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June 4, 1904.]
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
Hongkong, 21st April, 1904. Sir, I am directed to enclose for the informa- tion of His Excellency the Officer Administer ing the Government copy of letter on the subject of Cotton growing in the New Territory from Mr. S. T. Dunn, the Superintendent of the Botanical and Afforestation Department. and my reply thereto.
It appears to my Committee that no reason- able means should be left undone to prove whether the growing of raw Cotton within the bounds of the Colony is practicable or not, as, in the event of successful production, the possibilities of extending the Cotton manufacturing industry of this Colony will be very great, and thus materially add to the wealth of the community. while a ready sale elsewhere could be found för any surplus.
His Excellency is doubtless aware of the attempt by the Lancashire Manufacturers to further the cultivation of raw cotton on British soil in East Africa. This experiment will un- doubtedly increase the value of the East African Colony, and, by providing a British competitor. check the violent fluctuations in the cost of the raw material now caused by the bulk of the world's crop being in American hands.
If the proposed cultivation can be successfully prosecuted within the Colony's territory the local attempt will not only emulate what is now being done at home, but mills in Hongkong would have the additional advantage of finding the raw material practically at their own doors. My Committee beg to suggest for HiN Excellency's consideration that a small vote should be provided in the next Budget to meet the expense of distributing Cotton seed, or plants, to suitable Farmers, and prizes for the three best results obtained. The proving of the experiment would thus cost little money, and if successful results are obtained other Farmers will readily realise the advantage to be gained by turning their attention to the production of Cotton.--I have the honour to be, sir,
Your obedient servant.
(Sd.) A. R. Lowe,
Secretary.
Hon. A. M. Thomson,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
LEWIS AND CLARK CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION AT PORTLAND (OREGON).
The following letter was read :--
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
Hongkong. 21st April, 1904. Sir, I am instructed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo and enclosures regarding the proposed Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition at Portland (Oregon) in 1905.
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The question whether the Government should take any steps with a view to this Colony being officially represented at the exhibition has been discussed by my Committee and they desire me to inform you that in their opinion it is not necessary for the Government to go to any expense in the matter. The reasons which have guided the Committee to this decision are that the manufactures of Hongkong are inconsider able and its natural products so limited that would be difficult to form a separate court to adequately represent the trade of the Colony.
I am to suggest that it would be sufficient if the Registrar General represents to the Chinese manufacturers of silver ware, ivory ornaments, carved blackwood, etc., the advantages likely to be gained by sending exhibits. This I believe was the practie followed when the St. Louis Exhibition authorities approached the Govern. ment two years ago.--I have the honour to be, sir,
Your obedient servant.
(Sd) A. R. Lowe.
Secretary.
Hon. A. M. Thomson,
Acting Colonial Secretary..
RUSSIAN RESTRICTIONS AT NEWCHWANG,
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
DATING OF NEW YORK TELEGRAMS. The following reply to the representations made by the Chamber in February last was read:---
New York, 29th March, 1904.
Mr. A. R. Lowe,
Secretary. Chamber of Commerce.
Hongkong.
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Huijgen. Consul for the Netherlands; W. Domnich, Vice-Consul for Sweden and Nor- way; Z. Volpicelli, Consul for Italy; Mr. and Mrs. R. de Luca, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. May, Mr. and Mrs. J. Zundel, Mr. and Mrs. Grant, Messrs. Spallinger, Hug, Hogg, Lafrentz, Romney, A. Von Behnezewieg, Furnel, Stanton. W. Cater. 8. R. Gilman, R. C. Comrie, H. Dear Sir. Your valued favour of 23rd | Cerin, R. H. Harvie, S. W. Russell, Holmes, ultimo, addressed to the Secretary of the Cham-J. Lind, Gans. Howe. Farnham, W. Pinkston, ber of Commerce of the State of New York. Frost, J. Strohl, Spethman, Van Allen, C. 8. has been referred to this Committee. Paget, and others. Among the Chinese present. were-H. E. the Governor of Canton, H. E. the Tartar General, H. E. the Hoppo, Their Honours the Grain Taotai, Li Taotai, Con- struction Director Wen Taotai, Traffic Director Li Taotai, Director of the Arsenal Lo Taotai. Director of the Military College. Chung Taotai, and the Land Director of the Canton-Hankow Railway.
In reply I would say that we have received a similar letter from the Chamber of Commerce of Shanghai and referred the complaint with regard to the dating of telegrams to the Com- mercial Pacific Cable Company. In reply the ||Commercial Pacific Cable Company informed ux that they saw no valid reason for departing from their present custom and I regret, therefore, to state that our efforts in this direction have been unavailing.-I am, my dear Sir,
Correspondence from the Government con- taining copies of telegrams received from the H. M. Consul at Newchwang relating to warn ning issued by the Russian authorities at that port for the guidance of shipping was laid on the table.
Yours very truly,
(Sd) GUSTAV H. SCHWABB. Chai man. Committee on Foreign Commerce
and the Revenue Laws.
