August 6, 1906.]
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
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HONGKONG JOTTINGS.
30th July. There has been a good st ry going the rounds of late about a well-known local atle- who occupies & seat on one of our governing bodies. Like some of his colleagues he dearly likes to take advantage of every opportunity for making speeches, and though the rivalry may not be admitted it is patent to those who are privileged to look on, Now it does not follow that this gentleman, or for that matter his colleagues either, discourses so of en as he does because he is charmed by the sound of his own voice. No, the reason underlying 80 many orations is that they are reported, and being reported occasionally see the light of print, to the gratification of the speakers and of course the edification of their readers, Well the story goes that on a recent occasion the gentleman in question anbardened himself at some length, concluding by submitting a motion. As this was not properly framed and gentleman is noted, the Chairman turned was spoken with all the volubility for which this to the clerk and with words that neatly described the situation remarked "Would you take down as much of that as you can.'
." The unfortunate official, overwhelmed with the torrent of words, looked towards the speaker and asked him to be good onough to write his motion. As this is the practice on such occasions, one can judge of the astonishment felt by the meeting when the orator burst out in injured tones: Why can't I have a shorthand writer to take down what I say I can't remember it. I speak as I feel at the time." Though I have made inquiries, I have not heard that there is to be any addition to the clerical staff in the Govern ment employ.
surprised to find such stale superstition surviving so near to a big and old-establish. ed centre of European enlightenment. They may put Viceroy SHUм down mentally as a Chinese PAUL KRUGER, who shuts eyes and ears to the everyday truisms of science which assail them. They may be right in so doing, but we are inclined to give the Canton VICEROY credit for a little more intelligence than that, just as we acquit the Peking astronomers of believing in the dragon theory of eclipses. Our correspon- dent himself appears amazed at such a proclamation coming from oue whom he regards as a progressive and enlightened official", and herein, if we admit the enlightenment, we must look for the clue. When a man does something quite un expected, it is desirable to search for his motive. Viceroy SHUм does not believe that a dragon begins to swallow the moon, or that the beating of tin-cans induces it to desist and disgorge. Then why does he invite his constituents to
protect the moon"? The obvious answer is that it is an official duty, a very old custom, and that whatever his personal feelings may be, he must repeat the foolishness. That might be sufficient excuse, even for such independent satrap as Viceroy SHUм, but there is also the unlikelihood that the rulers at Peking believe in the superstition any more than he does himself. We must then seek another explanation; and it seems an easy matter to find it when we cast a retrospective glance at the relations of European rulers and European superstitions in the past.
Peking is not quite eaten up with folly Viceroy SHUM is none so silly as he seems: they do but resort to a well-worn and never-failing dodge of the ruling classes. When a child is fractions and troublesome, its parent or nurse gives it something to play with. National' infants have always been pacified with superstitious playthings. The divine right of kings'
kept them quiet for centuries; and in China, it would not be too much to say that the nearest approach to loyalty to the Emperors has been the reverence paid to them as inter. mediaries. They have been valued as useful creatures who go between the people and Heaven, and who have maintained friendly relations with the Unseen. We
The ricsha coolies on the Kowloon side are, will not try to prick the complacency of I am informed, better behaved than they have those Westerners who may have overlooked been for some time. They no longer raise the numerous "medicine-men
or "witch-scenes when the proper fare is tendered them doctors" in the history of their own race;
and never demand more than the legal fare. but they deserve to be warned against Fuch an ideal state of affairs shows that the indulging in risibility at Viceroy SHUM's police there have them well in hand, and
an that again is remarks I made on the subject did not piss indication that the unheeded. The'r manners are also improved, and it is on record that one of the coolies said "Thank you " when he received fire cents for a fare. I can only marvel at the puller and the pulled, the one for his unnatural politeness, and the other for his moral courage in daring to tender the legal fare. But perhaps the humourist who could not spell would have said, expression of gratitude was, as the American
meant sarkastik. The coolie is a highly humorous animal.
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see
Viceroy SHUм does not rauk expense. intellectually below the Bishop who said that the Salisbury railway catastrophe last month was. "sent as a warning". He is quite mentally keen enough to that if the partial eclipse can be foretold by calculations, even to the point at which it will cease (seventeen and a half per cent), the noisy efforts of the people cannot be the cause of the predicted effect. It is not altogether to his disadvantage, or to the disadvantage of his superiors, that the great mass of the people are more credulous. The pity of it is that Westerners, instead of enlightening their darkness, should spend time, money, and lives in further befogging them, thrusting down their throats a book containing equally ridiculous nonsense about things astro- nomical. But in saying this, we appear to be somewhat ahead of the times, and so over-bold. The melancholy exhibition being made in connection with the new British Education Bill teaches us that logical truth is not so irresistible amongst ourselves as at this period in the age of civilisation we have a right to expect it should be.
