[ { "id": 321026, "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": "CO129-207 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1883 [1-3]", "page_number": 405, "title": "CO129-207 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1883 [1-3]", "content_text": "trual notification as \n\nAnd oblige 2. \n\n14 \n\nYours to \n\nzarly as convormisch \n\nhome Danby- \n\nMinute by \n\nInspector \n\nBuildings (cothy) \n\nThere plans are in the cordance- \n\nwilt the Building Ordinance. \n\nMr. Neale \n\n(Sd) D. R. Neate. \n\n5. 8. 81. \n\nPlease price receipt of \n\nrolice. \n\n(54) 8. Bowdler. \n\nActing Surveyor \n\nGeneral. \n\nThe Daily Press. \n\nHONGKONG, NOVEMBER 4TH, 81. \n\nLAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE. \n\nYesterday afternoon the foundation stone of the new building for St. Joseph's College was laid by His Excellency the Governor, The site is on the upper part of the Glenealy estate, and a short distance below Robinson road. Plans and drawings of the proposed building were exhibited on the ground. On the first floor there are seven class rooms and a parlour; there are six more class rooms in the basement, dining room and offices, and the upper floor is occupied by bedrooms, etc. The drawings show that externally the building will be of handsome appearance, and it will form a striking object both from the harbour and Robinson-road. The length is 152 feet and the breadth 25 feet with verandahs 8 feet wide on each side. \n\nThe pupils of the school were drawn up in line to receive his Excellency the Governor, who was accompanied by Lady Hennessy and the Hon. Hugh Low. There were also present on the ground Colonel Hall, R.A., Hon. M. S. Tonnochy, Acting Colonial Secretary, Hon. H. R. Belilios, Captain Bury. Acting Assistant Military Secretary. Dr. Eitel, Private Secretary, Lieut. Cox. A.D.C., Mr. Romano, Mr. Loureiro, Mr. Wodehouse, and a considerable assemblage of the general public. \n\nFather BURGUIGNOLI, Pro. Vicar-Apostolic. said-Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, I will not detain you with many words to-day, first of all, because it is only by chance I occupy the position I do. The credit of this work does not belong to me, but entirely to Bishop Raimondi, while as for myself I have simply to execute his plans and carry out his views and orders. That we now stand here on this site, on which very soon a nice building will be erected by the skill of our worthy architect. Mr. Danby, is due solely to the energy of our Bishop, and I fancy his own heart will tell him something about this. You know very well why we are gathered here, so it is not necessary for me to say much. Your presence here is a great comfort to me. I know the carrying out of our undertaking will be a great task, but the presence of such a large assemblage is a great consolation to me, as it guarantees that support without which I would be afraid some day to hear the saying, \"This man commenced to build and was unable to finish the work.\" But that shall not be so. This is the site of our third college in Hongkong. The first was built purposely for the college; it lasted about ten years and was given up simply because it was too small. We had only two school rooms there and as the community was increasing the number of boys also increased every day, so we were obliged to go into the house which we occupied until quite lately. But that house was not built for the purpose and it was also found, like the other, to be too small. Now we stand here to-day to commence a new building, and this college will not be too small; it will be large enough to accommodate all our boys, and even more if they wish to come, as I hope they will. I hope this college will prosper, and the foundation stone being laid by your Excellency is a pledge of its success. I have now only to ask your Excellency to be so good as to lay the foundation stone. \n\nHis EXCELLENCY said,Ladies and gentlemen, the especial interest which the Government has in the proceedings of to-day consists in the fact that this is what is called a grant-in-aid school, that is, it is a school towards the support of which the Government gives a grant. \n\nWhen I came to the Colony in 1877, there were in the Colony a certain number of Grant-in-aid schools. Last year the number of such schools was double that which I found here in 1877, and the number of pupils had also doubled. How is that to be accounted for? It is really due to the fact that Her Majesty's Government, since the year 1877, have altered the principles upon which the grant-in-aid schools in this Colony are supported. When I arrived here, I found the school referred to by Father Burguignoli in existence, the predecessor of this school, but though that school had at that time about 200 boys in attendance, the sons of European residents in the Colony, the sons of ratepayers of the Colony, nevertheless, the school was receiving no grant-in-aid. I also found that schools of other denominations were similarly situated. It was represented to me by Pastor Klitzke and Rev. Louis, of the Berlin Mission, that their schools were receiving no Government aid. The late Colonial Chaplain, Mr. Kidd. also represented to me that he could not conscientiously accept the Government grant-in-aid, and the very same reason which influenced Bishop Raimondi in declining to receive that grant, also influenced the other gentlemen whom I have named. The consequence was that in all the Government grant-in-aid schools in this Colony, there were but eighty pupils, children of the foreign residents of Hongkong, enjoying the benefit of Government aid. Well, in this school alone, we have now over 200, and the change was effected by Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, Her Majesty's Secretary of State, by simply striking out of the grant-in-aid scheme as it then existed the word \"secular,\" and the word \"elementary.