HONG KONG DAILY PRESS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1935.
SOME DIFFICULTIES IN GETTING ON HONG KONG TRAMWAYS
IN CHINA
Address By Professor
Middleton Smith
Professor C. A. Middleton Smith, MSc., M.I. Mech. E, de- livered his presidential address to the Hong Kong University Engineering Society last night when he spoke on “Some Difficul- ties in Getting On In China.” Addressing the gathering, Prof. Smith said:
"On the neck of the young man says a Persian proverb "no jewel sparkles so brightly as enterprise." It requires to acquire knowledge, but it requires even greater enter prise to apply it for the benefit of our fellows.
The most important enterprise for the youth of China to-day is. to fight for the conquest of the terrible poverty of the great mass of the people.
This is a task in which engineers may hope to take an active part, they have well qualified, and are permitted a fair field for their
endeavours.
away, and a nation had come into being, progress was often due to the suggestions of non-British visitors, the result of a welcome afford to foreigners of ability, King Charles I, about three hundred years ago, employ- ed a Dutch engineer to drain the Lincolnshire fens and thus added some 800.000 acres of the best
corn-land
LIMITED
Decrease In Profits And Passenger Traffic
for England. by re- CHANGE
clamations. There are many other examples. In England to-day, you will find many foreign-božn times. It is less than a hundred engineers at work. Baron Hirst, years that the systems of finsh who has built up a huge engineer- sanitation and artificial illumina-ing company, called the G. E Co. tion (except by candles or of employing thousands of workers in England, and a large number of lamps) were introduced." I Sedan chairs were in use and British people, and other na- transport, as It had existed for tionals, in branches abroad, found an outlet for his energy, and centuries, before, made the com-
obtained reward in England, that munication of ideas very slow.
would have been Impossible in Germany, the land of his birth.
This attitude of mind of the British towards Industrious, for- eigners have been no negligible It is factor in their success.
In 1740 a foreign prince,"on a wet state visit to England, in weather took six hours to drive over nine miles, which reveals the condition of the main roads in.
Often it took weeks or months for news to travel from one part of the country to another.
England at that time. Road car-especially important that the fact "ringe of goods was then mainly by should be known in China.
pack-horse, costing about 2s. 6d. It is emphasised because it must per ton-mile, Business, like every-be obvious that Chha cannot thing else, then moved slowly, for possibly develop the natural re My own observation and expert-the pack-horse governed the pace. sources of the country, with any ence makes me believe that in
degree of efficiency without the China nothing is held in greater
help of foreigners, experienced in respect than knowledge. If we ex-
solving problems, similar to those cept the cult which is almost a From this helpless, paralysed now demanding rapid solution in religion, the respect for, ancestors. condition, industry in England was China, if the hundreds of millions There is therefore every reason
first rescued by the construction of of industrious, but Impoverished why students of this University highways and canals. The cost of peasants are to be lifted out of should make the most of the optransport of goods was thus re- their present dreadful condition portunities, unique in the Far East,
There is, to my knowledge, no of learning applied science. They
Chinese engineer capable of the will then not only be qualified to
design and general supervision of support themselves, they will earn
such local works as large re-. the respect of their fellows and benefit their own country.
One of the greatest of English scientists summed up the almost unrecognised endeavour of the pioneers of all ages when he said "To increase and multiply one man-power is the object of all social systems from time im memorial." That is your mission | in life. For that purpose you are receiving a training that will make you more efficient than those who have not had the same type of education.
It seems to me important that although the immediate object of your ambition is to win academic honours, and to acquire all of the practical experience which our Workshops and engineering labor- atories provide,
should know something of the problems that will confront you when you go out into your own great country of China to work, as we hope, to improve yourselves and the con- ditions of life of others.
you
The Engineer's Work There have been many de- Anitions of the engineer. An "American has said that he is a man who can do for one dollar
duced from 2s. 6d. to 8d. per ton- mile, and the era of fast horse drawn coaches commenced. Once a month a coach started from London to Edinburgh, and another in the reverse direction, taking a minimum of ten days, at, a cost for a passenger outside at 71 guineas and inside at 11) guineas.
