139
That Garden Site. SALE DEFERRED FOR A WEEK.
BRITISH MERCANTILE COMMUNITY'S OPINION,
27th inst. We have received from the Hoo, Mr. Murray Stewart the following, correspondence for the Information of those of our readers who are taking an interest in the question of the dis posal of the site on the seafront to the son of the new Law Courts:
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Hongkong, 18th April, 1910, Sit-With reference to the request made by you in Legislative Council on the 14th instant. to the effect that the sale of the plot of land situated on the seafront to the north of the new Law Courts should be postponed until "you had an opportunity of consulting the signa tories of the letter of the arth Inatont, I am directed to inform you that the sale will be de: ferred for one week from the 14th instant and will then be proceeded with,-1 am, etc.,
F. H MAY, 'Colonial Secretary.
The Hon. Mr. M. Stewart.
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH FRIDAY APRIL 20-1910
Hongkong, 25th April, 1910. those expressed in the influentially signed
The City Hall Marine Lot was dedicated to Holter which I was privileged to forward to you on the 1st Instant His Excellency says he the public-the Trustees claimed the reclama feels sure that the signatories of that latter tion but the Court held that it was Crown Land would be the first to admit that it would be nevertheless, the public bavo always con- unconstitutional if the decision of tha. Legis.sidered that the reclamation opposite the City lative Council of this Colony were to be set Hall should be devaled to public buildings.
"If the site is not required for Government aride in favour of the view of bine y residents, of whom 38 are Justices of the Peace, out of a offices it should be reserved for a Muleum and
Library. total of about 200 Justices.
I desire respectfully to point out that of the total sumber of justices whose names appear in the list given in the local directory--18 io all-56 are official Justices, whose opinions 1 did not consider it proper to canvass. Of the the remaining 126 unofficial Justices, 33 are not at present, in the Colony, 15 RTO Chuck gentlemen with whom I had no opportunity of communicating, and seven are Indian gentle men; to whom the same reimark applies.
The prosent City Hall, site is only large enough for a Theatre, Concert and Assembly
rooms.
"It is a disgrace to the Colony that the only Museum and public. Library que in small dark rooms which are only suitable for card rooms, bar and supper rooms.
"It is impossible to read in the Library be fore, during, or alter a dance or conten.
"A city without a Museum, Library or Fine Art Gallery can hardly claim to be civilized.
"Every city of any importance in the United Kingdom bas all three-most of them have a number of Free Libraries supported out of the
rates.
Bristol (which is about the same sita az Hongkong) has a fios Museum, a Fine Art Gallery, and a number of Free Libraries.
"When the Colony can afford it, a building of suitable design, should be crected on the site north of the Law Courts.
You gave me thine days in which to ascet tain the views of the signatories of the original letter. I was mainly concerned with these, because I imagined the Government would recognise, and reckon with, the opinicas of The leading mea of the British mercantile community, and would not lay stress on the It is true mere number of signatures. that with the object of affording opportunity for signature by members of the general public interested, other than those with whom
"The flora of Bouth China is well represent i am in personal touch, I distributed a certain, amber of copies of that letter, but this wased in the Habarium in the Gardens, bo collec with no idea of working up so nutcry on the ins of the fauna or minerals exists worthy of
the name, part of the British and the Chinese community " You Dow inform me that in the absence of "AD overwhelining and practically unanimous nul- munity, His Excellency cannot see his way u override the decision arrived at in the Legis Five Council. As regards the Chinese con Bunity I do not see how they can be expected to cure sufficiently for "any of these blogs" to make an outcry. Their member prescut.it Council during the debate voted with me in favour of reserving the ground for public pur pases, I have not heard that the Chinese re sent his vote. Is not the absence of pu'cry 10
Hoogkang, 20th-April, 1910, To the Hon. Colonial Secretary,
Str, have to thank you for your letter of the 8th instant, courteously informing me that the sale of the plot of land situated on the secry on the part of the British and Chinese com front to the north of the new Law Courts would be deferred for one week, from the 14th inst. in order that I might baye the opportunity of consulting the signatories of the letter of the 11th, referred to in the Legislative Council last Thursday. His Excellency stated his convice Lion that many of the signatories of that leller would not have signed it if they and her aware of the Garcial rentons put forward by him in justification of the proposed sale. 1 now enclose a letter which shows that notwith-count both ways? standing the prospect of gain to the finances of the Colony held out by the effer made by the Standard Oil Company, a large majority of the leading members of the British mercantile community are still opposed to the idea of selling to any private purchaser this particular His Excellency piece of public properly. warned the community, through the Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council, that "un less we can secure certain capital, sums by the sale of land of this son" he did not sea where we were to get money for various projected public works
I may perhaps be permitted to point out that the objection is not to the Government selling land of this sor," but to their selling this particular piece.
