[
    {
        "id": 376233,
        "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": "CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4]",
        "page_number": 435,
        "title": "CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4]",
        "content_text": "# Memorandum\n\nI think that the Governor in Council may refuse assent on the grounds on which they desire to refuse. They are not bound to give any reasons for a refusal, and they should be careful to refrain from doing so. They should stick to their refusal and not compromise until the promoters distinctly withdraw this point or until a Court of Law has decided it. After a compromise is effected, new legislation can be passed.\n\nWe must ask the Board of Trade for tramway regulations where electrical power is employed, or for precedents of legislation for electrical and other tramways, so that the wording \"by animal, steam, or any mechanical power\" may include electrically.\n\n## Extracts\n\nHongkong, 19 April, 1900\n\nSir,\n\nGovernment House,\nI have the honour to forward for your consideration the enclosed copy of a **Memorandum** drawn up by the Attorney General for submission to you by direction of Sir Henry Arthur Blake, on the subject of the position in which this Government finds itself in regard to the question of the construction of Tramways in Hongkong, and *vis à vis* the Promoters of such construction, mentioned in `Ordinance 6 of 1885` as amended by `Ordinance 18 of 1883`.\n\nI also enclose a copy of an extract from an opinion of Mr. Francis Q.C., which is referred to in the Memorandum.\n\n2\\. I may mention that the original Syndicate on behalf of whom Mr. Orange wrote the letter of the 26th of October last referred to by Mr. Goodman, and the Promoters under `Ordinance No. 3 of 1886`, are virtually the same parties; and that Messrs Showan Tomes and Company, who are also referred to, are the local Agents of the parties to whom it is supposed the Promoters have sold their alleged rights.\n\n3\\. The history of the question is fully set out by Mr. Goodman, and the points upon which Sir Henry Arthur Blake desired your direction and advice are precisely...\n\n**To:** The Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, M.P., &c.\n\n## Actions to be taken\n\n1. Telegraph as proposed.\n2. Expand in despatch and say consulting Board's opinion on the Jenner question.\n3. Consult Board of Trade, as Mr. (illegible) suggests; take pains to cite to Crown Agents whether `CPD 30` should be adopted at once.\n\nPage 164  \nPage 434  \nHongkong, 19 April, 1900.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4].txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 376235,
        "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": "CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4]",
        "page_number": 437,
        "title": "CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4]",
        "content_text": "# Enclosure 1.\n\n151 \n\nFue 20 MAY 201 \n\n436 \n\n**Memorandum on the present position as regards Tramway construction in Hongkong, by Mr. Goodman (Attorney General). dated 7th. April, 1900.**\n\nIn accordance with the request of the Governor (Sir H. A. Blake, G.C.M.G. &c.) I beg to submit the following observations on the present position of the Government with regard to Tramway Construction in this Colony.\n\nIn 1881, some gentlemen interested in the subject of Tramways, formed a sort of Syndicate and took steps to procure an Ordinance to authorize their construction along certain routes in Hongkong.\n\nIt appears that a Company was incorporated, under the name of \"The Hongkong and China Tramways Company Limited,\" and in 1882, Ordinance No. 1 of 1882, was passed, while Sir John Pope Hennessy was Governor of the Colony.\n\nBy Section 146, that Ordinance was not to come into force until Her Majesty's assent had been duly notified by proclamation in the Gazette.\n\nThis was never done. The Secretary of State considered certain alterations desirable, and the Ordinance never came into force, and it was formally repealed by Ordinance 4 of 1887. In its place, Ordinance No. 6 of 1883, was passed the following year. This Ordinance was confirmed, but the Secretary of State in his Despatch, No. 168, dated 15th. August, 1883, pointed out that the definition of the Company should be altered so as to include the Promoters.\n\nSection 4 of Ordinance 6 of 1883 was then repealed by Ordinance 18 of 1883 which substituted a new Section for it; but I cannot see that the specific alteration mentioned by the Secretary",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4].txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 376240,
        "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": "CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4]",
        "page_number": 442,
        "title": "CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4]",
        "content_text": "441 \n\nTramways should be constructed. Those letters are all in C.S.O.2350. Further attempts were made later in 1892 to procure a reversal of His Excellency's decision, but the Governor in Council refused to alter it. Rightly or wrongly it was considered that the construction of the New Praya would render the widened road of the old Praya a more suitable route than Queen's Road, at all events west of the Cricket Ground.\n\nIn 1896, the Government was approached by another gentleman and again, in 1897, another application from the Belgian Consul was sent in, to allow the construction of an Electric Tramway in Queen's Road, and refused.\n\nIndeed, while any doubts as to the cesser of the rights claimed by the three surviving Promoters exist, it would scarcely be prudent for the Government to grant rights of construction to third persons, against the wish of the Promoters, as regards the routes mentioned in the Ordinance of 1883.\n\nSince the final decision that the New Praya is not to be extended along the front of the Naval Yard property, it is evident that the Queen's Road route from the Cricket Ground eastward is the only route for a tramline joining the tramways at the eastern and western extremities of the City of Victoria, and this portion of the Queen's Road forms part of tramway No. 2, mentioned in the Ordinance of 1883. So things are rather at a deadlock, assuming the rights of the original Promoters to remain the real question is, \"Can the Governor-in-Council refuse assent to the grant by the Promoters of the right to construct on the ground of lapse of time and the desirability of an alteration of part of the route formally sanctioned?\"\n\nThe Promoters, or rather the Syndicate, who appear to me to be the real people interested, and to treat the Promoters rather as figureheads, say \"No\".\n\nIn this state of things, Mr. Orange addressed a letter dated ...",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4].txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 376241,
        "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": "CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4]",
        "page_number": 443,
        "title": "CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4]",
