CO129-061 - Public Offices - 1856 — Page 315

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SUPPLEMENT TO THE OVERLAND FRIEND OF CHINA, MAY, 1856.

THE BOWRING PRAYA, On the 5th altiso n Onvernment notification ap peared arong our advertisements, to the effect that the Bowring Prayn Commission would sit daily with open doors. No counter noties uppeased by which we were to learn when the labours of that Cntamission ended; and when some three weeks afterwards one Marine Let haider who hurd ben absent from the Colony over the whole time made enquiry of one of the Commissioners regarding the sittings, he was then told the Commission was at an end and that the report was in progress for early rendering A Supplemental scale of yesterday gives to the world the result of the Commission's labears; and appears that a Schedule was at sached to the Coutaission containing the following

five grescens

1. Wther the Gaverement of this Tsland ought or eight set to actase the emire son traction of the saul Fraga, or of say and what part threat?

IL. After what rate or rates ought the preson; hokters of Mine Lot to be admittal to the possession slower.mtion at the grean lying between their aur Boulades and the Praya, where the Fanstruction shall have been undertaken by the Government?

. In the event of of the holders of Marine Lote heng wiling, and others of them being siding, to wader. take the chastraction at their van orm, ought or waght Fote Govermest to undertake the conception of one of the san! raya as able to the front of the lots of the bywing headers, and to allow the willing filers to under- sake of novel wil their peepozion of the work in respect of their own lots?

IV. Ongla or ought not the Burian Strand portion of tho sait aya tu be coingraced lagerber with the catres portions thereof, or which i

V. What provision stylt su hade for the shipping and lolis of goste, and the parking and disembarking of pengers at ul uleog the saki Prapa when escapicted?

To the first of these questions, the Commission repbei-stɔvement ought to undertake the work, and in an ather way could it be accom plished.

To the second-that the rate on and reclaimed should be lifteen shillings per 100 square feet-ur very nearly two peace per boot, being about three hal pence por foot more than the peel of Marine Tot lands at last year's salos.-

Lease wall wakich Lenscholilors generally are desirous of heilding-with a roadway along the vad wall, to he kept cred by chains of rus to public thoroughitre, and panel only on cases of public marguney--would not such a construction as tuis Le ali that is requisite for the public weal?

Question 2Would it not be better to leave the Police control of this roadway and wath to the Lease holders themselves!

Question --Would it not be fair to charge Louseholders first class intand Let upseter te for the and redeemed-in addition to the rental at which they are at present assisted?

Question 1-Whald i ust be advisable to com route the rent, either ever the whole jot, run the part redeemed ouiy, for a fixed suto down?

was naturally ta be anticipated upon the question as to the conditions of tencre of landle reclaimed or to her fir the sea. In one raspect nuly they appeared to is unrella, igrating too fast antal proer the Crown alune basi tite to all such bende, bether arely reclaimed ar ve

et,, ., &c.

I can only of course spenk na w gronad already reclaimed, but on that point f deny that I either now igre, er did so in toy evidence to the Com- mission, the fact that at present the Crown lone Ares site to all such hurts."

My esidence will be found to state, that I cou- sidered Coverament not eath led to ady rest upon grounds how reclaimed, but that if any rate was to be fired, it should be such as ao sioun to a mere nominal real.

Surely this admits most faily the Creven's de le the land, for except the Crowa hels the title, how etix any rate of Rent and surely the fact should be patent to the nest ordinary understand-

An Qurtina 6-Wand it not exhibit better sense is Excellency the Governor, and less

unity, if he refrained from boring those w interests as is paid to protect, and whose confeting, that such evidence is based on the consider1-

he is supposed to have at heart, with what the? so wat went 2-Bowa PRAYA. F of C. April 3.

To the Editor of the Friend of China,

"HONGKONG, -- April, 1856. DER $1-- would suggest to the Bowring Penya Commission un aditional question to le raggested by yun-wis, "Would not the expert cace of the Greek Luna dubbings be xafficleur to warrant a speculation for doing a fand to be deno minated the Bowing Praga Consels ?"--it would pay well.--Sophistically thine,

A DREAMER IN SHADOW LAND, of C. Apral 96,

tion of what ander the circumstances in which the land was reclaimed, equitably due to Govern meat upon it.

