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controlling him. This Belgian engineer was formerly employed on the Peking-Hankow Bailway at a salary of 2,00 francs a month, which was incressed later to 2,500 fr.
The salaries of Belgians are cheaper than those of other foreigners, and I think it is advisable for you to engage him."
WEST RIVER PIRATES,
I am informed that Viceroy Shum is in receipt of a telegram from the Waiwupu, saying that the British Minister in Peking has made representations regarding the prova- lence of piracy on the West River and cited the recent attack on foreigners. It is said that the dispatch enjoins the Viceroy to take prompt measures to secure the arrest of the pirates and to devise means for the wholesale ixtermination of these desperadoes.
A MATTER OF WAGES.
July 28th.
The On Nga Po reports that the Yust-Han Railway Company has received a telegram from Tientsin stating that Chim Tin-yau is holding two positions as Chief Constructor ånd Vice-President of the King- heong Railway and that he is receiving a salary of over Tis. 1,000; besides travelling expenses. If the Yuet-Han Railway Company can give him better remuneration, it is possible to obtain his services.
CAUGHT AT LAST..
A notorious robber named Chung Ham- yu-cheung, who is a native of the Tung Kun District and who has committed various crimes in China, has been hiding in Aunam for several years. A reward of several thousand dollars was offered for his arrest. Recently The Chinese be was arrested in Annam. L'horities have obtained through the French Consul.
his extradition
THE BOAT POPULATION. Since the establishment of the Water Police, only about 9,000 boats have taken out licences and have been numbered. Now the Water Police authorities have again issued a proclamation urging the boat people to take out licences for their boats. Any boats failing to take out licences after the 20th day of the 6th moon will be fined. The fine will be $25 Any on big boats and $5 on small boats each. men who find out an unlicensed buat aud report it to the Water Police will receive half the amount of the fine as a reward.
July 30th,
SILK TRADE THREATENED,
Tai-Leung city is in a state of ferment and the silk people of Shun-Tak are greatly con- cerned over the situation. Owing to the imposition of a new tax on pigs all the local butchers have threatened to go on strike and a 1iot is feared by the inhabitants as a result of the agitation. It is to be hoped that the authorities will prevent any trouble occurring in that district, as it is bound to tell on the silk trade, of which ai-Leung is an important ceatre.
PRISON EEFORM.
As a result of the inspection of the various Canton prisons by the Provincial Treasurer Hing Yau, a jail superintendent of the Nam- Hoi prison, has been deprived of his button and is suspended for one year. In the course of the inspection the Provincial Treasurer found out that many of the prisoners had been un- necessarily ill-treated, and has punished Hing Yau as a warning to others.
PATIENCE WINS.
Hitberto only foreign registered launches were allowed to ply between treaty parts and This the interior without towing a junk.
owners to privilege caused many Chinese register their launches under foreigners' names, constituting a source of income to the latter. Viceroy Shum has now decided that Chinese owned launches should enjoy the same privilege and has authorized the Com- missioner of Customs to issue permits to same. Foreign flags will now be at a discount.
CHINESE RAILWAY MAGINEER APPOINTED.
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
rep rted that in reply to a wire received by H. E. the Viceroy from Yuen Shi-kai, in which the latter offered the assistance of the Chinese engineer Kwong Sheung mow|| Viceroy Shum has immediately wired accepting same, and has informed engineer Kwong that the people of Kwangtung will receive him with open arms.
BAILWAY NEWS.
July Blat.
Wong King-tong, Vice-President of the Canton-Hankow Railway, has gone to Swatow of formally inaugurate the line to Chiuchów, to A portion of it is which he is chief director. apparently ready for opening.
The Minister of Customs has notified Viceroy Shum that all material imported for the Canton railways will be liable to ordinary customs duty. The Sun-ning Railway Co. petitioned for leave to buy their sleepers and other material from Gerniany. The Board of Commerc consented.
MILITARY NOTES.
The general officer commanding the Sunkwan- ying (New Army) has rejected as unfit about four-fifths of the Bannermen offered as recruits. These were the old guard, the fower of the old Army, but were considered incapable of bearing modern arms.
Students at the Canton Military College are bound to study for three years.
One young soldier, wishing to attend his sick mother, has had to refund $120 spent on his training. Considering the importance of filial piety this may be regarded as in Chinese eyes indicating the rigorous discipline of the new régime.
MISCELLANEOUS.
A kiduapper detected on a junk between Ching-yueu, on the West River, aud Canton, with four stolen boys, deliberately jumped overboard. Being dark, bis fate was not The children were sent back to ascertained. Ching-yuen
The district lying about a hundred miles west of Canton has been devastated by heavy rainstorms.
Following an old established custom, the magistrite, subordinates of the Toug. Kuu Chew-Mong-chi, have sent him the quin. quennial royalty of $10,000 subsoribed amongst themselves. The magistrate sent the amount to the Viceroy, with a petition begging the Government to accept it. The Viceroy was quite pleased, and praised the magistrate for his disinterestedness and generosity, promising to report his action to the Throne when remitting to Peking the royalties collected in the whole province of Kwangtung.
