[ { "id": 274683, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-131 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [6-7]", "page_number": 318, "title": "CO129-131 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [6-7]", "content_text": "be in all that could, booth wired, and, although I \n\nSis Butterfred. Meckla berculars of 3 Juries to the leveesula, unbucks is hoods ours thank despatch, einproven sorres Allier - in the two \n\n## Conditions on the lovonlar Affirms holding Postal\nAgpueira, Ithe bot corsides this Ida buneary lutherto existing. dersicon with, be affected. \n\n### Shemby 3. As regards the letter from the Acting then leanand, at Chefoo\nI would remark, that the number of inhabitants is so small, that, after fully considering the uncatter, beittiens das Rear we angolf considered, as branchs of this Department - recefocery there, and in the arrangements Wasu wer 311 werades for the amalgamation of the Brituals ein Local Post Affices at thaughan, whichs received, this danction of Stia Exertheney him Richard Growen beractionals; \n\nthe agreed, that the correspondences posted Shanglions for Chefoo, amargot, others places samed, should be chall; writhes exclusivaly by Mars Local Best, Affeces; Whilst the letters receives in the mailo this at Houghtong should, bes forwarded, të them, boreaus. \n\n## Derning their pants 12. deonthe were seat \n971 Letters our 1687 Newspapers prepaña ~ tis the therited bring downto, tones deak to Kingdown Clre for, and the footage, which was coffretia ow Local cosscopridines during this dawn collectin period", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-131 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 288606, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-158 - Sir Kennedy - 1872 [6-8]", "page_number": 551, "title": "CO129-158 - Sir Kennedy - 1872 [6-8]", "content_text": "W. C \n\nCHANGES in the HOLDERS of OFFICES and APPOINTMENT in the Offices of HONGKONG, for the Quarter ended \n\n \n OFFICE.\n Name of the Officer who formerly held the appointment, and annual Salary.\n Name of the Officer who is now appointed and annual Salary.\n \n \n Post Office Agent at Amoy\n Gyes. Phillips (resigned) £100.\n M. B. Bristow £100.\n \n \n Agent at Chefoo\n \n J.J. E. E. E. E. (appointed) £480.\n \n \n \n Einslie (resigned) £60.\n Jettall. £288.\n \n \n Registrar General's Dept.\n C.I. Sangster (on leave) £480.\n John Gerrard £300\n \n \n \n \n C. Asmund $2410 4200 = 24 (1440 £1440\n \n \n War. Master's Dept.\n G. Gutterin (resigned) £22\n J.W. Remedios £360\n \n \n Collector of Stamp Revenue\n J. M. Mitchell £200\n \n \n \n \n \n J. Simpson £100. £480\n \n\n \n If appointed by Her Majesty's Government in England, date of authority of the Secretary of State,\n If appointed by the Governor, date of authority.\n If promoted from another Office or Government situation in the Colony, description of former appointment.\n \n \n \n c.s.o. no 1296 of 1905 May 1872\n \n \n \n \n c.s.o. no 594 of 26 Feb. 1872\n \n \n \n \n c.s.o. no 1116 of 15th April 1872\n Govt Notif Sorter in Registrar General's Dept.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Date of Governor's Despatch respecting the Change of Office or appointment, or the new appointment.\n Column for Remarks.\n \n \n 30 June 1872\n Mr. Bristow is an Assistant at H.M. Consulate at Amoy.\n \n \n \n Mr. Stall is ... Ilindent Interpreter attached to H.M. Consulate for Amoy and Osaka (Japan)\n \n \n \n Vide. Lieut. Mr. Gerard is First Class Clerk in the Registrar General's Office and Mr Bund-held the part of Registration Class 1871.\n \n \n Despatch No 162 of 25 Oct.\n reporting the leave.\n \n \n N:983 of 9th April 1872\n Temporary appointment during the 1st class (Mr Lording) absence half pay.\n \n \n \n M. Mitchell pay until ~full mutil 10th August, 1871 of the Crown Agent 9th April 1892.\n \n \n \n Simpson will draw the half salary of the Office.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-158 - Sir Kennedy - 1872 [6-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 309636, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-194 - Governor Hennessy Administrator Tonnochy - 1881 [8-9]", "page_number": 297, "title": "CO129-194 - Governor Hennessy Administrator Tonnochy - 1881 [8-9]", "content_text": "MAILS EXPECTED,\n\nTHE ENGLISH MAIL.\n\nThe P. and O. steamer Miripore, with the west English mail, left Singapore at 4.2, on the 27th August, and may be expected on the 1st September.\n\nPACIFIC AMERICAN MAIL.\n\nThe Pacific Mail steamer City of Tokio, with the American mail of the 6th August, arrived at Yokohama on the 27th August, and is due here on or about the 3rd September.\n\nINDIAN MAIL.\n\nThe direct steamer, with the next Indian mail, left Calcutta on the morning of the 18th August, and may be expected to arrive here on or about the 3rd September.\n\nSTEAMERS EXPECTED.\n\nThe Cosens Steamship Company's steamer Diored left Singapore on the evening of the 5th August, and may be expected on the 1st September.\n\nThe steamer Nianlangu left Blangupora on the 27th August, and may be expected to arrive here on or about the 3rd September.\n\nThe steamer Loudoun Castle left Singapore on the 29th August, and may be expected to arrive here on or about the 4th September.\n\nPOST-OFFICE NOTICES.\n\nThe authorised List of Mails issued in connection with this paper is the one published twice each day in our Extra, which is always sent to a much later hour than that given below.\n\nA MAIL WILL\n\nFor Shanghai.—Per Glenogle, to-day, the 30th instant, at 3.30 P.M.\n\nFor Bangkok.—Per Tientsin, to-day, the 30th instant, at P.M.\n\nFor Yokohama.—Per Sinter, to-day, the 30th instant, at 4.30 P.M.\n\nFor Fuzhou, Amoy, and Foochow.—Per Kwanghing, to-morrow, the 31st instant, at 11.30 A.M.\n\nFor Manila.—Per Pampay, to-morrow, the 31st instant, at 3 P.M.\n\nFor Batavia.—Per Fortyen, on Thursday, the 1st proximo, at 4.30 P.M.\n\nPublished at Yokohama.—Per Mutarera, on Friday, the 2nd proximo, at 5 P.M.\n\nFor Aden and Suez.—Per Takusaga Maru, on Friday, the 2nd proximo, at 5 P.M.\n\nThe Postal Guide published in 1870 being now somewhat out of date, a revised issue is printed in the Chronicle every fortnight, which supersedes all previous editions.\n\nNo responsibility can be accepted in this Department for incorrect replies to verbal enquiries, or to notes addressed to subordinate officers. The staff told off to sell stamps should not usually be relied upon to give correct information. The Postal Guide is the standard on which reliance may be placed.\n\nMAILS BY U.S. PACKET.\n\nThe United States Mail Packet \"Oceanic\" will depart on WEDNESDAY, the 31st instant, with Mails for Japan, Formosa, the United States, Canada, Honolulu, Peru, &c., which will be closed as follows:\n\n2.15 P.M. Registry of Letters closes.\n\n2.30 P.M. Post Office closes, except for Late Letters.\n\nLetters for foreign countries may be posted on board the Packet with Late Fee of 10 cents extra Postage until the time of departure.\n\nCorrespondence for the Non-Union West Indies must be sent by this route.\n\nMAILS BY P. AND O. BRITISH PACKET.\n\nThe British steamer Packet \"Andona\" will sail on THURSDAY, the 1st September, with Mails to and through Brindisi, to Naples, Malta, and Gibraltar.\n\nThis is the best opportunity for forwarding correspondence to Mauritius.\n\nN.B. This Packet carries no mails for the Australian Colonies.\n\nMAILS BY THE FRENCH PACKET.\n\nThe French Contract Packet \"Oxus\" will be despatched on THURSDAY, the 1st September, with Mails to and through the United Kingdom and Europe, via Naples; to Saigon, Straits Settlements, Labuan, the Australasian Colonies, Pondicherry, Madras, Calcutta, Aden, Egypt, Malta, and Gibraltar.\n\nCOURTS FOR CLOSING THE CONTRACT MAILS.\n\nTHE ENGLISH MAIL.—DAY BEFORE DEPARTURE.\n\n3 P.M. Money Order Office closes.\n\n3 P.M. Posts close, except the night box, which will always be open out of office hours.\n\nDAY OF DEPARTURE.\n\n7 A.M. Post Office opens.\n\n10.30 A.M. Registry of Letters closes. Posting of all printed matter and packets closes, except for Late Letters.\n\n11 A.M. Letters may be posted with Late Fee of 10 cents until 11.00 A.M., when the Post Office closes entirely.\n\n11.40 A.M. Late Letters may be posted on board the packet with Late Fee of 10 cents until the time of departure.\n\nCONCESSIONS AS TO SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' LETTERS.\n\n1.—Persons in H.M. Army or Navy, Non-commissioned Officers (Sergeants and Superintending or First Class) or School-mistresses may send correspondence letters to the United Kingdom via Brindisi or via Naples at the rate of one halfpenny (regardless of weight), which may be prepaid either in Imperial or in Hongkong stamps.\n\n2.—The same privileges apply to officers as above described.\n\n3.—All such letters prepaid at the rate of two cents (four pence) will be forwarded to or from the United Kingdom by private steamers and not by the mail packets.\n\n4.—Private steamers leave Hongkong for London about every ten days.\n\n5.—The letters must not exceed half an ounce.\n\nNo handkerchiefs, jewellery, &c., can be sent, even with the covers open.\n\n6.—If from a Soldier or Sailor, his class and description must be stated in full on the letter, the cover of which must be signed by the Commanding Officer, with name of regiment, ship, &c., in full.\n\n—If to a Soldier or Sailor, his class and description with name of regiment, ship, &c., must be stated in full.\n\n—Soldiers and Sailors have no privileges with regard to books or papers, nor can these be prepaid with foreign postal stamps.\n\nLETTERS FOR THE UNITED STATES BY SAILING SHIP.\n\nWhen it is desired to forward letters to the United States by a sailing ship which is not notified as carrying a mail, it is only necessary to pass the letters in the ordinary way, marked with the name of the ship, and prepaid 10 cents per half ounce as usual. The Post Office then undertakes the duty of obtaining notice of departure and despatching the correspondence.\n\nIt is requested that the letters be posted if possible at least one day before the date fixed for sailing.\n\nTEA MUSTERS.\n\nPersons who send Mustard of Tea through the Post in this country are requested to have them made flat or square instead of round, as it is quite impossible to pack round tins securely in the mail bags.\n\nPrinted and Published by N. Chalmers, Wyndham Street, Hongkong.\n\nTHE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS.\n\nNo. 7490.\n\nSHIPPING.\n\nARRIVALS.\n\nAugust 28, Somata, British bark, 710, L. from London 21st May, General.\n\nAugust 28, Tientsin, Chinese steamer, 315, F., from Pakhoi 23rd August, and Macao 28th, General.—C.M.S.N. Co.\n\nCOMPTOIR D'ESCOMPTE DE PARIS.\n\nIncorporated 7th June, 1848.\n\nNOTICES OF FIRMS.\n\nNOTICE.\n\nFENWICK, MORRISON & Co., Hongkong, 15th May, 1881.\n\nCAPITAL PAID-UP $200,000.\n\nRESERVE FUND $60,000.\n\nThe business will be carried on as heretofore by the remaining partners, M. Crowe.\n\nHEAD OFFICE—14, Rue Bergère, PARIS.\n\nAGENCIES AND BRANCHES AT:\n\nLYON, BOURBON, MARSEILLES, SINGAPORE 22nd August, General.\n\nCLEARANCES.\n\nAT THE HARBOUR MASTER'S OFFICE.\n\nOaklands, British steamer, for Saigon.\n\nLaurel, British bark, for Singapore.\n\nAtalanta, British steamer, for Shanghai.\n\nTientsin, British steamer, for Shanghai.\n\nRajanathawuhur, British steamer, for Bangkok.\n\nDEPARTURES.\n\nAugust 29, Moxart, German bark, for Tientsin.\n\nBANKERS:\n\nBank of England.\n\nThe Union Bank of London.\n\nMessrs. C. J. Hambro & Son.\n\nThe Hongkong Agency now fixes Deposits on Terms to be arranged on application, grants Drafts and Credits on all parts of the world, and transacts every description of Banking Exchange Business.\n\nF. SCHWEBLIN, Agent, Hongkong, 12th April, 1881.\n\nNOTICE.\n\nMR. J. J. dos Remedios is admitted to our Firm for Settlement.\n\nHongkong and Shanghai Bank.\n\nWith effect from July, 1881.\n\nREISS & Co.,\n\n1317.\n\nThis Day Opened a BRANCH Office of our Firm in Hongkong (Takaw and Trivandrum).\n\nDINCKS & Co.,\n\nSwatow, 3rd July, 1881.\n\nTO BE LET.\n\nTO LET.\n\n1356.\n\nAugust 29, Decres, British steamer, for Manila.\n\nTO LET.\n\nApply to ED. CHASTEN & Co., Hongkong, 5th July, 1881.\n\nTO LET.\n\nFIRST FLOOR OF HOUSE No. 50, QUEEN'S ROAD, suitable for Offices.\n\nFor Particulars, apply to T. G. GLOVER, No. 1, Queen's Road Central, Hongkong, 7th July, 1881.\n\nPUBLIC AUCTION & ENGLISH-HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE.\n\nUndersigned has received instructions to Sell by Public Auction, on FRIDAY, the 2nd September, 1881, at 3.30 P.M., Residence of A. G. Lewis, Esq., No. 39, Queen's Road Central, the whole of his ENGLISH and CANTON-WARE HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE.\n\nComprising English-made Mahogany Wardrobe, English-made Walnut Drawing-room Suite, &c.\n\nCatalogues will be sent gratis to Families on application.\n\nTaxes to be paid by Purchaser.\n\nC. R. LAMMELST, Auctioneer, Hongkong, 20th August, 1881.\n\nINSURANCES.\n\nNORTH BRITISH AND MERCANTILE INSURANCE COMPANY.\n\nThe Undersigned, having been appointed Agents to the above Company, are prepared to INSURE against FIRE as Current Rates.\n\nCOARE, LIND & Canton, 18th August, 1881.\n\nTRANSATLANTIC FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF HAMBURG.\n\nThe Undersigned, having been appointed Agents for the above Company, are prepared to INSURE against FIRE.\n\nTH. KOFFLER, Hongkong, 4th August, 1881.\n\nTO LET.\n\nNo. 2, OLD BANK STREET.\n\nNo. 6, PEDDER'S HILL.\n\nNo. 1, Skywos.\n\nApply to DAVID SASSON, SONS & Co., Hongkong, 19th July, 1881.\n\nTO LET.\n\nFIRMSEN & Co.,\n\nAgents.\n\nApukang, 16th November, 1879.\n\nLIVERPOOL AND LONDON AND GLOBE INSURANCE COMPANY.\n\nThe Undersigned, as Agents for the above Company, are prepared from this date to GRANT POLICIES against FIRE.\n\nApply to WING KEE, Commission Buildings or Hongkong Bank, Hongkong, 2nd January, 1881.\n\nTO LET.\n\nCOMMERCIAL HOUSE, West Point, with GODOWNS and STORAGE, Central, Waterside, with new landing stage.\n\nVery suitable for the occupation of a Merchant or Trader.\n\nAlso, a Small GRANITE GODOWN.\n\nApply to J. B. CRAWFORD, Esq., Hongkong, 16th August, 1881.\n\nINTIMATIONS.\n\nAugust 28, the Eclipse between 4 and 5 P.M., No. 2, Queen's Terrace, showed strong N. to S.W. winds with heavy sudden shifts, fine bright sunshine, and bad strong N.E. trades.\n\nSINGAPORE SHIPPING.\n\nARRIVALS.\n\n15, Rames, British steamer, from Bangkok.\n\n15, Normandy, British steamer, from Saigon.\n\n15, Ganyao, British steamer, from Deli.\n\n15, Vadera, British bark, from Sandakan.\n\n16, Vider, British steamer, from Pakhu.\n\n16, Cosseris, British brig, from Bangkok.\n\n15, V. Prior, Dutch steamer, from Cheribon.\n\n16, May Flower, British steamer, from Malacca.\n\n16, Cleator, British schooner, from Labuan.\n\n16, Bay, Belgian steamer, from Samarang.\n\nHONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION.\n\nNOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS.\n\nThe DIVIDEND declared for the Half-Year ending 30th June last, at the Rate of 23/4 per cent (One Pound and 3/4 Sterling) per Share of $125, is PAYABLE on WEDNESDAY, the 17th instant, at the Bank of the Corporation, where Shareholders are requested to apply for Warrants.\n\nBy Order of the Court of Directors.\n\nT. JACKSON, Chief Manager, Hongkong, 16th August, 1881.\n\nDEPARTURES.\n\n16, August, Norwegian steamer, for Bangkok.\n\n15, Teirmastus, British steamer, for Saigon.\n\n16, Gangmade, British steamer, for Deli.\n\n17, May Flower, British steamer, for Malacca.\n\n17, Glencoe, British steamer, for Hongkong.\n\n17, Choang H. Kiam, British steamer, for Hongkong.\n\n17, Sie, British steamer, for Malacca.\n\n18, Larios, British steamer, for London.\n\n18, Makts, British steamer, for Moulmein.\n\n18, Rajpootan, British steamer, for Calcutta.\n\n18, G. G. v. Lashberg, Dutch steamer, for Batavia.\n\n18, Rames, Sarawak steamer, for Hongkong.\n\n18, Bylgia, German bark, for Chefoo.\n\n18, Banca, British steamer, for Cheribon.\n\nSHARP, TOLER, AND JOHNSON, Hongkong, 1st August, 1881.\n\nTO LET.\n\nGODOWNS (to be LET).\n\nApply to MEYER & Co., Hongkong, 3rd March, 1881.\n\nTO LET.\n\nGODOWN situated on MARINE Lot No. 12.\n\nApply to TURNER & Co., Hongkong, 9th June, 1881.\n\nTO LET.\n\nPREMISES MEN'S ROOMS CENTRAL, now in occupation of Messrs. Deis & Co. and R. Caruso, adjoining Messrs. McGregor, Fraser & Co's.\n\nPossession on 1st September.\n\nApply to LINSTEAD & DAVIS, Hongkong, 29th August, 1881.\n\nTO LET.\n\nROOM IN EXCHANGE BUILDING, 20, GIN ST., containing 3 Rooms, and enjoying a good view of the harbour.\n\nWater laid on.\n\nApply to The General Agents, with the approval of the Conventing Committee.\n\nJARDINE, MATHESON & Co., General Agents, Hongkong, 24th July, 1881.\n\nNOTICE.\n\nThe undersigned have been appointed Sole Agents for the Sale of their Goods in Hongkong and China by Messrs. J. & B. Task, London.\n\nDIRHAM.\n\nApply to MEYER & Co., Hongkong, 15th August, 1881.\n\nALGAR AND COMPANY, HOUSE AND ESTATE AGENTS.\n\nBROWN, JONES & Co., UNDERTAKERS, MOURNING STATIONERY, MONUMENTS MANUFACTURERS.\n\n9, HOLLY WOOD ROAD.\n\nJAPAN GAZETTE.\n\nYOSHIYA.\n\nAgents appointed in Hongkong and South China for the Japan Gazette, Japan Gazette Summary, and Hong List.\n\nOrders for Subscriptions and Advertisements will be received at this Office.\n\n16, Tengkung Daily Press Office.\n\nRECORD of AMERICAN and FOREIGN SHIPPING.\n\nAgents, ARNHOLD, KARBERG & Co., Hongkong, 4th September, 1879.\n\nPOSITIVE GOVERNMENT SECURITY LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY, LIMITED.\n\n30 per cent. of Gross Receipts deposited with Government Trustees specifically to meet Claims under Policies.\n\nASSURANCES GRANTED on advantageous terms.\n\nApply to RONAED SCHELLHASS & Co., Agents, Hongkong, 1st January, 1881.\n\nFOOD.\n\nARNOLD KARBERG & Co., CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.\n\nA. TONG, PHOTOGRAPHER.\n\nA. CHUNG NGOL SAN, appointed to E. & A. N. Co.—Chinese Daily Press.\n\nTHE CHINA MAIL.\n\nIt is the best medium for Advertising among the Ports.\n\nIt has been established upwards of TWELVE YEARS, and enjoys the largest circulation of any Chinese paper in the Southern Ports of China.\n\nIt is carefully edited by an experienced European Editor, and contains FULL and EARLY Commercial Intelligence.\n\nAUCTION SALES.\n\nTerms for Advertising can be obtained at the Office, Wyndham Street, Hongkong; or from the different Agents.\n\nHongkong, 5th January, 1877.\n\nD. K. GRUPPEn boide.\n\nTHE COMMERCIAL JOURNAL for CHINA, JAPAN, &c., Published in the Office of the Anglo-Chinese Daily Press on the Morning of the Departure of an English Mail.\n\nContains the LATEST AND FULLERT TRADE INTELLIGENCE, REPORTS of MEETINGS of COMPANIES, THE LATEST TELEGRAMS, together with the POLITICAL and GENERAL NEWS of the Far East.\n\nThe Trade Report has large circulation in Hongkong, the Ports of China and Japan, the Philippines, Straits Settlements, &c.\n\nHongkong, 5th October, 1877.\n\nNo. 170.\n\nMINUTE.\n\n30th August, 1881.\n\nSir. J. P. Hennessy.\n\nMr. Wingfield.\n\nMr. Bramston.\n\nMr. Heade.\n\nMr. Herbert.\n\nCountney.\n\nMr. Cathy.\n\nLord Kimberley.\n\nDec. 9th, 1881.\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 136, of the 30th August, forwarding the Estimates for 1882.\n\nAnd also of your despatch No. 4, of the 2nd September, forwarding the usual returns connected with the Estimates.\n\nGR1178/1922/32(III)\n\nPage 363\n\n...\n\nPage 364", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-194 - Governor Hennessy Administrator Tonnochy - 1881 [8-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 319725, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-205 - Public Offices - 1882", "page_number": 280, "title": "CO129-205 - Public Offices - 1882", "content_text": "## Part III of Report by Sir T. Wade, dated July 14, 1877.\n\n### III.\n\nTo come now to Section 3, relating to trade. The case with which I have had to deal requires, I regret to say, a considerable amount of explanation.\n\nBy Article X of the Treaty of Nanking, signed in August 1842, the Government of China agreed to establish at the five ports then thrown open to British trade a Tariff of export and import customs, and other dues. It further agreed that when British merchandize should have once paid such dues and customs, it might be conveyed by Chinese merchants to any province or city in the interior of China, on paying a further amount as transit duties, which amount was not to exceed a certain percentage on the Tariff value of the goods.\n\nThe ratifications of this Treaty were exchanged at Hong Kong in June 1843, but the percentage on value to be levied as transit duties not having been fixed, a declaration was signed by Sir Henry Pottinger and the Imperial Commissioner Keying, the same Plenipotentiaries who had negotiated the Treaty of Nanking, to the effect that the charges to be levied as transit duties should not exceed the rates then existent; these, said the Declaration, being on a moderate scale.\n\nThe ratifications of the Treaty, it was added, were exchanged subject to the above stipulations.\n\nIn October of the same year a supplementary Treaty was signed, to certain provisions of which, although it was subsequently abrogated, it will be necessary elsewhere to direct attention.\n\nAt a later period, I am unable to say precisely whether by Sir Henry Pottinger or by his successor, Sir John Davis, there was published, in 1844, a Table of the barriers or stations recognized by the Board of Revenue as those at which transit dues were leviable; leviable, that is to say, on account of Imperial, as distinct from Provincial, revenue.\n\nThat local dues not accounted for to the Board of Revenue did at the time exist there is little doubt, but of the nature or amount of these we have no published official evidence.\n\nThe date of the Code of the Board, from which the list above referred to was translated, was, unless I am mistaken, 1818, not 1881. So late as 1850 I was unable to procure a more modern edition. My reason for directing attention to the date will be seen in due time.\n\nFrom an early period our merchants complained that inland charges were pressing fitfully and unduly upon their trade, import and export. So far as the latter was concerned, indeed, the Treaties extant in no way protected produce on its way to a port of shipment against any charges that the Chinese might choose to impose upon it. Our imports, by the Declaration of 1843, were certainly entitled to exemption from all charges inland not authorized before that year. Yet their annual rise was insisted on by the Chinese purchasers of our goods, and having no access to the interior, for the Treaty of 1842 gave us no more than a right of residence at the five open ports, we were unable to gainsay their testimony; the truth of which, besides, with our knowledge of the irregularity of Chinese finance, there was no reason to question. This, even up to the year 1849-50, when the insurrection, subsequently known as the T'ai Ping, was beginning to make itself felt in the southern provinces of China, and the needs of the Government, real and pretended, became a ground of appeal to the patriotism of those who were assumed to be best able to contribute to the necessities of the State, or, to speak more correctly, were most accessible for purposes of abnormal taxation.\n\nThese would be, for many reasons, the mercantile classes.\n\nThe Imperial revenue, which, in normal times, may amount to some £15,000,000 sterling, is beholden for more than two-fifths of this total to the tax assessed on land in three degrees. In an insurrection much of the land is of course thrown out of cultivation, and even where this is not the case, much of the land-tax is beyond the reach of the collector. The land-tax is, at the same time, the one impost which it is absolutely dangerous to raise. A direct augmentation of it would, at any time, be the surest means of producing a rebellion. Abnormal taxation of trade, on the other hand, is attended with no such result. In one instance, where the wholesale and retail dealers were taxed according to their ledgers, and with such freedom, that the sums exacted were held to amount to cent. per cent. upon value, the people closed their shops until the rate of charge was lowered; but the iniquity produced no rising; and although through the Censorate and other channels of representation the native trading communities continue now to protest to the Throne against the burden laid upon them, the Government has comparatively little difficulty in levying very heavy \"patriotic contributions\" in one form or other; not solely for war expenses, as it is common to assert, but for other expenses of the Government, general or particular. The sale of the lower offices, or of high official rank, is but one form of abnormal taxation. This, however, does not otherwise than remotely affect trade. The taxation immediately concerning it is that known as the li-kin, or li-kiuen, the nominally \"one per mil contribution,\" which has for more than twenty years borne with increasing weight, not only upon the trade in foreign imports, but upon all departments of commerce in China, inland or maritime.\n\nThe Treaty of Tien-tsin signed by Lord Elgin in 1858 secured by Article IX to British subjects the right of access under passport, whether for business or pleasure, to all parts of the Empire. It added by Article XI to the five ports above enumerated as open to trade, the ports of New-chwang, Chefoo, Tai-wan, Swatow, Kiung-chow, Chin-kiang, Kin-kiang, and Hankow, and by Article XII it obtained a right to purchase land and to build, not only in the port towns, but in their immediate vicinity.\n\nI note this stipulation, because I shall have to recur to it when I come to speak of abnormal taxation upon trade within or beyond the limits of the ground at most ports more particularly set apart for the residence of foreigners; the foreign settlements or so-called \"Concessions.\"\n\nBy Articles XXVI and XXVII, it was agreed that the Tariff of 1843 should be immediately revised, and that for the time to come a fresh revision should be made every ten years; and for the regularization of the taxation of trade inland, it was agreed by Article XXVIII, that any British subject desiring to convey produce purchased inland to a port, or to convey imports from a port to an inland market, should be enabled, if he chose, to clear his goods of all transit duties by payment of a single charge. If he did not choose so to clear his goods, he would have to pay the duties leviable, whether upon native produce or British imports, between open port and inland centre. The amount of duties leviable in the latter case was to be declared within four months of the signature of the Treaty.\n\nThe Tariff of import and export duties was duly revised in the autumn of 1858; but the Declaration promised in Article XXVIII was not ready. In the then state of the Empire it was impossible that it should be. Up the valley of the Great River, and throughout the central provinces of China, the Tai-P'ing rebels, although their consistency had been much impaired, were still in force. Six years were yet to elapse before the recovery of Nan-king. The provisions of Article XXVIII were consequently modified; and in Rule 7 of the Regulations appended to the Tariff, it was agreed that the Article in question should be interpreted as declaring the amount of transit dues legally leviable upon merchandize imported or exported by British subjects to be one-half of the Tariff duty leviable at the port of shipment or entry upon such merchandize. A British subject, desiring to clear imports inland by payment of the half-duty, would have issued to him, on application, a certificate, exhibition of which along the line of barriers through which the merchandize must pass to the inland centre specified would free the imports of all other charges. If he were bringing down produce for exportation from the interior, he was to have it inspected at the first barrier upon the line of transit, and he would then receive a Memorandum which would similarly clear this produce down to the barrier nearest the specified port of shipment. Here the half-duty would have to be paid. Unauthorized sale in transit of produce, entered as above for a port of shipment, would render it liable to confiscation. So would an attempt to pass produce in excess of the amount stated in the Memorandum. At the port of shipment permission to export produce, which could not be proved to have paid its transit dues, would be refused by the Customs. This arrangement rendered unnecessary the notification of inland Tariffs stipulated for in Article XXVIII of the Treaty. It should be specially noted that clearance, inwards or outwards, under its conditions, was not made obligatory. An option was left to the British merchant to avail himself of the new rule or not.\n\nBy Rule 5 of the same Tariff Regulations the restrictions affecting trade in various commodities heretofore declared contraband were conditionally removed. Of these commodities the first-named, opium, was the chief. It is unnecessary here to refer to the conditions regarding any other. The steps taken by the High Commissioner, Lin, to suppress the trade in opium, had been, it will be remembered, the immediate occasion of our first war with China. A proposal to legalize it had not been wholly unsupported by Chinese statesmen shortly before the time of the rupture, but...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-205 - Public Offices - 1882.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 319747, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-205 - Public Offices - 1882", "page_number": 302, "title": "CO129-205 - Public Offices - 1882", "content_text": "## 298 \n\n## 148 \n\nThis reminds me to tell you that while in Hong Kong I heard, in confidence from the Captain of the gun-boat who was taking the officer over, that the Governor of Macao was to be invested with a decoration got for him by Chang-chih-t'ai in return for permission to allow the Chinese to search Macao for the pirates of the German ship \"Occident.\" Lin Tô-jêu referred in so pointed a way to his ability to square the Governor of Macao that I fancy the latter must have named his terms.\n\nHe next spoke about the rate to be charged for opium, and said he agreed with Li Chung-t'ang that it should be 100 taels. This more than expressed the actual revenue that the Chinese Government now got, but when every allowance was made for loss by smuggling and cost of collection, it would not do much more than cover the total revenue, reported and unreported. The latter was a very heavy item in every port. Fire brigades, and the like institutions, with a host of petty items that never appeared in the public, were covered by fees on opium, only known to foreigners under the general term li-kin. He thought 100 taels was a fair rate, from which I gather that, if pressed, he would accept less. The issue of a ticket with each bale would, he thought, be a fair guarantee against a double levy, which would further be prohibited by an Imperial Decree which no one would venture to disregard.\n\nHe told me the Yamên had also referred the scheme for the taxation of foreign imports to him. He had reported favourably upon it for two reasons. First, he saw many difficulties in the way of carrying out the arrangement in the Chefoo Agreement for the delimitation of a fresh area, particularly in parts where no foreign concession existed; and, next, he believed that an import duty of 10 per cent., although it did not represent the aggregate of the inland taxes leviable upon foreign imports, would actually secure a larger revenue to the Chinese Government, for a large proportion of the inland dues never found their way into the Exchequer. He had objected to the proposal that appropriation should be made by maritime provinces to inland ones, and had suggested as an alternative that the whole of the revenue from the foreign import trade should be remitted to the Board of Revenue. In return for this remittance the maritime provinces were to be relieved from all subsidies to impecunious provinces and contributions towards war and other expenses, which would have to be supplied by the Board of Revenue. This would relieve the richer provinces from many embarrassing calls. I asked what the provinces would depend upon in this case for local expenditure. He said there was the land tax to fall back upon, omitting all mention of li-kin on native trade. He said the demand for guarantees was a reasonable one on the part of the foreign Representatives; but when I asked him what form these guarantees would take, he seemed to have no other suggestion to make than the issue of a peremptory Decree.\n\nThis is, I think, the sum of what was said on the trade question. In connection with his remarks on the necessity of opium dues being collected by the Foreign Customs, when he spoke very highly of Mr. Hart's talents as an administrator, he said Mr. Hart was coming to see him shortly to discuss the possibility of making some arrangements for the better collection of the revenue on salt.\n\nThe only other subject on which we talked was the Woosung Bar. I told Lin-ta-jêu that the Yamên had promised that something should be done, and he asked me to tell you that he had sent a \"wei yuan,\" called Wang, to Shanghae to look into the matter and take soundings. On receipt of Wang's Report he had determined to order a dredger from abroad, which would be used for the deepening of the bar, and be afterwards employed in the Yangtze and elsewhere. He estimated the cost of dredging the bar at some 10,000 taels or so, and said it was his intention to deepen it sufficiently to allow of the passage of large vessels. It was possible that the foreign community of Shanghae might be dissatisfied with what he intended to do, but he could not promise more. He recognized the obligation of the Chinese Government to keep its own waterways navigable, and his main objection to the scheme under which the Shanghae community proposed to levy a tax for the dredging of the bar was his fear lest they should consider that this gave them a claim to interfere with Chinese rights.\n\nAfter returning to the boat I went to call on Lu, the deputy who had provided me with a chair, and thank him for his good offices. He told me that it had been the Governor-General's original intention to retire when he received the Decree summoning him to Peking, but that he had since changed his mind. It was generally supposed that Lin-chih-t'ai would be sent to Kansu, and that Tseng Kuo-chuan, the Governor-General designate, would take his place at Nanking.\n\nI inclose a letter which Lin-chih-t'ai asked me to send to you. He trusted to me, he said, to report what he had told me to you.\n\nI have, &c.\n**(Signed)**\n**WALTER C. HILLIER.**\n\n**(Confidential.)**\n\n## 149 \n\nInclosure 8 in No. 75.\n\nMr. Hillier to Sir T. Wade.\n\nMy dear Sir Thomas,\n\nHankow, September 26, 1881.\nOn my arrival here the day before yesterday I found that I had missed the Governor-General* by a day or two. He has gone to I-ch'ang to inspect troops, and from there will visit other military stations in his jurisdiction, returning here in about a month's time.\n\nUnder the circumstances I thought it best to send the Governor, P'êng Tzu-hsien, your letter of introduction to the Viceroy, and ask whether, in the absence of his chief, he could give me an interview. He sent word by his military Aide that he would see me this morning, and, as in every other instance, I was received with the greatest civility.\n\nWhen I spoke of the Intercourse question to him, he told me that he had no doubt it was all right, but that he had to confess he had never seen the Yamên's correspondence on the subject. He had heard that \"chao-hui\" was the form to be used, but had imagined that it always had been employed. He was, at any rate, quite sure that no one at Wu-ch'ang would make any objection to any new arrangements the Yamên might make, or have made. His duties did not bring him much in contact with foreign officials, though he had met Mr. Alabaster, who had impressed him as a man of much tact and experience. Hence the reason that the correspondence from the Yamên on the subject of Intercourse had not been shown him. He had seen some recent letters from the Yamên, but these were about opium and trade. In one they had asked the opinion of the Provincial Government as to the advisability of accepting 110 taels in lieu of all li-kin, and in the other they had called for remarks on the proposed scheme for the abolition of all inland duties on foreign imports in consideration of a Tariff duty of 10 per cent. ad valorem.