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THE LONDON AND CHINA TELEGRAPH.
[Nov. 18, 1872]
here in a week, calling upon the Government to avenge the death of fifty-six Loochewans who were killed, without provocation, at Minca Island by people of Formosa. Four men-of-war are reported to be preparing to depart for Formosa as soon as the Loochewans arrive.
guided the proceedings and decision of H.M.'s Consular Court at Kobe, that your Excellency should take such measures as you may deem requisite to prevent any recurrence of such proceedings, and to remove the discredit which appears to us to attach to the British Consulate at Kobe in consequence of its action in this case. We have the honour to be, your obedient servants,
An Italian gentleman lately proceeded to Koshiu, accompanied by three Japanese. On their arrival, the authorities, having elicited from the servants that the foreigner had no permit, and that he had come for the purpose of secretly purchasing silkworms' eggs, sent him back to Yokohama under escort.
A meeting of the subscribers to Christ Church took place at the British Consulate. The object of the meeting was to decide on certain definite instructions to be sent to those gentlemen in England who are in correspondence with the Foreign-office, in respect of the chaplain's appointment at Yokohama. Mr. Consul Robertson occupied the chair, and opened the proceedings by reading the correspondence that had passed, and said there were two points on which the gentlemen at home wished to be assured before appointing a candidate for the post of chaplain. They were—First, the length of time that the appointment would be made for, and, second, the amount of salary the community would guarantee. A discussion took place on the matter, and the meeting adjourned, on the following motion by Mr. W. G. Howell, seconded by Mr. M. Smith:—"That, in view of the financial position of the church, which does not seem to warrant any such extraordinary expenditure as would be involved by sending for a chaplain from England, the committee appointed to nominate a successor for Mr. Bailey be requested to stay further proceedings at home for the present."
A dinner to the Consular Corps was given by Mr. Oye Tak, the Acting Governor. One of the head officials of the Foreign-office is shortly to start for Korea, with the object, it is stated, of ascertaining what the ideas of that Government are in relation to Japan.
The ex-Loando policemen who volunteered, in answer to an advertisement inserted in the papers at the time, to accept service as guards for the British Legation in Japan, in troublous times, when the safety of the Minister and minor officials was by no means assured, are to be dispensed with as no longer necessary. Notice has also been sent by the Government stating that guards for Legations furnished to the several Legations will in future not be supplied.
HUDSON, MALCOLM AND CO. versus RANGAN.—Mr. F. V. Dickins appeared for the plaintiffs, and said that the present was a motion to determine the priority between two bills of sale. It appears that about a year ago Mr. A. G. Thompson, a clerk in the employ of Messrs. Hudson, Malcolm and Co., and living at No. 75, gave a bill of sale over the movable property contained in those premises to W. Rangan, who had the bill of sale duly registered. Shortly after this had been effected, Thompson removed to the premises No. 219, taking with him the property already under bill of sale to Rangan, with his consent. Application was then made to Messrs. Hudson, Malcolm and Co. by Thompson for another loan on the same goods. No notice having reached Mr. Spence, who was acting for Messrs. Hudson, Malcolm and Co., that a prior bill of sale had been given, he granted the loan required, and took the bill of sale from Thompson. Mr. Rangan, landlord of No. 219, receiving no rent, put in an execution, took possession, and was about selling the property to satisfy his claim, when an injunction, which stopped the sale, was obtained from the Court. Rangan now affirms that the property mentioned in the second bill of sale is identical with that of his, and that therefore he has a prior claim. The question was therefore one of a purely legal character. Mr. Dickins then quoted the Bill of Sale Act of 1854 in support of his case, and argued that the property in the first bill of sale, described as "situated on Lot 76," was not described in such a manner as to separate it from any other property of the grantor.
His Lordship said that the fact of removing the chattels could not invalidate the first bill of sale, the property having already passed into the possession of Rangan. Had the grantee of the second bill of sale examined the register, he would have found that a previous bill of sale had been given for a similar amount to Mr. Rangan. He should therefore dismiss the motion.
THE CASE OF MR. COUSENS.
The committee appointed at the late meeting at the Club, respecting the imprisonment of Mr. Cousens, have drawn up the memorials subjoined:—
To his Excellency R. G. Watson, Esq., H.B.M.'s Chargé d'Affaires in Japan.
