WEIHAIWEI
691
The Government of Weihaiwei is administered by a Commissioner appointed under the Weihaiwei Order-in-Council of the 24th July, 1901. Under this Order the Commissioner is empowered to make Ordinances for the administration of the territory. There is a High Court established, in which all jurisdiction, civil and criminal, is vested, subject to an appeal to the Supreme Court in the Colony of Hongkong. District Magistrates' Courts are also provided for. The Commissioner resides on the mainland at Port Edward. The village communities are administered through their headmen in accordance with Chinese laws and usages, and the people have now entirely acquiesced in the newly-established régime. All purely civil matters are left as much as possible to the village headmen. Weihaiwei is now a fairly regular port of call for many China coasting steamers sailing northwards from Shanghai, and there is a regular weekly service subsidised by Government to run all the year carrying mails and passengers between Shanghai and Weihaiwei. This enables the public to reach Weihaiwei via Shanghai at any time of the year. Weihaiwei is the northern naval base of His Majesty's China Squadron. The harbour is well lighted by two light- houses at the eastern and western entrances. The climate of Weihaiwei is exceptionally good, and the winter, though cold, is dry and bracing. A European school has been established for many years to which boys from other treaty ports, Hongkong, etc., are sent. A land and building society, formed in Shanghai, has erected several commodious European bungalows. There is a large hotel on the mainland capable of accom- modating over one hundred people, and also a hotel on the Island with accommodation for 50 to 60 people. Both on the mainland and on the island good roads have been made round the coast by the local Government for the convenience of foreigners, and there are recreation and parade grounds in both places. In addition to the leased territory there is a zone of influence over which Great Britain holds certain rights. It comprises that portion of the province of Shantung lying East of the ineridian 12.40 extending over an area of 1,500 square miles.
The native city of Weihaiwei (which lies on the mainland opposite the island of Liu Kung) is a walled town of about 2,000 inhabitants. By the provisions of the Wei- haiwei Convention of 1898 this town still remains under the jurisdiction of the Chinese authorities. The town is a poor one, and the greater portion of the enclosed area is not built on, but cultivated for vegetables. A Chinese sub-district deputy magistrate resides in the city of Weihaiwei.
No customs duties of any kind are collected at Weihaiwei. By agreement, the Chinese Government is permitted to make use of the Bay of Weihaiwei for its fleet, so far as is compatible with British interests. Weihaiwei was originally strongly fortified by the Chinese. Twelve large forts in all were planned and erected for the Chinese Government by Mr. von Hanneken. Eight of these forts and all the guns were completely destroyed in the China-Japan war of 1895.
When the revenue falls short of the expenditure the deficit is provided by the Imperial Government as a grant-in-aid.
PORT EDWARD
GOVERNMENT
DIRECTORY
Commissioner--His Honour Sir James
H. Stewart Lockhart, K.C.M.G. Dist. Officers and Mags.-A. P. Blunt,
H. Jowett
Medical Officers-Dr. Muat, Dr. Barnes Financial Assistant-P. D. Crawley Inspectors of Police-A. Whittaker, F. Forcey, G. H. Jennings, W. R. Haller
Sanitary Inspector-L. J. Self
H.B.M. NAVAL ESTABLISHMENT
King's H'bour Master and Naval Executive Officer-Commander E. Stevenson, R.N.
Chief Engineer - Eng.-Commander
J. L. Sands, R.N.
Fleet Surgeon-Surgeon Commander
P. L. Crosbie, R.N.
-
Paymaster-Lieut. Commander R.
Haves, O.B E., R.N. Foreman-in-charge
Child
of Works-F.
Manager, R. N. Canteen-A. G. Gunn,
R.N.
23*
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