1
2
devoured with leaf disease and it was evidently hopeless to go on. This was especially disap- pointing, because in order to avoid, as hoped, any risk of leaf disease, I bought the seeds for the plantation at over $100 per picul fromasplendidplantation in Sumatra ratherthan use seed grown Incally. The coffee plantation is now therefore virtually abandoned except in so far that some of our old coalies have agreed
to carry on certain portions at their own risk and to pay the company one-fifth of the pro- duce as rent.
Rubber-As regards the rubber plantation, am glad to be able to write very cheerfully, and I think there is every prospect of the 50 acres of rubber at Mount Austin making the planting venture a success after all, in spite of abr dis- appointment about the gambier and coffee.
"Although the oldest portion of the Para Rubbers was only planted five years ago, viz., *in April, 1898, the growth of the trees has been so rapid that many of the larger ones measure from 25 to 30 inches in circumference at three' feet from the ground and i decided to begin tapping them. The result has been very gratify. ing as the trees tapped yield about a quarter of pound of good rubber each, and I could get
more out of them easily but I have thought it
best to be content with that for the present rather than run any risk of injuring the trees. Of course there are only a few hundred trees as yet that are big enough to tap, but the num- ber is rapidly increasing and the fact that at such an early age they give such an appreciable amounts a quarter of a phund is most reas- suring. I am curing the rubber as carefully as. possible and shall make sinal shipment to London in another month ar two, when I bope that, in spite of the rubber coming from young trees, it will fetch a high price.
As regards the plantation itself it will be gratifying to the shareholders to know that a high authority in the planting world, who paid me a visit lively, was greatly pleased at its appearance and told me it was one of the finest Para Rubber Plantations, for its age and extent, he hard seen either in the Straits or Ceylon- I remain, Dear Sirs, Your Obedient Servant,
M. LARKEN.
BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30TH APRIL, 1903,
Liabilities.
4
Capital Account :—
17,825 fully paid up shares
1,045 fully paid up shares
@ $5.00 ea..
$89;125.00
@ $5.00 ca.......
5,2*5.00
Suspense Account :--
Calls paid on 1,610 shares forfeited. Morigage of Estate to F. C. Marshall Accounts Payable......
Assets.
Property Account :-
Mount Austin Coffee Plantation
Rubber l'antation
$94,350.00 6,575.00 10,000.00 1,800.00
$112,725.00
Purchase Price of old Co.'s property $50,000.00
Buildings
Tools
Cash in Hongkong, and
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1963.
SANITARY BOARD.
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held on Thursday in the Board Room, Present: The Presidentson. Dr. J. M. Atkinson, P.C.M.O.). Hon. W. Chatham, (D.P.W.), Mr. C. Mcl. Messer, (Acting Registrar General), Cpt. Lyons, (Acting CS. P.), Mr. H. E Pollock, K.C.. Col. Webb, RA.M.C., Mr. Mr. Fung Wa Chuo, Mr. Lau Chu Pak, Dr. Ahmet Rumjan, Mr. E A. llewett, Mr. Perac, Acting M.0.11., Dr. Barnett, and M. G. A. Woodcock, Secretary.
CO
The minutes of the previous meeting.were
PRINTING OF PAPERS.
A letter was read; as follows, from the Govern- ment relative to the printing of Mr. Pollock's questions and the Acting Medical Officer of Health's reply thereto :-
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 2nd July, 1903. I am directed to acquaint you for the informa- Sir-In reply to your letter of the gth instant ton of the Board that inasmuch as the questions by M. Pollock were put and answered at the public meeting of the Board and fully reported in the Public Press, Government sees no neces- sity to incur the expense of printing, as eug- gested, the questions and answers-I have, &c.
The Secretary,
Sanitary Board.
(Sd.) F. H. MAY,
Colonial Secretary,
In a minute, of roth inst., Mr. Pollock wrote: -"The Secretary's letter of the 9th Jun should be attached to these papers or a copy 1
Subjoined is the letter:--
Sanitary Board Office,
9th June, 1903. Si have the honour by direction of the Board to report that the attached motion moved by Mr. Pollock was adopted by the Board at the meeting held on the 4th inst, and to request authority to have the motion and the acing Medical Officer of Health's reply thereto printed for circulation.I hare, &c.
(Sd.) G. A. WOODCOCK, Secretary.
The Hoo. F. H. MAY, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary.
