1890-08-14 — Page 4

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 1890.

August 13th. Fan Ayee, a seaman on the Patience, said that the night of 'he was on the look-out on

the collision. The launch was going at half speed when nearing Peddar's Wharf, and simpan in the suddenly witness naw ...way, with no light, up. He called out to fogge if he had not shouted the launch would the steersman to go to the east. The night was have run into some passage boats to which the and n-teacher with a thousand scholars, I bave Ackroyd, the Acting Attorney-General, who

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man

a receipt for the money, which he produced to the company's clerk in Sydney. When the passengers were landed witness was to make up $100 for each, and that, altogether, would Betts was searched nt. Moreton's Bay make $800 paid to Belts When the steamer took the passengers out of the rice-room and stowed them below in the refrigerator. It was done at midnight. Witness was in the boys' room and as they had to pass through that room witness saw them. Ail his fokis in the room were asleep. Only be, himself, knew of the removal of the passengers. The stowaways were kept in the reinigerators for fully a8 hours. As soon as the vessel lelt Brisbane Betta took them out of the sefrigerator and put them back in the rice room. The change was again made at night when witness's fekit were asleep. again put into the refilgerator, at Watson's Bay the Sydney Customs station, Betts kept the key of the refrigerator.

left, as there was a sampan in front. He did so, house or the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank We hear that fresh appointments bave been could be searched, so that I nesn't "cheep." I made on the Mongkut in view of her new sphere and grazed the boat, capsizing it,

said I would ruethem, and they pushed me down of usefulness in the Canadian-Pacific Company's sinirs, and defendant took me to the Central Station service, viz:-Messes. Edwards and Curtis (late defendant holding my queue. At the Station he of the Arratoon Apear) who bave become her charged me with calling out "Beat him; kill chief and second officers respectively. the way. I was locked up a little more than THEover-crowded ranks of the noble army oflaw him," and took me to the cell, striking me on

yers here received another accession on the 11th half-an-hour, and then Dr. Chalmers bailed me

inst. The recruited was Mr. Harold Catmur Brush

hey cut it through. It was explained to them I was discharged by the Magistrate next field, late of the Middle Temple-a young gentle- with a piercing eye and a slight limp. He As a resident. here of a dozen years bae was introduced to the Acting Chief Justice by Mr. day, after paying a folicitor $50 to defend me.

suffered in reputation through this.

Cross-examined-When I was charged at the rend an affidavit by Mr. Brushfield to the effect that he was the same H. C. Brush field Police Station I complained that he beat me. I took out a summons against the defendant after the one mentioned on the certificate produced, and had been "called" last year. Mr. Ackroyd wards, but did not attend, although it was

deposing that be bad beard from a Mr. Price, of London. that Mr. Bushfield was contem plating exile bere. Armed with these arguments, Mr. Ackroyd moved the honorable Court to give Mr. Brushfield leave to break spears with all and sundry, including even the Rajib of Batamban 84. To which his lordship acceded with a smile, wishing the new barrister, a long and successful carcer.

sampan was fastened.

to be ratified by the Governments of both coun tries, and will come in force in six, nionths after Convention, provided that within that time the the exchange at Peking of the copies of the

tion not be effected within six months after the ratification has been effected. Should ratifica exchange of the signed coples of this Conven-

the ratification may bear. tion, its regulations come in force from such subsequent date as

VII. The present Covention has been made at Peking in six coples, namely, three in the. English language and three in Chinese.

TONGSHAN NOTES

Probably few mines are more satisfactorily

pan was to the west of the Douglas buoy, and, adjourned to enable me to do so. The morning further read an offidavit by Mr. C. E. Bowles, Before getting into Sydney the stowaways were gratified. Slight as was the difference of head, worked than these at Tongshan. It has been

That concluded the evidence for the defence. Mt. Francis, in closing the case for the Come! pany, pointed out that the plaintiff and his wit- nesses had unanimously nileged that the sam- that having been disproved, the case fell to the ground. The question for his lord.hip to decide was whether the crew of the Patience, by theit negligence, caused the loss of life and property alleged, or whether it was a consequence of the plaintiff's negligence which put it out of the power of the defendants to avoid the collision, His contention was that the latter was the case -that the defendani anchored in the fairway, the light went out, and the boat was hidden in the shadow of the pa' sage beats. In the event of any sum being awarded Mr. Francis asked that it should be reduced to a minimum.

