fund, as compared with 100 firms and public companies and 21 single last year's accounts, is due to undisclosed individuals. The present membership is 133, | liabilities in the previous accounts having to showing an increase of 9 firms and public | be met during 1902. companies and 3 private individuals.
MEMBERS.