October 19, 1903.]
NEW TERRITORY NOTES.
[FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]
SANTIN.
15th October.
A rumour is current at present that in the + near future the Government is to withdraw the Police from Santin, which will then cease to be a police district. What is now the Santin Police district will probably be divided: one- half each to the Autan and Sheungshu districts. Whether they are right in removing this station the Government officials perhaps know best, but, I venture to say that, within six months, they will repent of the action. A! glance at the map will show that this district : although small, is yet a very important one.
The main road from Unlong to Chinese territory runs through the district, while across the Shamchan River, but a few miles distant, is the notorious robber. infested village of Shatau. In removing this station the Shamchun River for half its length will be left unguarded; together with the innumerable creeks intersectiug the vast swamp stretching from the Shamchan River to near Unlong
Santin itself is one, of the largest, if not the largest village in the New Territory, Two large streams separate Santin district from the districts of Antan and Sheungshui, which streams are often impassable in the summer months. The Antau and Sheungsbui Police would find their difficulties increased enormously in taking over this district. Besides, their own districts are all they can manage with their present strength. It is to be hoped that the people in high places will consider the matter thoroughly, before
any action is taken, remembering that the Police are not in the New Territory solely for the detection but for the prevention of crime.
THE SHAMCHUN RIVER.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
an eminent literate now deceased. He is a bannerman, and passed his B.A. exam. last year at the age of eleven. This year he has done well, and his name will probably appear in the list of successful candidates, in which case be will have attained the distinction of taking his M.A. degree before reaching the age of thirteen.
BETTER CONDITIONS IN CANTON,
AI
With the return of the Viceroy the price of food has gone down, and with the abolition of the taxes on samshu, flour, and other articles, and the security imparted by the presence of five thousand troops, the Cantonese are probably happier than they have been for a long time The autumu is the season of festivals. present the feast of the fire god is being celebrated. Every street is in its turn decked out with banging lamps and beautifully-attired figures representing historical and legendary characters, which are hung in frames across the narrow streets. The effect is very striking, and tourists will find Canton at its best at
! present, from a spectacular point of view, while the change in the weather will make a trip through the city less trying to foreigners than in the summer months.
CHUN KING-WA.
i
Chun King-wa, whose movements have been attracting considerable attention
since he blossomed into fame, has not gone to America. as was reported. The latest news of him is that he is with the Kwangsi rebels, whom he joined by way of Haiphong.
[FROM THE "
CHUNG NGÔI SAN PO.".
THE PROMOTION OF TRADE.
H. F. Viceroy Shum has sent a long letter to the various charitable institutions of Canton, inviting the leading merchauts of The seventy-two guilds and all others who have good experience of commerc9 to hold a meeting de ling with the subject of the The Government of course have but a slender promotion of trade. He will be pleased, ha interest in the Shamchan River, although (with says, to hear the proposals of the merchants, the exception of the Uulong Creek) it is the
who are requested to draft regulations to be only navigable inland waterway of the whole sent to him for his approval, and he will Colony. A sandbar at the mouth of the river exert his utmost to protect them. He remarks obstructs the passage of all boats drawing over
the power of China and the strength of its four feet of water, except at high tides, and the people are at present lamentably small. It is consequence is that the passenger launches commonly said that Chiua can be made from Hongkong have half the time to discharge powerful, which means that commerce can be their passengers on to the river boats poled promoted. If the commerce of the two by six coolies each. In these river boats, ous
Kwang provinces can be extended, every part has to endure & weary, monotonous journey.
of China might follow suit. The power of a lasting sometimes re hours before Sham-country depends on commerce. Froin this it is chun is reached. This perhaps matters little to the stolid, phlegmatic Chinese, who take things as they come but to those Europeaus who live up country, such as Customs officials. missionaries, police, etc., the tedious journey is simply exasperating. If the Government would send a dredger put periodically to dredge the river entrance, all this could be averted, as over the bar there is enough water for a launch to proceed three-fourths of the way to Shamchun.
CANTON.
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
Canton, 11th October.
THE M.A. EXAMINATION.
The examination came to an end yesterday. The Chinese part ended on Tuesday. but the Manchus were in the halls for the three next days. Very few people are aware that an examination in Manchu is held, but such is the casa, The hardships to which they were exposed resulted in the death of two scholars, It is only surprising that more do not succumb, for there is no egress during three periods of three days, and the conditions under which the scholars live are disgusting in the extreme.
