12
designated by the very apt name of Topside, and built of stone quarried from the surround- ing hill, and situated on the top of nearly the highest hill there.
Camp John Hay, where a company of Ameri. can soldiers are stationed, is also very prettily situated on another hill, so that, to the intending visitor from Manila or China, there is always plenty of society, especially when the Commis. sion is sitting.
Baguio is also the centre of the much-talked. of gold mines of the 'Benguet Province, and a trip on horseback to the Benguet onsolidated Mine, or the Bus Mine, where the stamps are merrily beating the gold out of the auriferous quartz which abounds there, would well repay one for the fatigue of the journey. Old miners who have been prospecting for gold through these hills are very enthusiastic about their possibilities, and it is already in these early days said that Luzon will in a few years be amongst the richest of the gold-producing
countries of the world.
The difficulties of transportation at present are very great. But as these are gradually overcome, the value of Baguio as a delightful place to visit and as a health resort for the jaded inhabitant of the plains, and as a place to spend a few weeks' holiday from China, will inevitably be recognised. It will take its place as a second Siula, and will soon equal if not excel the beauties of Miyanoshita or Nikko, There are a few very good stories told locally which are worthy of record. One of the first of the merican ladies to reside in Baguio was Mrs. Smith. Instructing the natives of the place in speaking English, it is stated that she informed them that the correct way to approach her in the morning, according to our ideas, was to say "Good morning, Mrs. Smith." This had the curious effect of causing all the natives whenever they saw a white person, man or woman, to address thom all with the expression, "Good morning, Mrs. Smith." An old man, apparently about 100 years of age, was seen by a foreigner who resided there sitting near at hand, and he asked him why his son was crying, and the answer was, He has been very insolent to his grandfather, who is getting somewhat old, and I have had to chastise him for it."
་་
What an ideal place this must be, for people who desire to live over the alloted span of three score years and ten!
THE HONGK NG UNIVERSITY PROJECT.
We are officially informed that Mr. Mody has consented to keep his offer (of providing the buildings for the University) open till the end of the year.
He did so in a confidential communication to The Governor some time ago, but desired that it should not be made known until the six months (ending June 30th.) was on the point of completion, in order that the collection of the funds for endowment should be stimulated.
The greater part of the amount required has now been promised, but it is necessary, on the one hand, that the promised donations should be actually paid in to the Treasurer and, on the other hand, it must be remembered that the sum named (£100,000ndowment and £10,000 for Equipment) was the minimum amount estimated to start a University of two or perhaps three chairs only. When that minimum had been realised it would justify Mr. Mody in undertak ing the buildings and Government in giving the site and accepting the gift from Mr. Mody.
But to make the University really efficient and to establish Chairs in other subjects, a larger endowment will be required in order that more Professors may be appointed, and it is hoped that a fully adequate sum will be raised to make the University thoroughly efficient.
It is stated in The Lancet, referring to the establishment, of the new Bristol Un iversity, that the minimum amount qualifying for a Charter is £250.000. Enquiry is being made regarding the truth of this statement. If it should be true and should apply equally to the Hongkong University, it is clear that a con- siderable sum remains to be raised before a Charter can be applied for.
Assuming the present minimum endowment and equipment fund to be raised, and putting the value of the site and buildings at £50,000, the total stands at £160,00),
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
SHIPPING NOTES.
The Report of the Harbour Master of Hong kong (Commander Basil Taylor, R. N.) for the year 1908 shows that while the number of ships entered and cleared (532,078) showed an increase of 24,478, as compared with the returns for 1907, there was a decrease in tonnage amounting to 1.413,069. The total tonnage was 34,614,335. Of these totals 45,437 ships of 22,306,037 tons were engaged in Foreign trade, and were dis- tributed as follows:--
10
14
14
1908. 1997.
in numbers
per cent.
in tonnage
is per cent.
per cent
British Ocean vessels represented 8.3 33.7 31.4 Foreign cean vessels
9.2 33.2 33.5 British River Steamers
13.8 19.2 20.1 Foreign River Steamers
2.9 Steamships not exceeding 60 tons 8.9 Trading Junks
*
...56.9
3.3 0.8
3.2
0.3 9.8 11.5
100.0 100.0 100.0
The Barbour Master mentious the interesting fact that during the past twenty years the averago tonnage of Ocean vessels visiting the Colony has risen from 1,186.9 tons to 2,248:6 tons. Another interesting comparison with the figures of twenty years ago shows the wonderful growth of the shipping trade. In 1888, 2,614 British ships of 3,265.751 tons entered the port, against 10,115 ships of 11.792,752 tons in 1908. For Foreign ships the figures are, in 1888, 1,206 ships of 1,252,862 tous, and in 1908, 5,429 ships of 8,130,901 tons. These figures are for Ocean aud River steamers, which Wero not distinguished in 1888, and Ocean sailing ships (not junks). The ratio of increase in both cases, it will be noticed, has been practically the same.
