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Seaman Montague-Can you state some specific case of my neglect of duty?
Witness-You took one hour and fifty minutes to paint fifteen feet of steam pipe cover, whereas you should not have exceeded twenty minutes.
Seamen Brotten and Everling, who пого called for the defence, stated that defendants did their work properly.
His Worship thought otherwise. He con- sidered the charge proved, and that defendants conduct had amounted to wilful neglect of duty. He sentenced each defendant to four weeks' imprisonment with hard labour, and ordered that each forfeit twelve days' pay. Should the Nithedale be in port when defendants are released, they would will be placed on board again.
CANTON.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.
REBELLION QUELLED.
Sept. 30, It is reported that the rebels in Tsang Shing and Loong-Moon districts have been dispersed. Commodore Li Mung Shuet returned to Ĉauton
on the 27th.
NEW MINISTER TO BELGIUM.
It is reported that Li Sing To has been appointed to represent China at the Belgian Court, Chow Tung Sang's appointment to the post having been cancelled on the 28th inst.
THE MACAO CRABS.'
爷爷
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS ÅND
The seismic disturbances which have been felt of late at Hongkong. Canton and Macao, have given rise to more than the usual myths. The famous dragon whose privilege it has been to give an occasional shock to the earth's crust is not held responsible for the recent scare in Macuo and elsewhere. Some Chinese attribute the last shocks to the water-dragor of Canton whose anger has been raised by the reclamation works. Coolies are dumping daily boat-loads of sand and stone on the poor dragon's back, and the beast natu ally feels hurt.
|
It app ars, however, that the real causes of the earthquakes were the Macao Crabs Here is the story Close by the hot-springs in the neighbourhood of Macao stands a small village wherein lives an old wom n who has the misfortune to be the m t'er of an unworthy young man whose sole occupation is fishing. A few days previous to the first earthquake shock experienced in Marao the young man returned home with a couple of crabs and a few small fish. Nothing extraordinary was noticed at first, but when the crabs hd been boiled one of them presented a peculiar appearance, as on the red background of its shell stood in bold relief a design in white which resembled a Chinese character. Neighbours were call d and the wise man of the village soon explained that it was the King of the Crabs that had found its way into the old woman's kettle. The village prophet thereupon predicted that some great salamity would visit the unfortunate village. Meanwhile the crabs of Macao and neighbourhood having learnt the fate of their King, assembled in great numbers. filling-up overy available hole, and started to shake the earth. Thus was their displeasure at the death of the King Crab clearly shown!
REMOVAL OF TAMEN PAPERS AND TREASURE.
Some time ago Viceroy Shum received au imperial order to abolish the Grain Tax Yamen. The order was carried out yesterday. This department has ceased to transact business and all the official documents, papers, seal and treasure were removed to the Provincial Trea- surer's Yamen under the surveillance of a police
official.
A MODERN MILITARY DEMONSTRATION,
thronged the road on both sides to witness the procession of these juvenile warriors.
MILITARY B. A. IN TROUBLE.
Recently, Viceroy Shum gave instructions to the Magistrates of all the districts under his jurisdiction, to enquire into and report on the conduct of the gentry in ther respective districts, and to find out if any of them are harbouring bandits or other evil-doers.
The Wo Ping Magistrate has brought the following facts to the notice of the Viceroy A military Bachelor, Chai Chew-kue, is inciting the people of his district to join the Triad Society and has joined the Bandit-chief Ip Ching-shau, who has select-d Ting-Nam as his headquarters for the purpose of creating a rebellion. hai will no doubt be severely dealt with if arrested.
Canton, 1st October.
A BIG ROBBERY,
[October 7, 1905.
tion work should be raised by the Chinese themselves, in order to secure the right of control on the railway. Many telegrams have been exchanged between us on this matter. A demarcation of the boundary line of the British concession in Kowloon bas already been decided upon and the British people will only build that section of the line which runs through their kind. The other section which runs from the Kowloon boundary to Canton must be built with funds raised in the Kwangiang Province. When both parties have completed their respective lines they will be linked together. I have received A telegram from the Wai-u-pu, stating that they have com- municated the matter to Sheng Shenn Wai and that he has been requested to discuss the matter in earnest with the British Minister in Peking. The telegram also authorizes me to hold firmly to the view I have taken in this matter and to enter minutely into the details of At seven o'clock on the evening of the 24th
the affair with the British Cousul. From ultimo a band of over one hundred robbers raided enquiries made I have discovered that the the Pak Kan village in the Shun-tak district, Kowloon-Canton railway is a very important The robbers were well armed and experienced undertaking and no matter how the Ine is to o difficulty in terrorising the unfortunate be constructed, the funds required for its inhabitants. After ransacking over fifty houses, construction must be raised by ourselves so that they left in the early hours of the morning
we may not lose our right of control. The carrying away with them booty valued at over distance from Canton to the Kowloon boundary thirty thousand taels; mostly jewellery and silk.is about one hundred and ten English miles. The Shun-tak magistrate has reported the matter
The money required for land purchases and to the Viceroy, and a large number of braves construction work will amount to a huge sum. have been despatched to capture these daring Unfortunately the provincial coffer is far from desperadoes. Shun-tak, being a rich district. is overflowing and it is almost impossible for the^ overrun by these bandits, who appear to be Government to find the enormous sum necess ry. particularly active just now. So far no arrests We shall be compelled to call upon the gentry have been made.
