Page
INTIMATIONE
S. MOUTRIE & Co.,
LIMITED,
SOLE AGENTS
for the famous
WEBER & ALLISON
PIANOS
BRITISH-MADE THROUGHOUT.
NEW MODELS
JUST RECEIVED.
INSPECTION NVITED.
ASAHI BEER
DAI NIPPON BREWERY ·
SAH
LAGER BEE
COMPAN
CO. TUKIO
A
OBTAINABLE EVERYWHERE,
SOLE AGENTS:
MITSU BUSSAN KAISHA.
HONGKONG.
NOW READY. DIRECTORY
OF
PROTESTANT
1281
MISSIONARIES
בטא
PRICET
Akk
... $1.25 0.80
Cloth Cover ... Paper
Hongkong,'at December, 1915,
ON BALE
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY DECEMBER 23en, 1910,
(31-4
NEW OPIUM MONOPOLY. INDIAN OPINION ON THE CANTON
SYNDICATE.
The Englishman, of November 25th, prints the fellowing editorial note: In the course of the discussions regarding the suppression of opium smoking ini. Ching, and the cessation of the Indian export of the drug, the fear was expressed that in the absence of gua rantees of the genuineness of the reform movement it was open fic: China, once the import of the Indian drug had been stopped to establish a prontable mono- pely. How far that fear was justifinve only events can prove.
Export from India, have not yet entirely ceased, though they have become almost negligible, Bul suspicion justifiably attaches
the pru motion of a syndicate in Canton tc which the whole of the opium stocks in Hong kong, some 1,100 or 1,200 chests, have been. sold for about a million and a quarter dollars. The object of this syndicate is not quite cear. It is not intended to make a bonfire of these cheats, but, it is intended to retail the opium · as
edi- cinal opium." It looks very much as if a new opium monopoly has been created,
AMHERST HUBBER ESTATE, EWO COTTON S. & W. CO. SUNGALA RUBBER ESTATE.
LTD
TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS.
“ That we have failed go far to make the estate a paying concern is no fault of ours. Your directors have passed through a very troublesome year and the amount of cor respondence that has taken place woul fill volumes.” This was the confession which Mr. J. D. Clark, the Chairman of the Amherst Rubber Estate, Ltd., has to make to the shareholders at their fifth annual general meeting held in Shanghai on December 17th,
cent.
|
ANNUAL MEETING.
The twentieth ordinary meeting of hareholders in the Ewo Cotton Spinning and Weaving Co., Ltd, was held on Tecember 16th at the offices of the general managers (Messrs, Jardine, Matheson & Co.).
Mr. J. Juhnstone, who presided soid: The profit for the year was Tls. 580,266,14, which you will doubtless con- sider highly satisfactory, although it falls start of cur record twelve months-1912/ 13-when we earned Tls. 552,278.13 and paid a dividend of Tle, 15 on the ordi nary shares.
LTD.
THE WINDING-UP OF THE OLD
COMPANY:
IMPORTING OPIUM INTO CHINA.
EXEMPLARY SENTENCE IN
·U, S; COURT,
A general meeting of shareholders of the Sangala Rubber Estate, Ltd., (in volux- In the U. S. Court, Shanghai, on tary liquidation) was held at the offices of December 18th, before Judge C. 8. the secretaries and general managers, Lobingier, H. P. Beeks, ploaded guilty to Cool Holliday & Co., Ltd., 18b Kangae
importing into Shanghai, on December Road, Shanghai, on December 15th,
M. McKelvio, Liquidator, reported 10th, 1915, about sixteen pounds of opini that the affairs of the company had been fully wound up in order to reconstruct being thereby guilty of importing opium the Company with a smaller capital and into China.
The defendant in the witness box said ment and upkeep of the Company's rub thing he left Shangbai to go to Harbin on to provide further funds for the develop ber estate. An agreement was duly com- a business proposition which concerned hig The It is now proposed to pay a dividend ploted between myself as Liquidator of the going into the Grand Hotel there. of Tls 16 on the ordinary shares, a re-old Company-proceeded Mr. McKelvie proposition seemed to promise well and The Chairman pointed out that they word in the company's history, and I and the Directors of the new Company he left to come back to Shanghai in order had to the credit of profit and loss account venture to hope that this return will have (which was duly formed and registered) by to straighten his affairs and to obtain OFE some money to put into the venture. which the new Company took over all as Tis. 17,836.89 after writing off fifty per the approval of shareholders.