4
The distance is 400 miles, and mediate attention in China are
recently a friend of mine, in a high-powered car, covered it, not
ten days, but in less than ten hours at a cost, per passenger, of a few shillings. By plane the journey can be done in about three hours.
OF FRANCHISE DENIED
The annual general meeting of the Hong Kong Tramways, Ltd, was held at the Board room of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson- & Co, Ltd., yesterday, with Mr. A. B. Stewart in the chair. It was reported that compared with the previous year, the traffic receipts fell by 6.72 per cent, and the number of passengers by 1,974,249 or 5.62 per cent.
In his speech, the Chairman denied a statement which had gained, currency in certain quarters that in the year 1952, the Company's powers expire and the undertaking will be handed over to the Government
law does not apply when the tram- car concerned is standing at an island, the island itself being re- garded as providing adequate pro- tection to passengers boarding and alighting.
CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH
without an Island there is in in Edinburgh a by-law The Chairman, Mr. A. B. Stewart, force
which forbids a motorist driving said;—
his car past stationary tramcar. Gentlemen The British Minis-There was a similar regulation in ter of Transport
(Mr. Hore-Hong Kong until two years ago. Belisha, M.P.), recently remarked In Edinburgh, however, this by- that transport by road; no less than by rail and by sea, is & barometer of world trade. If we may regard passenger transport by road in Hoffg Kong as meter of this Colony's trade dur- ing the year 1934 we must be forced to the conclusion that such trade was Tess favourable than previously. Compared with previous year our Traffic Receipts feli by 6. per cent and the num- ber of Passengers by 1,974,240 or 5.84 per cent.
a baro-
The Accounta
Referring now to the Statement they of Accounts, you will have seen that Traffic Receipts compared with 1933 are down by $137,197,95 but, on the other hand, Operating Expenses, including Depreciation
· Fortunately. Operating Costs leaving a net reduction of $87,759.– were also reduced and the net pro- | and Royalty, are less by $49,438.20, "Investment Interest and at $945,529.26 is less by only 75. $93.907.67 than the profit for the Sundry Income Account is ap previous year.
The Shaukiwan Road It will be recalled that at the
parently less by $6.747.92 but, ac-. tually, ordinary Income for the year shows an increasè under this"
clamations from the sea, the Shing Mun dam, the new Bank building, or any one of the three large dock-yards. But the en- gineering works demanding im immensely greater, in, magnitude Annual Meeting of last year the heading. 1933 having benefitted by than these triumph of applied Hon. Sir Henry Pollock, in sec- an extraordinary item of $31,485.65 science in Hong Kong.
onding the adoption of the Re-surplus on Motor-Bus Realisation
Account. That is no · reason why youport and Accounts, called atten- should not have the
tion to the very slow progress which was being made with the and ability to carry out similar, or greater.
China construction of the new Shaukiwan works in
Road and he suggested that Gov- ernment should take supplemental votes in Council for the pur- pose of pushing on to completion, as speedily as possible, this very recessary public work." I happy to be able to say, that very effective steps have been taken by
ambition
Many reflections are suggested if than those you see in Hong Kong, we glance back at the world when when your knowledge of engineer- the pack-horse was trudging along ing science has become amat the primitive roads of England. gamated with years of practical The water-wheel, as in China to-experience. You cannot gain that day, was then practically the only form of prime mover and indus- tries were therefore located upon
the banks of river's.
to
ту
experience unless you work under those who have themselves gained it by acting as assistants. And if you wish to obtain proper Since those days we have, in experience in China it is almost England, benefitted enormously essential to work with foreign from the development of engineer- engineera ing science. Mechanical (and It is no idle compliment to your electrical power, has been direct-nation when testimony is ed in many ways to the use and recorded that there are, to-day. convenience of man Every such Chinese engineering graduates of application of power has aug- this University of ability equal to mented the production of real any such task, but who have been wealth. Not only has there been unable
become prominent a great increase of the population, figures in China, and in the world but also a remarkable advance in of engineers, because of the un- their general standard of living, fortunate condition of their own in the magnitude of their daily country. demands, in the average level of
Poverty In China education, in social services and Those facts, however, must not mon-sense" is unfortunately very charity, and in the general health discourage you in your efforts as uncommon in all parts of the of the community.