and merchants for assistance in the matter by requesting them to float a company for the carrying out of the scheme and thus save appearances. The high reputation which Your Excellency has always held leads the gentry and merchants of the Kwangtung Province to look to you for assistance. You have orders, moreover, to sperintend railway' and mining matters in Fokien and Kwangtung, and the task of forming a company is an easier matter for you on account of your high position and great power. I have, therefore, communicated this matter to you that you may enquire into the details of this affair, find out the cost of the work and devise means for the formation of a company to raise the funds necessary to carry the scheme through successfully and to report same to me.'
At about 10 a.m. to-day, residents on the Sha- meen could witness a grand procession of about a thousand military scholars from the various official colleges, marching gaily along the Shameen Canal Street, the Sha-kre-tai-kai. As usual there was a grand display of banners, and flags bearing various mottoes. The boys were all dressed in khaki uniforms and wo e white caps. Each section was accompanied by its officials (Japanese military officers and instruc- tors). Crowds of coolies and onlookers
CHANGE OF CITY GUARDS.
Hitherto the old walled city has always been guarded by the Governor's soldiers; but they have just been disbanded and are being replaced by Viceroy Shum's own braves.
CHINESE MINISTER FOR HOLLAND.
In order to promote trade between Holland and China, the Dutch Government has recently asked the Imperial Government to send a representative to their country. Hitherto the administration of all affairs counected with Holland was entrusted to the hinese minister at St. Petersburg. The Wai-Wu-Pu has accordingly decided to open a Chinese Legation at Amsterdam and the necessary funds are being raised for the maintenance permanent minister there.
NEW MINISTER TO AUSTRIA.
of a
Minister Yang, a brother of Yong Taotai. the able Chinese Minister at Tokyo, ha ing been transferred to another important post, Li Ching Mei, seventh son of the late Li Hung Chang, has been appointed to take his place at the Austrian Court. Li Ching Mei is a comparatively young man, He is a thorough Chinese scholar and speaks fluently both French and English.
KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY.
It is reported that Mr. James Scott. H.B.M's Consul General at this port, has lately been pressing Viceroy Shum in respect of the building of the Kowloon-Canton Railway.
This question has been very much to the fore of late. The firm stand taken by His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathan, Governor of Hongkong, and the energetic steps taken by Consul General Scott here, lead us to hope that the construction of this important line will be commenced at an early date. Meanwhile despatches are being exchanged on the matter.
PO WAI-YING.
End October.
It is reported that Colonel Yeong Chik Shang has paid $50,000 to the Sin-Hau-Kuk in part payment of the revenues which it is alleged had been misappropriated by Colonel Yeong from the Po-wai-ying's funds. It will be remembered that a special deputy was instructed some time ago to investigate the matter.
NAVAL HANŒUVRES.
I mentioned in a previous letter that Chau Sin Pui and Li Cham Yeong, Taotsis, president and vice-president of the Cheong-Ping-Hok. Tong of Canton, had received instructions from Viceroy Sham to proceed north to review the Grand Naval Manoeuvres of the Pei- Yang squadron in the 10th Moon, Viceroy Shum has now received a telegram saying that the Naval Manoeuvres have been postponed lo an indefinite date. The belief is held in official circles that the postponement is due to the The following is a translation of a dispatch recent dastardly bomb outrage in Peking. recently sent by Viceroy Shum to His The officials up north are probaly afraid that Excellency Cheong Pat Shi, minister of rail-vil-doers will avail themselves of the ways and mines in China:
EXECUTION.
Wu A Ping, a pirate chief who was recently captured by the focal braves, ended his mis- ohiorous career on the Potter's ground- yesterday.
HOPPO'S TRHasurer in trouble,
opportunity, that a big gathering always With reference to the important subject of | affords, to commit another outrage. the building of the Kowloon-Canton Railway, which the British people decided to undertake a few years ago. A draft agreement was drawn up between Sheng Shenn Wai, Minister of Railways and chief director of the railway com- pany, and the British firm of Yee-wo (Jardine Matheson & Co.) in the 25th year of Kwang Hsu. Since Viceroy Sham has taken over the The British people are now urging us to com- duties of superintendant of the native customs mence the building of this line. They desire (Hoppo) he has been pressing the last official us to raise a loan and join them in the construc- who held that post here to settle all the accounts tion of the line. I have repeatedly telegraphed and hand over to him all the records and to the Wai-ru-pu and also to Sheung Shoun documents connected with the yamen's busi- Wai, requesting them to devise means to pre-ness. I referred some time ago to a deficit dis vent this important railway line falling entirely into the hands of foreigners. It is absolutely necessary that the funds required for construc-
covered when the post was abolished. It is reported now that a further deficit of over a million taels has been discovered in the treasury
wawung