And now, Sir, as it is not my chieet to review: the Report, either as to its gemein matter, of the spirit which perrades it, but only to point out and Tefate those parts wherein it ia wafair and incorrect in relation to my own evidence, I will conclude with a gentle admonition to the President of the Bearing Prays Commission, that before grap pling" in future, he wish do well to look to the metal of his grappling irous, for anless tant metal ba found true and withou: ww, the gripe which it is fempted to is, will never prove bei delusive and unavailing-ara, Sir, your shelient servaus,

FfC. April 25. R. C. ANTRORUS.

the Edit of the " Fyfend of China,"

Foxoxoso 28th April, 1856.

To the Editor of the "Friend of thing” ** Hosunun 23rd April, 1856.

SHowever unwilling I am to do so, I re- grot to say, that one portion of the Pawing Praya-The Fe rels Proverb Qui s'excuse a'a. Commission, as laid before the public in the Government Gazette, forces ne as to make use of some public channel of connoication, that

To the third- they thonght Government vaierepresentation may not be allowed an unob structed coarse, and that perversion of the spirit of had better undertake the whole work-

To the fourth-That the Benham Strand por evidence gives may not remain unchallenged.

The Commissioner "close their caquiry in al tion of the Praya should be commenced at once.

And the fifth-the Commission gave at indo ceritade of being free from the reproach of par- aste answer. The wharfage it could not be deniality and injustice, na they are inquestionably ed was vested in the Leaseholders. The Commis- free from the kindred one of concealment "

From their correctness, which must be placed sion would take away dru privilegs if they could but as the law was against them, they would rather under the former category, as recording is the Re- For the substance of certain evidence. I must diz- Sublim zao. You will fad in the second and third The evidence of the six valutary deponents be fore the Commission, ces Messis Ambus, Duddell, paragraphs of page 4 of the Report, a reference ta Edger, Marrow, Postau and Sherede, apres to ceratin evidence which 1 gave before the Commis- have been supplied to the Governor in an Apion. The report hore states,

he report but these depositions, per lis described as the testimony of intelligent witnes Bes-of respectable witnesses-of highly respectable witnesses-and of witnesses deserving of all attention

have cot bear furnished to the public.

ad recommend !

It is only with specific instances like thesĘ " (viz: two which they are pleased to call dubians cases that it is possible to grapple," &c, Ázu,

by

A gentleman who has confesund & purpresture committed selfin 18ht, and who had mafn thien oson percent,

•with stoe Burhasis, the con of a general understand. Ting, that is wlained would to be interfered with by vorment, not the parties' right of access to the ses prs- juiced by the set,' was at length and to state the circu s which had prodowy that impression, so far as he an his fler ware ennesined a cover is curious ilustration of the proneness of these gentlemen is dorciva there It appears that the present Serveyor Chemeral, Dr Cheverly, and the late overner Sir George Bonn, gave him, in 1654, a verbal curarance, tad ten would not he prosecuted, ot called count for his encroachment. They gave me, he do father asses. This come in femity against pakich nant-fil be even thathe at unde interpreted into a renunciation or sesiver of a crown gh

You will observe, Siz, the Haport does not pre- suma to place as a quotation the words "a verbal assurance that he would not be prosecuted or cal led to account for his encroachment," but it does

The reply to question the second is an elabor are disquisition-remarkabte, principally, far two things--ne its extreine one sidedness, another its taunciates of the most radical praciples. The object of the Comunission was to show that, At no time, from the days of Elias downwards, was official sanction ever given to the redemption In showing this,and it of fund from the sea. is shown as clavery as could possibly be expected from writers determined to tow only what would suit their purpos- the pressing requests by Filic? to the Merchants to come here and settle-to do as they pleased only to build godowns to store the tou for which he would get a remission of a penny upon duty-the proprsed allotment of the ground bought by them, royalties and all, in fte Emple-the premise that ju rehasers of Main so insert the next sentence, viz; they gave me," 1 should have the perption even of lots on the in- he adds, au further assurances. I call on the land side of the mad-all this was stadiously over. Commissiours to prodace, if they can, from my 3. Co., Laues Fletcher & Co., Mac Vient Bura & fact of prosecution with reference to the point tooked Theletters written by the frus of Cermell evidence, any use of the word, or allusion to the Co.,Tamer Co., Fox Rawson & Co. and Capt. barkins, protesting most strongly agmine: the ferece can with reason or fairness he no constru od as to justify them in thas expressing for me the mation of a Psya, as first propceed in the lane of

assurances given to me. ur first Govainor, have all disappeared Bom

"cun say drielly, ther my firm aku myself chord 50 the records of Government; the very suggestion