of their development account From the report it will be seen that it sets and liabilities whatesoever of the cld his way down while he was at Tairen ho instens of twenty-five per cent, the is proposed to write off plant and Company and undertook to allot one share met a passenger cuing down on the bost emount written off last year. This balance machinery Tis 70,000 and Buildings Tls in the new Company for every four shares who told him of the trade in opium and in the old Company and one share for each who said that the only thing which could to confiscate the. was carried forward to new account. The 20,000; these ancunts exceed last year's cost of their rubber this year was one appropriations by Tis.. 5,000 and Tls.
one tas of the second mortgage debentures be done to him was shilling and eight pence per pound, as 2,000 respectively, and are necessitated in lieu of the same. Under this scheme opium. He saw that if he could get the opium through he need not borrow the compared with over two shillings last year, by the additions during the year, b
In recognition of the services rendered all shareholders in the liquidating Com-money that otherwise he would have to
borrow. Thoir total output for the year was 17,304
to the company by the European and pany were entitled to receive one new share pounds as against 23,943 pounds for last Chinese staffs at the mills, the Consult of the value of one tael in the new Com The Judge You knew that the impor- year, which was not such a good showing ing Committee have appropriated the pan in exchange for every four shares tation of opium was forbidden ?--Not as they would like. With the price of sum of Tls. 10,500 for the payment of a
hed in the liquidating Company and to from ce port to the other. rubber much higher and a likelihood of it as to our employés at the discretion aim within a limited period an allotment You knew that the bringing of the reaching a stili higher figure, they hoped of the general managera. I take this op- of one share in the new Company for each not only to struggle through their difficul-portunity of mentioning that the success share held in the liquidating Company on opium into the country was unlawful 1-
payment of ons toel each to the Chartered To the extent of confiscation, ges. ties but to make the company a success of the company is, in a great measure,
You knew it was unlawful and you The difficulties urose, apparently, in a due to the untiring efforts of the Staff, Bank of India, Aus.ralin and China. large measure swing to the unsatisfactory and we are greatly indebted to the assis Where the multiple of four was not obtain had just get through serving another conditions on the estate. The Campany'stance and advice that is rendered to the ablo, the odd share or shares were placed sentence 7-Yes, Rangoon auditors were asked to hold the general managers by our Mil Superin- to a separate account and paid for at the tendent, Mr. Kerfoot. (Hear, hear rate of two mace five condareens for each cudit on the estate su that they could go We now come to the allocation of Tlg.
odd share, being its proper value. The thoroughly in the accounts au boks 180,000 to Reserve Fund-to some share share capital of the old Company was kept there.
Their report cone,uded:-holders this way appear & large sum to 42,056 shares (of Tisch) which, "If we could have get a reliable man we
set aside, but competition becomes kernes divided by four, called for 10,514 shares of would have dismissed the whole staff, but, each year and the Consulting Committee
one tael cach in the new Company, and the as we did not want to close the place down firmly believe that we can only meet it without consulting you, we wired you as successfully by building up our reserves amount of the second mortgage debentures was Tia. 5,744; thus calling for 5,744 now follows. Everything very unentis during good times, and by investing them
Of these 16,258 shares, I have the change entire staff and to advantage in improving ir proper shares, making into it as of 20, 200 now close down,
find reliable tica. manager,*
Subject to your confirmation of the issued to the shareholders in the old Com What the manager himself said was not appropriation to Reserve, that Fund will pay 14,454 shares, and the balance of 1,804 made public. The Chairman stated that stand at Tis 350,000, in addition to which shares I have received from the new Com-
zation of Dividend Account they had received a slightly different we have Tls. 500,000 at credit of Equali-pany in my own name to be issued to the and I old shareholders, as and when applied for, account from him, but as it was ful of think you will admit that with Reserves in exchange for share certificates in the old refranitic, shich might be to loan pertinu Loting wi fi cation, we can look, to Changed gende (without being transfereed
From reading The manager tendered his resignation, giving a month's
in the books of the Company) and there notice, but it was decided not to accept
are no means of ascertaining the present the resignation until all accounts were in
holders. All the abilities of the old Com order,
pany were defrayed as per agreement by the now Company. The assets were also taken over by the new Company; therefore, no actual property has come into my pos session, and hepen there are no accounts to be submitted.
The manager is still on the estate and the Directors are awaiting a reply to their letter of October 14th. During the year the Assistant Manager resigned to go to
the front and his position was not filled. as the directors thought it nee:ssary to cut down expense, as much as possible.
The Directors are now negotiating for the reconstruction of the company and an experienced estate manager and rubber expert has been engaged to visit the estate and moko a full seport,
future with equanimity.
