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HONGKONG FLOUR MILLS,
VISIT TO JUNK BAF.
Most people in the Colony have during the past year turned interested eyes towards the big structure at Jank Bay that has been rising in its height and now stands a completed build- ing. The mill, which without doubt is one of the largest enterprises Hongkong has seen for some time, is admirably situated, aud as it embodies the experience of milling concerns in all parts of the world, combined with the thoroughness and perfection of detail asually associated with Mr. A. H. Renai, it will be readily understood that the Hongkong Flour Mills are a model of their kind. While the soheme owes its inception to the fertile brain and keen business acumen of that gentleman, he has also stamped his personality on the technical work of the undertaking. The design is his, and those who have been privileged to make an Inspection of the buildings - --as a party of local pressmen did yesterday—are able to appraise at its true value Mr. Rennie's triumph in its constructou. There has been a practical supervisio1n of every 'detail. The phat is ap to-date and with improvements introduced on even the most modern appliances it can be st.ted with some degree of certainty that there are no better equipped mills in the East.
As to the success or otherwise of the enter prise which it represents, it is not for us to say. Critics have advanced reasons for proving
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THE HONGKON › WEEKLY PRESS AND
brushed after which it is dealt with by a number of mest ingenious machines Then, after being subjected to innumerablə processes, it is ready for bagging. This work is curriel ont by a staff of women who live on the premis 8. Throughout the entire work the dominant note is cleanliness and thoroughness. Amid all the many contrivances which call for comment but which space forbid, the one which stands out conspicuons is the dust collector. Three of these are placed in each mill, bat unlike those operated in similar concerns, th accumulations which com› from these are dis charged out-i le and not allowed to fall into the bran. 8 great is the confidence inspired by this proc dure that the Japanese Gorernment has placed a large contract with the Company for bran for feeding their hors3 ×nd cattle. In addition to securing a most up-to-date plant and intro lucing labour saving appliances, Me Rennie has not overlook d the comfort and convenience of the employees. There is a splendid system of ventilation and lighting. and an admirable set of fire appliances, In the engine house are two engines of 350 horse powr each for driving the two mills, besides a smaller one of 157 horse power, while the gene al equipment of machinery is consistent with the large amount of work which is expected to be carried out ber. The godowns are much more than is ninally comprehended by that term. The principal one, where the wheat is stored, is a immense lofty structure, well ventilated and well lighted. Air pipes led under the floors, keep the grain cool, while the roof is their assertions that it was doomed to failure inpevious to dimp In this manner an admir- within a short time, but with a man like
able place for storing the grain is seonred. Mr. Rennie at the head of affairs and plenty Bags upon bags filled with wheat are piled here, of support behind him there seems every pros. there being no less than 7,000 tons lying here at pect of the new concern meeting all competition present, but the great dimensions of the plic and establishing itself as one of the most will be better understood when it is stated that successful industries in this part of the world. as many as one million bushels can be stored in Occupying a central position with regard to that godown. At present a portion has been existing wheat centres, it is even more favour-partitioned off to provide a temporary offica ably situated when the possib li ies of Manchuria pending the construction of offices alongside. are kept in view, and all things considered the Behind this is au apartment devoted to printing Hongkong Flour Milling Com any need have and sewing. Good w rk is done by the printing little fear of the outcome of the giga tic project presses there, and not the least interesting part which has now been launched.
of the inspection was to note the names of the The transformation which has been wrought now brands of flour which the Company at Junk Bay within eighteen mouths is little | will pat on the market. The sewing short of marvellous. An extensive reclamation | machines algo tell their own tale l'hey has been carried out, a series of buildings have been constructed, while a number of interesting works have been planned. And all this is the progeny of the creative genius of Mr Rennie. An extensive breast wall runs along. the front, protecting the premises from the ravages of the 803 and aff rding facilities for the loading and unloading of vessels, though to guard against the appear- ance of the unwelcome rodents which infest most mills ships will discharge in mid-stream. A depth of 6 fathoms is found 100 yards out at low water so that there is little fear of the new enterprise suffering any handicap from shipping disabilities.
