June 27. 1904.j
sumed to know sufficient of the "Arrow" war at Canton to render it superfluous on our part to review at any length Mr. Davenport's refu- tation of the statement that this was waged to force opium upon the innocent Chinese. The author takes occasion to remind the rea- der that there was a time in the history of China when the prevalence of drunkenness called for stern repressive measures, and the substitution of opium as a narcotic has made the Chinese a very sober people who in that respect compare more than favourably with the people of the more enlightened nations of the west.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
solely upon each other for their amusements. have much time upon their hands wherewith to model each others' characters, which they proceed to do in the way best known to our sex. Work being suspended earlier than at home in the summer months, men fall into the habit of cultivating the society of women. their friends wives, at afternoon tea functions. where possibly the enervating heat of the climate makes any conversation of an intelligent nature very fatiguing. The ricksha takes the visitors home to their excellently-appointed bachelor establishments, where a special cook helps to make life pleasant for them. Quite
young fellows have their bachelor establish-
The writer deals equally forcibly, if unmerci fully, with other subjects, such as “Cliqnes,” European Women in the Far East." etc., se that though she occasionally falls into misconceptions common to all globetrotters her hook is well worth reading.
HAWK,"
The N-C. Daily News of the 20th inst. con- tains the following details of this disaster:
The bulk of the book, which is one of about 300 pages, is occupied with a review of the Missionary question. Mr. Davenport discusses ments. employing from two to five servants, the subject as H Christian believer. and amongst whom is invariably aboy' who acts the extent of his knowledge of Chinese us valet to the pampered young clerk, who affairs. gathered during a long residence | probably blackened, quite willingly, his own in China. makes this portion of the book | boots at home.” extremely interesting and instructive. The author points out that many of the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith are fundamen- tally opposed to Chinese ideas.. The wonderful success of the early Jesuits in China, he says, was attained not by teaching and preaching incomprehensible dogmas, but by their practical knowledge of the arts and sciences. and he suggests this as an example for the Modern THE LOSS OF H.M.S. “SPARROW. Missionary. With regard to the spiritual work, in order to compete successfully with Islam we require a simplified Christianity based on the direction of St Paul to the Corinthians: The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. must give up not only our Bibliomaney, but also our cherished dogma of the absolute infallibility of the Bible In the methods of the missionaries Mr. Davenport finds much to condemn, and though one may not agree with every view the author puts forward, his case generally is one which carries conviction. The author takes from the Report of the Loudon Missionary Society of 1900 the statement that Political unrest continues, and though for the present the forces of reaction triumph, slowly yet surely a new China is coming into existence. To that end Christian Missions are contributing largely through their educational work, and the distribution of Christian literature and Western knowledge." Mr. Davenport condemns this assumption of the role of reforming politicians. and declares that so long as this unwarranted interference with the home affairs of an inde pendent people continues, so long will there be repetitions of massacres and outrages, which constitute a grave blot on missionary enterprise in China. Pressed to its logical conclusion. this is an argument for totally abandoning mission work in China, and in other parts of the book it is appare it that the writer is suaded that this charity which is lavished on China by missionary societies should begin at home, where its need is certainly overwhelming.
The Japan of To-day. By HELEN JEROME Published by the N.S.W. Bookstall Co.. Sydney.
per-
A pleasing little book about the Mikado's country from a woman's viewpoint. It is well written and very instructive. The authoress displays no mock modesty. She writes about things just as she found them. Naturally ** position of Woman in Japan is a subject which seems to have especially attracted her attention, and she finds much
the
to condemn in the attitude of men towards their wives and women-folk. Perhaps, bow- ever, the chapter of most interest is that dealing with the majority of Europeans in Japan. and it applies just as much to Hongkong and the East generally as to Japan. Regard ing the typical European young man in Japan Miss Jerome writes:-His sudden elevation to the command of a comparative retinue of servants demoralises to begin with-his
manners.
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Transported from European and American homes, conducted on the small scale made necessary by the higher price of labour in those countries, out to Japan, where salaries are much higher, living cheaper, and servants a sine qut non, the white man suddenly awakens to the fact that he commands a position, perhaps for the first time in his life. His wife institutes new social customs, for she is a luxury in Japan, and revels in the fact that bachelors, young fellows perhaps away for the good of their families, are at her The white residents, depending
mercy.
and the
H.M. torpedo-boat-destroyer Fame arrive here on Saturday afternoon with the news that the destroyer & arrowhawk had struck a rock near the Saddles and had sunk. The came made the run from the Saddles to Shanghai in ¦ three hours, or at the rate of more than 27 miles per hour. From information courteously furnished to our representative by the officers of the Fame, we learn that during Friday night the Sparrowhawk struck an uncharted rock to the north-east of Chesney Island. The chart shows a depth of 8 fathoms of water where the Sparrowhawks struck, but it is said that the rock is awash at low water, spring tides. H.M. battleship Glory torpedo-boat-destroyer Fame stood by the Sparrowhawk and the officers and Trewg worked hard all night, under the superintendence of the flag-captain. Captain Kon.
