A CHINESE DICK TURPIN. The “native notes" in our Shangbai con- temporary recently included the following very Interesting story of a lawless young Chinaman's eer. He died in the "oage" at Shanghai on the 2nd inst. "and probably disappointed & number of persons who were anxious to snapshot him." A brief sketch of the young desperado may be of interest to show that in his case, any way, the theory of " total depravity" must have found a practical home in his physical structure almost from his birth. At the tender age of thirteen Chu Ah-san had already identified him- self with a gang of youthful ruffians much older than himself in such a way that despite his difference of age he was easily recognised as their leader. Bobbing in broad daylight country rustics who had come into town to buy things, or who, having sold the products of their farms, were returning to the country, were matters of almost every day occurrence with Chu Ah-san and his youthful fellow- ruffians who bade fair to outrival the deeds of their elder brethren of the same ilk. At this point five years ago, or so, the youngster's evil career was cut short for the nonce by his arrest by yamên “runners," for the Shanghai magistrate taking into consideration Chu Ah-san's extreme youth wished to reform
him and so had him sent to the Kai Kuo-so," or Reformatory, in the native city, Total de- pravity was, however, so deeply ingrained in the youngster's character that the usual sentence of three years' incarceration in such cases was lengthened to five in the Reformatory, after which, as it was thought he might have repeat. d somewhat of the errors of his ways, Chu Ah-
•san was liberated by the Shanghai magistrate at the earnest prayer of the youthful ruffian's un- fortunate mother, a timid-looking woman with a sad, wan face. This was just a fortnight ago. Once at liberty, Chu immediately rejoined his erstwhile rowdy companions, by this time grown up to be men of from twenty-five to thirty years of age and all "wanted" for some evil deed or other by the authorities. One can easily imagine what a band like this would do- reinforced as it was by the leading spirit of its former years-a host in himself. As a natural sequence, within ten days of his liberation Chu Ah-san was found to have been guilty of thirteen cases of outlawry, by means of which he was able to clothe himself from head to feet in expensive fur robes and silk inner clothing; display half-a-dozen heavy rings of pure gold on his fingers, and have unlimited funds in hard cash and bank-notes in a large baglike silken purse. The result was that he was rearrested last Saturday morning and once more brought before the Shanghai magistrate to answer for his sins. The magistrate, still pitying the youth on account of his age, told the young desperado that he would have to return to the Reformatory for another five years, whereupon Chu Ah-san cried out- Oh yes! after five years I will come out again, but where will you be, old fellow ? I can guarantee you won't be chihsien here when I come out again." "Then I will have you in- carcerated twenty years," replied the Magistrate. "All right," declared Chu Ah-san, "I will try to break gaol the first chance I can get, and then you may be sure, laot'ou'rh (old fellow), that I will kill you for it. It will be either your life or mine, that's all." The look of determination in the young desperado's face showed the magistrate that he need expect no mercy from the former should he obtain his liberty, and as it was a case of " your life
mine,"
after the magistrate, pause, said: “Sinos you say so I had better make away with you, after all.” * That will not make the lightest difference," quoth Chu Ah-san; "if I die now, in twenty years hence I'll be a hero on earth once more "allud- ing to the Buddhist belief in the transmigration of souls The Magistrate then ordered Chu Ah man to be placed in the fatal standing cage, but just before doing so the unfortunate mother of the young ruffian prostrated herself before the magistrate and prayed that she should be allowed to take her son's fur clothes and pawn them to purchase a coffin for him. Permission was given her to do so, and the woman, after s dalis brought ona to the yamên (just as her son was stepping into the cage) to show it to the magistrate. The coffin being only a twelve-
or
B
|
HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
dollar one, on seeing it the unnatural young ruffian cried out to his weeping mother, "Here, you lao-t'ai-p'o (old hag), I won't have that flimsy and cheap old coffin. My far clothes must have brought more than $12 from the pawn- shop. I must have a better one, or none at all." Chu Ah-san would have said more, but at a sign from the Magistrate he was hustled into his cage, and under the escort of soldiers, several of the newly-organised Japanese modelled native city police, and some yamên "runners " the cage was hurried off to the West-gate for the public gaze. On his way to certain prospective death the young ruffian is said to have sung ribald songs and made remarks on passers-by, especially women, which need not be repeated here.
