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CANTON.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
NEW MABKETU.
March 31st.
There is a pond in front of the temple of the God of Fire in Ho Ka Street in the western suburbs. This pond is let out to the farmers for growing vegetables. The authorities think that the site is very suitable for the building of a market and intend to fill it up shortly. The authorities intend to build nuother market in the Han Yuk lane, and the Nam Hoi Magistrate has already sent a deputy to survey it.
WORKS SUSPENDED.
The Governor's Yamen was to be compl-tely pulled down in order to build a large college on the site for training soldiers. On the 25th inst. the work was suddenly stopped. It is reported that this was due to the fact that the Board of Revenue had refused to allow the Viceroy to sontract for a foreign loan, and His Excellency has not yet been able to raise the necessary funds, which amount to over Tls. 100,000, for the construction of the college.
CHINESE QUACKS.
It is reported that the Viceroy wants to test the knowledge of all the local Chinese doctors | in an examination, as he thinks that the majority of them are not competent. Those unable to pass the examination will not be allowed to practice. The local Chinese teachers have already been examined, and none but those qualified are allowed to practice,
COPPRE COINS.
In consequence of other provinces having taken steps to forbid the importation of copper coins, the authorities here are not able to find markets for the consumption of the Kwangtung cents. They are now offering them for sale at six mace eight candareens per hundred. For large quantities the price is reduced by one candareon.
April 2nd.
THE EMPEROR'S HEALTH
Viceroy Shum has issued a proclamation stating that he has heard from the papers that the people wanted to hold a meeting on the
1st inst. in the shrine of Confucius to show
their concern for the health of His Majesty the Emperor of China. This was a gratifying sign of loyalty, His Excelleney says that he bas information that the Emperor is again quite well, and attending State business as asual. He therefore issues this proclamation to allay the people's anxiety. It is reported that several thousand people went to the shrine of Confucius to attend the meeting, but dis- persed as soon as they heard of the Viceroy's
announcement.
ROBBED AND FLOGGED,
On the 31st ult. a man who was passing on the Sha Ku To Tou was robbed. He shouted for assistance, but to his surprise and rage was beaten by the very people he was calling to his help, viz., a number of Chuk Pi soldiers. The people learning this were indignant; several hundred collected in front of the soldiers' station, and made a great deal of noise. They now demand a meeting of the Kai Fong to discuss the maiter.
April 3rd.
THE VICEROY AND THE MERCHANTS.
In reply to a dispatch sent by the General Chamber of Commerce, Viceroy Shum issued the following proclamation:--" I am very pleased to hear that you have already collected over $1,800,000, being twenty per cent, of the share subscriptions, that this amount does not include shares that have been subscribed abroad; and that the $2,000,000 received for the purpose of building the railway will be forthcoming before long. I observe that the merchants are united in the carrying out of public affairs. This will not only be beneficial to the Kwangtung Province, bat also to the three provinces that are interested in it. I will immediately memorialize to the Throne that the construction and control of the railway has been handed over to the merchants, and will also forward a dispatch to the Board of Commerce requesting them to put same on record. As this is a huge undertaking, and there are many important affairs that have to be put through daily, you ought to appoint a
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Chief Director. I request the nine large charitable institutions and the 72 guilds to temporarily take over the concern from the Government. Hereafter the local authorities will afford protection to the merchan's and the railway, bat will not interfere with its fiusnosa or its employees. Should anybody interfere with the railway the people are requested to send petitions to the local authorities, who will give their attention to the matter and will cause All such offenders to be severely punishel. the taxes I have authorised to be levied, such as the Tai-Pu, field and others, for the purpose of raising funds for the railway will be abolished. as you have got the necessary capital. I trust that unity amongst the merchants will steadily strengthen and that they will push matters forward so as to get all the shares subscribed. As the interest on the foreign loan will fall due on the 6th inst. and as you stated in your despatch that you are unable to touch the money- subscribed as the company is not yet regularly planted, I have already instracted the Siu-Han- Kak to prepare the amount and to pay it on the due date. When the merchants take over the concern from the Government they are to reimburse the amount. I have iseaned this for the information of the proclamation public."
April 4th.
KWANGTUNG'S GOOD EXAMPLE, The gentry and merchauts of the Chekiang Province have sent a petition some time ago to the Peking Board of Commerce requesting them to memorialize the Throne to graut them the privilege of constructing and controlling the railways in their province. An Imperial edict was issued granting th in their applica- tion, and a large company has now been formed to promote industrial enterprises. Canvassers for shares have been sent everywhere, and the company has advised Viceroy Shum that Expectant Taotai Li Chit-tsun has been appointed as agent of the company in Canton.
UNOFFICIAL METHODS.