The following minutes were appended. By the Colonial Secretary, dated roth June- "This was fully reported in the Press. What is the
now printing at incurring the expense of
By the President, Sanitary Board :-"I do not see any need to have this printed as it was fully reported in the papers. Somehow these papers have only just been submitted to me; they were mislaid during the Secretary's illness.-27.6.03,"
Laid on the table.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND BUILDINGS ORDINANCE,
Mir. Pollack, had given notice to move- That this Board suggests for the consideration
less discussed at our fortnightly meetings. If I thought that these questions would not be dealt with at those meetings it would involve a very considerable or careful study of papers at the moment. I think that probably what I have said is the view taken by most of the unofficial members of the Board. When I think we should be very slowola adopt such a proposal particularly without having discusion and, possibly, further time for consider tion.
had not been seconded, and therefore Mr. The President pointed out that his motion Hewell's remarks were out of order.
Mr. Hewett said that as he had not been shipped at the beginning he premised that he was in order.
Mr. Rumjahn submitted that they ought to Le compensated. The houses had been built according to the laws of the day, and when ing liws, and it was no fault of the landlords they were closed they complied with the exist that such a course was adopted. Some houses and it would be better if the Government were had been closed for more than three months, recommended to pay compensation to the
landlords for loss of rent.
The President said the houses had been closed because they were found to be unfit for human habitation by reason of the outbreak of several cases of plague. As soon as the neces sary steps had been taken to render them fit for human habitation, they were released.
Mr. Runjaho-They have been built accord-
Mr. Fung Wa Chun-And they have closed on account of plague.
The President further remarked that was net proposed to relegate this power toa coming to the Health Ordinance of the day, mittee of the Board. It was simply proposed to make Standing Orders for the conduct of the business of the Bhard between its meetings,
Mr. Hewell-To pass over the responsibility which is given to us by the Ordinance to some- body else.
The President said it had always been the custom when there were any minutes on the circulating cover for the whole matter to be bron, ht up, but if there were no minutes it was granting of the licence was recommended to concluded that members were agreed, and the the Governor in Council, who ultimately decided.
The Vice-President suggested that the cub ject be allowed to stand over till next meeting In order to give members time to consider it. There were undoubtedly a great many mailers which it appeared unnecessary almost to delay in dealing with until the Board meeting; the mere renewal of licences, for instance, was a matter which could very readily be relegated in the way proposed by the President.
The President expressed his willingness to let the matter stand over till next meeting. cedure. It had been the custom formerly, and But this, he pointed out, was not a new pro
that was the reason he brought it up now.
WATER ANALYSES.
The reports of the analyses of water drawn from the public supplies, by the Government Analyst, for the mouth of June, show that the water is of excellent quality. The water was obtained from the Kowloon Service, Tytom, Pokfulam, and Cheung Sha Wan supply.
Laid on the table.
FOOD AND DRUGS.
Mr. Rumjahn-It doesn't matter, Mr. Hewett asked on what Ordinance Mr. Rumjahn based his contention that compensa. tion should be granted?
Mr. Rumjahn replied that the houses had and it was of the fundamental principles of been closed to mitigate an outbreak of plague, British fairplay and justice that whatever public. He thought that section 308 of the benefited the public should be paid for by the Imperial Public Dealth Ordinance of 1875 gave compenstion for any damages.
The President said the law here would have to be altered first, for at present compensation was only granted for damage to articles during the prors of disinfection.
Dr. P. ase made a statement with regard to these houses.
Mr. Rumjahn--it appeared that some of these houses had to be closed for about three months, and if they were unfit for human habitation they ought to be resumed. They were about 130 in all. During the prevalence of plague evacuation of a block of houses was a good measure, but owners of property ought to be compensated for the loss in rental.
The discussion then dropped..
HONGKONG GENERAL
A long discussion followed and it was de cided to reply that the benefits to Hongkong from the coolis traffic with Singapore were only not of a sufficiently remunerative nature to derived from the passage money, and they were allow of any expense being incurred at this end. If therefore Chinese coolics were neces- Singapore it would doubtless be to the advant sary in order to supply the labour market in
age of that Colony to found a segregation camp on one of the numerous islands near there where the coolies could be landed free of any further cost or delay to carrying steamers.
