4
Inclosure 4 in No. 1,
Consul Fox to Sir E. Satow.
(No. 18.) Sir,
Ichung, November 29, 1905. IN continuation of my despatch No. 16 of this series dated the 19th instant, I have now the honour to forward copy and translation of the Regulations therein referred to.
Mr. Chang, the Deputy, informs me that the Taotai is at present unwilling to place the collection of these fees in the hands of the foreign Customs, and that, therefore, Articles 1 and 10 remain as originally drafted.
As I pointed out in my previous despatch, this method of collection is most unsatisfactory, and is not, I believe, acceptable to the shipping firms interested. I have no doubt some arrangement will be arrived at whereby, without offending the susceptibilities of the local authorities, the finances of the new Office will be controlled by the foreign Customs. I have told the Deputy plainly that, unless this is done, I do not think the enterprise has any chance of being successful.
I have, &c. (Signed)
(Translation.)
Inclosure 5 in No. 1.
Proposed Ten Regulations.
HARRY H. FOX.
1. IT is proposed to levy at Tchang on all vessels carrying cargo going up-river, on each tiao (1,000 cash) of freight, 2 cash payable by the shipper, 2 cash payable by the master of the vessel, proceeds to be devoted to the expenses of the Road-Maintenance Office. It appears that a large number of Szechuan merchants are resident at Ichang in connection with the four firms, Butterfield and Swire, Jardine Matheson, Stewart and Co., and the Osaka Shosen Kaisha. The freight on the cotton yarn, piece-goods, and sundries sent up-river by these merchants amounts annually to over 1,200,000 tiap (1,171,875 dollars, at 1,024 cash per dollar) at a rough estimate. Supposing 2 cash per tiao levied on shipper and junk-master, this would bring in annually over 4,000 tiao (3,906 dollars). These fees would be collected on both chartered and native vessels, and the money thus realized devoted to the repair and maintenance of the tracking paths and all matters connected with the rapids; certainly none would be likely to object, and some merchants might care to make additional contributions.
2. It is proposed to establish a special Office at Ichang for the collection of the above-mentioned fees. The Deputy shall be nominated by the Szechuan merchants and receive his instructions from the Taotai at Ching Chou. In addition, two persons shall be chosen each year by the merchants to form a Committee, who shall be associated with the officials in managing the business and controlling the funds. If it is found that the Deputy is acting improperly, the Committee shall petition to have him removed and punished; if, on the other hand, the Deputy does well, the Committee shall petition for him to be maintained in office so that his experience may be turned to advantage.
3. Triplicate certificates shall be issued as receipts for fees, stamped with the Taotai's official seal. A detailed statement of the sums collected and expended shall be sent into the Taotai's yamên each month for purposes of audit.
4. It has been the custom of the Ichang passenger hongs when hiring passenger boats to charge the junk-master a commission of 20 per cent., a most improper practice. It will be distinctly laid down in the Regulations that the junk-master shall only be charged 10 per cent, in future, of which 5 per cent, will go to the Pao Lu Chü, and 5 per cent. to the passenger hong. Now a fee of 5 per cent, levied on passenger junks is certainly heavier than what will be paid by cargo boats, but it must be remembered that this money will come out of the pockets of the passenger hongs, who have hitherto defrauded the junk-masters, and will not be paid by the passengers. The junk-master, who has hitherto only received 80 per cent. of his passage money, will now receive 90 per cent., and will therefore have no cause to worry passengers to lend him money en route. The 5 per cent, which the passenger hong will receive is quite sufficient remuneration for their services. Any attempt on their part to extort more than their due should at once be reported by the junk-master to the local authorities, who will investigate and punish accordingly.
5. In summer and autumn the Yeh-t'an Rapid is reputed to be at its worst; in winter and spring the Hsin-t'an. In making the ascent tracking ropes often break, causing vessels to capsize. The number of vessels wrecked each year, and lives and property lost, is very considerable. As the ropes breaking is usually the cause of the disaster, it is now proposed to purchase a foreign windlass, with about 100 chang (1,175 English feet) of four-fifths of an inch wire hawser; this will be attached to the masthead of the larger junks and wound up by the trackers; this will be used whenever the bamboo ropes are not sufficient to stand the strain. This system will first be given a trial at the Yeh-t'an and Hsin-t'an Rapids; if the windlasses prove successful they will be used at other places.
6. At places where the windlasses are set up ten coolies will be employed as haulers. A small boat, manned by two sailors, will be hired and stationed at the water's edge to see that the hawser does not get into the water or caught on rocks (these men are locally called "shui-wan-tis"). The above-mentioned coolies and sailors will be paid by the Pao Lu Chû. At the Hsin-t'an Rapid, in winter and spring, they will be in charge of the local Deputy, at the Yeh-t'an, in summer and autumn, of the Captain of the Chung Chiang Shui Shih guard-boats. The Pao Lu Chü will make a monthly grant of 4 tiao to each of these officers, and thus avoid the expense of employing special men of their own.
