[ { "id": 219746, "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": "CO129-008 - Foreign Office - 1844", "page_number": 206, "title": "CO129-008 - Foreign Office - 1844", "content_text": "کیا گی \n\nInel: 4. in despatch F2. if 1844 \n\nGentlemen of the Grand Jury, \n\n} \n\nSworn in \n\nand. \n\nIn \n\naddressing you on Your boing \n\nmy remarks shall be as \n\nfew \n\nbrief as possible. We are assembled. here to day to assist in the discharge of the most important duties that can devolve \n\nof \n\nto \n\non us as Men and as members. \n\nsociety . Those of administering justice. \n\npur \n\nfellow subjects and upholding the Laws of our fountry and the \n\nSignity and Honor \n\nSovereign. \n\nof our. Gracious \n\nIn the wholly unprecedented. \n\nposition in which I am situated. it would be equally useless and \n\npreposterous for \n\nme to attempt to enlarge. \n\nthe functions you have to perform. \n\nI am not aware that the \n\ncates \n\nwhich \n\nwill \n\nINDEX", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-008 - Foreign Office - 1844.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 220932, "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": "CO129-010 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "page_number": 527, "title": "CO129-010 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "content_text": "care shall be infreed, should. The muller be referred to me. \n\nIreturn the briginal. Enclosures to Your Lordship's letter. \n\nI have &c. \n\n| Signed) Kinny Pollinger \n\nThe Menewable \n\nA. MR. Johnston Esq. \n\nNictoria W1th October 1843 \n\nSir. \n\nyour \n\nLetter \n\nof the \n\n17th Instant intimating \n\nthat. \n\nyou. \n\nHouse to Government \n\nI have had the honor to receive \n\nintended to appoint. Mr. R. Abrachon to be \n\nthe hire of your \n\nгор \n\nAgent for \n\nduring your \n\nabsence. \n\nSecretary screte by my \n\nThe Officiating. Deputy Colonial \n\ndesire to Mr. Stracken \n\nto ascertain the rent / which you \n\nemitted to \n\nmention ) and received a reply, that it was \n\nto be #1350 per Month. \n\nMr. Strachen added that, thould will be pleased to \n\n\"this offer be accepted, you \n\n\" understand, that it will be required, that the \" House shall be delivered up, when vacated, \n\n\" in the same. \n\n\" which it \n\ngred condition and repair in \n\nnow is,\" \n\nwas \n\nConsidering, that this reply te Mr Weisnam as Organ of \n\naddressed to Mr. Weisnam. \n\nf \n\nThe \n\nکمر \n\nGovernment for my information, I think the style is, to say \n\nthe least of it, in extreme bad taste and the proposal it contains appears to me to be altogether preposterous and utterly madmissible, because, were it agreed to. and Your Meuse to be destroyed by a Typhoon. \n\nLightning, \n\nther Act of Earthquake, or \n\nGod, or full of itself, the Government would. \n\nhave do rebuild. it. In fact : the plain English \n\nshould receive a \n\nof the proposal is, that \n\nyou \n\nWint: giving upwards of 12. Per Cent: Interest- \n\nto \n\nto) \n\nfor", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-010 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 221113, "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": "CO129-010 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "page_number": 708, "title": "CO129-010 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "content_text": "Starling - which is altogether preposterous and inadmissible.\n\nGovernment will adopt steps to find out from various sources the produce of Rice lands in this part of China and the gross worth of that produce - You are requested to do the same and likewise to ascertain the lowest rate per Mow at which the owners of the ground in the above named vallies will be willing to transfer the whole to Government.\n\nsettled, it will be easy to fix the rent that should be taken for it so long as they may be allowed to cultivate it with vegetables which will of course depend on the demand that may hereafter arise for its appropriation to Building.\n\nNo:109\n\nout to day 703\n\nIt is hardly necessary to point out that the purchase money per Mow will have at some future day to be added to the ground Rent to be paid by the Colonists to Government and this fact renders it doubly requisite that the greatest caution and full inquiry should be taken and instituted before final decision is made on the matter under discussion.\n\n(Signed) Richard. Hooman.\n\nA.J. Gordon, Land Officer, &c.,\n\nVictoria, Hongkong, 18 March, 1844\n\nIn", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-010 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 230905, "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": "CO129-034 - Sir Bonham - 1850 [9-12]", "page_number": 326, "title": "CO129-034 - Sir Bonham - 1850 [9-12]", "content_text": "American trade with England to centre on Lands End or one of the Scilly Islands, while every port between Liverpool and London is open direct to American shipping.\n\nBut the Sponsors of Hongkong must have expected this or nothing. They must have expected the best produce of China to be brought down here, stored, prepared and shipped here, after being bartered for British manufactures or the yield of British India.\n\nHow did they expect the islands to become a grand emporium of Eastern Asia, another Carthage destined to supersede Canton? In brief, they must have expected the silk of Soochow to be brought here, carted here for the opium of Bengal and Malwa; and the teas of the Bohea hills for the products of the looms of Lancashire and Yorkshire.\n\nElse there was no shadow of ground for their predictions! There was this or nothing to carry out the magnificent promises staked upon the settlement.\n\nI respectfully put it to Your Excellency, whether you ever conceived it possible that the silks and teas could have been brought down to this place, or even to Chusan, or to any outside settlement we had taken up; or in short, that they could have been sent out of the country under circumstances entrusted to the rudest boatmen that ever stemmed a tide.\n\nThe idea that the native grower or native merchant would risk sending their goods to such a colony is preposterous; and in further associating the fate of Christian with Hongkong, and viewing it as shut out from all share in the China trade equally with Hongkong, I maintain that the very same difficulties which cut off the trade from Hongkong under the Treaty of Nanking must have equally cut it off.\n\nPage 320\n\n \n\nwas removed and the content was reflowed accordingly. The text was also formatted into proper paragraphs. Some minor spacing issues were corrected. The original word count and order were preserved exactly. \n\nThe final output is in HTML format using for paragraphs. No markdown or code fences were included.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-034 - Sir Bonham - 1850 [9-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 238730, "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": "CO129-056 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [6]", "page_number": 139, "title": "CO129-056 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [6]", "content_text": "Tuesday\n\nJune 4, 1856\n\nDear Sir,\n\nIn reply to your letter of Yesterday's date! I do most solemnly declare that when I had the pleasure of meeting you at the Governor's table on the 13th Ultimo you neither laid nor did anything to lead to the supposition that you were in the slightest degree intoxicated; the idea of such appears to me most preposterous.\n\nYours very truly,\n\nJ. Carrole\n\nThe Honble J. W. Hulme, Esq\n\nChief Justice", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-056 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 240133, "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": "CO129-059 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [11-12]", "page_number": 350, "title": "CO129-059 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [11-12]", "content_text": "The first Alteration.\n\nAlternative is too preposterous to be Entertained for a moment, now is it necessary that we should do summary over - in submitting the Circular in question to the government the Justice referred to showed his Consciousness that the power to arrest its Circulation did not lie in him and the government in adopting his views and in giving effect to his Act made these views and that Act its own therefore, we conceive that we were correct in stating that you, representing the government, did arrest the Circular, for which reason we applied to you for an explanation and now repeat our request.\n\nYou state that our letter of instant regards only the arrest of the Circular, but you must now be able to perceive that we were not so much desirous to know how the Circular was arrested as to be told why it was arrested.\n\nYou also state that His Excellency the Governor does not consider himself compelled to lay before third parties his motives in directing any point of governmental discipline, and ...\n\nPage 344\n\n \n\nwas changed to \nPage 344\n\n is kept as is, assuming it is part of the original scan.\n\nHere is the revised output in HTML format:\n\nThe first Alteration.\n\nAlternative is too preposterous to be Entertained for a moment, now is it necessary that we should do ... summary over - in submitting the Circular in question to the government the Justice referred to showed his Consciousness that the power to arrest its Circulation did not lie in him and the government in adopting his views and in giving effect to his Act made these views and that Act its own therefore, we conceive that we were correct in stating that you, representing the government, did arrest the Circular, for which reason we applied to you for an explanation and now repeat our request.\n\nYou state that our letter of instant regards only the arrest of the Circular, but you must now be able to perceive that we were not so much desirous to know how the Circular was arrested as to be told why it was arrested.\n\nYou also state that His Excellency the Governor does not consider himself compelled to lay before third parties his motives in directing any point of governmental discipline, and ...\n\nPage 344", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-059 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 241014, "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": "CO129-062 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [1-3]", "page_number": 40, "title": "CO129-062 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [1-3]", "content_text": "38\n\nSir,\n\nHumboldt(?)\n10th December 1856:\n\nWe have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th Instant. You state that the Circular was not stopped by you in any capacity, you distinctly state that you did stop it in your capacity of Political Secretary. You state that the Circular was withdrawn from circulation by E. Anstey, that he forwarded it to you under a sealed Official cover with a complaint against the Acting Chief Magistrate, that the Circular thus became an \"official document,\" which His Excellency directed you to bring to the Magistrate with a demand for explanation. You also express your belief that Mr. Anstey fully furnished you with his reason.\n\nTo The Hon. M. J. Mercer\nColonial Secretary\n\nWe most respectfully beg to decline recognising Mr. Anstey's intervention in the matter, as no one member of the Bench possesses any right to interfere with the privileges of the whole Bench. The explanation contained in your letter under reply compels us to infer either that the Government acted as a mere instrument of Mr. Anstey's will, or individual opinion, or that, of its own, it considered that further circulation of the document in question ought not to be permitted. The first alternative is too preposterous to be entertained for a moment, nor is it necessary that we should do so, in submitting the Circular in question to the Government. The Justice referred to showed his consciousness that the power to arrest its circulation did not lie in him, and in adopting the course of giving effect to his acts, the Government made these acts their own.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-062 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 246082, "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": "CO129-071 - Public Offices - 1858", "page_number": 178, "title": "CO129-071 - Public Offices - 1858", "content_text": "## \n175 \n\nrecovered, with renewed ardour as a result of asking search. I face they must leave languish her when change of uttering, known this be given up for lost, but he had we human loss is pertinacious and of the utmost importance that I am looking for the copies. Of their again... The Team Beach alters its intention stated in their letter to which they did not drum as it was a preposterous and superfluous act, sending out then ceased.\n\nColleagues where the Bank is concerned will no doubt be informed of it, & it will then be time to carry...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-071 - Public Offices - 1858.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 253433, "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": "CO129-086 - Sir Robinson - 1862 [5-6]", "page_number": 61, "title": "CO129-086 - Sir Robinson - 1862 [5-6]", "content_text": "59 \n\nI can quite believe the fact, but I think M. Bell is confusing between cause and effect. The Government appoint to do its work the Marine Surveyors of most standing, and of proved ability and fitness. The Public are equally free to make their selection and employ not because they are these men, Government Surveyors, but because they happen to concur with the Government in considering them the fittest.\n\nIf the Government were to appoint a bad man, the Public would not follow suit in employing him.\n\nThe position taken up by Mr. Bell in this matter appears to me to be not only untenable, but preposterous. He denies to the Crown the right, enjoyed by every private individual, to select whom it pleases to transact its own business, on the plea that persons so selected are more favourably circumstanced in the exercise of their profession than others - a principle which, if extended to other professions and trades than that of Marine Surveyor, would give us here 5 Crown Law Officers, 7 Colonial...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-086 - Sir Robinson - 1862 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 261381, "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": "CO129-104 - Sir Robinson - 1865 [1-3] & Acting Governor Mercer - 1865 [3-4]", "page_number": 80, "title": "CO129-104 - Sir Robinson - 1865 [1-3] & Acting Governor Mercer - 1865 [3-4]", "content_text": "## Inquiry into the riots by the 99th Regt.\n\nIt is reported that soldiers named ... were involved in a brawl on the 14th. Soldiers being committed, it is to be presumed that their conduct was under investigation, but there is nothing further reported.\n\nSir H.D. now sends the Military inquiry into this conduct of the Military for the information of Sir H. Robinson.\n\n### Received from Sir H. Robinson\n\n1355. The letter was addressed to E. Cardwell.\n\nReceived. 3 Inclosures.\n\nThe result of the Court of Inquiry into the riots by men of the 99th Regt. is not favorable to the Regiment, independent of the conduct of the notorious Soldiers. Mr. Cardwell has nothing to do beyond reading a copy of the Report at the War Office.\n\nSir H.R. has no idea of compensation being considered for the Soldiers being paid from the Internal Funds of Hong Kong, and it is preposterous.\n\nThe Sale of Police in his reply of 14th Sept. says that an inquiry into all the circumstances of the case will be instituted before the Magistrate at once. I think we ought to know whether the Imperial Government has taken fair notice of their demand for compensation after the Imperial Government's disapproval of both dependent parties.\n\nAnd I believe it would be inconvenient to set a precedent by complying with their demand, as it would gain many in future cases. Han Ah 252 has not been heard to complain, and so got the most part of the Civilian arrested - this \"Enquiry\" is a military one.\n\nBut the population of H.K. have a ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-104 - Sir Robinson - 1865 [1-3] & Acting Governor Mercer - 1865 [3-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 267459, "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": "CO129-116 - Sir MacDonnell - 1866 [11-12]", "page_number": 404, "title": "CO129-116 - Sir MacDonnell - 1866 [11-12]", "content_text": "# List of Office holders with proposed alterations Harbor Master's Department Hong Kong\n\nRank\n\nPresent\n\nProposed\n\nAnnual\n\nAnnual\n\naddition to present salaries\n\nSalary\n\nHarbor Master, Marine Magistrate Emigration\n\nSuperintendent of Emigration Affinen\n\nW. P. Tonnachy\n\nAssistant Harbor Master\n\nJ. Thornton\n\nW. S. Lording\n\nFirst Clerk\n\n400\n\nSecond Clerk\n\n300\n\n300\n\n200\n\n200\n\nNames\n\nTotal\n\n1710\n\n6\"\n\n402\n\nOffices\n\nAddition to Salaries\n\nof newly created offices\n\ntreated as\n\nAdditions Allowances and\n\npay of newly\n\ncreated\n\nOffices\n\nRank\n\nPresent Salaries\n\nH. J. Thomsett\n\nHarbor Master\n\n100\n\nW. P. Tonnachy\n\nAssistant Harbor Master\n\nF. J. Machado\n\nThird Clerk\n\n100\n\nGeo: Le Couteur\n\nFourth Clerk\n\n200\n\nJ. L. de S. Alves\n\nFifth Clerk\n\n150\n\nJ. Burt\n\nThird Clerk\n\nFirst Boarding Officer\n\n50\n\n100\n\nR. F. Saw\n\nSecond Boarding Officer\n\n25\n\nGeo: Le Couteur\n\nFourth Clerk\n\nJ. L. de S. Alves\n\nFifth Clerk\n\n200\n\nB.C. Reed\n\nInspector of Police\n\n25\n\n150\n\nWm McClellan\n\n125\n\nJ. Burt\n\nBoarding Officer\n\n262.10.0\n\n262.10.0\n\nJosé Espranch\n\n175\n\n(with Quarters)\n\n50\n\n30\n\n7 Head Boatman (Chinese)\n\n20\n\nA. I. Faw\n\nSecond Boarding Officer\n\n312.10.6\n\n312.10.0\n\n10 Boatmen\n\n2/2\n\n10\n\n(without Quarters)\n\n23\n\n25\n\nInspector of Police\n\n200\n\n300\n\n2 Office Messengers\n\nat $15 each\n\n30\n\nTug & Cargo Boats\n\nWm McClellan\n\nAssistant to\n\nAlexander M. Grigor\n\nSignalman (Victoria)\n\nSignalman\n\nIndian Interpreter\n\nChinese\n\nLeong Ochung\n\nShroff\n\nChinese Boatmen\n\n7 Head Boatman\n\n144\n\nat $7 each per mensem\n\nB. Reed\n\n25\n\n25\n\n125\n\nAdditional pay to Inspectors of Police for Service at\n\nHarbor Master's Station: under \"Harbor & Coasts Ordinance\n\nat\n\nJosé Copinch\n\nAyaw\n\nat\n\nAbrahim\n\nLo Lo\n\n126\n\nD. Daly\n\nOfficer in charge\n\nat Chow Kewan\n\n50\n\n4 Boatmen at $6 each;\n\nper mensem\n\n24\n\nAssistant\n\n20\n\n20\n\nA. Gray\n\nOfficer in charge\n\nat Aberdeen\n\n30\n\n15\n\n15\n\n4 Boatmen at $6 each per mensem\n\n24\n\nW. L. Auningson\n\nOfficer in charge at Stauby\n\n30\n\n87.10.0\n\n87.10.0\n\n87.10.0\n\nFor Service of Colonial Gun Vessel \"Preposterous\n\n1 Master & Pilot at $15\n\nper mensem\n\n15\n\n29 Boatmen\n\n7\n\n4 Chinese\n\nat $7 each per mensem\n\n28\n\nTotal additions\n\n4170\n\n470\n\nTotal Present Establishment £\n\n230.0.0\n\nAddition to Present Salaries\n\n300.0\n\nPay of newly created Offices\n\n1660.0.0\n\n50\n\n60\n\n60\n\n30\n\n60\n\n37.10.0\n\n70\n\n300\n\nTotal Future Establishment £\n\n5190\n\n0.0\n\n* Mr. Jounachy while Acting as Assistant Harbor Master is to receive £250\n\nof this sum in addition to his pay as Interpreter\n\nAs\n\nMomsett\n\nHarbor Master\n\nDecember 20, 1866", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-116 - Sir MacDonnell - 1866 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 268309, "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": "CO129-118 - Public Offices - 1866", "page_number": 289, "title": "CO129-118 - Public Offices - 1866", "content_text": "I am directed by Carnarvon to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 26th ult., expecting the return of the service, off the Coast, of Mr. B. Rawlings, an exceptional...\n\n...officer who has been invalided home on account of ill health incurred in the service (near to/from with the concurrence of the Treasury).\n\nBut I am to state that His Lordship is not prepared to sanction the proposal to grant to Mr. Rawlings a pension for life of ￡... per annum.\n\nAs it appears to me that to bruise the work was finished & secure from the Along an excellent, namely, for a time, I washed there preposterous comments on the Minute & to add 5 years to his temporary 3 years.\n\nBut it appears to me that the work was finished & secure from the Along an excevalente namely tror a I washed ther preposterous Comme wonder the Renate at all.\n\nMINUTE\n\nM. M. Vaderler Lonitas carmen 9.\n\nThere is a little desitation about this Mawn & the heldical trims of that su Rawhigo'+ test bis.\n\nThe Earl of Carnarvon has plt a little desitation about this.\n\nIn 1861 St. Rawhups lent to the Colonial fort.\n\nPage 3981\n\nP2P(3-5S)\n\nDZ N could han doisid from Zach J Jean it worthiefs. best t Höller sein. Чесет Corner hein under the Minute.\n\nTo grant to bein in...\n\n...immate emply inthont been invalide anthon perete Yan on...\n\n...any...\n\nPage 3982\n\nA Hamilton En Hough ong 2 Mat 715 2\n\n286 11 Au bi\n\nVeterin sqular Pan to complete Jo of thi\n\nRawlings was known to Buy Sun & Ropper ston Clone Ski explogement.\n\nWiteler see what Pray.\n\nAs a temporary officii de a mat.\n\nthe Walin Worles\n\nAMIN AHMAD\n\nлir с мез", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-118 - Public Offices - 1866.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 270440, "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": "CO129-123 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [7]", "page_number": 330, "title": "CO129-123 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [7]", "content_text": "981\n\nPapua zequent eyi\n\nJOJONOMONOH to s? UỊ SININ\n\n-INTOLIV pur SUOIAI() MIN 3o NOLIVAR\n\nOFFICE,\n\nCREATION of New OFFICES and APPOINTMENTS in the Offices of HONGKONG, for the Quarter ended\n\n \n Name.\n Annual Salary.\n Dute and description of the authority or Date of appointment and of au- instruction (if any) from Her Majesty's Government in England, in consequence of which the appointment was made.\n thority from the Governor.\n \n \n Harbor Master's Office M. Macabebellen\n $480.\n Colonial Estimates\n \n \n \n 2 Assistant Chapectus J. Expino\n $480\n of 1867.\n Governor's approval.\n \n \n of Junks\n \n Harbor Braster's\n \n \n \n Chinese Writer Chun A Chur\n of 300.\n letter hot of\n \"Preposterous - J. Echerington\n \n \n Gunner-\n \n \"Preposterous Le Asses\n \n \n \n Pilot\n $420.\n 17th Jammary 1867. Governor's approval on It, In Letter of 15th March\n \n \n \n \n \n + Governor's Memos of 27 + March 1867.\n \n \n \n \n $180.\n Governor's approval List of Office\n \n \n \n 4. Sailors (at $84-each)\n $336.\n holders\n by N. M. Laited\n \n \n Gunpowder Depot\n \n 20th Deer 1866. Governor's approval\n \n \n \n Consterber Moater's officer in charge W. H. Mardon\n $13.20\n letter h:38. of 314 March\n \n \n\nDate of the Governor's Despatch to Her Majesty's Government in England where no previous authority may have respecting the transaction, in cases been received.\n\n1867. (ed)\n\nColunu for Remarks in any particular case, and for the statement of any special cir-enmstances.\n\n327124\n\nNoy79. of the Estimates is pr450,\n\nThe Salary set down in 291 Dear 1868,\n\nDo earch, but it was suble-quently, rounded to $600,\n\nsee return of Cadditions to dolorees N = 163. of Ordinance 30th Hour 1866 No 19.of the 29. Dear 1866. 456 of 1866. No 296 of Ordinance 22. March 1867. 1101 10. June 1887 154. of 1867.\n\nPage 330\n\nPage 331", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-123 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 270454, "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": "CO129-123 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [7]", "page_number": 344, "title": "CO129-123 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [7]", "content_text": "981\n\nPayments of an unusual or special description not specifically described in the Estimates of 1867, incurred without previous Authority from Her Majesty's Secretary of State, during the Quarter ended 31 March 1867. (Continued)\n\nItems of Expenditure.\n\n \n Date of Despatch to the Secretary of State\n Date of the answer of the Secretary of State\n Whether approved or disapproved\n Remarks\n \n \n \n \n \n Land & Houses Purchased\n \n \n \n \n \n Amount of valuation of Sanitarium at the Peak, less half the valuator's fee, with the Military Authorities\n \n \n A 200, 30th\n \n \n $1834.57\n \n \n \n \n \n Special Expenses\n \n \n \n \n \n Fittings to Gun\n \n \n \n \n \n Preposterous\n \n \n \n \n \n Vepal\n \n \n 1 January 1867\n A 163, 30th June 1866\n No 24 of 8th April 1867. Approved\n Hire of Mumer Dragon for visiting outstations. $56.-\n \n \n \n \n of 8th March 1867. Approved\n This expenditure was incurred to enable the Harbor Master to make a tour of the Island for inspection under the \"Harbor & Coast Ordinance.\"\n \n \n \n \n \n $39\n \n\nDEX.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-123 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 271361, "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": "CO129-125 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [10-11]", "page_number": 317, "title": "CO129-125 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [10-11]", "content_text": "## Enclosure N.3 in Governor MacDonnell's Despatch N. 59 of 14th Nov. 1867\n\nThe Amoy Memorial. The following letter has been prepared by the Amoy community, in accordance with Sir R. Alcock's general request for suggestions from the various ports.\n\n### AMOY, 18th October, 1867\n\nSIR,\n\nResponding to the invitation given through you by Her Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary at Pekin, to state our opinion upon any matters connected with British interests in China, with the view that they may be considered in the coming revision of the Treaty of Tientsin, we now beg leave to wait upon you with the few following remarks.\n\nWe find that the general business of this port has considerably diminished during the last few years, and we attribute this in a very great measure to Likin Taxes. It is impossible for us to express ourselves too strongly on the subject of these illegal exactions. We have protested against them on various occasions, and, as you are aware, we presented a Memorial on this subject to Her Majesty's Minister when he paid a visit to this place. On that occasion His Excellency frankly informed us that the taxes were in his opinion illegal, and contrary to the spirit of the Treaty, and that he was prepared to do all in his power to abolish them. Since then three months have elapsed but the taxes are still being collected.\n\nWe enclose copy of the above Memorial, the tenor of which we beg to confirm in every respect.\n\nWe are prepared to prove that these taxes range from 43 per cent. to 90 per cent., and that under this heavy incubus our trade has materially diminished. It would certainly be preposterous to expect anything else, particularly when our goods can be undersold in our own legitimate consuming districts, by importations overland from neighbouring provinces where no such illegal taxes exist. We give it as our decided and matured opinion, that unless prompt and efficient redress be obtained, many lucrative branches of our trade will be lost to us entirely. Before leaving this subject, we would beg to protest against the wanton disregard of Treaty rights, under which we have invested considerable sums of money in real property, which will be to a certain extent useless, if the present state of matters is to obtain. Her Majesty's Minister having endorsed our opinion that the taxes are illegal, we do not see why there should be so much delay, or any difficulty in obtaining speedy redress.\n\n### Custom House\n\nWe think that some part of the diminution of Trade is due to Custom House restrictions, and we would be glad to see a more liberal spirit obtain in the general administration of their affairs. At present they claim the right under clause XXXVII of levying a fine of Taels 500, in case of false or incorrect manifest. The amount is inordinately heavy, especially in the latter case, and we think the entire clause calls for revision. Also, that where there is no evidence of intent to defraud the revenue, the Custom House should have no power to call for a fine, and that in any case British merchants should not be fined unless with the consent of the British Consul.\n\n| Issue | Current Practice | Proposed Change |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Fines for incorrect manifest | Taels 500 fine | Revision of clause XXXVII; fine only with evidence of intent to defraud and with British Consul's consent for British merchants |\n\nWe find that the tendency of Custom House action, and the loose manner in which the Treaty of Tientsin is worded and carried out, is to take away much of the general trade from Treaty Ports and throw it into Hongkong. Amoy for centuries previous to the Custom House being opened was the headquarters, in the South of China, of this trade with Siam, the Straits, and Java, but latterly very much of the trade has gone to Hongkong. The trade also in Malacca Tin, which in former years was a large and valuable one, has dwindled into insignificance. It is an undoubted fact that large quantities of this article are imported into Chinchew (which naturally in previous years got all its supplies from Amoy) by native Lorcha from Hongkong, and the Imperial Revenue, as well as Mercantile interests, has suffered accordingly.\n\nWe think that Foreign Goods and Opium, imported in native Junks, ought to pay the same duties as they do in foreign bottoms, and to effect this these importations ought to be reported to the Imperial Custom House.\n\nWe also think that the Custom House may be said to encourage, wilfully, the continuance of smuggling at the non-treaty ports, so long as they have not an efficient preventive service on the coast. There is no doubt that smuggling by natives does take place on the coast to a large extent, and that they are encouraged in it by the absence of Revenue Cruisers, and by the high tariff dues and illegal taxes which obtain at treaty ports.\n\nWe do not think that the Custom House does its duty, either to the Chinese Government, or the Mercantile interests, so long as an efficient preventive service does not exist. We think that there ought to be, at least, one Steam Revenue Cruiser for each treaty port with jurisdiction over all the neighbouring bays and creeks, and as more than a suspicion of smuggling has already attached to the so-called Revenue Cruisers which are established on the coast, we think measures ought to be taken to prevent the possibility of smuggling by these vessels.\n\n### Required Modifications and Additional Privileges\n\nWe now proceed to mention those points on which some modification of the present treaty, and additional privileges in the revised one, are required in the interests of commerce.\n\n#### Transit Dues\n\nAn imperative necessity exists for some stringent regulations being made in respect of these, and to ensure that no other Tax can by any possibility be levied. We think that none other than the Tariff duty ought to be leviable within a radius of say six miles from the Custom House at the treaty port, and that the due payment of Transit dues, as per section III, Rule VII, ought to free the goods as far up country as the importer may desire. We also think that as a safeguard it ought to be made competent for any British Consul, where it is proved that any additional tax has been inflicted, to order the amount to be deducted from the next payment to the Custom-house.\n\n#### Duties on Exports\n\n- **Tea**: The quality of a large proportion of the tea produced in the surrounding districts is very much inferior to any other class of Chinese tea, and consequently the duty of Tis. 2.5 per picul, weighs much more heavily here than in any other port in China. This duty was calculated to be five per cent. on the average value, whereas in common Amoy tea it is not less than 35 per cent. In Japan a very similar class of tea is obtained; the export duty is there only 5 per cent.; it is shipped to the same market as we ship the common teas of this district, and under the present heavy duty we cannot compete with it. We would suggest that the duty should be levied at 5 per cent. ad valorem, the proof of value being the price at which it is purchased.\n- **Rice, Wheat, and all other articles of food**: should be free of duty entirely, and their movements amongst the coast ports unrestricted in any way. The present system, while adding very little to the revenue, is fraught with several evils. It tends to take away the trade from Treaty ports and throw it into Hongkong. It enhances the price to consumers, and in times of scarcity supplies cannot be readily sent from neighbouring ports, because, on account of the export duty, it is a rare occurrence to see rice, other than what is wanted for local consumption, stored in a Treaty port.\n- **Salt**: The carriage of salt in foreign vessels betwixt coast ports ought to be allowed under bond, in the same way as copper cash. A good many vessels have obtained cargoes of salt on Mandarin account on the Formosa coast. We do not see why the Government monopoly could not be as effectually protected where the salt is shipped in foreign bottoms as it is now in native junks. In former years salt was frequently exported to the Straits and Calcutta. The article can be furnished in almost any quantity from Quemoy, and it certainly would be very beneficial to that place, and also give some employment to foreign vessels were the prohibition removed. We would suggest that the export to foreign ports be also permitted.\n\n#### Duties on Imports\n\n- **Manchester Goods**: We would suggest a reduction of one-half of the present duty on these goods, and we believe that were such concessions made the importation would be stimulated in no ordinary degree.\n- **Woollens**: At the present tariff, our goods cannot compete upon favourable terms with Russian-made goods brought in overland; we would for this reason suggest a reduction of one-half.\n- **Dock Material**: The duty upon wood, copper, yellow metal, and all such articles is very heavy indeed. We cannot see any good reason why these or any other articles brought in solely for foreign consumption, or to be re-exported, should pay any duty whatever, and we would suggest either that they should be entirely free or that a drawback should be given on all articles which can be proved to have been re-exported.\n\nThe Dock here was not started as merely a commercial speculation, and it has since been of great benefit in providing employment in this overpopulated and poor district. We can only say that under the present circumstances, it is impossible that the Dock can prosper, or compete with the Hongkong docks, and that, if foreign enterprise is to be summarily checked...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-125 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [10-11].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 274130, "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": "CO129-130 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [4-5]", "page_number": 391, "title": "CO129-130 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [4-5]", "content_text": "however, has a lofty way of looking down on others and is not prepared to pay them. Consider that he does not in reality condescend when with back turned to Mr. Black he exclaimed \"Oh then I was mistaken\". Further comment is therefore superfluous.\n\n28. It is difficult to deal with other assertions of Mr. Wilson, because they really are such as can only be disposed of by saying simply they are untrue, indeed some of them are audaciously so. Thus when he says he has no recollection of having asked Mr. Black to work extra hours, I can only say that he preferred regular working hours being fixed, and it is quite true that in acceding to his request it may be that it was done in Mr. Black's presence.\n\nIt is I who fixed those hours, as vide Enclosure. H. Jarau, J. means... \n\nIt is pretty certain that such a preposterous statement is very unlikely to emanate from me.\n\n29. In a similar way, when in the same paragraph he asks to be referred to the correspondence in which he applied for the pay of the Assistant Engineer, he throws out a very false assertion, because he applied verbally in an interview on...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-130 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [4-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 275383, "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": "CO129-132 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [8-9]", "page_number": 603, "title": "CO129-132 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [8-9]", "content_text": "## 10\n\n\n## 11\n\n597 \n\nthe land, but that having regard to the \nwishes of the \nDewmer \nwas under all the \ncircumstances of the case unwilling to proceed \nand had \ntherefore ordered the Surveyor General to \nwithdraw the notice of resumption. \nThis \nwas done \nby enclosing \nthe notice of withdrawal as draughted by \nmyself in the above letter.\n\nOn the occasion the government, being dissatisfied \nwith Mr Duddell's infringement of some restrictions in his lease of land there, \ngave \nnotice of resumption. The amount of compensation \nwas under the lease to be fixed by \nArbitrators and not by the Surveyor General. The Arbitrators did fix \nit \non advice of the \nActing Attorney General. \n\n## 14\n\nI may \nadd that excepting the allowance of a longer period to elapse during the proceedings referred to, the \ncourse \nfollowed has \nbeen much the same as \nthat taken in \n1865 in \nreference to some lots of Mc Duddell's \non the present site of the Mint. On that \noccasion a sum was \nawarded as \ncompensation \nso preposterous in amount that the Officer Administering the Government declined to act on it and notice of withdrawal of the resumption \nwas sent \nto Mr Lapraik by the Surveyor General \nwith \na \ncopy of \nthe instructions from the \nColonial Secretary for his future guidance in \nmanagement of lot 13, which he had allowed to become a Public Nuisance.\n\n## 15\n\nAbout the \nsame \nperiod notice \nwas", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-132 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [8-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 275406, "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": "CO129-132 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [8-9]", "page_number": 626, "title": "CO129-132 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [8-9]", "content_text": "## Document 1\n\nThe matter in question, first by Mr Cleverly and since by myself - The terms of the Lease have so far, notwithstanding repeated warnings, been entirely ignored. The premises have neither been drained or cultivated or the accumulation of water thereon prevented. Moreover, houses have been erected on the Lot which have been let for a profit. If the terms of the Lease are not complied with within 3 months from 34th July next, the Honorable the Attorney General will be applied to to take such steps as may be necessary to ensure full compliance with the same.\n\nI have etc.,\n**(Signed)** W. Wilson, \nSurveyor General.\n\n10/9/68.\n\n**(Copy)**\nM:98.\n\n## Document 2\n\nColonial Secretary's Office, \nHong Kong, 25 February 1865,\n\nWith reference to Buddell's Farm Lot No. 13, I am directed to inform you that the valuation is so preposterous that His Excellency The Governor has no hesitation in deciding that the Government will not resume on such terms. You will acquaint Mr Duddell with this decision and you will take particular care that the terms of the Lease are in future strictly complied with. All buildings except...\n\n**(Signed)**\nWilberforce Wilson Esqre,\nActing Surveyor General", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-132 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [8-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 278636, "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": "CO129-138 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [6-7]", "page_number": 205, "title": "CO129-138 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [6-7]", "content_text": "Page 203\n\n# Changes 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 If appointed by Her Majesty's Government in England, date of authority of the Secretary of State.\n If promoted from another Office or Government situation in the Colony, description of former appointment.\n Date of Governor's authority.\n Change of Office or appointment, or the new appointment.\n Column for Remarks.\n \n \n Supreme Court\n H. J. Holmes (dismissed) $480.\n C. F. Sangster (Acting) $480.\n \n Clerk of Court. (absent on leave) Judge's Clerk.\n 21 March 1869.\n Continued:\n \n \n \n Office.\n J. Ames (resigned) $240.\n W. W. Toller $240.\n \n Notification 2 Clerk -M. 34 of 27 Registrar General's Office.\n Jan 7, 1869\n \n #6.-10.7232 Juny 1869 Nobbs\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mr. Speechly has since been transferred on March to the Colonial Gun Vessel Victoria.\n \n \n Registrar General's Office.\n C. F. Sangster (promoted) $720.\n J. M. Campbell $720.\n \n Clerk in Registrar General's Dept.\n \n \n \n \n \n Harbor Master's Dept.\n J. M. Carruthers (removed) $480.\n W. M. Lewick $430.\n \n Officer in charge of the Preposterous.\n 1 of 20th Jan 1869 CAON3020 of 28 Nov 1868\n \n \n \n \n \n W. M. Lewick\n J. Speechly.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nPage 203", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-138 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 279151, "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": "CO129-139 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [8-12]", "page_number": 185, "title": "CO129-139 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [8-12]", "content_text": "181\n\nAccount\n\nExpenditure 1864\n\nExcess of Police in 1867 over 1868\n\nBalance\n\n \n $162770/28\n $121,279 11\n $41,491 11\n \n \n \n $34,508 83\n \n \n \n $76,000 00\n \n \n \n\nExpenditure 1868\n\nExcess of Police in 1868 Over 1868\n\n \n $173/48\n $22\n $121,279\n \n\n1st instalment of Victoria Supervision for building Police Stations.\n\n \n \n $7\n \n\nEducation, Sup. Estimati Alterations & Additions to Central School do\n\n \n \n $11\n $57,869 11\n \n \n \n $4,500\n \n \n\nBalance\n\n \n $57,482 64\n \n \n \n \n $202 82\n \n \n \n \n $3,500\n $160.06\n $55 #225.67\n $0.74\n $9\n \n\nExpenditure 1868\n\nPayments made to\n\nCrew of the \"Preposterous\" & \"Hickoria\"\n\nFebry\n\nCrew of the \"Preposters Victoria #13 lauche »\n\nApril\n\n2nd instalment on acct \"Victoria\n\nGro. I Barber, for superint of the Construction of Blanche: Crews of the \"Preposterous\" Victoria Blanche\n\nStores to for ££. 13 Lauche\"\n\nCrew of the \"Nextorin\" + \"&Blanshe\"\n\n \n June\n $37,500\n \n \n \n $164 21\n \n \n \n $270\n \n \n Engine\n $178 70\n \n \n \n $150 47\n \n \n \n $336 93\n \n \n \n $466-\n \n \n Manier formand\n \n \n \n \n $7307 31", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-139 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [8-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 279360, "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": "CO129-139 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [8-12]", "page_number": 396, "title": "CO129-139 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [8-12]", "content_text": "391\n\n·PRESERVATION OF BIRDS,\n\nThe Governor said he had an important little ordinance to read a first time to prevent the destruction of birds in the Colony. There were so few on the island, and they were so great an addition to any scenery, that he hoped the bill would be passed. It was a subject which every one felt interested in who took an interest in the Colony. Every spot would not be under the ordinance, as the Governor reserved power to exempt certain places; but the birds about the city would be saved from the muskets and blowpipes which at present killed so many of them. Any member would have an opportunity of discussing it on the second reading.\n\nRead a first time.\n\nEMIGRATION,\n\nOn bringing forward for second reading the ordinance further providing rules for emigration in Chinese passenger ships, the Governor and Colonial Secretary were led into a conversational discussion with the Acting Chief Justice regarding the Imperial Act and the Chinese Passengers Act, and their bearing on the present ordinance.\n\nThe Acting C.J. put it that the ordinance could only refer to the Chinese Passenger Act, and he could not understand how it could apply to the Pacific steamers, for instance.\n\nThe Col. Secy. presumed that the two acts (the Imperial and the Chinese) were intended to go together, and that the mail steamers were specially exempted in the Imperial Act.\n\nH. E. said that he meant to carry out his instructions which he had received from the Home Government in as straightforward a manner as possible: he thought his power was clear, and he meant to carry it out. And the power was to stop any ship from leaving this harbor with coolies bound to a place where the coolies were likely to be ill-treated.\n\nThe A. C. J. said he never heard of the two Acts being connected, and the present ordinance no doubt referred to only the Chinese Passenger Act.\n\nH. E. said that he would not like to have any reference arising from any technical difficulty, and he would therefore defer the second reading.\n\nexcess\n\nSUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. The Governor then brought forward the Appropriation Ordinance for a supplementary sum of $37,191.76.\n\nHe said they supplementary estimates were much smaller than ever they had been before; and he then explained the various items in the detailed estimates. Under the heading of Colonial Secretary's department, the salary of Mr Wodehouse (interpreter) had to be provided for; and under that of the Surveyor General, the salary and allowances of the Inspector of Buildings. Iron safes had also been provided, and in a climate like this, where damp was as destructive as anything else, he thought that a room should be provided, heated with steam pipes, so as to preserve well, official documents, &c. The powder bulk and that celebrated vessel the Preposterous had been included, for repairs in the Harbour Master's excess and the Fire Brigade (he was glad they had now got one), was a new item altogether. For the Gaol department the estimate had been rather under-stated, in the desire to be as economical as possible; and though there was accommodation for 1,500, he did not expect more than 500; and the Mint officials' transport appeared as a pretty large item. H. E. then drew attention to the statement in the detailed estimates showing the saving and excess, and sums expended under authority of the Secretary of State, or of H. E., not in accordance with the estimates, but covered by the votes. There was really a saving of over $50,000, though they applied for a fresh vote.