Mr. Robinson, in reply, urged that since the plaintiff had had twenty years' experience as a boatman he knew the rules of the harbor, and was unlikely to anchor in the fairway. The collision accurred because the crew of the Patience, seeing that they had European passengers, determined not to make any exertion to avoid the sampan. The measure of compensation, he submitted, should include at least the seven years' carning of the deceased, and the value of the property lost.

His lordship, in giving judgment, said that the claim was made up of $750 for the loss of the plaintiff's son, and $216 for the loss of property, damage to the boat, etc.

Mr. Robinson here seized the opportunity, whilst his lordship was drawing his breath, to continue his defence to the extent of about half a columa, aker which.

His lordship continued that, as he was about to say, the defence set up was.contributory negligence on two counts-first that the sampan was in the fairway, and secondly that she carried na light. Mr. Francis had stated the law Cor- rectly when he admitted that, even if both allegations were correct, the crew of the launch were bound to exercise ordinary skill and care, or the Company would be liable. With respect the first paint, the evidence of the plaintiff and his witnesses was that the sampan was anchored to the north-west of the Douglas buoy, He discredited the evidence of the quartermaster of the Ferien on the point. On the other hand witnesses for the defence had stated that the boat was to the east of the buoy. The only reliable evidence was that of the police, who, arriving after the collision, found the boat about a hundred yards in front of the Wharf, The plaintiff's counsel had endeavored to show that she had drifted there after the collision, but his lordship failed to see how that was possible, being of opinion that she was practically on the fairway to the wharf. With regard to the evidence as to the light, the plaintiff asserted that there was one, whereas the evidence for the defence was of a negative character-the witnesses only said that they did not see any, which was possible, even if there had been one. His lordship thought that the look-out suddenly sighted the row of cargo-boats in front of the sampan, and that he and the steersman were too occupied in getting out of their way to observe the sampan. Even if they did, there was not sufficient care taken in getting to the whaif. Under those circumstances the defence of contributory negligence failed. With respect to the question of damage, he must first dis- allow the charges for finding and burying the body, but as regarded the claim of $tot for meney, which the plaintiff said were the savings of twenty years, and were to go to buy the deceased youth a wife, there was some doubt. But the letter sent by the plaintiff

the

next day, Company

which he claimed $100 for the loss of his son, and said nothing of the loss of the money, made it appear like an after-thought, and it would be disallowed. For the jewellery and clotbing $25 would be allowed as ample cover. As regarded the claim for the loss of the son, the measure of damages was the loss of his services. In the letter 'they were set down at $200, and, apart from that, the fact that he was going to be marriedy and would, presumably, start on his own account, had to be considered. Taking plaintiff's own valuation, however, $100 would be allowed, or, altogether, $225, and costs.

to

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CLAIM AGAINST A POLICEMAN. Lo Kum Po,, claimed $500 damages from P. C. Miller, No. 72, lor. assault, illegal arrest, and malicious "imprisonment,-Mr. Wilkinson appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Mossop 'defended.

Mr. Wilkinson said that the plaintiff was a Christian, and a teacher in the Christian school for Chinese,

His lordship-Isn't this a case for a jury? Mr. Wilkinson said that he was willing to follow any direction by his lordship.

after the assault I took my wife to the Police funnel. The Station. She was wrapped Sergeant sent u to Hospital, where the doctor examined us. He told me to put my wife to bed. Mr. Mossop Tend a certificate from Dr. Atkinson stating that he had examined the woman, and found nothing the matter with her. Witness continued-7 did not call out "Tak at all, or obstruct the defendant,

Ho Cheuk, the plaintiff's nephew, corroborated. The case was afterwards adjourned until

to-marrow,

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

THE comprador of a well-know local firm who are large operators on Bombay yarn, opium, etc., has disappeared, and so have $40,000 which this worthy Celestial collected on behalf of his Of course the old story-rash employers. speculation. The missing gentleman is secured for $30,000.

SATURDAY'S China Mail contains game. more Glimpses of Canton" from the pen of the irrepressible globe-trotter who signs himself "Epsilon." He winds up by stating that he find "neither been stoned, nor booted, nor pelted with rotten eggs, nor called a foreign devil." A wonderful escape truly. And yet it seem a pity he did not meet with any of those exciting experiences. If he had bren smashed un with decaved hen fruit the 'one tender' of the China Mall would have been spared an infl.ction.

