April 13, 1908.]
translator 'defended the influence of Con. fucianism in China by pointing out the peacefulness and resignation of his poorer compatriots. A pro-missionary comment on this has been clipped and sent to us, which really surpasses anything else of the sort we have ever encountered: Mr. Ku's argument is "appreciated," but "it is exactly those qualities [peacefulness and resignation] that many critics would indicate ns evidence of the deadening effect of the traditional Chinese religion." As those qualities are also the first aim of Christian inculcation, this admission of their "deadening effect is one that seems most infelicitous in the circumstances, That a typical Chinese stagnation has not overwhelmed Christen- dom would seem to be due, by inference, to the fact that Christendom has not taken its own principles too seriously. In support of that inference, by the way, there is no dearth of evidence.
A DOCTOR SUMMONED.
""
An important case was heard at the Magis. tracy on April 10 when Dr. Wan Tun Mo, of 20 Caine Road, Y as summoned for having on the 11th March last. inserted a false statement in
the register of deaths concerning Ng Sik Kwan. Sergt. O'Sullivan prosecuted on behalf of the police, and the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai appeared for the defence?
The case for the prosecution was that on the 11th March a boy, 15 years old, died in D'Aguilar & trest. The father went to defend- ant and told him that he wanted to have the body removed in order to quieten his mother who was grief stricken. Defendant filled up a form and the body was conveyed to the Tuag .Wa Hospital whence it was removed to the Public Mortuary where, on a postmortem examination being made on the body by Dr. Heanley, the cause of death was found to have been diphtheria, and not phthisis.
A doctor in the Tung Wa Hospital said the certificate was banded over to him, but that was not for the purpose of registering the death. He produced a form which he had sent to the Hospital for the purpose of the burial of the body,
Cross-examined Who informed you that the boy died of this disease ?-The father.
Dr. Wan has practised as a medical man for some years P-Yės.
Did you regard this certificate as information? Yes,
Why did you not forward this document with yours to the hospital ?-Because I preferred to believe the father.
His Worship-He filled up the form from information given to him? Yes, information given by the father.
{
Sergt. O'Sullivan-Yes, Your Worship, but the father is not in the medical profession. Defendant had certain reasons for asking the questions which the father answered
An acting house surgeon from the Tung Wa Hospital spoke to receiving a requisition from the dispensary in Aberdeen Street to have the body removed to the hospital. The body was received and afterwards forwarded to the public mortuary,
Dr. Heanley, medical officer in charge of the public mortuary, stated he had made a post mortem examination of the body of the boy in question and found that death was due to diphtheria. He had no recollection of the case. He relied on his notes-Cross-examined-The mistake might be a legitimate one.
Sergt. O'Sullivan asked if the Court would direct that defendant put in his prescription book, His Worship said he would not make such an order.
r. Ho Kai (to prosecutor)-Do you wish the defendant to prove your case for you?
The question of adjournment was afterwards discussed. Dr. Ho Kai contended that there was no case against his client, and his Worship said that, so far as he could see, there was no case at present against the defendant. rie would, however, like to hear the father's evidence, and he would adjourn the case until April 15th when the father should be brought
to Court,
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Minutes of a monthly meeting of the General Committee held in the Chamber Room, St. George's Building, on Friday, 27th March, 1908, at 4 P.M. Present:-Mr. A. G. Wood Acting Chairman) Hon. Mr. Henry Keswick, H. E. Tomkins, E. Shellim, A. Fuchs, G. Hoo: Mr. Murrry Stewart, Meaars. D. R. Law, Friesland and E. A. M. Williams (Secretary),
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the last monthly meeting of 10th February and of the special meetings held on the 18th, 22nd and 24th February, and 11th March, 1908, were read and confirmed.
FRANCO-SITISH EXHIBITION,
The following letter was read:-
Chamber of Commerce, Hongkong,
21st February, 1908. SIE-I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 16th January (No. 9357/06) having reference to the suggestion of Bir C. Clementi Smith that, in view of the importance of the Exhibition and in the interest taken in the matter by the French. Colonies, this Colony should re-consider its
former decision.
My Committee do not consider that suffiient Support will be forthcoming to justify them appointing a Committee of organization.
They are of pinion that, unless the Govern. ment is prepared to vote the necessary fund, the matter should be allowed to drop.
I have &o.,
Sgd. E. A. M. WILLIAMS,
Secretary.
