"
December 28, 1903.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Is it not time that the Government had į year,” as the poet says, and we make the something to say to the Gas Company on most of it while it lasts. And having the subject ? One resident in Conduit survived Christmas, I suppose many Bre Road informs me that on Saturday evening, now making their engagements for the New with three incandescent lights in one room, Year holiday. Holidays seem to come thick the combined illuminant was not sufficient and fast at this time of the year, and many of ❘ to enable him to read. I suppose all residents us, I dare say, are already beginning to feel as on that level must suffer alike, for I one of Shakespeare's characters did, that: have noticed that the street lamps along that If all the year were playing holidays, thoroughfare do not give the glimmer of farth- To sport would be as tedious as tɔ work. ing rushlights. If the Government does not espouse the cause of the private householder, it is surely time that it took strong measures to secure the adequate lighting of the public thoroughfares.
The vendors of flowers in the Colony did a lucrative business last week. Bunches of flowers such as can usually be bought for 10 or 15 cents were selling for 50 or 75 cents. The boughs of fir which were sold at good prices to do duty as Christmas trees apparently cost their rendors nothing but the labour of breaking them off the trees on the island, for in the course of a ramble over the hills on Christmas day I saw many evidences that this was how many of the boughs had been acquired.
A facetious correspondent writes in this con- nection: In these days of the constantly-recurring query-"What shall we do with our sons ?" a suggestion to the perplexed may prove welcome. Why not bring them up as opticians? Surely there is or will shortly be-ample scope for the exercise of that profession in this Colony, thanks to the Gas Company. It is only too evident that the residents in this particular Apropos this subject of Christmas decora- corner of the Empire will shortly either be tions, I have been asked the reason for the disporting themselves behind double-power singular absence of floral decorations in the spectacles, or else Nature-by her method of Cathedral on Xmas day. "There were the same adapting one's needs to one's surroundings-inartistic pillars, the same gloomy-looking walls will step in, and provide the residents on this lacking even a semblance of decoration, a d Isle of Perpetual Gloom with orbs of similar but for a few ferns in the vicinity of the properties to those possessed by the feline tribe. altar, the Cathedral wore its sombre everyday appearance." My correspondent seems to think the absence of any decorative scheme, such as worshippers in the churches at home delight to see,
due to indifference; but I know of clergymen at home who entertain strong objections to these floral decorations, and though I have no knowledge of the reasous for the lack of adornment at Christmastide in our own Cathedral it is more likely to be due to similar objections than to indifference.
Here is an impression of Sir Henry Blake as he struck a Colombo paper on his arrival there on the 3rd inst.:-The feeling was irresistible- nay, the conviction came with sledge-hammer force that the tall, calm, broad-shouldered, stately dignified man who walked along the landing pier, bowing courteously to right and left, was a man of action-a doer and not a talker. There was character imprinted on his face-a calm, emotionless face; a thoughtful, and withal, good-looking face, and a pair of dauntless eyes.
Essentially a strong man, was the whisper in the crowd, a man who will think for himself, and act as he thinks best: a man who will hold the scales with unswerving hand: a man who will go straight forward a sound, solid, safe man." Our late Governor is being given a high standard to live up to in Ceylon. Another paper notes a strong facial resemblance in his to Sir J. West Ridgeway, whom he succeeds.
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I would suggest to the Managers of the Peak Tramway that a notice might be put up con- spicuously in the terminus at S. John's Place stating that tickets can be obtained from the conductor on board the cars only. I make this suggestion in the interests of strangers, who `are always in a state of uncertainty as to where to get their tickets, and in some cases, I believe, have missed a car while looking for a booking office. Some consideration is due to the stranger within our gates, who pays cheerfully and helps to swell the very respectable dividend earned by the Company.
The casual pedestrian wending his way along the Peak roads and taking in the charming views which everywhere neat and delight the eye, may perhaps wonder, at this season of the year, whence come the odours that groet his olfactory nerves! The perfume is not of roses, nor get of oleander, nor of magnolia, but more resembles an escape of gas, a bad drain, or the reek from a dead animal. For your comfort, gentle wayfarer, I may tell you that the scent is from neither of these unpleasant sources. It emanates from a stocky, inoffensive-looking shrub called the Eurya Japanica, which is now beginning to flower. It bears a multitude of little cup-like flowers, which apparently yield a quantity of honey, for the bees swarm round the shrubs when they bloom. Perhaps my friend the Government Botanist will give us some remarks on this peculiarly offensive tree.