Su gesend anderstanding; and that no fut an they wad

cad by converadio with Sit were condemnail, is over yout

Basta and Me Cheverly, de Sarveyer Genezai,

of irving chains across the road way mea

ca" may be forcibly applied to the concluding Pangraph oftheRepoil of the Bowring Bags Cemission," whichhambly cerudies" His Ex cellenes, that they are free from tee reproach of The necessity for partiality" and injustice 1"

och o declaration had scarcely suggested bed to the minds of the Comunissioners but for some mois. givings of conscience, which are not in be wooder edat, for while we will not suppose that any me o- her of the Commission would wittingly set his name to a document containing that which he be levet to be it direct oppositinu to fact, we an heeitaringly assert, that the Report itself is a per- version of means towards a given end.

This may appse a harsh and unpleasant asser- tion, but (s a writer in the N. D. Herald apily quoted some short time sinca)

†

Surly, Mritor, all this borbast might ad- Fantageously have been omittel. It is well lowo, both to Sir John Burring, rad Me Chisholm An- tey. that if each cinetrine was once brought to bent justly, it would be resisted by all proper means: and the the resuks would be neb, as neither of them would wish to face. The delusion" which one witness" labored under this hend, in con- sequence of a conversation with the late Acting Attorney General," maxy, if tried, prove a enggerer to the full blowo cigary.

With regard to the Records of the Last Office in the early days of the Colony, on which so such weight place, it may soned somewhat strange that Mr Julius C. Power on one occasion, whico be contrived to speak unchecked for a few capravitis) stated, that these records were very imperfect, and Thai co doubt could be entertained that sang tings were not entered therein which ougla to have been

EV.

It is somewhat curious also to notice in the wording of the report the animus which prevails anungst there impartial men. Where the evidence given is very favorable to the Government project, the givor is an inteliigent witness!" i moderniely propitious his opinione deserve attention! If slightly apposed to the intusure, he izbora under a do lusio!" denidedly adreree, he is purile!! hut whers the evidence rans really counter to their cause, it is a tee signslised as a man of in comertul asscueration and unsupported pretentim ! ! Unfortunately, however, for the campilers of the report, ugly nanies will not pass cures for argu- nents, and invectiva ia un proef. Already, one of the Gentiero examined has protested against the miscbracı actions to which he tina beer subjected,

others are prepared to do is some.

Why is not the appendix published? Do the Govern Tent really suppose, that those interested will quietly permit such a decent as the repart la go forth w the world, at a correct statement, made as unprejudiced men. who by their refer there to at appendiz, shakenge contradiction of log on which their assertions are based? No Sr. 1 como tarness that appende must ac ronde se public as the report itself, and then tha public will have an opportunity of adging how far the two agree together, They will fad, as wa have before eated, that the evidence is passed over when adverse, and brought prominently forward when favorable to the cause which has been re- rievably damaged by such a contre; and not only this, but mayhap uthers of real impurtance and deixal benefit, for we assurt on the very best grounds, that many of this community would now declin to appear before any future commission, compused of s or any of the members of the one lately cle solved, or to ca-opera-e with those who have for. fered that confidence which nu intial treatme of the subject committed to them would have coal- manded. This is not vegue assertion, as the fuma will show.

There is nother paint, which are we close, 13 may be well to notios, viz, the sigma that Marine La Bolders have been in the habit of Squeezing" The Chinese by exacting atoll through" for landing at their Private Wherves. This, however, we nurst adini fonded on the evidence of bet ope Holder of a Marine Lot, and peramps he way be the maly one who is aware of such exactions! Of this he must be the best judge, but that each pre- Lices have been in vague, or can turn any sigu ment in favor of a Prayn, scheenly needs refutation. Had Government baik proper wharves at the pains where such mecrable excresences as "1"

