[ { "id": 217105, "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": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "page_number": 313, "title": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "content_text": "\nI had at me lime & ranged in my own mind, for filling up the appointments of Cments at four of the five Ports to be opened to our Merchants in the following \n\nmanner \n\n→ \n\nAl Shanghai \n\n\" \n\nKingpo, \n\nCarlow \n\nwy \n\n\" \n\nFuchoufoo. Amaz \n\nCaptain Balfour \n\nMr. Them \n\nMr Gulglaff \n\nMr Day \n\nfor the fifth \n\nand Icalculated on finding one qualified \n\nIndividual in China for \n\nthe fifth Port, even as a temporary arrangement, but Mordable! has seen decided to be ineligible for the duty \n\nof Conent owing \n\nto his being an alien, and ! \n\nam not even certain that he will \n\nContinue to serve as one. If the. Soint \n\nof \n\na gree \n\nto \n\nInterpreters, whilst Mr Morrison's untionely \n\ndeath \n\ndeath will oblige me to keep M. Them near rusself to fill the arduous and responsible Situation of Chiren Seastary \n\nAJ \n\n\"To add to my difficulties, Mr. Novenam _ who came with me from Bombay Furgeon to the Mission, who has long acted with great zeal and efficiency, as my Decutary I who I have, since the exchange of the Matifications of the Healy named to Officials as deputy, clonial Secutary to the Baument \n\nA \n\nof Hongting _ has lately fallen into bad health, \n\nand it seems \n\nprobable that he will be obliged \n\nto take a varzage \n\nSome \n\nto Sea and that I shall thereby be deprived of his valuable and for lime; neither do I know at this instant, where I shall look for a temporary substitute for him, nor how Iam to fill up the sad blank which Mr. Momson's decase has caused in \n\nthe \n\nGovernment", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 363882, "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": "CO129-277 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [8-10]", "page_number": 76, "title": "CO129-277 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [8-10]", "content_text": "Fear\n\nAll rubbish! It's a great thing to scratch one's own back; some people like it when they are not interfered with, but in order to avoid this unpleasantness the motto of the day was \"Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.\"\n\nAfter I considered that the effects of the fracas had died away I addressed the Committee of the Chamber seeking them to suggest the amount of indemnity that I should claim from the Chinese Government for personal detention at Wuchow, inconvenience, and loss of business, and if they would give such claim their support. I received their answer through the Secretary about a fortnight later—they are business people and apparently an improvement on the Committee of three years before—informing me that the question of the amount of indemnity I claimed was out of their province to decide, &c. They had got all they wanted out of me and I was of no further use, and I was again left to continue to follow up my case single-handed and alone. The correspondence re the amount of my claim between Mr. Fraser and myself is of no importance to the subject, but to cut the matter short I received about $2,150 for what I asked considerably more for. This includes one item of $600 for loss of market, and when $1,500 was to pay for hire of houseboat, pay and keep of Chinese staff, postages, telegrams, for three months in the winter at Wuchow, it was understood that there was little left for my own pocket to compensate for the loss of business in Hong Kong. I have it on the best authority that had the Chamber of Commerce supported my claim at Peking I should not have received less than $5,000.\n\nAlthough I had proved that English piece goods sent up country under transit pass were alright, I felt there might still be some difficulty with other cargo, such as kerosene oil, from which a large proportion of an internal revenue they're trying to obtain, therefore, to complete my task of carrying the transit pass system through in all its branches in the two provinces, I embarked on another venture of 3,000 cases kerosene (Consigned for the old spot on the West River (Wuchow)), but before leaving Hong Kong I had a large obstacle to contend with, viz., the transport of kerosene from Hong Kong to Canton. I must point out that no transit pass can be obtained in Canton unless the cargo is imported by foreign ships. At that time there appeared to be an understanding among the shipping companies trading to Canton that no kerosene should be carried. I called and enquired at every shipping office in the trade to obtain freights for my oil, but was refused space at any price. Among them might be mentioned Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co. I eventually procured an old South Sea Island schooner, had her registered so that she could carry a flag, got her towed up to Canton, where I obtained transit passes in equal quantities to the principal centres of trade in Kwangsi, viz., Kweilinfoo in the north, Luchowfoo in the west, and Namningfoo in the south. The schooner, which was named the Wuchong, returned to Hong Kong, where she was wrecked in the typhoon of 27th July last year, when the Captain (Jay) was drowned. However, I proceeded with my cargo up the West River, and, with the exception of a threatened attack from pirates, I arrived safely at Wuchow after a passage of nine days from Canton, and again trouble began. The kerosene oil farmer, who before this collected 30 cents per case on all kerosene which passed through Canton, despatched a steam-launch to Wuchow to warn all merchants not to buy my oil under threat of their being fined and their shops closed. I put myself at once into communication with Mr. Fraser, and through his representations with the officials the farmer's steam-launch was withdrawn and I was informed by the Prefect there would be no further trouble. However, confidence was not easily restored among the dealers. I despatched the three consignments into the interior, each in charge of one of my servants. But after ten days I could not get an offer for the portions retained for sale at Wuchow (about 1,000 cases). A new idea struck me. I had a large signboard printed in large Chinese characters meaning something in the following effect: \"John Andrew, foreign merchant, dealer in kerosene oil, single cases for sale.