i
August 21 1909.]
8
promise, by the Home Government, of probable reduction of the Colony's Military Contribution.
I think it is rather giving the show away to rush into proposals to entirely meet the revenue deficit in the ways suggested in such correspond. ence as I have read. Better to find out first what is actually needed and then discuss how that amount is to be acquired. There is little use in slapping our pockets now and saying we are rich: we will probably regret having done so later on when the University fad becomes a fait accompli.
Enclosing my card, I am, yours respectfully,
CREPUSCULUM.
[Our correspondent's letter is evidently written under a misapprehension, but, as it may be shared by many others, it is necessary to reiterate that the Government is at present not taking into consideration what the Colony will lose in revenue from opium. That cannot be ascertained until the new tender for the farm is accepted and the Imperial Government announces the exact amount of its promised "substantial contribu- tion." Apart from the loss of opium revenue the Government calculates that there will be a deficit of some four lakhs of dollars, as was the case last year. To avoid taxation last year the Government put the Civil Servants' "Widows and Orphans Fund into the general exchequer, but this year no such funds are available, and consequently the Government must have recourse to increased taxation in some form. The pro- posal now announced is, we fear, not the only one of the kind we are destined to hear of, as it is not estimated to yield more than two and a half lakhs at the most, while many believe a tenth of that sum will be found much nearer the mark.- ED.]
CL
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS."]
SIR-Judging by the correspondence in the local Press, the suggested increase of licence feer appears to be causing considerable interest. It is undoubtedly necessary for the Government to raise more revenue to meet the expenses of the Colony, and it is their duty to obtain same from sources which will least affect any particu- lar section of the community.
Will this measure meet the case? From my point it will not. I am a householder and a consumer of wines and spirits; my neighbour is a teetotaler, and therefore I shall be paying part of his proportion for the upkeep of the Colony, and I suggest, to make it a just taxation, dis- tribute it over the whole community by putting it on property.
I am surprised the Government have not the pluck to put the necessary amount on the rates, but if there is any truth in what one hears outside, it would appear the strings are being pulled by our unofficial members on the Council. I hope this is not the case; still it is common talk
It would be interesting to know when the rates
were last increased, also the additional revenue obtainable if raised 5 per cent.-Yours, &c.,
IMPARTIAL.
THE LACK OF EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AT THE PEAK.
(TO THE EDITOR OF THE "HONGKONG DAILY PRESS."]"
SIR, -A8 a newcomer to this Colony, I sannot but express my admiration of the many benefits which have accrued from an enlightened and progressive government, and, generally, I think the past and present men in authority are to be, not only congratulated, but also regarded with appreciation for the results of their labours.
There is one thing, however, which strikes me very forcibly which is not to the Colony's credit: I refer to the lack of any educational facilities for children in the Peak District. Surely, sir, this is an omission of ro little importance, and one which I submit ought to receive early if not immediate attention, for, whilst the cost involved would only be small, the benefit to the children concerned would be incalculable.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
DOCKS.
161
Judging from my short experience of the DISTURBANCE NEAR THE KOWLOON place, what appears to be necessary is a Kindergarten School, where children between the ages of five and seven years can be taught in a scientific manner to use the senses and the mind so that when they pass on to the next step in their education they will unconsciously and without effort bring all their faculties into service, thus not only developing them but also making the task of learning easier and more interesting.
Apart from the educational advantages, the natural but easy discipline of a Kindergarten School would be very useful, and of a kind that
a child can never receive at home.
The hours at Kindergarten Schools are only short, and many children regard it as a punish ment to be kept away, thus proving that the system is not only useful but a real pleasure.
The children at Home have the advantages of these schools, and it would certainly appear to be a short-sighted and unkind policy not to provide them for the benefit and pleasure of the children
here.
It is common knowledge that, whereas it may not be desirable to send children to ад ordinary school at an early age, yet the kindergarten system, which is one of develop ing the faculties through play, can be taught to young children without detriment, whilst the self-control and self-discipline required in the play, work to the child's lasting benefit. It comes at an age, too, in which, whilst the menta effort of an elementary school is not desirable, discipline and occupation of some kind is cer tainly wanted.
To teach the kindergarten system properly it is essential that a certificated kindergarten mistress shall be employed, for if incorrectly taught it might be detrimental to the child's interest and development.
Should it be desired, a preparatory or element- ary school could be associated with the kinder- garten, but, judging by the children at the Peak, the latter is of the greatest importance. I would therefore submit, sir, through the medium of your columns, that the Government should undertake to provide a school of the character referred to without delay.
