ON BOMBAY,-
Bank, T.T., On CALCUTTA,- Bank, TT., On SHANGHAI,- Bank, T.T., Private, 30 days' sight,"
SHANGHAI,
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH-THURSDAY, AUGUST 11TH, 1881.
Council, obtained a preponderance of 2241 proxy votes, and thus thwarted the wishes
72
of 90 out of overy 100 members of the 2244 Anglo-American Settlement. Those 90 it is said were opposed to the scheme, The French Consul did not, it seems, express himself opposed to the scheme, and the 72 official sanction having been obtained, there was consequently no difficulty in compelling a meeting of French cleétors to vote for the plan, in the abstract. This meeting was held on the 1st instant, and a more barefaced system of procedure than that adopted by the French Council has never been known. The electors were told that whether they negatived, or voted in favour of the proposal, it mattered not, as the Council had the power, and would exercise it too. of having its own sweet will in the matter, that is, have tramways with such modification as they (the Coun- cil) thought fit, whether their constituents
(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
4th August, 1881. The news under the heal of a corres- pondent's letter coming from Shanghai na- turally resolves itself at the present moment into three short sentences money light, general public sober, and nothing stirring, But a correspondent is supposed to send something in the way of items even if he has to perform a miraclo to create them, and therefore I transmit to you a few memos, which I hope will be of interest. After the excitement caused by the No- chung and Lapwing case, and the agitation re the proposed tramways, Shanghai at present finds itself in a state of calmness which is somewhat refreshing when tho mercury is boiling up into the nineties,
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and malodorous smells are on the increase. There is, however, an expression of strong opinion. with regard to the Hochung and Lapwing collision case. Though opinions, like writers, diffor, the currency of opinions on this matter, tends to show that the public think it a pity that the case had not been decided one way or the other, for by the present judgment it is now left exactly in the samo position as it was be- fore it came into court. The ways of law courts and their presidents are something like those of Providence, pass finding out, and woe be to the mortal who attempts to question the will and decision of either. Whether the judgment in this case is salis- factory or not I will not presume to deter- mine. But this I know--that the whole proceedings, and nothing has come out of them, have cost the parties a pretty guro. It is reliably stated that Messrs. Drum- mond and Wainwright, counsel for the plaintiff, were pail a retaining fee of 200 taels each per diem, and this in addition to legal and other expenses. As regards the counsel on the other side-Mr. Ro- binson, who did nearly all of the court work, and Mr. Myburgh-they were, you can easily guess, paid well by their clients, the British Government, for their labour, but report saith not what their carnings were. The assessors were paid 150 taels each for sitting in court, and everybody got something out of the ease. but the unfortunate reporters and court officials. As to the former they had a hard time of it for eight or ten days. Courtesy to the Press is almost unknown here, and during the progress, at least, it was near the finish of the case, the re- porters were treated gratis to unfair im- putations by an enraged counsel, who said that there was only one shorthand writer (presumably his protégé,) in the place. Now, considering the Mercury, the Courier, and the Daily News each have a shorthand scribe, and two of these reporters have a deservedly excellent reputation as verbatim note-takers, and the third adds to skill in phonography a long experience in law re- porting, the ungenerous imputations of the learned counsel on the "Gentlemen of the Fourth Estate" were without foundation, and in my humble opinion, they were un- called for. I remember me. "when Plancus was Consul," that the said lawyor who reflected on the note-takers of the local Press, was punished by his long winded orations either being published verbatim, or else condensed to the conven- tional "two sticks." But lack-a-day! times have changed since I penny-a-lined and reported the speeches of the Demos- thenes and Ciceros of the day. You have publicly heard in your island home that the Hochung intend appealing against the decision. That is a fact. The motion
asking for leave to do so will be brought in next month, but I hear that the 10th is fixed for hearing it, though that date is unlikely as the Court is now in the middle of the vacation, which it will not break into
for the wealth of India.
willed it or not.