COMMERCIAL.
SILK.
|
[April 27, 1903,
HONGKONG,
............ 1180
Quotations are:- Allow ce net to 1. Malwa New Malwa Old Malwa Older
****
to
to to
$1180 to ..$1280 Malwa V. Old............$1840 Persian fine quality ...8950 Persian extra fine... $980 to Patna New
............$11774 to Patna Old ...............$ to Benares New Benares Old
per chest.
do.
-
$1152) to to
do.
do.-
COAL.
Mesars. Hughes and Hough, in their Coal Report of April 20th state that 16 steamers are expected at Hongkong with a total of 62,800-tons of Japan coal and 11,900 tons of Cardiff. Since 7th April 18,500 tons of Japan coal and 33,400 tons of Cardiff coal have arrived. The market has somewhat improved: Quotations:
..$18.00 ex-ship. ....$11.00 ex-ship.
Cardiff...
Australian
Yubari Lump..... Miiki Lamp
$12.00 ex-ship, nominal $10.00 ex-ship, nominal Moji Lump......$8.00 to 10 50 ex-ship, steady.
Messrs. Wheelock & Co's Coal Report, dated Shanghai, April 18th, states:-The market is very firm for good kinds, and is nearly exhausted excepting for a considerable quantity of commen staff. There is a great scarcity in Japan owing to the difficulty of transport from the mines to ports of shipment, the bulk of the cars and loco- motives having been taken by the government for their own purposes. How long this condition
COTTON.
CANTON, 8th April, 1905.-Long-reels -A further decline in exchange has made transactions easier during the last fortnight; but dealers have now put up prices so high that business is momen- Fiatures 9/11 and especially tarily checked. 10/12 command full prices; nevertheless they are very difficult to contract for. Stocks are decreasing rapidly; some filatures have already closed their supply of cocoons being exhausted. From sales made we quote: Kils. On Wo Hing 9/11 and Kai Lun Cheong 9/11 at $980, Cheong Hing 10/12 at $885; Lai Fun Lung 10/12 at $157); Yuk Wo Hing 20/12 at $854; Kwang Shun Hang of affairs is to last it is impossible to prediot. 11/13 at $880, Kun wa Lun 11/13 at $865; Tung Wo Hing 11/13 at $860; Wing King Lun 13/15 at $830; Wa Lun Cheong 16/18 at $770; Yee Wo Cheong 18/22 at $735; Quan Wo Hing 11/13-13/15 14/18 at $745; Tung On 11/13-13/15-14/18 at $750; Tung Wo 12/15-14/18 at $730; Yee Wo Hing 16/20-18/22 at $870. Short reels-With the easier attitude of holders, quite a good business with America sprang up at the beginning of the fortnight; but at the close dealers are much firmer; they ask $885 for Kwan Wo Hing 14/16 and $830 for Fils. Extra A 14/16. Waste Silk.-There has been a little more enquiry from the home markets, and a few transactions have been booked at some- what irregular prices, according to the financial situation of holders, Stock-Raw Silk, 1,200 Bales.
RICE.
HONGKONG 20th April-Fair business in good quality, while in others more or less neglected. Stock about 5,000 bales.
Bombay......
$19.00 to 21.00 per pcl. Bengal (New), Rangoon ? 21.50 to 2.400
and Dacon
Shanghai and Japanese, 25.00 to 26.00 Tangohow and Ningpo, 25.00 to 26.00 Reported sales 700 bales.
YARN.
