1909-07-02 — Page 3

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL

A meeting of the Hongkong Legislative Council was held yesterday in the Council

Chamber.

The following were present:-- HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIB LUGARD, FREDERICK JOHN DEALTRY K.C.M.G., C.E., D.SO.

Hon. Mr. A. M. THOMSON (Acting Colonia?

Secretary)

Bir HENRY torney-General

BERKELEY, K.C. (Acting At-

Hon. Mr. C.MI. Messi (Colonial Troomrer), Hou. Mr. P. N. II. Jones (Acting Director of Public Works).

Hon. Mr. A. W. BREWIN (Registrar General) Hou. Mr. F. J. BADELEY (Cpt. Superinten- dent of Policol

Hon. Dr. Ho KAI, K.C., C.MG.

Hon. Mr. E. A. HEWETT.

Hon. Mr. E. OSBORNE,

Hon. Mr. W. J. GRESSON

Hon. Mr. MURRAY STEWART,

Hon. Mr. WEI YUK, C.M.O.

Mr. C. LEMENTI (Clerk of Councils).

MINUTES.

The minates of the list meeting were read and confirmedil.

FINANCIAL MINUTES,

The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table Financial Minuto No. 29, and moved that it be referris to the Finance Committee.

The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

FINANCIAL.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the report of the Finance Committes (No. 8) and moved its adoption.

The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to:

·

PAPERS.

-

Hon. Mr. GRESSONI understand your -amendment is that it must be paid within one

mouth

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-Yes.

Hon. Dr. Ho Kar-But the amount is not, alwayy ascertainable at the oxpiration of mentă.

13

Hoa. Mr. HEWETI-The Jardins estate wus

i

a very large and complicated one, but even in the case of an ordinary man it could not The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-What time do Possibly be arranged under five or six months, you suggest six months!

Hon. Mr. HEWETT-I think that should be

the minimum,

HIS EXCELLENCY-Six months for estates up to a certain amount.

Hon. Mr. HxWETT-I don't think it would work on those lines. It might take just as long to square up un estate of ten thousand pounds se it would to square up an estate of two

millions.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I will accept six

mogths.

Hoa. Dr. Họ KA-F take it you did not want any undue delay?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL--That was object.

Hon. Mr. HEWETT-Your interest of eight per cunt. is suficient not to encourage people to unduly delay.

The Committee decided that the poried should be tired at six months.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved that the following word; 'bo added to clanse 4: "This Ordinance shall come inte operation on the 1st day of January, 1910," so as to allow amplo time to give notice to everybody likely to b affected thereby.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, JULY 2nd, 1909.

HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS,

The report of Major-General Broadwood, C.B., Oficer Continending the Troops in South Chine, on the Hongkong Volunteer Carps for the year 1908-09, is as follows:

Mounted Troop: A great deal of good work has been done in gaining knowledge of the surrounding country and in general exercise in

all the

THE POST OFFICE.

POSTMASTER-GENERAL'S ANNUAL Kefort,

The annual report on the Post Office Depart- ment, by Mr. C. Mol. Messor, Postamaster General, for the year 1908, was laid on the table at the Legislative Council meeting yesterday afternoon. The Postmaster-General reports as

under--*..

the duties of the mounted soldier. training has been carried out in a practical and Malls:-The number of mail bags and packets soldier-like way. The C.C. Troop proposes to dealt with in the General Port Office, Hongkong do away with a standing camp during the amounted to 204,269, an increase of 39,148 com- Christmas exercises in future. I consider thispared with the previous year. sound both in the score of economy and o Reiency

Artillery:-(1.) Good results were obtained

PRESENTATION TO CRUISER "CHITOSE."