\n\nHe said that the latter matter was, in his opinion, more easy of settlement than the former. The Yamên had called upon all the Customs Taotais to draw up draft regulations which should secure foreign goods from further taxation after payment of import duty, and he had seen the regulations drawn up by the Taotai of I-ch'ang, which had already gone up to Peking. These provided for the transport of foreign goods inland under passes, which would have to be shown at every barrier and stamped. I pointed out that the system would, I thought, be cumbrous, cause delays, and subject the goods to a squeeze at every barrier in the shape of a stamping fee. He did not deny the possibility of extortion, but said he hoped by the selection of respectable officers for barrier duty that it would be reduced to a minimum. He could not see that the imposition of indirect levies, such as the taxation of shops for the sale of foreign goods and the like, would be in any way a breach of the stipulation that one payment should cover everything, and he claimed for Chinese merchants the right to \"contribute voluntarily to the necessities of the Government, provided that foreign goods were let alone.\" Chinese merchants, whatever they dealt in, were free to be taxed as the exigencies of the State required.\n\nHe had heard, he said, of the proposition of certain Chinese merchants, headed by one P'êng Yu, to establish an opium monopoly at Hong Kong. (I must correct my statement in my last letter that a \"friend\" had applied to Liu Chih T'ai; it was evidently this man P'êng Yü.) Li Chung Tang had written to his brother about it. He, P'êng Tzu-hsien, was too far away from Hong Kong to be able to express a positive opinion on the subject, and would be glad to hear what the Governors-General, whom I had seen, thought of the scheme. When I told him that they looked upon it with suspicion he agreed, and said he preferred the plan suggested by the Yamên. Tso Chung Tang's proposals were impossible; he wanted to deal with foreign opium in a manner unauthorized by Treaty, and Ting Pao Chên, Governor-General of Sze-ch'uen, had shown conclusively that native opium could not be systematically taxed. He had seen Ting Chih T'ai's memorial on the subject, in which it was pointed out that native opium was carried in small quantities by numbers of lawless and desperate characters, who concealed it about their persons, and travelled by unfrequented mountain paths. If barriers were erected at any point these men would make long detours to avoid them, and if every channel was to be stopped the barriers would have to be multiplied enormously. Even granting that it was possible to protect every outlet, it would be necessary to station a considerable number of men at each place, for the opium smugglers would travel in gangs, and resent any interference from Customs runners whose numerical strength was inferior to their own.\n\nIt was easy to see, therefore, that the cost of an opium preventive service in Sze-ch'uen would be greater than the revenue it was supposed to protect.\n\n* Li Han-ch'ang, eldest brother of the Grand Secretary Li, Governor-General of Hu Pei and Hu Nan, resides in Wu-chang, opposite Hankow.-T. W.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-205 - Public Offices - 1882.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 319749, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-205 - Public Offices - 1882", "page_number": 304, "title": "CO129-205 - Public Offices - 1882", "content_text": "# 153 \n## 300 \n### 152\n\nI discussed the li-kin that can be made sure of once the drug emerges from the port area, and a 40 tael rate would be liberal. I was prepared for an invitation to recommend Her Majesty's Government to go as far as 50 taels. But we did not reach this point. The Grand Secretary, acting, I thought, under instructions from Peking, suddenly became, to all appearance, indifferent to further prosecution of the negotiations.\n\nI had hardly returned to Peking when my colleague, the Minister of Germany, whose Treaty revision was still incomplete, invited me as Doyen to call together all the Representatives of Treaty Powers for a Conference upon the inland taxation of trade, import and export. We were also to consider other questions affecting our Treaty relations with China, but the question of trade is that to which alone it is necessary to refer at this moment.\n\nI had myself made it a condition with the Tsung-li Yamên, before I took on me to declare the Yun-Nan affair closed in 1876, that the foreign Representatives should be invited to take up the whole of these questions. The Yamên did issue its Circular note, but without result, and I was to a certain extent in a position of disadvantage vis-à-vis the Yamên, as it was thus enabled to contend that every condition affecting trade that I had required of the Chinese Government, in the Chefoo Agreement, had been satisfied, while on our side nothing had been done. Nor would it admit that Her Majesty's Government was in any way hampered by the objection of foreign Governments to the commercial clauses of the Agreement.\n\nThe Minister of Germany had demanded removal of the li-kin Collectorate from the Shanghae settlement, on the ground that its action was in contravention of Treaty. But the Yamên persisted in maintaining that this demand, so far as Shanghae was concerned, was based upon a virtual acceptance of the Chefoo Agreement, against which, as I have said, the Minister of Germany and others of my colleagues were at the very time protesting.\n\nThe demand referred to had been coupled with an intimation from the Minister of Germany and his colleagues that no objection would be made to the levy of li-kin on opium within the settlement of Shanghae; but of this, I was not aware until nearly a twelvemonth had passed. The Yamên never alluded to it, and I was first informed of it by the Minister of Germany himself, in the course of a conference upon the general trade last year.\n\nLet me say here that I regard this concession to the Chinese, if concession it may be called, as a perfectly legitimate concession on the part of my colleagues concerned. Chinese, in my opinion, had as much right to lay a li-kin on opium in the settlement or any larger port area, as they had to lay upon other articles of the import trade. I merely mention it here as part of the history of the case, and as an incident, no doubt, that added to my embarrassment as a negotiator. I was not cognizant of it, for instance, for months after the conclusion of the discussion recorded in the correspondence laid before Parliament in `China No. 2(1880)`, in which I agreed to recommend, as an experiment, the collection of li-kin, together with Tariff duty, at the single port of Shanghae for a term of five years.\n\nThis last-named arrangement came to nothing because I could not obtain satisfactory information either as to the amount of li-kin it was proposed to collect in the first instance, or the area of exemption from farther taxation after the first payment had been made.\n\nThe year 1880, though not wholly lost to trade discussion, was much taken up with matter of graver concernment. Still, I continued to confer with the Chinese Ministers of the Tsung-li Yamên, both on the subject of the general trade in imports, and of the opium trade.\n\nThe formal engagement of the American Government to prohibit all participation in this trade to American citizens, as soon as I heard of it, gave me occasion to put questions regarding the possible treatment of the trade by China. The answer, which was to the effect that neither legislation in China, nor diminution of the import from India, would lessen consumption, that in the remoralization of the individual Chinese lay the only chance of Chinese recovery, I telegraphed to your Lordship in January 1881. It was read in the House of Commons by the Marquis of Hartington.\n\nThe arrival of the Grand Secretary, Tso, somewhat later, proved a fresh point of departure. He is a man of undoubted energy and tenacity, and his career during the last twenty years, either against rebels within the frontier, or revolted colonists beyond it, has gained him with all Chinese of the old school a high reputation. In the two provinces of Shên Si and Kan Su, of which he was Governor-General, it was his boast that he had made a successful crusade against both poppy cultivation and opium smokers, and in one of his first interviews with me, he declared that he had suppressed at least nine-tenths of the production and consumption of opium within his jurisdiction. This is not quite borne out by travellers who have recently visited those far-off districts. It is undoubted, at the same time, that his treatment of offenders against his interdict was rigorous in the extreme.\n\nHis Excellency appeared to me none the less to approach the opium traffic on its fiscal rather than on its moral side, although the latter occupied, indeed, the more advanced place in his argument. He denounced the trade in the severest terms; but while insisting, as most Chinese statesmen, when speaking of opium, do insist, that extinction of the foreign trade in opium must precede extinction of the native trade in it, and that to this end such taxation must be laid upon it as will render its price all but prohibitory, he certainly let me see that he was not indifferent to the revenue which, with high taxation, he hoped might be derived from it. The fair thing, he argued—and it is not a new argument in China—the fair thing, on the part of the Indian Government, would be to divide its enormous profits on the opium sales with the Chinese Exchequer, share and share alike. And while affirming stoutly that as the trade had been put down in his jurisdiction, so it might and should be put down in all provinces of China, he more than admitted that native opium was regularly taxed. \"Would such and such an arrangement regarding Indian opium work?\" I asked his Excellency. \"By no means,\" he replied; \"we should then lose the revenue on native opium.\"\n\nI am here summarizing very briefly what fell from the Grand Secretary Tso on more than one occasion, before the reappearance on the scene of his distinguished colleague, the Grand Secretary Li, who paid a visit to Peking in the month of May 1881.\n\nBy their own invitation, I met the two great Ministers together at the Tsung-li Yamên, when his Excellency Tso, repeating much that he said before, proposed as a uniform rate of li-kin the addition of 120 taels to the Tariff duty of 30 taels. This, I was informed, was an abatement; he had originally proposed 150 taels li-kin.\n\nWe did not meet after this. His Excellency addressed a Memorial to the throne, in which he represented me as having shown great impatience and shiftiness. He allowed his paper to appear in one of the Shanghae native journals.\n\nI thought it right to challenge some of his statements about myself. I inclose copies of our correspondence, also a translation of his Memorial more carefully prepared than that which has been published in the native prints.* It is noteworthy that in this Memorial, he speaks of the rate of 40 taels li-kin originally proposed by me as but a slight rise upon the rates of collection already ruling. In the Chefoo Agreement, be it remembered, I had only tried to secure to China what she was receiving on opium.\n\nHis Excellency Li proved less exacting. He began, however, with a rate of 120 taels; this he subsequently reduced to 110 taels.\n\nI was much pressed to name a rate myself; I declined. If it rested entirely with me, I said, admitting, as I did, that we owed China something under the Chefoo Agreement, I should be for an increase of the Tariff duty by one-half, the native Collectorates being left, as in time past, to get in the li-kin as they might. This arrangement, I had reason to think, would be more acceptable in the provinces than collection of a high rate of li-kin by the Customs Inspectorate. The Provincial Governments have, lawfully and unlawfully, an interest in the collection by native offices, which cannot fail to be prejudiced by the more regular intervention of the foreign Inspectorate. The revenue collected by the latter, again, may be said to stand rather to the credit of the Central Government, although it is not practically absorbed by it. These were accepted conclusions which were supported by the observations of the Grand Secretary Tso in my first conversation with him, when he declared that any system that might interfere with the collection inland of li-kin or similar imposts could not fail to discontent the Provincial Governments.\n\nMy proposal, if it could be called one, to present China with a half duty, and there an end, did not meet with much encouragement. A general doubt was expressed that Her Majesty's Government would consent to it. Some attempt was made at the same time to make light of it, although I showed that, taking the opium import of 1878 as an average, it would add 1,000,000 taels to the opium revenue receipts.\n\nA high li-kin rate secured by the foreign Inspectorate was the favourite, and had the Chinese Ministers at the conference referred to adhered to what I had privately learned was their intention, of proposing 60 taels as the uniform rate, I should have recommended this to the consideration of Her Majesty's Government at once.\n\nI have omitted to observe that there was an important difference between the systems previously examined and that here under discussion. We had so far been dealing with rates that were to clear opium of li-kin at the ports only, the li-kin inland being still to be collected.\n\n*Copies of correspondence (Nos. 7-9) with the Grand Secretary Tso have been left in Peking, and will be forwarded by the next mail.\n\nPage [1703]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-205 - Public Offices - 1882.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 319751, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-205 - Public Offices - 1882", "page_number": 306, "title": "CO129-205 - Public Offices - 1882", "content_text": "156 \n157 \n302 \n\ndecidedly for the joint collection, but names a higher rate of li-kin than I am disposed to recommend. As I have argued in my first note to His Highness, I consider a li-kin of 60 taels remarkably liberal, but would recommend, as a maximum, 70 taels, providing that the satisfaction of Treaty provisions affecting foreign trade inland were assured.\n\nThe Yamên's last-named estimate is 80 taels, but I received a verbal assurance that 70 taels would be agreed to.\n\nWhile the debate on these rates still continued, in March last, Mr. Samuel reappeared with a scheme differing from that propounded by him last year, but regarding the details of which he has shown himself as reticent as last year he was outspoken. Disclaiming all official character, he has presented himself as a commercialist, pure and simple. His extreme reserve, even towards the Chinese, who, in answer to my questions, assured me that they did not understand what he contemplated, has lost him time, but his scheme has been at last brought to the notice of the Chinese Government by Chinese intermediaries, and I have every reason to believe that it has the support of Sir Robert Hart, the Inspector-General of Customs. It is certain that it is at this moment being attentively, indeed favourably, considered by the Chinese Government. From what I have learned of it, I think it calculated to secure the revenue to both Governments alike. But it would be premature to say more.\n\nI have omitted to mention that during my absence at Shanghae, in November, another scheme of monopoly, of which Hong-Kong was to be the centre, was laid before the Grand Secretary Li by Mr. John Pitman, formerly, I believe, an officer of the Royal Navy, but of late years engaged in trade and otherwise in China and Japan. Whether the Grand Secretary received Mr. Pitman or not I am unable to say. He went on, I understand, to Peking, and with the aid of a native banker, succeeded in submitting his scheme to the Tsung-li Yamên, but he was not received by the Ministers of the Yamên, and no more has been heard of his project. Of its details I know nothing.\n\nThe foregoing, I hope, will suffice as a historical résumé of the last five years' negotiations concerning opium taxation.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) THOMAS FRANCIS WADE.\n\nP.S.-It will be observed that in the sketch just completed no reference is made to the Prince of Kung's proposal to put the Chefoo Agreement's arrangement on trial at Shanghae for a term of years. In my note to the Prince (Inclosure No. 2 in this despatch) I have recorded my reasons for not supporting this proposal. I could obtain no satisfactory assurance as to the degree of exemption from farther taxation the first payment would secure imported opium. But, in truth, the practical result of the experiment would have been the transfer of the Shanghae opium trade to any other port at which surveillance was less strict. Thence it would have been smuggled into Shanghae.\n\nT. F. W.\n\n## Inclosure 1 in No. 76\n\n### Memorial from Grand Secretary Tso Tsung-tang, advocating the increase of Duty and Li-kin upon foreign and native Opium, as a means towards checking consumption.\n\n(Translation.)\n\n**MEMORIALIST** would humbly premise that opium is produced in India, and is imported thence by British merchants; the poison thus disseminated through China being known as `yang yao`, or the foreign drug. The evil effects are first felt in centres of trade and in public offices. The idle and dissipated youth amongst the well-to-do of the middle class who congregate together for purposes of amusement, make use of it to while away the time.\n\nThe taste thus acquired gradually developes into a craving, and when the craving becomes intense, health and spirits suffer, ruin follows, and death finishes the picture.\n\nThe labouring classes in the interior of China abandon the cultivation of the different kinds of grain on the rich land eminently fitted for the growth of cereals, and plant the poppy instead. They make incisions in the poppy heads and extract the juice, which they call `t'u yao`, or native drug. The evil effects of this form of the drug first attack the market-towns, hamlets, and villages. The labouring poor and the idle and vagrant have in time come to consider it as a daily necessary of life, and ignore the nature of the prohibition against it. Hence the number of consumers is very great, the mischief becomes more and more confirmed, and reform becomes an almost hopeless task; consumption of foreign opium by Chinese has increased, and the sale of foreign opium has extended in a corresponding degree. Formerly the annual import used to be something over 30,000 chests, but it gradually increased till it exceeded 50,000 chests per annum, and the memorialist has recently heard that it has now mounted to over 70,000 chests. The price of foreign opium used to be over 700 taels a chest of 100 catties, but has now, so he understands, dropped to some 500 taels or so, showing that the area of consumption has been extended by the diminution of price, a fact which also exemplifies the astuteness of the foreigner.\n\nUnder the present condition of things, therefore, were severe prohibitions devised, they would, if enforced with laxity, be easily violated, and, if enforced with severity, they would be found not to work; while more harm than good would be done if incompetent agents were employed to carry them out.\n\nAll\n\nWhen memorialist was made Governor-General of Shensi and Kansuh, he made the prohibition of poppy cultivation his first business, directing his subordinates to pluck up the plant wherever they met with it, that the evil might be cleansed at its source. Foreign opium imported into his jurisdiction was labelled and deposited in storehouses, the importers being compelled to take it away again, and forbidden to sell it in either province. All opium sold in defiance of this prohibition was publicly burned in an open thoroughfare. This system, though it met with partial success in a given area, would not work if applied universally, because opium could not then be sent back by the way it came, neither could it, if no sale were found in one market, seek another.\n\nA careful consideration of the whole question convinces the memorialist that increase of duty and li-kin upon opium, native and foreign, is the only possible solution of the problem. Increase of duty and li-kin will certainly raise the price of foreign and native opium. When prices are high, those whose craving is not intense will give up the habit, and those whose craving is intense will reduce their consumption; and it may reasonably be expected that diminution of consumption will lead eventually to abandonment of the vice. If the issue of merely nominal prohibitions be the only course pursued, this will only lead to exactions on the part of soldiers and official underlings, with fraud and concealment on the part of the authorities. A mass of correspondence will be the result, and endless litigation will be caused, with the probability that confusion will be created in urban districts from the improper execution of constitutional enactments. Thus, the evil effects arising from the improper enforcement of prohibitions against opium will be felt before any good results manifest themselves. Constitutional reforms have ever been dependent upon laws, with penalties for neglect of those laws; and when this method failed, it had perforce to be supplemented by a system of fines. History furnishes a clear illustration of this principle. In the Chou dynasty fines were exacted from idlers who would not till the ground, and in the Han dynasty the prohibition against the use of wine was so strict that those whose \"wine money\" was not correct were punished with the loss of their title of Duke.*\n\nNative produce exported from countries beyond the sea now pays a duty cent. per cent. ad valorem, and the English go farther than this, for they put a duty equal to twice the value upon articles for which there is a depraved taste, something after the manner of a money commutation for the commission of what used to be a punishable crime, but is now no longer so regarded. How much more justifiable, then, is the increase of duty and li-kin upon opium, native and foreign, when the object is the diminution of the craving, in the hope of keeping the appetites of the people within bounds, ordering their morals, and bringing them back to their pristine condition. Under these circumstances, much may be taken without being oppressive.\n\nMoreover, the proposed increase is to be imposed on the price paid by the Chinese consumer, not at the place of production, nor from the knavish foreign trader who imports it. The power is in our hands, and no one can gainsay the exercise of a right which is supported by law and canon, as a reference to either will show. When the proper method has once been laid hold of it should be given effect to, without troubling to think of other means.\n\nYour servant having been honoured by the command of your Majesty to take cognizance of foreign affairs was, of course, not free to decline the responsibility, and when (in discharge of it) he received the British Minister, Wei T'o-ma (Thomas Wade),\n\nHe\n\nBy the ceremonial laws of the Han dynasty, the sons of Princes had the title of \"Hou.\" Each Hou was compelled to provide a certain contribution in money to the ancestral sacrifices of the Emperor, according to the number of families in his fief. This money was presented in person to the Emperor by the Hou once a-year. He received it in the ancestral temple, and, in return, supplied the contributors with wine, the only occasion on which they were allowed to drink it. If their offerings fell short of the proper amount, or were deficient in touch, their fathers, the Princes, were deprived of a portion of their fief, and the sons lost their title and the whole of their fief.\n\nPage 302 \n[1703]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-205 - Public Offices - 1882.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 319754, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-205 - Public Offices - 1882", "page_number": 309, "title": "CO129-205 - Public Offices - 1882", "content_text": "## 182\n\nIn the course of the present year, a number of schemes have been brought forward from different quarters. Indeed, including the arrangement contemplated in the Chefoo Agreement, and the modification of this above cited, which would have restricted operation of the clause to Shanghae for a stated period, there are, perhaps, a dozen proposals at this moment before us.\n\nThere is, first, the scheme of Mr. Samuel, an English gentleman, who, in his capacity of financial agent, has had occasion to devote some attention to the opium revenue of India. In prosecution of inquiries that he desired to make, he came on to China, by way of India, last summer, provided with a letter from the Foreign Office, instructing Her Majesty's Consuls to assist him in collecting information so far as lay in their power.\n\nMr. Samuel's idea, in few words, was to make the British Government sole proprietor of all opium produced in the world, to supply all the opium markets outside China with a certain limited quota of drug, to deposit all drug in excess of these quotas at Hong Kong, whence it was to be passed, according to the estimated requirements of the open ports, into China, under surveillance of the Maritime Customs, the purchaser paying into the Customs at the same time both the Tariff duty and a fixed rate of li-kin.\n\nOpium imported into China under these conditions would have nothing further to pay as taxation, and the sole market of the purchaser being in reality at Hong Kong, the amount of duty to be imposed upon it would be exclusively the affair of England and China.\n\nI did not bring this scheme to the knowledge of the Tsung-li Yamên, because Mr. Samuel had not been invested with any official authority, but I reported it to my Government as a scheme that appeared to me worth examination.\n\nIt has been examined at the India Office, but no decision has as yet been pronounced upon it.\n\nThe next project was a native monopoly. While Mr. Samuel was in the south of China, he had some communication with certain Chinese of Canton, who desired to form a Company for the sale of opium in China. Their head-quarters were to be, I believe, in Hong Kong. Their capital was affirmed to be considerable, and they were ready to guarantee to the Chinese Exchequer a large amount of revenue in exchange for the exclusive right to sell opium in China free of all taxation inland. They have since prayed the support of the Government of Hong Kong, and their petition has been forwarded by the Governor of the Colony to me.\n\nI have given it no encouragement. The value of the opium imported annually into China is some 40,000,000 taels; the revenue of the two countries, China and India, is largely concerned in the trade, and I have doubts whether, even if the amount of the capital of the Company be not overstated, it would be safe to intrust the conduct of so vast an enterprise to a local association. Its operations, it appears to me, would, at least, have to be controlled by competent official authority.\n\nTo proceed. When I returned to Tien-tsin last month, I had communicated to me two other schemes, which also undoubtedly merit attention. The first is that the Chinese Government should virtually become proprietor of all British Indian opium for a term of years, to be fixed by common consent, the Government of England engaging that the production of opium in India shall be gradually reduced during that term, and that, on the expiry of the term, the export of opium from India shall wholly cease. The price to be paid per picul to the Indian Government would be fixed, either once a-year or at longer intervals, by agreement, and the payment agreed to would be made either at Hong Kong or in India, as might be agreed, and either through an official agency or a privileged Company.\n\nThese, if I have not misunderstood the Grand Secretary Li and the Tao-tai Ma, are, more or less, the conditions lately submitted to a high officer of the Indian Government by the Tao-tai Ma, who, by order of the Grand Secretary Li, had proceeded to India on a private mission to obtain information regarding opium.\n\nThe second scheme is little more than a modification of the above, the chief addition of importance being the provision of a means of payment of the revenue promised to the Government of India during a term of years in consideration of the engagement, should it be accepted, to extinguish its interest in the opium trade within that term.\n\nThe scheme would work thus:- An official Agency, representing both Governments, being established in Calcutta and Bombay, would buy all opium leaving India for China. Cheques for the estimated value, at a rate agreed to, drawn on a stated bank, also duly appointed to act for both Governments, would be handed by the Agent of the Chinese Government to the Agent for the British Government. These cheques cashed, the Treasury of India would claim no farther interest in the opium exported. The opium would be consigned to a second official Agency established at Hong Kong, in whose keeping it would remain until it might be sold in Hong Kong or at the ports; the price charged covering the advance of the bank in India, plus the duty imposed upon the opium by the Chinese Government. The Agency, as the sales were effected, would repay the bank the money paid by it to the Government of India; the bank necessarily retaining a lien upon the opium deposited at Hong Kong until the completion of these sales. This is the substance of an arrangement laid by a foreign agent before the Grand Secretary Li, and communicated to me by his Excellency.\n\n## 133\n\nThere remain to be noticed the proposition of the Grand Secretary Tso, who would levy, in addition to the Tariff duty of 30 taels collected by the Maritime Customs, a uniform rate of 120 taels, that is to say, a total sum of 150 taels; and the kindred proposition of the Grand Secretary Li himself, who would fix the li-kin rate at 80 taels, in addition to the Tariff duty, would levy, that is to say, a total of 110 taels; the whole in this case to be collected through the Maritime Customs.\n\nThese propositions were brought forward by the Tsung-li Yamên last summer, and while I was at Tien-tsin, the Grand Secretary Li forwarded me a Memorandum in three Articles regarding the collection of the impost should his own proposal be adopted:-\n\n1. The sum of 110 taels being collected at the port of entry by the Maritime Customs, opium is to be thenceforward free of all charge whatever, and any official found to be levying li-kin upon it is to be punished.\n\n2. All opium brought from India being deposited at Hong Kong, an official Agency of the Chinese Government is to be established at Hong Kong for the purpose of surveillance, the Government of India and the Government of Hong Kong being instructed by the Government of Her Majesty to keep this Agency informed of the shipment and arrival of the drug, the duty on which is to be collected either at Hong Kong or at the ports to which it is consigned, according as the Hong Kong Government and the high officer at the head of the Chinese Agency shall agree. The Governments of India and Hong Kong are to engage to do all in their power to prevent smuggling.\n\n3. When the sanction of the Governments of England and China shall have been given, the Opium Clause of the Chefoo Agreement is to be cancelled. These arrangements are to be tried under provisional regulations.\n\nAs regards the establishment of a uniform rate, I have been at some pains, in past discussions, to prove that a li-kin of 50 taels being added to the Tariff duty, the Chinese Government would receive a larger sum than the total of its revenue on foreign opium as at present estimated. In a Conference held last May at the Tsung-li Yamên, in which, I think, the Grand Secretary Li himself took part, the Ministers present maintained that the opium revenue was estimated at 6,000,000 taels; but from this they allowed that there would have to be deducted a charge of 10 per cent. for expense of collection, while it was farther admitted that the duty on no small amount of opium that ought to pay duty was evaded.\n\nTaking the import of the year 1878 as an average year, I pointed out that with a charge of 50 taels li-kin, plus 30 taels Tariff, per picul, the exact sum of 6,000,000 taels would be attained; that as this, if the provisions of the Chefoo Agreement were to be abided by, would be paid through the Maritime Customs, the expense of collection, as at present conducted through the opium li-kin offices, would be saved. Lastly, that by an understanding with the Government of Hong Kong, not only might evasion of the li-kin at other places be rendered impossible, but revenue might be collected on a great deal of opium that now never reaches the open ports at all.\n\nI have argued that, when the Chefoo Agreement was signed in 1876, no higher li-kin than 40 taels was exacted at any ports except Foochow and Amoy, at which ports, precisely because the li-kin rate was so high, the import was comparatively small. The country in rear of these ports was supplied from other quarters, and at these ports themselves much of the li-kin due on the opium imported was admittedly evaded. At some ports, again, the li-kin in 1876 was considerably below 40 taels.\n\nAgainst this, the Grand Secretary Li has upheld that the rates I refer to were merely the rates ruling at the ports of entry, and that I have overlooked the inland taxation of opium. I do not forget the liability of opium to inland taxation, but I am satisfied from the testimony of Chinese officials and Chinese of business experience, that once an article so easily concealed as the foreign drug begins to travel inland, its further taxation is but imperfectly assured, and consequently insignificant. Unless I am misinformed, in many provinces the opium, after passing the first li-kin collectorate, is franked by a particular badge or ticket throughout the province. I have therefore urged, and I still hold, that a uniform rate of 50 taels li-kin per picul, even were no larger quantity of opium to be imported annually than in the year 1878, would raise the revenue on British Indian opium not only to 6,000,000 taels, the Tsung-li Yamên's estimate of what it is entitled to receive,\n\n## 305", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-205 - Public Offices - 1882.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 320087, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-206 - Public Offices & Others - 1882", "page_number": 51, "title": "CO129-206 - Public Offices & Others - 1882", "content_text": "# HONG KONG AND THE OPIUM MONOPOLY\n\n(To the Editor of the **London and China Telegraph**.)\nSIR, I was very glad to see, in your last issue in the London and China Telegraph, an extract from the North China Herald, by which it is announced that the Chinese Imperial taxes on opium are to be collected at Hong Kong; in fact, that they are trying to establish the monopoly there. This is certainly a move in the right direction, for it indicates the time rapidly nearing when the island now held by us will be handed over to its original owners. Very few, I venture to think, will question the desirability of such a change. Great Britain nowadays, as is proved (to their own satisfaction) by philanthropists, does a great wrong in keeping possession of any territory outside her own particular islands, and measures are being taken to denude her of all such. \"China for the Chinese\" ought to be our cry, and the sooner Hong Kong is handed over the better it will be for unfortunate England, which groans from a sense of acting immorally, which is justly considered in this very moral age as most debasing.