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NEW ADVERTISEMENT.
STOLEN.
The Hongkong Register.
0. S. N. Gosterman.
LADY'S GOLD WATCH, made by PATEAU, Liezen, enamelled back, with gold face. To it, were attached by an enamelled Chain, an Antique Silver Coin of Egypt and a modern gold Coin. Any information touching the same, will be thankfully rewarded, an application being made to W. C. HUNTER, Mingqua's Hong No. 1, Canton.
Canton, 26th March, 1856
The Hongkong Register.
HONGKONG, TUESDAY, 1 APRIL, 1856.
NOTICE The Hours of DIVINE SERVICE in the Cathedral Church of St. John,--on Sundays at 11 A.M., and 4 P.M.
NOTICE--The Hours of PUBLIC WORSHIP in the UNION CHURCH, Hollywood Road, are on the Sabbath at 3 P.M., and 6.30 P.M., and on the Evening of every Wednesday at half-past 7.
BIRTHS.
At Hongkong, on 25th March, Mrs. WILLIAM POTT, of a Daughter.
At Hongkong, on the 26th March, the Wife of Captain ROMP, 36th Regiment, of a Daughter.
MARRIAGE.
At Plymouth, on January 12, CHRISTOPHER HAWKINS WALrY, Esq., Lieut., 41st Madras Infantry, son of the late Lieut-General W. Wilson, C.B., to FRANCESCA HENRIETTA, daughter of the late Rear-Admiral Sir T. Fellowes, K.C.B.
DEATHS.
At Shanghai, on the 22nd March, after a short but severe illness, KIRBY SMITH, Esq., aged 53 years, Editor and Proprietor of the North-China Herald.
At St. Mark's Crescent, Regent's-park, January 6, DANIEL H. JONES, Esq., of Canton, aged 2 years.
CHINA SHIPPING.
ARRIVALS
At London, January 7, Omar Pasha, from Shanghai; 23, Mirage, from Shanghai; 23, Paulina Down, from Foo-chow; 26, Neptune's Fury, from Foo-chow; 26, North Star, from Whampoa; 26, Dutchman, from Shanghai; 27, Tagus, from Shanghai; 27, Vein, from Philliph; 27, King Fisher, from Canton; 27, Contest, from Canton.
At Liverpool, January 18, Emily, from Shanghai; 23, Trades, from Shanghai; Feb. 1, Argo, from Shanghai.
DEPARTURES
January 10, Jane and Isabella, for Hongkong; 20, Sutlej, for Hongkong; Feb. 5, Anne Longton, for Hongkong; Challenger, for Hongkong.
SHANGHAI SHIPPING.
ARRIVALS
March 9, Muckles, [Am.] from San Francisco; 9, Wild Wave, from Glasgow; 9, Flora, from Liverpool; Elisa Moore, from London; Jana Libby, from Sydney; Caran, from New Zealand; 9, Algerine, from Sydney.
DEPARTURES
March 8, J. Jobson, [Am.] for New York; Idolo, for Sydney.
PASSENGERS.
Per Fiery Cross, Messrs. Scott, Park, Jr., Meechier, and Musson; Per Moresby, Miss Gamaliel, Captains Endicott and Boston, and Capt. Bale, R.N., Messrs. Mara, Meil, Alisch, Dryadele, Firman, Jack, Holdworth, Muller, McAmire, Anchen, and 18 Chinese.
INDIA EXCHANGES.
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[No. 14.--April 1, 1856.]
The Hongkong Register.
It will be remembered that most of the prisoners were inhabitants of the village of Bocca Tigrin, which is at the back of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co.'s office and godowns; and they seemed to have had a good many friends who cried out sufficiently loudly on the injustice of condemning innocent men to death to induce Sir John Bowring to give the men a second trial before himself and the Executive Council.
After a lengthened examination of witnesses during two days, we are informed by eye witnesses that the guilt of the men was, if anything, made more apparent.
The Governor has, however, in deference to popular clamor, seen fit to remit the punishment of death.
Both in the new trial and in the commutation of punishment, Sir John Bowring has acted in an exceedingly improper manner.
Her Majesty has instituted an Order of Valor to be called the "Victoria Cross," which is only to be conferred during acts of signal bravery before the enemy.
As to the trial, we have said that we have been informed by eye witnesses that the guilt of the men was, if anything, made more apparent.
The fire on board the Fiery Cross made such speedy work with the coin that Captain Thoms has to regret the loss of the whole of his cabin furniture and clothes.
The mail to 11th February is very strong as to the peace congress in Paris, and that is the sum of the news--all else is "leather and prunella."
The Levant, of 382 tons, for Australia, formerly an American (U. S.) vessel but now flying the Hawaiian flag, was seized by orders of Sir James Stirling for a breach of the Chinese Passenger Act.
The offence committed is that she had not the requisite papers from the Emigration Officer.
If she had 320 passengers on board, as stated, she also committed a breach in carrying an excess of passengers.
