C
310
SALSHANGHATS “ LAST CHIEF
JUSTICE."
"
UNVEILING CEREMONY AT THE SUPREME COURT.
official
At noon on April 20 the severe presence" of His Britannic Majesty's Supreme Court for once was lacking, and the privileged persons present were the spectators of an unusual scene. The table which is usually heavily laden with legal works, authorities, and documents was the resting place of cham- pagne glasses and light refreshments, the green baise being partially covered with while linea cloths. On the walls were hung portraits of the gentlemen who have presided over the Court as Chief Justic-Bir Edmund Hornby (1865-1976). George French, Esq. (1877-1981), Sir Richard Rennie (1882-1891), Sir Nicholas Hannen (1891-1900), and, covered with a red surtain, a portrait of Sir Hiram Shaw Wilkin- son, Chief Justice from 1900 to 1905,
The occasion was the unveiling of the portrait of Sir Hiram, which has been presented to the Court by the members of the local Bar. Hitherto the portraits of former Chief Justices of H. M.'s Court in China and Cores have been hung in the Judges' room, but a little while since the officers of the Court decided that the public should have the benefit of seeing these pictures of judicial dignitaries, and so they were removed to the Court house appropriately at the same time that an addition was to be made to them.
There was quite a large gathering including the Assistant Judge (F. 8. A. Bourne, Esq.) the Crown Advocate (H. P. Wilkinson, Esq ). members of the Bar, officers of the Court, and several invited Pressmen. The Registrar (J. C. E. Douglas, Esq.) said-Gentlemen,-We are here to-day for two purposes. One is to unveil the portrait of the late Chief Justice, Sir Hiram Bhaw Wilkinson, and the second to drink his health with his son. I propose that Mr. Bourne take the chair.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
At the base of the portrait of Bir Hiram is a silver plate on which is inscribed :—“ “Sir Hiram Shaw Wilkinson, Kt, Chief Justice of H. B. M.'s Supreme Court for C. and C. 1900 to 1905."-N.-C. Daily News.
[April 30, 1906.
We are responsible for the italics. Elsewhere we print a Decree dealing with the mendacious Chinese Governor. The case of a missionary correspondent of a contemporary, who wrote that Chiang had no reason to commit suicide, and that all circumstances pointed to murder, IN MEMORIAM: ROBERT WILLIAM | hope, faintly, that his own conscience will renew cannot, unfortunately, be so dealt with. Wo
its motivity.
LITTLE.
D.ED 20TH April, 1906.
This is taken from the N.-C. Daily News of April 21:-
We do not need to ask the sympathy of our readers this morning in the loss-the irrepar- able loss-which the words above written mean for us. Our sorrow is Shanghai's. It is not for us who have lived with Mr. Little, who have worked under him, who have looked to him for unfailing leadership, to praise him. As our chief we honoured him, as our friend we deplore him. Everyone knew him. half Shanghai he was invariably “Uncle Bob"; and to know him was to love him.
To
FOREIGN TRADE OF JAPAN.
CONTINUED EXCESS OF IMPORTS,
دام
There appears to be no end to the exoses of imports over exports, writes the Oriental Economist. In January the excess amounted to Y8,240,000, Y5,540,000 in February, and Y3,000,000 to the middle of March. This stats of affairs i inevitable so long as the Govern- ment continues its loan policy, which causes the expansion of currency and the rise in the price of commodities. The general trend of foreign trade since the beginning of last year may be seen from the following figures- 1905.
Jan.
Feb.
March April .. May
June
July Aug.
A son of the late Dr. W. J. Little, late senior physician of the London Hospital, Robert Little proceeded from 8. Paul's School to Oriel College, Oxford, where he graduated. He came out to Shanghai rather more than forty years ago, making the tedious voyage round the Cape before the days of steamers or Suez Canal. He was engaged for some years in different branches of commerce, as a tea merchant and as secretary to the Shanghai Electrical Company, among other things until he joined the staff of the North-China Herald first as Sub-Editor, and succeeding Mr. J. W. Maclellan as Editor, some years later, in March 1889, His fellow journalists showed their appreciation of his worth by electing him one of the few Fellows of the Institute of Journalists outside the home country. Before undertaking news- paper work Mr. Little had already taken the keenest interest in public affairs and from 1879 Jan. to 1881 was
Chairman of the Municipal Feb. Council. A polished scholarly writer, be was also a fluent public speaker, with the rare gift of saying the right thing at the right time in the right way.
the
The Assistant Judge said Gentlemen, Please consider that I am in the chair. It would be very wrong if Sir Hiram Wilkinson, who was There was no keener sportsman in his day. Chief Justice here until recently, and who
Mr. Little was an origiral member of the Hook worked so long and so hard in this place, should and Ladder Fire Company, now the Mihho be forgotten. He will not be forgotten easily loongs; he rode with the Shanghai Rangers, by us, but time passes and as time passes one's dashing predecessors of our present Light memory does not become clearer, and I think it Horse, and was a member of the Reserve Com- is well, and I am sure you will all agree with me,
pany of Volunteers till quite recently. As an that we should have an effigy to remind us of oarsman he was captain and also secretary of him here. Although his body is in Ireland I the Shanghai Rowing Club. am quite certain that his thoughts are very often river intimately and nothing in the way of He knew the in Shanghai, and that as he enjoys his well-watercraft came amiss to him. In matters earned repose in Ireland it will be a pleasure to him to know that his portrait is here in this Court as his mind travels over the ground he so often covered here. I think we cannot do better, and I think you will all wish that Mr. Wilkinson, the Crown Advocate, his son, should unveil his portrait, and I will ask him to do so now, and when that is done we will drink" Long life and happiness to Sir Hiram Wilkinson (applause).
theatrical he took always the keenest interest and he was long one of Shanghai's most popular
amateur entertainers.
