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May 15, 1909.]
swept out of the theatre and the autocrat leaned back in his seat well pleased with the result of his great enterprise. But his triumph was short lived. The following night his boys were shad owed by other boys giving fans gratis, and as this was continued it was not surprising that the sale for fans dropped to an infinitesimal degree and the growing monopoly met the fate of wheat corners in America. One might reflect on this incident, but to reflect would be to reflect, so I wont.
*
My Sunday reading covered two appropriate subjects. One was a strong plea to the clergy. by the Bishop of Liverpool for the natural use
of the voice in public worship. He described Erasmus as the spokesman of a large number of devout Church people when he said that he was tired of the droning of ecclesiastical services. For the moment I felt myself in hearty agreement with Erasmus and the Bishop of Liverpool on the subject. A moment later I happened to be glancing at a disserta- tion on physical culture, wherein it was stated that "there is no more healthful occupation than yawning." I reflected that nowhere more than in the churches do we see people indulging in this "healthy occupation" and dark doubts arose in my mind as to whether it were wise, in the interest of the human race, to banish the droning parson from the pulpit. The printer's devil will not grant me time enough to decide this interesting question, so I must pass it on to my readers.
RODERICK RANDOM.
HONGKONG.
Two United States gunboats are under repair at the Taikoo Dock.
The Imperial Brewery is advertised for sale by auction, Mr. Lammert being the auctioneer. Mr. Valentine Chirol, the Foreign Editor of the Times, is a passenger by the P. and O. Oceana which arrived on May 12. Mr. Chirol is booked to Yokohama.
The number of cases tried at the Magistracy during last year was 10.555 as compared with 13,414 in 1907, and the revenue was $68,696.43 as compared with $67,133.26 in 1907.
A very interesting case occupied the attention of the Chief Justice in the Supreme Court this week' when the Governor's right to figure as plaintiff in an action was contested.
The steamer Laertes, which arrived from Saigon on May 12, brought 103 deportees from the French Possession. They will be forwarded on to China as soon as arrangements can be made.
At the Magistracy on May 10 Mr. F. A. Haze- , land fined a native $50, with the alternative of two months' hard labour, for trespassing on the bomb proof ground of the Army Ordnance Department.
Among the large number of residents who left for Home by the Monteagle on Tuesday were Lady Piggott, and the Rev J. H. and Mrs. France.
Admiral Sir Frederick Bedford K.C.B. retiring Governor of Western Australia accompanied by Lady Bedford and Miss Bedford have been guests of H.E. the Governor this week. Admiral and Lady Bedford went on by the French Mail steamer to Japan.
The Treasury was enriched on Tuesday to the extent of 8310 through Chinese merchants neglecting to stamp receipts. Sixteen sum. monses for this offence were heard by Mr. F. A. Hazeland at the Magistracy on Tuesday and fines ranging from $5 to $25 were imposed on the offenders.
The Gazette publishes a financial statement by the Colonial Treasurer for the month of February 1909. It shows that the Colony's balance of assets and liabilities on January 31st of the same year was 206,227.86, and that the revenue from 1st to 28th February was $455 598.70 making a total credit of $661,826.56. Against this there was an expeudi. ture for the month of February of $348,758.28, leaving a credit balance of $313.68.28. The total liabilities of the Colony on February 28th amounted to $370,718.30. while the assets at the same date totalled $683,786.58. The balance of assets (General Account) now stands at $1,405,974.50.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
The Superintendent of the Berlin Foundling House, West Point, acknowledges with thanks the receipt of 842.25 from the Kowloon Dock A.D.C., being part of the proceeds of the pro- duction of The Silver King."
CK
made at the Hongkong Observatory during the An extract of meteorological observations month of April shows that the average maximum temperature was 75.8 degrees, the minimum being 67.4 degrees. The rainfall for the month totalled 2.455 inches, and we had 155.4 hours of sunshine.
His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint Dr. J. Bell to act as Principal Civil Medical Officer during the absence on leave of the Hon. Dr. J. M. Atkinson, or until further notice. He has also been pleased to appoint, provisionally and subject to His Majesty's pleasure, the Hon. Mr. A. W. Brewin to be a member of the Executive Council,
sho was
Mr. Joslin, second officer of the China and Manila 8.8. Co.'s steamer Zujiro, who commanded the Sainam when pirated on the West River, succumbed ou Monday night at the Government Civil Hospital to heat apoplexy. As a mark of respect the flags of the s,s. Rubi of the same line, were flying at halfmast on Tuesday when the funeral took place.
A story of barbaric cruelty was told to Mr Hazeland. Because a little girl of seven years wept and trembled with fear when told to go to a doctor, the man who was taking her took her home again. There the cruel mother belaboured her with a bamboo pole over head and body until she was one mass of bruises and weals. His Worship bound the defendant over in the sum of $100 to keep the peace tor six months.
tare.