SUGAR CONVENTION. Further parliamentary papers forwarded by the Colonial Secretary relating to the ratificat- ion of the Brussels Sugar Convention were laid on the table.
flying, foreign Bags would be continued. It was, after some discussion, decided to make further representations to the Governinent on this subject.
JUNK OWNER SUES AP
C. & M. 5.S. CO'S "RUBIN
Sitting in Admiral y jurisdiction at the Spi preme Court on Wednesday, the Chief Justice, Six W. M. Goodman, with whom, was "Capt. Edward Beetham, of the s.s. Tartar, as assessor, heard a claim brought, by Kwok Fo, master of the Sun Kwong Hop fishing junk, No. H. 2,145, of 171 piculs capacity, against the China and Manila Company's steamship Rubi in respect of damages alleged to have been incurred in a collision in the Lema Chaunel, Putoy Island, early on the morning of the 9th February last. The following correspondence was read :----
Mr. M. W. Slade (instructed by Mr. "H. ], ~ Hongkong General Chamber of Comnierce,
Gedge, of Messrs. Jolinson, Stokes and Master) Hongkong, 25th June, 1993, Sir-1 am directed to acknowledge the re-appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. E H. Sharp, K.C.,(instructed by Mr.H. W. Looker, of Messrs. ceipt of your letter of 21st ultimo intimating Deacon and Hastings), represented the defen- that his Excellency the Governor had decided fag system of weather signals for the inform to introduce at the Hongkong Observatory the ation of shipmasters, similar to that in use at would be continued for the information of the Shanghai, and that the present cune system local junk population.
STORM WARNINGS.
The Committee of the Chamber desire me to
convey their thanks to the Government for agreeing to Institute this much-needed reform in the system of weather signals.
In view, however, of the recommendation
made by this Chamber in the report of the Sub- Committee appointed to examine the communi cations received from the shipping community on this subjea that symbols were more econo mical and easier to work than flags, were better understood by landsmen and the adoption of the cade from the 37 special distance signals of the Commercial Code made it equally under- stood by the seafaring community, and that it was pointed ant the signals could be increased. if found necessary, by "further combinations of the three symbols employed or by imilar sig nals displayed from the yard arm, it seems to CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. | the Conimitter that under the latter suggestion 117 separate signals could be made, or mure
At a monthly meeting of the General Com-than those employed in the recently extended mittee of the Hongkong General Chamber of code at Shanghai, a copy of which is enclosed. In supporting the adoption of a symbol code Commerce held in the Chamber Room, City The results of the examinations, made by the Hall, on Tuesday, 7th July, 1903, at 5.45 p.m.it may be mentioned that great weight was Government Analyst, under the Sale of Food Present:-Mr. E. A Hewett (Chairman). Mr.iven to the argument brought forth in your letter of 31st july last, and also adhered to in D. R. Law (Vice-Chairman), Hon. C. W. and Drugs Ordinance for the second quarter of Dickson, Messrs. C. Michleau, N. A. Siebs, I. your further leiter of toth September, 1952, that the year are as follows:-6 samples of whisky R. M. Smith, H. E. Tomkins, R. C. Wilcox, A. 12 fag system is not suited to local conditions I of gin, I of brandy, 2 of beer and 2 of milk, None were found adulterated.
Laid on the table.
BAKEHOUSE.
An application for the ground floor of No 166, Queen's Road Central to be registered as a bakehouse, was refused.
PUBLIC LATRINE.
A petition was submitted relative to the pro
G. Wood and A. R. Lowe (Secretary); absent Hon. R. Shewan (ex officio),
MINUTES.
held on the 6th ultimo were read and con- The minutes of the last monthly meeting
firmed.
NEW MEMBERS OF CHAMBER.
on the ground that, in the calm weather usually preceding typhoons, such signals would often not be really distinguisable, my Committee of His Excellency to adopt a flag system in therefore respectfully suggest that the decision
preference to one of symbols may be re-con- sidered.
alter the present symbol siguals because of the With regard to the disinclination shewn to
dants.