I believe the China Mor-
chants' Company who have large interests in French town, and several English land- renters intend agitating the matter and making their objections heard, and if they do, then the veil which has hid so much that savours of irregularity, favouritism, unpatriotism, corruption, and despotio power in the French Administration will be torn aside, and a pretty state of affairs will be brought to light. The machinations of a priestly party, and the inclinations of a fow influential Bonapartists have had a baleful influence, it is said. in French affairs, especially those appartaining to the official functions of the Administration. American citizens are also talking of hold- ing meetings en masse on the subject; but I think what they say can be condensed into that small word" blow.". is no doubt tramways will be a benefit to the settlement, but our folk are very short-sighted in such matters, and their objections are based on self-interest. a Pedlington conservatism, coupled with dislike of some of the supporters of the project.
With respect to the tramway sclicmes the proposals of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co. have been agreed to by the Anglo- American Municipal Council and the French Municipal Council. In justice to a large section of the community, I must say that the proposals have been objected to and voted against, because they were deemed prejudicial to public and private interests. Nor are the Consuls unanimously in favour of the project. They held a meeting lately, which was not a public one, bat of tho business transacted there sufficient has transpired to acquaint the public of the opinions expressed thereat by the different Consuls. The Consul for the United States both before and after this meeting declared that he will object to the scheme to the bitter oud. Ho says it is uncon- stitutional; and that the means taken to obtain the sense of the community on the subject were not such as would meet the approval of Englishmen or Ameri- cans who have a knowledge of reproson- tutive Government. Ho has furthermore declared that the sense of the community has not been obtained, on this question; but that Messrs. Jardino, Matheson & Co., through Mr. Keswick, the Chairman of the
There
SAIGON.
The French Government in Saigon Propose to try an experiment which ought and cannot fail to possess consi. durablo interest to the authorities horo and in Hongkong. From the begin- ning of next year, the Saigon Opium Farm is to be abolished, and n-system- of exciso is to bo adopted instead, that is to say, the manufacture and sale of
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pium is to be taken by Government in its own hands, and the Opium mono- poly is to be administered by its own
officials.
In the roport for 1830 of Mr. Tromlott, H.M. Consul in Saigon, it is stated that the first Opiam Farni in Saigon was given in 1863 to a French firm for $92,000 por annum, equivalent to about £20,000 at the ex- change of the day, but it soon ended in a conflict with the Government, and the latter then endeavoured to carry it on, but give it up after a three
and Hothow, at 3.30 p.m. For Shanghai, per Yanglaze, at 4.30 p.1.
To-morrow, 12th August,-
onths' trial, and in 1864 it was first placed in the hands of Chinese, who have held is over since for $10,200 per month. In 1868 it realised franes 2,091,000; in 1873, frs. 3,250,000; and in 1878, frs. 6,730,000. In January Inst the united Farms for Cochin China and Cambodia were put up at the up- sot price of fra. 8,500,000 per annum. for a term of three years, but the tand- ors were far below that price, and the French Goverenont, having good rea- soa to suspect a combination among the Chinese to keep down the prico offered, doterminod once more to take the Opium Monopoly into their owa hands. The question was submitted to the consideration of the new Colonial Council, established on the 8th Feb. ruary last, and that body unanimously voted, ou political, economical, and Farm and the establishment of a direct moral groands, for the abolition of the
excise duty. A decree to this effect was signed. in Paris on the 1st May last, and is published in the Saigon Journal Oficiel of the 6th instant. It is followed by two other decrces.dated the 4th May, re-organising the Civil Service of the Colony, so as to meet the requiremonts of this new state of affairs. The Journal Officiel also con- tains a semi-official notification warn- tug the public that the Opium Farm, at prosent held by Mosars. Bau Hap & Co., ceases on the 31st December next, and that from the 1st Jamiry From the morning of the 1st Janawy a direct excise duty will be substituted. 1882, Opian will be sold in specified Excise warehouses, in pots, closed and sealed with an official stamp, with contents and quality guaranteed. Li- censed shops may be opened in every locality wherever sanctioned by tho authorities, and by any person who can cise, and the public are warned that all obtain a license from the Board of Ex-
never mention to ears polite. The inde-hawking, salo, or possession of any cency of the "piece "is revolting, and opiam other than that of the Excise shows what an exaggerated idea the Office will be considered and punished as contraband. Tao experiment is certainly a novel one, and will be watched with interest, no doubt, from here and Hongkong. Its succoss soems a doubtful matter. The French autho- rities themselves soon to expect at first some diminution of rovenne, but con- sole themselves with the hope that any falling off from this branch of ro venue may be made up by an incroaso in other branches. Certainly the French Excise officers will have their work cut out for them to meet and circum, veut the ingenuity of Chiueso sinug.
