3.
75
undoubtedly interferes with traffic and the collection of
dues on passengers' personal packages is greatly reson-
ted. Were the incidence an uniform one, as compared with
that on goods carried by hoat, there would not be the
same ground of complaint. But raw sugar, for instance
has to pay at Canton Railway Station a charge of sixteen
cents per unit as compared with three cents per unit
payable when conveyed by boat. From time to time one
hears that the abolition of likin on the railway is con-
templated, and I understand that the new Managing Dirac-
tor, Mr Vên T8-ch'ang, is pressing therefor, hut past ex-
perience does not lead one to entertain much hope of its
being brought about in the near future.
With regard to the claim for compensation in respect
of the suspension of traffic from November 7 to December
14 last, put forward by the Hongkong Government, the
accompanying statement, addressed by the Acting Engineer-
in-Chief to the Directorate General of Railways in Peking
on March 26th last, will show that the local Adminis-
tration join issue with the British Section as to the
erount
I