\" On the first day I sold five cases singly, and continued selling in small quantities for six weeks, the largest quantity at one time being 24 cases. By this time confidence was restored and the local dealers came forward and in a few days I was rid of the whole cargo, my detention on this occasion being about two months. My servants from Kweilin and Namning returned in due course with the proceeds of their consignments, having met with considerable obstruction and detention, but eventually, with Mr. Fraser's help again, they came back with the money. I felt pleased at the successful termination of my trip, although by no means a paying one, but I looked forward to obtaining a good market and speedy clearance on another cargo which I intended to bring up at once.\n\nIt was towards the end of August that I left Wuchow, and on the following morning one might imagine my surprise to meet five cargo boats deeply laden with kerosene oil, clearly adorned with the house flag of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co., and escorted by a Chinese junk in a bamboo boat. All my legs of coping with loss on the first venture were crushed: to place 3,000 cases on the top of what I had already sold meant about two months' supply on the then small market of Wuchow. I never felt so small in all my life, and although I had no reason to complain about other people taking advantage of work I had volunteered to do, I do most bitterly complain that I was not treated fairly. These 3,000 cases belonging to the above firm had been brought up to Canton by one of the Indo-China steamers and I naturally had a grievance at their accepting freight from others that they firmly and distinctly refused to me. Had I been granted the same privilege I would have saved the loss occasioned by the wreck of the Wuchong and the life of one European would have been spared.\n\nWith the market of Wuchow closed to me with kerosene I decided to try green beans and peas now and accordingly started up the North River with her cargo towards the end of the year. The first venture was 2,700 cases and although I met with considerable detention on this occasion, by avoiding obstruction at Lewchowfoo, to the north-east of the Kwangtung Province, I finally succeeded, with Mr. Fraser's aid, in getting the Prefect to issue proclamations allowing free sale of kerosene and other cargo arriving under transit pass. I also visited Luchow, in the north-west of Kwangtung, where I met with the same success. I then felt that my duty was done and returned well rewarded with the object attained. Had I not, however, received the substantial support, which I did, from H.M.'s Acting Consul at Canton, Mr. Pouser, my labours would have been wasted in vain. To him and his superiors in Peking I owe my sincerest gratitude.\n\nThe question of the inward transit pass system having been settled arrangements were also carried, under certain rules, for outward transit pass goods. This I had nothing to do with, but the one had to follow the other, so I cannot be blamed for taking credit for both, and there is not a merchant in Canton of any importance who does not take advantage of either one or the other or both. Take one or two German firms, for instance: they have traced my footsteps so fine that in under convoy kerosene oil from Hong Kong to Canton, and bought under transit pass, for places on the North River, have either for themselves or acting for Chinese, purchased Chinese junks and obtained a register under the British flag in order to secure cheap transport.\n\nMy explanation is almost done. The question which might naturally arise is, \"What about the opening of the West River?\" In answer to this I can merely say that I selected Wuchow on the West River as my base of operations over the transit pass case knowing that H.M.'s Government only wanted some excuse for insisting upon the Chinese opening the river to trade. I found the excuse and it might have been years before such another opportunity turned up. The Chamber of Commerce were good enough to mention in their last annual report that \"Mr. Andrew's claim against the Chinese Government had been settled satisfactorily.\" Where they got their information from I don't know, but if the case was settled no thanks are due to them. If under the heading of \"Opening of the West River\" in the same report they had expressed their thanks for the good work I had done it would have been more to the point. I am not, however, a member of the Chamber, but it might have been a proper thing on the part of the Committee to ask me to become one. I may almost say that I have met with more obstruction, opposition, and competition from the European mercantile community of Hong Kong in carrying out the transit pass system than I did from the Chinese officials. The weakest go to the wall and I suppose I must take a back seat among all the wealthy merchants who now make use of transit passes, but I have had my way and the arm raised for\n\nJustice and Mercy.\n\nJOHN ANDREW, Hong Kong, 27th August, 1897.