W. G. Stopford, with the result that the Spirehawk was towed off early on Saturday morning. She was brought alongside the Glory and a collision mat fixed underneath her. covering the rent made by the rock, but at 4 a.m. she commenced to settle down, and at 7 a.m. sank in fathoms of water. She struck a pinnacle rock, which pierced her plating just abäft the third funnel. Fortunately only the forward furnaces were alight: had all her furnaces been at work it is probable that the vessel would have been blown to pieces. As it was, no lives were lost and all her guns, torpedoes, loose gear and ammunition were saved. It is supposed that the engine room-bulkhead gave way after the Sparrowhawk was towed off and the vessel snapped between the third and fourth funnels.
Chesney Island is off the north end of Raffles, one of the Parker group, bearing about 12 miles west from the South Saddle Island, and rocks and islets extend two miles further northward. It is worthy of note that in 1872 the Tonbridge was said to have struck a rock 24 miles north. ward of Chesney Island, but Captain Andersen of the C. I. revenue cruiser Kirahsing, reported that such a rock did not exist. H.M.S. Magpie remained at anchor near the reported position of Tonbridge Rock during two spring tides, but no indication of a rock or shoal was seen.
A serious fire is reported to have occurred on the 16th ult. at the London Docks in the Ocean Steamship Company's warehouse. A large quantity of Manila hemp ex the steamer Peleus was affected. and this hemp is stated to be insured under marine and transit policies. The Ocean Company's (A. Holt and Co.) steamer Peleus arrived in London at the beginning of the month and went on to Liverpool, reaching there on May 9. She is 7,441 tons. "It was expected in some quarters." says the shipping representative of the Times. "that the loss would fall on the fire insurance companies, but this, I understand, will not be the case.
Po
479
FRIGHTFUL BARBARITY BY
PIRATES.
soon over-
A frightful attack, the Chung Ngoi San says. Was made by pirates on a passing junk on the 7th instant at Ho of pirates in ten long boats were lying in Pan Wan, near Ngai-moon. A large number wait for their prey at the above-mentioned place. A passing junk observed then, and fearing small cannon at them. Three of their long boats an attack took the first oppor unity to fire a
the compliment. The junk ras were sunk. The pirates, greatly enraged, returned
junk, butchered the mster and the whole crew, powered, and the pirates jumpel on board the and then forced all the passengers, numbering over forty, to go down to the hold, which they securely nailed up. After they had completely ransacked the junk and secured all the valuables they set fire to it. The junk w burnt to the water's edge, and not a single pa enger escaped. When the case came to the knowledge of the soldiers stationed in Chn Tan-Shan, in the vicinity of the scene. the officer in charge of the garrison at once proceeded with a good number of soldiers on the track of the pirates. The natives of the neighbourhood reported that pirates were often seen bringing their spoils into a certain village. The soldiers proceeded to this place, and obliged the el lers and gentry to hunt out the criminals and deliver them up. At last several pirates were arrested, and the soldiers also secured rifles and some letters de- manding money by menace. As soon as the criminals were brought to Canton a man sur- name Leung, saying that he was a Christian, proceeded to the yamen and wanted to bail out the pirates, but his request was refused.
FATAL ACCIDENT AT QUARRY BAY.
A fatal accident occurred at Messrs. Butter- field & Swire's shipyard shortly before 11 a.m. and several cases of injury. on Saturday the 25th inst, resulting in one death It appears that some native labourers were engaged in hoisting broken stone of various sizes by means of a derrick-crane. As the bucket was being raised loaded with this material the racing wheel of the crane broke, and the consequent strain thrown upon the crank-pins of the bucket caused them to snap. The bucket capsized, and the contents fell upon some mea at work below. One man was killed instantly. and two more seriously injured. The body of the man killed was removed to the mortuary attached to the shipyard. the injured being conveyed to the Alice Memorial Hospital. The man in charge of the crane, in trying to stop the racing wheel, was unfortunate enough to get one of his hands caught in the machinery. Several fingers will probably have to be amputated.
AN INDIAN WEDDING.
INTERESTING MAHOMEDAN CEREMONT AT HONGKONG.
Probably a Mahomedan welding has never been described in a Hongkong newspaper Carreem. Halleem of the Hongkong Post before. On Saturday the 25th instant Mr. Shiek Office, was married to Miss Amina Razack. The bridegroom's house in Upper Lascar Row men, women and children, particularly children was besieged by a curious crord of Chinese-
who, figuratively speaking, were packed in the street like so many sardin Upstairs the visitors were received by one of the two best men. Messrs. A. R. Fatch Deen and A. K. Dal Basha, who, together with others, were actively engaged in dispensing light refreshments.
The first ceremony. that of dressing the bridegroom, was performed by Mr. Hagee Ismail. The young man was helped into
blue satin. A red silk sash was put around gorgeous red satin jacket lined with
his waist.
with a gold turban in front was placed on his head, and a sheathed dagger in his belt. Bouquets of flowers sprinkled with otto of roses were then distributed, and Mr. A. H. Ahmet afterwards, on behalf of the guests, presented a diamond sarf pin to Mr. Halleem. Mr. Omar Kitchell acknowledged the compliment on behalf of the bridegroom,
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