From the accounts you will observe that during the year considerable additions have been made to our buildings and plant and machinery, and I am of opin on that our energies in the matter of extensions are in the right direction,
During the first ten months of our financial year we experienced a satis factory demand for all our products, but regret to say that since the end of August, trade generally in yarn and cloth has left a great deal to be desired, and at the moment the future onlook is causing your geners] managers grave con cern-so much so that it may be found necessary to resort to short time before many weeks elapse.
Not since the Revolution in 1911 hays wo boun faced with the necessity of selling yarn below the cost of production in
and the personnel of the men who are AYER TAWAH RUBBER CO. order to keep stocks at a reasonable level
interested in the syndicate that has put
up a capital of $1,200,000 does not inspire much confidence in its
intention.
good
SATISFACTORY FINANCIAL
POSITION.
FURTHER SHABR 158VË,
-An eminently satisfactory condition of affairs was disclosed at the sixth annual
The syndicate is one of officials and mer- caaats, and according to reports current in Hongkong, half the capital has been provided by the Military Governor, two Jans by the Civil Governor and tour lang by the Commissioner for the sup; pression of opium. It is further said that these shares bave been subdivided general meeting of the Ayer Tawah Rub- among subordinate officials of the Gerber Co, held in Shanghai on Friday after ernment and others, and among the largeon, December 17th, and the chairman, holders of stook new in the syndicate are two wealthy Yunnan mon,
Mr. J. H. Teesdale, in commenting upon It is confidently expected, according to the report of the year's working heartily rumour, that the syndicate will make enormous profit, from the monarchy. The congratulated the shareholders upon the price of medicinal opium" in Canton excelent financial position, has already increased 25 per cent. since the establishment of this monopoly, but the question is whether the monopoly is. getting to confine itself to the 1,100 or 1,200 chests it has bought or whether it is not going to continually replenish its stocks from native or Indian sources.
4.60
vened at which it was decided to incronco the capital of the Company. The chair man explained that when the Ayer Tawah Co. was incorporated in 1909 the area of the estate was 65 acres, It is now a
nave all been purchased out of revenue,
but this is the position, to-day, and if there is no improvement in a short while, A fail to see how we can do otherwise than minimize our loss by curtailing produc- tion.
I am inclined to the opinion that the present unfortunate state of affairs has been mainly brought about by the Monar chical movement, which is undoubtedly causing native bankers and traders rent uneasiness, and, until a settlement is arrived at, we cannot look for ed improvement in trade.
decid-
The great scarcity of dyes and the con- sequent extreme cost of coloured goods is also restricting consumption of yarn and great relief can be expected in this direo cloth to some extent, and I fear that no on until peace is arranged in Europe, the Chinese are able to produce abundant supplies of vegetable dyes, which, given tre they will be able to do.
or
Last seasca's China cotton crop was an average one, but this year the growth in the districts surrounding Shanghai was a partial failure and indications point to the local talis having to import large quantities of foreign cotton during the next few months.
hands
There were no questions and the meet- ing then terminated,
CURRENCY REFORM IN CHINA.
REDEMPTION OF NOTES.
Satisfactory progress in the redemption of paper currency in the Provinces of Kueichow and Szechuan lag been reported to the Ministry of Finance says he Peking Daily News, Altogether eight series of notes of various denomination, ranging from $10 to 10 cents have been withdrawn and redeemed through the agency of the Bank of China. The total value of the notes to withdrawn from circulation
mounts to the sum of $118,000.
The third instalment of the redemption of the military notes was also accomplish- ed in Szechuan. Notes to the value of $400,000 have been withdrawn and were destroyed in public.
In face of all difficulties, currenty re- form is gradually being effected through out the country, as proved in the case of the above twa reports from the provinces of Kueichow and Szechuan..
RAILWAYS IN CHINA.
It is reported by the Ministry of Com munications that in the next year the following five railways will probably be constructed:-
(1) Chang-Suj Railway (from Kalgas to
Suiyuancher) 317 miles.
Owing to a small crop in America, cotton prices the world over are very high, hut 1 do not think we can reasonably anticipate any relief in the cost of our (1) Urga 500 miles (from Kalgan to raw materia) in the near future.
Ae regards taxation of local mifl pro(1) Lan-I Railway (from Janchow to Ili)"
2,500 miles, ducts, I am sorry to say there is no improvement and I fear that, until the (1) Sining Railway (from Sianfu to Customs Import Tariff is revised, many Nanning) 600 miles. of the goods we now manufacture will (1) St Lan Railway (from Sianin to
be taxed at a higher rate than similar articles from foreign cool like to call
In this connection, I should your attention to a recent regulation of the Chinese Customs by which cotton
Lanchow) 500 miles.