\n\nAfter this establishment of the Chinese Customs at Hong Kong there will be but a short step to taking possession, or at any rate representing that the colony is held by Great Britain from her Suzerain (a popular term), and that the taxes really constitute a tribute. Of course, the handing over will have to be arranged in a systematic and orderly manner, for there are still, unfortunately, some persons who cannot see the necessity for giving everything up. But those misguided individuals must acknowledge the error of their ways when they come to consider the great success of such a policy, as evidenced in the progress of Hong Kong, and after a short time, when they are accustomed to paying taxes to Chinese officials, will quietly fall into the new order of things. It is not likely we shall think of objecting if an official sends in a report of the respect paid to him as a representative of the Suzerain, as was done from Macao, for it will be in accordance with what appears on the face of facts as they are, and cannot but meet with universal approbation.\n\nWe are, indeed, improving, and shortly will be able to pose as regenerators of the world at large, and by our example show that we, at any rate, are not so degenerate as to glory in the doings of the so-called heroes of a bygone and barbarous age.— I am, &c.,\n\n**A. CHINAPHIL**. London, Feb. 16.\n\n## PEKING AND TIENTSIN\n\nThe North China Herald correspondent writes as follows:- The Opium Syndicate seems to be settled, and the necessary parties will establish themselves at Hong Kong. The new regulations may probably come into force with the new year. India's sanction has apparently been obtained to an increase in the duty. The arrangement may work well; it is at least to be put upon its trial for a time. It has been strongly recommended by one or more of the Canton merchants, and so we are going to have repeated at Hong Kong what existed in the early days of the century at Canton—an Opium Hong. How fortune and circumstances change in the course of time! This will save much trouble to the Customs at the various ports, and will do away with the entire barrier system, the lekin and port duty being collected together at Hong Kong. The Imperial revenues will thus be very materially increased, the power of the central authorities at Peking augmented, and the Provincial Treasurer's correspondingly weakened—at least so far as the squeezing from the foreign drug is concerned.\n\nAlthough the present increase is not great and need not militate against the Indian article, the Chinese have a firm purpose of increasing it at no distant day. They hope to improve China financially by the use of the increased fund which will flow directly into their exchequer, at present, and afterwards to find ways and means of putting an end to the traffic—for this is the settled conviction even of those statesmen who are favourable to the present Syndicate. This action of the Chinese Government, therefore, need not affect the agitation of the question at home. It simply gives the Chinese a larger income without at all stimulating the consumption; nay, by enhancing its price, rendering it more prohibitive and putting it beyond the reach of the poor, who can ill afford to waste their slender means on this ruinous vice. It also does away with the smuggling in the south, which has caused so much ill-feeling between Hong Kong, the Chinese revenue cruisers, and the pirates or smugglers. All this will now become a thing of the past.\n\nSir Thomas Wade is at Tientsin, and, it is said, is occupied with the completion of the Chefoo convention. What goes on no one knows for certain, except that the Chinese officials do not seem to recognise the fact that, e.g., Tls. 50 a picul on opium would bring into the State Treasury more revenue than a levy of Tls. 100, and, as an additional benefit, stay or diminish smuggling. It is not improbable that a question will some day arise about Persian opium. Persia has no diplomatic relations with China, and about 10,000 chests of Persian drug are yearly imported into China under the same duties and taxes as the British Indian product.\n\nThe Viceroy gave a dinner to their Excellencies Sir Thomas Wade and Monsieur Bourée on Dec. 13 at the China Merchants' offices. Monsieur Bourée has since left for Peking, and Sir Thomas is leaving in a day or two. The Viceroy also takes his departure to Pao-ting Fu for the winter.\n\n49", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-206 - Public Offices & Others - 1882.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 333028, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-230 - Public Offices & Others - 1886", "page_number": 382, "title": "CO129-230 - Public Offices & Others - 1886", "content_text": "379\n\n68\n\nThe first part of clause 7 of the Convention stated that the Governor of Hong Kong complained of the action of the Canton cruizers, and the second part of the Article hinted at an arrangement which would put a stop to smuggling from Hong Kong into China. Sir R. Hart therefore proposed that the Commission should proceed in the order indicated, and that the Hong Kong Commissioner should put forward his proposals first. On the Chinese side there were also proposals to be made, but the Chinese Commissioners were not prepared to state what these were until they had heard what Hong Kong wanted.\n\nMr. Russell replied that Article VII of the Chefoo Convention had been inserted by Sir T. Wade with a view to relieving the Colony of a grievance, but that a change had taken place in the last ten years, and that Hong Kong had now nothing to complain of. His instructions were to put forward no proposals with regard to the cruizers, but, at the same time, now that the Commission had met, he was prepared to listen to any plan by which the Colony could assist in putting a stop to, or at any rate decreasing, the smuggling of which China complained. It was China who had been pressing for the meeting of the Commission; had it depended on Hong Kong alone the Commission need not have met.\n\nSir R. Hart said he had not been prepared for this reply, and that he and Shao Taotai would take time to consider what proposals they would put forward.\n\nJuly 1, 1886.\n\nPresent:\n\nShao Taotai, Sir R. Hart, Mr. Russell, and Mr. Brenan.\n\nSir R. Hart said he wished to make some preliminary remarks on the history of the opium trade. He spoke at some length, dividing his observations under three periods:----\n\n1. Before the opium was admitted into the Tariff of 1858.\n\n2. Between 1858 and the establishment of the Canton cruizers.\n\n3. Between the establishment of the Canton cruizers and the present time.\n\nSir R. Hart continued to say that the last phase of the question was the Additional Article of 1885, which provides for the simultaneous collection of the duty and li-kin, or 110 taels in all. With this increased rate there was reason to fear that the proximity of Hong Kong would cause greater difficulty than ever, were it not that in the Additional Article of 1885 there was a clause which led China to hope that an arrangement may be come to with Hong Kong which will put a stop to smuggling.\n\nMr. Russell interposed that this clause did not put Hong Kong under any obligation. The clause was merely intended to be a recital of Article VII of the Chefoo Agreement.\n\nSir R. Hart continued that when the Foreign Customs at Canton collected only 30 taels a picul, only a small fraction of the opium consumed in the Province of Kwang-tung was reported there; unless, therefore, some check was put on smuggling the deficiency would be still greater with a tax of 110 taels per picul. Mr. Russell contended that the comparison between 30 taels and 110 taels was unfair. For many years opium imported into Kwangtung had been paying both duty and li-kin to the native offices. The reason why so little opium passed through the Foreign Customs was that the Native Customs underbid the Foreign Customs. Where, on a chest of Malwa, the Foreign Customs levied a duty of 36 taels, the Native Customs gave a rebate of 25 per cent, and levied only 27 taels. It was not to be expected that where a merchant had the choice of two routes he would take the more expensive one.\n\nIn answer to a question, Shao Taotai stated that the li-kin in Kwangtung was farmed. The Farmer paid 850,000 taels a-year.\n\nSir R. Hart went on to explain that what China now wanted was to get 110 taels a-picul on opium leaving Hong Kong. This could be effected in three ways:---\n\n1. China could collect her revenue unaided. This would be a very expensive way, but at the same time it could be made very effective.\n\n2. England could collect it for China in India. This would be the simplest and most inexpensive way.\n\n3. China and England could co-operate, the collection beginning at Hong Kong.\n\nIn connection with this third plan Sir R. Hart put forward his scheme for placing Customs hulks in the harbour, and compelling all opium to be discharged into them. (See Sir R. Hart's \"Opium, China,\" 31st October, 1885.)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-230 - Public Offices & Others - 1886.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 355726, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-265 - Public Offices & Others - 1894", "page_number": 3, "title": "CO129-265 - Public Offices & Others - 1894", "content_text": "# Office, &c.\n\nDate 19 Apr.\n\n## Subject\n\nForeign Office 24 Mch Chinese Passenger Traffic: Overcrowding.\n\nChinese Post Offices at Treaty Ports Chinese Passenger Traffic Overcrowding Outbreak of Bubonic Plague\n\n| Date | Subject |\n| --- | --- |\n| 29 May | 19 June 28 Y |\n| 24 | 2 10 1/14 » * 23 \" 4 30 # ; |\n| 8 Sept | Proposed coinage of Mexican dollars by Bubonic Plague at Canton |\n| 13 | + !! \" + # 20 in China |\n| | Quarantine at Saigon: Case of S.S. \"Binglol\" Outbreak of Bubonic Plague. Sanitary Regulations, Shanghai |\n| | Bubonic Plague; Precautions in Japan Preventive measures |\n| | Chino-Japanese War Bubonic Plague at Canton |\n| | Chino-Japanese War: Rice as contraband Chinese Passenger Traffic between Chefoo Bubonic Plague: Prevention of in Manchuria Opening of Muroran in Japan for Export. Bubonic Plague: Proceedings at Canton |\n| 12 Oct | End of Plague in Canton |\n| 23 | 129 Nov. |\n\nHome Office 30 Oct.\n\nWar Office 5 Feb. 12\n\n## Postal Arrangements in China\n\nduties levied at Canton in favour of Cargo lo Publication of Papers respy. Plague in junks Cessation of Plague at Canton appt of Warder in Victoria Gaol\n\nCurrency Question Barrack accommodation\n\n# Office, &c.\n\nDate \n\n## Subject\n\nWar Office xx Dec.\n\n| Date | Subject |\n| --- | --- |\n| 20 July | Appl. of Army Service Clerks for increase |\n| 24 | 4 Colonial Military Contribution |\n| 2 Aug | 12 Sept Barrack Accommodation (Troops) 13 Dec. appt. of maj. 4. Black to command the Water Supply for Sanitarium Barracks |\n| 20 | Barrack Accommodation |\n| 8 Jan. | Sunday Cargo working by Steamers |\n\nPolice Court 18 Chartered Bank of India, etc.\n\n| Date | Subject |\n| --- | --- |\n| 9 | A London Police Court |\n| 5 | # Post Office 16 |\n| | An dit Office 18 Chartered Bank 30. Consulate Gent. of Japan. London cham of Commerce |\n| 1 | \" 6 Feb 12 ↓ Audit Office 23 Castem Glen- base against M. a. Dymond |\n| | Currency Question base of Smith v. Dymond Damage to mail matter Travelling Expenses of Auditor Proposed British Dollar |\n| | Receipts & Expenditure, 1892. sion Feb. Coy. 15 Mch. Telegraph Cable from Hong Kong to Labuan |\n| 31 | China Avere Chartered Bank of India, etc 13 Apr. |\n| | Audit Office 19 $ Coment for Japan 23 Enation sel- Proposed British dollar (prension Rate of Exchange for Auditor's leave salary & Proposed British dollar |\n| 28 | gay May Telegraph Cable from Hong Kong to Labuan China Opere Proposed British dollar |\n\nColonial Office \"June Health of kient. Sterling Br. Institull of Preventive medicine 19 + Bubonic Plague: Scientific Investigation\n\nAudit Office 3 July Recording in Hes of gain or loss by exchange\n\nh. London Police Court 8 Aug. Bankruptcy Accounts base of Dymond 123 + Smith", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-265 - Public Offices & Others - 1894.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 372615, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-292 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [6-8]", "page_number": 610, "title": "CO129-292 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [6-8]", "content_text": "607\n\n1\n\nTheir own.\n\n5.\n\nThe transit charges on this mail matter in the Union will be advanced by the Postal Administration of Hongkong and will be refunded annually by the Postal Administration of China on the basis of periodical statistics taken each year and at the rate set forth against the word Shanghai in the Hongkong table E hereto annexed.\n\n4.\n\nCorrespondence originary from Foreign countries, destined for China, forwarded à decouvert in transit through the Hong-Kong Port Office or its Shanghai Agency will be accepted, transmitted, and delivered by the Chinese Postal Administration under the following conditions:-\n\na/ Letters, postcards, prints, Commercial papers, and samples sufficiently prepaid according to Union rules will, if addressed to places where Imperial Post Offices have been or will be hereafter opened be distributed free of any additional charge; but if sent to places North of Chefoo during the winter months or to inland places requiring special couriers these articles may be liable to an additional tax payable by the addressee on delivery.\n\nb/ Parcels will be liable to the ordinary tax leviable in China on domestic parcels which tax will be collected from the addressee.\n\nArticle", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-292 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [6-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 373011, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-293 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [8-9]", "page_number": 368, "title": "CO129-293 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [8-9]", "content_text": "hot at sched\n\n365\n\nLiu Kung Tau, to obviate as much as possible the complaints\n\nas set forth in the local prints (cuttings attached), but\n\nhaving no Agent there, registered matter, the most important\n\npart of the mail, could not be sent direct. It has to go via\n\nChefoo through the Chinese office.\n\nThe sale of Postal Notes by an Agent would be a boon\n\nto the Fleet and Garrison and an additional source of revenue\n\nto the Agency.\n\nChinese Post Offices are situated\n\n\"vis à vis\" with\n\nall our British Agencies in Chinese ports so there would be\n\nnothing strange in our setting up a British Agency over against\n\na Chinese Post Office in British leased area.\n\nShould the Government sanction the appointment at\n\n$35 a month of an Agent at Liu Kung Tau he will have been doing\n\nthe work of distributing the mails for some time, and the people\n\nwill have become familiarised with sending for their own letters.\n\nThe bulk of ships calling at Liu Kung Tau are British.\n\nThe advantages of an all British route need not be dwelt upon\n\nnow.\n\nWith", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-293 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [8-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 381166, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7]", "page_number": 694, "title": "CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7]", "content_text": "683\n\nEnclosures 3.74.\n\n25/1/01 14/01\n\n4.\n\nMr. Lewis recommends that letters from all the British Postal Agencies in China to the United Kingdom and the British Colonies should be prepaid at 5 cents per 1/2 oz. This will, of course, result in a loss of revenue to Hong-Kong for the present; but the Acting Post Master General, while estimating the immediate loss at approximately $20,000, is of opinion that this amount will very probably be reduced by the increased correspondence which may be anticipated.\n\n5.\n\nI agree with the recommendation of Mr. Lewis and shall be glad if you will be good enough to approach the Imperial Postal Authorities in the United Kingdom with a view to ascertaining whether they can be induced to relieve Hong-Kong of the share of the mail-subsidy apportioned for Coast Port correspondence forwarded through the Post Office of this Colony, and whether they would be prepared to make any grant towards the loss which will be incurred by this Colony if the suggested 5 cents rate is adopted.\n\nThe Acting Post Master General has further recommended the establishment of British Postal Agencies at Tientsin, Peking and Chefoo, in order that Great Britain may not fall behind other nations, which have already established Post Offices at these three Ports, in providing postal facilities for British subjects. This question is imperial rather than local, but there can be no doubt that the need of establishing these three agencies is pressing, and in this connection I have the honour to enclose a copy of a despatch addressed to me by Sir E. Satow covering a petition from British residents for the establishment of a British Post Office at Chefoo.\n\nAs it is impossible for this Colony\n\nPage 684\n\n \n\nwas not in the original instruction to revise, so I kept the original text as is. However, to follow the instruction to output only HTML, the revised response is as follows: \n\n683\n\nEnclosures 3.74.\n\n25/1/01 14/01\n\n4.\n\nMr. Lewis recommends that letters from all the British Postal Agencies in China to the United Kingdom and the British Colonies should be prepaid at 5 cents per 1/2 oz. This will, of course, result in a loss of revenue to Hong-Kong for the present; but the Acting Post Master General, while estimating the immediate loss at approximately $20,000, is of opinion that this amount will very probably be reduced by the increased correspondence which may be anticipated.\n\n5.\n\nI agree with the recommendation of Mr. Lewis and shall be glad if you will be good enough to approach the Imperial Postal Authorities in the United Kingdom with a view to ascertaining whether they can be induced to relieve Hong-Kong of the share of the mail-subsidy apportioned for Coast Port correspondence forwarded through the Post Office of this Colony, and whether they would be prepared to make any grant towards the loss which will be incurred by this Colony if the suggested 5 cents rate is adopted.\n\nThe Acting Post Master General has further recommended the establishment of British Postal Agencies at Tientsin, Peking and Chefoo, in order that Great Britain may not fall behind other nations, which have already established Post Offices at these three Ports, in providing postal facilities for British subjects. This question is imperial rather than local, but there can be no doubt that the need of establishing these three agencies is pressing, and in this connection I have the honour to enclose a copy of a despatch addressed to me by Sir E. Satow covering a petition from British residents for the establishment of a British Post Office at Chefoo.\n\nAs it is impossible for this Colony", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 381172, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7]", "page_number": 700, "title": "CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7]", "content_text": "694\n\n-tion and that if I received a petition signed by the majority of the British community I would represent the matter in the proper quarter. In due course a further letter (copy enclosed) was received from Mr. Forsyth\n\ncovering a petition in the form suggested.\n\nThere are at present established at Chefoo Post Offices belonging to Germany, France, Russia and Japan. Parcels originating in either of those countries are forwarded by their respective offices in Shanghai to the corresponding offices here and their original postage franks them through. Parcels of British origin are handed by the British Post Office at Shanghai to the Imperial Chinese Post Office at that port which forwards them to its Office at Chefoo and the parcel rate from Shanghai to Chefoo is collected here on delivery. This additional charge would appear to be levied in accordance with the rules of the Chinese Postal Service and under existing circumstances it has to be paid. The payment would be avoided, and other facilities would be gained, by the establishment of a British Post Office at Chefoo which would give the British community the same advantages as are enjoyed by the subjects of the four Powers mentioned above, but I presume that the plea of this port might be urged with equal force by the other Treaty Ports, e.g. Shanghai. I have advised the petitioners not to be too sanguine as to the success of their application for an increase in the number of British Postal Agencies", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 381174, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7]", "page_number": 702, "title": "CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7]", "content_text": "。No.1 in Mr.Bratman's 81.No.1 of Jany. 14th. \"01. Postal charges at Chefoo between Mr.Forsyth J.P.\n\nCopy\n\nVenc. English Baptist Mission.\n\n2010 696\n\n10 AUG 01\n\nChefoo.\n\nNovember 9th.1900.\n\nTo the Chinese Imperial Postmaster\n\nChefoo.\n\nDear Sir\n\nI beg to formally protest against the payment of Five dollars and forty cents on six parcels from England. I believe the charge to be oppressive and illegal.\n\nYours faithfully\n\n(signed)\n\nE.C.Forsyth.\n\nImperial Post Office\n\nChefoo. Nov 9th.1900\n\nReplying to your note of today's date containing protest against payment by yourself of five dollars and forty cents charged by this Office on six parcels to your address from England.\n\nI have to say that correspondence as laid down in article 7 of the Convention Principale de l'union Postale Universelle comprehended letters, cards, prints, commercial papers and samples, but not parcels,\n\nIn the case of correspondence the postage collected is retained entirely by the office of origin, whereas, in the case of parcels the postage collected is divided between the offices taking part in the transport.\n\nThe I.P.O. being outside the Postal Union does not receive a share of the postage collected on parcels to or from abroad and consequently must either refuse to carry parcel at all or charge its own rates.\n\nThe charge fixed for the I.P.O. for parcels is 10 cts per lb. The charge of five dollars and forty cents is according to that rate perfectly just and in order.\n\nThe public are perfectly free to make most arrangements they think best for the forwarding of their parcels to & from the mail terminus (Shanghai) and they need not use the I.P.O. unless they wish. But if they do send their parcels through the I.P.O. they must abide by its rules.\n\nI have the honor to be,Sir,\n\nyour obedient servant\n\nF.C.Forsyth\n\nActg F/O.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 381177, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7]", "page_number": 705, "title": "CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7]", "content_text": "No.2 in Mr.Tratuar's (1.No.1 of Jan. 14th, 1901. B.P.O. to “macfoo.\n\nfrom Mr.Forsyth to H.M's Consul,\n\nSir,\n\nCopy\n\nChefoo Dec.1), 1900\n\nEnclosed, I beg to hand to you copies of correspondence between myself and the Chinese Imperial Post Office which from the accompanying circular you will observe have been seen by most of the influential residents and others representing various societies using the Postal facilities of Chefoo.\n\nAt the present moment the following Post Offices are established in Chefoo, viz. German, Russian, Japanese and French, and\n\nwhy there is not a British Post Office is a general subject of comment, considering that the bulk of the correspondence brought here is British.\n\nBy the establishment of a British Post Office no such charges as are made by the Chinese Imperial Post Office would be incurred and it would increase the feeling of security with regard to correspondence generally.\n\nIf you will kindly bring this before the notice of Her Majesty's Government so that the British public may be placed on the same footing as the nationalities above mentioned, it would be esteemed a favor by those concerned.\n\nYour most obedient servant,\n\nH.K. Forsyth\n\nI ad\n\nH.M's Consul,\n\n \nChefoo.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 383672, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-309 - Public Offices & Others - 1901", "page_number": 208, "title": "CO129-309 - Public Offices & Others - 1901", "content_text": "207\n\n7.\n\nAs regards the establishment of British Postal Agencies at Tientsin, Peking and Chefoo, recommended (despatch No.261, paragraph 6) in order that Great Britain may not fall behind other countries which have already established Post Offices at those three ports, I am to say that the Postmaster General has never viewed with favour the extension of the make-shift system under which British Post Offices have been established in foreign countries, Offices of which the existence is always precarious and difficult to reconcile with Postal Union principles.\n\nWhether, in view of the present posture of Chinese affairs, there may be political grounds for adopting Governor Blake's recommendation is not of course a question on which the Postmaster General has to express an opinion.\n\nI am, Sir,\n\nYour obedient Servant,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-309 - Public Offices & Others - 1901.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 384650, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-310 - Acting Governor Major Gen Gascoigne - 1902 [1-4]", "page_number": 527, "title": "CO129-310 - Acting Governor Major Gen Gascoigne - 1902 [1-4]", "content_text": "523\n \n\n gritså at sri datt »\n\n Treasurer and the Acting Postmaster-General and they are of\n\n opinion that before Post Offices are opened in other parts of\n\n the Chinese Empire, those already recommended at Tientsin\n\n Peking and Chefoo should first be considered.\n\n 5.\n\n In view of the fact that the creation of\n\n Post Offices and the affording of postal facilities is a\n\n matter of Imperial interest, I desire to ask whether you\n\n would sanction the establishment of British Postal Agencies\n\n at the three places above mentioned and what increase in the\n\n postal subsidy you would be pleased to recommend.\n\n I have the honour to be,\n\n Sir,\n\n Your most obedient\n\n Humble servant,\n\n J. Gascoigne\n\n Major-General,\n\n Administering the Government.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-310 - Acting Governor Major Gen Gascoigne - 1902 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 385640, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-312 - Acting Governor Major Gen Sir Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [7-9]", "page_number": 245, "title": "CO129-312 - Acting Governor Major Gen Sir Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [7-9]", "content_text": "DESPATCH.\n\nFRA L\n\n21127\n\nGovernor.\n\nwmone\n\nNo.\n\njyu\n\n1902\n\nso tug\n\nLast previous Paper.\n\nSil\n\nka\n\n38 515 Plane!!\n\nJohnston\n\nAnod\n\n447.\n\nMO\n\n30 Dec 52936\n\nWA&L (78) 30681--2000015-01 581-8000-8-02\n\nNext subsequent Paper.\n\nمحمد\n\n40596.\n\nNo. 39969\n\n(Subject.)\n\nC. O.\n\n39068\n\nRec\n\n25 P 121\n\nNew Postal Agencies in N. China\n\n243\n\ncopy minute by AgPMG & copy corres with Comms re as to visit of an officer, to WHW, thefoo, Tientsin Peking to report whether agencies should be established at these places as an independent P.O. established at WHW requests authority for increase of expenditure on WHW Agency\n\n(Minutes.)\n\nWhi hai -cui BA510.\n\nDrifts\n\nhave been held up for the present.\n\nI\n\nWe have had some correspondence with the F.O. as to the establishment of some additional Agencies in China but it branched off on a side track before we got any clear expression of their views. In February Sir E. Satow was not in favour of any addition to the number of Agencies (see 7610) thinking that it would be better to strengthen the Chinese Postal Administration. But in March he seems to have wholly changed his mind (11868) and urged the creation of an Agency at Tientsin.\n\nSimilarly in 12839 the China Association expressed an objection to any foreign Post Offices in China, but in 1754 they urged the reduction of the rates from Chefoo", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-312 - Acting Governor Major Gen Sir Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 385644, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-312 - Acting Governor Major Gen Sir Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [7-9]", "page_number": 249, "title": "CO129-312 - Acting Governor Major Gen Sir Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [7-9]", "content_text": "Enclosure No. 1 to Despatch No.\n\n20th August, 1903.\n\nHon. Colonial Secretary,\n\nC.O. 30068\n\nRec? 25 SEP 02\n\nAt the time the report dated the 25th February, 1901, on the Revenue and Expenditure of the British Post Offices in China for 1900 was sent in, I was not aware, nor do I think the Treasurer was either, that the Colony would not be called upon to contribute towards the P. and O. subsidy in respect of correspondence for and from the Agencies. As no such apportionment, it would now appear, is required to be considered as accruing, according to the letter of the 5th December, 1901, from the Imperial Postmaster-General to the Colonial Office, the net profit would therefore be $30,467 instead of as given in that report.\n\nThe figures given in His Excellency the Governor's Despatch No. 268 of the 18th July, 1901, represent the estimated decrease in Revenue that would result from the reduction of the postage on letters from 10 cents to 5 cents per 1/2 ounce.\n\nHaving nothing to guide me, I feel some hesitation in offering any opinion regarding paragraph 3. It strikes me, however, that the Offices at Peking, Tientsin, and Chefoo could be better served from Hongkong than from Wei-Hai-Wei. Although the latter place is very much nearer, yet owing to there being at present no direct mail services existing to and from Wei-Hai-Wei, the Hongkong Office can always send mails to Shanghai for transfer to these Offices without any undue delay being experienced. Of course, in time Wei-Hai-Wei may become a regular Port of Call, and then a transfer of these Agencies could be made to that Office.\n\n14th June, 1902.\n\n(Sgd.) E. C. Lewis.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-312 - Acting Governor Major Gen Sir Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 385646, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-312 - Acting Governor Major Gen Sir Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [7-9]", "page_number": 251, "title": "CO129-312 - Acting Governor Major Gen Sir Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [7-9]", "content_text": "OOP Y. Miscellaneous.' No. 88.\n\nSir,\n\n249\n\nC. 0.\n\n60\n\n1902.\n\nRac2 His Majesty's Consulate\n\nSub-Enclosure to Enclosure No. 2 in Despatch No. 3 of the\n\n20th August,\n\nChefoo, 18th June, 1902\n\n43 18\n\nI\n\nI have the honour to address you in regard to the establishment of a British Post Office at this port, a question which, you will remember, formed the subject of a correspondence last year between your Office and His Majesty's Minister at Peking to whom it was referred by my predecessor. The reply which was given to the Petition of the residents here for equal postal facilities to those enjoyed by other ports in China where British Postal Agencies exist, was in effect that unless the Community were prepared to guarantee the Hongkong Office against loss, the question was impracticable. It was never explained what form this guarantee should take, nor what was actually meant thereby, and unfortunately the matter was then allowed to drop.\n\nIn view, however, of the fact that there would seem to be every disposition on the part of the Community here to co-operate with your Office in coming to some arrangement, and also of the fact that the postal business locally must be considerable, and therefore remunerative, I venture to raise the question again.\n\nThere is much dissatisfaction at the way the postal arrangements are conducted by the Imperial Chinese Post Office, which is run by the Imperial Maritime Customs, and I have received several communications recently from various Members of the Community urgently requesting me to urge the establishment of a British Agency here and promising support to any arrangement come to. The lowering of the rates to England makes it the more desirable that we should have our own Office, as without it we are precluded from taking advantage of the new tariff on letters, and the plan which I have the honour to propose will, I trust, meet with the approval of the Colonial Government.\n\nAt other ports, the Postal Agency, as a rule, is entrusted to the Consular Assistant, whoever he may be, but the absence of an Assistant at Chefoo renders this impossible here, while the lack of accommodation in the Consular Offices makes it also impossible for the business of the Agency to be carried on. E. Cornewall Lewis, Esq.,\n\nPostmaster-General, Hongkong.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-312 - Acting Governor Major Gen Sir Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 385739, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-312 - Acting Governor Major Gen Sir Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [7-9]", "page_number": 344, "title": "CO129-312 - Acting Governor Major Gen Sir Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [7-9]", "content_text": "# IX. Various Statistics and Reports\n\n## (b.)-PUBLIC HEALTH\n\nIt is significant that while the total increase in the population of the Colony during the five years between 1897 and 1901 was 35,095, the increase during the same period in the population of British Kowloon (which used to be a garden suburb of Victoria) was no less than 16,534, or nearly half the increase for the whole Colony.\n\nThere were 1,088 births during the year, and of that number 848 were Chinese. This is equal to a general birth-rate of 3.6 per 1,000, as compared with 3.3 in 1900, 4.3 in 1899, and 4.7 in 1898. Owing, however, to the large number of Chinese infants who die unregistered, it is estimated that a more correct birth-rate for the past year would be 4.7 per 1,000.\n\n### Public Health Statistics\n\n| Category | Number | Rate per 1,000 |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Births | 1,088 | 3.6 |\n| Deaths | 7,082 | 23.5 |\n| Deaths (excluding plague) | ... | 19.03 |\n\nAs compared with the 1,088 births mentioned above, there were 7,082 deaths in 1901. This gives a death-rate of 23.5 per 1,000, as compared with 23.9 in 1900, 23.8 in 1899, and an average of 22.5 per 1,000 during the past five years. The deaths included 1,562 from bubonic plague, which again visited the Colony and ran its usual course. Excluding the deaths from plague, the death-rate for 1901 would have been 19.03 per 1,000. Among the non-Chinese the deaths numbered 412, of which 302 were among the Civil population, 96 among the Army, and 14 among the Navy. This is equal to a death-rate of 20.5 per 1,000. The British deaths among the non-Chinese numbered 116; the rest were chiefly Indians, Malays and Portuguese.\n\nOne thousand six hundred and fifty-one (1,651) cases of Plague were reported during the year, of which all but 89 were fatal. The disease showed an increased tendency to attack Europeans. The chief causes of death among the non-Chinese resident civil community were plague, phthisis, malaria and pneumonia. There were more cases of small-pox than usual, and some cholera cases were imported.\n\nIt is hoped that when the much-needed improvement in the sanitary condition of the City is effected, there will be a large decrease not only in the deaths resulting from bubonic plague but also in those from phthisis and other chest diseases, which are more or less directly attributable to overcrowded and insanitary dwellings.