\n\nPage 75", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-277 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [8-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 373300, "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": "CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12]", "page_number": 30, "title": "CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12]", "content_text": "The Daily Press.\n\nHONGKONG, September 25th, 1899.\n\n* * *\n\nINLAND WATERS STEAM NAVIGATION.\n\nThe following is a continuation of the correspondence on Inland Waters Steam Navigation forwarded to us by the Chamber of Commerce:--\n\nTHE CONSUL TO THE SHIPPING COMPANIES.\n\nBritish Consulate, Canton, 6th May, 1899,\n\nGentlemen,-Referring to your letter of March 28th, forwarding a joint petition of British shipping firms to Her Majesty's Minister at Peking with reference to the working of the Inland Steam Navigation, I am directed to hand you the enclosed reply, and have to ask you to communicate it to the other British firms interested.-I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,\n\nR. W. MANSFIELD.\n\nMessrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Hongkong.\n\nH.B.M. CHARGE D'AFFAIRS TO THE SHIPPING COMPANIES.\n\nPeking, 27th April, 1899.\n\nTo Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Messrs. Butterfield & Swire, Hongkong, Canton & Macao Steamboat Co.\n\nGentlemen,\n\nI beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 28th March with reference to the provisions of the Regulations and Rules for the Steam Navigation of the Inland Waters of China.\n\nThe various questions raised by you are receiving my close attention and I will communicate with you further on the subject.-I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,\n\nH. O. BAX IRONSIDE\n\nPeking, 17th May, 1899.\n\nGentlemen,-In continuation of my letter to you of 27th April, I beg to inform you that I have been in communication with the Inspector-General of Maritime Customs with reference to the observations on the Rules and Regulations for Inland Steam Navigation in China made by you in your letter to this Legation of 28th March.\n\nSir Robert Hart was entrusted by the Chinese Government with the task of drawing up these Rules and Regulations and his views on the subject are therefore of considerable importance. He has written to me a reply dated 12th instant, copy of which I enclose for your information.\n\nThe system is, of course, upon its trial and is being carefully watched and reported upon by Her Majesty's Consuls in all parts of China. It should be given due time to afford a fair test of its merits. Your remarks as to the West River trade will be borne in mind in case revision prove to be necessary,-I am, gentlemen, Your obedient servant,\n\nH. O. BAX-IRONSIDE.\n\nTo Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Messrs. Butterfield & Swire, Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Co., Limited.\n\nTHE INSPECTOR-GENERAL TO H. B. M. CHARGE D'AFFAIRES,\n\nInspector-General of Customs Peking, 12th May, 1899.\n\nSir,\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge your communication of the 27th April concerning Steam Navigation Inland.\n\n2. When the Ministers of the Yamen originally decided to memorialize for authority to open the inland waters to steam the idea was simply to permit steamers to do what junks and boats do subject to the same inland charges, but when the privilege was extended to include foreign flag steamers some modifications were introduced in the rules first drafted. While the object of these modifications was to secure for the foreigners concerned the benefit of certain treaty stimulations therewith connected, their effect has been to create difficulty for the revenue generally, for, whereas the original plan was to apply inland local regulations in all their integrity to steamers as well as junks, and, by thus protecting the revenue, insure the support of the provincial officials, the introduction of the treaty element necessitates an exceptional procedure which interferes with former practice, makes taxation more difficult, tempts Chinese owners to buy foreign flags, and alarms and alienates both the inland authorities responsible for, and inland administration dependent on, inland revenue. The very sanctioning of the modification referred to created a necessity for strictness in interpreting the other parts of the inland steam privilege, and accordingly, in order both to protect and keep separate the Imperial Maritime and the Provincial Inland revenues, the opening of the inland waters to steam has had to be defined as forbidding licensed vessels to quit Chinese waters and as excluding vessels that trade between treaty ports.\n\n3. What precedes will suffice without further detail to suggest explanations of, and reasons for, the restrictions foreign merchants now complain about, but in point of fact there is no differential treatment; whatever licensed Chinese steamers can do inland, foreign flag licensed steamers can do also, and whatever inter-port foreign steamers cannot do inland, inter-port Chinese steamers are likewise forbidden to do, but, just as Chinese waters and foreign waters are two different things, so interport trading and inland trading are also two different things, and, belonging to two different fiscal systems, the Imperial and the Provincial, must be differently treated. The hybrid character of the West River has of course its inconveniences; from one point of view it is a continuation of the sea and a highway leading to the two open ports of Samshui and Wuchowfoo while from another it is an inland water; to one set of eyes it is, notwithstanding its double character, one and the same thing, while to another it possesses, while one and the same thing, a double