I think you will find that the letter of the ith bore 45 signatures (of which 42 were P.) aud that out of that number 37 have aigned the coclosed letter. Of those who make up this difference of 8, five have changed their opinion; two I have lieen unable in ree, and one has left for England. It would thus appear that the particular section of the community which I have the honour to present in Council is against the proposal by at least 3 to 1 and that the opinion of the British mercantile com. munity was not accurately indicated by the 3 10 1 vote in favour of the Government given by the British unofficial members of the Legisla tive Council at the last meeting. This time n wider appeal was made and the present letter heart go signatures, 38 being those of Justices of the Peace.-1 am, etc.,
M. STEWART.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Hongkong, and April, 1910. Sr-1 bave the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of April 1st which I have Laid before the Governor. His Excellency has given his most careful consideration to the opinion entertained by yourself and the other signatories of the enclosures to your letter. Although his sole desire has been to give effect to the wishes of the community regard ing the disposal of this she-a desite which is evident from the ample opportunity which has been afforded for the expressing of public opiolas-His Excellency considers that look Ing to the fact that the Resolution brought for ward by yourself in Tezislative Council was defested by a considerable majority, it is in. possible for him to override that decision of 'the responsible representatives, unless an overwelming and practically unanimous out- cry against its verdict both on the part of the British and the Chinese community had arisen. His Excellency does oat minimise the weight which must be attached jo very many of the signatories, but he feels sure that thes gentlemen themselves would be the first te admit that it would be upconstitutional and would introduce an embarrassing precedent if the decision of the Legislative Council of this Colony were to be set aside in favour of the views, of residents, of whom 38 are Justices of the Pence out of a total of about 200 Justices.
I am at the same time to assure you that the greatest care will be taken in framing the con. ditions of sale with a view to preserving to the fullest extent the dignity, beauty and symmetry of the portion of the City affected.-I bave etc.
F. H. MAY, Colonial Secretary.
P. S-Since the above was drafted His Ex- collency has seen the letter which appented over your signature in the public press, and desires me to add a few words.
It would appear that the signinties to the document enclosed in your letter are them ssives divided by. mutually antagonistic opinions. On the one hand a section the the view (which I understand you to hold your. self) that to leave the area in question as a. grass plot garden or band stand in perpetuity would spoil the symmetry of the square, and that it is advisable to allow it remain unbuilt upon only till such time as the Colony Cap afford to erect a low building which will not shat out the Law Courts from the seafron; and which being built of gravite on a design similiar to that of the Courts would lead the eye up to the larger building. Such a structure, while costly, would afford but little room for Govern- ment offices, etc. The other section of signa- tories would appear to be entirely averse to the plot being built upon at all, being apparently under the impression that it would inte fer with the open space, and block out the view both of the Law Courts and the Club House. The alde view of the former as seen from the : Harbour is not strikingly imposing since the black tiled roof dass not present a handsome appearance view from the North.
I may add that the ares at present enclosed by bamboo railings does not. represent the entire plot which will be left untold, for to it must be added the breadth of a small road to the East.
F. H..MAY.
n
"It is aburd to have a University City like Hongkong without any provision for the study of the Natural History or, Mineralogy of South Chine.
"
"
"I say nothing of Chinese History, An or Literature; probably the Chinese will provide for these la Ceptoo.
"Libraries and Museums are of little use up. less centrally situated.
"A well equipped Newsroom and Reading Room In a central situation in as conducive to temperance and sobriety as a Public House Trust,
"The general public have nowhere is go of on evening, a wet afternoon, or a Sunday, for a qulet read.
There is a great area of Crown Land at Kowloon Point admirably adapted for offices, &c.the Standard fiil Co, could erect a mag nificent pile there if they wish to spend money on buildings..
