up
480
CANTON.
(FROM OUR OWN CO RESPONDENT.)
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND nights visited several police stations and took particular note of those who had disobeyed his orders.
CONFUCIAN SOCIETY.
[December 6, 1909,
Deliberative Council have to discuss and the real evils and abuses that are crying aloud, for reform, the Self-Government Society might confine its attentions to matters of greater
importance. 26th November.
KING'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIÓN. Shameen was yesterday en fete because of the King's Birthday celebrations. The whole foreign settlement appeared. to observe the day as a public holiday and the weather was perfect. The British Consulate, was, of course, the centre of attraction, but all the gardens on the British Concession and the football field were profusely decorated with flags and lanterns. In the river were anchored the Clio,” “Virago' and "Janus" from His Majesty's Fleet serving on the China Station, and these vessels were dressed in bunting for the occasion. The Gerinan and French gunboats in the river were also decorat- ed, as was also a Chinese revenue steamer. The river boats were also made very gay for the occasion. At about 11 a.m. Admiral Li. accom panied by several high Chinese officials, arrived in his fine motor yacht the " Tin On." This is a magnificent vessel of 100 horse-power and is fitted with two machine guns and a fiue stand of small arms. The Shameen Guard was drawn
to receive them, and presented arms as the Ad miral and suite entered the Consulate, to call on Mr. Jamieson, H. B. M's. Consul-General. The Viceroy did not call. Outside the Consulate was the band of the 13th Rajputs, and the fine appearance of the Indians was admired by all. The playing of this band is a revelation of what the Oriental can do in the way of music, and Bandmaster Coke deserves all praise and con gratulation for the remarkably good playing of his band. As soon as the Chinese officials had made their call the foreign residents proceeded to pay their respects at the Consulate. The various Consuls in their uniforms and the naval officers from the foreign gunboats were the cynosure of all eyes. A high dignitary of the Roman Catholic Church was also among those who called. As twelve o'clock sounded there was a grand salute from the warships in the river, and the band played the opening bars of God save the King." The official ceremonies then concluded. Shameen was a veritable Babel on a small scale yesterday, and English, German, French, Swiss, Portuguese, Italians, Japanese and Chinese, as well as representatives of more than one Indian race, were among the crowd. The afternoon was taken up with sports, which gave great pleasure to all who witnessed them. Perhaps the most relished of all the items was a pillow fight, while the antics of a couple of clowns amused the native specta- tors immediately. Later in the evening there were concerts, which were well attended and much appreciated; and there is no doubt that most of the residents of Shameen had a really
fine time.
CAPTURE OF BANDITS.
In Canton, Hongkong, and Macao great efforts are being made by prominent Chinese to found a Confucian Society, having as its object the establishment of the cult of Confucius over the whole of China instead of the present degrading system of worship in vogue. While this movement has met with a ready response in the places above mentioned, and while large subscriptions have been received, the movement has made but little progress in the villages. It must, therefore, be gratifying to the promoters of the scheme to hear that an important village in the Pun Yü district has held a meeting relative to this subject and has agreed to fall in line with what is being done in Canton and other places.
OPIUM.
While very active measures are being taken to restrict the sale of opium in the City the anti-opium laws do not seem to have much force in the outlying districts. In fact it is reported that the opium trade is indeed very brisk in some villages, and in one place it is said that over 300 taels worth are retailed daily. The other day I was having a conversation with a con- firmed opium smoker, when I hinted that he must now have some difficulty in procuring his favourite drug. He smiled a superior smile and said that any amount could be obtained even in the city, if one had sufficient money with which to grease the palms of certain officials! Thus it is that even the wisest measures of the Govern- ment are frustrated by those entrusted to carry them out.
