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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND making good progress during the last two the lieutenant to say why he resented the years.
accusation. Many pukks Scotsmen would like to know. [Note by the Editor: It was, of course, not that particular saying that the gentleman resented, but the Chinaman's general insolence of conduct and demeanour. Lieut. Dobbyn has the sympathy of many white men, Scots and others.]
BANYAN.
In the little farewell speech delivered by Dr. Atkinson at last week's meeting of the Sanitary Board I noticed a rather astonishing statement. Dr. Atkinson spoke of the measures taken by the Government to stop the ravages of malaria by training the nullahs, removing undergrowth and filling in the swamps, and he quoted hospital returns to the effect that the number of malarial patients admitted into the hospitals last year was only a third the number admitted in 1901. Yet I notice that of the 490 cases last year no fewer than 301 were fatal, whereas in 1901, out-of 1,393 cases only 574 were fatal. The mortality shows therefore a big percentage
of increase.
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
At a monthly meeting of the General Com- mittee of the Hongkong General Chamber of held in the Chamber Room, St. George's Buildings, Hongkong on Tuesday 7th March, 1905 at 4 p.m. Present: Messrs. E. A. Hewett (Chairman). A. G. Wood (Vice- Chairman), Hon. W. J. Gresson, A Haupt, N. A. Siebs, J. R. M. Smith, E. S. Whealler, and A. R. Lowe (Secretary) :-
Commerce What is the explanation P Do the hospital returns really prove that malaria is less prevalent now than it was four years ago? Or does this large increase in the per- cantage of deaths to cases merely indicate that malarial patients do not resort to the hospitals until they are in an extremely bad state ? Whatever may be the explanation, we shall derive great satisfaction from these mortality returns if we look at them in their proper light. They show, in fact, that per 1,000 of the population (even supposing the population had remained stationary during the fast four years) the reduction in the mortality return is some- thing like 90 per cent.
Apropos of this subject I should like to direct the attention of the P.W.D. to the offensive odour which is frequently noticeable in Glenealy, just at the spot where the gradient is steepest. The smell suggests stagnant water in a culvert, -just the very place for mosquitoes to breed. There are two similar places in Conduit Road where water collects and stagnates naderneath the two bridges. Now that the P.W.D. is apparently clearing away the stone heap which has disfigured this road they might see if some- thing cannot be done to abate these nuisancos.
I hear there is something like a little strike among the Hospital Sisters of the Colony. I am informed that Government requires that they shall give lessons in nursing gratuitously to the European ladies of the colony who are attending the nursing classes started a little while ago, and the Hospital Sisters regard the request as unreasonable. What, I wonder, would the Colonial Treasurer say to a suggestion that he should devote his leisure moments to giving the community lessons in book-keeping?
There is a story in circulation that induces me to express the opinion that if a little exhorta tion to be careful in record-ke ping were addressed exclusively to members of the Civil Service it might serve a useful purpose. The story relates to a little confusion which has occurred in the cemetery records. "Here lieth" is the customary beginning of epitaphs ou grave stones. It sometimes happens that it is the stone that lieth. There is -But, after all, what does it matter if a man lies here and a stone lies there?
Lord Hawke, whose presence on the cricket ground last Saturday attracted an unusually large field, had that ill-luck which seems to dog the steps of celebrated cricketers who have won famous victories and from whom ever afterwards great things are expected at the wicket. Dig- missed for 2 is not as bad as being dismissed with a duck egg-but very nearly. Lord Bawke will know now where to look when he wants another team to go to the Antipodes.
There has been much discussion during the last few days as to what that coxswain meant when, according to his evidence in the police court, he said to the plaintiff, a lieutenant in th R.G.A.: "yon no belong Englishee; you blong Scotches." According to the plaintiff's evidence there were more adjectives employed in the aconsation, but assuming that to be the fact, the problem discussed is why the coxswain should have regarded the brogueless lieutenant being adjectively Scotch rather than adjective- ly English, Trish or Welsh. The only thing clear in the evidence is that the accusation was deeply yesented, and in view of the conflicting nature
88
LIGHTING OF THE WANG MUN ENTRANCE TO THE WEST RIVER,
The following correspondence was read:-
Colonial Secretary's Office, 14th February, 1905. SIR, -I am directed to inform you that the lighting of the Wang Mun entrance to the West River has recently been under the con- sideration of the Government.
I transmit a copy of a report by the Harbour
Master and am to ask you whether your Com- mittee concur in the views therein expressed.
(Sd.) S. B. C. Ross, ́for Col. Sec.
I have, etc.,
To Secretary,
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce. Report by the Harbour Master.
In January of this year there were 87 arrivals and 86 departures from and to the West River from here, made by 11 steamers of which 8 were British.
