Page
July 28, 1906.
vogue
have been considerably delayed in consequence. You
are fully aware of the various methods of local obstruction in in some Chinese quarters; that anfor- tunately this policy-so sh rtsighted in its own interest--has latterly become still more aggres. sive than it was. Your directors have carefully followed out the agreement in every particular so that there can be no possible cause for the invalidation of the Concession, and they are therefore confident that a successful issue can- not fail to be achieved. Mr. Little, the vendor. is on his way North and will doubtless be able to conclude satisfactory arrangements with the Waiwupu with the valuable support of H. M.'s Charge d'Affairs at Peking. In the meantime shareholders must exercise patience and resi assured that their directors are doing their utmost to protect their interests and to get matters amicably settled with the Chinese authorities as soon as possible. The subscribed capital remaining in the banks fill this is done. That, gentlemen, unless you have any questions to ask, concludes the business of the meeting, and I have to think you for your attendance.
THE COLONY'S ASSESSMENT,
;
The report of Mr. David Wood, Government Assessor, is published in the current Gazette, It shows that the rateable value of the whole Colony has increased from $10,472,278 to $10.930,273, an addition of $457 995, or 137 per cent. During the year no general assesment has been made, the increase in rateable value. bring the result of interim assessments. It is a noteworthy fact that in each and every district in the Colony, the percentage on valuations has increased. In the city of Victoria the increase is $375,730, while in the rest of the Colouy it is stated to be 882,212 and in New Kowloon $45.
The following tabulated statement will be of interest as showing the increased per- centages an valuations in the different districts:-
City of Victoria The Hill District.
Kowloon Point
Yaumati...
Hunghom
Mongkoktsui..
127 156
KH2
אוזי
482
Thankiwan
1.74
Tai Hang
08-907
Hongkong Villages
187
Kowloon Villages.
694
New Kowloon
THE VALUE OF PORT ARTHUR.
INTERESTING PROPOSITION.
A Tokyo dispatch states that the question of the value of Port Arthur as a stinghold engaging attention in military circles. It is stated that the opinion is gaining ground that it is inadvisable to reconstruct the fortress. expending a large amount of money and arous- ing the suspicion of the Powers, and that the
defensive works should be rather entirely destroyed.
A later message states that the question of
the re-defence of Port Arthur has now been
practically decided upon. Japanese military plans attach great importance to Sasebo, and it is proposed to make Port Arthur an ordinary uaral station, Appropriate defences will be constructed, leaving Port Arthur as free as is practicable from military relations, in view of the opening of Tairen as a free port.
THE BOYCOTT MARTYR.
FUNG HA-WAI'S REMAINS.
¦
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
SHANGHAL-NANKING
RAILWAY.
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The opening of this line as far as Wusioh was naturally regarded as a very important event, and the Shanghai pipers devote a great in our tel-grams, took place on July th deal of space to the event, which, as announced
The private road leading to the station was lined with Chinese sailors at attention with fixed bayonets, and the station itself was gaily decorated with flags, while a string band rendered lively music. By the platform was drawn up a long train of ten corridor carriages; drawn by one of the powerful engines lately turned out from the Darlington works.
The formalities at Shanghai delayed the start, which had been timed for 9.30a.m. by! thirteen minutes, but when Chenju station had passed and the long straight run of thirteen miles to and beyond Naziang was entered, speed was accelerated until the train was travelling at upwards of forty miles an hour. Later there was a slackening again, but the lost minutes, except three, were made good by the time Quinsan (32) miles) had been reached. Two and a half hours ¦ had been allowed for the rnu to the provincial espital (53) miles). but it was actually made in two hours and twenty minutes, that is to say in very little longer time that is occupied by many of the trains between London and Brighton, about an equal distance. For a triat run over a new line with a heavy train this must be consider d satisfactory. Under more normal couditions it should be possible shortly to bring Soochow within an hour and a half's journey of Shanghai.
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At the tiffin at Soochow, II. E. Chan Kwei. lune, Governor of Kiangsu, presided, supported by H. E. Shou Kungpao, Treaty Commissioner and formerly Director-General of Railways; Taotai Chung Mun-yew, who had been specially deputed by H. E. Tang Shao-yi. the present Director-General of Railways, to declare the section open: uearly all the Foreign Consuls of Shanghai; the Members of the Board of Com. missioners (Messrs. McKie, A. H. Collinson. Taotai Shou Tun-ho, J. D. Smart and Taotai Wong Kok-shan); Mr. Houry Keswick and Mr. J. O. P. Bland. representing the British and Chinese Corporation, and others.
H. E. Sheng Kangpao said (in part)-The Government of China has for many years desired to bitild a system of railways connecting the important cities of the empire, and already a good commencement has been made. The pioneer work of overcoming opposition to the introduction of railways was by no means easy aud those of us who felt that opposition, but who now witness the general eagerness in all sections of the empire to build railways, have a feeling of sincere gratification that such great progress we witness to-day has been made China followed the example of mady other money to countries in being obliged to borrow build some of her railways, but the prosperity of those already in operation leads us to believe that we in a few years, according to the contrac's, our Government will be able to pay bick these loans from the receipts of the railways. Then China will have a completed system of which she can be justly proud.
ax
has
DOW
Taotai Chung said the ery for railroads was heard in every province. This liue. running through the richest part of the province had a brilliant future.