RECOGNITION OF SERVICES RENDERED TO A

says

H. A. L. STRAMEN."-

THERE IS SKILL AND

THOROUGHNESS

OF CONSTRUCTION

IN ALL

PIANOS

A very pleasant function took place on board the Japanese oruiser Chitose on her arrival at Shanghai from the South, the occasion boing handsome piece of silver ware by the Directors the presentation to the officers of the ship of a

rendered to the HA.L. steamer Loungmoun of the Hamburg-America Line for services

the Mercury, that last November, while the by the Chitose last year. It will be remembered, Loongmoon was on the run between Vindivostock she and Tsuruga on the N. W. const of Japan, left the latter part and when a few miles distant Registration and Parcel Branch-Registered she broke her tail shaft. Fortunately the ship articles and parcels handled in Hongkong was not far from the loud and therefore auchored while waiting for assistance to come from Tsuruga. amounted to 806,503, a decrease of 50,912, comIt was at first intended to tow the disabled rossel to Nagasaki, which would have proved an expensive undertaking. Meanwhile Mr. G. A.L, had proceeded to the scene of the accident, Daniels, Superintendent Engineer of the H. STAMPING THEM IN EVERY WAY. and he was able to make arrangements with the

by the adoption of the suggestion of Command-pared with the previous year. ing Royal Artillery that:-(1) All practicos should be carried out under tactical schemes, (i.) That 'instruction in the field, of Battery Commanders and their Staffe, should be given

by the use of gun sight tripods.

(2.) The following remarks apply to the training generally:-(a.) Fire discipline and the fire tacties require more attention. In former years marks were only awarded for fire discipline and fire effect. This year, marks were allotted for fire tactics also. Such points as appreciation of situations, eclection of pasi tions, etc., being duly allotted marks. B.C.s were now to these conditions, and a marked in. provement was noticeable during the latter practices; (b) The Battery Stans require more training and are also in some cases not complete. It is almost impossible to lay too great strees on the importance of a well trgined staff, failing which a battery is ship without a rudder"; (.) The gun drill was good, layers and fuze setters accurate, and the actual service of the guns showed careful training,

Engineers-The technical inspection of the Engineer Company was satisfactory, all bat one or two being qualified for their duties. The attendance at the R.E. searchlight mannings and at the weekly practices at the drill emplace ment at Kowloon has been poor. It is regretted that the Engineer Company find themselves unable to adopt the suggestion to organise telephone section which would include operators

Hon. Mr. HEWEIT-Does it apply to people

wie die bofore the 1st of January

The ATTORNEY GENERAL NO. Council then resume, and the Attorney-

General reported that the Bill had passed through committee stage with slight amend-

The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following papers-Report on the Hong-mente. kong Volunteer Corps: Report on the Post Office Department; Reports of the Captain Superintendent of Police and the Superintendent

of the Fire Brigade.

'THE' NAILWAYS ORDINANCE. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL I moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to regulate the constraction and management of railways.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the bill was read's first time. -

STONEGUTTERS' ISLAND AMENDMENT ORDINANCE.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first ronding of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to amond the Stonecutters' Island Ordinance, 1889. The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the bill was read a first time.

COMPANIES (LOCAL REGISTERS AMENDMENT ORDINANCE.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, moved the first porting of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the Companies (Local Registers) Urtin- ance, 1907.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY SOConded, and the bill was rend a first time

INTERPRETATION (FURTHER AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the Interpretation Amendment Or dinance, 1908.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the bill was read a first time.

PATENTS ORDINANCE AMENDMENT,

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-With regard to the next item, the committee on the bill entitled an Ordinance to amend the Patents Ordinance, 1902, the report we are waiting for from the Law Society has not yet been received. I would ask the permission of Council to defer further consideration of this Bill to a ister stage.

Council agreed.

PRAX TRAMWAY BILL

Revenue and Expenditure-A statement of Revenue and Exponditars is given in Table 111. Revenue amounted to $412,43160, showing a decrease of 832,989.32, dus largely to the decreased rates of postage brought in by the Rome Postal Convention.

that

bor.

WE IMPORT

CO., LTD.