        "content_text": "# 442\n\ndated the 26th October 1899 advising the Government, on behalf of the Syndicate who obtained the original Ordinance \"that, as the approaching termination of the New Praya works will afford an opportunity for laying out a new and complete system of tramways, arrangements are being made for introducing an Amending Ordinance in place of No. 6 of 1883. Trusting that this course may meet with the approval of His Excellency the Governor\".\n\nThe Acting Attorney General advised that the receipt of that letter should be merely acknowledged (in view of all that had taken place previously as detailed in this Memorandum). I also hear rumours that the Promoters have sold their alleged rights recently and intend to begin making the Tramway until stopped, whether the Governor approves or not! On resuming my post as Attorney General, I found this to be the position of matters, and it seems to me that it would be desirable to ascertain whether the Secretary of State would sanction in these circumstances, the repeal of Ordinance 6 of 1883, as amended by Ordinance 18 of 1885, or whether it would be better to arrange with the Promoters for an alteration in the route of any of the Tramways mentioned in that Ordinance, and an amendment of the Ordinance accordingly.\n\nMessrs Shewan and Tomes have recently applied for permission to construct Tramways in Victoria to be run on the electric trolley system and also to construct others on the Kowloon side of the water, and I understand that His Excellency desires me to draft a general Tramways Ordinance somewhat on the lines of the Jamaica Tramways Ordinances and thus introduce a system of Licensing (see for instance the Licence set out in the Jamaica Gazette of 17th March, 1898).\n\nJust before His Excellency left the Colony the other day on leave, he desired me to make recommendations which might be",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4].txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 376242,
        "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": "CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4]",
        "page_number": 444,
        "title": "CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4]",
        "content_text": "443 \n\nbe submitted to the Secretary of State as there seemed some \ndivergency of opinion on the subject. \n\nI may point out that when the 1883 Ordinance was \npassed, electricity was not an ordinary motive power, but the \nOrdinance provides, by section 36, that the \"carriages may be \nmoved by animal, steam or any mechanical power\". \n\nWhen the Electric telegraph companies heard of the \nproposal to use the electric trolley system, the Acting Manager \nwrote to the Colonial Secretary the letter of 8th February \n1899 (annexed). \n\nWhether any weight is to be attached to that and \nother objections as to the effect of the electric trolley \nsystem on pipes and wires adjacent to the line, I do not know. \nIt is rather a question for experts. \n\nIt seems to me the points to be settled are (a) should \nOrdinance 6 of 1883 as amended be repealed. \n(b) Should the alleged rights of the survivors of the \noriginal Promoters named in that Ordinance be, in \nany way, recognised in any new or amending Ordinance \nregulating tramway construction along the routes \ncontemplated by Ordinance No. 6 of 1883. \n(c) If a General Tramways Ordinance is to be passed \ngiving power to issue licenses what is the best model \nto follow. \n\nPersonally it seems to me:- \n(1) That the gentlemen forming the original syndicate \nhave no legal claims whatever. \n(2) That the Promoters have some technical legal claim \nto be allowed to grant rights of construction minus \nthe compulsory powers; but that as the assent and \napproval of the Governor-in-Council is a condition \nprecedent the question is narrowed down to this, \n\"what will justify withholding such assent and \napproval\"?",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4].txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 376618,
        "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": "CO129-299 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [5-6]",
        "page_number": 296,
        "title": "CO129-299 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [5-6]",
        "content_text": "# No. \n## Tel \n### HONG KONG \n292 \n## DESPATCH. \n### No. \n166-11 \n10011 \nA \nReef 20 MAY 001 \n**(Subject)** \n900 \nMay \n## Various Paper. \n923 \n### Tramway Construction \n\"Referring to my despatch No. 164 19th April, application from promoters has been made under ordinance for approval of Governor-in-Council to grant to syndicate right to construct low level tramways authorized by ordinance. Telegraph whether justified in withholding consent on ground that same routes are under consideration?\" \n\n## (Minutes.) \n### (on Paper) \nsee minutes \n- Lee \n15922 \n- J.ing 24/5 \n- H.D. 29.5",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-299 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [5-6].txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 381660,
        "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": "CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9]",
        "page_number": 373,
        "title": "CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9]",
        "content_text": "371\n\nfor tenders, on the lines of the Jamaica Tramways Law, but there were peculiar circumstances that prevented such a course.\n\nUnder the provisions of Ordinance (No.6 of 1883) certain prescriptive rights were given to a Syndicate to construct Tramways on the route to be taken by the proposed Tramway, and while nothing has been done by that Syndicate to exercise their rights, except in respect to one portion of the concession, I was advised they had moral if not legal rights that would render it unsafe to grant a concession covering the same ground as that granted by the old Ordinance. The right of the original concessionaires having been acquired by the Syndicate proposing to construct this Tramway, it was necessary to remove the difficulty so far as they are concerned by legislation.\n\nI enclose for your information a copy of a Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend the scope of the Tramways Ordinance, 1883, (No.6 of 1883), and the Tramways Ordinance Amendment Ordinance, 1883, (No.18 of 1883) repealing the provisions of the former Tramways Ordinances as regards Tramways Nos.1 to 5. This Bill has passed through the Committee of the whole Council, but has not yet been read a third time.\n\n4\n\n8.\n\nIn my opinion the terms secured by the Bill now submitted are nearly as good as would have been obtained after competition and the construction of this Tramway will be of great importance to Hongkong as a means of solving the difficulty of the congestion in the central portions of the City of Victoria.\n\n9.\n\nI have suggested to Colonel Boyle, who represented",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9].txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 381795,
        "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": "CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9]",
        "page_number": 508,
        "title": "CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9]",
        "content_text": "504\n\nIn Committee of the Legislative Council on the Bill the two amendments in red ink, which had been suggested by the Director of Public Works were adopted, as he pointed out that the expression \"a double line of tramway\" was used in clause 5 of the Bill, and that it was desirable that the language of the Bill should, so far as practicable, be uniform throughout.\n\nThe alteration effected by these two recommendations 4 and 5, is that the words which occur in the new subsection (4), as set out in recommendation 5, have been transferred from the end of subsection (2) of clause 19 into a separate subsection. The reason for the alteration was that it seemed to be desirable to bring into clearer prominence the fact that all alterations under section 19 were to be made under the \"superintendence of such Department, etc., etc.\"\n\nRecommendation 6.\n\n5.\n\nThis flows necessarily from recommendations 4 and Recommendation 9.\n\nIt was pointed out that, in cases of grave national emergency, it might be imperatively necessary to commandeer the Tramway for defensive purposes without giving \"three clear days notice\". Accordingly the words \"when practicable\" were added at the end of clause 42.\n\nRecommendations 10 and 12. These two recommendations as is pointed out by the Standing Law Committee in the last 10 lines of their Report were intended to stand or fall together.\n\nThe Law Committee, which included the two Chinese Members of the Council and comprised four Unofficial Members of Council, were unanimously of opinion that a maximum fare of 3 cents for the single journey was too high and that it was necessary, with a view to relieve the congested and insanitary condition of the City of Victoria and to induce Chinese workmen to live outside the City, to reduce the above maximum fare of 3 cents for the single journey to 2 cents for the single journey and 3 cents for the return journey for the classes mentioned in clause 49, namely, artisans, mechanics, and day labourers, if travelling on the Tramway earlier than 7 A.M. or later than 5:30 P.M.\n\nThe Law Committee also considered that the fixing of the maximum number of cars at two each way every morning and evening, as was done by the original clause 49 of the Bill, would have the effect of altogether nullifying the main object of the Tramways Concession, namely, the spreading out of the large working population of this Colony.\n\nAs showing how inadequate the original number of cars proposed, namely two, would be for the achievement of the above object, it may be mentioned that it is estimated that each car will hold only 40 to 50 persons.\n\nMr. Shewan of Messrs. Shewan, Tomes and Company, the representative of the Tramway Syndicate, protested to the Law Committee, before",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9].txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 381798,