pioneers in the creation of the world. We are, everyone of us,
Whatever forces, social, political new China. Work will win. Al- complex creatures wrapped up in or economic may have contributed though the primary, and laudable, our past, and our conduct is often to these remarkable results in object of your efforts is to support dietated by emotions instead of by England, It is safe to say that yourself and those dependents intellectual ideas. Common sense they could never have bean worthy of support--but not the demands consistent and reasonable achieved so long as the work of lazy, indolent hangers-on to the -actions but very-few-people-are transport depended upon the family or clan-yet-there-la-an
consistent and reasonable.
pack-hofsé.
other great Incentive. For in ad-
what any fool can do for two. An English definition is that appiled science is "organised common sense," but what is called “com-
man.
A Glance at England
-
וי
am
Government in this matter and that it is anticipated that the new Shaukiwan^ Road between Quarry Bay and the eastern end of the old Polo ground will be completed before the end of 1936. Rapid, progress is being made and the work of laying our double track in the middle of the new road is going forward satisfactorily. order that the Bhaukkwan tram- way service shall be undisturbed during construction of the new track certain diversions and lengths of temporary track have been and will be necessary and I would like to take this opportun- ity of asking motorists, during the next 12 months, to drive with extra caution along Shankfwan Road. This applies more espect- ally at night time due to the fact that for the long distance separat ing Ming Yuen and Taikoo (about
In pursuance of the policy out- lined at the last and previous Annual Meetings, you will note the increase in Investments which now stand at the substantial figuré of $1,149,768.32. In a year of de- clining local share values, it is satisfactory to see that the market value of our holdings at 31st De-
cember last is, only some $55,000, or 4.8% less than the book value,
a situation which will no doubt, right itself in due course.
An Interim Dividend of 50 cents per share was paid in August last and after charging the cost of this, $325,000.00, writing-off the usual annual amount of $68,000.00 on account of Goodwill, etc. and transferring $100,000.00 to General
Reserve Account, the " balance available for appropriation, in- cluding $146,691.58 brought for-
ward from 1933, is $599,220.84,
Your Directors recommend pay- ment of a Final Dividend of 75 cents per share costing $487,500.00, leaving a balance of $111,720.84 to be carried forward to 1935. This makes a total distribution of $1.25 per share for the year 1934 which, considering the less favourable trading conditions, I feel sure you will regard as satisfactory.
In ee clusion I desire to « con- 1 miles) there is a complete ab-tradice a statement: which has sence of street, lamps. No doubt gained currency in certain quar- Government is making provision ters that in the year 1952 the The stately définition formulated The natural complement of andition to raising yourselves. In for lan adequate system of street Company's powers expire and the by the founders of the Institution improved system of inland com-finding that happiness which only Lighting in this rapidly develop-Tramway Undertaking will be of Civil Engineers, the oldest engi-munication was the Improvement comes from producing something
handed over to the Hong Kong ing area. 11 neering society in England. is that of navigation. As the population | useful, you are helping to raise
With the "exception of some of Government. The facts, as stated the purpose of the engineer is to and the standard of living in the standard of lying of your the old. wack on the Shaukiwan by the Chairman at the Annual "Adapt, Convert" and Apply" the creased in England the people in fellows and also the international
route the tramway track generally Meeting last year, are that in 1952 great sources of power in Nature that country became more and status of your own country.
or at the expiration of every for the use and convenience of more dependent upon the fruits The terrible poverty which at has been maintained in first class
of other lands for their supplies present exists in China and which condition. The rails along Con-subsequent five-yearly period the Another definition that I venture The steamship was the natural might easily be remedied by en- naught Road and Des Voeux Road Government is entitled to ezer- cise its option of purchase" by re- to suggest is that the main object | outcome of experience with gineering science, is fundamental- between Wing Lok Wharf and of the engineer is to raise the Stephenson's locomotive.
