CAMPBELL, MOORE & CO., LD.
ANNUAL MEETING.
31st ull.
The nineteenth ordinary annual meeting of shareholders in Campbell, Moore & Co, Ltd., was held at the Company's office at noon to day, when there were present Messrs. W. Osborne (Chairman), Capt. Clark, A. O'D. Gourdin, Dany Chee, V. P. Musso l'eralta and A. A. Souza (secretary).
The notice convening the meeting having been read, the Chairman said:-Gentlemen, the statement of accounts has been in your hands some days, and with your permission I will follow the usual course and take it as read. Nothing can be stated that would give any more information than is contained in the accounts. I understand that the business here
and at the branch establishment is prosperous, and I look forward to another siccessful year, and hope that next year we shall give as good a return at we have now, or better. I propose the adoption of the report and accounts. If any shareholder would like to ask any ques- tions which I can answer I shall be pleased to
do so.
There being no questions, the Chairman proposed, Mr. A. O'D. Gaurdin seconded, and it was agreed, that the report and accounts as presented be adopted and passed.
Capt. Clark proposed and Mr. Dang Chee seconded, the re-election of Mr. A. O'D. Gour din as auditor.
Carried.
The Chairman said that Mr. Gourdin had been their auditor since the establishment of the Company and had been of very great
assistance.
The report of the board of directors to the nineteenth ordinary meeting of shareholders was as follows
Gentlemen, The directors have the pleasure to lay before you the accounts for the twelve months ending 31st December, 1904, showing a credit balance of $8,171.74 which, with your approval, your directors propose to deal with
as follows:-
To pay a dividend of 30%. $3,600.00 To pay directors' fees'
600.co 289.15 To place to reserve fund account... 2,503.03 To carry forward to next year's account 1,182.59
To write off fixture and furniture ac-
counts......aka
38,171.74 Your directors are glad to be in a position jo stale that the business of the courpany has been steady during the past few months and there is every probability of showing as good results for the present year.
The accounts have been audited by Mr. A. O'D. Gourdin, who offers himself for re-election.
J. W. OSBORNE, Chairman.
Hongkong, 25th March, 1905.
To Stock-
1
ASSETS.
|
overcraft more.
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1905.
WATKINS, LIMITED,
ANNUAL MEETING.
SHONGKONG, SATIRISED,
"INTERCEPTED LETTERS."
3ath wit.
`A`NEW. NAVAL, RESORT.
THE JEWS IN SINGAPORE.
Mr. N. E. B. Ezra contributes the following special article to Israel's Messenger, a Shanghai paper.
'Another resort for naval men astera is short- ly 10 be established, and should be a great boon to those for whose benefit it is to be carried on. The annual meeting of the shareholders of
As stated in our columns last month, the Rev. Watkins, Limited, was held in the Company's A sprightly little volume, full of quips and office, Queen's Road Central, to-day. Mr. cranks directed against Hongkong Society," . H. France, the seamen's chaplain, has for G. A. Watkins presided and among those is that now published under the tule of Inter some Lime past noticed the want of a really at present were Messrs. Chow Hon Wah Wong cepted Letters. The author prefers to be known tractive recreative resort for naval men, and has as "Betty" which exhibits a modesty unusual been working hard, and devoting all his oner Leung Him, Chan A Fook, Tsang Yut Kai.
Mr. Chan A Fook read the notice calling among the literary tribe and particularly unkies towards establishing such a place as he the meeting,
venerous in this case when the comments on had in bis mind. The result of his efforts is The Chairman said-Gentlemen, with your the follies and foibles of Hongkong people are that he has now been enabled to rent two houses permission I propose to take the general man so pleasantly told. The letters are supposed on the Fraya, Jast to the east of No 2, Polica agers' report for fast year as read, and proceed to have been written by a newly-married lady Station, in Wanchai, and there are now in the carpenters' and masoos hands to carry out the at once to make the few remarks I have in my to a friend at home, Faithful to tradition the mind. From the statements now before you, writer drags in the name of a certais person extensive alterations necessary to render them you will see that substantial amounts have called "William" who is what is commonly entirely fit for the purpose for which it is intended they shall be used. There will be been written off the two assets Aerated Water known as the ether ball, and "William" is ʼn Plant" and " Shop Filings and Furniture" pegon which to hang a column ofcommon-sense.
