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July 10, 1909.1
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Bro. Stephen, who has been connected with St Joseph's College, Hongkong, for 12 years and who has recently returned from a trip to Europe, will leave for Singapore by the English mail to-day.
Acting under instructions from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, his Excellency the Governor has directed that the title of "In-
he will probably say seven times seven. would probably say too that his parts are more often tragic than comic, whatever the public may say on the subject.. I am moved to these re flections by the announcement that the accom. plished gentleman who has been acting during the last twelve months as Inspector of Schools has been promoted to be Head of the Sanitary Department! while Mr. Irving is to be Director of Education" the title Inspector of Schools" shall be abolished, and that it shall be replaced by that of "Director of pector of Schools" being abolished. Looking up Mr. Irving's record I see that in his time he
Education." has been collector of land revenue, protector of Chinese, and warden of mines in the Straits Settlements, and acting Registrar-General in Hongkong. It does not seem the sort of train ing one would expect a Director of Education to have had-but there, if every boy in America may aspire to be President one day, why shouldn't every cadet in the Hongkong Civil Service aspire to be Governor, Chief Justice, Colonial Secretary or Attorney-General?
From what I hear the cat show is not a long way off, and sports are getting ready to enjoy an afternoon's ratting. This may be anticipat- ing a good deal, but there seems to be some ground for it if the statement in the Press is to be accepted that the ratting abilities of the cats on exhibition are to be tested. When we remember that we are advised by the Sanitary Department to keep cats so as to reduce the number of rats and consequently the risk of plague, it is only to be expected that some
The Gazette confirms the appointment of Mr. F. A. Hazeland as First Police Magistrate, and of Mr. J. R. Wood as Second Police Magistrate, of Mr. J. H. Kemp to act as Registrar of the Supreme Court and Registrar of Companies; of Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe to act as Head of the Sanitary Department; and of Mr. R. O. Hutchison to act Assistant Registrar-
General.
AS
Two natives appeared before Mr. F. A. Haze. land at the Magistracy on July 6 on a charge of Siemssen and Co. and stealing 884 worth of burgling the "boys' quarters at Messrs.
goods. The first defendant was arrested while endeavouring to pawn a watch, and on his in- formation the second man was arrested. After hearing the evidence his Worship discharged the latter, but sentenced the first man to six weeks' hard labour and six hours' stocks.
regard should be paid to the rat catching abili-practising in the Supreme Court of Hongkong
ties of the felines, because if cats are no use in that direction there seems to be little object in keeping them. It reminds me of the story of the King, who, when he was Prince of Wales, was visiting Doncaster. In the course of a walk he came across & collier who, although not apparently particularly well off, had quite a number of dogs around him. The Prince asked the man why he didn't sell his dogs and keep pigs, and received the withering reply, "Why, how could a fella go rattin' with pigs ?"
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It is also on report that the tabbies on the Peak do not view the proposed ratting tests with favour.
RODERICK RANDOM.
HONGKONG.
His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to recognise Mr. 8. Swart as Vice-Consul for Sweden at Hongkong.
The Hongkong Government is now advertis. ing for tenders for the opium monopoly under the new conditions which come into force next March.
At the Magistracy on July 6th Mr. F. A. Hazeland ordered that a native should receive $10 compensation because a Sanitary Board dust cart ran over one of his feet.
Mr. W. S. Bailey has been appointed a surveyor of boilers of unlicensed steamships under 60 tons burden, during the absence on leave of Mr. E. O. Murphy.
The result of the proceedings against Mr. C. F. Dixon, solicitor, is that he is suspended from for three years. The order will not be recorded until his appeal to the Privy Council against the findings of the Court have been heard. The text of the judgments delivered by Sir Francis Piggott, Chief Justice, and Mr. Justice Gompertz, Puisne Judge, will be found else- where.
Lieut.-Col H. N. Dumbleton, R.E,, who shortly completes the required service and will be promoted to brevet-colonel, joined the "Scientific Corps" from Woolwich nearly 32 years ago, and in addition to being for over five years chief instructor of submarine mining, was four years inspector of submarine mining detences at the War Office. He served through out the Nile expedition, 1884-5, receiving the nedal with clasp and bronze star.
The exceptionally dry season we have had is the 1st of July last year we had nearly four naturally indicated in the water return. On months' supply in the reservoirs; this year loon there is only a little more than a month's there is about half that quantity. at Kow. supply, whereas last year the storage on July 1st was sufficient for nearly six months.
Before Mr. J. R. Wood at the Magistracy on July 7th a rattan splitter from West Point was charged with cutting and wounding a fellow workman. It appears that from wordy strife a striking the defendant over the head with a quarrel of a serious nature arose, the complainant stool, and the latter retaliating by using a knife with considerable effect, while he was backed by other workmen. Both complainant and defen- Col F. H. Haynes, who will be remembereddant had to be removed to hospital. as the officer in charge of the Army Pay hearing the evidence his Worship sentenced the After Department at Hongkong a few years ago, has defendant to three months' imprisonment with become the senior officer of the Army Pay hard labour. Department at the War Office.