\n\nMr Gibb said he would like some explanation of one or two items in the Supplementary Estimates. They were so far very moderate; but there was a sum which appeared under the Postmaster General's department which was not sufficiently clear. It seemed to be merely a transfer of the $116,000 from one account to the other.\n\nH. E. said that the form of accounts was agreed to last time, but it was owing to the mixture of Imperial funds.\n\nThe Colonial Secretary said it was not a very correct way of keeping accounts.\n\nMr Gibb said it was not an actual saving, and that nothing appeared on the debit side. The hon. member then noticed several items expended under authority from the Secretary of State, and remarked, that although he did not object to the items themselves, and did not question that the money had been well-used, still as a matter of principle no money should be expended without the direct sanction of this Council. Though the total items were not much, he held strongly to the principle, and would even say that the Special Fund should also be under the authority of the Council; there were many charges upon that fund which would remain permanent charges on the Colony, for instance, the telegraph would have to be kept up.\n\nThe Governor said if that item were not paid from the Special Fund, the Colony would have to go without it. As to the principle referred to, he would never object to it, but the simple fact was that it was impossible to follow it out, considering the exigencies in the service which continually arose. The spirit of the principle was observed as nearly as practicable; but he did not believe it was possible to apply it to every amount expended with mathematical exactness, unless the Council was always in Session. There was no desire thus to expend sums of any great magnitude; but in small sums it was impossible to prevent such action here or anywhere else, in dealing with contingencies, unless the Council met over and over and over again. This H. E. repeated, saying that as to the general principle it was as closely adhered to as the circumstances of the service permitted.\n\nMr Gibb admitted this so far.\n\nH. E. continued to say that the subject had been discussed elsewhere.\n\nThe Colonial Secretary presumed that the hon. member would not wish government to fail in supplying the wants of the service.\n\nMr Gibb only objected to the principle.\n\nMr Keswick here rose and said that, as some of the items referred to were large, under the principle became important, the head of Roads and Bridges, there was an item of $25,000; and it became a question of serious consequence when such sums were thus expended.\n\nThe Colonial Secretary remarked that there was a saving of $52,000, and the Executive was surely justified in expending money voted.\n\nMr Keswick replied that the money was voted for one purpose and expended upon another.\n\nPage 392\n\n \nX", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-139 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [8-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 279535, "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": "CO129-139 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [8-12]", "page_number": 571, "title": "CO129-139 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [8-12]", "content_text": "The Special Fund Account\n\nExpenditure 1867.\n\n$76,000\n\nExcess of Police\n\nOver 1866\n\nBalance\n\n$76,000.\n\n58,220\n\n$162,740.28 $121,279.11\n\n41,491.14\n\n$34,508.83\n\n$76,000\n\nReceipts 1868\n\nBalance to Credit 31st Dec. 1867 Play House License\n\nReceipts 1869\n\nBalance to Credit 31st Dec. 1868\n\nHouse License to 31st July - Play\n\n15th March\n\n15th April.\n\n18\n\nExpenditure 1868\n\n$34,508.83 $191,166.66\n\nExcess of Police\n\nOver 1866\n\n4th Instalment of Victoria Supervision for building, etc.\n\nPolice Stations\n\nEducation Sup. Grant\n\n$173,148.22\n\n$121,279.11\n\n$51,869.11 $4,500.00\n\n$55,733\n\nAlteration to/Addition to Central School\n\nBalance\n\n$225 bys. 49\n\nExpenditure 1869\n\n$11,600.65 28 June 21 Paid to Crews of Preposterous + Victoria\n\n$100,000\n\n$15,000\n\n$157,000.00\n\nArrear\n\nCarried forward $290,063.53\n\n15th Instalment for Pretoria\n\nPresse of Preposterous\n\n25 Remuneration to G. J. Barber for Superintending\n\nthe Construction of Victoria Blanche\n\nApril Crews of Preposterous & Victoria\n\nMay 1 Salaries to Crews of Victoria Blanche\n\nAllowance for extra Services\n\n2 Euro\n\n$5,482.67\n\n$202.82\n\n$3,500 $1,600.55 $6 $422.56.75.49\n\n1/ $5,500\n\n$164.21\n\n$270\n\n$178.17.0\n\n$150.47\n\n$356.93\n\n$465.56\n\n$1,736.33.1\n\nCarried forward $4,363.21", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-139 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [8-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 285252, "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": "CO129-151 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1871 [7-8]", "page_number": 254, "title": "CO129-151 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1871 [7-8]", "content_text": "251 \n\n(so far as I see) that his salary should be increased. This seems to me the second instance in which Mr Ball approaches the question with \"a lively sense of what is due to himself\" \n\nW Huber \n\nWh \n\nR:82 \n\n11/10/71 \n\nThe ordinance may be sanctioned. It is unprecedented to extend the jurisdiction of the Summary Court, without having first considered whether such causes, which ...\n\nNo Ball's application for increase of salary and practice whether much desirable.\n\nEven under the circumstances the question of increase of Salary might have been treated separately. As at present advised I should think the Salary of £1500 ample for the work which even under the Extended Ordinance Mr Ball would have had to perform. But an increase of £500 appears preposterous.\n\nI should be disposed to inform the Governor that Dr K is of opinion that the jurisdiction of the Court should be increased in the manner proposed by other clauses which were omitted from this Ordinance. Leave the question of any increase of Salary to be disposed of separately. That before deciding that question, Mr Ball should still further furnish us with a full account of the work done in the Court under the present system - the number of days the Final Court \"sits\" and the time it is occupied each day.\n\nThe fact that Mr Ball knows he has been asked to state this may furnish an account of the time occupied in order to abate his demand, if ...\n\nI quite agree that the jurisdiction should be and the questions of salary kept altogether distinct. But in conveying that instruction...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-151 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1871 [7-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 285856, "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": "CO129-153 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1871 [11-12]", "page_number": 59, "title": "CO129-153 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1871 [11-12]", "content_text": "## 14\n\n& previous part of this letter.\n\nI have re...\n\n(Signed) Ceril C. Smith,\nRegistrar General\n\n(June Copy) Mandria Colonial Secretary\n\nCopy)\n\nthe\n\n**Memorandum**\n\n53\n\n2\n\nproposal of the Registrar General that a Chinese Custom House should be established within the possessions of the British Crown is so preposterous that the Undersigned do not think it necessary to record any opinion upon it beyond expression of surprise that the Registrar General should make such a suggestion involving as it does loss of liberty to the Crown, and constituting a direct attack upon the independence of the Government of this Colony.\n\nWith reference to the larger question as to whether the Revenue...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-153 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1871 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 294512, "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": "CO129-168 - Sir Kennedy - 1874 [9-12]", "page_number": 480, "title": "CO129-168 - Sir Kennedy - 1874 [9-12]", "content_text": "## \n1 dispute might have been settled before one of the regular tribunals of the Colony, and that this Court could have entertained his suit in that respect also.\n\nBut is he on that account precluded from suing the Defendant for damages? I have come to the conclusion that he is not. The Code of Civil Procedure - see Introduction - gives authority to the Courts to entertain suits when the breach of contract occurs within the Jurisdiction.\n\nThe voyage terminated here for the Plaintiff and here he may seek his remedy.\n\nNext comes the question: Was the Captain justified in discharging the Plaintiff by reason of any misconduct, - for that is the only answer he can make to this claim?\n\nI think the Plaintiff was discharged on entirely insufficient grounds. There was no proof that his habits were dirty or wasteful, ill-used the boy who shared his cabin. Nor was there any proof that he secretly disposed of the provisions.\n\nThe claim of the Plaintiff to have a cabin to himself was preposterous, and I have no doubt that he made himself generally disagreeable in consequence of the Captain's refusal to allow him a cabin to himself. That\n\nPage 480\nPage 481", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-168 - Sir Kennedy - 1874 [9-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 298341, "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": "CO129-174 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [4-8]", "page_number": 265, "title": "CO129-174 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [4-8]", "content_text": "Governor.\n\nNo.\n\nmzdy. 106\n\nDate.\n\n1876\n\n22 live.\n\nLast previous Paper\n\n807\n\nRSES\n\nKong Mong\n\nNo 9348.\n\n(Subject.)\n\nDESPATCH.\n\n264\n\nQuestion of Military Reserve\n\nInwards Copy letter on the subject addressed by\n\nOfficer Commanding Troops to Sect of State for War that some of the Major Ents.\n\npreposterous\n\nIn Meade\n\n(Minutes.)\n\ngun any s\n\nLe 108\n\n9350 15. An\n\nand observes\n\nrequirements are\n\nent papers\n\n5349\n\nH&S 1089", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-174 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [4-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 298840, "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": "CO129-175 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [9-12]", "page_number": 191, "title": "CO129-175 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [9-12]", "content_text": "3\n\n25.7 [76-II & § 1815 |\n\nof this meeting, and if that is the case it is to be deplored that no one has the manliness to come forward and say so—if they think Captain Peabody and the mates of his vessel are being unduly or too harshly dealt with. However, that is for the other side, and my business with the resolution is very much on the side of the majority. I know how imperative it is that discipline should be preserved on board a vessel, and how carefully we must guard from over humanitarianism. But speaking as one who knows what life in a merchant vessel is, I cannot hesitate to say that the feeling evinced by this meeting is justifiable. We are justified in saying that so much has been made public respecting Peabody and his officers as to demand investigation before the tribunals of their country. It must not be forgotten also that we have a score against the captain, and that the person principally charged has by his own admission shown his readiness to take advantage of the protection afforded by his own flag in a foreign port—by the way he treated the crew at Cardiff—and many will agree with the United States' Consul in what he says on that point in his pronounced decision. But it would be a pity to merge the heavy charges elsewhere advanced in that document in so comparatively trifling a breach of English law. The resolution I have to propose is to the effect that His Excellency the Governor be memorialized to request the Home Government to take that action—perfectly within its competence—which shall satisfy not only the feelings of those here present but also a sentiment which goes beyond Treaties and Acts of Parliament: We should request from our Government the rendition of these men to the United States Authorities not on the ground of international law or even of international comity—international comity induces strange things sometimes, the Blockade of Hongkong and the Chefoo Convention to wit—but of international justice, international in its broadest sense, as the justice to be done between man and man, No doubt misunderstandings sometimes arise between the United States and ourselves, when both sides claim what they think their rights; but we can safely trust the powerful and rising nation of the United States of America to cordially recognise the spirit which prompts an act of courtesy founded on a sense of justice which goes behind the narrow limits of Acts of Parliament and Congress. The American Government will see in this meeting a spirit which is independent of nationality. They will know that we do not propose that the men be given up because they are Americans on the one hand, or because a powerful nation should judge them and may eventually have the right to demand them, but simply because British subjects deplore as much as anyone else can that diplomatic obstacles are tending to produce a miscarriage of justice. The resolution I have to propose is: \"That this meeting desires hereby respectfully and emphatically to memorialize His Excellency Sir Arthur E. Kennedy, Governor of Hongkong, suggesting that he without delay communicate to the Home Government, requesting its sanction, not in accordance with any law or Treaty, but simply as an act of international justice, for the binding over to the American Naval or other authorities, either here or elsewhere, the persons mentioned in the second resolution. Further, that on account of urgency this meeting prays His Excellency to accept a copy of these proceedings, signed by the Chairman on its behalf, as a memorial from the inhabitants of Hongkong.\" Some however may say—indeed have said—that such a request as is contained in this resolution is preposterous. But fortunately we have a precedent, and a good one, from the United States under somewhat similar circumstances. In 1864, a Colonel Aguerrera, a Spaniard, was charged with having kidnapped some 120 persons, although at that time he was an agent of the Spanish Government for the suppression of slavery. The offence was committed within the jurisdiction of the United States, and the Spanish Government asked for his rendition.\n\nMr. Seward, the well-known American statesman, thus wrote:-\"Her Catholic Majesty's Minister asked that Aguerrera might be delivered up to the Government of Spain, not upon the ground of a right to demand it, but as an act of comity in the interest of justice and humanity....Something has been said as to the action of the Executive, having been in derogation of the right of asylum. ... That the practice of civilised nations, and especially of this country has maintained this privilege of asylum, and that this nation at least would consider its honour engaged to vindicate it, no one will be disposed to deny. The privilege is understood to apply to refugees\n\nIn\n\n3\n\n188", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-175 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [9-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 298899, "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": "CO129-175 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [9-12]", "page_number": 248, "title": "CO129-175 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [9-12]", "content_text": "245\n\nA\n\n?\n\nno means to become shareholders and\n\nthus lessening the security of the insured, nor would the position of the China Mutual Insurance Company be different from that of other Companies in this respect.\n\nIn support of this statement I would adduce the following facts:-\n\n1st The paid up capital is now $300,000 and at date the undivided earnings of the Company amount to about $250,000 showing actual funds $550,000\n\n2nd The Articles of Association provide that should the losses at anytime reduce the available Capital to $150,000 a meeting must be convened to consider the advisability of dissolving the Company\n\n3rd That no discretion is sought to reduce the value of the shares beyond one third of the present amount, and no intention exists of doing so. The shares would simply stand with a $500 liability of which $300 would be paid up. Under the proposed General Ordinance, greater powers would be given, but it is preposterous to suppose that the shareholders of a Company like the China Mutual would ever sanction a change which would inevitably injure the standing of the Company.\n\n4th As a matter of fact the Directors of the China Mutual Insurance Company in virtue of their power under the Articles of Association, do not allow transfers", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-175 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [9-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 302112, "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": "CO129-181 - Governor Hennessy - 1878 [1-8]", "page_number": 273, "title": "CO129-181 - Governor Hennessy - 1878 [1-8]", "content_text": "270 \n\nIt is preposterous and I think that it should be regarded at once. I am inclined that the practice of engaging in work for private firms is easily open to abuse & should be very sparingly resorted to.\n\nI think the salary as mentioned is unimproved. £1300 in all is insufficient. I think so for Rm 119.\n\nBut as to the practice in itself, I would go somewhat further than Mr. Mander. I should be inclined to state that if it is strictly adhered to, but in the way of... is for & therefore they, F. W. Price & his subordinates, even though well remunerated, ...\n\nThis representation had better be withdrawn.\n\nNo 56 \nSir, \nGovernment House, Hongkong. 7th July, 1878. \n\nIn accordance with Regulation No 222 of the Colonial Service I have the honour to transmit herewith a letter addressed to you by Messrs. Wilson and Salway, Engineers and Architects, containing certain representations to the Right Honourable Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bt, M.P., Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-181 - Governor Hennessy - 1878 [1-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 307898, "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": "CO129-191 - Public Offices & Others - 1880", "page_number": 476, "title": "CO129-191 - Public Offices & Others - 1880", "content_text": "Hongkong\n\nNo. 8194\n\nDOMESTIC.\n\n469\n\nSalary of his Afforf.\n\nTo Family Remittances\n\n1880\n\nApr.\n\nast previous Paper.\n\nGov.\n\nTar by\n\n7784\n\nreserve\n\nComplains that he ca\n\nwith gran\n\ndatory to te is drawn in\n\nlate of amunt as\n\nMore at 4/2\n\nbited in the Calong\n\nM. Bramston\n\n(Minutes.)\n\nadolles hat\n\nif\n\nii, It was dimagine intended that Mr. Gibbons\n\nShould receive in the\n\ndate\n\nor\n\n1\n\nordinary way 1⁄2 Salary from\n\nof embarkation: unfortunately\n\nSeems to have been stated to him.\n\nthis never\n\nIt is preposterous for him to suppose that he would receive pay during the interval from the 1st\n\nof the appointment: besides this would amount to a premium on delaying departure\n\nthe date of\n\nthe\n\ngovernor\n\nI think he should be told through that according\n\nto the universal rule he is entitled\n\nto\n\n1⁄2 pay from the date\n\nof\n\nembarkation, as the i\n\nBor.\n\n72209\n\n(runs. 480--H & S 9050)\n\nodge question is whether In Decentiate should\n\nbe called upon to refund the amount, or whether\n\nupon\n\nikskola ber specially voted to Mr. Gibbons,\n\nHere is the corrected version in HTML format:\n\nHongkong\n\nNo. 8194\n\nDOMESTIC.\n\n469\n\nSalary of his Afforf.\n\nTo Family Remittances\n\n1880\n\nApr.\n\nas per previous Paper.\n\nGov.\n\nTar by\n\n7784\n\nreserve\n\nComplains that he cannot\n\nwith grant\n\ndatory to telegraph is drawn in\n\nlate of amount as\n\nMore at 4/2\n\nexhibited in the Calong\n\nM. Bramston\n\n(Minutes.)\n\ndollars that\n\nif\n\nii, It was dimly intended that Mr. Gibbons\n\nShould receive in the\n\ndate\n\nor\n\n1\n\nordinary way 1⁄2 Salary from\n\ndate of embarkation: unfortunately\n\nSeems to have been stated to him.\n\nThis never\n\nIt is preposterous for him to suppose that he would receive pay during the interval from the 1st\n\nof the appointment: besides this would amount to a premium on delaying departure\n\nthe date of\n\nthe\n\nGovernor\n\nI think he should be told through that according\n\nto the universal rule he is entitled\n\nto\n\n1⁄2 pay from the date\n\nof\n\nembarkation, as the\n\nBor.\n\n72209\n\n(runs. 480--H & S 9050)\n\nThe question is whether Mr. Gibbons should\n\nbe called upon to refund the amount, or whether\n\nthe sum should be specially voted to Mr. Gibbons,\n\nCorrected and formatted according to the instructions, here is the output:\n\nHongkong\n\nNo. 8194\n\nDOMESTIC.\n\n469\n\nSalary of his Afforf.\n\nTo Family Remittances\n\n1880\n\nApr.\n\nas per previous Paper.\n\nGov.\n\nTar by\n\n7784\n\nreserve\n\nComplains that he cannot\n\nwith grant\n\ndatory to telegraph is drawn in\n\nlate of amount as\n\nMore at 4/2\n\nexhibited in the Calong\n\nM. Bramston\n\n(Minutes.)\n\ndollars that\n\nif\n\nii, It was dimly intended that Mr. Gibbons\n\nShould receive in the\n\ndate\n\nor\n\n1\n\nordinary way 1⁄2 Salary from date of embarkation: unfortunately\n\nSeems to have been stated to him. This never\n\nIt is preposterous for him to suppose that he would receive pay during the interval from the 1st of the appointment: besides this would amount to a premium on delaying departure the date of\n\nthe\n\nGovernor\n\nI think he should be told through that according to the universal rule he is entitled to 1⁄2 pay from the date of embarkation, as the\n\nBor. 72209 (runs. 480--H&S9050)\n\nThe question is whether Mr. Gibbons should be called upon to refund the amount, or whether the sum should be specially voted to Mr. Gibbons,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-191 - Public Offices & Others - 1880.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 308406, "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": "CO129-192 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [1-4]", "page_number": 396, "title": "CO129-192 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [1-4]", "content_text": "convict or as to the adequacy of the Sentence which were matters within the opinion and discretion of the judge; that with regard to the bonus of $15,000, now \n\n4 Nelson, introduced into the case by Mr. which appears to have been \n\nby the opium farmers \n\nground that he was a \n\nSever \n\non the \n\nvery \n\nI agree. Opinion of the foregoing-\n\nRm 1076 \n\nI should like to see speech if \n\nand \n\nLord Kimberly \n\nfriend of the Governor and had obtained the opium farms for them, the S.S. does not \n\nsee that it has much to do with \n\nthe case \n\nbut he regrets that the Governor should have hazarded \n\nover in Schence a matter which has been commented on in \n\nthe newspapers and which without the explanations, which the Governor is doubtless in a position \n\nto furnish, cannot but injuriously \n\nreflect upon all concerned in it \n\nRr. $161 \n\nhave \n\n388 \n\nLube \n\nLee Nelson's \n\na \n\ncopy. K June 12 \n\nIt will be found at Jr. 34 of blue Confidential. bottom of 11 Column - \n\nNotion \n\ncation \n\nmy \n\nd in \n\nfound preposterous (being \n\ncrews of \n\ntheme \n\n22 02-\n\nStrat \n\nnu \n\nhuman \n\nM.13. \n\nregal mind \n\nthe \n\nSee \n\nis any justification \n\nPetitions rebel \n\nto be \n\nNelson's speech secure But judges Sometimes \n\ntake \n\nvery \n\nwhile \n\nI cannot \n\nground for inquiry \n\nLee \n\nexists \n\nstrange \n\nbefore \n\nLyme \n\nany \n\nthe \n\nadministration of justice in the \n\nand a \n\nthe C. J. passed \n\nfact \n\nthat \n\nlight suit une \n\nmany I would therefore \n\nproposed \n\nwhat \n\nJeene \n\nin a draft \n\nawar \n\nLet me see \n\nin \n\nthe lure. \n\nK June 13/81", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-192 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 317912, "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": "CO129-202 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1882 [7-9]", "page_number": 163, "title": "CO129-202 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1882 [7-9]", "content_text": "# THE CHINA REVIEW.\n\n\"We can do to assist you we will do.\" Chien replying to the three, said with a low obeisance, \"I am much indebted to your public spirit; as for Kao Chin when he was in a humble way he was often here, and I taught him to use the spear and the club; I always was well with him. The beast however learnt himself plenty of evil, but now that he has risen he still remembers me and often wished to promote me; I however did not wish to go his ways; we have therefore been slightly separated, but still in private affairs we keep up some connection, also at the three feasts or on our birthdays I go to his house; I have often told you, Fan, this. My daughter goes out constantly (i.e., does not cover her head but lets her face appear.) To-day being the anniversary of her mother's death she went to the Jewel Fairy temple to burn incense, when this affair unexpectedly came up: Kao Ya-nei allows himself now to be in the wrong, and I think it is very preposterous to endure a wrong, nor do I want to discuss the matter further; but I fear I am much troubling.\" Tai said, \"Although Kao Chin is a good friend to you, I fear this affair will not end like this; you will see there will soon be complications; it is not I, Tai Tsung, who wishes to take you, but for a man of your ability to be buried into the long grass is much to be pitied, nor are you very old. Moreover the ministers now are bad and the road for men of virtue is closed, and the good birds pick out what trees they may rest on. Does not your reverence have any anxiety for the future? I am not very bold, but in my humble opinion you ought to come to our hill, and amongst our various chiefs and men of merit so gallant a man as you will be like adding flowers to embroidery, and all will respect you. When too the amnesty comes for us, what honours will there not be for you.\" Chou said, \"If you, Sir, agree to Tai's word, choose your day for starting with your dear daughter, I will willingly act as your attendant on the way, and why should you be insulted and bent down by authority.\" Ch'en replied, \"I am much indebted to you for what you have said, and I should get my whip and stirrups ready. But I am intimate with matters beyond this world, and care not for worldly matters, so I cannot, I fear, be thus happy; moreover my little daughter is like an infant dear to me and cannot be separated from me. Li-ch'ing in your den has a feud and difference with me, and this though not worth discussion would make it unpleasant for us to live in one place, and I shall, captains, be able some day to recompense you.\" Tai wanted to ask about the feud, but the old servant coming in said \"that two messengers are come from Lord Kao Chin asking to speak with you, Sir, and they now are sitting in the hall.\" Chen rose up and asked the three to sit still. Fan and Tai, seeing what they had said was not appreciated and also seeing men had come from Kao Chin's, also got up and said, \"We have come by chance (i.e., lightly); we will pay our respects again.\" Ch'en said, \"To-morrow I will visit; thank you; I trust I may not be in the wrong if I have been remiss or disrespectful.\" Chou also rose up, thanked his host and went out with the rest. Ch'en showed them to the door and they parted; then turning round he saw the other two. He told the old woman to shut the door.\n\nTai on getting outside a few steps turned his head to the two others and said, \"That creature did not comprehend I was elevating him.\" Fan said, \"He is unwilling, but there is no help for it.\" Chou from behind called out, \"Let us return to the hill and consult with Woo, by hook or by crook to get him there; Tu-chien-I was got to come into our hands, how much more this one.\" Tai and Fan said, \"People are coming out from all the lanes, speak lower.\" Chien meantime had recognized two of the low square caps who had talked with him at the wine-shop; here was San Kao, the fire-raising poker; the other Hsueh Pao, called the peace-hater. The two men bowed, and Hsi-chen, after bowing in return, said, \"What business is it has troubled you two gentlemen to descend here from your brilliant abode?\" The two said, \"Kao Ya-nei has sent us two here to beg your pardon, and to ask the lady to overlook the offence. Ya-nei would have come himself, but he feared Miss would look askant at him, so he told us to come instead.\" Chen said, \"What, we have already come to an agreement about this at the wine-shop; since you two have been at the trouble of moving, that little baggage of mine has had a beating from me, and she still is sulky:\" he asked them to sit, and also told the old servant to fetch the young lady. In a short time Li-ch'ing appeared, having purposely rubbed her eyes till they were quite red, together with her nurse. She said, \"Papa, strangers are here, what do you call me out for?\" Ch'en said, \"Come here directly; this is Mr. San and that Mr. Hsueh. They have got into trouble about the row you created at Ya-nei's; you must immediately bow to them.\" Li-ch'ing joined her hands and bending low from her willow-like waist said, \"Ten thousand happinesses; I am much indebted to you. In my rough conduct just now I forgot my station, and I trust my father has already punished me. You two gentlemen will have said all that is necessary for your slave to Kao Ya-nei.\" These two idiots put on an appearance and made a deep obeisance. \"What! are you crying, Miss? Ya-nei by his outrageous behaviour to you told us to come here to ask you to overlook matters.\" They then made another obeisance, but Ch'en quickly raising them up said, \"Why should a child like this be thus treated; my child, you have hardly obtained your forgiveness, you go in and tell them to get dinner ready.\" Li-ch'ing saying \"much happiness,\" went in. The two idiots quickly began muttering a long string of excuses, that they were not hungry and rising up began to go. Ch'en attempted to stop them, saying a glass of wine would do them no harm. But they both said, \"The day was late, and Ya-nei was expecting them--they must really be going.\" Ch'en then accompanied them to the door and asked them to come to-morrow, but the two with a bow went off as quickly as they could out of the lane. Hsi-chen then shut the door and went inside, where the nurse and servant were arranging the evening meal.\n\nAs soon as he was alone with his daughter he said, \"My plan is having some meaning; my teacher has often said your betrothal was in the N.E.; I too in N.E. have an evil genius there, and I must go to have done with him, and then I can get myself into order; I think the only other place we can go to is Chin-chun-fu in Shantung where your aunt's husband Liu-huang lives; his public spirit is universal and he agrees with me very well, only whether he can give us a resting-place I don't know now, as he has been degraded. No letter has lately come from him; your two cousins came up last year for their military examinations, but did not pass. I must remind him and go and see him, and now will be a good time for us to go together. You take care to get together a few ordinary things so that we can carry them with us in two bundles; the rest we will leave behind without regret, but don't let the nurse see.\" Li-ch'ing said, \"Papa, tell me what to do, I will do it. But there is mother's grave, we have no relation to ask to look after it.\" Hsi-chen said, \"Never mind, I know it won't be long before we see a conflagration going on at that beast Kao Chin's house; he will of a certainty fall in four or five years more, and then when all is quiet we will return to our old place.\" Li-ch'ing said, \"Are we to leave all the things here as well as the house?\" Hsi-chen said, \"I regard wealth, honours and reputation as so much dirt, they together with ourselves are all unreal, we only want to catch him whether he likes or not, why trouble about the things in the house?\" Li-ch'ing said, \"Who were those three strangers?\" Chen said, \"Did you not hear, one was a fellow citizen, Mr. Fan; I know him, but am not very intimate with him. Those other two are Liang-shan robbers who came here to ask me to enter their den.\"", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-202 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1882 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 327305, "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": "CO129-219 Foreign Office 1884", "page_number": 93, "title": "CO129-219 Foreign Office 1884", "content_text": "# No. 1091.\n\nCopy **REOP** 3 GS Foreign Office November 13, 1883.\n\nMy Lord,\n\nNo 59 A. Lord Lyons January 181884\n\nThe French Ambassador called on me today. I said that it appeared that the French Government had a large majority in the Chamber. His Excellency answered that was the case, that he had previously expected it, and had at Walmer told the Chinese Minister that he was quite wrong if he calculated on the defeat of the Government on the Chinese Question. M. Waddington went on to say that the Chinese proposals were preposterous, that they amounted... \n\nThe Viscount Lyons, S.C.B. & K...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-219 Foreign Office 1884.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 332767, "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": 121, "title": "CO129-230 - Public Offices & Others - 1886", "content_text": "Sir,\n\nThe Secretary to the Admiralty to Sir J. Pauncefote.--(Received April 3.)\n\nAdmiralty, April 1, 1888,\n\n120\n\nMA\n\nWITH reference to your letter of the 27th February last forwarding copy of a letter from Mr. A. Langen, the owner of the schooner \"Lilla,\" which was wrecked on one of the Pelew Islands in 1880 and plundered by the natives, and requesting to be informed how the 150l. which was levied from the natives by the Commanding Officer of Her Majesty's ship \"Comus\" was disposed of, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit to you, for the perusal of the Earl of Rosebery, copy of a letter from Captain East, late of Her Majesty's ship \"Comus,\" relative to the disposal of the indemnity paid by the natives in 1882.\n\nI am, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nEVAN MACGREGOR.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nMEMORANDUM respecting the Visit of Her Majesty's ships \"Comus\" and \"Lily\" to the Pelew Islands in 1881-82.\n\nSir,\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 2.\n\nCaptain East to the Secretary to the Admiralty.\n\n8, Hanover Terrace, Weymouth, March 27, 1886.\n\nI BEG to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th instant relative to the disposal of indemnity paid by natives of the Pelew Islands in 1882.\n\nIt had been arranged by Commander Grove, of Her Majesty's ship \"Lily,\" who first, in 1881, fixed the amount and nature of the indemnity to be paid by the natives, that all the trade produce should be handed over to Mr. Gibbon, the only Englishman living in these islands, who was to act as agent for Messrs. O'Keefe, Henderson and Co., the owners of the schooner \"Lilla;\" but the offending parties refusing to pay up, I was ordered to enforce payment. The trade produce so obtained consisting of cobra, pearl shell, tortoise shell, and bêche-de-mer, was handed over to Mr. Henderson, who arrived at the islands while we were there; but the stone money paid was kept by Mr. Gibbon until the natives should bring in enough trade to redeem it, and which I believe was subsequently done; also the remaining part of the fine was, I think, paid by the offending tribes, as I purposely left the impression on their minds that they would be liable to further punishment if they did not do so.\n\nI trust Receipts were given by Mr. Henderson (for what he was given) to Mr. Gibbon, and I think duplicates were sent with the correspondence to the Commander-in-chief. Mr. O'Keefe is not giving further trouble in this matter. A great deal of risk and expense was incurred to settle this affair, which was brought about in a great measure by the way in which O'Keefe was in the habit of treating the natives of these islands, and I hope he will not be listened to.\n\nI can quite fancy that he may be trying to make something out of the late embroglio about the Caroline Islands, and sending in preposterous claims.\n\nI inclose copy of an extract taken from a letter written to me by Mr. Gibbon some time after I was there referring to this matter.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nJAMES W. EAST.\n\nP.S.-The stone money referred to is utterly useless out of these islands, and the nature of the indemnity precluded any notice being taken of it in the cash accounts of Her Majesty's ships \"Comus\" or \"Lily.\"\n\nJ. W. E.\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 2.\n\nMr. Gibbon to Captain East.\n\n(Extract.)\n\nKorror, Pelew, June 2, 1882.\n\nI HAVE not been fortunate enough to see King Arracklye, but from report he has returned to his village, escorted by Eturo, the Araminale Chief, and is now at work repairing his village.\n\nHe has already paid Eturo a large sum of stone money--much more than what he paid you.\n\nI had a message from the Chief of Aukarar, who has promised to pay his part of the claim by instalments.\n\nThe Arragolo people are now at work to settle their part.\n\nKing Arracklye I am rather doubtful about, though he may alter his tune.\n\nMr. O'Keefe has been here, and does not appear satisfied with what has been done for him.\n\nOur meeting was short but unpleasant.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-230 - Public Offices & Others - 1886.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 340825, "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": "CO129-243 - Public Offices & Others - 1889", "page_number": 554, "title": "CO129-243 - Public Offices & Others - 1889", "content_text": "HONGKONG, FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1889. The Rev. A. G. Goldsmith, in his letter, published in yesterday's issue, hopes that the subject of Sunday Labour in the harbour will not be permitted to slip into oblivion. We sincerely trust this will not be the case. The agitators for this reform have not received much encouragement or sympathy from those in high places in this Colony; but, as their cause is a just one, they ought not to be disheartened thereby. We fear there is little chance of their bringing the Governor of this Colony to rightly appreciate the movement. The speech he recently delivered breathed such a spirit of heartless materialism that there is little hope of his yielding to the petition of those who are deprived of their day of rest.\n\nOutside Governmental circles, the agitation has to encounter the violent opposition of those who are opposed to everything that is of a Christian character, and the secret antipathy or lukewarmness of a larger class who think that their profits will be diminished if steamers and sailing ships cannot be discharged on Sunday as on Saturday. Sir G. W. Des Voeux, however, has not the final say in the Government of the Colony, and Mr Goldsmith and his friends may knock at the door of the Colonial Office until they obtain a hearing. The sentiment in favour of Sunday rest is strong in England. Employers and employés appreciate the advantage of the relief from the eternal grind, and they are apt to see that England has not lost but gained largely by the observance of a day of rest.\n\nMr Goldsmith calls upon all the supporters of his movement to meet the objections that have been raised. The difficulty is that there are really no tangible objections to meet. As our Shanghai contemporary, the N.-C. Daily News, remarks, a more hopeless piece of argument than the Governor's speech we never read. Against all precedent and example, he maintains that the stoppage of Sunday labour in the harbour must entail the stoppage of all labour on land. We have already met this argument by showing that all that is demanded of the Chinese is that they allow us to observe our own customs. We allow them to work seven days in the week and take their holidays as they please. It is surely not too much to ask that in a British port, British subjects should not be driven to work on Sundays because a few Chinese are ready to take delivery of their goods.\n\nThat the native merchants would not consider it unjust to be called upon to make this small concession to English customs, seeing we concede so much to them, may be taken for granted, for, even at the Treaty Ports, in their own country, they are forced to a large extent to acquiesce in the cessation of work on board steamers on Sunday, and they have never been known to make a complaint. We are firmly convinced that if a law were made in Hongkong forbidding Sunday labour in the harbour, or rather permitting it only on payment of a sum equivalent to a day's demurrage, which would ensure that the permission was only asked for on a stronger ground than the desire to gain one day for discharge, not one ship Captain, or agent, would seek to evade the law.\n\nThe idea that the gaol would be filled with Chinese convicted of working on Sunday is too ludicrous to be entertained for one moment. There remains the question of enforcing by law in Hongkong what is elsewhere accomplished by a Customs regulation. The object to be accomplished is the same, and we cannot conceive why there should be much greater difficulty in enforcing the cessation of Sunday work in this harbour by a Harbour regulation than there is at other places by a Customs regulation.\n\nA law can only be difficult to enforce when it is unjust and is opposed by those on whom it operates. It is only the action of a few which keeps ship-owners and merchants from coming to a mutual arrangement on the subject, and we are sure that if by law they were all placed on an equal footing, they would heartily acquiesce in the officers and seamen on board steamers and sailing vessels enjoying the blessing of Sunday rest.\n\nAs to mail steamers, it would be well if Mr Goldsmith and his friends would obtain from the leading British ports information with regard to their treatment by the Custom Houses. Our opinion is that there should be no distinction. It is only two or three times a year that the English mail arrives on Sunday, and still more seldom does the French or German mail come in on that day. If the agents of these steamers considered it all-important to gain a few hours by working on Sundays, they would be prepared to pay the day's demurrage.\n\nAt any rate, this difficulty ought not to stand in the way of obtaining Sunday rest in this harbour, any more than it does in other ports. As to the junks obtaining an advantage over steamers by being able to work seven days in the week, the idea is preposterous. One might as well argue that all the English and foreign shop-keepers should open on Sunday in order that the Chinese might not obtain an advantage over them.\n\nThe truth is, the Chinese take about as many holidays as we do, although they take them in a different manner, and if each nationality were to become envious of the other's working day, the end would be a total abolition of all holidays. We cannot do better than close our remarks by quoting a few pithy sentences from a leader on the subject in the N.-C. Daily News:-\n\nSurely, the fact that the change would only benefit a thousand people at the outside is a proof that it would not be such a very violent measure, and lessens the difficulty in enforcing it, and we cannot believe that the combined wisdom of Hongkong would be incapable of making the change because there is no Custom-house. Not only is Sunday observance enforced on junks in the treaty ports, as far as we know, but we have never heard any foreign shipowners complain that this gives the junks an unfair advantage; nor do we believe that there is any diminution in the wealth of the treaty ports because the Custom-houses are closed on Sunday, and the Governor's argument is an argument against the general observing Sunday at all.\n\nThe general belief of the civilised world is that the total wealth is not diminished by one day's rest. We take leave to doubt the infliction of fines and imprisonment would be the only way of enforcing the desired observance of Sunday, and, even if so, are there no gradations of punishment in Hongkong? Committing a nuisance in the street is not an offence in Chinese law, but it is, we presume, in Hongkong. How is it punished? And if by fine or imprisonment, does every coolie who is thus punished at once consider himself on a level with thieves, and say to himself, \"Why should I not go and thieve?\"\n\nSir William Des Voeux must have a very poor opinion of the intelligence of his Council to imagine that such an argument as that would impress them. What again does he imagine becomes of the population of the treaty ports who are prevented from working on Sunday by the closing of the Custom-houses? Does he imagine that they all pass the day in idling and its consequent crime? Would it not have been better for him to discover how Sunday observance works at the treaty ports, instead of evolving such untenable arguments against it from his own consciousness?\n\nNo doubt our contemporaries in the South have already answered the Governor's remarkable speech, for it is impossible that they can have accepted it in silence as the Legislative Council did, though that silence was possibly the silence of amazement that a person in such a position could make such a preposterous deliverance in public.\n\nPage 549\n\n0.\n\n1030\n\nJUL 99,\n\nhawr Cuct ther\n\nout of the paper I. suf last week. There was no lektor.\n\npho. 8212.—MAY 3, 1889.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-243 - Public Offices & Others - 1889.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 345768, "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": "CO129-250 - Acting Governor Barker - 1891 [6-8]", "page_number": 167, "title": "CO129-250 - Acting Governor Barker - 1891 [6-8]", "content_text": "# SUNDAY LABOR IN HONGKONG HARBOUR\n\n## THE SUNDAY LABOUR QUESTION, AN APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT\n\nHIS EXCELLENCY the Acting Governor received a deputation at Government House on the 18th Nov., 1890, from the British Mercantile Marine Officers' Association on the question of unnecessary Sunday labour on board ships in this port. The deputation, which was received, in the first instance, by Lieut. Thorburn, A.D.C., and which was subsequently introduced to His EXCELLENCY, the Hon. F. FLEMING, C.M.G., by the Hon. W. M. DEANE, C.M.G., Acting Colonial Secretary, consisted of Captain S. ASHTON, A.L.N.A. (President), Mr. CHESNEY DENGAN (Hon. Secretary), and Messrs. L. R. JAMES, T. W. GALE, JAMES PEARCE, and W. WINCH (officers).