136

methods for carrying out the teats by which the identity and comparative value of petroleum pro The Commission ducts might be ascertained. was also authorised to organise national sections in in their several countries for co-operation regard to the Commission's work. Details of the first meeting, which has been held during

Japanese Government to effect repairs at the SUPERIOR VALUE now naval station of Shix-Maizura, about ten hours steaming from where the accident happened. The craiser Chitose, which was in Money Orders--Consequent on the depres the vicinity, was therefore ordered to take the sion in trade throughout last year the money Icongmoon in tow and proceed with her BUILT THROUGHOUT FOR order business has been correspondingly to the station, which was done, the officere and men of the oruiser rendering every

THIS CLIMATE. assistance possible. After about ten hours' diminished in nearly all countries except from the German Possession in Oceana, which towing Shin-Maizuru was reached and was double that of 1967. There was a falling Japanese cruiser that was in dock for repaira was taken out and the Loongmeos was docked and the ascessary repairs made under the super- off of about £5,000 in the issue of sterling or ders and a decrease of £7,000 in the inward vision of Mr. G. Daniels, the Japanese Gorera. orders. The latter is accounted for by the ment rendering avery assistance possible to the

services beyond their actual expenses. This fact ROBINSON PIANO reduction of Japanese Coloniste in Queensland ship. The Japanese made no charges for their and thereby reducing the amount drawn on and a full account of the accident was forwarded Japan by 50,000 yen, and, on the other hand, to the horne silce by Mfr. Daniels, and as a mark sterling postal orders have remained stationary of appreciation the head office had a magnificent with the sales of 1907. The pait orders have silver tabla ornament standing over two feet high prepared to be presented to the officers of greatly increased by 67 per cent, and local the Chiloce as a mements of the very valuable postal orders have also increased by 32 per out. and kiud services ondered to their ship when in Dead Letters-The total number of alla lisabled and helpless condition. The orna

on a silver base representing an ancient ship in articles sent to the Dead Letter Office at Hong-ment, which stands nearly two fest high, reste

a rough sea with the waves washing about Above this is a globe, on tap of which is a kong and despatched from that office during the year 1905 amounted to 99,241, vis, 48,92. of the former and 50,317 of the latter, showing female figure holding an anchor sad sail re. an increase of 2,019 on the total of the previous presenting commerce, and alongside of this is a fine work of art and reflects great credit on the year. Of the letters, etc., returned from abroad gure of Mereary. The ornament, which is it was possible to return to sendera 15,567 and designer, bears a suitable inscription in German The handsome table decoration arrived here the locally addressed 2,821. The increase is stating what it was presented for. chilly owing to the large amount of lottery from Germany a few days ago, and as soon as circalars which are prohibited to pass through the Chitose arrived here from the South, Mr. G. Danicle, accompanied by Mr. H. Eitaki, the Post.

Japanese Consul General, and a number of prominent residents of the Japanese Colony, vided by the Miteni Company. On reaching the drafts, and also one large document. Those raiser the party adjourned to the Commander's

Commander and officers and spoke in very com is inconveniently situated and unpopular in the and returned to the seators. 246 Chinese words, presented the piece of silver ware to the I recommend that the King's letters were found to cuntain coins-49 of toplimentary terms of the valuable service that hot weather.

was a distress, and told how the Chitose towed Park Rangs become the volunteer range and were returned to seeaders. 182 post cards bear had been rendered to the Loongsioon when she that the Volnateer Reserve Association be al- ing the imitation of postage stamps addresseu 10-

her to salety and stood by her in rough weather lowed the occasional use of it. At present this the United Kingdom were withdrawn from the

on a dangerous ochst. r. Danial' remarks wore translated by Mr. Eitaki, sfter which the range is in the hands of the association, which is mails, as the regulations of that country pro- of small vaîne from a military point of view,hibit their being forwarded. In only a few Commander of the Chitore returned thanks on behalf of himself and offers, and said the gift while the Volunteers are only allowed to use it

would always be looked upon as one of the most prized possessions of the ship. Refreshments opcasionally.

were than served and the healths of H. M. the Emperor, the hitose and her offers. the H. A. L, Mr. Daniels and others were proposed and honoured.

and linemen.