ly the greatest shame of the Sincere's were renewed during the quiring the Company to sell it's standard of living of people ali The steamship, however, was Chinese people. None of us, how year. Rolling stock and everhead Undertaking at the then value over the world,
only one half of the problem of ever, can escape a measure of equipment is in excellent condi- upon six-months notice or that navigation. There was work for blame when nearly one-fourth of tion. The programme of rebuild-intention.
I now propose the following re- It cannot be denied that such the harbour engineer to do. the population of the world itve ing all car bodies constructed has been the result of the work of Break-waters, docks, basins and under such awful conditions It Prior to 1920 has now been com- solution-
"That the Report of the Direc- the engineer in England People quays, for loading and unloading is no purpose of mine to enter pleted and the policy of replacing In that country has lived through the rapidly increasing volume of into recriminations with any in the old types of traction motorstors and Statement of Accounts so many changes lately that the commerce, were built, light houses dividual or any nation. about the and trucks with new equipment for the year ended 31st December, earller ones are likely to be for were erected. These Improve- events of the past, because this has been continued. Of our 91 1834, as presented be adopted and gotten. Men of my generation can ments were more important, mat- generation is responsible only for tramcars 68 are now mounted that a Final Dividend of 75 cents remember when flying was con- ter for Great Britain, in the nifie present obligations and the duty upon modern long wheel-base per share be paid for the year
1934, sidered impossible by the great teenth century, than for any other of working for a better future. It trucks. majority of the people, and when country. For it was the continuis, however cowardly to gloss over there were no motor-cars. There ed progress in harbour engineer farts which refect gravely upon was a timeless than a hundred ing by the British, quite as much our common humanity. years ago when only a very few as the remarkable development in people had seen a locomotive in the ships and the equipment built the land where it was first invent-n Britain, that placed in their ed and used.
hands the shipping industry of the world. Even two hundred years ago.
The Foreigner Helps People England lived in what row appears to us to have been There is one aspect of the rise very primitive conditions not in wealth and power of Britain dissimilar to those that exist that is of interest to China to many parts of China to-day The day. About two thousand years death rate, was appalling, everyone ago the people there were entire but the wealthy lived in badly ly uncivilised. The country ...) built and insanitary houses; super rescued from savagery by the stitious and persecution in many civilisers, the bridge-builders, the forms flourished, our modern tap organisers, and the law-givers
stationary has replaced, und who came from Rome. After the to-day want watching by the then car to pass watereau healthy wells only in fairly recent
was
ancient tribal system had passed
The "Islands","
SECONDER'S SPEECH
In seconding the resolution, During the year, a number of
Mr. TE. Pearce said. I feel "cer- Tramway Islands have been con- My humble contribution to the structed. Although this is an in-
tain that I am volding the feelings solution of this problem, which is novation in Hong Kong they are of a very large majority of share- the greatest presented to the extensively used in many parts of holdera, when I say we are well human race is to encourage the the world. In Edinburgh there satisfied and most gratified to Youth of China to keep in mind are 47 whilst in Shanghai there and that, as a result of last year's the only method of raising the are 45
Beyond working, we have had such a good standard of living in their own country, viz. by the application
These lalands have been a great report placed before us.
When taking into consideration the abnormal business. year ping places: alight with through which we have passed, the
Receipts ap ithout having falling off in Trai
tamen pears to be remarkably small, and
and risk the fact that
only idown
have reduced.
come as motor
of engineering science and eat ther
success-and- tramway passengers
fred board und and to watch on-coming this way time 143
lentists of Farther,
perience to the many urgent may now problems that exist in every part of China
Great Social Changes A tämän te writer, Gibbs, says that the
(Cantinued on Part 10)
tram at atóp
an island" than at a tram
our many
(Conth
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