MRS WETTIN might with advantage read the following extract from a Bangkok contem- porary:-Since our last, His Majesty' the King bas ngain been out alone, driving to all parts of the city and suburbs. On Sunday after- noon be was seen on Windmill Road, seated in a carriage like any other ordinary gentlemas, and several persons out walking in that neigh- bourhood failed to recognise the Sovereign till after he had passed. A rumour among the Siamese has it that the King, accompanied by only one follower, was seen walking down the New Road yesterday afternoon.

THE rumour that Buddhism is finding plenty of proselytes in the French navy out in the East ands confirmation in a paragraph from a native piper at Yokohama, which says that three French sailors from a French man-of-war, which put into Takamatsu recently, visited the chief temple of the place. Removing their boots they went in and worshipped the idal of Buddha, and their behaviour was most reverent. They further worshipped at all the other images in the temple casting a two-cent piece into the box before each god as an offering. On leaving each gave the priest five cents.

AN experiment, attended with curious results, was tried the other day at the central disinfection office in Nagasaki-ken, according to a Japan contemporary, A number of cholera bacilli, frem patients, were taken and developed on beef tea which increased their site considerably, About 2 p.m. on the zoth six white rate were operated upon, twa being caused to eat some of the bacilli, while in the other four cases the germs were injected. About 7 in the evening two of the latter showed signs of lassitude, they became unable to walk, and expired the follow- ing morning, but the whole of the remaining four are said to be perfectly wall.

•

A CORRESPONDENT writes from Peking to our Tientsin contemporary-The condition of our streets continues tan horrible for description, the vry best of our freign-built houses have not proved adequate to the pluvial strains put upon their 100's. The rai fal is variously estimated, but the most trustworthy measuremen's appear te show 30 inches for the month of July, more than an ordinary year's supply. Communication with Tientsin, though still imperfect, is resumed. The American Minister and other travellers were reven days on the road The navigation of the Peiho is now practicable, only care has to be taken to avoid the temporary rapids made by the numerous breaches. At the Temples much damage has bien done, and both discomfort and danger have been encountered by many whe sought peace in the Western Hills.

P

A RUMOUR reaches us from Misaki, says a Yokohama paper, that the deep sea photographic project with which is associated the names of Pinfersors Burton, West and Milne has met with a serious reverse. A terrific explosion is said to have recurred, two persons have bee more or less seriously injured, and the apparatus which took many months to construct, is now at the

THUS a writer in the Singapore Free Press: There will be general pleasure felt in the ranks of rifle shots at the success at Bisley of that fine old shot Sergt. Bates of the 1st Warwick who won the Queen's Prize at the N.R.A, meeting of 10. Bates has been no fewer than six times in he final stage for the Queen's Prize, and only R. McVittie (1st Dumfries, now of Canada) and Mathew Caldwell, 181 V. B. Arg. and Suth, have exceeded that number of times in the final stage, without ever winning the coveted hannur, although both have been second. McVitie has been 8 times, and Caldwell 7 times in the Queen's Sixty," or, now, "Queen's Hundred. Quarter Master Cortis of the 2nd Sussex has also bren in six times in the final without winning the Queen's, although in 1872, score in the first stage, and again in 1876, be won the Silver Medal for the top

It is curious to note that out of the 3 times the Queen's Prize has been shot for the winner has only been that one time in the final, on 14 of The writer may be pardoned these occasions. the personal reference when he mentions that he had the pleasure of shooting for India against Sergt. (then Corporal) Bates in the Kolapere Cap. competition of 1885, and now desires to add his individuni congratulations to Sergt.

Bates on his victory.

THE STOWAWAYS ON THE "TAIYUAN."

At the Police Court on the 9th inst., before Mr. Robiason, the case of the Chinese stowaways on. board the China Navigation Co.'s steamer Taiyuan, which was remanded on Tuesday, was again heard. Mr. Hastings appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Rodyk, attended on behalf of Lo Akit, the No. 1 "boy" on board the vessel.

