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May 30, 1908.]
they may be obliged to do so by a clause in the bill of lading or they say they do so to please the receiver of the goods.
"This would have nothing to do with the question. The question is: whether such a usage or rule exists in Hongkong, which would compel anyone, who has not arranged in another
to land the goods in a godown. ' also beg to ask you whether the "custom of the port" is printed and if so, where I may obtain a copy of it.
w
Thanking you in anticipation,-I have the honour to be, &o.,
E. A. VORETSECH. Imperial German Consul. The Chairman, Hongkong Chamber of
Commerce.
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce, 11th May, 1908,
SIB, I have to acknowledge your letter dated the 29th April, 1908, addressed to the Chairman of this (hamber and in answer thereto I am to state that shipowners are under no obligation to deliver goods unless specifically required to do so under the terms of the bill of lading.
In the absence of any such clause consignees must take delivery ex steamer, but it is often to the advantage of owners to discharge into godowns at steamer's expense, thereby securing quick despatch.-I have &c.,
E, A. M. WIL' IAMS, Seorelary.
Dr. E. A. Voretzsch,
Imperial German Consul,
REGULATIONS,
HONGKONG-SINGAPORE QUARANTINE The following letter from the Government
was read
Colonial Secretary's Office,
7th May, 1908. SIE,-I am directed to transmit for the con- sideration of the Committee of the General Chamber of Commerce the enclosed copies of
}
correspondence between this Government and the Government of the Straits Settlements on the subject of possible reduction in the restrio- tion imposed by the Quarantine Regulations of the sister colony upon the shipping of the Port. You will observe that if vessels ariving from Hongkong are able to satisfy the Port Authori- ties at Singapore that all Asiatic passengers and natives belonging to the crew have been vaccinated, the Health Officer would be willing to allow landing and give the vessel pratique as soon as the necessary examination and dis- infection of passengers and their luggage were completed, provided no infections or contagious disease was found to have manifested itself on board and that no death had occured since the vessel left Hongkong.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
[Circular.]
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Downing Street,
7th April, 1908. SIB, I have the honour to inform you that Majesty's Government to participate in an the Italian Government have invited His International Exhibition which it is proposed to hold in Italy in 1911 in connection with the festivities in preparation for celebrating in that year the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy, and that this invita- tion is intended to include the British Colonies.
The Italian Ambassador has intimated that | the Exhibition will have its seat at Rome as sections, and at Turin as regards the products regards the artistic and historical-archeological of industry and labour in their various mani. festations,
I am to inquire whether the shipping films interested, or any of them, are willing to undertake such vaccination and I am to urge the desirability of taking such precaution which appears to be the only means of escaping from the onerous restrictions at present placed upon shipping from Hongkong in the Straits
Settlement.-I am, &o.,
The Secretary,
F. H. MAY, Colonial Secretary.
General Chamber of Commerce, Enclosures were laid on the table. The Secretary was instructed to see those interested in the question and draft a reply for approval.
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION TO BE HELD IN
ITALY IN 1911.
ཡ
5. I request that you will cons dar and report whether the Colony under your Government should take part in the Exhibition.
I have the honour to be, &o.,
ELGIN.
The Officer Administering the Government of Hongkong.
OPIUM QUESTION.
olose the opium dens in Hongkong was brought The decision of the Imperial Government to up for discussion and a letter from Messrs. 8. J. David & Co., on the subject was laid on the table.
The following letter was read :-
Colonial Secretary's Office, 13th May, 1908, SIE-I am directed to transmit for the consideration of your Chamber the enclosed copy of a circular despatch, dated the 7th ultimo, from Lord Elgin and to inquire whether, in the opinion of the Chamber of Commerce, this Colony should participate in the International Exhibition which it is proposed to held in Italy in 1911 in connection with the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of the kingdom of Italy. I am, &c.,
C. CLEMENTI
for Col. Becretary,
After considerable discussion the following resolution was passed unanimously:-
"The Committee of the Chamber record their strong protest against any arbitrary orders from the Imperial Government to close imme- diately the opium divans in Hongkong.
*
The Committed of this Chamber is entirely sympathetic towards all reasonable bona-fide efforts for the mitigation of the abuse of opium but is of the opinion that any action having for its object the immediate suppression of the sale and use of opium in Hongkong will have serious effects on the economic conditions here and lead to disastrous results to the Colony's prosperity
unless similar action is enforced in China."