and writing rooms, sleeping accommodation and trust that these appropriations meet your Whenever an expedition is planned "William' billiard rooms, refreshment rooms, reading concurrence. The next iteni amaggst the vetoes it; if a trip to Canton is suggested "Wit for those whose shore leave permits their re assets calling for notice is the building, which lium" is down on it like a cast-lond of bricks. maining ashore at night, and well equipped appears as only $15,040 against last year's But it is "William" who gets all the pretty bathrooms, and sanitary appliances. In fact, figure of $22,720; the difference is accounted sayings, and it is William "who is responsible everything will be done to make this new resort a pleasant and attractive place for those who for by the reduction of the monthly instal for the funny stories. One of the features of men's paid off during the year under review. Hongkong life which struck the auther was the will be privileged to avail themselves of it.. The instalments," I may add, were treated as fact that it was not supposed to be "good form". rest and debited to the working décount of to ramble about with your husband or your 1904 out of the profits of the year. One more wife, as the case may be. And several good item, and we will finish with this side of the stories-albeit they seem reminiscent of soine account, and that is the balance of $t,coo-due thing similar we have heard before-are told from Messrs. J. C. Logan & Co. for the pur in this connection. The trip to Canton must chase of our launch, which was sold to them bave been an exceptionally pleasant affair, but the average reader would doubtless last December. It has since been paid in full. Now for the liabilities The bills, loans and like to know who that dear delightful Cap accounts payable all showed a decrease stain was who catered so admirably for the compared with last year amounting together to wants of his lady passengers that they over $15,cos. But, unfortunately, the Bank had no time to see Canton because they amounted nearly $10,000 were afraid they might lose the bost and the
tu And it is due entirely to this dear Captain's company. Great fun is poked at the Happy Valley Hussors and the guild of your general managers find fact
forward volunteer nurses. "On a peace fooling they themselves compelled to all last year's profits-$12,674,82 instead can only allow three nurses to each trooper, of paying the usual to % dividend. Pro.but in time of war as they get killed off, they fit and Loss account exhibits a credit balance will be able to increase the allowance." That of 512 604.82 against $31,042.22 of the previous sentence alone ought to ensure the success of year, an increase of $1,562,60, a result which the H. V. Hussars, to say nothing of the rush the general managers trust the shareholders for places in the nursing ranks. Intercepted regard as satisfactory. I don't think there is Lelles give some of the most entertaining anything else in the accounts calling for any sidelights on Hongkong Society that have It aims ever appeared in the press. special attention, but I shall be pleased to give
at being satirical, but the good-humour any further information which any of you gen tiemen here may wish to ask. The receipts, or and vivacity of the author extract the sales, during last year show an increase. And sting from whatever satire there may be in the narrative. It is exactly what it pro- this year, so far, may be considered as satis-
fesses to be chit-chat and mild criticism on factory.
the people of Hongkong. The last of these Intercepted Letters is dated 1960 and is sup posed to be written by a grand-daughter of the present "Betty." By that time there is a state in King's Park to Sir Matthew Nathan who had such a big share in making Hong kong what it is to-day, and who was afterwards such a signal success as Governor-General of Commonwealth." In the South African Berkeley Square named after a famous jurist and wit there is a statue of Sir Francis May; and before the People's Palace," with which his 'munificence endowed the Colony stands the state of Robert Shewan, the People's Tribune." Sir William Gresson, the first commander of the Happy Hussars, also has a statue in 1960; there is another to sit Paul Chater, and a Murray Bain memorial. It is a pretty picture, and strange things have happened. St will be well laid out on Intercepted Letters It is handsomely bound in the form of an envelope, and is printed and published by Messrs. Kelly and Walsh, Hongkong.
that
carry
No questions were asked. The Chairman said-I beg to propose that the report and statement of accounts auw before the meeting for the year 1974, as printed, be adopted and passed.
Mr. Chow Hon Wah, seconded and the motion was unanimously carried,
The Chairman-That is all the business and I thank you for your attendance.
THE REPORT.
The following is the report of the general managers for last year:-
Gentlemen,--We beg to submit to you our Value of stock on hand.........$14,046.79 report and a statement of the accounts of the Company for the year ended the 31st Decem- "1 Due from customers
5.359-44ber, 1934-
379.01
Accounts receivable-
>1
Cash-
Amount on hand.....