We have no amusements hore. Signor band, and I have been told that he has got Vela is still in Manila negotiating for a together as likely a lot of music murderers as any one can obtain from the Philippines. We have a private band, that of St. Cecilia, which could discourse most excel- lent music, but our City Fathers would not hear of them being brought into the Public Garden. The said Signor Vola has drawn 120 taels per month for four months, while there was no baad in existence, but wo must wait another four months (he still drawing salary) until he succeeds in orga- sing a "Band of ferocians Manila musi- cians. The Chinese theatres are in full swing, and one of them has been "delec. ating large audiences by playing a tra- vestic on European mammers. The theatre which has been doing this, is situated just outside the walls of the city. I visited it one ight, and a grossor spectacle 1 never saw than that presented. It was a play very much like the opera of "The hundred Virgins "(lescent vierges) except that the persons east on the island are European women, and the visitors are Chinese. The scenes are of the lewdest description. The celebrated actors have imitated mature abominably, for the women who are on this desert island are made to typify
that worst half of the world which we
Chinese have of that species of vice which we politely call the social evil. Their notions of European licentiousness are hideous.
A cry cometh from the parched land of Egypt for ice ico! ice! and yet none is forthcoming.
For
For Swatow, Amoy, and Foochow,
por Namoa, at 11.30 a..y
instend of as proviously notified. Manila, per Diamantc, at 3.30 p.n. On Saturday, 13th August,—
For Straits and Calentia, per Lennox,
and Japan, at 2.30 p.m.
For Amoy, Taiwanfoo and Tamsui, per Albay, nt 3.30 p.m. On Monday, 15th August,~
For Saigon, per Pornambuco, at 1.30
ր. ti.
On Thursday, 18th August,-
For the United Kingdom and Bo- rope na Brindisi; to the Straits Settlements, Batavia, Barmah, Ceylon, India, Aden, Egypt, Malta, and Gibraltar, and Mauritius, per Zambesi; printed inatter at 2 pan., lettors at 3 p.m.
On Friday, 13th August,-
For Nagasaki and Yokohama, per Sunda, al 5 p.m. For Kobe and Yokohama, por Niigata Maru, at 5 p.m.
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
ARRIVALS.
August 10, Lwy, British schooner,
319, Habokost, from Whampoa, General-Siomssen & Co.
August 10, Prince Arthur, British bark,
206, Smith, from Whampoa. August 10, Carmelita & Ida, Gormag
bark, 438, E. G. Ketels, Bangkok 28th July, Rice.--Order. August 11, Kwangtung, British stoamer,
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671, M. Young, Foochow 7th, August, Amoy 8th, and Swatow 10th, Goneral. Douglas, Lapraik & Co. Angust 11, Tarch, British steamer,
914, College, Shanghai 7th August, Rice.Butlerfold & Swire. August 11, Peng-chro-koi, Chinese gun-
boat, from Canton,
August 11, Consolation, British steamer, 761, R. Young, Bangkok 4th August, Rice and General.-Yuen Fat Hong.
DEPARTURES. August 11, North American, American August 11, Jana Packet, British bark,
ship, for San Francisco.
for San Francisco..
PASSENGERS.
ARRIVED,
Por Kwanglang, British steamer, from Const. ports, Mossrs. Rennio, Moran, an:1 3 Chinoso, 1 European - and 73 Chinese dock.
Shanghai, 1 European and 6 Chiness.
Per Larch. British steamer, from
Por Consolion, British steamer, from Bangkok, 80 Chinose.
