November 14 1904.]
❘
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
REGISTRATION OF CHINESE PARTNERSHIPS.
Further discussion took place on the above subject, and the matter was again adjourned until the next meeting.
NEW OFFICES.
CANTON.
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)
RICE.
355
9th November.
The Chairman said that this was the first occasion they had met in the new offices, which The rice would be found more convenient under existing is very promising, although this does not hold crop in the neighbourhood of Cantón conditions in which to transact the business of good throughout the province. In the Namboi the Chamber than the old room; but the Com-district it is expected that the yield will be four piouls per mow. In the district of Hokshan the tobacco orop is very good, far above that of late years, but the trade is dull, as business is every. magistrate to instruct officials all over Kwang.“ where. The authorities have ordered the Namhoi
there is no danger in these parts from the war, tang to put up proclamations to the effect that
as China will observe strict neutrality. I do not know whether there is any truth in the state- question, but the native press is responsible for ment that merchants here are anxious about this
it, though it seems very unlikely.
It was resolved that the settling of the terms of the three years' lease of the two offices rented by the Chamber from Messrs. Shewan, Tomes & Co. should be left to the discretion of the Chairman or Vice-Chairman and Mr. A. R. Lows (Secretary), who are empowered to sign the lease.
and flower holder; Mr. and Mrs. Tarrant, gilver pot pourri; Mr. W. Taylor, silver mounted; claret jng; Capt. and Mrs. Milroy, silver fruit spoons; Mr. and Mrs, Bisney, silver tea set; Mr. and Mrs. Tilden, silver flower vases; Mr. and Mrs. N. A. Siebs, gold-p'ated fruit spoons; Mr. and Mrs. Geo P. Lammert, carved black-wood chair; Mr James Rankin, silver lamp; Mr. T. F. Hough, clock; Mr. and Mrs. Ahmet Rumjan, silver box; Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Hazeland, silver flower vases; Mr. and Mrsmittee would no doubt experienc a feeling of J. A Plummer, flower bowls in silver; Mr. regret in vacating the room in the City Hall, and Mrs. H. Crombie, fruit-dishes in silver; which had been occupied for 34 years, and in Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Douglas, silver bowl; Mr. which so much good work had been done for and Mrs. A. S. Mihara, ivory fan and silk doy- mercantile interests of the Colony by their ley: Dr. Forsyth, pa'ent razors; Mr. and Mrs. predecessors, McLean Gibson, sweet dishes; Mr. and a rs. Grace, silver flower vases; Mr. H. Percy Smith, silver specimen vase; Mr. and Mrs A. H. M. da Silva, silver spoon; Mr. A. H. Skelton, and Mrs S. A Skelton, silver fruit dish; Mr. and Mrs. Adam Gibson, silver photo frame; Mr. Bruce Shepherd, silver peryne; Mr. and Mrs G. J B. Sayer, album: Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Silas, silver card tray; Mr. Wei On, silver bowl Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Hodgins, set of lac- quered tables; Mr. and Mrs. Shelton Hooper, picture; Mr and Mrs. J. Hooper, silk embroid- ed table cloth; Mr. J. Urange, Chinese puzzle; Miss Ellis, silver card tray; Mr. and Mrs Pinckney, book; Mr. and Miss Swan, bridge. box; A. Chuck, tea set; Mr. A. Howard, The gunboat Rio Limo, commanded by Com. -silver card trays; Mr. and Mrs. Alfredmander Risa, left Lisbon on the 16th alt, for
Herbert Rennie, carved blackwood chair; Mr Fung Wa Chan, Chinese embroider ed satin coat; Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, set of silver- mounted finger bowls; Mr. ад Mrs. E. J. Jordan, clock: Mr and Mrs. Herbert Tom- kins, vase; Mr and Mrs. Hoang, silver flower stands; Mr. Armin Haupt, cloisonne vases; District Grand Lodge of Scottish Free- masonry, set of silver flower vases and silver mounted finger bowls; Mr. and Mrs. Fred. D. Goddard, silver bowl; Mr. and Mrs. E. Og. borne, bronze lobs'er ornament; Mr. S. D. Moonshee. silver card tray; Mr. and Mrs. T A. R se, cushion.
HONGKONG GENER L CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
MACAO.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
7th November..
A BIRTHDAY VISITOR.
this, via many ports. che is not expected, to arrive here until late in January. She relieves the Diu The latter vessel, after a short visit to Canton, returned here on the 2nd instant and is leaving for. Hongkong to-day to be there on the King's birthday.
ZONE TIME MISTAKES.
Zone time was adopted here on Saturday night, the 29th ult., without any fuss, and so quietly that many arrived too late for the service on Sunday because they did not know of the alteration. The Military Band also changed the time and place of playing, although in the Government Gazette it was advertised to play from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Public Garden. It played in the Avenida from 3 to 5 without any notification.
FIRE AT FIREWORKS FACTORY.
fortunately it was only a few huts outside the town, in Sakong, and the fire cracker factory, which burnt.
On the 31st ult. at 9 p.m. two guns fired from Monte Fort announced a conflagration. The big glare, accompaned by a little explosion. At a monthly meeting of the General Com-made us believe it to be something terrible, but mittee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, - held in the Chamber Room, St. George's Building, on Wednesday, 5th October, at 3.30 pm., present:-Messrs. E. A. Hewett (Chairman), D. R. Law (Vice-Chairman), Hon. W. J Gresson, Messrs. A. Haupt, N. A. Siebs, J. R. M. Smith, R. C. Wilcox, A. G. Wood, Hon. R. Shewan (ex officio), and A. R. Lowe (Secretary).