In current account womenvoke
12
Chartered Bank-
Fixed deposit
3.375.70
With Chartered Bank of India,
Australia and China .......... 3,500.00 Fixtures and Furnitures-
As per last account .....$626.38
Written off as per resolu-
tution passed 31st Mar,
1904 .........
126.18
100,00 Less sale of electric fans 175.00
Since added.
325.00 GÓ4.05.
Insurance account--
Unexpired prem. paid in advance
LIABILITIES.
789.15
14.67
$17,465.76
By Capital-
1,200 shares paid up @ Sreeach...$12,000,po ,,Accounts payable-
1
Profit and Loss Account :-After providing for all bad and doubtful debts, and including the $1,042.12 carried forward from last year, the balance at credit of this account amounts to $16,604,82, from which has to be deducted the ollowing sums written off as depreciation, viz.:-From plant and machines, $1,000.00 from furniture and fixtures, $1,000.00 equal $4,500.00; leaving, available, the sum of $12,604.82; which som the general managers propose to carry forward to the current year's
account.
Equalization of Dividend Fued:-The amount at credit of this fund remains as before, $4,802.57.
Auditor:-The accounts have been audited by Mr. A. O'D. Gourdin.
The balance sheet on 31st December "last showed assets amounting to $188,738,34, the chief items of which were:-Stock on hand
$30,444.11, stock etc. with branches $14;176 82, accounts receivable $44,207.34. J. C. Logan and Co. balance due for purchase of steam launch $2,000, building $15.040, furniture $15,644.92, aerated water plant $5,000, Liabili ties include-capital £100,000, equalization of dividend fund $4,802.57, Russo-Chinese Bank $21,265.43, bills payable $20,51891, leans pay able $5.750, accounts payable (trade bills, sundry creditors) 58,151, building mortgage loan $15.040. The profit and loss account shows a loss on the steam-launch-sold-of $300, passed gist Mar, 1904 2,000.00
Last year with a balance of $11,042.22 the 5,500.00 company disbursed $10,000 in a 10 per cent. Unclaimed Dividends and Bonus |126.30 | dividend.. Balance at credit of profit and loss 8,171.74
Due to sundry creditors ............ Reserve fund-
As per last account......$3,500.00 Added as per resolution
WORKING ACCOUNT.
To charges.mas
H
WagesMAIT
Reserve fund-
1,667.72
$27,465.76
...$ 2.744.84 .........10,075.66
As passed at meeting 3151 March,
********2,000.00
1904...
Dividend-
30% passed at meeting 31st March,
1904 roomLJE LEITAUI
Directors' fees.........
J1
Furnitures and fixtures
11
91 Auditor's fees
"
Rent........
Insurance....ndy44
Stationery...
1901
1902. 1903
1J
Balance
17
"[
Bad debts- 1900$ 29.00
327.30
247.90
243.70
1
GEO. FENWICK & CO., LTD.
CONFIRMATORY MEETING.
31st ult. Anextraordinary general meeting of the share. holders of George Fenwick & Co., Ltd., was held in the Hongkong Hotel to-day, for the purpose of confirming a resolution making certain after ations in the articles of association of the Com- pany, passed at a meeting on the 11th instant. 3,600.00 Mr. A, Rodger, chairman of directors, presided, 6oo oo and the others present were Messrs. W. Parlane, 126.58 director, W. G. Winterburn, general manager, 300.00 G. de Champeaux, Thos. Arnold, J. 1. Andrew, 3.120.co W. H. Purcell, and J. McCorquodale, The chairman moved that the resolution passed at 54.25 226.85 the previous meeting be confirmed. Mr. G. de Champeaux seconded and the motion was una. nimously carried. The business of the meeting then ended.
847.90 8,171.74
$31,867.77
By balance brought forward from last
account.................$ 6,973.51 17670
12
17
"
Interest......TAMALAYAN YUVAYANAN Bales and shop returns...$33,507.76 Less cost of stock ...... 8,740.95
Transfer fees
RESERVE FUND.
To Balance 31st December, 1904......$ 5,500.00 By Balance 31st December, 1903 ...$ 3,500.00
Added as per resolution passed 31st March, 1904. .....................................