HIGHWAY ROBBERY,
Many cases of highway robbery have occurred near Tai Sha T'an lately, and the new Bund appears to be a happy hunting-ground for per- sons of the light-fingered persuasion. Yester- day there was a great commotion near the Tung Kwan Theatre; whistles were blowing violently and a number of police were chasing a man who had been caught in the act of picking a pocket. The rascal dodged in and out of the foot passengers very cleverly, and at last think- ing he was secure got into a sampan and endeavoured to cross to Honam. However, he was caught and taken off to the nearest station. These scenes, which are of common occur- rence, often illustrate the brutality and callous- ness which seems inherent in the Chinese nature. A few days ago, while walking on the Bund, I observed a great crowd and went to see what it was, In the midst was a poor half- starved wretch who looked at the point of death. One ferocious looking man was holding him fast by the queue, while at least a dozen men near him were kicking and scuffling the man without mercy. He had stolen a garment, if the filthy rag I saw can be designated by such, a name, and everybody in the vicinity seemed anxious to register a kick at the poor wretch. After beating him for several minutes a constable leisurely appeared and there was a long argument as to the unfortunate man's crime. At length the officer calmly settled the. matter by hauling on the poor fellow's queue by main force and kicking him in the middle of the back to make him get up. When he did get up he presented an appearance better imagined than described, and in spite of the fact that he could hardly walk he was forced along the road to the police station. These petty thefts from
person would not be so prevalent if the police force were a body The average of men deserving of the name. Canton policeman is a sight for the gods. On most occasions he strolls leisurely up and down the road smoking a native cigarette. His. uniform usually fits where it touches, and some- times he has boots and sometimes he has none. The Canton policeman loves to be located near a fruit-stall, but whether he pays for the fruit he consumes is a doubtful matter. If a row occurs he strolls up and enters into a lengthy argument as to the pros and cons of the case, and. when he takes a man to the station he usually grabs him by the queue and uses all the force he can conveniently put out without dislocating the culprit's cervical vertebrae. At Billingsgate A new college, called "Chun Ku," has oratory our worthy guardians excel, and with What a recently been opened for the study of ancient that their attainments reach a limit. learning. The Warden observed with much shock it would be to some of the police authori- ties here if they could only go to London or any sorrow that the number of students was not nearly so great as was expected. He has other of the great British towns and then com- referred the matter to the Education Compare our force with their own! missioner, asking him to appoint as students of the College a hundred of those condidates who were lately unsuccessful in obtaining the second literary degree. The Commissioner has sent a letter to, these men urging them to register
2nd December.
AN UNSCRUPULOUS OFFICIAL. The following is an instance of the kind of men who find their way into the employ of the Provincial Government. Some weeks ago a young police officer named Lo was shot while endeavouring to arrest several robbers. The government was petitioned on behalf of his family and a sum of $300 was granted as com- pensation. This sum was handed to an official who received orders to hand it over to the deceased's elder brother. The official, having received the money. refused to part with it in spite of the fact that the rightful owner made many applica- tious. The brother then petitioned the magis trate, and after a long enquiry the avaricious official was told that he would have to pay over the money or be punished. The monoy, up to the time of writing, still remains unpaid, and the official still enjoys his position.
NEW COLLEGE.
their names as students.
CONFUCIAN SOCIETY.
The officer in charge of certain districts ou the Kwong Sai border recently marched through these places with a strong body of troops to re- store order which had been lost through various rumours of a French invasion of Kwong Sai. While on the march and passing through a place called Tak Hing an informer notified the officer that a notorious bandit was living in a cave in the locality with a company of desperadoes. The officer at once headed a detachment of troops to go to the place, and after a fierce The Society for the Promulgation of Con- fight the robber chief with five of his followers fucian Doctrine is making great strides in the were captured. In the cave were found a num-
t Fatshan the townsfolk have just ber of women whom the robbers had captured formed a branch association, and lectures are to from various villages. These were set free and a he held weekly to explain the teachings of the trial was at once held of the bandits. As these Wise Man. A temple, to be situated in the confessed their crimes they were beheaded with- midst of a garden, is also to he erected, and the out further delay. This procedure is in accord-public are to be invited to make obeisance to the ance with a newly established rule. The Viceroy was notified of this affair and the company then resumed its march.
POLICE..
Owing to the lax discipline existing in Tarious police stations the Tuotai of Con- stabulary recently issued orders that no officer or constable was to leave the station without leur: such leave having been obtained, he was to notify the man in charge of the station where he was going and where he could be found in case of an emergency. Not having much faith in his subordinates, it is reported that the Taotai disguised himself, and during the third and fourth watches of two consecutive
district.
tablets of Confucius which the temple will contain and then enjoy themselves in the garden. The Society is also intending to bury itself in educational matters, and large numbers of persons have given promised donations in aid of the work.
or
SELF-GOVERNMENT SOCIETY. The Self-Government Society seems determin- ed not to let the question rest as to whether the foreigner shall or shall not shoot birds on Sundays. The Society is now bombarding the Deliberative Council with appeals to take the matter up, in order, it is stated, to prevent trouble being caused in the future. One would im- agine that, considering the grave questions the
the
RESULTS OF A FIRE.
Some months ago a fire occurred on a lighter loaded with tins of kerosene. The flaming vessel did damage to property belonging to the French, and an inquiry was held. The Nam Hoi Magistrate ruled that the cause of the fire was lack of care on the part of the man in charge of the lighter, and compensation was ordered to be paid for the damaged property. The Kero- sene Oil Guild have taken the matter up, however, and have come to the conclusion that the Magistrate's decision was unjust, and that he has acted in this way in order to please the foreigners. The Self-Government Society and the Chamber of Commerce have been requested to take the matter up, and get the judgment reversed if possible.
QUEER JUSTICE
Some time ago a man named So was charged with a certain crime and condemned to serve a term of several years' imprisonment. The authorities have again been looking into the case and have discovered that there is no proof of the man having committed the crime. He has, therefore, been discharged from prison, but sent back to his native village, there to he kept under the strict control of the local officer. He has been told that if he leaves the village he will have to serve the whole of his formerly imposed sentence.