\n\nIt is to be regretted that the experiment of once more sending troops to reside in the building which was originally destined to be a Military Sanitarium, has not proved successful, and the hopes expressed in paragraph-VIII.(4) of my Report on the Blue Book for last year have not been realised. After a brief period of freedom from malaria, the troops stationed there began to be attacked in considerable numbers and had to be wholly withdrawn from the building, which now stands empty.\n\nThe treatment with larvicides of the breeding places of the Anopheles mosquito is being actively continued.\n\n## (c.)-SANITATION\n\nIn spite of the efforts of the Government, the Sanitary Board and the Legislature, during the past few years, the sanitary state of the Colony still leaves much to be desired. The City of Victoria retains its unenvied pre-eminence in the matter of surface crowding, and in spite of the enforcement of the provisions of the Insanitary Properties Ordinance of 1899, the condition of the vast majority of the Chinese dwelling houses is far from meeting the requirements of modern sanitary science. As there seemed to be no prospect of amelioration without the adoption of more radical measures than had hitherto been attempted, and as the Community showed by a Petition which they addressed to you in the course of the year that they were prepared to face the heavy expenditure which stronger measures would certainly involve, Sir HENRY BLAKE asked you to send out an expert to enquire into the sanitary state of the Colony and report upon the steps which in his opinion should be taken to remedy the existing defects. In October, 1901, you informed Sir HENRY BLAKE that you had selected Mr. OSBERT CHADWICK, C.M.G., a sanitary expert of wide experience and not a stranger to Hongkong, for this special work. About the same time you informed him that you had selected Professor SIMPSON, M.D., to pay a simultaneous visit to the Colony with a view to a thorough enquiry being made into the origin of bubonic plague, and the best means of providing against its annual re-appearance. A notice of the work done by these gentlemen, who had not yet arrived in the Colony at the end of 1901 will, it is hoped, appear in next year's Report. A certain result of their visit must be the introduction of legislative measures to consolidate and amend the present Health and Building Ordinances.\n\n## (d)-CLIMATE\n\nThe average monthly temperature throughout the year was 72.1° F. as compared with 71.6° F. during 1900; the maximum monthly temperature was attained in July, when it reached 82.2° F., and the minimum monthly temperature was recorded in the month of February, being 54.8° F.\n\nThe highest recorded temperature during the year was 92.7° F. on August 3rd, and the lowest was 38.4° F. on February 4th.\n\nThe total Rainfall for the year was 55.78 inches, as compared with 73.73 inches in 1900 and an average of 77.2 inches during the past ten years. The wettest month was May with 14.10 inches, while there were also 14 inches of rain in the month of August; the driest month was January, with only 0.535 inch. The greatest amount of rain which fell on any one day was 4.23 inches on April 7th, while no rain fell on 213 days of the year; the relative humidity of the atmosphere throughout the year was 75 per cent, as compared with 77 per cent. in the previous year.\n\nThe average daily amount of sunshine throughout the year was 5.5 hours, and on 35 days only was no sunshine recorded.\n\nIt may be mentioned that the rainfall of 1901 was less than half the rainfall of the year 1891. Taitam Reservoir, the principal source of water supply, was not filled throughout the year, and only one rainfall during the last 20 years (that of 1895) was lower than that of the year under review.\n\n## IX.-POSTAL SERVICE\n\nThe cessation of the Boxer troubles in the North of China gave an impetus to trade, which was faithfully reflected in the steady increase in postal business.\n\nThe monthly sales of stamps showed an increase of $21,765, as compared with 1900, and for the first time since the adoption of the penny postage the revenue exceeded the highest revenue from the same source in former days. The returns from the Branch Post Offices at Shanghai and in China also show gratifying results.\n\nThe Revenue of the Department from all sources in 1901 was $355,912, and the Expenditure $273,685. The nett balance to the Hongkong Post Office on the year's transactions amounted to $82,227.\n\nThe Acting Postmaster General comments on the fact that though many foreign Post Offices were opened at various ports in China during 1901, no new British Offices or Agencies were opened. He is strongly in favour of the establishment of Agencies at Chefoo, Tientsin and Peking.\n\nPage 341", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-312 - Acting Governor Major Gen Sir Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 386832, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902", "page_number": 287, "title": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902", "content_text": "## CHINA ASSOCIATION, \n159, CANNON STREET, E.C. \n\n284 \n17554 \nApril 30th, 1902\n\nC.O. \n\n**Sir:-** \n\n(Res 6 MAY 02) The Members of this Association have read with pleasure the notification from the Postmaster-General to the effect that the postage to be prepaid on letters from this country to all places in China where British Post Offices are maintained will be reduced to one penny per half ounce on and after May 1st.\n\nThe ports named in the notice, which will receive benefit from this change, are Amoy, Canton, Foochow, Hankow, Hoihow, Liu Kung Tao, Ningpo, Shanghai and Swatow.\n\nWhile fully appreciating the value of this reduction in postal rates, the Association desire to ask the attention of His Majesty's Government to the omission from the list of several considerable centres of commerce in China, such as Chefoo, Tientsin, Taku, Niuchuang, &c., and they trust that the same benefit will be extended to these places.\n\nT. H. Sanderson, G.C.B., \n&c., &c., &c.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 387321, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-315 - Public Offices & Others - 1902", "page_number": 74, "title": "CO129-315 - Public Offices & Others - 1902", "content_text": "British Post Offices in China provide for the automatic application of that rate to any Agencies in China which the Hong Kong Post Office may hereafter establish.\n\n20160\nPre\nRed 12 JUN 12\n\nReturn shewing the number of Letters and Newspapers for the aforementioned places despatched by British Packet via Brindisi on Friday evening the 6th June 1902. (This may be taken as the average number of letters &c. despatched each week).\n\n73\n\nI am,\nSir,\nYour obedient Servant,\n\n| Places at which Agencies are maintained by the Hong Kong Post Office. | No. of Letters. | No. of Newspapers. |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Tientsin | 440 | 1,206 |\n| Chefoo | 114 | 296 |\n| Amoy | 173 | 246 |\n| Canton | 180 | 303 |\n| Foochow | 307 | 522 |\n| Hankow | 292 | 741 |\n| Hoikow | 215 | 340 |\n| Liu Kung Tau (Wei Hai Wei) | 10 | Nil. |\n| Ningpo | 93 | 176 |\n| Swatow | 80 | 195 |\n| Shanghai | 3,190 | 6,678 |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-315 - Public Offices & Others - 1902.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 387395, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-315 - Public Offices & Others - 1902", "page_number": 148, "title": "CO129-315 - Public Offices & Others - 1902", "content_text": "## \n(5 intermediate Offices for the exchange of correspondence between \n147 China and Postal Union countries. From time to time various \nsteps have been taken towards the conclusion of a Postal \nConvention between the Imperial Chinese Post Office and the \nPost Office of Hong Kong; but up to the present time no agree-\nment has been arrived at. Under Postal Union regulations Hong \nKong would have to act as the Office of entry in the Union of \ncorrespondence forwarded by the Chinese Post Office, and, so \nfar as correspondence sent unenclosed for incorporation in its \nown mails is concerned, would be accountable to other \nAdministrations of the Postal Union (including this Office) \nfor the sea and land transit payments. It is therefore \nessential before any agreement with Sir Robert Hart is possible \nthat the Chinese and the Hong Kong Post Offices should settle the \nconditions under which Hong Kong can receive the correspondence \nprepaid in Chinese stamps, mix it with its own, and forward it to \ndestination. For the correspondence despatched by the Chinese \nPost Office in closed mails the intermediary service of Hong \nKong would also be needed to a limited extent.\n\nWith respect to the concessions for which Sir Robert Hart \nasks, it may perhaps be presumed that the condition that the \nBritish Agencies shall not do business inland does not \nextend to the exchange of correspondence by sea between the \nTreaty Ports. If it does, the Hong Kong revenue might be \nadversely affected.\n\nThe second condition, providing for closing or retaining \nBritish agencies in China, as the case may be, makes no \nprovision for opening new agencies. Not long ago, however, \nSir E. Satow was disposed to recommend the opening of a new \nagency at Tientsin; and, as is announced in the Colonial \nOffice letter now under reply, the Secretary of State is \nabout to authorize a new agency at Chefoo. In this \nconnexion I am to forward a copy of a letter which has been \nreceived from the Acting Postmaster General of Hong Kong, and \nto ask if the Secretary of State desires it to be acted \nupon.\n\nPerhaps the Secretary of State might think it worth while \nto ascertain whether Sir Robert Hart's proposals would remain \nopen...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-315 - Public Offices & Others - 1902.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 392041, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-322 - Acting Governor May - 1904 [1-5]", "page_number": 60, "title": "CO129-322 - Acting Governor May - 1904 [1-5]", "content_text": "32\n\nonly the asseda vajte end of 6905 sorti Jela Pull 115\n\nAud er 181 er tegunt eo、ka、ousgå aur”„ejust IJJAZ AJTONS.\n\nved elfe\n\nNUDE JERI SAJ Je Jae.*\n\nMisc And MA MI J\n\n* Et stuon sen zu [m\n\n30 SJUL\n\n1 Je, Jon 861 J0244 #chovk\n\nSex Maut & મં\n\nPesad no7) jodnichi Jenis 9.\n\n1.\n\nF\n\n500W 3).\n\nedd at a 2001 ALLE ALEAÑOS & 25 30 4174.\n\nCTI 1 SUPA J30 tuul sidŠ ŽE\n\nway of extra\n\ngeleri Jaat\n\nof mails sent by Foreign Post Offices in China to Europe by the E. & G. Steamers. On June 20th. the foreign post offices in Shanghai sent 24 bags for Europe by the E. & O.:on the 7th.\n\nDecember one only was sent.\n\nIt will be seen from the above figures that while the mail despatched from our Agencies to Foreign European Countries is insignificant the mail despatched to Great Britain is considerable in bulk and is likely to increase largely as the route becomes better known. If an increase takes place a large amount of extra work will be thrown upon the Shanghai and Chefoo Offices and it is doubtful if the existing staffs at these Agencies will be competent to deal with it.\n\nWith regard to the last paragraph of Mr. Smith's letter the Agents at Shanghai and Chefoo have been instructed to take over the London mails from the Russian Post Offices and these mails are now being regularly received.\n\n(Sd.) S. B. C. Ross.\n\n-.1\n\n*\n\nseldom tut Jr 10 seu del Canil ebone.\n\n2 ViD. TAM: 1 Jure ene Lie en0118\n\n7 BAKA MIJ quieu .e) Sfera 15\n\nJJ snowgnor at brosud 8!\n\n191 1 Jasarevod avtelah ada dui ades all y Rendered of WT) SHING AV Bee Les Simon aid 194 kiv Ja9291) de se to besdent getledack lae youuend dial de Caz orrd dit eeroosh Lute dotza roolsexri-\n\nJP Saiu eljes u &t\n\nJapona mij Espertom\n\nWBL(7\n\nNext su\n\n11th. January, 1904.\n\nPage 60\n\nPage 61", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-322 - Acting Governor May - 1904 [1-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 405374, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-334 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [5-7]", "page_number": 569, "title": "CO129-334 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [5-7]", "content_text": "(Y900)\n563\n\n**RESTRICTED**\n\nThe result is that whilst a letter can be transmitted from London to Chefoo for one penny, the forwarding of same from Chefoo to Tientsin (a distance of only a few miles) costs two pence halfpenny.\n\nThe recent momentous events in the Far East have rendered it desirable that Great Britain should be in all respects as well equipped commercially with essential facilities as other European nations, and for these reasons the Council of this Chamber venture to urge that it is most desirable that a British Post Office be established at Tientsin.\n\nThe growth of that town, both in population, and as a commercial and trading centre has been rapid during the last decade and the contemplated construction of a railway from Kalgan to Tientsin which will bring Mongolia into improved communication with it, is an additional reason the above-mentioned suggestion should be acceded to.\n\nI am to express the hope of the Council that you will give favourable consideration to the views set forth in this communication, and have the honour to remain,\nMy Lord, Your, &c.,\n\nSecretary.\n\nThe Right Hon: Lord Stanley, C.B.,\nHis Majesty's Postmaster General,\nSt. Martin's le Grand, 10.\n\nCOPY.\n\nSir,\n\nGeneral Post Office,\n24th November, 1905.\n\nReferring to your letter of the 10th instant, in which you draw attention to the fact that no British Post Office is maintained at Tientsin, although Post Offices have been established in that city by the Governments of certain foreign countries, I am directed by the Postmaster General to acquaint you, for the information of the London Chamber...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-334 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407019, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "page_number": 315, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "309\n\nAgency could be carried on successfully or not.\n\nBut I am very sure that the attempt would be equivalent to reducing my staff, to all intents and purposes by one—a result which neither I, nor anyone in my place, am prepared to face.\n\nThe proposal of the Hongkong Government is, it appears to me, based on a mistaken belief that the volume of Consular work at Tientsin differs so little from that at most other Treaty Ports, that postal arrangements which have been made at the latter places would also be feasible and adequate here.\n\nTientsin however ranks now, in respect of the volume of business done both in the Fort and in the Consulate, second in the list of Treaty Ports, and the somewhat amateurish provisions which suffice for say Amoy or Chefoo, will hardly satisfy public demands in modern Tientsin. It is true the staff of this Consulate has been increased by one, since in 1902, I wrote the letter which appears as Enclosure 3 in Sir M. Nathan's Despatch of the 21st February last.\n\nBut the current work is also increasing steadily, as is partly shown by the following table giving the totals of letters received and sent in the years 1902 and 1905 respectively.\n\n \n \n 1902\n 1905\n \n \n Received\n 694\n 873\n \n \n Sent\n 545\n 699\n \n\nThese figures do not include the Chinese correspondence.\n\nIt is pertinent to the question asked by the Hongkong Government to state how the four Powers who have established Post Offices at this Port, France, Germany, Japan and Russia have dealt with the matter. I have ascertained the facts from information kindly supplied to me by my consular colleagues concerned.\n\nAll the four Post Offices are installed in separate premises from the Consulates, and only one—the Japanese—is even in the same compound.\n\nFrench (exclusive of a military post office): one French postmaster, 1 French 1st class clerk, 1 Chinese interpreter, 2 Chinese facteurs.\n\nGerman: Three Europeans, 2 Chinese shroffs, 1 Chinese clerk, 5 Chinese messengers, 1 Chinese coolie,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407799, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 263, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "258\n\n2\n\nThe offices of the Administration, which is still military, are some distance in rear of the town itself.\n\nThroughout the whole town the telephone is installed and there is scarcely a Japanese house unconnected with the Central Exchange.\n\nTheatres and the Yoshiwara, two institutions inseparable from Japanese life, are also installed and from the writer's observation they seemed to be doing a thriving trade.\n\nBy far the most important feature is the railway improvement scheme. At present there is a narrow gauge railway to Mukden from Antung, but after this winter a complete change will be made and the gauge is to be widened to the Japanese standard gauge. Not only is this going to be done, but tunnelling to the extent of rather more than a mile is to be taken in hand, and the net result will be to shorten the journey from Antung to Mukden considerably, the whole passage then occupying a few hours only.\n\nAnother most important scheme which seems to have been definitely decided upon by the Japanese is the bridging of the river at Antung and thus the Corean and Manchurian Railway systems will be linked up.\n\nAt first sight the advantage of this might not be evident, but it means that Mukden will be supplied with goods during the winter by way of Chemulpo, and thus it will also be possible to reach Newchwang, while the latter port is ice-bound.\n\nThis illustration shows in a measure the activity of the Japanese from an economic point of view, and it is stated by the local Japanese that the above work is to be put in hand without delay. As soon as the Manchurian and Corean systems are linked up there is to be a very accelerated train service from Chemulpo to Mukden via Antung.\n\nTo pass on to the more political side of the question, as every one knows Antung is nominally under Chinese supervision. As a matter of fact, the policing and everything else is done by the Japanese military. The Emperor of China's Representative is a Magistrate who is said to have paid 30,000 taels to obtain his post, but he is practically powerless, as he is controlled by (1) the Japanese, and (2) the Chinese Merchants' Guild; and the latter are very strong in their own part of the town.\n\nThis might not appear evident to the average person, but when a foreigner comes to Antung the Chinese authorities don't seem to care, whereas the Japanese in a polite manner request him to produce his passport.\n\nIn order to demonstrate the real power of the Japanese, the following incident may be taken as typical of their methods: A certain Chinese known to the writer wished to buy some land from the holders at Tan Tao. They refused to sell. This Chinese, however, was in partnership with a Japanese, who happened to be very friendly with the Administration, and he went to the Military Commissioner and told him of the failure his partner had met with in trying to purchase the land. The Commissioner, in order to help his friend, expropriated the land for the Japanese Government, and shortly after sold it to the two partners.\n\nThis land has since proved valuable for brick-making, and the partners have erected a large plant, and, in addition, have secured a contract for the manufacture of 1,500,000 bricks for the Japanese Government.\n\nThe native customs seems to be carried on in a somewhat unbusinesslike manner. The writer brought over ten drums of kerosene oil as samples, and when he sent his bill of lading to the shipping office he was informed that there was duty of 10 cents per case to be paid.\n\nHe, however, spoke to his Japanese friend and explained the case to him-- namely, that the oil was merely a sample-and a few hours afterwards it was delivered, and no more was heard about duties. This would seem to point to preferential treatment being extended to the Japanese-a matter respecting which so much has been said lately in the foreign papers. There is no objection to a foreigner leasing a house in the Japanese town, and the Japanese Consul has assured the writer that no restrictions would be placed upon a foreigner's movements, and that he might do what he wished to. At the same time, there seems to be only two possible ways for a Britisher (or any other foreigner) to do any good for himself, and they are as follows:-\n\n1. By being backed with considerable capital, and content to wait perhaps for twelve months before turning his capital to account.\n\n2. By going into partnership with a good Japanese.\n\nThe latter would be undoubtedly the safer and better course.\n\n3\n\nBusiness is conducted on entirely different lines to those obtaining in Chinese Treaty ports. Everything is done with hard cargo, and no advance orders are given, or contracts entered into, the stock on the spot being the only thing dealt in.\n\nAny one with a stock of sheetings, shirtings, cheap flour, nails, screws, and oil would possibly pay his expenses. Tinned provisions can be obtained in abundance, and they nearly all come from Japan. The writer, however, saw a good deal of Messrs. Crosse and Blackwell's products in the bazaars and stores.\n\nHouses can be rented from 30 dollars to 200 dollars per mensem, according to size.\n\nThe currency is Chinese small money, and also Japanese.\n\nA 1-dollar war note is now worth 105 cents. Lumber for export can be bought, but this should be done through Japanese in order to avoid trouble.\n\nThe Japanese levy a toll of so many logs on every raft that comes down the river, and the Chinese dare not object.\n\nIn submitting this Report, the writer has tried to show actual conditions, and is in no way prejudiced.\n\nChefoo, August 18, 1906.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412915, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 675, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# DRAFT\n\nIt is clear that a fresh Agency has been established at Chefoo so recently this year, and it has moreover been made clear to the mandarins for argument that His Majesty's Government can only agree not to increase the number of their Agencies if a similar undertaking is given by the other Powers.\n\nWithdrawal is to take place by agreement with other nations. As the withdrawal is to take place concurrently with the withdrawal of all foreign Post Offices, it might be difficult to resist the contention that there is no evidence of such an agreement. On the contrary, it would seem evident from the fact that Hongkong is willing to continue the service for another year if Tientsin will agree to share the potential loss, that the question is purely one of finance.\n\nIt is difficult without access to the figures to conceive how such a loss can have been incurred. But it is possible to conceive economies. The Municipality might, for instance, probably be willing to provide accommodation, or the whole business might be run by \"consignees\" or agents, as it is at other ports, at a small cost. If Post Offices can be kept up, indeed, at ports like Chefoo, showing a profit, an increasing port like Tientsin ought to show a profit.\n\nHongkong, as a port of call and of transhipment, benefits in a lesser degree by nearly all trade between China and Europe. Legitimate inference, moreover, is that if the Tientsin Agency is closed because it loses, others that are to be continued are profitable, and that on average a reasonable admission that Hongkong cannot fairly be required to bear the burden of loss incurred in giving Postal advantages to a community in whose welfare she is interested indirectly and in divers ways. It is neither consistent with fairness nor recognised principle for a community to be prejudiced to pay for the maintenance of its own Post Office. If the proposition were sustained that all foreign postal facilities should pay for themselves, the finance of Imperial Postage would assume a peculiarly complex form.\n\nIt should be remembered, moreover, that the loss Hongkong complains of is measurably due to the reduction of Colonial postage to 1d. and is so far an Imperial responsibility.\n\nThe trade of Tientsin, in so far as it consists of imported British manufactures, or of raw Chinese material exported to Britain, is an Imperial interest which it is impossible to disintegrate; and the incidental Postal expenses should, it is contended, be treated as an Imperial charge. If an attempt at disintegration were made, the argument would be self-evident that Manchester and Bradford manufacturers derive probably more profit from Cotton and Woollen goods shipped from Great Britain to Tientsin than does the British merchant at Tientsin who sells them to Chinese; that the ship-builder and shipwright of Glasgow and the shipowner of Liverpool or London profit by the carrying trade more than the merchant at Tientsin, and that the revenue of Great Britain is morally liable at least in that proportion. Hongkong, for the reasons stated and in the proportions stated, might be expected to contribute also in her degree. The argument might be prosecuted, indeed, till the proposition appeared absurd.\n\nIt is a little remarkable, from this point of view, that a port so important as Tientsin should be subjected to a disability which its relatively smaller neighbour Chefoo seemingly escapes. For Tientsin is proving steadily in importance and will grow more and more as communications in the great region of North China which it serves are improved. The Customs collection at Tientsin in 1906 reached `Taels 9,400,007` (equal to nearly one tenth of the total Customs Revenue), while that at Chefoo was only `Taels 718,322`.\n\nThe direct foreign trade of Tientsin was `Taels 45,246,322`, while that of Chefoo was only `Taels 12,713,493`. The total net trade, foreign and native, was `Taels 112,864,555`, while that of Chefoo was only `Taels 34,740,267`, and that of Shanghai itself only `Taels 168,736,327`.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416079, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 244, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL,\n\n[9637]\n\n[March 12.]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\n241\n\nNo. 142.\n\nQuestion asked in the House of Commons, March 12, 1908.\n\nMr. Nuttall,-To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, in view of the fact that at Tien-tsin, the second in importance among China Treaty ports, the British post office will be closed unless the Chamber of Commerce guarantees the financial deficit, and in view of the fact that the British post offices at Hankow, Chefoo, and Canton are maintained without merchants being required to contribute to the working expenses, His Majesty's Government will undertake the charge, in order to assist our commerce and maintain the same status for England as that established by Germany, France, and Russia at that port.\n\nAnswered by Mr. Churchill,\n\nThe question of the maintenance of these postal agencies is now being discussed between the Colonial Office and the Treasury, and the point raised by the honourable Member will receive consideration.\n\n[2895]\n\nPage 241\n\n-21\n\n \nPage 242", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416487, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 652, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n645\n\n20024\n\n[May 2\n\nSECTION 6.\n\n6 JUN 08\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 2.)\n\n[14959]\n\n(No. 136. Confidential.) Sir,\n\nPeking, March 19, 1908. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a Report upon recent developments in telegraph affairs in China, which has been prepared for me by Mr. Bullard, Manager of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, and which may be found useful for purposes of reference.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nThe Eastern Extension (Australia and China) Telegraph Company to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n(Confidential.) Sir,\n\nShanghae, February 25, 1908.\n\nIN compliance with your Excellency's request, communicated through Mr. Laing, I beg to give the following information concerning developments in telegraph affairs in China that have occurred since I wrote to your Excellency on this subject in March 1907. I would mention that my information has been obtained from Mr. Dresing:\n\nA mudando \"der veder\n\nNegotiations between China and Japan.\n\nThe negotiations between China and Japan regarding the proposed Chefoo-Dalny cable and telegraph lines in Manchuria practically came to a deadlock in the spring of last year. The principal point of disagreement was that Japan was unwilling to hand over to China the ten telegraph offices which she had opened in Manchuria outside of the railway area.\n\nThe negotiations were resumed in Peking in November last, China maintaining her stipulation that Japan should agree to the same terms in regard to the Japanese land lines and offices in South Manchuria that Russia had accepted for the Russian land lines and offices in Northern Manchuria. As Japan was unwilling to accept these terms, the negotiations made no progress, and finally in January came to a standstill owing to a Cabinet crisis at Tôkiô. Mr. Dresing then returned to Shanghae. As it was feared that Japan would bring pressure to bear against China to induce her to violate her obligations towards this Company and the Great Northern Company, the British Foreign Office was asked by the Eastern Extension Company to use their good offices at Tokio to induce Japan to moderate her demands upon China, and at Peking to support China in resisting such pressure.\n\nI would mention that Mr. Dresing has on several occasions hinted that it might be necessary for China to cancel the 1899 monopoly Agreement with the Great Northern Company, in which the Eastern Extension Company is a partner.\n\nThe retention by Japan of the ten telegraph stations in Manchuria outside the railway area is a grave danger, as it has led Russia to give China notice of her intention to terminate the Convention recently concluded by her with China, and it may lead to a Russian-Japanese-Manchurian Convention on telegraph affairs, ignoring China and the Companies' interests.\n\nOn the 11th instant Mr. Dresing received from the Japanese Minister in Peking the following draft of Japan's modified counter-proposals\n\n1. The Chinese Administration to work the Chefoo end of the Chefoo-Dalny cable, but the Japanese Post Office at Chefoo to be permitted to accept and transmit\n\n[2960 b---6]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416488, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 653, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "2\n\nterminal Chefoo telegrams written in Kana, and Japanese Government telegrams exchanged with the stations in the Japanese telegraph system.\n\n2. Japan agrees to close all telegraph stations in Manchuria except those in the railway area and towns in the vicinity which are open to foreign commerce.\n\n3. Japan agrees to pay China a royalty on telegrams transmitted solely over the railway lines and the Japanese connecting lines.\n\nThese are more favourable terms than Japan has hitherto offered, doubtless due to the action of the British Foreign Office, and Mr. Dresing considers that a basis of agreement on these lines may possibly be arranged.\n\nHe understands that telegrams accepted at the Japanese offices in Manchuria will be confined to local telegrams exchanged between Japanese Railway offices and terminal telegrams exchanged with Japan.\n\nUntil Japan defines the class of traffic which she stipulates shall be transmitted over the Sasebo Dalny and Dalny--Chefoo cables, we are unable to say to what extent our interests would be affected by an agreement based on the above proposals.\n\nMr. Dresing does not propose to conclude an agreement until after the Telegraph Conference at Lisbon has taken place, as he considers it advisable first to discuss details with the other parties concerned. Mr. Dresing and Mr. Chow Wan Pang have been appointed to represent China unofficially at the Conference. They are leaving for Lisbon in a few weeks hence, and will there meet Japan's Delegates and the representatives of the two Companies.\n\nProlonged negotiations have taken place at Tôkiô between the Northern Company and the Japanese Administration. The Northern Company agreed to withdraw their protest against the laying of the Sasebo-Dalny cable, and to give their consent to the laying of the cable between Dalny and Chefoo, subject to China's consent being obtained, provided that Japan would enter into an arrangement regarding terminal traffic exchanged between China and Japan. The negotiations have, however, been fruitless, and are now in abeyance, owing to the unreasonable terms demanded by Japan.\n\nRusso-Chinese Convention.\n\nA new Telegraph Convention between Russia and China was concluded in October 1907, in which Russia agreed-\n\n1. To hand over to China all telegraph landlines erected by Russia in Manchuria other than railway landlines;\n\n2. To pay China a royalty on telegrams transmitted over the Russian Railway landlines in Manchuria;\n\n3. That telegrams transmitted over the Russian Railway telegraph lines shall be confined to terminal telegrams exchanged between Manchuria and Russia. Telegrams for Europe and America accepted at the Russian Railway offices in Manchuria will be handed over to the nearest Chinese telegraph station.\n\n4. That the Russian Railway telegraph lines will not exchange with the Japanese Railway lines any other than service telegrams.\n\nAs Japan still retains ten telegraph offices in Manchuria outside the railway area, Russia is now dissatisfied with the terms of the above-stated Convention, and has recently given China twelve months' notice of her intention to determine the same.\n\nWe have not a copy of this Convention.\n\nAgreement between Germany and China.\n\nAn Agreement made between Germany and China came into force in July 1907, whereby it was agreed:\n\n1. That when both of the Chinese Administration's cables between Chefoo and Taku are in working order, one of the said cables will be placed at the disposal of the German post offices at Chefoo and Peking for four periods of thirty minutes each day for the transmission of bona fide German Government telegrams. When one cable is interrupted, the time will be reduced to two periods of thirty minutes.\n\n2. During the interruption of one of the German Administration's cables, the Chinese Administration will transmit German Government telegrams free of charge between Shanghae and Chefoo.\n\n3. During the interruption of the Chinese Administration's Shanghae-Chefoo cable, the German Administration will place the Shanghae-Tsingtau-Chefoo cable at the disposal of the Chinese Administration, provided that the cable is not occupied by special German traffic.\n\nIn such cases a fixed charge will be paid to the German Administration for all traffic transmitted over the said cable, excepting Chinese Government telegrams and telegrams terminating in China and exchanged between China, on the one side, and Europe, America, and Russia, on which no charge will be levied.\n\n4. The German Administration undertakes not to fix lower rates for their Shanghae-Tsingtau-Chefoo cable than those established by the Chinese Administration. They further undertake not to compete with the Administration, and to pay the latter half of their receipts for all traffic exchanged by their cable between Shanghae and Chefoo originating and terminating at these places.\n\nThe Chinese Administration have communicated to us several extracts from the Chinese-German Agreement, but we have not a copy of the Agreement.\n\nNegotiations between France and China.\n\nThe Convention made between France and China in 1888 for the exchange of telegrams between the Tonquin and Chinese land lines has been prolonged by a supplementary Article signed on the 31st December, 1907, which contains a clause to the effect that the Convention can be terminated by either party on giving six months' notice.