Company, when incorporated, and to carry the same into effect,
This was carried.
Sir Charles Dudgeon thought the meeting could not break up without recording its thanks to a gentleman who had devoted a great amonat of time to bring this business t to a satisfactory conclusion, Mr. F. E. Taylor. It was due to the tactful way he had done the work that it had been carried through in such an amicable
manner (applause).
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The Chairman added a few words saying that all through the negotiations Mr. Taylor bad been most cordial and shown no aggressiveness and he hoped he (the speaker) had not been aggressive either.
Mr. Weir thought a special vote of thanks should be accorded to the Chairman on this occasion (applause).
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
BARON SUYEMATSU AND THE
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'N. D. L. **A
In consequence of Reuter's telegrams an nounoing that Baron Suyematan, while a passenger on the N.D.L. s.s. Zeiten, had com- plained of discourteous treatment, a Daily Press representative was instructed to interview the distinguished Japanese diplomat, as well as the commander, immediately on arrival, of the steamer at Hongkong.
Baron Sugematsu said that but for one circumstance he would not have consented. te refer again to this disagreeable matter. He published his complaint at Port Said, the first available opportunity; and at Colombo, the German Consul, who happened also to be agent for the Norddeutscher Lloyd, waited upon him had been paid to him.
February 6, 1908
CANTON:
[FROM OUR CORBESI
January 241
THE BAILWAY MUDDLINES
has received another telegram stating that the It is reported that Ex-Viceroy Hui, of Fukien, Cantonese officials in Peking have sent a joint petition to the Throne and that an Imperial Ediot has been issued and cabled to HF Viceroy Chou Fu, of the Liang-Kiang, ordering matter and to send a report to the Throne, I him to make a thorough investigation in the am informed that a joint memorial haa also been telegraphed by the Tartar-Generals and the two Lieutenant Tartar-Generala and the Literary Chancellor. An early decree is expected in reply and it is hoped the matter will be settled early, particulars as to how the railway should be appears that it was through error that in the express issued by the Yeong-Shing it was stated that a Tartar-General Ping-Kee was being deputed to Canton. The official referred to in a son of the Ex-Viceroy Hui, and is not a Tartar- General. This departure has been moreover cancelled, Viceroy Chou Fu having been ordered to carry out the investigation. It is expected that the commissioners appointed by the Liang-Kiang Viceroy will soon arrrive here.
Mr. Taylor expressed his obligations for the and assured him that no intentional disrespect as the memorial contains constructed. It'
remarks made and the way in which they had been received. He thought the people really to be thanked were the four gentlemen who had come forward to undertake a great deal of hard work for most inadequate remuneration-the new directors, Sir Chas. Dudgeon and Messrs. W. J. Gresson, A. Korff, and J. Johnston (applause).
The Chairman explained that, as the financial year of the old company ended on the 30th of April, it would probably be advisable that the new Company should begin on the 1st of May.
The shareholders decided to leave this matter in the hands of the liquidators and the meeting ended.
DEATH OF MR. G. J. L. LITTON.
We deeply regret to learn from the Rangoon Times the death of Mr. G. J. L. Litton, British Consul at Tengyueh, an officer to whom the mercantile community of Rangoon have been deeply indebted for his earnest labours in Yunnan on their behalf. No details have been received, but it is understood Mr. Litton died of fever on January 9th, on the eve of his departure on well-earned leave. Mr. Litton, who was thirty-six years of age, was educated at Eton and at Oriel College, Oxford, and entered the Consular Service in 1891, first serving in the Straits Settlements and afterwards in China. In 1899-1900 he was attached to the Barmo-Chinese Boundary Commission and was then posted to Tengyueh. Mr. Litton had a high reputation in the service, and his premature death will be deeply deplored. Mr. Ottewill, who succeeds him, has left Bhamo for Tengyueh.
•
While Mr. Litton was attached to the Burmo-Chinese Boundary Commission he nearly lost his life. Accompanied by Major Kiddle, of the R.A.M.C., and Mr. Sutherland an official of the British Shan States, Mr. Litton visited the market of Mengtung. They were unexpectedly attacked by a number of Was (a savage tribe of head-hunters), armed with swords and guns. Mr. Litton was knocked senseless, but was eventually saved by the bravery and presence of mind of a Chinese soldier; his two companions were killed and their heads borne in friumph to the village of a Wa obief. Reprisals followed, the escorts of the Chinese and British commissioners acting in concert, and about 60 Wa villages were destroyed.
POLICE SHOOTING CONTEST.
Although an ideal day for a picnic, the weather on January 26 was not all that could be desired by marksmen, consequently while there was a good attendance at the King Edward Range, Kowloon, which included a large number of ladies, the shooting was not up to
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"With that asstrange," said His Excellency. "I was quite satisfied, and prepared to regard the incident as closed. I agree to speak for publication in the Daily Press now because of what was published in a newspaper at Singapore [Straits Times]; as coming from the the Captain when interviewed at Penang. That statement is false from beginning to end. Captain | von Binzer is reported to have said that.
the upper seats at the table were occupied by ladies. That is not Chief Officer's
trus. Apart from any special claims to courtesy. I consider that as a Japanese gentleman I was disgracefully. treated.. "I was seated, with my staff and three other Japanese passengers, at the foot of the Chief Officer's table. At eacl. port on the way out pasengers were getting off, and if there had been any sincere desire to make amends, I could easily have been offered more honourable places. It is true that the captain approached me on board, as says, but the manner in which he did it was to he add further insult to the one already given. He approached me as I was coming ont of the smoke room, when it was dark.”