The ending of so full a life leves a gap in our community which will not be easily filled. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his nearest relatives, full of years and honour, and his memory will long be cherished in the city to which he gave so much.
The funeral will take place at the Bubbling Well Cemetery on Sunday at 5 p.m.; it is in accordance with his own often expressed wish that friends are asked not to send Rowers.
THE NANCHANG AFFAIR.
The Crown Advocate, having unveiled the portrait of his father, which is hung on the wail on the presiding judge's right, said—Mr. Bourne, Mr. Douglas, fellow lawyers, gentle- men of the fourth estate, and all my friends. Gentlemen,-On behalf of my father I thank you heartily. There is nothing of which he will be more proud than of having his portrait hung in this Court where, as Mr. Bourne has said, he worked so hard, I am sure. His face in the portrait is rather severe, but I am sure that those from whom he demanded most particulars will not think it is a stern face, yet there is a look of business on it, which of course I have not experienced; I have not had to appear before my father (laughter). On behalf of my father, the last Chief Justice, no, "At this interview, having made a complete not, I hope, the last, I thank you, Mr. Bourne.rough oopy of report from the notes obtained and my friends of the Bar. It will be a pleasing the day before at the examination of the wound, memory to my father to think that you have I intimated to the Judge-Yu-that, I would this portrait of him in this Court. I thank like to confirm my written report by another you, Mr.“ Bourne," and officers (of the Court short examination of the body. heartily li
Before the company dispersed they drank to the memory of Sir Edmund Hornby, George French, Esq., Sir Richard Rennie, and Sir Nicholas Hannen..
❘
The N.-C. Daily News pablishes a thres column report of the examination of the wounds of the Chinese Magistrate Chiang, by Dr. C. H. Dawe, of H.M.8. Snipe. The report shows how carefully and painstakingly the con- clusion was reached that the wounds were, as now admitted, self-inflicted; but we have space only for a very brief extract showing the attitude of the Chinese officials.
He objected to this on behalf of the relatives, but soon after stated that if the balance of my evidence was in favour of murder, that he would be able to persuade the relatives to permit another examination.”
i
Oct. Sept.
Nov.
Des.
1906.
**
***
EXPORTS. IMPORTS. Y23,766,577 Y88,281,845 24,631,473 40,023,554 23,632,112 52,356,035
24,402,036 50,453,063 22,954,666 57,193,585
23,881,094 48,234,779
24,287,982 35,609,142
27,890,574
34,589,150
29,532,468 36,526,517
29,218,431
29,267,639
31,298,275 32,212,649
33,879,059
36,537,927
Y321,533,615 Y488,538,017
24,983,183 34,223,319 26,536,048 32,077,333
Same period 1905
Y51,519,281 Y66,800,652 48,398,045 78,235,899 Same period 1904
58,63 1944 48,078,188 As shown above, the large amount of imports brought about by the purchase of military that continued up to June last was mainly supplies, together with the expansion of currency and the consequent rise in general prices. With the stoppage of the importation of military supplies the total imports naturally fell off, but since November they have again indication of the tide (urning. This result has begun to rise, and at present there is no
no doubt been caused by the high prices prevailing in the market. On examining the principal articles of import it will be observed that there is a considerable falling-off in wool, leather, and other articles for military use, while the importation of maslin, shirtings, woollen cloths, etc., has made a marked
ncrease.
༄་།
Turning to exports it will be seen that many articles have been adversely affected owing to the increase in the cost of production. I was only in November and December that exports totalling over 30 million yen were recorded. The total amount of exports for the first two months of this year reached the large sum of 511 million yen, bat this was owing to the large sales of raw silk brought over from last year. A variable increase is noticeable in copper, rios, decrease has taken place in cotton yarn, alik cotton fabrics, porcelains, etc., while a large fabrics, straw braid, matting, etc. Cotton farn shows a decrease for the first two months of this period of 1905, amounting to Y3,690.000," year, as compared with the corresponding
The future trade outlook is by no means reassuring, continues the Tokyo periodical. The Government will before long carry out the redemption of the fourth and fifth domestic war bonds, and though a greater part of these Inques yen worth of bonds are in the hands of are held by foreigners, from 70 to 80 million That amount' will consequently go to "swell the currency`already in circulation, creased inste of convertible, notes, of no amount, will be found necesar) for payment of the new domestic joán, Thang events all tend towards further increasing price the continued exoems of imports
to