H
NORTH-BORNEO " BLUE
EARTH."
The London exper's opinion in regard to the blue ground discovered in North Borneo is most favourable, but he wishes for more samples of the soil in order to make further thorough investigations as to its diamond-producing qualities. In consequence some tons of it are on the way to England for examination.
It will be recollected that a syndicate with a
The object of this essay is to place before the readers of the Israet's Messenger a succinct account of the Jews residing in Singapore, which we hope will not prove uninteresting. The Jewish community numbers about 700 squis; comprising of Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews, the former being in the majority. The former are from Bagdad and India and the latter from Europe. It was in 1849 that the Jews first commenced to settle in Singapore. In the earl forties they used to condurt their services in a special house at a short distance from the business quarter of the town; hence the street was called "Synagogue street" and is still known as such, although the Synagogue has long ago ceased to be there. About the year 1877 the community purchased a piece of land in Waterloo Street where they built a Synagogue which in now known as "Maghain Aboth" It was consecrated on the 4th April 1878, and it is believed that steps will soon be taken to re-build it on a grander scale. The following are the trustees of the Synagogue, viz-Messrs. M. Meyer, Raphael Sassoon, S. J. Nathan and E. A. Solomon. At present it is well supported by the community and during the High Holidays it is very largely attended by both the Sephardic and Asekanazi Jews and at times. there is hardly sufficient toom to ac commodate all. For reasons not necessary to mention here, Mr. Manasseh Meyer, and of the recognised heads of the community and a very orthodox Jew, has last year built at his own expense a Synagogue with cost about $100,000. It is situated on a nice position (Oxley Rise) and is about a couple of minutes walk from his residence. It is a fine building and can accomm date about 400 persons and we understand that it will be consecrated during the ensuing Passover Holidays and is to be named Chaised-El"
PUBLIC SPIRIT.
Another praiseworthy and public spirited action of Mr. Meyer is worthy of note here, now that a short history of the develop ment of the Jewish people of Singapore is being chronicled. Some two years ago Mr. Meyer, seeing that there is a dearth of Jewish wiiters on Jewish Law and recognising the need of having authoritative opinions on reli- gious matters of everyday occurrences publish- ed, at once volunteered to defray the cost of publishing the second volume of Rab Pealim" the work of Rabbi Joseph Haycem Mases of Bagdad, who is one of the recognis ed living authorities on matters of ritual.
ed and much liked by the Jewish students. In cidentally we may mention that there are some more MSS by Rabbi Moses that still await publication. We hope that these will soon be placed before the Jewish public.
capital of L5c0,000 has been formed for Needless to say this work is warmly apprecial exploration purposes,
DAMAGE BY A MINE.
The Jewish burial ground has been purchas The Chefoo Daily News states that the Chinese despatch boat Chinghai was sent outed by the community since their settlement in by the native authorities to search for floating Singapore, which is now almost filled up. In 1902 the community bought another piece of mines. The same afternoon she found one drifting about near the island of Yangmatic, ground for burial purposes. about eleven miles from Chefno. Seven shots were fired at it from the quickfiring guns of the vessel without any explosion being effected. On Monday morning a boat was sent out to fish the mine up, and for that purpose a rope was tied round the thing. The boat then took the mine in tow, but suddenly it expluded with a great roar. One officer who was present in the boat and one sailor were wounded, although not seriously, and the boat was totally smashed up. The wounded people were sent to the hospital as soon as the despatch-vessel anchor ed the same morning. It is stated that several residents felt the shock of the explosion. If this is the case the explosion must have taken place nearer to the harbour.·
THE CANTON-HANKOW RAILWAY.
The Peking Government recently sent a dis- paich to Viceroy Chang Chih-tung instructing him to order Sheng Kung Pao, to properly deal with the cancellation of the Canton Rail way Agreement without delay, so as not to prejudice the matter. "On receipt of the Decree, Sheng Kung Pao telegraphed to the American Development Coy, informing them of the can. cellation of the Agreement. It is stated that the American Development Coy, intend to send a gentleman to China to try to arrange matters, but Viceroy Chang has announced his refusal to negotiate with him. It is also stated that when the American Development Coy, addressed Sheug Kung Pao some time ago, in regard to the surplus profit and minor bonds of the Coy, Sheng took no notice of their com munication.
