C 14
77. In April the partners of the Tai Yau Bank—Messrs. Ho Tung, Lau Chu-pak, Chan Kai-ming, Ho Fook, Ho Kom-tong and Lo Cheung-shiu—offered to present an aeroplane to the British Government. The offer was cordially accepted and the aeroplane is already on service'.
78. Labour troubles were happily few. A strike of the Chinese tailors was adjusted with the assistance of Mr. Ho Fook and Mr. Ip Lan-tsun of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce as arbitrators.
79. With reference to the 1914 flood relief scheme, further instalments this year were paid to the localities concerned by deputies of this office, until in May a total of $280,590 had been spent, and all that remained of the fund was a sum of $68,000 which had been earmarked for the construction of a model sluice gate in the Ko Iu District under the direction of Mr. Jaffé.
80. Unfortunately, however, early in July, 1915, a still more severe and disastrous flood occurred and affected simultaneously the valleys of the West, East and North Rivers and Canton as well. Relief work was promptly put in hand. The first need was to provide food for the sufferers and supplies of rice were sent up. The U.S.S. Wilmington proceeded to Canton and the U.S.S. Callao to Shiu Hing, rendering invaluable aid, as did the Standard Oil Company and the British American Tobacco Company. Mr. A. E. Wood and Mr. Tong Yat-chun were deputed to organise relief work and to furnish a report while later on Mr. C. D. Martyn paid a visit of inspection. A sum of over $500,000 was raised through the medium of the Tung Wa Hospital to which the Hongkong Government promised to contribute $50,000 and it was decided that the administration of the whole fund should be left in the hands of the Committee of the Tung Wa Hospital. The Committee under Mr. Lo Cheung-shiu, the chairman, did an immense amount of detailed work, and again justified the opinion that in the discriminating application of charity the Tung Wa Hospital has little to learn. The general idea, after the granting of immediate relief, has been to co-ordinate our activities in repair work with those of the Canton charitable bodies and it may be noted that a Conservancy Board, with Europeans on the staff, is working from Canton in an attempt to cope with the problem; but the disturbed state of the country has been a serious hindrance. It is a matter for congratulation that no less than 70% or 80% of the 1914 repair work carried out at the expense of the Hongkong funds stood firm through the second calamity.
STAFF.
Secretary for Chinese Affairs.
81. Mr. E. R. Hallifax went on long leave from the 20th January to the 17th October. Mr. S. B. C. Ross acted during the period.
Chief Assistant to Secretary for Chinese Affairs.
82. Mr. D. W. Tratman acted as District Officer, Northern District, from the 20th January to the 7th September, and as Head
C 14
77. In April the partners of the Tai Yau Bank-Messrs. Ho Tung, Lau Chu-pak, Chan Kai-ming, Ho Fook, Ho Kom-tong and Lo Cheung-shiu--offered to present an aeroplane to the British Government. The offer was cordially accepted and the aeroplane is already on service'.
78. Labour troubles were happily few. A strike of the Chinese tailors was adjusted with the assistance of Mr. Ho Fook and Mr. Ip Lan-tsun of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce as arbitrators.
79. With reference to the 1914 flood relief scheme, further instalments this year were paid to the localities concerned by de- puties of this office, until in May a total of $280,590 had been spent, and all that remained of the fund was a sum of $68,000 which had been earmarked for the construction of a model sluice gate in the Ko Iu District under the direction of Mr. Jaffé.
80. Unfortunately, however, early in July, 1915, a still more severe and disastrous flood occurred and affected simultaneously the valleys of the West, East and North Rivers and Canton as well. Relief work was promptly put in hand. The first need was to provide food for the sufferers and supplies of rice were sent up. The U.S.S. Wilmington proceeded to Canton and the U.S.S. Callao to Shiu Hing, rendering invaluable aid, as did the Standard Oil Company and the British American Tobacco Company. Mr. A. E. Wood and Mr. Tong Yat-chun were deputed to organise relief work and to furnish a report while later on Mr. C. D. Martyn paid a visit of inspection. A sum of over $500,000 was raised through the medium of the Tung Wa Hospital to which the Hongkong Govern- ment promised to contribute $50.000 and it was decided that the administration of the whole fund should be left in the hands of the Committee of the Tung Wa Hospital. The Committee under Mr. Lo Cheung-shiu, the chairman, did an immense amount of detailed work, and again justified the opinion that in the discriminating application of charity the Tung Wa Hospital has little to learn. The general idea, after the granting of inmediate relief, has been to co-ordinate our activities in repair work with those of the Canton charitable bodies and it may be noted that a Conservancy Board, with Europeans on the staff, is working from Canton in an attempt to cope with the problem; but the disturbed state of the country has been a serious hindrance. It is a matter for congratulation that no less than 70% or 80% of the 1914 repair work carried out at the expense of the Hongkong funds stood firm through the second calamity.
STAFF.
Secretary for Chinese Affairs.
81. Mr. E. R. Hallifax went on long leave from the 20th January to the 17th October. Mr. S. B. C. Ross acted during the period.
Chief Assistant to Secretary for Chinese Affairs.
82. Mr. D. W. Tratman acted as District Officer, Northern District, from the 20th January to the 7th September, and as Head
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.