"Facta are things that winna ding"

and duorna be disputed." Let us glance pt sous of the leading points of the Repor, found. § no 65 vepablished "Appendix ! Having considered the nailers referred to them, the Commissioners agree that the fire questions connined in the Schedule, have subraced every substantial matter of enquiry," and that the Witnesses called in end examined also pertain "od that opinion," as there is little to he and in their evidence, which does not range iseli under some of those hau's of enqairy! No truly m it would have required no emilac, and much determisation, to obtain a Lending on any point which was adverse to the ubject of the Commission, (ie, lo support at a bazards the views of Sir John Bowring) Fer no seoner did evidence divergodere Whar" were to be found, there never would 10 dangerous grond, then it was strangled by the have been any necessity for asking, or reagiving favore from Marine Lo: Holders. There is ample acrvous fins of the President, who doubling it

space now. and more than ample space to form relevancy, forthwith ignored its existence.

Public Warves, for double the wants of the Com- munity, who have not sex frontages. What are their quirements? Much fuse is made by the China Mail and others about the inconvenience to the public dwelling to the south of the Queen's Road! Le any one who knows the place run bis eye along the list of residente, and their occupations, and then see how my to the south of the queen's Read, w up the fill, que largo Wharing sc. connection. What the China Mail require '$ What goods dil fe latte wa inconvenience was an su'jected to ? None! And some reply will serve for nike tenths of those who habit the Iniant Lots do the lil; and such aust ever to the case, for Coolle hire alone would very soon absorb any benefit scecking from reduced rentals on In. land Lots were they used us storage ground,

Moreover, when thune to be examined were first informed that any evidence they might give was whody uecuanected with the question of whe thers Praya ought or ought not to be made, end would not be considered as involving any opinion

in question; and I deny that any portion of my ion that head, it is scarcely to be expected that

sure intended to meet, not only an obiections of Gure we that was choar in jecam lava, there was no

those days, but the main objection of Leaseholders of the proscut, is carefly passed ever, when there is ocasion quote from the report prepared by Me Surveyor General Gordon.

And as Non-genservative principles-70,000 Atates now in this Colony-65,000 of whan, at least, baking to the great anwashed" with no more interest in it thau is requisite to gel meal of the frem day to day-this swarm of vagabonds, we are sold, ure entitled to an absolute equality of rights and duties in other word thay have as much right to perigrinate in front of our private dwelinge on the sou frunt as we bare, who pay four times more luar rent than the as14- ers of inland lots for the privilege of enjoying a brenzes andistrrbed, and for ather advantages 8 We havo you in juanne holding must give.

one power, and we will do as we please with you is the one all pervading spirit of the re part before as.

Be it subat assertion and por formance are riva distinct things; and however ah stinate Sir John Bowring, he is not oranipotent- and this perhaps he will bad when-in the House Commons if needs be-the question is brought be

ore the horse Government by the constituents of those interested-Concitaents, Sir John Bowring and Mr Chisivalm Anstey must know, possessing as much power as any single section of the rope- sentatives of Great Britain.

The five questions in the Schedule, the Commis- sioners tell us in the report, embrace every thing With all due deference to their superior wisdom we will now suggest to them them five other ques¦ tinns and though they may doubt it, they may rest assured that on the antisfactory solution of there questions the matter has yet to depend.----

Question 1-Would not a sea wall, to be called appropriately "THE ALBERT WALL"the supporting battress of ta Queen's Rond, w be boil along the sna front of all the lots already granted on Crown

My the terms of the Most Land Sale in 1844, merc istinctly rest to have sea, aot to fredage--the depth from these to the way wohl wary agosling to a torqueat letter Front Captain in solids at all, la kotiated moly the ncessities of die serafiants

ejection to an duing so, at that no difficulty or inconve nichou was likely to rise in us leam baring done it. They gave me the sarther as conges

The latter short stulence. I gave most willingly as an answer to a remark from the Frezident af Commission, that as both the gentamen alluded to were now absuut from the Colony, if they made no further assurances, perhaps I would not object to Sidy 841

leave it then to the public to decide,-looking at my evidence abore quoted, and remerabering the