\n\nThe protracted negotiations concerning the French cable from Tourane to Amoy have been fruitless, and are at present in abeyance owing to France maintaining her demand for permission to extend the cable from Amoy to Shanghae, a demand to which China has declined to accede on the grounds that there is no necessity for such a cable, which would be a competing line with the Administration's land line, and that if it should eventually be required, China herself would lay the cable. It was explained that China was treating France exactly as she was treating other Powers, who were not allowed to extend their cables beyond the landing-place originally chosen.\n\nWe are informed that if the French cable is extended to Shanghae, France intends to lay a cable from Shanghae to Vladivostock; this would be highly detrimental to the interests of the Extension Company, as it would establish a competing route to Europe.\n\nShould your Excellency at any time desire further information on telegraph affairs, I shall be glad to communicate the same.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) W. BULLARD,\n\nManager in China.\n\n646", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416755, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 82, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n4\n\nthe opportunity to discuss the failure of Japanese policy in Manchuria, \"Though Japan won in the field, she has lost in diplomacy.\" The South Manchurian Railway is not a success, as it seems to be looked upon merely as a means for enriching the officials and offending all other nationalities, while Japan is represented in Manchuria by a swarm of immigrants of the lowest class. The objections to the proposed Hsin-mintun-Fakumen extension are, the paper states, not justified by facts, and the Japanese, by their attitude on this question, are only adding to their unpopularity in China.\n\nThe \"Eastern Times\" criticizes the Government's proposal to redeem the Peking-Hankow line by the issue of internal loan bonds. The Government's decision that it would be better to abandon the idea of redemption than to invite the danger of a foreign loan is declared to be sound, but the want of confidence between the officials and the people is such that the bonds will not be taken up to a sufficient extent. The paper here hits upon the great practical obstacle which the advocates of native loans too often forget; and the only remedy that the \"Eastern Times\" can suggest is constitutional reform, providing for popular control of the national finances.\n\nThibet.\n\nAccording to the Peking native papers, it would appear that the Chinese are contemplating a more energetic policy than that they have hitherto pursued as regards Thibet. Chang Ta-ch'en is said to have put forward various proposals, which are now under consideration, aiming at the establishment of a military force in Thibet, the encouragement of trade with Szechuan, the founding of schools where the Chinese language is to be taught, the organization of an administrative system, and, in general, the assertion of China's sovereign rights.\n\nIt is also reported that an official will be sent to Thibet to investigate the mineral resources of the country, and to arrange with the Thibetan and British officials some means of raising capital for the exploitation of the mines.\n\nNaval Affairs.\n\nA Peking newspaper is responsible for the statement that the Board of Finance have arranged to devote the sum of 10,000,000 taels for the purchase of new ships, the construction of naval harbours, &c. The annual expenditure for the upkeep of the navy is to be met by the various provinces concerned. The fleet, which, it is hoped, will be completed in three years, will be divided into three squadrons, the head-quarters of the first being Yu Lin Chang; of the second, San Men Wan and Chou Shan; of the third, Chefoo and Ching K'u.\n\n0\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL,\n\n[22269]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 29.)\n\n[June 29.]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\n(No. 197.) Sir,\n\nPeking, May 6, 1908. IN continuation of my despatch No. 180 of the 27th April, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a Report by Mr. Harding which gives further and fuller information respecting the Sunning Railway, the construction of which is, as the writer points out, a remarkable feat suggestive of further possibilities in railway development in this country.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN,\n\nMemorandum by Mr. Harding respecting a Short Trip through the Sunning District.\n\nTHE Sunning district is one of the most progressive in China. In every village one is sure to come across men who speak English, or, more strictly, American, as some of them indeed call it. On the streets are men in foreign clothes and without queues; brand new villages are springing up everywhere; rows of neat new houses, with a broad street in between. And yet the district contains no Treaty port; no foreigners reside in it; few ever visit it. All the improvements which one sees are but the result of the... fact that from here was effected the Chinese colonization of the Pacific Coast of America.\n\nUndoubtedly the principal evidence of this Americanization of the people of Sunning is now the railway, which already connects the district city with the Ngae Mun River at Kung Yik, and will soon connect it with the sea-coast at Sam Kap. The first named place is situated opposite the town of Tam Shöü Hau, some five hours by steam-launch from Kongmoon. At present it has no population at all; long rows of new Chinese houses alternate with broad grass-grown streets, but the Railway Company hope that when the town is built and the railway complete, inhabitants will come, The railway station is some little way from the town, just beside an imposing-looking, white-painted, two-storeyed building, in which are some of the Company's offices. At present there are only two trains a-day each way, which start-most unpunctually at 7.30 A.M. and 130 P.M. from Kung Yik, and at 9 A.M. and 3 P.M. from Sunning, local time, half-an-hour earlier than the China coast time in use at Hong Kong and Canton, being used. The first-class carriages are most luxurious, more so even than those of the Shanghae-Nanking Railway. The second-class carriages are about the same as on other Chinese lines; while the third-class are mere cattle-trucks with seats. All, with three out of the six locomotives owned by the Company, are built in the United States. The other three, with all the rails and some of the other material, come from Germany,\n\nThe distance from Kung Yik to Sunning is 17 miles; the time taken over the journey being an hour and a-quarter, and the fares 80 c., 50 c., and 30 c. by first, second, and third class respectively.\n\nJust after leaving Kung Yik the line makes an enormous bend, necessitated by the refusal of a village, which lay in the direct line, to sell the requisite land. At this one place a mile is lost, and there are several lesser bends on the way to Sunning. The Company's inability to compel unwilling villagers to part with their land has further led it to follow the top of a range of low hills with a gap in the middle, thereby necessitating a couple of rises of 70 feet.\n\nThe line is well laid, and travel on it is much smoother than on the Canton-Hankow line, or, indeed, on the Shanghae-Nanking line when newly built. No ballast\n\n[1819 ƒ-2]\n\n79", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417655, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 367, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "Art. 2. Japan undertakes immediately to hand over to China, against the payment of 50,000 yen, all Japanese telegraph lines in Manchuria outside the railway territory. Japan is prepared to enter into negotiation with China with a view to coming to a certain arrangement concerning the Japanese telephone service in Manchuria outside the railway territory. Pending the conclusion of such an arrangement, Japan undertakes neither to extend her present telephone system in Manchuria, without having first obtained the consent of the Chinese Government, nor to use her telephone lines for the transmission of telegrams in competition with the Chinese telegraph lines.\n\nArt. 3. At open marts or Treaty ports in Manchuria, which are in close proximity to the Japanese railway territory, namely, Antung, Newchwang, Liaoyang, Moukden, Tiehling, and Changchun, the Chinese Government agrees for a period of fifteen years to place one or two special telegraph wires from the said open marts or Treaty ports to such railway territory at the exclusive disposal of the Japanese Government telegraph service. Such wire or wires shall be maintained in good order and condition by the Chinese Government up to the railway territory.\n\nArt. 4. The special wire or wires mentioned in Article 3 shall be worked from the Japanese telegraph buildings by Japanese clerks in the employ of the Japanese Government, and the Chinese Government undertakes to provide, at a total yearly rent of 700 Mexican dollars, suitable special offices and accommodations for this purpose, it being, however, understood that the said accommodations do not include dwelling quarters for the clerks.\n\nArt. 5. The special wire or wires mentioned in Article 3 can only be used for the exchange of telegrams emanating from or destined to places under the direct control of the Japanese telegraph system.\n\nArt. 6. At the open marts or Treaty ports mentioned in Article 3 the Japanese Telegraph Department will have its receiving office in the Chinese telegraph building, and delivery of Japanese traffic shall be made by messengers wearing no special uniform.\n\nArt. 7. The Japanese Government undertakes to pay to the Chinese Government an annual sum of 3,000 yen as a royalty on all messages forwarded over the Japanese Manchurian telegraph lines.\n\nArt. 8. This Convention shall be confirmed by the two Governments concerned, and shall be put into force when a detailed Agreement shall have been concluded with regard to the Chefoo-Kwantung cable and the Japanese Manchurian telegraph lines.\n\nIn witness whereof the Undersigned have signed this Agreement.\n\nDone at Tôkiô in English, in duplicate, this day of the month of October, 1908.\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government\n\nPage 363\n\nSir C. MacDonald to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received November 9.) (No. 262.)\n\nTokió, October 4, 1908. Sir,\n\nMR. H. IJUIN, who has recently been appointed Japanese Minister to Peking, came to see me on the 2nd instant previously to starting to take up his duties.\n\nMr. Ijuin is, I think, a very good selection. He was for six years subsequent to the Boxer troubles Consul-General in Tien-tsin, and there became well acquainted with Yuan-shi-kai and his lieutenant, Tong-shao-yi. He has also served his country in Seoul, and his last post was, as you are aware, Councillor in the Japanese Embassy in London.\n\nMr. Ijuin stated that his experience at Tien-tsin led him to think that the Englishmen in China did not work together and were too independent, while constantly accusing their Government of being indifferent to their interests they were remarkably indifferent to their interests themselves. Germans, on the other hand, were keen and pushing and looked after their interests; they also hung together and worked much more than our people.\n\nMr. Ijuin admitted that there was such a thing as being too pushing, which he thought was accountable for the heavy failures in German firms which have taken place all over China and also in Japan. These failures seemed to be a source of some satisfaction to Mr. Ijuin, who thought that the English and Japanese should endeavour to work together and understand each other more than they did. He stated that he personally was going to use his utmost endeavours while in Peking to this end, and he greatly looked forward to having Sir John Jordan as his colleague.\n\nHe spoke of the Tsin-min-tun-Fakumen Railway, and greatly deplored the press campaign which was being carried on in England against Japan, and the accusations which were being made against the latter as to her supposed anti-open-door policy, which accusations he strongly refuted.\n\nSpeaking of Tong-shao-yi, who is shortly expected here, he said he was a Cantonese, undoubtedly clever, spoke both English and French well, but was somewhat superficial and lazy, and that he did not study questions deeply; he was, however, quick to make up his mind, and held very strongly and tenaciously to his opinions once arrived at.\n\nHe was Yuan-shi-kai's right-hand man, and had been with him in all his important posts.\n\nMr. Ijuin thought that the Boxer troubles had had with the Chinese Court and Government a great moral effect for good in that the hard experience gained by the Empress-Dowager and the Court officials would have a very salutary effect, anyway for two or three generations, in preventing outrages against foreigners.\n\nMr. Ijuin leaves for Peking with every intention of working on the most frank and cordial relations with His Majesty's Representative at that post.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nCLAUDE M. MacDONALD.\n\n[2029 i-4]\n\nPage 363", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 418085, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-354 - Public Offices & Others - 1908", "page_number": 35, "title": "CO129-354 - Public Offices & Others - 1908", "content_text": "34\n\nDOMESTIC.\n\nOffice or Individual.\n\nHONG KONG\n\nNo. 8075\n\n(Subject.)\n\nused Commons British Post Office\n\n1908\n\n5 March\n\nLast previous Paper. MO 7197\n\nTo Treasury Curs 24 March Treasury permitted to give £22624\n\n70\n\n7 March\n\n8075\n\nRECR\n\n(Rec'd 6 MAR 08)\n\nat Fietsin\n\nMr. Nuttall, To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, in view of the fact that at Tientsin, the second in importance among China treaty ports, the British post office will be closed unless the Chamber of Commerce guarantees the financial deficit, and in view of the fact that the British post offices at Hankow, Chefoo, and Canton are maintained without merchants being required to contribute to the working expenses, His Majesty's Government will undertake the charge, in order to assist our commerce and maintain the same status for England as that established by Germany, France, and Russia at that port. [Thursday 12th March.]\n\n(Minutes.)\n\nThe real point is that there is no deficit at Hankow or Canton.\n\nSmall deficit at Chefoo.\n\nHad better leave it alone unless the F.O. likes to take this up.\n\nAbt that..\n\nJules 6.3\n\nalmee 13.\n\nVEIS-V. & Co. Ltd.-80978 30000-11-7 239123, & Co. Ltd.- 25000--11-07.\n\nNext subsequent Paper.\n\n10407", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-354 - Public Offices & Others - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421496, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 285, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## ARTICLE 1\nJapan undertakes not to exercise any control over the transmission at Chefoo of traffic from or to any other parts of China, and she also undertakes under the reserve of most-favoured-nation treatment for the future not to land submarine cables or to construct telegraph or telephone land-lines, or to establish any kind of wireless communication, in China outside her leased or railway territories without in every case first having obtained the consent of the Chinese Government. All details as to terminal rates over the Chefoo-Kwantung cable shall be settled by a special Agreement.\n\n## ARTICLE 2\nJapan undertakes immediately to hand over to China, against the payment of 50,000 yen, all Japanese telegraph lines in Manchuria outside the railway territory. Japan is prepared to enter into negotiation with China with a view to coming to a certain arrangement concerning the Japanese telephone service in Manchuria outside the railway territory. Pending the conclusion of such an arrangement, Japan undertakes neither to extend her present telephone system in Manchuria, without having first obtained the consent of the Chinese Government, nor to use her telephone lines for the transmission of telegrams in competition with the Chinese telegraph lines.\n\n## ARTICLE 3\nAt open marts or Treaty ports in Manchuria, which are in close proximity to the Japanese railway territory, namely, at Antung, Newchwang, Liaoyang, Mukden, Tieh-ling and Changchun, the Chinese Government agrees, for a period of fifteen years, to place one or two special telegraph wires from the said open marts or Treaty ports to such railway territory at the exclusive disposal of the Japanese Government telegraph service. Such wire or wires shall be maintained in good order and condition by the Chinese Government up to the railway territory.\n\n## ARTICLE 4\nThe special wire or wires mentioned in Article 3 shall be worked from the Chinese telegraph buildings by Japanese clerks in the employ of the Japanese Government, and the Chinese Government undertakes to provide, at a total yearly rent of 700 Mexican dollars, suitable special offices and accommodations for this purpose, it being, however, understood that the said accommodations do not include dwelling quarters for the clerks.\n\n## ARTICLE 5\nThe special wire or wires mentioned in Article 3 can only be used for the exchange of telegrams emanating from or destined to places under the direct control of the Japanese telegraph system.\n\n## ARTICLE 6\nAt the open marts or Treaty ports mentioned in Article 3 the Japanese Telegraph Department will have its receiving office in the Chinese telegraph buildings, and delivery of Japanese traffic shall be made by messengers wearing no special uniform.\n\n## ARTICLE 7\nThe Japanese Government undertakes to pay to the Chinese Government an annual sum of 3,000 yen, as a royalty on all messages forwarded over the Japanese-Manchurian telegraph lines.\n\n## ARTICLE 8\nThe present Convention shall be confirmed by the two Governments concerned, and shall be put into force when detailed Agreements shall have been concluded with regard to the Chefoo-Kwantung cable and the Japanese-Manchurian telegraph lines.\n\n1908.\n\nIn witness whereof the Undersigned have signed this Agreement.\n\nDone at Tôkiô, in English, in duplicate this 12th day of the month of October,\n\n## Page 5\n\n### Inclosure 5 in No. 1\n**Agreement regarding the Working of the Chefoo-Kwantung Cable**\n\n[See Inclosure 1 in Sir J. Jordan's No. 563, **Confidential**, dated December 16, 1908.]\n\n### Inclosure 6 in No. 1\n**Agreement regarding the Working of the Japanese and Chinese Telegraph Lines in Manchuria**\n\n[See Inclosure 2 in Sir J. Jordan's No. 563, **Confidential**, dated December 16, 1908.]\n\n## Page 283", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421505, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 294, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## Trade in Manchuria\n\nmentioned above. There is, in addition, however, quite an appreciable trade in metal utensils of European Russian make, while quantities of glass articles come from Germany. The prospects for this trade are nevertheless, owing to the high freight charges on the railway, unpromising. Finally, there is a small demand for tinned meats, provisions, &c., of local manufacture.\n\nNo reliable trade statistics are obtainable, though apparently the gross quantity of goods dealt with at the three Harbin stations in 1906 was 22,636,160 pouds, divided as follows:-\n\n| Arrived | Dispatched | Total |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 16,987,383 | 5,558,885 | 22,541,268 |\n\nUnder the first heading, salt and firewood were the most important items; the second, flour.\n\nThe weight of goods dealt with at the Sungari Wharf during the same period was 3,810,762 pouds, divided as follows :-\n\n| | Pouds |\n| --- | --- |\n| Arrived - From Lower Sungari | 2,857,715 |\n| Arrived - From Upper Sungari | 2,880 |\n| Dispatched - For Lower Sungari | ... |\n| Dispatched - For Upper Sungari | 1,450,717 |\n| Total | 3,810,762 |\n\nNative cart transport is naturally not included in these figures, nor do the wharf figures cover more than the cargoes carried by Russian shipping.\n\nNear the wharf district is the Chinese town of Harbin, with a population of 60,000. Beyond the fact that it contains the Chinese Government Offices, there is nothing in the place which merits particular notice. The Chinese merchants here lay in their supplies of goods at Tien-tsin, Shanghae, and Newchwang, and to a lesser extent at Peking, Chefoo, &c. The area of distribution commanded by Chinese Harbin is very large, extending beyond Tsitsitar, and Aigun on the north-west, and Hulan, Tetuanhutzu, Hsin-shan, Pinshu, Sanshan on the north and east.\n\nCereals for this place come mainly from Hulancheng on the north. Harbin is 466 miles from the mouth of the Sungari, 485 from Vladivostock, and 588 from Dairen.\n\nShuang Cheng Pu is a growing town, with a population of 25,000 inhabitants, situated about 30 miles south of Harbin, on the old high road from Sanchan to Newchwang. This place has made great strides since the establishment of the railway, and now boasts a flour mill, which grinds 4,200 pouds of grain every twenty-four hours. The value of the grain appearing in the market of Shuang Cheng Pu is 360,000l.\n\nForeign imports come via Changchun and Newchwang.\n\n## Changchun (Kilin Province)\n\nChangchun, or Kwangchengtzu, with a population of about 130,000, is the key of North and South Manchuria, and a starting point for Kilin, and Mukden Provinces, or for Mongolia.\n\nIt is the junction also of the Russian and Japanese railway systems, and later will be one of the termini of the line running to Kilin. The trade of the place is mostly transit. Here is situated one of the great wholesale markets of Manchuria; in fact, it is no exaggeration to say that there is not one important centre of trade in the whole of these territories which has not relations with Changchun. There can be no doubt that a great future is in store for this town.\n\nThe exports are as usual agricultural produce, and the imports, mainly, cotton yarn, sugar, cotton cloth, hemp cloth, and miscellaneous goods. The value of the farm produce and manufactures therefrom passing through the Changchun market annually is estimated at about 680,000l.; the value of the imports, over 1,800,000l.\n\n## Ashihho\n\nAshihho is an ancient walled city of Manchuria, situated about 24 miles from Harbin. Its population is 32,000.\n\nThe value of the trade of this place, according to most recent investigations, 26,000,000 tiao (870,000l.). Of this amount, 6,800,000 tiao are to be credited to foreign imports, the most important of which is hemp-cloth.\n\n*According to this report the \"tiao\" is equal to about one-third of a \"yen.\"\n\n## Ninguta\n\nNinguta is an ancient walled city to the north of Kilin, and distant about 16 miles from Harbin Station on the Chinese Eastern Railway. The country in the neighbourhood of Ninguta is well cultivated, and it is estimated that the value of the agricultural products raised in the district is about 1,212,000 tiao (400,000l) yearly. The imports, valued at about 2,000,000 tiao (70,000l.), consist mainly of hemp cloth, cotton goods, sugar, and table salt. There is, likewise, a good trade with the Russians in hair and hides. Both the wheat and the tobacco raised in this district are of exceedingly good quality.\n\n## Tsitsihar and Tsitsihar Station (Amur Province)\n\nTsitsihar, which is the centre of government of the Amur Province, and is situated on the Nonchan River, a big tributary of the Sungari, has a population of 80,000. A road leads from the town to Tsitsihar Station, distant about 14 miles, and thence on through Aigun to Blagovestchensk. Owing to its conveniences, in the way of land and water transport, this place enjoys considerable prosperity, and is resorted to, not only by numbers of Russian merchants, but also of Mongols. The country around is unsuited for agriculture.\n\nA branch of the Russo-Chinese Bank is established here, as well as one or two foreign firms, including a German. Japanese residents number 101.\n\nThe settlement, or town, at Tsitsihar Station, is situated in the middle of a vast uncultivated plain. Trade, there is virtually none, and the business of the place is divided between the restaurants and the stores dealing in miscellaneous goods and fancy articles. The means of communication between Tsitsihar and Tsitsihar Station are so wretched, that the Chinese are said to be making arrangements for the laying down of a light line of railway from one place to the other. The contract for the supply of material has gone to the German firm in Tsitsihar.\n\n## Hailar\n\nHailar is on the Hailar Railway, 500 miles from Harbin. The population of the place is very small, only 3,000; but, nevertheless, the cattle market here is the most important in North Manchuria. Numbers of oxen and sheep are brought in for sale, and the Russians estimated the annual value of this trade, before the war, at 1,000,000 roubles.\n\n## Manchurie\n\nManchurie is a new settlement. Both the Chinese and the Russians have customs offices here. The population numbers 12,000, 40 per cent. being Chinese, and the trade of the place, like that of Hailar, is in cattle only.\n\n## Petune (Kilin)\n\nPetune is situated on the right bank of the Sungari in the middle of a sandy plain. Petune, which occupies an important position on the line of communications, seeing that it is either by road or water connected with Kilin, Harbin, Tsitsihar, Changchun, &c., is for the moment, unimportant only as a place of transhipment.\n\nThe chief items of trade here are tobacco and timber.\n\nThe soil around Petune partakes of the characteristics of that of Mongolia, being sandy and unsuitable for farming purposes.\n\nIn former days there was a thriving trade between this place and the neighbouring parts of Mongolia, but, since the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway, it has decreased very considerably.\n\n## Payansasu (Amur)\n\nPayansasu is a town of considerable importance near the middle waters of the Sungari River. The soil of the surrounding country is fertile and eminently suited for agriculture. Payansasu is not on the Sungari itself, and therefore lacks water communication; but this drawback does not, thanks to the close trade connections existing with Shuangchengpu, Hulan, and Petuanhirtzu, materially affect the prosperity of the place.\n\nForeign goods come from Newchwang via Harbin or Hulan. The value of this trade is about 4,000,000 tiao (133,000l.) per annum; 70 per cent. of this amount represents local consumption. The remaining 30 per cent. is that of the surrounding districts.\n\nThe value of the agricultural products of this district is about 324,000l. per annum. Wheat is becoming a most important item of the trade of the place. Payansasu is the centre of a large spirit-distilling industry.\n\n## Hsinshan and Chiapanshan (Kilin)\n\nThe former, once a tiny hamlet, is, by reason of its situation in the middle of an agricultural district and also because of its anchorage facilities on the Sungari, becoming a place of importance. Ever increasing numbers of Russian merchants gather here annually from Harbin, Khabarovsk, and Blagovestchensk to purchase wheat.\n\nForeign imports come through Chiapanshan, or Harbin.\n\nChiapanshan is in close trade connection with the place just mentioned.\n\n[2116 b-3]\n\nPage 292", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421602, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 391, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## ARTICLE 2\n\nShould the cable be damaged at the connecting point, i.e., at 7 miles from Chefoo, the cost of the repairs shall be borne one-half by Japan and the other half by China.\n\n## ARTICLE 3\n\nEach of the Contracting Parties agrees to provide and maintain at its own cost the cable-house, landing connection, and the necessary equipment of the office at its own shore end of the said cable.\n\n## ARTICLE 4\n\nThe telegraph instruments to be employed for working the said cable shall, unless otherwise agreed, be Morse or Wheatstone.\n\n## ARTICLE 5\n\nThe cost of the equipment and maintenance of the Japanese telegraph office at Chefoo shall be borne by Japan.\n\n## ARTICLE 6\n\nThe Japanese telegraph office at Chefoo shall daily switch the Japanese telegraph office at that place into direct communication with the said cable for one hour in every three hours between 6 o'clock in the morning and 11 o'clock at night, and thereafter the said Japanese office shall be similarly switched into direct communication with the cable during the remaining seven hours in each day of twenty-four hours that the cable is not actually required by the said Chinese office.\n\nIt is further agreed that, for the due and proper working of the said cable, every convenience and facility shall be given reciprocally by the two offices, which shall do their utmost to work in a friendly and harmonious way, so as to cause as little delay as possible to the legitimate traffic of both parties.\n\n## ARTICLE 7\n\nJapan and China shall, as quickly as circumstances permit, arrange to connect the nearest Chinese telegraph office outside the leased territory of Liaotung Peninsula with the most convenient Japanese telegraph office having direct connection with the Japanese cable office. This connecting line shall be constructed, maintained, and worked by each Contracting Party within its own territory and used for the exchange of traffic to and from places within the Chinese system north of the said leased territory.\n\n## ARTICLE 8\n\n(a) The special cable rates per word for correspondence exchanged over the said cable between the Japanese and Chinese offices are fixed as follows:\n\n| | Rate |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1. Japan- (a) For terminal Kwantung traffic | 0.15 Mexican dollars |\n| (b) For traffic transiting Kwantung | 0.10 |\n| 2. China: For terminal Chefoo traffic | 0.04 |\n\n(b) The charges per word on the Japanese land lines beyond Kwantung shall be 5 Mexican dollar cents.\n\nFor Chinese telegrams the text of which is composed entirely of four-figured groups, Japan's proportion of rate shall be 8 Mexican dollar cents per word.\n\nFor telegrams emanating from or destined to countries beyond China, Japan's proportion of rate shall be 10 Mexican dollar cents per word.\n\nFor telegrams transmitted over the said cable, Japan shall collect the rates fixed for the time being by China, and on such traffic Japan shall credit China with full transmission rate, less Japan's proportion as fixed above. It is, however, understood that the total charges for such telegrams shall not in any case be higher than for telegrams to the same destination via other Chinese routes. The necessary tariff schedule shall be supplied to Japan by China.\n\n## ARTICLE 9\n\nUntil otherwise agreed upon, it is understood that the Chefoo-Kwantung cable cannot be used for Japanese traffic emanating from or destined to places beyond China, with the exception of Chefoo terminal Japanese Government traffic and Chefoo terminal traffic written in Kana.\n\n## ARTICLE 10\n\nOn telegrams handled by the Japanese office at Chefoo, according to Article 1 of the Convention above mentioned, Japan shall credit China with 10 per cent. of the total rates charged. The amount of such credit shall be accounted for in the monthly balance-sheet.\n\n## ARTICLE 11\n\nThe checking of the amount of correspondence exchanged over the said cable shall take place daily by wire between the offices of exchange.\n\nThe settlement of accounts shall take place at the end of each month, and the resulting balance shall be paid one month thereafter, either to Japan in Tokio or to China in Shanghae, as the case may be.\n\nFor the purposes of this arrangement the year and month shall be reckoned according to the Gregorian calendar, and the English language shall be used in all communication between the telegraph offices of the two Contracting Parties.\n\n## ARTICLE 12\n\nThe liquidation of accounts shall be made in Mexican dollars. As regards out-payments to other Telegraph Administrations the collecting rate shall be quarterly agreed upon between the two Contracting Parties during the month preceding the quarter for which the rate is to rule, on the basis of the average bank rate of exchange at Shanghae for the three months preceding that in which the rate is fixed.\n\nIn case it is necessary at any time to fix the collecting rate for the fraction of a quarter, the average bank rate of exchange ruling at Shanghae for the quarter immediately preceding such fraction of a quarter shall be taken as the basis.\n\n## ARTICLE 13\n\nThe charges for press telegrams via the said cable shall be fixed by a later Agreement between Japan and China.\n\n## ARTICLE 14\n\nUnless otherwise provided in the present Agreement, the Rules laid down in the existing International Telegraph Convention and the Regulations attached thereto shall be observed with regard to telegrams transmitted over the said cable.\n\n## ARTICLE 15\n\nThe present Agreement shall be submitted to the Governments of Japan and China respectively for approval and shall come into operation from the day on which announcements of such approval are exchanged. It shall remain in force until modified or abrogated by mutual consent.\n\nIn witness whereof the Undersigned, duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed the present Agreement.\n\nDone in Tokio, in English, in duplicate, on this 7th day of the month of November, 1908.\n\n`[2116 g-3]`\n\nPage 3 \nB 2 \n389", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428329, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 254, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2\n\ngreater part of the Burmah-China trade depends-70 per cent. of our imports going there, whilst nearly all the exports pass through it-and I feel convinced that we are really threatened with a serious blow commercially. The three most important Tengyueh dealers have sent representatives to Hong Kong this summer to enquire into the facilities offered by the new route, the two chief banks propose to remove their head offices to Hsiakwan (Talifu), and everything points to a serious set-back for us during the coming season. The Tengyueh merchants not only offer no opposition to the railway, but they perpetually remind one of the downfall which overshadows them if either the French or the Chinese should link Yünnan-fu with Talifu, and they look forward with dread to the developments of next year's trade. Things are moving quickly, and our frontier interests are threatened in every way by the rapid advance of this rival trade route. If we could once get the railway under way even as far as Tengyueh the merchants would gain confidence and it might save the stability of vested interests--things which are hard to replace. You know from Coggin-Brown's reports that the mineral wealth of the province has not been exaggerated, and it is important to remember that any line from Yünnan-fu to Talifu would cut off the only coal-field (Yünnanhsien) available for working the line. Brown has also been into the Hui-li Chou district to the south of Szechuan, the border town linking Yunnan with the Chien-Chang valley and Szechuan. He confirms Amundsen's report (sent to you by Wilkinson in 1908) of the highly mineralised nature of the country and the probability of a possible route between Talifu-Huilichon and Szechuan which would obtain the Szechuan objective independently of Yunnan-fu. This is looking far ahead, but is worth remembering. The French seem to have grasped the same idea, for a party of five have been up into the Huilichon district quite recently, and they possibly have wind of a magnificent coal-field, Ma-chang, in the neighbourhood and on the Yang-tsze.\n\nI send you these hurried notes in the hope that they may prove useful or suggestive, for I want something to happen soon if it can possibly be managed. In 1905 I was in Shantung as the German Railway crept up from Kiaochow, gradually sapping the trade of the province and leaving Chefoo bare; that experience comes back vividly as I come in contact with this new battle of communications. The cry of \"vested interests\" was believed by the Chefoo people to be a talisman for every ill, but the Germans have apparently triumphed at Tsingtau and proved the victory of quick and cheap transit over the most conservative of Chinese traditions.