The CHAIRMAN said the attitude adopted by the Commercial Pacific Cable Company was to be regretted.
QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS.
A letter was read dated from the Government notifying the fact of the port having been declared by the Government of Burm to be plague infected.
FISCAL REFORM.
A draft letter was read and approved in reply to a communication from the Government asking for the views of the Chamber on the question.
HEALTH OFFICER OF THE PORT.
It was decided to address the Government again with the object of impressing on the Officer Administering the Government the desirability of reforms being instituted in the department of
the Health Officer of the Port.
CURRENCY QUESTION.
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The CHAIRMAN sail that at the recent general meeting the desirability of not letting this matter drop was referred to, and, as nothing! more had been heard from the Diplomatic Body at Peking beyond an expression of sympathy with the views of the Shanghai. Tientsin and Hongkong Chambers of Commerce. it was decided to enquire from the Shanghai Chamber whether their Committee was prepared to take any Chinese Government the institution of a uniform further steps with a view to urging on the
national coinage throughout the Empire.
KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY,
The CHAIRMAN said this question was dealt with at the annual meeting, and he proposed that representations should be made to the Government and Sir Ernest Satow on the lines indicated in his speech at the recent general
meeting.
After some discussion this was agreed to.
THE CANTON-SAMSHUI RAILWAY.
OPENING OF FATSHAN SAMSHUI SECTION.
Ferry launches carried the guests from Can- tou to Shekwaitong, the terminus of the railway, where a special corridor train composed of new cars was awaiting to convey them over the line to Samahui. The train was decked with flags and all the depot buildings at the station were decorated likewise in brilliantly coloured bunting that looked resplendent under the brilliant sunshine. Evidences are not want- ing to show that the Company are making rapid progress with the permanent buildings here. A Reception Committee made things pleasant for the guests and looked after their comfort in every possible way. Bests were not taken on the train until after the arrival of the Chinese officials, who, in full dress were escorted by a numerous guard of braves ¦ and were received by the railway guards drawn up along the approaches to the train in the pictaresque uniform and glittering rifles, Following them came the band of the 110th Mahratta Light Infantry, who also boarded the train and discoursed popular music en route. A start was at length made, the train speeding through the beautiful, rich country which drew forth expressions of admiration from all present. That part of the line between Canton and Fatshan has already become familiar to many Hou zkour people: and the beauty of the country through which it runs need not be expatiated upon. The country which this new section has opened up between Fatshan and Samshui is, as fértile and a‹ verdant, with the added charm of undulating hills rich in verdure to their sum- mits. As it turned out, the train did not pro- at a poiut some one and a half miles distant ceed all the way to Samshui, but came to a halt
from it. owing to there having been some delay in surmounting a constructional difficulty on the road. After an inspection had been made of the terminal works, the train started on the return journey to Shekwaitong, which was reached between one and two o'clock. Luncheon. purveyed by Mr. R. Daly, of Messrs. Daly and Ward of Hongkong, was served in excellent style in a matshed at the depot, the company present numbering some 250. After luncheon. à short toast-list was entered upon.
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Mr. JOSEPH LIND. Acting Superintendent of Transportation, in welcoming the guests. said it was a great pleasure to have them there on the occasion to take part in the opening of the Samshui Division of the Yuen Han Railway. On Wednesday the second section of the new It was not necessary for him to enter into any Canton railway-that between Fatshan and explanation to the accommodation and Samshui-was formally opened under auspicious equipment to be furnished, how the line would conditions. This section is a continuation of be managed, etc., any more than to say that it the line that was opened in November last from was a business venture and consequently the Canton to Fatshan. The whole completed almighty dollar became the arbitrator of the portion now extends to a little over 30 miles in accommodations they would get. The manage- length. The American Development Company ment must give just what the people demand which has built this line have also the concession and what they were willing to pay for, and he for the grand trunk line from Canton to could assure them that this would be the best Hankow, which will run along the opposite and most modern that could be had; and at no bank of the river. Exclusive of the densely distant date their equipment would be -manu- populated cities of Fatshan and Canton, itfactured in China, which would be the means of is estimated that the line opened on Wednes-giving employment to numberless natives. The day will serve about a million inhabitants in the district through which it runs.
march of modern progress sometimes naturally displaced honoured occupations. What, for The opening ceremony was attended by a large instance, became of the stage-coach drivers concourse of people, including guests from when railways were first introduced ? Perhaps Shameen and Hongkong and a large number of not one in a thousand turned engine-driver. high Chinese officials. Among those present There could be no cause for alarm in this were:-Hon. Robert W. McWade, Consul Flowery Kingdom, and with its unlimited General for U.S.A., Mrs and Miss McWade; resources and boundless possibilities they could Hou. H.M.Hobbins, U.S.A. Vice-Consul, Hong-safely predict that the time would come when kong. Dr. Walters, Vice-Consul for Germany, China would become a network of steel, her Count de Vaynea, Vice-Consul for France; C.R. iron horses would labour under their heavy