7. The river begins to fall during the first days of the 10th moon. All paths in need of repair, whether broken down by the overflow from the hills or damaged by the stream, will then be personally inspected by an official from the Pao Lu Chü and a member of the Committee, who shall make an estimate of the length of paths requiring repair and engage stonemasons for the purpose. They will at the same time report to the local authorities, who will take the necessary steps to preserve order while the works are in progress.
8. There are dangerous rapids near one or other of the gorges at all the seasons of the year. A "Fu-tou," or Headman, will be stationed at each rapid, who will, when vessels arrive at the rapid, engage additional trackers to haul out the tracking-lines. There has always been a fixed price for these services, varying according to the size of the vessel, but of late years the Headmen have been in the habit of pocketing a great part of the money paid them, and using women and young boys to make up the number of trackers, thus adding to the difficulties of ascending the rapids. Under the new Regulations the Headmen at the various rapids will only be allowed to employ able-bodied men, and they will not be permitted to appropriate the local trackers' wages as heretofore.
9. As existing paths have been constructed wherever the strong current required them, they must instantly be repaired when damaged, for the benefit of the public. At two rapids, the Ping Shu Pao Chien and the Yeli Hu Shan-pei, no paths have yet been made, owing to the expense and difficulties of construction. If the annual income proves sufficient, they will be taken in hand as occasion offers. At the two places above mentioned large quantities of dynamite will be required, and as this cannot be purchased locally, the Shan ou Chü (at Wuchang) will be asked to supply it.
10. At Ichang every junk-master loading cargo will be called upon to pay his subscription of 2 cash per tiao of freight to the Pao Lu Chü, and it shall be incumbent on every shipper to do the same; only one receipt will be given to each vessel, in order to avoid repetition. Any person found attempting to defraud by false declarations will be fined, and the proceeds paid into the Pao Lu Chü.
(No. 2.) Sir,
Inclosure 6 in No. 1.
Sir E. Satow to Consul Fox.
Peking, December 20, 1903.
I HAVE received your despatches Nos. 16 and 18, of the 19th and 29th ultimo, respecting the junk fee which it is proposed to levy for the upkeep of tracking paths and other improvements on the Yang-tsze.
I approve the terms of your reply to the Taotai of the 16th November, and of your remarks to Mr. Chang, as reported in your first despatch.
To the new tax itself I have no objection, provided that its collection and disbursement can be properly regulated, and that it is distinctly understood that it is not a tax on goods, and that all chartered junks will be on the same footing.
200
4
Inclosure 4 in No. 1,
Consul Fox to Sir E. Satow.
(No. 18.) Sir,
Ichung, November 29, 1905. IN continuation of my despatch No. 16 of this series dated the 19th instant, I have now the honour to forward copy and translation of the Regulations therein referred to.
Mr. Chang, the Deputy, informs me that the Taotai is at present unwilling to place the collection of these fees in the hands of the foreign Customs, and that, therefore, Articles 1 and 10 remain as originally drafted.
As I pointed out in my previous despatch, this method of collection is most unsatisfactory, and is not, I believe, acceptable to the shipping firms interested. I have no doubt some arrangement will be arrived at whereby, without offending the susceptibilities of the local authorities, the finances of the new Office will be controlled by the foreign Customs. I have told the Deputy plainly that, unless this is done, I do not think the enterprise has any chance of being successful.
I have, &c. (Signed)
(Translation.)
Inclosure 5 in No. 1.
Proposed Ten Regulations.
HARRY H. FOX.
1. IT is proposed to levy at Tchang on all vessels carrying cargo going up-river, on each tiao (1,000 cash) of freight, 2 cash payable by the shipper, 2 cash payable by the master of the vessel, proceeds to be devoted to the expenses of the Road-Maintenance Office. It appears that a large number of Szechuan merchants are resident at Ichang in connection with the four firms, Butterfield and Swire, Jardine Matheson, Stewart and Co., and the Osaka Shosen Kaisha. The freight on the cotton yarn, piece-goods, and sundries sent up-river by these merchants amounts annually to over 1,200,000 tiap (1,171,875 dollars, at 1,024 cash per dollar) at a rough estimate. Supposing 2 cash per tiao levied on shipper and junk-master, this would bring in annually over 4,000 tiao (3,906 dollars). These fees would be collected on both chartered and native vessels, and the money thus realized devoted to the repair and maintenance of the tracking paths and all matters connected with the rapids; certainly none would be likely to object, and some merchants might care to make additional contributions.
2. It is proposed to establish a special Office at Ichang for the collection of the above-mentioned fees. The Deputy shall be nominated by the Szechuan merchants and receive his instructions from the Taotai at Ching Chou. In addition, two persons shall be chosen each year by the merchants to form a Committee, who shall be associated with the officials in managing the business and controlling the funds. If it is found that the Deputy is acting improperly, the Committee shall petition to have him removed and punished; if, on the other hand, the Deputy does well, the Committee shall petition for him to be maintained in office so that his experience may be turned to advantage.