steamer,

Mr. Hastings, in opening the case, stated that the first defendant, Lo Akit, was head "boy" on board the steamer, which runs between here and Australia, four other defen- dants were "boys" on the same the sixth was. Charles Betts, second steward, and the seventh was the master of a boating- house in this Colony. They were charged with conspiring together to secrete passengers on board the steamer, and so secreting eight Chinesa without the master's knowledge, and there by defrauding the Compaar of their passage money. By the Australian Chinese Restriction Act of 1880 a poll-tax of £100 was imposed on every Chinaman going into that Colony, and masters of ships were liable to a fine of 500, and the ship to forfeiture, where a proper report of the number of Chinese passengers was not rendered to the authorities in Austra lian ports. It appeared that the first defendant Chinese hongs bad arranged with certain to secrete Chinese: passengers on board the steamer, and he arranged with the second steward, a European, to assist him, for which he was paid. The stowaways were taken on board and hidden in the rice room, which opened off the boys room. The ship was carefully the 12th searched before leaving here on June,, by the Captain, but the stowaways were not found, which was due to the second steward being sent to search the after portion of the ship. On arrival at Moreton Bay and Watson's Bay the ship was searched by the Customsauthorities, and no stowaways found, but on arrival at Sydney they were discovered, locked in the refrigerator. The Captain was charged under the Chinese Restriction Act, and it was with difficulty that be convinced the authorities that the men had been secreted on board without his knowledge, the matter being still under consideration by the Australian authorities. The Steamship Company had not only last the passage money of the men from Hongkong to Sydney, but it was a very serious The prosecution would withdraw the charge matter, as the steamer's reputation was at stake, against Le Akit and examine him in the witness

box.

His Worship:-But he has pleaded guilty, and is one of the principal conspirators. Have you no other witnesses?...

Mr. Hastings-No, unfortunately we are not able to get other evidence just now.

His Worship-V.ry well, if you think it

wise to withdraw the charge agains! Lo Akk

don't object.

I

Mr. Rodyk:-I understand the charge against Lo Akit is withdrawn unconditionally

His Worship-Yes. tell the first defendant he is held not guilty, the prosecution withdraws the charge against him unconditionally.

Lo

Akit left the

His lordship felt it to the parties. Mr. Wilkinson continued that on the ith July an information having been laid that there was illicit opium in the plaintiff's house, the defendant, with several Excise officers, went to the premises. Following the rule with police officers in this colony, defendant walked straight in, without producing the warrant, and plaintiff stopped him and asked what he wanted. Defen- dant showed him the outside of the warrant, and slapped his face with it. Plaintiff still insisted on seeing the warrant, and was again struck by the defendant, who then went up to the cock-loft, Paintiff, resenting this high-handed treatment, followed, protesting, and the constable then Arrested and charged him with obstruction. At the Magistracy, as would be shown by the depositions, défendant swore that he arrested the plaintiff because he put his head out of a THE following tea atatistics are published under window and called to the, people outside to raise the direction of the Hankow General Chamber a riot. It would be shown that plaintiff did of Commerce, under date 4th last. Business nothing of the kind-that he only looked out of reported since the a3rd ult. is as under :—

boltom of the Pacific. From what we hear thin apparatus consisted of an ordinary camera en- clos d in a cast-iron box sufficiently strong to withstand from 600 to 1,000 lbs. pressure to the square inch. When the stand attached to this touched bottom, by an ingenioas contrivance the cap was removed from the lens and the contents of two bottles were caused to mix-this mixing resulting in an explosion, giving the light necessary for the production of a photograph. remembered when she From what we can gather, by some means OF other the mixing must have taken place earlier than the operators expected.

a window and cried out "Tabi Tah!" meaning that he was being beaten. In view of those circumstances the amount claimed was extremely reasonable.

1890.

1,739

108

8,140 Chests

13,500

21

Court and

was

Seltenes Shiponts to Stanghal on

Nalive accolint....... 1, Boo The following are statistics at date compared Plaintiff was then called. He said-I am a Government school-teacher, and live at 26 with the corresponding circulas of last season, Square Street, with my brother andi family, viz. 6th August :- I remember the defendant coming to my HANKOW THA house with some other mea last month. They Settlements495,600 Ch. 347.7391-C should get a passenger and pay $140. Betts

Shipments to Shanghal on

went to the cock-loft, and I asked him, in Native sccount 20,100 Chinese, what was the matter. He did not Buck 80,000 reply, but slapped me in the face. Then I heard

1890,

53.120 199,600

1842

•

my nephew say they were looking for opium,37,300 i-Chests. 200,210 j-Charts, and I asked the defendant to shew mo the war Bhipments to Shanghai od

Native account 13,400 rant. He did not sbew it to me, but pushed me backwards.. sald "Why do you beat me," and Bock, nominal

6,500 316,500

he slapped me on the face again. They all Aval..... searched for the opium' then, and when my nephew asked him why he didn't shew the The entire business to date as compared with warrant, he slapped his face two or three the corresponding circular last year is as times also. We then retreated to the verandah, under :-- where defendant pushed my wife against a wall, and then into the cook-house, although she was near her confinement Then the defendant drrested me, and an excise officer read the war- rant to me. He said that even the Governor's

Fur London & America,.......#78,500 †-Chantal 164,490 †-Chanis.