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[3171]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n252\n\nC\n\n48\n\n[January 28.\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nPapers communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis January 28.\n\n(1.)\n\nMr. Hillier to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\nPeking, January 10, 1910.\n\nSHANGHAE-HANGCHOW-NINGPO-RAILWAY.\n\nTwo days ago Liang asked me to go and see him, and the result of this interview is embodied in my telegram to you of to-day's date, copy of which is enclosed.\n\nLiang admitted to me that, of the 28 lacs of taels drawn only 8 lacs of taels had been paid over to the provincial bureaux; the balance of 20 lacs of taels was in the hands of the Chiao-tung Bank and the Board of Communications. His explanation of why, when he had no intention of handing these funds over to the bureaux, he continued to draw them under specific requisitions, and for what purported to be actual requirements, was so inadequate that I will not trouble with it. We were there to try to arrive at a friendly understanding, and I did not think it worth while to press the point. He explained that the board was not strong enough to assert its authority over the bureaux; and in order that he, Liang, might come to conclusions with them it was necessary that he should (to use his own words) have a \"line of retreat.\" This he proposed to find in the scheme described in my to-day's telegram. In other words, he would be in a position to say to them:\n\n\"Well, gentlemen, since you will not listen to reason, we propose to apply the loan funds to more useful purposes, for which we have the consent of the lenders, and leave you to tinker on with your miserable railway, with your own funds, the laughing-stock of the other provinces.\"\n\nIt may be objected that this is a serious climb down for the Central Government. So it is, but helpless acquiescence in the present state of things is more humiliating still, and if the Central Government feels itself too weak to risk a frontal attack it is better to fall back upon the Bank movement, provided a way is clear in case it does not come off.\n\nFrom what Foord tells me (he has just arrived), the provincial shareholders are thoroughly sick of the present state of things, and do not at all relish the prospect of further calls, so that it looks as if the whole movement would break down under a little firm pressure. On the other hand, it is difficult to say exactly what Liang's real attitude is. In answer to my enquiry he told me that, if the gentry could be brought to reason, the intention was to carry out the original agreement. But he does not like the Shanghae-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway, which he maintains will never pay owing to the competition of waterways and likin complications, and the impression he left on me was that he would rather the gentry did not give way, in order that he might have a free hand to transfer the funds to the proposed new railway. This he considers would be a fairly paying line. Kai-feng-fu is of course the capital of Honan, and Hsu-chou-fu, situated in the narrow neck of Kiangsu, wedged in between Shantung, Honan, and Anhui, is an important trade centre. The whole thing turns upon the legal question, namely, whether, on a formal application from the Chinese Government, setting forth its inability to carry out the original agreement, and giving satisfactory evidence of the earning prospects of the proposed new railway, the court can give the necessary order. If it can, I see no objection to the arrangement from our point of view, and I think it would be calculated to have a salutary effect upon the provincial railway agitation generally. Above all, it will dispose once for all of a chronic source of friction between the Chinese and ourselves.\n\n[258]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429195, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 536, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "4\n\npledges given me, has already formed subject of protest to the acting Governor-General. The Opium Prohibition Bureau, on the matter being brought to their notice, explained that the purchaser in question could, or would, not give a guarantee of the payment of the new tax after the opium had been boiled down, and accordingly elected to deposit the same in advance with the hong from which he made the purchase, and by which it would eventually be paid into the collecting office. Although paid in this manner by the boiler-not the dealer-this is a technical infraction of the convention, and I shall be glad if those concerned would endeavour to ascertain whether or not this be an isolated case. (As the office of the Kuang Jung Yuan, where the new tax is collected, is entirely dissociated from the premises in which they carry on business, I was at one time under the impression that they had retired from the trade, and I take the opportunity of acknowledging my error.)\n\nNot being an expert, I am not in a position to controvert the statement regarding non-deterioration of prepared opium if stored for long periods. I was simply quoting the representative of the Kuang Jung Yuan firm, who seemed to think that boiling down would act as a deterrent against hoarding.\n\nI would, in conclusion, remark that the Chinese word \"chuan,\" translated \"monopoly,\" by Messrs. E. D. Sassoon and Co., and which, according to you, indicates a payment voluntarily made, is the recognised expression for all taxation not of a statutory or permanent nature, e.g., the li-kin tax, originally, as was the British income tax imposed temporarily for a specific purpose, but, equally with the latter, never likely to be abandoned. None of the other Chinese characters cited by you would be used officially to describe an impost of this nature. To argue, therefore, that the word was used ambiguously is not correct, and to translate it by \"monopoly \" is a misuse of language.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nEnclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\nJ. W. JAMIESON,\n\nPrécis of the Regulations for Extending the Licence Tax on Prepared Opium. (Translation.)\n\n(A.)-Object.\n\nThe object with which the regulations have been drawn up is primarily the suppression of opium and not revenue. This is achieved by raising the price of opium in Kuangtung, thereby bringing Kuangtung into line with other consuming centres, and discouraging opium smokers.\n\nComparative prices of opium-\n\nDol.\nc.\n\nIn Hong Kong, 1 tael of prepared opium\n4\n50\n\nStraits Settlements, 1 tael of prepared opium\n10\n00\n\nCanton, 1 tael of prepared opium (foreign)\n3\n50\n\n\" (native)\n2\n00\n\n(B.)--Treaty Stipulations.\n\nThe original intention of the Board of Finance was to confine the tax to native opium, but this was not carried out as the proportion of native to foreign opium consumed in Canton is only 8:7. The additional article to the Chefoo Convention states that a tax can only be imposed on foreign opium after the packages have been broken and the contents sold by retail. For this reason a tax on raw opium has been discarded, and a tax on prepared opium, after boiling, imposed so as to bring foreign opium within the scope of the regulations, and at the same time obviate interference by foreign Powers,\n\n(C.)—Procedure.\n\nThe usual procedure followed in Canton when raising funds has been the formation of a monopoly, and the granting of the farm to the highest bidder.\n\n5\n\nIn the present instance, however, the main object is to supervise sales and purchases, and to stop opium smoking. The idea of an opium monopoly has accordingly been abandoned, and a merchant has been appointed to collect the tax on behalf of the Government. It was deemed inadvisable for officials to undertake the collection, as they are unacquainted with the complicated details of the business.\n\nThe amounts of foreign and native raw opium are determined by the statistics of the Imperial Maritime Customs and the native opium li-kin office respectively. Its destination is to be determined by reports from raw opium dealers of their sales to prepared opium shops. The tax is to be collected from the latter.\n\nThe merchant in charge of the collection has been chosen from among the most respectable and substantial dealers in Canton. He is to work in co-operation with dealers in Canton and in the country. He is to remit the collection to the Opium Prohibition Bureau every ten days for Canton and every month for places in the country.\n\nThe foreign opium consumed in the Nan Hai and Pan Yü districts is 40 per cent. of the consumption of the whole province.\n\nThe foreign opium imported at Swatow is 25 per cent. of the import for the whole province.\n\n(D.)-Investigation.\n\nA head investigation office is to be established in Canton, and, where necessary, branch offices are to be opened in the country. The deputy in charge is to keep a daily record of taxes collected and licences issued. The raw opium dealers are to send him a statement every five days, and the deputy is to send a statement every ten days to the Opium Prohibition Bureau, so as to secure a complete system of checks.\n\nThe points to which the investigation offices are to direct their attention are the daily purchase and sale of opium by raw opium dealers, and for this purpose they are to examine dealers' books to prevent their reporting less than the actual amounts. The licences to buy raw opium are to be issued daily by the investigation offices and checked when the opium is sold.\n\nThe investigation offices are to have nothing to do with remittances of taxes by the merchants in charge of the collection. Their duty is merely to report what amounts should be remitted. The investigation offices are similarly not to concern themselves with disputes between the merchants in charge of the collection and other dealers and local officials. Such disputes will, at the request of the merchants in charge of the collection, be settled by a special deputy sent from Canton.\n\nThe expenses of the investigation offices are to be borne by the Opium Prohibition Bureau.\n\n(E.)-Finance.\n\nIn the first year of Hsuan Tung-\n\nImport of foreign opium\n\nConsumption of native opium\n\nTotal (raw opium)\n\nTherefore (taking 1 picul raw opium as producing 800 taels prepared opium), total of prepared opium was\n\n--\n\nThereon the tax (at 80 cents per tael) would amount to\n\n18,538 piculs.\n\n7,972\n\n39\n\n26,510\n\n21,208,000 taels.\n\n6,362,400 dollars.\n\nThe import of foreign opiuma in the year referred to above was less by 1,430 piculs than in Kuang Hsü, 34th year.\n\nAccording to the Imperial Maritime Customs statistics the import of foreign opium in the first quarter of this year was again less by 420 piculs than in the corresponding period in Hsuan Tung, 1st year.\n\nThe consumption of native opium is also decreasing.\n\nAllowing two months from the 1st of the 5th moon as an experimental period, it is proposed to decrease the consumption of prepared opium, starting from the 1st of the 7th moon by 10 per cent. every three months, and to increase the tax from time to time. It is thus expected in 30 months to stop consumption entirely,\n\nTaking the annual collection at 6,000,000 dollars, 10 per cent. is to be devoted to the expenses of the Opium Prohibition Bureau and the offices in the country, 20 per cent, is to be given to the merchant in charge of the collection, and 70 per cent., From this amounting to 4,200,000 dollars, is to be retained by the Government. amount a sum calculated at 60 cash per tael of prepared opium consumed is to be deducted and remitted to Peking. Of the remainder, one-half is to be devoted to the suppression of gambling and one-half to miscellaneous purposes.\n\n532", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434272, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "page_number": 273, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## occupied space in the native press, probably grateful for some topic of actual news, out of all proportion to other subjects. The debates are attended by reporters from all the leading papers in Peking, and the speeches of members are chronicled at great length, though not in extenso. The best accounts of these debates appear in the \"Northern Times,\" which is the organ of Mr. Lei Fen, a provincial delegate from Kiangsu, who has already made himself a great reputation as the leading orator in the Senate.\n\nThe struggle, which was inevitable, but of which the first active expression was the incident on the 9th November, as mentioned in Mr. Max Müller's despatch No. 413 above referred to, after simmering for some two weeks in the columns of the press, which duly reported that a certain grand councillor had stated à propos of the incident of the 9th, that he would rather meet a \"Boxer\" than the members of the Senate, broke out again into active expression in the Senate on the 22nd instant. On the previous day, edicts had been issued which embodied views in variance with the previous findings of the Senate on the subjects in question. The Senate moved that the grand councillors be impeached for disloyalty to the Throne, since they failed to advise for the good of the nation. The grand councillors are reported to have replied to the censure of the Senate that their signatures on decrees were derived from an ancient custom dating back to the times of the Emperor Ch'ien Lung (1735-1795), and that they were not responsible for the contents of these edicts. They are stated to have adopted an attitude of contemptuous indignation towards the threatened impeachment, declaring that were such impeachment made, either it would be treated with silent contempt or the Senate would be dissolved. Although a native paper has stated that the impeachment, which was undoubtedly drawn up, was presented on the 1st December, it is more probable that it was shelved, on reconsideration, by the Senate, and nothing has at any rate eventuated. The native papers have dropped the subject, and the Grand Council, though possibly more amenable, as evidenced by later decrees, continues its non-attendance of debates.\n\nIn connection with the Senate, it is worthy of note that a statement has appeared in a native paper to the effect that foreigners are most anxious to obtain introductions to provincial members of the Senate. Also, that a further article has appeared praising the capacity of this class of member in comparison with that of the special representatives of the various Government offices that attend the sittings on behalf of the Government. The sympathy of the press in the struggle with the Government has undoubtedly been with the Senate.\n\n## Opium\n\nThe anti-opium agitation as directed against the import of Indian opium by the Chinese National Anti-Opium Society has been accorded the fullest hospitality in the columns of the \"Peking Daily News.\" Long columns of correspondence on the subject have appeared in its pages, and the doings of the society have been recorded at some length. The paper, however, has refrained from comment on the question. Among the vernacular papers, the \"Chung Kuo Pao\"—which, as noted in previous press summaries, is not a very reputable paper of anti-foreign and anti-official tendencies—has been the main supporter of the society. It has published a laudatory article on the work of Mr. Thwing, the American secretary of the society, and ever since its formation was recorded in its columns of the 15th November, the paper has paid considerable attention to the society's doings. The telegrams sent to papers and societies in England and America have been invariably duly noted, not only in the \"Chung Kuo Pao,\" but in other native papers.\n\nThe only other extracts of interest under this heading are:\n\n| Extracts |\n| --- |\n| 1. A statement that the Chibli Provincial Assembly has passed a resolution forbidding the import of opium into the province after 1912; and |\n| 2. That the resolutions in regard to opium suppression which were passed by the Senate at its sitting of the 2nd December would appear to have their origin in three resolutions recorded by the native press as laid before that body by the United Provincial Assemblies Society at the beginning of November. |\n\nThese resolutions, after showing in the preamble the fallacy of the much-used argument that if China ceases to produce before the termination of ten years it will only mean gain to foreign countries at her expense, advocate the immediate suppression of opium within China's boundaries. They point out that the anti-opium movement is one that concerns morals and good health, and that any temporary financial gain to foreigners should be a negligible factor. It is to be regretted that the senators, at the sitting of the 2nd December, preferred, like Rehoboam, to be led by the counsels of the young Anti-Opium Society rather than by the common sense advice of these sages.\n\n## K'aiping Mines\n\nMuch interest has been shown by the vernacular press in this question. The history of the case up to date has been set forth on various occasions without bias, and the developments of the struggle between Chang Yen-mou (Chang-Yi) and the Chilli Viceroy are duly noted.\n\nEarly in the month, it was announced that Chang Yi had been denounced to the Throne by the Chihli Viceroy for blocking the redemption project. Later, a statement appeared to the effect that the Chihli gentry, disgusted for the same reason, were presenting a memorial in the same sense. It was then reported that the question of the redemption of these mines had been referred to a special committee of the Senate. This committee reported adversely on Chang Yi's memorial, and in consequence, delegates were sent by his Excellency Tang Shao-yi to Tien-tsin to confer with the Chihli Viceroy on this important question. Meanwhile, Chang Yi is said to have presented a further memorial advocating the non-redemption of the mines.\n\n## Peking Syndicate\n\nOn the 5th November, a native paper contained a telegram stating that delegates had been elected by the Provincial Assembly of Honan to proceed to Peking to oppose the syndicate in regard to working iron mines in Honan. According to a paper of the 22nd, the whole province was bitterly opposed to such working. The gentry were fanning the opposition throughout the province, and were reported to have asserted that if the Wai-wu Pu and the provincial authorities were powerless to induce the syndicate to acknowledge the cancellation of the agreement (of 1898) violence would have to be employed. At all costs, working must be prevented.\n\n## Railways\n\nThe Chekiang and Kiangsu Railways questions have again this last month been under notice in the native press. As regards the latter, it was stated that the Board of Communications, on being approached by the railway company in regard to taking over the railway, replied that in view of the loss at present incurred in the working of the line, it was unable to do so except at 70 per cent. of the figure it had originally offered the company. The offer was refused.\n\nAs regards the Chekiang railways, further delegates are reported to have made their appearance in Peking. Their visit was expressly welcomed by the vice-president of the Board of Communications, Shen Yün-p'ei, but although their interview lasted some four hours, it appears to have been quite abortive. An explanation for the dismissal of Tang Shou-ch'ien was refused, and a discussion on the rights of the British and Chinese Corporation was productive of no results.\n\nSzechuan Thibet Railway.-This project is still cherished by the native press. It was argued in a Shanghai paper that proper communication between Szechuan and Thibet was essential, since unrest in the latter now means unrest in the former. It was stated that a foreign loan for this purpose was in contemplation.\n\nHankow-Szechuan Railway-The agitation against Chiao Shu-nau, the director of this railway, reported in the \"Summary for October,\" still sporadically continues. No further developments, however, appear to have occurred, except that Chiao has circulated a printed pamphlet all over Peking denying the accusations made against him.\n\nRailways in Shantung.-According to the native papers, the Germans would seem to be actively engaged in railway projects in Shantung, destined to secure the unquestioned supremacy of Kiaochow among the ports of Shantung.\n\nAccording to a recent paper, German diplomacy has gained its point in regard to the place where the line from Ichou (in South-East Shantung-Ichou Kiaochow line) shall join the Chinan-Kiaochow railway. They advocated Kao Mi Hsien as the junction instead of Wei-hsien, as supported by the Chinese, no doubt in view of the contingent line from Wei-hsien to Chefoo.\n\nA further article accuses the German consul at Chinan, who is travelling in Honan, with scheming to ruin the Kaifeng-Hsuchow-Haichow railway. They state that the object of his journey is \"to spy out the nakedness\" of the Chinese project.\n\nPage 271", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 444951, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-405 - Public Offices - 1913", "page_number": 25, "title": "CO129-405 - Public Offices - 1913", "content_text": "## Despatch from Sir J. Jordan\n\nIn continuation of the instructions of June 1911, I have the honour to enclose translation of this memorandum, together with copy of the instructions which I have sent to His Majesty's consul at Hangchow in connection therewith.\n\nI am forwarding copies of this despatch and its enclosures to His Excellency the Viceroy of India.\n\n### Enclosure 1 in No. 1\n\nI have, &c.\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Note communicated to Sir J. Jordan by Wai-chiao Pu\n\nOn the 4th November, 1912, a telegram was received from the Tutu of Chekiang stating that the police office had reported the establishment by British merchants in the port of Hangchow of a shop for the retail sale of opium, and that, while instructing the police office to afford adequate protection, he had made serious representations to the British consul, and requesting that the British Minister in Peking be induced forthwith to put a stop to it.\n\nNow the additional article to the Chefoo agreement recognised the desirability of placing restrictions on the consumption of opium, while the opium agreement of last year merely removed all restrictions on the wholesale trade in Indian opium, leaving the Chinese Government at liberty legally to regulate the retail trade in the drug in general.\n\nThe opium shop established in the present instance by British merchants being for retail sale and not for wholesale trade should therefore, to give effect to Great Britain's earnest desire to support the suppression of opium by entering into the treaty, be interdicted forthwith.\n\nMoreover, article 18 of The Hague International Opium Convention stipulates that \"the Contracting Powers having treaties with China shall take effective measures for the gradual reduction pari passu with the effective measures which the Chinese Government shall take with the same object of the number of shops in which raw and prepared opium is sold, which may still exist in their leased territories, settlements, and concessions in China.\n\nThe imposition of restrictions on opium shops in concessions having thus been promised by the international convention, it is of course undesirable that British merchants should be permitted to establish an opium shop in the port of Hangchow, where no such shops have existed hitherto, and that too just at the time when Chekiang province is carrying out strict measures of opium suppression.\n\nThe Wai-chiao Pu have the honour, therefore, earnestly to solicit the kind offices of His Majesty's Minister to issue prompt instructions to the merchants, forbidding them to obstruct the progress of the suppression of opium by retailing the drug in the port of Hangchow.\n\nNovember 6, 1912.\n\n### Enclosure 2 in No. 1\n\nWAI-CHIAO PU.\n\n## Memorandum communicated to Wai-chiao Pu by Sir J. Jordan\n\nHis Majesty's Minister has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the Wai-chiao Pu's memorandum of the 6th instant on the subject of the retail sale of opium by British merchants at Hangchow.\n\nThere is nothing in the treaties which prohibits a British subject from selling opium like any other merchandise in a treaty port or foreign settlement in China, though in the case of opium such retail sale is not necessary so long as the Chinese authorities do not prohibit the retail trade by Chinese. But the province of Chekiang has openly broken all treaties, and instead of taking the step prescribed by the agreement of 1911 for establishing a claim to the exclusion of foreign opium, has taken the law into its own hands, and has instituted forcible repressive measures against the foreign drug while still continuing to cultivate and consume native opium.\n\nThe action of the province has formed the subject of repeated protests, notwithstanding which it has remained closed to the foreign trade for the past nine months.\n\nIn their own defence the foreign merchants have resorted to the step of which the Wai-chiao Pu now complain, and which is directly attributable to the long continued defiance by the provincial authorities of the solemn obligations entered into by the Central Government.\n\nHis Majesty's Minister is, however, quite willing to comply with the request now put forward by the Wai-chiao Pu, if they on their part will at once carry out the verbal promise made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and recirculate the instructions issued by the former Wai-wu Pu in June 1911 and give strict orders to the Chekiang authorities to conform therewith. By this means the spirit not only of the International Opium Convention, but also of the agreements between Great Britain and China on the subject will be upheld.\n\nPeking, November 9, 1912.\n\n**(No. 31. Confidential.)**\n\n### Enclosure in No. 1\n\n**Consul Savage to Sir J. Jordan**\n\nHanchow, November 18, 1912.\n\nSir,\n\nI have the honour to report that on Saturday, the 2nd instant, Mr. Ellis Ezra, of the firm of E. Ezra and Co., arrived at Hangchow Settlement during the afternoon. He stated that he had called on me, but I had just left to spend the following day up-country. Between 4 and 5 o'clock he opened a shop for the sale of Indian opium in the settlement, borrowing for the purpose a portion of the premises rented by Serebrianikof and Co., as well as some of their opium, and started selling the drug in small quantities.\n\nPurchasers were plentiful. During the first two and a-half hours some ninety clients were accommodated. But after that several persons were arrested on leaving the shop. Purchasers were supplied with guarantees of protection similar to those issued by Serebrianikof and Co. This was done without any authorisation whatever.\n\nNevertheless, I understand that after a few arrests had been made Mr. Ezra started for the city in the evening and called on the Secretary for Foreign Affairs at about 9 P.M. There, as I subsequently heard, he protested in a vehement and overbearing manner against the arrest of his customers, even threatening that Sir Everard Fraser would come up to Hangchow in a gun-boat. At first the foreign affairs secretary appears to have been somewhat intimidated, and he promised the release of the prisoners who, he said, had been arrested without orders. He also telegraphed to me in Chinese, signing the telegram himself, protesting against the opening of a shop for the retail sale of opium by British subjects without any notice being sent by me to the authorities, and without any application being made to the local police. This, he said, was a breach of treaty, which should properly be met by the closing of the establishment, but he appealed to me first to put a stop to these improper proceedings in order to preserve friendly relations.\n\nThe telegram reached me on Sunday afternoon, being sent on to me from the consulate. The fact that it was not signed by the tutu and was not marked as sealed deprived it of a regular official character, as I afterwards pointed out to Mr. Wên.\n\nI returned to Hangchow during the night, arriving the next morning, and on passing along the main street in the settlement I noticed a number of police around Serebrianikof's premises. Soon afterwards Mr. Ezra called and did his utmost to persuade me to protest strongly against the arrest of his customers. I replied that he had no business to issue guarantees of protection, and that I could take no action until I had communicated with you. I then telegraphed to you and asked for your views.\n\nMeanwhile, on Sunday morning, the Russian merchant had also started selling opium; but after some seventeen purchases had been made the police began to arrest every purchaser as soon as he left the shop. This promptly put a stop to the sales.\n\nOn receipt of your telegram of the 5th November I transmitted its purport to His Majesty's consul-general at Shanghai for communication to Messrs. Ezra, Sassoons, and others. This brought Mr. Ezra senior to Hangchow. He called on me twice and asked me to forward certain messages to you, and to give him a letter of introduction to the Foreign Affairs Secretary. He saw Mr. Wen on the 7th November, and obtained from him a verbal admission that the Chekiang authorities had broken the ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-405 - Public Offices - 1913.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 488989, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 137, "title": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## II.-Leases.\n\nThe Kowloon Extension (area 356 square miles, leased for ninety-nine years by the Convention of the 9th June, 1898). The population is 93,400, exclusively Chinese. This territory was acquired for strategic reasons for the defences of Hong Kong.\n\nWei-hai Wei, in Shantung, includes the island of Liu-Kung and a belt of land 10 miles wide along the coast line of the bay (area 235 square miles, leased \"for so long a period as Port Arthur shall remain in the occupation of Russia,\" by the Convention of the 1st July, 1898). The population was 147,000 in 1911. Wei-hai Wei has no economic importance, and its value as a naval station, for which it was acquired, has never been developed.\n\n### III. Concessions (Residential)\n\nConcessions under perpetual lease are held by Great Britain at Tien-tsin, Hankow, Canton, Amoy, Chinkiang, Kiukiang and Newchwang (three-quarters of this has been washed away by the river). The total area, excluding Newchwang and the extensions at Hankow (74 acres) and Tien-tsin (1,059 acres), is approximately 233 acres. The present total value of the concession lots and buildings is estimated to exceed £2,500,000.\n\n## IV. Settlements\n\nThe distinction between concessions and settlements are thus defined. The leasing of a concession is made from Government to Government under consideration of a nominal ground rent. In the case of settlements, foreigners rent their land within a prescribed area (1) in perpetuity, or (2) at an expropriation price and for a term of years, generally thirty, renewable at option.\n\nThe principal settlement in China is the International Settlement of Shanghai. This is administered by a municipal council, elected annually by foreign land-renters and ratepayers, and consisting of not more than nine and not less than five persons. Of these the majority is always British, thus indicating the importance of Great Britain's holding in this miniature but valuable republic. The foreign population of this international settlement in 1915 was 18,509. Of these 7,169 were Japanese, 4,822 British, 1,307 Americans and 1,155 Germans.\n\nGeneral foreign settlements also exist at Woosung, Amoy (island of Kulangsu), Changsha, Wuhu, Nanking, Hangchow and Soochow.\n\n## V-Spheres of Influence\n\nGreat Britain's claim to a sphere of influence in the Yang-tsze valley is based on the Chinese Declaration of 1898, given in return for one of the Japanese war indemnity loans, that any territory in the Yang-tsze valley would never be alienated to another Power. This was confirmed by our agreement with Russia of the 28th April, 1899, in which Russia recognised our sphere. That His Majesty's Government has construed the Chinese declaration to connote priority for British claims for railway construction and industrial enterprises, may at first sight appear presumptuous, but as Sir J. Jordan wrote in his despatch No. 257 of the 2nd July, 1914, \"Britain is the only great Power to-day in China who has not converted any of her railway concessions into national undertakings, but has invariably maintained them as Chinese enterprises. All the other Powers, Russia, Japan, France and Germany, chose for the most part to make their railways national undertakings and fix their own tariffs. We alone made ours Chinese State railways and left the control in the hands of the Chinese. We could not, therefore, afford to let Japan or any other Power build railways in the Yang-tsze valley and utilise them, in the approved fashion of Korea and Manchuria, for the purpose of undermining our immense trade interests in the Yang-tsze valley.\n\nExcept in this preventive sense, it is hard to interpret the meaning of our sphere of influence in the Yang-tsze valley, which certainly never tried to aim at any form of national or territorial differentiation. We have financed and constructed for the Chinese Government over 800 miles of railway in the Yang-tsze valley, and we hold loan agreements for some 2,000 more (see `Appendix IV`).\n\nThe area of the Yang-tsze sphere has been defined in answer to a parliamentary question (the 23rd February, 1899) as follows: \"The valley or basin of the Yang-tsze presumably includes, according to the ordinary meaning, the provinces of which the streams run into that river.\"\n\n## VI.-Diplomatic, Consular and Military\n\nBesides the Legation at Peking, His Majesty's Government has consuls-general at Shanghai, Canton, Tien-tsin, Hankow, Yunnan-fu and Kashgar; consuls at Amoy, Changsha, Chefoo, Chengtu, Chinkiang, Dairen, Foochow, Hangchow, Harbin, Ichang, Kiukiang, Kiungchow (and Pakhoi), Mukden, Nanking, Newchwang, Swatow, Tengyueh, Tsinan, Wuchow and Wuhu; and vice-consuls at Chungking, Ningpo and Tsingtao.\n\n| Location | Officers | Other ranks |\n|-----------------|----------|--------------|\n| North China | 6 | 150 |\n| South China | 91 | 974 |\n\n(This includes the Hong Kong garrison, and excludes Indian native troops.) Great Britain has post offices in the following places: Amoy, Canton, Chefoo, Foochow, Hankow, Hoihow, Ningpo, Shanghai, Swatow and Wei-hai Wei; in Tibet, at Gyantse, Phagri and Yatung; in Kashgaria, at Kashgar.\n\n## VII.-Population (Foreign)\n\n| Nationality | 1908 | 1913 | 1919 |\n|-------------|--------|--------|--------|\n| British | 5,662 | 8,966 | 13,284 |\n| American | 2,542 | 5,340 | 6,660 |\n| French | 1,213 | 2,292 | 4,409 |\n| Portuguese | 1,930 | 9,486 | 2,370 |\n| German | 1,658 | 2,949 | 1,885 |\n| Russian | 361 | 5,287 | ... |\n| Japanese | 56,765 | 148,170| 80,219 |\n| Total | 171,185| ... | 171,185|\n\n## VIII Shipping\n\nDuring 1919, out of a total tonnage of 95,725,000 tons of shipping entering and clearing from Chinese ports, 36,284,000 tons were British. The tables given in `Appendices V` and `VI` show that even during the worst years of the war, the preponderance of British shipping in the Chinese ports was well maintained. Japanese shipping has not increased so much as might have been expected, and American competition, though it has greatly increased, especially since 1918, is still a long way behind.\n\nThe names of the principal shipping firms, British and foreign, are given in `Appendix VII`. Of these nine are British, three American and five Japanese.