!
October 29, 1904.]
Colonel C. H. Darling, late Assistant, Inspector-General of Fortifications at Army Headquarters, has been appointed Commanding Royal Engineer in the South China (Hongkong) command, to succeed Colonel L. F. Brown. R. E. Capt. Thomas William Groves passed his examination, and. two other Europeans and a Chinaman failed. Other candidates will be examined next Thursday. There are about 18 in all, half being Europeans and the other half Chinese. When a candidate fails he cannot
be re-examined till all the other candidates
have been examined.
An examination of candidates for Hongkong Pilots' certificates was held at the Harbour Office on October 27th. The examiners were Mr. Basil Taylor, Assistant Harbour Master; Commander G. W. Dawes, R.N.; Lieut. J. F. Knox, King's Harbour Master: Capt. F. A. Brown, of the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co.; and Capt. T. P. Hall, the surveyor.
When the 8.8. Kitong Tal arrived from Can. ton yesterday, and was making fast to her buoy opposite the Harbour Office, a serious accident occurred. One of her bouts had been lowered to assist in making the cable fast to the moorings, when several launches towing cargo. boats came alongside, before the ship had made fast. The boat was jammed against the ship's side, and smashed. One of the crew was killed and two others injured. Six or seven launch Coxswains and several cargo-boat men were arrested. · An enquiry will probably be held to-day.
The arrival in Hongkong Harbour onOct. 24th of the steamship Telemachus which had in tow the old French man-of-war Bayard, whose fighting days are over, furnished an exceptional opportu nity for the propagation of war news made on the spot. It was freely rumoured in town that a dismantled and disabled Russian cruiser had sought shelter in Hongkong from the terrier Japs, and that the vessel was in a terribly battered condition: The fact was that the Telemachus brought in an ancient receiving ship which was on duty at Saigon until it got beyond repair. The quondam man-of-war was recently sold for scrap-iron and has been brought to Hongkong to be broken up. The vessel presented a most woe-begone appearance when she arrived, and from a distance looked as if she had undergone all the stress of a long sustained bombardment. Prior to being sold by auction the warship was stripped of everything that had the slightest value. The decks were strewed with odds and ends of shipping gear, broken-down ladders, scraps of rusty iron, and a heterogeneous mass of useless rigging and tackle. The journey from Saigon, however, had been satisfactorily accomplished, notwithstanding the heavy monsoon which was encountered. It is stated that the boat shipped water freely and the pumps were used every
six hours to clear the hold. The sum of $10,000 was paid for the tow, which was accomplished at a uniform speed of four knots an hour.
FAR EASTERN ITEMS. Orders have been issued from Peking to the various provinces to consider and report on the best way to revive the Chinese navy.
r. John Adamson, of the Kobe branch of the Chartered Bank, was married on October 12th to Miss Amy Mendelson, a Yokohama girl.
The Penang Chinese have decided that, the suggested legislation for the registration of Chinese marriages is not deemed desirable or
necessary.
The agreement relating to the employment of Mr. Megata as financial adviser to the Corean Government was signed in Seoul on the 14th inst. Poor Corea has to pay Megata-san more salary than Japan pays the Prime Minister.
Rear-Admiral Charles Jackson Train, of the American navy, assumed chief command of the Philippine squadron on the 19th inst., reaching Manila on board the Korea and at once flying his flag from the Rainbow.
Up to the 14th, reports the Japan Gazette, 13,217 blarkets have been contributed by Yokohama people, while the number of con- tributions in Tokyo reached 70,378. Some 1,000 blankets have been sent in by Dr. Takata, Director of a Tokyo hospital, alone.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Great complaint is made about the military police in Peking that though they parade the streets at night and blow bugles they never catch any thieves and bad characters.
The difference between Counts Matsukata and Inouye and Baron Ito has been settled through the good offices of Marquises Ito and Yamagata. The Nichi Nichi is now practically the organ of the Mitsu Bishi family, which has long dreamed of an Ito-Okuma coalition.
Two of the leaders of the rioters in Kiangai
who recently stole arms and ammunition from the Imperial troops have been caught, and in their possession were found flags with various inscriptions, among them being "Kill the foreigners and Christians and help China."
The coolie-steamer Swanley, which went ashore on the Natunas and had to land her 2,200 coolies there, has gone into dock at Singapore. Her damage is believed to be ex- tensive. Meanwhile the coolies remain on their island and a month's provisions have been sent from Borneo. They will probably be taken on by the Courtfield to Durban; it is not expected they will touch at Singapore. The coolies are in charge of Mr. Godsil and Drs Chalmers and McIntosh are attending them on the Natunas.
Mgr. Agins, the new Apostolic delegate to the Philippines, was consecrated at Rome on 18th Sept. titular Archbishop of Palmyra with great solemnity at the Church of St. Ambrose, The consecrating clergy were Cardinal Merry del Val and Archbishops Stonor and Chappelle, the latter being himself the first apostolic delegate to the Philippines. Archbishop Agius was congratulated on having omitted the customary entertaiment after the ceremony. giving instead a generous sum to the people of the parish.
We have heard nothing definite yet of the retirement--enforced or otherwise of the American Consul at Shanghai. The China Review. however, says: In connection with the enforced retirement of Consul General Goodnow from Shanghai, by order of the President of the U.S.A., we have had placed before us documents by Mr. Browne-Burke in connection with several extraordinary actions ou the part of Mr. Goodnow, which prima facie, were quite enough to prohibit his further continuance in office The same paper reports, in another issue, that Mr. Davidson, F.R.G.S., late American Consul General in Formosa, and recently appointed to Antung, has been given the post pro tem.