The views of liora interested in that part of the ques. tinn ahould meat with a patient heating, withough missioners are not failed to “specify in their appropriate places, all such coasters Rese incidentally under ones, in the course of the enquiry" altas they fid not necesary arse "out of either of the Five Points" in plain English wherever the evidence favora che av ernmeal scheme, it is brought prominently far ward, and where it is adverse it to kept carefully behind the stenes, us its appropriate place! With all respect for those Getlenies who gave evidence before the Prays Commission, we connel admit, or consider them as the exponents of greetal opinion. The in question is not hus-bot che ther the Prays should be munt; and had Sir John Bowring desired to nike on impartial enquiry into the opinions of thres interested, he would have found himselt willingly, and openly rael with candid views, But not so in the present instance; for how could Goverment suppose dias these whinisepproved of the formation of a Preya, would one larward to how-how it should be constructed!! Yet, in the face of this beardity, the Comadesionere" merely "Indemolly against punishment are strong add, that the general unwillingness of the Marine worls, bat carry little weight in the present "La Holders" afford any evidenon in Bustra Any one of louger residence lure than in of their asaeried claims to equitable consi the President of the Commission, to whom chiefyderation ought of self to deprive the claimants I attribute time drawing up of the Report and theofull expecbition (bat their supposed claims will

ruceive any consideration at all!!! disagrocable necessay entailed on nf now pob-

assertion I am said to have raure than ones made with some emphesis" which induced the questions to which my evidence forms the reply, whether the Report as written is not a distortion of the sub cance of toy remarks, and rather the expression of interested advocates than of impartial Coremis signers?

stances.

lely addressing you, woll knows that the infliction

Shade of Nicholas A Right Royal Proclama

of punishment for reclaiming tand, or fat antion is from those who hold that the Crown is crouchiment that word be preferiet, was never

That at once interpreted the assurances of Sir G, Benham and Mr Cleverly into a renuncia. tion or waiver of a Crown righ," is not the case, and is not the plain meaning of my evilence, but an arbitrary inference on the part of the Commis sioners, as unjustifiable by them, as the interpin. tacou attributed to me would have been absurd on ny part.

but the Trustoo for the Publie and quite su

for a moment contempland by Government; while ficient, we admit, to extinguisa in the el san- onthe aber hand, direct indemnity against guine Marine Lat order, any expectation of panist ment" was never requested by the person equitable consideration, were sheir hopes founded on the tender sarees of the Praya Commission, intending to reclai

But they are not nervous men, these Marine Lot holders; the fine See air which they have so long enjoyed gabruksted, haz brace) then up, and even now, with the above awel denunciation sounding in their ears, they have not abandored oil hopes of justice at the hands of their Public Trustee "! No, not even in the matter of compensation for being tarnell out of House and Home, will they for one tout acknowledge than it sexts with the Surveyor General alone to decide the question," altho' the locum inaeus asserts that it is 8o, and our entry!) Judge bas niready delivered his Ferdien!

To one point more in the Report I must alude, abric at variance with facts and my evidence At the deading of the reply to the second question of the Sebetale, it will be found stated,-

"Sotan difference of sows mongst the Marine Lenders

No Sir! The object in view in the project of a Praya is quite evident cnaugh, and there is no use trying hike an Ostrich to hide its head when tho whole body is exposed to view. It was proposed long since by Sir Henry Poninger before the Co. Leny was fairig seed, und before Lot Holders had bean induced to expend vast as in completion of their netangements, and the construction of their premises, It died a natural death from want of Funds, and so remained in pure until fortuiten cirentistances placed in the power of the present Goverans the menus resuscituring the plon ar

This we firmly believe was calling it his con! done without weighing or considering the cane- quences, the interests of those concerned. There was Bonham Strand" and theis must be a Bowring Praya, Opposition arose, and fat moment there was taking between public Instico and private vanity. The latter prevailed. and evne hrward stroyed as the former "ol in sheep's clothing". But the argument is felt to he bullow and the position untenable. An intrench. ment toust be formed to retire to when attacked. Parliamentary recollection furnishes on idea! Commission,-a Commission of course) but form. ed only of these known adherents who can be well depended on. No difference of opinion or shade of opposition must exist amongst it's Merbere, and then the Public cu sutely be admitted to hear their doom 1 The Men are found, and the Com- mission formed, and the Political Sogers have cooked a dish of such piquancy, tant even those was furnished the materials cansel recognise their awn ingrediena.

A

We crave pardon for prolixity, but we eat draw Alution to the fact, that of the six gentlemen ex amined, there was only one who being present at the November Malings in acquiesced in the resolutions then passed by an overwhelming

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