\n\n## IX. Banking\n\nThe pioneer modern bank in China is the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, one of the most powerful banking institutions in the world. This bank, besides its immense business in exchange and in financing trade, has been connected with almost all the principal Government and railway loans in China. It is associated with Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co. in the British and Chinese Corporation for railway construction, and it is the leading bank in the British loan.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489892, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 383, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## The prices at which the coal is at present retailed by the railway company at Dairen are as follows:--\n| Type of Coal | Price (Yen) |\n| --- | --- |\n| Lump coal | 17.50 |\n| Dust coal | 13.65 |\n| Run of the mine coal | 15.65 |\n| Bunker coal, lump | 13.90 |\n| Bunker coal, dust | 10.40 |\n| Bunker coal, run of mine | 11.90 |\n\nThe price of Fushun coal, however, is much higher than that of most other Chinese coal, e.g., the coal from the Kailan mines is retailed in Tien-tsin for about 8 dollars per ton, and it is difficult to understand why the South Manchuria Railway Company find it necessary to keep their prices so high, as conditions in Fushun must be very similar to those in other parts of China. Moreover, it was only after strenuous agitation in the press that the company reduced their prices, and this in spite of the fact that exports fell off and there was a large accumulation of stocks owing to the trade depression. The company, however, have a virtual monopoly of the coal market throughout Manchuria, or rather of the districts served by the railway line, and the conclusion is almost forced upon one that it is from the profits which they must have made from the Fushun mines during the last two or three years that they have been paying for their somewhat costly experiments in other directions, e.g., the Anshan Iron and Steel Works, which, as is generally known, have so far proved anything but a success.\n\n### Future of Fushun\nExperts are agreed that the Fushun colliery as it is to-day is one of the most up-to-date mines in the world. The coal resources are vast, and the colliery is well organised and managed by first-class men, who are enthusiastic over the work that is being done. Further developments on a large scale are contemplated, and large sums of money will, it is said, be spent on the mines during the next few years, while it is hoped to increase the output considerably. Mining plant of all kinds will be required and there should be good openings for British manufacturers in this direction. Keen American competition must be expected, however, as there has of late been a tendency on the part of the management of the colliery to favour American plant, and in fact Viscount Inouye, the general superintendent of the colliery, has for some months past been touring in the United States, doubtless with a view to finding out conditions there and possibly to place orders for some of the plant that will be required. He also intends to visit the United Kingdom before his return to Fushun. Recently, too, a party of six American geologists and metallurgists have been visiting the mines at the invitation of the company, and are said to be carrying out exhaustive investigations into the future possibilities of the mines, more especially, it is understood, in connection with the development of the open workings, the direction in which it may be anticipated that the greatest efforts will be made during the course of the next few years. A map of the Fushun mines, published by the South Manchuria Railway Company, is appended to this report (`Annex No. 6`).\n\nDairen, July 1922.\n\n## Annex No. 1, Annex No. 2\n\n### TABLE showing Sales of Fushun Coal in Manchuria for the Years 1917-20\n| Location | 1917 (Tons) | 1918 (Tons) | 1919 (Tons) | 1920 (Tons) |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Harbin | 178,087 | 56,246 | 76,726 | 100,538 |\n| Changchun | | 96,233 | 143,367 | 99,868 |\n| Supingkai | | 7,249 | 7,997 | 11,117 |\n| Mukden | | 4,898 | 28,824 | 31,481 |\n| Antung | | | 42,690 | 20,022 |\n| Liaoyang | | | 60,753 | 67,390 |\n| Yingkow | | | 104,950 | 100,190 |\n| Dairen | | 35,998 | 48,379 | 75,829 |\n| Karin | | 7,550 | 25,269 | 22,792 |\n| Booth | | | 38,582 | 37,026 |\n| South Manchuria Railway Co.'s servants | | | 63,494 | 67,508 |\n| Other | | | 69,510 | 48,375 |\n| **Total** | **779,544** | **900,251** | **1,012,236** | **989,238** |\n\n### Annex No. 3\n#### TABLE showing Quantity of Fushun Coal used by South Manchuria Railway Company for their own purposes during the Years 1917-20\n| Purpose | 1917 (Tons) | 1918 (Tons) | 1919 (Tons) | 1920 (Tons) |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| For railways | 197,222 | 287,616 | 391,458 | 517,015 |\n| For workshops | 146,598 | 266,994 | 292,648 | 396,024 |\n| For steamers | 63,143 | 85,097 | 32,775 | 40,818 |\n| At collieries | 165,310 | 238,119 | 267,997 | 306,746 |\n| For offices | 41,926 | 40,896 | 2,104 | 47,742 |\n| Other | | 1,725 | 5,138 | 56,484 |\n| **Total** | **614,194** | **865,826** | **1,187,716** | **1,218,294** |\n\n### Annex No. 4\n#### TABLE showing Exports of Fushun Coal for the Years 1917-20\n| Year | Tons |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1917 | 757,187 |\n| 1918 | 797,570 |\n| 1919 | 554,001 |\n| 1920 | 745,954 |\n\n#### TABLE showing Output of Fushun Collieries for the Years 1907-20\n| Year | Tons | Destination | Tons |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1907 | 233,325 | Toba | |\n| | | Penang | 6,402 |\n| | | Singapore | 19,949 |\n| | | Manila | 13,299 |\n| 1908 | 490,720 | Banten | 10,448 |\n| 1909 | 706,042 | Hong Kong | 34,945 |\n| | | | 45,349 |\n| 1910 | 898,482 | Shanghai | 44,643 |\n| | | | 19,084 |\n| | | | 10,694 |\n| | | Pingtao | 18,567 |\n| | | | 17,286 |\n| | | | 14,487 |\n| 1911 | 1,343,198 | Chefoo | 2,663 |\n| | | | 410 |\n| | | | 28,112 |\n| 1912 | 1,470,150 | Sangkow | 20,727 |\n| | | | 21,417 |\n| | | | 6,200 |\n| 1913 | 2,185,453 | Borea | 15,841 |\n| | | | 3,030 |\n| | | | 156 |\n| 1914 | 2,147,432 | Formosa | 344,139 |\n| | | | 397,955 |\n| | | Taral | 358,710 |\n| 1915 | 2,169,245 | | 521,920 |\n| 1916 | 2,050,759 | | 182,884 |\n| | | Batavia | 159,296 |\n| | | Sourabaya | 114,489 |\n| 1917 | 2,280,938 | | 63,849 |\n| | | Other ports | 19,266 |\n| 1918 | 2,521,164 | | 3,715 |\n| 1919 | 2,928,186 | | 28,080 |\n| 1920 | 3,129,835 | | 13,893 |\n| | | | 1,244 |\n| | | | 9,978 |\n\nPage 382", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490226, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 717, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "# \nThe total trade of Hong Kong for 1919 amounted to about £171,793,000: of this total, £7,822,000 only was trade with the United Kingdom. The total shipping entering and clearing the port during 1919 reached 649,168 vessels of 35,615,169 aggregate tons. As to the nationality of the ships, nearly 4,000 British ocean-going vessels came and went, compared with a total of 5,274 foreign ships of the same type. The percentage of total tonnage (ocean and coasting steamers) passing through Hong Kong Harbour in 1913 and 1918 was— \n\n| Nationality | 1913 | 1918 |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| British | 47.72 | 37.50 |\n| Japanese | 21.59 | 35.41 |\n| American | 3.06 | 3.75 |\n| German | 12.50 | ... |\n| Dutch | 6.87 | 3.75 |\n| French | 1.70 | 1.70 |\n| Chinese | 3.12 | 3.06 |\n| Others | 8.75 | ... |\n\nAppendix I gives a list of the principal British industrial concerns in Hong Kong, and Appendix II the principal general merchants.\n\n## II.—Leases.\n\nThe Kowloon Extension (area 356 square miles, leased for ninety-nine years by the Convention of the 9th June, 1898). The population is 93,400, exclusively Chinese. This territory was acquired for strategic reasons for the defences of Hong Kong.\n\nWei-hai-Wei, in Shantung, includes the island of Liu-Kung and a belt of land 10 miles wide along the coast line of the bay (area 285 square miles, leased for so long a period as Port Arthur shall remain in the occupation of Russia, by the Convention of the 1st July, 1898). The population was 147,000 in 1911. Wei-hai-Wei has never been developed either as a naval station, for which purpose it was acquired, or as a commercial port.\n\n## III.—Concessions (Residential).\n\nConcessions under perpetual lease are held by Great Britain at Tientsin, Hankow, Canton, Amoy, Chinkiang, Kiukiang, and Newchwang (three-quarters of this has been washed away by the river). The total area, excluding Newchwang and the extensions at Hankow (74 acres) and Tientsin (1,059 acres), is approximately 233 acres.\n\nThe present total value of the concession lots and buildings is estimated to exceed £2,500,000.\n\n## IV. Settlements.\n\nThe distinction between concessions and settlements is thus defined. The leasing of a concession is made from Government to Government under consideration of a nominal ground rent. In the case of settlements, foreigners rent their land within a prescribed area (1) in perpetuity, or (2) at an expropriation price and for a term of years, generally thirty, renewable at option.\n\nThe principal settlement in China is the International Settlement of Shanghai. This is administered by a municipal council, elected annually by foreign land-renters and ratepayers, and consisting of not more than nine and not less than five persons. Of these, the majority is always British, thus indicating the importance of Great Britain's holding in this miniature but valuable republic.\n\nThe foreign population of this international settlement in 1920 was 23,307. Of these, 10,215 were Japanese, 5,341 British, 2,264 Americans, 1,301 Portuguese, 1,266 Russians.\n\nGeneral foreign settlements also exist at Woosung, Amoy (island of Kulangsu), Changsha, Wuhu, Nanking, Hangchow, and Soochow.\n\n## V—Spheres of Influence.\n\nGreat Britain's claim to a sphere of influence in the Yangtsze valley is based on the Chinese Declaration of 1898, given in return for one of the Japanese war indemnity loans, that any territory in the Yangtsze valley would never be alienated to another Power. This was confirmed by our agreement with Russia of the 28th April, 1899, in which Russia recognised our sphere. That His Majesty's Government has construed the Chinese declaration to connote priority for British claims for railway construction and industrial enterprises, may at first sight appear presumptuous, but as Sir J. Jordan wrote in his despatch No. 257 of the 2nd July, 1914, \"Britain is the only Great Power to-day in China who has not converted any of her railway concessions into national undertakings, but has invariably maintained them as Chinese enterprises. All the other Powers—Russia, Japan, France, and Germany—chose for the most part to make their railways national undertakings and fix their own tariffs. We alone made ours Chinese State railways and left the control in the hands of the Chinese. We could not, therefore, afford to let Japan or any other Power build railways in the Yangtsze valley and utilise them, in the approved fashion of Korea and Manchuria, for the purpose of undermining our immense trade interests in the Yangtsze valley.\n\nExcept in this preventive sense, it is hard to interpret the meaning of our sphere of influence in the Yangtsze valley, which certainly never tried to aim at any form of national or territorial differentiation. We have financed and constructed for the Chinese Government over 800 miles of railway in the Yangtsze valley, and we hold loan agreements for some 2,000 more (see `Appendix IV`).\n\nThe area of the Yangtsze sphere has been defined in answer to a parliamentary question (the 23rd February, 1899) as follows: \"The valley or basin of the Yangtsze presumably includes, according to the ordinary meaning, the provinces of which the streams run into that river.\"\n\n## VI. Diplomatic, Consular, and Military; Post Offices.\n\nBesides the Legation at Peking, His Majesty's Government has consuls-general at Shanghai, Canton, Tientsin, Hankow, Yunnan-fu, and Kashgar; consuls at Amoy, Changsha, Chefoo, Chengtu, Chinkiang, Dairen, Foochow, Hanchow, Harbin, Ichang, Kiukiang, Kiungchow (and Pakhoi), Mukden, Nanking, Newchwang, Swatow, Tengyueh, Tsinan, Wuchow, and Wuhu; and vice-consuls at Chungking, Ningpo, and Tsingtao.\n\nThe number of British troops in China in 1920 were:- \n\n| Location | Officers | Other Ranks |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| North China | 6 | 150 |\n| South China | 91 | 974 |\n\n(This includes the Hong Kong garrison, and excludes Indian native troops.)\n\nGreat Britain has post offices in the following places: Amoy, Canton, Chefoo, Foochow, Hankow, Hoihow, Ningpo, Shanghai, Swatow, Tientsin, and Wei-hai-Wei; in Tibet, at Gyantse, Phagri, and Yatung; in Kashgaria, at Kashgar.\n\n## VII. Population (Foreign).\n\n| Nationality | 1903 | 1913 | 1919 | 1920 |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| British | 5,662 | 8,966 | 18,284 | 11,082 |\n| American | 2,542 | 5,340 | 6,660 | 7,269 |\n| French | 1,213 | 2,292 | 4,400 | 2,753 |\n| Portuguese | 1,930 | 3,486 | 2,890 | 2,282 |\n| German | 1,658 | 2,949 | 1,385 | 1,013 |\n| Russian | 361 | 56,765 | 148,170 | 144,413 |\n| Others | 5,287 | 80,219 | 171,485 | 158,918 |\n| Japanese | ... | ... | ... | ... |\n\n## VIII. Shipping.\n\nDuring 1920, out of a total tonnage of 104,266,695 tons of shipping entering and clearing from Chinese ports, 40,315,707 tons were British. The tables given in `Appendices V` and `VI` show that even during the worst years of the war, the preponderance of British shipping in the Chinese ports was well maintained. Japanese shipping has not increased so much as might have been expected, and American competition, though it has greatly increased, especially since 1918, is still a long way behind.\n\nThe names of the principal shipping firms, British and foreign, are given in `Appendix VII`. Of these, eleven are British, six American, and five Japanese.\n\n## IX. Banking and Insurance.\n\nThe senior British bank in China is the Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China; but so far as China is concerned, it has been outdistanced by its rival... \n\nPage 2\nPage 46\nPage 3 \n[7320 GG] \nB 2 \n715", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 492976, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-476 - Acting Governor Claud Severn & Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [8-12]", "page_number": 329, "title": "CO129-476 - Acting Governor Claud Severn & Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [8-12]", "content_text": "THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.\n\nBETWEEN OURSELVES. TWENTY FIVE YEARS\n\n(Continued from Page 6.) granted on every hand; that a change may take place when our Educational Cadet retires is the hope of all who have this matter at heart: that we places like Wei-hai-wei and Chefoo can give us a long start is a reproach: that we have still to send our children home, is a disgrace. Scrap The Lot.\n\nAGO.\n\nA Glance at our Files.\n\n(Sept. 3.-Oct. 1, 1897.)\n\nST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY. At the annual meeting of the St. Andrew's Society, the Hon. Mr. J. H. Stewart Lockhart, presiding, said they had a balance of $3,000, the largest in the history of the Society. An incident with elements of comedy was witnessed on the Praya yesterday. Apparently two men had an altercation over money matters and they were not satisfied with a mere exchange of adjectival terms. They came to blows and when a policeman rushed up to the scene, they both jumped into the water and continued the fight there, until fished out. One was satisfied with bail estreated. The other, who did not appear, had his bail estreated.\n\nDAY BY DAY.\n\nCommand Orders state-It is pointed out that malaria is most prevalent during the month of October, November, and December. O.C. Units are responsible for the avoidance of all mosquito breeding places in their areas and strict supervision must be maintained.\n\nTeaching is a business which has to be learned and no amount of ignorant and ill-trained enthusiasm can take its place. One of our uncertificated teachers the other day remarked that the salary accrued was stable and when a helper was satisfied with the last ball, which had been a great success, but at the same time it was accompanied by a deficit. It seemed impossible to bridge debts! What an ideal Colony which can boast without a deficit.\n\nNEW OFFICES.\n\nMessrs. Butterfield & Swire's handsome new offices on the Praya looked quite bright to-day, with no less than three new house flags floating over the roof. There was the familiar China Navigation Company's flag, the monogram of Alfred Holt & Co., and the blue and white bars of the Scottish Oriental line. Flying the old flags would have been putting old wine in new bottles. In any case, the transfer of the B. & S. business to such a convenient locality will be appreciated by shipping and business people.\n\nHONGKONG IMPORTS.\n\nThe fortnightly Price Current and Market Report, published by the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, states:-Cotton yarn. Owing to the continued decline in price, dealers are confining their operations to only a few bales at a time for their immediate requirements. Woollens-Small blankets and lastings are reported, but the market is very dull.\n\nTHE VOLUNTEER BAND.\n\nThe best efforts of some people are unappreciated by the vulgar herd, and this appears to be the unhappy fate of the Volunteer band. On Jubilee Day, the Volunteers' pipers were placed ignominiously in the rear of the massed bands. While now that the Corps has seen the error of its ways to some extent, and has dropped the barbarous pipes in favour of the more civilised fife and drum, the band is told by an irate P.W.D. official to \"stop that noise\" until he has finished his work! It is now also said that the Scotch Police have actually been given orders to arrest the band on its next appearance on the public highway, and charge the musicians severally and collectively with creating a nuisance.\n\nCotton yarn. Quotations are:-No. 108 $14.5-16.8, No. 129. $15.3-17.2, No. 169. $17.8-19.0, No. 20s. $17.8-19.4. Arrivals 1,500. Shipments nil. Sales 1,500 bales. Unsold stock 17,000 bales. Bargains 5,000 bales.\n\nMetals. Business has been done in wire nails 1.3 inch. at $8.20 to $8.25. 3-7 inch. at $7.60. There has also been business booked in galvanized wire 18 to 22 gauge at $12.50. 13 to 17 gauge at $10. Bars have been placed at $4.55 to $4.70.\n\nRaw Cottons.-There was a fair demand during the last fortnight, but this is the season when dealers fill all their requirements for the New Year trade: it is to be expected. It is doubtful whether the quantities booked come up to the average. Scrap material is quiet. Dealers are not willing to pay the prices at present asked.\n\nMR. BRUTTON'S ADMISSION.\n\nIn the Supreme Court, Mr. W. M. Goodman, Attorney-General, made an application on behalf of Mr. Brutton, a solicitor, to be approved, admitted, and enrolled as an attorney and proctor. His Lordship understood that the necessary papers-certificates and affidavits, one by Mr. Brutton that he was duly admitted to practise as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of Judicature in England on the 14th August, 1891, and that he was the same person as that named in that certificate, and the other was by Mr. A. G. Wise, Puisne Judge, which stated that he was well acquainted with Mr. Brutton, and that in his opinion Mr. Brutton was a fit and proper person to be admitted and enrolled as a solicitor.\n\nLet Mr. Brutton be admitted and enrolled as an attorney in this Court. Mr. Brutton was, during the last four years, under Mr. W. Drummond in Shanghai, and came here on the 23rd instant to join the office of Mr. K. W. Givals Mounsey.\n\nOUR UNOFFICIALS.\n\nThe present Government is wholly wanting in debating power. It hates criticism. It dreads discussion, and since the method of half-unofficial and half-official written communications to members out of Council had been exposed and put a stop to, it negotiates quietly with individual members and so arranges matters beforehand that things pass in Council sub-silenteo.\n\nWATER POLO LEAGUE.\n\nThe match between R.G.A. and Lusitano Recreation Club, postponed from August 31st, was played at the V.I.C. on Monday last and resulted in a win for the V. Club by a goal to nil. The above match completes the League. The table now stands:\n\nP. W. L. D. F. Agst. Pts.\n\nV.R.C. 8 6 0 25 10 17\n\nL.R.C. 8 5 0 22 20 10\n\nU.A.C. 8 3 0 16 28 6\n\nR.G.A. 8 0 0 10 49 0\n\nFor the League champions, Busschaert scored 30 goals. Watt 8, Jack 1, Stewart 1, Rasmus sen 3, and Sewel! 1.\n\nMOUTRIE PIANOS.\n\nSATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1922.\n\nDAIRY FARM NEWS.\n\nex \"Empress of Canada\" CANADIAN POTATOES Fine, Choice, Mealy. PRICES RIGHT.\n\nTHE DAIRY FARM, ICE & COLD STORAGE CO., LTD.\n\nA PHILIPS LAMP IS A PERMANENT ECONOMY SOLE AGENTS Holland China Trading Co., Hong Kong\n\nNESTLE'S PURE THICK CREAM IS REAL CREAM Delicious with Stewed, Bottled, and Tinned Fruits. Used for Ices, Meringues, or All Made Creams. PACKED IN THREE SIZES 4 OZS. 8 OZS. 16 OZS. 35 cents per tin. 45 cents per tin. 80 cents per tin. SOLD BY ALL STORES IN HONGKONG, CANTON & COAST PORTS.\n\nJ.T. SHAW TEL. 692 FINAL CLOSING UP SALE COMMENCING OCTOBER 2nd. A SPECIAL FEATURE 300 PAIRS OF BOOTS $8.50 PAIR. NEXT DOOR HONGKONG HOTEL Powell St. Tel. Central 3146\n\nCAPE WINES FROM J. SEDGWICK & Co., Ltd., CAPE TOWN Claret Drakenstein (llock Style) Sauvignon Blanc Old Chateau Brandy Santhagen Brandy\n\nCALDBECK, MACGREGOR & CO., LTD. 15 Queen's Road Central, (Telephone Central No. 75), JUST RECEIVED A CONSIGNMENT OF FORHANS TOOTH PASTE (\"Brush your Teeth with it\") Especially indicated in treatment of Pyorrhea, Chronic Ulceration, etc.\n\nTHE COLONIAL DISPENSARY Tel. Cent. No. 1877. 11, Queen's Road, Central. Tel. Cent. No. 1877.\n\nWHEN YOU THINK OF BETTER SOUP & PUDDINGS THINK OF THE HING WAH PASTE MFG. CO., LTD. (No. 47-48 Connaught Road Central, Hongkong) MANUFACTURERS OF MACARONI, VERMICELLI, STARS, EGG NOODLES PASTE &c. DINNER SERVICES, TEA SETS CARPETS (Fits 12 PERSONS) RUGS & TABLE COVERS HOP CHEONG Telephone Central No. 654. Complete House Furnishers, 55, Queen's Road Central.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-476 - Acting Governor Claud Severn & Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [8-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 492980, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-476 - Acting Governor Claud Severn & Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [8-12]", "page_number": 333, "title": "CO129-476 - Acting Governor Claud Severn & Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [8-12]", "content_text": "2014 12 Europe Australia, and other Ports \n\nP. & O.-BRITISH INDIA, APCAR \n\nANA \n\nFASTERN & AUSTRALIAN LINES \n\nCOMPANIES incorporated in ENGLAND) \n\nΤΟ \n\n*TRAITS ★ BURMA, CEYLON, INDIA PERSIAN GULF, WEST INDIES MAURITIUS EAST & SOUTH AFRICA, AUSTRALIA, &c. \n\nNCIUDING, NEW ZEALAND & QUEENSLAND PORTS. RED SEA, BÜLLET RODE PTC \n\nPENINSULAR & ORIENTAL FORTNIGHTLY DIRECT ROYAL MAIL STEAMERS (UNDER CONTRACT WITH H. M. GOVERNMENT.) \n\nYAN \n\nSICILIA MANTUA DONGOLA \n\nJANUS EGRA \n\nTana \n\n19,000 6,702 11,000 \n\n8,000 \n\n\" \n\nFrom Hong-kong (about) \n\nDestination \n\n11 Oct 11 a.m. Mles, London & Antwerp \n\n16th Sept 1 S'pore, P'ang, Cbo & B'bas 25th Oct. B'hay, Mles, L'don, A'werp \n\n8th Nov. M'les, London & Antwerp \n\nBRITISH INDIA, APCAR SAILINGS (South) \n\nTHE \n\nHONGKONG \n\nTELEGRAPH. \n\nSATURDAY, \n\nSEPTEMBER 30, 1922. \n\nShipping to Europe, Australia, and other Ports \n\nN. Y. K. \n\nSAILINGS SUBJECT TO ALTERATION \n\nVICTORIA, SPATTLE & VANCOUVER via Shanghai & Japan ports. Through Bills of Lading issued to all Overland Common Points in U.S.A. & Canada. \n\nSHIDZUOKA MARU (Calling Keelung) Sat., 30th Sept., at 11 a.m. \n\nYOKOHAMA HARU...... \n\nMonday, 23rd Oct., at 11 a.m. \n\nMARSEILLES, LONDON & ANTWERP via Singapore, &c. \n\nKASHIMA MARU, \n\n29th Sept. at 11 a.m. 13th Oct. at 11 a.m. \n\nHAKONE MARU \n\n--- \n\nFriday, \n\nFriday, \n\nAMBURG via LONDON, ROTTERDAM. \n\nLIVERPOOL via MARSEILLES. \n\nTOYOHASHI MARU \n\nSecond half of October. \n\n... \n\nAKI MARU \n\nSYDNEY & MELBOURNE via Manila, &c. \n\nYOSHINO MARU....... \n\nTuesday, 17th Oct. at 11 a.m. Tuesday, 14th Nov. at 11 a.m. \n\nNEW YORK VIA PANAMA. \n\nEnd of October. \n\nMAYABASHI MARU... \n\nRIO DE JANEIRO, SANTOS & BUENOS AIRES via Cape. \n\nBOMBAY via Singapore, Penang & Colombo \n\nAWA MARU \n\nThursday, Penang. BALCUTTA via Singapore, Penang & Rangoon. \n\nMORIOKA MARU NAGASAKI, KOBE & YOKOHAMA, \n\nAKI MARU SHANGHAI, KOBE & YOKOHAMA. \n\nMISHIMA MARU \n\n| 30 Sept. I p.m. ↑ Calcutta via S'pore, 5, 08 \n\n8th Oct. Singapore. EASTERN & AUSTRALIAN SAILINGS (South) \n\n(Manila, Iloilo, Sandakan, | 6,000 | 4th Oct. 11 a.m. \n\nThurs Is., Tville. B'ban \n\nSydney & Melbourne. \n\nARAFURA \n\nFrequent connections from Australia with the following:- The Union S.S. Company to the United Kingdom via New Zealand &c. \n\nThe P & O Branch Service of steamers to London via the Cape \n\nThe New Zealand Shipping Co's steamers for Bordeaux &c. \n\nFGR \n\nSAILINGS TO SHANGHAI & JAPAN. \n\nAnong. \n\n*n* Canal \n\nSICILIA \n\n5,108 670 DONGOLA 18,084 \n\n4th Oct. \n\n5th Oct d'light \n\n7th Oct. \n\nST. ALBANS | 6,000 \n\n9th Oct. \n\nAmoy Shanghai. Shanghai & Japan. Japan. \n\nAll dates are approximate and subject to alteration without notice \n\nWIRELESS ON ALL STEAMERS. \n\nParcels measuring not more than 2ft x 2ft x 1ft, will be received at the Company's Offices up to noon on the day previous to sailing \n\nFor Passage Rates, Handbooks, Freights etc., apply to \n\nMACKINNON, MACKENZIE & CO \n\n22, Des Voeux Road Central. \n\nCLEN \n\nAND \n\nAgent- \n\nSHIRE. \n\nJOINT SERVICE OF STEAMERS \n\nO.K., STRAITS, CHINA & JAPAN Service \n\nVessel. \n\n9.S.S. \n\nGIENAVY \n\nS.S. \n\nGLENAPR \n\nSS. \n\nCARNARVONSHIRE \n\n$S. S.S. \n\nGLENUARY\": \n\nOLENIFFER \n\nVessel. \n\nS.S. GLENARIFFE \n\nS.S. GLENOGLE \n\nOUTWARDS. \n\nHOMEWARDS. \n\nLeaves Hongkong. \n\nDue Hongkong. \n\n5th October. 5th October. 19th October. 2nd November \n\n16th November. \n\nDischarges. \n\n18th Oct. LONDON. A'WERP & HAMBURG 23rd Oct. L'DON, A'WERP, R'DAM, H'BURG, \n\nMovements are subject to change without notice. For freight or further particulars please apply to:- \n\nJARDINE, MATHESON & CO., LTD. \n\nTHE GLEN LINE, LTD \n\nAGENTS' \n\nTelephone Central No 215, sub-ex 23 and 3696 \n\nJAVA-CHINA-JAPAN LIJN. \n\nSteiner \n\nREGULAR FORTNIGHTLY \n\nSERVICE BETWEEN \n\nJAVA, CHINA and JAPAN. \n\nFim \n\nor about \n\nW1il Trave \n\nnz about \n\nExpected D \n\nTjikembang Java 30th Sept. Tjitaroem...Shai, N.C. | 2nd Oct. Tjiliwang... | Japan Amoy 7th Oct. \n\nJapan Amoy 15th Oct. | 17th__ Oct. \n\n7th Oct. 4th Oct. 9th Oct. \n\nFor \n\nFor further information apply to Tel. Central Nos. 292 & 293. \n\n10th October. \n\nFriday, \n\n29th Sept. \n\nFriday 13th Oct at 11 a.m. \n\nThursday, \n\n12th Oct. at 11 a.m. \n\nNIPPON YUSEN KAISHA. K. H. KAMEI, Manager, \n\nDODWELL & CO., LTD. \n\nREGULAR SAILINGS TO NEW YORK & BOSTON \n\nFOR NEW YORK & BOSTON, \n\nS.S. KENDAL CASTLE\" Sailing on or about 15th Nov. \n\nLLOYD TRIESTINO. \n\nTaking cargo on through Bills of Lading for Levant, Black Sea and Danube Ports. \n\nFIUME having been re-opened for traffic, cargo is also accepted for this port on through Bills of Lading. \n\nFOR SHANGHAI. \n\nS.S.TRIESTE ̈ \n\nSailing on or about 14th October. For BRINDISI, VENICE & TRIESTE. Via Singapore, Penang and Colombo. \n\nwww \n\nS.S.TRIESTE \" Passengers' Luggage can be insured at the office of the Agents, \n\nSailing on or about 31st October. \n\nNATAL LINE OF STEAMERS \n\nRegular Passenger and Cargo Service. \n\nFROM CALCUTTA TO SOUTH AFRICAN PORTS \n\nSailing on or about 31st October. S.S. \"UMLAZI\" \n\nThrough Bills of Lading issued from Hongkong. \n\n*** \n\n*** \n\nFor Freight or Passage on any of the above Lines apply to:- \n\nDODWELL & CO., LTD., \n\nAgents. \n\nTelephone Central 1030, \n\nAUSTRALIAN, ORIENTAL LINE. \n\nHONGKONG TO PHILIPPINES & AUSTRALIAN PORTS. SAILING (SUBJECT TO ALTERATION). \n\nSteamer. \n\nTAIYUAN CHANGSHA \n\nArrives Hongkong from Australia. \n\n2nd Oct. \n\n15th Oct. \n\nCOASTAL SHIPPING. \n\nINDO CHINA STEAM NAVIGATION CO., LTD. \n\nSAILINGS SUBJECT TO ALTERATION \n\nMon. Tues. \n\nTues. \n\nThurs. \n\nThurs. \n\nSailing \n\n1st Oct. at 10 a.m. 1st Oct. at noon. 2nd Oct at 4 p.m. 3rd Oct. at noon. 3rd Oct. at 3 p.m. 5th Oct. at noon. 5th Oct. at 2 p.m. 6th Oct. at 8 a.m. 6th Oct. at 3 p.m. \n\nnoon. 8th Oct at \n\nSHIPPING NEWS. \n\nC.S, MERCANTILE MARINE \n\nRATIONING PLAN, \n\nThat steamship operating at New York approve in principle the rationing plans being worked out by the division of operations of the United States Shipping Board is indicated not only by their expressions of approval, but by active co-operation in working out details. The Standing Committee of managing agents of the Shipping Board and representatives of thirty-eight steamship companies operating Government vessels met in the Whitehall Building, NY, says the New York Maritime Recorder, to discuss details of the rationing plan. \n\nDestination \n\nSteamer BANGKOK via Swatow Drufar Sun. TAO via S'tow & S'hai Yatshing Sun. OBE....... \n\n......Laisang TTAO via Stow & S'bai Hangsang STRAITS & Calcutta... Kutsang ANTUNG via Shanghai Loksang SANDAKAN \n\nMarsang HAIPHONG via Hoihow Leesang Fri. | MANILA \n\nYuensang Fri. TT Ovia Stow & S'hai Kwongsang Sun. KOBE via Yokohama...... Namsung Tues, 10th Oct. at noon. BANGKOK via Swatow Childar Tues, 10:h Oct. at noon, ~ALCUTTA LINE:-This Line now affords regular sailings to \n\nCALCUTTA, PENANG and SINGAPORE; Returning from Calcutta steamers proceed via Straits and Hongkong to \n\noccasionally calling at Shanghai, \n\nJapaustenance, repairs, stores and \n\nfuel. The rationing of the latter, the most they say, presents difficulties. A fixed allowance for sustenance is already in force, the Government allowing 65 cents a day for each member of the crew of a Shipping Board \n\nAll steamers have excellent passenger accommodation, are fitted \n\nwith Electric Light & Fans and carry a fully qualified Surgeon. SHANGHAI LINE: Sailings approximately every three days between \n\nCanton and Shanghai, sometimes calling at Swatow. Through tickets can be obtained and through Bills of Lading are issued all to Northern and Yangtsze Ports via Shanghai.\" MANILA LINE:A weekly service is maintained with Manila by vessels with good passenger accommodation, sailings from both ports every Friday. |HAIPHONG LINE :-Sailings approximately weekly for passenger and cargo, calling at Hoihow when inducement offers- BORNEO LINE :—Fortnightly sailings to and from Sandakan by two 5,000 ton steamers S.S. \"HINSANG\" & \"MADSANG \" both steamers having excellent passenger accommodation Cargo taken on through Bills of Lading for Kudat, Jesselton, Labuan, Tawao and Lahad Datu. \n\nTIENTSIN LINE:-A regular service is run from March to Nov. between H'kong & Thentain calling at Weihaiwei & Chefoo, BANGKOK LINE:-A weekly service is provided between Hong \n\nkong and Bangkok, via Swatow, by five steamers fitted with \n\nup-to-date passenger accommodation. \n\nCALCUTTA LINE. S.S.\"Kutsang\" will be despatched on or about Tuesday, † 3rd Oct., at 3 p.m. for SINGAPORE, PENANG & CALCUTTA. \n\nThrough Bills of Lading issued to RANGOON, PORT SWETTENHAM & MADRAS & DUTCH EAST INDIES \n\nFor Freight or Passage apply to: \n\nJARDINE MATHESON & CO., LTD. \n\nTelephone Central No. 815. \n\nGeneral Managers. \n\nC. N. C. \n\nCHINA NAVIGATION CO., LTD. SAILINGS SUBJECT TO ALTERATION \n\nSteamers. \n\nFor SWATOW & BANGKOK ...Kiangsu SHANGHAI & TSINGTAO...Szechuen W’WEI, CHEFOO & T’TSIN Kuzichow [SWATOW & SINGAPORE „Kaying \n\nSHANGHAI & TSINGTAO... Kanchow HAIPHONG \n\n.Chinhua \n\nMO & SHANGHAI ......Suiyang SHANGHAI & гSIN ITAO...Sinkiang \n\nH’HOW. PHOI, H'PHONG. Kalong [SWA POW & BANGKOK ...Chengtu \n\nW WEI, CHEFOO & T’TSIN Huichow \n\nTo Sail. 1st Oct. at 1st Oct. at 1st Oct. at 2nd Oct. a. 3rd Oct. 1 4th Oct. at 5th Oct. at .. 7th Oct. at ..10th Oct. at .,10th Oct. at .10th Oct. at \n\n... \n\nnoon.. 4 p.m. 4 p.ni, 2000. \n\n+ p.m. * 8.11. 4.p.m. \n\n4 p.m. ↑ a.m. \n\nnoon. \n\n4 p.m. \n\nBUTTERFIELD & SWIRE, (John Swire & Sons, Ltd.) \n\nAGENTS. \n\nTelephone Central No. 36. Cargo and baggage can be insured at the above office. \n\nyat arranged is the amount of vessel. One of the details not \n\nthe allowance for passengers carried by Shipping Board freighters. The cost of meals for passengers is above that of rations for the crew, the operators contend, and the adjustment of the rate because of this \n\nis being discussed by Shipping Board officials and the representatives of the companies concerned. There also has been some discussion of a more elastic allowance to provide for adequate payment where rationing necessitates the carrying of food in launches to vessels anchored midstream or in out-of-the-way \n\nplaces. It is understood that the Shipping Board has decided to permit operators to arrange for minor repairs without the specific approval of the board. Minor repairs in this case considered to be all those costing less than $5,000. The bill in each case is subject to checking up by a representative of the Government. Repairing costing more than $5,000 will have to be approved by the division of construction and repair, headed by Commander R. D. Gatewood, before ordered by the operating \n\ncompany \n\nBREAKDOWN OF JOB CONTROL UP\" \n\nTHE COMMONWEALTH LINE, A correspondent writes to the.. Journal of Commerce:--As I \n\nreported in my last letter, rather' than agree to the demands of the Seamen's Union to appoint the \"bo'sun\" of the Largs Bay the Commonwealth Line management, under instructions from the \n\nPremier, ordered the vessel to be \n\nSHANGHAI LINE.—PASSENGERS, MAILS AND CARGO, withdrawn from the sailing schedule and laid up, and further. \n\nExcellent Saloon accommodation smidships. Electric Fans in Saloon and State-rooms. Regular schedule service between Canton, Hongkong and Shanghai (thrice weekly) and Tsingtao (weekly), taking Cargo on through Bills of Lading to all Yangteze. \n\nAustralian ports should also be laid up as and when they arrive, avoiding the inconvenience of transhipment at Woosung. \n\nThis very quickly resulted in a BANGKOK LINE.