        "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": "CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9]",
        "page_number": 511,
        "title": "CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9]",
        "content_text": "In Committee of the Legislative Council the Tramways Bill the \n\ntwo amendments in red ink, which had been suggested by the Director of Public Works were adopted, as he pointed out that the expression \"a double line of tramway\" was used in clause 5 of the Bill, and that it was desirable that the language of the Bill should, so far as practicable, be uniform \n\n507 throughout. \n\nThe alteration effected by these two recommendations— \n\nRecommendations 4 and 5. tions so that the words which occur in the new subsection (4), as set out in recommendation 5, have been transferred from the end of subsection (2) of clause 19 into a separate subsection. The reason for the alteration was that it was usual and desirable to bring into stronger prominence the fact that all alterations made under section 19 were to be made under the \"superintendence of \n\netc. such Department as..., \n\nRecommendation 5. \n\nThis follows necessarily from recommendation 4 and \n\nIt was pointed out that, in cases of grave national emergency, it might be imperatively necessary to commandeer the Tramway for defensive purposes without giving \"three clear days notice\". Accordingly the words \"when practicable\" were added at the end of clause 42, \n\nRecommendations 10 and 12. These two recommendations as is pointed out by the Standing Law Committee in the last 10 lines of their Report were intended to stand or fall together. \n\nThe Law Committee, which included the two Chinese Members of the Council and comprised four Unofficial Members of Council, were unanimously of opinion that a maximum fare of 3 cents for the single journey was too high and that it was necessary with a view to relieve the congested and insanitary condition of the City of Victoria and to induce working men to live outside the City, to reduce the above maximum fare of 3 cents for the single journey, to 2 cents for the single journey and 3 cents for the return journey for the classes mentioned in clause 49, namely, artisans, mechanics, and day labourers, if travelling on the Tramway earlier than 7:15 A.M. or later than 5:30 P.M. \n\nThe Law Committee also considered that the fixing of the maximum number of cars at two each way morning and evening, as was done by the original clause 19 of the Bill, would have the effect of altogether nullifying the main object of the Tramways Concession, namely, the spreading out of the large working population of this Colony. \n\nAs showing how inadequate the original number of maximum cars proposed, namely two, would be for the achievement of the above object, it may be mentioned that it is estimated that each car will hold only 49 to 50 persons. \n\nMr. Shewan of Messrs. Shewan, Tomes and Company the representative of the Tramway Syndicate, protested to the Law Committee, \n\nbefore",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9].txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 381871,
        "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": "CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9]",
        "page_number": 584,
        "title": "CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9]",
        "content_text": "MIL...\n\n**\n\n580\n\nMr. Dickenson asserted that such Telephone experts as Sir W. Preece and others consider that lines without a metallic return are imperfect, and argues that the expense of making the lines perfect should fall on the Telephone Company.\n\nMr. Harrison hands in copies of extracts from a discussion on the subject before the Institute of Electrical Engineers.\n\nMr. Dickenson points out that the observations quoted were made in 1898, and that since then the Home Government have sanctioned hundreds of miles of Tramway lines in Great Britain, under the ordinary Board of Trade Regulations, and nothing more, which it is wished by the Syndicate be advised to adopt.\n\nHe points out that the Corporations of Aberdeen, Glasgow, Halifax, Huddersfield, Hull, Liverpool, Plymouth, Southampton and others have adopted the system it is proposed by him to adopt here, knowing perfectly what risk, if any, of damage to pipes and telephone lines and telegraph lines (which were their own property) they were running.\n\nMr. Dickenson says that the adoption of a complete metallic circuit without ground connection for the Tramways is impossible.\n\nMr. Dickenson asks, if the Tramway Company agree to bear the expense of providing a complete metallic circuit on all Telephone lines, will those interested therein be satisfied. Mr. Tooker on behalf of Government would recommend that this be accepted, provided all future lines also were to be so doubled. Mr. Harrison says, Yes, provided it applied to all present and future lines and that his Directors agree.\n\nMajor Mould, R.E. says he agrees, but points out that he is present quite unofficially and only gives his personal opinion.\n\nMr. Dickenson strongly holds that the existing Board of Trade regulations provide fully against Electrolysis; the destruction and eating up of gas and water pipes, etc., and asserts that there is not an instance where under these regulations damage to such have occurred.\n\nMarch 8th, 1901.\n\n(Sgd.) R. S. Ormsby,\n\nD. P. W.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9].txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 386853,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902",
        "page_number": 308,
        "title": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902",
        "content_text": "## Acting Consul-General Scott to the Marquess of Lansdowne\n\n### No. 2\n\nCanton, March 13, 1902\n\n**Concession on terms exactly similar to those of the Canton-Hankow Syndicate; and that railway questions were under the control of Sheng-kung Pao, through whom negotiations could alone be possible.** As regards the tramway scheme for Hainan, M. Beau said that Chinese capitalists were largely interested; and when urged to grant the Concession on their account, the Governor suggested that the chief capitalists, being Chinese subjects, should apply to their own authorities.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) JAMES SCOTT.\n\n### 3\n\nThey declare that there is no combined movement or organized rebellion - only bands of marauding soldiers. The Viceroy, however, is making an earnest effort to suppress the disturbances, and for this purpose has dispatched some 2,000 trained troops from Canton to Kwangsi via Pakhoi and Nanning.\n\nIn accordance with your instructions of the 22nd instant, I have duly reported to His Majesty's Secretary of State, to whom I am now forwarding a copy of this despatch.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) JAMES SCOTT.\n\n## No. 2. Acting Consul-General Scott to the Marquess of Lansdowne\n\n### (No. 27.)