\" In 1877, it was a rule that no school could get a Government grant in which the school books were not secular books, and in which a certain portion of the day's instruction, a considerable portion, was not devoted to secular teaching only. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach considered carefully the representations of Bishop Raimondi, of the Lutheran clergymen who had addressed me, and also of the Chaplain of the Church of England, and he resolved to strike out the word \"secular\" from the grant-in-aid scheme. That decision of Her Majesty's Government was not given hastily, nor without fully considering the question. It so happened that at the time when I forwarded the various papers for the consideration of the Government, I was able to inform the Secretary of State that Dr. Stewart, who had been for years a most zealous and able advocate of the secular system, would himself proceed to London, and could explain on behalf of those who wished for a purely secular system of Government aid, his views and the views of those whom he represented. Those views were carefully considered. Dr. Stewart, in a long letter addressed to the Under Secretary at the Colonial Office, pointed out that in his opinion, if the word \"secular \" were struck out of the grant-in-aid scheme, it would be the abandonment of the whole principle of education which was then in vogue in Hongkong. Nevertheless, having considered the question carefully, Her Majesty's Government resolved to strike out the word \"secular,\" and to-day I am about to lay the foundation stone of a school receiving Government aid now to the amount of about $1,400, but which did not receive a single farthing of Government aid when I arrived in the Colony, and that school will also receive under the regulations framed by the Secretary of State a considerable sum towards the building of the school,—Applause.) I must say, gentlemen, I think the decision of Her Majesty's Government was in every sense a wise decision, it was strongly in favour of freedom of religion, because thus we allow, in every school in the colony. the teachers to bring up the boys as they think fit, to give them whatever amount of religious knowledge they may choose to teach in connection with other subjects. The final examination is conducted by independent examiners under Government inspection and that examination is made in subjects which are selected by the Government, and upon the results of that best examination \n\n(54) S. R. heale. \n\n57. 8. 81\n\nPage 403", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-207 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1883 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 333615, "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": "CO129-231 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1887 [1-3]", "page_number": 437, "title": "CO129-231 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1887 [1-3]", "content_text": "کچھ \n\n5\n\nproposes to do-what? Not to make them a handsome present, not to do anything pleasing to them, but to put his hand into his pocket and make himself a handsome present. The park is for our own amusement and gratification, and probably certainly not for the recreation of the whole community, but only a section of the community—the section which you expect to put their hands in their pockets and subscribe towards the rejoicings. The Government have voted the money, the land is the property of the Government, and only the Government can do the work. The only thing we can do is to urge the Government on and say that if they will be so good as to get the work done this year and pay out the moneys voted for it we will put our hands into our pockets and pay the balance it may stand in need of. I put it the thing is utterly inadequate, utterly unworthy of the community, and almost ridiculous. The park would be a useful thing, but not for the jubilee celebration of Her Majesty. If we do anything let us do something that will be a credit to ourselves. I simply moved the amendment to the second resolution with a view of eliciting the opinions of the meeting. I loyally accept the decision. We are to have a permanent institution, but let it be something worthy of the occasion. As Mr. Ryrie says, we are wealthy enough to put our hands in our pockets and establish a well-endowed charitable institution of some kind, and if we are to have a permanent institution I do urge upon you, gentlemen, that this meeting should do something worthy of the occasion and of Her Majesty. I have much pleasure in seconding the amendment moved by Dr. Ho Kai. With regard to leaving the exact nature of the institution to the decision of Her Majesty, of course something must be suggested. Nothing can be left to Her Majesty except that perhaps half a dozen schemes may be submitted to her with suggestions, and she may choose one of them as most acceptable to herself. But with the broad general principle of the amendment I do most sincerely hope you will concur—that the permanent memorial take the form of a charitable institution the nature of which shall be in accordance with the wishes of Her Majesty the Queen.\n\n€ 189.