&
+
250
HONGKONG PILOTS.
The first examination of candidates for pilots'
certificates was to have been held at the Harbour Office on the 27th nlt, but as this was not conven- ient, it has been postponed for a week. When the Hon. Capt. L. Barnes-Lawrence, R.N., the Harbour Master, was called on by a Daily Press representative yesterday morning he was kind enough to give the following interesting details: Altogether six Europeans and some eight Chinese have sent in their names. It is masters in the Mercantile Marine, particularly, we want to get hold of. Each candidate, whether Chinese or European, will be examined on his own merits. We do not favour Europeans in any way, but we wish to get them: If Chinese manage to pass, naturally they will be em- ployed. The requirements consist of a thorough local knowledge of winds, tides, shoals, the situation of buoys, depths of water, the rule of the road, how to handle both steamers and sailing-ships, and other knowledge of practical seamanship. The candidates will also have to have a certain knowledge of English. Not necessarily all who pass will be licensed to act as pilots. There will, in fact, be only a few. so that we may be able to control them. Those Chinese at present acting as pilots, if they are able to pass their examination, will be the first, naturally, to receive licences. Pilotage is not compulsory."
In the rules and regulations for pilots it is provided that pilot boats plying for hire shall display a white and red (hori- zontal) flag with a blue "P" in the centre. Licences will be renewed annually. Pilots infringing the regulations render themselves liable to suspension of their licences, as well as to penalties of $50. Applicants pay a fee to the Harbour Master of $30; and a fee of $5 must be paid for a licence. Pilots legal charges for various services vary between $5 and $20.
THE R.C. CATHEDRAL CAMPANILE
COMPLETION OF THE WORK.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Į by two massive battresses that project outward 4 feet, gradually receding as they soar upwards, to the level of the belfry where they terminate. On the top of the tower the four corners are finished off with gracefully tapered pinnacles- octagonal in shape, terminated by dainty finials which add considerably to the soaring effect of the whole structure. The design is order to essentially Gothic in feeling, in harmonise with the rest of the Cathedral and is treated in a broad and simple manner.
The eastern facade of the campanile is more richly embellished than the others, the entrance door way especially helping to impart a certain richness to the pile. It has a square-headed double door with wrought-iron ornamental hinges of pleasing design, fine punched stone reveals and lintel. with the date of erection incribed thereon and a deeply recessed arch and cove embellished with moulded tracery, sup- ported by plaster columns and ornamental caps; and above there is some more tracery of similar design to that of the porch, which is surmounted by a row of beautifully modelled niches of rich design. The centre niche is considerably larger than the others and contains a life-size statue of Jesus of Nazareth holding a cross in his left hand (with one finger significantly pointing upwards), while the other hand is extended in mute appeal. These richly decorated niches are relieved by the simplicity of the wall arcading immediately above.
The four external walls of the belfry are marked by slender shafts and decorated capitals of bold design. The massive cornice is composed of large and simple mouldings relieved here
and there by a touch of ornamentation. in striking contrast to the very rich frieze below. The whole is orowned by a slanting roof of picturesque out- line covered with green Westmorland slates and finished off with a gold-coloured wrought-iron ornamental crosting, surmounted by a Latin Cross. This graceful finish to a fine structure, together with its creamy tropical colourwash. and its favourable position at the foot of beauti. ful Glenealy, allows the campanile to be prominently seen from all points of view.
Mr. W. Danby, M.I.C.E.. was the architect of the campanile, which is not the least impos-
For some time past the Roman Catholic. Cathedral has been undergoing extensive al terations and additions. which, now that theying of the many architectural works for which are completed, add considerably to its architec- tural appearance as a whole.
he is responsible in the Colony. The work was carried out under the supervision of Mr. W. P. Lambert, of Mr. Danby's office.
TREATY.
|
|
[October 3, 1904.
TRADE ITEMS,
The Japanese administration at Newchwang has, with the sanction of the I. G., increased the duty on opium and decreased it on salt and medicines.
The Hanof Exposition had cost to the 30th June last a sum of 2,845,173 francs. The Budget of Tonkin bears nearly a million and a half of this sum, the remainder being borne by the budgets of Cochin-Chine, Annam and Camboge.
Mr. Winkler of Newchwang had a branch store in Liaoyang which was looted by Russian soldiers previous to their evacuating the place. Goods were stolen to the value of 10,000 roubles.
A wealthy Chinese merchant named Chow has obtained the electric light concession- for Peking which Taotai Wei is unable to carry out in consequence of having obtained an appointment in Nanking.
Certain Chinese officials in Peking are
working for the construction of a Belgian line from Changsha to Shanghai, but, says the Peking Times, nothing is known yet as to whether they will secure the grant.
Mr. T. P. Cochrane, the manager of the Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China, received from the London Office, on the 29th ultimo, a telegram advising him that a dividend had been declared for the past half year to 30th. June, 1904, at 11 per cent. p.a. free Income Tax.
The two French steamers, Paul Beau and Charles Hardouin, are still lying idle in the river near Canton. The result of the meeting of creditors of the bankrupt firm to which they belong has not transpired, but it is unlikely that the vessels will be put on the Canton run again.
