October 5, 1903.
seals carry us to the classical world far away in the West. The imitation of early Persian art, of which, five centuries later, we find aa- mistakable traces in soms of the paintings of stored Buddhist subjects, is a curious parallel, and, from an histolen point of view, almos equally instructive."
Mach may be expected from Dr. Stein's discovries, among the sind-buried raios, of hundreds of documents, on wool and leather, in that ancient script of the extreme North- West of India, kadwa as Kharoshthi, which prove to contain records within as early as the third century of the Christian era and to deal with a wide range of matters of adminis- tration and private life. The discoveries are still under investigation at the British Museum, and the task of decipher nut of this practically unknown writing is not likely to b completed for a long time. Yet in his twenty sixth chapter of the present work Dr. Stein is able to gave a certain idea of the value aud significance of his finds. We must refer readers to Dr. Stein's chapter, as it is not within the compass of the present notice to give a just insight into what has been discovered.
A great number of most excellent illustratious from photographs and an elaborate map accom- pany the volume, which is got up in almost sumptuous style, doing the utmost credit to its publisher. For the copy before us we ar indebted to Messra Kelly and Walsh, Hongkong, who have the book on sale. We can heartily recommend it as a record of travel and exploration which has interested us more than any work issued lately.
of
DOUGLAS STEAM-SHIP CO., LD
The twelfth ordinary general meeting of the Douglas Steam-ship Co., Ld., was held at the company's offices at noon on the 26th alt. Mr. J. H. Lewis presided, and others present were Messrs. A. G. Wood, C. H. Thompson, aud C. A Tomes (Consulting Committee), R. C. Wilcox, H. C. Wilcox, T. H. Reid, E. J. Moses, W. Davies, and W. Parfitt (Secretary.) The SECRETARY having read the notice convening the meeting,
on
The CHAIRMAN said: Gentlemen.-The report and accounts have been in your hands for several days, and with your permission I propose to take them as read. As indicated in the report, we have experienced in common with almost all shipping companies, a continual period of depression and regret that there are no immediate prospects of improvement. Ua- fortunately, outside steamers failing to find employment in their usual trade come to the coast, increasing the already ex- cessive competition and further materially reducing our earnings. You will see from the accounts tha the profit on sale of For- mosa was $43,18 1,98, and as it is not intended ander present circumstances to replace her, the General Mauagers and Consulting Committee decided, after full consideration, to distribute out of the profits a dividend of 6 per cent. for the year, apportioning the balance to reserve and depreciation as set forth in the report. It is well I should remind shareholders that the prospects of the current year are most unpro- mising, but when prosperous times return, as we all hope they soon will, we are in a strong position and will dot fail to take the fullest advantage of them! If shareholders desire any further information I will be pleased to answer any questions.
There were no questions.
The CHAIRMAN having moved the adoption of the report and accounts,
Mr. DAVIES seconded, and the motion was carried.
The re-election of the Hoa. C. W. Dickson, Messrs. C. H. Thompson, A. G. Wood, and C. A Tomes as members of the Consulting Committee was agreed to on the motion of Mr. H. C WILCOX Seconded by Mr. E. J. MOSES.
M. T. H. KEDD moved, and Mr. R. C. WILCOX seconded that Messrs. W. H. Potts and A. R. Lowe be re-elected auditors. motion was agreed to.
The
:
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE RÉPORT.
CANTON INSURANCE OFFICE, LD.
the
to the shareholders at
The following is the report for presentation ordinary general meet: g, to be held at the twenty-second offices of the general agents, on Thursday,
the 22nd Octobër, at aoon :--
1902 ACCOUNT.
balance of $360,551 96, out of which, and with The result of the year's working is a credit the approval of the shareholders, it is proposed to pay a dividend of 30 per cent. (-315 per share), to add $50,000 to the reserve fand, raising the latter to $1 300,000, to appropriate $50,000 for the formation of a re-insurance fund, and to carry forward the balance of 8110,551 96 to the current year's account,
1903 ACCOUNT.
CONSULTING COMMITTEE.
compares
Since th laat moeting Mr. D. M. Moses has Shellim was nominated and his appointment resigned his seat. To meet this vacancy Mr. E.
requires the confirmation of hareholders. The present members, The Hon. Sir Paul Chater, C.M.G., Messrs, D. E. Brown, F Maitland, J. H. Lewis, and E. Shellim, retire, bat offer themselves for re-election,
AUDITORS,
The accounts have been audited by Messrs. W. H. Polts and R. Chatterton Wilcox, and their re-election is recommended.
HONGKONG "CRICKET CLUB.
