May 21, 1904.J
"Tokyo, 10th May.-Three hundred Russians taken prisoners in the Yalu operations have arrived in Japan."
"Peking, 11th May.-There is a rumour at Newchwang that the Japanese occupied Kai. ping, a city on the Manchurian railway wome 16 miles south of Tashihchiao, on the 9th, and there is a widespread belief that they will arrive at Newchwang on the 13th. The Russians show great haste and confusion in their endeavours to escape from the seat of war; their troops are gathering at Newchatun station to escape before the Japanese arrive."
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Tokyo, 11th May. A second issue of ex- chequer bonds to the amount of a hundred million yen (£10,000,000 sterling) will possibly be made at the end of the month. The Cabinet is to confer with the bankers and financiers to-night. The new foreign loan is intended to secure the convertible notes, and the whole proceeds will be kept in London."
Tokyo, 11th May.-Admiral Togo reports that explosions are being continually heard from Port Arthur, apropos of which it may be mentioned that it is privately understood that the Russians are destroying the remnants of their men-of-war."
"Tokyo, 13th May. It is officially announced that the third squadron made an indirect bombardment of Dalny on the 12th May, and repulsed the Russians ashore."
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
A meeting of the Legislative Council was held on the 17th instant in the Counc.: Chamber. Present:-
HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMIN- STERLING THE GOVERNMENT, F. H. MAY, C.M.G.
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(iii) At the Plantation Road Gap, near the entrance to Brockhurst ?
() The estimated annual expenditure for the gas required to keep such lamp-posts lighted at night?
ANSWERS.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY replied as follows: 1. Pending the construction of the rider main system under which there should always be water in the mains available for all fires even when water is cut off from houses, the means Hon. A. M. THOMSON (Colonial Secretary). is considered reasonably sufficient. On the Hon. Sir H. S. BERKELEY (Attorney | occurrence of fire during the intermittent
General.
Treasurer).
Hon. L. A. M.
JOHNSTON (Colonial
Hon. A. W. BREWIN (Registrar General). Hon. Captain L. A. W. BARNES-LAWRENCE R.N. (Harbour Master).
Hon. P. N. H. JONES (Director of Public Works).
Hon. Sir C. P. CHATER. C.M.G. Hon. Dr. Ho KAI, C.M.G. Hon. WEI A YUK.
Hon. W. J. GRESSON.
Mr. S. B. C. Ross (Clerk of Councils).
NEW MEMBER.
Mr. W. J. Gresson took the oath and assum. ed his seat as a member of Council in succession to Mr. C. W. Dickson.
FINANCIAL.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table that they be referred to the Finance Com- Financial Minutes (Nos. 27 to 29) and mored
Tokyo, 13th May. While searching for Russian mines, No. 48 torpedo-boat W&5 blown up and divided in two, but she had successfully completed the sweeping and survey-¡mittee. ing of the adjacent waters, and had cut off the communications with the land. By this accident the Japanese lost seren killed, including an ensign, and seven wounded."
[The torpedo-boat No. 48 was a vessel of a little over 100 tons.]
“Tokyo, 13th May. It is announced that the Japanese at Pulantien sighted on the 6th instant a train from Port Arthur without any Red Cross mark, which fired on them. The Japanese replied, and then the Russians hoisted the Red Cross flag. The Japanese intended to examine the cars, which, however, went ahead at full speed, and escaped."
"Tokyo, 13th May.-A portion of the Russiaus are crossing the Pyongan and Hamkyong borders. Russians who have failed to join their camp are now continually raiding the frontier districts."
Tokyo, 13th May.-Troops have despatched from Seoul and Fusan for the protection of the Seoul-Fusan railway."
been
"Tokyo, 13th May.-The Yalu prisoners consisting of 16 officers, of whom nine are wounded, and 415 men, of whom 265 are wounded, will arrive at Shikoku to-morrow,
RUSSIAN NEWS.
The following telegram from General Flong has been communicated to the Shanghai papers:-
Mukden, 11th May.
By the information received during the 10th inst. from mounted patrols and from scouts, a Japanese division, supposed to belong to the Guards, has left Fenghwangcheng in the direc- tion of Haicheng (a town on the railway. be- tween Tashihchiao and Liaoyang). One division of infantry, with 40 guns and 15,000 (1,500) cavalry, was to proceed from Fenghwangcheng towards Saimachi. Up to to-day, it is learnt that at Kuantiensien there is an advanced guard consisting of one battalion of infantry, three companies of cavalry, and one mountain battery. By the reports of General Mischenko, the Japanese troops in his front were divided on the 7th inst. iuto two parties; the first situat- ed at day's march south-west of Fenghwancheng, and the second on the lower part of the Tayang river (which runs in a south-east direction and enters into the Bay of Corea at Takushan). On the same day the latter party began to cross the river.
B
The Chinese population favours the Japan- ese. A Chinaman warned a Japanese patrol that the Russians were preparing an ambush for it. "The train which left Vafandian (? Wafung tien) reached Port Arthur safely, and the rolling-stock has already returned.