I am by no means clear however that Lintia Island is the most suitable place for a light. It is at the immediate entrance of the river, viz: that all the trouble occurs. A light (white on the Swash way before coming to Wang Mun occulting for choice) on its Southern extremity would meet a real want and could be constructed 3rd February, 1905. in a similar manner as the Maplin lighthouse
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
16th February, 1905. Messrs. Butterfield & Swire, Present.
DEAR SIRS,I enclose for your information
copy of letter received from the Government relating to the lighting of the Wang Mun entrance to the West River. The Committee would be glad if you would report to them at an early date the views of the masters of your steamers regularly running past Wang Mun regarding this matter.--I am, etc.,
(Sd) A. R. LowE, Secretary A similar letter was sent to the Hongkong Canton and Macau Steamboat Coy.
Hongkong 20th February, 1905. DEAR SIR, We beg to acknowledge receipt
of your letter of the 16th instant enclosing copies of letters received from the Government and asking for the opinions of our captains trading on the West River as to the best place to select for such light.
In reply the following recommendation is submitted for the favourable consideration of the Government.
"The best position for a light at the Wang Mun entrance to the West River would be on "the West side of the Bwashway; bearing NE "by E (Mag). from the Fast end of Crag "Island, distant of a mile. A red sector, "showing over the shoal water which extends to the S. W. of the Swashway, would be of great Service. The light should have a range of 10 miles -We are, etc,
C+
Ca
(Sd) BUTTERFIELD AND SWIRE. To A. R. Lowe, Esq.,
Secretary, Hongkong General Chamber of
Commercǝ.
H. C. and Macan Steamboat Co.,
23rd February, 1905. SIB,-In reply to your letter of the 16th inst. of the teartimon on the point I must leave it to' in regard to the lighting of the Wang Mun
(March 20, 1805.
entrance to the West Biver hero 147845 steamers actually under the management Company regularly running past Wang Man The vessels which use that route in which, we interested are managed by Messrs. Butterfield *** and Swire to whom I would refer you for the opinions of the ‹ aptains.—Yours faithfully,
(Sd) T: ARNOLD.
Secretary.
A. R. Lowe, Esq., Secretary.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
27th February, 1905.
SIR, --1 am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 14th instant enclosing a report from the Harbour Master regarding the best position for a light at the Wang Mun entrance to the West River.
The matter has been submitted to Messrs. Butterfield and Swire the managers of the associated Companies owing the s.s." Lintan,"
44
ITE
Sanui," "Hongkong" and "Takhing” the largest of the eight steamers regularly running“-- past Wang Mun. Their reply is the best position for a light at the Wang Mun entrance: to the West River would be on the West side of the Swashway, bearing N. E. by E. (Mag.) from the East end of Crag Island, distant 3/4 of a mile. A red sector, showing over the shoal water which extends to the S. 8. of the Swash- way, would be of great service. The light should have a range of 10 miles.”
The Committee understand that this sugges tion for a light in this position has been made from time to time to the Imperial Maritime Cus- toms by the Captains of the steamers trading on this route and is also shared by Captain Dixon the superintendent of the associated companies' steamers who has also acted as the admiralty pilot on the deeper draft British Naval vessels which have entered the West River.
Under these circumstances it is considered that a light on the Swashway would be far more preferable to one on Lintin Island which is too far away from the Wang Man entrance to the West River and my Commitles trust that His hold this view. Excellency the Governor can see his way to up-
I am also to express the thanks of the Com mittes of this Chamber for the courtesy of the Government in given them an opportunity of expressing their views regarding the best position for this much needed light,
I have etc.,
To
(Sd.) A. R. Lowe,
Secretary. on. F. H. May, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary.
NEW PILOT ORDINANCE. The correspondence with the Government regarding the working of the new
Pilots' Ordinance was laid on the table.
FISCAL QUESTION. The proceedings at the recent General
mission to the Government which was carried Meeting regarding the resolution for trans-
by the Members having been discussed it was decided to forward a copy of the proceedings with a covering letter explaining the Com- mittee's views on the matter in detail.
a
CHANGES ON the commiTTBE.
4th instant owing to his leaving this Colony for Mr. H. E. Tomkins having resigned on the' holiday it was decided to invite Mr. F. Salinger to accept the vacant seat on the Committee and to convey the thanks of the Committee to Mr. Tomkins for his services during the past 4 years.
The Chairman said he was sorry to say that this meeting would be the last at which he short holiday on the 11th instant, and he had to could attend as he was leaving for home on a thank the Members of the Committee for the support given him during his Chairmanship. The Vice-Chairman having expressed the Com- mittee's good wishes for a pleasant holiday it was decided that leave of absence should be granted to Mr. Hewett in lieu of resignation.
NEW PILOT ORDINANCE: US/ The following letters were referred to in the Chairman's speech at the Annual Meeting wa read
LE
1004
lig
ta
ids
Tedi
Hoogkong General Chamber of Commerce,
17th February, 1905. of the New Pilot Ordinance (No. 8 of 1904) half yeste SIB,-I beg to inform you that the question 974
.:
ALSOS EL