The Chefoo Daily News is keeping up its agitation in favour of the establishment of an International Settlement at that port. Peti- sent to Peking by the American, British, Ger- tions in favour of the proposal have already been man, and Italian residents, and it is expected follow The Japanese Consul is statel to that petitions from other nationalities will be heartily in favour of the movement, and local Consuls to write to Peking on announces that he was among the first of the the subject. The Chefoo Daily Newe says: Everybody in Chiefoo desires the Settlement, and the matter, while moving slowly, is surely coming to an issue. There seems to be no dissension from
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the opinion that if there is a unanimity of action on the part of the various nationalities residing and doing business in Chefoo, the Settlement may be successfully pulled through."
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TRADE ITEMS.
Mr. R. Perez of Chefoo, proprietor of the Beach Hotel, has now taken over the interests in Shanghai and outports of A. Chazalon, which will be carried on as R. Perez & Co.
During nine months ended last March the total commerce of the Philippine Islands showed an increased value of more than a million dollars, according to the bureau of insular affairs.
The capital for the long talked of Govern- ment par mills is said to be nearly raised, and if the Peing shares are allotted, and if every- thing else is favourable, some steps will be taken says the Peking Times, in the 10th moon, if possible.
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The South Sea line of the Norddeutscher
Lloyd, which hitherto went from Sydney via Bismarck Archipelago, Kaiser Wilhelmsland, and Dutch East India to Singapore, in future, says a London paper, will go another way, viz., from Kaiser Wilhelmsland to Manila, Heng- kong a Kobe, thus crea ing a traffic between Australia and Japan, which will give better financial results for the line
The flag of the United States is not a familiar sight in Hongkong, says General Bragg, U. S. Consul-General, and there are few if any representatives of American commerce her No American warehouses, no American places of business where American wares and manu- factures are on exhibition, for sale or exchange, no docks, no shipping-all is foreign and Chi- nesej It cannot be too thoroughly understood by all interested, in fact or in expectancy, that in Chinese trade American enterprise is still confined to the perimeter of the wheel-it has no status at all in South China. Great Britain has steadily plodded on for the conquest of Chinese trade for more than half a century, never abating her efforts, but pushing patiently on, protecting her trade, whenever acquired, as circumstances demanded. Absolute force is rarely needed; it is the consciousness of force, ready to be used, if need be, that keeps the peace. One of the great secrets of success in China, us elsewhere, is patient and persistent work, coupled with a thorough knowledge of the business entered upon and a careful study of the people with whom one desires to deal. The Chinese are not dull or stu›id or easily imposed upon. While being studied they study in return.
COMMERCIAL.
TEA.
Messrs. Welch, Lewis & Co. of Shanghai, ́in their Circular dated 17th October, state:--Black Teas. A small business only has been done; prices remain firm. The settlements since our arrival to date :-44,683 half-chests against 40,583 last advices have been 7,700 half-chests. Total half-chests last year. Total settlements to date: 37,016 half-chests against 31,100 half-chests last year. Green Teas.-Pingauey. Most of the busi- ness reported has been in single lines, third Gun- powders have been in demand at Tls. 13-15, and second Gunpowders at Tla. 28-35 por picul, Chops have been dealt in to a small extent, settlements show no change in rates. Country Teas.-During the interval "Fine" to "Choicest" quality Teas have been cleared off the market. Good Medium teas have been in strong demand and rates have advanced considerably, latest settlements show an The annual meeting of the St. Andrew's advance of Tis. 1-14 per picul. Medium quality Teas have been dealt in to a small extent at Society of Shanghai was held on the 17th inst. The Vice-President, Mr. W. A. C. Murray, unchanged rates; the business done in Common was in the chair. There was a large attendance grades has been small, the few settlements made shew a weak market, although there is no quote- of members. It was stated that the membership able decline. Late arrivals shew a great falling had increased during the year; $1,300 had been off in quality, going dark in cup, with rather expended in relieving deserving cases.
coarse flavour. A large proportion of the stock member observed that men of the beachcomber consists of this grade. Hyson.-Business reported class were on the increase all along the China is small, the demand lately has run on "Good" coast, and it would be well for the committee to liquoring teas, which have been cleared off the exercise great caution in making grants other mar et at fully previous rates. Foong Mess and than to benefit widows and orphans. It was Sou Mees. Good lignoring teas are in small stook decided that St. Andrew's Day should be and prices are firm. Fychow Foong Mees are in celebrated with ball. The following were
fair stock and may be quoted at Tls. 82-35 per elected the Committee of the Society for the picul, with only a small demand. Total settle- ensuing year: Messrs. Brodie A. Clarke, Sments since 3rd inst:-29,987 half-chests. Total Groundwater, W. S. Burns, R. D. Watt, W. C. Murray, E. F. Mackay, John Prentice, W. F. Inglis, J. D. Smart, W. B. Buyers, Henry Keswick, Jas. Christie, Jas. KcKie, H. J. Clark, C. W. Ure, and W. D. Graham. Mr. Ja. F. McKie was elected president and Mr. Emes Mackay vice-president
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settlements since opening of market to date 283,868 half-chests; stock, 74,337 half-chests. Last year's figures were:-Settlements, 828,606 half-chests; stock, 39,344 half-chests. Settlements of Hyson and Young Hyson since opening of market to date-Arrivals, 126,082 half-chests; settlements, 109,062 half-chests; stock, 16,000
half-chests.