—Weekly service to and from B'kok via S'tow. \n\npartial climb down of the union. \n\nthough \n\nWilliam \n\nFor Freight or Passage apply. \n\nMorris Hughes is regarded by Labour as one big bluff, unfortunately not. until the Largs Bay had actually been withdrawn and anchored at an Admiralty buoy in Farm Cove, \n\ndays later the union announced that Daley, the bo'sun bone of contention, had resigned, and the matter might be considered as ended. This of course was an ingenious method of saving face, but not enough to satisfy Billy \n\nHaving thrown his chest once, and not had it burst in, he threw it again and called for unconditional surrender of the union, in the form of an undertaking that there should be no further attempts at job control, either on the Largs Bay or on any other vessel of the line \n\nIt has taken a fortnight to get this well home into Tom Walsh's head, and now the undertaking has been given. It may be assumed that job control is now ended, but the situation as regards the private lines is unchanged \n\nNegotiations are, however, proceeding, and will translate in the \n\nLeaves Hongkong \n\nDOUGLAS STEAMSHIP CO. LTD. \n\nfor Australia. \n\n6th Oct. 20th Oct. \n\nHONGKONG & SOUTH CHINA COAST PORTS SERVICE. Regular Service of Fast, High Class Coast Steamers having \n\nShanghai. \n\nThis steamer is fitted with Refrigerating machinery, ensuring good accommodation for First Class Passengers, Electric Light and Fans in state-rooms and Saloon and \n\nBanka, Batavia. a plentiful supply of ice, fresh provisions etc. and has superior Cuisine. \n\nFor Swatow, Amoy and Foochow and Returns. Macassar. S'ban accommodation with Electric Light throughout and Electric Fans in \n\nBilliton, Batavia the State-rooms. A duly qualified Doctor is carried. Reduced Fares. \n\n(Occupying 9 to 10 days.) Cargo booked through to all Australian, New Zealand and Tas- \n\nCaptain. \n\nLeaving. ¦ Haifang... | W. S. Turnbull... TUES. 3rd Oct, at \n\nHaichine... J. S. Thomson ... FRI., Haibong W. C. Paramore | TUE., 19th \n\nThe steamers are all fitted throughout with electric light and have accommodation for a limited number of saloon-passengers All steamers carry a duly qualified surgeon. through rates to all ports in Netherlands-India and Australia. \n\nFor Freight and Passage apply to the \n\nTelephone Central No. 1574. \n\nCargo taken s \n\nJava-China-Japan Lijn. \n\nYork Building.. \n\nPACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP CO. \n\nOFFERS \n\nSPECIAL THROUGH FIRST CLASS RATES \n\nHONGKONG TO EUROPE \n\nvia SAN FRANCISCO and NEW YORK \n\nU. S. $120.50 \n\nwhich includes \n\nMINIMUM BERTH TO SAN FRANCISCO FIRST CLASS RAIL ACCOMMODATIONS \n\nSAN FRANCISCO TO NEW YORK \n\nWITH STOPOVER PRIVILEGES, BERTH AND ACCOMMODATIONS ON ANY ATLANTIC OCEAN STEAMER VALUED AT U.S. $49. $205.00 \n\nBUT DOES NOT INCLUDE BERTH AND MEALS ACROSS AMERICAN CONTINENT. \n\nFOR FULL INFORMATION apply to \n\nPACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP CO. \n\nManaging Agents. \n\nUNIT D STATES SHIPPING BOARD. \n\nUNION BUILDING, HONGKONG \n\nCable Address \"SOLANO\" Cinton Agents, REISS & CO. \n\nSteamships. \n\n1 p.m. I p.m. 1 p.m. \n\nFor Freight and Passage apply to \n\noth \n\nOct. al Oct. al \n\nTelephone Central No. 36, \n\nButterfield & Swire. (JOHN SWIRE & SON, LTD) Agents. \n\n‡ Calling at Amoy for Passengers only. Arrivals and Departures from the Co's Wharf 'near Blake Pier.) \n\nFor Freight and Passage, apply tō“ \n\n\"ELLERMAN\" LINE, \n\n(Ellerman & Bucknall S. S. Co., Ltd) UNITED KINGDOM & CONTINENT SERVICE. \n\nOUTWARDS. \n\n\"City of Tokio \" \n\n20th Oct. \n\nHOMEWARDS. \n\nS'hai, Kobe & Yokohama. \n\n\"City of Sydney\" 10th Oct. L'don, A'werp, R'da 'n, l'burg, G'gow. PA-SEN ER SERVICE. \n\nMarseilles & London. \n\nCity of Paris' City of York \" \"City of Simla “ \"City of Poona\" \n\nMid. Dec. \n\nFeb. Beg. Mid. March. Mid: April. Subject to change without notice. for further particulars apply to REISS & CO. \n\n14 \n\nCLETON. \n\nTHE BANK LINE, LTD. \n\n(Tel. Central 80). \n\nDouglas Lapraik & Co.. General Managers. \n\nNANYO YUSEN KAISHA. \n\nceeding, and will translate in the \n\nThe South Sea Mail S.S. Co., Ltd.) REGULAR FORTNIGHTLY SERVICE \n\nbetween \n\nJAPAN, HONGKONG & JAVA. \n\nFor Batavia, Samarang & Sourabaya. \n\nS.S. BORNEO MARU Sailing on or about 12th Oct. \n\nFor Moji, Kobe & Yokohama. \n\nS.S. MACASSAR MARU Sailing on or about 10th Ost. \n\nFor further particulars please apply to:- \n\nsame manner without doubt. The success of the Commonwealth \n\nLine is a matter of great importance, because ever since the war labour tactics in this country have been developing almost on the lines of Sovietism. Industry was to be run by and for the benefit of those engaged in it \n\nThe nation was to be regarded \n\nly as the source from which tribute should be paid to Labour, which would decide exactly what should and should not be produced, and how much should be demanded for the production. \n\nX \n\nTel. Central No. 2206. Second Floor, Prince's Building. \n\nK. SUZUKI, Manager. \n\nPEPYS'S CURING WATER. For many years Pepys's curing water, sold at Banner, N London, is to be cleaned and repaired. Samuel Pepys records frequent visits there.. \n\nis \n\nn", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-476 - Acting Governor Claud Severn & Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [8-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493249, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "page_number": 157, "title": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "content_text": "10\n\n(\n\n11\n\n4. Protection of foreign merchants.\n\nIchang is a treaty port, opened under an Anglo-Chinese treaty. Since 1883 foreigners have frequently discussed the laying out of a settlement, but the matter has never been decided.\n\nIn 1915 when the Ichang Development Bureau (“Shang Pu Chu\") was established the British consul enunciated the limits of the treaty port and I, being then the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs, referred the matter to the Wai-chiao Pu, which replied as follows:-\n\n\"Ichang was opened as a treaty port pursuant to the Anglo-Chinese Treaty of 1877 in the same way as Wuhu and other places. Article 6 of the Wuhu Settlement Regulations of 1903 provides that in the Settlement foreign merchants may rent and build houses, these transactions being under the joint control of the local authorities and Commissioner of Customs. These Wuhu regulations may be considered the best of any made in connection with the opening of treaty ports under any treaty.\n\n&K\n\nNow that Ichang is proposing to establish a trade mart area (Shang Pu'), satisfactory regulations should be drawn up for the policing thereof. You should consult with the British consul and settle these. You should also obtain a copy of the Wuhu regulations and deal with the matter after deliberation.\n\nThe British consul's contention that he does not recognise the treaty port as being limited to the trade mart area is one which is not confined to Iohang alone. All the Ministers take up the same attitude in connection with the settlements at other places on the ground that no limits are defined in the phrase 'treaty port' used in the treaties. The view of the Wai-chiao Pu is that the original intention when the treaties were made was to restrict the 'treaty port' to the limits of the settlements.\n\nThe interpretation placed by all the Ministers, in their demands, on the phrase 'treaty port' is that the latter is not restricted to any definite boundaries.\n\nThis the Wai-chiao Pu refuses to recognise, and the question has never been settled.\n\n\"For the present you may suggest to the British consul that there is no necessity to discuss the boundaries of the treaty port.' You should consider the matter with reference to the precedent of other ports. Arrange first for the drawing up of regulations for Chinese and foreigners to abide by, and thus avoid the difficulties of a discussion.\n\n\"I trust you will be guided by this despatch, and that you will report to and consult with the Civil Governor on the subject.\"\n\nI carefully considered the matter on receipt of your instructions, as the object of the Military and Civil Governors in establishing the Development Bureau and building roads was to preserve (Chinese) rights and privileges.\n\nIn view of the British consul's contention regarding the limits of the treaty port, I requested the Wai-chiao Pu to postpone defining the boundaries of a settlement, and on the 26th April, 1915, received a despatch from the Board instructing me, as regards my proposals, to wait until the trade mart had been developed (lit., enlarged) in accordance with the plan, and then to consult and arrange with the British consul for the adoption of regulations on the lines of those at Wuhu. The Board stated that this course could be followed and the proposals I had made be carried out, reports being duly sent to the Civil Governor.\n\nThe above shows that the Government has equally considered both the maintenance of treaty obligations and the preservation of our nationals' rights and privileges.\n\nAt the present time the roads have now been gradually built, and foreign merchants are increasing daily.\n\nThe two outbreaks in Ichang which have involved foreign interests affect our national prestige. It will be difficult, therefore, to avoid laying out a settlement in the future. It would be better for us to take the initiative in making the proposal for one ourselves than to wait for foreigners to extort it from us; then when the question of making regulations arises, we could consider the adoption of the Wuhu regulations, or of the joint Cheefoo policing scheme. This would give us a basis for argument.\n\nI would request the Military and Civil Governors to report in the above sense to the Board for approval, so that the necessary instructions may be sent to me.\n\nBy duly carrying out the regulations in the future the peace of the place could, I think, be maintained.\n\n5. Improvements in the Search for and Seizure of Opium.\n\nIchang was formerly a centre of the opium trade. In 1914 and 1915 the trade had been put down, but owing to (its revival) in consequence of the troubles in Yunnan and Szechuan, secret transport and disposal of the drug was, of necessity, carried on through here.\n\nThe more strictly the prohibition was carried out the greater the malpractices became. Owing to the great profits to be made, unscrupulous merchants bribe soldiers and conspire with foreigners in the matter, so that for the past few years (the civil officials) have not dared to interfere. When by chance an arrest is made, the case is a very awkward one to deal with.\n\nIt is the storage in it of opium, instructions to burn which had not been received at the time, that has led to the looting of the magistrate's yamên on two occasions.\n\nI would request the Military and Civil Governors to give instructions so that additional reforms may be made or that reputable members of the gentry be appointed to assist (the officials) so as to prevent defamation of the latter.\n\nI would further propose that hereafter all seizures of opium should be publicly weighed, sealed up and deposited immediately for temporary storage with the Commissioner of Customs. This should then be forwarded to the provincial capital with a request that the Military and Civil Governors will take charge of and deal with it.\n\nThe staff of our offices will then incur no suspicion: persons who have been fined will be unable to nurse grievances against and slander them, and rumour-mongers will be unable to get them implicated.\n\n6. Increase of Police Funds.\n\nSuggests use of opium fines for purpose (not translated).\n\n7. Wandering Soldiers.\n\nThe smuggling of opium in Ichang has caused wandering soldiers and troops. These men are disbanded in the past to secretly return to Ichang in great numbers, the go-betweens who inflame the minds of the soldiers. Unless they are driven out of the place it will be detrimental to both the army and the people.\n\nI would request the Military and Civil Governors to instruct their subordinates to take severe measures to punish them. For my part I shall instruct the police and the magistrate to investigate the number of people in the place so as to preserve the peace.\n\n8. Suggestion that Funds should be allocated to restore Trade.\n\n(Not translated.)\n\nIchang [undated]. (Sent towards end of June 1921.)\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nFrom Representatives of the Society for the Consideration of Measures for the Preservation of Order on behalf of the Public of Ichang, which has been visited by Disaster, to Taoyin.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nPetition for Transmission to Tuchun that for the present Soldiers be not stationed at Ichang, in order to save the Public from utter Ruin.\n\nICHANG has been looted by mutinous soldiers twice within six months. Every house is empty, and, even though there may be no trouble, the people are as frightened as hares and the Government has become the laughing-stock of foreigners.\n\nUnless a means is found for remedying matters in the days to come, it will be impossible to preserve the peace here.\n\nThe present reduced number of troops here with the constabulary and police would seem to be a sufficient force to prevent any calamity occurring.\n\nBefore incidents arising out of the mutiny at Ichang were settled, trouble broke out at Wuchang, so that the state of the finances can be readily realised. If the troops cannot be paid monthly, can they be relied on to refrain from some outbreak or another? One cannot say with certainty.\n\n157", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493255, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "page_number": 163, "title": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "content_text": "10\n\nI\n\n4. Protection of foreign merchants,\n\nIchang is a treaty port, opened under an Anglo-Chinese treaty.\n\nSince 1883 foreigners have frequently discussed the laying out of a settlement, but the matter has never been decided.\n\nIn 1915 when the Ichang Development Bureau (\"Shang Pu Chu\") was established the British consul enunciated the limits of the treaty port and I, being then the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs, referred the matter to the Wai-chiao Pu, which replied as follows:-\n\n\"Ichang was opened as a treaty port pursuant to the Anglo-Chinese Treaty of 1877 in the same way as Wuhu and other places. Article 6 of the Wuhu Settlement Regulations of 1903 provides that in the Settlement foreign merchants may rent and build houses, these transactions being under the joint control of the local authorities and Commissioner of Customs. These Wuhu regulations may be considered the best of any made in connection with the opening of treaty ports under any treaty.\n\nNow that Ichang is proposing to establish a trade mart area (Shang Pu), satisfactory regulations should be drawn up for the policing thereof. You should consult with the British consul and settle these. You should also obtain a copy of the Wuhu regulations and deal with the matter after deliberation.\n\n\"The British consul's contention that he does not recognise the treaty port as being limited to the trade mart area is one which is not confined to Ichang alone. All the Ministers take up the same attitude in connection with the settlements at other places on the ground that no limits are defined in the phrase 'treaty port' used in the treaties. The view of the Wai-chiao Pu is that the original intention when the treaties were made was to restrict the 'treaty port' to the limits of the settlements.\n\nThe interpretation placed by all the Ministers, in their demands, on the phrase 'treaty port' is that the latter is not restricted to any definite boundaries,\n\n\"This the Wai-chiao Pu refuses to recognise, and the question has never been settled.\n\n\"For the present you may suggest to the British consul that there is no necessity to discuss the boundaries of the treaty port.'\n\n\"You should consider the matter with reference to the precedent of other ports. Arrange first for the drawing up of regulations for Chinese and foreigners to abide by, and thus avoid the difficulties of a discussion.\n\n\"I trust you will be guided by this despatch, and that you will report to and consult with the Civil Governor on the subject.\"\n\nI carefully considered the matter on receipt of your instructions, as the object of the Military and Civil Governors in establishing the Development Bureau and building roads was to preserve (Chinese) rights and privileges.\n\nIn view of the British consul's contention regarding the limits of the treaty port, I requested the Wai-chiao Pu to postpone defining the boundaries of a settlement, and on the 26th April, 1915, received a despatch from the Board instructing me, as regards my proposals, to wait until the trade mart had been developed (lit., enlarged) in accordance with the plan, and then to consult and arrange with the British consul for the adoption of regulations on the lines of those at Wuhu. The Board stated that this course could be followed and the proposals I had made be carried out, reports being duly sent to the Civil Governor.\n\nThe above shows that the Government has equally considered both the maintenance of treaty obligations and the preservation of our nationals' rights and privileges.\n\nAt the present time the roads have now been gradually built, and foreign merchants are increasing daily.\n\nThe two outbreaks in Ichang which have involved foreign interests affect our national prestige. It will be difficult, therefore, to avoid laying out a settlement in the future. It would be better for us to take the initiative in making the proposal for one ourselves than to wait for foreigners to extort it from us; then when the question of making regulations arises, we could consider the adoption of the Wuhu regulations, or of the joint Cheefoo policing scheme. This would give us a basis for argument.\n\nI would request the Military and Civil Governors to report in the above sense to the Board for approval, so that the necessary instructions may be sent to me,\n\nBy duly carrying out the regulations in the future the peace of the place could, I think, be maintained.\n\n5. Improvements in the Search for and Seizure of Chinu\n\nIchang was formerly a centre of the opium trade. In 1914 and 1915 the trade had been put down, but owing to (its revival) in consequence of the troubles in Yunnan and Szechuan, secret transport and disposal of the drug was, of necessity, carried on through here.\n\nThe more strictly the prohibition was carried out the greater the malpractices became. Owing to the great profits to be made, unscrupulous merchants bribe soldiers and conspire with foreigners in the matter, so that for the past few years (the civil officials) have not dared to interfere. When by chance an arrest is made, the case is a very awkward one to deal with.\n\nIt is the storage in it of opium, instructions to burn which had not been received at the time, that has led to the looting of the magistrate's yamên on two occasions.\n\nI would request the Military and Civil Governors to give instructions so that additional reforms may be made or that reputable members of the gentry be appointed to assist (the officials) so as to prevent defamation of the latter.\n\nI would further propose that hereafter all seizures of opium should be publicly weighed, sealed up and deposited immediately for temporary storage with the Commissioner of Customs. This should then be forwarded to the provincial capital with a request that the Military and Civil Governors will take charge of and deal with it.\n\nThe staff of our offices will then incur no suspicion: persons who have been fined will be unable to nurse grievances against and slander them, and rumour-mongers will be unable to get them implicated.\n\n6. Increase of Police Funds.\n\nSuggests use of opium fines for purpose (not translated).\n\n7. Wandering Soldiers.\n\nThe smuggling of opium in Ichang has caused wandering soldiers and troops disbanded in the past to secretly return to Ichang in great numbers These men are the go-betweens who inflame the minds of the soldiers. Unless they are driven out of the place it will be detrimental to both the army and the people.\n\nI would request the Military and Civil Governors to instruct their subordinates to take severe measures to punish them. For my part I shall instruct the police and the magistrate to investigate the number of people in the place so as to preserve the peace.\n\n8. Suggestion that Funds should be allocated to restore Trade.\n\n(Not translated.)\n\nIchang [undated]. (Sent towards end of June 1921.)\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nFrom Representatives of the Society for the Consideration of Measures for the Preservation of Order on behalf of the Public of Ichang, which has been visited by Disaster, to Taoyin.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nPetition for Transmission to Tuchun that for the present Soldiers be not stationed at Ichang, in order to save the Public from utter Ruin.\n\nICHANG has been looted by mutinous soldiers twice within six months. Every house is empty, and, even though there may be no trouble, the people are as frightened\n\nas hares and the Government has become the laughing-stock of foreigners.\n\nUnless a means is found for remedying matters in the days to come, it will be impossible to\n\nthe preserve peace here.\n\nThe present reduced number of troops here with the constabulary and police would seem to be a sufficient force to prevent any calamity occurring.\n\nBefore incidents arising out of the mutiny at Ichang were settled, trouble broke out at Wuchang, so that the state of the finances can be readily realised.\n\nIf the troops cannot be paid monthly, can they be relied on to refrain from some outbreak or another? One cannot say with certainty.\n\n163", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493945, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922", "page_number": 336, "title": "CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922", "content_text": "331\n\n6\n\n9. Accordingly, under the Rules of Trade signed with the Chinese Government by Lord Elgin and his French and American colleagues in November 1858, similar custom offices were opened at Canton in 1859; Swatow in 1860; Ningpo, Foochow, Chinkiang, Tien-tsin and Kiukiang in 1861; Amoy and Hankow in 1862; Chefoo in 1863; and Newchwang in 1864.\n\n10. Under the Treaties of Peking of 1860 with France and Great Britain, China agreed to pay indemnities to those two countries. These were secured upon the custom receipts. To ensure due payment, Mr. Lay, who had succeeded Mr. Wade as one of the three \"foreign inspectors of customs\" just a year after the institution of the new system, was appointed first Inspector-General of Customs on the 21st January, 1861, but he soon quarrelled with the Chinese Government and was dismissed from Chinese service. His successor as Inspector-General of Customs was Mr. (later Sir Robert) Hart. In 1865 Mr. Hart established his office at Peking, which has since remained the headquarters of the maritime customs service.\n\n11. In 1898 His Majesty's Government received an assurance from China that\n\n\"the Inspector-General of Maritime Customs shall in the future, as in the past, be of British nationality.\n\nBut if at some future time the trade\n\nof some other country should become greater than that of Great Britain, China will then of course not be bound to necessarily employ an Englishman as inspector-general.\"\n\n12. The service, though international as to staff, has always been, and still remains, pre-eminently a British institution. English is the official language, and the administration is moulded on British lines.\n\n13. Sir R. Hart died in 1911, and was succeeded by Sir F. Aglen, the present Inspector-General.\n\nBoxer Indemnity.\n\n14. After the Boxer rising of 1900 the Chinese were called upon to pay a heavy indemnity to the Powers for damage sustained or military expenditure incurred. The claims filed amounted to about 67,500,000l., say 450,000,000 taels; and at that sum the indemnity was eventually fixed by article 6 of the Final Protocol of 1901. Interest was to be at 4 per cent.; amortisation was to begin on the 1st January, 1902, and to end on the 31st December, 1940; annual payments (in gold at a fixed rate of exchange) were to amount to 18,829,500 taels in 1902, 19,899,300 taels from 1911, 23,383,300 taels in 1915, 24,483,800 taels from 1916, and 35,350,152 taels from 1932 until the end, the whole amount for principal and interest being 982,238,150 taels. A proportionate amount was to be paid monthly to a commission of bankers representing the interested Powers, and to secure these payments certain revenues were assigned: (1) the balance of the maritime customs revenues after payment of all prior obligations secured upon them, plus the proceeds of an enhanced customs tariff of an effective 5 per cent.; (2) the native customs at each treaty port to be administered henceforth by the maritime customs; (3) the balance of the salt revenue not already pledged.\n\n15. The total indemnity was made up as follows:-\n\n \n Taels.\n Per Cent.* of Total.\n \n \n Russia\n 130,371,120\n 29.0\n \n \n Germany\n 90,070,515\n 20.0\n \n \n France\n 70,878,240\n 15.75\n \n \n Great Britain\n 50,620,545\n 11.25\n \n \n Japan\n 34,793,100\n 7.7\n \n \n United States\n 32,939,055\n 7.3\n \n \n Italy\n 26,517,005\n 5.9\n \n \n Belgium\n 8,184,345\n 1.9\n \n \n Austria\n 4,008,920\n 0.9\n \n \n Netherlands\n 782,100\n 0.2\n \n \n Spain\n 135,315\n \n \n \n Portugal\n 92,250\n 0.1\n \n \n Sweden\n 62,820\n \n \n \n Other claims\n 149,670\n \n \n \n Total\n 450,000,000\n 100.0\n \n\n*To nearest decimal.\n\nThe Pre-Boxer Loans.\n\n16. Prior to the imposition of the Boxer indemnity, certain earlier foreign obligations had been already secured upon the maritime customs revenue.\n\n \n Date.\n Title, Source, &c.\n Interest.\n Amount.\n Term of Redemption.\n Redeemed.\n \n \n 1894\n Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank. (War Loan)\n 7\n 10,000,000 taels\n 1914\n 1913\n \n \n 1895\n Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank. (War Loan)\n 6\n 3,000,000l.\n 1915\n 1914\n \n \n 1895\n Chartered Bank. (Cassel Loan)\n \n 1,000,000l.\n 1915\n 1915\n \n \n 1895\n Arnhold, Karberg & Co. (Nanking Loan)\n 6\n 1,000,000l.\n 1915\n 1915\n \n \n 1895\n Franco-Russian\n 4\n 400,000,000 fr.\n 1931\n \n \n \n 1896\n Anglo-German\n 5\n 16,000,000l.\n 1932\n \n \n \n 1898\n Anglo-German\n 4½\n 16,000,000l.\n 1948\n \n \n\n17. Of these loans only three are now outstanding, namely, the Franco-Russian Loan of 1895, the Anglo-German Loan of 1896 and the Anglo-German Loan of 1898. These three loans are conveniently referred to as the \"pre-Boxer loans.\"\n\nNo. 439,\n\nLoan Service and Indemnity Payments as affected by the Revolution of 1911.\n\n18. Among the subsidiary questions raised by the revolutionary movement that broke out in China in 1911 was that of the disposal of the customs revenue at the various treaty ports, and of how to maintain it intact for the service of the foreign debt (\"China,\" Part LXIX, No. 23/1911.\n\n19. Under the system till then existing these revenues had been paid into Chinese Government banks and disposed of by the Chinese superintendents of customs at the ports, the Maritime Customs Service having no responsibility beyond that of verifying and filing the bank receipts in proof of the payment of duties, and not handling the actual cash at any stage. But with the advance of the revolution the funds collected at one treaty port after another fell under revolutionary control, and there was a serious risk of their being diverted to military purposes or to other forms of support of the revolutionary movement. The first port at which this question arose was Changsha; later the same problem presented itself at Hankow; and as a temporary measure it was arranged with the revolutionaries that the revenue should be held to the order of the Inspector-General of Customs, on the ground that it was really the property of the foreign bondholders and that complications with foreign Powers might well arise if it were seized.\n\n20. At Shanghai this raised a fresh issue. The Commissioner of Customs proposed that the revenue should be lodged with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank to the credit of the Inspector-General. This at once brought various of the foreign representatives at Peking into the field with the suggestion that the already existing machinery of the Indemnity Commission of Bankers (see paragraph 14) should be utilised. But this again was open to certain objections. The customs revenues being firstly pledged in the first place for the service of the pre-Boxer loans in regular order of priority, Mr. (now Sir Francis) Aglen, the Inspector-General of Customs, suggested that a special commission of the bankers interested in these pre-Boxer loans should be formed to deal with these funds. The merit of this proposal lay in that the customs revenues would thus be entrusted to those banks actually responsible to the bondholders for the due service of the loans secured by a first charge upon them. These loans amounted to a nominal capital of 54,455,000l.; and whilst almost all the Powers had become creditors of China since 1900, only Great Britain, Germany, Russia and to a small extent France, were interested in the loans prior to that date. The Boxer indemnity was only a second charge on the customs revenue (see paragraph 14).\n\n21. The foreign representatives at Peking had difficulty in coming to any agreement as to the arrangements to be made, the United States, Japanese and Belgian Ministers in particular (although none of them had any interest in the pre-Boxer loans) being insistent upon a revival of the powers of the Indemnity Commission of Bankers.\n\nNo. 400.)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 566818, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-579-3 Sino-Japanese War- shipping 30-10-1938 - 23-12-1939", "page_number": 66, "title": "CO129-579-3 Sino-Japanese War- shipping 30-10-1938 - 23-12-1939", "content_text": "Extracted from the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST dated 27th July, 1939.\n\n66 (1) STATE OF WAR EXISTS CHIEF JUSTICE JUSTICE ON HOSTILITIES BETWEEN CHINA AND JAPAN WINDING UP OF SHIPPING FIRM\n\nWritten judgment on the petition brought by the Shiang Kee, otherwise known as the China Merchants Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., for the winding up of the Hongkong Branch of the Ching Kee Steam Navigation Co., Ltd. was delivered by the Chief Justice, Sir Atholl MacGregor, in the Supreme Court yesterday.\n\nHis Lordship granted the petition, holding that as the Company in China was in process of dissolution, an order for the winding up of the Hongkong branch ought to be made.\n\nIn the course of his judgment, His Lordship referred to the Sino-Japanese hostilities and said.—“Not only on the authorities which I have cited but also on my inescapable knowledge of conditions on the China coast, a state of war exists between China and Japan, and has existed at all times material to this application.\"\n\nThe petitioners were represented by Mr. Eldon Potter, K.C., and Mr. H. C. Macnamara, instructed by Mr. D. L. Strellett, of Geo. K. Hall & Brutton and Co. Mr. H. G. Sheldon, K.C., and the Hon. Mr. Leo D'Almada, Jnr., instructed by Mr. H. J. Armstrong of Deacons, opposed the petition on behalf of the following shareholders: Hsu Chin-tang (4,394 shares), Hsu Teh-yen (3,754), Cheng Teh-chun (2,502), Kao Yung-tong (2,044), Kao Cheung-chang (1,584), Yu Weh-ting (1,420), Yu Wei-fan (1,000), Li Yu-hsiang (70), Cheng Pen-ching (6,377), Cheng Chung-yu (6,176), Chang Chi-yu (5,623), Chang Pen-fah (5,429), Chang Hsin-teh (4,836), Chang Ming-teh (4,500) and the Dairen Kishen Kaisha, who are creditors to the amount of $47,157.32. All of them are of Dairen.\n\nIn his Judgment, the Chief Justice said:\n\nThe Ching Kee Steam Navigation Company Limited, which hereafter in this judgment I shall refer to as \"the company\" was duly incorporated and registered as a company with limited liability under the laws of the Republic of China on April 1, 1920. The head office of the company has at all material times been in Chefoo. The business of the company is and throughout has been that of ship-owners, carriers by sea, and other business in connection with shipping. Since the year 1920, the company has had a branch office in Hongkong. The company is an unregistered company so far as the laws of this Colony are concerned, and the jurisdiction invoked in this application is that conferred on this Court by Section 313 of the Companies Ordinance 1932, the material provisions of which are:\n\nProvisions of Law\n\n313 (1) (b) The circumstances in which an unregistered company may be wound up are as follows:- (i) If the company is dissolved, or has ceased to carry on business, or is carrying on business only for the purpose of winding up its affairs; (iii) If the Court is of opinion that it is just and equitable that the company should be wound up.\n\n313 (2) Where a company incorporated outside the Colony which has been carrying on business in the Colony ceases to carry on business in the Colony, it may be wound up as an unregistered company under this Part of the Ordinance notwithstanding that it has been dissolved or otherwise ceased to exist as a company under or by virtue of the laws of the country under which it was incorporated.\n\nThe facts, so far as they are material to this application, can be summarised quite briefly. The Company owns and operates twenty steamships. Eleven of these vessels are chartered to Japanese interests, three are engaged in ordinary shipping business, and the other six have, since August, 1937, been lying in the waters of the Colony. The only local activity of the Company during that period has been that one of the vessels was from November 1938 to February 25, 1939, chartered for use as a storage hulk.\n\nThe Dairen Kisen Kabushiki Kaisha, a corporation established under the laws of Japan, was appointed to act as agents of the Company in 1939, and the local representatives of that corporation purported to assume duty as agents of the company in Hongkong as from 1st February 1939.\n\nChungking's Order\n\nThe District Court of Chungking, having been duly authorised in that behalf by an order of the Supreme Court of China, in February 1939 ordered the immediate dissolution of the Company and appointed three liquidators. From that decision, an appeal was taken to the First Divisional Court of the Supreme Court of China, which on May 30 dismissed the appeal. That decision is final.\n\nThe present application is based on three grounds:\n\n(i) That there has been a winding-up order made by a court of competent jurisdiction in the country in which the company was incorporated, and, as a result of that winding-up, the corporate powers of the Company have been destroyed in the country of its origin;\n\n(ii) That the Company has in fact ceased to carry on business in the Colony; and\n\n(iii) That it is just and equitable that the Company should be wound up. The substratum of the Company has gone. It is a shipping company, and cannot carry on legitimate business because of the risk of seizure of their vessels by enemy forces. The only avenue of business open to the Company are either illegal trading with the enemy or work extraneous to the true objects of the company, such as the chartering of their vessels for use as hulks within this harbour.\n\nMr. Potter's Case\n\nOn the first of these grounds, Mr. Potter relies on the case of In re The Russian Bank for Foreign Trade (1933) Chancery 745. In that case, the Russian revolutionary legislation of 1917 and the following years had put an end to the juristic existence of banking companies incorporated in Russia, and it was held that the impossibility of a branch of such a Russian bank continuing to function according to its incorporating statutes was a sufficient ground for a winding-up order.\n\nIn delivering judgment, Maugham J (as he then was) said: \"The decrees as regards banks whose seats and principal offices were taken over by the state, must be regarded as so crippling the powers of the companies that, if not extinct, they could no longer exhibit any of the signs of life. At the best, the bank, as a legal corporation, deprived as it was of its assets and its corporators, became no more than a legal conception. Its branch in England, if an old metaphor may be employed, is now a submerged wreck floating on the ocean of commerce. As a branch of the original bank, it appears, however, to have or to have had creditors in this country, and if the petition before me is properly presented, I am of opinion both that the bank has ceased legally to carry on business, and that it is just and equitable that it should be wound up. The essential features of the case are, indeed, of a simple character. A corporation created and established under a foreign legal system has been allowed by our laws to carry on business and to incur debts in this country. Its corporate powers, if not its corporate existence, have been destroyed in its country of origin. It cannot be doubted that in such circumstances, the Court, if it has jurisdiction, ought to make an order which will secure as far as possible the payment of all just claims against the corporation.\"\n\nAn order was made for the compulsory winding-up of the company.\n\nEnglish Ruling\n\nIn his speech in the case of Lazard Bros. & Co. v. Midland Bank (1933) A.C.289 at 297, Lord Wright says: \"English courts have long since recognised as juristic persons corporations established by foreign law in virtue of the fact of their creation and\n\nTo be cont'd.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-579-3 Sino-Japanese War- shipping 30-10-1938 - 23-12-1939.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]