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A Chinese lady, residing at the Fotel China, attempted to commit suicide on July 4 by throw ing herself from the verandah of the second floor of the building. removed to hospital, but it is not expected that She was immediately she will recover. The reason for the rash act is stated to be a lovers' quarrel.
Two passengers on the steamer Kinshan were arrested for having a quantity of opium in their possession. One was an assistant magistrate from the north, but his dignity was saved by the other taking upon himself the blame and declar ing that the opium was his. He had to pay a fine of $90.
On July 7th the new Portuguese gunboat Macao was launched at the Kowloon Docks, Miss Rocadas, daughter of the Governor of Macao, through the indisposition of her mother, performing the christening ceremony. The lady was subsequently presented with a gold chain bracelet as a souvenir of the occasion, and congratulatory speeches followed.
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institution in Hongkong during the summer The evening Bathing Party is such a popular months that it may be said the whole Colony will appreciate the solicitude shown by the Council on July 8 for the preservation of the Hon. Mr. Murray Stewart in the Legislative privilege or may we not say right?-enjoyed by the public to resort to the waters of Stone- cutters Island for an occasional swim. was under consideration restricting the approach A. Bill
of boats and other craft to within one hundred yards of the foreshore and the thonght occurred. to Mr. Stewart that this might interfere with the constantly exercised right of the public to bathe in that vicinity. It is satisfactory to. observe that assurances were given that no denial of this pleasure is contemplated. The places suitable for bathing which can be reached By steam launch in half-an-hour from Blake Pier are now so few that the public interests in them need to be jealously preserved, just as much as we need to preserve the recreation grounds of the Colony from encroachment.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
Council was held on July 8th in the Council A meeting of the Hongkong Legislative, Chamber.
The following were present: HIS EXCELLENCY THE FREDERICK
GOVERNOR, SIR JOHN DEALTRY LUGARD, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O.
Hon. COLONEL DARLING, R.E. (Acting
G.O.C.).
Secretary).
Hon. Mr. A. M. THOMSON (Acting Colonial
torney-General).
Sir HENRY BERKELEY, K.C. (Acting At-
Hon. Mr. C.MI. MESSER (Colonial Treasurer). Hon. Mr. P. N. H. JONES (Acting Director of Public Works).
Hon. Mr A. W. BREWIN (Registrar-General) Hon. Mr. F. J. BADELEY (Capt. Superinten. dent of Police),
Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, K.C., C.M.G. Hon. Mr. E. OSBORNE,
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Hon. Mr. W. J. GRESSON Hon. Mr. MURRAY STEWART. Hon. Mr. WEI YUK, C.M.G. Mr. C. LEMENTI (Clerk of Councils), The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
MINUTES.
FINANCIAL MINUTES.
His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of Financial Minute No. 30, and moved that it be
referred to the Finance Committee.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
FINANCIAL.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of the report of the Finance Committee (No, 9) His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table and moved its adoption.
the motion was agreed to.
The COLONIAL TREASURER Seconded, and
RAILWAYS ORDINANCE. reading of the Bill entitled an ordinance to The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second regulate the construction and management of railways. In doing so he said Honourable members are aware that a railway of which great things are hoped for the benefit of the Colony is being constructed between Kowloon and the border of the Colony to connect with a railway from thence to Canton. The object of this ordinance is to fauthorise the construction of that railway and to provide for its administra- tion and management general.y.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
The Council then went into committee to consider the Bill olause by clause.
On clause 5,
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Hon. Mr. GRESSON asked-What does 'railway administration" mean?
HIS EXCELLENCY-It is among the defini. tions in the initial clause.
means per.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-It
s ns who have the conduct of affairs.
On clause 55,
clause compelling the Railway Company to put Hon. Mr. OSBORNE asked-Is there any fences along this railway? It says
$4 If a fence is provided."
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-It is no offence
trespassing on the railway unless it is fenced.
Hon. Mr. OSBORNE-In England com. panies are compelled to fence their railways.
HIS EXCELLENCY-If they trespass on the
line and it is not fenced, there is no offence.
Hon. Mr. OSBORNE-If there is not a fence there is no fine.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL - No. No fence, no fine.
After the schedule had been read,
.seem
Hon. Mr. OSBORNE said There does not to be, Sir, any provision against the prevention of fire caused by sparks from engines. In England railways are compelled to have appliances fitted to an engine to prevent sparks coming up.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-It does not come in a bill of this kind dealing with the construc- tion, and maintenance of the railway.
Hon. Mr. OSBORNE-Sparks from engines are likely to cause grass fires in the winter.