1
THE DUTIES OF LANDING AGENTS.
Several, attempts were made to found a Talmud Torah Institute and, at last, through the help of some of the more energetic mem- bers of the community, a class was formed at which so pupils now attend daily. Free tiff is being supplied to them, the expense of which is borne by the community. About the year 1898 there existed a local branch of the Anglo-Jewish Association of which Mr. J. Abel was the secretary. Owing to want of interest and energetic workers the Branch was discontinued and, although several strenuous efforts were recently made to revive it, they were not successful. It is a pity that in a com munity of such numbers there should be want- ing men to organise and manage Societies of importance to the Hebrew race. It is not that they are ungenerous or callous in the fate of their less fortunate co-religionists, but it seems
that they are not made sufficiently interested in the scheme, or most probably the right parties have not come to the front. An in- stance of their liberal and sympathetic attitude towards their helpless brethren in other lands is the collection recently made towards the funds of the Russian Jewisti prisoners of war in Japan, an account of which appeared in the last issue of the Israel's Messenger.
DISUNION,
Generally speaking the Jews of Singapore (with few exceptions) cannot be said to be living in perfect peace and harmony with cach other. That this state of affairs is deplorable goes without saying. Jews ought by this time to have learnt what disunion leads to. As long as we are not united we cannot expect brighter era to dawn upon our race. Let us by all means fight for a good cause or for a principle, but let us forget mere personalities and jealousies which never lead to any good but, no the contrary, spells downfall. It is to be regretted that in an otherwise atmost per fect and flourishing community such a state of causes, which are too delicate to be comment. affairs should exist and it is hoped that the ed upon in a newspaper but which are never-
WEST KIVER TRADE. The Statistical Department of the Imperial Maritime Customs has issued the quarterly retures of trade for the last three months of the past year, and turning to the ports of the West River we find that, in most cases the revenue derived is now beginning to increase conse quent, no doubt, upon the more settled state of affairs in the interior. The dues and duties 24,766.81 collected at Kongmoon amounted to Tis. .75 31,215, while at Samshui the total revenue, was Tis. 41,250 as against Tls. 37,528 in 1903 and $31,867.77 Tls. 27,673 in the corresponding quarter of the year. previous. At Wuchow the increase was still greater, the collection being Tis. 135,783 or more than double what it was two years ago when the figures were Tis. 57.423 which in
On the morning of the roth alt, at the the December qnatter of 1903 bad risen Yokohama Local Court, before Judge Yasuda, to Tls. 107,131. This enormous increase is reports the Japan Nerald, the hearing was re brought about by larger collections both of sumed of the case between Mr. S. Weston and import and export duties and as the figures the Compania General de Tabacos des Phili-theless too flimsy to exist, would soon disap relating to shipments to and from foreign pinas, adjourned from the roth November, Fear and that a life of Jewish usefulness and ports are greatly in excess of what they were in 1904, the amount involved being Y1,036.59 unity will succeed the present regime. the year previous while native goods passing The case arose out of a quantity of tobacco in and out of the ports show a falling off there brought by the Saira, for which steamer seems not much doubt that our trade with Mesars, Samuel Samuel & Co. are the agents. Wuchow is being developed at a rapid rate. The defendants relused to recognise the vall The duties collected on goods to and from the dity of the claim on the ground that they were West River 'ports during the quarter are also dealing through the agents only, and the plain- satisfactory, and although in the absence of tiff, the landing agent, had no locus standi. any comparative table it is impossible to show The plaintiff now controverted the above state the increase there is not much doubt that dur-ment, saying that it is customary for a landing ing the past year a considerable volume agent to have the goods entrusted to his care of foreign trade has been done with the landed at a place fxed and through its recog stages on this important waterway. The duties nised landing agent. An application to call as collected on goods at Kamchuk was Tla 5,420, expert to decide what the usual custom in on at Shinbing Tis. 3,743, at Tikhing Tis. 15,556. this point was granted by the Court, and the and at Dosing T. 285 or a total collection further bearing of the case was adjourned until
| the 24th_inst. during the quarter of Tix, 24,305,
$
2,000.00
5,500.00
E, & O. E. CAMPHELL, MOORE &-CO., LTD.
