C
462
The Mayor of Manila has been robbed. Thieves entered his residence one evening last week and carried off a complete double set of
arness valued at about P100.
One of the largest tobacco manufacturing concerns in the Far East, the El Oriente Cigar Factory of Manila, is threatened with enforced idleness through the strike of stickers and box labourers who are demanding an increase of wages. This means that 2,000 hands will be thrown out of employment.
A Bill now under discussion in the Lower House of the Dutch Parliament, gives the Netherlands India Government greater controll- ing powers over the harbour and coaling station at Sabang in Pulau Way, and authority to organise a port trust there. In Holland there is no longer any hope that Sabang will outrival Singapore and Penang. But it is confidently believed that the port has a great future. One significant fact is that the number of ships calling there increases yearly. The Java Bode speaks highly of what has been done so far, in
improving the port and the accommodation at Sabang.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
An Amoy telegram published in the Japanese papers says the Chinese Minister in Washing- ton has wired to the Wai-wu-pu that Chinese revolutionists in the neighbourhood of Liang: kiang are engaged in purchasing arms and Viceroy ammunition through Americans, Chang is instructed by the Peking Foreign Office to watch the alleged movement of the revolutionists.
An ordinance just passed in Java which camo About 11.30 p.m. on Saturday last a fire broke into force on June 1, falls heavily upon Chinese out in the three-storied godown of Messrs. C. secret societies in Netherlands India. A fine of Bracco and Co.. situated at the junction of one hundred guilders or three months' rigorous Szechuen and ungkiang Roads Shanghai. imprisonment is the penalty on every Chinaman There was a good supply of water, and though found in possession of secret society documents it was impossible to save the contents of the or emblems, or caught wearing the distinguish-godown, the firemez were successful in prev-n- ing marks of these organisations. Those who preside over the meetings of such societies, allow | meetings to be held in their houses, or fail to inform the authorities on such gatherings being held incur similar penalties. The latter also fall upon Chinese who recruit for these societies, supply them with money, or give them help in
any way.
At the date of last adrices from Saigon, a peculiar strike was engaging public attention. Eighty native workmen employed on quay con- struction work there suddenly struck on May 3. and refused duty. No persuasion could induce them to turn to. They demanded that the working day should at once be reduced from eight hours to six hours, but that the wages should remain the same. One of the ringleaders
has been arrested, and several others are likely to be prosecuted for interference with freedom of labour. Worse still is a strike of over one thousand carpenters at Chinese shipyards at Cholon, near Saigon. They stopped work he- cause the employers refused to give advances demanded. The workmen have formed them selves into union. The strike had lasted two months on May 13.
A significant sign of the times. says the Bangkok Times, is to be found in the report that some of the gambling houses in Bangkok have recently been losing cnsiderable sums. The Farmers, of course, bid high for their farms, and not less so perhaps in a bad year, since they expect that people with a less income than usual will gumble to retrieve their fortunes. But either people are not doing so to the same extent, or they are unable to raise any money to gamble with. Any.
our contemporary is credibly inform ed that much less money than usual is finding its way to the gambling houses of Bangkok. If there is less money to spare for a flutter in the gambling houses, cash must be very difficult to come by at present.
how
The North Borneo Trading Co., Ltd., pro- ceeded against J. D. W. Thomson, lately em- ployed in some of the docks at Hongkong, for breach of contract. The assessors, Messrs. Dale, McCreath and Cox, gave their opinions in favour of defendant, and the judge, Mr. Turner, gave judgment and compensation in accordance there. with. Counsel for the plaintiffs, Mr. G. E. Morrell, immediately notified the judge that he was not bound to accept or act on the opinion of assessors, and was informed that the court was aware of it, but agreed with the opinions given. Mr. Morrell at once gare notice of appeal. This was heard by the Governor and Mr. Pearson, sitting as judges of the High Court, and was upheld, costs being given for appellants and an order made for the damages to be assessed. This confirmed the views held by Mr. Morrell and other people who were at a loss to account for the finding in the Sessions
Court.
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ting the flames from spreading to the neigh- houring promises. The wines and spirits stored in the upper storey of the building were totally destroyed and the groceries and provi sions in the second and ground floors suffere considerable damage by fire and water. The contents of the building were insured with the New Zealand Insurance Company for Tls. 60,000.
A new map of the Province of Kwantung has just been published by Messrs. W. Brewer & Co., Ltd. It occupies a sheet about five feet wide by four feet deep. Names of places are given in both English and Chinese, and whether the town is large or small is specially indicated. Hills, forts, likin and Customs Stations, light houses, joss houses, naval stations, railways open or projected, sandbanks, district limits, &c. are all indicated by special marks. Hongkong, the West. East and North Rivers, and Kwongchow- fu are shown as insets on the sheet. The map was compiled and drawn by Capt. J. B. A. Grote, I. G. N. R.. and reproduced by the lithographers apparently by the direct transference of the original drawings to the stone. It is advertised at the price of $5 on rollers and $4.50 folded.