Sir,—We have the honour to hand your Excellency herewith a copy of the Hiogo News of Sept. 4, containing a report of the trial before H.M.'s Consul at Kobe of a Mr. Cousens, for an assault on a Japanese coolie, and also the report of a committee of three gentlemen appointed by a meeting held at the United Club here on the 7th inst., to investigate the matter.
MEMORIAL OF OTHER THAN BRITISH SUBJECTS.
We, the undersigned residents of Yokohama, of other than British nationality, desire to testify our cordial sympathy with our British fellow-residents in the views they have expressed about the imprisonment of a Mr. Cousens at Kobe for a trivial assault, and also express our opinion of the extreme propriety of the investigation of the affair which they request.
This report was adopted by a second meeting held at the United Club on the 14th Sept., and ordered to be presented to your Excellency, and H.M.'s Chief Judge of the Supreme Court.
We, the undersigned British residents of Yokohama, respectfully request that your Excellency should order a thorough investigation into all the circumstances of this case, and should you consider that the principles of law and justice have not been duly observed...
CHINA.
SHANGHAI
We have advices from this port to the 29th Sept.; the P. and O. mail, from London August 9, arrived out on the 15th Sept. The following items of news are from the North China Herald:—Excessive dullness has marked the present season in China: a market, in fact, can scarcely be said to exist for either imports or exports, each still simply seeking to fill up the requirements of the moment. There is no doubt that, both amongst Chinese and foreigners, there is a deep feeling of want of confidence. The former, influenced on the one hand by the large stock of imports which they fear may at any moment be placed suddenly on the market, and on the other by reports of disaster from the ordinary consuming districts, have ceased to be buyers, while the latter, influenced by continual unfavourable advices from Europe, where a crisis of some kind seems imminent, are in that uncertain state of mind that they know not, to-day, what circumstances may lead them to do next. Superadded to all this, a local tightness in the money market has more or less influence on the state of trade. This has had the effect of seriously raising the rate of exchange, and thereby interfering with the export trade. Altogether, matters at the present moment wear an aspect more unpromising than they have done for some three or four years, and unless some change takes place, we fear will result in serious loss.
A notification has been published by the Officiating British Consul, Mr. Alabaster, inviting the assistance of the community in forming a complete collection of the silk manufactures of this district for the London International Exhibition of 1873. The variety of Chinese silk-piece goods, such as crapes, gauzes, silks, satins, and pongees, must be immense, but of these only a few kinds at present find a market at home, owing to the shopkeepers being either in ignorance of their existence or not knowing how to set about getting them. We believe it is intended to attach to the specimens, which will be exhibited in case portfolios, besides particulars of the length of the pieces as manufactured, the average cost, and other information specified in the notification, the names of those from whom they were obtained.
Mr. Joseph Haas, Interpreter to the Austro-Hungarian Consulate, resumes the duties of Assessor at the Mixed Court for the U. S. Consulate-General; Dr. McCartee, who has held the position of Interpreter to the Consulate-General for some months, having left Shanghai for Japan. While we may regret that we lose by Dr. McCartee's departure an able sinologue and an experienced official, we feel that the energetic and painstaking manner in which Mr. Haas formerly discharged the duties, ensures that they will continue to be well fulfilled.
The efforts made to get up an International Eight-oar race, Scotch v. English, for next regatta of the S.R.C., have failed, the English members having been obliged to withdraw. Though of considerable numerical strength, the English membership can at present barely furnish forth an eight of sufficient calibre and experience in rowing for such a contest, and defections in the team chosen have necessitated an intimation to the Scottish eight that the event cannot come off. An eight-oar race will still form part of the present programme, however, the Scottish eight having given a challenge to all the members of the Club who are of other nationalities.
A cricket match, the Club Eleven v. Racket Court, has been played. On the first day's play, it looked a "moral" for the Club, which got 168 in the first innings, while the Court lost seven of its best wickets for 29. The wickets were pitched again the following day, when the Racket Court made its score for the first innings up to 44, and then went to bat again. This time it made 195 for six wickets, when the game had to be left off. Mi-ho-loongs v. the World is announced.
A match between the Mih-ho-loongs have had a company drill, when about thirty men turned out. We understand that a regulation has been passed to take off the rolls of the company the name of any member who misses two consecutive drills, unless sufficient cause for absence is shown. We believe the esprit of the company is strong enough to stand this discipline; and it is certainly hard on men who have devoted time to drill, to have the good effect lost on parade by the awkwardness of the undrilled.
