20
,
for their proposals in the fact that the work on the present site is proving very much more difficult and costly than the Admira.ty calculated it would be at the beginning. It has for some time been uu open secret that the Harbour bottom is very considerably less firm than a super ficial examination first declared it to be. The difficulties encountered are not perhaps insurmountable, but their surmounting will make a vast difference to the nature of the task.
THE LAW COURTS AND POST OFFICE.
(Daily Press, 11th July.) We are glad to see that the Hon. GERSHOм STEWART has given notice of some questions with reference to the proposed New Law Courts and Post Office. He is going to ask; (1) when were the plans for the New Law Courts finally passed; (2) what is the cause of the delay in proceeding with their erection; (3) what was the cost of the site for the new Post Office, and when paid for (4) what was the number of the designs received in the recent competition for designs for this building; (5) whether the Govern ment can or will give the date approxima- tely when they will be in a position to invite tenders and proceed actively with the work A
of the construction of the Post Office?
little light is needed on these matters, and it will be interesting to know whether we are to receive it. For instance, it would be a relief to get a definite assurance, with regard to the Law Courts, that a contract had been signed, or would be signed within some specified period, for the erection of the building, and that a substantial penalty for any failure to complete would be exacted. It would also be some satisfaction to know that the Government ha fixed on a plan for the Post Office, and had arranged to proceed with its erection at one in order that the Colony may not as was the case with the site for the Central School, now known as the Queen's College-lose annually an enormous sum in the shape of interest on the value of the ground, which has been acquired at aheavy expenditure. The com munity carelittle about the number of designs sent in; they are simply anxious that the Government should select the best and then "geton with it
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
|
1891
[July 13, 1903.
1901
1902
Foreign trade 27,923,381 37,976,084 59,187,870
Lomestic trade 18,499,186 23,469,376 27,541,078
41
HK. 18. 46,411,517 60,845,410 80,728,943 In sterling value, however, the totals appear as follows:- 1891
1901
1902. £11,216,094 9,126,809 10,090,993 Mr. Scorr says:-"The fact remains that
the volume of the trade ns represented » "by the quantities involved, especially as regards exports to foreign countries, shows an extensive development; so that, however interesting the sterling returns may be from the standpoint of currency comparison, they do not in reality faith- fully represent the growth of the traile, "of which, in Canton, the largest portion "is in foreign exports,"
4
"The Law Courts are to be built on the | deduces a curious result. ⠀ In silver value, Praya Reclamation. The greater part of the three years' totals were: the year was occupied in forming the foundations, which were nearly completed." The first sentence might have been written five years ago. The second sentence might well have been amplified as follows:----- "The foundations, which were commenced three years ago, are not yet quite com- pleted, but will be ready to receive the superstructure in a few months." The design for the Law Courts was completed and sent out more than three years ago, and the structure should by this time be nearing external completion at any rate. It is difficult to imagine any good or valid reason for the highly reprehensible delay that has taken place with regard to the proper housing of the seats of Justice. The new edifice is urgently needed, the accommoda- tion in the existing confined and stuffy building being scandalously inadequate and by no incans, too sanitary. Possibly the now stereotyped reply will be given to Mr. STEWART's question, that it has been im- possible to obtain a reasonable tender for the erection of the fabric. If this plea be accepted then we may be sure that the erection of the building will be indefinitely delayed. There should be no difficulty in the Government making a contract for the building of this important work. A few
thousand dollars more or less should not
“
Mr. Scort accounts for the increase in 1902 over 1901 (the actual amount of which, in trade coming under the cognisance of the Imperial Maritime Customs is Hk. Tis. 19,882,533) by giving the following causes: (1) the general tendency to ex- pansion shown during 1901; (2) by the largely increased value of the silk export, which has been in the past grea'ly under- estimated; and (3) by the additions to the steamer-borne cargo, the result of the transfer of the native customs to the be allowed to stand in the way, if the direction of the Imperial Maritime Customs. contractor is prepared to put in good As regard (2), he says, the corrections work and carry it out to the satisfac-made resulted in an increase of the value tion of the Director of Public Works. of this export of sɔme 9,000,000 taels; as