November 9, 1908:]
to employ a very much larger staff of building inspectors than they now have. It would amount to relieving all the architects of the work of supervision which they now undertake, for if the Government is liable for the proper construction of the building, what need is there on the part of the person building to pay architects for | supervision work which it is, according to the CHIEF JUSTICE, the Government's duty to perform? In the case which elicited the JUDGE's comments no authorised architect wasemployed in supervising the construction of the building. Whether the JUDGE'S view of the responsibility of the Govern- ment would be modified in cases where architects authorised by Government to practice in the Colony are employed re- mains to be seen. The point raised is a very important one. His LORDSHIP's remarks were not directed against the present Government, but against the Government in the abstract which existed at the time the houses in question were built, but we scarcely think that with three building inspectors instead of one the present Go- vernment can feel confident that no building erected during its time will come down in a typhoon. About twelve months ago evidence was afforded in the Police Courts that the Public Works Depart- ment was far from satisfied with the quality of mortar in common use in the Colony, and it is impossible that with only three building inspectors the Public Works Department can feel confident that every bit of mortar used in the buildings of the Colony even to-day is up to the proper standard. If in the case of the collapse of athouse in a typhoon, resulting in the death of anybody, the Government official charged with the duty of inspecting the building becomes liable to be placed in the dock on a charge of manslaughter, it is obviously necessary that the Government should immediately take this view of their responsibility into consideration. At pre- sent, as we understand it, the building inspectors are regarded in the light of policemen, who are as much exempt from punishment for failing to detect the hidden defects of a building as is the constable who does not prevent a burglary or a crime of any other description in & public thoroughfare. But after what the CHIEF JUSTICE has said on the subject it seems that we must count this among the erroneous "popular fancies which are current with regard to the duties of the Government. We at any rate are not competent to say that the JUDGE's view is unsound.
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THE SITUATION IN EUROPE.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. bat omitted to insert in the lease a clause of surrender. Austro-Hungary did what repairs were necessary under the lease; and did them well, it is acknowledged on all sides. The Dual Monarchy has not had a very fat thing out of the job; by dint of good management it has just succeeded in making both ends meet, but it has had itself to pay the Police rates, so, as Turkey has been showing some symptoms herself of put- ting in order the part of the estate in her own occupation, the Twins in this case likewise have suggested that they were very Comfortable and did not want to trouble Turkey further, “Thank-you." The mora lity of the affair may, it is allowed, seem different whether the case be viewed from the landlord's or the occupier's point of view, but who is to decide which is the cor- rect point of view? That, for long or for sbort, is what is agitating Europe at the moment.
means all.
#4 we are
Certain statesmen, of whom Sir EDWARD GEET is the spokesman, hold with perfect reason that the Twins having been put in possession under "Mandate' Congress to do certain things, must await a from the further mandate before making any funda- mental change in the conditions of tenancy. The intrinsic justice of this contention is unimpeachable, and neither the Twins, nor their backer traverse it; but. What the doubt is is not very intelligible, for the sentence has never been concluded; but very likely it was intended to add, the man in possession," and that in couvey- ancing covers à maltitude of defects in title. So far so good, the question of abstract: justice would probably puzzle the Supreme Court at Washington to decide with satis- faction to all concerned. But this is by no Somehow or other it has become a tradition in Dame EUROPA's badly man- aged school, that if JACKY BALL gets hold of a big lump of sweets, HARRY GOODMAN is entitled, by way of " calls it, to demand an extra supply of compensation Le marbles; that cake and marbles are by no means commensurate is a matter not need- ing discussion. Bulgaria, has not been actually independent, but she has through out acted as if she were. So the difference would require the skill of a HUDIBBAS, "Who could distinguish, and divide-A hair 'twixt south and south-west side" to. arrive at. Nevertheless, Servia and Mon- tenegro, are fully convinced that they are entitled to " compensation in respect of it. To most sensible men who were really desirous of putting an end to these peevish and child-like squabbles, it would occur that the thing required was a little sensible talking to, and a simple explanation of how little was really involved. A few sensible and well-timed words reduce the supposed points of difference to an insignificant factor, which with goodwill could easily be adjusted by a jury of reasonably wise men selected at random from the Powers. Such
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(Daily Press, 3rd November.) When King VORTIGERN deserted by the Roman legions found himself unable to control his troublesome subjects he called ip, as many a well-meaning statesman bas done at other times, the mythical Twins to
solution would, of course, suggest a reduce his State to some sort of order.