The interview with the captain was not managed, He was very busy, naturally, and the numerous other engagements of our reporters prevented a mutually convenient appointment. We reproduce, therefore, Capt. von Binzer's explanation as it was published at Singapore-the one to which the Baron las just taken exception.
"He says that HF Chang Ta-jen, the returning Chinese Minister, boarded the Zieten at Southampton. He (the Captain) had received no instructions from his Company or elsewhere that he was to expect any passenger of such exalted rank; but when the Minister saw him, he gave him his flag, which he had hoisted at the fore, as is the customary courtesy with all passenger ships and warships when carrying a distinguished personage of alien nationality. The Captain's table was already full, but the Minister was offered the separate private table usually reserved for distinguished persons, and he accepted it. Subsequently, at Gesoa, Baron Suyematau came on board the Zielen. Captain von Binser had received no instructions as to his arrival, and did not expect any more distinguished diplomats. The Baron was received at first as an ordinary passenger of high rank, and was given a seat at the Chief Officer's table. The upper seats were already occupied, and the Baron was placed below the ladies who occupied the seats of honour. When,, subsequently, the Captain learned indirectly that Baron Suyematau was statesman of high rank and a_diplomatic representative of his nation in Europe, he promptly sent the Chief Steward to him to enquire if he desired to be placed at a separate private table similar to that occupied by the Chinese Minister. This offer the Baron
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THE SILK TRADE.
the export trade of the Kwangtung provinos, Silk is one of the most important items in
When the business was in a flourishing condition there were over 185 filatures working. The fall in exchange, had it been constant and stable, would have stimulated activity in pro- duction, but its fluctuations and a series of bad crops have gradually diminished the number of filatures, which numbered only 106 at the beginning of this Chinese | year. In the flatures failed and had to close, thus bringing 6th and 7th moons of this year over 20 the total down to 80. It is expected that others will close after the New Year and that only about 50 filatures will remain. Thes prosperity of this branch of commerce business in Kwangtung, as money is scarce or is closely linked to the general prosperity of plentiful according to the importance of the export of this commodity. Trade is generally depressed in consequence, and it is anticipated that, if business does not improve, a commercial: erisis will be the result.
January 30th,
VICEREGAL FEABS. It was reported before the Chinese New Year - that the Viceroy had telegraphed to Peking asking for four thousand well trained soldiers nd to reinforce the Canton Garrison so as to enable him to cope with an emergency should trouble arise. The first two batches of Kiang-su anda Yuan-Hui soldiers arrived here on the 28th inst. and are stationed near the Small East Gate. They were landed yesterday, 660 from the Chi-Yuen and 640 from the Tai-Shun, both China Merchants' steamers. The balance is expected to arrive in a few days...
It is also reported that Viceroy Chon-fu han delegated Shum Tung and Chui Kang-pei, both Taotais, as special commissioners to investigate 2- the recent trouble. They are expected to reach ma Canton next week.
MORE VICEREGAL VIEWS OF THE RAILWAY
SITUATION.
I have
The Viceroy has sent a despatch to the › General Chamber of Commerce. It refers first- to the redemption of the Canton-Hankow Rail- way concession, and then proceeds given official instructions to the Provincial Treasurer and to all the Taotais of Canton to convene the Kwangtung gentry to meetings and to deliberate over the question of
the average. The match was Police Inspectors refused; but next morning he took such a table | of railways in Kwangtung 7 ng
versus rest of the force, and with a strong, wind blowing and in a treacherous light, shoot ing began. The shooting was at 200, 400 and 500 yards. The Sergeants and Constables won by 49 points. For this side Pitt scored 88, while for the Inspectors Mr. Warnock headed
the score with a total of 82.
C
A modern feature of Peking street life is the large number of foreign broughams used by wealthy Chinese,
and ordered the stewards to lay it for him and his party. This was done. He never com plained of anything to the Captain, whom he only saluted when addressed, but merely wrote to the press. His complaint was solely anent the places assigned to himself and suite at table, the entire party of Japanese claiming the right to seats at the Captain's table.. Your corres- pondent interviewed many passengers on board The 8.8. Zieten, including the Chinese Minister and all expressed their satisfaction with the treatment accorded to them during the voyage,"
establish offices for that purpose. As tho Canton-Hanków Railway has a direct interest for the three Provinces of Kwangtung, Hunso, and Hupeh, and as the concession has been redeemed, it is only proper that immediats staps. should be taken for its construction. If on-1 account of insufficiency of funds the scheme is abandoned, not only will the three million taels borrowed to redeem it be wasted but there is addition à million isels' worth of on which interest will have to be paid. this, we will not be able to fulfil the cond
11.