Rusala

- 484,478-

*$12460

manner with the minimum damage to the line and the maximum benefit to the people. Not

Lutal, made an organised withstanding this the mob, nesisted if not led by the soldiery in destroy, but of course entirely failed to make attack on the 30ft. bridge, which they attempted any impression on so solid a structure. They next, on Tuesday last, tock forcible possession of the embankment, and spite the remon- stances of the foreign employées of the railway, hat their ostensible object would not be served by this act, and the water-level at Lutat, 3/ distant, was actually not lowered by it one inch. But there is reason to suppose the flood was made partly a pretext for, and out-break of, enmity to the railway which the commanders of the troops at Lutai were not illpleased to see the water of course soon made havoc with the soft material of which the embankment is con- structed, and the milway Rae has been con The seventh defendant (the master of the Posequently destroyed for several miles. Sub Cheung shop) denied that he paid the prisoner sequent to the above úpwards of 40 cuttings were made for no purpose but wanton destruc tion, for the water was level on both sides, and Betts any money at all,

the seven miles of railway between Lutai and Hanke bays thas been practically destroyed Various attempts had been made for several without rhyme or reason. daya previously to wreck the trains by placing obstacles on the rails,the object being apparently o gain possession of the embankment, the only dry ground in the country, on which some thou sands of men, women, children, and cattle are That the General in command at Lutal either instigated or connived at these proceedings of and a rather serious feature in the case is the the troops seems to admit of no doubt whatever: voluntary or involuntary supineness of the Viceroy, who when appealed to for help to save the railway property maintained, like Chung how in 1870, an attitude of strict reserve, than of the destruction of the Peiho bridge one year repeating on a more important scale the history

"Many things were of courra stolen, and the lives of the railway employées were threatened, to anarchy or military misrule, and the general notion that the high authorities are strong enough The whole district seems for the time abandoned

to control the troops, if not the peasantry, has received an 'unexpected shock.

Lo Akit, cross-examined by Betts, said-I did not go into your room and ask you, while in Hongkong, to take passengers on board for balance would be paid you in Sydney. I Sydney. I paid you $40, and said that the of the ice-room, get the key never nor had a skeleton key. This was my second voyage-how could I have a skeleton key? None of us had a skeleton key. You.guaranteed that the stowaways would get on shore in Sydney.

Montagu Beart, shipping clerke to Messrs..now chcamped. Butterfield and Swire. said that when the Taiyuan returned here he went on board, on the certain information and made a report to the morning of the 2nd instant. He there got Police, in consequence of which eight stowaways were arrested. About 5 o'clock in the evening of the same day he took Betts to Messrs. Butterfield & Swire's office. A document drawn up by Me presence. The decument contained the gist of Herbert Smith was there signed by Betts in his a statement made by Betts in witness's presence. He made the statement of his own hee will.

Mr. Hastings then put in the document in question, which his Worship thought it unneces- sary to have read to the Court.

By his Worship :-I am quite able to say that the men given in charge were the stow-

aways fined $50 each in this Court a few days ago, I don't know where they are now, for they Mr. Hastings-At this point I will ask your all paid their fines and have gone away. Worship to remand the case so that some of the stowaways may be found and brought up to give evidence.

His Worship: Yes, it would be much better if they were brought up. I remand the case until noon on Thursday the 14th instant, I discharge the first, second, and fourth defendants, ("boys,) as there does not appear to be sufficient evidence against them.

The seventh defendant, the master of the Po Cheungshop, then stated that he thought it would be well if his Worship would have the box of the first, defendant examined, as thereby evidence would he obtained which would throw considerable light on the whole affair. It would further tend towards the administration of strict justice, and to all present appearances the case was likely to result in a miscarriage of that justice which had ever been the pride of Britain, and the object of jealousy of other nations.

His Worship ordered that it should be done, and fixed bail at $500 for each of the three prisoners retained in custody.