\n\nMy Lord,\n\nCanton, March 27, 1902.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose herewith, for your Lordship's information, copy of despatch `No. 27`, with inclosures, to His Majesty's Minister in Peking reporting on the disturbances in the Province of Kwangsi.\n\n(Signed) JAMES SCOTT.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 2. Acting Consul-General Scott to Sir E. Satow\n\nCanton, March 25, 1902.\n\nWITH reference to the disturbances in Kwangsi, I beg to report that the French Consul informs me that about a month ago two French officials were attacked while travelling in the interior near the Tonquin frontier; one was killed on the spot and the other succumbed to his wounds soon afterwards.\n\nI beg to inclose two extracts from the local press quoting Imperial Edicts having reference to this affair, from the latter of which it will be seen that the provincial authorities claim to be exempt from all responsibility in respect to this attack, which they declare to have been committed by brigands in Tonquin territory.\n\nM. Hardouin, the French Consul, further informs me that for some time past his authorities in Tonquin had been apprehensive regarding the situation on their frontier. They had learned that the Chinese Government meditated the removal of Marshal Sou from supreme command in Kwangsi; and urgent representations had been made by the French Legation in Peking against such a step as fraught with danger to peace on the borders. These representations, M. Hardouin states, were at the time met with a rebuff, to which the French Minister made answer holding the Chinese Government responsible for any troubles that might arise and their consequences.\n\nSince the outbreak of the present disturbances, and at last in deference to the French demands, Marshal Sou has been ordered to return to his post in Kwangsi. He reached Nanning on the 12th instant.\n\nAccording to the French Consul, the present disturbances are due, not to any misconduct by Marshal Sou such as the Chinese allege, but solely to the refusal of his successor to continue the services and pay of many troops hitherto employed. Men were disbanded, and, left without money or other resources, they took to plunder, and have overrun Kwangsi Province to the west of Nanning.\n\nI beg to inclose newspaper extract giving further particulars concerning these disturbances which have come under the cognizance of an American missionary in Nanning. As regards the French priests in that city, they have declined to leave; and the French Consul has furnished them with rifles and ammunition for their protection. Nanning is not considered in danger; and according to information received by me from His Majesty's Consul at Wuchow, dated the 21st instant, the transit trade along the West River and to Nanning continues as usual and without interruption. At Wuchow and neighbourhood everything remains quiet.\n\nApart from possible complications with the French authorities in Tonquin, and especially in connection with the deaths of these two officials, the Provincial Government does not consider the rising to be serious.\n\n### Inclosure 2 in No. 2. Newspaper Extract\n\nTHE following Imperial Edict was issued on the 12th instant, with reference to the murder of a French officer by Chinese on the Tonquin frontier, reported by us a few days ago:--\n\n\"Decree expressing regret and indignation at the receipt of Memorial from Ting Chên-to, Governor of Kwangsi, reporting the murder by disbanded soldiery of a foreign official on the borders of the district of Lungchou, who was at the time leaving a cotton-weaving mill and crossing the river, bound for a place called Yüehch'ih. Governor is commanded to find out who were the guilty civil and military officers who failed to protect the foreigner, as they are to be cashiered and dismissed the service at once. Marshal Sou is to proceed to Kwangsi from Kwangtung immediately to take command of the forces operating against the rebels; at the same time Viceroy Tao Mu, of the Two Kwang; Governor Ting Chên-to, of Kwangsi, and Marshal Sou are specially commanded to use every effort in properly protecting all foreigners, missionaries, and mission property within their several jurisdictions, and that if any more murders of foreigners or destruction of foreign property take place, the said high officials are to be held responsible. The rebellion in question must also be forthwith suppressed by vigorous measures.\"\n\n## No. 3. Acting Consul-General Scott to the Marquess of Lansdowne\n\n### (No. 28. Confidential.)\n\nMy Lord,\n\nCanton, March 27, 1902.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose herewith copy of my despatch to His Majesty's Minister in Peking, `No. 28`, with inclosures, relative to French railway claims in the two Kuang Provinces.\n\n(Signed) JAMES SCOTT.\n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 3. Acting Consul-General Scott to Sir E. Satow\n\n#### (No. 28. Confidential.)\n\nCanton, March 25, 1902.\n\nWITH further reference to French railway claims in Kuang-tung and Kwangsi, and to my despatches `No. 9` of the 4th February and `No. 19` of the 4th March, I have now the honour to inclose précis translation of a communication, copy of which has reached me indirectly, from the Viceroy to the French Consul.\n\nFrom this despatch it will be seen that the French Consul has been requested by the Viceroy to instruct the Franco-Belgian Syndicate to enter into negotiations with his Excellency Shêng for the Concession which they wish to obtain (indeed, they consider it has already been granted to them) for a railway from Samshui to Wuchow, on the same conditions as those sanctioned for the Yueh-han (Canton-Hankow) and Lu-han Railways.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 429854,
        "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": "CO129-374 - Public Offices & Others - 1910",
        "page_number": 46,
        "title": "CO129-374 - Public Offices & Others - 1910",
        "content_text": "I think it will be this. He told me why he had said join 3260 44 Sir Sterry Blake called and told me that he had her asked to become Chairman of J's Syndicate which is being formed.\n\nPescio, a certain Cavalier who formerly held a similar Italian Consular position in Hong Kong, district round Aberdeen, has put forward a scheme to develop the Park on the island. It is a tramway - the bills from Fung Shui through the district into the centre of the Victoria.\n\nIt is obvious. Blake pointed out to Sir H. that such a proposal for a tunnel must be examined with the greatest care in its relation to the military defences. The forts are arranged with a view of existing ... a tunnel\n\n \nPage 363\n\nPage 363\n\nPage 363\n\n...\n\nPage 364\n\nPage 364\n\nPage 364",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-374 - Public Offices & Others - 1910.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 479009,
        "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": "CO129-452 - Others & Individuals - 1918",
        "page_number": 474,
        "title": "CO129-452 - Others & Individuals - 1918",