But, in addition, she has no ship's papers--all of which, or even two of which, may be considered a good ground for proceeding to the utmost extremity of the law--forfeiture of the ship, and fine and imprisonment of the parties engaged.
But then arises the question--What are the passengers to do?
We have heard it stated that the charterer, or owner, or whatever character he holds, has received from 30,000 to 35,000 dollars for passage money, while it is asserted that the value of the ship at the outside is not 10,000.
It is not an agreeable position for the government to find themselves in, having deprived 320 men of their passage of the value of 30,000 say, and to find themselves with only 10,000 towards reinstating the unfortunate wretches in their former position.
It looks to us as if the "Chinese Passenger Act" is bad, or that it is badly administered; perhaps a little of both, but most likely more of the latter.
In the first place, the supervision of the ship is not compulsory on the part of the Government.
Secondly, it is only to begin on the application of the Captain to the Emigration Officer.
Was it not advisable to have interfered earlier?
We desire the death of no man, but so long as the statute book affixes death as the punishment of the highest order of crimes, so long ought these crimes to be punished with death.
And we know no greater crime than that of armed gang robbery, where the life of the defenders of property is taken.
In the case of the Levant, the vessel came into harbor on 16th March, was laid on for passengers, and even when seized on the 23rd ultimo, had been given to the Emigration Officer.
PROCLAMATION.
JOHN BOWRING.
Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same.
The Sentence of Death recorded against Wong-AKUT, convicted of murder at the last Criminal Session of the Supreme Court, is commuted to that of Transportation for Life; the Sentence of Death passed on Chan-Wah-Kong, Tam-Kut-Heng, Lo-Ah, Cha-Anboon, and Luk-AuH, also convicted at the above Sessions of the same crime, is commuted to that of Transportation for Life; and a Free Pardon is granted to Tam-AKUT, similarly convicted on the same occasion.
By His Excellency's Command
W. T. MERCER,
Colonial Secretary.
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.
Given at Victoria, Hongkong, this 26th Day of March, 1856.
Lately there have been numerous desertions from the ranks of the 59th Regiment, and many more would doubtless have occurred and the means of getting from the island been as direct as they were when we had more whale-ship recruiting here than we have lately had.
It being suspected that a number of deserters were secreted on board the American whaler Canton Packet, Inspector Jarman with a party of police proceeded on board that vessel on the evening of the 27th, when nine were ferreted out of their hiding places.
About three o'clock yesterday morning, it was noticed that the steamer P&O'slun, which has been lying here for the last five months undergoing extensive repairs, was on fire.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
The Annual General Meeting of the Subscribers to the new Public School was held in the Agricultural Society's room on the 24th ultimo.
A Statement showing the Progress and Attendance at "St. Andrew's School," during the year 1855-6.
April ........ 16
May ........ 30
June ........ 36
July ........ 38
August ....... 37
September ..... 35
October ...... 33
November ..... 32
December ..... 30
January ...... 28
February ..... 26
March ....... 25
Total ....... 62
Average Attendance 16
Present: Messrs. F. Edger, W. T. Mercer, G. Jaly, J. Lyall, T. F. Waltie, A. Shortrede, A. S. Dixson, H. C. Antrobus, D. Lapraik, F. W. Lawrence, J. Stephenson, H. Hardie, A. Taylor, P. Cohen, G. Duddell, J. W. Schober, BraheLow, A. Fincher, and Dr. Harland.
Mr. Lyall, being called to the chair, rose and said, "Gentlemen, there is much to be congratulated on the result of our labours during the past year."
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TREASURER'S ACCOUNT.
The Subscribers to the "HONGKONG SCHOOL" in account Current with G. LYALL, Treasurer.
1856
April 9, To paid W. A. Harland's order
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March 24, By received account of Subscriptions
1500
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Hongkong, 24th March, 1856.
GEO. LYALL, Treasurer.
THE RUSSIAN SOLDIER.
When the appointed number in the government is filled up, the new defenders of the fatherland are sent to the regiments; the tallest among them to the guard.
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COMMERCIAL CHEATS IN CONSTANTINOPLE.
Let my hero, in traversing the bazaar, accompanied by a cunning Greek or obsequious Jew--his indispensable and inevitable dragomans--let my hero, I say, expect to be cheated.
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THE HONGKONG REGISTER.
During the 1st few months, the only books available for the School were those already mentioned.
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(From the Penang Gazette, March 8)
As there were now more applicants than could be admitted, it was proposed by Mr. Shortrede, and carried unanimously, that the Secretary should write to the Assize of Education, relative to repayment of Police Tax.
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THE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
CONSTITUTION OF THE SCHOOL.
1. That the Public School established at a meeting of Subscribers on the 3rd March, 1855, be styled "St. Andrew's School, Hongkong."
2. That the School be conducted, as originally established, for the education of Children of every Nation, Religion, or Denomination.
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8. That the Directors of the School shall be exclusively Laymen, elected by Subscribers at the Annual Meeting.
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