3. Triplicate certificates shall be issued as receipts for fees, stamped with the Tantal's official seal. A detailed statement of the sums collected and expended shall be sent into the Taotai's yamên each month for purposes of audit.
4. It has been the custom of the Ichang passenger hongs when hiring passenger boats to charge the junk-master a commission of 20 per cent., a most improper practice. It will be distinctly laid down in the Regulations that the junk-master shall only be charged 10 per cent, in future, of which 5 per cent, will go to the Pao Lu Chü, and 5 per cent. to the passenger hong. Now a fee of 5 per cent, levied on passenger junks is certainly heavier than what will be paid by cargo boats, but it must be remembered that this money will come out of the pockets of the passenger hongs, who have hitherto defrauded the junk-masters, and will not be paid by the passengers. The junk-master, who has hitherto only received 80 per cent. of his passage money, will now receive 90 per cent., and will therefore have no cause to worry passengers to lend him money en route. The 5 per cent, which the passenger hong will receive is quite sufficient remuneration for their services. Any attempt on their part to extort more than their due should at once be reported by the junk-master to the local authorities, who will investigate and punish accordingly.
5
5. In summer and autumn the Yeh-t'an Rapid is reputed to be at its worst; in winter and spring the Hsin-t'an. In making the ascent tracking ropes often break, cansing vessels to capsize. The number of vessels wrecked each year, and lives and property lost, is very considerable. As the ropes breaking is usually the cause of the disaster, it is now proposed to purchase a foreign windlass, with about 100 chang (1,175 English feet) of four-fifths of an inch wire hawser; this will be attached to the masthead of the larger junks and wound up by the trackers; this will be used whenever the bamboo ropes are not sufficient to stand the strain. This system will first be given a trial at the Yeh-t'an and Hsin-t'an Rapids; if the windlasses prove successful they will be used at other places.
6. At places where the windlasses are set up ten coolies will be employed as haulers. A small boat, manned by two sailors, will be hired and stationed at the water's edge to see that the hawser does not get into the water or caught on rocks (these men are locally called "shui-wan-tis "). The above-mentioned coolies and sailors will be paid by the Pao Lu Chû. At the Hsin-t'an Rapid, in winter and spring, they will be in charge of the local Deputy, at the Yeh-t'an, in summer and autumn, of the Captain of the Chung Chiang Shui Shih guard-boats. The Pao Lu Chú will make a monthly grant of 4 tiao to each of these officers, and thus avoid the expense of employing special
All paths
men of their own.
7. The river begins to fall during the first days of the 10th moon. in need of repair, whether broken down by the overflow from the hills or damaged by the stream, will then be personally inspected by an official from the Pao Lu Chi and a member of the Committee, who shall make an estimate of the length of paths requiring repair and engage stonemasons for the purpose. They will at the same time report to the local authorities, who will take the necessary steps to preserve order while the works are in progress.
8. There are dangerous rapids near one or other of the gorges at all the seasons of the year. A "Fu-tou," or Headman, will be stationed at each rapid, who will, when vessels arrive at the rapid, engage additional trackers to haul out the tracking-lines. There has always been a fixed price for these services, varying according to the size of the vessel, but of late years the Headmeu have been in the habit of pocketing a great part of the money paid them, and using women and young boys to make up the number of trackers, thus adding to the difficulties of ascending the rapids. Under the new Regulations the Headmen at the various rapids will only be allowed to employ able- bodied men, and they will not be permitted to appropriate the local trackers' wages as heretofore.
9. As existing paths have been constructed wherever the strong current required them, they must instantly be repaired when damaged, for the benefit of the public. At two rapids, the Ping Shu Pao Chien and the Yeli Hu Shan-pei, no paths have yet been made, owing to the expense and difficulties of construction. If the annual income proves sufficient, they will be taken in hand as occasion offers. At the two places above mentioned large quantities of dynamite will be required, and as this cannot be purchased localy, the Shan ou Chû (at Wuchang) will be asked to supply it.
10. At Ichang every junk-master loading cargo will be called upon to pay his subscription of 2 cash per tiao of freight to the Pao Lu Chu, and it shall be incumbent ou every shipper to do the same; only one receipt will be given to each vessel, in order to avoid repetition. Any person found attempting to defraud by false declarations will be fined, and the proceeds paid into the Pão Lu Chů.
(No. 2.) Sir,
Inclosure 6 in No. 1.
Sir E. Satow to Consul For.
Peking, December 20, 1903.
I HAVE received your despatches Nos. 16 and 18, of the 19th and 29th ultimo, respecting the junk fee which it is proposed to levy for the upkeep of tracking paths and other improvements on the Yang-tsze.
I
approve the terms of your reply to the Taotai of the 16th November, and of your remarks to Mr. Chang, as reported in your first despatch.
To the new tax itself I have no objection, provided that its collection and disburse- ment can be properly regulated, and that it is distinctly understood that it is not a tax on goods, and that all chartered junks will be on the same footing.
200
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