May 30, 1904.]
company
steamers. I have travelled in with
a freshly caught slave and seen him later return, after working in the mines. a prosperous man. Under the compound system the native workmen are infinitely better housed, fed, and looked after than they would be in their own plague-stricken villages." Colonel Foss has no doubt that the Chinese will work underground, provided they are dealt with tactfully in the first instance and due account is taken of their secret societies.
HONGKONG.
Capt. R. Mitchell has resigned his commission in the Hongkong Volunteer Corps.
The Collao, Lieut Miller, arrived from Samsui on the 26th inst.
The Dallas Company left by the southward- bound 8.8. Bayern on the 26th inst.
The appointment is notified in the Gazette of Mr. T. L. Perkins to act on behalf of the Building Authority.
The scarcity of water is making itself very much felt at the present time. Already the Chinese are going to the extent of buying water from boats that bring it over from the other side to the Praya West.
The year's total of plague cases is now 176. Apart from plague the week before last the only cases of communicable disease were:-Cholera 4 (Chinese, 2 imported from Saigon), with 3 deaths; enteric fever 2 (I European. I Indian); small-pox 3 (2 Europeans im orted from Shanghai, 1 Chinese).
It is notified in the Gazette that Mr. E. S. Bragg, U.S. Consul-General, has been recog. nised as in charge of the interests of the Republic of Panama in Hongkong. pending other arrangements; and that the King's exequatur empowering Mr. A. Haupt to act as Danish Consul has received His Majesty's signature.
On the 21st inst. Mr. Li Hong Mi. Supreme Court interpreter, was entertained to a banquet in the Yin King Lam restaurant, on the occasion of his departure for England on leave. There were about 40 people present. Mr. Li Hong Mi is taking to England his son to be educated. Good wishes from their many friends follow them both. Mr. Li Hong Mi and his son left by the Bayern on the 25th inst.
As the 8.8. Chin Shan was getting under weigh. leaving Hongkong for Amey and Swatow on the 26th, her revolving propeller cul a native boat to pieces, also taking off the arm of its occupant, alioaman. Capt. William- son, of the s.s. Telemachus, happened to be passing at the time, and he promptly brought bis sampan to the rescue. A Dock launch towed the skipper's craft when the injured man was got aboard to Kennedy Town, the nearest shore. The Chinaman was so stunned at the time that very little could be got out of him.
Mr. Frederic Jones, Queensland Govern- ment Commissioner of Trade, accompanied by Mr. F. D. Barretto, Vice-Consul for Mexico, paid an official call on His Excellency the Hon. F. H. May at Government House last week. Mr. Jone : is visiting the Orient ports for the purpose of developing business relations with Queensland, and expresses himself well satisfied with future possibilities of trade with Hongkong. The products in which Queensland excels are frozen meat and butter, flour, canned meats, condensed milk. cheese, jams, fodder and forage, coal, leather.
boots, and allow.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Inspector Peter McNab left for home on the 25th inst. by the German Mail, the 8.8. Bayern. He has completed 19 years' ser- vice in the Hongkong Police Force, showing Shortly before his departure he was invited a clean sheet for the whole of that period. into the billiard-room at Central Police Station, where his comrades bade him farewell. Mr. F. H. Badeley, Captain Superintendent of Police, speaking on behalf of the Force, presented the pensioner with a handsome piece of Chinese silverware on a blackwood stand. The trophy, a four-branched affair, bore an appropriate in- scription. Mr. Hansen also addressed Inspector McNab, the proceedings terminating by drinking a bumper to his health.
Discussing the projected Canton-Macao N.-C. Daily News writes:--Personally I am Railway, the Hongkong correspondent of the
have been negotiated, but between the granting sceptical on all counts, though a concession may of the concession and the construction sufficient time almost to forget the work often intervenes, and American capital is not. I notice, very readily forthcoming for investment in the Far East. in this Canton-Macao line. The route would At the same time there are some points present no serions engineering obstacles, and could be made in much less time than the Kow. loon-Canton Railway. It therefore behoves the promotors of the latter line to brace up and carry out the terms of their valuable concession without any further timorous delay. If they are unable or fear to make the plunge, it will be varnment to take steps to get the concession necessary for the colony and the Imperial Go- cancelled, for it is now in its present condition a standing menace to Hongkong.
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was a
MISCELLANEOUS.
409
At a fire at Otaru. Hokkaido, on the 8th inst. 4,000 houses were destroyed.
The death is announced of Mr. John Kes- wick, of Messrs. Jur'ine, Skinner, and Co., of Calcutta.
having refused the command of the French L'Echo de Chine says that Colonel Marchand, troops at Tientsin, has had his resignation accepted.
It is said that a lot of American excursionists are to be taken to places near the war, includ- ing Chefoo. A little further north and west, the trip. we suppose, stray mines will add excitement to
ings will be regulated by law.
The electrical wiring of Manila and its build- A new ordinance has been proposed by the municipal board which refers to electrical materials, appliances, ap- sale and supply of electricity and the firing and paratus, the prevention of discrimination in the regulating of rates and charges therefor.
