312
CANTON,
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
Canton, 2nd October 1909.; UNNEC SSARY UNDERLINGS;
In the exercise of the strictest economy; the present Viceroy, H. E. Yuan, has issued in structions to the Yamens to dismiss all useless and unnecessary underlings.
CONSULAR WARNING.
In consequence of the recent shooting affair near Canton, Mr. H. H. Fox, the Acting Consul General, has sent round to British residents a circular requesting members-of shooting par- ties to exercise the greatest caution when shooting over cultivated land and in the vicinity of villages. Moreover, British subjects are reminded of the obligation to provide themselves with passports when travelling in the interior beyond a radius of 13 miles from treaty ports.
A MERRY MONK.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE PRICE OF RICE.
[October 11, 1909.
stabbed. The youth was at length overpowered and handed over to the authorities, and he now awaits trial.
The price both of rice and firewood is very high in the City just now. There was perhaps some excuse for the rise in the value of the
SUPERSTITION IN FATSHAN. former some time ago, owing to the continued. The inhabitants of Fatshan ́are in a great drought, but now that latterly heavy rains have state of anxiety as to their fate. Someone has occurred that excuse no longer holds good. The been issuing circulars and scattering them poorer people are suffering greatly from the broadcast over the town warning the people that the place is about to be stricken with a high prices and a petition was lately handed to the Viceroy praying for help. On receipt of it pestilence and that the major portion of the the Viceroy ordered an enquiry to be made among inhabitants will die. This is, of course, implicit the merchants, giving as his opinion that certainly believed by the inhabitants, and there is a corner in the com- great deal of unrest in the town in consequence, people were making a
but with the supineness that characterises them, modities mentioned.
the officials are making no efforts to discover the distributer of the circulars or to calm the minds of the people.
THE FATE OF OPIUM SMOKERS. A few days ago the Tartar-General, who is an enthusiatic anti-opiumite, sent several officials drug to the Anti-Opium Bureau, where they were whom he suspected of being smokers of the forced to promise to give up the habit under pain of dismissal from office. Among the num- ber was a man holding a patent of hereditary nobility and he stated his inability to give up the practice. The Tartar-General became very angry, and it is reported that he has sent a memorial to the Throne praying that the nobles man be deprived of his rank and office.
ROBBERS AND CLAN FIGHTS,
An interesting story is told of a monk who en- tered the domicile of a Chinese family, and sat down to a feast with two women of the house. The festivities lasted till the early hours of the morning, and the hilarity drew the attention
It has come to the ears of the Viceroy that of a street policeman. He knocked at the door and entered the house.
the prevalence of gang robbers and clan fights The frightened
in certain districts is due to the action of the monk, thinking the husband had returned
local gentry, who very often use these evil means tried to run away by the roof trap, but was
as an end to their own pecuniary benefit. As prevented by the policeman, who took this
an example, the locality of Lung To may be worthy and the women into custody He took possession of the fragments of the feast, quoted. The public fund of this place was very great, and two schools had been opened and as well as of the silk robe and the false queue
were supported by it. A few days ago, how- of the holy man. When asked to explain the situation, the monk said he went to the housoever, the local headmen held a meeting, and as a result the schools were closed and the whole at the invitation, of the women to tell their
fund shared among themselves. These aud cer- tain other proceedings of a like nature have come to the notice of the Viceroy, and he has lately warned these village authorities that in future they will be severely dealt with if they do not exercise their powers in the interests of peace
and justice.
fortunes. This the inspector refused to be lieve and the man is still detained pending further inquiries.
- DEATH.
5th October.
Colonel Yang, late of the Shameen Guards, died on Sunday morning last, at his residence. He was for many years a Commander of the Chinese force kept to protect foreigners on the Shameen. Some years ago the Freuch Government bestowed on him the decoration of the Legion of Honour.
CONSULAR CHANGES,
|
A FACEŤIOUS CANDIDATE.
At the recent examination of students of the first degree (San Ts'o) for admission to the second degree (Pak Kung) it was found by the Educational Commissioner that a student had written a most absurd composition not dealing with the subject at all and fully of facetious remarks. The grave examiner was much Mr. J. W. Jamieson took over charge of theseandulised and ordered the offending essay to Consulate yesterday from Mr. H. H. Fox, who be pasted on the door of the, examination hall, has been acting Consul General for the last 18 and he also deprived the "funny" student of months. Mr. and Mrs Fox leave Canton to-day, his Sun Ts'oi degree. and the best wishes of the British and foreign community accompany them.
THE POLICING OF SHAKEE.