FIRE AT BLACKHEAD'S

GODOWNS,

Last night (12th instant), at a quarter to six, a report was received at the Central Fire Station that fire had broken out at Messrs. F. Blackhead & Co.'s coal rodowns at Kow loon Point, The floating engine was quickly under way in charge-of Assistant Engineer Campbell and a number of the fire-brigade, who were soon hard at work pumping volumes of water over a huge 1,000 ton pile of coals which were smouldering ominously inside the godowns, and threatening to burst out in flames at any moment. The first discovery of fire was made by a coolle who observed that smoke was issuing from the roof of the Company's large corrugated iron godown, and that the iron (southern), side of the building was completely red-hot at a point about 12 feet above the ground. He at once ran to the Tsim-tsa-tsoi police station and informed the officer on duty, who in his turn wired over to Hongkong.

one

❘

ago.

and 3,000 men thereby thrown out of work. The Tongshan Colliery is of course stopped, Nothing can be done to repair damages till the water subsides, and the loss to the railway in the meantime cannot be less than. Tls. 15,000 per month, while the cost of repairs may be put down at the least at Tis. 50000. As for the. Mining Company their loss will be enormous, unless means can be speedily found for shipping their coal from Lutai.

The gaps made are as follows:-Ten gaps between Hanku and the first bridge towards. Lutai from 6ft to rBft, in width; between the bridge and the second flood opening there are twenty-two gaps of from 6ft. to 15. Near the camp bridge thres openings one of 75ft., and one of over 100ft,, and a number of smaller ones. Between the camp bridge and Lutal there is one opening a quarter of a mile in length, the upper stones of the masonry thrown down, and the

two square stones from the top and all the woodwork cut. At the bridge beyond Hanku, planking are gone.-Chinese Timis.

THE CHUNGKING COMMERCIAL

CONVENTION.

1

The following translation is from the Hu Pag of August 5th

Whereas in the first clause of the 3rd section lated that the British Government shall be of the Chefoo Convention of 1876, it was stipu free to send officers to reside at Chungking, to watch the conditions of British trade in Ste- chuan; British merchants shall not be allowed to reside at Chungking or to open establishments or warehouses there, so long as no steamers have access to the port. When steamers have succeeded in ascending the river so far, further arrangements can be taken into consideration." And whereas, owing to divergencies of views, It has not yet been found possible to make satis- factory arrangements, now therefore the Chinese and British Governments, being desirous of taking measures to settle this question in a spirit of mutual friendliness, have framed the following supplementary regulations,

the continued out-put of about 605 tons per diem reported that the coal supply is giving cut, but indicates sufficient resources at present. The farthest point to which any seam has been followed, is about one mile from the shaft, while the aggregate of seams mined will run well up into hundreds of milos. Much of the inferior coal le sold to the Chinese for local con- sumption, who come with all sorts of conveyances, and take it in varying quantities, at a low price, The surface mining which was carried on so extensively several years ago has apparently ceased. The coke pits cast a lurid glare over the night air, and are suggestive of other things than coke. A large amount of good coke is produced from dust and fine coal, much of which would otherwise be wasted, or be profitless.

The machine shops of the Railway Co. are being transferred from Su-ka-chwang to Tong- to this place in connection with future develop- meats of the country in the north. It is said. shan, which will give an increased importance

also that cement works are soon to be crected

to take some 40,000 tons of cement annually for a term of years for use on the Yellow River and other public works. This is one point at which foreign methods appear to have secured an established footing, and to be approving them- selves to the intelligent Chinese. All well- wishers of China must rejoice at their success- Chinese Times,

bere, and that the Government has contracted

*TİENTSIN.

(FROM OUR OWN Correspondent).

31st July, 1850. Since last writing, the water has continued to fall slowly, and is somewhat lower outside than inside the rampart. With the gates re-opened, we within shall be relieved about as rapidly as Another break in the outer plain, is relieved. the Grand Canal, 40 or 50: to the south, was reported yesterday, and refugees from that section of country were coming into the city. It is also reported that the water has found an outlet to the sea to the south of Taku. If this is so and the rapid lowering of the water yesterday, three or four inches, looks that way- it means more speedy relief for the flooded ter-" ritory than in 71, when the only outflow was by a return to the river at a distance below Tien-

