728749-1845-10-Sep-1845 — Page 2

010

Day at times aqusly

RAIN DURING WERE SIX TENTAS

Fine clear:

30

29

VICTORBLA,

METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER FOR THE WEEK ENDING, 7TH SEPTEMBER, 1845.

Hango

Month of Baronseter

Therzsometer

Winds

Inches.

Plurjóma.

·9,025

Fine Jear

Dall

REMARKS.

BOYSKONG,

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENCE, We are compelled to defer several communi- cations but will endeavour to make room for Port Paid A Disappointed Expectant and Employ an Attorney, in our next. There is, a rod in pickle for the functionary in question, but we aro never in a hurry.

NOTICE. New advertisements, will be received, until 4 O' Clock, on the evenings previous to publi-

cation, vit: Tuesdays and Fridays.

ENGLAND

LATEST DATES. July 1. UNITED STATEs April 19 CALCUTTA August 1

BOMBAY

MADDAR SYDNEY

August 12 May 31 June 13

BATAVIA August 12 August 26 August 10 August 30 August 18

SINGAPORE MANILA CHESAR SHANGHAI

THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE. VICTORIA, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1014, 1845

It is gratifying to hear that the public interest, and the interest of the Peninsular and Oriental Con- pany, will not suffer by the melancholy death of Mr. Ryan, Henry Gribble Esq., formerly H. B. M. Consul at Amoy, a Gentleman in all respects quali fied for the duties, takes charge of the Agency.

BATAVIA.

Our dates are to the 12th of August. The price of produce ruled rather high, with a de. mand for foreign tonnage quotations to Eu- rope £4 10s. per ton.Exchange; on London 151 floring per £1 on Amsterdam 80fs. per 100, The Courant mentions the death of Lieut: General Baron H.Merkus De Kook, late Lieut. Governor General of Netherlands India. From 1825 to 1830 he commanded the troops in

THU FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.

comparatively wealthy p tion. Hongkong has no commerce, and with the erception the branches of a few houses, her tion is poor, her local trade has been dra sway, and many of those who had ostabith ments have given then up, Sing

a good trade and can afford to be tax local expences-Hongkong has do trade and cannot afford such taxation. Encourage the trade of Hongkong, and in a few years, abe may like Singapore pay all the civil expenses of the local government now it is impossible and the attempt has thrown the colony back at least two years. The Executive are anxious to put us on the footing of Singapore, forgetting that we have not yet strength to bear the bar dens of that flourishing settlement, and also forgetting, that taxation, which may be legal in a territory belonging to the East India Com pany, is not legal in a British colony. It is the attempt to adopt taxes similar to those of Sin gapore, in utter opposition to the position, re quirements, and capabilities of the two places, which the Merchants, and other British inhabi tants of China, so strongly repudiate, We hope the Indian Editor, if be perseveres in the Her culean task of shewing up the absurdities of the Hongkong officials, will also display a bet ter acquaintance with colonial affairs, other wise, the good folks of Hongkong may exclain, "Heaven preserves us from our friends."

The Mor arrived on Saturday with the Over land Mail of the 7th July. We have not re ceived a single English paper and the news

we are in possession of is entirely gleaned from the Straits Times of the 26th August.

The political horizon with the exception of our disputes with the United States, is an clouded. The country is quiet, and the people in the manufacturing districts bi full employ- ment. No mention is made of the crops, from which it may be presumed they are good.

In our last we mentioned a rumour of the death of Sir William Follett; the Times does not confirm this. Mr. Joseph Somes the ex- tensive ship-owner, however, expired suddenly on the 25th of June. Mr. Somes was a man of obscure birth, but by his talents and business habits he amassed a large fortune. He was recently elected a member of the House of Commons, and on committees connected with commercial matters he would have proved a useful member from his great practical know ledge,

The market for the staples of Chinese export was in an improved condition. Silk of the finer quality had been sold at fair prices. Teas have also been in request, and for some des