DEPARTED, Passengers per stoamor Djemnak, sailed 11th August, 1881:-
From Hongkong-For Saigon. - Messrs, Michelot, Gendroan, F. Anvior and two Chinese. For Singapore.~~ His Excellency Ma Kio Tehoong, Mr. Whu Kuang Pie, Mr. Edward Jack, and one servant for His Excellency Ma Kio Tcheong, For Galle.-Mr. L.
Our jee works will be finished by the middle of next winter. Till they manufacture ice, we must content ourselves with the wretched collection of glacial deposits which the industrious Chinese collect in mid-winter from ponds wherein clothes are washed, and dogs and minor animals drowned. We ery for ice vainly; but no auswer comes, in fact tho only reponse we get is that of the unspeak-glers. The past experience of the Go-Harris. For Margoilles.-Mosare, Paul
able Turk who says to everything Balakum
Balakum-we shall see.
Changes in the internal administration of H.I.M. Customs at Shanghai scem to be the order of the day. It ap- pears that the authorities wish to obtain the services of young medical men to perform clerical work in the inside offices. After a probation of say six months the medicos will be transported to an outport, where they will act as as- sistant or deputy commissioners, and also perform the medical duties that orgtwhile were attended to by special medicos. The idea is a good one, and the addition of professional and highly educated mon to the indoor staff will considerably raise the status of tho service, which undoubtedly is the host paid in the world. Four medical men have just been installed in the office of H.I.M. Customs in Shanghai; of course, they occupy good positions, and it is said that five more are on their way out. The physicians are young, their ages ranging from twonty-four to twenty-eight. The Customs servico is to be reorganised up North so it is said; but in what respects I know not. Howover, I shall keep you posted up in the latest moves, for I havo special moans of information,
Tirtoff, José de
Souza, Tavares, Joseph Marshall, J. Blackburne, Henri Augusto Decroix, and Dr. Ronnie.
vernment, however, and the minute and accurate statistics they have always mado a point to collect with regard to the working of the Farm in Chinese hands, caunot but prove of aminont servico in the new experiment. The habit of opiam sinoking, says Mr. Tremlett, is not general in French Shanghai, reports fine woather through Cochin-China, but it is growing. In 1880, 800 cheste wero imported into Saigon.-Daily Times.
MAILS.
The following mails will close:- To-day, 11th August,--
SHIPPING REPORTS. The British steamer Larch from
out.
MacEWEN, FRICKEL & Co.
GENERAL STOREKEEPERS, to, VE FOR SALE.
HAVE
Groceries.
Crosse & Blackwoll's, Celebrated Houso- hold Stores....
Jolin Moir & Sons', Celebrated House-
hold Stores.
American Stores of all descriptions. Hantley & Palmer's BISCUITS & CAKES, BÜTTER, Danish & Fronch, Philippe
& Canaud's PATES &c.,
CHUTNIES & CURRY POWDER, TEYSSONEAU'S
FRUITS in juice.
The British steamor Consolation from Bangkok, roports loft Kol-si-cbang- at 10 p.m. on the 4th instant, had frosh Westerly winds in the Siam Culf, aud up the sea a mild monsoon and fiue weather.
The British steamor Kwangtung from For the United Kingdom and Eu-Coast ports, reports from Foochow to ropo, via Naples; to Saigon, Amoy light Southerly and South-west- Straits Settlements, Batavia, Burovly winds and fine weather. Amoy to malı, Ceylon, the Australasian Swatow, variable winds and squalls. Colonies, Pondichúrry, Madras, Swatow to Hongkong, light Westerly Calentta, Adon, Egypt, Multa, and and Southerly winds and fine weather. Gibraltar, per Djemnah, at 11 n.m. In Foochow, steamors Europe, and For Swatow, Amoy and Foochow, Europa. In Amoy, steamers Diamantu, por Namoa, at noon, For Straits Keeling, II.M. ships Swift, Kestrel, and aud Bombay, por Avoca, at 3.30 Taping. In Swatow, steamers Alboy,
For Shanghai, por Ancona, Atalanta, und Bellona;
p.m.
