CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 449

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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.l

[August 23.]

JEG? 22 SEP 09

CHINA RAILWAYS.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[31706]

No. 1.

SECTION 1.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received August 23.)

(No. 238.) Sir,

Peking, July 5, 1909. WITH reference to my despatch No. 156 of the 12th April last, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch from the acting consul-general at Canton, enclosing a report upon the official opening of the Sunning Railway.

A map of the region in question was transmitted in my despatch No. 180 of the 27th April, 1908, and I therefore do not send the map attached to the present report, of which I have but one copy.

I have, &c.

Inclosure 1 in No. 1.

J. N. JORDAN.

(No. 63.) Sir,

Acting Consul General Fox to Sir J. Jordan.

Canton, June 11, 1909.

I HAVE the honour to forward for your perusal a report by Mr. R. S. Pratt, of this consulate-general, on the official opening of the Sunning Railway, which took place on the 3rd June last.

A map showing the route of the railway is enclosed.

I have, &c.

H. H. FOX.

!

Inclosure 2 in No. 1.

Report by Mr. Pratt on the Opening of the Sunning Railway,

THE official opening ceremony of the Sunning (Ning Yang) Railway took place at Sunning district city on Thursday, the 3rd June, 1909. Invitations were issued to all the prominent officials and merchants in Canton and Hong Kong, who were

conveyed to the railway at the expense of the company. I attended the ceremony by the direction of His Majesty's consul-general, and was accompanied by Lieutenant E. M. Crosse, Royal Garrison Artillery.

Flower-boats towed by launches were provided for the guests from Canton, and a start was made on the 2nd June from the Dutch Folly, at 10 A.M. Kung Yik, the terminus of the line, some five hours by steam launch from Kongmoon, was reached at about 2 A.M. on the 3rd June.

The officials present included the Taotai of Industries, expectant Prefect K'ung Ching Hui, the Viceroy's representative, his Excellency Chang Pat Sze, the promoter of the Macao and Amoy Railways, the Sunning and other local magistrates, and representatives from the self-government and other societies and guilds in Canton.

At 9:15 A.M. on the 3rd June the party proceeded from Kung Yik on a tour of the line, in trains which were highly decorated for the occasion. Arriving at Sunning at 11:45 A.M., a short opening ceremony was held, the line being declared open in congratulatory speeches by the Taotai of Industries and the Viceroy's representative.

Sunning was left at 12:30 P.M., and Tau Shan was reached at 3 P.M. All the stations along the line were highly decorated, and, together with the surrounding country, were thronged with thousands of spectator, who evinced their enthusiasm in the usual manner with bombs and fire-crackers.

The various trains forming the procession were likewise crowded with more privileged onlookers, the line having been thrown open gratis to all who cared to travel over it and who were able to find room.

Tau Shan was left at 3'40 P.M., and the return journey to Sunning was made in better time, Sunning being reached at 4:50 P.M.

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