March 7, 1904. }
will be a very expensive experiment for the Transvaal, and we do not anticipate its success. The mine-owners, however, have got their way, and the experiment is to be made. As far as Hongkong is concerned, the step must interest us not a little, for all the Chinese labour exported to South Africa must pass through this port, and so money will be brought to the Colony.
A RELIEF FUND FOR JAPAN,
(Daily Press 32:1 March.)
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
HONGKONG JOTTINGS.
(Daily Press, 29th February.) Racing has fairly succeeded in eclipsing everything else in interest in Hongkong during the past week, and it would have taken the most sensational news from the North to
have distracted most people's attention from the events in the Happy Valley. Not everyono, ef course, cares much about the actual racing; but the holiday and the general turn-out could not fail to attract residents from their offices aud homes to the pretty race-course which we The Erst days enjoyment was a little marred are fortunate enough to possess in this Island. by the prevailing dust-clouds, but afterwards the Jockey Club Took the hint and laid the dust by the application of water. Beautiful weather favoured all four days of the meeting, and the ladies no doubt rejoiced duly in the opportunity of showing their costumes without fear of rain spoiling them. The actual racing provided very good sport, and the accidents were few and not serious, except in the case of poor Dandy, whose owners are to be commiserated on the loss of u good little hørse. There was a nasty-looking fall in the Lusitano Cup on the first day, but happily uo great harm was doue. The Off Day mishap, too, fortunately was not so bad as it Mr. Buxay" carried off first honours easily in might have been for the plucky rider of Rex. the whole meeting, but there was enough distribution of awards to satisfy most. Hong- kong bas ou the whole good reason to cɔugra- tulate itself on its 1904 meating.
177
The quaintness of Chinese shop-sigas is a matter that often Causes mirth with the European. One of the oddest shop-signs in the Colony is to be seen in a street in the west of carved ou the wooden board is: "Dr. C is a the City. It is very ancient, and the legend first rate hand for splicing broken legs.—Jobn Tommy Tiltin." Another shopkeeper in Wellington Street announces in bold letters the "r" in the last word conveying a meaning that he can paint nud vanish," the absence of which those who have had to do with Chinese contractors will appreciate. But it is not the Chinese firms alone who are distinguished by housed in the Supreme Court have their sign bid spelling. An eminent firm of lawyers displayed to the effect that they are purlic."
"' notariés
the races, Kowloou sports, and the Dallas Hongkong has had a lively week, with Company in full swing. This is the more remarkable liveliest place
as Hongkong
not the in the East, 83 regards amusements. This week I hear there are some Friday the Masonic Quadrille Club gives its good things in store at the Theatre, and on
final Ball of the season--a "The Yokohama and
14
A correspondent, by the way, sugg.sis that it would be interesting to publish a brief history of the origin of racing in Hongkong and of our first race meeting-an eveut, as he says, which few here can recall. "The race-books, "he coutinnes, 'printed every year only go back to 1870, and the information supplie is meagre, But I race-meetings held in the early sixties." kuow of at least one person who remembers wouder if anyone is likely to come forward to supply the information asked for.
I
As a desire is manifested in the Colony to follow the example set in other foreign communities further North and contribute to a fund intended for the relief of distress in Japan caused by the war, it will doubt- less be useful to the gentlemen who, we understand, intend to start the fund if we briefly state the views which obtain in Japan as to the purposes to which such funds might be devoted. In Yokohama a very influential Committee has been formed, representative of all nationalities, the Society being calle Tokyo Foreign Residents' Association for Relief of Sufferers from the War." This Committee has considered the claims of the Japanese Red Cross Society and it was pointed out that the Society was a large and wealthy body, never likely to be in want of funds, inasmuch as contributions will be forthcoming from all parts of the world in addition to those from Japanese sympathisers. Moreover, the object of the Red Cross Society is to aid the wounded among the military and naval men during the war, and then only. The Governor of the prefecture fully agreed with this view, and suggested the claims of other Japanese societies which would deal with the di tress consequent on the war, and no doubt grants will be made to these societies from time to time from the general fund. The fund which is being raised among the foreign started in Hongkong this week in aid of the It is rumoured that a public fund is to be community of Kobe will apparently be dis-Japanese affected by the present war. I do not tributed in a similar manner, and among the Japanese themselves there is a splendid response to appeals in the newspapers for contributions in aid of the relief of the families of men at the front and the children who are made orphans by the war. In a few days a total sum of 17,000 yen was subscribed by the readers of an Osaka paper, but if the war is a protracted one, as it seems likely to be, a very large fund will be necessary to cope with the distress likely to be occasioned in Japan. Every
On many occasions the Police authorities little help from sympathisers with the have been app-aled t in the Daily Press to gallant little nation in this momentous adopt some regulations for the better ordering crisis in her history is therefore certain to
of traffic on the side-walks, and I am glad to see that an order has recently been issued call. be welcomed and highly appreciated. Shang- ing upon all Chinese who are carrying baskets hai is contributing to a Fund started by or poles to walk in the roadway and not on th the North-Chine Daily News, and if any foot aths. As the writer of the article 01 among our readers are desirous of showing the subject in the Daily Press of the 8th iust. their sympathy in the same practical way,
intimated, the Chinese coolie's hat is, equally we should be pleased to receive contributions with the baskets and poles, a nuisance ou a and to hand them over to a local committecatious, and the wearers of these inverted bas crowded pavement beyoud all expression vex- if one is formed, or to forward the money direct to the Societies in Japan organised to disburse funds of this character.