Operations for the raising of the wreck of the Lismore are in active progress.
The Annie Porter, sunk in the former endeavour to raise the Lismore by buoying her to two vessels, will be blown up, and the attempt next made to raise the steamer by means of apparatus specially imported for the purpose. The Hopewell and Aracon were placed in the Old Dock on Monday last; the former to repair the damage sustained in the collision with the Annie Gray, and the latter for a general overhauling previous to loading teas for London. The Annie Gray is still at anchor in the river, in a disabled condition, being minus her foremast.
Mr. T. Fitzroy Rice will proceed to Japan by the next French mail steamer, having accepted an appointment with a view to organising a police force in that country.
A fire broke out at Messrs. Reynolds and Co.'s godown in Wyndham-street, among some loose straw. The alarm was promptly given, but the fire was extinguished by the assistance of about a dozen gentlemen on the spot, before the engines arrived. The damage done was not of any magnitude.
The twelfth performance by the Wind Instrument Company has been given, and was largely attended. The night was mild and pleasant, and the music a culmination of the general excellence which has characterised the performances during the season. Among the passengers by the last American mail, homeward, was the Austro-Hungarian Minister, Chevalier Calicé, who will be absent from China for twelve months.
Our Hankow correspondent writes:—We have been favoured, within the last few weeks, with a Post-office; a privilege which, I believe, will be highly appreciated by a good portion of the community. The duties of Postmaster are discharged at present by E. L. Oxenham, Esq., of H.M.'s Consulate. A Masonic Lodge has also just been opened here; and if report be true, it is likely to have a distinguished band of members enrolled in its records. Hankow, just now, presents an ample field for the exercise of any such moral influence as Freemasonry. Let us hope its claims as a moral force will be duly verified. A fire has occurred in which the ice-house, which belongs to foreigners, alone was burned. It is undoubtedly a case of incendiarism.
The following items are from the Shanghai Courier:—The prospectus of the new company of which we have heard for some time as being in course of organisation to compete with the Pacific Mail Company—The China Trans-Pacific Steamship Company (Limited) has appeared; Messrs. Russell and Co. are the agents, and 2,000 of the shares are reserved for allotment in China.
We are glad to observe that the Canton Daily Shipping News has at length blossomed into a full-blown newspaper.
H.I.H. the Grand Duke Alexis and suite, accompanied by H.E. Sir Arthur Kennedy and H.E. the Russian Admiral, visited the Sing Ping Theatre. The piece played immediately on the arrival of the distinguished visitors was that of "The Eight Genii," congratulating the Queen of Heaven on the anniversary of her birth. This piece was not very interesting, but occupied only a very short time, the object being to show respect to the distinguished spectator. Eight actors, representing the eight Genii, came out and worshipped in pairs in front of the stage. The next piece played was the State Installation of Soo Chun, an eminent politician who flourished in the Chow Dynasty, into the office of Premier or Chief Councillor for the Confederation of the Six States.
The prospectus of the China Trans-Pacific Steam Ship Company has been circulated by Messrs. Russell and Co., as agents, at Hong Kong, and inviting subscribers to the capital. The Directors announced are:—Edward Henry Green, Chairman; W. Wetmore Cryder, E. M. de Bossche, W. J. Alt, Edward Cunningham, Alexander Grant Dallas, Gilson Homan, with power to increase their number to fifteen.
We learn that on the 25th Sept. the engines of the frigate launched some months ago at Kaou-Chang-Menon Arsenal, were at work under steam for six hours. Everything has been found in the most satisfactory state, and the powerful machinery was started and went steadily on without the slightest hitch; the result being that she is authoritatively pronounced ready to proceed on her official trip.
The Italian Consul is about to take a census of all Italian subjects resident or travelling in China, and accordingly requests all such to bring or send to his Consulate, verbally or in writing, particulars regarding themselves under twelve different headings, such as—Name, surname and parentage, place of birth, age, education, religion, how long they have left Italy, &c. &c.
The first pontoon for the free ferry has been placed in position on the north side of the Soochow Creek, opposite the north end of Gnaomen-road. The abutment of the ferry on the southern side is also approaching completion.
HONG KONG. Dates extend to the 5th Oct. The P. and O. mail of the 23rd Aug. arrived out on the 1st Oct.