August 2nd
AN AMAZING PROCLAMATION,
The following is a translation of a wonderful proclamation just issued by Viceroy Shum with reference to the partial eclipse of the moon on the 15th of the 6th Moon 1.8., 4th August:
L
This proclamation is issued to command all the local civil and military authorities, gentry, merchants and the people to protect the moon. The Provincial Judge of Kwatg. tung has reported to me that he has received an official dispatch from the Board of Rites at Peking stating that the Imperial Astronomer through calculations reckoned that on the 15th day of the 6th Moon of this year at the au watch (ie., 7. p.m.) there will be an eclipse of 17.59 % of the moon. It will commence the left side of the moon during the first watch (ie., between 7 and 9 p.m.). The above stated portion will be eaten up. After 8 o'clock it will gradually return to its original form. Ou account of the above it is my duty to issue this proclamation to notify the civil and military officials, gentry and mer- chants so that you may a`l know of it and unite your efforts to protect the moʊn. I command you all not to disobey this proclamation."
oa
One could hardly imagine that a progressive and enlightened official as Viceroy Sham undoubtedly is in spite of his chauvinistic too. dencies could publish such a proclamation. The
August 6, 1998.
Kettles and other of Saturday evening. culinary utensils are handy substitutes and there should be a considerable ris, in kerosone as the empty tins are greatly in demand oa "ench occasions. The noise is necessary according to Chinese belief; it does not prevent the monster swallowing the myön but acts as an emetic andṣ obliges it to surrender the swallowed morsel. An intelligent and firm proclamation to stop piracy and wipe out evil-doors from the proving would have been more in keeping with His Excellency's exalted position and responsibilities!
THE RISE CF KONGMOON, Kongmoon has increased in imp rtance since it has been opened as a treaty part and its trade has quadrupled in a very short time. The number of houses built since the opening of the port is considerabl, and the port handles now almost all the commodities produced in the provinos. It will still increase when the Sun- ning railway is extendel to that port as terminus.
MO E LAWLESSNESS,
Another extensive armed robbery has been committed in the Sha-Tan village, booty to the valus of over Tis. 2),000 being carried away.
MACAO.
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)
Macao, July 30th.
GOVERNOR OF PORTUGUESE INDIA.
If the rumour b✈ true, the numerous friends of Senhor José Maria de Sousa Horts e Costa here and in your Colony will be glad to know that this gentleman is going to be the Governor- As far as is General of Portuguess India. known Senhor Horta e Costs, if not already on his way to Iudia, soon will be. They will also congratulate the people of Portuguese Indis on having a man lik, Senhor Horti e Cost、 for their chief.
ANOTHER PROMOTION.
It is also known that Senhor Abr u Nunes, the Director of Public Works of this city, is now mide a colonel, and this gentlema is expected to be here in September.
DEPARTURES,
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By the C P. R. steamer Empress of China that is leaving your port on Wednesday, 1st proxime, Dr. Lello, the Colonial Secretary. Dr. Espectacă d'Almeids, the Colonial eurg on, Dr. Lopes de Rio, doctor of the Ro Lima, are going home on leave. The two first gentle- men are going for a few months and will be back by next April. Mrs. Lello is accompany. ing her husband home.
During the absence of Dr. Lello, the Attorney. General, Br. 8ɔuss, will act as Colonial 8 ore- tary. The acting Colonial Surgeon will be Dr. Araujo.
DEATH OF A MILITARY OFFICER. News was received of the death on the 3rd
Juue last in the military hospital of Dilly, Timor, of Captain José Abeliard Borges. The deceased
officar, who was yonag at the time of his death, was a native of Macao, but on commission in Timor. He served his country well.
HOUSE RENTS.
Macao, until a short time ago, was noted for the cheapness of its houses, but of lat, the rentals have gınɔ up very much. The latest I have heard is that the Santa Casa de Misericordia (Hly House of M roy), who own a god many houses here, have decided to increase the reats of them. No doubt the other landlords will follow suit.
MEMORANDA FROM MACAO.
[CONTRIBUTED),
"Run down", said the doctor as he orderad me to Macao, there to enjoy a doles far nimte existence for a week. My sympathetic employers concurring with his verdict, I booked my passage last week by the comfortable river steamer Wingchai, which is commanded by that good man Captain Austin, R.N.R. The trip was a pleasant one but uneventful (no pirates), of a Chinese engineer. A few days ago Sheng most wonderful of al, animals, the Chinese drag, Macao, i male my way to one of the hotels. A Kung Po recommended a Belgian engineer, so as to prevent him from swallowing the sun's
This means that an infernal noise few days I spent rambling about among and it seemed as if the merchants were decided consort, to engage bim, but they had not reckoned with will be made by the beating of googs and other the ruins (Macao is nearly all rulus), and the Vicerry's unwavering patriotism. It is sonorous instruments during the best portion then decided to visit one of the fantan shope,
It appears that the Canton-Hankow railway
will be after all constructed under the guidanos | people are actually requested to frighteu that | and as soon as we were alongside the wharf at
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