1881-07-27 — Page 2

A. S. WATSON & Co.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DRUGGISTS,

AND

GENERAL CHEMISTS,

Manufacturers of tlio following AERATED WATERS, víz: SODA, TONIC, SARSAPARILLA, AND POTASH, LEMONADE, GINGERADE, RASPBERRYADE, AND PHOSPHORIC CHAMPAGNE,

Deliveries in Town and Harbour from

7 A.M. to 7 P.M.

Suns MEDICINE CUESTS REVITTED, PASSENGER SHIPS SUPPLIED.

Trompt Attention given to Coast Orders.

HONGKONG DISPENSARY,

HONGKONG.

-SHANGILAF-PHARMACY,

CANTON DISPENSARY,

SHANGUAL

CANTON.

Foocnow.

THE DISPENSARY,

Notices to Correspondents. All cqmmunications should be alibres- sol The Hdilor Hongkong Telegraph," 15, Wellington Street:

All letters for publication must be written on our vide the puper-only.

Correspondents are requested to før- ward their names and addresses with all communications- intended for insertion, not necessarily for publication, but as ecidence of good jaith.

Notice to Subscribers.

Subscribers who do not receive their newspapers within thirty-two minutes after the time of publication mill oblige by communicating with the Editor.

Domestic Notices, if properly au- thenticated, will be inserted free of charge.

THE

Songkong Telegraph.

HONGKONG, 27rи Joly, 1881.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPHI—WEDNESDAY, JULY 27TH, 1881.

of a Chinese correspondent." The great increase of prisoners in Victoria Gaol is owing to the large number of gamblers detected and convicted under the new system, as the records plainly prove; and one has only to refer to the police court proceedings for the past year, and compare the gambling cases tried with those of any previous year, to receive convin- cing proof that some slight amount of credit is due to II. B. the Governor, for an innovation which has reduced gambling to a very low cbb, and in all respects worked remarkably well.

the double dealing and chicanery which are specially characteristic of private and illegal gambling dens, were rendered well nigh impossible. With public resorts to go to, where everything was square and above board, there was no inducement for would-be gamblers to patronise un- licensed haunts, consequently illegal gambling houses were compamtively fow and far between. That these was a certain amount of illicit gambl ing even when licenses were issued, cannot be doubted; but its presence was not felt so objectionably as has been the case since the passing of We must however, as a simple act the Ordinance prohibiting gambling of justice, call attention to the fact in any shape or form.

that the Inspectors, who have had In making laws for a Chinese the entire charge of the gambling community whose habits and idios-raids, and prosecutions; the men, yncracies, are perfectly unintelligible who have actually done the whole of to the ordinary run of what we term the work, have received no recogni- civilised mankind, it should not be tion whatever at the hands of the forgotten that special complaints Government. This is not as it should require special remedies. Nor can bc. Officers who do extra work, we altogether ignore the fact that and that of a special, important, and the Chinese residents of Hongkong at times, dangerous character deserve have some claims on the considera-well of the State, The China Mail tion of the Government, even as re- correspondent has done good service gards their pernicious habits and in calling attention to the $100 per prejudices. Gambling is not one whit path, paid to the Captain Super more sinful to-day when it is pro-intendent of Police and the Registrar hibited by our laws, than it was in General, for their supposed extra those days, not so many years ago, exertions in putting down public when a portion of our revenue was gambling. It may be accepted as a derived from licenses legalising and matter of fact, that the extra dutics protecting it. Of ethics, according performed by the Captain Superin- to our English ideas, the Chinese tendent, in the suppression of gambl- know little, and apparently care stilling, are not sufficiently onerous to less. They know that gambling was ouce legalised in Hongkong, and they are unable to comprehend the system of morality, or the questions of general polity, which, without any apparent benefits to the colony, have necessitated the transformation of what was for years protected and fostered by successive Governments, into a heinous crime. Truly enough they know the law, but what can idle laws do with a people who have

no morals? If the moral sentiments

of a people are completely relaxed or forgotten, the penalties imposed by the wisest legislature for what is not considered criminal, can effect little good.