On the 21st inst. the Shanghai Cricket Club innings. The Naval team included Commander defeated the Navy by 60 runs Watson, Messrs. Horsey. Irwin. Bisset, de on the first
Paris, and Capt. Harris. On the 23rd the Navy's Rugby team beat Shanghai by 1 goal 4 tries to uil.
the following telegram dated Chefoo, 16th The U.S. Consulate at Shanghai has received May-The Customs notify that yesterday the steamer Yochow discovered off Weihaiwei, in approximate, an object, apparently a mine, of Lat. 37 deg. 36 min. N.. Long. 122 deg. 12 min. E, conical shape and brown colour, with network round the centre, two feet in diameter.
We regret to have to announce the death of Mr. V. A. Sales, usher of the Supreme Court. Mr. Sales had been in failing health for a considerable time past. He was on leave when he died, and was staying at Macao for his health. He was in the Government service for about 15 years, and was & very popular officer. On occasion he used to serve as French interpreter. in the Court.
The old tug Fame. belonging to the Hong- kong and Whampoa Dock Co. Ld.. has been Indo-China. She left Hongkong on Wednesday, the 25th inst. under the French flag. The little tng recently figured on the Dock Co.'s books at $15.000, but it is hardly likely that she fetched that sum. Most Star Ferry passengers are familiar with her, though it may not be generally known that she has weathered the elements for some 47 years, In the palmy days of youth, long before she was converted from paddle wheels to twin screws, she Mediterranean fruit carrier. How much of her old self remains it is hard to She was wrecked on the coast of Cochin- China, near Cape Varellan. about a year ago. She had been despatched to pull off the French steamer Binh Thuan, stranded at that locality. On arriving at her destination it was found that Mr. J. W. Jameson had already floated the steamer, so the Fame's trip was practically wasted. While endeavouringstruction of the village. to pick up the Binh Thuan's anchors a line fouled the Fame's propellers, heavy surf piling her on to the beach. She was refloated after considerable difficulty.
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The
Exposition sailed for the United States on the The Visayan village destined for the S. Louis Shawmut. The villagers were in charge of Dr. Farris, and were accompanied by Dr. Carhoun. The village consisted of forty-seven natives, who will build a village at the fair, a representation all the necessary bamboo and nipa for the con- of the Visayan tribes. They carried with them
The Shanghai Mercury of the 21st inst. writes-The fact that the Supao prisoners were to be brought up at the Mixed Court to- day caused some amount of excitement among the natives usually assembled round the Court precincts, and quite a number lingered outside to catch a glimpse of them as they left the Court shortly afternoon. The elder prisoner, Chang Ping-lung. exhibited a worn-out appear ance and maintained a stolid air throughout the whole of the proceedings. Not so with the younger one, for he seemed to take his position in quite a different light, at times knitting his eyebrows contemptuously as he looked round the Court, and at others indulging in almost ribald laughter. After the sentence had been
taken by the police to the outer door leading passed Chan Yung made a frantic effort to address the Magistrate, and had to be forcibly to the courtyard, where both were put in a carriage and driven away under a strong police escort. Since the trial the punishments then imposed upon the prisoners of three years and which were not concurred in by the Magistrate, two years' imprisonment respectively (and who held that the offences warranted life sent- ences) have been the subject of much corres- pondence between the Consular Body and the second. After the presentation of prizes by too lenient, they agreed yesterday to submit to the Tsimshatsui singles: Inspector Withers
Taotai, and although the Chinese authorities continued to demur at the sentences as being Mrs. Badeley, Mr. J. W. Hanson, the Chief the decision given at the close of the trial rather Detective Inspector. presented her with a beau- pleasure which the Police felt for her gracious- Consulate at Swatow, has been appointed Con- tiful bouquet of flowers and expressed the than an unconditional release and banishment.
Dr. Betz, late administrator of the German ness in attending the ceremony and so kindlysul at Chinanfu, Shantung. handing over the prizes.
On Saturday afternoon a very pleasant little function took place at the Central Police Station. when Mrs Badeley, the wife of Mr. F. J. Badeley. Captain Superintendent of Police. presented the prizes won various competitions in connection with the Hongkong Police Recreation Club. shooting prizes were
by Inspector W. Robertson (1). Sergeant W. Pitt (2), Inspector W. Withers (3), and Sergeant John Grant (4). In the Central billiards competition Inspector A. C. Langley was first. P.O. Blown second, and P. C. Cooper third, while Sergt. Pitt the Tsimshatsin billiards handicap. Inspector won the prize for the highest break (43). In Withers took first honours, and the second place was secured by Sergt. Pitt. In the Tennis tournament at the Central P. C. Deveney won the first prize, with 1. C. Clyde a good second; the doubles was won by Deveney and Pitt. In the Ladies Nomination game the successful players were Deveney and Inspector Kerr, nominated respectively by. Mrs. Robertson of unanimously elected President. Apart from the Shaukiwan and Mrs. Gerrard of Sheungshui. great esteem in which he was held by his P. C. Deveney was the first prize-winner in colleagues in the local Press, Mr. Reid was popular also in general circles, and his departure is much regretted. He was on the directorate of several local companies. Among lighter he had little time to devote to them of later pursuits, golf and chess were his favourites, but years. The good wishes of Hongkong accom- pany him home to Scotland.
on the 26th inst. Mr.T. H. Reid, a well-known There left Hongkong by the s.8. Korea early Hongkong journalist, who was up to last week managing editor and part proprietor of our even- ing contemporary the China Mail. Mr. Reid has been on the China Mail staff for 12 years, joining as a junior in 1891. He was appointed sub-editor in 1894, and next year took a share in the business. When the new Journalists Association was founded here Mr. Reid was