\n\nMr. R. FRASER-SMITH—Your Honour and gentlemen, although there may be some difference of opinion as to the form the permanent memorial should take, I think there cannot be two opinions as to the pliability of conscience displayed by the learned Queen's Counsel who has just taken his seat. About ten minutes ago we had him contending the proper mode of celebrating the occasion would be to subscribe to the institution in London, and now we hear him advocating a charitable institution. There is certainly a great inconsistency in this as the two things happen to be as opposite as the poles. With reference to the only sensible objection raised to the Park by Dr. Ho Kai, which was that it had already been named the Bowen Park, that does not happen to be the case. I happened to be present at the little amusing farce which took place in Happy Valley two years ago, and what took place was that the Surveyor-General said it was the unanimous opinion of the people of the colony that the park should be named the Bowen Park. But the Surveyor-General had never had the sanction of the community to make that statement; and all Sir George Bowen said was that he was very glad to hear it. It was perfectly well understood that when the park was completed it should be named the Bowen Park, but it has never been so named, and therefore the objection is the merest phantasy. With reference to what Mr. Francis says as to its not being a suitable memorial, not good enough, I think nothing more suitable could be devised. A thing that is to tend so much to the health and recreation of the community is better than a charitable institution, which can only cut one way. The objection of a few Chinese is that the Chinese will not benefit by it. Who will benefit by a charitable institution? The Europeans? Certainly not; the Chinese and the Chinese alone. (Hear, hear). But the Chinese will benefit by this park; they benefit by it now. Anyone who frequents the Race-course as much as I do will see hundreds of children playing on it now. How many more hundreds will go there when it is put in proper order! I am certainly in favour of Mr. Chater's proposal until something else of a definite nature is put before the meeting. Nothing else definite has been put before the meeting, and until something better has been put forward I will certainly support Mr. Chater's proposal. (Applause).\n\nHon. A. LISTER—May I be allowed for one moment to protest against the idea that the Government is in any way pledged to complete the Park at Wong Nei-cheong? A very singular delusion seems to run in the minds of Dr. Ho Kai and others that when a certain sum of money is written down on paper it represents so much cash. A sum of $25,000, I think, was, in a moment of enthusiasm, put down as a possible sum which might be spent on a public park; but that sum was very quickly withdrawn, and the idea of spending anything was given up. Then the modest sum of $5,000 was put down and was spent. And what did it do? It reclaimed that little corner as you go into the valley, and that was all the Colony got for $5,000. A proposal was made to spend another $5,000, but the Surveyor-General said he preferred to do the whole thing or nothing, and he declined to do any patchwork. (Applause). He declined to spend $5,000 this year and $5,000 next year. He said it would simply be making matters worse; creating mud heaps was, I think, his expression. The Government has spent $5,000 to put a little corner in order, and it may in future years, if there is any available surplus, devote a little more to the same purpose. I should say that may occur, if nothing unforeseen happens, in fifteen years, or may be twenty years. (Laughter).\n\nHon. A. P. MACEWEN—Sir, I would simply say I do not consider any scheme which has been included in the Government estimates as fit and proper for the present occasion. Mr. Fraser Smith has said that no other definite scheme has been put before us, but I may say that shortly before I came into the room this evening I received a communication from a mutual friend who asked me to propose the following. I am sorry he is not here himself. He suggests, and I to a very great extent agree with him, that subscriptions to the jubilee commemoration should be devoted to the enlargement and restoration of the City Hall, which should hereafter be called the Victoria City Hall, and that a Committee be appointed to obtain plans and estimates, the same to be submitted to the subscribers. I may perhaps state the cost would amount to something like $30,000, and there is no doubt that sum could be very easily subscribed in this colony. It would at the same time benefit the Chinese and be a great source of pleasure to many Europeans, and it is a scheme I should support.\n\nThis proposition was not seconded.\n\nThe CHAIRMAN, in putting the amendment proposed by Dr. Ho Kai, said—Considering that we have declined to consider the proposal put forward by the Prince of Wales to subscribe to the Institute for Great Britain, India, and Colonies, perhaps the next most graceful thing we could do would be to leave the disposal of such funds as we may subscribe to the decision of Her Majesty herself, and that the Committee which may be appointed should be empowered to make out a list and forward it to Her Majesty, or it might be submitted hereafter to another public meeting. However, the resolution and amendment have been proposed and seconded, and it is a question for your consideration.\n\nThe amendment was then put and lost, and Mr. Chater's resolution for the formation of the Victoria Park was carried by a large majority.