The Hongkong Register.
HONGKONG, TODAY, MAY 20, 1856.
NOTICE The Hours PUBLIC WORSHIP in the Cathedral Church of St. John will be on Sandays at 3 to 7 4 A.M., and at 8 A.M.
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There will, we expect, not be many opinions on the subject.
We shall have a little more to say on the plans, but in the meantime we continue with the history of Mr Cleverly's doings according to the Colonial Secretary, who says, in addition to Mr. Cleverly not having given authority, "that he could not have inspected the works," on the ground as we before quoted, "of the work not having appeared above low water mark until after his departure."
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The case of the two plans, as it stands on the words of the four lot-holders contra the government, is perfectly clear and strong, but it received unexpected support from another quarter.
The lot-holder of the lot near Prider's wharf found himself exactly in the same predicament, but being more amenable to the sweet persuasions of official power, he stood extracted-altered his plans, and we have lost Mr. Hiller; we have nothing but the benefit of his acquiescence in still being permitted to carry away earth for filling in.
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By the Singapore papers we perceive that the first criminal sessions held by the new local Recorder Sir Richard Macdonell, had terminated after postponement of several days in consequence of the absence of the mail.
Many of our readers are perhaps aware that there is a Grand Jury at the Straits, which has the right of making presentments at the close of their labors.
The Singapore Grand Jury has a long list of complaints, but by some of the complaints having been repeatedly reiterated, the Jury seem a strong edition of wisdom crying aloud in the streets and no one regarding her.
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The Jurors would further present the inefficiency of the Interpreters of the Court, especially the Chinese, and while it is by no means a matter of doubt whether individuals of that nation are under any circumstances to be relied on in responsible capacity, in a Settlement such as this, where the Interpreter may be said to have the power of life and death in his hands.
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We wonder if this be at all applicable to our island.
That it has been, is tolerably certain from the exposure made in the Police Court some time ago, but the question is-Is it now?
We drove away through our niggardliness the one useful effective European Chinese interpreter Mr. Cleverly to have expressed approval or disapproval of the Wall, as it was not till some two or three days after his departure that the work appeared above low water.
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On the 20th Feb., Mr. Weise called on the Acting Surveyor General.
Captain Cowper showed Mr. Weiss a plan, stating, "that being the Acting Surveyor General, even was the one which he would recommend to the Government to adopt."
This again is in opposition to what is stated by the Colonial Secretary, who says the plan was ready and lying in the Surveyor General's Office on the 11th December.
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The ground taken by the government is rather of a shifting nature, but let us try to define it.
There seems to be no question that the Acting Surveyor General showed Mr. Weise a plan on the 20th February.
Now, the question is-Was the plan then shown the same plan as that asserted to have been in the office on the 11th December, and was it at that time approved of by the Governor?
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SHANGHAE RACES.
SPRING MEETING.
The sport of this meeting was less exciting than we had hoped for from the programme, although the weather was fine.
The favorite, Bowle, proved himself the most contemptible cat that ever ran round a course at the start.
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WROBENO PLATE-Four ponies started for this race- Grapeshot 2ok the lead to the turn, when the Pekin Pet took up the running, and after a good race came in a winner by half a length; Spots again in the rear.
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PAUL-BUEN CUP-This although considered the race of the meeting, turned out the most hollow one of the day.
Car Tushu, the favorite, proved himself the most contemptible cat that ever ran round a course at the start she jumped off with the lead, immediately wasted upon by Cheerful, who forced the running, and before reaching the first half-mile post, passed the rival writer, who from that point put by the shutter, and Cheerful came in at a canter.
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COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, VICTORIA, Hongkong, 27th March, 1856.
GENTLEMEN, In replication to your letter of the 19th instant, I have to state
1. That a plan of the Sea Wall has been lying in the Surveyor General's Office since the 11th December last, any time after which date it has been open to the inspection of yourselves or your contractor.
2. That this plan was drawn by Captain Cowper under Mr. Cleverly's direction, and that consequently two different plans have never been submitted.
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To the Honorable W. T. MERCER, Esq., Colonial Secretary.
Sir,-We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 27th ultimo, and have given it that due consideration which it deserves.
In reply to it we regret that we can but repeat to you the general substance of our letter of the 19th ult.
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Enclosure No. 1.
VICTORIA, 18th March, 1856.
Sir, Being entreated by the owners of Marine Lots No. 103 & 104 recently sold by the Government, with the king's ap of said lots; I beg to ask you if you will allow my workmen, to take filling on the pile of Ground in the rear of the Government House and so to St. John's Cathedral,- am, Sir, Your excellent servant,
(Signed) LUDWIG WIESE.
To Captain COWPER, Acting Surveyor General, Victoria.
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COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, VICTORIA, Hongkong, 20 April, 1856.
GENTLEMEN, I have placed your letter of 8th instant before His Excellency The Governor as requested by you.
It seems that you have committed an error in ascertaining the plan on which the Government required the Sea Wall to be built.
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We have submitted the matter to legal opinion and are informed, that it was the duty of Government, as we had ourselves considered, to have been prepared with the plan now adopted at the time of the sale of the land in question.
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(Copy) No. 190, COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, VICTORIA, Hongkong, 19th April, 1856.
GENTLEMEN, I have to bring to your notice that the Acting Surveyor General has inspected the Sea Wall in course of construction in front of the Lots purchased by you on the 16th November last, and considers it faulty in construction, and not in accordance with the plan laid down by him, and exhibited at his office for the information and guidance of the contractor.
I understand that the contractor for the whole wall along these four lots is engaged, and I beg therefore that instructions be given him by you to fulfill the remainder after the Surveyor General's plan, and to take immediate means for reconstructing the portion already begun, so that the whole work may be done after the same and uniform model used by the Acting Surveyor General.
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HONGKONG, 1 May, 1856.
Sir,-We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 24th ulto. to which we now beg to offer a reply, taking for sake of convenience the various points referred to in your dispatch in the order in which they occur.
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COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, VICTORIA, Hongkong, 1st May, 1856.
GENTLEMEN, I have to bring to your notice that the Acting Surveyor General has inspected the Sea Wall in course of construction in front of the Lots purchased by you on the 16th November last, and considers it faulty in construction, and not in accordance with the plan laid down by him, and exhibited at his office for the information and guidance of the contractor.
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Page 185
THE HONGKONG REGISTER.
No. 21.—May 20, 1856.
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ITHEATRICALS.
The following is a correct report of an address delivered by the manager of a small theatre in Iceland, where Mr. Rac was engaged to perform.
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