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SHIPPING NOTES,
The second of the three sister ships under construction for the Osaka Shosen Kaisha, has just been launched from the Kawasaki Dock- yard at Kobe, and named the Seattle-Maru. The first, which was launched about a month was named the Tacoma-Mara and the name of the one which us expected to be launched three months hence will be the Chicago Mara. They are ships of 6,000 tons gross
with a displacement of 11,500 tons. All three will be placed on the Tacoma Three more steamers have been ordered from the Mitsu Bishi Yard at Nagasaki.
run.
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Both the yards mentioned in the preceding paragraph have just been favoured with Admir. alty orders; a 5,000 ton cruiser is to be built in each yard. The vessels are reported by the Osaka Mainichi to be cruisers designed to attain a very high speed, with a view to their being utilized as despatch vessels in time of war. This, adds our contemporary, will be a world's record, as no vessels of this size have hitherto been designed for such servico.
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The Tucoma-maru developed on her recent trial trip a speed of more than 14 knots, carry- ing about 4.000 tons ballast. The Osaka states that next year there will be twelve
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[May 15, 1909.
A BISHOPRIC FOR ARCHDEACON BANISTER.
There was some trouble with the crew of the Chiyo-Mara on her last trip from San Francisco A stoker deserted while the ship was moored at San Francisco. He was, however, chased and The telegraphic announcement that the overtaken by a policeman, and a desperate fight | Archbishop of Canterbury has elevated the ensued, in which the former inflicted injuries on | Ven. Archdeacon Banister to the new Bishopric of the policemen with a knife. Thereupon the Hunan will be received by churchmen in Hong- policeman drew a revolver and shot the man kong with mingled feelings-of gratification dead. The communication further states that six that he has been selected for the high office, and members of the crew of the liner deserted the sincere regret that the appointment terminates ship in Honolulu and San Francisco.
his connection with the diocese of Victoria in which he has ministered for the last twelve Archdeacon Banister was ordained dea- years,
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The Minnesofa has been fitted with a wireless telegraph apparatus, and according to the American papers it will be "the most powerful set of wireless telegraph instruments ever placed on any steamer in the world,”
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con in 1879, and priest in the following year. He then came out to China, being sent to Foo- chow, and was for some years located at Ku Chong in charge of a large missionary district with its manifold operations. In 1893 he was given direction of the Church Missionary The Shipping Gazelle publishes a telegram Society's Theological College at Foochow, and which it has received from the Hainburg- remained there until 1897, when he was appoint- lato American Line offices at Hamburg stating thated Archdeacon of Hongkong by the reports as to a contemplated amalgamation with Bishop Hoare in 1902. Archdeacon Banister the Norddeutscher Lloyd Company are went home early this year on a well-earned rest, and it was thought that his health and advanc- absolutely unfounded.
ing years would render it necessary for him to remain at Home. We are glad to infer from the announcement made to-day that the Ven. Archdeacon's health happily offers no barrier to his return to the East. Archdeacon Banister
all who know him will feel was voiced by H. E. appears as active and energetic as a man of forty though his age must be nearer fifty-five. What
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The statement is published that the Russian Government intends to extend its mail service to Hongkong and eventually to develop Russian commerce up the West River! Hitherto says to the Far East did not call at Hongkong report, the Russian Imperial Mail steamers
Now, owing to many enquiries from Odessa
the
Japanese steamers on the run between Puget nerchauts, it is the intention of the Russian, the Governor in a public speech a few months
Sound and Hongkong. In the event of an ar rangement being made between the N.Y.K. and O.S.K. to dispatch a steamer once a week from each sido between Hongkong and the United States, it will be possible for Japanese merchants to dispense with the service of foreign steamers. -Such a union between the two companies, says the Osaku paper, is calculated to go a long way towards furthering the trade between Japan and the United States.
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A special meeting of the shareholders of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha takes place this week to consider the question of security for the debentures, whose issue was approved by the general meeting held in January. 1906, as well as the question of the revision of the articles of association with a view to abolishing or changing the branches of the company. It will be recom- mended that they be reduced from 40 to 30: The following branch offices are to be opened; Kochi, Takuhama and Tairen, while the follow- ing ones are to be closed: Ujina, Sakai. Atsuta, Tokushima, Mitsugahama. Uwajima, Shanghai
and Hankow.
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The second attempt to sell the wreck of the steamer Djambi, which was sunk at Singapore, in collision with a French Mail steamer was not much more successful than the last. At the first auction the highest bid was 3300. Later an offer $750 was made if it could be arranged that three months should be given for the removal of the vessel. Permission for this period was granted by the Master Attendant and the ship was accordingly put up again. There was again no eagerness shown to hid, but eventually an offer of $750 was received and no one bettering this the wreck and gear were knocked down at that figuro to Messrs Low Hoon Tiang and See Cheng Ann, the latter of Tanjong Phu. The ship cost $75,000 when new. She now lies at a spot at the East end of Tanjong Pagar to which she was removed some weeks ago, and she was offered for sale complete, with whatever cargo there might be in her and with whatever deck fittings have been stored for safe keeping.