\n\nMr. FRANCIS proposed the appointment of the following gentlemen as a general Committee: Major-General Cameron, Vice-Admiral Hamilton, Sir Geo. Phillippo, Commodore Morant, Colonel Storer, R.E., Colonel Ryan, R.A., the Right Rev. Bishop Burdon, Dr. Chalmers, Rev. A. Gase; the Consuls for France, Japan, United States, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Peru, Siam, and Spain; Messrs. Ackroyd, Ayres, Bell-Irving, Bottomley, Chater, Coughtrie, Crawford, Darby, Deane, Francis, Grote, Hoppius, Huntington, Inchbald, Lister, Humphreys, Li Shing, MacEwen, Mackintosh, Marty, Mehta, Mody, Poesnecker, Rano, Ross, Russell, Ryrie, Rutter, F. Stowell, Shellim, Stiebel, Thomsett, Thorburn, Walter, Whitehead, Wodehouse, Wong Shing, Von Bose; Colonel Anderson, Captain Bunbury, Major Chaytor, Messrs. Danby, Ford and Gillies, Dr. Ho Kai, Messrs. H. MacCallum, voQubae, Mitchell Innes, Orange, Price, Turner, Wai Yuk, Travers, Lockhart, Chan Kwan-i, Yeung Pun-nam, Ka In-tong, Lai Ling, Choi Chee Bee, Chan Ping, Wong She-tai, Ho Kwan Shan, Leung On, Lo Hok-pang, Kaw Hong-take, Lau Yam-tsun, Tseng Sz-kai, U Lin-nn, Lau Wai-chan, and Fung Wa-chun.\n\nHon. A. LISTER seconded, and the resolution was carried.\n\nOn the motion of the Hon. P. RYRIE a vote of thanks to the Chairman was carried by acclamation.\n\n431", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-231 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1887 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 335261, "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": "CO129-234 - Acting Governor Cameron Governor Des Voeus - 1887 [9-12]", "page_number": 543, "title": "CO129-234 - Acting Governor Cameron Governor Des Voeus - 1887 [9-12]", "content_text": "coloured lanterns, which sparkled brightly on the still water. The floating Fire Engine, decorated with a row of red lanterns, was especially noticeable. Several of the steamers were illuminated. Among these the Scottish Oriental Co.'s steamer Phen Chom Klas with hull, masts, and yards outlined in vivid crimson, looked like a phantom ship in the darkness. The China and Manila S. S. Co.'s steamer Zafiro was similarly illuminated but with white lanterns, and had a most pleasing effect. The hull and paddle-boxes of the China Navigation Co.'s steamer Hankow were traced out in lines of living fire, and the river steamer White Cloud was similarly lighted up. The Douglas steamer Thales, the telegraph steamer Sherard Osborne, and the little steamer Sea Gull were also illuminated, and the Austro-Hungarian Lloyd's steamer Titania used her electric search light with great effect, throwing it over the shipping at intervals. Red and blue lights were burned by the Douglas steamer Formosa and some other vessels, and rockets sent up by them occasionally. Many of the junks and cargo boats displayed coloured lanterns, adding to the general radiance along the foreshore. During the day most of the vessels in port, both British and foreign, dressed ship, as did also the men-of-war. We have already referred at some length to the brilliant exhibition of coloured lights made by the Victor Emanuel and the British men-of-war at night, which excited so much admiration, and so greatly enhanced the effect of the general illuminations.\n\nAT KOWLOON.\n\nAcross the water the principal show was made by the Water Police Station at Tsim Tsa-tsui. This building both from its elevated situation and large dimensions is well adapted for illumination. Between the turrets on the top of the building were the words \"God Save the Queen\" formed in lanterns, the letters being seven feet in height, and at the points at the corner of the turrets pyramids of lanterns. A row of lanterns was fixed round each turret. Another row of lanterns ran round three sides of the parapet of the whole building, at intervals of about a foot, a second row being placed round the top of the first storey. Between the pillars in front hung one large red lantern with a small one on either side, and one large red lantern in each window of the front and the east and west sides of the building. A row of red and white lanterns was also placed on the railings round the entire compound. In front of the flagstaff was erected a device showing a crown above and the letters V. R. below, on either side of which were the dates 1837 and 1887 in letters and figures about seven feet high, all being in red except the crown, which was of white and yellow lanterns. There were about 1,200 lanterns used altogether in the illumination, which was very effective, standing out well and being very conspicuous from all parts of the harbour. During the day the top of the building was dressed with flags. Fireworks were sent up from the Praya below the Station on both nights.\n\nTHE FIREWORKS.\n\nThere was a double display of fireworks—one on the Parade Ground of Chinese fireworks, and the other of European afloat from barges. The Chinese fireworks commenced soon after eight o'clock, and were let off from a scaffolding erected at the southern end of the ground, just below St. John's Cathedral, in the yard of which a large number of spectators had gathered. Below on the ground round the scaffolding the crowd was so dense that the whole space was one mass of heads. On the harbour the European fireworks were sent up from barges, one moored near the Harbour Office, and the other nearly opposite to the City Hall, and they consisted chiefly of rockets and Roman candles, both of which were excellent. A fire balloon was sent up from one of the men-of-war soon after nine o'clock and somewhat later descended on the Cricket Ground. Great crowds assembled on the Praya to get a good view of the fireworks and the men-of-war illuminations, all points of vantage being occupied thickly.\n\nThis part of the programme was unhappily attended with fatal disaster. About quarter past eleven o'clock the fireworks on board the cargo-boat Stornoway suddenly exploded, killing two men of the Royal Artillery, who were in charge. It is supposed that some sparks from a falling rocket must have ignited the fireworks; no want of caution seems to have prevailed, the sad catastrophe being a pure accident.