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February 1, 1909.]
annual report on roads so constructed. The hinese, and more especially the women with small feet, found some of the present roads a great trial to walk ou.
RECENT ROBBERIES.
Mr. MENCARINI called attention to the num- ber of deportees arriving at this port, and attributed many of the recent robberies to the operations of these experienced thieves. He suggested that the new Council should approach the Consular Body, with a view to their respec- tive Governments being communicated with on the subject, and that the Territorial Officials be also asked to co-operate in the matter. After some further discussion on the subject,
COUNCILLORS RE-ELECTED.
The CHAIRMAN read out the following names of ratepayers offering themselves for election as Councillors, for 1909:-Messrs. J. S. Fenwick, W. Kruse, 8. Okuyama, W. Wilson, W. H. Wallace and A. H. Wilzer.
Mr. MENCARINI suggested that as only the requisite number of gentlemen offered them- selves, the names be submitted to the meeting en bloc.
The CHAIRMAN, seconded by MR. SUNDIUS, accordingly put the names to the meeting, and they were duly elected by thirty-eight votes to two.
With a vote of thanks to the Chairman, pro- posed by MR. ARNOLD, the meeting closed.
A meeting of the Council was held on the 26th January 1909, when there were present Messrs. W. H. Wallace (Chairman) Huang Ta'an Chew, W. Kruse, 8. Okuyama, W. Wilson, the Health Officer (Dr. McDougall) and the Secretary (Mr. Berkeley Mitchell.)
THE CRITICISM OF THE BUDGET.
Mr. WALLACE, the Chairman, brought up the following report:-
"With reference to certain questions raised at the annual meeting of ratepayers by Mr. Bathurst concerning the accounts for 1908, of which no previous notice, private or otherwise, was given the question therefore being so to speak sprung on as and which it was impossi- ble to fully answer offhand at the time. I have,
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your Chairman, since gone into the figures and I will now give you the results, taking them in the order Mr. Bathurst had them on the paper he handed to the Chairman at the meeting. Prison Charges.-The increase is due to rise in price of food and fuel during the past two years, and to the fact that the cost of lighting the prison is now borne by prison charges account, whereas previous to moving into the new buildings the cost of lighting the old cells and barracks was debited against police charges account alone. The cost of lighting the new prison is considerably more than the old one. Police Charges for 1908 are the lowest since the inception of the Council. General Churges. The increase is principally due to extraordinary expenditure in the shape of such items as:- Duty &c. on 50 stand of arms $98; bonus of $25 to tax collector for work in connection with the Land Commision; $15 cost of taking the censure, and some $49 odd in extras on the new buildings. Police. Mr. Bathurst asked Why was the Police staff reduced from 28 in 1904 to 19 in 1908 at a cost of three hundred dollars more in wxges.." I find the strength of the force in 1904 was, from January to March, 24 Indians and one detective. From April to, December one Inspector, 17 Indians and one Chinese detective; Cost in wages for the year $5,546.80. This sum was for wages pure and simple, and all ranks were on the lowest rate of pay, none having sufficient service to be drawing either class or good conduct pay. No
passage money, deferred pay or bonuses were included. In 1908, up to the end of Nevember, the strength was one jemadar, three sergeants and fourteen constables, with one Chinese detective, or 19 in all. On the discharge of the jemadar, the force stood at 4 sergeants, 14 constables and 1 Chinese detective. The wages for the year came to $5,840.14, which included deferred pay $343.51, bonuses $226.82 and passage money $71.38, or a total of $641.71 over and above ordinary pay, class pay and good conduct pay. It must also be remembered that we raised the pay of the Police in 1908 $1.50 per man, per month, and that we have serving four men with over five years' service, 4 men with over 4, and three men with over three, all of whom are drawing class pay and good
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
CHINA NEW YEAR.
85
conduct pay. A recruit starts at $16.50 per month, and
can rise As # constable to $19.50 per month by an addition of
The great national festival of China was 81 in every. 24 months. A sergeant, celebrated in the time honoured manner in starts at $22.50 and rises to $26.50. Besides Hongkong on the 22nd inst., and though there these rises, good conduct pay is issued after have been years when the Colony had more every 18 months' satisfactory conduct at $1.50 grounds, for rejoicing than at present this was per month. ie. after 18 month's service $1.50 not apparent in the enthusiasm with which the after 36 months service another $1.50 and so on. Chinese sped the old year and welcomed the new Therefore all those men still serving who were year. Every where the spirit of the season was with us in 1904 must be drawing more pay in manifest, and the observances peculiar to the 1908. The proportion of sergeants to constables occasion seemed to be carried out more exten- was also commented on, although those who įsively than in recent years. One notable criticise have overlooked the fact that the feature Was the extraordinary display of duties of our force are not confined entirely to Chinese flags. This was in honour of the first police duties, but also embrace the supervision year of the reign of the new Emperor. of sanitary work, and the duty of looking after
1 Of course fireworks played their usual pre- the prison, and the working parties of prisoners dominant part. Firing commenced on Thursday outside on the roads &c., which two latter duties and the noise, which at times resembled a bom- would anywhere else be performed by warders, bardment, was heard without ceasing right on hence the number of sergeants required. When till Friday, being continued intermittingly on the jemadar left at the end of November, the Saturday and Sunday. Then the dragon senior sergeant took over his duties, at a saving processions with their quaint movements and of some $200 per annum, a constable being pro- vigorous beating of tomtoms contributed moted sergeant in the senior sergeant's place. So their quota to the fun and jollity of that instead of having one jemadar and three the crowds which
氨 sergeants, as in 1908, we now have sergeants, No doubt, on the arrival of the Assistant to the Superintendent of Police, the Watch Committee will consider whether it practical to reduct the number of sergeants.