of

Enclosed in 38 naregistered returned letters, there were found articles of value, viz., money

a

Infantry: A satisfactory start has at last been made with the infantry company, and it is hoped that it may eventually reach its full ostablishment: The musketry training has been the total value of £36, V. 8. in notes, cheques or proceeded to the cruiser by a special launch pro- most essential for each important petroleum

to

the present Congress, was described by Dr. Day at a meeting of the Law Section. Twelvy cons countries

wern represented-Austria, United Holland, Norway, Roumania, Servia, Spain, and States, Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy; Bwitzerland. All the members were the oficial representatives uf their respective Governments

of except in the oue Great Britain. Having established a mode of procedure the Commission declared by resolution that its labours should bo confined to the selection of such tests as fore product. The consideration of commercial, nom- enclature, the subject of transportation,

onti It was further agreed that preference in misthods were, on the motion of Dr. Day, ruled the work should be given to the preparation of ment now in awe for anch important testa us tables of equivalents for all the various instruc-

viscosity, 40,

and

conducted on sound lines but would benefit by Hou.. Mr. GUESSOд-On behalf of the pro- increased range facilities. The Tai Hang range when posible were subjected to registration can, where r. Daniels, in a few well-chosen all extraneous matters not included in testing.

metara I beg to move that the bill entitled An Ordinance for authorizing the Construction of a Tramway within the Colony of Hongkong be withdrawn.

Hon. Mr. STEWART-I beg to second that. The motion was agreed to, and the bill was withdrawn.

HIS EXCELLENCY-Council stands adjourned antil Thursday next.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the COLONIAL SECRETARY presiding The following vote was passed :--

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.

The Governor recommended the Conhoil to rote a sum of One hundred and four Dollar (104) in aid of the vote, Medical Departments C-Institutes, Other Charges, Bacteriological Institate and Mortuaries, Books.

HONGKONG FIRE BRIGADE.

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE FIRE BRICADE.

There were 31 Fires and 59 Incipient Fires during the year, as against 39 and 76 in 1907.

The estimated damage caused by Fires was $198,219.00 and by Incipient Fires 81,025.80, against $214,710.65 and $1,541 90 in 1907.

The Brigade turned out 43 times during the year.

General:-Although a great deal of maefu. work is done at the annual camp st Stoneca rs and though every credit is due to the men who do this work in their leisure time, often at the end or beginning of a hard day's civil work, it cannot be said that the military value of the camp is equal to the expenditure involved. Most men are enly present at irregular inter vals for an hour's work in the morning and afternoon, so that units seldom work at full strength, a system which is most unsatisfactory both for the, instructors and instructed. I-recommend that future camps should be held in the New Territories for a week or eight days, and that endeavours should be made to get employers to allow men to be present continn ously for at least three or four days of that time. If such a camp were ran on lines which bere some resemblance to service conditions an economy could be effected and the training improved. All preliminary drills and instráð- tions of gun layers, etc., should be done in the fortnight preceding camp so as not to waste time while out. It is a regrettable fact that the

causes could these be returned to senders. 37 ordinary picture post cards anil 3 letters were pusted without address,

Pillar Boxes:-The total number of articles, collected daring the year from all pillar boxes was 161,933, against 168,496, in 1907 and 122,899 in 1906, showing a decrease of 6,563 in the total: of the previous year. Special Pururen are detailed to cless these letter boxes.

!****

THE IMPROVEMENT IN TRADE.

A very interesting article appears in the last number of the Statist, and one which strikes a distinctly cheery note in connection with Bri- tain's foreign trade and the outlook in India, The following is worth quoting:

There was a constant supply of water in the Corps cannot be recruited unto its establishment. articles; received 741,006 letters, 8,592 other were available for the exploitation of the oil crops would be short, and, second, of the

In com-

Signs of trade improvement are increasing, and events are moving towards marked revival. THE SUPPLY OF LIQUID FUEL

Tho recovery is largely due to the abundance of capital. The supplier of new capital are increas Tiquid Fuel" was the title of Sir Bovertoning more rapidly than the demand, and the Chinese Branch-The total number of Chi-Redwood's general lestare. He held that it attractive rates at which this new capital can be newo registered articles delivered by the Chinese was obviously a paramount duty to exercise the obtained has begun to stimulate business. The fuel capital, and thus to postpone as long as last year were mainly the United States and Branch at the General Post Offies was 187,090, strictest economy in the expenditure of their countries responsible for the contraction in tracta The contraction in America arose froma of which 123,102 wers from United States of possible the fuel famine which in the absence of India.

merica and Canada, and 63,988 from China Bome other source of energy mat occur in every lack of confidence in certain institutions.