\n\nPage 2\n\nWith such an imposing and general an illumination, where so many worked untiringly to promote the success achieved, it is impossible to mention all those to whom credit is due, but to Mr. Stewart-Lockhart, the indefatigable Secretary of the Committee, the Hon. J. M. Price, the Surveyor-General, the excellence of whose taste has been so often demonstrated, ably seconded by Mr. Bowdler, Mr. Sampson, and other members of his staff, Mr. J. S. Brewer, who had charge of a large portion of the street decorations, Mr. Danby, who was responsible for the stretch of Queen's Road from Icehouse Street to the Bank, and many others who gave willing co-operation a special mead of praise is due for their cheerful labours. The Gas Company are to be congratulated on the success of their work, which while severely testing their producing powers was not too great for their resources, thanks to the energy of the manager, Mr. Cross, supported by his trusty assistants Messrs. Bramsey and Terrey.\n\nTHE JUBILEE DRINKING FOUNTAINS.\n\nThe six Victoria Drinking Fountains erected at the expense of a philanthropic and liberal Parsee resident and presented by him to the city as a memorial of Her Majesty's Jubilee, were thrown open to the public on Wednesday morning at nine o'clock, and were promptly surrounded by little knots of Chinese, who expressed much delight at the novel gift. Numbers of persons quaffed the crystal from the iron caps, for sightseeing is thirsty work and procession following still more so. The fountains will certainly not lack patronage.\n\nTHE UNVEILING OF THE STATUE OF SIR ARTHUR KENNEDY.\n\nA large number of persons assembled in the Botanic Gardens on Thursday afternoon, the 10th November, to witness the unveiling of the Statue of Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy, G.C.M.G., C.B., formerly Governor of Hongkong. Among those present were the Acting Chief Justice (Hon. J. Russell), the Colonial Secretary (Hon. F. Stewart, LL.D.), the Acting Attorney General (Hon. E. J. Ackroyd), the Colonial Treasurer (Hon. A. Lister), the Harbour Master (Hon. H. G. Thomsett), Hon. A. P. MacEwen, the Registrar-General (Mr. J. H. Stewart-Lockhart), Right Rev. Bishop Burdon, Colonel Anderson, 58th Regt., Lieut.-Colonel Cook, Assistant Commissary-General, Major Dempster, A.P.D., Messrs. T. Jackson, W. H. Forbes, H. E. Wodehouse, C.M.G., C. D. Bottomley, Chal. Alabaster (H. M. Consul at Canton), E. R. Belilios, S. E. Shellim, Arthur Kennedy Travers, N. G. Mitchell-Innes, R. Lyall, &c., and a number of ladies. In the absence of the Surveyor-General (Hon. J. M. Price), who was unable to attend the ceremony owing to indisposition, the necessary arrangements were carried out by Mr. E. Macleod, of the Survey Department. Shortly after three o'clock His Excellency arrived, accompanied by his Private Secretary, Mr. Slingsby Bethell, H. E. Major-General Cameron, and Lieut. Somerville, A.D.C.\n\nMr. T. JACKSON, one of the Committee for the erection of the statue, then stepped forward and read the following address:—\n\nYour Excellency,\n\nThe Executive Committee of the Kennedy Memorial Statue, thinking that it would be both convenient and gratifying to the public to take advantage of these Jubilee holidays, have invited your Excellency to be so good as to perform the ceremony of unveiling the Statue of the late Sir Arthur Kennedy.\n\nSir Arthur arrived in this colony early in 1872 as Governor, and remained as such until 1877, when he left to take up the Government of Queensland. After administering the Government of that colony from 1877 till May, 1881, he left for England with a view to retirement from the public service, in which he had served continuously from 1827, and the details of which are recorded in the Colonial Office List.\n\nWhilst on the voyage home, his health, which had been indifferent when he started from Australia, became worse, and he died at sea on the 3rd of June, 1883, about 100 miles from Aden.\n\nThe news of his death, received here in July, cast a gloom over the colony, for no Governor was more respected and beloved by any community, and he well merited the name which was given to him here by public acclaim, \"the good Sir Arthur.\" On the 14th July a very largely attended public meeting was held in the City Hall, when resolutions of sympathy and condolence were passed, and forwarded to his family in England, and at the same meeting it was resolved that a public statue should be erected to Governor Kennedy's memory. A Committee was appointed, and numerous and handsome subscriptions came in from all classes and creeds in the Colony. Messrs. Rouse, Sassoon, Forbes, Price, and Jackson were nominated an Executive Committee to arrange all details. Signor Raggi was entrusted by the Committee with modelling the Statue, which was cast by the eminent founders Messrs. Young & Co. of London.\n\nThe Government has been good enough to grant...\n\nPage 11\n\n537\n\n} \n\n32", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-234 - Acting Governor Cameron Governor Des Voeus - 1887 [9-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 336142, "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": "CO129-236 - Others - 1887", "page_number": 227, "title": "CO129-236 - Others - 1887", "content_text": "# FAREWELL ADDRESS TO AND DEPARTURE OF GENERAL SARGENT\n\nFrom the Daily Press, 1st April, 1885.\n\nHarrison (The Buffs), Major Gelston, A.P.D., Major Cochrane (Brigade Major), Captain Davis, R.N., Captain Lewis, A.D.C., Major H. J. H. Tripp and Captain Francis, H.K.V.C., Messrs. W. H. Forbes, E. R. Belilios, C. D. Bottomley, A. P. MacEwen, L. Hoppius, J. Bell-Irving, J. Macgregor, C. P. Chater, L. Poesnecker, L. Déjardin (French Consul), A. G. Romano (Portuguese Consul-General), A. Coxon, J. G. T. Hassell, Ho Kai, W. Danby, A. G. Wise, B. Layton, D. Ruttunjee, W. H. Ray, J. H. Cox, H. Stolterfoht, R. Lyall, J. S. Brewer, F. Dodwell, E. Mackean, &c., &c., &c.