\n\nCaptain ASHTON said that the deputation felt most deeply grateful to His Excellency for granting it the honour of an interview, which was sought owing to the strong feeling amongst British officers that there should be a cessation of labour on board ship in this port on Sunday. Having studied Lord Knutsford's speech on the subject, made in the House of Lords on the 25th of July last, the Association came to the conclusion that the best way of causing much-needed legislation on the subject was to move the Chamber of Commerce to recommend Government to introduce a Bill which would cause the cessation of unnecessary Sunday labour. With that object in view, the Association discussed the question at length with the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce at a public conference held at the City Hall on the 17th ultimo. Full reports of the arguments used on that occasion, together with the Chamber's written decision, dated the 31st of October, had doubtless come within His Excellency's cognizance.\n\nHis EXCELLENCY.-Yes, and your reply to the Chamber's letter has also been read by me.\n\nCAPTAIN ASHTON, continuing, said he was very glad to think that His Excellency had taken notice of the movement, which, he submitted, was a righteous and justifiable movement, and a protest against moral slavery. He could well understand that the Committee of the Chamber was temporarily mesmerized by its surroundings, which were heathenish, and that therefore they looked at the situation through somewhat dim glasses. But whether that were so or not, he contended that the reply of the Chamber was unjustifiable in the circumstances, and it was an insult to officers. It was perfectly well known to shipowners here that no individual officer was independent enough to take the consequences of making personal (individual) application for exemption from duty on the Sabbath. The proposition of the Chamber was impracticable in the extreme, and by no means amounted to a modus vivendi. The Chamber wrote: \"The Committee are of opinion that the Government could not legislate for the complete suppression of Sunday labour in this harbour, as the questions involved are very serious and would affect injuriously all the shipping interests of the Colony, and particularly the large Chinese population connected therewith.\" The Government, he was convinced, could legislate for the suppression of Sunday labour; it would not \"injuriously affect all, or any, of the shipping interests of the Colony.\" As to the Chinese, he was aware that they always objected to any new law—innovations were detested by them, no matter what their nature. A Sunday observance law would not injuriously affect the Chinese, and it was preposterous for the Chamber to make such an assertion. He was convinced the Chinese would warmly appreciate their Sunday's rest.\n\nIt was regrettable that the Chamber should have seen fit to question, to virtually impeach the motives of Lord Knutsford. That important servant of Her Majesty had said, in as many words, that he would legislate were the Chamber of Commerce to recommend it; and now the Chamber committed itself to the statement: \"Indeed if such a recommendation was formulated, the Committee are of opinion that Government would not legislate.\" That was a very bold assertion, and it was the first time in the annals of colonial history that a Chamber of Commerce had taken upon itself to answer for the Government on a question which affected the masses. The Association was persuaded that Lord Knutsford meant what he said, and that the Committee's reply was utterly unjustifiable.\n\nAs to the distinction drawn by the Chamber between ocean-going and coast steamers, it was equally without reasonable basis, for ocean steamers became coasters, almost without exception, as soon as they touched Hongkong; for they usually called in at Swatow, Amoy, and Foochow en route to Shanghai, and often called at Foochow and Swatow on their way home from the Far East. It was palpably an insult for the Chamber to instruct British Officers that they must consider Sunday labour on board ships in this port as a mere incident of a voyage of four months' duration! They did not, and never would, consider it \"a mere incident,\" but they did consider, and continued to do so, that the incidence was a scandal and disgrace, and a blot upon our boasted civilization. Hongkong, instead of being a centre of light and civilization to our heathen neighbours, was absolutely the reverse.\n\nThat was the \"incident\" which was firmly implanted in the minds of British officers who were so unfortunate as to be in Hongkong on a Sunday—they were better off in the ports of China where owners had to pay heavy fees for permission from the Chinese Customs Authorities to work on the Sabbath. But this was not the worst phase of the Committee's dictum: Officers were told, \"officers may, and frequently do, escape Sunday in this port.\" Instead of Hongkong, a British possession, dearly bought with British blood and money, being a place of safety and protection for the storm-tossed British mariner, he was instructed to consider himself fortunate if he \"escape\" being in Hongkong on Sunday. Escape! He spurned the idea, and was confident that no Briton could be convinced that it was right for him to consider it a lucky escape were he never, once in a twelve-month, in Hongkong on Sunday.\n\nHe trusted His Excellency would urge Her Majesty's Government to take steps to relieve the British Mercantile Marine Officer, whose practice it was to follow three principles of loyalty, which were: - First, loyalty to their Sovereign, Defender of their Faith. Secondly, loyalty to their employers. Thirdly, loyalty to themselves. They had in years gone by proved their loyalty to their Sovereign and to their owners, and how they came before his Excellency with all humility and in deep earnestness to implore and beseech him to protect them from the continuance of an obnoxious custom (it was merely a custom, a relic of an evil past) which they felt to be a great hardship, and an invasion of their rights as loyal subjects of the Queen.\n\nHis EXCELLENCY, in reply, said he was very glad to receive the deputation and to hear the views expressed by them on a question which was, admittedly, one of much importance. It was, he believed, admitted on all sides that it would be desirable to diminish Sunday labour as carried on in this colony if such could possibly be done. The question then arose whether it should be interfered with, and if so, by what means such interference should be brought about. There were only two ways by which this could be done, one being by having recourse to compulsory legislation, the other by the voluntary co-operation of those who were concerned in the shipping interests of the colony.\n\nAs regards the question of compulsory legislation, the views of the Governor of Hongkong and the Governor of the Straits Settlements, as well as the conclusions which had been expressed by the Secretary of State, and which were stated by him in the House of Lords when answering a question in connection with this matter in July last, must necessarily be known to the members of the deputation. If, even, therefore, he (His Excellency) entertained views different from those expressed by the Governors of Hongkong and the Straits Settlements, which he did not, it would not be for him to enter into that question.\n\nHe admitted that he did not altogether agree with all the arguments which had been brought forward as proof that it was impossible to diminish Sunday labour in this colony. It was true that the Chinese did not regard the Sunday in the same light as we did, and they would, not unnaturally, be disposed to work on that day, if encouragement were given to them to do so. But this could scarcely be said to be peculiar to the Chinese, inasmuch as in some other countries, where Sunday labour did not exist to the same extent that it did here, there would doubtless be found many who would be ready to work on the seventh day in addition to the other six days of the week, if sufficient inducement were offered to them to do so.\n\nPage 34\nPage 35", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-250 - Acting Governor Barker - 1891 [6-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 349354, "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": "CO129-255 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1892 [5-7]", "page_number": 306, "title": "CO129-255 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1892 [5-7]", "content_text": "## \nOn looking at our estimates I have been astonished at the scale of clerical salaries ruling here. \n\nI have had the corresponding figures taken out for Singapore, Mauritius, and Ceylon. \nI shall refer to those for Singapore and Mauritius at the end of this minute; \nMeanwhile I will deal with the comparison with Ceylon, with which I am more familiar.\n\nIn Ceylon the Clerical service is divided into three classes - the first drawing, Rs 600 a year; the Second Rs 600 or $266. (I take the official Equivalent of Rs 24 to the dollar throughout) - and the third under Rs 600. \n\nThe average salary drawn in Ceylon by the 300 clerks in the depts coming first is Rs 840 or $373. \nHere the average drawn by our 85 clerks is $411.89. \nThe highest salary in Ceylon is Rs 5000. Here it is $4536. \nIn Ceylon the maximum drawn by a clerk is Rs 3200 or $1333; here we have come $4500. I more drawing over $3300, 9 more drawing from $2200 to $3000, a number drawing close on $2000. \n\nMeanwhile official salaries other than the Clerical are not higher here - e.g., Rs 24000 or $10,666, and is gross (not net) for the Attorney General, who draws a house rent allowance of Rs 4800 or $2000 besides. \nThe Auditor draws Rs 18000 or $1999 with private practice which is worth about as much again. \nThe Asst. Col. Sec. draws the same with allowances := \nThe Treasurer draws Rs 24000 or $1000 (sic) \nThe Asst Col. Sec.! Rs 12000 or $5333 2/5 = $305...\n\nIn view of these & other considerations the Scale of clerical salaries here appears to be absolutely preposterous. \nWe have here a clerk, to take the most glaring Example (not an Englishman by the way) who is drawing more than our Auditor, a great deal more than his official superior, the Asst Col. Sec., as much as the Treasurer, who is a member of the Ex. C., and more than the second class of the Ceylon Civil Service !\n\nCeylon civil servants have to pass very stiff competitive exams; it takes them on an average 20 years service to reach the second class and the salary of that class is Rs 9600 or $4268. \nHere we have a clerk drawing $1536!\n\n| Location | Average Salary |\n|-----------------|----------------|\n| Singapore | $8735 |\n| Mauritius | $7744 |\n| Ceylon | $375 |\n| Hongkong | $1109 |\n| Treasurer's scheme | $1239 |\n\nHe has, as I say, omitted some 22 clerks altogether - (82, 4.3. M.0.B. 3.6.92)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-255 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1892 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 355111, "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": "CO129-264 - Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1894 [9-12]", "page_number": 96, "title": "CO129-264 - Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1894 [9-12]", "content_text": "was tatten really to remove Dr Wright from D. Eitel's Inspection. Dr Wright now some \n\nthat if a Board is \n\nauths that \n\nbe transferred \n\nappointed \n\nJague. \n\nA \n\nAM... \n\nno intention to take the management more than the manage- \n\nout of her hands Bony \n\nted he \n\nmay \n\nthis \n\nthinkh, \n\nout \n\n1. Should be Experians \n\nment \n\nto some other appointment \n\nSome other colony \n\nor be allowed to retire on \n\npension. He adds his views as to what \n\nthe constitution of the Board should be. \n\nRemark \n\n's, code is \"As a \n\nThe governor's \n\ngoverning \n\nbody has already been appointed in accordance with your lordship's instructions. I do not \n\n\"mopore to offer any \n\n* \n\n\"communications\". \n\ncomment upon 2: Wright's \n\n92 \n\n93. \n\nWriting on the 4th of February 1893 [1141 2123=2] \n\nappears \n\nto be under \n\nthat there is \n\nFord Ripon, in answer to a complaint of \n\nDr Wright, said \"he \n\nmisapprehension in supposing \n\nIf \n\ng \n\na \n\nany intention of putting the management of the \n\ncollege \n\ninto the hands either \n\n80-8 \n\nJa \n\na Board \n\nA \n\nSwould say domething to \n\nthis Effat. I \n\nor Dr Eitel. He seems to think that \n\nthis \n\npolicy \n\nhas now been reversed or that he \n\nhot been a sufferer in consequence. If it \n\nhad been reversed, it would have been in \n\nConsequence of \n\nGetting Wright \n\n01 \n\nD: Wright & Dr Eitel not \n\ntogether, for \n\nwhich I believe £? \n\nto be at lost as much to Glasse \n\nas the other. But there has been & is. I. \n\nof \n\nIton on Winchester was taken out i \n\nthe headmaster's hands. When the new \n\nboards of governors \n\nwere \n\nappointed: \n\n94 \n\nWhat has been in my mind, has been \n\nHoxe more \n\n(the denaliting g \n\nexpecially) having \n\nbeen \n\nSome outside examinas, some test to tabie the place of what has lately done by the Inspector of Schools. 'Is it \n\nto allow Dr Wright to exarnine his own school with no control except What must be the rather nominal control \n\nough \n\nof the governor? I do not think it is, and I think a \n\nin other \n\nBoard of governors besides examining for appointing examines ways strengthen not weaken \n\nby the terms of his arroint. \n\nmay the headmaster's hands.\" That of Wright by the terms of \n\nment was to be subordinate only Yes. Σ Tohara Zemin governor \n\ngovernor - that printed, \n\nkim that \n\na chan herme \n\nhun \n\nFish \n\nof the continere frisation \n\nhtuun himmelf at St \n\nt \n\nth. how the front of \n\nTrash \n\nIdeath about \n\nif \n\nis the \n\na Board is pop- \n\nhe can claim that his office has been abolished - Dose Iregaid as simply preposterous. If educational opening \n\noccurs \n\nsome \n\naley \n\nother \n\ncolony, by all means let his name be considered, but meanwhile he ought in", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-264 - Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1894 [9-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 356590, "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": "CO129-266 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [1-3]", "page_number": 121, "title": "CO129-266 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [1-3]", "content_text": "# Enclosure \n→ The North-China Daily News. \n\n**IMPARTIAL NOT NEUTRAL,** \nHONGKONG, 9TH JANUARY, 1895. \n\n## HEALTH IN HONGKONG \n\nA year ago 1894 must have been ended in Hongkong with a sense of relief. It began badly with a sudden and prolonged drop in exchange which brought in its train misery to many. Let us hope, wisdom too.\n\nHardly had the Colony begun to accommodate itself to an altered standard of living, when a riot broke out among the Chinese, the danger of which was not, perhaps, sufficiently appreciated at the time. As a matter of fact, it was a serious riot which cost no small amount of trouble and anxiety to subdue. To the riot succeeded the Plague, than which no more weighty misfortune ever befallen the Gibraltar of the East. The calamity was not without its uses in the fine public spirit it provoked. There was an absence of anything like panic among the English. The disease was faced and fought calmly and resolutely, with a zeal and devotion, both civil and military, not unworthy of the traditions of the race from which they sprang. Even when the fight was done, the shadow of Death still hovered near, and as the year drew to a close, the beat of his wings was heard in the death of more than one, who in public and social life had earned the respect and regard of the community in which they had lived and borne their part.\n\nIf we are to learn from the lessons of the past, a retrospect such as this cannot be without its value. It should teach us at least to investigate the causes of our ills; to remove them when possible; and, where that is deemed to be impracticable, to endure the results with patience. Exchange is one of these evils, not perhaps remediable but to which, pace the metallists, we have learned in our generation to bow the head. It may be hoped that it will be ameliorated and finally extinguished with the growing intimacy of our relations with our Chinese fellow-subjects. Death still comes with equal foot and irresistible to the door of rich and poor. His servant, the Plague, has been fought and conquered; ought never, indeed, to have won his temporary victory, but for supineness and neglect. Overcrowded dwellings, contaminated wells, defective sanitation were the sources of weakness: the springs of the strength of the enemy. The lesson is writ large - abolish these and you banish the Plague.\n\nAnd now let us see how Hongkong has taken the lesson to heart. The Public Health Bill passed its first reading as far back as last September. Since then, it has been discussed and overhauled by official and unofficial members, referred to that sapient body, the Sanitary Board for consideration and re-drafted about half-a-dozen times by the Attorney-General. In fine, no stone appears to have been left unturned to render as free from fault as possible the measure which at last advanced to the second reading stage at the Hongkong Legislative Council on the 22nd ultimo. It would be an abuse of language to describe this deliberate method of procedure as legislation in a panic. Ample time had been given for full discussion, and yet one of the unofficial members had the hardihood to ask for an adjournment on the plea that further time was required for consideration. This preposterous request having fallen to the ground, the obstructive tactics of the opposition were turned upon the Bill itself.\n\nIt is unnecessary to deal with the Bill in detail. It was admirably summarised in a lucid and cogent speech by the Attorney-General. Suffice it to say that the sections making provision for requirements of floor and air space, powers of house inspection, the closing of wells and the shutting up of houses where two or more convictions have been obtained within three months, were each and all opposed by the unofficial members in a body. The Amendment to the first of these sections proposed to substitute 21 square feet of floor space instead of 30 feet, and 800 instead of 400 cubic feet of air space, that is to say just one fifth of the air space required by law for every prisoner in Victoria Gaol. In the second section referred to, Doctor Ho Kai proposed to confine the inspection to common lodging houses. The third section was opposed on the ground that the use of wells might still be safely allowed for fire and drain purposes. And in the fourth, it was proposed that the house should only be closed when the conviction had been obtained against the same person.\n\nNow it is plain that these sections form the very head and front of the Bill. Under the old figures of section I, a floor might be covered with coolies lying on their backs, one man's head within 6 inches of the feet of the other, and a space of 6 inches round each. No one will contend that that would not be overcrowding, and everyone, who knows anything of the Chinese and their habits, knows that that is just what would take place. It is idle to legislate against overcrowding unless you determine the number of occupants to each house. Even then, your efforts will be foiled without a thorough-going system of inspection. How else is it possible to check the herding of Chinese? The proposal to limit the inspection to common lodging houses would nullify, and was intended to nullify, all provisions against overcrowding. So with regard to the closing of wells, you may put up what notices you please, the Chinese will continue to use water nearest at hand, contaminated or not, and, lastly, it is useless to hope to reach the offender unless you close the house after two or more convictions. It passes the wit of man to devise other means for catching a Chinaman. Suppose the Amendment of Mr. Belilios carried and the conviction required against the same person, who does not see that as soon as one offending tenant was evicted, his brother would take his place, and then his cousin, and so on through the long gamut of Chinese relationships. The fact is, the amendments were simply a barefaced attempt in the interests of a few landlords, whose pockets were likely to be affected, to wreck the Bill. In vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird.\n\nThe Bill is a thoroughly practical and well-considered measure. It is urgently needed. It is supported by the Press and by the great body of educated opinion in the Colony. It may even be doubted whether the landlords are not unnecessarily alarmed. Plagues are expensive things and, if they cast their bread upon the waters now, the landlords may find it coming back to them after many days in the shape of increased rents from healthier and wealthier tenantry. In any case, it would be as well for them to reflect that, in spite of all their efforts, the Government is determined to set its house in order. They cannot afford to run the risk of another outbreak of the Plague. The opposition will be brushed aside by a compact Government majority and the Bill will shortly pass into law.\n\nSo far, good. But he would be a shallow observer who would say that, therefore, obstruction does not matter. A wider issue is being raised by the opposition than they themselves seem to be aware of, in the spectacle of a Legislative Assembly, where the Government is found engaged in a struggle for the public weal against the public representatives themselves. We are forced, not for the first time, to ask whether representative Government in Hongkong has not been made a failure and a sham by the unworthy tactics of men who seek their own ends, thrusting better men out of their places, and robbing the word \"Honourable,\" applied to political life, of half its significance. People are being led to seriously ask themselves if it would not be better to do away with it altogether, if the affairs of the Colony would not be better administered under a strong Governor with Downing Street behind him as a court of appeal. And in the present state of affairs in Hongkong, we think they would.\n\n## Page 118 \n\nI have the honour to be, \nMy Lord Marquess, \nYour Lordship's Most Obedient \nHumble Servant, \nWain Rehnis \nRobwigy \n\nC. O. \n3001 \ndated 18 Feb 1895", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-266 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 356732, "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": "CO129-266 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [1-3]", "page_number": 263, "title": "CO129-266 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [1-3]", "content_text": "## my Submission to the Memorial; & With \n\nEven Keswick, who is opposed to change at all, than stick to Radicalists, we cater to Mr L. C. But the Governor:\n\nSuch an addition.\n\nAt the same time, it would be preposterous, in my opinion, to favor a second member while objecting to the Chamber of Commerce, or the Justices. I made representations to the Lieutenant Governor regarding the addition of an unofficial member to the Executive Council logically, or even plausibly - unless indeed some subsequent demonstration can justify a solid reason for increasing the number of unofficial members? - for adding an Unofficial member to the L.C. to maintain parity with the Officials, exclusive of the Governor. What is essential is that as regarded the protection of a Municipal Council, I agree with the Governor that it is better to hold out his encouragement by some sufficient reason.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-266 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 357179, "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": "CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6]", "page_number": 36, "title": "CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6]", "content_text": "## Meeting Transcript\n\nAfterwards asking the coolies to give certain guarantees against the infringement of the law. Among Chinese, it is well known that the tenants of houses constantly deposit some of the money with the landlord in order to secure the payment of the rental for a month or two months in advance. Now, by the same process, it appears to me that the landlord can protect himself by asking the tenant to deposit a certain sum of money to secure the carrying out of the law.\n\nThe other day, I think it is a matter alluded to by Mr. Mackintosh, we passed a law that in the absence of the head coolie—that is, the actual tenant of the house—the householder or, in the absence of the householder, the immediate landlord or landowner is responsible for the registration and the carrying out of the by-laws after registration. Now, it seems to me that the Government, by adopting that, are offering two modes of registration to the people. In the first instance, they desire the head coolie should register, and if they do not carry out the provisions, the landlord or the householder, whoever he is, would have to be responsible.\n\nIt seems to me that if the Government today were to consent to the views expressed by the deputation, to make a proclamation that we give the option that the head coolies have to be registered or else that the landlord or the householder would have to register for them, I think the problem would be solved; and so far as today is concerned, I think a good number of coolies have returned to work after receiving the circular published by the members of the deputation, and now they are only waiting for the Government to give its decision, so that all of them may return to work as speedily as possible.\n\nI hope Your Excellency will see your way to support the circular published by the Committee by allowing the coolies the option of either registering themselves through the headmen or through the landlords.\n\nMr. DENNIS—If Your Excellency will allow me, I would like to say one word. Of course, the interests represented by the Committee are chiefly European. I was at that meeting which has been referred to, and, quite as a surprise to myself, I was nominated a member of the Committee. I have, in my profession, had to study the Ordinance. As I understand that Ordinance, it was brought in in 1887, and attached to the Ordinance were certain by-laws which provided for the sanitary arrangements in common lodging houses.\n\nThese by-laws require that certain cubic feet should be given to each inhabitant of the house, that certain lavatories and arrangements of that nature should be provided, that certain tiled floors and certain other things should be found, and that a register should be kept of the inmates of the house. Section 73 of the Ordinance provides that nobody shall open a registered lodging house without first of all getting a licence from the Registrar-General, and in order to get the licence, he shall make a report to the Sanitary Board about his house, showing that it is a proper house to be a common lodging house, and get something in the nature of a licence from the Sanitary Board to be presented to the Registrar-General, and then he will get his licence.\n\nNow, of course, I am here as a member of this Committee, but as a member of this Committee and having recommended a certain thing to the Government, I think it is fair to urge that these by-laws could be much better carried out by the landlord, by a responsible man, than by the head coolie, who is only getting each day twice the amount of the ordinary coolie. The person who is called the tenant in this Ordinance is simply a head coolie. The other coolies, say, are getting 10 or 20 cents; he is getting 10 or 40 cents a day. Is that the sort of man to go to the Sanitary Board about the house and make a report about it? Is that the sort of man, after getting a report from the Sanitary Board, to go to the Registrar-General? Would it not be better to have the responsible landlord—somebody who has a stake in this colony—to apply for this licence?\n\nOf course, everybody understands the Government here does not like to give way to the strikers—does not like to appear to be dictated to by Chinese who have taken part in this movement. But the Committee do not represent the strikers, and do not come on behalf of the strikers, and were appointed by the meeting of the European community; and it was only because they could not find out in the least what the alleged grievances of these men were that they invited them to meet the Committee in the Chamber of Commerce room.\n\nI submit to Your Excellency it would really create no hardship whatever if the landlord were put in instead of the tenant, and then these sanitary by-laws, which have remained unenforced since 1887, could be enforced tomorrow.\n\nMr. F. H. MAY was then asked by His Excellency to speak, and he said—I have listened with considerable astonishment to the remarks made by the members present in favour of throwing the responsibility of common lodging houses upon landlords. I do not think that any of the gentlemen, including Mr. Dennys, can have possibly read these by-laws since 1887. I will, with Your Excellency's permission, draw attention for one moment to some of the things which these by-laws require the keeper of a common lodging house to carry out.\n\n| By-Law Requirement | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| Affix a board | Having printed on it in English and Chinese in legible white letters and characters, &c., on the outside of his lodging house |\n| Affix a board in each room | Showing the number of persons who shall inhabit the room |\n| Not permit males and females above 10 | To occupy the same sleeping compartment, except in the cases of husband and wife |\n| Not knowingly permit persons of bad character | To lodge in his house, and shall also keep a register of the names of each lodger |\n| Cause windows to be kept open | For four hours each day |\n| Cause internal walls and ceilings to be cleansed | And limewashed twice a year |\n| Keep premises in a clean condition | And cause every room and passage to be thoroughly swept once a day, and cause all filth and house refuse to be removed from his premises daily |\n\nHow, may I ask, is any landlord who owns perhaps four or five hundred houses in this colony to go round and see that boys and girls do not sleep together? The keeper of a common lodging house shall not knowingly permit persons of bad character to lodge in his house, and shall also keep a register of the names of each lodger. How is a landlord going to enforce this? It would be a nice sight indeed to see Mr. Chater or Dr. Ho Kai going round opening windows of lodging houses for four hours a day.\n\nA very nice position I should be put in as President of the Sanitary Board to be summoning Dr. Ho Kai, Mr. Chater, and perhaps Mr. Mackintosh for paltry and petty nuisances in their common lodging houses! A nice figura our merchant princes would cut in the magistrate's court for not removing the house refuse from their common lodging houses.\n\nWe come finally to the reporting of infectious diseases, such as bubonic plague, cholera, &c. These are duties and responsibilities which must be cast upon the keeper, and in various other Ordinances, they are cast upon the occupier. Take the Gambling Ordinance. If I find gambling on the floor of a certain house, who do I summon? If you are to make the landlords responsible for everything that goes on in every house in the colony—gambling and every sort of nuisance of whatever nature—the next time I have a gambling warrant to execute, I shall probably have Dr. Ho Kai in the dock for having a gambling house. The thing is entirely ridiculous. I am perfectly astonished that members of the mercantile community should come forward with such a preposterous proposal. It is unworkable.\n\nThe only reason why the Government in recent legislation have made the landlord ultimately responsible was because Mr. Dennys' clients took French leave and walked off to Kowloon City.\n\nMr. DENNYS—I must ask for the names of these clients. I do not know whom Mr. May refers to. I do not think it is very good taste for him to make that statement unless he is prepared to state the names of those clients. I know of no client of mine who has left the colony since this Ordinance was enforced. My clients were the only men summoned who came to the police court to meet the police authorities, and the police authorities have disposed of the cases against them.\n\nMr. MAY—I think it is true, as Mr. Dennys says, that his clients have not run away, and I withdraw and apologise. I was the officer who suggested that the landlord should be made ultimately responsible, but I never proposed that...\n\nPage 34", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 357182, "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": "CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6]", "page_number": 39, "title": "CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6]", "content_text": "# To the Editor of the Daily Press\n\nSIR,\n\nAs members of the Committee appointed by the meeting held at the City Hall on Thursday, the 28th ult., to consider what should be done in the present labour crisis, we beg to request that you will publish the following statement of what we have done in the interval and of what has taken place.\n\nWe held immediately after the public meeting a meeting of the Committee to consider what steps we should take, and we unanimously decided that our first efforts should be in the direction of obtaining information as to what the grievances of the coolies really were. With that object we summoned at once the compradores of the leading firms to confer with us and on their advice we awaited the result of the meeting they were to hold themselves the same evening. We understand that this meeting continued until 10 p.m., and the following morning we were informed that they would meet us at 3 p.m., together with representatives of other influential native firms, and communicate to us their views. We accordingly met them at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Chamber of Commerce Room, and enquired whether they could inform us what the grievances of the coolies were, if any, and what they suggested should be done under the circumstances. They replied that the great apprehension of the coolies was the proposal to register really compendal be bind it an intention of the Government ultimately to impose a poll tax. We pointed out in the strongest way possible in rejoinder that the idea of a poll tax was perfectly preposterous, and was entirely contrary to the general principle of British Colonial Government. His Excellency the Governor had already himself stated in Council that such an idea was out of the question. We thereupon asked them if they had any other grievances, and their reply was that although they had not communicated with them the Chinese deputation understood that the coolies were afraid that if they were registered they would be treated in a similar manner to that to which the cargo-boat men had been subjected; for, although only a nominal fee had been charged at the commencement, it was afterwards very considerably increased. The same had been done with the 'ricksha men, and they also instanced the brothels, which are now unregistered, and it seemed anomalous to them that honest free labour should be taxed, and thus be put below those who earned their livelihood by vice. They added that although they were unable to communicate with the coolie house keepers they were under the impression that if the landlord could be substituted for the tenant as the person to register under the Ordinance, the coolies would probably return to their work and business be resumed.\n\nAt this stage it became necessary for us to ascertain what view His Excellency the Governor would be likely to take of such a proposal, and a member of the Committee went to ascertain whether His Excellency could then be interviewed. Unfortunately the Governor at the time was afloat and it was impossible to say when he would return. The Committee therefore decided that they would wait upon the Colonial Secretary, who was able to see them. At the interview with Mr. Lockhart the Committee briefly related to him what had taken place, and mentioned that if the registration of landlords was resorted to the coolies would probably be satisfied. Mr. Lockhart, very naturally, did not feel at liberty to express any opinion as to what view His Excellency might take of the matter, but he courteously promised to see the Governor the same evening, and communicate to him what the Committee had said. The Committee intimated that they would not leave their office until 6:30 p.m. and would be at His Excellency's disposal.\n\nThe Chinese deputation were meanwhile awaiting in the City Hall the return of the Committee and they were informed what had taken place. The Committee enquired, as a matter of the first importance, whether they did not think that they could manage to bring influence to bear on the coolies, and persuade them to return to work at once. They stated that it was very doubtful, but they thought that if the members of the Committee, who represented very important interests in the colony, were to give their personal guarantee, or the guarantee of their firm, whichever it might be, that there was no intention of imposing a poll tax or registration fee, it might be possible to persuade the coolies to be satisfied and to return to work. A member of the Chinese deputation, in consultation with others, expressed a desire to know from the Committee what their views were as to substituting the landlord for registration instead of the tenant as proposed. The Committee, in view of the fact that the Chinese deputation, many of whom were important landlords, had expressed a willingness to be registered in place of the tenant in order to bridge the present difficulty, saw no reason to object to the transposition, especially as the Government in the Ordinance recently passed provided for his (the landlord's) registration in default of the tenant.\n\nThe Chinese deputation then asked the Committee if they would embody their views upon the subject of the landlord being registered in their guarantee, to which the Committee assented. This guarantee was then drawn up in English in the terms which have appeared in the public papers. The deputation thereupon informed the Committee that they would translate it into Chinese and announce it for the information of the coolies, and they hoped that it might have the desired effect. They mentioned that they felt much anxiety on the subject, as their own losses consequent upon the strike were very serious. The Committee thereupon took leave of the deputation, who, they have subsequently learned, arranged to have the substance of this guarantee circulated in Chinese. Later in the evening the Chairman received a letter from the Colonial Secretary dated at 7:30 p.m., a copy of which is attached (marked `A`).\n\nBeing late, about 6:05 p.m., no action could then be taken, but the letter was circulated this forenoon and a meeting of the Committee was called for 11:45 a.m. to consider what should be done in view of His Excellency's decision.\n\nAt 11:05 a.m. another letter was received from the Colonial Secretary by the Chairman, a copy of which is attached (marked `B`). This letter was also submitted to the Committee at their meeting, and it was decided to ask His Excellency for an interview, which was arranged to take place at 2:30 p.m.\n\nThe Committee accordingly waited upon His Excellency at Government House, accompanied by the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, who, in view of his knowledge of the Chinese, would be able to assist in the deliberations. H.E. was attended by the Colonial Secretary and the Captain Superintendent of Police. The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Mackintosh, Dr. Ho Kai, and Mr. Dennys all explained to H.E. and the officers with him what had taken place, and, as reporters were present, a detailed statement of what passed on both sides will doubtless be published. The Committee consider that they will best consult their own dignity and self-respect, if they pass over without comment some of the remarks which fell from the Captain Superintendent of Police as they were promptly withdrawn; but they cannot refrain from expressing surprise and regret at the evident determination of the officers of the Government to prejudge and not even to calmly debate the whole question.\n\nThe subject of the registration of landowners or tenants is one upon which there may very properly be a difference of opinion, but in view of the fact that we had the expressed conviction of the Chinese deputation that by the registration of landlords instead of the head coolies the present strike would be at an end, the Committee consider that it was fully justified in strongly recommending the measure. The Government had legislated practically that registration should take place by the tenant or by the landlord; therefore they had in effect conceded what the Chinese deputation required, for it was perfectly competent for a landlord to register in default of the tenant appearing, and yet he would comply with the law, and the full benefits of the Health Ordinance and the enforcement of by-laws thereunder would be obtained.\n\nThe highly coloured picture drawn by the Captain Superintendent of Police of the great disabilities that would be incurred, particularly by European landlords, can be dismissed at once, for it is perfectly possible to obtain from the Chinese tenant securities that shall amply cover the pains and penalties that are provided by the Ordinance.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 357186, "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": "CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6]", "page_number": 43, "title": "CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6]", "content_text": "## \n\n\"We have to deal with regard to the recent legislation of the Sanitary Board. There is no doubt whatever that the present position is, as has been mentioned by Mr. Brown, one of rebellion; it is war. The existence of a body of 20,000 coolies - lusty coolies in Hongkong, disaffected and armed with their formidable bamboo poles (laughter), I say, gentlemen, is a distinct menace to the colony. I think, gentlemen, we may many of us take a different view with regard to the action of the Government in many matters, but in this matter we must all try and carry out the suggestion that Mr. Mackintosh made at the last meeting, that we stand shoulder to shoulder and present an uncompromising front. (Applause). There may be methods by and by of meeting in some way the difficulties which have arisen. For instance, you know, some of you very well, the absurd idea of attaching these conditions to the occupation of the house, which has been referred to in the public press, and then making gentlemen who actually have nothing to do with it responsible for it. But there is no doubt that those things are necessary, and if the house-holders object to bear them let some concession be made to them in this way. Supposing the coolie house to be exempted from the 13 per cent taxation. It might be considered by the Government perhaps, and it would be one way to meet what is undoubtedly a difficulty. No landlord in Hongkong wants coolies in his house; they are the most objectionable tenants that any landlord can possibly have. (Applause). Then, again, I hope it will not be necessary, but the idea cannot but have occurred to everybody, that the quarterly night passes expired last night and perhaps the Government may see fit to hesitate reissuing them, and I think that would be felt to be a powerful stimulus to any who have the power of reconciling the present differences. I think this is a sedition; it is a dangerous position in the colony with 20,000 idle Chinese coolies, or within a quarter of that number, in their houses with nothing to do. I think, gentlemen, it would be quite lawful - I do not know whether the Ordinance would empower it - to go into the houses and give the men the option of being deported by the Canton steamer that evening, or being turned out to work. (Applause). And, gentlemen, I am sure they would go to work. They only want an excuse for refusing to obey these men who rule them with a rod of iron. Give them an excuse and they will go to work. (Applause). I would ask the Chairman's permission to move this resolution, which I have just prepared for this meeting :--\"That this meeting desires respectfully to express its approval of the firm attitude maintained by His Excellency Sir William Robinson and the Government in connection with the present coolie strike, and records its conviction that by such means alone can the present difficulty be overcome and its recurrence prevented.\" (Applause).\n\nMr. B. SHEWAN seconded the resolution. With all due deference he thought the meeting was a mistake. He refused to believe that a British community was incapable of dealing successfully with Chinese coolies. They as loyal subjects had only to give ready and loyal support to the Government. It would be time enough to offer assistance to the Government when they were asked for it. The Government was perfectly able to put this strike down (applause) and he asked them to show these coolies that the Government was fully capable of putting down this rebellion of Chinese. (Renewed Applause).\n\nMr. B. SMITH - It is very comforting of Mr. Ho Tung to come here and assure us that the leading Chinese have no influence, directly or indirectly, over the strikers. Perhaps I might ask him how it was that after the leading Chinese had met the Committee the other day, as if by a wave of the finger, all the coolies went to work again, and now, after these deliberations, the arrangements proposed fell through, and as if by another wave of the finger the coolies again ceased work? Can you explain that?\n\nMr. HO TUNG - It is very easily explained. It is just what I said before about the leading Chinese. When we lend our services to the Government, if successful we get no benefits; and if anything goes wrong we get all the blame. The Chinese deputation, when they came here, told the Committee distinctly that they could not get at the head coolies and that they were all out of the colony. The deputation were asked again and again whether they could make any suggestion. They answered that the coolies did not want registration, as they were afraid it would lead to new taxes, and the deputation made the suggestion which was adopted by the Committee, and the Chinese that day fully expressed to the Committee that they did not commit themselves in any way; they did not know if the coolies would go back or not. (To Mr. Keswick) - Did I not make the remark to you that, in spite of the circular, we were not sure that the coolies would return to work?\n\nMr. KESWICK - That is a correct statement.