Should it be found, however, that regards (3), cassia, matting, oil, fish, and there is a conspiracy on the part of con- some yarn are now being largely shipped tractors to attempt to squeeze the Govern- by steamer in preference to junk. mear, then the course of the authorities is It does not of course follow that because plain enough. They should hire their own of the large increase in trade mentioned labourers, engage foremen, purchase mate- above there was no cause for complaint last rials, and prepare the granite in their own year. It is provided by the Tientsin treaty, quarrics. The exterior walls of the building Mr. Scor remarks, that steamer-imported are to be built of dressed granite, and foreign goods, irrespective of the nationality valuable time might have been saved if the of the importer, may, on payment of a half Government had had the sense to prepare duty, be sent into the interior under a half- the granite while the foundations were being duty certificate and be exempt from all laid. It is simply humiliating for a Govern- further taxation en route, and a similar ment to confess that it has been baulked by exemption by means of the transit pass is a Chineso contractor on its own ground; accorded to native produce, the bona-fide even a private firm, hampered by want of property of a British subject, intended for means, and powerless to enforce its wishes, steamer export and so declared at a treaty would not submit to such a defeat. We port. It was hoped that by this arrange- hope, however, to hear that the Government foreign goods would be spared the Unfortunately this is what the Government, tired of its past supineness, has vexatious delay and exhorbitant charges ment never do. They may select a good
suffered by merchandise which pays lekin design, but their rate of proceeding to carry
to the provincial lekin nuthorities. "So it into effect is tortoise-like, When a man
"long as foreign goods are actually imported becomes a Government official he usually
by a foreign erchant, the balf-duty seems to lose all sense of proportion. He
"certificate is so far observed that it frees gradually becomes steeped in official pro-
"them from lekin and all other charges crastination, and seem unable to realise
en route," says Mr. Scort. “Arrived at the fact that loss of time is loss of money,
"their destination, however, and in the and therefore a sin against the public who
"hands of the Chinese consumers, the local pay his salary. A year more or less seems
"authorities put whatever duties on them as nothing in his eyes, and if a work is Mr. Consul-General JAMES SCOTT's report they choose. Further, notwithstanding accomplished in a decade he takes consider- on the trade of Cauto for the year 1902 "that the treaty secures to native merchants uble credit to himself for completing what has been issued by the Foreign Ofice, with "the right to import and send into the a private firm or individual would have the date May. 1903. It is a document of "interior foreign goods under half-duty effected in a couple of years. In this con- commendable conciseness, but it is furnish- "certificatas, so great is the objection of the nection it is rather amusing to read Sired with full comparative tables of the "provincial authorities to these certificates, HENRY BLAKE's review of the progress of principal articles of import and export "and so effective is their opposition to them public works in his Report to the Secretary during 1901 and 1902. The trade of 1902, "when in the hands of native dealers who of State for the year 1902 His Excellency reckoned in Haikwan taels, shows a large have no foreign Consul to whom to appeal says:-"The principal pulic works under-increase of some 33 per cent. over the for support, that Chinese merchant in taken or completed within the year were figures of 1901, the previous best year. Canton have abandoned the idea of en- the new Law Courts, the road to Taipo, the The total value last year was 80,728 943 deavouring to derive any benefit from Western Market, the new Harbour Office, Hk. Tls. as against Hk. Tls. 60,845,410 in "them and no longer attempt to make use of extension of the Tytain Reservoir, the | 1901. The total is made up as follows:- "them." Foreign geods do not then secure Waterworks, and the Governor's Foreign imports Hk. Tls. 16,573,606; foreign | that free and unbindered passage in the few Peak Residence The Governor exports, Hk. Tls. 36,614,264; native im-interior, which it was intended they should has not much to say about the first ports, Hk. Tls. 23,748,818; native exports, enjoy, from the fixed taxation accorded them item in this
catalogue He dismisses it Hk. Tls. 3,792,255. Mr. ScoTT takes the under the half-duty certificate. The reason in the following rather bald sentences :--- figures for 1891, 1901, and 1902, and is obvious. The half duty, when collected,
an.
determined at length to proceed with the work under the supervision of the staff of the Public Works Department, which can readily be strengthened, if need be, for the purpose.
CANTON'S TRADE IN 1902.
(Daily Press, 6 h July.)
#t
喝露
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