entity, the interport owner wonders why his interport steamer cannot do what he sees done by inland steamers passed here and there, while the responsible revenue officials require the two trades and the two vessels to be kept separate; while the apparent anomaly of two treatments existing side by side on the same stream is a puzzle to one party, there is the further fact that at its mouth are the foreign waters and the foreign colonies of Hongkong and Macao, and for the other party-the revenue officials-this fact opens up possibilities which render it all the more necessary to distinguish between the two trades and act accordingly. Treaties, conventions and rules being what they are on the one side, and the fiscal responsibilities being what they are on the other, the principle of the present treatment-distinction between inland and interport trades-seems both logical and necessary and any revision which ignores that distinction will be but a one-sided and therefore unpalatable remedy. It is not for a moment to be supposed that the inland steam navigation concession was intended to either abolish provincial taxation or kill native trade, and it is not unreasonable to ask for a recognition of provincial conditions and assent to provincial requirements. The expectations that heralded the opening of the West River were somewhat sanguine, but, even granted they could ever be realised, it is not the distinction between inland and interport trade that is either postponing or impeding that realisation. The concession was launched without sufficient consideration or preparation, and as it now is, it does not satisfy either side. The foreign trader fears that the restrictions which provincial officials call for will thwart development, and the provincial official fears that the development which the foreigner aims at will destroy revenue; but both one and the other are alarmed, and perhaps unnecessarily, before the event, and plead from fear rather than from facts. If steam navigation inland is to work quietly and be a benefit, it will ...\n\nPage 30\n\nPage 31", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 374608, "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": "CO129-295 - Public Offices - 1899", "page_number": 681, "title": "CO129-295 - Public Offices - 1899", "content_text": "677\n\n6\n\n2. The rescinding of the Inspector-General's decision that inter-Treaty port steamers shall not also be registered for inland navigation.\n\nThis decision does not appear to have any raison d'être as far as these waters are concerned. The steamers plying between here and Wuchou had been so registered hitherto, and no abuses had occurred. I understand that no demand for the abrogation of the privilege had been made by the local authorities here, and I see nothing in the Regulations debarring inter-Treaty port steamers from it. I would very strongly urge that the Inspector-General's decision should be reconsidered in so far at any rate as Canton is concerned. I think the petitioners have an undoubted grievance here.\n\n\"3. The strict enforcement of clause 5 of the Supplementary Rules must be insisted on.\"\n\nThis Rule places cargo in boats towed by steamers on the same footing as steamer cargo. Obviously the only way to secure this is to provide that all such cargo should be dealt with, as regards duties, by the Imperial Maritime Customs. The present system, under which the steamer comes under the maritime customs, while its tows are under the native customs, is cumbrous and bound to lead to abuses.\n\nThat the working of the Inland Navigation Regulations as they stand at present is altogether unsatisfactory is apparent from the fact that hardly any cargo is carried under them, such traffic as there is being confined to passengers.\n\nGentlemen,\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nR. W. MANSFIELD.\n\nInclosure 8 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Bax-Ironside to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co. and others.\n\nPeking, May 17, 1899. In continuation of my letter to you of the 27th April, I beg to inform you that I have been in communication with the Inspector-General of Maritime Customs with reference to the observations on the Rules and Regulations for inland steam navigation in China, made by you in your letter to this Legation of the 28th March.\n\nSir Robert Hart was entrusted by the Chinese Government with the task of drawing up these Rules and Regulations, and his views on the subject are, therefore, of considerable importance. He has written to me a reply dated the 12th instant, copy of which I inclose for your information.\n\nThe system is, of course, upon its trial, and is being watched carefully and reported upon by Her Majesty's Consuls in all parts of China. It should be given due time to afford a fair test of its merits.\n\nYour remarks as to the West River trade will be borne in mind in case revision prove to be necessary.\n\nSir,\n\nI am, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nH. O. BAX-IRONSIDE.\n\nInclosure 9 in No. 1.\n\nSir R. Hart to Mr. Bax-Ironside,\n\nInspectorate-General of Customs, Peking, May 12, 1899.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge your communication of the 27th April concerning steam navigation inland.