I have compared the above statement with the books and vouchers of the company and certify the same to be correct.
A. O'D. GOURDIN, Auditor.
OWING to the recrudescence of piracy around Kwangchouwan the Minister for France at Peking has approached the Chinese govern- ment with a view to its suppression, and the Viceroy of Canton has been instructed to take energetic measure against these people,
The Jews in Sinagpore are financially in a prosperous condition and are doing pretty well in almost every branch of trade. Among the merchants the firms of Mayer Brothers, S. Manasseh and Co., E. Meyer and Co., Sharger Brothers, and others have lead. They deal principally in opium, rice and gunny bags. Brokers, shopkeepers, etc, constitute the rest of the Sephardic Jews, while fals, furniture shops, etc., are principally in the hands of the Ashkenazi section of the community, Even the law has its representative in Mr. Montagu Harris, barrister-at-law. During his brief stay in Singapore he closely identified himself with Jewish affairs and made himself considerably popular both among the Jaws and Gentiles,
93
APPLICATIONS IN BANKRUPTCY, | producing power ofthe people is not developed.
ABSCONDING DEBTORS,
If with half a million of men absent whose support, moreover, is borne by the workers, since they are not able to support themselves. when at the war, the wealth of this country does 30th ult. not decrease but actually, as Count Okuma Out of four cases, in bankruptcy jurisdiction suggests, shows an increase, it is plain that a at the Supreme Court this morning there was gest anomalous condition prevails in this only one in which the debtor had not abscond-country under normal circumstances. Optimism ed, and Sir Henry S. Berkeley orca ed that is no doubt a very good thing-though, its warrants be issued for the arrest of the default assumption is often a cloak for pessimism
The first matter to be brought to the but statesmen have to heware of lulling their ers. notice of the Chief justice was an application by countrymen into a state er false security. So Mr. O.D. Thomson that the Wing Yee firm of constaut, however, ars the assurances given of old iron dealers, trading at 44. Wing On Street the stability of affairs that we should not be be adjudged bankrupt. The Official Receiver surprised if later soms statesman does not painted out to the Court that the debtor had discover that the war, so far from injuring, is absconded, and a warrant was issued for the actually improving Japan's financial condition. arrest of the parties, Mr. G. H. Wakeman inti-Japan Daily Herald mating that it had not been ascertained who were the people connected with the business.
INTERNATIONAL BANKING · CORPORATION,
In the case of Ho Sam, lately trading as
Hop Yik. Chan at the Ilop Yik godowns. Des Veux Road West, ex parte the international Banking Corporation, there was the same under made, the Official Receiver informing his Lord snip that debtor had also, absconded. warrant fut the man's apprehension was ordered
to be taken out.
RICE DEALERS' FAILURE. ་
A
His Lordship.--Do you wish for adjudication i Mr. Beavis.--Yes, my Lord. The application was granted, and as the debior had deemed it prudent to clear from the
scene of his toil the usual proceedings were taken with a view to ensure his after dance before the Court,
A BAD SPECULATION.
In explaining the facts relating to the failure of Li Lai, mr. Beavis, who asked, on behalf of the debtor, for a receiving order said that the self affidavit as to the man's property and been filed. There was a debt of $6,500 on a third mortgage on certain property and the mongagor was adjudicated bank. That was the debt rupt two years ago.
The Chief and practically unrealisable. Justice failed to see what object there was in making debtor bankrupt if there were no assets to divide. Mr. Beavis thought that the
THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
Field Marshal Marquis Oyuna mayalmost be
said to be the organiser of the Army as it is to- day. Born at Kagoshima in the 13th year of the Tempo era, he took part in the sanguinary just before the Restoration; and, when the civil affair at the Teradaya Restaurant in Fushimi war broke out, served under the last General Saigo in the campaign against the Shogunk Mr, C. E. H. Beavis appeared for the petition-troops in North-Eastern Japan. In 1870 ha ing creditor in re Wong Chee alias Wong Yut went to Europe to watch the progress of the Man and Wing Lung firm, Intely trading as Franco-Prussian war and was present at the rice dealers at 195, Wing Lok Street. He said siege of Paris. On returning in 1873 he was that he understood that, at the last meeting of appointed to the Army Department, successive- creditors, a resolution was passed that the ty holding the office of Major, then Colonel and debtor be adjudged bankrupt.