The Chinese criptions at improved rates. Sugar imported into London is reported of favorably the quality is admitted to be good The necessity of making returns in other articles of produce than Silk and Tea is evident. With our large annual increase of manufactured goods into China, and but a very moderate ad ditional consumption for either of our two staples returns, it becomes evident, that for the support of a healthy commerce, some other ar ticle of extensive European consumption must be brought forward as an export. From the enormous consumption of sugar in the British Isles, and the inability of our colonial posses sions to supply the market, foreign sugars are now admitted at a moderate differential duty That the best quality of the Chinese raw sugar would suit the market there can be no doubt. The question is, will it pay? We expressed our conviction a year ago, that at the prices which then ruled in Canton and in London, with a differential impost of £10 per ton, that the white sugar of China would pay. The legislature have since increased the duty upon the foreign white sugars and reduced it upon the brown, and this questionable act will cer

militate against future shipments from

to extend this tax to the colonies, it would be to them all, and this she dare not do. With all her strength, it is only by justice and modera tion that she retains her scattered possessions, and of this none are more convinced than Her Majesty's present advisers.

It is rather a novelty to see a ment taking credit to itself for doing its or any part of its duty.

an employer expects, as a matter of course,

that his servants perform the services for, which they are engaged. If they fail to do so, they are discarded; the rule we submit ex tends to public servants. The Government of Hongkong, however, cannot efford to be mo dest-they are less afflicted with mauvais honte than any body politic we are acquainted wish.

The Secretary's letter, commences with a to a board of officers appointed by Governor to value the early sales of arranged that individuale dissatisfied valuations, should have the right the average of the subsequent proceeds to state that, the sale referred to that of January 1844-gave a higher average value, and concludes with a quotation from one of Lord Stanly's despatches, which says that it would be difficult to apply any better test of value than sale m a fair and open marget. This appears plausible enough, and doubtless His Lordship was in ignorance of the circumstances of this sale which appeared to confirm his opinion. Its notorious that the sade was a mere mockery. The terms and con- ditions were not even made public. A few of In the waste that surrounds them, there it the friends of the officials may have had privats one green spot, and to it they point with exula- intimation of them, and consequently, knowing tion-it is the police --We have always been there was no forfeiture, nor deposit on the fall willing to acknowledge that, as compared with of the hammer, they bid eagerly on speculation, former times, we now enjoy a great degree of and lots were run up to a fictitious value. It security from the attacks of robbers, and this would be inviduous to mention names, but it is mainly ascribable to the police. Admitting is well known that, men without means were this, there is nothing in it that calls for any par- purchasers to an extent that would have reticular degree of self congratulation on the quired many thousands of pounds to secure part of the Executive. In the first place, the their purchases by buildings to the amount of police is a very expensive establishment, and ten times the ground rent within the year. if inefficiant the greater would be the shame This was done on speculation-ng deposit was, to those who are in charge of it; in the second paid, and if they could not sell the lots at a profit place, the Island is very small, and in addition they merely reverted to the crown. And how to the police, we have about 1500 troops, with was it with the next sale? A number of lots numerous guards, and now that roads are made, were purchased it is true, but if the govern if they could not protect the town from the at- ment would have the candour to publish the tacks of large bodies of men, we would scacer- details, it will be found that a large portion of ly consider them blameless; in the third place, the leases have not been taken up, nor will we have from two to eight men of war always they ever be taken up. As to the board to in the harbour, armed boats from which ways which reference has been made, it was formed nightly guard, and we may readily believe that of subordinate members of the government, this of itself is an intimidation to marauders

and we are creditably informed, that not from the mainland. a minute is on record of its ever having been în existence. Lord Stanley has thus been de- ceived with regard to the land sales..

|

The Colonial Secretary is most unfortunate. in the reference he has made, to the piratical attack outside this harbour, on a boat with Reference is made to the high rents paid by government money, to pay the troops at Government, for premises rented for military Chuck Chew. How the most vigilant long. and other purposes. So far this bears the sem-kong police can prevent such attacks we are at loss to perceive. Boats, or small vessels, navi. blance of truth. The Government neglected to build houses, barracks, and hospitals for pu- gating among the neighbouring islands, are blic servants and the troops, and hence, in a just as liable to attack now as they were ten years ago, when there was not a British Soldier' small place, they were compelled to lease them

in China, and when the Hongkong police was at high rates, for a time raising rents to the

not in existence. The truth is that, the great loss of those who had not or could not, build houses for themselves. One house is guard of Soldiers who were with the money specially mentioned, which was taken at£1,000 were asleep keeping no watch. and they per annum, but what were the circumstance?