Upwards of one thousand coolies are employed in various duties during the examination. One of these was caught this year endeavouring to help a candidate, and he was so severely beaten that he died under the punishment. Another story is told of a codlie who amused himself by throwing stones into the cells. He succeeded in breaking a scholar's head, but effected his escape. The life of scholar at this time seems to be deprived of all pleasure, active or passive. A youthful prodigy was in the halls, both this year and last. in Tzu K'ai is the son of
clearly to be understood how important it is to promote the trade of Canton, the whole country depending on it. Hitherto the people of Cauton have lived mainly by commerce, all other occupations coming second.
The hope of reforming China is very small if the trade of Cautou remains weak.
His Excellency quite understauds that the merchants have been hectored, bullied, and
squer zed
by the officers, and that their complaints cannot reach the ears of the high authorities. Being Viceroy of the two Kwang provinces, he therefore, in duty bound, is always auxious to do good to the people and to find every possible way to protect them. So let the merchants awake and co-operate with him to gain good results. His Excellency theu makes suggestions as follows :-
1. A Chamber of Commerce should be
established, every guild to be represented by a leading merchant. Constant meetings should be held, so that all disputes between merchants can be settled and all complaints can reach the ears of the high authorities at once. Branches of the Chamber of Commerce should also be established in Chiu-Chow and Shia-Hing to co-operate.
2. Inspectors of commerce should be employed to inspect all exports, imports,aud native pro. ducts, and all other things connected with trade. 3. There should be exhibitions of articles, native and foreign, to extend the knowledge of the Chamber of Commerce.
4. Men should be employed to reports all the market quotations, the conditions of the market, and all other things connected with commercial business.
5. Commercial training schools should be opened.
6. The Chamber should consult with mer- chants in foreign countries and ask them their advice as to the promotion of commerce.
FOOCHOW.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
PROPERTY BALES.
Foochow; 2nd October.
There have been some good sales of European property here recently, the most interesting one being a purchase by a well-known Chinese family who at present reside in the city but, I understand, wish to take early possession An exceptionally good figure was paid, and good prices are expected for some other European property still on the market.
SPORTING NEWS,
The Kuliang season is practically over, and ladies are busy practising for a Ladies' lawn tennis tournament (American) to be held on the
12th inst.
Sport has not been good so far this season, even snipe seem to be more scarce than usual, Now that Autumu has opened, shooting parties will be able to go further afield. Two visitors, on of whom hails from Hongkong, have gone to Kucheng in hopes of bagging a tiger. Our last visitors from Shanghai were unsuccessful. No doubt there is big game in the Kucheng district, and I hear more guns are to start shortly.
A shooting match has been arranged between our local and the Amoy Gun Club for the 16th inst.
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GRIFFINF.
The new Subscription Griffins (13) for thy December meeting arrived last Sunday (27të ult.) per s.s. Socotra, and were drawn for at
a.m. on the following morning. They appear to have travelled well, and are pronounced to be a very fair lot. The coffe-pot is already in request at the Racecourse in the mornings.
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FOREIGN VISITORS.
A party consisting of a French m'ning expert and some infuenti. Chinese have just started to exploit the interior of this prince and are expected to be away for some two mouths.
The German gun-boats Tiger and Illis are lying at Pagoda Anchorage. Representative: of the German Navy were conspicuous here last winter. We had two admirals, and the excellent bands of the Hausd and Fürst Bismarck. Except for a flying visit paid by Rear Admiral Grenfell, British men-of-war were notable by their absence.
PORT ARTHUR.
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
Port Arthur, 21st September (0.8.) RUSSIA ACCEPTS THE CHALLENGE, Russia-if the usually well-informed Novi Krai can be regarded as representing Russia, – has accepted the challenge of the Japanese Press either to quit Maschuria on the 8th inst. or to be prepared for war. In a violent article published in that paper to-day, Japan isdefied and Russia's determination to remain in Manchuria, come what may, is announced in very emphatic and unmistakable language. Quoting the motta : Ty suis, j'y reste, the Port Arthur paper says:-
Yes, the fatal moment has undoubtedly come, and it finds Russia still in Manchuria, armed to the teeth for the defence of her interests there, interests which are as dear to her as her heart's blood. No amount of threatening on the part of the Japanese I'ress will disturb the status quo there either on the 8th of October or afterwards.”
A full translation of this important article, which is doubtless a semi-official announcement provoked by the recent tone of the Japanese Press, will be forwarded later.
RUSIA READY,
In the meantime, nearly every preparation to guard against a sudden descent on Liao-tung, and especially on Port Arthur, has been com- pleted, only a few of the guns that recently arrived from Europe remaining to be pat in position. There are 93 vessels of war, of various kinds here (including torpedo craft &c.), a boom of heavy logs has been stretched half-way across the mouth of the harbour, and can be brought all the way across in ■ few. minutes; and the constant movement of troops, the number of high officers, and despatch-riders ❘ that are constantly riding to and fro gives the place the appearance of a fortress which is