In India the trade contraction resulted from and other countries, showing a total increase, country in course of time. It would be the compared with the year 1907, of 24,170. The height of tolly to act upon any assumption that deficient crops and the attendant famine. The some novel source of power might hereafter be adverse conditions are rapidly passing away. STAMP ORDINANCE AMENDMENT.

amount of the ordinary correspondence dealt discovered. There was, however, good reason The crop of the current mason, which will end The ATTORNEY-GENERAL MOved the second

to believe that the output of petroleum might be in Angust, will be appreciably larger than they with has also largely increased. reading of the Bill entitled An Ordmance to

Postal Hong Licences: -38 Postal Hong very largely increased. The Dutch East Indies were last year, and there is the prospect that amend the Stamp Ordinazice, 1901, as amended

bad saved them from a famine in petrol, and the next year's crops will be still more plentiful. licences and 95 licences to latter carriers vere

petroleum production of Barma WE supplying

The entlook for trade in our Indias depend- by the Stamp (Amendment) Ordinance 1992.

enoy is distinctly promising. The great change issued during the year. The latter number the wants of millions of their subjects in In doing so he said: Hon, members will see from

India as well as to some extent the require that has occurred in the Indian situation is in the memorandum of the bill what ité object is

shows a decroase of 25 letter carrier licences.

some measure reflected by the ability of the Western Branch Post Office:The amount ments of the Fleet in respect of liquid fuel. It This is a revenue bill, and the source of

should remind them that the British Empire Indian Government to make remittances to this of correspondance sent batreon this Branch might yet become independent of other nations in country. Last year, in consequence, first of the increased revenus sought to be affected thereby is the increase of what may be called death duties

Office and Canton was:-Despatched 578,453 the matter of supplies of ama of the necessaries of large imports of colton goods, for which orders und the decrease in the amount which now re-

letters, 4,395 other articles and 7.659 registered life provided that adequate energy and capital were given prior to the discovery that tho bearing areas believed to exist ander the ritish roduced exporting power of India, the India quires a stamp on receipt. At present a receipt

Flag. (Cheers) la naval circles there had Connell was able to sell no drafts whatever. for less than $25 does not requires stamp, and it

An incentive would be given to the movement if articles, and 4,309 registered articles.

been during the past few years considerable Indeed, notwithstanding considerable remit- is proposed by the bill that hereafter receipts for fire malus throughout the year.

the Government could see its way to bring parison with previous years the figures sitow a 310 and upwards shall carry a five cent stamp.. Two Firas occurred in the harbour during the pressure to bear on its employees to join the large increase of correspondence handled by discussion on the question of fuel. It was tances of capital from England to Indis, it was justifiable to sasume that the introduction of necessary for the Indian Government to with. The amount of death duties is by the bill year.

There was one prosecution for arson, in Corps. From a general point of view there can this branch. In addition to the above.. 15,00+ [ the turbine bad given the steam engine a new draw several millions from the reserve fund in be no doubt as to the value of encouraging all Hong Packets were despatched and 18,529 and probably lengthy lease of life, especially for London for maintaining the Indian Exchange. doubled, but, even so, the actual amount paid in respect of estates is small in comparison connection with the Fire at No. 69 Bonham with like duties charged in other wantrics. Strand. One man was arrested and charged the able-bodied citizens to fit themselves to take received by the Branch. The revenue from the marine purposes, and there would be for a long On the other hand, this year, owing in part to: a part in the defence of the Expire, but sale of stamps amounted to $72,174.10, compared time to come a demand for oil fuel for steam the reduced imports into India, but also in part raising. Compared with coal it included among to the recovery in experts, the Indian Govern- its advantages thermal efficiency, which in the.