finally Major-General. A few years later he was sent to Europe to study military tactics and spent a considerable period in France and Switzerland. On coming back to Japan he was appointed Rikugunsho. In the gih year of Meiji (1877) we find him at Kumamoto engaged in the suppression of a disturbance there. On restoring order he took the com mand of Kumamoto garrison, from which post he was very soon transferred to Tokio as Acting Minister of the Amy and Commander-in- Chief of the Forces in the capital. In the following year (1878), when Saigo Takamori raised the standard of revolt, Major-General Oyama went into Kiushu at the head of a Division and took part in one of the severest and most bipody engagements of the struggle that Tought at Tawarasaki before Kumamoto Castle was relieved. On his return to Tokio he was warmly thanked for his services by the Emperor and appointed Vice President of the General Staff Office. In 1881 be was appointed Minister of the Army and while acting as such petioned the Govern ment-in conjunction with Mr. Yamagata (the present Marquis and Genra)-to build a series of forts for the protection of Tokie Bay. He was made a Sangi in 1881. In 1884 he again went to Europe to study the military systems of the principal Powers. While there be was raised to the peerage, with the rank of Count. Returning here two years later, he set to work to reform and remodel the military system of the Empire, doing much to place the army in that wonderfully efficient state which is to day the admiration of the world. in 1889 he was appointed Kwangun, a high military post which he subsequently resigned in order to take the portfalle of the Minister of Education for a period. He returned to active service in 1893 and became again Minister of War. During the China War in 1894-95 he commanded the 2nd Division and served with distinction throughout the campaign. For his brilliant services in that war he was decorated on his return home with the Order of the Golden Kita and the Grand Order of the Paulownia. In 1899 General Oyama was appointed a member of the Gensui Fa (Field Marshal's Office), und made a Field Marshal of the Empire. Herald.
Official Receiver might be able to do some thing in respect of the mortgage. Sufficient would be forthcoming to pay the bankruptcy fees. The Chief Justice asked if there was likely to be anything left out of the bankruptcy
of the mortgagor.
Mr. Beavis replied that the estate should certainly realise enough to pay between twenty as thirty per cent. of the owner's debts. It would bring in about $1,000.
THE WEALTH OF JAPAN,
Some interesting remarks were, made by Count Okuma at the dinner given in his honour at the Banker's Club on the 28th ult. The subject which Count Okuma set himself to discuss was the cause of the financial prus perity of the country. The nation, he pointed out, had borne a burden of Y 1,300,000,000 and were willing to bear more; the last three issues of the domestic loan had been a splendid success, and the war loan issued abroad had been covered more than ten times over. Count Okuma estimates the wealth of Japan at between twelve and sixteen billions and the annual produce at between 1,300 and 1,800 millions yearly. Of this latter 1,500 were con sumed yearly, so that the surplus wealth ac. cumulated by the country had reached about 400 millions. This was not in itself large enough to account for the financial power dis played by Japan, and Count Okuma looked to the fact that Japan still remained an agricultural country to account for the remainder. One third of the increase of wealth in Japan, be said, consisted of agricultural produce, the pro- duction of which had not decreased in spite of the absence at the front of half a million men, in proof of which statement the Count assured Ins heaters that there would be an increase of 30 per cent. in the barley crop this year. The conclusion he arrived at was that a country having an extensive agriculture and primitive industry was the fitter for war, and in con firmation of this he referred to the Thirty Years' War, the Seven Years' War and the Napoleonic Campaign. The European count ries of to-day, be thought, were hardly able to endure a campaign lasting three years without complete financial disorganisation.
CHINA'S INTEGRITY,
»
WILL IT TE RESPECTED IN THE
PEACE SETTLEMENT?