The total length of the proposed ways amounts to 4,017 miles,
Don't you think it was up to you to keep from such things having got over a light sentence for a serious offence t Well, I did not-stop to consider that.
The defondant said that this was his first venture in the opium business. The drug was found in his bags and he had made no attempt at conualment.
The Judge was of opinion that this was a case for the maximum penalty. A light sentence had been given to the defondant in the other case to give him sa opportunity of doing better. He did not do that but went into something which was reprehensible and the worst thing, ho thought, that an American could do. The Government had started out with the intention of breaking this trafic up and. the Ane of 5000 gold which he would pose was little enough for the offence, Beck, who was given until 5 p.m. to find the money, was committed to Bilibid prison until the fine is paid.
HONGKONG VOLUNTEERE,
im-
CORFE ORDERS BY LIEUT,-CUL, A. CHAPMAN, V.D.
LEAVN.
1-Pto, K. Brayshay is granted leave of absent from 22nd December, 1915 to 3rd January, 1916.·
PARADES.
2.-Parades for to-day,
7.00 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. Members of Signalling Section and other Signal- lors, detailed in Signaling Section order dated 8th December, 1915- Morse flag and Morse lump practica at Headquarters.
6.15 p.m. Recruits of Engineer Co.--- Musketry and Rille exercises at Taikoo Dockyard under Sgt. Everest, 5.10 p.m. Recruits of Right Section M. G. Co Squad drill and Musketry exercises of Headquarters,
5.15 p.m. Recruits of all units (except
Right Section MG Co. and Signál ling Section)-Squad drill and Mus- ketry exercises nt. Headquarters un- der Sergt. Major Higby. Remainder, nil,
DETAIL. 3-Gun Club Hill, Kowloon,
On duty until morning of 26th inst.
H.K.V.R.
Puf W. Comp, Kowloon,
On duty until morning of 20th inst.
H.K.V.R.
G. E, Srewacz, Capt.,
Adjutant, H.K.V.C.
HONGKONG POLICE RESERVE.
PARADIO 6.30 FX. Monday, January 3rd,-No. 3 Company. Tuesday, January 4th-No. 3 Company. Wednesday, January 5th-No. 2 Com- pany.
Thursday, January 6th-All Recruits of il- Nos. 2 and 3 Companies.
Friday, January 7th-All Recruits of No.
PATROL BUTIES.
The Schedule of Duties for January, 1916, will be issued to Inspectors and Sergeants
Three interim dividends of 5 per cent. each had been paid during the year The balance standing to the credit of pro fit and loss account after deducting the sum represented by these payments. was is. 85,945.35 and it was decided to pay a tinal dividend of 10 per cent., making Heavy stocks of native opium are held in 5 per cent, for the year, and absorbing Yunnan and there is, not unnaturally, Tls, 20,000; to write off Tls, 42,887.28 on having regard to the personal of the the Estate Development account; to es syndicate, a suspicion that these stocka tablish a cash reserve of Tis: 10,000.00 and will eventually find their way into the to carry forward Tis. 13,058.09.
dianto's godowns. The creation of The Company's output was short of the monopoly of this kind, financed by Gov-estimate by 1,063 pounds. This shortage ernment oficials, cannot be of much assis was attributed to the deficiency in native tance to the declared Government policy labour and it was reported that instruc of suppressing the sale of the drug. On CHINA, JAPAN AND. COREA.
the contrary, the interests of the synditions had been given for the recruiting
of 300 more Javanese. cate, especially if it expects to aske Following the general meeting, an HONGKONG DAILY PRESS OFFICE enormous profits, are directly opposed to extraordinary general meeting was con-
the policy of Government. the
It is to their interest to sell as much of the drug as they can and to keep on selling it There is an obvious danger in the growth
A railway accident occurred between 1 Company. of monopoly of this kind, especially
Hsiacchiayang ond Luchiashan when it is financed and controlled by little over 1,000 acres and the extensions wastes produced by local mills are called the Government officials and apparently
upon to pay 5 per cent, export duty and stations of the Peking-Hankow Railway by merchants interested in the native Alision was made to the excellent capa2 per cent import duty at any port on December 9th. The accident was aus drug. With the prospect of making band- some profits out of the sale of opium, ties of the district, where the estate is fofanation in China in alt i perfed by a collision of two trains running on December 23rd.. they can scarcely be expected to on located, for growing rubber, and the cent whereas imports from foreign coun- opposite directions. The locomotives vere loaded with goods were also damaged. We directors felt strongly that the present tries obtain entry into China on payment completely smashed and over twenty care courage the policy of suppression. know what medicinal opium, generally time should be seized to take up more of only 5 per cent, duty.