Ali Mahomed, while under the influence of liquor, went into an opium divan in Cheung Hing Street and proceeded to break the furni- desist he assaulted him. the result being that When called upon by the proprietor to he was arrested and charged before Mr. J. H. Kemp at the Magistracy on Thursday. After hearing the evidence his Worship recorded a conviction and fined the defendant 2 on a charge of damaging property and $2 on a charge of assault. He further ordered him to pay serenty cents compensation.
charged with stealing a case of umbrellas from Before Mr. J. H. Kemp two natives were a godown at Kowloon. The first defendant. who was tallying for Messrs Gilman and Co.. after taking delivery of some 50 or 60 cases told the godown tallyman that he was one short, but that he would not require it just then, Then the goods were shipped on the second defendant's lighter, and brought to Hongkong, All were landed with the exception of a case of umbrellas, which was opened aboard. The boatman was given six of these and the first
defendant took the remainder ashoro and sold the plunder. His Worship ou hearing the them, handing the boatman $30 as his share of evidence found the defendants guilty, and sen- tenced the first to six months imprisonment and four hours' stocks, and the second to two months' imprisonment.
401
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
Council was held on May 14 in the Council A meeting of the Hongkong Legislative
Chamber.
The following were present:- HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOE, SIR K.C.M.G., C.B,, D.S.O. FREDERICK JOHN DEALTRY LUGARD
H. E. COLONEL DABLING, R.E. (Géneral Officer Commanding).
Hou. Mr. F. H. MAY, C.M.G., (Coloník Secretary).
Sir HENRY BERKELEY, K.C., (Acting At- torney-General).
Hon. Mr. A. M. THOMSON (Colonial Treasurer). Hon. Mr. W. CHATHAM, C.M.G., (Director of Public Works).
Hon. Mr. A. W. BREWIN (Registrar-General). Hon. Mr. F. J. BADELEY, (Capt. Superinten- dent of Police).
Hon. Dr. Ho Kar, K.C., C.M.G. Hon. Mr. WEI YUK, C.M.G. Mr. C. CLEMENTI (Clerk of Councils).
MINUTES.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
PAPERS.
H.E. the Governor laid on the table the follow- The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of ing papers: Financial statement for the year 1908, Report of the Police Magistrate's Court for the year 1908, Report of the Kowloon. for the year 1908, Report of Queen's College Canton Railway, British Section.
FINANCIAL MINUTES.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of His Excellency the Governor laid on the table Financial Minutes Nos. 13 to 17 and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded and the motion was agreed to.
FINANCIAL,
The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the report of the Finance Committee (No. 2) and moved its adoption. In doing so he said— In connection with this report I have to inform your Excellency that on the vote for compen- sation for 26 opium divans closed this year being brought before the committee, one official member and two unofficial members raised the question as to whether this compensation would be paid by the Imperial Government. I ex- plained that His Majesty's Government had promised to pay a portion, at any rate, of such loss as may be incurred in the letting of the Opium Farm from 1 March next, but that such loss did not include losses incurred during the current year owing to the closing of opium divans. The committee, Sir, did not oppose the vote, which was passed.
His EXCELLENCY-Gentlemen, in connection just said regarding the criticism which was with what the hon. Colonial Secretary has made at the last finance meeting on the vote for $11,000 odd compensation to divan licensees, I would remind you that on the 11th March last I read to the Council the words in the despatch After three years a ricsha coolie who is subject, and which you will find on page 9 of of the Secretary of State which referred to this supposed to be one of a gang who assaulted and Hansard. The Imperial Government deferred robbed Captain J. T. Laing of the river steamer closing the whole of the divans at once, as they Tai Sang has been arrested. before Mr. F. A. Hazeland at the Magistracy doing, and they promised that they would He appeared had originally announced their intention of on May 12 on the charge of, with four others not proceed gradually with the policy which His in custody, robbing the complainant of a bank Majesty's Government had decided to adopt. book, and of a leather pocket book containing They also agreed to pay a substantial part of -20 in bank notes, and of using personal any loss which might occur in this Colony riolence. The story previously told by Captain Laing was that while waiting at one of the
through the carrying out of that policy. But West Point wharves between two and three
they made this condition: that whatever com- o'clock in the morning he was attacked by
pensation may be found to be equitably due to several ricsha coolies, knocked down,
the holders of these licenses will be provided relieved of his valuables. The coolies got away who would no longer have a renewal of their and from Colonial funds; that is to say, the licensees with the booty, but one of the men left the licences during the current year. cushion of his ricsha behind, and this bore the part of the arrangement that was made with It was same number as the ricsha. The Captain took the the article to the Police Station, but next
Imperial Government under which morning the puller of the cushionless riesha which might occur in this Colony; and condly we were to receive a sustantial part of any loss was missing. He had left the Colony, and it is that we should retain the bulk of the divans for only within the last few days' that he has the current year until the farm contract should returned. He was arrested when applying for expire on 31st March next. We cannot repudi. a new ricsha licence at West Point. His Worship adjourned the hearing until the arrival | fulfilment of the promise made by the Imperial ate our part of the pledge, and yet claim the of the complainant,
Government; the two things hold together.