It is becoming quite apparent now, observes the San Francisco Chronicle, that all of the efforts of the State Department to preserve the integrity of Chisa, that is, to save that unfor. tenate empire from being partitioned among alien nations, are liable to be defeated in the settlement of the terms of peace between the belligerent governments without the aid or in- tervention of any neutral nation. The State Department is said, in fact, to have received official information that Japan has signified that she is prepared to make peace, the car- dinal points of the proposition being that Russia shall evacusie Corea and Manchuria. It is somewhat difficult to follow Count The minor points to be settled, when peace Okuma's figures. Thus, without knowing the negotiations are opened, will be Japan's sub basis on which he estimates the wealth of sequent status in the evacuated territory; her Japan, it is impossible to criticise his relations to Corea, Port Arthur and the Liao- conclusion that it is between twelve and six. tung peninsula; the disposition of Saghalien teen billion of yen. It may be noted that Sir island; the future status of Vladivostok and the Robert Geffen in 1888 estimated the na
south eastern litteral of Siberia; the adminis tional wealth of the United Kingdom, public tration and ownership of the Chinese Eastern and private, ut £10,037,43500 which is Railway, and the fixing of a war indemnity. It is generally recognized now that Russia roughly a hundred billion yen. Whether the national wealth of Japan is a seventh that of inust have peace in the Orient, regardless of the United Kingdom is a question too large to the cost, to enable her to devote her energies in discuss at the present time. As regards private the settlement of her domestic affairs and the wealth, roughly speaking, Japan has not sach restoration of order in her European provinces. a large number of very rich men as there are in But there is nothing to prevent her settling the Great Britain, though on the other hand it is Oriental question with Japan, without either w absolutely puar. The wealth of the country is posing of the territory belonging to China, doubtful whether it has such a large number of of them consulting any other mation, and dis- more evenly distributed. Count Okuma furiber which has been the theatre of war, to their.. estimates that the actual wealth-using the mutual satisfaction. It is doubtful whether word in its strictly correct sense-is four bund- any of the other powers having territorial in- ed millions a year. That is to say surplus terests in China would interfere should the set- wealth created by the labour of the people is tlement involve the absorption of Manchuria valued at Y400,000,000. Here we may point by Japan or the division' of it between her and out that in the United Kingdom the addition Russia. Possibly the only voice which would to the capital wealth of the country during the be raised in protest against such a peace set last ten or twelve years is estimated to have tlement would be that of our own Government, been at the rate of £100,000,00 a year, or and that alone cannot avail anything. The roughly about double the rate that Count probabilities are that the other powers inter- Okuma estimates for Japan. Count Okuma's ested in China will acquiesce in this alienation reference to one source of power lying in of Chinese territory because it will facilitate the fact that' Japan is agricultural their own schemes of extending the sover country is the most interesting part of his eignty over their present "spheres of influence.". speech. It is true that a country that grows In that event the "open door" and "the inte- her own food and does not depend upon out-grity of China," for which our State Depart- medt has so strenuously striven, will both go side supplies is in a better position to wage a long war than a purely manufacturing country aglimmering and our interests in the results of which depends more or less on outside sources the war will be ruthlessly dissipated. for supplies. Japan, however, is neither in one turns for January show that while the total ON the arrival of the steamer from MacaO ON position nor the other. For instance, the re value of the rice exported was sonte V270,000, Monday a passenger claimed his goods, among the total value of the rice imported was over which were 68 bags of tea, which he said he was bringing for sale in Hongkong. Au. ex. three million yen. If we conclude that the value of the rice exported was equal, at the ciseman standing by felt suspicious at the place of sale, to the value of the rice imported peculiarly loose way the tea was packed, being into Japan, we should have to fix the value of merely in old gunny bags, and not in any way Japanese rice at ten times the value of foreign protected from the weather as is usually done rice. Evidently there is a shortage in Japan's with such a perishable class of goods, so he crop of the national food. Count Okuma's investigated matters, and ripped open one bag, statement that agricultural produce had shown and, plunging his hand in through the tea he an increase, in spite of the fact that half a grasped a big tia, which, when withdrawn, was million of men are at the front, requires some found to contain opium. Several other bags figures to prove it. If it be the case we can only were examined to the same way, until no less forn two conclusions, either that the agricultural than 64 laels of opium had been discovered, workers have done extra labour to make up Li Fung Chow, the owner, was placed before for the absent men, or that the absence of the Mr. J. Ul. Kemp, and given the maximum fine men has not bees noticed that is to say, they of Stoo, and the opium ordered to be coals- did not form part of the working population. cated. It was regretted that the Ordinance did The last alterative is absurd, and the former not provide for the confiscation of the ten as implies that under normal conditions the full well,
an