        "content_text": "# TION SHEET No. 2\n\n**THE N.E.C. CO., LTD.**\n\n20th June 1918.\n\nTo E. T. Williams, Esq.\n\n469\n\nAct of Parliament were obtained.\n\nAbout the middle of 1914, I formed a Company called the Electrical Finance & Securities Co., with a capital of £50,000. The necessary capital was raised within a fortnight without paying one penny commission. The Company subsequently took over the Share Capital in the Foots Cray and Northwood Electric Light & Power Undertakings, and at the same time installed an electrical installation for Light in, and Power at Pinner. This latter installation, by the way, has cost £15,000 to date.\n\nIn connection with the Tramway Undertakings I have referred to, I had to satisfy Parliament that we were able to provide the necessary capital, and thus I never had any difficulty in doing.\n\nPrior to the outbreak of War, I negotiated and secured the concession for Tramways and Lighting in Bagdad. I had no difficulty in raising the capital necessary to comply with the terms of the concession and a month or two prior to the outbreak of War, a Turkish Company was formed, also to comply with the terms of the concession, the Shares of which are held by the Bagdad Tramways and Electric Lighting Syndicate, the Syndicate which I formed to deal with the business. Our Engineering staff had just completed the surveys in Bagdad when the War broke out, and therefore no actual construction work had been started.\n\nI should be happy to submit to the Government a list of financial houses which have provided capital on my representations, and I think that after perusal of the same, the Government will be satisfied that the concession is in good hands.\n\nI suggest for your consideration that an application be made to amend the concession, so that the construction is to be commenced within 12 months after Peace has been declared.\n\nThat is a reasonable concession under the circumstances.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-452 - Others & Individuals - 1918.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 490233,
        "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": 724,
        "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921",
        "content_text": "# \n16 \n\nBesides cotton mills, the Chinese in Shanghai own two important shipbuilding dockyards, the Kiangnan Dock and Engineering Works and the Nicholas Tsu Engineering and Shipbuilding Works.* They also have fifty-six silk filatures, fourteen flour mills, eleven larger and thirty smaller rice mills, five oil mills, two woollen factories, paper mills, match factories, cigarette factories, a canned goods factory, and a saw mill.\n\nThe Japanese, besides their cotton mills, have a flour mill, a paper mill, and an oil mill; and the principal Japanese tobacco company is going to establish a factory shortly to compete with the British-American interests.\n\nAmerican companies have three albumen factories, and a soap and candle works. The China Lamp Company, which has a factory for electric light bulbs, is half Japanese and half American. The China Electric Company, which manufactures telephone apparatus, has Chinese, Japanese, and American capital interested. The German brewery is now Norwegian; and there was a German soap and candle works.\n\n## 3. Hankow\n\n| Company/Factory | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| British Cigarette Company | Cigarette factory |\n| Hankow Light and Power Company | Electric light works |\n| Pao Tai Soap Factory | Soap factory |\n| Liddell Brothers and Co. | Wool-cleaning and press-packing factory |\n| Mackenzie and Co. | Wool-cleaning and press-packing factory |\n| International Export Company | Cold storage and albumen factory |\n| Hankow Ice Works | Ice factory |\n| Hankow Motor and Engineering Company | Motor car and carriage factory |\n| Hankow Dispensary (Limited) | Aerated water factory |\n| Wilson and Co. | Aerated water factory |\n\nThe Yangtsze Engineering Works (shipbuilding and engineering), one of the leading concerns of its kind in China, is a British company under Chinese management.\n\nExcept for connection with this last important business, British industrial interests are not so well represented in this second great manufacturing centre of China; and up to the war, German interests were very conspicuous here. The Germans have, or had, two antimony smelting works, a brick and tile works, an engine and ironworks, a small electric light plant, a saw mill, and five albumen factories. The Russians have five tea factories and an antimony smelting works. The French have an albumen factory, a distillery, and a carriage factory. The Belgians have an albumen factory. The Americans have a candle factory (belonging to the `Standard Oil Company`), an albumen factory, and a wool-cleaning and press-packing factory. The Japanese have a wool-cleaning and press-packing factory, an electric light plant, and an oil mill.\n\nThe Japanese have also, through loans and through the 1915 treaty with China, acquired a preponderant interest in the great undertakings of the Hanyehping Company, which is the overshadowing industrial concern of Hankow. These include the Tayeh iron mines and the Pinghsiang collieries, besides the Hanyang iron and steel works, the Hanyang crucible steel factory, and the new industrial city at Wang Shih Kang, which is to provide for the expansion of the blast furnaces and other work. The company is under contract to supply the Japanese Government iron-works with 600,000 tons iron-ore and 200,000 tons pig-iron per annum.\n\nBut the principal contributors to the industrial progress of the city are the Chinese themselves. Besides the Hanyehping, they own the Hanyang arsenal and the Government antimony smelting works, three engineering works (including the Yangtsze Engineering Works), the Government mint, the Government powder factory, the Hupeh Government wool factory, three cotton mills, six flour mills, one silk filature, ten oil mills, two railway works, two brick and tile works, four candle factories, one cement works, five albumen factories, five electric light plants, one glass factory, two match factories, one nail and needle factory, one China glass and jute mill, two paper mills, five soap factories, two saw mills, one tannery, one tea factory, and one waterworks. A Chinese concern intends shortly to erect one of the largest cotton mills in China at Wuchang.\n\n* These works are now under French control.\n\n+ In 1921 His Majesty's Commercial Counsellor writes (`Peking despatch No. 352 of the 25th June, 1921`) \"The development of Hankow since I left the port five years ago is quite remarkable and I think it may safely be placed second to Shanghai as the most important centre of British interests in China.\"\n\n## 4. Tientsin\n\n17\n\n| Company/Factory | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| Kailan Mining Administration | Coal mines, bricks, pipes, tiles, &c., iron-mining concessions, and iron and steel works (projected) |\n| Fu-Chung Corporation | Selling agents for `Peking Syndicate Collieries` |\n| Taku Tug and Lighter Company | Dockyards, shipbuilding, &c. |\n| Tientsin Lighter Company | Dockyards, shipbuilding, &c. |\n| Eastern Engineering Works | Central heating, plumbing, and artesian well boring |\n| Adair, Graham and Co. | Central heating, sanitary engineers, and plumbers |\n| Yang Tsun Brickworks | Brickworks |\n| Tientsin Gas and Electric Light Company | Gas and electric light works |\n| Tientsin Waterworks Company (Limited) | Waterworks |\n| Tientsin Native City Waterworks Company (Limited) | Waterworks |\n| Liddell Brothers and Co. | Wool-cleaning and press-packing factory |\n| Mackenzie and Co. | Wool-cleaning and press-packing factory |\n| Jardine, Matheson and Co. | Wool-cleaning and press-packing factory |\n| William Forbes and Co. | Wool-cleaning and press-packing factory |\n| Collins and Co. | Wool-cleaning and press-packing factory |\n| Wilson and Co. | Wool-cleaning and press-packing factory |\n| Hall and Holtz | Furniture factory |\n| Sims and Co. | Furniture factory |\n| Crystal (Limited) | Aerated water factory |\n| A. Mackie and Co. | Aerated water factory |\n| Sparklis Aerated Water Factory (Limited) | Aerated water factory |\n| White Star Aerated Water Factory | Aerated water factory |\n| Tientsin Press (Limited) | Printing works |\n| North China Printing and Publishing Company | Printing works |\n| Ching Tsin Tai Wo Shih Pao | Printing works |\n\nOf foreign establishments in Tientsin, the Germans have, or had, three tobacco factories, four wool-cleaning and press-packing factories, and two printing works. The Belgians operate the tramway and the electric light in the French and Japanese concessions, and they also have a brickworks. The Italians have an oil mill and a cement works. The French have an engineering works, a brick and tile works, an albumen factory, and a soap factory. The Russians have a cold storage, meat-packing, and albumen factory, and a soap factory. The Americans have a candle factory (`Standard Oil Company`), a flour mill, and a new cold storage, meat-packing, and albumen factory. The Japanese have an ironworks (`Mitsui and Co.