In his preliminary act, plaintiff stated that the names of the colliding vessels were the Sun Kwong Hop fishing junk, No. H 2,141, masters. Kwok A Po and Kwok A· Kád (now deceased) and the s.s. Rubi,. master, R. W. Almond. The collision occurred between 3.30 am and 4 a.m. on the morning of the oth February, 1903, on the Lema Channel, within the waters of the Colony, and a short distance to the south of Pato, Isinnd. There was a strong easterly wind prevailing. It was a dark diny night; neittier mean or stars were visible. Kong Hop junk's, course was about S.S.E State and force of the tide unknown. The Sun
speed about three miles an hour. She carried one white light suspended on a pole at the stern of the junk. When first seen, the other ship was about two miles off on the port bow; her masthead light was the first seen. After Before the collision no measures except call- wards her red and green lights came into view.
ing out were taken to avoid collision, The stern of the Rubi and the port side of the junk, behind her mainmast, about 30 feet from the stern, were the paris that came into collision. The other ship, the Rubi, was recklessly navigated; did not keep a proper lookout, and improperly neglected to take, in due time, proper measures for avoiding the collision with the plaintiff's junk. The Rei did not keep out of the way of the plaintiff's junk.
The defendants, in their preliminary act, stated that the collision occurred at 3.30 a.m. on the 9th February in Lat, 228.30 N., Long. 114.16 E. off Putoy Island. There was a fresh breeze; direction about N.E. The weather was clear, but cloudy, and very dark | tide half food; force unknown. The Rubi's course, when the junk was first seen, was about W. by N.; speed about ten knots an hour; she carried all her regulation lights, de, masthead lights and stern light and side lights. When firet seen, the junk was about a ship's length abead
first light seen on the junk was a dim light at the stern, about three feet above the deck. No other lights on the junk came into view before the collision. W th regard to the measures taken, and when, to avoid collision directly the junk was seen, the helm of the was put hard apt and her engines reversed full speed; a shari blast was also blown on the whistle. The port bow of the Arbi and the port side of the stern of the junk were the parts of the vessels that came into collision, No proper carried to proper lights and she was navigated lookout was kept on board the junk; the junk in a reckless and unseamanlike manner.
After reading the preliminary acta, Mr. Slade said it would be seen there were a good many points raised, although the case would.no doubt, be got down to a very small issue: He presumed it would be proved by the defendants that the boundary of the territorial waters of the Colony ran along Lat. 21°9, and he sub. mitted that the question for the Court to decide was, on which side of that imaginary boundary line the collision actually occurred. The junk left Macao on the previous morning and, with an easterly wind blowing, tacke up to the Leme Channel on her way to the fishing grounds, the moment of collision she was close hauled on the port tack and, with a heavy sea running, would not sail as close to the wind as she otherwise might have done. At the actual time of collision there were three men on board-the steersman, the man who attend- ed to the main sheet, and the lookout man. Altogether the crew numbered 15 hands. Eight lives were lost, viz., one of the part owners of the junk, his wife, three sons, aged 7, 12 and 16, and a daughter, aged 13, the steers. man and a sailor.
47,083.23 paragraphs of section 6 of Ordinance of posed site for the erection of a p.blic latrine at and Douglas and Barretto,& Co. had been local junk, population's familiarity with them of the Rubi, and slightly on her port bow, The
6,397 51 1,989.gr 281.48
Shanghai Bank...
$465.89
in band
11
20.65.
11
with Estate Manager
11
1
180.03 General Managers 3.336.27
Profit & Loss a/c.-Balance at debit
4,0084 2,470.23
$111,715.00
WORKING ACC IUNT, COFFEE PLANTATION.
May 1st, 1902
To Balance brought forward
April 30th, 1903
To Wages
of the Government that it is desirable to amend 1903 by substituting the words "pantry, pas. sage or landing" for the words "or pantry."
Tai Hang village. It reads as follows:-
*
13, King Street, Hongkong, 27th June, 1993. To the Sanitary Board.
Sies-Understan-ling that a public latrine is to be erected close to our houses in Tai Hong village, we have the bonour to r quest that you will be so kind as to reconsider the matter and select another site for that purpose.
The position selected is far too near to ear buildings, being right behind Nos 10 to 15 King Street, and we are sure the inevitable cmission of offensive smells will aff et the health of the people in the vicinity. Further its existence will have injurious effect on the value of the surrounding houses. We there
will select another site along the hillside where a small latrine is existing or somewhere further west of Second Lane. Hoping you will take the matter into your early consideration and grant us our humble request,-We have, &c,
[Signatures]
The Secretary reported that Messrs. Goddard elected to membership since the last meeting subject to the usual confirmation by the mem- bers at the next annual general meeting.