It has already been indicated that there arı ne half
measures about this scheme. The site of the various buildings embraces no less than 35 acres, while a sea front of two and a quarter miles has been secured, the whole being enclosed by a wall and fenced to keep out undesirable visitors. The buildings comprise the mill proper, which | is divided into two section, the cleaning house, and extensive godowns. An inspection of these is not without profit, because apart from learning something of the interesting processes of milling, there is much to admire in the design and construction of all. T'here is a solidity about everything that pleases, not merely because it is supposed to be a British attribute, but bciuse it is an expression of the lasting nature of the business to be curried on here. Iron pillars add to the appearance of stability, icon trusses support the roof, and wherever possible this metal has been employed. Eran iron doors have been placed there with a purpose. All of these, it should be added, are testimonials to the Kowloon and Whampoa Dook Company and the skill of their workers in iron. There is no need to detail the various processDS through which the grain passes ou its career to the finished product. From the receiver upwards | through the elevators the wheat is taken to a separator whence it passes into the cleaning house, and after being washed and dried is
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are for the manufacture of the cotton bigs, A feature of all four mills is the outs about 70 find a home here. Having just indicted a few of the features of the mills the e are other details quite as interesting. Mention has already been mide of the onsid ration shown to the staff, but the half has not been told. The staff are to be supplied with ics maufactured from refrigerators in the mill. quarters are provided for the W nen employed, the minster's house and polics station are situated on the hill overlooking the mill, while the S. P. Hitchcock, the sailing vessel that grounded in the Typhoon, will mika ber appearance alongside as the Maple Leaf and provide acc immolation for the Earpwù anl Chin & staff. She will be held by stout wires so that the possibility of her being moved from her moring will be very emote. In addition to the pre antions against fire already noted, it is contemplated throw A suspensi a bridg↑ from the upper storeys to the hillside. This would afford a useful empe in time of fire. There is also a dispensary, where accidenta will receive attention. Nothing is allowed to go to waste at Jank Bay. The most has been made of everything The pigs which are a usual adjunct of most mills. number 800 at present, and by m ans of a sixteen inch pipe their food is blown from the mill to the styes, 3,00 foot away. A Ta. servoir, two sad half miles off, supplies the water and as the pipes will discharg↔ 1,100,000 gallons in 24 hours it is evident that there is ample for contingencies.
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Desember 29, 1906.
In conclusion it might not be amiss to give particulars of the man whose work it is. There is no better known man than M«. A. H. Ronnie and his pɔpularity is unbounded. He was born in 1857 in Aberdeen, Scotlan !, but he went with his parents in early life to Canada. He began his career as confidential clerk t Hon. John Norqasy, premier and provinca treasurer, Manitoba, during which tima ba went (in 1897. to England and Now York negotiate a loan for Manitoba... In 1890 he came to Hongkong as correspond., ence clerk in the P. W. D. In 1892 he was anting assistant Harbour Master and Acting Superin tead»nt Water Polio», and in the following year acting Sanitary Superintendent and Secretary of the Sanitary Baird, but retired soon after and entered into business 84 merchant.
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FORESTRY IN COREA.
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMEN ‘'.
Ao agreement bas heen signed between the Japanese and Korean Governments concerning the administration of the forest lands on the Yalu and Tumen, which are considered to be one of Korea's greitest resources. The agreement, which has just been published, reads
as follows:-
1-Forestry on the Yala and Tumen shall be administered in the joint interest of tho Japanese and Korean Governments
2. The carital for the administration shall be fixed at Y1,200,900, of which Y677,070 shall ba contributed by each Government.
“3.—A special acoɔunt shall be kept of the first ·y business and of receipts and expenses, clearly showing all de'ail. The state of this account shall be raported annually to the Governmeals of both countries.
4. The proft and has shall be equally divided between the two Governmpata
"5-When it is considrd necess1ry to increase the capital as providal for in Article II. of this agreement, the sant of both Governments concerned shall be first obtained,
"6-When it is consider›d neo issary to adopt minor rules for the proper exeontion of this agreement such rules shall be determined by committees appointed by both Governments,
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7 -When it becomsi necessary to incorporate the business into a company, in order to allow the public of both countries to take part in the business as it advanos, the two Government« shall consult and determine the method for organsing the cɔncera lato a nomniay
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The agreement was sigand on October 19th last, between Marquis Ito, for the Japanese Gov ramant, sad the Premier and Ministers for Finance and A ṛriculture, Commerce and Industry of Korea,
AMERICAN FLEET'S VISIT.
Th coutinnal booming of guns on the 2ad Dscomber haralled the arrival of the American Far Eastera Squadron which is on a visit to Hongkong extanding over ten days. At about 11 o'clock on Saturday morning the four large oniser, the West Virginia, the Pennsylvania, th› Maryland and the Colorado arrived in the harbour and siluted the port, the o surtesy bolag returned. Then salates wers erchanged between the visitos and the representatives of the French, Gormin and Austrian navies in the min-of-war anchorage. The America fleet is commsaded by Rør-Almirs! W H Browa- son, whose fiɩgship i‹ the West Virginia.
As the foreign anchorage was practically äilled with visiting warship, there was only rom therein fo- two of the American vessels. The Harbour Master, however, osm to the The mills will be started at OLCA and
rescue by providing two suitable berths in the everyone who has the interests of the Colony | commsroisi anchoraga for the others, com- at heart. or who likes to 500 command municating this intelligence to the two vessels able enterprise rewarded will doubtless wish | by wirele« telegraphy, and they were soon sang the audertaking Sacce18. It ought to in their sllotted plichi with snobors down. have more than ordinary interest to the This squadron of up-to-date oruisers has Colony because should say conting acy a-iss which would cut off communicating between Hongkong and China ampls suplies for twi months'
for the Navy, Army and civil population will be assured by this mill.
a complement all told of 3,6 © offi cers sat me, sich rosesl carrying a cmw of90). The fat left Manila on December 20th,crosing the China ses at a fifteen knot speed waich brought them here sooner than expected.
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