ANNUAL MEETING,
Cricket Club was held on the 28th ult. in the
The annual meeting of the members of the Cricket Pavilion. Mr. E. W. Mitchell, Pre- sident, presided over a large attendance members.
having read the notice calling the meeting,
The Hon. SECRETARY (Mr. A. G. Ward)
that
The CHAIRMAN said the first business bafora the meeting was, the consideration of the report and the accounts, which he would take as read. An item which had appeared regularly for getting on for 20 years was wanting in the present account-he referred to Pension for Olo Man" The "Olo" he referred to joined the great majority about the end of last year The working of the office favourably with that of last year at a similar club, and was well known and respected by he was for many years ground man for the
period.
the cricketers of the seventies and early eighties. The Club started the year with credit balance of $1.379 aud closed with a
be collected, $3,196. $819 was cash balanc⚫ of $2,428, and $768 yet to
a larg amount to be outstanding, but the Secretary so assured him that it was good money,
and had some $230
been collected sinco these accounts were made up. With regard to the working of the bar, he was glad to say they have had no comp`aints of bad liquors -it paid its way, which was satisfactory, but be had hoped for better financial results from this source. They would notice there had been an increase of wages to the staff general- › ly and owing to malaria at the Racquet- Courts they had had to provide quarters outside. for the staff there. At the request of some of the members the ground was opened during, the summer for lawn bowls, but as fir as he could gather there had not been much enthusiasm shown in the game except by Mr. Justice Wise, Messrs. Northcote and Chapman, Last May they received an invitation from the S.C.C. to send a cricket team to Shanghai, and 7,046,00
as they all know a team would leave on the 7th 120,000.00 360,551,96
October. The XI. chosen were-Mr. R. Han cock (capt), Mr. J. T. Dixon, Mr. H. Hancock $2,237,597.96 | Mr. R. E. O. Bird, Mr. H. Arthur, Lt. Lums- den, R.A., Lt. Smith, R.A, Mr. C. R. S Cooper, Mr. A. G. Ward, Mr. W. "C. D.. Tarner, and Mr. T. E. Pearce. Taking the team all round they Ware a good. level lot and should give a good account. of themselves up north, but whether they wou or whether they lost he was sure they would prove themselves worthy representatives of the HIK.C.C. (Applause.) Io conclusion hé proposed the adoption of the report and. accounts,
JARDINE, MATHESON & Co.,
General Agents. Hongkong, 26th September, 1903.
The accounts are as follows:- STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT for the year ending 31st December, 1902.
.$2,500,000.00
Capital subscribed Amount paid-up Reserve fand
LIABILITIES
Outstanding dividends Accounts payable Balance of working account, 1902
ASSETS.
Cash, on current account with Hongkong and haugh i Banking Corporation Fixed deposits, wit banks in Hong ng Mortgages and debentures, in Hongkong
and Shanghai
Chinese Imperial Government loan, 1886 United States bonds (4 per cent. loan,
1925) Interest accrued but not yet payable
$
0.
500,000.00 1,250,000.00
$ с
133,842.67 225,000.00
1,393,756.86 51,388.10
400,000.00 33,610,33
$2,237,597.98
WORKING ACCOUNT, 1902. To amount brought forward from last
To not premis received, less returns and
account
re-insuranc ́s
To exchange. To interest To transfer fees
By losses and claims paid. By charges, including directors', auditors' and survey fees, agents' expenses, &c. By commissions By balance as above
$ c. 80,056.99
1,527,573.41 6,839 92 148,068.53
48.00
$ a. 1,162,052.93
Mr. COOPER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Mr. F. B. DEACON moved that Mr. Mitchell be re-elected President.
Mr. R. K. LEIGH seconded and the motion was agreed to.
The following were elected by ballot to fill the vacances on the committee-Messrs. R. $1,762,586.85 Hancock, F. Maitland, P. W. Goldring, Lt. Rimington, S.F., Lt. Solfleet, B.N., Messrs. H. Arthur, J. T. Dixon and A. Mackenzie.
The CHAIRMAN stated that the ground would be opened to members on Monday, 101,480.30
5th October, and to 138,501.46
play the usual 360,551.96 match, 1st XI. v. All-comers, on the following saturday. It was customary to open the ground og 1st October, but in view of the importance. of special practice for the team proceeding to Shanghai he was sure members would not grudge the reserving of the ground for four days over the usual time. A match would be played on Saturday, the 3rd October, between the team for Shanghai and the best eleven that could bộ raised against them..
$1,762,586,85
During the off-racing season if any enthusiast should desire to indulge in the treat of witnessing an exhilarating pouy-gallop, he could not do better than take a stroll round the Woagneicheong district in the early morning
The mafoos of the various stables in the Eastern
part of the city are forbidden to exercise their horses on the racecourse, but that exemption means little to them, for they still have the public road on which to race, and they do race. As a general rule the mafoos ride without saddle or bridle, but the pace they get their mounts to go at effectually clears the road and makes the hurrying coolies rush into the ditch to escape extermination. From a picturesque point of view the spectacle of twenty or thirty The Emperor and Empress of Japan bave ponies scurrying along the public road would contributed 6,500 yen to a fund for the relief of be hard to beat, but it does not make for sufferers by recent storms and floods in Formosa, public safety.
J
This was all the business.
..
The CHAIRMAN then went on to refer to the scheme for the erection on the NW corner of the ground of a new pavilion, which were on view before the meeting estimated cost being $20,000, to be met by issue of debentures. The scheme, he said, but not a committee scheme alengsth been put forward just to see what the thought aboutit. To repair theexisting would cost $5,000,
એવા
ding
Mr.W.B. DIXON, speaking as an old oricketer, said the present pavillon did not meet his
of what a cricket pavilion should be. Ia plans of the proposed new pavilion, however, the