`), a cigarette factory, a tannery, an oil mill, a flour mill, two glass factories, and three printing works (English, Japanese, and Chinese).\n\nChinese undertakings in and round Tientsin include the Government mint, the Government arsenals at Techow and Taiyuanfu, the workshops connected with the Peking-Mukden railway and the Peking-Hankow railway, the Government woollen cloth factory, six large cotton mills, the Tientsin spinning factory, a cement works, two match factories, a tannery, a leather factory, a tobacco factory, a soap and candle factory, and a brewery.\n\nWe find, therefore, in the four great centres of modern industry in China-\n\n1. At Hong Kong, British interests hold almost a monopoly.\n2. At Shanghai, they are very extensive, especially in engineering and cotton-spinning.\n3. At Hankow, they are very considerable.\n4. At Tientsin, they preponderate over any other Power except the Chinese themselves.\n\nThe following is a list of British concerns in other Chinese cities:-\n\n| City | Company/Factory | Description |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Canton | A. S. Watson and Co. | Aerated water factory |\n| Kiukiang | Duff's Dairy Farm | Canning, dairy produce, curing of hams and bacon |\n| Amoy | A. S. Watson and Co. | Aerated water factory |\n| Amoy | New Amoy Dock Company | Ships' repairs |\n\nPage 722",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 495702,
        "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": "CO129-481 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1923 [8-12]",
        "page_number": 368,
        "title": "CO129-481 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1923 [8-12]",
        "content_text": "# Improving and extending communications\n\nEfficient transport service and cheap fares,\n\nBritish residents on middle levels of Island.\n\nPeak Tramway.\n\n## Sub-Head (2)—Improvement and Extension of Communications with Outlying Districts.\n\n* 19. As steps towards the opening up of undeveloped areas, in order to increase housing accommodation, and to ease the congestion in the crowded parts of the City, we recommend that prompt action be taken by the Government—\n\n(1) To speed up the completion of the road from Wongneichung Gap to Repulse Bay, which will halve the distance from the City of Victoria to Repulse Bay, and will also open up good building sites between Wongneichung Gap and Repulse Bay.\n\n(2) To push on with the projected motor-roads in the Kowloon Peninsula.\n\n(3) To construct as soon as possible a tramway from Stone Nullah Lane to Wanchai Gap in order to open up the Mount Cameron district which, we understand, will provide sites for some separate houses. These sites should be marked out on a plan which should be published by the Public Works Department. (This neighbourhood cannot, in our opinion, be adequately developed by motor traffic, because—\n\n(a) Many residents have not sufficient means to enable them to keep motor cars;\n\n(b) Motor traffic cannot (to quote the words of H.E. the Governor at page 137 of the Hongkong Hansard for 1921 with reference to this Wanchai Gap Tramway) supply the \"necessary cheap and rapid transit at regular intervals to a central point\", besides being liable to stoppage in heavy rains; and\n\n(c) Such a tramway will tend to relieve the Peak Tramway.\n\n(4) To provide tram-services in Kowloon and its foothills.\n\n(5) To encourage the extension and improvement of motor-bus services in Hongkong, Kowloon and the New Territories.\n\n(6) To provide improved ferry-services to both sides of the Kowloon Peninsula, and to Cheungchau.\n\n(7) To arrange, if possible, for a reduction of ferry-fares. If existing ferry companies cannot be induced to reduce their charges, reduction of fares should be made a condition for the renewal of current concessions, or for the grant of new concessions.\n\n* 20. In connection with the improvement and extension of the tram, ferry and motor-bus services, we think that the Government should aim at efficiency and cheap service rather than at raising revenue.\n\n21. As regards recommendation (3) in paragraph 19, the Commissioners see a state of affairs rapidly approaching on the middle levels of Hongkong Island, which is of a serious character from the point of view of diminishing accommodation available for British residents. 'Kingsclere' has recently been purchased by a Chinese syndicate with the result that some 50 to 60 British residents will shortly be rendered homeless. It seems likely, too, that other boarding-houses in the neighbourhood of \"Kingsclere\", which are occupied mainly by British guests, will, when the Rents Ordinance lapses, cease to exist. Under these circumstances the obvious remedy is to look for outlets for building on the higher levels; and the Mount Cameron district, when opened up as suggested in paragraph 19, will be a suitable place for the purpose.\n\n* 22. Whilst we wish to congratulate the Peak Tramway Company upon the relief to the Peak traffic afforded by the recent inauguration of several non-stop trams, we would recommend, in the interests of the dwellers on the middle levels, that the question be thoroughly investigated by the Government of the practicability of serving the Bowen and May Road levels by two different (covered-in) sections of moving platforms or staircases, one from the bottom Tram Station or thereabouts to Bowen Road, and the other from Bowen Road to May Road.\n\n## Sub-Head (3)—Encouragement of Building, and Government Facilities.\n\n23. In addition to the suggestions under the head 'Decreasing the Cost of Housing Accommodation' (see paragraphs 66 to 107), we make the following recommendations.\n\n* 24. The evidence before us (see paragraph 5) shows that further building labour cannot be attracted to this Colony, unless provision is made for housing such labourers at a moderate rental; and accordingly it is of paramount importance to secure the cheap housing of workmen engaged in the building trades. We, therefore, recommend that the Government should afford assistance to house Chinese workmen engaged in the building trades by—\n\n(1) Granting land cheap to persons on condition that they build tenement-houses ready for occupation by workmen engaged in the building trades, within a period of 6 months or the shortest period practicable.\n\n(2) Allowing to building contractors facilities for more workmen's matsheds near the building works on which they are engaged.\n\n(3) Allowing workmen to live on the ground-floors of Chinese tenement-houses which they are erecting, when the second-floor is being built, and so on (see Mr. White's evidence at page 2 in Enclosure 8(3)).\n\n* 25. We also recommend that the Government build, in various districts, and rent out at cheap rents, houses for the occupation of Chinese workmen engaged in the building trades. From the answers which we have received to question I(6) in our circular letter of the 9th April, 1923, (Enclosure 1), there seems to be little doubt that, if only sufficient accommodation were provided for labourers in the building trades at reasonable rents, a sufficient supply of skilled labourers for building would be willing to come into the Colony. On this point the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce say, in their letter (39) in Enclosure 1: \"There is no scarcity of skilled labourers, and procuration of more such is not difficult, but the labourers in the interior of China would always hesitate before coming to Hongkong, considering the high rent and the high cost of living here.\" Later on in the same letter the Chamber state: \"This Chamber is strongly of the opinion that the Government should be urged to build two or three hundred houses in each of the following districts, namely, Causeway Bay, Kennedy Town, Yaunati and Mongkoktsui, etc.; and also extend the tramlines so as to make them easily accessible. The Government could build these houses at a cost of $4,000 to $5,000 each, reckoning on a 5% or 6% return, each house could be let at $20 to $30 a month. Thus the middle class and the working class inhabitants in the Colony will be rescued from the hardship of paying high and excessive rent, and simultaneously the rent in the whole Colony will be restored to its normal condition. My Committee cannot too strongly emphasize the fact that this would be the only solution of the problem, and beg of their views being represented to the Government.\n\nThis view is shared by the firm of contractors Messrs. Wing Lee & Co. in their letter (35) in Enclosure 1; by contractor Chan Sing in his letter (29); by contractor Lan Woo in his letter (14); and by the Kowloon Residents' Association in their letter (41), in the same enclosure. See, too, Mr. White's evidence at page 12 in Enclosure 8(3).\n\nPage 361",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-481 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1923 [8-12].txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 501712,