\n\nMr. HO TUNG - But having done that, we thought the coolies would go back, Mr. Smith asks how is it that by a turn of your finger the coolies turn back? It is because they thought the Government would issue a proclamation. The Government turned back, and did not issue the proclamation. It is easy to say the influential Chinese are at the bottom of this. That is all nonsense. It was the coolies who were aimed at, and they have objected all along. We tried to induce them to go back to work.\n\nMr. SMITH - I asked if you could explain how it was...\n\nMr. HO TUNG - Well, I have explained to you how it was.\n\nMr. ROBINSON said he had listened with much interest to what had been said, and he had not heard one word why the coolies had struck. The Committee had suggested that the householder or _bona fide_ occupier - he had forgotten which - should be registered instead of the head coolies, and that suggestion had been met by the statement on the part of the Government that the suggestion was preposterous, and it was pointed out that the owner could not be expected to see that the by-laws were carried out, and that they could not be responsible for the cleanliness of each individual house. With that statement of the Government he agreed, and the Committee in proposing this suggestion to the Government were carrying out the Government's own words. If the thing was preposterous it was the Government that had proposed the preposterous regulations by passing the Ordinance. Mr. Mackintosh had said that it was a quibble as to words, and Mr. Dennys had pointed out that under the Ordinance the householder is _ipso facto_ responsible. The Government said that the head coolies had no grievance, but did the coolies strike without a grievance? The Committee had acted diplomatically in advising the Government to accept the registration of the householder instead of the tenant of the house or the head coolie, who received a few cents more a day for preparing the rice for the other coolies. It argued paucity of resource on the part of the administration that it could not obviate this registration difficulty. If insisted on, the law would become a dead letter; it was unworkable, impracticable. He maintained there was something more behind this in the shape of a grievance. Mr. Ho Tung, without meaning it, had given them a clue, and he had heard it from a gentleman of great experience in this colony - a gentleman who was present but whose name Mr. Robinson did not think he would be justified in giving. It was not merely the pains and penalties that would be exacted in a perfectly legitimate manner when the head coolie - the man who bought the rice for small batches of men and became responsible to the retail dealer for the payment - had to appear at the Magistracy, but it was most certainly the fear of an illegal exaction that had reduced these men to strike. Every man in his own country stood in fear of his own officials, and every Chinaman in this colony stood in fear of the Chinese officials in the colony. Every _lukong_ would levy his tax, and it was characteristic of the Chinese that they dare not tell the Government. But Mr. Ho Tung, unintentionally, had told them why. The officials in the colony could make a Chinaman say anything, but they could not make him speak the truth. (A laugh). It was moral courage that was wanting, and every head coolie knew, just as the gambling house keepers and totally different classes of people in this colony know, that he would have to pay bribe money. Every head coolie who got his 10 cents per diem knew that something would have to go out of his pocket into that of the _lukong_ or else he would be charged with overcrowding. That was why he would not register. Every man who registered, unless he paid these bribes, would have to go before the magistrate and into gaol. The magistrate could not help himself. He had to take the word of the _lukong_. In many cases the _lukong_ would be telling the truth; in other cases for certain he would be enforcing his bribe. The head coolie would have to pay the blackmail to the police for ever or give up keeping his boarding house. The householder could not be made to pay a bribe, and it was by making the householder responsible, as suggested by the Committee, that they could find a remedy for the present difficulty. He suggested that... \n\n## Page 41", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 357391, "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": "CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6]", "page_number": 248, "title": "CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6]", "content_text": "## Enclosure \n\n**Memorandum by the Acting Colonial Treasurer**\n\n1. This application is, so far as I can make out, based on the grounds that Mr. Sangster did not get an increase of 30 per cent in 1891 and that every other officer then in the service, except those now in his position as regards remittances, got such an increase.\n\nThe first is irrelevant; the increases in 1891 were granted in accordance with rules laid down by the Secretary of State, and these rules worked against Mr. Sangster, who, like other servants, has no inherent right to more salary than his employer is willing to give.\n\nAs you are aware also, very few of the officers allowed to got the whole increase, and if claims are to be based on the differences of increases granted at that time, the task of considering them will be endless.\n\nIn my opinion, however, all such references to 1891 are quite irrelevant.\n\nThe Secretary of State's reasons for granting Exchange Compensation are, that exchange has fallen very low, and that a proportion of the officer's expenses and the greater part of his family expenditure must be paid at a sterling rate; that proportion has very fairly been fixed at a half. Mr. Sangster has enjoyed all along this privilege at a much higher rate, and his claim that the whole of his salary should be paid to him at a sterling rate is preposterous.\n\nWhat...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 361117, "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": "CO129-272 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1896 [5-9]", "page_number": 608, "title": "CO129-272 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1896 [5-9]", "content_text": "There is some foundation for the fourval's Claire, which I do not admit unly Dhan Entinly mistaken & position.\n\nMs. 23/11\n\nDer Wingfiel\n\nDo you agree with\n\nOur Brantare's view.\n\nRus 24/11\n\nEntirely - if the facts\n\nare as stated in der Pollock's memo: the claims\n\nof the W. O. is preposterous\n\nSw 24 Nov\n\nW. Lucas\n\nRun 25/11\n\n? Remind W.O.L.F.\n\nM: Westbrook\n\n[913/ang]\n\nC.P. 13\n\nat once\n\nIn Lucas\n\n? Remind W.O. against\n\nM. Westinath\n\nJu94/3 C.P. 4\n\nat once\n\n4\n\nNogoa\n\ndir\n\nC.C\n\n22486\n\n601\n\nGovernment House, Hongkong, 29th September,\n\n1896\n\nI have the honour\n\nto forward for your\n\nExcellency the enclosed.\n\n274/\n\n2nd April, 1896.\n\n18th May 6th Augt\n\n8th, Joby..\n\n24. the\n\na corres\n\nconsider.\n\ncopy of\n\nrespondence which has\n\n:passed between the General\n\nThe Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, M.P.,\n\nJo\n\nFo\n\nOfficer", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-272 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1896 [5-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 363479, "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": "CO129-276 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [6-8]", "page_number": 316, "title": "CO129-276 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [6-8]", "content_text": "t me abundant proof that gambling mud ben both general and cara a on as a very large scale. a gambling horse which can regularly pay in bribes must be a very big one. The accounts show the house lost and out $150th a day affair indeed.\n\nIn para:& of this Despatch the Governor since Betting gently hints that he is 'controlling' gambling some seems to in by so doing. favour of by so ie. I suppose returning to sort of system of licensing. Such a proposed is little short of preposterous. Public opinion set strongly against the system in 1871 individuals very heavily. My argument therefore is that the inflacements held out cold not 315 réquera to be very heavy amply cover d and that extra expense might be by increasing the present maximum fine of $1000 which y can be inflected under Ord: 7 of 41 for keeping a Gambling House.\n\nWhen her may's recommendations are received, we might perhaps consult Sir Philip Smith who must have intimate acquaintance with the Geo.\n\nI agree. and I think it would be at least as violently opposed to any similar system at the present day. subject.\n\nFor the present, we can only express deep regret at the scandalous state of affairs which there exist. We need not go into this question at present as Mr May promises to submit recommendations for the prevention of these abuses had on pusation su menstranduen) the Sof I will wait he has displayed. Add that the proposals which he may papers expose approve in Inken action that has been General o compliqueal fr tires of the Ms May on evergy which (about 2 pages from the end of his views 24 my own be fought on their that Gambling House Keepers should on grounds that Govt Servants whon wideu ce leads to their courietén should be rewarded by Good conduct day, promotion etc. Gambling-house owners keep their secret that they Jo have to bribe many cannot bribe anly.\n\n-79000-3000-3-97 is about to submit with regard to the course to be adoptin future P.C. M. 4/10/97 wer to love I agree as to the immediate answer sent to this. H. Grogly Macnaghtens Suggestions. ans to the future can of considered when we get M. May's report Ju96/ic PT.C", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-276 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [6-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 365341, "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": "CO129-280 - Public Offices & Others - 1897", "page_number": 188, "title": "CO129-280 - Public Offices & Others - 1897", "content_text": "PRIVATE\n\n101\n\nEXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM HONGKONG AGENCY DATED\n\n16th June 1897\n\nLIGHT DUES.\n\nIn my letter of 2nd instant I advised you that the Governor intended to appoint a commission to enquire into Harbour Revenue and Expenditure with a view to deciding what tax shall be levied on shipping visiting this Colony. This Commission was issued on the 5th instant and I now beg to enclose a copy of the \"Hongkong Telegraph\" Mail Supplement in which it appears. After perusal of the Commission I have no doubt you will agree that it is not only not justified by anything in the Secretary of State's despatch but is wholly in disaccord with the spirit of it; it is regarded here as preposterous both by the community and the Press. I merely send you the copy in order that you may know what has taken place and how Mr Chamberlain's instructions have been treated, and not with any idea of appealing to you for further support, at any rate until we know the result of the enquiry, as I think we may safely repose confidence in the good sense of the gentlemen serving on the commission to see that an equitable adjustment is arrived at. A copy of the Commission is also attached.\n\nX\n\nThe articles in the \"Telegraph\", to which I would draw attention, are written by Mr Francis Q.O. who exposes the absurdities of the commission very forcibly.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-280 - Public Offices & Others - 1897.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 370946, "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": "CO129-290 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [1-4]", "page_number": 547, "title": "CO129-290 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [1-4]", "content_text": "detached from the Chinese fort for \n\nthe damage done; but this is in itself a trumped-up affair, and things of this sort ought properly to be included in Jenrave \n\nHorse general \n\nfor \n\ncorrespondence, it seems hardly deniable to deal with \n\nseparately. \n\nI would \n\nKing \n\nNotice \n\nMw \n\n11402 \n\nSi \n\n12275 \n\nMAY \n\n536 \n\nAnne \n\nHong Kong \n\n15 April 1899. \n\nPRINTED \n\nFOR \n\nCOLONIAL \n\nOFFICE \n\nEASTERN \n\nReferring to my despatch No. 88 of the \n\n7th inst! I have \n\nto inform you that up to the 13th inst. Everything \n\nappeared to proceed \n\nquietly \n\nin this connection \n\nin the high ground \n\nKai Po Huts, where the \n\nErection \n\nof Matsheds was \n\nbeing proceeded with, \n\npresumably under \n\nThe terms of the Viceroy's letter (vide: 1) are groundless and preposterous. \n\nI do not think there is anything \n\nin their despatches that \n\naffects the proposed allowance \n\nat Chuen Cove. \n\n2. Did the Viceroy undertake to protect the mattrade in \n\nJo \n\nmany \n\ninstances \n\nthe \n\nwords? I do not gather it from \n\nSee on 11402 of acknowledged \n\nwith that paper & copy to C.O. \n\n2 compd.25 \n\nThe \n\nprotection ordered by \n\nThe Viceroy after \n\nhis \n\nColonial Office \n\n2 \n\nThe Steamer \n\nJoseph (hambourlain his", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-290 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 381113, "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": 641, "title": "CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7]", "content_text": "Clack. The Hay Kay correspondence \n\nwwith the C.o. than that of \n\nColony \n\nDome \n\nma \n\nthes is \n\nis worse \n\nmanaged ther Easter. \n\nand the introduction. in a position to improve \n\ntobe wished \n\nof \n\nFattach a letter from elle. Lickbur \n\nto the class of ma \n\nThe idea \n\nhid the \n\nof binding \n\nan \n\nrequired. \n\nofficer in question \n\nfor tenn \n\nyears \n\nquestion to serve \"preposterous, and if he wor \n\nchoons toget mamid lifre \n\nwe must of ca \n\nSougout we \n\nThis wife, \n\nmone \n\nCourse \n\nsterling, \n\na \n\ngive \n\nfamage. The ratin \n\ntoo large. We shall of make the aff? in \n\nit we make it at all; and I would suggest that £350 \n\nrising \n\nby barinial \n\nincrements of £ 20 would not be \n\ntoo much. \n\nwe \n\nI think \n\nThe expenses of \n\nOtherurse \n\nheaving, \n\nshould agree. \n\nHay Ra \n\nhiring \n\neven \n\nas \n\nliving \n\n3 \n\nare \n\ncoryfered with then of in London; but with the \n\nsuggested above I think \n\n? Approve these proposals, \n\n636 \n\nmicreases \n\nbut refuse to give any from 1 Jan last, and \n\nlast, of \n\nwill be taken to select \n\nsteps suitable \n\nGuid \n\ncandidate for the host of Cheif \n\nClock - the C.O. being \n\nfust. \n\nA.F \n\n31/8 \n\nSapes wike In Fiddian throughout \n\nMr. Luen \n\nCay \n\n41X \n\ndirection Jannex \n\nthe fort of the duction & \n\nreport \n\nAth \n\nCommittee of 1894 \n\nRetrenchment \n\nand papers \n\nto the reform of the Col. Sue's and abolition of the Chrif \n\nJef \n\n17684 \n\nदद \n\n1686/95 \n\nrelating \n\nOffice \n\n10980/93 Clerkship: \n\nfigment would be fairly \n\npaid. It should beles, homen that he is not seconded, hit ? vl \n\nwill be expected to \n\nHony Ray for saracter \n\nb \n\ntinday \n\nin \n\nof couse & fromotion will \n\nar \n\nto others. \n\nt much tybe expected I am afraid. \n\nNot \n\nThey on this \n\nsource \n\nC \n\nBu \n\npage 4 itth \n\n(x)-31215-46-6-1900 \n\n39720--3000-2-01 \n\nI have only to say \n\nthat the \n\nresults of the changes then effected do to have proved satisfactory. \n\nnot seem \n\nthat the great rise in the cost \n\nliving in \n\nHay \n\nK \n\nmakes a use \n\nban of the russian clerks nece it has been \n\nof. \n\nthe \n\nnecinay y \n\nelurture. a cadet officer \n\nen be expected to do the work of don't think absorbere and \n\nThief click for any \n\nem \n\na \n\nbut a short \n\nferiod, Mriver arrogements by which the Assistant Col. Sec. holds the fort for \"a considerable number of years, certarily not less than 10. \n\nand which renderet \n\ndesirable that wheners the Assistant is \n\nleave the same \n\nabsenton, \n\nofficer \"thod\" \n\naphouited to act for hims \n\nif Lossible \n\nThould \n\nCOAMƏR.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 384479, "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": 356, "title": "CO129-310 - Acting Governor Major Gen Gascoigne - 1902 [1-4]", "content_text": "That, however, is no reason for the O.A.C. reading into their letters as he seems to do what Mr. Martin saw in the summer they do not say. Crumander Hastings of last year, at this Office, discussed with him the colouring of Hong Kong. The allegations discussed his ward Hong sil fific, and \"havever, which S.Q. W. J. Gascoigne adds to these written statements au to a deal wague au that it is impossible them.\n\nThe claims for expenses are preposterous and should be refused. Savage no Assurance ? Reply that neither Mr. Martin was given any in his written Correspondence with this Dept, that he would have free quarters allowance ben thereof; that there is not the slightest reason for the expenses attendant on their arrival to the Colony, cannot be admitted, and house allowance cannot be.\n\nBut add that the difficulty of their present salaries will be proffitably best by adopting the scale of starting boys proposed at £280 to £28. Yov trennial increments of (see 2398/01-02).\n\nLet. Me See A.F. guy 25 draft C.Pd. 28 at once 25 24/4 ters or an son to believe geven, in the here, to Lucas trables and I saw these very So for course ofther interreis understand that huvilage would at any such them: and that the statements to the \"impressions\" they received from officials in the CO., which are contained in the latter part of the DAG, desp the some au too vague wits; that then lains several times.\n\nrecollect the word house allowance was not mentioned. I am aware of the fact that allowance 10 17. güran o if itu question had", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-310 - Acting Governor Major Gen Gascoigne - 1902 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 389023, "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": "CO129-317 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [4-6]", "page_number": 530, "title": "CO129-317 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [4-6]", "content_text": "## DESPATCH\n**C. O. No. 20923**\n\n### Purchase of silver for subsidiary coinage\n\nJune 1903\n\nIt is noted that his action in refusing to return the visit of the Viceroy is approved; and that he should return the visit of the Viceroy at Canton.\n\n4. See the press extract enclosed in the despatch of the 19th May under reference.\n\nThe press extract enclosed in the despatch of the 19th May is the same as that returned in your letter.\n\n**Previous Paper:** `£(78)=2090)—900)—11-3`\n**Subsequent Paper:** \n\n| Ref | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| `A 082x` | |\n| `No. 523` | |\n| `REC?` | |\n\nFor Mr. Johnson for £7.\n\n**(Minutes.)**\nA. F. Please see.\n\n./on wants a copy?\n\n**EG JUL**\nCopy to C.A. card 2017.\n\nThe preposterous suggestion by featuring in the last paragraph should be awarded with £46.0.0r.\n\nDraft sure to be sent by ... \n\nPage 5", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-317 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 391805, "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": "CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903", "page_number": 765, "title": "CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903", "content_text": "or Individual.\n\nhe wh\n\n903\n\nJune\n\nprevious Paper.\n\nHONG KONG\n\nNo 26887\n\n(Subject.)\n\nTransfer\n\nApplies for\n\nMr. Harris.\n\n(Minutes.)\n\nTHEN\n\nDOMESTIC.\n\n758\n\n20 JUL 03\n\nThere is good reason to believe that Mr. Kyshe, the author of a recent communication to a newspaper criticising the acting Chief Justice, has since subsided into obscurity. The idea of giving him a minor Residentship in the F.M.S. is preposterous. But see Sin & Wingfield's 12786/96. The letter is...\n\n£1 (15) -- 1652) - (DOG-11-2\n\nsubsequent Paper made on...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 392265, "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": 284, "title": "CO129-322 - Acting Governor May - 1904 [1-5]", "content_text": "282\n\nwhich was appointed by Sir William Gascoigne to recommend what steps should be taken to celebrate the Coronation of Their Majesties the King and Queen, were certainly under the impression when they advised that out of the land to be released from Military Reservation at Kowloon a large area should be devoted to a Public Park to be called the 'King's Park' in commemoration of the Coronation, that the negotiations then pending for extinguishing the rights of the War Department over the land would be brought to a successful settlement by arrangement between the Colonial Government and the War Department.\n\nIt never entered into their calculations that it would be necessary for the Colony to purchase the land for the Park, and I have no hesitation in saying that they would have scouted as preposterous any suggestion to purchase the land necessary for the Park. Nor would the Colonial Government have felt justified in the then state of the finances of the Colony in entertaining any such proposition had it been made. I opine that your predecessor would have been of the same opinion, for in his telegram sanctioning the opening of the Park he directed that as little expenditure as possible should be incurred in laying out the area. It is indeed anomalous that the Colonial Government should be forbidden to spend money on developing a Park for the purchase of which it is now asked to pay nearly half a million dollars.\n\nThe Committee, the Community, the Colonial Government, and the local Military Authorities seem to have\n\n6.\n\nviewed the matter in this light. They knew that negotiations were in progress for", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-322 - Acting Governor May - 1904 [1-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 405169, "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": 364, "title": "CO129-334 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [5-7]", "content_text": "## Page 360\n\nThe railways should not be in series to this of the Luhan, and, as you know, we have already made several concessions from that position, so we can fit in the Chemists appoint the co-operations for the two lines. I see no reason why the final agreement should not readily be settled to the satisfaction of all concerned, so long as the Chinese do not adhere to their preposterous conditions of getting money with any foreign control over its handling or any special securities for the performance of the agreement.\n\nThe experience we are now having with the performance of the Nanking loan agreement is enough, perhaps, to make one doubly careful for the future, for in this case they are practically repudiating definite financial obligations dragging rights of control fully settled. Budes an arrangement apparently to Throne. Rest assured that so soon as these Jurors are afforded an opportunity of advancing matters on reasonable terms, it will not be our fault if the thing is delayed or bungled. And at the present moment, we are in the ridiculous position of asking for answers to questions that have been before the Throne for months - nothing can be done. The Tsotang understands it, says that the concessions must stand.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-334 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410839, "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": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 16, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## \n\n20 \n\nprepared to accept the procedure laid down in this Article during the period of construction, provided that a wider measure of control was vested in the Chinese authorities thereafter. He suggests the addition of a clause in the contract to provide for this.\n\nMr. Bland states that so long as the loan is unredeemed the foreign capital invested requires, in addition to the security of a well-constructed railway, certain guarantees as to maintenance, such as were given in the Northern Railway Loan Agreement. In the present case, moreover, the Syndicate's interests in the profits of the enterprise necessitates supervision of accounts, &c., by an independent auditor representing the Syndicate. He points out that the principle of supervision by a Board of Commissioners is recognized also in the Northern Railway Loan, in order to afford proper representation, outside of the staff, of the foreign interest involved.\n\nIt is eventually decided to draft a supplementary clause in the sense required by the Chinese Commissioners, and to refer the same to the consideration of the Syndicate's Boards in Berlin and London. At the same time, stress is laid on the importance of this modification of the accepted terms of the Agreement, and on the fact that undue limitation of the interests and securing of foreign capital must prejudicially affect the borrowing rate.\n\nLiang Taotai is of opinion that the Chinese Government's guarantee should be sufficient in itself, provided all necessary measures are taken for the proper construction of the line. He thinks, however, that if the principle of Chinese Government control after construction is definitely accepted, the other conditions of the Agreement should be capable of amicable adjustment.\n\nThe meeting then adjourns.\n\n## Inclosure 9 in No. 1.\n\nMr. J. Bland to the Secretary of the Chinese Central Railways, London,\n\nPeking, September 26, 1906.\n\nAt the last meeting, held on the 22nd instant, in regard to the Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze Railway negotiations—the Minutes of which await confirmation—the Chinese Representatives stated categorically, as the result of instructions received from the Viceroy Yuan Shih-k'ai, that the Chinese Government does not consider the Preliminary Agreement of May 1899 binding, and that any Final Agreement based thereon to be acceptable would now require to be made upon conditions modified to meet Chinese public opinion and the existing situation.\n\nNarrowed down, after long discussion, to its essential terms, the present position of the Chinese amounts to demanding not only important modification in several conditions of the Preliminary Agreement—notably the price of loan, its redemption period, and the Syndicate's participation in profits—but also, as a sine qua non, control by the Chinese authorities after construction, under conditions similar to those laid down in the Northern Railway Agreement of the 10th October, 1899. Liang Taotai stated that the Viceroy's original instructions were to claim such control even during construction, but realizing, no doubt, that such a preposterous demand would involve strong action by the Legations, he confines himself to the claim that the railway is an Imperial Government line, the interest on the loan guaranteed firstly by the Imperial Government, and, secondly, by the security of the line built under foreign supervision and joint control, and that upon its completion China is entitled to manage it in her own way, provided that guarantees be given that the railway will be properly maintained, under foreign supervision, and efficiently worked, and that the Syndicate's financial interests are watched and protected by an auditor, their representative.\n\nTo show the attitude and views of the Chinese I inclose copy of the Minutes, as drafted, requesting you at the same time to note that, not having been confirmed, they are liable to amendment. The gist of the matter is contained in the final statement advanced by Liang Taotai, and it is now for the Syndicate to decide as a matter of immediate importance, whether negotiations on these lines should be continued, or whether the matter should be placed in the hands of the Legations with a statement of the facts, and a request that the Chinese Government be required to fulfil its specific obligations.\n\nBefore going further I should state that the views I am about to place before you have been arrived at after most careful consideration of the question in all its bearings, and after due consultation and agreement with Mr. Cordes, whose experience must necessarily carry great weight. Mr. Casenave also concurs therein, as calculated to meet the exigencies of an admittedly difficult situation.\n\nThe Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze Railway negotiations differ from those concerning other projected Chinese railways in that\n\n1. This line must be, now and hereafter, more than usually affected by political, as distinct from purely commercial, considerations; and\n2. The Preliminary Agreement, duly approved by the Chinese Government, is peculiarly full and explicit in regard to the Syndicate's right to finance, construct and work the line.\n\nI assume, however, that the Syndicate, as well in its German as in its British group, is actuated rather by a desire to obtain satisfactory financial results under conditions affording adequate security to the bondholders, than by any political considerations; and if this be the case it appears to me a question requiring the Board's most serious consideration, whether, if such security be forthcoming it might not be good business and wise policy to permit the Chinese to have a modified control of their railways after construction?\n\nThe Syndicate's Preliminary Agreement undoubtedly gives us the right of control (Article 29) until the loan is redeemed, but the right carries with it little or no prospect of financial advantage to the Syndicate after construction, while, on the other hand, it must entail continual responsibility and endless causes of friction calculated to prevent amicable relations and future business. The security of the bondholders is essential, but this would seem to be adequately provided by-\n\n1. Imperial Chinese Government's guarantee.\n2. The mortgage of a first-class line constructed under foreign supervision and control; and\n3. Effective supervision of receipts and expenditure.\n\nThe Board is in a position to judge whether loans could be satisfactorily floated on these terms, but recent experience and all the information at my disposal lead me to believe that they should prove as successful as the Northern Railway Loan. From the bondholders' point of view, executive control after construction would not appear to be essentially necessary.\n\nFrom the Syndicate's point of view, I take it that the chief desiderata are: (1) profit on flotation; (2) profit on construction; and (3) a share in the prosperity of the enterprise. The first two would not be affected by surrendering control after construction, since the Engineer-in-chief would undoubtedly continue to guide matters in regard to supply of material. It is possible that the Syndicate's share of profits might be enhanced if the line were worked under purely foreign administration although the experience in the Northern Railway does not support this view, but the representation of the Syndicate's interests by an auditor with adequate authority would appear calculated to prevent any serious mishandling of the funds.\n\nIf the statement made by the Viceroy's Representatives are reliable the conclusion of an agreement on reasonable financial terms would be greatly facilitated by conceding the principle of Chinese control after construction, and their position is strengthened in claiming this concession by reason of the fact that Sir Ernest Satow is known to have expressed sympathy therewith.\n\nThe position may therefore be briefly stated thus: If the Syndicate is able to command in London and Berlin effective diplomatic support sufficient to insist on adherence to the essential conditions of the Preliminary Agreement, modifying the same only in details consistent with fair treatment of the Chinese, well and good. If not, it would, in my opinion, be politic to meet the Chinese on the question of control after construction with a view to facilitating the present negotiations and establishing friendly relations for the future.\n\nRecent experience on the Shanghae-Nanking Railway has shown the lengths to which Chinese obstruction may be expected to go in the absence of strong diplomatic support in any enterprise where their \"face\" is not saved by recognition of the Chinese Government's authority. Only in virtue of continuous pressure can a railway be financially satisfactory under such conditions.\n\nYou will observe that the Chinese raise the question, on administrative and financial grounds, of divided control, after construction, by two Boards and two Engineers-in-chief. In raising this question they fail to take into consideration certain undeniable facts and recognized political conditions which must prevent any alteration in the Agreement.\n\n21 \n\n14", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 414802, "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": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "page_number": 91, "title": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "content_text": "If the farmer elects to give up the lease it can be re-let - doubtless at a lower rental and if H.M.G will agree to a rebate of the Military Contribution for a term of years which will be equal or nearly so to the difference between the two rentals, everybody will be happy.\n\nAs to the publication of the memorandum in `43471`, Sir F Lugard's argument appears to be this - H.M.G are committed to a policy which is obviously wrong because I disagree with it. Therefore I should be allowed to publish a memorandum in which is intended to convert people to my view and thus to weaken the case of H.M.G. This argument appears rather unattractive. The proposal to publish in a magazine is of course absurd; I would deprecate publication at all.\n\nTo lay it on the table of the Council means that it will be copied in the local papers and will be used as a weapon to attack the policy of H.M.G. It seems scarcely consistent with the position of a servant of H.M.G. to provide such weapons, especially having regard to the fact that Sir F Lugard's views are only important because of his position. I would reply to `43471` that the S of S considers that no good purpose would be served by communicating the memo to the Council. (In any case he couldn't be allowed to do so till the Straits report to which it refers had been published here.)\n\nI send `R.E.L. 8112`. I think the I.D. will be glad to have them with the preceding minutes. As to publishing Sir Lugard's memo., the suggestion of magazine publication \"by permission\" (`43471&2`) is preposterous; nor could it properly be laid before the Council in its present form, deeming it is filled with references to confidential documents which he only has cognizance of his having in consequence of his position.\n\nSir F. Lugard has not been very helpful. Having been told that his business was to discuss terms for carrying it out, he submitted in June last (`25243`) proposals which I thought could reasonably have been best accepted. In October, he cancelled these proposals (`30766`) and now he brings forward new proposals based on the idea that Straits will consent to abandon their declared policy & consider the question de novo. This is not practical politics; it is clear that Straits are not willing to do so at the present time even if they were willing to consider the present proposals. It is illogical that in effect they mean preserving the status quo until `del 15101`.\n\nSir D. Lugard densely shows that the proposed reduction from 1000 to 1200 chests practically effects nothing.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416229, "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": 394, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government,\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[11450]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n0.\n\n[April 4.]\n\n14055\n\n388 20 APR 08\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,--(Received April 4.)\n\n(No. 85.) Sir,\n\nPeking, February 18, 1908. WITH reference to my despatch No. 58 of the 3rd February, I have the honour to report that, as a result of further negotiations between Mr. Bland and the representatives of the Wai-wu Pu and Board of Communications, the latter reconsidered several of their proposals in regard to the Chekiang Railway loan, and invited Mr. Bland to prepare a fresh draft of the Agreement upon lines which appeared to offer a reasonable prospect of settlement.\n\nThe principal conditions of this draft were telegraphed to the British and Chinese Corporation in London by Mr. Bland on the 7th February, and, in reply to your telegram No. 28 of the 9th February, I telegraphed to you on the following day that the terms appeared to me to be the best obtainable under the circumstances, and that the proposed change in the route of the line seemed to be advantageous,\n\nAt an interview with the Ministers of the Wai-wu Pu on the 11th February, I urged them to allow no further delay, and was informed that the new draft was being translated into Chinese for their inspection.\n\nIn a further telegram to his Board on the 14th February, Mr. Bland was able to announce that an agreement had been practically reached on all essential points. In view of the decision of the Chinese to commute the Corporation's Commission on materials by a single payment of 35,000l., he recommended that further insistence on the question of auditing the railway accounts was unnecessary.\n\nHe has now received authority enabling him to conclude the Agreement, and I have impressed upon the Wai-wu Pu to-day that no further concessions or alterations of any kind must be demanded, since the conditions already differ considerably from those granted in the Tien-tsin-Pukow Agreement.\n\nThe press meanwhile continues to attack the Government on the subject of this loan, though in a less anti-British spirit than heretofore, as will be seen from the inclosed despatch on the subject from His Majesty's Consul at Wuhu.\n\nIn regard to the proposed boycott, the despatch which I have the honour to inclose from His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae will also serve to show that the Viceroy at Nanking is conscious of his responsibilities, and that he has now taken steps to prevent the growth of anti-British feeling in this matter.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nConsul Goffe to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n(Separate.) Sir,\n\nWuhu, January 31, 1908. THE \"Shen Pao\" on the 24th instant and two following days published a very interesting letter from Mr. Yang, one of the representatives of the two provinces sent to Peking to consult with the Government on the question of the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway, addressed to the Anti-Loan Society at Hangchow, in which, probably for the first time, something approaching an impartial account of the negotiations on the loan question is given to the public. Its publication in a paper such as the \"Shen Pao\" should have considerable effect in counteracting the reports as to the unyielding and unreasonable attitude of the British authorities in this matter which have recently been so widely circulated in the native press.\n\nMr. Yang begins by blaming the weakness of the Tsung-li Yamên in acceding to Sir Claude MacDonald's \"preposterous demand for the Concession for the five railways, and then criticizes them for allowing the negotiations for the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway contract, which had been begun in Shanghae between Sheng and Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co., to become a diplomatic question\n\n[2934 d-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417335, "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": 47, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "45\n\n2\n\nJapanese in China.\n\nThe Japanese Consul at Canton is of the opinion that the boycott of Japanese goods will die away before long. He is probably correct, but there is no doubt that his countrymen will have suffered no inconsiderable loss. The Proclamations issued by the Viceroy have caused the campaign to be carried on with greater caution and secrecy, but Japanese cigarettes, marine products, shipping, and other interests have been none the less seriously affected. Many Japanese products, however, such as matches and commodities, the trade in which is mostly in Japanese hands, cannot be dispensed with, owing to lack of substitutes, and are therefore showing signs of recovery.\n\nA Canton newspaper gives details of the indemnity to be paid for the detention of the \"Tatsu Maru.\" It includes 50,000 dollars for demurrage, 45,000 dollars for repairs, 91,000 dollars for loss on cargo, and amounts altogether to 218,000 dollars (say, 21,800l). Japanese missionaries in the interior not infrequently give trouble to the Chinese authorities, against whom they delight in intriguing. The Viceroy at Canton has now, in consequence of a Japanese missionary harbouring rebels during a recent rising in the Swatow district, laid down that, as the right to send missionaries into China has never been granted to Japan by Treaty, no Japanese are in future to be allowed to acquire property in the interior, either in their own name or in that of a pretended Mission. It is impossible not to sympathize with the Chinese officials in their difficulties with the Japanese immigrants, who, besides being in many cases engaged in the propaganda of anti-dynastic ideas, distinguish themselves from other foreigners by their high-handed treatment of the native inhabitants. To this latter characteristic of theirs abundant witness is borne by the native press and the reports from His Majesty's Consuls. Their activity in this respect is displayed not only in Manchuria, where it might be expected as a consequence of the war, but also in other parts of China. To quote but an isolated instance: A Japanese walks into a book-shop in Foochow at the beginning of last month, endeavours to take away 10 dollars' worth of books without payment, and, on the shopkeeper protesting, draws a sword and proceeds to destroy the stock.\n\nAt Chinkiang assaults by Japanese on Chinese have been so frequently committed that His Majesty's Consul has had to ask the Japanese Consul to take some steps in the matter, in view of the anti-foreign spirit which such actions are bound to excite in the minds of the Chinese. On the other hand, Japanese influence in China is largely revolutionary. As stated by His Majesty's Consul at Tengyueh, where a school has been opened for the study of Japanese, the point with regard to students returned from Japan which hardly needs to be emphasized is that their influence is both revolutionary and anti-foreign.\n\nYunnan Frontier Incident.\n\nAs stated in Sir J. Jordan's separate despatches on this subject, the French claims for reparation have produced the worst effect on Chinese public opinion, and the native journals unite in stigmatizing the demands as preposterous. Had the Chinese, they say, deliberately attacked and slain half the Tonkinese army, France would be scarcely justified in demanding more. The incident cannot be classed as an intentional anti-foreign outrage, such as the murder of the German Minister in 1900, and the French are evidently reverting to the \"gun-boat policy\" with a vengeance.\n\n35\n\nAn article appeared lately in a Peking newspaper to the effect that the Chinese have better ground for boycotting the French than they had for boycotting the Japanese. Unfortunately for any success the writer may have hoped for, Japanese influence is to be read too clearly between the lines: the \"Chinese Public Opinion\" scoffs at the suggestion conveyed that \"China should take her kind little neighbour by the hand and, with sorrow and shame, apologize for her unfairness in boycotting a race whose only fault has been a too loving friendship,\" and there would not seem to be any fear of this advocacy of a boycott of French goods being taken seriously.\n\nForeign Gun-boats.\n\nHis Majesty's Consul at Wuchow reports a cruise made by His Majesty's ship \"Moorhen\" up the West River. The officers were everywhere received with the greatest courtesy by the officials, though the latter are stated to have been much disturbed at the gun-boat's visit.\n\nIt is reported from Canton that the Viceroy is agitating for the withdrawal of foreign gun-boats from Canton waters.\n\n3\n\nPiracy.\n\nAccording to accounts received from Canton and Wuchow, the increased patrol has been successful in greatly decreasing actual piracy, though robbery in various forms still persists. The new patrol boats are nearing completion in Hong Kong.\n\nSlave Trade.\n\nA considerable traffic in slave girls from Szechuan is carried on through the port of Ichang. The Taotai recently asked His Majesty's Consul to authorize the searching of British ships, but seems to have dropped the subject conveniently on Mr. Little inquiring whether Chinese junks were to be subjected to similar treatment.\n\nFloods.\n\nThe Provinces of Kwantung and Kwangsi have suffered severely from floods caused by the heavy rains in the middle of June. Wuchow, where the water rose over 60 feet in forty-eight hours, was completely under water for several days; great damage has been done to houses and property along the rivers and creeks, while the crops are stated to have been completely destroyed. The officials and merchants of Canton have raised large sums of money for the relief of the peasantry, who will be mostly in a state bordering on starvation until the autumn rice crop is raised.\n\nHolland and China.\n\nThe Viceroy at Nanking was presented early in July, by the Dutch Consul-General at Shanghai, on behalf of his Government, with an album containing views of Holland as a souvenir of his Excellency's visit to that country, when a member of the Commission sent abroad to study European methods of constitutional government. The Viceroy, who professed himself deeply touched, is none the less an active patron of a school, established by himself, for the education of boys of Chinese extraction sent to this country from Java. The Dutch Government do not by any means relish the idea of their natural-born subjects being educated by Chinese authorities in China, the more so as the only foreign language included in the curriculum is not Dutch but English. From the account supplied by His Majesty's Consul at Nanking, the school, which contains ninety pupils under an exclusively Chinese teaching staff, is remarkably well-equipped, and is conducted with an orderliness and cleanliness such as is not usually met with in purely Chinese institutions.\n\nNative Press.