LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. QUESTIONS BY THE HON. MR.
POLLOCK.
The Hon. Mr. H. E. Pollock, K.C., has given notice of his intention to ask the following questions at the next meeting of the Legislative Counsel The replies are given in the current issue of the Govern
ment Gaserte:-
at the Peak!
THE HONGKONG DAHI
REPORTS. FROM THE FAMINE HONGKONG TRADE REPORT.
AREA.
NEED FOR THE INTENSIVE DRIVE.
IL
Latest reports of distress and death in the famine areas emphasize in detail the influential conditions that prompted Chinese and foreign leaders to plan a united famine fund' campaign, for next
month.
EXCHANGE KEEPS BUSINESS-
QUIET.
The fortnightly price current and market report, published by the Hong kong General Chamber of Commerce states -
h
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7TB.
ANGLO-CHINESE CHARTER. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. OUT-
SIDE TREATY `PORTS.
This Charter, it will be recalled, has been granted by the Chinese Central Government jointly to certain British and Chinese interests, empowering them to Cotton piece goods and fancy cotton forms development company and con goods.-During the interval the Manferring certain benefits for industrial These reports written to the Peking chester market has again weakened but development, outside the Treaty Forts. THE** HOMESTEAD" BITE AT THE PEAK.
United Famine Relief Committee show owing to the heavy fall in exchange, local Under the auspices of the Federation of Q-Will the Government state what is that the peagre supplies of food, con rates are hopelessly below replacing British Industries a meeting has been the reason for the delay in commencing sisting of husks, cobs, and a little grain values. There is still an entire absence held in London to explain to manufactur- work on the erection of Government are being rapidly depleted, that more of demand in this market
ers steps by which the scheme can best Houses, and flats on the "Homestead" site than thirty persons have succumbed to Cotton Yarn,-A fair demand emanat be brought to fruition. The scheme is, cold and exposure in one district, buted, chiefly from Yunnan provines, and of course, an industrial rather than a that, through it all, the people are show-about 5,000 bales changed arst hands trading project. A small committee has been-formed to investigate the whole ing a commendable heroism though re Frices ruled very erratio and bave not question and endeavour to put forward taining their pride which keeps them appreciated enough to compensate for the practical measures The following gentle- from begging until life itself in endan heavy decline in exchanges Quotations men have agreed to serve on this com- mittee:-Sir John Kemnal (Babcock and De:-No. 10s $180 to $196. No 12.
Wilcox), Mr. John--Noble” (Armstrong, gered.
$18 to $105. No. 188. $180 to $206. No Whitworth), Mr. E. F. Oldham (United RAIDS ON VILLAGES. · ·
Arrivals 7.000 bales, Glass Bottle Manufacturers), Mr. C. E. Even more startling are the reports. of 20 6183 to 215, further raids. From two to five villages Sales 5,000 bales. Shipments . Unsold Tatlow (Lever Bros), Mr. B. M. Bewick are captured and sacked every night, the Stock 10,000 bales. Bargains 12,000 balen (United Alkali Co.), Mr. J. O. P. Bland, field agents report, and three seems to Raw Cotten. No business has trans and Mr. S. Springer and Mr. E. Hobden, be no way to stop the ravages,
pared and values are practically unalter the last two gentlemen representing the Every line of the report sent by Blowed in follows:-Indian grades 825 to $29, Federation of British Industries. It is land Cross from Jao Yang Haien and by Chinese grades 897 to $34 per pical
proposed to form what will be known as Woollens.-There is still no change in the Chinese British Industrial Corpora- Misses Selma O. Moberg and Martha A Brann from Weibsien, indicate that the the market.
tion, and members of the F.B.I. are being united drive should be intensive and
Metals.-There has been some enquiry.mvited to subscribe the necessary capital national in scope. They also show that the relief measures are efficiently and Wire Naile have been done in small lots Many large firms are responding. It is at $11 to 81160 for the 113 specifica- believed that only some £190,000, will be conscientiously executed.
tion. Spot sales have also taken place required to form the parent corporation, The drop in the main purpose of which will be to round about this figure. exchange has put a stop to farther busi- delegate the powers and privileges en- Bess for the time being.
A-The site came into the possession of the Government on April 1st, 1920, and after some discussion it was decided in July to place the whole work of develop ment in the bands of a private firm of architects. Sketch plans were submitted early in September and after amendment were énally approved on December 3rd. Detailed plans and drawings are in course of preparation and a contract for the erection of the houses will be let shortly. There has been no avoidable delay in the matter having regard to the import apce of developing this valuable site to
the best advantage.
- THE POST OFFICE SITE.