" Court" or a "Congress," call it either HENGIST and HORSA, for so we were in our indifferently; but a court, which would school days taught to call them, made short arrange affairs, has no charms for those who work of the task, but when King VORTIGERN babitually live by fanning disorders, so the tendered them their wages, and suggested council for the defence expresses his agree the time had come to go home to their dig- ment with the idea of a Court, provided that gings, the brothers informed him that they no cognisance is to be taken of Bosnia, nor were very comfortable, and were quite con-
of Servia's and Montenegro's claims for tent to stay without requiring any further "Compensation" In other words the repaire, thank you. In 1878 the Congress Counsel for the prisouer charged with of all the European Powers meeting at forgery addresses the Court in some such Berlin, in despair at Turkey's administra-words as "My Lord, my client is willing tion of the two Adriatic provinces of to be tried by this Court, if every allusion Bosnia and Herzogovina, gave a mandate to handwriting be excluded." It is evident to Austro-Hungary to go into occupation, that a Congress ander such conditions would and see what could be done about putting be an actual farce, these being the very the tumble-down tenement in decent order, issues which need to be adjusted.
to Turkey whether Austro-Hungary høld After all, it makes very little difference Bosnia and Herzogovina under a fee farm grant, or on a lease of lives renewable; in neither care is her chance of resumption of any pecuniary value whatever, and this is the only possible interest that she can have. in them: the difference of dignity too is in a practical view of no consideration what- ever, yet this is the only question that a Congress would have to decide. The whole affords of the Balkan affair, except in so far as it snarling to ill-disposed politicians, is so far a convenient source of perpetual
as Europe and Turkey are concerned not passed when Turkey in Europe was a matter worth a week's bickering. The day has of political consideration; the old battle ground has practically ceased to exist, and except for a few miles of disputed boundary bere and there the peninsula has settled down into a beptarcy. One of these days there will, of course, inevitably_arise the struggle between the different States for supremacy, and the issue will become an important one. It is not, however, a case for enough, but at the moment there are no andue barry. The struggle will come soon premonitory groanings of the coming tempest, and it would be the height of folly to seek to fan them into existence. Rather let us learn to enjoy the present so long as day, said a wise man, is the evil thereof. we have opportunity. Sufficient unto the
THE BOYCOTT RIOTS.
(Daily Press, November 4th,
Police authorities to get hold of the men It should not be a difficult matter for the who are primarily responsible for the riọtɩus proceedings in the western and central parts do of the City on Sunday and Monday. We actually led the bands of ignorant coolies Bot mean merely the persons who
the police fortunately managed to arrest in the raids upon the offending shops;
magistrates have dealt with them in a many of these and it may be hoped that the
in similar enterprises in way which will deter any from engaging in future. The real instigators of the the Colony moveinent, however, are not necessarily to be found among the men who actually led the mobs.
arranged, and the project had been care- These raids were evidently pre- fully considered in all its bearings. There kong working on the plan of campaign in must have been some organisation in Hong- co-operation with a similar organisation in · Canton if it be true, as is currently reported, that a large number of men were sent down from Canton last week to engage in any
the raids. If there is foundation for may be taken for granted that these bands. this rumour, it of ruffians must have been hired with promise of payment for their work by some that event, it should not be impossible to person or organised body of persons, and, In trace the actual instigators of this outbreak of lawlessness. Obviously it was not an uns premeditated outburst: The whole plan of campaign must have been most carefully considered and pre-arranged in all its detal Only Chinese shops or godowns stocked Japanese goods were the objects of No Japanese shop was actually threatened though, while the ou break was at ita height, the police deemed it prudent specially guard them. And wisely so, fo the ignorant coolie under the spell, or ma be in the pay of the ultra, patī agitatore, could not be expected to his a nicely discriminating mind.
That a large number of Chinese in kong are in entire sympathy wil