        "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": 739,
        "title": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "content_text": "IMPROVEMENT AT HONG KONG.\n\nFEARS OF GOVERNMENT WEAKNESS.\n\n(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)\n\nHONG-KONG, JULY 1. The situation here is steadily improving. There have been no fresh strikes. The tramway service is being extended. More foreign volunteers are lending their aid. The Naval men are handing over the ferries to men of the Mercantile Marine whose ships are laid up.\n\nCanton has been cutting off supplies of vegetables for Hong-kong, but the food situation is generally satisfactory. Agitation and intimidation are still in evidence and a pork seller has been murdered and another injured, but there have been no other cases of violence.\n\nForeign opinion is becoming anxious lest the Government should weaken and allow the strike to end indecisively, a state of things which would probably leave the way open to similar boycotts in the future. Another point which weighs with unofficial opinion is that the Government has not carried out the intention with which it was credited to deport strikers and prevent them from profiting by orderly conditions which the Government has maintained. The Government appears to think that the entire local trouble is due to intimidation from Canton from which the workers should be protected, whereas unofficial opinion contends that the Hong-kong workers are deeply implicated and that intimidation is not so great a factor as the Government believes.\n\nCanton and other ports are quiet. The big demonstration which was held yesterday at Canton carefully avoided Shameen. Canton officials are reported to be actively organizing a boycott of British and Japanese goods.\n\nTERRORISM AT SHANGHAI.\n\nBOLSHEVIST AGENT'S ACTIVITIES.\n\n(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)\n\nSHANGHAI, JULY 1.\n\nOsermin, the Bolshevist Consul here, in an interview in the China Press (an American daily newspaper), indignantly denounces the document found on the Bolshevist agent Dosser as a palpable forgery deliberately invented by the police and inserted in Dosser's belongings. Osermin declares that there is no such thing in China as an Agitation Department and says that Dosser is merely the agent of a naphtha syndicate. If so it is curious that he so easily found money for $20,000 (over £3,000) bail.\n\nDosser comes up again for trial on Friday, when important revelations are expected. Further examination by the police of Dosser's papers leaves no doubt of his quality as a Bolshevist agent and the extent of Bolshevist plottings in China.\n\nWhile Shanghai is outwardly quiet the strike is as tenacious as ever. The shipping situation is becoming very serious. There are now 45 British vessels laid up, not including launches and tenders. French vessels are discharging at Chinese wharves, but the coolies are afraid to touch British and Japanese cargo.\n\nThe first sign of possible retaliation was a notice to-day by the Electricity Department to the bulk of the consumers saying that, owing to the strike, it may become necessary to cut off the supply. This means that if the British and Japanese mills are not allowed to work neither shall the Chinese, which at present are fully employed. There is a growing feeling among the more responsible foreigners that unless the Powers act drastically there will be no end to the strike. Such action, it is urged, should take the form of a blockade of Canton and Shanghai.\n\nPage 729\n\nFOREIGN RIGHTS IN CHINA.\n\nAMERICAN ATTITUDE.\n\nEXTRA-TERRITORIAL QUESTION.\n\n(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)\n\nWASHINGTON, JULY 1. There has been a further conversation between Mr. Kellogg, the Secretary of State, and Mr. Sze, the Chinese Minister, and, though no hint has yet been given of the suggestions Mr. Sze is understood to have made, the general policy of the United States does not, for the present, seem to have advanced beyond a desire that Resolution V. of the Washington Conference, providing for the study of the question of extra-territoriality, shall be given effect as quickly as possible, and the intention to urge this upon the other Powers. I am given to understand that the recent conversations in London have shown that the British Government is in general accord with this attitude.\n\nAs I have already pointed out, action under Resolution V. would have been taken within the time specified if the Chinese authorities themselves had not requested a postponement for a year and the Powers acceded to this request, though in the case of France there was a refusal to accept a definite date. As matters now stand, however, the United States Government sees no reason for further delay.\n\nThere is, of course, no assumption in the American official mind that we are yet within reaching distance of abrogation of extraterritoriality, but in responsible quarters it is unhesitatingly admitted that the course of policy should and will be towards ultimate abandonment of these special privileges. Resolution V. calls for a gathering of the representatives of the Powers, who, after examination of the question, shall report to their respective Governments, and the sort of report which would be likely to find favour in American eyes can already be predicted with reasonable certainty. It would call for the codification of the law to be administered within the Chinese boundaries as the first step and then for an agreement that this code and not the varying systems of foreign Powers should be administered, whether by foreign officials having jurisdiction over their own nationals or by Mixed Tribunals or by Chinese Judges. The gradual transfer of judicial authority to China might thus be contrived through a period of transition and with the minimum of danger to the unquestionable rights of foreign residents. This is not to say that the United States Government is already committed to a plan of this definite kind, but it is unquestionably some such cautious development that is hoped for. The process of study and change would admittedly be a slow one, and hence likely to arouse the violent opposition of the more hot-headed Chinese agitators. This notwithstanding, it is the most that can at present be hoped for and, whatever Senator Borah or sentimentalists in America may say, seems to be all that would find genuine support in this country.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 521471,
        "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": "CO129-520-7 Public Utility companies- acquisition by foreign groups 4-12-1929 - 26-1-1930",
        "page_number": 166,
        "title": "CO129-520-7 Public Utility companies- acquisition by foreign groups 4-12-1929 - 26-1-1930",