The German Consul here has sent a despatch to Viceroy Shum stating that on the 20th day of the 2nd moon he read a notice in the Yeong Shi Po alleging that a Protestant missionary, a German subject named Kwok Yu-kin, had sent plans of ground reclaimed in frout of his charch which did not correspond in area to the actual ground reclaimed magistrate for registration as church property. The Consul states that he knew nothing about the matter until he read the above news in the
to the Nan-hoi
newspaper and requests the Viceroy to inform his subordinates that he has instructed the
German missionaries not to deal direct with the officials in future, and that should any communication be sent hereafter direct to the authorities to take no notice of them and to return them to the sender. Viceroy Shu a has consequently given instructions to all the officials that no letters addressed to them direct should be received in future, so as to avoid complications.
[We understand that such documents, when forwarded through the proper consular channels, often do not return from the Chinese for six months or more. When the applicant sends a Chinaman direct, and pays a "squeeze," they are stamped and registered instanter.-Ed.;
BOYCOTT STILL IN FORCE,
The scholars of the different schools and colleges of Canton have decided to use materials other than of American make for their summer uniforms. Tailors aud outfitters who shall be found to use American drills shall be boycotted.
[April 7, 1906.
appointed directors and assistant directors to supervise the installation of the factory. The Prefect Chan Mong-tsang and Tantai Wen Tsung-yao are among those appointed by the Viceroy. A site has already been selected behind Chau Tung-sang's godowa (Yew Kes).
BIG RECLAMATION SCHEME.
Vivery Shum proposes to reclaim the fore- shor from Chan Tan Tsui to Pak-Hin-Hok (near B. & 2. godowns in Honami).
ARMED ROBBERY AT SHANGHAI
Was
Hongkew in the early hours of March 28th.
A serious armed affeay took place in Li It appears that while Native P. C. 236 was ou patrol duty in the vicinity of Hanbury Road he saw a crowd of about thirly natires endeavour- ing to break down a shop door with a large stone. Thinking there was a fire in progress he went up to see what was the matter, but his presence was not welcome, as one of the crowd turned round and struck his on the shoulder. As he outnumbered and incapable of doing anything, the constable endeavoured to beat a retreat, but he was followed up by two ruffi、ns, who, as he thought, struck him with a stone. When he succeeded in escaping to an alleyway he attempted to blow his whistle, but could not do se.
He beckoned to a ricsha coolio who came up and blew it for him. Another natire policeraan then appeared on the acne and with his assistance the injured man was put into a rieshaand brought to the police station. Thence he was sent to St. Luke's Hospital, where he was found to be suffering from four stab; on tha chest, arm, and shoul‘er. The most serious wound was that in the chest, the weapon having penetrated to the lung. Although the wound is a very serious one, it is hoped that after a few weeks trea'ment in hospital the man will
recover.
Menuwhile the armed ruffians had succeeded in demolishing the door of the rice shop, and afterdriving out the inmates, all of whom escaped without very serious injury, they made off with all the money found on the premises, which amounted only to a few thousand cash.
Armed robberies have been so frequent of late, and the police have been so unsuccessful in
capturing the culprits, that it seems as though some more drastic measures were necessary. The Council might consider whether, after a certain hour, natires should not have to produce night passes, or else the police should be given authority to arrest auy gings of men who may be found acting in a suspicious manner in the thoroughfares of the Settlements. V.-C. Daily
News.
CHINESE IRON ORE.
The following appeared in the Hankow Daily News of March 23rd :-
It is not generally known outside of Haukow that there is a very large export of iron ore from Shu Wei Yao to Japan. This port is situated on the Yangtzo about eighty miles down the river from Hankow. The quantity sent away last yoar amounted to over ninety thousand toos, The mine itself is about twenty miles from the river and connected with it by a well constructed railway. The ore is exceed- ingly rich and pans out sixty to sixty-five per cent. of iron of the very
best quality.
"CHINA MERCHANTS ENTERPRISE. Amongst the many properties seized belong. | is ing to Chau Tung-saug there is a fine spacious godowu situated on the foreshore of Fong Chuen. The depth of the river at that place is sufficient to permit large ste mers to come alongside. It is said that the China Merchauts Steamship Co. have applied to the Viceroy to rent the godown and to build a wharf therò for their steamers.
A CHINESE CEMENT WORKS.
I reported som time ago that Viceroy Shum had cancelled a lease held by Furg Wa-chuen to quarry stones from Fi-Shu-Ngau in the Fa- Yuen district on the plea that it was Govern. ment property. The stone is used to make cement and the Viceroy has decided to establish a cement factory in Pong-chuen and has
From reliable information which we have received there 3rd millions of tons of this ich iron ore in sigat, in addition to large quantities of lime stone. The mine
Hupeh worked by the
Government under Europe in supervision. We understand that the arrangement to sell this ore to the Japanese was made between the two Govern ments but we wonder why China, having such large supplies of mineral in the country does not exert herself and erect iron foundries nearer to the producing ground than the Hanyang Iron Works are. From our Peking letter received which reached us with to-day's last delivery we have information which we hope will turn out correct--that the Viceroy Chang Chi-tung has at last come forward with tangible proposals for mining laws, which should give a strong impetus to the mining industry of this province by opening up other fields as rich with ore as the one near Shu Wei Yao,
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