MINUTES.
The minutes of monthly meeting held on th ultimo were read and confirmed.
QUARANTINE.
It was reported that the Hon. Colonial Secretary had courteously informed the Cham ber of the removal of quarantine restrictions against arrivals from Hongkong by the
HARBOUR ADMINISTRATION,
On the 5th instant Post Captain Xavier Leitas relieved Captain Alves Branco, the Har- bour Master. The Assistant Harbour Master's place is now suppressed. Both Captain Alves Branco and ommander Alcobias, Assistant Harbour Master, are going home very soon.
GOOD NEWS FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.
It is a corrent topic here that the Govern- ment have received instructions from Home to pay the employees at a better rate of exchange, giving 540 reis per dollar, equivalent to an increase of 18 per cent., from the 30th inst.
RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL,
Great preparations are now being made for the
DISORDER.
Robberies, murders, and executions continue gaily; this year will be indeed reckoned as a bad one even in this province. On the 2nd of this month so well known a place as the lowest temple on the White Cloud hills was invaded by a band of robbers, who stole all they could lay hands on. On the next day a large pawn- shop in Ko Ng, a town in the Pun Yu aistrict near here, was plundered in broad daylight, the townspeople not daring to interfere with the brigands, who numbered 300. On the other hand fitteen criminals were beheaded on Saturday here, and 24 pirates by Commander Li last week. Li has been scouring the delta in search of pirates, and is now in the Heung- shan district.
MEDICAL COLLEGE OPENED.
The opening of the Canton Medical College last week was a great success The chief officials attended at 2 p.m. and the hall was again filled by foreigners at 6. So that evidently great interest is taken in this excellent
institution, which deserves success,
FOOCHOW.
-:0:-
The Report of the Trustees of the Foochow before the Community ths week. [Oat. 29.] Road Trust for the season 1903/4 has been The report and accounts were duly passed. The meeting on October 27th, which consisted and resulted, after a ballot, in the re-election of · of some dozen persons, was most harmonious,
the retiring trustees However, public atten- tion may perhaps be drawn and interest solicited in the subject of the many, cows, goats, sheep, etc., the few young trees ("striplings" the COWS would call them'), and some fourteen policemen (which is what they want to be called). These said "policemen receive
as pirt wages the sum
of $2 a month from the Community. The only tion," and a still more occasional salute distribut- apparent return is an occasional “come to atten- ed indiscriminately as a sort of sop to any Cerberus who catches their guilty eye.
authorities at the ports of S.ngapore, Saigon, festivities of the Immaculate Conception. There agree with the Trustees' Report, “received the
Batavia, Newchwang and Bangkok.
The Chairman referred to the correspondence regarding the stringent restrictions at New- chwang, and it was agreed to let the matter drop in view of the extraordinary circumstances in which the authorities were placed this year.
ZONE TIME.
Further correspondence was read, and it was
decided to recommend the Government to bring in Zone Time on the 1st January, 1905. The Secretary was authorised to publish the whole
correspondence.
CURRENCY · QUESTION. The correspondence relating to the recent joint letter to the Diplomatic Corps at Peking from the Chambers of Commerce at Shanghai, Tientsin, and Hongkong was read and passed for publication.
PARIS SANITARY CONVENTION. The copy of the new Convention on which the Government have asked the Chamber to give their opinion regarding its adaptability for use in Hongkong was discussed at some length and referred to a Sub-Committee for 'further report.
will be many processions all over the place, and from different churches or temples, each in turn. OLD CHURCH TO BE REBUILT.
On the 3rd prox there will be the ceremonies of laying the foundation stone for reconstruction of St. Paul's Church, of which only the frontis. piece now remains.
It has been a landmark since 1833, when the old church built in the 15th century was burnt. There will be a fancy fair, fireworks and illuminations, for three days.
SOCIAL PREPARATIONS.
Preparations are being made for balls and soirées at the Clubs here. The 26th instant seems to have been fixed for a Bachelors' Ball in the Macao Club.
The Fangoon Times publishes a telegram, dated Calcutta, 27th October, regarding Sir Frank Swettenham and Lady Swettenham, his wife. The telegram says that the Divorce Court has made an order against Sir Frank Swettenham, on a petition for restitution of conjugal rights on the part of his wife, whom he is alleged to have left in 1894.
The care of the young trees is of the greatest importance, and they have with the others, we
usual care "--mostly from cows. It is pre- posterous to imagine that we can keep native- owned cattle from grazing on the hills. With But, who sees that they get this? It would be proper attention they are barely undesirable.
We may
encouraging to see some effort towards dis- cipline in these so-called policemen. Could they not be set to watch the cow-watchers? At present they seem to spend all their time gloating hungry-eyed over cake and pea-nut stalls when they are not interested. in a street gamble or jabbering in shops, where, as else- be told that this is the Chinese method par where, they seem to hunt in couples.
excellence of gleaning information as to the possible, dare we say probable, presence of bad characters in the neighbourhood. But the wholesale robberies by the thief we referred to last week do not speak volumes for the method. Let them have a regular "beat" and "beat" it, or be beaten. Money is thrown away on such loafers. They are dear at any price.
And here we come to the end of the whole matter. Neither the Chief of the Police nor the Road Trust Trustees can do all that might be