It is a choice between the Club site and the Cricket Ground for public buildings of the future is it right for the pressut Gaverament to saddle posterity with the sacrifice of the cricket ground for the sake of half a million 7"
The first two points I had already advanced in the debate in Council; the others are new. It may be thought that it is inconsistent on my past to endeavour to hold the Government to a promise made not to build upon the site, and yet to urge its suitability for a public build.
obvious difference be
As regards the British section of the com munity, as qinery in favour of a view of the question arising out of feelings of local patriotism is hardly to be expected, seeing how few are permanent residents, but, though it may not be widely held, il cas bs, and is, strongly held, and by a majority of those whose views hava most claim to consideration, 11 ad "overwhelming outery" would alone justify the Government in reconsidering the matter, 1 find it difficult to understand why a second ex pression of opinion was called for from the signatories of the original lelor. It is quite certain that they are not the sort of men who have either time or taste for making an “out cry." But their views form our only genuine public opinion. I have already, in my last lettei on this subject, draw your attention to the fact that the vale in Council did got truly reing. But there is present this. The Hon, Member for the Chain-tween the public so utilising it and its being sold. The public can do what it likes with its ber of Comme ce did not refer the question to
own. My contention is that the land rightfully his couìmilles, and everyone of the Butish mem- bers of that committee now in the Colony are belongs to the public, as distinguished from the Government; and that Gavernmeal, as distin- against the Government's proposal. The voic cast by him on that occasion was, therefore, inguished from the public, has no right to no tensa representative. It represented bis per al conte it. sonal opinion only. As far as 1 kuow Mr, Os barne had taken so paina to find out what the leading men of the community thought, and his vote also was in no sense representative. had endeavoured to ascertain the opinions of the leading men of the Tritish mercantile comat dignity involved.
The proposal lowers the pride of British munity, I had found them to be adverse to
residents and threaters to destroy one of the the proposal of the Government. That was before the debate: After it I found a large City's most worthy aspirations. If carried iste majority still adverse. If their opinion is so effect It will strike a-blow at the corporate is to be regarded as "public opioion" to Hang-of the community. This, at least, is my con kong, I don't know where to look for it. The viction.-Yours faithfully,
M. STEWART. present Under Secretary of State for the Co- logies bas said that it is impossible to get a reasoard opinion from the inhabitants of Horg knog," but, so far, I have not understood that this view is shared, by the Colonial Govern.
ment. I claim that the letter which i sent, in
to you on the 1st represents "the reasoned opinion" of Hongkong, signed as it is by the representatives of all the leading British mer cantile firms, the manngers of the British bank, and leading members of the legal and medical professions.
A asaouncement of the final decision of the Government to disregard it would, I venture to say, cause deep disastisfaction.Yours faith fully,
M: STEWART,
MR. STEWART'S FURTHER ARGUMENTS, We have received the following letter from Hon. Mr. Murray Stewart for publication:-
Hongkong, 27th. April; 1910, Sir, la the hurried reply made yesterday to ynur leiter received the day before, I made no reference to the postscript added by direction of His Excellency. I trust that this may not have seemed discourteous, I have the same bope in pointing out that the signatories of the, letter of the 115 are united in the only opinion expressed in it, namely, that the site in question should be devoted to public purposes.
In conclusion, in reply to the assurance that
care wou'd be taken to preserve the dignity beauty, and symmetry of Kayal Square," I can only say that, in my opinion, no branty or symmetry could ever compensate for the loss
To the Honourable
The Colonial Secretary,
A HONORUNG LEADER, LONDON PAPER'S APPRECIATION OF SIR
WORMUSJBE MODY.
ROPAL LONGKONG GOLF CLUB.
The quaterly meeting of the above Club was held at the, Happr Vailey from the 16th to 18th instant with the following results:
MACEWEN CUP,
G. M. Dalgety *à v 1. Clark
1. Evans.......................... 96.
Orom Heudica Net,
16 74 83 2
Br 15
Major Micdonald... 93
10
A. Mackenzie.........................
14
85
Capt. Twist
D:
12
B2
87
E., Gritt
Licut. R. Lubbock... "ga G. C. Moxonium. 105 17 Estrias. *Winner of MacEwen Cup.
BOOKY PRIZE,
Strokes Road.
t
J. Clark t E. J. Grist
1 down
skupin
15
A. B. Pollock
14
6
7
A. Mackenzie .....................à 11
28 Entries,
Wister of Bogey Prize,
POOL
A. P. Dashwood§...
1. Clark near 2 - F. Grons in a 14 A. W, Walkinshaw... acc. E. J. Grist
allsywatc I down
[
"3 4
Major Close up 4
A. Mackenzie samom 17.
34 Estries. 5.Winner of Pool."
CANTON HANKOW RAILWAY.
***GOVERNMENT INSPECTION.
A correspondent writes to the N. C, D); News under date 9th April:
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NAVY ESTIMATES FOR
- HONGKONG..
We give blow the votes for Hongkong to far as they appear on the face of the Navy Estimates for the year 1910-1917. The figures in parentheses are the votes of last year.