(Daily Press, 28th December.) This is the season of the year when every man feels on the best of terms with himself as well as with his neighbour, and anyone who has witnessed during the past week the troops of coolies employed is carrying " cumshas the residences on the hillside and hilltop have observed very remarkable manifestations of the fact. « Christmas
comes but once a
to
I notice one or two improvements on the higher levels which have doubtless not escaped the notice of others, and as I have complained in this column about their need, I am the more pleased to mention them. The iron railing in Conduit Road, between Robinson Road and Belilios Terrace, which the depredations of thieves had left dang rously defective, has been repaired for its entire length; the Gas Company has improved the lighting of this road within the past few days by putting down larger mains, and consequently bouseholders too derive equal benefit. Still one more item might be incorporated in this note. Public seats have during the past week been placed in Glenealy Road. Those who walk up the incline will "B. & A.D." appreciate them. The letters painted on the top rail appear to somewhat mystify some people, but when it is explained that the letters represent Botanical and Afforestation Department, it affords an op- portunity to the joker to say that the Depart ment is not as B.A.D." as it is painted.
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Many new buildings are being erected on the higher slopes as well as at the base of Victoris City and I might venture a comment on the subject of the precipitous retaining walls which multiply as building sites are acquired on the hillside. So often have similar retaining walls given way in various parts of Hongkong after heavy rains that, one would think, new walls would be built more on an incline, but there is no evidence of this idea being entertained by the local builders. I note however, in 80me places that pipes project from the walls. Perhaps, by this means of drainage, the strain on the walls during wet weather will be lessened.
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to the tramways' poles, thereby allowing the telephone poles, which formed an obstruction, to be removed. This appears to be a very good arrangement, and, consilering that the tram- ways' poles are emb dded in ceinent, they ought to withstand the strain put upon them during typhoons It is only a little over a year ago, it will be remembered, that the telephone posts in Des Voeux Road were blown down. Ocour- rences of this description are very dangerous
BANYAN.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
A meeting of the Legislative Council was held on the 23rd inst. in the Council Chamber. Present:
HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER AD. THE GOVERNMENT, F. H.
MINISTERING
MAT, C.M.G.
His Excellency Major-General VILLIERS HATTON, C.B.
Hou. A. M. THOMSON, (Acting Colonial Secretary).
Hon. Sir H. S. BERKELEY (Attorney- General).
Hon. L. &. M. JOHNSTON (Acting Colonial Treasurer).
Hon. W. CHATHAM (Director of Public Works).
Hon. A. W. BREWIN (Registrar-General). Hon. BASIL R. H. TAYLOR (Asting Harbour Master).
Hon. Sir C. P. CHATER, C.M.G. Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, C.M.G. Hon. WEI A YUK.
Hon. C. W. DICKSON. *Hon. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C. Hon. GEESHOM STEWART Mr. R. F. JOHNSTON (Aoting Clerk of Councils).
PLAGUE STAFF WORK.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table a paper showing the work done by the plague staff from 22nd August till 6th November, 1903.
FINANCIAL.
The ACTING Colonial SECRETARY laid on the table Financial Minute No. 66 and moved that it be referred to the Finance Committee.
The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was adopted.
"EXTERNAL AIR.
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The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY also submitted a statement showing the definition of "external air" recommended by the Sanitary Board. He said-This will obviate the necessity for the hon. member for the Chamber of Commerce putting his motion.
T
The definition was as follows:-- Section 6, Sub-section 26.—“External air", means the clear and unobstructed open air of: (1.) any street in front of an existing building
which is not less than 8 feet in width throughout. (2.) any street in front of a building hereafter erected which is not less, than 13 feet in width throughout. (3) auy" open space in the rear of any building which is not less than 13 feet width throughout. · (4.) any open space at the side of any existing building which either—(i.) extends continuously along the side of such building and has a continuous width of at least eight fest in every. part; or else, (iz.) extends continuously along three-fifths of the side of such building and has a continuous width of at last twelve feet in every part of ench three-fifths; any open space at the side of any building bereafter erected which extends continuously along three-fifths of the side of such building and has a continu- ons width of at least twelve feet in every part Now that the City is growing so fast in all of such three-fifths. For the purpose of directions, rents, we sometimes hear it said measur‹ the width of such street or space, must go down, even in Queen's Road when a straight line shall be drawn from and at right Messrs. A. S. Watson & Co., and other firms, angles to the external surface of the front vacate their old premises to take possession back or side wall as the case may be, or, in the of the new buildings in Des Voeux Road. That, event of any structure projecting from such however, is a delusion. Rents in Queen's Roadwall from and at right angles to the outermost show a strong tendency in the opposite direc- portion of such projecting structure exclusive tion, and we are not likely to see property of any cornice or eaves gutters. abegging for occupation in that quarter for a few years yet.
I note that in Des Voeux Road, where tale- phone posts interfered with the tramways' scheme, the telephone wires have been fixed on
The motion of Hon. Mr. Pollock was as follows:-"That the Government doobtain from the Secretary of the Sanitary Board, and do lay upon the table, for the information of the Legislative Council, the recommendation which was made by the majority of the Sanitary Board