\n\nThe address was presented shortly after the General's arrival on board the steamer.\n\n(Then follows the Address, with list of names, and the General's reply.)\n\n## DEPARTURE\n\nFrom the Leading Article of the 1st April, 1885.\n\nYesterday afternoon His Excellency Lieut.-General Sargent left here in the P. and O. steamer `Chusan`, having completed his three years' term of command of the Troops. Great numbers of his friends and well-wishers assembled, both at Murray Wharf, where he embarked for the steamer, and on board the `Chusan`, to bid His Excellency and Mrs. and the Misses Sargent farewell. A guard of honour from the Buffs, under command of Major Howarth, with the Band and Colours of the Regiment, was drawn up on the Praya; there was a strong muster of the troops in garrison, and many other spectators were assembled near the wharf. Shortly after three o'clock General Sargent and party arrived at the wharf, where they were met by His Excellency the Governor, Major-General Cameron and Miss Cameron, Bishop Raimondi, and most of the officers of the garrison. The guard of honour saluted, and the band played as General Sargent stepped out of his chair. The gallant General and Mrs. Sargent took leave of those assembled on the wharf, and embarked on the launch, a salute being fired from the shore battery, while the Band played \"Auld Lang Syne,\" and the assembled troops gave vent to their feelings by continuous and enthusiastic cheers. As the launch steamed past, salutes were also fired from the Victor Emanuel and the U.S. flagship `Trenton`. Meanwhile a large gathering had assembled on the `Chusan`, which was literally surrounded by steam launches. Among those present on board were His Honour Sir George Phillippo, the Hon. W. H. March, C.M.G., Hon. E. L. O'Malley, Hon. J. M. Price, Mr. Justice Ackroyd and Mrs. Ackroyd, Hon. P. Ryrie, Hon. W. Keswick, Hon. T. Jackson and Mrs. Jackson, Hon. F. D. Sassoon, Commodore and Mrs. Morant, the Right Rev. Bishop Berdon, Colonel Walker, R.E., Lieut.-Colonel Crawford, R.A., Lieut.-Colonel and Mrs. Graves, Major Lloyd, R.E., Major ...\n\n## FOR ENGLAND OF LIEUT.-GENERAL SARGENT\n\nFrom the Hongkong Telegraph.\n\nThat brave old warrior, Lieut.-General Sargent, who has commanded Her Majesty's troops in China and the Straits Settlements for the past three years, took his departure, together with Mrs. Sargent and the Misses Sargent, for England on the 31st ulto., by the P. & O. mail steamer `Chusan`. About three o'clock a guard of honour of the \"Grand Old Buffs,\" the General's old corps, in which he fought in the China war of 1860, with the Band and Colours, was marched down to the Praya and drawn up at the Cricket Ground close to Murray Wharf, where most of the officers of the garrison, as well as a considerable number of residents, were assembled, amongst whom we noticed Bishop Raimondi. There was also a pretty strong muster of the men of the East Kents to see their favourite General. General Cameron and Mrs. Cameron drove down to see ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-236 - Others - 1887.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 358481, "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": "CO129-268 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [7-11]", "page_number": 646, "title": "CO129-268 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [7-11]", "content_text": "# Enclosure\n\n## Copy\n\nC. O. 21952 638\n\n**HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HONGKONG, 25 October, 1895.**\n\nSIR,\n\nThe Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, which consists of various nationalities, is very desirous of enlisting the support of the Diplomatic Corps in Peking in behalf of the long continued movement favouring the opening up of the Si Kiang, or West River, to free export and import trade with foreign countries, and to steam navigation. We therefore earnestly ask your Excellency, in your capacity of Doyen of the Diplomatic Body, to exercise your undoubted influence with the Representatives of the Treaty Powers in China in this matter, and to endeavour to secure their co-operation in bringing it to pass.\n\nUpwards of thirty-six years ago, attention was directed to the possibilities of trade along this great and important water-way of the Two Kwang provinces. It was surveyed as far back as 1859, by Lieut. BULLOCK, of Her Britannic Majesty's Navy, up to Wu-chow-Fu. A mission was despatched to Nan-ning-Fu by this Chamber in 1870 to ascertain the commercial capabilities of the river, and Mr. F. S. A. BOURNE, of Her Britannic Majesty's Consular Service at Canton, also made a journey over it in the winter of 1885-86, and both reported favourably thereon. We understand also that Dr. KNAPPE, His Imperial German Majesty's Consul at Canton, will shortly proceed on a visit to the West River. This Chamber addressed a despatch in 1893 to Her Britannic Majesty's Minister for Foreign Affairs, which bears very fully on the whole question. I enclose a copy of said despatch. (`Enclosure 4`)\n\nThe southern provinces of China are in a large measure still sealed to foreign trade, and the only treaty ports in Kwangtung are Canton, Swatow, and Pakhoi. Foreign goods should be permitted to reach the great inland provinces of Kwang-si, Yunnan, and Kweichow, and the markets of Western China under the transit pass system, but the Chinese provincial officials will not allow the treaty rights in this respect to be exercised. It is well known that the Chinese officials in the southern provinces have systematically adopted obstructive tactics, and prevented foreign trade from fully enjoying the privileges and the rights conceded by the Treaty of Tientsin. Her Britannic Majesty's Consular Reports, and the Reports of the Commissioners of the Imperial Chinese Maritime Customs issued from Canton and other ports during the past ten years contain conclusive evidence that treaty rights in the southern provinces of China, as regards the transit pass system, have been and are still withheld by the Chinese provincial officials. As to this fact there is absolutely no doubt whatever, and a reference to the official reports mentioned will abundantly prove it. Extracts from such reports will be found in `Enclosure B`.