Q.-What steps does the Government propose to take with a view to putting up the Old Post Office site for sale by aus tion? What is the objection to such site being put up in four or five lots in order to meet the requirements of would-be purchasers 1
"
A-It will probably be decided to put up the land for auction in several lots The question of the best method of sub- dividing the whole area is at present "receiving consideration. At a later stage the members of the Public Works Com mittee of this Council will be asked to give their opinion on the proposed laying
out.
1)
الله
THE SLAVE GIRL QUESTION.
„Q.-Referring to the recent statement of the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies in the House of Commons (in answer to Colonel John Ward, M.P.), to the effect that the Secretary of State had suggested to E.E. the Governor of Hong. kong the formation of a strong local Chinese Committee to look after adopted children and servant giris, will the Colonial Secretary inform the Council what steps the local Government are taking in the matter?
A.-The Government is taking action on the lines suggested by the Secretary of State, but it would be premature to publish any details nt present.
THE WORK OF THE SCHOOLS.
American
Mr. Cross reviews the work of the schools in his section. Eight of these are in Jao Yang Hsien, the southernmost haich of the seven in the Paotingfu field: Window Glass-Market is firm due to Students are enrolled from the surround-heavy drop in silver exchange...
Flour Market Beport-Stock: About ing aren, fourteen villages often being
Quotations: represented in the student body of 100 250,000 sacks pupils. Every few days each student. Petent, 84.73 por sack; American Patent receives his money allowance at the rate Cut off, 33.99 per mck; American Patent of seven coppers a day and the schools Straight, sa 18 per sack; Shanghai Flour make admirable centres for dispensing 2nd, 83 per uck, relief. If rightly handled these will be of lasting benefit to the districts, Mr. Cross believes. Hair net classes have also been organised as relief measures. dents who become proficient in this work return to the villages and instruct others.
Stu-
STORIES OF AN ALMONER. Included in the letter are pages from the diary kept by Mr. Cross. Some of them follow-
Java Sugar-Market firm." Philippines Sugar-Market steady, Saltpetre-Stock 300 bags. Market
strong.
SHANGHAI TRADE.
Mexers Ilbert & Co's piece goods market.report says:---.
doubtedly prove to have been appalling, the settlement will be tided over with no insuperable difficulties owing to the ex- ceptionally sound. position of the native banking institutions, who possess ample liquid funds and are easy lenders at com- puratively cheap rates of interests
Quite a fair demand has been experi- enced during the week for all classes of cloth, and clearances have been compara- tirely fair for the time of the fear. This is probably only a final, filling up of stocks in the interior for trade immediately after the holidays, but there is no reason, given internal pence, why the demand should not expand to normal dimensions during the spring.
joyed under its charter to subsidiary or associate industrial undertakings. At present it is proposed that the parent bureau and exploration agency with the concern should act as an intelligence
Auencing Chinese capital and generally of object of furnishing information or in-
acting as an intermediary when necessary between firms operating ander the charter on the one hand and the Legation' und 'Chinesa Governments on the other.
THE CHINA AND JAPAN WAR SAVINGS ASSOCIATION.
FINALLY WOUND UP.
ing the few years it had existed, bad been almost entirely due to the efforts of Mr. E F Goodale, the secretary. Mr. E. F Goodale explained that the Association has collected, month by month, for nearly three years, both large and small sume from over 3,600 members, had invested these amounts in British Government
securities and had now returned to each
ember, in cash or kind, the amount that he contributed, together with accumulated interest. He paid a tribute to Mr. H. M. Mann, who had acted as assistant Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, to Mr. E 5.
"On the way to Pactingfu our train
By à resolution passed at the annual had to wait while a train of empty cars passed at full speed but there are two The native business year is drawing to meeting of the China and Japan War trains of grain on the tracks at Paotingfu & close with a very much more hopeful Savings Association, at Shanghai, last feeling regarding the future than was pre- and Mr. Baker is on the job."
"On my way to visit the chow changs valent some little time ago when the im-e, it was agreed that the organisation outside the city I passed long lines of pending squaring of accounts at China be faulty wound up and that the undis women stumping along over the road, New Year was anticipated ominously as tributed cash balance of £1,451 15. ild.. carrying their buckets of food. One the possible cause of widespread insol together with the sterling balance of the woman said she was dying of cold while vency amongst native traders of all fund, 2706 14s. 3d.. making a total of another, well dressed and of godd family classes. The feeling now is that, although £2,159 188. 2d.. be sent to the King's said she bad been to the chow chang the losses on the year's trading will un- Fund for the Disabled. Consul-General. because there was no other way. She
Sir Everard Fraser, who presided. said said she was ashamed that she had to beg
that the success of the organisation, dur- "On Tuesday I rode the bioycle 90 li to. Li Hsien where I spent two days travelling with Messrs. Woon and Liu of Yen Ching and Mr. Wei the evangelist At Liu Chis So we found a school and hair net class in good condition. There are 700 families here and after our meal we went out with the village elder.