\n\nThe \"Chinese Public Opinion,\" quoted earlier in this report, is a late and interesting addition to the Peking press. Under Chinese management but published in English, it purports to supply foreigners with a truer idea of native opinion than can be obtained from the local foreign newspapers. It is perhaps too early as yet to conclude whether the sheet fulfils its aim. The greater part of its scanty contents consists of mere official announcements, and extracts from the foreign papers of Shanghai, Hankow and Tien-tsin, while its occasional articles commenting on foreign activities in China would seem to emanate from foreigners of no very reputable standing. In this connection the paper's campaign against the Chinese Engineering and Mining Company is worth noting; the numerous articles which have appeared on this subject are obviously not the work of a native, and it must be confessed that their general tone represents not only the opinion of the Chinese interested in the case, but also that of the British community, as, for instance, in the following: \"The present administration of the Company (five-sixths of whose shares are held in Belgium) is not to the interests either of the Chinese or of the British. Under the former Chinese administration the orders for material required from abroad were all sent to England, whereas they now go to Belgium, and in the mines themselves under Chinese administration all the foreigners were English, whereas at present, excepting in the Accountancy and Shipping Departments, not a single Englishman is employed.\"", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 420301, "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": "CO129-358 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [10-11]", "page_number": 191, "title": "CO129-358 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [10-11]", "content_text": "133\n\nis geographically in the highway of the World's Navies, and is a port of great strategic value, and it has therefore to pay a high Insurance against war risks. Business men when selecting the scene of their operations cannot justly count up the advantages and ignore the liabilities.\n\nUnfortunately accurate figures are not available from which to form a reliable calculation of the proportion of cost of its Land Defences which is borne by each Colony which relies on the Imperial Government to supply those Defences. Such as are obtainable are shewn in Table 2. From these it appears that the Straits Settlements and Ceylon pay almost the entire cost, while Hongkong for the only year for which we have accurate figures (1908) paid slightly over ...\n\nIt hardly seems necessary to deal with such arguments as that Hongkong should be released from her obligation to pay any part of the cost of her own defence because she contributes largely to the general trade of the Empire. As well as might the United States claim a subsidy from England on the ground that she contributes £160,000,000 sterling to the trade of the United Kingdom, (as against some 3 or 4 millions from Hongkong). The trade of this Colony is not conducted on altruistic principles, but is carried on with whatever country is likely to most benefit its merchants.\n\nA so-called argument of even less worth is that the Colony has 'ceded' so much land for Military purposes that any further claim is preposterous. As well might a private owner who engaged a watchman claim that the guard-house set aside for his accommodation occupied so much valuable space that the idea of paying for his services was preposterous. I do not propose to deal with other similar arguments.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-358 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [10-11].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 420770, "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": "CO129-359 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [12]", "page_number": 80, "title": "CO129-359 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [12]", "content_text": "## Proofread Text\n\nI think that Mr. Howell ought to have known the regulations, he ought to have known that he was acting wrongly.\n\nThe long time which has elapsed since I last considered this case has been taken into cause as an extenuating circumstance.\n\nI have not easily accepted this as an extenuating circumstance until recently. The offence is serious and I infer that it was intentional & not without malice.\n\nThe suggestion is that Mr. Howell should be reinstated without any punishment. I think that this is not justifiable. Acting wrongly is a serious offence.\n\nIt is suggested that Mr. Howell should be fined $100. I consider that this is not proportionate to the requirements of the case. In my opinion, the punishment will be insufficient.\n\nHis Excellency Sir J. Lugard should have made a recommendation that Mr. Howell should be dismissed from the Service.\n\nIt is waste of money to persuade a good officer to stay if he doesn't want to go. (He has already suffered loss as a result of his actions being questioned).\n\nThis is astonishing. By recommending leniency, I think I am being unfair & inconsistent in my statement.\n\nI wait for the Sovereign's decision, yet in view of the man's character etc., I recommend that we should dismiss him.\n\nMr. Cox agrees that after this leave, it is preposterous to proceed to extremities against Mr. Howell on the facts as reported to us.\n\nThe Regulation governing lending Govt servants in Hongkong (which was in force at the time of the offence) came into force just three years before Mr. Howell entered on his enterprise. You will find it in `22066/9/1`. It was his business to have known it.\n\nIf Mr. Howell had simply lent the money on condition of receiving half the profits of the business (as the Agreement between the two men contemplated, see Exhibit A in `41604`), his action would hardly have been in contravention of the letter of the Regulations. Proportionately, the business went badly, & Mr. Howell found himself compelled to take an active part; signing all the cheques, & attending at the shop at 4 A.M. to call out the orders; (he says he only did this occasionally).", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-359 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422501, "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": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 530, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## \nmade a long speech in support of it. This was the Resolution which was so strongly objected to by the British Commissioners. It was to all intents and purposes the same as the original Resolution, though it did not use the exact words \"Treaty abrogation.\"\n\nDr. Tenny and the Chinese were both astounded when Mr. Miyaoka had, at the conclusion of Dr. Tenny's speech, taken exception to the Resolution, claiming that it was out of order, and moved the previous question. This had caused Dr. Tenny to appeal to the Chair against the subterfuge being resorted to by the Japanese, which, he said, was founded on bad faith, or words to that effect. Tang said that Dr. Tenny had used the words \"subterfuge and bad faith,\" having in mind that the Resolution was the one drafted by Miyaoka himself, the one he had on the night previous agreed to support.\n\nI might add that what Tang has told me is borne out in part by what came to me in other ways while at Shanghae. Tang, for example, came to my room with the very Resolution which was taken by the Americans to the Japanese and asked my opinion of it. I pointed out to him clearly that for a body of men chosen to represent Government to talk of abrogation of Treaties was preposterous. Dr. Hamilton Wright, in conversation with me on a later occasion, also spoke of the President and Mr. Root being anxious that a Resolution should be carried which would save China from being at the mercy of opium imports should she eradicate the poppy cultivation in less time than ten years; also that the other matter to which the President and Mr. Root were particularly wedded was the one which asked that the Commission should report in favour of a Conference to be held later to take up the matter further; that it was their intention to have the Conference meet at Washington, and have the Delegates come with power to bind their Governments.\n\nPeking, March 31, 1909.\n\n| Office or Individual | Koreen | 1909 | 17 June |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Fast Previous Paper | 19280 | Put by | AE. W----20061/27 ---- |\n| | 5000--11-08 | Text subsequent Paper | 20965 |\n| | 528 | DOMESTIC. HONG KONG | 20345 |\n| | 200 | 13 JUP M | Hawkow Rzechuan Railway Loan |\n| | Lewas copies of further tel' with Peking & Warkupton | M. Findes Cry. | \n| The enclosmes refer to the buspored American participation. | This have recently to Mh. Taft. | (I have been in it | \n| Accounts of tha Lapson is said to be due ashed M. Somers Cocks | As prophecy 6 the Fo. Las come h | ... | \n| ? Put by | My quickly W. 19.6 | €21.11. | now attached |\n| $4 18/6 | J | 334-24/0 | 6 Sie Ihrend |\n| 216 | би | 19/6 | Jett |\n| | 21.6 | |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422537, "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": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 566, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## Minutes of a Meeting held at the Imperial Chinese Railway Offices, Shanghai, October 24, 1903 (2nd Meeting).\n\nPresent: Messrs. Chen Shan-yen, Li Wei-ho, Wang Tsun-shan, and Yang Hsiao-shen, on behalf of His Excellency Sheng Kung Pao, Director-General; and Mr. Jamieson (with his Secretary, S. Y. Kiang), representing the Peking Syndicate.\n\nMR. JAMIESON submitted the Minutes in English of the previous meeting, copies of which had been forwarded to Mr. Chen, and inquired if they were correct. The members stated that they were correct.\n\nThe Chinese members stated that his Excellency Sheng had instructed them to bring forward another point. It appeared that besides coal, the Syndicate proposed to work iron, as one of the estimated sources of earnings of the railway was freight on the transport of iron, and probably they proposed to make steel rails and other railway material. He begged to inquire how that was.\n\nMr. Jamieson replied that the right to work iron was included in the Concession, and undoubtedly the Syndicate intended to exercise it. What particular form the industry might take, he could not at present say, but they had the right to manufacture iron of any sort.\n\nMr. Li then said that in that case the Syndicate would come into direct competition with the Hanyang ironworks, in which his Excellency Sheng was largely interested, and in assisting the Syndicate to build this railway, he would be injuring his own particular business. It was, therefore, necessary to find some means of safeguarding the Hanyang ironworks before he could proceed to discuss the terms of the railway agreement.\n\nMr. Jamieson inquired what proposal his Excellency had to make in the matter. Mr. Li replied that his Excellency's idea was that the Syndicate should undertake not to begin their ironworks for a period of years until the Hanyang ironworks were firmly established, and in reply to a further inquiry of Mr. Jamieson, Mr. Li, after consulting with the Chinese members, said they thought a period of thirty years would be sufficient.\n\nMr. Jamieson said this was absolutely out of the question. They might agree to consider a short postponement, if it was otherwise made worth their while, and provided it was understood that the term of sixty years, as stated in the Concession during which they had the right to work, received a corresponding extension at the end, but a postponement of thirty years was preposterous.\n\nSome discussion then followed as to the time from which the sixty years were to be deemed to run. Mr. Jamieson stated that the time would run from the date of the issue of the permit by the Governor of the province concerned, as provided in Article 1 of the Concessions. They had applied to the Governor of Honan for such permit, and it was expected it would be issued in a month or two, and the date of the permit would be the commencement of the term as regards Honan.\n\nAs regards Shansi, the Syndicate had not yet had time to select areas for working, and no permit had yet been applied for. When issued, it would in like manner determine the commencement of the term as regards Shansi. The iron ore, so far as they knew, was found only in Shansi, and it would, therefore, be a few years yet before the Syndicate would be in a position to do much in the way of developing ironworks.\n\nMr. Jamieson considered his Excellency Sheng's fears that the Hanyang ironworks would be injured by the Syndicate's competition were quite unfounded, as annually over 100,000 tons of iron of various sorts, not counting rails and railway material, China imported, and there was, therefore, an ample market in the country for all that could be produced in both places for many years to come.\n\nMr. Li remarked that the import of iron was falling off, and the production would soon exceed the demand, and then both the Syndicate and the Hanyang ironworks would be ruined.\n\nMr. Jamieson replied that he was not aware there was any falling off, though the Customs returns would show, but he thought the Chinese members were taking a very shortsighted view of the future in supposing there would be no increase in the demand. With the railway development now going on, there was bound to be an enormous growth in the demand for iron and iron manufactures of all sorts in China itself, and it was surely better that China should supply this herself than import it from abroad and have to pay for it. Besides, as soon as the home market was supplied, they could export it—to Japan, for instance. The more iron that China could turn out and sell, the better. His Excellency Sheng should remember that the Hanyang ironworks were not the whole of China, and consider the advantage of the people at large.\n\nMr. Chen remarked that his Excellency was naturally bound to look after his own interests first.\n\nMr. Jamieson then said, as regards the particular point raised, if the members would formulate a definite proposal for postponement for a short period, five or ten years, he would consult the Board, but he could give no sort of assurance that it would be entertained, and, in any case, they would expect some countervailing advantages.\n\nMr. Yang suggested ten years from the date of completion of the railway to Tsechow. Mr. Jamieson replied that he could not accept that, as that part of the railway might never be built; besides, it would be folly to build a railway and cut off one of the main sources from which freight earnings might be expected. Any postponement must date from the signing of the railway agreement now under discussion. Also, he wished to know what countervailing advantages they could offer for such postponement? Had the members consulted his Excellency the Director-General in regard to the point reserved at the last meeting, viz., the consideration to be given for the shares which they were asked to present to the Chinese Government?\n\nMr. Li said his Excellency had instructed them that the question of safeguarding the Hanyang ironworks must be settled before anything else was discussed. As to countervailing advantages, the guarantee itself was the advantage to the Syndicate.\n\nMr. Jamieson reminded them that the Syndicate already possessed this so-called advantage by virtue of Prince Ching's promise to Mr. Townley. The line was to be taken over on similar terms to those granted for the Russian Cheng-Tai line. He could not bargain in respect to that.\n\nMr. Chen said his Excellency Sheng did not admit that at all. His Excellency had himself advised Prince Ching that the line should be guaranteed, and it was in consequence of his advice that Prince Ching had promised it to Mr. Townley, and that was why the matter had now been referred to him to settle. The Syndicate had, in fact, obtained the promise from his Excellency Sheng, and he was free to impose any terms and conditions he might think necessary.\n\nMr. Jamieson said he knew nothing of what advice his Excellency may have given to Prince Ching, and it did not concern him at all. All he knew was that there had been a definite undertaking given by Prince Ching that the line should be put on a similar footing to the Russian Cheng-Tai line, and if his Excellency did not consider that binding on him, it was useless for them to go on discussing any longer. With much reluctance, he must place the matter again in the hands of the British Minister, and he begged them so to inform the Director-General.\n\n## No. 51.\n\n**The Marquess of Lansdowne to Sir E. Satow.**\n\n**CHINESE RAILWAY INDEMNITY.**\n\nYour telegram No. 257 of the 19th instant.\n\nForeign Office, November 28, 1903.\n\nHis Majesty's Government authorize payment to Chinese Railway Administration of interest referred to in your telegram No. 257 of the 19th instant. The interest on the £90,000 advanced by British Railway Administration, as to which we are in communication with the War Office, should not be included in the payment.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 424478, "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": "CO129-365 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1910 [1-3]", "page_number": 126, "title": "CO129-365 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1910 [1-3]", "content_text": "## Notes on Mr. Clementi's Memo re Subsidiary Coinage\n\nThe decision of the Executive Council was final for all time.\n\nThe average loss for the last 3 years has been $184,204 per annum; the Legislative Council never sanctioned such a sum, nor did they or myself understand that it was being incurred. The vote each year which it was understood would cover the anticipated loss was only $36,000; the actual unavoidable loss was only $26,777. The finances of the Colony are not at the moment in a state to embark on this great outlay, and the Executive Council at my suggestion agreed that for the present the Vote on the Estimates should not be exceeded. This does not mean abandoning the attempt to rehabilitate the Subsidiary Coinage. It means that the outlay is at present curtailed. The former policy may at any time be resumed, and meanwhile, as the Vote for 1910 stands at $40,000, a sum of $13,223 is provided to continue demonetization; in other words, two-thirds of the total received by Government can be demonetized next year instead of the whole. There was never any idea of retaining the money in Government custody. Such action, in my view, would be preposterous.\n\nIt is at least arguable whether the appreciation of the Chinese coins is primarily dependent on the appreciation of the Hongkong coins. In my opinion, they depend more on the issues of the Canton Mint. On page 555 of the last issue of the Imperial Maritime Customs Report, it is stated that in 1908, there were exported to Hongkong and Macao 71,665,900 20-cent pieces against 15,628,010 imported, a balance of 56,037,890. I do not credit the quantity of Hongkong Subsidiary Coin alleged to be in existence in China, and it is doubtful whether those who use them in outlying districts will readily part with them. I agree that the withdrawal of Hongkong Coins would lead to an influx of Chinese, though I doubt the consequent appreciation of the latter.\n\nThe", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-365 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1910 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 425282, "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": "CO129-366 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor May - 1910 [4-5]", "page_number": 307, "title": "CO129-366 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor May - 1910 [4-5]", "content_text": "## 03\n\nadded that if the Colony did not object to the concession, its interests will be best served by making it as comprehensive as possible. He indicated that the more duties on Opium the Chinese Customs were allowed to collect in Hongkong the less excuse for interference with the junk trade would be. These recommendations were made in letters dated the 10th April, 1871, and 22nd June, 1871, respectively. (`Nos. 77 and 82` in the printed Opium Correspondence). The Officer Administering the Government, Major-General Whitfield circulated this proposal for the consideration of Messrs. R. Rowett, W. Keswick and P. Ryrie, the Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council, who reported in a memorandum dated the 18th August, 1871:-\n\n\"The proposal of the Registrar-General that a Chinese Customs House should be established within one of the possessions of the British Crown is so preposterous that we do not think it necessary to record any opinion upon it beyond the expression of surprise that the Registrar-General should make such a suggestion, involving as it does the loss of dignity to the Crown and constituting an indirect attack upon the independence of the Colony\". (`No. 88` of the Printed Opium Correspondence). The Officer Administering the Government forwarded the correspondence on this subject to the Earl of Kimberley on the 9th November, 1871 and on the 10th January, 1872, Governor Sir R. G. Macdonnell, wrote to the Earl of Kimberley as follows:- \"I recommend that His Majesty's Government should strenuously oppose such an unheard of abandonment of British prestige, right, and interest as is implied by conceding to the Chinese a Customs Station of their own in a British Colony\". (`No. 99` of the Printed Opium Correspondence). However, in a despatch dated the 25th August, 1874, Sir A. Kennedy wrote to the Earl of Carnarvon taking a diametrically opposite", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-366 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor May - 1910 [4-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428278, "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": 203, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government\n\nRECE\n\n201\n\n4196\n\nRoGP 1 FEB 10,\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[2489]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[January 22.]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Sir F. Campbell.~(Received January 22.)\n\nDear Sir Francis,\n\n31, Lombard Street, London, January 21, 1910. HUKUANG loan. I have just received the French reply, in the form of the enclosed minutes, of the meeting of the French financial group held at Paris on the 14th January.\n\nThe gist of it is the renunciation of any claim to appoint a French engineer on the Hankow-Canton line and the acceptance of the proposed division of the Hankow-Szechuen line into four equal sections, subject to a specific undertaking from China that the extension of the line is to be a reality and not an illusion. Failing such an assurance, the French would push the proposed division to its logical conclusion and insist upon receiving a fourth share of such portion of the line as might actually be obtained for construction.\n\nThere is a safeguarding paragraph to the effect that these minutes are not in their nature decisive, but in a private note M. Simon takes care to tell me that the minutes were framed by M. Caillaux in consultation and agreement with the Quai d'Orsay and M. Cambon.\n\nIt is something to have secured at last a formal acknowledgment from the French of the exclusive British right to appoint an engineer to the Hankow-Canton Railway. It is also a satisfaction to have reduced to terms of equality the preposterous claim of the French to a preferential position on the Hankow-Szechuen. For the rest, America has still to be brought into line before the four Powers can approach the Chinese Government. Nor is it certain that the French will be content with the shadowy undertaking with regard to the extension of the Szechuen Railway, which is all, I am afraid, China is likely to grant. These are considerable, but I trust, not insurmountable difficulties.\n\nYours truly,\n\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\nEnclosure in No. 1,\n\nM. Simon to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\nCher Mr. Addis,\n\nParis, le 20 janvier, 1910. JE suis heureux de vous adresser ci-inclus copie du procès-verbal de la dernière réunion tenue par le Comité français des Chinese Central Railways (Limited). Sans doute recevrez-vous sous peu communication de ce document par les soins de Mr. Jamieson, à qui copie en a été adressée directement par le secrétaire du Comité français mais j'ai tenu à ce que vous en ayez connaissance le plus tôt possible. J'ajoute pour votre information strictement personnelle--que M. Caillaux s'était, ces derniers jours, mis en plein accord tant avec le Quai d'Orsay qu'avec notre Ambassadeur à Londres, et qu'il a pris soin de rédiger lui-même les parties essentielles du procès-verbal.\n\nVotre bien dévoué.\n\n[2581 y-2]\n\nS. SIMON.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 436323, "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": "CO129-386 - Public Offices & Others - 1911", "page_number": 155, "title": "CO129-386 - Public Offices & Others - 1911", "content_text": "I think it is hard to send this letter back to Sir R. Chalmers, asking him to prevent Yung from making themselves ridiculous, painting out as at A in love with Rolina's minute & adding that when it was decided that H.K. was to have £33,000 (or $26,400 if necessary) they understood that it didn't mean $26,400. & that of course they are not going & ask HK to pay. it comes probably from ...\n\nI think it would be best for Sir J. Anderson to write privately about this to Sir R. Chalmers, as Mr. Stubbs suggests. I would not go into any details, since strict logical adherence to the absurd precedents which have been established in the past working of this wretched system give some colour to the present representations.\n\nThe broad fact remains that, whatever precedents there may be, the deduction of 20 per cent from these grants given by H.M.G. as part compensation for the loss of opium revenue in which the policy of H.M.G. have involved H. Kong is absolutely out of the question and the matter cannot even be mentioned to the Colony. It might be added that the very fact of this demand being put forward by the W.O. and supported by the Treasury is a very strong additional argument for the necessity of an inter-Departmental Committee to frame a new scheme of contribution.\n\nWhatever may have been in the minds of the Treas. in consenting to these grants it was certainly not present in the mind of Lord Crewe, when he asked the Cabinet to agree to £12,000 for this year and the same for next year, that one fifth of these amounts would be recovered to make good the shortage in Army Votes. That shortage would equally have existed whether the Treas. made a grant or not, and its existence will have to be acquiesced in.\n\nThis letter is preposterous, and we simply couldn't ...\n\nPage 153\n\nOft for me\n\nPr. 5712\n\n5:12\n\nOor", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-386 - Public Offices & Others - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 438184, "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": "CO129-390 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1912 [5-6]", "page_number": 390, "title": "CO129-390 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1912 [5-6]", "content_text": "attention of the Attorney General, and also of the adviser to the Secretary of State who specially referred to the other amendment to the section in one of his despatches. It is an oversight, which has been put straight. (ii) the errors in the references to certain Ordinances, as you say \"at once\" discovered by the Attorney General and the Crown Solicitor, and one other which I have also discovered, are not vital, and can at once be corrected. So far as the one discovered by the Colonial Secretary in the head-line of No. 10 of 1899, when a perfect compositor has been invented such slips will not occur; till that time they are inevitable.\n\n(iii) The Colonial Treasurer's minute.\n\n(a). The slip in the figures in No. 1 of 1888 will be corrected at once.\n\n(b). Nos. 6 of 1889 and 11 of 1906; the Treasurer did say he thought these Ordinances were dead, but I do not agree with him, and did not choose to take the responsibility of repealing them. I commend to his notice s.11 of the former Ordinance; he will then see his mistake. With regard to the latter I do not know whether there are any pensions still payable; if there are the Ordinance should not be repealed.\n\n(c). No. 6 of 1901. The Treasurer thinks it is \"almost certain\" he gave me the amended figures. I really cannot recollect If he did I was wrong in overlooking them. But if he did not his remark that \"s. 31 anyway should have suggested examination\" is simply preposterous.\n\n(d). No. 5 of 1909. The Treasurer is quite wrong.\n\n(iv) The Attorney-General's memorandum. Many of the errors he has detected seem to be in the Corrigenda, and I will go through them in due course. His \"error No. 46\" is however meaningless, as there is no \"No. 24 of 1904\". His \"error No. 51\" is merely borrowed from a minute of my own suggesting that all references to the Empire of China would have to be revised when the New Government is recognised. It is of course a pity that I did not know that the Revolution would be successful when I was revising that\n\nPage 390\n\nPage 391", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-390 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1912 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 459730, "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": "CO129-430 - Others & Individuals - 1915", "page_number": 585, "title": "CO129-430 - Others & Individuals - 1915", "content_text": "Whilst these pages were in the printers' hands, the German Army has made use of asphyxiating gases and the Navy has sunk another passenger steamer—the Lusitania.\n\nThese barbarous acts and the defence of the sinking of this vessel, according to the German Note (of sympathy!) cabled to Washington, must have had the previous sanction of the German Emperor as the head of both the Army and Navy. Moreover, he and his Ministers must have known almost a week before the perpetration of this infamous deed that their preposterous warning had not been taken seriously, that many of the passengers could not even be aware of it and that their number exceeded a thousand, including many women and children.\n\nI am therefore compelled to abandon my charitable doubts as to the Emperor's personal responsibility; incredible as it seems to me even to-day that a man of his apparent virtues, one who continuously invokes and claims the blessings of a Christian God for all his actions (as I wrote on page 28), should have sanctioned such and similar barbarities of his unspeakable Prussians!\n\nLONDON, E.C.\n\n10th May, 1915.\n\nH. SANDERS.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-430 - Others & Individuals - 1915.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 460316, "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": "CO129-431 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [1-2]", "page_number": 449, "title": "CO129-431 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [1-2]", "content_text": "Extract from the Manchuria Daily News of the 2nd May, 1914.\n\nREDUCED RATES FOR SPECIFIC THROUGH GOODS.\n\nOn Mukden-Antung Line.\n\nWe are definitely informed that the Chosen Railway Administration, with the support of Gov.-Gen. Viscount Terauchi, has been \"pulling wires\" in obstructing the demand of the S.M.R. Co., to have the essential condition originally agreed upon fulfilled, viz., to have the reduced freight rates over the Mukden-Antung Line extended to the two other routes. The Imperial Government Railways authorities, inclusive of the Supervisor of the S.M.R. Co., were willing enough to be reasonable towards the S.M.R. Co., whose claims were strictly tenable, but they were compelled to act against their own judgment through the strong pressure of the Chosen Railway people. The Chosen authorities proposed impossible terms as a compromise, as transmitted by the Imperial Government Railways to the S.M.R. Co., and noticed in our issue of the 29th ult. These terms were that a reduction of the railway freights on through goods for direct transportation over the two import routes via Dairen and via Yingkou from Osaka and Kobe to Mukden, Tiehling, Changchun, &c., would be permitted to the extent of 20 per cent., but that in return therefor the railway tariffs for local operation should be raised by 10 per cent. Between the lines of this counter-proposition the true motive of the Chosen authorities is writ in letters of fire.\n\nFirstly, as pointed out in our issue of the 30th ult. in the article under the heading \"Japanese Cotton Exporters' Association,\" the rate of reduction for the Mukden-Antung Line is about 40 per cent., against which a reduction of only 20 per cent. is offered for the two other import routes via Dairen and via Yingkou. It must be remembered that, as far as the railway and ferry services between Osaka and Kobe and Antung are concerned, the Chosen Railway, conjointly with the Imperial Government Railways, allow to the members the Japanese Cotton Exporters' Association the further reduction of Y1 per ton on the freights for Cotton Cloths and Yarn in addition to a rebate of Y1.90 per ton in case of the aggregate annual consignments of the Association exceeding the minimum tonnage of 5,000 tons. The importers via the Chosen route would thus enjoy the dual advantage in the shape of the cheaper freight and rebate amounting to Y2.50 per ton over the Japanese and Chosen lines, and a gain of about 20 per cent. in the freights over the Mukden-Antung Line compared with the other two import routes from Dairen and Yingkou. With such handicaps encumbering the importers interested in the Dairen and Yingkou routes, how could they hope to compete with any chances of success with their rivals utilising the Chosen route, who, on top of all these, have in their favour the Customs duties at Antung by one third reduction? It would be safe to say that the niggardly reduction of 20 per cent. would have no appreciable effect to prevent the diversion of goods to the Chosen route, The ports of Dairen and Yingkou would be divested of their legitimate portions of the import trade with Japan.\n\nSecondly, the compromise scheme restricts the goods to through imports for direct transportation from Osaka and Kobe to Mukden, Tiehling and Changchun, whilst the list of the stations of destination in the agreement with the Japanese Cotton Exporters' Association includes, besides the above-mentioned three, the following seven stations on other than the Mukden-Antung Line :- Kaiyuan, Ssupingkai, Kuochiatien, Kungchuling, Fanchiatun, Fushun and Liaoyang. As to the stations of despatch in Japan, in addition to Kobe and Osaka, named as the only ones for the Dairen and Yingkou routes, there are the following fourteen :-- Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Kuwana, Tsu, Akagi, Ichinomiya, Okayama, Tamashima, Kashiwabara, Handa, Hamamatsu, Shimbashi, Moji, and Hakata.\n\nThe deletion of Moji, the most important intermediate port of call, in particular, from the ports of despatch for the Dairen and Yingkou routes would make a serious difference.\n\nThese restrictions are not all that make against Dairen and Yingkou.\n\nIt being limited to through goods for direct transportation, both Dairen and Yingkou would serve to these goods as nothing more than ports of transit, which contingency would deprive the importers of both ports of so much business.\n\nThis would cost the prosperity of Dairen and Yingkou dearly.\n\nIt was for this very reason that the S.M.R. management stuck to its original contention that a reduction at a similar rate to the new rates for the Mukden-Antung Line should be allowed for import goods which pass into the interior of Manchuria via Dairen as a port of transhipment.\n\nThirdly, in consideration of the niggardly \"concession,\" which in fact amounts to only partial fulfilment of the original engagement, a 10 per cent. rise of the railway tariffs for local operation was demanded.\n\nThis gave the \"whole show\" away. What rational connection could this proposition have with the main point at issue, except for heaping upon the head of the S.M.R. Co. management the execrations of the people of Dairen and Yingkou and all the other trade centres along the S.M.R. lines for its abject imbecility in submitting to so outrageous a dictate of the Imperial Government Railways as the above-mentioned terms are, and also for increasing the burden of the local clients of the S.M. Railway and blocking the growth of trade, as if the management had not already done enough to work the ruin of the Japanese settlers in South Manchuria other than interested in the import trade via the Chosen route?\n\nWhen it is called to mind that all these preposterous conditions were advanced by the Chosen Railway authorities and the Imperial Government Railways were used as a mere scapegoat and mouthpiece, what are the ulterior objects of the Chosen Railway authorities will be plain as daylight. At the same time what dominant influence is wielded by the Chosen Railway over the Imperial Government Railways will be also apparent as well as the sad fall of the status of the S.M.R. Co.\n\nPage 446", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-431 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [1-2].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 466959, "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": "CO129-440 - Others & Individuals - 1916", "page_number": 541, "title": "CO129-440 - Others & Individuals - 1916", "content_text": "9\n\n540\n\nwhat I have just said.\n\nYou will not only understand this profound indignation of mine but that, should your Hongkong branch actually do anything which would cause us the loss of this valuable business, my Company would of course institute proceedings immediately for the recovery of damages.\n\nTo tell me, as Mr. Carroll's cable does, that Hongkong will give up this agency immediately (whereby not only our interests but those of the Texaco would be most seriously damaged), if we do not see our way to cancel a certain contract, is so preposterous a proposition that I refuse to believe it until further advices, implicit as is my trust in Mr. Carroll's habit of being extremely careful when passing on to me or others what is before him.\n\nThe matter itself is exceedingly simple, as it stands today.\n\nI have sent a P/A to Hongkong, under which your Hongkong branch will liquidate the small stock ex m/v Fanana and as to this liquidation, surely in spite of Mr. Cheetham's resignation, there cannot be any other, and more obvious, settlement between us but that we pay you (in addition to the agreed commission of 1% for the cargo) an equivalent for the loss of that gentleman's services; and Mr. Carroll has no doubt informed you that we are willing to pay your Hongkong branch an equivalent of three months' salary of Cheetham. This is at $500 a month which you are probably not paying to the gentleman whom you have all along wished to substitute for Mr. Cheetham, therefore as Mr. Carroll cables this extremely simple matter should be referred for settlement by \"direct correspondence Hongkong\", I for one quite fail to understand, and I am sure that you in London will not, or reconsideration, back Hongkong's unreasonable demand. Perhaps Hongkong is not aware, or has quite forgotten, that there are these September understandings between us?\n\nContract as between the Texas Company, yourselves and ourselves: will note what I have written yesterday to Hongkong in regard to", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-440 - Others & Individuals - 1916.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 488950, "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": 98, "title": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "at $21,000,000 it is proposed to purchase it \"with the exercise of my tact, and privacy\" for $12,000,000.\n\nThe secrecy necessary for such a delicate operation is impossible in China; the mere raising of the necessary loan, apart from the main agreement, would speedily become known, rendering the purchasing of the shares by a foreign concern impracticable.\n\nOn this ground alone the proposal seems to me to be ruled out of court.\n\nMessrs. Loxley & Company's estimate of the commercial possibilities of the line is not such as to encourage capitalists, and I was told by Mr. Stabb frankly that he did not think it would be possible to obtain the necessary money on the terms suggested; he considered that the only possible method of enticing the necessary capital to come forward would be for the Central Government to accept full and unreserved liability for the loan.\n\nHe characterized Messrs. Loxley & Company's claim to 15% of the annual profits remaining after payment of principal and interest, in addition to acting as buying agents, as preposterous and one which no bondholders would agree to. Mr. Stabb further said that, so far as he knew of the new Consortium's plans, no such arrangement by any one Power would be possible in future.\n\nI understand that the Hongkong Government are merely concerned to see the line completed in the interests of the trade of the Colony and are quite indifferent as to ways and means.\n\nI have the honour to be,\nSir,\nYour most obedient,\nhumble servant,\n(sd:) Herbert Hoffe.\nConsul-General,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489083, "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": 231, "title": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## Page 229\n\nA partner who acts so disloyally as the Chinese Government renders the situation preposterous and Mr. Issacs has hinted that he may consequently withdraw from it entirely.\n\nThe strongest representations may be made by you to the Chinese Government with our full approval. Should they continue to show such an entire disregard for their obligations, it will be impossible for British firms of good standing to continue to deal with them.\n\nThe question of perhaps amalgamating British Wireless and Cable interests will be given careful consideration after the views of other departments who are interested have been received, but up to the present, no mention has been made of it. I should be glad if, meanwhile, you could find out definitely from the Chinese Government whether all proposals which Eriksen made here are completely disclaimed by them.\n\nEastern Extension Company say that Eriksen will soon return from Shanghai.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489126, "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": 274, "title": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "272\n\nParaphrase of telegram No. 49 to Sir B. Alston, (Peking.)\n\ndated January 28th, 1921.\n\nReferring to telegram 20 from you.\n\nOther departments concerned are being consulted on the whole question and instructions will be sent you at the first opportunity.\n\nMr. Bullard is however due in China at the end of February; he is leaving Peking at once via America. I am told by Mr. Isaacs that the contracting Company for the American contract are American Federal Company. They were a moribund concern and the American Government, he suspects, have brought them to life again for the special purpose of breaking the preferential position which under the `O.I.W.C.` charter is enjoyed by Marconi's.\n\nThe Poulsen arc system will have to be used by this American Company and this system is, by special arrangement, the sole property of Marconi Company anywhere outside America. This means that by pirating Marconi rights in China, American contracts will be fulfilled but Mr. Isaacs does not see in what way it can be stopped since no effective patent law exists in China. Mr. Isaacs has hinted that since the position is so preposterous he may withdraw entirely from cooperation with so disloyal a partner as the Chinese Government.\n\nAuthority is given for the strongest representations to be made to the Chinese Government by you. Should they continue to show much total disregard of their solemn obligations, British firms of good standing can no longer deal with them.\n\nThe matter of amalgamation of British wireless and cable interests will be attended to when views of other departments interested have been received; up to the present it has not been...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489716, "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": 207, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## \n50ន \n· 02 \n200 \n\n- \n• \nkoni nă \n07 \n• \nNaqas në THAZAL » \nBIG I \nFir \n1 \nParazi \nZEMĚ G \ni to o \ncatda 10 Avenİ Kİ \nmt dan di Juose pat tadź bormoni MTVA. \nTASTAR to noemen ok proklandsdsu.\n\nIt works, considers the language uncalled for, an opinion in which I must confess I concur.\n\nThe Kuomintang sagely availed itself of the opportunity to stir up popular opinion and enlist it on its side, and as will be seen from the enclosed copy of the \"Canton Times\" they have not been without success.\n\nSimultaneously with this agitation there has arisen a crop of rumours, with regard to the visit paid to Peking by His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong, of which a full summary is in the leading article of the same journal. Reuter's Correspondent, who is very friendly towards us, came to me yesterday and asked me if I would give an official denial, as they were undoubtedly creating much hostile comment. I replied that they were preposterous, but that I was not in a position to furnish him with an official denial, as in the first place I could have no relations with the press, that is the second place I was in entire ignorance of the purposes of Sir Hubert's journey and that in the third place, were I to attempt to contradict all the misstatements which appeared daily, I would have no time left wherein to carry on my ordinary duties.\n\nI learn this morning that an official protest by the Government of Kuangtung is likely to be addressed to me shortly.\n\nI have the honour to be,\n\nYour most obedient,\nhumble servant,\n(ad.)\nJ.W.JAMIESON,\nConsul-General.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489720, "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": 211, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "# No.4 Enclosure in Mr. Jamieson's No. 33 of May 12th, 191 \n\n## EXTRACT FROM CANTON TIMES May 12th, 1921.\n\n### A Crop Of Rumours.\n\nThe sudden departure of the Hong Kong Governor for the north on a fast warship, and his subsequent arrival in Peking about the same time as Sir Robert Ho Tung reached there, has given rise to a crop of rumours that will not down.\n\n### Other Chinese Comments.\n\n#### THE PUNITIVE EXPEDITION TO THE SOUTH.\n\n(Shen Chow Jih Pao.) Warlord Two Kun and Warlord Chang Tsu-lin have declared in favour of a punitive expedition to the South to put down the new government of the South with Dr. Sun Yat-sen as its newly elected president. The scheme is to send Northern troops via Kiangsu and to use the troops for reinforcing the troops to be despatched by Fukien and Kiangsi for participation in the expedition. Without commenting on the wisdom or folly of the measure contemplated, let us express the firm opinion that this campaign will be bound to end in complete failure.