west of the city, which will prevent the river isin. There is a vast body of water north and from falling to its normal condition for a long time. Some of this water flows through the break in the Canal on to the plain to the south of us, while apparently some of it crosses the river (Pelho) to the eastern plain. Indeed this plain seems to be in a worse condition than that to the south, inasmuch as there are eighteen breaches on that side between this and Tunge chow, and only six on this side. The railroad embankment also forms an obstruction to its road had been cut by the people in force between egress. It reported yesterday that the rail- Tongku and Tongshan. The soldiers were unable to prevent them-Shoot us if you will, we can but die in any case," the people said. The food supply of the people is almost entirely destroyed over more than 1,000 square miles of territory. The Chinese officials and benevolent societies are supplying all immediate wants. Tho refugees are accommodated temporarily in mat buts on the wall. It is to be hoped that many of them will be able to return to their homes, and that in some way funds will be provided for them to repair and rebuild their houses before the winter is upon them..

On Monday a well-attended meeting of the foreign community was held, at which the 1-Chungking is opened as a Treaty Port on situation was fully discussed. A committed the same footing as other Treaty Ports. British should collect funds, perhaps purchase a cargo merchants conveying merchandise from Ichang of grain while it is cheap, and in other ways to Chungking to back, shall either hire Chinese prepare for doing what it can in the winter, when built boats for that purpose, or employ boats the distress will be vastly greater than it is now, style, as they may prefor. provided by themselves and built in Chiness Sech is also the advice that comes to us from reliable and influential Chinese sources.-N. C. Daily News.

II.-Cargo conveyed in such boats from ichang to Chungking, or vice verid, is on the same footing as cargo conveyed in steamer between Shanghai and Ichang, and will be dealt with according to Treaty, Customs regulations, and general regulations for trade on the Yangtze

·

Our representative visited the scene of the fire this morning and ascertained that upwards of a thousand tons of Japan coal had been destroyed. Scores of coolies were at work carrying the coal from the godown out into the yard hard by. No flames were actually emitted from the pile, it appearing to have merely smouldered gradually for some time past, awing probably to the coal being stowed in the merely a supposition and mentioned as a possible River.

III With regard to the flags, distinctive godown in a damp condition. This is, of course, theory of the origin of fire. The damage remarks, and manifests of such vessels, and to the including cost of removal of the coal, must be considerable, but the godown itself is uninjured. transhipment of cargo intended for destinations Had this fire occurred in a building similar bigher up the river than Ichang as well as with to the which was destroyed by fire regard to the general rules to be observed by some three years ago the damage would doubt traders between Ichang and Chungkings the less have been far more extensive, for whereas Superintendent of Customs at Ichang, the present in this case the iron wall of the godown merely Cheu-tung Total resident at Chungking, and, occasion, have been enveloped in the fiery element together and frame regulations most conducive became red-hot it would, ns on the former the Commissioners of Customs will consult long ere assistance could have reached the spot, to the security and benefit of all, subject to such The fire was got under by noon to-day, but the modifications similarly agreed upon, in the future, engines were kept at work all day pumping as experience shall prove to be desirable:

IV-All Chiness or Chinese-built craft hired water over the smouldering heaps of coal.

The China Fire Insurance is principally under this Convention shall, in accordance with interested, and Mr. Coughtrie, the Secretary of the general regulations for trade on the Yangtze, pay ch'wan-line at Tchang and Chungking that Company, went over and inspected the

The Boats entitled to fly the British fag shall, accord godowns and contents this morning. Royal Insurance Company, Messrs. Melchersing to Treaty, pay tonnage dues. All boats & Co. agents, who are interested parties to the extent of $5,000, also went over to inspect the place. The exact extent of the damage cannot be stated until the report, now belug drawn up, is submitted to the offices interested.

STOPPAGE OF THE TIENTSIN RAILWAY.

then recalled, and placed in the "box" as a witness for the prosecution, He said he was head "boy" of the Taiyuan, and WAS seiling for Australia on the rath of last June. He remem bered some Chinese belog brought on board and stowed away, but did not know their names. He was told by the second steward to take certain men from the shore to, the ship. He was to go to Wong Acheung place at the Fo Cheung shop to getthem; Acheung brought fire men on board the Taiyuan in consequence of what witness told him, and accompanied them. Altogether $140