COFFEE, SUGAR, &c., &e..
Wines. Spirits, &c. CUTLER PALMER & Co.'s" CARTE BLANCHE." HEIDSIO & Co.'s MO- NOPOLE, pts. nnd-qts. ADOLPHE COLLIN'S BOUZY CABINET.
MUMM'S (JULES) CHAMPAGNE
pts, and qts.
NEYEN'S (BODEN) BOUZY,
pls, and.qts.
EXTRA SEC, quarts, Charles Heidsiecks's WHITE SEAL, pts. and qts. VEUVE OLIQUOT PON- SARDIN, pts. and qts. Theophile Roe- derer & Co.'s VERZUNAY MOUSSEUX, pts. id qts.
Krag's CHAMPAGNE, pts. and qts. OUTLER PALMER & Co.'s OHAT- EAU MOUTON. LORMONT, pints,
and quarts.
ARAUZAN (Chatean), pints and quarts, ERMITAGE LUDON. THIBEDF (Chateau), pints and quarts. CHATEAU LAROSE (Cureier & Adet's),
pints and quarts.
CHATEAU LAFITE, pints and quarts. IRES GRAVES, pints and quarts. BREAKFAST CLARET, pints & quarts. OLD, INVALID CLARET.
St. JULIEN, Gel, &c. Breakfast Claret.
Burgundy, Hock, Sherries, &c. Chambertin, Chablis (White), Liebfrau
milch Hockheimer, Niersteiner, Stein-
berger Cabinet, Rudesheimer Berg, Koninin Victoria Berg, Chateau Yquem, Grand Vin, Haut Sauterne Marsala. Saccone's Pale Dry White Seal Sherry, Yellow Scal Amontilado Sherry, Cutler Palmor
and Co.'s Sherry, Invalid Port (1848), Hunt's Port.
Brandy, Whisky, Liqueurs, &c. 1, 2 and 3-star Hennessy's Brandy, La Grande Marque Brandy,
Cutler Palmer
& Co.'s
Brandy, Bouyer Guillot & Co.'s Brandy, 1 to 4 stars; Finest Old Bourbon Whisky, highly recommended, Kinahan's LL. Irish Whisky, Jamieson's Irish Whisky, Royal Glendoe Whisky; AVH Gin, Swaine Boord & Co.'s Old Tom
Gin; La Grande Chartreuse, Green and Yellow, Maraschino de Zara, Curncoa pints and quarts; Angostura, Boker's and Orange Bitters, &c., &c. &c.
BASS'S ALE, bottled by Cameron anp Saunders, pints and quarts. GUINNESS'S STOUT, bottled by E & J. Burke, pints and quarts. PILSENER BEER, in quarts. DRAUGHT ALE and PORTER, by
the Gallon.
Fine ALE, bottled by MacEwen, Frickel & Co. ALE and PORTER, in hosgheads
rated Waters. SODA WATER,
LEMONADE,
TONIC WATER,
SARSAPARILLA,
to., &c., &c.
The Finest Stocks of
CIGARS, CAVITE CHEROOTS, PRINCESA CHEROOTS, PRINCESA CIGARS, AROCEROS, VEGUEROS,
·&c.
Ste. "PERFECTION" All Specially
Selected. EMPRESS OF INDIA, and Best NAVY.
STATIONERY, BOOKS &o.
"Franklin Square" Library,
Sonside" Library,
Harper's Half-hour Scries.
French Novels.
Medical Works.
School Books.
Presentation Books:
Works of reference &e. Stationery for Ladies and Office uso. Direct from tho, manufacturers the best
and Choapost in Hongkong, Special orders in this ling excuted one
very moderate forms.
Papors ruled to any pattern and stamped"
Plain, cameo or relief, Dies engraved to order. Offico requisitos
of every description.
Milner's Firo Proof Safes, Cash and Deed
Boxes, Brushware. Cutlery, Crockory, and Glassware, Builder's Hardware matorial, Sporting Gous. Revolvers and Sporting ammunition. Saihmaking and Rigging promptly exq»
cutoil.