The other day I was in conversation with an Indian merchant, who discoursed on the subject of shipping with evident knowledge. Until recently, he said, the English shippers used to be most in favour because of their fair dealing and considerateness, but now we are better treated by the Japanese, who take more trouble with us The other shippers, German and French, have and are ready to hear and satisfy complaints.
not changed either, so that in the order of our regard the Japanese hold first place the English
cond, the German third and the French fourth. Of course the spe kr was referring to a comparatively small section of consigners and consignees the figures generally put the ship pers in different order. Such comments, how- will probably always have interest just now when so much competition is talked of.
ever,
When are the new Volunteer headquarters to be ready? The question has been asked more than once of late, but no definite answer has been forthcoming. It was understood they were to have been occupied this summer, but as the building is not nearly completed yet and as the work is not making rapid progress, it is fair to assume that the Volunteers will not have the use of the new premises this year. The absence of proper quarters is a serious handicap to the corps, and it is to be hoped that something will be done to impress this on those responsible for the delay.
I recently had a private and unauthorised view of some 46
copy" prepared by an intelligently anticipatory young gentleman who sends
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correspondenc⚫ to a journal outside the Colony. There were allusions to “mountainous waves lashed into ungovernable fury ", "shi, ping that bad scarried into shelter","bits of wokag!, pathetic flotsam and jet am, that littered the Praya", the "shrieking of the wind and the appalling display of elemntal forces". I turned to the heading; it was "Terrible Typhoon at Hongkong". The enterprising litterateur is still waiting for the Meteorological Depart- meat to “make good ".
to
Though the New Territory has bien under British rule for a number of years it is surprising
learn that there has bien no reliabl the British Empire. Now that the mily map_propiral of this important part of is in coure fcnstruction it is more desirabe than ever to know the exact location of the towns and villages to this line of communication, and even from other points of view one would have thought it would have been well to have a thorough and accurate map in use is one founded on notes and survey of the new territory prepared.
The only observations taken by an Italian priest as far back as 1836, and while the work must be regarded as very creditable to him, the same cannot bɔ said of the responsible authorities who have shown a strange remissness in the matter.
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It has become quite fashionable of late to say things" about the Sanitary Board and to visit its sius of omission and commission in th most public minner on some of the principal officials. On this occasion I do not wish to be critical; I would merely make a remirk. The suggestion which un- derlies it will doubless b› obvions. Lower Albert Road, one of our prettiest and most interes ing thoroughfares on the lower levels, has its appearance spoiled at a certain place by the dust carts being lined along the thorough- fare. Now, why should these unsightly vehicles be allowed to be there. Surely there are depôts which can be used for storing them.. Bat perhaps enough has been said.
BANYAN.
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
A monthly meeting of the general committe of the Hongkong General Chamber of Com merce was held in the Chimbar Room, St. George's Building, Hongkong, ou Tuesday, 10th July. Present-Hoa. Mr. E. A. Howatt (chairman), Hon. Mr. W. J. Grassin, M 83rs. A Haupt, H. E. R. Hunter, G. H. Medhurst, N. A. Siebs, H. E. Tomkins and A. R. L wa (secretary).
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SAN FRANCISCO DISASTER.
The following letter was read by the Chair.
State of California Executive Department,
Sacramento.
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To the Chairman of the Hongkong General Chamber
Hongkong.
CHINA.
July 1, 19 6.
of Commerci,
Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge your favour of the 3th of April confirming a despatch of earlier date and renewing at ex- pression of sympathy with the peop'e of Sau befell them. Permit me, speaking on behalf of Francisco in the great calamity which reo ntly
the citizen of San Francisco and of the entire State of California. to express s'ncere appre- ciation of and gratitule for the sympathy so graciously manifested by the members of your commercial organisation. Since the ostas- trophe of April 18th there has baen such 8 world-wide exhibition of the sentiments of human brotherhood as deeply touched the hearts of Californians a id had
has served to mitigate their sense of suff-ring and loss. It affords me great pleasure to siy that San Francisco, although sorely stricken, will recɔver, and I think speedily, from the eff:ots of the blow. Alraidy the business organization is re-establishing itself on former lines, and although it will necɔ̃ssarily take time to rebuild the structures which were destroyed, I have no doubt that in five years the chief American port on the Pacific will be a busier and more prosperous city than before. We shal