Here I saw more depressing rights than I had ever seen before. Rich and poor are all alike this year, one owner of B0 mow of land told us. The blind, lame, sick, starving and women with new-born babies, combined to make shudder. The doorways often told the story of suffering within."
The village father at one place said between 30 and 40
The position in most of the overseas of his neighbours had been frozen to death. Trees are coming down in the courtyards markets appears to be gradually becoming and even being out from the ancestral more stabilised, the improvement reflect The police received daring the week graves. In the smaller places some fueling itself in the steady readjustment of can be obtained but in the larger centres international exchanges accompanied by end a report of an act of piracy on the fuel problem is vital. We passed a little Better enquiry for raw produce junk in Gin-drinkers' Bay.
through villages where men are eating generally and the re-opening of some mills Seven met armed with various weapons of offence, leaves with a little kaoliang mixed in and factories in America and Europe
but I tell you there is cleanness of teeth The opinion is held in Lancashire that a including an axe and a dagger, boarded in these villages.
general: recovery in trade will reveal n One bright spot in Jao Yang Hsien is considerable shortage of supplies of cloth the junk and stole everything of value
the home of a former student of the Union and yarn throughout the world, and at that was moveable, threatening to kill Women's College, Peking, She is a least as far as China is concerned the
widow caring for her aged father and her stocks, though heavy at the ports of entry the crew if they did not submit.
daughter and is making a brave struggle, are light in the interior and very mode at the same time helping and encourag te in point of yardage when compared ing others.
Self-denial and heroin is on every with the normal needs of the country, es- hand. A carter who showed effects of pecially in view of the fact that arrivals starvation asked me for something to eat, during the next few months are certain
to be on a decreasing seale.' but when I offered hit part of the bread I was eating he asked, Do would eat your family food you think I
ARMED ROBBERIES.
WEST END POLICE REPORTS.
A house in Hollywood Road was forcibly entered on Friday evening, the robbers frightening the inmates with a display of swords and daggers. Everyone in the house was bound and gagged and placed in one room. The robbers got away with. clothing and jewellery valued at over
1200.
The godown keeper at Messrs. Water house & Co.'s premises reported a burglary on Friday night. Two men on the premises were bound and gagged by the thieves, and 190 rolls of material used
for covering umbrellas were stolen.
MONTHLY BANK RETURN.
NOTES IN CIRCULATION AND SPECIE IN RESERVE.
1
The weekly auctions have now been discontinued until after the holidays.
Wilkinson, to whom belonged the credit of starting and carrying through the highly successful branch in Japan and to the canvassing ability of Mr. Trenchard Davis. In the process of winding-up, the chief difficulties were in tracing the whereabouts of those members who had left China without, registering their Home addresses. However, only two drafts out of over 3,600 had failed to reach their proper destination. These drafts, which were in the names of O. F. Barcus and P. Ryan, could be obtained on application by the members concerned. The balance undivided, which amounts to £1,451 odd,; arises from the fact that it was necessary to estimate some three or four months in advance what the final position would be.
*THE UNKISSED BRIDE."
The Denniston players closed their suc- cessful season on Saturday with a pre- sentation of Charles Demorest's three-act
Mr. Cross spoke of the unselfish labours of all the workers and told how Mr. Esich, of Yen Ching and Mr. Yiu, of Shantung Christian University drove a BANQUE INDUSTRIELLE DE farce, The Unkissed Bride," and kept whole day without food or water. On one day the three visited 187 places, and- ing comfortless houses, suffering of men, women and children, and everywhere. empty food vessels.
Industry is at a standstill, Mr. Cross said, and will be until the population is brought through the winter to the tilling
Бедзод,
TOBEER BANDS.