A tremendons anti-railway excitement has were paid for each passenger. Witness did not keep all the money himself. He gave $365 to Betts. The brother of the master of the Fo been got up at Lutai, which has led to the de Cheung shop was there. Betts told him to get struction of a large amount of property, and passenger for Sydney. It was clearly under seriously compromised the safety of foreigners stood that the passenger would be stowed away, employed on the line. It was alleged by the The agreement was to the effect that he people that the railway embankment was dam ming back the flood water on the north of the atated that he, would find space on board to Pehiang, to their detriment Taere was no real, put him in and that when on the ship the foundation for this as there was at the time a boarding-house keeper. would have to hand the temporary difference of level of only 15 inches passenger over to him (Betis), and he would between the one side of the railway and the sea blm landed at Sydney. The runner" pald other, while the only property which was in jeo- Betts $100 and brought the passenger on board. pardy and could be protected was some mud The seventh defendant took the passenger down. hats in which certain camp-followers, who are to the boys room and then put him into not on the muster roll, are housed. There the rice store. Betts was not in the boys' room, were in the immediate neighbourhood: ample and never met the seventh defendant, the master facilities for the passage of the water, of the Po Cheong shop. The rice-room opened two flood openinge in the railway embank off the "boys" room. It was impossible to get ment, of 130 feet each, and one bridgy of out of the rice-room without passing through the 30 feet, to say nothing of the Hanky bridge "boy room. The rice room was never left opent over the Pehtang, 718ft, wide. Had there been Betts kept the key of it Witness pald, in all, anything to be done to mitigate the effect of the $360 to bim that was when the vessel was flood or to save life or property, the railway under way, bound to Australls. Beits gave him engineers were ready to do it in a scientific

::

PEKING.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

21st July, 1890... Following the excessive heat heavy rains have: fallen On July 15th the rainfall was about one balf of the annual average. For nearly twa weeke rain has fallen daily, fax exceeding any.. thing known since the seventh year of T'ang Chih. Hitherto, in view of several fires in the

dragon now, doubtless his name will be changed: palace, the Emperor has been called the firee to the water-dragon: At the hills two of the houses ecoupled by the Methodists have been Presbyterians. Some rendered uninhabitable. A like fate met the

of

Four young men from the Legations were lately, bathing in a mountain stream, when a sudden rise of waters, car led away their clothes and they were shut off by the flood from returning to their temple. Hence they were chilged to whether Chinese craft hired by British subjects, send the night, cold and dreary, in a stato or boats of Chinese pattern provided by them natural simplicity, protected from the wind by a for their own use, conveying cargo to and for huge boulder. They reached home about six Chinaman. All the between Ichang and Chungking, must receive a

of them being assisted by a Customs, certificate and flag. Chinese-bullt o'clock the next morning, greatly exhausted, one hoats even if entitled to fly the British flag must temples leak badly, some have fallen in, or out, conform to this rule, failing which no boat of and many are unsafe. Most of the country elther class may participate in the benefits of people are roofless. Hundreds of houses and this Convention. Boats of either class provided walls are in ruins. The plain is a sheet of water. with the proper Customs fisg and papers may In Peking, in many places the streets are trade at Chungking and Ichang, all such vessels impassable, the water being on a level with the and cargoes being governed by Treaty and highest part of the streets, making it an easy matter for travellers (as your correspondent All other vessels will be controlled by the knows from experience) to step into the water

by general Yangtze regulations

covered openings of the sewers, walch is not a Native Customs exclusively, genet

Customs Certificates and flags are not to be pleasant episode, even when on horseback, transferred to other vessels from those to which bosts are forbidden to make improper use of the from the mountains during the night, and swept they are originally issued, and Chinese-owned At. Tungchow torrent of water descended British fing. For breaches of these Customs way the larger portion of the cast suburb, Regulations, the first offence is punishable drowning several people. Three of the five gates according to the system of penalties already of the city, are impassable. provid d by Treaty for the breach of Customs The death of Dr. F. E. McBride, is a sad loss offence Is punishable by the withdrawal of the just returned from Tatung Fu in northern Shan- Regulations at other open ports, and a second to the foreign community in Kalgau. He had customs certificate and flag and the revocations, whither he had gone at the call of a China of the privileges accorded of trading between Inland missionary, when his wom body yielded Ichang and Chungking

easily to his discate, malignant typhus ever. VAs soon as Chinese steamers shail convey The Russian merchants, who had often received cargo ta Chungking and back, British steamiers his kind assistance, expressed their appreciation may proceed to Chungking on the same footing by a wreath of white flowers, C. Dally

VI The present supplementary Regulations News, are to be regarded as equally binding with the Chefoo Convention, and may hereafter be incer porated with that instrument. They will require

by ROBERT FRASER:SMIT DE