and it is to be hoped that the sound common sense for which the Chinese are so eminently noted will in 'the end prevail and while encour-, aging the much needed reform in the system of government at the same time place a due check upon the extreme anti-foreign and revolutionary tendencies at times too apparent. It is to be regretted that this moderation is so often lacking in the higher officials of the Empire, and we have to deplore the policy of obstruction and hostilitity not to say of open defiance of treaty obligations so constantly displayed by the leaders of the people. This is very notice. able with regard to certain of the highest officials in the adjoining provinces, against whom a formidable indictment might be brought of illegal exactions and frequent violation of treaties. Unless these matters receive the prompt and energetic attention of His Majesty's Ministers the Chinese officials encour. aged by our supineness will proceed to still further acts of aggression and will endeavour to still more hinder our lawful trading under. takings with their country.
Touching the long looked for reform of the surrancy of China we have reason to hope that the Central Government has at last made a move in the right direction and that the action now being taken with regard to local contracts made by the officials for copper discs required for coinage will have a salutary effect; while the proposed placing of the various mints under one organization if definitely accepted by the Central Government cannot but make for a greater uniformity of the silver coinage.
Two years ago when speaking on the subject of the Kowloon to Canton railway I ventured to suggest that at all cost this railway must be constructed and that while that section lying inside our borders should be built by our own Government, financial assistance should also be rendered to accelerate the building of the extension to Canton. We now know that the former step has been taken and that work on the line bas actually been begun.
As regards the Chinese extension great difficulty has been experienced in entering on negotiations with the Viceroy of the Two Kwang These, however, have recently been overcome, and it is hoped that the negotiations now in hand will result in the conclusion of satisfactory agreements between the Corporation, the Viceroy and the Hongkong Government, and the early commencement of construction on the Chinese section of the railway.
In the meantime the Colony of Hongkong has by a loan of £1,100,000 to the Viceroy of the Two Hu enabled him to put an end to the foreign ownership of the Canton-Hankow live under which no progress was made, and it is also hoped that the construction of this part of the railway connection between Hoogkong and Peking may soon be proceeded with free from any control prejudicial to the Colony's or to British in erests.
His Excellency has during his term of office here already given many indications of his wish to do all in his power to promote the well-being this Colony, and his success in accomplishing this work will eira him the lasting gratitude of the people of Hongkong.
In conclusion, gentlemen, I must state that I am sure we all joined in a feeling of very sincere regret at receiving the news of the death of Mr. Fullerton Henderson. Mr. Henderson was not only a rery old and -respected resident in this Colony but for many years was an active member of this Chamber, having held the post of Secretary. All of us who have known him will feel that by his death we are the poorer, while in hìm most of us have lost a cheery and warm-hearted personal friend. With these remarks I would now move that the report and accounts be passed,
THE HONGKON WEEKLY PRESS AND
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(April 2, 1906.
Painter, Mrs. Bolles, Mrs. Fullerton. Mrs. Jordan, Mrs. Lee Jones, Mrs. Seth, Mrs. Stedman and Miss Barker.
The concert took place on the 27th March and as was only to be expected a large audieno», animated 25 much by philanthrophic motives as a desire to hear an entertainment considerably above the average in point of merit, assembled in the spacious hall of Govern- ment House. The opening of the programme was delayed, but when the string band of H.M.8. King Alfred introduced a pleasing rendering of "Theodora the company was decidedly, appreciative. Mr. Stewart gave a cultured rendering of “Golden Vanity," being equally successful in his later contribution, "Sirastro's Aria," in which he displayed the capabilities of a rich bass voice and the evidences of careful training. Mr. Denman Fuller added to his reputation br
nouncement by the Chairman that a new typhoon anchorage for small craft is to be taken in band shortly is very welcome news, as a larger and more convenient shelter would very greatly facilitate the work in the harbour. Recent events have shown that the Government | can borrow money cheaply for railway, outside the Colony, and I cannot help thinking that the Chamber should arge on the Government the adri-ability of taking similar means for necessary public works extraordinary such as this refuge. fel sure that members of this Chamber endorse all the Chairman has said regarding the building of the railway to Canton. That the past year has witnessed the commencement of the work shows that the line has at last got beyond the talking stage at any rate on the poition within British Territory. It is of vital interest to this Colony that the line should be built with all speed, and so pave the way for
pleasing interpretation the network of railways throughout Southern of Godard's "Sketch" and Lock's “ Allegretto," China, which will eventually be required while Mrs. Badeley charmed everyone to carry goods and passengers to and from by her exquisite singing of a tuneful little the natural. most conveniently situated song in praise of "Lavender." A quartette port ou its borders, viz., Hongkong. composed of Mr. Jokl (violin), Mr Gonzales The general anti-foreign tondency in China (viola). Mr. G. Koning (violincello) and Mr. at the present moment, and the obstrne-Galliozzi (piano) essayed
very anocessfully tive tactics of the high officials, are
selection from Mozart, their playing greatly to be deplored in the true interests of the rondo being very fine. Another. of trade, which only flourishes when mutual persona grata was Mrs. Fullerton, whose sweet confidence exists and treaty rights are voice was heard to advantage in “Spring," a respected. The recent flagrant case of the pretty little song, and her hearers extended very illegal seizure of coal in Cauton by the Viceroy cordial greetings to, ber, Tuen followed Mr. of the Two Kwang is fresh in our minds, and Stewart, who was the only artiste to appear it is to be regretted that our Government had twice individually. After him came the vocal to intervene before the coal was released by the quartette-Mrs. Fullerton, Mrs. Kruger, Mr. Viceroy to its rightful owners. We can only A. E. Paine and Mr. Frank Austin-whose hope that the lesson will not be lost sight of selections from The Daisy Chain" were admir. by future Viceroys and their subordinates in ably, rendered, the four voices bleuding most office. I have great pleasure in seconding the effectively. Needless to say Mr. Joki proved a adoption of the report and accounts.