HAFTOR RUBBER ESTATES, LTD.
FIRST GENERAL MLETING OF SHAREHOLDERS,
The first ordinary general, or statutory, meeting of Haytor Rubber Estates, Ltd, WAR bald at the registered offices of the company, Singapore, on 22nd last
Mr. Jaga presided, and there was present Messrs Winkelmand, Learmont, Wallace Cook, Frank Adam, D. T. Boyd, F. Y. Blair, H. G. Volger, Father Couvreur, and Mr. P Gold (for Messrs. Evelt and Opi, secretaries).
The Chairman said :— Gentlemen,This is the statutory meeting of the Company and is called in order to comply with section 77 of the Compasión Ordinanco which enacts that a general meeting must be held within six months of the formation of any Company.
NAVAL YARD:HONGKONG. Naval Officer to charge of establishments, £921; retinue of Naval Officer in charge of establisbarents, five, £339: Commander, R.N., for service in yard, £597; Cael Engineer, L952; Fjest Audistant to Chief Enginear, £620; ono engineer lieutenant, £3751 foreman of boiler-makers, 6459; foreman of Engineer branch, $449; thros inspectors of engine fit tors, £978; two inspectors of boiler-makers, £645; Chief-Constructor, £1,559;" two Assist; Bat-Constructors, 893) Electrical Engideer, L650; foreman of yard, £459; four inspectors
For the benefit of those who joined the Com- of
shipwrights, £1,163; inspector of ship-fit pany since it was started I may say that our ters, £316; inspector of smiths, £531 ; lospecs | capital is $200,000, in 40,000 shares of 55 anch, tor of joiners, 4298; lospector of electrical | 12,857 of these shares have been given to the fitters, 311; lieutenant, or chief boatswain, vanders as fully paid, and they also received 4313 lieutenant, or chief gunner, £265; Chap 564,180 in cash. The vendors have an opilon IBD, 461b; Surgeon or Junior Staff-Surgeon, on 5,000 shares at par. 20,000 shares have been 4410 Store Officer, 4817; Secretary and issued to the public on which $4 a share has Cashier, L644) Dopuly Expanse Accounts been paid, and 2,143 shares remalo unissued. Officer, 750; three Assistant Naval Store Officer, fru&i; two inspectora of storehouse mon, 3 four senior writers, £1,199 j'ope pensioner writer, £291; eleyed first-class hired writers, 43,975 two native senior writers, £450; twenty-six writers (gativo), 3:459; three timekeepers, £175; aliowance to lac Paymaster (oo) and Navigating Officer (£20) of H.M.S. Tamar, for performing the local nudit and stock-taking; £80; provision for foli pay leave to Naval Officers, £57. Total, 89, £16,028.
VICTUALLING YARD.
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|
. From one or two quarters we had offers to purchase the estate but the public valuation of Jur shares is much more than any syndicate could afford to pay in order to buy and sell again, and make a profit,
After. taking over the estate, one of the things which we did was to take 'away the Passion flower on the 7 more block. Fam glad to say that the manager repored early this month that he noticed a lot of difference in the growth of the trees since the Passion flower was removed, and the trees have a much healthier appearance. On the other hand, of | coitse, we have to weed these fields where the Passion flower has been removed, and the wat weather we have been having of late has been very wall suited to the growth of wands.
Disaase-Tha manager reports that very
Deputy Victualling Store Officer, "£384; Co. lonial allowance, L117; house allowance, £133;. Asistant Victualling Store Officer £196; cold Dial allowance, £79; house allowance, £117, The investigation is now in progress by the Ode senior writer, 154; house and colonial
Allowance to officers of H.M. ships for, stock-energetic stops are being taken to treat any Yuch'uappu of the work completed, under allowance, 158. Three hired writers, £250 few trees have baca altacked by fomes and construction and contemplated, an ibe" Can- tonese section of the Yust-rian Railway. A taking dutler, Cao, Leading man of stores, whics ara suspacted of having contracted
£135; colonial altowance, Ly; house allowance, direate, commission from Peking arrived here on Tues- day by lunch, which included Lork Lund (1) 479 Total, £1,911 (194) Wages of artis- and the Vice-President of the Yach'uanpu. Ac-cers and other expenses of artificers and labour
aftificers and labourers, 67, £919. Total, companying them was Mr. Choi, a Chinese: On the establishment, three £725; hired engineer trained in Singapore, who has been working on the line as engineer until recently; une of the Directors was also with the party. The visitors stayed one day, then returned to
Canton to report,
Beveral experienced engineers who have been over the line have informed us that it is being well made, in fact too well made for a new line. Sometimes temporary expedients have been suggested by which the line, could be made more quickly and cheaply, improvement to be revenue; but these methods have been tabooed effected later when the traitic is producie
sharper curve-known technical'y as, a five- by the Chief. For instance a oce place, a degree curve-would have saved some thou. sand yards of rock excavaties, but the regula tion four-degrea curve was insisted upon.