\n\n2. When the Ministers of the Yamén originally decided to memorialize for authority to open the inland waters to steam, the idea was simply to permit steamers to do what junks and boats do subject to the same inland charges, but when the privilege was extended to include foreign flag steamers some modifications were introduced in the Rules first drafted; while the object of these modifications was to secure for the foreigners concerned the benefit of certain Treaty stipulations therewith connected, their effect has been to create difficulty for the scheme generally, for, whereas, the original plan was to apply inland local Regulations in all their integrity to steamers as well as junks, and, by thus protecting the revenue, insure the support of the provincial officials, the introduction of the Treaty element necessitates an exceptional procedure which interferes with former practice, makes taxation more difficult, tempts Chinese owners to buy foreign flags, and alarms and alienates both the inland authorities responsible for, and the inland administration dependent on, inland revenue. The very sanctioning of the modification referred to created a necessity for strictness in interpreting the other parts of the inland steam privilege, and accordingly, in order both to protect and keep separate the Imperial Maritime and the Provincial Inland Revenues, the opening of the inland waters to steam, has had to be defined as forbidding licensed vessels to quit Chinese waters, and as excluding vessels that trade between Treaty ports.\n\n7\n\n3. What precedes will suffice without further detail to suggest explanations of, and reasons for, the restrictions foreign merchants now complain about, but in point of fact there is no differential treatment; whatever licensed Chinese steamers can do inland, foreign flag licensed steamers can do also, and whatever interport foreign steamers cannot do inland, interport Chinese steamers are likewise forbidden to do; but, just as Chinese waters and foreign waters are two different things, so interport trading and inland trading are also two different things, and belonging to two different fiscal systems, the Imperial and the Provincial, must be differently treated. The hybrid character of the West River has, of course, its inconveniences; from one point of view it is a continuation of the sea and a highway leading to the two open ports of Samshui and Wuchowfoo, while from another it is an inland water; to one set of eyes it is, notwithstanding its double character, one and the same thing, while to another it possesses, while one and the same thing, a double entity; the interport owner wonders why his interport steamer cannot do what he sees done by inland steamers passed here and there, while the responsible revenue officials require the two trades and the two vessels to be kept separate; while the apparent anomaly of two treatments existing side by side on the same stream is a puzzle to one party, there is the further fact that at its mouth are the foreign waters and the foreign Colonies of Hong Kong and Macao, and for the other party—the revenue officials—this fact opens up possibilities which render it all the more necessary to distinguish between the two trades and act accordingly. Treaties, Conventions, and Rules being what they are on one side, and fiscal responsibilities being what they are on the other, the principle of the present treatment—distinction between inland and interport trader—seems both logical and necessary, and any revision which ignores that distinction will be but a one-sided and, therefore, unpalatable remedy. It is not for a moment to be supposed that the Inland Steam Navigation Concession was intended to either abolish provincial taxation or kill native trade, and it is not unreasonable to ask for a recognition of provincial conditions and assent to provincial requirements; the expectations that heralded the opening of the West River were somewhat sanguine, but, even granting they could ever be realized, it is not the distinction between inland and interport trade that is either postponing or impeding that realization. The Concession was launched without sufficient consideration or preparation, and, as it now is, it does not satisfy either side.\n\nThe foreign trader fears that the restrictions which provincial officials call for will thwart development, and the provincial official fears that the development which the foreigner aims at will destroy revenue; but both the one and the other are alarmed, and perhaps unnecessarily before the event, and plead from fears rather than from facts. If steam navigation inland is to work quietly and be a benefit, it will be necessary to legislate locally at many different points and in accordance with many different sets of circumstances, conditions, and requirements; it will only be when that is done that regulations and procedure will be suitable, and also contain in the eyes of both sides the proper proportion of support and control.\n\n4. As regards the Rules and Regulations promised in Rule 7 of the Regulations, and clause 8 of the Supplementary Rules, there has been much consultation and much passing and repassing of draft rules for consideration, but up to the present none have been issued for publication; and as for the appointment of the Provincial Officers referred to in clause 9 of the Rules, such appointments are to follow publication and have not yet been announced.\n\nIt is hardly likely that this delay has caused either inconvenience or damage, seeing that it has not taken from or interfered with the enjoyment of any existing rights, and that foreign capital is neither known nor expected to be invested—at least to any considerable extent—in the petty craft to which the depth and width of inland water channels necessarily confine the steam navigation privilege, and this privilege itself, whether rightly or wrongly thought valuable, will require years of patient nursing before it can possibly answer any expectations.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nROBERT HART, Inspector-General of Customs.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-295 - Public Offices - 1899.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]