A ball was given at the City Hall by the Hong Kong Club, in honour of his Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Alexis, and went off with much success. His Imperial Highness, accompanied by his suite, and his Excellency the Governor, Lady Kennedy, and Miss Kennedy, arrived shortly after ten o'clock, and the Grand Duke led off the first quadrille with Lady Kennedy. Among the guests present were Admiral Possiet and the officers of the Svelland, and of the other Russian men-of-war in harbour, Sir Brooke Robertson, the Chief Justice, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General, and other members of the Local Government. Dancing was kept up with energy until a late hour, his Imperial Highness affording much gratification by his courteous and genial demeanour. The decorations were very tasteful, and the arrangements generally very good.
Arrangements have been made for the delivery of a series of excellent lectures at the St. Andrew's Hall, in the City Hall Building. Several very interesting subjects are on the programme, the first lecture being Dr. Legge's reminiscences of life in China, and there also being a lecture from Dr. Eitel on Feng Shui. The proceeds of the lectures, for the series of which a fee of $5 will be charged, will go to the City Hall Library. We are confident that this valuable addition to our intellectual amusements will be well supported, and are glad to hear that H.E. Sir Arthur Kennedy has promised to give every assistance, and will be present at the first lecture.
A correspondent at Macao calls attention to a new feature in the coolie trade, which is worthy of notice. It appears that arrangements are being made for the shipment, in an Italian steamer, of a large number of coolies to Costa Rica, a Republican state to the North of Panama, and stretching between the Atlantic and the Pacific. The object with which the men are being sent is understood to be to assist in building a railway. The difficulty, however, is that Costa Rica has no relations either with Portugal or China, and consequently the men will be without even the moderate amount of protection afforded to the emigrants to Peru. It is understood that such an arrangement would not be countenanced by the Portuguese Government, and that the Superintendent of Emigration at Macao has protested against the step, but it appears that the Governor has not yet felt called upon to intervene. The place to which the men are being sent is described as a most difficult country, and the coolies will have great hardship in reaching their destination, whether they land on the Atlantic or the Pacific side.
THE CHINA AND JAPAN MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY.
The directors, in submitting to the shareholders a statement of the company's accounts to the 30th June last, are pleased to be able to report most satisfactorily on the progress of their business, the net premia taken during the first six months of the present year amounting to Tls. 143,066.68, against Tls. 116,493.32 for the same period of 1871.
The losses paid, it will be observed, amount to Tls. 97,107.00, the great portion of the same belonging to last year, to provide for which a sum of Tls. 77,536.30 was brought forward from the 31st December, 1871. After payment of the said losses, of all current expenses, and of the half-yearly interest dividend to the 30th June, and after writing off the balance of Messrs. Trautmang and Co.'s remuneration, a sum of Tls. 86,821.17 remained at debit of working account, to be carried forward.
The net Premia earned from the 1st July to the 30th Sept. are estimated at Tls. 85,000, while the losses and claims reported to date, beyond those paid previous to the 1st July, and expenses on treasure salved, ex P.M. steamer America, amount to Tls. 42,000.
Mr. Framjee Hormusjee resigned his seat on the board on his departure from China, and the selection of his successor engages the attention of the directors.
SIAM.
BANGKOK.
The Siam Advertiser has the following:—
His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs gave an evening party at his residence, in honour of the King's birthday, to which most of the European residents were invited. The attendance was large, and dancing was kept up till early in the morning. The residence of the Minister, it is said, was brilliantly illuminated, and some of the Siamese nobles performed quite gracefully their parts in the dances in which they participated. For three successive nights the natives vied with each other in illuminating their residences, and on these occasions many of these places had a very fascinating and fairy-like appearance.
A dinner was given in the palace to some of the Princes, and a dinner was given to prominent Siamese officials, and to some of the Europeans in Siamese employ. This dinner was served in a new and beautiful hall in the palace. His Majesty honoured his guests with his presence, and dined in the same hall at a separate table. These demonstrations on the part of his Majesty indicate the good will of the young King to foreigners.
There is now a rumour afloat that two loads of lead pieces came to Siam not long since; one of these loads was given as a bribe to some prominent nobleman, which secured for them an entrance into the country. The rumour does not indicate whether these vessels were square-rigged vessels or native-rigged craft, nor do they indicate the person who was bribed. We have no means of knowing whether this rumour is true or false; it may be wholly false; it may be partly true. This is true, however, there is at present a panic about the lead pieces; those who have many on hand are ready to sell them at a depreciated value, and many of the petty traders refuse to take them as change.
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Nov. 18, 1872.]
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