F
June 25, 1906.]
My object in addressing you is to beg of you to use every effort to keep the subject to the front in all resolutions of Chambers of Com- merce and in having them in every other way possible continue to show that they remain in warm sympathy with
efforts. Yours faithfully,
our
(8gd.) E. JOHNSON,
Secretary. The Chairman said this letter had crossed one from the Chamber sent on 6th ultimo enclosing donation of £10 and informing the Associa- tion that the Chamber's delegates at the forth. coming Congress in London of the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire had instructions to support the reform. The Hongkong Chamber had during the past 3 years helped the movement all they could.
TIME-BALL AT KOWLOON,
The following letter was read :-
Colonial Secretary's Office.
34th April, 1906, Sir-Referring to your letter of the 2nd October last on the subject of the position of the Time-Ball at Kowloon, I am directed to forward for the information of
your Chamber a plan showing the position on which it was decided to erect the new tower.
This site, as you are aware, had recently been marked by a bamboo scaffolding, and I under. stand that it meets with the approval of the Chamber.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
You can therefore be assured that in express- ing the wishes of this commercial community including as it does several important American business institutions, that the regret at the calamity which has unhappily fallen on your state is shared very deeply ou this side, and to express the hope that the recovery to normal conditions may be obtained with that quickness of purpose which is so characteristic of the American people.-I have &c..
(Sgd.) E, A. Hewett,
Chairman.
PETROLEUM IN BULK,
am
His Excellency Governor Pardee, Sacramento, California.
Correspondence was read between the Govern. ment and the Chamber regarding the working of tank oil ships at night.
The Chairman said that the Government Gazette of the 4th instant contained an amend ment of the petroleum in bulk regulations providing for night working of tank oil ships. The Government had very promptly met the suggestions of the Committee in the interests of the oil trade of the port.
CHAMBER'S REPRESENTATIVE ON THE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Correspondence was road conveying the thanks of the committee t Mr. R. Shewan for his services in the Council and advising the Government of the result of the election on the
K
431
LOONGWO'S" TRIAL TRIP.
A CREDITABle performANCE.
There is no exaggeration in the statement that the Hongkong and Whampoa Dook Company have achieved a remarkable success in their production of the Loongwo, a steamer built to the order of the Indo-China Steam Navigation Company, and designed for the Yangtee River trade. Launched only two months' ago, in record time, she underwent her trial trip on June 18, the result being to add to the credit of the work undertaken by the Company.
are
The vessel, it will be remembered, has a total length of 342 feet and her tonnage is about 1000 tons. Since she left the ways on April 18th, she has been engined and equipped with the usual fittings. Such progress has been made locally in shipbuilding that the engines constructed and fitted here, though many of the fittings and material have to be brought from home. The staff of Messrs. Lane, Crawford & Coy, have also been at work on the ship since she took to the water, and the conveniences adequate accommodation and shown in the construction of the vessel have been embellished by the furnishings, which they have supplied. Comfort is everywhere apparent. In the twelve state-rooms for first class European travellers, there are two beds in each, KWONG TUNG"." TAI ON" COLLISION ACTION. and their cool, airy appearance is enhanced by The following reply was read :-
the mosquito nets. The presence of such an Hongkong Chamber of Commerce, item indicates the attention to detail which is 9th April, 1906, evident throughout. The first class Chinese Sir.-I am
rooms, directed to acknowledge the
14 in number, show a special treatment not hitherto accorded this class. The Secretary, Chamber of Commerce. receipt of your letter of the 19th ultimo cover- The Chairman explained that the site selecteding copy of letter from the Chief Justice to the and even the second class is in advance of The books for third class by the Government was one of two recom-
Governor relating to the Kwong Tung mended by the Committee in October last and "Tai On" collision action recently heard in passengers number 370, while there is also a was undoubtedly the best available as it was the Supreme Court, and to express the thinks liberal allowance for the compradore's staff, visible from nearly all parts of the harbour.
of my committee for the privilege is Excel-boys, etc. In fact there is nothing stinted or It was decided to recommend black as the lency has afforded them of giving an opinion in half done.
[uxurious. best colour for the Time-Ball.
I shall be glad to learn what colour the Chamber consider to be most suitable for the proposed ball.-1 have &c.,
(8gd.) T. SFRCOMBE SMITH,
Colonial Secretary.
INDIAN COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE,
Letters were read from the Colonial Secretary and Secretary to the Government of India regarding the formation of a Commercial Intelligence Department for India and the issue of a weekly trade paper under the direction of Mr. Noel-Paton, late Secretary of the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce. It was decided to reply that the Chamber would undertake to correspond with the new depart- ment on matters relating to Hongkong and trade with Indian ports. SIXTH CONGRESS OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE OF THE EMPIRE.
The Secretary reported that a cable had been despatched to the Secretary of the Congress advising him of the names of the delegation from Hongkong who would represent the Chamber at the mestings in London during July next and that letters inviting the services of Sir Thomas Jackson, Messrs. Gershom Stewart, F. Salinger and R. C. Wilcox had been mailed on the 7th ultimo.