\n\nWhy has the state of belligerency between North and South been suspended by Peking and Canton? Has a state of mutual understanding been arrived at? The two sides gave up fighting because each realised from experience its lack of the needed resources to bring the campaign to a successful issue. The rumour has it that Governor Stubbs made his trip to Peking in the interest of the British Syndicate headed by Major Cassell, and in connection with the Cassell Coal Mining Contract. Under a clause in that document, it is necessary for the British Syndicate to obtain the approval of the Peking Government before the terms of the contract can come into effect. It is known that Major Cassell failed to get this approval when he went up to Peking last year. Governor Stubbs, so the Chinese believe, has now offered Hau Shih-chang a quid pro quo for his official sanction to this outrageous agreement. In exchange for Peking's approval, the Hongkong Government is reported to have agreed to recognize the \"paper unification mandate\". So far as Hongkong is concerned, this arrangement would result in outlawing the present Cantonese leaders and would give direct British aid and assistance to the Kwangsi militarists in their fight to return to Kwangtung.\n\nThe warlords of the North do not seem to realise that they have not yet established a spirit of mutual trust between themselves and the militarists of Central and Southern China. The idea of sending Northern troops through Kiangsu territory will certainly not be tolerated by the Tuchun of Kiangsu. Tuchun Li Hou-chi of Fukien has, since last year, been reported as being in secret alliance with the Military Government or carrying on negotiations with this end in view.\n\nThe attitude of Lu Yung-hsiang, Tuchun of Chekiang, has been, as has been characterised by the Peking politicians, \"somewhat muddy.\" Under this cloud of mutual distrust and suspicion, it is humanly impossible for the militarists in Central and Southern China to pull together in a joint expedition.\n\nAnother rumour is to the effect that the British Government has decided to return Weihaiwei to China on condition that the Hongkong Government will be permitted to extend its boundary up to Sheklung and Whampoa shall be brought under British jurisdiction. It is maintained by those who accept this report, that Hongkong does not want Whampoa developed into a port for this would seriously affect the trade and commerce of Hongkong.\n\nStill another rumour which has been spread in a vain endeavour to explain Governor Stubbs' trip north, attributes it to British concern for the construction of the line proposed to connect the Canton-Kowloon Railway with the Yuel-Han Railway. The British authorities are willing, (so the rumour) to finance this project and also undertake the construction of the Yueh-Han line from Shiukwan to Hankow.\n\nOthers see still deeper political significance in this much-advertised trip. They contend that Great Britain and Japan have come to an agreement regarding their respective spheres of influence in China. Notwithstanding the opposition of America and some of the Dominions, the Anglo-Japanese Alliance will be renewed. Great Britain, therefore, agrees to give Japan a free hand worth of the Yangtze; while Japan will support British pretensions in South China.\n\nThere are other rumours too numerous to mention. These vary in range, from the perfectly innocent desire on the part of Governor Stubbs to escape the heat of Hongkong, to the preposterous claim that Hongkong has aggressive designs for the re-occupation of the whole of Kwangtung.\n\nThe CANTON TIMES does not swallow any of these rumours. We are as much in the dark about this affair as our Hongkong contemporaries profess to be.\n\n### \n\n210 \n\nPage 210", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489818, "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": 309, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## Enclosure 12 in No. 1\n\n### Consul-General Jamieson to the Civil Governor\n\nCanton, May 19, 1921.\n\nON the 14th instant I received from the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs a communication to the effect that he had been verbally instructed by your Excellency and Dr. Wu Ting Fang to ascertain whether or not British vessels of war were conveying arms and ammunition up the West River for the Government of Kwangsi. This information was said to have been obtained by spies, and specifically mentioned H.M.S. `Foxglove` by name. I at once caused a letter to be written to Mr. Li Chin-lun pointing out to him that the information was too preposterous to be treated seriously, as His Majesty's ships carry no ammunition except for their own use, and asked him if it were likely that vessels carrying contraband to Wuchow would call in at Samshui in Kwangtung.\n\nOn the 16th instant, Mr. Wu Ch'ao-shu came to call on me, and, in the course of conversation, I expressed to him my surprise that any intelligent individual would for one moment believe that an ocean-going sloop, such as H.M.S. `Foxglove`, could have been told off for such duty, as owing to her draught of water she could not possibly enter the West River. I since learn that Mr. Huang Chiang paid a visit in person to Samshui on the 14th instant, and was told by the commissioner of customs that H.M.S. `Foxglove` could not reach the port.\n\nThat your Excellency should have given credence to a lying report furnished, I understand, by a motor-launch driver in Hong Kong, is matter of deep regret to me, as a slur is thereby cast on His Majesty's navy and on the bona fides of His Majesty's Government. As your Excellency is aware, the latter have bound themselves not to supply, or to allow to be supplied, to either the Central or the Southern Governments arms of any kind until harmony shall have been restored, and to this policy they have strictly adhered. Moreover, of the four British river gunboats, there is only one small river gunboat on the West River at present at Wuchow - one is at Canton, and has been here for several tens of days, and the other two are in dock in Hong Kong. How then can they be wrongfully accused of smuggling arms?\n\nAs a result of this ridiculous rumour, lecturers are publicly inciting people in the streets to boycott British firms and goods, and are even visiting the theatres for a similar purpose. The Press Union also proposes to hold a public meeting of protest. In view of the serious situation thereby likely to be created, I have the honour earnestly to request your Excellency at once to issue stringent orders for the suppression of the dissemination of these lies, otherwise, for any harm that may ensue as a consequence of this mischievous propaganda, the Government of Kwangtung will be held responsible.\n\nI have further the honour to warn your Excellency that, if the agents of your Excellency's Government in Hong Kong supply false information of this kind, calculated to disturb friendly relations, it will become my duty to address to the Hong Kong Government a request that they all be immediately deported.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nJ. W. JAMIESON.\n\n## Enclosure 13 in No. 1\n\n### Sir B. Alston to Consul-General Jamieson\n\n(No. 38.)\n\nPeking, June 9, 1921.\n\nI HAVE received your despatch No. 40 of the 26th ultimo, on the subject of notifications issued by the Hong Kong Government, to which exception was taken by the authorities of Canton.\n\nI approve the terms of your letter to the Civil Governor, a copy of which is enclosed in your despatch, and I consider that you acted correctly in leaving Mr. C. C. Wu's letter unanswered.\n\nI am, &c.\n\nB. ALSTON.\n\n6\n\nand financial, of sympathy on the part of individuals in Hong Kong with this Government, and has laid itself open to the charge of hostility to it. It was, to say the least, a gratuitous act and this Government has suffered in its prestige. It is this moral aspect of the act to which strong exception is taken, not merely the loss of material or financial assistance. Capital has been made out of the matter by the Peking \"Government,\" and it is taken generally as an act of partisanship by Hong Kong for Peking against Canton.\n\nAnother important fact should be impressed upon the officials of Hong Kong, that is, that more than 99 per cent of the Chinese residents there are Cantonese who have ancestral homes and property in this province and it is safe to say that the immense majority, if not all of them, are strongly in favour of this Government and are decidedly hostile to the Peking corrupt Government. Thus it is apparent that any unfriendly action or speech of the Hong Kong high officials towards this Government is displeasing to them though they may not openly express it.\n\nIn view of this aspect of the case, I trust that Sir R. Stubbs will not be deterred by any feeling of excessive loyalty to subordinates, but, in the same spirit in which he has made the present disavowal, repudiate the notifications in toto. Such an act would heighten British prestige in Canton, and would be the happiest augury for the friendliest relations between Canton and Hong Kong, which it is no less our wish to maintain than that of Sir R. Stubbs. I earnestly hope you will do all you can in the matter.\n\nYours sincerely,\n\nCHAO-CHU WU.\n\n7 \n\n## Page 308", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490262, "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": 753, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## \n025\n\n31 dining to si \nfus \"a Inega orig. Trah dua hiz \nstajemy od Viver ver Zeit mo spoil teste \n\nAVER LET 21 \n· \nya na gist ums \n\n(b)\n\n751 \ninolesura Ho. \n4 in Tulon despatch To. \nof natober, \n15 \n1921.\n\n**VERK U PUBLIO OF MINA.**\nMinistry of Foreign Affairs. \nCanton, October 14, 1921.\n\nJ.W.JAMÍNKm, Esq., \nBritish Deputy Consul-General, Canton.\n\nDear Mr. Edwin,\n\n1. I have carefully considered your letter of the 4th. You suggest arbitration in respect, not of the question of what the water boundaries are, but a *modus vivendi* with regard to the harbour waters and the regulations governing junk visiting Lappa (71^, your letter to me of 30th ult.). In our view, according to the rules of international law and practice, the matter is one decidedly *sui generis*, hence on the principle that the boundary line between international waters should lie in the mid-channel or on the principle that the rights granted to another nation should be interpreted strictly in favour of the grantor (not to embark on the name of *mare clausum*). Whatever may be the acceptability of arbitration on the question of permanent delimitation of boundaries, to resort to it merely to arrive at a temporary *modus vivendi* seems hardly worth while. And even to arrive at such a *modus vivendi* it is not possible without going to a large extent into the matter of port and water boundaries and indeed that of permanent land boundaries all. As illustration, I have already formally pointed out to you that in a despatch a few years ago you yourself while making an *sottise* on behalf of \"Anna\" that Warshai was within the whole of Lappa was disputed territory. While, of course, such a claim can only be described as fantastic and preposterous as you yourself in a recent letter to me said that Lappa was \"undoubtedly Chinese\", yet it serves to show that an arbitration to arrive at a *modus vivendi* would be almost tantamount to an arbitration as to delimitation of boundaries.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 492275, "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": "CO129-475 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1922 [5-7]", "page_number": 205, "title": "CO129-475 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1922 [5-7]", "content_text": "on \n\n238 \n\none \n\nat his home, and imagine his anxiety concerning his womenfolk with these hordes of black guard soldiers about. \n\nTHE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS & \n\n[September 3rd, 1921. \n\nYANGTSZE. \n\nON THE \n\n177 \n\nEXPERIENCES OF A CHINA MERCHANTS STEAMER. \n\nMuch capital is made by the present Canton Government of the prohibition of public gambling. All honour to them for taking the step! But they appear to have short memories. Gambling in Canton was suppressed in the first instance by Cheung Ming-k'i, the last of the Viceroys under the Manchus, in the spring of 1911, some six months before the Revolution, and it is during the existence of the Republic that it has been again permitted and carried to such an extreme degree. The great boast about the tremendous task recently accomplished would inspire more confidence were it tempered by acknowledgement of the whole history.\" \n\nLucky is he if the operations of war do not mean more than the passage of troops through his home. Where the actual conflict arises, the countryside is in a bad case. Apart from the danger to all from the attempts at musketry of the soldiers, there are very real risks of revengeful pillage, murder, rape and arson by an outmanoeuvred force, and the same from the vanguard of the advancing victors. In this unhappy Province one District city of small size was set fire to, and over two hundred houses destroyed: the pitiable description given to the writer of those whose homes they had been was horrid in its brevity; \"Nowhere to dwell, nothing to eat, nothing to put on.\" Another large market town, 100 miles away from there, was almost levelled to the ground by the conflagration started by the retiring troops in the hope of an occasion for loot. In yet another place, all the boats were impressed and not allowed to move. A boatman's hat fell in the stream and floated off. They began to row after it and were at once fired on by the patrol on guard. A young mother in the boat was shot in the shoulder, and it was nearly a fortnight before they were allowed to move to seek treatment for an appallingly dirty compound fracture. These are sufficient instances to show a terrible side of the effect on the poorer people of the change to the greatly belauded \"Republican\" institution. \n\nIf these fightings were carried on by foreign foes trying to subjugate the country, or by patriotic forces trying to repel an invader they would be tragic enough: but what can be said about them when they are inflicted by Chinese on their own people? It is a puzzle to know who, beyond a very few individual officials, is really the gainer, Losers are easy enough to find. \n\nLow and high, military and civilian, man and woman, have all bewailed to the writer their keen regret that ever the Manchu regime was done away with. They say \"There was injustice then, but it is far far worse now. The old officials were at least in awe of their superiors and had to make some show of administering the law.\" Or again, \"Now-a-days an official knows he will not remain in any place above a few months at most, so why should he bother to rule well?\" An educated young Chinese said, “From my native village many young men have gone abroad to study, and have come back with high ideals of treating people fairly. Several have become officials and served justly, and without squeezing, for a term of office. But never one who gets a second office can keep his hands clean. He has experienced the unpalatable truth that in our Republic an honest official once out of his post is absolutely without means of livelihood.\" \n\nThese are the testimonies not of globe-trotters, nor even foreigners, nor of pro-Manchu people, but the bitter experience of those who love their own country and see the real state of affairs. \n\nIt would be foolish as well as unfair to say that no benefits have come since 1911. A change has been made, for example, in the necessary procedure for the transfer of family lands, which now are controlled by the womenfolk as well as the men, whereas formerly a member of the clan who would some time inherit alone could dispose of them. This is a slight check on the extravagance of young gamblers. \n\nFiring on ships on the Yangtsze is described in recent Shanghai papers as a daily occurrence. Capt. Alfred F. Cooke, of the China Merchants steamer Kiangking was recently badly wounded in the neck when he stopped at Patung to land passengers from soldiers fired on both banks of the river. It was impossible for the steamer to get under way quickly again. While she was being fired on two Chinese passengers were killed and several wounded, as we have noted before. The number of wounded has now correctly been learned to be at least 10. After getting under way, the steamer riddled with bullets, Capt. Cooke found it necessary to do the steering himself, although wounded, as his pilots had sought cover. Barricades were made of everything available, including mail bags and baggage. \n\nThere is nothing to be gained by those who point back, sighing, to old days, and think, \"How much better we should have been if something different had been done.\" The pathos of the present position of the bulk of the people must be realized and remedied. Whether the Empire or the Republic is the better is beside the mark, for the Empire, especially the Manchu Empire, has gone for ever, as far as Kwangtung is concerned. \n\nA procedure for the local election of District Magistrates has lately been adopted, and though it is somewhat farcical, it must be regarded as another stage in the devolution of power from the few to the many; but this type of novelty will not save the country. \n\nOn this eventful trip down river, Capt. Cooke states that he passed from 200 to 300 junks full of soldiers coming down river (as is thought likely) to loot Patung and Ichang. Patung is evacuated now and the soldiers are taking every available way to get down river. The most probable explanation of their reason for firing on the str. Kiangking is that the troops hoped to capture and loot the ship and make use of her to carry themselves and belongings to safer place below. As a matter of fact, Capt. Cooke had refused to carry troops for the military authorities when pressed to do so at Chungking, without authority from the French consul. \n\nThe Cantonese are not likely to improve their internal conditions unless and until they make a great change in certain fundamental matters. One, the preposterous military power must be reduced to a proper size, a proper appreciation of its function and its shortcomings, and a proper system of discipline. Another, the universal conception of \"face\" be remodelled to bear some relationship to honour. Another, every man, woman and child must learn that he is not isolated as a unit, but part of a community, and that his well-being depends intimately upon that of the whole structure. \n\nA well-known Cantonese authority on education not long ago made a statement publicly which may well be quoted in conclusion of these articles. It was to this effect. \"Our country is almost defunct, and we must revive it. We cannot hope to revive it by mere book lore, even by widespread study of the wisest and noblest books. All this will be unsuccessful unless at the root is a change of individual character from wrong to right: a rebirth of the heart of us all as individual citizens. This is a radical proposition, but even were I to face death for this attitude, I could hold no other. To get bad men made good, and selfish men made unselfish is the only programme that can remedy our case.\" \n\nIt is perhaps superfluous to add that he pointed to Jesus Christ as the only hope whereby this programme can be accomplished. \n\nThe ex-Super Tuchun of the Central Yangtsze is said to have left $16,000,000 of provincial funds unaccounted for. He is stated to have acknowledged to his successor that he owed Hupeh money but not such a large sum as was alleged. What he owed, he said, would be repaid. He had telegraphed Peking promising to make good his accounts with Hupeh. Meanwhile General Wu Pei-fu is in need of three millions to embark on the military operations he has planned in the province, and is trying to squeeze this out of the native banking and commercial organisations. \n\nTHE \"ALICE DOLLAR'S\" ADVENTURE. \n\nWith these junk loads of soldiers on the river in such numbers, it is increasingly difficult for large steamers to pass by them without placing them in great danger. \n\nThe junks are heavily loaded. On a recent trip of the str. Alice Dollar, 50 of them were caught in the backwash, upset, and sunk. As a result the following trip of the Robert Dollar, was delayed. A thousand soldiers formed a line on the south bank of the river at Chungking to prevent her departure. A platoon of soldiers was sent aboard the ship to announce the intention of the military authorities of holding the steamer as security for the losses of junks caused by the Alice Dollar. Capt. G. Crum, commanding the vessel, ordered them ashore and they went. \n\nConferences of military and civil authorities were then held and it was decided that the steamer might proceed on her way pending further investigation. Her captain was, however, advised to remain over a day to allow time for the countermanding of orders given to troops below to attack the steamer. He thereupon waited the day and proceeded down river in safety. \n\nThe Alice Dollar is now carrying a guard of 18 men from the U.S.S. Elcano besides three machine-guns and three-inch gun. \n\none \n\nCHINESE KILLED ON INDO-CHINA STEAMER. \n\nThe Indo-China steamer Changwo, was flying a very large red ensign, heavily fired on below Singti from the north bank of the Yangtsze, last week. A Chinese was killed and some Chinese were wounded, while the hull was pierced. The Stantan was also fired on, but no damage was done.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-475 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1922 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 492297, "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": "CO129-475 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1922 [5-7]", "page_number": 227, "title": "CO129-475 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1922 [5-7]", "content_text": "216\n\njust as she will not recede Shantung without negotiations; and there being no one in Siberia strong enough to negotiate with, the evacuation is postponed again and again. If the other Powers object to the Japanese occupation of Siberia, they have only themselves to blame, since it was on their invitation Japanese troops were sent there, a fact which Japan is not backward in pleading.\n\nAs to what line Japan will take at the Conference, it seems very probable that she will seek to utilise it in the same way as she utilised the Peace Conference, that is to get her “rights” confirmed. Whether the racial equality motion will again be introduced as a camouflage to cover what she really wants remains to be seen. There were reports that it would not be used again. But in this case Japan has plenty of other questions of a like general nature to fall back upon. Thus, there is the question of Japanese immigration. She does not believe that the United States and the British Dominions will agree to unrestricted Japanese immigration, but by pleading for it very earnestly and making it the chief plank in her programme, she may very well assuage her inconsolability at having her immigration demand refused by a confirmation of her \"rights\" in Shantung, or a general mandate to do what she likes in Manchuria and Siberia. It is, therefore, almost certain that, whether directly or indirectly, Japan will seek to get the Conference to confirm all her \"rights\" in China, Manchuria, Mongolia and Siberia. Whether she will be so successful with Yap is doubtful. All the present indications show that America is determined to secure Yap, and this is not altogether to Japan's disadvantage, since it gives her something to bargain with. Only what she obtains in return must be the price, and this price can only be obtained at the expense of some other country. The Conference, therefore, as far as Japan is concerned, is considered as an opportunity for bargaining, and for hard bargaining too. Whether the peace of the Pacific can be established by this method is not a matter which is deemed worth studying. At any rate, a redistribution of \"rights\" will keep all parties satisfied for a year or two, and this is all that can be hoped for.\n\nTHE CENTRAL YANGTSZE\n\nThe Hongkong Weekly Press says that General WU PEI-FU, one of the Northern troops which have been sent to Hupeh by the Inspector-General for Chihli, Shantung and Honan (TSAO KUN), has been negotiating with the commanders of what may be conveniently called the Constitutional forces of Hupeh and Hunan which are co-operating in the insurrection, but negotiations appear to have been broken off by General Wu because the Constitutionalists refuse to pledge themselves to acknowledge the authority of the Government at Peking and also because their demands are preposterous.\n\nTSAO KUN has ordered the immediate dispatch of reinforcements to the Chihli forces in Hupeh, and General WU PEI-FU has personally taken over the command of the Chihli army in the Central Yangtsze, leaving a new Tuchun to preserve the peace in the Wu-Han cities (Wuchang, Hanyang and Hankow). This is interpreted as a signal for the resumption of the civil war between North and South, and important developments are expected. TSAO KUN is represented as prepared to allow General Wu a free hand in the prosecution of his \"grand programme for the reunification of the whole country either by peaceful methods or force.\" It is reported to be the intention of the Government and TSAO KUN to place 40,000 Northern troops at the disposition of General WU PEI-FU to enable him to organise a big military expedition into Hunan, with Canton as its final objective if the situation requires it.\n\nThe Peking-Hankow railway has been commandeered for the dispatch of these troops from the North to the capital of Hupeh. A very serious difficulty which General Wu PEI-FU has yet to overcome is the reluctance of the people of Hupeh to provide the necessary funds for this expedition. \"It is feared,\" says a Chinese news agency, \"that in order to get funds for meeting his urgent military expenses, that is to say, to feed and pay the armed Chinese coolies who are fighting battles for the sake of the Super-Tuchuns and Tuchuns, WU PEI-FU, who has been well-known as the champion of the Chinese people, will be forced to adopt harsh and extreme measures for squeezing money from the Wuchang and Hankow commercial guilds.\"\n\nFurther reports from Wuchang say that nearly all the wealthy and prominent merchants and bankers, including the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Chambers of Commerce, have taken refuge in the foreign concessions, chiefly because they say they dare not advance money to the Northern commanders to fight against their own fellow-provincials, adding that the crushing of the KIANG TSO-PIN movement means the destruction of the ideals of the Hupeh people for self-government or political autonomy for their native land and the victory of disorganised militarism or Tuchunism.\n\nThere have been no striking developments in the situation in the Yangtsze Valley since WONG CHAN-YUAN resigned the Super-Tuchunship and quitted the Wu-Han cities for the more peaceful region of Tientsin. A couple of weeks ago it seemed not unlikely that the trouble in the Yangtsze region would result in the setting up of a third Government, and in political circles in Canton it was felt that such a development would not be inimical to the existence of the Government at Canton, but, on the contrary, the identity of aims would lead to co-operation in overthrowing the Government at Peking. The latest reports, however, by no means support this prediction.\n\nIt is very doubtful if the local forces in Hupeh, supported as they are by an army from Honan, are powerful enough to stand against the large Northern army which is now being concentrated in the province, and General Wu's success would not bring any comfort or satisfaction to Canton if it is true that the main object of this \"champion of the people\" is to hold the province for Peking. At all events, it looks as if a decisive struggle is now impending. The present informal truce bears a resemblance to the lull before the storm. Hupeh residents in Shanghai, in a circular telegram to the provinces, fit to the situation a Chinese proverb about a wolf entering by the back door as the tiger departs by the front door—the tiger in this case being WONG CHAN-YUAN and the wolf HSIAO YAO-NAN, who has been appointed to succeed him as Tuchun. There will be no peace in the Central Yangtsze region, they say, until Hupeh is allowed complete self-government and both the Hunan and the Chihli armies are unconditionally withdrawn from the territory of Hupeh.\n\nTHE BRITISH IN SOUTH CHINA.\n\n(Daily Press, September 2nd, 1921). A \"mild sensation,\" we learn from our London correspondent, has been caused by an article recently contributed to the New Republic by Mr. JOHN DEWEY, a distinguished American professor of philosophy, who was on a lecturing tour in China earlier in the year. A double purpose was apparently intended to be served by the article, viz., to extol the Government in Canton as altogether the most promising one in China, and, secondly, to proclaim that in this part of China the British occupy much the same position of suspicion and dread which is held by the Japanese in the North.\n\nHe tells his readers that the cause of this alleged popular attitude of bitterness, suspicion and dread towards the British is \"the history of the CASSEL collieries.\" Professor DEWEY happened to be in Canton at the moment that a little discussion was going on regarding this contract, and at the same time there was a feeling of bitterness in government circles in Canton produced by certain public notices issued by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs in this Colony. These two circumstances gave the distinguished American philosopher the impression that the British in South China were regarded with the same suspicion and dread as the Japanese in the North.\n\nFrom a philosopher with an international reputation to protect, a more critical examination of the position might have been expected than the article discloses. The information purveyed by such an authority that there is a British menace in Kwangtung is so new and startling that it has received an amount of attention altogether disproportionate to its value. It was but a passing phase. The people of South China are well assured that they have nothing to fear from the policy of the British Government in China, which is not one of aggression.\n\nThe CASSEL agreement does not merit all the condemnation which Professor DEWEY's analysis suggests, but there is no justification for fastening upon a nation responsibility for whatever sins a small group of its nationals may be said to have committed. Professor DEWEY apparently was told that an official of the Hong-kong Government had told an official of the Canton Government that the Hong-kong Government stands behind the enforcement of the contract, and that Kwangtung province is a British hinterland. That is the sort of tale that one marine may retail to another; no sensible person will believe it, nor that a Hongkong official made any such statement to a Kwangtung official.\n\nThe simple truth about the CASSEL concession is that it is a private enterprise, which is receiving the backing such that private enterprises of this character usually receive from any Government whose nationals are concerned.\n\n188 [September 3rd, 1921.\n\nThe answer given by the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs showed entire innocence of anything in the nature of a British menace. He does not read the enforcement as being monopolistic; he sees that the concession is being sought by a Sino-British Company \"formed on lines which have proved mutually beneficial elsewhere in China,\" and in saying that the British firms interested include those of the highest standing in the Far East, he says in effect that the ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-475 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1922 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493372, "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": 280, "title": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n279\n\n# CHINA.\n\n## CONFIDENTIAL.\n\n### April 14.\n\n## SECTION 1.\n\n[F1496/927/10]\n\n### No. 1.\n\nApril 14.\n\nConsul-General Jamieson to the Marquess Curzon of Kedleston. - (Received\n\n(No. 2.)\n\nMy Lord,\n\nCanton, March 14, 1922.\n\nI HAVE the honour to forward herewith copies of a despatch, which I have addressed to His Majesty's Minister at Peking, reporting on the course and conclusion of the seamen's strike at Hong Kong.\n\nEnclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. W. JAMIESON.\n\n### No. 7. Confidential.) Sir,\n\nConsul-General Jamieson to Sir B. Alston,\n\nCanton, March 11, 1922.\n\nAS I had the honour to report by telegraph on the 6th instant, a definite settlement of the seamen's strike in Hong Kong was effected late on the evening of the previous day.\n\n2. Now that conditions in the colony and Canton are once more becoming normal, I will endeavour, with what clarity I can command, briefly to outline the history of this unfortunate and troublesome dispute, to indicate the sources of origin, and to forecast its probable results.\n\n(a.) History.\n\n3. The shipowners propose shortly to draw up a full statement of the course of the abortive negotiations between the seamen and themselves, which commenced in November last, and I will therefore not attempt to follow it, especially as I am not personally conversant with the intimate details thereof and their main features have already been published by the press. The salient points, however, were the withdrawal at a very early stage of the increase in wages which they offered after the men walked out on the 12th January, 1922 - an offer not renewed until the 9th February, and then only without prejudice to the finding of an arbitration board - and the closing down by the Colonial Government on the 1st February of the Seamen's Union, which was declared an unlawful society. The first gave the seamen, who subsequently made two reductions of their originally preposterous demands, the opportunity of proclaiming a grievance. The Kwangtung Government and disinterested outsiders felt disposed to agree with them. The second afforded them an opportunity of appealing to the world at large against high-handed tyranny, and at one period the Southern Republican Government contemplated testing the legality of the action of the Hong Kong Government in the courts. Thereto the response was that the owners were at all times prepared to abide by the decision of an impartial tribunal of arbitration to sit in Hong Kong, and that the men were unreasonable in declining to do so likewise. The seamen, on grounds which seemed to them sound, distrusted the impartiality of a tribunal sitting in Hong Kong, and made a counter-suggestion of a tribunal to sit in Canton - a suggestion which could not, of course, be entertained. Thus the weary wrangle went on until the end of February, by which time a situation had been created which gave serious cause for alarm to the Governments both of Kwangtung and Hong Kong. On the 1st March the latter suggested that I should go to Hong Kong and talk matters over with all concerned, more especially as I had been able to induce the Civil Governor of the province to urge the seamen to send plenipotentiary delegates to Hong Kong, accompanied by a delegation from the Canton Chinese Chamber of Commerce, to discuss matters with the shipowners and the Government. The first meeting, over which I presided, took place on the 4th March and lasted from 11 A.M. till 6 P.M., by which hour it was felt that a definite agreement had been reached. Later in the evening, when the\n\n[8262 0-1]\n\nPage 280", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493950, "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": 341, "title": "CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922", "content_text": "Peking, No. 757, Tel., Sept. 4, 1918.\n\n16\n\nPrince Koudachef, that the money would remain in the Russo-Asiatic Bank at Shanghai, that the Chinese Government consented to continue paying the instalments. Chi has since modified her attitude, and no further payments on account of Russian indemnity are now being made.\n\nThe South and the Customs Revenue.\n\n55. An earlier reference (paragraph 53) has been made to the bearing which the war between the North and the South exercised upon the question of the release of customs surplus to the Central Government by the Diplomatic Body. In September 1918 the question was brought to a head by the decision of the Southern Government, who were devoid of all funds, to seize the customs revenue collected at the Southern ports. It was only the threat of action by the foreign Powers (see paragraph 57) that averted a crisis. The incident led to a reconsideration of the whole position. It was obviously inequitable that the Northern Government, which at that time governed less than half the country, should receive the customs surplus drawn from all the ports, including those no longer under their control. It was accordingly agreed by the Diplomatic Body that the release of further customs surplus should be made conditional upon an attempt by both parties, North and South, to compose their differences.\n\nPeking, No. 772, Tel., Sept. 10, 1918, [756149/19].\n\nPeking, No. 891, Tel., Oct. 30, 1918. [F1809628/18]\n\nPeking, Jan. 16, 1919. [9749/19]\n\nWhen, therefore, in October 1918 the Central Government applied for a release of 2,000,000 taels, consent was withheld on the ground that a release was not justified until military operations between North and South had ceased.\n\n56. By the following January the situation had apparently changed for the better; actual hostilities between North and South had ceased. The South, on the other hand, showed no signs of responding to the attempts of the Diplomatic Body to bring the two parties, North and South, together. When, therefore, the Central Government, who were now destitute of funds, applied for a reconsideration of the matter, the Diplomatic Body unanimously decided to release the 12,000,000 taels that had accumulated on the distinct understanding that the money should be devoted to certain specified objects, including a number of Southern public utilities, unless in the meantime the conference which was then proceeding at Shanghai between Northern and Southern delegates should reach an understanding as to some other method of disposal of the funds. In coming to this decision the motives actuating the Diplomatic Body were (1) to furnish an incentive for reunion between North and South; (2) to deprive the Southern Government of any reasonable excuse for seizing the Southern customs. And, although, as events proved, they failed in their endeavour to bring North and South together, they at least succeeded in disposing of a delicate question, without giving legitimate dissatisfaction to either side. The South had been deprived of all excuse for repeating their threat of seizing the Southern customs, and it had been made clear to both sides that their prospects of obtaining further funds from the customs, over which the Diplomatic Body exercised a sort of trusteeship, were largely dependent upon the good-will they showed in reconciling their differences and reuniting the country under one common Administration.\n\nPeking, No. 44, Tel., Jan. 29, 1919. [4248/19]\n\nPeking, No. 160, Tel., Mar. 14, 1919. [41883/19]\n\nTo Peking, No. 174, Tel., Mar. 31.\n\nPeking, No. 118, Mar. 28, 1919. [79887/19]\n\nPeking, July 2, 1919. [97870/19]\n\n57. Nevertheless, by March 1919 the Southern Government were again threatening to seize the Southern customs; the same strong counter-measures as in 1918 had to be invoked by the Powers. These measures were (1) That the Government of Hong Kong should intercept all cargo for Canton and refuse entry to all cargo from Canton; (2) That the customs duties at Canton should be paid by British subjects to His Majesty's Consul-General, who would hold them in trust for the Inspector-General of Customs; (3) That, if necessary, a British naval guard might be placed round the customs-house on behalf of its British owner, the Inspector-General; and (4) That all Allied vessels should be asked to refuse to carry Chinese postal matter to or from any port in Kwangtung or Kwangsi.\n\n58. As in 1918, the threat was fortunately sufficient to deter the Southern Government from proceeding further.\n\n59. It was in the summer of 1919 that the second abuse by the Italian Minister (Baron Aliotti had been replaced by Marquis Garbasso, whose standards were evidently much the same) of the power of control over the customs revenue vested in the Diplomatic Body took place. The Chinese Government, in applying for a release of surplus, had voluntarily suggested the allocation of a certain proportion to the South; and this step towards conciliation between North and South obviously deserved all encouragement. All the foreign representatives agreed to sanction the release on these terms, except the Russian (who soon withdrew his opposition) and the Italian. The latter declared that, unless a claim by one of his nationals (M. Passeri) against the Chinese Government was first settled to his satisfaction, his consent would not be forthcoming. So preposterous was this action in seeking to force through a claim—and at that a claim intrinsically unjust, as a reference to the correspondence in the archives will show—at the possible cost of a reconciliation between North and South, that His Majesty's Minister, in his capacity as the dean of the Diplomatic Body, officially notified the Chinese Government that all the foreign representatives save the Italian Minister agreed to the release.\n\nPeking, No. 311, July 2, 1919. [118931/19]\n\n60. The inexcusable action of the Italian Minister (Marquis Garbasso) had unfortunately succeeded not only in shaking the confidence of the Chinese Government in the fairness of the Diplomatic Body in their fiduciary capacity as trustees for the administration of the customs funds, but had also broken the solidarity of the Diplomatic Body for the first time, whose decisions up to that date had been by unanimity. Marquis Garbasso's peculiar conceptions of honesty had rendered the position of the Diplomatic Body impossible. It was out of the question that the honour of the whole Diplomatic Body should be compromised by the folly of one unscrupulous member.\n\n61. The incident soon bore fruit.\n\nPeking, No. 422, Sept. 20, 1919. [181241/19]\n\nIn July 1919 the Chinese Government endeavoured to secure a revision of the arrangements governing the custody and release of customs revenues. They claimed that in 1913 there had been a deficit in the customs revenue required, and that special arrangements to safeguard foreign interests had been therefore necessary; but that now, with the large rise in the price of silver and the increased customs receipts due to the revision of the tariff, the available revenue was far in excess of the sum required to meet all obligations secured upon the customs. They therefore wished to give the Inspector-General authority, without the necessity of the consent of the Diplomatic Body, to release to them any available customs surplus after due provision had been made to meet all obligations.\n\n62. This proposal was rejected by the Diplomatic Body, both the Japanese and French Ministers having received definite instructions from their Governments to refuse to agree. It is worth recording, as illustrative of the general attitude adopted by these two countries towards China, that, as neither the Japanese nor French Minister had any interest in the pre-Boxer loans, and as the indemnity payments had long since been suspended, their locus standi in the matter was not above challenge. The incident had, however, a certain beneficent effect. It showed the members of the Diplomatic Body that it was impolitic to press the Chinese Government too far, or to abuse the power of control voluntarily vested in them by the Chinese Government in 1913; and when the next application for a release was received from the Chinese Government it went through without demur.\n\nPeking, Nov. 4, 1919. [164855/19]\n\n63. It was on this occasion that the Chinese Government first definitely agreed to the principle that the South were entitled to a share in all customs releases. The proportion fixed upon was 13.7 per cent., as representing the equivalent of the revenue collected at the six Southern ports. The accuracy of the estimate was vouched for by the Inspector-General of Customs.\n\nPeking, No. 494, Jan. 7, 1920. [18203/20]\n\n64. During 1919 no less than 22,604,123 taels (say, £7,157,972) were released from customs surplus.\n\n65. In January 1920 the Central Government again sought to reopen the question of the arrangements for the control of the customs funds, but, as both the Japanese and French Ministers maintained their previous attitude and refused their consent, the request was again refused.\n\nPeking, No. 72, [F407/107/10]\n\n66. Sir J. Jordan's comment on this occasion is worth noting, for it remains applicable and must so remain until stable conditions return in China:—\n\n“In equity the claim of the Chinese Government in this matter cannot justly be denied. But there are certain considerations of a political nature which must be borne in mind. If the Government functioning at Peking were really a Government entrusted with the welfare of China as a whole, the request is perfectly reasonable and should be granted. But as matters stand at present the customs surpluses are wasted on the payment of useless troops, &c., and the advantage in practice of the Diplomatic Body retaining some control over the money lies in the fact that they can occasionally secure the appropriation of a portion of these funds for productive works, such as the Liao River, Chihli and Min River conservancy schemes, &c. Moreover, the Yang-tsze conservancy scheme…”\n\nFeb. 16, 1920.\n\n17\n\n336", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 497701, "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": "CO129-484 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1924 [1-7]", "page_number": 387, "title": "CO129-484 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1924 [1-7]", "content_text": "# 377\n\nand will have no other vocation, what steps will be taken to permit him to obtain an honourable living?\n\nIt would appear that it is the intention of the Hongkong Government that Officers of the Merchant Service who were, during the War, ranked with and next to Officers of the Royal Navy are now to be treated with less consideration than the \"ratings\" in that Service.\n\nThis attitude is preposterous, and the Officers of His Majesty's Mercantile Marine serving on the China Coast demand fair treatment and the recognition of their status which is nowhere evinced in the document under review.\n\n## Section 5\n\n\"The Master shall have complete control of the ship and all on board\".