A planter writing in the Times of Ceylon original method of tapping rubber trees pro- (from the Kepitigalla estate) mentions that his duces 95 per cent. of first quality, and only five per cent. of scrap" rubber. There are many methods, but we should like to have this excellent one described.
+
The projected Mission to Southern Persia will leave India about the end of September. It will be purely commercial in character, and will consist of representatives of the various Chambers of Commerce, who all appear to be favourably disposed towards the proposal. The Mission will be accompanied by some Persian officials, but no definite arrangements have yet been made as to this. It will cover that part of Persia regarding which we have least informa- tion at present, and which can readily be served
On the south side of the Cathedral a porch has been added with direct approach to the nave. The columns and piers of the porch are of fine punched stone, with moulded stone bases, WHY THERE IS NO TSAR-KAISER from the Gulf ports. The Mission will be and plaster caps supporting moulded arches, above which is some pleasing tracery of simple design, the whole being surmounted with a bold moulded coping formed into a gable over each of the five arches.
The campanile or belfry tower stands isolat- ed in close proximity to the Cathedral, and rises to a height of 110 feet to the parapet, the total height to the cross above being 160 feet. With the exception of the solid-looking base, which is of stone, the tower is constructed of Canton red bricks and is divided into four storeys, the upper one of which forms the belfry and contains a peal of five bells manufac- tured by George Pruneri of Milan. The largest bell is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and weighs 1,000 kilos or 2,200 lbs. Its sufface is richly embellished with small panels contain. ing figures of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Apostles, wrought in silver; and the Latin inscription "We trust in Thee" surmounts the whole. The other bells are dedicated to Saint Joseph, Saint Francis, Saint Alexander and Saint Anthony, and weigh 660, 480, 370 and 260 kilos, or 1,452, 1.056, 814, and 572 lbs. respectively. These are similarly decorated with panels and figures of Saints and other symbolic enrichments, and have the following inscriptions written upon them in Latin :-
Comfort us in our last hour."
"The voice of God is all powerful and grand."
44
are
If God is with us who can stand against us ?” 'Day and night I sing the praise of God." Internally and externally the walls finished off with plaster, the exterior being richly embellished with mouldings and orna- ments of a leafy character.
At ground level the campanile measures 28 feet 6 inches, and is strengthened at each corner
Der Ostasiatische Lloyd characterises the Times's discovery of an agreement between the Tsar of Russia and the German Emperor as nonsense. Arguing that they had had no opportunity of making such an agreement, it describes the two rulers at billiards, and states that the Far Eastern question was only cursorily mentioned. Vide yesterday's Daily Press. The following rhymes are an attempt to give vraisemblance to the German version of the incident.]
*
Shall
take spot?" great Nicholas asked. The Kaiser chalked his cue.
I really do not mind." he said. I'll give you points a few." "On how to start my Baltic fleet ?" Wilhelm threw down the chalk. "No, no. I mean the handicap." The Tear then played in baulk. As Wilhelm "cannoned off the cush.," And made a break of eight,
The Tsar kept murmuring that he'd like To wipe things “off the slate.” His mind was not on netted balls But on his bottled fleet,
He wanted Togo to be jammed And Oki to retreat.
* Say, Wilhelm, can you sell those ships ?" Said Wilhelm: * Pass the rest." The Tsar glanced at the marking board. The Kaiser played with zest.
He "shopped the red" and "went in-off." The Tsar said “Let's agree That if Japan should win this game You'll fake the score for me.'
11
The Kaiser looked him in the eye : "Now understand me right. It's billiards that we're playing now; I never shop the white"."
1
absent from India about six months in all.- Pioneer Mail.
Glengarry caps at fd. each is an item on a list of special lines for export" received in Singapore from a firm at Home, says the Free Press. The list largely deals with soldier's clothes and equipment, and from the prices quoted they must be either rejects, discards or old stock. The list is tempting: soldiers' grey overcoats, $2; cavalry blue cloaks, lined red, with capes, $4.50; police tunics, 80 cents; rail- way porters' trousers 50 cents; plaid dittos, ditto; assorted volunteer tunics, 70 cents; black serge jackets, 40 cents; riding saddles, $6 to $7; military haversacks, a dollar a dozen; Kaffir suits (whatever they may be), any colour, with pockets, from $1; Government waterproof ground sheets, 81.60, and new cavalry swords with steel scabbards, $1.60. The last is surely a "cutting price," as the firm in question is fond of quoting for its biggest bargains.
A roofing not commonly used in this part of the world, although it has stood the test of 12 years' wear in other parts, is described by the Singapore Free Press as on sale at that port. 'Ruberoid" is a wool felt, saturated with a well-known water and acid-proof compound, and contains no tar, pitch, saphalte or rubber. There is therefore nothing to decay or wash off and is easily kept in repair. It is sold in rolls of various thicknesses, and is especially adapted to the tropics since there is nothing to melt, nothing to paint, nothing to crack, and it keeps out the heat well. It may be laid on wire netting, and being vermin-proof seems an ideal material for this part of the world, where white-ants and rot play such havoc with ordinary materials. It is also recommended as a damp- proof course, being impermeable to water. The agents will be glad to give'all particulars: desired.