116
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
most minds to need restatement.
One reason suggested why it should remain is that it is a support and a guide for the obfuscated so- jouruer who is finding his way home after the dochandhoris. Perhaps this is not an argument which would weigh very seriously, but all the samus it might be mentioned.
a
certain
а
Turtle hunting is responsible for several Hongkong parties returning to town looking dishevelled and drowsy. One of them struck it lucky on Friday night when no fewer than four turtles were captured. The total weight of the etch aggregated something like fourteen hun- dred pounds, which, were it put on the Loudon market, would realise quite a substantial sterling quivalent. A ot bad night's work. ertainly suggests that it is more profitable to turn a turtle than to catch a crab.
a
It.
[August 7, 1909.
HONGKONG.
The new harbour light situated on Signal Hill, Kowloon, was in operation for the first time on Sunday night.
A case of plague was notified on Saturday, the dead body of a Chinese being found in a boat near Yaumati. This case brings the number for the year up to 130.
The death is announced at Home of Major- General Wilsone-Black, who was commander of the forces in Hongkong about ten years ago. His body was cremated at Golder's Green.
ro-
H.E. the Governor has been pleased to recognise, provisionally and pending the ceipt of His Majesty's exequatur, Funatsu as Consul for Japan at Hongkong.
F. T.
His Majesty the King has been pleased to approve the appointment of the Hon. Mr. A. W. Brewin to be an official member of the Executive Council during the absence on leave of the Hon. Dr. J. . Atkinson.
Mr. A. E. Wright has been deputed by 1.E. the Governor-in-Council to act on behalf of the uilding Authority in all cases referred
to in sections 203-207 of Ordinance 1 of 1903. in connection with dangerous buildings...
Sir Matthew Nathan, the Governor of Natal and formerly Governor of Hongkong, while diving on the 8th ult. was thrown out of his
rriage as the result of a collision with a wagon. His Excellency sustained some slight injuries. The accident appears to have taken place in London.
cheaper, and it is against, this danger that Mr. MACKENZIE KING utters a well-timed warning. If wages are to be constantly increased in England and America, the effect must be that work which has hitherto been done in those countrics, will be done more cheaply and effectively elsewhere, and this will be more Not so long ago quidnunes at home had quite particularly the case with regard to India a busy time trying to decide what whisky was. and China, who have hitherto been the chief Now a similar question has arisen in Hongkong customers for the products of English and and legal men are running to argument over
the point: American manufacturing enterprise.
What is brandy?" It is asserted Al.
hat brandy must contain ready, the Japanese have done much in the
amount of ether in 80 much spirit and direction of establishing factories, the pro-spirit without ether is not brandy at all. Brandy ducts of which compete with those from at fifty cents a bottle is, to say the least, Great Britain, and, as time goes on, we may marvel of cheapness, and what else it is remains be certain that China will follow suit in this to be decided. One thing should not be over- direction. As Mr. COUSLAND, the Secret-
looked and that is that temperance does not ary to the Hongkong branch of the China
suffer through the State insisting that liquors supplied shall not only be pure but shall be A ssociation, has point out, "Japan- what they purport to be. ese goods, principally of a low class, besides cutting into The trade of similar British and Indian productions, are also taking the place of cloths formerly manufactured from Bombay yarn, so that our trade is affected in more way than one." It can hardly be doubted, indeed, by anyone who takes an unbiased view of what is going on in the East, that the time may come when both Great Britain and America will ficd it increasingly difficult to hold their own as manufacturing countries against China, which has hitherto been one of the chief customers for Manchester and American goods. Both Japan and China possess one invaluable asset,
cheap labour, whose advent to other countries is so stoutly resisted. It is not aurprising that Mr. MACKENZIE KING should perceive a serious danger in this direction. Capital, the best friend of the working man, will always find its way to the places where it can be most profitably employed, and if the system, of lat introduced into Eugland, and supported by Mr. LLOYD GEORGE, of disregarding, if not
The Viceroy's visit was interesting for its relation of the vagaries which are possible actually opp sing, the interests of capital and
in the attire of European gentlemen. To dress capitalists be persevered in, the diversion of properly the gentlemen should have turned capital from the country, to aid those who
out in frock coat, silk hat, with a pair of are already competing with us in manu- trousers of reticent pattern or stripe, but factures, will be largely increased. What f attempted to carry out the sartorial the precise effects of this may be on com- code in all its completeness, All sorts merce and finance it is difficult to surmise, as of compromises were effected, and it must be
Mr. H. A. Lowry was entertained to a com- commerce has a wonderful power of adapting | needed that certain of the innovations were it-elf to changed circumstances, and pro
ational, such as the topee replacing the stove plimentary dinner at the Hongkong Hotel on fitable business of a new character may still, but what can be said of such a weird com.saturday night by his office colleagues. The
compared with the Oriental prescribed form of trends. [bination as white trousers, frock coat and topee ? | gathering included a number of other journalistic In the course of the evening he was eremonial garb such a commingling of the dress presented with an illuminated address. a tire with that of the negligé must have Lowry is proceeding to Bangkok to take up the appeared as # great licence. The effect was position of official shorthand writer at the undoubtedly startling.
upreme Court.
be carried on. But the effects upon the interests of the working classes at home and in America cannot be doubted, namely, the diminution of the work which can be done and the proportionate decline of these countries as manufacturing and industrial centres.