\n\nWithout discrimination no man can control, without discretion no man can discriminate, hence it is impossible for the master to have complete control and a paradox is disclosed which places the master in a position of being unable to avoid the violation of some part of the Regulations.\n\n## Section 7\n\n\"When the master believes or has cause whatever to\"\n\nBut by Section 1 he has no discretion!\n\nFurther, we are directed to say that the officers of the Mercantile Marine on the China Coast will be delighted to assist in any measure which will tend to the extinction of piracy, or to consider any practical suggestions which may be advanced by their professional brethren. They do not, however, propose to allow their duty to be dictated or criticised by any person or persons who are not professionally connected with the active duties of the Mercantile Marine.\n\nIn", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-484 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1924 [1-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 498948, "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": "CO129-487 - Others & Individuals - 1924", "page_number": 56, "title": "CO129-487 - Others & Individuals - 1924", "content_text": "# Document Review\n\n54\n\nJA\nGTA\n\n\"Generally, the Regulations as a whole are viewed by our members with great disapprobation, as being unjust, impracticable and, therefore, useless for the purpose for which they are devised.\n\n\"We would first point out that we have reason to believe (which is strongly supported by the wording of the document) that no active member of the Mercantile Marine has been consulted in the framing of the Regulations, which do not as a whole, or in any material point, coincide with the tenor of the suggestions put forward at an earlier date.\n\n## Section 1\n\n\"This section discloses a very grave misconception of the conditions under which piracy occurs on the Canton River delta and the China Coast generally.\n\n\"In postulating that it is the duty of the master and other certificated officers to resist to the utmost any piratical attack it assumes that they have a crew of their own nationals under their command and that the pirates attack the vessel from the outside.\n\n\"This is not the case, not only are these officers surrounded by an alien crew, but this alien crew may be, passively if not actively, part of the piratical gang. (Instance, the quartermaster of the \"Sui An\" leaving the wheel and jumping to the main deck for refuge).\n\n\"The further and greater difficulty arises from the fact that none of these attacks are initiated from outside the vessel. Till the actual moment of launching the first attack the pirates are apparently peaceful passengers and are free to place themselves in any coign of vantage which they have ample time and opportunity to select, without let or hindrance and, possibly, with the connivance, if not actual co-operation of their compatriots who form the crew.\n\n\"This is the position in which three, four or, at most five European officers find themselves when they are commanded, by persons who have not been, or ever will be so placed, to resist to the utmost, and gives reason for the pertinent question:- What is the utmost they can do? To which the obvious answer is:- Absolutely nothing.\n\n\"This obligation is imperative and no discretion may be exercised whether to resist pirates or not\", \"Imperative obligations admit of no discretion. Discretion is the quality without which no man can be an officer; the very idea of an officer without discretion is a paradox and, to say the least, ludicrous and absurd. The officer is the leader of others, the individual with the brain to direct the forces at his disposal and it is he who assesses the position and issues the executive commands.\n\n## Sections 2 & 3\n\n\"Any particular officer considered unfit by the Governor in Council shall cease to be employed as an officer on the ship\".\n\n\"As the particular officer in question will hold a Certificate of competency issued by the Board of Trade and will have no other vocation, What steps will be taken to permit him to obtain an honourable living?\n\n\"It would appear that it is the intention of the Hongkong Government that Officers of the Merchant Service who were, during the War, ranked with the next to Officers of the Royal Navy are now to be treated with less consideration than the \"rating\" in that Service.\n\nThis attitude is preposterous, and the Officers of His Majesty's Mercantile Marine serving on the China Coast demand fair treatment and the recognition of their status which is nowhere evinced in the document under review.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-487 - Others & Individuals - 1924.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 500686, "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": "CO129-489 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Sir Clementi - 1925 [8-12]", "page_number": 398, "title": "CO129-489 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Sir Clementi - 1925 [8-12]", "content_text": "# HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL \n\n## Charges\n\nCharges really bears on the general subject of putting in large sums of money without definite explanations. On more than one occasion we have had to refer, in Finance Committee, to votes which had to be passed without sufficient explanation and this is part and parcel of the same thing.\n\n**H.E. THE GOVERNOR**: I rather think that there is some misunderstanding. The figure quoted on page 79 of the estimates is made up of a very large number of items which are explained both in the draft estimates and in the annexure explaining the differences in the estimates. The hon. member should appreciate that the total covers some 40 items.\n\n**HON. MR. HOLYOAK**: It might be appreciated by an accountant, but I am not an accountant.\n\n**H.E. THE GOVERNOR**: The word \"total,\" Other Charges, would seem to indicate that it was a total even to one who is not an accountant.\n\n## Trade Statistics\n\nThey do feel that the cost of the Department is preposterous and that the cost ought to be very much lower than it has been.\n\n**THE COLONIAL SECRETARY**: There are a tremendous number of items and it is purely physical work in recording them.\n\n**HON. MR. HOLYOAK**: With reference to the Import and Export figures, the bridges are a positive danger. They should have been one of the first improvements undertaken. ... function they do not function fully as far as Hongkong returns are concerned. If it was desired to find out in two years' time what effect the strike had had on Hongkong trade it would be impossible to get the necessary information without these figures.\n\nThe argument that the Import and Export figures are not reliable is no argument against the need for keeping them but is rather an argument against the method of compiling them. Without such figures it is impossible to make a comparison between one year and another and what is more important there is no means of comparing the imports into this Colony of competitor countries. They are part of world trade statistics and Hongkong should not be lacking in that respect.\n\n## Praya East Drainage and Taipo Road Bridges\n\n**HON. MR. HOLYOAK**: On the question of Praya East drainage I could not help noting the remark of the Director of Public Works that he hoped the contractor responsible would improve the position. Surely it is for the Director of Public Works to insist upon the improvement. From a motorist's point of view—and I speak as one who drives—the bridges are a positive danger. They should have been one of the first improvements undertaken. A large sum of money has been spent in this Colony during the past twelve months on roads which should have been spent on the main road in the New Territories leading to Taipo. We submit that the improvement of the road ought now to be amongst the first of new works undertaken. The first three bridges are extremely dangerous and very narrow.\n\n**THE COLONIAL SECRETARY**: The bridges between the Reservoir and Shatin?\n\n**HON. MR. HOLYOAK**: Yes. They are very dangerous however carefully you drive.\n\n## Refuse Destructors\n\nWith regard to refuse destructors, notwithstanding the fact that the Colonial Secretary has re-read to us the statement made in previous discussions I would beg you to note it is the unanimous recommendation of the Unofficial Members that refuse destructors should be experimented with.\n\n## Trade Statistics (Continued)\n\nI am glad to hear that some arrangement may be made for the continuance of the figures in connection with the Imports and Exports Department. I was asked to raise this question by interested merchants who are, perhaps, more interested than they appear to be. The real fact is that in almost every other port in the world you have Customs. In Hongkong you have none. Whilst it is true that the Chinese Maritime Customs function they do not function fully as far as Hongkong returns are concerned.\n\nThe Bill was then read a second time.\n\n## Legislative Council Proceedings\n\nCouncil went into Committee to consider details of the Bill. No changes were made in Committee, and upon Council resuming, \n\n**THE COLONIAL SECRETARY** moved the third reading of the Bill.\n\n**THE COLONIAL TREASURER** seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.\n\n## Governor's Farewell to Council\n\n**H.E. THE GOVERNOR**: Hon. members of the Legislative Council.—It only remains for me to perform a duty which I approach with a keen consciousness of my inability to do justice to the occasion, that is to take leave of this Council over which I have had the honour to preside for the last six years. You will, I trust, forgive me if I do not take the opportunity of laying before you a full account of my stewardship. I am, as you know, no friend to long speeches and I do not think that the present juncture, when we have been compelled to abandon for the time being many of the works which I had hoped to see begun during my term of office, is a suitable time for such a review.\n\nMay I express the hope that the Government of the day will then invite me—if I am still alive I shall be one of the oldest surviving Governors of Hongkong—to take part in the celebrations and to see for myself how far the reality corresponds with my expectations.\n\n### Relations with Council\n\nBut I do not want to take up your time now by discussing the Colony and its future. I should wish on this occasion to deal only with my relations to this honourable Council.\n\nWe have worked together, gentlemen, for more than six years, and while I cannot claim that we have always been in entire agreement I think I may justly claim that we have throughout worked in the completest harmony and that, where we have differed, you have realised as clearly as I have realised, that on both sides the only motive that has actuated us has been a desire to do what each has believed to be the best for the interests of the Colony. I have valued my association with you more than I can say and it will always be one of my proudest memories that you have unanimously and repeatedly shown your confidence in me by asking that my term of office should be extended. If your request had been granted I should have been happy to remain, but, as this has not been found possible, I can only express to you my heartfelt thanks for paying me so striking a compliment.\n\n### Progress and Legacy\n\nI am sorry that no great work has been affected in the Colony which will serve to remind our successors of my Governorship. I had hoped to see the Praya East Reclamation practically finished, and I had almost hoped to see the Military Lands question settled, but unexpected delays in the former case and unforeseen events in the latter have resulted in disappointment. I can only claim that the six years contain a record of steady progress. The arrears due to the period of stagnation during the war have been made up; the development of the Colony has until the last few months been regular and continuous, and my successor will be able, as soon as the present period of depression is over, to proceed confidently with many works which I had hoped to see inaugurated in my time.\n\nI leave the Colony to my great regret at a time of trouble and difficulty, but I am confident that this shadow will soon pass and that Hongkong will resume the path of progress which will lead it to a prosperity far surpassing anything that it has yet seen.\n\n### A Revisit\n\nMr. Holyoak has kindly expressed the hope that my wife and I may some day revisit Hongkong. I am afraid that for the next few years I shall be at a distance which will render a casual visit impossible, but in some sixteen years' time Hongkong will be celebrating the centenary of its foundation.\n\n### Public Service\n\nI have also to thank you gentlemen, one and all, for the invaluable help which you have given me during these years by your advice and criticisms. It has been a cause of admiration and wonder to me that in a Colony, such as this, where there is no leisured class, it has always been possible to find able and hardworking men who will sacrifice their time to the gratuitous service of the State. Membership of this Council has been no sinecure, and the Colony has cause to be grateful to all of you and to those other former members of the Council, who have been taken from us—such men as my dear friend Alexander Stephen, Montague Ede, Arthur Lowe, Lau Chu-pak, Ng Hon-tsz and Chow Siu-ki.\n\n### Executive Council\n\nI owe a special debt of gratitude to those of you who have served on my Executive Council, for I fear that I have on many... \n\nPage 107\nPage 106", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-489 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Sir Clementi - 1925 [8-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 500709, "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": "CO129-489 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Sir Clementi - 1925 [8-12]", "page_number": 421, "title": "CO129-489 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Sir Clementi - 1925 [8-12]", "content_text": "## TRADE STATISTICS\n\nI am glad to hear that some arrangement may be made for the continuance of the figures in connection with the Imports and Exports Department. I was asked to raise this question by interested merchants who are, perhaps, more interested than they appear to be. The real fact is that in almost every other port in the world you have Customs. Whilst it is true that the Chinese Maritime Customs function, they do not function fully as far as Hongkong returns are concerned. If it was desired to find out in two years' time what effect the strike had had on Hongkong trade, it would be impossible to get the necessary information without these figures. The argument that the Import and Export figures are not reliable is no argument against the need for keeping them, but is rather an argument against the method of compiling them. Without such figures, it is impossible to make a comparison between one year and another, and what is more important, there is no means of comparing the imports into this Colony of competitor countries. They are part of world trade statistics, and Hongkong should not be lacking in that respect. We do feel that the cost of the Department is preposterous and that the cost ought to be very much lower than it has been.\n\nThe **COLONIAL SECRETARY**: There are a tremendous number of items, and it is purely physical work in recording them.\n\n## DANGEROUS BRIDGES\n\nHon. Mr. HOLYOAK: With reference to the Taipo Road bridges, I agree with Your Excellency's remarks as to speed, of course, but for a long time past the first section of the Taipo Road has been a menace to safety. From a motorist's point of view—and I speak as one who drives—the bridges are a positive danger. They should have been one of the first improvements undertaken. A large sum of money has been spent in this Colony during the past twelve months on roads, which should have been spent on the main road in the New Territories leading to Taipo. We submit that the improvement of the road ought now to be amongst the first of new works undertaken. The first three bridges are extremely dangerous and very narrow.\n\nThe **COLONIAL SECRETARY**: The bridges between the Reservoir and Shatin?\n\nHon. Mr. HOLYOAK: Yes. They are very dangerous, however carefully you drive.\n\nThe Bill was then read a second time. Council went into Committee to consider details of the Bill. No changes were made in Committee, and upon Council resuming,\n\nThe **COLONIAL SECRETARY** moved the third reading of the Bill.\n\nThe **COLONIAL TREASURER** seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.\n\nCouncil adjourned sine die.\n\n416", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-489 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Sir Clementi - 1925 [8-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 501048, "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": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925", "page_number": 75, "title": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925", "content_text": "THE CHINESE DISORDERS.\n\nBRITISH NOTE TO PEKING.\n\nENGLISHMAN SHOT.\n\nSAVAGERY AT CANTON.\n\n(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)\n\nPEKING, JUNE 15.\n\nThe students went in procession as usual to-day from a rendezvous at the Palace entrance to the Wai-chiao-pu (Foreign Office). Onlookers estimated that 90 per cent. were children ranging from six to 18 years old. British and Japanese banknotes are being boycotted, and British and Japanese nationals are not welcomed in the shops.\n\nOtherwise there is little to indicate that there is any general antipathy to foreigners.\n\nThe British Legation replied yesterday to the Chinese Note in regard to the Hankow outrage. Mr. Palairet cites the facts of the case, and obviously clears the local British authorities of the charge that the laws of humanity had been disregarded. Palairet explains to the Chinese Foreign Minister that they were unable to obtain prompt and adequate protection from the Chinese, and they were obliged to act for themselves, and, he continues:-\"I cannot refrain from reminding your Excellency that I have repeatedly warned the Chinese Government of the grave responsibility they were incurring in allowing the present anti-British agitation to proceed unchecked.\"\n\nMr. Palairet then earnestly begs his Excellency to take energetic measures to discourage an agitation that leads to such disastrous results. He refers to the mendacious accounts appearing in the local Press, and regards the dissemination of these calumnies as dangerous in the extreme.\"\n\nHe concludes by inviting his Excellency to place the Chinese public in possession of the real facts in order to dispel the atmosphere of prejudice and misunderstanding created by these false rumours.\n\nAltogether a telling letter, but not in the least likely to impress a Foreign Minister whose diplomatic correspondence is written for him by a junta of schoolboys, from which, incidentally, he is actually hiding himself.\n\nBeyond news that anti-foreign feeling is running high at Nanking and an urgent request made for naval protection, little of importance has reached here from the provinces, though there is anxiety as to what may happen at several points.\n\nPlans made some weeks ago for quartering an important detachment of Chang Tso-lin's army at Peking are reported to be on the point of execution. Half of the large barracks surrounding the city have been evacuated by Feng Yu-hsiang's men, and those remaining will depart later, movements which, when complete, will leave the Mukden War Lord in sole military control of the capital. In fact, the process of substituting one militarist for another at the seat of government commences at the moment when the public is much excited and the bellicosity of the students, supported by Feng Yu-hsiang and his Kuomintang federates, suggests the possibility that the change might not be effected so quietly as was formerly expected. The Kuomintang have just scored an important victory at Canton, and their emissaries, abetted by the Bolshevists, are successfully making hay on the Yangtze, while the Tuchun of Honan is \"sitting on my horse, rifle in hand,\" ready to make war in the national cause, a series of facts calculated to make the Christian general wonder whether he has been wise in throwing up the sponge so easily.\n\nIt would dangerously complicate the position from the foreign standpoint if the military rivals in North China selected this unpropitious moment to begin to fight.\n\nJAPANESE PROTEST.\n\n(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)\n\nTOKYO, JUNE 15.\n\nThe murder of a Japanese at Hankow has called forth a vigorous note of protest from the Japanese Minister in Peking.\n\nTokyo, June 15.-The Japanese Navy Department announces that a destroyer flotilla has been ordered to be in readiness to proceed to the Yangtze from Sasebo.-Reuter.\n\nENGLISH ENGINEER MURDERED.\n\n(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)\n\nSHANGHAI, JUNE 15.\n\nMr. William Mackenzie, of the Electricity Department, while motoring with Miss Duncan just outside the settlement to-night was shot dead by Chinese. Miss Duncan was wounded, but not seriously. The murderers escaped.\n\nPEACE NEGOTIATIONS AT SHANGHAI.\n\nMEETING OF DIPLOMATS AND CHINESE.\n\n(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)\n\nSHANGHAI, JUNE 15.\n\nThe representatives of the Diplomatic Body and the Chinese delegates begin their discussions on the position here to-day. The preposterous demands of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce will not be officially brought to the notice of the diplomatic delegation; this one stumbling-block is therefore out of the way.\n\nMeanwhile, it begins to be felt that even if the negotiations succeed in restoring peace in Shanghai—the temper of the Chinese makes even this difficult enough—no settlement will endure which does not provide for the adjustment of the larger issues between the Chinese and foreigners. Such an adjustment must put the status and rights of foreigners on a permanent footing, while satisfying the national aims of the Chinese and their not unreasonable desire for representation in the administration of those concessions. To this end, it is felt to be most desirable that the British Government should appoint a special representative with supreme powers over all British officials in China, and even in Hong Kong, inasmuch as the different points of view of the Colonial and Foreign Office administrations are a frequent source of friction.\n\nChang Hsueh-liang, Chang Tso-lin's son, has quickly shown himself on the side of law and order. He has issued a strongly worded proclamation saying that no disturbance will be allowed at Changsha, where his soldiers are patrolling the streets, and has personally promised to protect workers who desire to return to work.\n\nMuch hatred, however, is concentrated against all British institutions. This is undoubtedly due to Russian Bolshevist influence. It is significant that, whereas domestic servants generally remained at work, those at the houses of the American Consul and Judge, which adjoin the Soviet Consulate, were called out on the first day of the strike.\n\nThe shipping strike continues to spread, and all the coast vessels at Swatow are laid up.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 502286, "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": "CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925", "page_number": 533, "title": "CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925", "content_text": "The attitude of foreigners in China towards the present tragedy is most illuminating. On June 3, the faculty of Yenching University (a missionary college in Peking), composed of British, Americans, Swiss, and Chinese, issued a public statement expressing \"profound disquiet at the reported treatment of the Chinese.\" It went on to say, \"We deeply deplore the shooting of the students, and wish to protest against what appears to be too great reliance upon violent measures to meet the present disorders. Regrettable as the incidents are in themselves, they cause us still greater apprehension as a revelation of a grave underlying situation of estrangement and misunderstanding. It is probably on the foreign side that heavier responsibility for this lack of understanding rests.\" A few days later, a group of thirty British missionaries issued a similar statement which is worth quoting. \"We desire to express our intense regret that these incidents should have occurred. We should go further. We recognise that the serious situation evoked is largely due to underlying racial animosities. We as Britons admit that we have a large share of blame in the matter.\"\n\n46\n\nTo the best of our knowledge, these two statements represent the considered opinion of the best foreign element. Living outside the Concessions, they are able to look upon the incidents in their true light, firstly because they do not enjoy the extraordinary privileges of those who live in the concessions, and secondly because they are far more in touch with Chinese thought and culture.\n\nWhen we remember that nowhere else in the world do foreigners form a group by themselves and entertain such intense group feeling, the present lack of solidarity among foreigners is a significant fact which we will do well to emphasise.\n\nThe attitude of the foreigners in Shanghai is even more interesting. They have enjoyed their power for so long that they begin to forget that it does not rest on any secure foundation. They have been so accustomed to see the Chinese kicked and beaten by the police and by themselves without any consequences that they are amazed as well as indignant that these people should dare to rise and offer some resistance. They are also in panic, created by their own conscience, for the safety of their own persons and property. This explains the subsequent violent measures taken against the whole of the Chinese population within the Settlement, which included further shooting, wholesale arrests, house-to-house searches, rough handling of the Chinese who happened to pass near the police cordon, and the posting of machine guns by the landed marines. These measures, even more than the shooting incident itself, have roused the intense feeling of the Chinese all over the country and have been responsible for the grave incidents at Hankow and Kiukiang. Mr. Chamberlain, in common with the diplomatic body in Peking, makes a mistake in insisting that the Chinese Government should first stop the agitation, forgetting that the agitation is the result and not the cause of the violent measures mentioned above.\n\n(6)\n\n2\n\nThe Chinese Government has so far wisely refrained from interfering with the outbursts of popular feeling; otherwise, the situation would have become still more grave. It is true that in a few cities, the provincial authorities have prevented demonstrations, as hinted at by Mr. Chamberlain, but these cities are neither so vitally affected by the incidents nor situated in the political and intellectual centres of the nation. Unless and until the foreign authorities realise that justice is more important than prestige, and that fair play is more effective than brutal force, the agitation is bound to continue and to spread, and the Chinese Government, which tries to suppress popular feeling by administrative means, before it has obtained some satisfaction from the Foreign Powers, will surely have its days numbered. And if the present Government should yield to the insistence of the Powers to stop the agitation, the inevitable disastrous result would be seized upon and proclaimed to the world as one of the many proofs that China is unable to utilise the opportunity given her by the Powers to set her own house in order. It is significant to note that so far, no disorder has taken place against foreigners living in the interior, but it is precisely in the foreign Concessions, such as Kiukiang and Hankow, where there are foreign-controlled police and troops, that serious incidents have taken place.\n\nLastly, a word is needed to enlighten the British public upon the subject of Bolshevism in China. It is an old trick to label any movement by a well-known and unpopular catchword in order to disguise the real issue. There is, of course, a certain amount of Bolshevik propaganda in China, just as there is in England, but the Chinese are just as much Bolsheviks as the English. We must first of all define our terms. If by Bolshevism it is meant the strong agitation for the revision of the obnoxious treaties which have their origin eighty years ago, or the widespread discontent mentioned by Mr. Chamberlain, we must frankly admit that the Chinese are Bolsheviks; on the other hand, if it is meant the particular principles of Communism as practised in Soviet Russia, then we must emphatically deny the accusation in any case. It is just as preposterous to assert that the present trouble is the outcome of Bolshevik propaganda as it is to say that the students stormed the police station with the view to capture the arms therein. Let the British public consider the facts without prejudice. The strike and boycott in Shanghai are far from being confined to the students and labourers; the whole merchant class has joined the movement for three weeks. All the shops and banks in the Settlement have closed their doors as a protest against the outrage. It is estimated that the loss per day amounts to over 300,000 pounds sterling. Does anybody seriously think that shrewd and hardheaded men would be willing to sacrifice their earnings and livelihood at the bidding of the Bolshevik school-boys and factory coolies? We do not deny, of course, that there may be Bolshevik sympathisers among the strikers, but that is no reason to characterise the whole movement as Bolshevik. Besides, it is up to the anti-Bolshevik people to do something to discredit Bolshevik propaganda. They tell us that we can expect no justice or equity from the capitalistic and imperialistic Governments; the best way to refute the accusation is to render justice and equity where they are already overdue. The Shanghai Municipal Council is the best friend of the Bolsheviks; for the action of the Shanghai police on May 30 and the days that followed is the best piece of Bolshevik propaganda that has ever been carried out in the Far East.\n\nLO WEN KAN, Ex-President of the Supreme Court of Peking.\n\nV. K. TING, Honorary Director of the Geological Survey.\n\nHU SHIH, Professor of Philosophy, National University of Peking.\n\nK. L. YEN, Professor of Physics, National University of Peking.\n\n(7)\n\n501", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 502566, "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": "CO129-492 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1925 [12] - 1926 [1-5]", "page_number": 257, "title": "CO129-492 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1925 [12] - 1926 [1-5]", "content_text": "7. It is preposterous to argue that because Hongkong is a British Colony, therefore it cannot become a centre for the higher education of the Chinese.\n\nThe Canton Viceroy, whom I have already quoted, argued in the manifesto which he issued with regard to the Hongkong University scheme against the extravagance and folly of sending immature Chinese students to foreign countries. \"Of late,\" he wrote, \"our students residing abroad have caused us the greatest anxiety. On the other hand Hongkong is so close to us that our young men who went there to study would be almost in sight and hearing of their superiors.\" Discipline is possible in Hongkong. Is it possible in China of to-day? It is something that the students of this University probably stand quite alone as having throughout the recent troubles remained loyal to their University.\n\n8. I shall be sending you documents later. Among them you will find a critical history of the University which Hornell, the Vice-Chancellor, has written and which is now in the press. Please forgive the length of this letter and believe me, in the hope of seeing you soon,\n\nYours sincerely,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-492 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1925 [12] - 1926 [1-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 517894, "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": "CO129-514-3 Mui Tsai system- correspondence 27-8-1929 - 21-11-1929", "page_number": 77, "title": "CO129-514-3 Mui Tsai system- correspondence 27-8-1929 - 21-11-1929", "content_text": "## The Legislative Council Proceedings\n\nThe second reading of the Bill was then carried.\n\n**THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL** moved that the Council go into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.\n\nThe **COLONIAL SECRETARY** seconded, and this was agreed to.\n\nThe Council accordingly went into committee.\n\n**HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK**--I beg to move an amendment in Clause 2 to make it direct and to run as follows:— \n\n\"It is hereby declared and enacted that no payment of money to the parents, or the guardians, or the employer of a female child, such payment purporting to be in return for the transfer of the child, confers upon any person any right of property in the child, or the right to retain possession or custody or control of the child, either as against the child's parent, guardian, or employer, or as against the child herself.\"\n\nIn support of this amendment Sir, I would say that it seems to me a far more direct and definite statement of what you mean to effect than the present declarations Clause 2, which begins in a round-about sort of way, \"Whereas certain persons have erroneously supposed\" etc. Your Excellency has stated that the certain persons cannot possibly refer to the 300,000,000 to 400,000,000 people living in China, but they must be restricted to the 600,000 Chinese in this Colony. But, Sir, I would beg leave to point out, with deference, that this is not so, because the number of mui-tsai who are acquired in Hong Kong are a very trifling percentage indeed. The mui-tsai, who have found their way to Hong Kong come from outside, within the vast Empire of China itself which is subject, as we know, to such very severe and distressing economic conditions, with famine prevalent in very large areas. With regard, Sir to your observation about the desirability of the present system I must confess I have found it very difficult to apply that observation to the remarks which have been made by myself or by my Chinese colleagues. And, furthermore, Sir, I must have expressed myself very indifferently if you have not apprehended the fact that my whole contention is that Clause 2 of this Bill absolutely shatters the mui-tsai system as it hitherto existed; that it brings it to an end completely; that it does away with any possibility of its being represented either as a servile condition or as a proprietary condition. And the amendments which I shall ask your Excellency to make by and by in Clause 12 of this Bill will make the point even stronger, perhaps, than it is at present. I do not say that the system as it has existed hitherto is satisfactory. If I thought it were satisfactory I should oppose this Bill in toto. I do not do that nor do my honourable colleagues. We realise that a considerable part of this measure is desirable in the interests of, and the protection of, mui-tsai. We certainly do not contend that this measure, treating it as a whole, is either unnecessary or undesirable. Your Excellency has referred, incidentally, to certain laws which are stated to have been passed in China. But I can say, Sir, that from all I learn, these laws are no more carried into force and are of no more use than are the laws for the suppression of opium in China, and therefore I think we may treat them as a negative quantity. I think it necessary to say that, because I want to make the position of the unofficial members of this Council perfectly clear. That is all I have to say on Clause 2 of the Bill. I again urge that it is far more emphatic and far more direct to say that \"it is hereby declared and enacted,\" instead of trying to refer to erroneous suppositions of certain persons with reference to the mui-tsai system. I do not think, Sir, it is an erroneous supposition. I believe the custom of China is that the payment of money does confer certain rights for a period of years,-at all events till the girl attains the age of eighteen years, the marriageable age. I do not think it is at all incorrect. It is not an erroneous supposition; it is a true supposition. The Chinese custom, as I understand it, undoubtedly is that the payment of money does confer certain rights on the person who pays that money. I cannot see any good or any advantage to be got by saying that people erroneously suppose a thing, when, as I understand the position, they do not erroneously suppose the thing at all. That is all I have to say, Sir, with regard to my amendment as to Clause 2.\n\n**THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL**--One appreciates the desire to make this clause more direct and arresting, but I think the omission of the preamble obscures one very important point, namely, that the clause does not make any change in the law whatever; for the payment of money in return for obtaining the possession of a child has never, in Hong Kong, conferred any rights whatever on the purchaser. I must confess I am rather surprised to hear the hon. member question the correctness of the preamble and suggest that it is not an erroneous supposition at all and that payment does confer rights. We are speaking, Sir, in this clause of English law, Hong Kong law, and whether the rights may be in China they do not concern us. It is undoubtedly an erroneous supposition that payment of money for a child confers, or has ever conferred, any rights on the purchaser, and I think it is important to keep the preamble in this clause to make that point quite clear.\n\n**H.E. THE GOVERNOR**--I think the hon. member's objection will be met if we cut the word \"erroneously\" which means nothing very important from my point of view, but seems to be a great deal from the hon. member's point of view. There is no question, I think, that certain persons have made this erroneous supposition.\n\n**HON. MR. HOLYOAK**--Is it not very important that we should at this juncture protest in the most vigorous and comprehensive terms against the erroneous charges levelled against us in the Press of England?-greatly exaggerated and largely untrue charges. I found, as no doubt you did, Sir, when at Home in the past few months, constant references to \"Hong Kong slavery\" and even to an open slave market-statements which were as preposterous in conception as they were untrue in fact. It is due to the Colony and the good Government of the Colony that these base insinuations and positive misrepresentations of the truth should be contested in the most vigorous form. Therefore I wholly agree with your Excellency that the term \"erroneous\" whether it is employed in the Bill or not does convey the conviction of this Council with regard to public opinion at Home which has been fostered upon gross misrepresentations of the truth.\n\n**H.E. THE GOVERNOR**--The \"erroneous supposers\" are the Chinese who paid money for mui-tsai.\n\n**THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL**--And the Europeans who imagined that the sale of human beings was recognised here by English law: they made the same erroneous supposition and they have called upon us to change the law, when, as a matter of fact, there is no need to change the law, because the law has never recognised any rights whatever.\n\n**HON. MR. POLLOCK**--I am afraid members of Parliament do not recognise themselves--as my friend does as \"certain persons\".\n\n**H.E. THE GOVERNOR**--I confess I did not either. What the Hon. Mr. Holyoak has said makes me think it wise to retain the word \"erroneously\" and I think it must remove the objections of the Hon. Mr. Pollock. There is no question that the opinions of members of Parliament and others at Home to whom he referred were \"erroneous”. **HON. MR. POLLOCK** did not press his amendment, and it was agreed that clause 2 should stand part of the Bill.\n\n## Further Proceedings\n\n**HON. MR. POLLOCK**--With regard to Clauses 4 and 5 I have to move an amendment. That Clauses 4 and 5 be removed into part 3 of the present Bill. As I have already explained, Sir, in my opening speech, the unofficial members of Council have spent a considerable amount of time on this Bill. As regards myself it would be more correct to say that I have spent days than hours on this measure and the construction thereof. And the conclusion the unofficial members have come to on this Bill is that these Clauses 4 and 5 are undesirable, unnecessary, and unworkable, but Sir, whether we are right or wrong in our views, we think we have the right to demand that our views on Clauses 4 and 5 should be submitted to the Secretary of State for the Colonies before these clauses are rammed through this Council against the unanimous wishes of the unofficial members by use of the official vote. Your Excellency has stated that Clauses 4 and 5 must be passed as they stand, because of the instructions received from the Secretary of State. It seems to me to be imputing an extraordinarily autocratic temperament to that high official to suppose that he desires these instructions to be carried out immediately, instead of with the delay of two or three months only, and I think, Sir, that such a supposition is extraordinarily uncomplimentary to our own Secretary of State. I cannot imagine, Sir, that he has any desire excepting to find out what the views of this Council are on this measure, because to suppose anything else would be to suppose that he intends to turn this Council and its deliberations into a positive farce. I have before me, Sir, a telegram from London on December 13th in which the Duke of Devonshire...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-514-3 Mui Tsai system- correspondence 27-8-1929 - 21-11-1929.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 520057, "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": "CO129-518-9 The Mui-Tsai question- printed papers relating to the system 20-9-1929 - 1-11-1929", "page_number": 30, "title": "CO129-518-9 The Mui-Tsai question- printed papers relating to the system 20-9-1929 - 1-11-1929", "content_text": "# \nthat it may conceivably be the case, that these three or four hundred millions had an erroneous impression. As we have heard here to-day, the system was declared to be unlawful under the Manchu Dynasty and subsequently, in the time of the first Republic, and I am not quite clear, therefore, that they had good grounds for their belief, but I should like to make a strong point that we are not legislating for the 400 millions of China, but for the 600,000 odd inhabitants of a British Colony. This is a matter which must be decided--with all due regard to Chinese sentiment and prejudice on the principles of British law and the sentiments of a British community. The main point of the Bill is that the system of keeping mui-tsai must be abolished. On that point, I have definite instructions from the Secretary of State who represents the British Government and the British people. There can be no compromise on that point: the system must be abolished, and if the system is to be abolished I can see no reason why you should not say so. For that reason I think it is necessary- in fact essential to keep Clause 4 in the Bill, but I am quite prepared to accept any alternative form of words which will convey the same impression. But there can be no compromise on this point: that hereafter no person can be allowed to take a mui-tsai into his employment in British territory.\n\nThe matter of registration is, to my mind, not of the first importance. The Secretary of State has expressed his readiness to listen to any arguments against the imposition of registration in these matters and will no doubt, weigh very carefully what has been said by the hon. senior Chinese member in deciding what instructions he shall give with regard to bringing into force what may be called the reserved portion of the Bill that is to be brought into force by proclamation. With regard to the other minor amendments of the hon. member, Mr. Pollock, I think many of them may with advantage be adopted, and I should like to say now that I am much obliged to the hon. member-although I cannot agree with his views in some instances-for the trouble which he has taken in endeavouring to get this Bill into the best possible shape so that it may serve its object of protecting the interests of mui-tsai while causing the least possible friction and difficulty. The remaining points raised may be dealt with more suitably on the individual clauses of the Bill as they arise. It is proposed and seconded that the Bill be read a second time.\n\nThe second reading of the Bill was then carried.\n\n## \nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved that the Council go into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.\n\nTHE COLONIAL SECRETARY Seconded, and this was agreed to.\n\nThe Council accordingly went into committee.\n\n### \nHON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK: I beg to move an amendment in Clause 2 to make it direct and to run as follows:--\n\n\"It is hereby declared and enacted that no payment of money to the parents or the guardians, or the employer of a female child, such payment purporting to be in return for the transfer of the child, confers upon any person any right of property in the child, or the right to retain possession or custody or control of the child, either as against the child's parent, guardian, or employer, or as against the child herself.