        "content_text": "No\n\nSECRET:\n\n6 JAN 1930\n\nCOPIES OFF!\n\n/190\n\nGOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONG KONG\n\n4th December, 1929.\n\nMy Lord,\n\nI have the honour to report that this Colony has received a visit from the representatives of the American Syndicate who recently purchased the Shanghai Municipal Electricity Undertaking at the very high figure of $80,000,000.\n\nCopy Transport Agency\n\nIt is understood that these gentlemen inspected the two electric power stations of this Colony, one of which supplies the power for the low-level tramway system on the island as well as for the Peak Tramway, and there are rumours that they are considering the purchase of these undertakings.\n\nHon 51506/28 Genl & 61290/29 Genl.\n\n2. A proposal of a similar nature with regard to the Hong Kong Telephone Company is dealt with in Mr. Amery's confidential despatch of the 10th of January, 1929, and my reply dated the 23rd of March, 1929.\n\n3. This Government naturally views the possible\n\nTHE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD PASSFIELD,\n\n&c., &c., &c.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-520-7 Public Utility companies- acquisition by foreign groups 4-12-1929 - 26-1-1930.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 549387,
        "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": 30,
        "title": "CO129-555-1 Hong Kong Tramways Ltd.- petition 10-7-1935 - 4-10-1935",
        "content_text": "30\n\n4\n\nLicensee which disclosed the remarkable fact that Government had no objection to your Petitioner's acquisition by private treaty of those rights it had consistently refused. These negotiations proved abortive as the enhanced capitalisation terms demanded were considered to be neither reasonable nor economic.\n\n21. The next development was the creation in 1931 of a Traffic Committee under the Chairmanship of the then Secretary for Chinese Affairs, the Hon. Mr. E. R. Hallifax, C.M.G. Notice that this Committee had been set up was conveyed by Mr. Hallifax's letter of 13th July, 1931, to your Petitioner's Chairman (see Appendix \"F\").\n\n22. This Committee was of an internal nature. Its findings were not made public and have never been available to your Petitioner.\n\n23. However, it was apparently decided to put up to public tender all motor bus transportation rights within the Colony. By Government Notification No. S. 319 of 2nd September, 1932, (see Appendix \"G\" hereof) such tender—upon due notice of cancellation of all existing licences for the exclusive right to operate specified Motor Bus services, either for the whole of the Colony or, separately, as to the Island of Hong Kong and as to Kowloon on the mainland, were called for.\n\n24. Your Petitioner is only concerned with the Island of Hong Kong. Tenders were to take the form of a Royalty to Government based upon a percentage of gross receipts.\n\n25. Your Petitioner had then to overcome grave objections, founded upon accepted views and practice, to what it considered to be the unsound principle of tendering a Royalty based upon gross receipts. Your Petitioner feels confident that this view would obtain the support of all recognised authoritative opinion including that of the Ministry of Transport. However, the position was such that it had no alternative, without fatally prejudicing its prospects of any further participation in the field of motor-bus operation, but to submit such a tender. Despite its convictions, therefore, your Petitioner did submit an offer in the strict terms of the invitation.\n\n26. Monopoly rights were awarded as to Hong Kong and Kowloon respectively to the tenderers offering, it is believed, the highest rate of Royalty.\n\n27. Although your Petitioner offered by way of Royalty the high figure of 12% of the gross receipts that tender was rejected in favour of a private syndicate (whose previous operations had been confined to motor bus services in Kowloon) which immediately incorporated itself upon joint stock lines under the Companies Ordinances and remains, as heretofore, entirely Chinese owned, controlled, managed, operated and staffed.\n\n28. Your Petitioner's solicitors have been favoured by Government with a copy (which is reproduced as Appendix \"H\") of the actual licence issued to the successful tenderer for the Island of Hong Kong. It is there shown that its royalty offer was one of 14% rising—on a basis of volume of annual receipts—to 17%.\n\n29. Your Petitioner formulated its own tender on the fair interpretation that second class (5 cents) fares—where specifically omitted in Schedule \"B\" of the invitation to tender—were so excluded, and purposely excluded, in accordance with the Government's policy, in respect of those particular routes, hitherto enforced.\n\n5\n\n―\n\n30. It was your Petitioner's considered conclusion that on the strict interpretation of the terms and conditions laid down the successful tenderer could not maintain such a high rate of royalty and would be compelled to resort to appeal for relief.\n\n31. The Government, however, took the risk of proceeding with the experiment with results which have inevitably led up to the third stage, the stage at which your Petitioner is reluctantly compelled to memorialise you and take that action which it deeply and sincerely regrets was not taken at the commencement of this cycle of events originating in 1928.\n\n32. The successful tenderer—now The China Motor Bus Co., Ltd.—actually commenced operations on 11th June, 1933, after the obligatory acquisition (at an agreed price) of the vehicles belonging to the previous licensees, namely, The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels, Ltd., The Aberdeen Kai Fong Motor Bus Co., Ltd., (formerly operating certain outlying country services) and your Petitioner.\n\n33. The China Motor Bus Co., Ltd., proceeded to carry out its services under the conditions as to fares, routes and, generally, in accordance with the actual provisions laid down in Notification No. S. 319 and an important factor in its favour has been the steady, and recently considerable, improvement in the HK$ £ Exchange which has had the effect of lowering petrol and maintenance costs. There can be no doubt whatever that this factor has unexpectedly—though very materially—aided the experiment which Government took with the passenger transportation system of the Colony.\n\n34. However, after operating for about four months only the new licensee made its first application to Government (which is closely referred to later) for sanction to extend its routes. One proposal was to extend a bus route to your Petitioner's most easterly terminus. This would have brought the whole of the tramway area within the ambit of motor bus competition.\n\n35. It is not possible for your Petitioner accurately to assess the financial position of The China Motor Bus Co., Ltd., to-day, but from a perusal of the Report and Statement of Accounts submitted at the first annual general meeting of that Company held on 27th October, 1934, it is possible to realise the financial position at that date. Having disbursed by way of dividend the whole of its profits (earned to the date of those accounts) the Motor Bus Company were clearly faced with serious misgivings when viewing the financial outlook. It was, therefore, necessary to attempt to obtain concessions from Government if it were to fulfil its obligations, carry out its contract and contemplate renewal of its already much used and deteriorated rolling stock, most of which is now nearly seven years old (see para. 32).\n\n36. Your Petitioner refrains from further comment but earnestly refers you to Appendix \"J\" reproducing a certified translation of this Report and Statement of Accounts.\n\n37. The contents of that Appendix substantiates the view your Petitioner has always held, namely, that The China Motor Bus Co., Ltd., in formulating its tender embarked upon a gamble in the hope of being able to extract concessions from Government later in case of need. Such a situation has apparently arisen and the Motor-Bus licensee has obtained—to a substantial extent the relief upon which it gambled.\n\n38. The China Motor Bus Co., Ltd., by the terms of the call to tender (Notification No. S.319 of 2nd September, 1932, which constitutes the basis of its licence) entered into well defined commitments generally, and, particularly, as to specified\n\n31\n\nPage 30\n\nPage 31",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-555-1 Hong Kong Tramways Ltd.- petition 10-7-1935 - 4-10-1935.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    }
]