RANDOM REFLECTIONS,
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Has the scare which recently affected Britain spread to Hongkong It looks like it when we find some thin-skinued individual rushing into print and demanding to know, because a German flag was floating gaily in the breeze at Knutsford Terrace, if the German Consul has taken up his residence there, and suggesting,if that be not so that the hoisting of the flag is not in good taste. I have no brief for the parties concerned, but I understand the flag was displayed by some Germans in a blaze of patriotic enthusiasm. It meant nothing to outsiders, but it meant that the young fellows were pleased with themselves and jubilated by displaying their national fag. Surely Britons are not so stupid as to see in this n attempt ou the part of our Teutonic friends to take possession of our tight little island. Please don't misunderstand me when I, use the word tight.
I beard some remarks recently about the utility and beauty of the lock ower, but I think the spirited defence of the old land- mark made by a contributor to the Daily Press not so long ago is too fresh in
built on heroic lines.
*
The ex-Viceroy of Canton, who has been a distinguished visitor to Hongkong, must be The desire to acquire howledge at first hand led him to visit Taikoo where Dockyard on Friday and to inspect operations the thermometer chroni ded several degrees above a hundred. Yet he went through it as if he enjoyed it. The thirst for informa tim was not so strong in several who accom- pied him. Their thirst was of quite a different nature. It led to the inspection of the contents of bottles,
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Ou ng. 4 the first of a series of promenade encerts arranged by the Catholic Union took pace in the brilliantly illuminated compound of the R. C. Cathedral. The band of the buffs wont through a programme of selections which delighted the large number in attendance.
for Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Company at The new premises which have been erected
the corner of Pedder Street and Des Voeur Road are neuring completion. The new struc- tare, which is decidedly handsome and a welcome addition to the architectural beauties of the ety, is certainly worthy of the traditious of the
princely house.”
Colonial Treasurer for the mouth of May shows The financial statement prepared by the
at the balance of assets and liabilities on pril 30th was $205.037.42, while the revenue from May 1st to 31st was 8475,370.31. leaving credit balance of $267,332.89. Against this there was an expenditure of $77.513 26, which leaves a credit balance of : 344,846.15.
tr.
A statement of the Colony's assets and The Chief Justice has been saying things abilities were 375.489.03, while the total lia- chilities on May 31st shows that the total a rain. This time he has discovered that all islities were $72 .335.18. Reimbursement due by pot well in the bankruptcy administration, and he has given expression to a few home truths railway coust uction account on December 1st which will doubtless "shake up "those who have | en weighed in the balance and found wanting.!
don't suppose
What a sensation Manila must have experi- uced the other day when a local judge declared they had not been published. that all its Ordinances were null and void becanse That means that dawlessness holds sway in the
Queen of the Orient decision, or that martial law will have to be as a result of this
roclaimed to tide them over the difficulty. hi situation is a most interesting one, and should not be without its warning to other places.
I
RODE (ICK 1.ANDOM.
The death is reported of Père du Cray, who succumbed suddenly on July 25th at his rexi dence. Tientsin. Though not in the best of health of late. Père du Cray was able to officiate at early, ma-s on the day of his death. bat on returning to his residence he became seriously ill, and died at 4.30 in the afternoon. Père du Cray was the head of the Jesuit Mission in North China, and had been in the Far East for nearly thirty years. He was fifty-three years old.
!
1.356.136.5 less a credit balance on Recount of 1999, which brought the amount to :899.550.71. The balance of assets in the general account thus stands at $1,244,396 86.
His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint Mr. C. W. Beckwith. Lieutenant, | 14. N.. to act as Harbour Master, Marine Magistrate. Emigration and Customs Officer, Registrar of shipping. Superintendent of the Superintendent of Imports and Exports, during Guupowder Depot, Collector of Light Dues, and
the absence on leave of Commander B. R. H. Taylor, Commander, R.N.. or until further notice, with effect from the 4th proximo.
Mrs. Mason, of No. 6. Hanoi Road, Kowloon, proceeded against a ricsha coolie for refusing to accept a fare. Complainant informed Mr. J. R. Wood at the Magistracy that when sho lauded from the ferry she hailed the defendant, who was on the ricsha stand. He declined to take her, however, and 'il refused after he Defendant told had been offered the legii tare, the Court that he was willing to take the lady when he got his money. His Worship imposed a tine of $5, the alternative being fourteen days' imprisonment.