CHECKS TO PROGRESS.
proportion of the wages of the storehouseman £1,654. From this has to be deducted £60, and labourers amplayed on Indian and Impe- fial Troop Service,.&c, charged direct to the Indian Government and War Department, leaving £1,504 (£1,569).
MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT. Deputy lespactor-General of Hospitals, 6767; charge pay, 37; bospital allowance, 179. Two surgeons, 675, Hospital allow porarily increased to meet additional expose anco, 4283 (these allowances have been tem- of livio). Three sisters, £434) (Ono receives ea allowance of £10 for acting as headsister.) One dispenser, 1331 for charge of stores to one, 10; colonial allowance, £79. Two wri tors, 320, Provision for full pay leave to Naval Yard officers, &c, £111, Total, aide, £3,139,3,185). Wages of hospital servante, 59, 270, wages of sick-berth stewards and others, 14, 4850; allowance in lieu of provisions, £36. Total, 73, £1,921 (21,971). Wages of Pulica Force, seven, 203. Water, £80. Gas so; olectric light, L600; total, 4650 (550). Con-
ingencies, £to (Lio),
Your correspondent has been over a large part of the line within the last fortnight and indications are not lacking that the affairs of the Cautonese company are passing through a crisis. A month ago one of the foreign engine. ers was summarily dismissed, and a few days before the commissioner from Peking came up
NAVAL ORDNANCE ESTABLISHMENT. the North River, instructions were sent to cancel
Naval Ordnance Officer, 6to; colonial al- all contracts for material, including stone, sand, wood, etc, save where the work in hand was lowance, 158; house aliowance, 158; As. nearing completion. Thus things are practi-sistant Ordnance Store officer, £116; colonini cally at a standstill. Most of the oative con- aliowance, £79; bouse allowance, £117. A. tractors have been badly hit by this order, assistant foreman of laboratory, 1301 colonial in some cases they had bought quarrying rights allowance, £79; bause allawauce, £79; as and engaged buge gangs pi minu; but if, as wesistant foreman of storebouse, 111; colonial bope, this stoppage is only temporary, things will, no doubt, right themselves in time.
In many places work is impossible owing to the failure of the Company to purchase the land over which the lion passes. Tuo land negotia- tions are entirely in the hands of Chiness offi. cials and whether the delay is being occasioned by the exorbitant demands of the owners or by lack of money in the Company's coffers lo clear. Qoe longs for the English system by which, after Parliamentary sanction has been secured, prices in contented cases are fixed by a neutral valuation, ten per cent being added for compulsory paschase. But this method seems Utopian bote. Last week a riot occurred near Waibar, twenty miles south of us, because four hundred graves were being removed before compensation had been paid.
The honour of knighthood deservedly con. ferred upon Sir formusjes N. Mody has been receiving extensive nouice both in the Far Easters had the British press at home. The Pall Mall Gazelle-one of the leading Loaden- dailies-in chronicling the hepour bestowed upon Sir Harou jee, observes:-
The kaighting of Mr. Hormpjee Nowrolee Mady, of Hongkong, the leader of the wealthy. and Benevolent Parsee community there, re. calls that the Zoroastrian, though the smallest to numbers in the East, are pre-eminent in
At Mongfakong, the land on which the All the Paraces in the tilles and honour. world-and there are many even lo London-engineers' bungalow stands has not yet been would not suffice to popolate a fair-sized bought, and the owners have more than once English provincial town like Huil. Yet by threatened to burn down all the quarters in
which the staff at present resides, their generosity and public split the Parsee have won sigul recognition from the late Quean and from King Edward.
Three baronets-Sir Jamscijee Jecjeebbay, "ir Dinshaw Petit, and Sir Cowasjen Jehan. ghir-have each many monuments in the way of educational and philanthropic institutions in Bombay. Several knights, Including Sir It was originally set apart as an open space
Pharr zahat Mehta, K.O.1. E, and Sir Derables with the express idea of allowing the armserjee Tata, bear imperishable names in Cours to be seen from the seatrout. The Urbs Prima in ladis; and not the least abre words used by the Honourable the Director of member of the race is Sir Mancherjos Bhowasg Public Works on the occasion of the laying of gree, the Pamee representative in London. the foundation stone, when be acted the part of Government spokesman, make this clear.