* CHINE,"
The President of the Board of Direc tors of the Banque Industrielle de Chine officially and conclusively states that no change whatever has taken er is to take place in the directorship or management of the Bank. ··
a big audience much amused with the 4iquant situations with which the play The plot centres round the abounds. arangement between the impecunious speculator and the business-like steno- grapher, both capitally played by Mr. Leo Kennedy and Miss Warda Howard, to go through a mock marriage in order to obtain Uncle Dawley's big cheque.#* Everywhere the call for help must be
Miss Florence Chapman, as a maid, came sounded and everywhere there must be an immediate and generous response in
At the request of the French Govern-in for much applause for an amusing piece of characterisation as did niso Mr. money and service, Mr. Cross said. ment a consortium being established W. Vaughan Morgan whose simulation of between French banks in order to nego muddled inebriety was not overdone. Robber bands have grown until the tiato questions of common interest with Mr. Reginald Wykeham was the uncle of total now runs into the thousands, and leading American financiers. The inclamorous tendencies to the life. Miss conditions are indescribable, according to sion of the Banque Industrielle de Chine Pressy Preston and Mr. David Belbidge, the report of Misses Moberg and Brann.in this ears in no way impairs the in, widely differing parts, gave faithful The bands have captured village after independent standing of the Bank, impersonations. The selections of the village and have come into the south suburb of Wei Hsimu. Here they cap-
The Singapore Manager of the Bank has Wits. Band added not a little to the tured ene inan, passed ropes about him stated that a close accord has been can enjoyment of the evening. and lifted him over the city wall. Farmcluded between the Bank sad & very ers who own land and who have enough powerful combination of French interests food to see them through are being held led by the Banque de Paris et des Pays-
Mr. Pett Ridge told meeting of the for ransom and in many cases are forced Bas. The independent standing of the League of the Empire recently that what to sell the land to gain their release. Banque Industrielle de Chine is not ever anyone else might think about it, be
thought the London accent was good, be The wealthier families have been moving altered. into the cities for protection.
The interim dividend of twenty francs, cause it was only right that London should Conditions are already bad because of or eight per cent. on the paid up capital, have an accent of its own, The London. and China $11,632,545 8 5,000,000 orowding and there are frequent notified by the Banque Industriella a few of a nouveau ticho who sent his son to a accent was infectious: There was a Mory of terror. The noise of the shooting and days ago, is nett of French taxes.swagger boarding school to the ories of the terrified people have kept
20t rid of bai Banking Cor-
residents of many villages in a nervous The Bordeaux Branch of the Bank was is orribles. hscorn?" Well,”” said Mr. poration. 28,316,000 20,000,000 condition.
opened on December 30th. The Dunkirk Pett Ridge, the headmaster sent for the Mercantile Band of
The carrying off of farm animals in branch was opened on January 3rd. The father in a fortnight, and the Father obr India, Ltd. I 1,081,102 550,000 sure to have serious economic results, the Batavia branch is opening on January served It ain't took long You young women say, for, if the raids con 24th The Havre branch is opening in guarantee that he has now lost is ascens 12 Total 840,530,703:325,550,000 | tinxe, there will be no animals to aid in January. The Rotterdam branch is ze Oh, no, suld the bead, he has toparied
tilling the soil when the winter passes, ported to open in February.
it to all the other boys!?")
Heturns of the average amount of bank notes in circulation and, of specie in reserve in Hongkong, daring the month ended. January 31st, as certified by the managers of the respective Banks,
Average
Special in Amount: Reserve.
Banks,
Chartered Bank
India, Australia
Hongkong & Shang--
1971.
LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.
HAVE JUST RECEIVED
SOME OF THE
57
PURE FOOD PRODUCTS PACKEDBY
HEINZ
Sweet Mixed Pickles & Gerkins Tomato Ketchup
..per bot. 81.00
...per small bot- 500- large $1.00 -small tin 350. large tin 500.
Baked Beans Pork and Beans Red Kidney Beans India Relish....... Tomato Chutney.. Pure Malt Vinegar. Celery Soup and Green Pea Soup Strawberry Preserve......
350
500.
amall
350.
per bot. $1.00
33
2
900
.per qrt. bot. 90c:
...per tix 500. ..per glass $1.50
.....per box 33.50
Amongst other goods just received are Elvas Plums in 21b. boxes from Portugal Pulled Figs in 3lb. boxes from Smyrna Dates in fancy boxes from Tunis Turkish Delight in Drums .............. Gorgonzola Cheese from Italy.... Roquefort Stilton
12
France England
2.00
}
$.60
Drum 100
12
2.00
180
Lane, Crawford & Co.
DICK'S
PATENT UNIVERSAL SIZE
Tel. 1741.
STEAM AND HYDRAULIC PACKING
In 7-14 and 28lbs boxes.
LANE,
BABY
SOLE AGENTS A
CRAWFORD & CO
HONGKONG,
PIANOS
GRAND & UPRIGHT
By
CHICKERING,
BROADWOOD,
COLLARD & COLLAR
"ALLISON &
HAMILTON.
THE BEST THE WORLD CAN PRODUCE.
1.80
197
The Anderson Music Co., Ltd.
Powell
TELEPHONE 8146.
10?
Lnd.
FOOTWEAR THAT TREADS
In the
FOOTSTEPS OF FASHION.
FOR
WALKING
GOLFING
SHOOTING
BUSINESS:
NEW STOCKS
JUST RECEIVED FOR
DAY AND EVENING WEAR IN
KELTIC” and
SAXONE.
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