As a question of expediency, therefore, it would al- most seem that the colony would have been financially far better off, and morally, certainly not much worse than at present, had the law legalising public gaming houses never been repealed.

The question of the provalence of gambling in this colony has again cropped up, a leader in Saturday's Daily Press, and a letter in the China Mail, keeping the subject well before the public. Our morning contem- However, wo must now take mat- porary, on the alleged authority of ters as we find them. The Downing a Chinese correspondent, repeats the

Sirect authorities, although con astounding assertions which we called to shield with the arms of the led attention to, and disproved by law, that necessary evil, licensed incontrovertible facts, and plain fig prostitution, would doubtless object, ures, on the 7th instant. The gentle-under any representations, to return man who writes to the evening paper to the old state of affairs as regards is ovidently perfectly well acquaint-gambling. There may be a good ed with the actual position of affairs, deal of inconsistency in making such and as his views are expressed in a wide distinction between the two every instance but one with bocom crying evils of every large community ing moderation, we have much

in the Far East; but whereas gambl pleasure in directing the attention ing can be reduced to a minimum of every one interested in the matter, by a well-organised police force, that including the Daily Press, to the other unspeakable vice can never be letter signed Enquirer" in Satur- made altogether amenable to law day's China Mail, for a most impar- and discipline, so it is perhaps better tial statement of the actual position to leave it as it is.

|

who has stooped to publicly traduce the official 'character of his subordinate, and then to beseech from that ill:used gentleman, as a personal favour, escape from the natural consequences of his

acts."

the action of H.E. the Governor towards As those romarks have roference to

myself, I think it right to inform you that they are incorrect.

this lettor in the next issue of tho I shall be obliged if you can publish China Mail.

Your's faithfully,

.II. G. THOMSETT, " Harbour Master, &c.

par-

[We accedo with pleasure to the re- At the same time we cannot help quest mado in the above communication. thinking that it would have been far more satisfactory to the public, as well as better calculated to serve the purpose the writer scoms to have in view, had. Captain Thomsett pointed out the ticular inaccuracies which ho regrets to have seen in priut. Wo distinctly stated that, "if what is now public talk comes at all near the truth," so and so was the ease; and it scoms to us that the public are entitled to something that a certain passago quote is "in- more than a mere general assortion correct." Where and in what is it in. correct? Is it in somo phrase, or in a certain turn of a sentence ? or is tho substance of the statement mado cnti- rely devoid of foundation? For the crodit of the administration of this British Colony, we should be only too happy to stato "on authority" that

Plenipotentiary for the United States, Spain, and Peru, has been recalled, and Chen Tano-ja, at present Customs Thotai at Tientsin appojated as his succossor. The now Ministor was formerly at the Shanghai Arsenal, and Canton, like his predecessor, ia native of

All the foreign officers employed in have now been discharged. The Peng- the Chinese revonne service of Canton

Chao-Hai was the last vessel relievod, and the Chinese took over charge of the vessel at Canton yesterday. Wo are glad to hear that Captain Palmor has been offered a post in the Foreiga Customs.

Ta'ôn Yu-ying the newly appointed rived in Canton on Thursday from Governor of Fokion and Formosa, ar- Kwoichiow, and proceeds in a few days

to Foochow.

Tsen to postpone his departure for The Viceroy of Canton persuaded

somo days to enable them to consult

together on mattors in which the two provincial Governments of Kwang- ung and. Fokion are concerned. It

will be remembered that the now Gov- ornor of Fokien was a member of the Yünnan Commission of Enquiry into the murder of Mr. Margary.