\n\nWith a view to the realization in the future of the rights conferred by existing treaties between the Foreign Powers and the Chinese Government, this Chamber ventures with full confidence to appeal through your Excellency, as their Doyen, to the Diplomatic Corps at Peking, to lend all the weight of their great influence and power in favour of the movement to bring about the opening up of the inland waters of South China to foreign trade and to steam navigation, as not only foreign subjects and citizens, and the Chinese people, but the Imperial Government of China would derive direct and indirect material benefit from the concession.\n\nI have the honour to be,\n\nSir,\n\nYour most obedient Servant,\n\nA. FORNELL \nVice-Chairman.\n\nTo His Excellency Colonel CHARLES DENBY, \nEnvoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary for United States of America in China, \nDoyen of the Diplomatic Corps, \nPEKING.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-268 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [7-11].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 361791, "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": "CO129-274 - Public Offices & Others - 1896", "page_number": 16, "title": "CO129-274 - Public Offices & Others - 1896", "content_text": "upon the subject in question.\n\nIn the last paragraph but two of the despatch to the Earl of Rosebery there is a reference to France which one might reasonably have supposed would have shewn the Chamber of Commerce the undesirability of asking the French Minister at Peking and his allies to support their memorial.\n\nSir N. R. O'Conor, who saw the memorial while passing through Shanghai, informed me that in his opinion the proceeding of the Chamber of Commerce was a most injudicious and doubtful one, and that he did not see on what ground a virtually British corporation should address the Corps Diplomatique directly, instead of Her Majesty's Legation at Peking.\n\nIt happened unfortunately that Colonel Denby received the communication of the Chamber of Commerce before their letter reached me; and he, not having carefully read the document, nor considered the point last mentioned, sent the memorial direct to Count Cassini, with a circular, without thinking of first consulting me in the matter.\n\nTo send the paper to the Russian Minister was equivalent to communicating it direct to Monsieur Gérard, who at once went to Colonel Denby and very naturally remarked that he could not well support a representation which proved by its own words that its desired objects were contrary to French interests.\n\nCount Cassini and Baron Schenck, to whom the document had also gone, merely signed their names as having seen it.\n\nOn Monsieur Gérard's protest Colonel Denby stopped the further circulation of the memorial, and replied to the Chamber of Commerce that the matter would receive his best consideration, but that the moment for urging the opening of the West River was inopportune.\n\nIn a private letter to the Secretary of the Association he explained more fully his grounds for not taking action in the matter.\n\nUnder...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-274 - Public Offices & Others - 1896.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 361936, "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": "CO129-274 - Public Offices & Others - 1896", "page_number": 161, "title": "CO129-274 - Public Offices & Others - 1896", "content_text": "157\n\ndisastrous effect on the Filature Industry in China, with corresponding advantage to the production of those countries with which China now competes; and if it is intended to exempt native Filatures worked by hand or such-like means it would not only be inequitable, but it would possibly lead to the stoppage of Filatures worked by machinery: it would put back China in that respect to a period of 20 years ago, and throw out of employment not less than 25,000 natives who now derive a living and support for their families from those factories,\n\nThe native Government appears to imagine that China's production of Silk controls prices on foreign markets; on the contrary, foreign markets regulate the price which foreign merchants in China can afford to pay for Chinese Cocoons.\n\nIt may interest Your Excellency to know that the Likin and Loti Shui tax which the 10 per cent. is to supplement, already amount to an average of about 9 per cent., so China proposes to penalise the improved Silk product by no less than 19 per cent.\n\nThe Chamber does not of course contemplate that such an injustice would be permitted as to charge the additional Duty on silk reeled from Cocoons bought this season without a hint of the step now proposed. Your Excellency is possibly unaware that the exigencies of the trade necessitate the purchase of the entire annual requirements of Cocoons for the Filature Factories in May and June, when the market for Cocoons usually opens and lasts but two or three weeks; and that, consequently, this season's purchases have already been effected at prices which would obviously never have been paid had the proposed additional taxation been contemplated!