**
A comparative table included in the report shows an increase in British ocean shipping, entered and cleared during the
year, of 113 ships of 289,101 tons. The Harbour Master remarks that this increase appears to indicate a very considerable revival of trade during the last quarter of the year after the general depression; for in each of the first three quarters decreases were shown as compared with the corresponding periods of 1907. British River steamers are shown to have decreased by 582 entries and clearances with a collective tonnage of 342,882 tous. This decrease is due to the loss of two large, regularly running, steamers, the Powan and Yingking, and the withdrawal of a third, the Hoi Sang, from the run, during the year. Foreign Ocean vessels have decreased by 489 ships of 323, 039 tons. This decrease is general, but is most noticeable under the Norwegian, Japanese, and German flags, and may undoubt edly be attributed to the general trade depression throughout the world. preígu River steamers show a falling off of 13 ships of 10,927 tons, which is due to the laying up of several of these vessels after the typhoon of July 27, in which they were damaged. Had it not been for this, the numbers and tounage would have been con- siderably in excess of those for 1907. The actual number of individual ocean vessels of European construction entering during 1908 was 745, being 365 British and 380 Foreign. The figures in 1907 were respectively 800. 362, and 438. These 745 ships aggregated 1.824,237 tons. They entered 3,991 times and gave a collective tonnage of 7,452,498 tons. Thus compared with 1907, 55 fewer ships of 36,008 less tons, entered 191 fewer times and gare a collective tonnage decreased by 15,013 tons.
The number of aliens in the British mercantile marine was stated by Admiral Fremantle recently to be 40,000, and he added that these foreign sailors received £2,000,000 in pay, which went out of the country. At the same gathering
at which these statements were made the follow- ing letter from Lord harles Beresford was read: “I entirely agree with Sir Christopher Furness views as to the necessity of training lads to be seamen in British ships. We want British seamen for British ships, and there are far too many aliens in them to be safe or efficient if we are called upon to defend ourselves
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[July 5, 1909.
in a sudden war. Seafaring life brings out some of the finest characteristics of the British race. Nowhere are these characteristics wanted more than in the mercantile marine when the men's loyalty, and duty, under often terrible difficulties and unforeseen circumstances, make the punctual delivery of our food supply certain to this country. The officers and men of the Royal Navy thoroughly appreciate the loyalty, the duty, energy, enterprise, and pluck which are so continually exhibited by the officers and men of the mercantile marine in carrying out their work. In the Royal Navy these charac- teristics are generally known by the public; in the mercantile marine they are often unheard of, although so continually brought into play. stay all good luck attend you in your patriotic
I objects."
Vancouver's trade is enlarging so rapidly that the Canadian Pacific is increasing its harbour accommodation by the construction of four new large piers, the shortest of which will be 600 ft. long. These piers will be fully equipped with rail tracks and freight sheds, chiefly in order to handle the increasing through traffic. Arrange- ments have been made with the Bank Line to operate a service of four steamers between Vancouver and Yokohama, as the regular Cana dian Pacific steamers are unable to carry all the traffic that is offered them.
The principal toll-gate on the world's ocean highways is the Suez Canal.. Its annual returns consequently afford a very fair index of the general trend of maritime business. It is not surpising to find an appreciable decrease in. revence during 1908. The drop is as much as £345,000, while at the same time expenditure has increased by about £50,000. The shrinkage · in earnings is, of course, due to the fact that fewer ships passed through the waterway. The actual falling-off was 472 vessels, representing upwards of a million tons. But the tendency for the average tonnage of the ships to increase made some further progress, and the average duration of the passage establish- ed yet another record for brevity The lessened earnings of the canal company do not affect the dividend, for when the dues were re- cently reduced a special reserve was set up, and this is now to be utilised in maintaining the distribution. There is a suggestion in the report that the statutory reserves, which are quite separate, are likely to show a surplus presently available to increase the amount of profit available for dividend. Nothing is said about the negotiations which have been set on foot for an extension of the canal company's concession, but the subject is almost sure to be raised at the annual meeting. As showing the progressive tendency of Suez (anal administra tion, it may be recalled that until quite recently there was a prohibition against the use of the waterway by petroleum tank steamers. Last year, however, some thirty of these vessels passed through the canal.
LICENSING COURT,
Mr. F. A. Hazeland presided over a meeting of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace held at the Magistracy on June 25th. There Wood, F. J. Badeley, E. A. Irvine, R. H. A. were also present-Messrs. J. H. Kemp, J. R.
Craig, C. D. Melbourne and A. Shelton Hooper.
The meeting was called to consider an appli. cation from Mr. R. H. Whittaker for per mission to remove the business carried on by him at 40, 41 and 42, Praya East, under the sign of the Praya East Hotel, to premises num, bered 9. Queen's Road East, under the new name of "The Victoria Hotel".
Mr. F. C. Barlow (of Messrs. Goldring, Barlow and Morrell) represented the applicant, and objected to Mr. Hooper appearing or acting as a Justice, as he was an interested party, being the agent of the owner of the premises.
r. Hopper stated that he would not vote. The application was considered in camera, and on the court being reopened the Chairman announced that the application had been refused. All the Justices present, with the exception of Mr. Melbourne, voted against it.