There has been a rumour in circula.

tion for the last few days, that Mr. Robert Hart the Inspecter Gonoral of the Chinese Customs is expected here.

boats, or the issue of the stock of the yew Loan, has given rise to this ru- mour, wo cannot say, bat we much doubt, considering the important mat- tors now in course of progress at Pe- king, whether the Inspector General events, at ilio moment. could be spared from the capital, at all

Whether the arrival of the new guu-

there is no truth in the allegation which wo have stated is generally believed. Captain Thomsctt's letter, however, fails to meet the caso. We made no pretence to narrate what actually took place at the interview botwoon His Captain Thomsott, and it would be Excelloney Governor flonnessy and sufficient for us to show that the passago pronounced to be "incorrect"

We hear that a tostimonial to the is a fair and reasonable staternout,

Rev. Mr. Booth, who has recently This could, we think, bo done without boen officiating at the Cathedral in the any great difficulty. The very object place of the Very Rev. Dean Butcher, of the interview must have boon to ob- is to be presented to him by the con tain an informal promise from Captain grogation, and that it is now lying for Thomsett not to proceed with the action signaturo at the Agra Bank; also that which he had requestol permission it will be shortly forwarded to him. We understand that literally the tes- officially to initiate. That, it seems,timonial is not by the general public bat only by the congregation. N. C. Daily News.

was obtained; and what we have con-

to

merit such lavish remuneration; and so far as the Registrar General is concerned, we cannot find that, under the present administration, he has had or has now anything whatever to do with gambling, so that his $100 por month is merely a sing sinecure, which ought not to exist in these qulightened times. As the police officers have actually achieved all that has been done in the suppression of gambling, it scoms to us that they, and not the Captain Superintendent of Police and the Registrar General, should receive the $200 per month, or any other sum which the Govern- ment thinks proper to allot as a recognition of their efficient services.sistently opposed in Governor Hon- nessy's administration for the last four years is this informal and unofficial We beg specially to direct the mode of doing business. The great attention of our readers to the annex-difficulty is, and always has been, to oldotter, and editorial note, which obtain from the prosent Governor, appeared in last nights' China Mail. straightforward official answers to offi- They form a fitting sequel to our cial letters; and as we conceive it to be leader of yesterday. We condole one of the duties of an honest journalist with our contemporary on his hamil-

O exposo such irregularities of admin iation, and regret exceedingly that

istration, especially when they produce the foot note appended to Captain system has continuously revealed, there effects such as Governor Hounessy's Thomsett's letter is not characterised is no special cause for regret in this by better taste. All the quibbling case. in the world will not materially alter Ilonnessy's official conduct which was As for the phase of Sir Joha the fact that the Chino Mail mal- said to be revealed, that cannot well iciously published, what every gane bo gainsaid. Let all the documents, person in the Colony knew to be, a however, be treated with, tho,sams slanderous falsehood affecting the publicity as have the other papers out Governor, and after a very uncom-

of which this difficulty first arose; and, fortable afternoon, had to stultify as we have said, if they prove us to be himself in a fashion rather debasing wrong, it will be a relief for us to find to a self styled honest, and independ that the public and ourselves hind for ent journ Notwithstanding the ce judged orroneously or been incor- slap in the face he receives from rectly informed as to Governor Hen- Captain Thomsett's direct contradic tion, our contemporary sulkily begs. the question, and actually has the The great difficulty experienced impudent audacity to assert, in the The suppression of gambling has in putting down gambling, may safely face of the Harbour Master's letter, always presented many difficulties to enough be attributed to the improper that without any great difficully the the authorities, since the licenses. and unsuitable system organised to passage pronounced to be “incorrect,” were cancelled, and the vico declared meet the trouble at the commence- could be shown to be a fair and reason | illegal. That the old system of mont. Physicians tell us that the able statement. Treating the China Chinese detection was ill suited to

