!
now existing between the two great nations of China and England. The presence of His Ex- cellency Li Ching Feng, the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs, and of His Honour Chen Wang Chung, the Total of Industry, both of whom are representing His Excellency the Viceroy, and the presence of the Honourable Mr. Warren Barnes the Colonial Secretary of Hongkong,who is repre- senting His Excellency the Governor, amongst as affords tangible proof of the unwavering interests of the two Governments both in this railway sud in the friendship of the two nations. Therefore in the name of the Directorate General of the Imperial Chinese Railways, I now formally convey a most hearty and sincere welcome to the officials, gentry and guests here present. I may say that though this rail- way cannot be ranked among the long lines, still it has a strong bearing on the means of communication. Between Canton and Hongkong you can now have a round journey in one day. In bygone days whenever there was a typhoon people hesitated travelling for fear of the blow. Now such hesitation is removed, as you can now travel to and fro whenever you wish. Asia and Europe will also be linked together, as when the Canton-Haukow line is completed and this railway connected with it, journeys from Hong- kong to Europe will be greatly facilitated. I have no doubt you have thought of those advantages. On my part I must say that am entrusted with my present though I
not well versed important office, I am in matters regarding the constructional of railways. It is therefore my works desire to remember at this time the services of my predecessor in office, who showed great ability in dealing with and settling intricate matters, and it is also my desire to remember the valuable and sound directions of the High Authorities at Peking und in Canton, the assis- tance of the local authorities, the services rendered by the Chinese and Foreign Staffs of this railway, and especially the kindness I had
Hongkong from the
Government while negotiating the working agreement for the which two sections, connection of these
Tery agreement has been brought to a satisfactory conclusion through the liberality shown by that Government: all of which so largely contributed to the success which we Thanks are also are now enabled to record. due to our Engineer-in-Chief, Mr. Frank Grove, for the service he has rendered to the railway- services which are worthy of high praise. In conclusion I sincerely hope that this railway will prosper and communications expand and that the discrimination of nationalities will be non-existent (Applause.)
Mr.
with aspects, and
Mr. E. S. LINDSEY, General Manager of the British Section of the line, said: Your Excel- lency and Gentlemen,-- After the two eminent speakers who have preceded me there seems to be nothing left, except to express the thanks of the British Section of the Canton-Kowloon Railway to your Excellency for the kind way you have proposed and to you, gentlemen, for the manner in which you have honoured the toast, "Success to the Canton-Kowloon Railway." Barnes and Mr. Chuo have dealt the general and economic I would
{s n]} & like
few words in the belief that, though "repetitions," they are not necessarily "ain ones, leaving it to my friend, Mr. Grove, to give the figures usual on such occasions which go to show that the Bail- way bus been constructed so economically that an early return on capital is no difficult matter. It is just a year ago since the British Section of this Railway
traffic, opened for and the fact that the result of the past year has greatly exceeded expectations may be taken as a happy angury for success in the future. If a line 22 miles in length running from Kowloon to Lowu-nowhere
":
was
in particular-aud passing through a thickly populated district of the New Territory can earn enough to almost pay its fair working expenses during the Erst year's operation, what! possibilities must there lie before a line five times as long connecting two such centres as Hongkong and Canton and passing through a portion of a province whose average population exceeds 450 to the square mile? But the success of the Railway cannot depend alone ou the pos sibilities of local traffic, and there are other sources of success, the most important of which is undoubtedly the connection of this Railway with Hankow. When I was in Peking last year His Excellency Liang Shi Yi, theu Director of Railways, who himself had just returned to the Capital from a tour through this very line, stated that the Canton-Kowloon railway could not he expected to pay until the con- nection with Hankow had been accomplished. The events of the past six months go to show how thorough was his conviction in this respect and how great the importance which the Board of Post and Communications attaches to the connection. We may therefore rest as- sured that everything is now being done by the Imperial Post to bring about the happy result. The physical difficulties in the way of construc- tion are great, however, and notably in that por tion of the Yuot Han Railway which runs in the Kwong Tang Province, so that he would be a bold man who ventured to assert the possibility of travelling
by rail from Kowloon to Calais in the very uear fature. Consequently, if the success of this Railway is to depend on the interchange of trafic, it will be as well to lose no time in connecting with the already built portion of the Ynet Han Railway in order to initiate and establish the long hauls which are necessary to success in the carrying of goods traffic. I understand that the survey of this connecting link has been completed and the land is now being acquired, so that may take it for granted that before long another sixty miles of open line will be added to the length of this Railway from Kowloon, and in the direction of Hankow, Another element
of success, consideration for the public, lies in the hands of the Administrations of tho Railway themselves. As you are aware, a working agreement has been concluded between the two Sections of the Railway and now awaits the Imperial Ediet. In this Agreement a great deal has been left to the dis cretion of those on the spot, and both Govern- ments have wisely recognised that if the two Sections are to be worked as separate undertak- ings such a procedure is the only means of ensuring successful operation. The public may feel assured that although on opening a new line it is wise policy to restrict ambition in the matter of time-tables and fast running, it will not be very long before improvement takes place and renders it possible to go from Canton to Hongkong in four hours, allow ing the passenger time enough to transact business and return home on the same day. We also hope that before long passengers by slow train will no longer be required to change carriages at Samchun. I can assure you
that the Administrations of gentlemen,
the feet tho Railway fully recoguise that, if the railway is to be a success, the con. venience of the public must be their first con- sideration. And such being the case, I trust they will prove deserving of the kind wishes and sentiments which the toast has called forth and for which on behalf of the British Section I again have the honour to thank you. (Ap- plause.)
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Mr. FRANK GROVE, Engineer-in-Chief of the Chinese section, said-Your Excellencies, and Gentlemen,-There are probably few present
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