#
"}
Mr. Edaljee in his Report, dated Hongkong 20th April, says:-The demand still continues, but is not at all general, and continues to favour special counts and spinnings. Settlements havO beencomparatively large, and values here and there show a slight appreciation. Stocks held in the interior are said to be very light, and although our dealers are in possession of considerable country orders, they seem to be pursuing a very cautious policy, and instead of buying in large lines on limited times, are spreading their pur- chases in small lots, which without unduly inflating prices is keeping the market depressed. Receipts during the interval have not kept pace per picul with the off-takes and our stocks show a sub- stantial decrease on last estimate. The market closes quiet but steady.
Messrs. W. G. Hale & Co.'s Circular, dated Saigon 7th April, 1905, states:-Owing to the short arrivals of grain from the interior, and millers having to fulfil large contracts falling dus this month, prices have again risen so considerably
as to check all business.
We quote for May to June delivery :- No. 2 White sifted (trié) steam
milled (mixed).
No. 2 White unsifted (ordinaire) steam
milled (mixed)
21
J
$3.78 $3.40 $8.25 $815
5% Cargo steam milled (mixed). 10% Cargo steam milled 20% Cargo steam milled
• Prices according to terms and conditions.
OPIUM. HONGKONG 19th April, 1906.-Since the 6th April, the movements in the various Opium
markets have been as follows:-
Malws. Patna Benares, Persian.
Stocks as per circular of 6th April, 1905. April 7th Imports per Coromandel 84
11th
"
17th
11
#1
#
11
C. Apear Nam Sang
Less Exports to Shanghal Less Exports to East and
West Coast Ports including ( Local Consumption for the fortnight..
1,824 8,202 1,050 2,240 100
95 50
25
1,708 8,407 1,084 2,340
20 128
1,597
111
91 800 288 164
Estimated Stocks this day
2,470 635 2,176 Bengal-The market has improved owing to the very satisfactory off-take which has reduced stocks considerably. We quote Patna at $1,180 and Benares at $1,1621.
Malwa.-The demand has been on a very small scale indeed. The consumption is not satisfactory. We quote as follows:-
New
$1,100
2
years old
$1,150
8
23
**
$1,180
4/5
"
$1,250
$1,340
Oldest Persian.-Market is firm,
Local Manufacture :-There has been some movement in these threads, and sales of 500 balas. No. 10 and 400 bales No. 12a at $106 and $108 respectively are reported.
Japanese Yarn:- Is Armer owing to small stocks and better enquiry; 200 bales No. 12s at $132 to $133, and 80 bales No. 828 at $178) having changed hands during the interval,
Baw Cotton-Indian descriptions oqntinue to move steadily, and sales of 800 bales superfine Bengals at $211 to $28) are reported; unsold stook 6,000 bales. In China kinds 200 bales (small) are reported sold at $25, leaving an unsold stock of 300 bales on the market. Quotations are Bengal $19 to $23) and Chinese $22 to $261.
Exchange on India, in sympathy with barsilver, has taken an upward turn, and closes to-day at Rs. 1881 for T/T and Rs. 1883 for Fost. On Shang- hai 72 and on Yokohama 904.
The undernoted business in imported and local spinnings is reported from Shanghai during the week ended 10th instant, viz :
Indian Demand has somewhat subsided. Total sales 1,600 bales, prices generally being well maintained, and in special chops of No. 20s show an advance of half to one tael, Estimated unsold stock about 48,000 bales.
Z
Japanese:- Continue firm, demand keeping pace with supplies. Sales amount to 1,500 bales on the basis of Tls. 984 to 109 for No. 16s and Tis. 102 to 109 for No. 208., Common No. 16s showing an appreciation of half tael, and No. 208 of one to two taals in value.
Local ---Attracting more attention, and sa of 2,500-bales have been effected on th Tls. 86 to 87 fór No. 108, T. ^88′′ to 88) 128, Tla. 89 to 891 for No. 148, and Tim: 01 for No. 188,
f.