SAN FRANCISCO DISASTER.
The following letter was read:
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce
30th April, 1906. Sir, I have the honour to confirm cable seat to you on the 23rd instant as follows:-" The Hongkong Chamber of Commerce desires to convey to the City of San Francisco and neigh- bourhood its beartfelt sympathy in the dire calamity which has befallen it."
My committee felt it was only fitting the commercial community of this Colony should assure their friends in San Francisco of the sympathy reflected on this side with the sufferers in what may well be considered the most overwhelming and disastrous calamity in modern times.
The members of the Chamber at a general meeting held on the 20th instant confirmed the action of my committee and in the course of my speech on this occasion I was able to refer to the mutual good resulting from the long standing trade relations now grown to such large propor- tions which exist between this Colony and California and the City of San Francisco in particular, the chief shipping port in the United States Pacific Coast from which the American mail lines. have to make this Colony their terminus in the Far East.
|
26th ultimo.
14
the matter.
owners and
It appears that the larger river steam^rs under the management of European companies and firms invariably carry two cortificated officers, in addition to the captain, under the belief that the extra expense repays them in the additional security afforded to passengers, but the committee cannot see their way to recommend the compulsory adoption of this practice as a similar class of vessel is not only required to carry more than a master and “ mate" nader English law. -I have, &o..
(Sgd.) A. R. Lowe,
Secretary.
$
Hon. T. Sercombe Smith,
Colonial Secretary.
CHINESE SUBSIDIARY (SILVER) COINS. The correspondence with 8. J. Lavid and Coy. and from the Star Ferry Company was then read, and it was decided to write to the Chambers of Commerce at Shanghai and Tien- tain on the subject with a view to further representations being made to the Peking authorities urging the unitigation of Chinese currency.
This concluded the business before the meeting.
UP-TO-DATE PIRATES.
CANTON STEAMER "LOOTED.
Our Canton correspondent, writing on June 14th, says:-A few days ago, the steamer Cheong Fat, which trades between Canton and Wachow, was pirated near Shin-hing.
It appears that the pirates had gone on board as passengers, taking their tickets like respect. able folk, and remaining unconspicuous antil the vessel was approaching Shin-hing. Here they manifested considerable interest in the scenery; and spent a good deal of time looking over the sea. When some small boats appeared in sight, they, the pirate-passengers, over-an the steamer, overpowered the crew, and hastily looted the steamer. The small boats came up at a signal, booty worth ten thousand dollars was trans-shipped, and the pirates followed it.
Shortly after they had gone, a Chinese gunboat appeared. 'The story was poured into the ears of the commander, who actually made haste in pursuit. No report has yet reached Canton of his success or otherwise.
↑
the usual.
The furnishings are indeed
The company who responded to the invitation of the directors to be present yesterday had full opportunity of knowing how pleasant it is to travel on such a' ship. Her engines, built on the Tweedie-Slick.Yarrow balance principle, minimise vibration, so that nothing of that disagreeable sensation is experienced. Captain McIsaac was in charge of the ship for the day, but Captain Selby will assume command for the
in owners
B day or two. This is a further indication of the remarkable de. spatch which has attended the construction of this ship. She has been built and will be band. ed over to the owners well ander the contract time of eleven months, a performance which is highly creditable to all concerned. Those who are competent to judge declare that she is the finest the Dock Company have yet turned out, even superior to the Tukio, and the probability is that another order will soon follow.
When the Loongwo left her anchorage yes- terday and sailed for the locality between Aberdeen and Stanley, where the tests are usually carried out, the weather conditions were most agreeable and the prospects left little to be desired. Arrived at the measured mile, the Loongwo was run over it four times, attaining an average speed of 13.5 knots, which was regarded as exceedingly satisfactory, her contract speed being 13 knots. Afterwards the anchor was dropped and the compiny sat down to tima in the well-appointed dining-room. Mr. W. Wilson, manager, presided and there were also present-Messrs. R. Mitchell (assistant manager), H. T. Richardson, Captain Kent, J. Macdonald, W. A. Crake, G. Caldwell, C. H. Ross, A. Sinclair, R. Sutherland, Captain Selby, McEwan (chief engineer), Captain Christie, M. Daily, W. Ramsay, Captain Innes, Captain Douglas, F. C. Wilford, H. Carmichael, R. Tester, Lieut. Belgrave, R. W. F., A. McKenzie and A. Wilford.
The Chairman, in proposing “Success to the Loongwo", expressed a hope that the owners, Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co., would find the vessel a success. He was sorry that their representative, the Hon. Mr. Gresson, was no- able to be present, but he was very pleased to see Mr. Ross and Mr. Sinclair there. The Loongwo was the biggest ship the Dock Com- pany had turned out, and he hoped she would be the greatest success of any yet bailt (hear, hear), He thanked the gentlemen for their