་་
May 5, 1906.]
Chinese gentlemen had taken in the tramways and hoped that this interest would continue and that the Chinese Municipal Council would see its way to adopt tramways in or around the Chinese city. If the Chinese officials saw their way to entertain any such scheme be was sure that Mr. Shorrock and Mr. Wright would be very glad to offer their services and do what they could to help carry it out. Mr. Tao replied on behalf of the Chinese Municipal Council.
44
Mr. Shorrock submitted Success to the French Municipality." He said that dwellers on this side of the Yangkingpang had for some time past looked with considerable interest on the way
the Council on the other side conducted its business and more particularly on the way in which they laid out their roads, on which be congratulated them. It was satisfactory to know that the relations between the two Councils were such that they seemed to share the entente cordiale which had been established between the two countries at home.
The
friendship was very satisfactory to both. Tramways were to be laid down on the French side and they were to be on the same system as on this side, so he hoped the time would come when the Councils would make an agres- ment to run their trams right through. over each other's lines. Mr. E. T. J, Blount responded on behalf of Mr. G. Henriot, who had left. He said that when the French Council did come to lay down their tramways he was sure that any suggestions would be welcomed which came from the Council of the larger Settlement. The Chairman proposed the toast of "The Municipal Council of the International Settlement" coupling with it the name of Mr. Cecil Holliday. In response, the Chairman of Council said that when he came to Shanghai in 1877 people were talking about tramways, and now they were to have them. He hoped that even those who had opposed the tramways, when whirled out to their country residences at the speed of a motor car, and at the price of a riosha, would find some compensa tion and perhaps consolation for the fact that their objections had not availed.
REVIEWS.
1
Children of Far Cathay, by CHARLES J. HAL-
COMBE. Hongkong: Daily Press Office.
The Children of Far Cathay' is not unknown to our readers. I recently appeared as a serial in the columns of the Daily Press, and now its publication in book form will be appreciated as much by those who enjoyed a little of it week by week as well as those who now peruse it for the first time. The author, Mr. Charles J. Halcombe, has in previous writing displayed his knowledge of Chinese life and customs, and while his descriptions of social customs and superstitions in the Middle Kingdom give a certain value to the present novel, bis exposition of Chinese politics, and particularly the aspirations of the reform party will be found deeply interesting alike to the student of things Chinese and to the individual who reads the novel for the pleasure it affords. Writing with sympathy, Mr. Halcombe emphasises once more the fact that the hiusman is not a rude barbarian or ignorant savage. He belongs to an ingenious but antiquated civilisa- tion, which makes the point of view altogether different, and accounts for the difficulties and misunderstandings which to frequently arise between the Celestial and the Occidental. Besides that, the people being the victims of misgovernment, national and local. bare to suffer for sins which cannot fairly be laid to their charge. The story itself is of absorbing and at times thrilling interest. There is plenty of movement, beginning with the oppression of a tyrannical taotai, the discontent which it provoked, a sensational escape, and ending with the revolt which culminated in the downfall of the tyrant and the spread of ideas of enlightenment and reform, and some of the incidents are characterised with dramatic force and tensity. Although the principal character is a missionary, a class about whom there is more than one opinion, he is not of the objectionable fanatical type. As the result of his intercourse with the people, as well as from his own good sense, he is led to realise the good in other religious beliefs. He does not believe
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. any the less in his own religion. He is merely more rational and therefore more tolerant of other ideas. He simply adopts other methods for winning the people to the Christianity which be still regards as the one true religion. For instance, the Bible which he hands as a gift to his Chinese friend, who is a distinguished scholar and leader of the revolutionary forces, is the cause of that individual professing Christianity, a result which would never have been attained had he pursued his old frontal attacks. The love element is more picturesque than usual by reason of the Chinese influence, the missionary himself marrying a Chinese lady who had defied native custom in assisting him when stricken down by the mob. Altogether the "Children of Far Cathay" will be found a most readable book, and an excellent volume indeed for presentation to friends at home, being well bound in yellow cloth with Chinese emblems in gold. Its price is $3.50.
A FATAL FIGHT.
ALLEGED MANSI AUGHTER.
A carpenter named Kwong Cheng went to the Government Civil Hospital last week and died a few days afterwards from injuries received during a fight with another carpenter. Inquiries had by this time been instituted by the police and it was ascertained that the victim had been in the babit of receiving visits from a fellow tradesman named Chang Hing, but as his employer objected to the frequent visits Cheng informed his friend of the fact. The latter resented such interference, and quarrelled with his friend, words being exchanged for blows. It was alleged that in the course of the fight, Chan Hing picked up a piece of wood and struck Kwong Cheng on the head. Next morning the latter went to the Magistracy and applied for a summons against the former for assault, and the application having been grant ed, the case was to be heard yesterday. In the meantime Kwong Cheng had taken ill and going to the hospital died as stated. Chan Hing was arrested and charged at the Magistracy yesterday with the manslaughter of Kwong Cheng on 25th April. He pleaded not guilty and the case was adjourned till Monday.
ENTERTAINING FRENCH AND JAPANESE FLEETS.
Subscriptions previously acknowledged $2,210.
Since received:--
R. R. Hynd
Moosa E. Vieira & Co...
1
COMMERCIAL.
SILK.
