January 18, 1906.]
CANTON.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
January 5.
CHINESE STRATEGICAL BUREAU,
The inauguration of the new Government department on the premises formerly occupied by the governor, and now called the Kwang tang military yamen, took place on the 3rd instant and was attended by many high civil and military officials. The object of this | department is to study all questions connected with military affairs. It undertakes the establishment of fortifications, recruiting, army organisation, transportation, commissariat, etc., so as to bring military affairs to a modern standard,
THE OFFICIAL POINT OF VIEW.
Chung-chi, who was appointed to the post of sub-prefect of Linchow, has petitioned the Viceroy to cancel his nomination, as he is too ill to start for his sub-prefecture. It is reported that the Viceroy has granted his request. The general belief, however, is that Chung was afraid of taking up, the appointment at this juncture. as the indemnity has not been paid over yet. There is every likelihood that the local official will be instructed to raise the necessary funds and Chung has deemed it prudent to leave the thankless task to somebody else.
the
SUGGESTIVE VICEREGAL ORDERS. It will be remembered that on November 23 a tragedy was enacted in the military college at Whampoa whereby a Japanese military surgeon was shot by one of his countrymen. The murderer was subsequently arrested by Colonel Yang on board Macao steamer and sent to Japan for trial. The Viceroy, referring to this matter praised Colonel Yang's prompt action, and remarked that had the same promptitude been displayed in the case of the murder of Ho Tsoi-yin the affair would not have been settled by a mere insignificant fine. The Viceroy now instructs all the responsible officials to be more diligeat in the future and that should any European commit a crime in the interior, no matter whether the victim is European or Chinese, the culprit should be "arrested at once and vigilantly guarded. No torture of any description whatever will be applied to such prisoners. The matter will be reported to the nearest treaty-port Consul and to the Viceroy, so that joint investigation into the matter may be made at once. The officials are instructed to set with prudence, as to avoid wrongful arrests. Should the offender take refuge or board a foreign vessel the Captain must be appealed to to surrender the prisoner; no braves shall be dispatched on board. If the culprit is in hiding in a foreign Concession, the Consul must be appealed to to obtain the man's arrest.
January 6.
MARKET FOR CANT N.
80
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. The Japanese have given the Germans the opportunity of learning the danger of showing too much to this class of visitor.
SUBMERGED BICH LANDS.
Jan. 8th.
It is rumoured that several mow of rice fields have recently sunk considerably in the neighbourhood of Tai-Nam-Sha, in the Shan- tak district. Fortunately the rice harvest is over, otherwise a number of farmers would have suffered. A similar occurrence was reported ią Angust, during the Macao earthquake scare. Shameen has also sunk considerably of late, and
on the Canal side of the conces ion as much as one foot of sand was required to bring the ground to its original level.
CHINESE STUDENTS IN JAPAN.
Owing to the dissatisfaction expressed by the Chinese students in Japan with reference to the new regulations enforced by the Japanese Government, following which over 2,000 scholars have abandoned their studies and returned to China, Viceroy Shum has decided to send Taotai Chou-Wing-cho to Japan on a mission of investigation to find out the real cause of the trouble. As soon as the Viceroy receives his report he will communicate same to the Waiwupu and will request that Board to settle the matter with the Japanese Govern- ment. The Viceroy has decided to take this step, as the majority of the scholars are Cantonese.
|
It is reported that a Chinese merchant has applied for permission to build a moderní market similar to those in existence in Hong- kong, near the Kua Yam bridge in the western suburbs of Canton. The building is expected to cost about $100,000. It is thought that the scheme will be a succesful one and
that it is bound to be remunerative.
CANTON RECLAMATION WORKS.
The reclamation of the Canton Praya has been going on now for three years but is far from being completed. The Viceroy has now appointed Ting-Ping-Lam. Chan-Koi-Yam and Sit-Yung-Nin to look after this department, and has instructed them to complete the work within six months. The Commissioner of Cus- toms has recommended a European architect to Viceroy Shum, who wishes this work to be carried out under the same conditions as such works are done in Hongkong.
TO IMPROVE THE PAPER INDUSTRY. I reported some time ago that Viceroy Shum had telegraphed to America instructing a student, Chan-Kam To, who has just graduated in that country, to return to Canton. The student was subsequently told to come back via Germany, the Viceroy wishing him to study the paper manufacturing process in Germany so as to improve the local industry. Chan is expected to be here in the beginning of the Chinese year. The paper business here is entirely in the hands of the Germans and it is very doubtful if German paper manufacturers will supply information that is likely to be of any use to the Chinese, Italy also supplies certain qualities of paper to China. Most for eigners are ignorant of the fact that the red paper so commonly used in China for cards and other purposes is imported from Europe and stained its varmilion colour in China. Those two countries are certainly not going to offer China the knife that is to cut their own throats.
NEW YEAR FIRES.
January 9th.