SEMAMBU RUBBER ESTATES,
LTD... Stadding where the new Courts now stand and referring precisely to the site which it is dow proposed to sell he said: "The area to the north of this will therefore remain unbuilt upon,
an almost semivalled a te for the Courts, having regard to the oren spaces which will ad foin them on three siden, will then be created" In the recent debate in Council I said I was under the impression that there had once been no authoritative statement to that effect, and my memory barked back to the ceremony at which that speech was made. Unfortunately I-
STATUTORY MEETING. Mr. H. 1. Craig presided at the statutory meeting of the above-named company on 8th, Jest which was held at Shanghai. There were piacot Dr. Marshall and Mr. G. S. Lindsey (Directors) and and Messrs. Ho Huap, Sheng Tai Hsun, P. Williams, Lennox, A. T. Watson, F.McKichail(shareholders), G: Beck, secretary, The Chairman called on the secretary to read
Lower down the river, near Yinglak, the contractors have frequently been hindered from beginning new work owing to the ink timidation of the villager; and the engineers compiaia bitterly that for miles their stakes and bobs have been dug out or smashed, thus causing them endless trouble. "
tha
One wonders how far the Government is prepared to assist in such matters. Some have a growing suspicion that the authorities are
at exerting themselves to the utmost, hope that they may ultimately stop in and take over the work on the grounds that the Company is unable to carry it through. Cer tainly it should not be necessary, as it some times has been, for foreign engineers to threales that they will shoot down the obstructionists, before work could be proceeded with.
Most of the engineers complain that, too matter of clerical work, and that the Chinese in much is expected from them especially in the charge have no idea of all that is required to build a railway,
་་
BRIDGES AND EXCAVATIONS. On the eighth section, including the Blind
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allowance, 19; house allowance, £79; (wo first-grade writers (hired), Laas; colonial al- lowance, 158; house allowance, £158; four wruen, £43; Epincer-leutenant, 4474; (in cludes allowance amouating to £168). Total, 43,924 (£1,985). Two aruficers and labourers on the establishment, L442; 49 hired artificers and labourers, £1,150, Torpedo store depo: Four hired artificers and labourers, 670;*14 artificers of the set, including allowance for provisions, £2,400. Total, £5,970 (65.375).
WORKS, BUILDINGS, AND REPAIRS.
Quarters for dockyard foremen and leading mau: Total estimate, £4,900, of which £3,000 has been already voted, Probable expenditure to March 31, 1910, £1,000. To be voted or part revoted, 1900. Dockyard machinery, total
E estimate, floo. Dockyard oil store, revoted tion total estimate, £5,000; probable expendi- £1,000. Coaling depo.: Kowloon Reclama- tare 10 March 31, 1910, £1,479; to be voted in 1910-11,600 Machinery,, total estimate, coo, Kowloon coal sheds, total estimate, £16,000, of which 21,000 is to be voted in in 1910-11 Victualling yard transfer from Hongkong to Kowloon) Tatal estimate 5000; probable expanditure to March 31, £6,000. Tatal to be voted or part tevoted in 90,000; amouar vote or part revated, 1910-13, £15,000,--An explanatory memoran. dam issued with the estimates states that the
finished. The workshed on west side of dock dockyard extension works are now practically and the new storehouse are completed, The reclamation at Kowloon is well advanced, Contracts have been let for the quarters for dockyard foreman, and leading men, the oil store; and part of the work connected with the transfer of the Victualling Yard from Hong kong to Kowloon,
Clearing of timber has been proceeding, and about 30 acres have been cleared and heapod. we bannot get local contractors to do this work up ready for burding. It is unfortunate that.
has been in favour of white ants, which were at reasonable rates. The wet weather also
more than usually troublesome during the first part of the year, but I am glad to say that no harm has been done to any of the trees. Work has begun on the now clearing of 200 acres and the drains are expected to be finished in two mouths. Preparations are being made to
The Chairman, în reply to questions, stated-- begin tapping in July.
the total area is 500 odd acros. It was hoped that the whole would be planted at the end of that there are now 305 acres planted, and that
this year..
G
Thare belag no further business, the meating closed with a vole of thanks to the chairman.