THE OPIUM DIVANS.
Six opium shops were selected by ballot to be closed on April 12th, in accordance with the local regulations.
UNLICENSED PAWNBROKERS.
Before Mr. J. H. Kemp at the Magistracy on the 26th ult. two natives were prosecuted by Sergeant Gordon for keeping pawnbroking establishments on Chungchau Island without
license.
Mr. C. F. Dixon (of Messrs. Hastings and Hastings) represented the first defendant and pleaded guilty on his behalf, and the second defendant also admitted the charge.
for sampans.
Mr. Dixon said there was no doubt his client had brought himself, within the section of the Pawnbrokers Ordinance, but he would ask his Worship to deal leniently with him, or to discharge him. The defendant made awnings He had lived on Chungchan understand that his idea of the law with regard for about twenty years, and his Worship would
to pawnbrokers was very hazy. During te typhoon of last year many people living on this island lost their sampans and got into very straightened circumstances. The defendant repaired many damaged boats, and the owners gave him small articles of jewellery as security, That led to the defendant getting a reputation for assisting people who were hard up provided they gave him security, and thus he got into the way of carrying on this business without a this way for about six months, Mr. Dixon asked licence. As he had only been doing business his Worship to take into consideration the facts
he had stated.
His Worship-He cha ged interest, I suppose?
Mr. Dixon-Yes, but interest is charged on overdue accounts, and the defendant has no intention of continuing the business, unless he takes out a licence. He does not give any receipts for these articles, and the people all
trust him.
Sergeant Gordon-He does not do that on account of his own safety.
His Worship said it was rather a difficult matter to estimate the penalty. The defendant had been carrying on the business for some months and he could not have carried it on legally without paying a licence fee of $400. of that amount, and estimating the profits he Considering that he had defrauded the revenue had made, his Worship said he would fine the defendant the maximum penalty of $200. He also decided that the pawned articles should be returned, and the owners could obtain them by paying the principal and interest to date. Further interest was not permitted to be charged.
A similar decision was given against the second defendant.
continually thronged the streets. The weather being fine, cold but bracing, encouraged the Chinese to follow their usual custom of walking in the streets arrayed in their best attire, and certainly this year witnessed as many beautiful garments as have ever been seen in the colony at this festival, They turned out in large numbers to pay ceremonial calls on Friday, and at night they settled down to indoor amusements. Feasts will be held practically throughout this week, though business will be resumed in a day or two.
Friday was also the anniversary of the succes-> sion of King Edward. The vessels in the har- bour dressed ship in honour of the occasion and a salute was fired at noon.
GERMAN EMPEROR'S BIRTHDAY.
On Jan. 27 was the fiftieth anniversary of the birthday of H. I. M. the Kaiser, and the occasion was fittingly celebrated in. Hongkong, the guns of the German men-of-war in port booming forth their "many happy returns" at noon, the good wishes being seconded by Bri- tish warships. Dr. Voretzsch, the German Consul, held the usual reception at the on- sulate, where representatives of all nations called to pay their respects. Captain Mitchell- Taylor called on hehalf of His Excellency the Governor, Captain Heathcote on behalf of on behalf of Commodore Lyon. General Broadwood, and Lieut. Blanchflower
In commemoration of the occasion Pastor
Muller conducted a service yesterday morning on the German cruiser Leipzig, and in the after- noon the officers held a reception on board, which was largely attended. At the German Club last night a special dinner was held. All the British warships in port dressed ship in honour of the occasion.
THE MANILA CARNIVAL.
The great international carnival which opens at Manila on February 2nd is attracting the attention of sportsmen from all parts of the Farr East, and as most of the big ports in the Orient will be represented in the sport, it follows that interest in the carnival extends far beyond the land over which the Stars and Stripes flutter, was extended by the A cordial invitation promoters to sportsmen in Hongkong and the Colony will be represented in several of the events. There are many men here who could give a good account of themselves, but opportunities did notffer for a few weeks. stay in Manila. There are these, however, 10. spared, and the best who wishes of residents will go with them for all success in the Philippines. The Buffs are sending a polo team, and Lance-Corporal a good reputation as a runner. Anderson of the same regiment goes forth with We are also to bo represented by a cricket eleven selected from the various regiments of the Garrison, while a boating crew will be despatched from HM.S. Monmouth.
can
Mr. A.. E. Ellis was to have gone to the Carnival as a representative of the V.R.C., but unfortunately he caught a cold while training, and on medical advice he has had to withdraw his name from the list of competitors.