ment has no difficulty whatever in selling drafts That, stated shortly, is the object of the bill, and but no conviction was obtained.

regards the actual addition to the fighting with $43,928.38 in the previous your.

case of a ship meant a greatly increased radius of I hope it will commend itself to hon, members

action. It effected a great saving of Isbaar, and upon India to be met by India's balance of ex- ports oter imports. The improved outlook in with the object of promoting revenue which is

strength of the Colony it must be remembered that a large number of members of the Corps

the rapidity with which the heat of the re could India and in the East generally has already be increased or diminished was of great value. A brought about an increased demand for cotton much needed. I may say that it is not proposed to bring the bill inte operation until the end

are in employments from which they could not be spared in war."

Sir William H. Holland, addressing the warship, for instance, steaming at half-speed goods which will directly increase the consuming shareholders of the Fine Cotton Spinners' could be put at full speed at comparatively

powers of Lancashire, and indirectly of the of the year, and there are one or two small

Recently-built destroyers with United States and of other countries, Association at Manchester, said that the rossons short notice. smendments which I shall propose in coramittee.

why, instead of having a profit as in previous 790 tone displacement has maintained on trial "The COLONIAL ESCHETARY BOconded, and the

years of £800,000, they had this year one of a speed of 34 kaots for six hours with a consump bill was read a second time.

£357,000 were twofold. they might reason- tion of 11.36 pounds of oil fuel per hour, whereas recur. The first and most potent cause was the tons of coal to keep ups trial speed of 30 knots sbly hepa that those reasons would not soon not more than a decade ago it requiret oight dispate in the cotton trade inst autumn: The in vessels of about the same size. He considered affect of the seven weeks' stoppage was a very it the duty of the Government of every country serious matter. Their loss in profit from that in which petroleum might be found to encourage cause had been estimated to run into six figures. the discovery and utilisation of deposits, but ha If other concerns in Leocashire had suffered in wished to utter a few words of warning against similar proportion the loss to the cotton indulgence in extravagant anticipations in spinners of the country attributable to the stop-regard to the extent to which liquid fuel might another depression having appeared over the Pressure has given way rather markedly over page would amount to a million sterling. The replaces cout. A comparison of the output of coal Yangtze Valley. case of the operatives was harder still, because time and petroleum showed at once that even if the did not enjoy those compensating advantages were employed as fuel, it would displace Philippines. It is relatively high between N. but a small percentage of the coal, sad it once lost could never be regained. The operatives whole of the petroleum now being obtained the S. part of the China Sen mud thOTE

Japan. which sometimes the employera did. It had

rado Unions must be borne in mind than the present out. Luzon and the Bosins, and over the Sea of been stated that the fands of the

resh. monsoon may be expected in the by the strike to the extent of £250,000. He had very large expenditure extending over half a Formosa Channel and along the northern shores connected with the cotton trade were depleted put of petroleum had been the outcome of

of the China Seit noticed the following striking passage in the century. Nobody know what additional stores annual report of the operative spinners: "If of oil lay at present concealed in the earth, there was any credit in keeping forty million but it was in the highest degree unlikely that

in spending the spindles stopped for seven weeks,

quantity available was such as to revolution. £260,000 of Trade Union money, and in finish-ise the fuel industry. However, in the laudable ing up with giving the employers everything object of increasing the cutpat there slwald be they wanted, the spinners are prepared to allow international rivalry in recognition of the the cardroom workers to take the credit." It undoubted fact that the nation which made his strikes

me, us an outside observer, added the greatest progress in this direction would Chairman, that if the cardoom operatives had occupy a comparatively advantageous position. bean as wisely led as the operative spinners (Choers) were on that occasion, all this gigantic sadrifice would have been saved to this country and our balance sheet would have told a very different

Council then resolved itself into committee to consider the bill clapse by clause.