The attempt to take a plébiscite in Shanghai on the fiscal question was a failure. Voting began on the 10th instant, and the boxes were opened last Saturday afternoon. The result
was:-
For fiscal reform Against
...156 11
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Majority in favour of reform... ...145 The N.-C. Daily News comments :-There might be some reason for taking a vote like this in a British Colony like Hongkong; but there was, as the result shows, no reason for taking it in an International Settlement.
know whether the money is to be raised for assistance to the wauuded or as a kind of widows and orphans' relief-fund. Both are deserving objects, aud it is to be hoped that a substantial sum will be raised. British residents should not require stirring up in the matter, and there will show that the sympathy of Chinese toward be a good opportunity for the local Chinese to Japan in the present struggle is more than skin-deep.
kets.ought to te subject to a like regulation, or be required to carry their hats in their hands, as nearly all the sidewalks in Hongkonge covered. Some remarks were also made by the writer on the subject of better regulations for vehicular traffic, and though the necessity certainly exists, I think the Police duties in this respect during the Race days were roost effic- iently discharged and the force is deserving of a word of commendation.
Some months ago the public were led to believe that the trams would be running in the Race week. I suppose the 19.5 Race meeting must have been referret to. as there are no present indications of an early service of trams from the town to the Racecourse. However, I believe that this is no fault of the contractors.
ball
which
is expected to be quite a big function. The past week was further enlivened by two big cession to k nearly fifteen minutes to pass a Chinesa weddings, in one of which the pro-
given pint, the Chin se "musio" causing consternation at night amongst the would-be sleepers in the neighbourhood of Wyndham Street.
There was also a big Chinese funeral (the result of the Chinese New Year?), at which the professional mouruers filled forty- six rickshus. Music bath charms, but there is something es ecially charmless about the Chinese variety, and more so when it wakes the echoes at l'o'clock in th› morning.
Who is responsible for the preservation of the monument erected to the memory of the country, in order to make Hongkong what it fallen heroes, who sacrificed their lives for their
is? Is it in order with the fitness of things that Chinese coolies-aye, and Chinese of a smoking and throwing down cigarettes, fruit better class-should sit around the ba e,
skins, and expectoratiug ? A little attention to this, and a railing around the monument, wonld better become those responsible.
THE WAR.
BANYAN.
fF.OM OU: COaRESPONDENT.].
TIENTSIN, 25th Feb., 11.20 p.m. The story of the loss of four Japanese battleships at Port Arthur on Wednesday last is discredited here. The Japanese fleet continues to command the Gulf of Pechili.
LONDON, 26th Feli, 10.50 a.m. The Japanese have landed at Possiet Bay, south of Vladivostock, and have advanced to Huuchun, thirty miles inland. The troops are now marching on Kirin.
LONDON, 26th Feb. 10.50 a.m, It is stated that 45 Russian warships leave the Baltic in June.
KOBE, 26th Feb., 12.5 p.m. The S. Petersburg report of the sinking of four Japanese battleships at Port Arthur is wholly discredited in Japan. It appears, however, that the Japanese plan of attack defenders. One or two small vessels which on the 24th instant was frustrated by the the Japanese intended to use in blocking the harbour mouth where sunk by fire from the Russian forts before their purpose had been effected.
6.35 p.in.
The vessels sunk at Port Arthur were the transport-steamers Winsen-, Tenshin-, Hokuku-, and Bushin-maru. They were scuttled purposely by the Japanese in order to block the entrance to the harboru. Their crews escaped.
į.