Lode.
am to point out that this difficulty might easily be overcome by the publication and That this Board suggests for the consideration
distribution amongst the junk and gampan of the Government that, with a view to afford
THE CURRENCY QUESTION. Read letter, dated 29th ultimo, from the population of a card showing only the lew greater facilities to persons who are turned out of their houses temporarily in consequence of
Shanghai General Chamber of Commercesils in the altered form a cessary for local plague, it is desirable that, in any further plague
asking whether this Chamber would be re-peed, with a note that other signals shewn are epidemic, observation blocks be rented in each
pared to join with theirs and that of Tientsin. iuded only for s.a going craf. This would in a Memorial addressed to the Doyen of theviate the confusion in their mids which it of the following Health Districts, namely, Nos. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10
Diplomatic Corps at Peking urging that the is apparently thought might be occasioned on He said that since giving notice of the
before it the imperative necessity of a remedy Chinese Government should have brought their being supplied with a copy of the whole first proposition he understood that a question
I ans als directed to inquire whether His involving the construction of the particular
being found for the present unsatisfactory state paragraph of the Ordinance was likely to be
of its currency and the desirability of its mak-Excellency has favourably considered the shonly raised before the Police Magistrate,
of a uniform national coinage preparatory to any ber for the genter efficiency of the iccu ing immediate preparations for the introduction further suggestions at forward by the Chath
...$44.353.64 advisable that they should discuss the matter,
and, therefore, he thought it would be hardly fore most humbly and earnestly beg that you ward involving the introduction of a gold signal stations, direct telephotic communica- scheme which might eventually he brought for. Observatory hy the establishing of additional although it was obvious to those who had 1.510-43 studied the subject that both Sections 153
standard. 432.34 and 144 of the Public Health and Build- ings. Ordinance, and also the definition 1,800.00 of the words room' and 'external air would shortly have to become the subjec: of $50,095.36 very serious consideration. He thought that ...$1,013.13 after the decision of the Police Magistrate
47,083.23
had been given upon the cubicle question it would be very desirable that a sub-committee $50,096.36 of the whole Board be appointed to go fully into the sections of the ordinance and also into the definition of those two words. With regard to the second proposition he drew attention to a misprint, pointing out that the word 'further should be read future. It was of no use, he thought, having observation blocks unless they 21.00 were adjacent to the premises from which people were turned out in consequence of plague. 369.28 Apart from the one in the Central district he was of opinion that those East and West were
were intended.
Cartage and Charges "Proportion of Estate Manager's
salary for one year
By Proceeds of Coffee Sold ,,Balance carried forward
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT. May 1st, 1902.
To Amount brought forward
*
April 30th, 1903,
Hongkong Office Charges
Auditor's fee
"Exchange
Interest
***
April 30th, 1903.
By Balance
...$1,037.51
29,19
9.35
$2,470.23
...$2,470.23
The Acting Registrar General minuted:- "Under the Ordinance this should have been sent to the Colonial Secretary. It should be forwarded to the Colonial Secretary."
The Director of Pablic Works minuted- The Board cannot deal with this. It is too late in any case."
The Secretary was instructed to inform petitioners that application should be made to the Colonial Secretary.
PUBLIC LAUNDRY,
An application for house No. 25 Austin Road, Kowloon, to be registered as a public laundry, was granted.
OFFENSIV T.ADE,
tion between the Observatory and the Harbour The draft Memorial drawn by the Shanghai Office, Hainan, Observations, simultaneous Chamber was discussed and, as its terms prac- daily telegraphic observations, from other tically, followed the same lines which this Observatories, the s pply of the latest instru Chamber intimated on the 12th ultimo to the
ments, and the publishing of any information Tientsin Chamber any petition it was thought offered by other Observatories, which were desirable to present at this early stage of the contained in the special report enclosed in my question should take, the Committee decided letter of 13th January last and which sugges to send a reply agreeing to join in the Memo-ions my Committee trust have met with lis
Excellency's approval.-I have etc.
rial as draft.
STEAMSHIP SUBSIDIES.
(Sd.) A. R. LoWE, Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
A copy of the report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons appointed to inquire Hon. Colonial Secretary. into the subsidies to Steamship Companies and sailing vessels under Foreign Government and the effect thereby produced on British trade, which had been forwarded by the Secretary for the information of the Chamber, was laid on
the table.
OFFICIAL CODE VOCABULARY.