WILD BLEPHANTS IN KINTAI PROSPECTOR'S CAMP ATTACKED AND BORING
"
PLANT WRECKED," "
The Times of Malxyz, of April 14, sayı:mm: The strange freaks of the wild elaphant when he shows a desire to investigate the doings of the white man in his nativa junglai bave from time to time been chronicled, "and the tale of. the train which was charged by wild elephants near Chikus, sa the.. Tolak Anson line, and.. capuzed, has bean immortalised by picture post cards depicting the engine lying on its side by the permanent way. But a story which reachas as to-day of an attack by wild elephants oo a mining prospector's camp surpasses oved the attack on the train, for ia this case the' elephants seem to have taken a fiendish delight in wrecking the camp and smashing up the homan intruder's machinery.
The incident occurred during Monday night and the camp in question was that of Mr. Boadle, late of the Sungai Besi Aline, but whe is now prospecting certain tin-being laud beypad Tambun on behalf of Mr. G. James, of Penang, who represents an Australian
Syndicate who have, au option on the land in question,
AMIDST DENSE JUNGLE.
Mr. Boadia bas, been busy prospecting the land for the past three weeks, moving on from one spot to another, and his latest camp-the one on which the wild elephants wreaked their vengeance-is situated in the densa virgin jungle near Gunong Liang three miles or sa from Tambur.
It was not Mr. Boadly's practice to sleep In the camp and the coolies, foaring attacks from wild animals, or the usual hanius with which they people the jungle, also refused to do so... and indeed it is tucky for them that they were not at the camp when the elephnots paid their
visit, Mr. Boadle did not insist on a watch mao sleeping in the camp, as la that wild spot there was no 'ons to steal his boring tools
the jangle, and particularly the lordly elephant, and he did not anticipate that the denizens of would rasent his intrasion into their nativa fastuosses.
Mr. Boadle's surprise was therefore genat when he arrived at his camp on Tuesday morning, after a tramp through the jungle, And found that it looked as if a Zulu impt... to quote Rider Haggard-had stamped it flat. Thi derrick had been pulled down and que OFFICERS, SUPERINTENDING WORKs, ác.
of its legs, driven some six foot into the Superintending Civil Engineer, £700; colo ground, while the boring rods, which pur nisl allowance, £58 house allowance, 458; mining readers will know measure so feet two Assistant Civil Engineers, 2590; colonial and are of 1 lach shicensas, were bent and allowance, £158; house allowance, £134. As- twisted into all shapes, some of them being sistant-Lurveyor, £157; colonial allowance, £791 twisted up foto giant corkscrews while others" hours allowance, £is7. Five, draughtimen, were made into circles. The band winch bad £128; colonial allowance, .38; bosse allow completely disappeared, and it was only after
had pot bad time to search for a report of the the zotice convooing the meeting, and this bay. Boy's Pass, the work of excavation is well sace, £134. Six accountant clerks, £530; a long, search, and by following the alapbants proceo fings. Now that I have refreshed my ing been donathe Chairman said:-Gentlemen. I advanced, but owing to the remaval of the aforeman of works, £tta; colonial allowance, tracks. through the jungle, that Mr. Boadle.
memory I cannot understand His Excellency saying that the proposed sale would not inter fere with the hope expressed by Sir Henry Blake. The hope expressed by Sir Heory take on that occasion was precisely that this particular site would not be built upon.
Rideer, bolbing is being done meanwhile.
At the Yingtak bridge, 700 feet wide, tons to sinking foundations. All the foundations of scaffolding have been erected preparatory are being suck simultaneously, with the result that when the Spring freshets come, A great deal of timber will be subject ed to a cavere strain. The engineers are not unprepared for such a contingency and have bosts in readiness to salve any wood that may he washed away, but some of us are opprehensive, as this river sometimes rises ten to fifteen fact ias few days. The rales are anw on, but so far we have only had a ries of four fest bere,
On the eleventh section, North of Shahow,' the rock excavations are proceeding rapidly and we could noto 4. great difference in the It is now generally accepted that the work bank since we passed ibis way mouths before. will proceed no further than Shinchon in the meantims. This will give's line of 143 miles from Canton, leaving the remaining fifty to sixty miles between here and Huoan for future consideration, Das engineer only is doing
£19, house allowance, £100. Total, fifteen, found it over half a mile away, the elephants £4,182 (17. £1,000)."
against a tree, bavio carried it to this spot and hurled it
of the screw tug Allas for Hongkong, laid Under new construction particulara are given down at Chatham. It has a length of 145. ft
breadth of 17 ft. 4 in, a mean load draught of at ft.,,and displacement at load draught of 610 tons Withû heres-power of 1,400 the Allas was to make 135 knots. The total estimated east (as revised), including guns, is £37,755, of which $15,645, was expanded to March 31, 1939, and 210453 in the carrout year.
"TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP.
This meeting is of a purely formal nature for the purpose of complying with the Hongkong Ordinances, which stipulate that a general meeting must be called within four months of the formation of a company. This company was registered on January is fast, and the He could not have referred to any other land, estate was duly transferred to the company on because the arrangement to reserve an area March .. Perhaps advantage might be taken corresponding to the Hongkong Bank's garden of this opportunity to give you a little more in bad already been made, and there was no quer formation regarding the company's property. tion then of building either to the west of the Bince the formation of the comping your Law Courts, or on the cricket grennd. Such directors have purchased a black of land ad- question only arise now, put of the present grojacent, for the very low sum el Sto per acre, 16 possi, which, endangers all the open spacos your estate is now, roughly, 3,080 acres. From which adjoin the Law Courts on three sides," the maceger's report on the land we find that To advance as the ruling consideration the 35,cos trees are already planted, and he ex- apoual money value of this particular open pects to plant 500 acres more this year. Tap space starte a train of ideas which, if the proposal ping will begin when the buildings are com-
Mr. C. A. Carr, champion, for 1909, met Mr is persisted in, may result in wrecking the p'eted. The surplus funds have been deposit
H. Hancock, yesterday afternoon at the Hong City's dream of a fine public square. If the ed on fixed deposit at five and a half, per cent Government's frugal-minded load ware to be for tix months, so that it is now earning samt followed by those who have less call to display thing. The buildings, bungalows, etc, of the
kong Cricket Ground, to decide the tornis
The Hon, Mr. Murray Stewart...
public spirit, we should be left with the cricket company were all in good order and the Man-
championship for 1910. The champion played ground only to build upon, when the com- ager, Mr. Moller, was taking every care of the
rattling good game and won ensily by 6-1,
Hongkong, April 25tb, 1970,
munity realises its need for public building, property to his charge. Tapping would begin
6-0, 6-2. Hascock did not play up to his
The previous winners were inte To the Honourable the Colonial Secretary, la which to house fiuingly its Library, Museums, as 1000 as the ground was cleaned up which location work north of, as at the time of- mark,zin
1898 Lt. H.S. Moberley 1974 Hi Habcock Sir bave the honour to acknowledge &c. There are others besides myself who view would be very soon. This was about all he writing.
195g H. Pinckney: the realisation of this need as a remote possibad to any, but he would be pleased to answer receipt to-day of your letter deted the 22nd in-
1905 T. B. Norria stant, informing me that, although the solo bility, as may be seen from the following any questions to put him. There being boques A Chinaman was awarded one month's hard 1899 H. Plackney
19.7 H. Hancock desire of Hit Excellency has been to give affect extracts from an entirely unsolicited latter, logs, the chairman said this concluded the labour and siz hours stocks in the Police 1900 H. Plockeey Court last Saturday for stealing a quantity of 1901 H. Pinckney
1908 C. A. CarT To the wishes of the community, regarding the received yesterday from an old resident, with business of the meeting. disposal of the alts to the north of the Law whom I have hitherto had no converse on the A vojs of thanks to the chairman for preside] brass fittings from No. 3. Canton Villas, | 1902 A. Humphrey
1909 G. A. Gart Kowloos,
1999 H, Heacock for terminated the meeting. Geura, ha is nevertheless puable to acceda so { subject1>
EASY WIN FOR CARR,
Á DROVE OF ELEPHANTS: The tracks around the camp, and through. the jungle showed that the camp must have: been visited by a drove of five or six elephants some of them bugh beasts; for the marke, of their feet in the soft ground measured from sixteen to dighteen inches in diameter. The ofophants had evidently first come to the spot to feed, for big branchas had been torn from forest giants, while smaller trees, and, after - the juicy shoots had been eaten, trampled onderfoot.
Mr. Boadlo told a.
representative of the Times of Malaya, this morning, that the visit of the elephants had greatly alarmed his coolies, and that they worked now, with one ayo on the surrounding jungle and were ready to bolt at the slightest sound, the fall of a decayed tree in the jungle making them start with four,
His Majesty the King Har not been advised- to exercías bis power of disallowance with rás.) spect to Ordinance No. 46 of 1909, entitled an Ordinance to amend the Liquor Licences Ordinance, 1898, and the Liquor Licanoes, Extension Ordinance, 1908, and to repeal the Liquor Licences Amendment Ordiainos, agos