Actions of this nature clearly indicate The loss is estimated at over $200,000 means and it certainly will not mean the land adjoining the estate while it could
that the Government takes little interest Fortunately no passenger was killed or of suppression
an evil to atlain which be had for the asking.
It was agreed that the capital of the in the welfare of its industries, otherwise injured. Officials alleged to be respon India was forced by sentimentalists to company should be increased to Tis 300,000 their products would at least pay no more sible for the accident have been placed sacrifice a large part of hör revenue,
taxes then goods' from foreignunder arrest pending further investiga Particulars of this new opium monopoly by the creation of 10,000 additional orch-in of Canton are not very numerous of Hary shares of Tis. 10 each that 2,000 factories.
This season the watering of cotton has but what is said of it is quite of these shares should be offered in the Lenough
to excite
suspicion Perhaps the first instance at a premium of Tls. 15 been more serious than since the cotton Government of India can give some state per share to the members of the company Anti-Adulteration Association was pro- ment as to its aims and objects and ex-in proportion of one share for no less moted, and but for the Testing House it plain in what way its operations are 1 ke than every 10 shares and that the balance is impossible to say to what length adul- of 8,000 additional shares should be teration would be carried in years when to further the policy of suppression in China. India has been compelled to fulfil offered in the first instance to shareholders there is not an abandant to the leter her part of this opium bar at such time or times and upon such material in this district supply of Capt. H. G. O. Perry-Ayscough (Royal prastiest knowledge of the use of the Mazing gain, and it up to the Government of terms and conditions as the Directors In answer to Mr. Morriss, the Chair India Rifes), of the Chinese Postal Ser- Gun are required to inform this office stat
F. O. JEKKIR, and 72,000 spindles.
den, Bhanghai and Fouchow, hea, it is fear- HONGKONG DAILY PRESS India to see that China fulfils her part might deem expedient but at such price as man said there were now 500 looms work-vice, who was well-known in Peking, Making the extent of their experience,
the company in general meeting should inghe reper; and accounts were adopted,d, been killed in action. He took part in to the letter too
determine.
Messrs Lowe, Bingham and Matthews and resolutions were carried declaring an early morning attack on the German were re-elected auditors of the company a dividend of Tis. 18 per share on the lines, and was been to get over the parapet
It is ordinary share and the granting of a go a little way and then fall at the annual remuneration of Tis, 200,
bonus of Tls. 10,500 to the staff,
thought that he was hit by machine-gun In returning thanks on behalf of there. At the time there was not much light, staff, Mr. Kerfoot, the Mill Superinten dent, mentioned that at the present time and he was not seen again by our men, they employed nearly 5,00 operatives and who, after holding the enemy's line all their distinct branches of cotton manu- day, had to return for lack of reinforce
evening. facture were equal to any of the largements, under cover of darkness the same manufactures at homes
HONGKONG MEETINGS
[ONGKONG HANSARD REPORT: for the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Session 1914,
REVISED BY THE. MOMS DES.
PHICE ***
DAILY PAS ÜFFICE
Hongkong, 28th Febrasry, 1915.
ON SALE
AT THE
OFFICE.
$5,
NEW AND UP-TO-DATE PLANS OF THE SI-KIANG
03
WEST RIVER PRICE ONE DOLLAR, Giving all the Important Towns en` routs
* from CANTON to WUCHOW,
exact,
边
Now is the time for England to step in and capture Germany's trade in Nor- way." One of the best-known traders in Bergen says that Norway besitated at the
In the House of Commons recently Bir beginning pro-British, welenne
bandould weleway Kdwand Grey said that only the crisis efforts on the part of British houses to in public affairs prevented him from re- drive even what remains of German trade signing in sympathy with Lord Haldane
when Lord Haldane left the Cabinet. out of the country,
raw
tion,
-FAR EASTERN MEN AND
THE WAR.
The offer made by No. 3 Company to take over the Christimas. Patrol Duties of the other Companies is intended to extend only to those Patrolmer who require leave. The exchange of duties is in the discretion of Inspector Mow Fung and the warning off- cers of Nos. 1 and 2 Companies.
JÓINKA
No. 1 Co., No. 1 Pisteon, J. Wattie. No. 2 Cor. X. Mendes. No. 3 Co.
1. Vai Tai Ng Tsz Chan
MAXIM GUN.
Mambors of the Police Reserve having
D. S. P. (Heseryė).
Exports are of the opinion that the in- vention, by Frederick Dahl, a Norwegian, of a system whereby he claims he can trans mit any number of words simultaneously electric apparatus, will completely revolu by means of an automatic photographie tionise existing methods of telegraphy.