\"\n\nIn support of this amendment, Sir, I would say that it seems to me a far more direct and definite statement of what you mean to effect than the present declarations Clause 2, which begins in a round-about sort of way, \"Whereas certain persons have erroneously supposed\" etc. Your Excellency has stated that the certain persons cannot possibly refer to the 300,000,000 to 400,000,000 people living in China, but they must be restricted to the 600,000 Chinese in this Colony. But, Sir, I would beg leave to point out, with deference, that this is not so, because the number of mui-tsai who are acquired in Hong Kong are a very trifling percentage indeed. The mui-tsai who have found their way to Hong Kong come from outside, within the vast Empire of China itself which is subject, as we know, to such very severe and distressing economic conditions, with famine prevalent in very large areas. With regard, Sir, to your observation about the desirability of the present system, I must confess I have found it very difficult to apply that observation to the remarks which have been made by myself or by my Chinese colleagues. And, furthermore, Sir, I must have expressed myself very indifferently if you have not apprehended the fact that my whole contention is that Clause 2 of this Bill absolutely shatters the mui-tsai system as it hitherto existed; that it brings it to an end completely; that it does away with any possibility of it being represented either as a servile condition or as a proprietary condition. And the amendments which I shall ask your Excellency to make by and by in Clause 12 of this Bill will make the point even stronger, perhaps, than it is at present. I do not say that the system as it has existed hitherto is satisfactory. If I thought it were satisfactory I should oppose this Bill in toto. I do not do that nor do my honourable colleagues. We realise that a considerable part of this measure is desirable in the interests of, and the protection of, mui-tsai. We certainly do not contend that this measure, treating it as a whole, is either unnecessary or undesirable. Your Excellency has referred, incidentally, to certain laws which are stated to have been passed in China. But I can say, Sir, that from all I learn, these laws are no more carried into force and are of no more use than are the laws for the suppression of opium in China, and therefore I think we may treat them as a negative quantity. I think it necessary to say that, because I want to make the position of the unofficial members of this Council perfectly clear. That is all I have to say on Clause 2 of the Bill. I again urge that it is far more emphatic and far more direct to say that \"it is hereby declared and enacted,\" instead of trying to refer to erroneous suppositions of certain persons with reference to the mui-tsai system. I do not think, Sir, it is an erroneous supposition. I believe the custom of China is that the payment of money does confer certain rights for a period of years, at all events till the girl attains the age of eighteen years, the marriageable age. I do not think it is at all incorrect. It is not an erroneous supposition; it is a true supposition. The Chinese custom, as I understand it, undoubtedly is that the payment of money does confer certain rights on the person who pays that money. I cannot see any good or any advantage to be got by saying that people erroneously suppose a thing, when, as I understand the position, they do not erroneously suppose the thing at all. That is all I have to say Sir, with regard to my amendment as to Clause 2.\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL: One appreciates the desire to make this clause more direct and arresting, but I think the omission of the preamble obscures one very important point, namely, that the clause does not make any change in the law whatever; for the payment of money in return for obtaining the possession of a child has never, in Hong Kong, conferred any rights whatever on the purchaser. I must confess I am rather surprised to hear the hon. member question the correctness of the preamble and suggest that it is not an erroneous supposition at all and that payment does confer rights. We are speaking, Sir, in this clause of English law, Hong Kong law, and whatever the rights may be in China they do not concern us. It is undoubtedly an erroneous supposition that payment of money for a child confers, or has ever conferred any rights on the purchaser, and I think it is important to keep the preamble in this clause to make that point clear.\n\nH.E. THE GOVERNOR: I think the hon. member's objection will be met if we cut out the word \"erroneously \" which means nothing very important from my point of view, but seems to mean a great deal from the hon member's point of view. There is no question, I think, that certain persons have made this erroneous supposition.\n\nHON. MR. HOLYOAK: Is it not very important that we should at this juncture protest in the most vigorous and comprehensive terms against the erroneous charges levelled against us in the Press of England ?-greatly exaggerated and largely untrue charges. I found, as no doubt you did, Sir, when at Home in the past few months, constant references to \"Hong Kong slavery\" and even to an open slave market-statements which were as preposterous in conception as they were untrue in fact. It is due to the Colony and the good government of the Colony that these base insinuations and positive misrepresentations of the truth should be contested in the most vigorous form. Therefore I wholly agree with your Excellency that the term \"erroneous \"whether it is employed in the Bill or not does convey the conviction of this Council with regard to public opinion at Home which has been fostered upon gross misrepresentations of the truth.\n\nPage 30 \nPage 31", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-518-9 The Mui-Tsai question- printed papers relating to the system 20-9-1929 - 1-11-1929.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 520125, "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": "CO129-518-9 The Mui-Tsai question- printed papers relating to the system 20-9-1929 - 1-11-1929", "page_number": 96, "title": "CO129-518-9 The Mui-Tsai question- printed papers relating to the system 20-9-1929 - 1-11-1929", "content_text": "5363-26\n\nthan it is at present. I do not say that the system as it has existed hitherto is satisfactory. If I thought it were satisfactory I should oppose this Bill in toto. I do not do that nor do my honourable colleagues. We realise that a considerable part of this measure is desirable in the interests of, and the protection of, mui-tsai. We certainly do not contend that this measure, treating it as a whole, is either unnecessary or undesirable. Your Excellency has referred, incidentally, to certain laws which are stated to have been passed in China. But I can say, Sir, that from all I learn, these laws are no more carried into force and are of no more use than are the laws for the suppression of opium in China, and therefore I think we may treat them as a negative quantity. I think it necessary to say that, because I want to make the position of the unofficial members of this Council perfectly clear. That is all I have to say on Clause 2 of the Bill. I again urge that it is far more emphatic and far more direct to say that \"it is hereby declared and enacted,\" instead of trying to refer to erroneous suppositions of certain persons with reference to the mui-tsai system. I do not think, Sir, it is an erroneous supposition. I believe the custom of China is that the payment of money does confer certain rights for a period of years, at all events till the girl attains the age of eighteen years, the marriageable age. I do not think it is at all incorrect. It is not an erroneous supposition; it is a true supposition. The Chinese custom, as I understand it, undoubtedly is that the payment of money does confer certain rights on the person who pays that money. I cannot see any good or any advantage to be got by saying that people erroneously suppose a thing, when, as I understand the position, they do not erroneously suppose the thing at all. That is all I have to say, Sir, with regard to my amendment as to Clause 2.\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL: One appreciates the desire to make this clause more direct and arresting, but I think the omission of the preamble obscures one very important point, namely, that the clause does not make any change in the law whatever; for the payment of money in return for obtaining the possession of a child has never, in Hong Kong, conferred any rights whatever on the purchaser. I must confess I am rather surprised to hear the hon. member question the correctness of the preamble and suggest that it is not an erroneous supposition at all and that payment does confer rights. We are speaking, Sir, in this clause of English law, Hong Kong law, and whatever the rights may be in China they do not concern us. It is undoubtedly an erroneous supposition that payment of money for a child confers, or has ever conferred any rights on the purchaser, and I think it is important to keep the preamble in this clause to make that point clear.\n\nH.E. THE GOVERNOR: I think the hon. member's objection will be met if we cut out the word \"erroneously\" which means nothing very important from my point of view, but seems to mean a great deal from the hon. member's point of view. There is no question, I think, that certain persons have made this erroneous supposition.\n\nHON. MR. HOLYOAK: Is it not very important that we should at this juncture protest in the most vigorous and comprehensive terms against the erroneous charges levelled against us in the Press of England—greatly exaggerated and largely untrue charges. I found, as no doubt you did, Sir, when at Home in the past few months, constant references to \"Hong Kong slavery\" and even to an open slave market—statements which were as preposterous in conception as they were untrue in fact. It is due to the Colony and the Good Government of the Colony that these base insinuations and positive misrepresentations of the truth should be contested in the most vigorous form. Therefore I wholly agree with your Excellency that the term \"erroneous\" whether it is employed in the Bill or not does convey the conviction of this Council with regard to public opinion at Home which has been fostered upon gross misrepresentations of the truth.\n\nH.E. THE GOVERNOR: The erroneous supposers are the Chinese who paid money for mui-tsai.\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL: And the Europeans who imagined that the sale of human beings was recognised here by English law: they made the same erroneous supposition and they have called upon us to change the law, when, as a matter of fact, there is no need to change the law, because the law has never recognised any rights whatever.\n\nHON. MR. POLLOCK: I am afraid members of Parliament do not recognise themselves as my friend does—as certain persons.\n\nH.E. THE GOVERNOR: I confess I did not either. What the Hon. Mr. Holyoak has said makes me think it wise to retain the words “erroneously” and I think it must remove the objections of the Hon. Mr. Pollock. There is no question that the opinions of members of Parliament and others at Home to whom he referred were erroneous.\n\nHON. MR. POLLOCK did not press his amendment, and it was agreed that clause 2 should stand part of the Bill.\n\nHON. MR. POLLOCK: With regard to Clauses 4 and 5 I have to move an amendment. That Clauses 4 and 5 be removed into part 3 of the present Bill. As I have already explained, Sir, in my opening speech, the unofficial members of Council have spent a considerable amount of time on this Bill. As regards myself it would be more correct to say that I have spent days than hours on this measure and the construction thereof. And the conclusion the unofficial members have come to on this Bill is that these clauses 4 and 5 are undesirable, unnecessary, and unworkable, but, Sir, whether we are right or wrong in our views, we think we have the right to demand that our views on Clauses 4 and 5 should be submitted to the Secretary of State for the Colonies before these clauses are rammed through this Council against the unanimous wishes of the unofficial members by use of the official vote. Your Excellency has stated that Clauses 4 and 5 must be passed as they stand, because of the instructions received from the Secretary of State. It seems to me to be imputing an extraordinarily autocratic temperament to that high official to suppose that he desires these instructions to be carried out immediately, instead of with the delay of two or three months.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-518-9 The Mui-Tsai question- printed papers relating to the system 20-9-1929 - 1-11-1929.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 532149, "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": "CO129-536-9 Capt. T. Pritchard- case of yacht Tavy II v. SS. Sui Tai (Macao Ferry) 18-11-1931 - 13-8-1932", "page_number": 2, "title": "CO129-536-9 Capt. T. Pritchard- case of yacht Tavy II v. SS. Sui Tai (Macao Ferry) 18-11-1931 - 13-8-1932", "content_text": "Offerem Ledlin\n\ncahy D.\n\na\n\n18/1\n\nstatement of 4 pert.\n\nMantiral opinion, and réquesti\n\nIn\n\nenguny into the\n\nCase ann\n\nસ 2 Arm Company of Mark's Manner 93/4\n\nThe Court hope that it will be possible to have the case quashed.\n\nFor T 3 Burton Chadwich States that the sentence Aphenso to be preposterous if the Care be Can 23/11 on Capt. Pritchard and aobr re-examined\n\nTo len Berlin Clasond. Jack 360-\n\nSend copies of asking for obsons 192 to foo 26/11 of Hong Kong sops should Auch suggest that sops write to Sir Burton Chadwick saying The is communicating with the low or will will send a furteer refly later\n\nАдибушеног 28-11.31 The enggestion is that prejudice of Royal\n\n...\n\n \nhas been re-formatted to meet the requirements, however, the original text appears to be highly corrupted and may require further processing to be fully readable. \n\nHere is the revised version with some minor adjustments to follow the rules more closely:\n\nOfferem Ledlin\n\ncahy D.\n\na\n\n18/1\n\nstatement of 4 pert.\n\nMantiral opinion, and requesti\n\nIn enquiry into the\n\nCase ann\n\n2 Arm Company of Mark's Manner 93/4\n\nThe Court hope that it will be possible to have the case quashed.\n\nFor T3 Burton Chadwick States that the sentence Aphenso to be preposterous if the Care be Can 23/11 on Capt. Pritchard and aobr re-examined\n\nTo len Berlin Clasond. Jack 360-\n\nSend copies of asking for obsons 192 to foo 26/11 of Hong Kong sops should Auch suggest that sops write to Sir Burton Chadwick saying The is communicating with the low or will will send a further reply later\n\n28-11.31 The suggestion is that prejudice of Royal\n\nChanges made include:\n- Correcting \"réquesti\" to \"requesti\"\n- Correcting \"enguny\" to \"enquiry\"\n- Correcting \"furteer refly\" to \"further reply\"\n- Correcting \"enggestion\" to \"suggestion\"\n- Removing \"Адибушеног\" as it appears to be nonsensical in the context\n- Standardizing some of the formatting and spacing for better readability. \n\nHowever, the original text still contains many unclear or nonsensical phrases, suggesting that the OCR output may be of poor quality or that the original document is difficult to read. Further manual review or alternative OCR processing may be necessary to improve the accuracy of the text.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-536-9 Capt. T. Pritchard- case of yacht Tavy II v. SS. Sui Tai (Macao Ferry) 18-11-1931 - 13-8-1932.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 532193, "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": "CO129-536-9 Capt. T. Pritchard- case of yacht Tavy II v. SS. Sui Tai (Macao Ferry) 18-11-1931 - 13-8-1932", "page_number": 48, "title": "CO129-536-9 Capt. T. Pritchard- case of yacht Tavy II v. SS. Sui Tai (Macao Ferry) 18-11-1931 - 13-8-1932", "content_text": "preposterous.\n\n(2)\n\nThe case has been thoroughly examined by practical seamen both in Hong Kong and so far as possible in London and none of them can see any justification for such action on the part of this magistrate.\n\nJorns may simenty Burton Charwich.\n\nI am Enclosing a copy of this official letter which has gone to your department.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-536-9 Capt. T. Pritchard- case of yacht Tavy II v. SS. Sui Tai (Macao Ferry) 18-11-1931 - 13-8-1932.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 543888, "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": "CO129-546-11 Kowloon city- expropriation of Chinese owned land 9-1-1934 - 28-12-1934", "page_number": 29, "title": "CO129-546-11 Kowloon city- expropriation of Chinese owned land 9-1-1934 - 28-12-1934", "content_text": "## 2.\n\n(22) (24)\n\n9\n\n\"Kowloon Tsai\" - a small village a mile or so from Kowloon City. This village was resumed in 1933 for town planning purposes on far less favourable terms than are offered for Kowloon City and the wire-puller may be one of the ex-owners. In any case, his statements regarding \"daily threats\" are totally untrue and indicate a determination to embarrass the Hong Kong Government at all costs. I may add that the District Officer New Territories (South), a member of the Hong Kong Cadet Service, has discussed the question of removal several times during the past eighteen months with the inhabitants of Kowloon City and reports that they have been exceedingly friendly. The results of these discussions are set out in my telegram to the Secretary of State for the Colonies of 6th and 16th July, 1934.\n\n## 2.\n\nOn the one hand, therefore, we seem to have an implacable enemy determined to make trouble. On the other, we have the Chinese Government stating plainly that \"The rights of jurisdiction within Kowloon City have always been patently distinct from the newly leased territories outside the city which are exclusively under British jurisdiction; the people within the city therefore without exception come in every respect under the control of the Chinese Government and the authority of His Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong cannot of course be exercised within the City.\" To which it must be added that the known attitude of the Chinese Authorities towards private property when \"development\" is in hand, is such as to make preposterous any case based by Nanking on the alleged meagreness of this Government's terms which are, in fact, extremely generous.\n\n## 3.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-546-11 Kowloon city- expropriation of Chinese owned land 9-1-1934 - 28-12-1934.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 549380, "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": "CO129-555-1 Hong Kong Tramways Ltd.- petition 10-7-1935 - 4-10-1935", "page_number": 23, "title": "CO129-555-1 Hong Kong Tramways Ltd.- petition 10-7-1935 - 4-10-1935", "content_text": "Enclosure 4.\n\n12. K 23 contention that it is being ruined by unfair competition, the fall in its $5.00 shares from $20.00 to $13.00 (paragraph 78). That this fall is not peculiar to the shares of the Tramways will be seen from a statement of the values of the shares of certain leading local companies, which is enclosed. The fall has been general and is a result of the local depression in trade and the rise in exchange.\n\n13. I hope that the suppressio veri and suggestio falsi manifested in this petition will afford some evidence of the difficulties that this Government has experienced in dealing with the Hong Kong Tramways. The company's claims have received full and fair consideration from this Government and I venture to recommend that you decline to intervene on its behalf. I consider that it would be unfair to submit to the Ministry of Transport the case of the Tramways as presented by itself without affording the China Motor Bus Company an opportunity of stating its case. It is submitted that the company, which has withheld important and relevant figures, fails to make out a prima facie case that it is being ruined financially by \"unfair and wasteful competition\".\n\nI consider that it is preposterous to suggest at this stage in the development of transport that only first-class fares should be charged in the heart of the populous districts except by the Tramways which only affords transport east and west along the level ground near the sea.\n\nI am willing to consider any representations made by the Tramways regarding what it terms \"concessions\" to the Bus Company. It will be appreciated that the appendices to its petition consist largely of such representations. But I cannot allow the Tramways to make itself, as it appears to desire, into a final arbiter in matters", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-555-1 Hong Kong Tramways Ltd.- petition 10-7-1935 - 4-10-1935.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 551318, "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": "CO129-557-9 British protection of companies in China 26-3-1936 - 27-2-1937", "page_number": 55, "title": "CO129-557-9 British protection of companies in China 26-3-1936 - 27-2-1937", "content_text": "# Enclosure in Bhanghai despatch to Peking No.351 of November 4th 1936.\n\nExtract from \"North China Daily News\" of November 4th 1936.\n\n## AN IMPORTANT DICTUM\n\nJudge Penrhyn Grant Jones has rendered a valuable service drawing pointed attention to the unsatisfactory state of the law relating to the registration of British Companies. It will be remembered that last year the Registrar of Companies prosecuted a certain company under Article 194(2) of the China Order-in-Council 1925, for what appeared, according to Counsel, to be \"an obvious abuse of the judicial and diplomatic protection accorded to British persons in China.\" The argument was that as the bulk of the shares were in non-British hands, the British control prescribed by the Order-in-Council for British registration was non-existent. The case was heard in H.M. Police Court, and the Magistrate, in giving a reserved judgment, acquitted the accused on the ground that the non-British ownership of the majority of the shares was not sufficient to prove that the law as it stood had been broken. No appeal against this judgment was lodged, a testimony to the cogency of the learned Magistrate's ruling and, in the circumstances admitted in Court, to the unsatisfactory drafting of the Order-in-Council.\n\nThis journal took the view that the law required amendment, for apart from other considerations, the existence of the system of extraterritorial jurisdiction made it damaging to legitimate rights under that system if a practice could grow up to permit the nationals of Utopia, by assuming the status of Laputans, to do certain things impossible to them as Utopians.\n\nLater, this plea for amendment of the Order-in-Council was reinforced at some length in a leading article which reviewed the facts of that particular case and urged that the necessary amendment should not be very difficult to effect. Although it was recognized that such action might cause hardship in certain special cases, it was pointed out that the existence of a loophole which permitted other concerns to obtain the cover of law for activities meriting no approval whatsoever was the real issue at stake. Elimination of that loophole was therefore highly desirable.\n\nIn the Newmilks case, which came before Judge Grant Jones, the British character of the company was not in dispute. Nor were the circumstances generally comparable with those of the case heard by Mr. C. H. Haines last year in the Police Court. The Judge had to deal with a claim by an employee for the balance of his salary. The two cases find common ground in that the Magistrate held that the non-British ownership of the majority of a company's shares was not necessarily a bar to registration as a British company. The Judge, in eliciting the fact that of 10,065 shares all save 65 were held by non-British interests, expressed the view that it was an encroachment on the \"privileges granted to British subjects by treaty with the authorities of this country\" that such a company should be allowed to \"masquerade as British.\"\n\nThe Judge was, of course, not impugning the action of the Registrar of Companies in the exercise of functions whereby the \"masquerading\" company was registered, for obviously the Magistrate's judgment had shown that the Registrar had no other course, as the Order-in-Council stood. The importance of the Judge's forceful obiter dictum lies in the fact that it authoritatively draws the British Government's attention to an abuse of the law which the local British authorities themselves, as shown by the unsuccessful prosecution last year, considered to be in need of redress.\n\nIt is preposterous that the time of British officials should be occupied in settling often intricate points of law and hearing voluble arguments, at the expense of the British taxpayer, when the company concerned derives its right to those benefits by what cannot be described more fittingly than by Judge Grant Jones when he called it a masquerade. It raises, too, other no less serious issues. The privilege of extraterritoriality which British subjects enjoy by treaty between their Government and the Government of China is highly esteemed. British policy, especially in recent years, has been to scrutinize severely the exercise of that privilege lest it should, unwittingly or deliberately, be used as a cover to the operations of other nationals for whose personal actions it is impossible for the British Government to take responsibility. It is common knowledge that steps have from time to time been taken to stamp out such abuses when brought to light. Happily, for the good name of Great Britain, they are not frequent. Yet it is obvious that when a company, whose British registration is a mere \"masquerade\" or camouflage made possible by a loosely drafted Order-in-Council, can avail itself of British services, the opportunity for abuses derogatory to British honour is wide open.\n\nThis, of course, does not convey any criticism of the operations of either of the two companies involved in the cases which have brought the anomaly to light. It merely seeks to emphasize the extremely proper objections which the Court has raised to the looseness of the law governing British registration. Judge Grant Jones would be quite as justified to cavil at the obligation to investigate the delinquencies of some other company registered in such terms as he was, in the case under mention, to resent the encroachment on British privileges involved in his being called upon to settle a civil dispute between an employee and a company which was British in ownership by virtue of 65 shares out of a total of 10,065 allotted to its shareholders. It is greatly to be hoped that the judicial criticism will be brought to the notice of the authorities competent to make the requisite redrafting.\n\nWith compliments from the \"North-China Daily News\" Nov. 4. 1936.\n\n55", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-557-9 British protection of companies in China 26-3-1936 - 27-2-1937.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 555249, "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": "CO129-563-17 Sino-Japanese War- attacks on shipping. For extracted photographs see CN 3-12 27-9-1937 - 17-1-1938", "page_number": 99, "title": "CO129-563-17 Sino-Japanese War- attacks on shipping. For extracted photographs see CN 3-12 27-9-1937 - 17-1-1938", "content_text": "# CRIPPLING THE FAR EAST\n\n(Daily Press, October 24, 1937)\n\nIt is perfectly clear that no longer can the great Powers regard the undeclared war being ruthlessly waged by Japan on China as a matter capable of being localized and strictly confined as to area and purpose. It has, as was forecast from the moment the assault on Shanghai was launched, become a war of major proportions and the repercussions must be as far-reaching as they are gigantic and dynamic.\n\nSuch was the thoroughness of the Japanese propaganda that it is a well-known fact that the Powers with interests in the Pacific had come to really believe that Japan's might was as great as her propagandists claimed it to be. It was left to China to put Japan to the test, and after more than three months of war—whether 'declared' or 'undeclared' is immaterial—the Japanese have not done much more than take a few villages by surprise and bomb cities of absolutely no strategic importance, leaving in their trail a combination of spectacles which can only be likened to a shambles in an earthquake. As far as Japan is concerned, it can surely be asserted that the world at large feels a sense of nausea at the very unedifying display of sheer brute force which has characterized Japan's contribution to twentieth-century civilization.\n\nHaving had ample opportunity for realizing, without appreciating, the perfidy of Japan, the great Powers are now taking not only a keen but a lively interest in the trend of Sino-Japanese affairs. Much may reasonably be expected to eventuate during the next seven days, and doubtless Japan is not the least anxious of the anxious nations of the world.\n\nOutside the East, it is significant that individuals and organizations have taken the lead before their respective Governments even contemplated taking that sort of action which is limited to academic discussions. It was several weeks ago in these columns that we offered the opinion that it mattered little what Governments thought because it was the will of the mass of the people which alone would decide what final action the Governments would take. When we wrote thus, we had practically only the pious resolutions of humanitarian organizations upon which to base our premise. Since then, notably within the past week, there have come messages from Britain, the United States of America, India, Australia, and New Zealand of the workers having flatly refused to handle goods which were believed—only believed, mark you—to be destined for Japan.\n\nThat is good. It is as it should be, and we for our part hope that this splendid lead given by the workers will be followed throughout the communities in the matter of boycotting Japanese goods and cargo. As in those countries which we have named, the people elect their own Governments, there can be little doubt as to what action those Governments will take if Japan persists in her present unreasonable and irrational policy.\n\nMeanwhile, the Far East is suffering as never before. All those years of very arduous labour which have gone to the establishing of great commercial connections have, almost overnight, been severed, and in terms of wealth, millions have been cut adrift and in terms of humanity, thousands have been ruined. Many such are just waiting for what they term \"the tide to turn\" before returning to Shanghai and other parts in the North, they having great faith in the recuperative powers of those areas. But how long will they have to wait? And whilst they are waiting, Japan is wreaking more and more havoc.\n\n(Continued on page 603)\n\n## DECIDING BEFORE THE COURT MEETS\n\n(Daily Press, October 25, 1937)\n\nIt was President Wilson who introduced what he was pleased to term \"the new diplomacy.\" By that was meant, in a word, that the old order of conducting negotiations between nations by means of underground wires and underhand methods had ceased to exist. In future, everything was to be done in an above-board, honourable, frank, and fearless manner according to the accepted principles of proper conduct based upon an ethical code of unimpeachable virtue.\n\nThis system seemed so good that the world enthusiastically accorded wholehearted support to it and its propounder. However, moderate cynicism is the first attribute of a great critic, and it was the greatly gifted Lord Asquith who wrote this steadying commentary on the supposedly changed order of things, \"The old diplomacy may be dead, but the old diplomats still live.\"\n\nJudging by the happenings in diplomatic circles during the past twenty-four hours, it would appear that the old diplomats are perpetual if not quite immortal. Lord Asquith was deplorably correct, and the masses of the world, so gloriously blind in their enthusiasms for reforms which have their inception in honour and truth and so childlike in the faith they repose in their leaders, were doomed to yet another cruel disillusionment. To-day, we are being treated to a demonstration of international infidelity sufficient to make even a hardened cynic blush. Apparently, even those who have, with a moral recklessness that is truly bewildering, dedicated their lives to the Moloch ways of secret diplomacy of the old and wicked order, have found it impossible, thanks to a vigilant Press, to keep their nefarious schemes from the peoples of the world, and it is common knowledge that, even before the vital Nine-Power Treaty Conference is held in Brussels next Saturday, herculean efforts are being made by certain nations to make the decision before the court sits.\n\nFor unalloyed unmorality, there is nothing to equal such conduct in modern times. One has to go away back to those distant and dismal days of Mediaevalism when the Borgias held sway to find anything even remotely resembling such deceit and conceit. It has been freely stated in the Press of the world that Italy, Germany, and Japan, regardless of the outcome of this conference to be held in Brussels and which is charged with such dynamic importance to the world and its peoples, have tacitly agreed to stand shoulder to shoulder to resist the advance of what is known as the Popular Front.\n\nThus far, nothing more definite than a series of suspiciously similar rumours have emanated from the chancellories, but the goings and comings of Ambassadors, at this particularly tragic stage in the world's history, cannot be without significance. Anything more preposterous than an alliance between Western Powers to support the ghastly policy of aggression so frightfully prosecuted by Japan against peace-loving China would be impossible to imagine.\n\nTo us, the significant point is that, no matter what may be said in favour of round-table conferences of the nations, such Conferences are worse than worthless—they are extravagances of the most prodigal character—if certain nations are to be permitted to take their places at such conferences when it is well known that beforehand they have made their decision and \"counted the heads.\" With things moving as they are at present, this is surely the time for those great Powers which have vital interests in the Pacific to snap out of their academic lethargy and get right down to practical facts.\n\n## CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT\n\n603\n\n(Continued from page 602)\n\nTo us, it appears quite clear that it is not Japan's intention to desist until her merciless depredations of civilian life and property have given her an over-lordship of a very large portion of North China. That day shall never dawn if China stands true to herself. But the more this unprovoked but premeditated attack on China continues, Japan is furthering her scheme for crippling the Far East and then plundering one of the richest areas on the earth's surface.\n\nOne point, however, Japan seems to have completely overlooked. In the prosecution of this crippling campaign, Japan must cripple herself.\n\nIt is such madness which makes the brain reel! China will not surrender. Japan seems impotent to advance. The other Powers have slowly but surely swung-in behind China. Perhaps if a concerted effort were made now to bring Japan to a sense of her criminal folly, then the Far East would be spared the horror and worthlessness of this crippling policy—and even Japan might be saved from herself.\n\nA Japanese bomber on the Canton River after being shot down. (Photo, International News Agency Photonews).\n\n## CRIPPLING THE FAR EAST\n\n(Continued from page 602)\n\nSandbag outpost in Pootung, with Chinese sentry on duty.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-563-17 Sino-Japanese War- attacks on shipping. For extracted photographs see CN 3-12 27-9-1937 - 17-1-1938.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 558194, "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": "CO129-567-5 Traffic of arms to China and Japanese air-raids on Kowloon-Canton railway 11-4-1938 - 19-1-1939", "page_number": 71, "title": "CO129-567-5 Traffic of arms to China and Japanese air-raids on Kowloon-Canton railway 11-4-1938 - 19-1-1939", "content_text": "No difference. Japan deplored the attitude of France, and for the latter at such a time to send forces to occupy the Paracels was naturally displeasing to the Japanese people; it justified the suspicion that France was bent on action hostile to Japan.\n\n7. The Asahi (8th July) expresses regret that France should have acted in such a way as to give rise to a suspicion that she was deliberately misunderstanding the intentions of Japan. An ill-considered act like the occupation of the Paracels was not the way to safeguard her territorial interests and it was preposterous for France to provoke Japan in the Far East when she already had her hands full in Europe. It was contrary to the spirit of the Franco-Japanese Agreement of 1907, which was based on the spirit of mutual reliance; it was regrettable that on many occasions since the Manchurian incident France had infringed the provisions of this agreement.\n\n8. The Nichi Nichi (9th July) describes the French action as misdirected. France professed to be neutral in the conflict, but her actions gave rise to suspicions that she was in reality helping China. The policy of the authorities in French Indo-China was not always in accord with those of the Government in Paris, and it was not impossible that the occupation of the Paracel Islands had been carried out under orders from the French Overseas Secretary under the influence of the Comintern. But whoever may have been responsible it was (as one of the newspapers in Paris had pointed out) foolish of France to attempt to defend the China sea when she was already fully occupied with European problems.\n\n9. The Hochi asserts that France alone would be responsible for any deterioration in Franco-Japanese relations that might result from her occupation of the Paracel Islands. Japan had been careful not to do anything which might involve her with third Powers; but unfortunately the latter had not appreciated her intentions, and France's action was to be regretted because of the encouragement it gave to the National Government. It was reported that China had protested to France against her occupation of the islands, but it was doubtful whether the National Government really intended to obtain any measure of satisfaction from her.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nR. L. CRAIGIE.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-567-5 Traffic of arms to China and Japanese air-raids on Kowloon-Canton railway 11-4-1938 - 19-1-1939.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 561107, "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": "CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939", "page_number": 106, "title": "CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939", "content_text": "## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nMy dear Cowell,\n\nNOW \nFOR OIT \nHong Kong, \n14th November 1938.\n\n71827\n\nI left unanswered the Secretary of State's telegram (unnumbered) of 10th November, replying to my No. 307(52) relative Chinese excuses for the rapid fall of Canton as I did not think further action advisable after so long a lapse of time. Nevertheless I fear that the story will not die and the fact that it went unanswered will be brought up by the Chinese as and when necessary.\n\nThe idea of British intervention is preposterous in our eyes, of course, but it is certain that the Japanese themselves were nervous about the attitude which we should adopt towards their invasion of Kwangtung and were relieved when we took it so calmly: vide the \"Times\" of October 15th.\n\nYours sincerely,\nH.R. Cowell, Esq., C.M.G.,\nColonial Office,\nLONDON, S.W.1.\nhot. Wortmaster", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 561172, "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": "CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939", "page_number": 171, "title": "CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939", "content_text": "## CYPHER\n1\n\n\n82\n\n171\n\n`53838/31/38`\n\n**TELEGRAM from the Secretary of State for the Colonies**\n\n**Governor of Hong Kong.**\n\nSent 11.0 p.m. \n9th November, 1938.\n\nNo. 218.\n\nYour telegram No.307.\n\nIn view of Shanghai telegram of October 28th, repeated to you as No.292, \nand on general grounds, I am inclined to think, subject \nto anything you may have to add, that probable effect \nof public and official denial of such preposterous \nrumours would be to give them wider circulation, \nit would therefore appear wiser to ignore them. \nPlease repeat to Shanghai and Tokyo.\n\nIt", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 561173, "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": "CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939", "page_number": 172, "title": "CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939", "content_text": "## Mr. Rogers 8/11/38\nMr. Gent 8\nMr. Cowell 9\nx Sir H. Moore\n**CYPHER**\n53838/31/38\nat once 9\n\n## TELEGRAM from the Secretary of State for the Colonies\n**Governor of Hong Kong.**\n\nSent 11.0 p.m. 9th November, 1938.\n\nNo.218.\n\n| 82 | 172 |\n|----|-----|\n| (52) (enc. to 81) | |\n\nYour telegram No. 307. In view of Shanghai telegram of October 28th, repeated to you as No.292, and on general grounds, I am inclined to think, subject to anything you may have to add, that probable effect of public and official denial of such preposterous rumours would be to give them wider circulation. It would therefore appear wiser to ignore them.\n\nPlease repeat to Shanghai and Tokyo.\n\nCopy to F.O. with comp. `slip, reference 81`.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 561174, "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": "CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939", "page_number": 173, "title": "CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939", "content_text": "`(F11477/84/10)`\n\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nFOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1. \n3rd November, 1938.\n\nMy dear Gent,\n\nI enclose a copy of a telegram which we have received from Shanghai commenting on the telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong of which you sent me a copy under cover of your letter secret No.53838/31/38 of 28th October.\n\n2. We are inclined to agree with Allen's view that the rumour reported by the Governor of Hong Kong would only lend colour to the rumour to the opposite effect now current at Shanghai. We feel that both rumours, although undesirable, are nevertheless preposterous and that we should do best to ignore them. If we were to issue a public denial in the manner suggested by the Governor, we should have to make it apply to both, and this would only give them a wider circulation.\n\nG.E.J. Gent, Esq., D.S.O., O.B.E. \n\n3.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 563645, "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": "CO129-575-12 Education Department- promotions 11-4-1939 - 27-3-1940", "page_number": 7, "title": "CO129-575-12 Education Department- promotions 11-4-1939 - 27-3-1940", "content_text": "V. I think that they do not know how to handle things in a gentlemanly way! Hay Kay Coffren latterly made some officious representations which were preposterous, even though they may not have been prompted by malice. I think we shall fill the breach in such a case by saying that the Deputy Police Commissioner approves the promotions proposed. (I am grateful to Edmonds and Mr. Galsworthy who have taken a good deal of trouble to get out the facts amidst the complicated salary changes involved).\n\nPage 7", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-575-12 Education Department- promotions 11-4-1939 - 27-3-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 591149, "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": "CO129-611-4 Development Committee- reports on various aspects 11-12-1945 - 14-7-1947", "page_number": 105, "title": "CO129-611-4 Development Committee- reports on various aspects 11-12-1945 - 14-7-1947", "content_text": "# BALANG 104 FRRANDLE\n\nThis suggestion may at first sight appear preposterous, but I have given it considerable thought over a period of years and believe that it is worthy of critical examination.\n\nIn that most interesting period prior to the war, as Scientific adviser to the Food Controller in Hong Kong, I co-operated in the establishment and maintenance of a balanced food reserve sufficient for a population of 1,800,000 for a period of 100 days.\n\nI had the opportunity of seeing raw food in bulk and advising as to its storage and disposal, of seeing food processing on a large scale, and of experimenting on a large scale with processed foods. I realised the complete lack of scientific knowledge in the storage of foods, the wastage of foods and of by-products due to ignorance, and the complete absence of knowledge of what foods should be eaten in order to have a balanced diet. In order to maintain the colossal reserves necessary for the stipulated 100 days siege period, pools were established for vegetable oils and beans (also for rice). All imported foods in these categories were put into the pool, and old stock released on to the market. As the wholesale price was steadily rising, there was no loss in monetary value, but the loss in food value due to depletion and deterioration caused by insect damage, etc., was considerable.\n\nOur regular inspection of peanut oil factories showed that most were filthy and all were equipped with antiquated hand-manipulated wedge presses. The expressed cake had a ready local market, the better quality oil being exported to Canada and fetching a good price. The peanut residue was pressed into cakes and sold as fertiliser to farmers and gardeners. I proposed that fresh peanut meal from the two cleanest oil factories should be experimented with, with a view to incorporating it in a biscuit. With the ready and able assistance of Mr. Tom Edgar, Master Baker, a series of trial biscuits were made, and after about 30 trials, a formula was perfected for a hard siege biscuit containing only 2% water. Besides peanut meal, there were used wholewheat flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder. The biscuit project was accepted by Government, and we started by making 2 tons a day, and sealing them in petrol tins and storing them as a siege reserve.\n\nA plan for making 3 tons a day was not implemented due to hostilities. Each biscuit weighed 1 ounce and cost 1 cent: one biscuit a day had enough available iron for an adult, two enough nicotinic acid to prevent pellagra on a polished rice diet, and 4 enough to prevent beriberi on such a diet. Experiments continued, and eventually, the day before the war started, a satisfactory biscuit was made containing shark liver oil and very finely divided calcium carbonate. Mr. Edgar also made biscuits of the consistency of digestive and oatcake biscuits and incorporated the peanut meal in cakes and bread. Immense possibilities of peaceful development of the use of peanut meal are likely to be practical. The siege biscuit was thoroughly tried out at 5 hospitals, including a maternity hospital (Professor Gordon King), and was uniformly liked by all nationalities and by all ages from 6 months to over 60 years (Dr. Montgomery). A group of Beihaiwet police suffering from pellagra were cured by means of the biscuit (Commissioner of Police), and after the cure, they were so pleased that they wished to buy them to form a part of their regular diet. Whilst the bakers were mixing and rolling out the biscuit dough, I saw them chewing pieces of broken biscuit with evident satisfaction.\n\n...of high nutritive value, cheap to make, popular and profitable.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-611-4 Development Committee- reports on various aspects 11-12-1945 - 14-7-1947.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]