The Chairman said that with reference to the telegram sent on the 12th of May last a
Hongkong, 2nd July, 1903, Sir, I am directed to acknowledge the re- ceipt of your letter of the 25th ultimo regarding the introduction of the flag system of weather signals, and to inform you that before giving his final decision in the matter His Excellency the Governor bad carefully and anxiously con
too far out to serve the pu pose for which they licence for No. 477, Queen's Road. West, was reply had been received informing this Cham-sidered the corespondence from the beginning,
Mr. Rumjahn seconded.
Mr. Hewett agreed with Mr. Pollock remarke
An application for the renewal of a fat-boiling granted.
KITCHEN REMOVAL XEMPTION.
$2,470.23 ing that any step. taken should be acted upon tion for exemption from the removal of abulary before the International Telegraph Con-system of signalling which the officials of the
JOHN D. HUMPHREYS & SON, General Managers,
I have compared the above statement with the booles at the Head Office, and, accounts from Singapore and certify the same to be
correct.
W. HUTTON POTTS, Auditor.
Hongkong, 181 July, 1903. The Chairman said:-Gentlemen, the report and statement of accounts have been in your hands for some time. I will, therefore, follow the usual custom and take them as read. As the report of our manager, Mr. Larken, is also attached it is not necessary for me to say very much to you. As far as our prospects are con. cerned it appears that our only hope is our Para Rubber Plantation, and this certainly looks most promising. The samples of rubber you see on the table are from the first rappings of our trees, and are pronounced by experts to be of excellent quality, and if everything goes well and prices keep up it appears to be only a question of quantity as to whether our plant moving the adoption of the report and state- ment of accounts, I shall be pleased to give any shareholder any farther informalen he may desire.
before the plague season next year.
The motion was carried.
TO EXPEDITE BUSINESS.
The President:-In order to expedite the business of the Board, 1. beg to move with re- ference to the question of grating licences that under section 14, sub-section 1, of Ordi- nance No. 1 of 1903, the Board make the fol- lowing Standing Orders:-(1) That applications for exemption from provision of open spaces required by the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903, may be forwarded for the Consent of the Governor in Council without a resolution to that effect in each case after the circulation of the papers to the members of the Board provided that there are no adverse mi nutes on the circulating paper under which the application has been circulated; and (2) with reference to applications for licences issued under schedule of the Public Health and and Buildings Ordinance that they may be issued with resolution to that effect in each case after the circulation of the papers to members of the Board provided also that there are no adverse minutes. The second. proposal refers more It has been the custom of the Board previously to act in this way by making Standing Ordest to this effect; and the reason bring the matter up now is that the old resolution was made under the old Ordinance, and a similar resolu- tion has not been made under the new Ordi- to the members of the Board for their consider ation and applications are often received only two or three days after a meeting of the Board has been held, and if the application is held over till the next meeting the delay is very considerable and affects the licensee. I think it would be more expeditious if we agree to these Standing Orders.
Mr. Li-Yau Chuen, owner, made an applica- kitchen in the basement of No. 185 Queen's Road Central, on the ground that the house is used as a pawnshop.
Mr. Pollock minuted-Grant exemption for so long as house is used as a pawnshop."
The application was granted.
LIME-WASHING.
The usual fortnightly lime-washing return was laid on the table. For the period ended 7th inst. 2,046 houses were lime-washed. There were 40 prosecutions involving, fiues to the aggregate of $355-
PRIVATE LATRINES.
A letter was read from Messrs. Leigh and Orange on behalf of the owner of certain premises in Lower Castle and Seymour Roads with reference to proposed arrangements for providing latrine accommodation to those houses.
PUBLIC CONVENIENCES.
ber that the British Postmaster General had with every dete to meet the wishes of the agreed to bring the Chamber's protest agaiast Chamber of Commerce (but with a full sense the proposed compulsory adoption of the voca-of his responsibility in ordering a change in a ference and that it was understood the British local Observatory and the farbour Master Postal Authorities were also opposing its com- consider practically superior to that adopted at Sicanej, His Excellency's ultimate decision pulsory use. PROHIBITION OF COÓLIE IMMIGRATION IN
wan to add the flag signals as used at Shanghai as independent signals for the shipmasters SINGAPORE FROM HONGKONG
who seem to desire them leaving the present
The following letter was read :—
Camber of Commerce, Singapore, 12th June, 1993. The Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, Hong
kong.