were over-powered before they had time to seize their weapons. Vessels belonging An Officer of high rank with his family arrives from England, and there is no house prepared to private individuals with much larger for him. Unable to procure any other suitable booty on board, have for years been run- resilence, a high rental is offered to the pro- ning among the islands almost daily, yet we very seldom here of their being cut off--they prietor of the only Hotel in the place, which is accepted to the very great inconvenience keep a good look out, which unfortunately the of the inmates, as we can testify. But this Soldiers on board the Lorcha did not do. must not be taken as a proof of the permanent value of Hongkong property. In the case lo which we have referred, it was not the house alone that was rented, but the proprietor had to be paid for a profitable business, which was We included in the rent of £1,000 a year. might cite similar instances, but it is unneces- sary. It was the culpable neglect of the Go- verament, which for a time raised rent; and now they turn round and quote their folly as a proof of our prosperity. Let them read the local papers, and inform Lord Stanley how many houses and lots are to let or sell, and in addition to those, there are many others, which would be advertised, were there any chance of securing tenants.

There are suine things beneath contempt others beneath criticism.-In the latter category is the commercial information furnished by the Chinese Secretary; also the Ha, bour Master's official returil. The first gives an export of £60,000 for the year, the commission upon which would not defray the expences of one

respectable house; the second shows a tonnage of 62.264, and as the inference intended to be drawn by the sapient Secretary is, that these ships brought cargo to Hongkong, it would therefore follow, that their value was a trifle less than 20s. a ton!! What thesevaluable cargoes consisted of we are at loss to imagine. Perhaps the Chinese Secretary will publish

the manifests for the benefit of the Merchants of China.

Java during a successful war against the na china. Under any circumstances, we fear a kind, and one that has driven the little trade we the difference between the places-they entirely

Lives, which terminated in a peace that has not since been disturbed. In 1821 Baron De Kock captured the Sultan of Palembang and des. troyed his Empire.ne

On the 27th May the Dutch ship Baron van der Capellen sprung a leak and they were com- pelled to run her ashore on the Island of Boe ton. Crew saved ; but the ship and the greater part of the cargo lust,

very large export could not be brought about for years. Any extensive demand would run the price up to a rate at which it could not post sibly remunerate. If, however, a certain yearly shipment could be made, at fair paying prices to the native planter and the foreign Mer. chants, there would be an inducement to cal tivate a greater quantity of sugar lands.

The Secretary next tells us that there is no direct taxation, except the land rates. Thoy al 18 are heavier, than all the taxes which men of moderate means pay in England; but in addi tion to these there is an abundance of a trece taxation. The principal articles of local trade have been farmed out. This is a tax of the worst had from the island. It is a well known fact, that the actual amount of sales in Hongkong is less now than it was two years ago. Several merchants, who had not built in the colony have abandoned it, and others will soon follow. Lots and premises, suitable for mercantile pur-

e for poses, are offered for sale in sent state of the colony, property has no fixed value, nor will it, until different views are enter- trined, and different measures adopted by the Executive. There is another heavy indirect tar to which no reference has been made. We mean the monopoly of the market; by which the price of every article put upon the table is 50 per cent higher than in Canton or Macao. This is a subject which requires much inves-

In the pre-

Our contemporary of the Register, in his in- We had intended at an earlier date to take sue of yesterday, has an article from the Eng up the various points brought forward by the lishman upon Hongkong politics. It is very local government, in reply to the memorial from desirable, to obtain the advocacy and support the land-holders in Hongkong to Lord Stanley, of the Indian press, in opposition to the local but that daty was so ably performed by the grievances of which the Colonists complain; Committee to whom the Hon. Colonial Secre- but we may expect that Indian Editors who tary addressed himself, that any further notice feel inclined to lend us their aid, will at least in of the official answer appears almost uniscestigation, and at present we merely mention it, form themselves of the subject matter of dispute,sary. before they rush head-long to the affray

Though it is gratifying to the colonists to From the Englishman's remarks we select the have the santiments of their rulers placed upon record; it must strike them that the local of following paragraph.