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Up to now we have received no exact infor- mation of the number of the enemy landed at Pitsewo. To the north of Cape Terminal, 30 Japanese transports were seen. The Bay of Sizhoi is still occupied by us, and we are recon- noitring thence. There is no change in other parts of the theatre of war."
༔་
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee (No. 6) and moved its adoption.
the motion was agreed to.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and
PAPERS.
reports for 1903 of the Harbour Master, the The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table
Government Bacteriologist, on the Post Office. and on the Po Leung Kuk.
QUESTIONS.
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK put the following question:-
1. Is the Government satisfied th' the pre- sent means for extinguishing fires in the City of Victoria during the dry soason are sufficient? If not, does the Government propose to take any aud, if so. what steps, and when, to remedy the deficiency or deficiencies?
2. Has the Government considered the ques. tion of the advisability of adopting a special service for extinguishing fires by pumping up sea-water from the harbour by means of special fire water mains: Does the Government pro- pumping-stations on the Praya into special
pose to take any measures of that or a similar character? Is it not the fact that the Govern- ment Fire Engine hose has proved, during this present dry season, to be of insufficient strength
to pump up sea-water to Jervois Street, or
Lyndhurst Terrace, and has repeatedly burst in
so doing?
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supply water is always turned on in the mains and is available at adequate pressure on the average 15 minutes after the alarm of fire is given. There are also three steam fire engines for use in Victoria and vicinity, and during the intermittent water supply the Victoria side of the Harbour. The engines used by the Fire Brigade are quite efficient and have not in any way deteriorated through age. They deliver about 300 gallons of water a minute and will stand a pressure of 129 lbs to the square inch. Government does not at present propose to take any steps to increase its fire extinguishing apparatus. To do so would prove expensive and later on unnecessary,
2. This question has been considered by the Government. The scheme has not been adopted, as it has been ascertained that it would cost nearly as much as increasing the rain-water pump water to much greater heights than those reservoirs. The hose is strong enough to mentioned in the question. It is regularly tested and unsound lengths periodically replaced. The hose has burst on very few occasions only. Such accidents occur at times in all Fire Brigades.
3. The Government is not absolutely satisfied with the present means of extinguishing fires in Kowloon during the dry season. The com. pletion of the new Kowloon water-works will
available by fire hydrants as however give water at pressure in the main in Victoria. It is hoped that the new water-works will he in working order in about lo months. Government does not for the reason stated in Answer 1 intend to take any immediate steps.
4. There is only one Government fire engine in the Kowloon Peninsula. It is stationed at Yaumati. The floating engine is kept at Tsim- sha-tsui except in times of an intermittent water supply, when it is kept on the Victoria side. The sea is the only source of water supply for fire extinguishing purposes in Kowloon at present. In cases of fire in the neighbourhood of the sea, the floating and Yaumati engines would both pump from the sea direct to the fire. In cases of fires a a distance from the sea the the sea and the land engine would pump from floating engine would feed a portable dam from
the dam to the fire. 1.800 feet of hose is kept at Yaumati with the engine, and the floating engine carries also over 1,800 feet, in addition to over 1.700 feet of large 4 in. hose. This loon, as it is estimated that no house in Old is considered ample to reach any house in Kow-
Kowloon is situated at more than 3,800 feet from the sea. gade permanently stationed at Kowloon; 3 There are eight members of the Bri- Europeans at Tsim-sha-tsui and 3 Europeans and 3 Chinese at Yaumati. Temporary rein. forcements are sent from Victoria as required.
5. The Director of Public Works has been instructed to provide a reasonable number of additional seats as far as the funds available will permit.
3. Is the Government satisfied that the present means for extinguishing fires in the Kowloon Peninsula during the dry season are sufficient? If not, does the Government pro- Pose to take any and, if so. what steps, and when, to remedy the deficiency or deficiencies ? Kowloon Peninsula in the
4. Is there only one Fire Engine in the service of the Colonial Government, and from what source or sources would such Fire Engine be supplied of a fire occurring during the dry season at too with water during the dry season in the event
be available for extinguishing purposes? How great a distance from the sea for salt water to
many members are there in the Kowloon Fireplaces indicated. Brigade?
5. Will the Government provided more seats for the use of the public on the Kennedy Road, Road? Bowen Road, Magazine Gap Road, and Barker
6. Will the Government state what would be--- with the necessary gas-burners and appliances (a.) The capital cost of erecting lamp-posts. and connections with the gas-main at the follow ing places at the Peak, namely:-
(2) On the slope up to Plunkett's Gap. near the approach to the Commodore's Bungalow :
(ii) At the junction of Chamberlain Road with the Mount Kellet Road:
6. The three lamps complete at the sites named would cost $200.
The cost of lighting and maintenance would sidering the question of erecting lamps at the be 8240 per annum. The Government is con-
THE OPIUM BILL.
The ATTORNey-General moved the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend the Prepared Opium Ordinance, 1891.
He said-Your Excellency,-The amend- ments to the Opium Ordinance are necessary Farmer from illicit sales of opium to which he to effect that protection to the Opium is rightfully entitled. The necessity for amend- ing the Ordinance, sir, arises from the difficulty of putting such a construction upon the present definition of the words "prepared opium" and
preparation of opium" that exist in the pre- sent Ordinance. The definition of "prepared
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