Dear Sir, I have the honour to enclose for the information of your Chamber copies of the following correspondence ¦--
Letter from Colonial Secretary, dated the
Iith inst.
cone system intact.
His Excellency's reason' for so doing was that in your letter of May 17th, 1902, you stated
was.
His Lordship What became of the junk? Mr. Slade: The steamer simply crashed. through it, and she became water-logged. Those who could clung on to it, were picked up by another junk.
His Lordship: She was a total wreck, 1- Mr. Slade-Yes, another junk came up and took off the remainder of the crew. I am not suggesting that the Aubs did not do all she could after the collision. She stopped and turned round and looked for the crew,
Proceeding, Mr. Slade said that the two main,
tion of lights. Of course if it was held by the issues, so far as reg rds plaintiffs case, was where the collision took place, and the ques Court that the collision took place outside of the waters of the Colony then the question would arise as to the effect of the Junk's Ordinance in
ation is to be a financial success or not, Hefore especially to bake-house and laundry licences. 728, Russell Street. The applications steamer Me'homeur, which arrived here on the adopted by the German, Russian and Chinese any question arose. as to the peculiar wording
There being no questions the Chairman moved the adoption of the report and state-
ment of accounts.
Mr. Murray Bain-I beg to second that pro- position. As an old shareholder in this company, it appears to me that there is now some hope of our getting some return for our money. Mr. Larken has laboured long and faithfully but we have been all very unfortunate. There now seems to be a hope and I certainly trust it will be realised..
Carried.
AUDITORS.
The auditors were re-elected, and the meet- ing terminated.
་་
The following return of the export of silver to China from London has just been published. 1885 £649.400 ... 1896 £740,185 1886
3.593... 1897 559,436 1887 93,266 ... 1898
764,750
2,669,854
318,121 ... 1899. 1,423,840
1888
1889
5,874.... 1900
1890
3,947 1901
,189
1,985... 1903
1893
147.880 ... 1973
1893 2399,769
1294738,771
... Same
1895 1,653,523 ...
year
842,857 303,800 168,136
data last
16,500
Mr Sharp-Yes, my Lord, and "before
of this Ordinance. I may say defendant did not know the territory boundaries of the waters when the collision occurred. In fact, very few people, o know the boundaries,
His Lordship-It appeared in the Gozelli
Mr. Sharp:
that your Committee were anxious for the adoption of the flag signals on the ground that Shanghai possessed a code of signals which admittedly the best in the Far East." In your letter of the 23rd August, 1952, you the present case. He suggested that it would repeated that the flag code "has for a number
be perhaps convenient not in discuss that legal Reply thereto from the Chamber of Com. of years been in daily use in Shanghai, where
question, but to wait until the facts were de. merce, dated the 12th inst. in connection with it has given the greatest satisfaction to ship:cided upon, because if it was found the colli. the prohibition of immigration of coolies from masters frequenting the part" you add that
sion took place inside the waters of the Colony' gkong of which you have doubtless re- "the adoption of a flag signal service, which
his lordship's time would be wasted. 2) ceived official notification-in consequence of would be principally for the use of the foreign
His L rdship-I will hear you on the point Application was made by Messrs. Leigh and the number of cases of plague that have re-shipping in harbour, need not necessitate the
of law supposing it turns out to be outside. On Orange on behalf of the Hongkong Tramwaycently occurred on board steamers arriving here abolition of the present drum, come and ball the point as to where it occurred it is pat very Co. for permission to erect five water-closets with coolies from your port.
signals shewn by H.M.S. Tamar for the
exact in the defendant's preliminary act. Was and five urinals at the Power Station on I. L 2. It will be observed that the Austrian benefit of native shipping craft" and for her that logged at the time 2:
pointed out that the code has been generally granted subject to arrangements being made roth instant, reparted three deaths from plague for supplying the closets with water other than from the filtered town supply,
during the voyage, and that two cases of plague Governments along the coast of China. were found on board upon her arrival. Further
His Excellency feels that on consideration Application was made by Messrs. Leigh and tha: this is the fourth time recently that plague your Chamber will acknowledge the inconven- Orange, on behalf of the Land Investment Co., has been found on vessels from Hongt ong." fence of unduly multiplying systems of typhoon for permission to erect water-closets on M. L.