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Sir Pelham Warren, H.B.M. Consul-General at Shanghai, attended at the rooms of the Marcantile Marine Offices Association last week for the purpose of handing to Mr. Peter Shearer, second officer of the str. Hangchow, the Royal Humane Society's bronze medal and certificate, for saving the life of a Chinese quartermaster, who had fallen overboard at Wuhu. Before the boat that was launched could pick them up Mr. Shearer and his charge had drifted a mile away from the Hangchow. Mr. Shearer in returning his thanks, said that he thought the act had been magnified. It was only what any other British sailor would
have done in the circumstances.
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Government to include Hongkong among the ports of call in the Far East.
SERIOUS FLOODS IN THE WEST RIVER.
Within the past few days there has been a great rise in the West River, and many places along the littoral have been flooded, including Shaoshing. Samshui, Saiwui and Fatshan. Embankments have given way and extensive damage has been done. At Samshui over two hundred houses are reported to have been washed away, and
go, when he said that Archdeacon Banister's retirement would mean that this Colony would lose a devoted and able man. He will however have the direction of church affairs over a district which has hitherto formed part of the discese of Victoria, so we may expect to see Bishop Banister occasionally in Hongkong, The diocese of Hunan, we understand, is formed of the southern portion of that province and the northern half of the province of Kwangsi.
TRADE OF INDIA.
A RECORD TOTAL FOR THE YEAR 1907-8.
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about twenty persons drowned. Over 10,000 persons are stated to be camping in the hills at Samshui, and relief the record total of £241,069,399, of which The sea-borne trade of India in 1907-8 reached is urgently needed.
Such a sudden flood has not been experienced imports were responsible for £119,188,710, and The total land fron- at Fatshan for thirty years. The city was inexports for £121,880,689.
tier trade amounted to £10,660,673 imports
in her history. Below is given a list of the being £5.717,891, and exports £4,642,782. In- dia's aggregate trade in 1907-8 was the greatest
figures being those for 1907-8. principal countries trading with India, the The country
undated so
rapidly that the shopkeepers lost is reported lost at Fatshan. The food here a great deal of their property. Only one life subsided on the 12th inst. as quickly it came.
H. E. the Viceroy of Canton has dispatched telegrams to the provincial officials to take measures to afford the sufferers relief and to report to him full details of the flood,
The Self-Government Society and the Red Cross Society have sent people with provisions to many of the districts affected.
CONTEMPLATED IMPROVEMENTS AT HAIPHONG.
We observe that after protracted negotiations the governing authorities of the Colony have authorised the Chamber of Commerce at Hai- phong to raise a loan of 1.500 000 francs for the improvement of the facilities of the port, on the security of a taxe de plage (toll money). A Haiphong contemporary adds that it is neces- sary to repeat that the new taxes will not increase the charges on the ships frequenting the harbour or the merchandise imported and exported. A new and better assessment of these charges will permit the execution of the con. templated improvements.
It is pointed out that this decision to improve the facilities of the port synchronises with the completion of the Yunnan railway as far as Mengtze and that this will lead to a considerable increase of traffic at Haiphong which, apart from this, has been growing every year as a result of the economic development of the Colony.
For stealing ninety catties of steel rivets from the Dock Co., Mr. F. A. Hazeland sentenced a Chinese to two months' imprisonment and six
hours stocks.
the United Kingdom, which is an easy first with from which India draws most of her imports is
£57,766,395.
Imports into India in the year 1907-8 from principal countries :-
United Kingdom.....
• British Possessions Java...
Belgium Germany...
United States... Austria-Hungary Japan
£57,766,395
6,353,230
3,870,155
3,537,733
3,445,799
2,158,127
1,769,484
1,444,994
The United Kingdom takes more of India's produce and manufactures than any other country, the total value of India's exports to her in 1907-8 being £29,936,526, compared with £3,289,511 in 1906-7. The chief countries which received Indian produce and manufactures in 1907-8 were :-
United Kingdom.. British Possessions Germany...
United States... France Belgium Japan
£29,936,526 19,517,054
13,493,690
9,012,185
7,668,826
6,098,081
5,913,834
It will be observed that the United Kingdom heads the list an an easy first both in regard to India's exports and imports.
The assistant compradore of the river steamer Kwong Tung proceeded against thirteen natives at the Magistracy on May 12 for stowing away from Canton. They were found guilty and Mr. Hazeland imposed a fine of $25 on each man, the alternative being one month's imprisonment.
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