Messrs. A. R. Burkill & Sons'- Silk Circular, dated Shanghai, 21st April, 1906, states-The home markets are quiet; Gold Kiling is quoted in London at 12-10 and in Lyons at Fes. 35.87. Raw Silk.-Since the date of our last Circular Enster Holidays have intervened, consequently there is little business to report. The stock of Tsatlees is now reduced to about 500 balos ; sales recorded show no change in rate. Yellow Silk.- A few settlements have been made, Hand tulatures-A fow parcels of Ordinary reel Fila- Fires have been taken for Europe. Steam Filatures. Sales this week have been on a moderate scale and confined to European Oper ators. Waste Silk.-Market there keeps quiet, as there are no stocks. There has been some busi. ness done in Tussah Waste 6.-40 Tls. 22).
CANTON, 21st April, 1906:-Long-reels.-Dur- ing the earlier part of the fortnight the market was rather quiet; latterly, under the influence of improved advices from Europe, buyers have shown more readiness to meet holders, and a good deal of business has ensued. Fine sizes are becoming daily more and more scarce. Some contracts in new silk, chiefly market cargo 11/13, 18/15, 14/18 *nd 18/22 have been booked at limits a little un- der our quotations. From salcs made we quote : Fres. Tsung Wai Hang 11/13 at $930, Kun Wa Lun 9/11 at $925, On Wo Hing 9/11 at $915, Tung Wo Hing & Quang Wo Hing 10/12 at $910, Wing Po Cheong 10/12 at $900, Kwong Shun Cheong 11/13 at $005, Ling Chai 11/18 at $895, Kum Kun Tai 13/15 at #900, Sun Yue Lun 18/18 at $855, Shun Kee 16/18 at $860, Kwong Cheong Sing 18/22 at $780, Best 3me, or tre 11/13, 13/15, 14/18 at from $750 to $700. Short-reals-Tho demand from New York has increased, but con- tracts in new silk have only been booked to a small extent owing to the high prices asket by dealers. Kwong Shun Ching 14/18 (6th crop) has fetched $875. Waste Silk.-Has been in better demand, and buying has recommenced on a large scale. Values in the interior are upheld, and are beyond the reach of foreign buyers. There have been some transactions in new waste for delivery in July/August/September at a little under our quotations. Stock of Silk in Canton :
1,200 hales,
OPIUM.
HONGKONG, 3rd May.
Quotations are:--Allowance net to 1 catty.
Malwa New
.$950 to
per picul:
Malwa Old
$1000 to
do.
Malwa Older
$1050 to
do.
20.
15.
Malwa Very Old ,$1100 to Persian Fiue Quality $950 to Persian Extra Fine ...$1000 to Patna Now
$880 to Patna Old
$860 to .$810 to
do.
do.
do.
per chest.
to
do. do. do.
Total subscriptions received.. $2,245. All bills have now been paid and the account is closed by the guarantors paying a call of $183.56 each.
J. R. M. Smith, Hon. Treasurer.
The following is a list of the guarantors:- The Hon. Sir Paul Chater, C.M.G., to Hon. Mr. C. W. Dickson, the Hon. Mr. R. Phewan, the Hon. Mr. Gershom Stewart, Messrs. A. Babington, T. P. Cochrane, E. A. Hewett, T. F. Hough, E. S. Kadooris, D. R Law, 8. A. Levy, G. H. Medhurst, H. N. Mody, A. H. Rennie, E Shellim, J. R. M. Smith sad A. G. Wɩod.
ABBREVIATIONS OF NAMES OF CHINESE PROVINCES.
This list is to be adopted officially by the Chinese Imperial Post Office and other govern- ment offices. It is supplied to us by the Statistical Department of the I.M.C:-
Ảnhwei An Chekiang. Che Chihli
Kwei
Kweichow Manoburia
Chi
Fukien
Fa
Kirin
Man Shengking King
Kir
Honan
Ho
Heilungkiang Hei
Hanan
Han
Shansi...
Sha
Hupeh Kansa Kiangsi Kiangsu Kwangsi Bi Kwangtung Tang
Hap
Shantung Kan Shensi... Ki
Sht
She
www
Sinkiang
Sin
Ka
Szechwan
8ze
Yunnan
Benares New Benares Old
COAL.
Messrs. Hughes and Hough, in their Coal Report of 3rd May, state that 18 steamers are expected at Hongkong with a total of 70,300 tons of coal. Since April 20th 13 steamers have arrived with a total of 47,925 tons of coal. Report also states that Cardiff and The Australian coal has been neglected during the fort- night. In Japanese a small business is reported, and prices inclined to weaken. Holders howover are Arm in their demand. Market closes gene- rally steady. Quotations:-
Cardiff. Australian
.$15.00 ex-ship, nominal.
$9.50 to $10.25 ex-ship, steady. Yubari Lump.....$12.00 nominal. * Miiki Lump ...$12.00 steady. Moji Lump ....$9.00 to $10.00 ex-ship, steady. ·
.$9.75 to $10.00 steady,
Akaike....
Bongal......
.*9.00 to $10.00 nominal,
Yan
RAW COTTON.
HONGKONG, 4th May.-Moderate business at a decline of $3 to $1. Stock about 400 balos. Bombay..
$18.50 to $20.50 per pol
Bengal (New), Rangoon) 22.00 to 24.00
Shanghai and Japanese..... 26.00 to 27.00 Tungchow and Ningpo 26.00 to 27.00
Reported sales 150 bales.
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