CO129-328 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [1-6] — Page 185

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2.

Of the Portuguese in the foregoing list

Basto is closely connected with Chinese and any shares in his name are probably actually held by Chinese. Marques and da Silva may be each worth a lakh of dollars but could not possibly invest this sum in the Railway. Leoncio is the widow of one Fernandez formerly Capitan of the Chinese in Macao and if not entirely Chinese by race is more Chinese than Portuguese.

3.

Of the Chinese Chun Fong and Chun Tung, rether and son, are American subjects. The latter who is Compra- dore to Messrs. Douglas, Laprais and Company has recently return- ed from a journey to America made, it has been stated, for the purpose of obtaining American capital. He is believed to be the real owner of Yung Hoi's share in the proposed Railway, Lo Kau, Lo Krong U and Li King Chún are certainly Portuguese subjects. O Luk and Lar Hum Lin are probably also Portuguese subjects; the former is a member of a wealthy family owning house property in Macao; the latter was part owner at one time of the Hongkong Opium Fern; Siu Ying Chow and Li Pat are Macao Chinese.

4.

So fer therefore the Ballway is nearly en-

tirely in the hands of persons of Chinese race and there is no

doubt that these persons as a body wish to keep Foreign Countries

from getting any claim on the undertaking. Whether, even with the assistance of the stringent regulations on the subject, they will succeed in preventing foreigners from irregularly acquiring in- terests by the indirect purchase at a high price of shares from

some of the less scrupulous of their number is uncertain. It is

stated that the French have endeavoured to purchase shares in this

manner.

I have, etc.,

M. Nathan,

Governor, o...

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