3. While my Committee feel compelled to warning, and therefore in deciding to meet reasonable course taken to keep Singapore free the wishes of your. Chamber, His Excellency from a dire a calamity as would be the intro considered it preferable to add a code that has action of plague among our Community, still been declared by them to be satisfactory and The return for the fortnight ended 13h inst. from the point of view of intertrade with Hong- that has been generally adopted over the coast gives 1,199 rats as having been caught in Vic-kong the course is one which this Chamber of China rather than to introduce a new system for'n and 475 in Kowloon, of whics 26 and undoubtedly feels be seriously regrettable.
different from that hitherto adopted in the Fac respectively, were infected.
The object that my Committee has in direct. East Laid on the table.
ing me to communicate with you on this sub- I shall address you further regarding the ject, is respectfully to inquire whether some points raised in the last paragraph of your let means of an examination of Chinese paster under acknowledgment. sengers from Hongkon for Singapore could not be devised and put into practice of so much more stringent a nature as would be likely to reduce to a minimum the chances of plague cases occurring on the voyage or arriving here. 5. The last thing that Singapore would ever desire is to have quarantine or prohibition ap-had definitely decided not to introduce an ex- plying here to steamers arriving from Hong kong, and if any action on your side can be devised of reducing the risk of this to a minimum, it wapid not be less agreeable to us than we feel it would be to our neighbours and friends of Hongkong.
nance. Numbers of these licences are presented 7, 14, 2`ab, and 101 North Block, Water support the Government of this Colony in any as far as His Excellency cons.dored justifiable | 1 suppose think we have ascertained It
will be supplied by a well and pump.
The application was granted,
RATS.
MORTALITY STATISTICS.
The death rate for the whole folony for the week ended 6th June showed 30.8 per 1.000 per annum against 26.9 for the correspording week of last year.
Laid on the table.
INSANITARY HOUSES
Mr. Hewett-With regard to your proposal it has come, as far as I am concerned, rather as a surprise to the Board. It appears to me the questions involved are very important and I do not think it is altogether wise-I speak subject to correction-for the Board to relegate too readily their authority to committees or sub-committees. Under the Ordinance these powers have been relegated to the Sanitary Board, and we should uphold them. For. may myself say with regard to making adverse or otherwise comments on these applications, when they come' round to me I am busy as a rule, and 1. read them as fast as I can and in tion have been remedied most cases initial them merely to show that I have seen them; but that does not mean be Mr, Rumjahn wished to know if any of the cause initial a paper that. I passed the landlords of closed houses had been com application without any comment I always pensated. The President replied in the look at it that these questions will be mors or argutive,
A return of houses closed by, order of the Board since the 1st January, 1503, as unfit for human habitation, was laid on the table. Mr. Pollock mlouted "It is satisfactory to find that in all the earlier cases, the defects which rendered the premises unit for human habita-
COMPENSATION,
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Sd) ALEX, GUNN,
Secretary,
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
....(Sd) F. H. MÁY
Colonial Secretary, Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, The Chairman raid that as the Government
tended symbol system for weather signals, it would be necessary to let the matter rest until sufficient time had elapsed to enable the new Flac System to receive a fair trial...!
now. We have taken steps to get it officially. Mi Slade-I took it from the Directory. His Lordship-We have an official
Ve have which shows it.
mag
Evidence was then called, the first witness being the lookout man on the funk, Kwok Cheung Ki, who deposed is to the course of the defendant's craft an the day in question, and the many tacks taken from Macuo to the Lema Channel, near. Putoy Island; He also spoke of the actual co1ilsion.
After tiffin Kwok A Po, plaintiff, was called, i and Mr. Sharp addressed the Court for the defence, and Capt. Almond gave evidence,
16th inst Capt. Almond continued his evidence and, examined by Mr. Sharp, said that the. Rubi could not have crashed through the junk an alleged, for when he saw her after the collision both her masts were standing with sails set. "A \JUNK< FLYING FOREIGN. FLAGS IN ORDER part of the upper part of the stern was splintered, TO EVADE PAYMENT OF CHING YEE TAX Upon arriving at Hongkong he made k The Secretary reported that, in answer to the | thorough examination of the Ruôi's bows, and Chamber's letter of inquiry, the Government found a wavy line scratched on the port side, had replied on the 36th attimo to the effect that | There were no other marks, whatever on the ibe practice of rifusing licenses to those `junka | ahip,