**There is but one rational way of managing auch ficials in answering a memorial merely sent them an establishment, and with the precedent of Singes for transmission to Her Majesty's government, pare before them, it is quite astonishing that the have taken a very unwise and a very unusual British goverusent should permit any other system step. What Lord Stanley's sentiments may be than that of an entirely free trade, and the eers on this point, will possibly never be disclosed, louet rate of local taxation, secessary to cover loud but there can be no doubt, bis Lordship will

capenses. All the rest ought to be defrayed by the Home government, who should regard Hongkong severely censure this officious interference with merely as an out-post, maintained for national ob- his official duties and this the more especially *jects, and therefore to be maintained at the public that, his voluntary champions make a very sorry figure in the correspondence which they pro These eleven lines exhibit a degree of igno- roked. We consider that the letter from the rance of the state of Hongkong affairs which Hon. Colonial Secretary, and the rejoinder, is we would not have looked for in the Editor of the most powerful recom endation which a paper, who if he has not studied has at could have been given to the memorial, and had least written a good deal about them. It is to the local rulers wished to place it favorably the taking Singapore as a precedent that we ob before His Lordship, they could not have done jeel. The position of Singapore and Hong so in a serer way, than by the attempt they have kong are very different. The former is ad made to dispute the allegations it contains. In mirably situated for commercial purposes, and this for once-they deserve the thanks of the has a flourishing commerce, with a large and community.

But the allusion to the income tax, shewa Cruel Sir Robert. where the shoe pinches. why did you not exempt the badly paid, bard wrought, generous and hospitable officials of this colony from the three per cent, which they can so badly spare? Have you no considera. tion for their long services (opwards of twelve mouths) the hardships they indure, the dangers they incur? Obdurate Premier I think of the sacrifices they have made in coming to China, purely from the patriotic desire of benefiting themselves and barg pity. But are our rulers ignorant that this tax does not extend to any of the British colonies, except to the salaries of those who are paid by Government 1 They would no done have much gratification to lerving an income tax upon the wealthy Mer- chants of Cina, Ba were this possible, what would be the consequence? It would be pouring e Ist drop into the cup. Hongkong would be abandoned, and the Merchants of Chins would again place themselves under the protection of the Bag of Portugal. Bet och a thing is not to

We thank the Executive for having placed their sentiments on record the animus is evi- dent--and the opinion that we have often ex pressed, that they were blindly copying the im posts of Singapore is now avowed. They with, the perversity of small intellects, will not see forget, that individually our ground rent far exceeds the taxation of the older settlement rating it per head. With all the narrow minded bigotry of the servants of an over grown com- pany of monopolists, they have, if not by duties on imports, by the worst of all imposts, that upon consumption, driven the trade of the I's- land into the hands of a few unprincipled natives who have farmed the exclusive privilege to sell almost every article of local trade,

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

SEPTEMBER,

ARRIVALS.

6, Huntress (Am.), Lovett, Chusan. 6, Sidney, Scholefield, Bombay.

Circassian, Hore, Liverpool.

6, Red Rover, MaMurdo, Calcutts and Singap. · 6, Water Witch, Reynell, Caleutia and Singap.

6. Mor, Baxter, Bombay.

7, Shah Alam, Page, Bombay.

7, Dhur, Cumberland, Calcutta, 7. Hindostan, West, Bombay,

8, Angelo, Clarkson, Boston.

8. Brahmin, M'Anthar, Bombay and Tutocorin 8, Arin, Balla, Singapora.

, H. M. Brig Espiegle, Thompson E. ., Bi-

gapore and Boitieo,

9. Ellen, Hodger, Singapore.

9, Maggie, returned from Camsingmosu, bound

to Shanghai today.

BAILED.

SEPTEMBER,

5. Mepps, Macfarlane, East Coset, 5, Glenelg, Harvey, Whampos. 6. Culder, Campbell, Whampoa.

Boer (Am), Woodbury, East Coast. 8, Shah Allum, Page. Whampoa, 2, Larpent, West, Shanghai,

REPORTS.

be contemplated. Were Great Britain Gter Spy Wooden, Amoy and Hoban Town,