BIG CHINESE SPORTS MEETING,
31
Forty-seven colleges and schools will sand- their sobolars to participate in the sports that are to be held on the 10th and 11th inst, at the East Gate Parade Ground. Military surgeons and the ambulance corps will be present to attend the injured, if any. Each college will have its flag hoisted on the grounds. A great crowd is expected to assemble there, and police precautions are being taken to prevent any | disturbance occurring during the sports.
The settlement of accounts at the closing of Chinese New Year is responsible for most of the conflagrations that occur here at this time of the year. There is no other reason why fires should be more frequent in winter than in summer, as the Chinese do not use any form of heating apparatus whatsoever. On the 7th inst, at midnight, a fire occurred in Chuk-wan- sha and two houses were burned, This having been a bad year, lamps will be encouraged to explode and fires will no doubt be numerous this
season.
A QUEER PRANK.
arose
A curious affair has just occurred in the To- Kong village. A quarrel recently betw-an villagers and a man surnamed Lan was killed by another surnamed Leung and his followers, on the 7th inst. The Poon-Yu Magistrate sent out his deputies to investigate the matter. A band of robbers hearing of the affair impersonated the officials and under pretext of carrying on their investigations ransacked four houses belonging to the Leung clan. The real officials arrived on the scene after the departure of the robbers and were badly handled by the villagers, who disarmed their escort and threw the deputy in prison. Matters were scon explained, however, and the Chinese party were subsequently released.
not devoid of humour and robbers are always ready to play all manner tricks on their hereditary enemies, the officials.
are
•
CANTON WATER-POLICE.
of
THE TEACHING OF HYGIENE.
EXAMINATIONS IN HONGKONG. It will be remembered that early in the past year a manual on hygiene was published by the Government, and the subject was made com pulsory in all Government and Grant Schools. His Excellency the Governor kindly offered prizes of $100, $50 and $25 to the three best competitors in Standards VII. and VI. ; he also offered a shield as a trophy to be beld for one year by that school which should send up the best team of 10 competitiors out of its lower standards V., IV. and III. Both examinations were held at the beginning of December and the results are now made public.
This service is being rapidly organised, and it is reported that it will soon be provided with thirteen launches.
LIKIN REVENUE COLLECTORS ALERT.
At the examination on the advanced course ont of 79 competitors the following are prise winners :--
lat, N.T. Ezra, of St. Joseph's College. 2nd, W. Drude, of the Diocesan Home and
Orphange.
(Enriqueta Felices, of the Italian Convent, (Hung In-chi, of Queen's College. In the team competition 10 teams number- ing 98 boys and girls competed. The shield was won by Queen's College with 239 marks.
The other schools in order of merit were:- 2. St. Joseph's College 3. Italian Convent
..
4. Wantsai District School. 5. Belilioe Public School
6. Diocesan School for Girls 7. Diocesan Home and Orphanage 8. Ellis Kadoorie School 9. Cathedral School
10. Yaumati District School
227 marks.
224
13
218
19
214
28
205
ย
195
188
15
146 (8 com- petitors only
165 **
His Excellency also offered prizes of $15 and 810 for the two best papers in the winning team, and these fell to Robert Eastlake and Ip U-pak.
A CHINESE MILITARY
露着
REFORM.',
"lest
AIR-GUNS FOR THE TROOPS. The native notes writer of the N.-C. Daily News understands that as a concession to the new order of things" it is intended to substitute air guns for the ancient bow and arrow used in the competitions for military degrees amongst Manchu Bannermen. The reason for choosing the air gun instead of the usual rifle at these. military examinations, it is stated, is because firearms are not permitted to be fired within the sacred precints of the Imperial palaces, the sounds of rifle firing disturb the serenity and repose of the Imperial occupants." Hence the choice of the air gun and the fact that these Bannermen competitions are held on the grounds within the Palace precincts, at which functions the Emperor himself is usually expected to preside. The real reason for the prohibition of firearms is to prevent anyone absent-mindedly pointing his loaded weapon in the direction of his Sovereign, sitting some two hundred yards away, and unwittingly causing a vacancy on the Dragon Throne.
The head of the Canton Likin Bureau has aground on January 11th during the sk
issued instructions to his subordinates to dis- cover and record the number of foreign firms in the city and to report the names of the firms that carry on business under a foreign name with Chinese capital, so that the Board might deal with the latter to put a stop to such practices.
IMPORTANT SEIZURE OF OPIUM.
A few days ago an important seizure of opium was made on board the Macso steamer Kwangtung. The Custom officers discovered 300 tins of opium and have confiscated the lot.
CANTON STEAMER AGROUND.
The Canton river steamer Sant Cheung fog that enveloped the river, but nothing. serious occurred and she got off a few hours later.
The San Cheung was on her journey from Canton, and when nearing the Capsimun Pass she had proceeded dead slow, but even with that precaution she grounded on a mud bank, where she remained for about three hours. By that time the tide had risen and she came off without any assistance and without receiving any damage. The vessel resumed her run as usual last night.