\n\nThe Chamber, relying on your Excellency's sense of justice, call attention to the subject and beg that as Doyen of the Corps Diplomatique you will move your colleagues to inform the Tsungli Yamên that the proposals of their memorial will not be assented to by the Foreign Powers.\n\nE. F. ALFORD, Chairman.\n\nTo His Excellency Colonel Denby,\n\n(Signed)\n\nMinister for the U.S. of America,\n\nDoyen, Corps Diplomatique, Peking.\n\nTRANSLATION OF MEMORIAL FROM THE TSUNGLI YAMEN.\n\nYour servants, the Ministers of the Tsungli Yamên, on their knees present a Memorial with regard to the settlement of the tariff on manufactured goods, in order to maintain due regard for the public revenue and to secure substantial profit. Prostrate, they pray for the sacred glance on the memorial which they have reverently prepared.\n\nWe would observe with regard to the manufacture of goods by machinery at the various Treaty Ports, as for instance the cotton manufacture and silk filature in the South, and the manufacture of grape wine in the North, that on several occasions the Superintendents of Trade for the Northern and Southern Ports have memorialised requesting that such produce shall only pay the export duty, or they have requested that both Customs Duty and Likin be remitted for some years, the intention being to benefit the people at the expense of the Government in the hope of giving an impetus to trade. At that time there was no express stipulation regarding the manufacture of goods by foreign merchants, and it was deemed advisable to act in accordance with the exigencies of affairs. After the conclusion of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, foreign merchants of all nationalities were empowered to manufacture native produce. As former Treaties do not provide for this contingency, it is imperative to devise some equitable mode of action calculated to arrest the drain on the country's resources, and to deprive (foreigners) of a pretext (i.e., for demanding the abatement or abolition of duties) at the present moment. Japanese merchants are buying land in Shanghai for the erection of factories, and the merchants of other nationalities are also establishing factories in great numbers. Thus, in the twinkling of an eye, steam factories are established at the Treaty Ports as thick as trees, and commodities of all kinds overflow. Those who enjoy the advantages accruing from these manufactures should also incur the responsibility of paying duties. In the case of a new undertaking like this, it is very necessary to settle uniform tariff regulations without making distinctions in virtue of which some pay heavier and others lighter duties; so that it may be easy for all to conform therewith. We find that foreign merchants importing foreign produce pay, in the majority of cases, an import duty of 5 per cent. On sending the goods into the interior, a further Transit Duty of Ts. 2. 5 mace is charged. Foreign merchants purchasing native produce in the interior under Transit Pass pay, in addition to the export duty, the half or Transit Duty, after which they are at liberty to export the goods. Foreign merchants carrying produce for sale, whether for import or export, pay no further duties beyond the Customs Duty and the Transit Duty; but native produce which has not yet reached the foreign consignee, and foreign produce which has been delivered to the native purchaser, must both pay Likin to supply the deficiencies in the Revenue. Moreover, where goods are manufactured by machinery (in China) lighterage, freight, insurance, and coolie hire are all saved, less capital is required and profits are abundant. Your memorialists having deliberated together would suggest that, leaving the Viceroys and Governors of the various provinces to fix the amount of the loti shui and Likin due on native produce at the place of production; manufactured produce, whether Chinese or foreign, should, before it leaves the place of manufacture, pay double the duty of five per cent. prescribed in the case of foreign exports, so as to supplement the Likin payable in the interior. This amounts to a duty of 10 per cent. Hereafter, whatever be their destination, all goods will be exempt from Likin; the gain in duties balancing the loss in Likin, so that the public revenue will remain at its present figure. At the present funds are unusually scarce, and liabilities multifarious. This is not an extravagant project to \"mend the fold when the sheep has gone,\" but the intention is to make use of the guest (foreigner) in order to establish the host (China). The native merchant eats the produce and dwells on the soil of China and should know how difficult it is for the Government to devise expedients. The goods of the foreign merchant find a ready market, and it is only right to have in view the same treatment for all.\n\nFurthermore-The following representation has reached the Yamen of your memorialists from Sir Robert Hart, the Inspector-General of Customs :—\n\n\"Since China has been opened to foreign trade, goods coming from or going into the interior either paid likin or transit duty. Foreign merchants' goods going into the interior, having paid the transit duty and received a transit duty certificate, thereupon become exempt from paying likin en route. This procedure applies equally to both", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-274 - Public Offices & Others - 1896.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]