"It is therefore resolved to request the Hong; kong Government to inform
the Imperial Government that any basty and ill-considered action taken in this matter to the detriment of resented, but that on the other hand a policy of the interests of this Colony will be generally gradual reduction similar in its action to the imperial Government's agreement with India will be loyally supported.'
EXPORTATION OF TINNED LARD UNDER GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
1st May, 1908. SIR-I am, directed to transmit for the consideration of your Chamber the enclosed copy of a memorandum by Bis Excellency the Governor and to inquire whether any merchant in the Colony is prepared to attempt the export under Government guarantee of tinned lard-I am, &c.,
F. H. MAY, Colonial Secretary. [Memo.]
345
A letter was in consequence addressed to the Australian Government inquiring what were the demands of the Government before a guarantee was issued. The Comptroller Ge- neral's reply is attached.
Before pursuing this subject further I should willing to embark in this trade. like to know whether any merchant here is write to the Government of the Philippines If so I will and point out that according to the letter from the Comptroller General no guarantee is issued by the Australian Government, and request information as to what was meant by Dr. Musgrave in his allusion to a guarantee. It is lard is subject to the regulations referred to in meant (as I suppose) that the manufacture of the Comptroller General's letter, I will enquire whether, if these regulations are adopted by an exporter here, there is a prospect that Houg- kong lard would find a large market in the Philippines. Although the Government issued no certificate of purity it would be feasible for the Government to see that the regulations were observed by inspections from time to time, and by occasional analysis of samples and this would probably be all that the Philippine Government require.
F. D. L.
29th May, 1908.
It was decided that the Secretary should call on firms likely to be interested in the matter and obtain their views for the consideration of the Committee.
MEMBERSHIP.
Petroleum Co., had been admitted to member- The SECRETARY reported that the Asiatic ship of the Chamber on the proposal of the Hongkong Bank, seconded by the Chartered Bank.
In the course of conversation with Dr. Musgrave (who had been deputed by the Philippine Government to visit Hongkong early in December last in order to inquire into the question of epizootic diseases among cattle exported from this Colony to Manila) allusion was made to the large market for this product both there and in the United States of Ameria, but that by a recent "Pure Food Aat" it was compulsory that the tinned lard should have a Government guarantee. This he said was supplied with the lard imported from Australia, and though the Hongkong lard was both better and cheaper, it was probable that it would be entirely ousted by Australian because of this guarantee, and that the latter would also I think added that lard from Hoihow and capture the American market Dr. Musgrave
lard if the latter have a Government guarantee. Australia would be superseded by Hongkong This appeared to open & prospect of a new and of baying up the fat of pigs locally s'aughtered very promising industry, which would consist and also purchasing in China and preparing it in accordance with Government requirements and
so exporting it under Government gnarantee.
QUARANTINE,
Chamber that a telegram had been received to The COLONIAL SECRETARY informed the
infected area by the Government of Burma. the effect that Hongkong had been declared an
meeting.
This concluded the business before the
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HONGKONG SANITARY BOARD.
A meeting of the Sanita y Board was held on May 26th at the Board Room. The Hon. Dr. J. M. Atkinson (president), presided, and there were also present Hon. Mr. Chatham, (Vice-President', Captain_Lyons, Mr. A. Shelton Hooper, Mr. H. Humphreys, Lieut. Col. Martin, Mr. H. W. Blade, and the following officials-Dr. Pearse (Medical Officer of Health) Dr. Macfarlane (Assistant Medical Officer of Health) and Mr. Mol. Messer (Secretary)
APPLICATION FOR FIEMPTION,
An application was received from Mr. E, M. Hazeland asking that sections 176 and 188 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance might be waived with respect to a house pro- posed to be erected on inland lot No. 522 É. P. Caine Road.
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS minuted---- The plan submitted does not convey a very good idea of the proposal. The proposed building will be a four-storied one, 55ft in height. There is a retaining wall in the rear of it ranging from 47 to 55 feet in height, and another retaining wall on the east side of it, a considerable portion of which is 55 feet in height and a block of three storied buildings on the west side of it 49 foor in height. It derives very little benefit from being detached. I don't consider the cano merits modification.
On the motion of the PRESIDENT, seconded by the VICE-PRESIDENT, the application was refused,
WELL WATER,
Analyst relative to well and spring off Bel- A report was received from the Government
regard to the spring he stated that the surface cher's Street, Marine Lot No. 299. With
water was contaminating it. The water could enter the spring from the bottom. This could be improved by causing any surface water to be effected at little expense by means of a parapet. The well having been thoroughly cleaned out and repaired was now yielding water which was fit for potable purposes.