great favourite. His brilliant performance of two Mr. ELLIS referred to the serious eff·ct on pieces roused the audience to their first and local business owing to the debased currency, only demand for an encore, bat this was not and expressed the hope that the Government rouchsafed. Singing in German Mrs. K uger would take vigorous steps to ensure the fulfil-gave a finished rendering of "Zauberlied," sad ment of the treaty on the part of the Chinese Government by which they agreed to put their coinage on a sound footing.
The CHAIRMAN replied, pointing out that the Imperial Government had takou steps with regard to copper coins which they hoped would have good effect, while with regard to the subsidiary silver coins they still hoped the Chinese Government would adopt the sugges tion made to it by our Government, and by several commissions. Referring to the somewhat panicky" feeling at home with regard to outrages on foreigners in China he said that while China was a country where the un- expected very often happens, and they knew there was a good deal of unrest there, the anxiety feit at home and in America was unfounded.
The report was approved.
On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, seconded by Mr. J. R. MICHAEL, Messrs. J. B. Petit and Co. and the Netherlands Trading Co. were elected members of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. C. M. THOMPSON proposed, and Mr. EVAN ORMISTON seconded, the re-election of the committee, with the substitution of Mr. H E. Tomkins for Mr. Salinger, who was leaving the Colony. This was agreed to.
There was no other basiness.
CONCERT AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
The famine in Japan has moved Lady Pig gott to raise a fund locally to assist in the relief of the sufferers, efforts met with every sympathy,, and when a Her praiseworthy
chamber concert was suggested as a means of obtaining money in addition to voluntary sub- scriptions the proposal received the warmest support of His Excellency the Governor, who placed the large ball of Government House at the disposal of the promoters. Adequate
Mr. A. FORBES said-Chairman and Gentlemen,-I am sure we all congratulate the Committee on the work accomplished during the past year, and thank the Chairman for his able speech on the situation. The unwilling. | arrangements were made and the ladies ness of the Singapore authorities to accept the terms of the Paris Convention is without doubt a matter for much regret to Hong kong shipping interests, and it is to be hoped that the further negotiations now pending will be successful. It seems rather hard treatment to make Hongkong keep in the 10 day period when 5 days has been defined by the experts as sufficient. The an-
acting with ber ladyship soon had the satisfaction of realising that the end they had in view was attained and that a goodly sum would be realised to swell the total of the local relief fnud. The ladies assisting Lady Piggott were-Mrs. Villiers Hatton, Lady Berkeley, Mrs. Williama. Mrs. Gershom Stewart, Mrs. Wise, Mrs. Aitkin. Mrs. Kruger, Madame Liebert, Mrs. Noma, Mrs. Post, Mrs.
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another agreeable item in a foreign language was Madame Marty's singing of "Chanson d'Amour" and Chanson Ancienne." Mr. Frank Austin met with considerable
string band's second contribution bought the success in the " Kashmeri Song," and the programme to a close. It should be added that the Chief Justice played the accompaniments to Mr. St-wart au 1 Mrs. Badeley, the remain- der being undertaken by Mr. G. Grimble.
Sir Francis Piggott, before the audionos dispersed, said that Lady Piggott wished him to thank all present for their assistance and added that since the figures had been published, $25, another $600 had been received, bringing the total up to $3.300. They hoped to be able to reach the sum of $5,000 before fong.
THE NANCHANG SUICIDE.
The Nangking correspondent of the VC, Daily News writes on March 15th: -The late Nauchang sub-prefect Chiang, who committed suicide at the Roman Catholic compound of that place, was a native of this prefecture, and has many relatives in this city. Here as elsewhere, eager, though possibly short-sighted, patriotism is iusistent on erecting him upon a martyr's pedestal, but your correspondent has on excellent | authority the following incidents in his previous record which are significant in view of recent events...
By rights, Chiang Chao-t'and is said to be however, held a sub-prefect title, but lacking the only a mandarin of lower rank. His brother,
energy to get any charge, finally agreed to interchange ranks with his more ambitious brother. After his death, Chiang surreptitiously caused his name to be entered in the Family Register with his brother's rank-a capital offence by Chinese law. He succeeded in de- ceiving the authorities and became an expectant sub-prefoot in Kiangsi. But as soon as he obtained substantive promotion to sub-prefect, those of his family who know of his fraud began to make heavy demands on him for money, until from this and other causes he became hopelessly involved in debt. It is said that full evidence is to be had 'of these circumstances which would seem in themselves to offer an adequate motive for suicide.
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