<
HON. MR. F. H. MAY, C.MG., Colonial Secretary,
LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
COMMERCIAL EXAMINATION.
The following correspondence was read :—
Education Department,,
Hongkong, 18th February, 1908.. SIR-In reply to your letter forwarding the proposals of the Commercial Ednostion Department of the Chamber of Commerce for the establishment in this Colony of a centre for the examination of pupils from local Schools and Colleges in ocmmercial subjects and the subse quent granting of certificates, and requesting By Views on the subject I beg to inform you that it appears to me, in view of the recent establishment of the Hongkong. Technical Institute which gives instruction in most of the subjects referred to in the syllabus of the Chamber and issues certificates to successful candidates, nunecessary for the local Chambér to institute examinations on lines exactly similar and with the same object as those already in existence. In this connection I would suggest that the Chamber might in lieu of instituting. its own examination extend its already done so) to the Institute and ensure collective support (individual members have preference in the selection of clerks in mercan- and possibly later the contemplated diploma of iile houses to those who hold the certificates
the Institute.
2, I attach a table showing how far the subject of examinations in the London Chamber of Commerce syllabus are subjects in which Institute and in the taore important schools of instructions is given locally, at the Technical the Colony,
3. I further attach a copy of the regulations and the prospectus of the Technical Institute for your information.
I have &c., Sgd. E. D. C. WOLFE,.
Inspector of Schools,
|
The Hon. E. A. HEWETT,
Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Enclosures were laid on the table.
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce,
29th February, 1908. SIR, I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd October last regarding the scheme of Commercial Education promoted by your Chamber and inviting the assistance of this Chamber in that important
work.
235
My Committee fully recognise the importance and necessity attaching to a sound commercial education as the means of advancement and a successful career in the business world.
After very careful consideration the Com mittee of this Chamber regret that they cannot give themselves the pleasure of applying for the formation of a local centre in view of the fact that a Technical Institute is already established in this Colony which gives instruction in most warded by you. of the subjects contained in the syllabus for.
Further, the number of Candidates who may not, in the opinion of my Committee, be very present themselves for the examinations would great, as it is very questionable whether the importance attaching at home to the Com mercial certificates would be similarly regarded in this Colony.
Very few British youths are with their parents out here and the majority of person who would present themselves for the examinations would be those who are permanently resident in the Colony and it therefore follows that the useful. ness of the certificates would be of lesser degree than would be the case if the Colony contained many young men who would be likely to take the examinations and return home.
My Committee desire me to convey to you their thanks for inviting the co-operation of this Chamber and regret very much that in this instance they are noable to assist in a movement, which, on the face of it, has every- thing to commend it,
I am, &c.,
The Secretary,
Sgd. E. A. M. WILLIAMS, Secretary.
London Chamber of Commerce.
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce, 29th February, 1908.
Président.
E. D. C. WOLFE, Esq.
DEAR SIR-I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant in which you state your views with reference to the establishment of a local centre for the examin- ation of pupils who may present themselves for the London Chamber of Commerce Commercial Examinations,
My Committee are now writing to the London- Chamber in reply, expressing regret that this Chamber does not consider it advisable, in view of the fact that a Technical Institute has already been established in this Colony which practically covers the ground to apply for the formation of a local cautre,
My Committee desire me to convey their thanks to you for the valued advice, you have given them.
am, &c.,
Sgd. E. A. M. WILLIAMS, Secretary.
PRIVATE MOORING BUOYS IN THE HARBOUR.
-
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce, 26th February, 1908. SIR-I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th alf. (No. 6522/1905) in which you give further information as to the reasons which have induced the Government to suggest that the owners of moorings should notify the Harbour Master when their buoya are vacant and when next they expect to use them.
!
and 3 of your letter under acknowledgement, The Statements contained in paragraphs 2 while conveying much interesting information, do not, in the opinion of the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, appear to bring forward any argument in favour of the proposed change.
The figures presented by the Government do not alter the fact that in the past, buoy owners in general have not received applications from non-buoy owners for the use of their property when not in use by themselves nor do they prove that the statement made by this Chamber is incorrect, vis: that had such application been received by buoy owners they would have consented to the use of their property when not required for their own business.
My Committee endorse the Government's interest in the important minority who are not buoy owners. They do not, however, approve of the great inconvenience the Goyer. ment's proposal would entail on still more important