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Mr. J. O. P. Blaud, on behalf of the British and hinese Corporation, seconded the toast of had had for such actualities as they were the railway, and alluded to the long wait they
now enjoying. Rapid progress elsewhere might now be expected. He proceeded-As representative of
the British and Chinese Corporation, which has been honourably as
ociated in the past with enterprises productive of no little benefit and strength to the Chinese Empire, it appears to me, however. desirable to observe that the support which this Corporation has enjoyed at the hands of the British Government and the friendly relations which it has been able to maintain in China, are alike due to recognition of its arowed objects, namely, the advancement of railway! coustruct ou under conditious mutually advantageous, and the promotion by this means of trade in the interests of Great
The principal charitable institutions at Can- ton have been advised by their Shanghai con- fréres that the remains of Fung Ha-wai (the boycott hero) were being shipped to Canton by one of the China Merchants' steamery, and requested to see that a suitable reception be prepared for their arrival. The boycott is practically extinct now, but the inflammatory speeches that are bound to be made at the ceremonies will perhaps stir the matter up again. The Viceroy would be wise in probibit- ing any extraordinary demonstration. H. E. Britain and China alike. England, as you is more than usually occupied as it is, and cau | know, has always been identified with
ill afford to ses fresh troubles arise.
the policy which has for its object
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61
the maintenance of the integrity of China
a sovereign State: the peaceful development of the trade and resources of the empire forms an essentil part of that policy. It is now realised that this end is greatly If promoted by the construction of railways. proof be needed the history of the Peking- Shanhaikwan line affords an excellent object lesson and proves that in China, as elsewhere, the construction and sonnd administration of a first class railway is not ouly of immense advantage to the people of the country traver sed, but adds directly to the revenues, and therefore to the strength of the Government. We hope that equal proof will be afforded by the Shanghai Nanking Railway. The entr prises with which the British and Chines) Cor- poration is identified in Chins are purely commercial undertakings, and the agreements into which the Chinese Government has entered are based on the sound principle that while these are Chinese Government undertakings in the strictest suse of the word, the capital investe l therein is entitled to a reasonable share in say prosperity they may achieve. Gentlema. I am aware that this is a question which is at present engaging the very general attention of all progressive and patriotic Chines subjets. Ou its solution vast issues depend. It requires, therefore, the dispassionate and calm judgment of well-informed men Thesituation, as it stands, appears to afford two alternatives. Ous, that railway construction and its attendant benefits should be deferred until such time as China has at her disposal the capital and the train d men required to carry out the work without assistance; the other, that the capital and con struction work should be provided from abroal. Gentlemen, I have no doubt at all as to the final opinion of Chinese merchants on this point. I am convinced that those who create and guil› public opinion in China will before long in! on the immediate improvement of internal com muuications, and will recognise that to this end the introduction of foreign capital is'in dispensable. There is, I know, a toudency in cortaio quarters, bised on vagu and erroueous ideas, to regard the introlaction of foreign capital as a source of daug 5. to the State, bat anyone who has studied the politics and financial aspects of the question knows that England has fionauc d and built railways in many countries-Russia, Japan. South America -and realises that Chiny's wisest policy is to secure as much as possible of this vitalising force, under conditions protective of the nation's rights and int+costs, That this object ein readily be attained by reasonable and honourable men, requires. I think, but litt!, argument. The railway which we are opening to-day proves it. At the sum time, gentlem 8. it is well to remember that capital is a sensitiva and delicate thing. It requires sympathy and encouragem snf; it requires, too, a certain feeling of security and some reward for its exis onc For these reasons, gentlemen, it has a the fi st objectaf the British and Chinese Corporation, entrusted by the Chinese Government with this and other important undertakings. at only to: mike this particular Anglo Chinese enterprise
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a source of profit to the Imperial Government of China, but also to prove to our unknown friend security for his investment by the construction the boud-buyer that he enjoys the fullest
of a railway which would be described as first- class anywhere in the world, and which, wor hope, will also speedily establish a reputation for efficient and economical working. I'venture to lay stress on this last, gentleman. If Chinese railways are to become a source of profit and strength to the empire, which is what every good patriot must wish, they must not only be well- constructed, but they must befficiently adm nis tered on sound business principles.
Railway servants along the line fired off crackers to wara evil spirits not to annoy the party.
We have recived from Mr. Lo Man kam, of the Kowloon Godown office, a copy of the Yam U Sin Pau ". It is a guide to the pronunciation of English words by means of short and idiomatic sentences, and is intended to supply a want felt by junior Chinėse students of the English language. The book bra evidence of careful and intelligent compilation and should prova of value to Chinese stulents Mr. Lo is to be congratulated on his work.