Ou slapse 2,

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved that the

There are 34 Despatch Boxes kept in different places in Victoria and 9 in Kowloon, 8 different Telephones to which the Police can have access to communicate with the Central Station in the event of Fire and 16 Fire Alarms.

The conduct of the Brigade has been good,

THE CHINESE AND PINS.

La response to an American inquiry regarding China as a market for pins, Consul-General Charles Denby wrote from Shanghai:

The market for pins in this district is a very

THE COMMANDANT'S REPORT. The report of the Commandant, Lieut.- Colonel Chapman, showed that on April 1st, 1908, the total strength of the Corps was 295, while on March 31st, 1909, it was only 284. The Corps now consisted of a mounted troop, four companies of Artillery, an Engineer Com

following words te added "Simple interest stated one, being confined to foreigners, pany and an Infantry Co.

The preant strength of the Cadet Company the rate of oight per cent, per annum and of these there are less than 20,000 in shall be payable on all sums recoverable under Shanghai. The Chinese have no wae for pins, was 24. The ministare rifle mange erected Article 45 should the sum not be paid strings and knots and loops meeting every near the Victoria School was regularly used, within one month after the date of the death of requirement of male and female, young and old, and many of the cedets made excellent shooting to keep his or her garments securely and mostly The standard of efficiency had been well main- the deceased." That is to meet the case where fastened. The well-to-do native frequently long delay securs. And (b) "a ollector of adorns his or her outer jacket with shory tained during the past year, owing to the stamp ravenus may remit such interest where glass or metal buttons, but these are purely assistance and and loyal co-operation he had for ornamental purposes, and pins, safety invariably received from the Staff Officer, other the amount appears to him to be so small as to

find or otherwise.

the no place among not repay the trouble of calculation."

requisites of the housewife e sewing basket or members of the staff, and all the officers and

and senior N. C. O's, ' Hon. Mr. GREASON-I don't quite follow toilet outfit.

Hooks and eyes occupy practically the same those two extra clausas, for it seems to me that the position with the Chinese as pins; s batton and time is far too short. In the ease of big estates loop, a frog, or string being utilized for the it is quite impossible to have them wound up in purposes which make hooks and eyes necessary a month. In the case of the late Sir Robert to foreigners..

The pins that come to this market are in- from either England or Germany, the

Jardine, where a very large sum was paid to the portant department stores bringing them in

THE INCOMING FRENCH MAIL

DELAYED.

We are notified by the Agont of the Messs Government, there was a great deal of extra! work in valuation of properties, and it was a direct, the Chinese storekeepers who cater to geries Maritimes that the ss. Caledonien was matter of eight, nine or ten months before we foreigu trule importing through commission delayed at Marseilles for four days on account houses. It is not possible to give the value of of the strike, azul consequently she is net wore in a position to send in Agures.

the pins brought to this country, but it is s

mail that the Chinese customs officials do not expected to arrive at Hongkong until about segrega to the item when compiling statistics. Friday, the 9th instant.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-The amount is

due to the revenue from the date of the death.

20

STATE OF THE COTTON TRADE: ·

tale.

The third International Petroleum Congress at Bucharest in 1907 appointed an Internationat Commission which was instructed to study and recommend for international adoption the bost

WEATHER REPORT

The Hongkong Observatory yesterday issued the following report:

On the 1st at 12.05 p.m.-The depression lying over E. Japan yesterday, has moved away over the Pacifle and the barometer has risen over the Sea of Japan.

The barometer has fallen over 8. China;---

Hongkong rainfall for the 24 hours ending at 10a.m. to-day, 0.06 inches.

The forecast for the 24 hours ending at noen to-day is as follows

S.W. winds, Hongkong & Neighbourhood.

fresh; showery,

8. und 3.W. winds, fresh to Latrong. Formoss Channel ........ South coast of China between Same as No. 1.

Hongkong and Lamocks,

8. winds, fresh South coast of China between

Hongkong and Hainan...)