Since the public degradation of the Chinese soldiers on Shakes by the Chinese authorities at the instigation of a trade guild, police regulations on this street have been anything but satisfactory. Rows are more frequent, roughs sneer and scoff at soldiers whom but lately they feared so much, and for the slightest cause they do not now hesitate to assault them. Some nights ago ruffians assaulted the Chinese police and seriously wounded two of them. No capture has yet been effected. So close as this place is to the Shameeń, it will be well for the authorities to keep a watchful eye on what is happening in Shakee.
GREAT FIRE.
October 7th.
Yesterday, the Western Suburbs were thrown into a state of great excitement by a fire which broke out in a tenement situated near a creek at the extremity of Sha Kei. In a few minutes from the outbreak the flames were raging high and before the Fire Brigade could get to work several other houses had ignited and were burning furiously. A large pawnshop situated close by narrowly escaped destruction, as the flames were playing fiercely on its walls and ouly the thickness of the masonry saved it. The Brigade had much difficulty in getting to work, as the streets in this particular locality are more narrow and tortuous than is usual even in Canton, and their efforts were somewhat impeded by the crowds that gathered round the antiquated manual engines they were using. The fire, which broke out before two in the afternoon, was still burning at six o'clock, and it is possible that many lives have been lost,
NEW GIRLS' SCHOOL.
A school for the instruction of girls in English and Chinese is shortly to be opened near the Yan Chai Medical College under the guidance of an American lady teacher. It is stated the teaching staff will be a strong one, and a large number of students are expected to join the school.
8th October.
TROUBLE IN KA YING CHOW.
There has for some months past been a great deal of quarrelling and agitation among those interested in education in Ka Ying Chow. Numerous petitions have been sent to the Viceroy regarding this matter and he has lately held a complete investigation. As a result it has been proved that the whole trouble is due to the incompetence of the district magis- trate, who has utterly failed to carry out his duties in a becoming manner. The Viceroy has now discharged this official and a more able man has been appointed to the post.
UNFILIAL CONDUCT.
:
In the Nam Hoi District there is a village called Shum Shui, and among its inhabitants is a young fellow called Hu Chung, who has made himself notorious by his reckless gambling Being very unlucky he from time to time demanded money by threats from his father. The latter put up with this state of affairs for some time, but the son's conduct getting worse he charged him with unfilial conduct before the Nam Hoi Magistrate. He managed to escape, however, and returned to the village. That very evening he made a fresh demand for money, and, on being refused, attacked his father with a long knife. The youth's former teacher happened to be present and he endeavoured to protect the father, but was himself severely
RESISTING THE POLICE. :
A mason whose place of business is in Yeung Chung Steet stored a large number of bricks in front of his premises in a way likely to cause danger to the public. A constable called his attention to the state of affairs and ordered him to remove the bricks without delay. He not only disobeyed this order but assaulted the policeman, who thereupon arrested him and took him to the nearest police station. The Kai-fong people of this spot are a turbulent set and they immediately made a great disturbance. They left their work and closed the gates of the street, threatening vengeance on the police. The latter. however, were more than a match for them and compelled them to open the gates. A few of the better-minded among the inhabitants of the street assisted the police, and before long order was restored.
HONGKONG'S BUDGET.
The following abstract shows the differences between the Estimates of Expenditure for 1909 and 1910:-
INCREASE Personal Emoluments :-
New Posts Stipulated Increments Increase of Salaries... Allowances
1
Other Items
Other Charges.
-$ 34,454
Personal Emoluments and Other Charges:-
Salaries and Expenses of Customs
and Excise Staff Military Contribution Special Land Resumption Kowloon-Canton Railway Charitable Services...
Total Increase
DECREASE.
Personal Emoluments Abolition of Posts...
Reductions on New Appointments Allowances
Other Items
Other Charges Special Expenditure Miscellaneous Services... Public Works, Recurrent Public Works, Extraordinary Charge on account of Public Debt Pensions...
Total Decrease,
23,422
8,320
5,077
2,794
64,946
60,000
115,120
374,805
100,000
2,100
$.791,038
$ 64,979
22,787
8,555
4,000
76,299
4,050 52,762
5,500
101,780
276,890
3,060
$ 620,661
The net increase in expenditure is $170,376.
Count Kozui Otani, Abbot of Hongwanji, Japan, and Countess Otani, who are on a mission to India, arrived here by the Delta yesterday. The Count and Countess Otani are going to India for the purpose of studying the religion in the country where Buddha founded his teachings. The Countess Kazuko Otani is the daughter of the late Prince Kujo, and elder sister to the présent Crown Princess of Japan. The Count and party yesterday morning visited the Peak and subsequently tiffined at the residence of Consul and Mrs. Funatsu. In the afternoon the Count held a reception of his followers at the Hongwanji in Morrison Hill Road, and in the evening he was entertained by the Japanese community at the Nippon Club. The Count and Countess proceed by the Delta to-day.