[June 7, 1909.
HONGKONG'S SUBSIDIARY
COINAGE.
Ав
(Daily Press, May 29th.) The little discussion which took place at the meeting of the Legislative Council Fin- ance Committee on the item in the financial statement showing that the Government in The Alhambra Cigar Factory, Manila, which 1908 incurred a loss of no less than $164,000 has been up for sale twice during the past few
on its depreciated subsidiary coinage, did weeks, was on the 29th ult., purchased by the not unfortunately suggest any early relief well know firm of Kuenzle and Streiff. The from an intolerable burden which all trad- factory, which has for years laboured along ining concerns in the Colony have for years the hands of the banks, says a Manila cu- temporary, is now on a sound business basis past been suffering equally with the Government- -or rather,it should be said, to Mr. Hoffmeister, who has for many years been
a much greater extent proportionately. Of connected with the Alhambra, has been retained as technical manager. A large amount of first
the total sum of $164,000 which the Govern- quality leaf tobacco has recently been purchased ment lost on subsidiary coinage last year, and future crops contracted for, which will | 832,000 was the figure quoted again and again enable the present owners to maintain the high in the discussion as representing actual loss standard always found in the Alhambra factory products. It is understood that the price paid by sedemption of these coins, but if $114,000 represents the loss on the small coins for the concern was to be P233,000.
shipped home and sold as bullion, a balauco of $50,000 remains to be accounted for. There are several public companies in Hong- kong who have for years past been showing outheir balance sheet a loss on subsidiary coins of over $30,000 per annum, and they would much like to know when the Govern- ment propose to take effective action to put an end to this deplorable state of things. Notwithstanding that the Government are melting down a certain proportion of the sub- sidiary coins of the Colony which are received into the Colonial Treasury, the discount on subsidiary coinage in use in Hongkong still ranges from 6.80 to 8.50 per cent. fast as Hongkong currency is withdrawn Chinese currency takes its place. Repre- sentations have repeatedly been made to the Chinese authorities with a view to inducing them to limit the output of the Canton Mints, alike in the interests of the people of the province and the inhabitants of this Colony. The present discount on subsidiary coins is proof of the scant notice which has been taken of those representations. According to the Hon. Colonial Secretary, H.E. the Governor has tried to point out to the Chinese authorities "the error of their ways," but no indications were given in the course of the discussion of any confident hopes of early success in this direction. It is obvious that if we are to be rid of this burdensome tax upon the business of the Colony in the life time of the present generation the Government must renounce its attitude of dependence on the Chinese authorities of Canton, and take independent action in the matter. The Government has put to the test the recommendations made in the Minority Report of the Subsidiary Coinage Commission, and it is practically confessed that they have been without result. It was suggested in the Minority Report that "in the event of the negocia tions with the Chinese authorities being without result the Committee be called together again six months bence to further An advertisement headed "Expressing Grati. deliberate." It was in November, 1907,
appears in the tude"
Shanghai papers, that the Reports of the Committee were reading: About two months ago I missed sent to the Government, but though the my second boy who is six years old. It appears action taken by the Government in the that he was kidnapped, and on the 18th April. meantime has failed to materially improve the kidnapper was taking him to Hongkong on
the position, the Committee has not been board Messrs. Butterfield and Swire's steamer
when On Chenan. Fortunately,
board the called together for further deliberation, so far as we are aware. We suggest that this steamer, Captain J. H. Brown's suspicions were aroused, and he detained my boy and handed step should be taken now. him over to the authorities in Hongkong with whether the suggestion made by the the result that a photograph of the lad was sent Minority 18 intended to be taken as back here for identification, which has led to my intimating that if their recommendations recovery of my son.
failed
have 10
results the beneficial kind and provident action of the Captain, I be-
anticipated they would be prepared to view lieve I should not have been able to see my son again. I hereby insert this to express my more favourably the recommendations in heartiest thanks to Captain Brown for the the Majority Report. Both agreed upon great favour he has done ns.-HONG WAI- the desirability of urging upon China the SANG, 6, Sungkiang Road, Shanghai."
reform of her currency; but the Majority
Public observances of Memorial Day began Presbyterian and Methodist churches. In the at Manila on Sunday with special services at the morning there was a splendid musical service by the antiphonal choir under the direction of Professor and Mrs. Cook and Dr. Rossiter delivered a stirring, patriotic address at the Presbyterian church. In the evening an ad- dress was delivered by General William H. Carter on the roof garden of the same church. Both services were attended by large congrega- tions. At the Central Methodist Church, the Rev. Issac B. Harper spoke of the meaning of the day, and specially prepared music was played and sung. On Monday there were services at Fort McKinley, the del Norte cemetery and at Cavite, at all of which the memory of the country's dead was revered.
Had it not been for this
We do not know