The school fees could be fixed so as to make a school very largely self-supporting, and a temporary engagement of a certificated mistress and temporary premises could be arranged for until something permanent can be done. In this manner the cost to the Government would be very small, no time would be lost in providing this very necessary facility, and the educational authorities could feel their way before entering on a more permanent scheme.
In this letter the subject has been merely touched upon, but it is hoped that any others who are interested in children may write to you on the subject making any suggestions that may occur to them.-I am, Sir, etc.,
THE CHILDREN'S FRIEND. P.S.-I might add that I have already spoken to a number of people on the subject, and it meets with general and enthusiastic approval. The only person who did not approve
was a bachelor!
UTTERING COUNTERFEIT COIN.
A native appeared before Mr. J. R. Wood at the Magistracy on Aug 16 on two charges of uttering counterfeit coin. The defendant, it appears, had swindled many residents of Yaumati before being brought to book. He carried with him a large number of forged five dollar bills, and his method of passing them was very ingenious. He would approach the owner of a house and intimate that he wanted a cubicle. The owner would state his price, the defendant would agree to pay a dollar as bargain money, and hand over one of the spurious five dollar bills. The owner would return the change, as desired, in twenty-cent pieces, and then the man in search of new premises would change his mind and ask for the return of his note, and at the same time return to the owner counterfeit twenty-cent pieces in place of the good money he had received as change. The same defendant was previously convicted before Mr. Hazeland and yesterday the second magistrate sentenced, him to three months' imprisonment with hard Ilabour and four hours' stocks.
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Considerable excitement prevailed in Shang On Lane, near the Kowloon Docks, on Sunday afternoon, when a number of Chinese and Filipino seamen from different vessels in dock had a free fight. Trouble was evidently expect- ed, for a number of the Filipinos arrested were found to be in possession of lead and sandbags. So far as can be learned, the hinese started the affray by assailing the Filipinos with a volley of stones. The latter retaliated, and used their weapons of defence with serious effect, but the timely arrival of the police pre- vented any mortal injuries. When the police were observed approaching the rioters made a rush for the docks, and a Chinese detective who attempted to bar the way was felled by a sand- bag. As a result of inquiries, however, two Chinese and four Filipinos were arrested, and were placed before Mr. J. R. Wood at the Magistracy yesterday. The Chinese, who were charged with disorderly behaviour, were fined $25 each. Two of the Filipinos, for carrying fighting implements, were fined $10 each. The third, for assault and disorderly behaviour, was fined $25, and the fourth, who attempted to arrest a prisoner, was also ordered to pay a fine of $25.
WANTED WORK AND FOOD.
Few Chinese are more outspoken than the native Inspector Collett placed before Mr. F. A. Hazeland at the Magistracy on Aug. 19 on a charge of stealing a pair of trousers from a house at Shaukiwan. When asked to plead the defendant promptly admitted the charge, in- forming the Court that as he had no work to do and was hungry he took the pair of trousers with the intention of pawning them and buying rice. He appeared to be quite satisfied with the sentence passed on him by the Magistrate, three weeks' hard labour and six hours stocks, and was heard to remark as he left the Court that he would now have work and food for a
time.
FRENCH SAILOR DROWNED,
The danger of overloading a small outter was emphasised on Monday when R. O. Rodolfe de Messina, one of the crew of the French mail steamer Ernest Simons, was drowned in the harbour near Yaumati. The deceased, with three other seamen, took the cutter to Laichi- kok to procure a load of sand to clean the decks of the steamer. It appears that they overloaded the small craft so that when she left Laichikok she was down in the water nearly to the gunwale. On the way back a stiff westerly breeze was en- countered and the vessel heeled over before the sail could be lowered. Water immediately poured in and in a few seconds the cutter had sunk, and the seamen were left struggling in the water. A water police pinnace was in the vicinity, and as soon as those on board observed the accident they immediately went to the rescue of the sailors, and succeeded in hauling three men out of the water. The deceased, however, went under before the arrival of the police, and did not come to the surface again. The body has not yet been recovered.
SERIOUS ILLNESS OF CONSUL-
GENERAL RUBLEE.
We regret to learn that Mr. William A. Rublee, who has recently been re-appointed United States Consul-General at Hongkong in succession to Dr Wilder, was lying seriously ill at Vienna a month ago, A Vienna telegram
to
the American newspapers, dated the 14th ult., reads --William A. Rublee, of Milwaukee, the retiring American Consul- General here, yesterday underwent the operation of laparotomy at a private sanitarium for the relief of a stomach trouble of ten years His condition to-night is standing.
Professor reported a8 very unfavourable. Schnitzler, who performed the operation,' said to-day that he was not yet fully able to diagnose the case; but he had ascertained that there was
no cancer,