-most potent-medicines may be too | Mail to the courtesy which in di- the requirements of the "Act which late, when the disease has been per-plomatic, as well as in literary circles, Iron Duke, has been appointed to the prohibited gambling, events very itted to gain ground by unnecess- is customary even between bitter op-command of the Lapoiny, vice Scott soon plainly demonstrated; and we

ary delay. So it has boon to a great ponents, would be like throwing are informed on what may be con- extent with the suppression of gamb-pearls before swine. Captain Thom- sidered reliable authority, that oven ling. It must be conceded however sett has publicly stated that the after the closing of the public gambl-by every one who is actually con- Mails remarks are "incorrect," and ing houses, the number of private versant with what gambling was two he can safely enough vouch for the hells in swing, almost equalled the years ago, and what it now is, that latter part of the particular passage licensed houses in their palmiest the system of dividing the district referred to. We can speak for the days. Taking a common sense, into sections, and placing a re- practical view of the case, it appears sponsible officer of police in charge ary's statement is au atrocious false

rest, and repeat that our contempor- to us a very grave question whether of each section, has worked wonder hood, worthy of the contemptible the enforced closing of the public fally well. There are still gaming coquin who wrote it. gambling houses in this Colony was houses in the colony without a doubt, such a master stroke of policy after but all statements to the effect that all. In the days of licensed houses, they are worse than ever, and always gaming was conducted under the on the increase, are gross exaggera- immediato surveillance of the polico tions which ought not to be published authorities, so that cheating, and all unless on a better authority than that

of affairs.

To the Editor of the "CUNA MAIL"

July 26,

I

nessy.D. C. M.]

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Loss of the Amnie S. Hall.-News was brought to Shanghai to-day, of another wreek resulting from the gale of last Friday. Tho Annie S. Hall,

three masted schooner, was anchored in seven fathons, off tho south point of Tai-chow Island; she dragged both her anchors, and was oventually lost on the Island. Captain Nelson and all the crow, except one, the Chinese

cook, wore saved. They were takon to Wonchow in the Chinese gunboat Chian, and aro to bo brought on to Shanghai in her, The Annie S. Hall was an American schooner of 455 tons.

Sho left hore for Nagasaki on the 16th February last. Mossrs. Vogel & Co. wero her agents. She was on a voy age from Newchwang to Hongkong:

Mercury.

In reply to inquiries from several

friends, to whom we are indebteil for

calling our attention to the canard, we beg to say that all reports to the effect that His Excellency the Governor pri- vately subscribes for 50 copies of the Telegraph daily, aro entirely without foundation. As a matter of fact His Ex- cellency does not subscribe for one single. copy of this paper, boyond what is ro- Tho Kestrel, 4, Commander W. M. quired for the Government departments, Laug, left for Amoy yesterday.

The gunboat Mage, 4, left this morning for Amoy..

and this order amounts to one dozen copies per day, which, we believe, is ex-

contemporaries. We are bogining to Lient. Francis H. Iaygarth, H.M.S.actly tho sumo number supplied by our wonder how much farther our in- scrupulous, back-biting opponents will attempt to go with their vonomous falsehoods, before we are compelled to bring them up with a round tarn !

docensed.

A now comic weekly called Quis hus been started in Shanghai and emanates from the Mercury office..

By the Overlaul Mail we learn that

croates a vacancy amongst Hor Ma- the promotion of Colonel Horatio II. Morant, balf pay, Jato 27th Regiment, jesy'a Aidos-da-Camp, and that Colonel Sir Howard C. Elphinstono, V. O., K. C.B., C.M.B., Royal Enginoors, will be placed on the paid establishment to fill the vacancy,

By the Broad Arrow of the 11th June, we learn that our old friends tho 74th Highlanders, now the 2nd battal- arrived at Aldorshot on the 30th May, ion "The Highland Light Infantry," The regiment was mot at the railway station by Captain Doonor, 108th, Brigade Major of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, and was played into camp by tho bands of tho 93rd Highlanders, tho 45th (the Sherwood Forresters), and the 95th (tho Dorbyshiro). Ac.

Sir, I regret to see the following statement in your last evening's issue of the China Mail:-"His Excellonoy stands revealed as an Administrator that II. B. Chen Lan-ping, Minister-cording to the Broad Arrow the move.

Wo learn from tho Shanghai Morcury