1903-07-18 — Page 5

The

Hongkong Telegraph.

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(ESTABLISHED 1881.)

The

NEW SERIES No 4296.

NOTICE

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CONTENTS.

Births, Marriages and Ocaths.

Leading Articles --

International Exchange Commission.

pensation.

Westem Knowledge for Chinese.

The Singapore Opium Farm,

日四月五年九十二赭光

SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1903.

|

六拜禮

號八十月七英港香

on the commodity will be felt as a ta on an item of luxury-or vice, as some prefer to call it which they would be loth to forego.

THE C P. R. CO.

$30 PER ANNUM,

SINGLE COPY, 10-CENTE.

»COMPANY, LIMITED.

An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders in the China Light and Power Company, Limited, was held at the Company's offices, 14, Des Voeux Road, Central, at Ir a.m. on Monday, for the purpose of confiring a bomber of resolutions passed at a meeting held Shewan (chairman Hon. Sir Paul Chater, C.M.G., on 7th ult. Thge were present:-Hon. R. Messrs. J. H. Legis, D. E. Brown, C. A. Tomes, A. Bobingian, A, G. Gordon, A. Reid, Furg We Chun, and tenderson (secretary) last meeting and the notice convening the ex-

The Secretary having read the minutes of the

traordinary general meeting,

The Chairman proposed that the following resolution be submitted for confirmation as a special resolution That the capital of thes Company be reduced from $300,000 (divided into 15,000 shares of $20 each) to $150,000 (divided into 1507 shares of Sro each) and that such reduction be effected by reducing the pany's capital from Szo to $10 per share." nominal amount of all the shares in the Com

The Hon. Sir Paul Chater seconded, Carried.

shares of $10 each) to $300,000 (divided into

that Sir James Mackay, Sir Ewen Cameron, Įing officials who invariably control the purse porated by an Act of the United States! labouring class by whom any extralarge | THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER Messrs. Robert Chalmers, W. Blain, and strings of the Colony with an unseemly Congres As nearly as can be deter George W. Johnson have been appointed as parsimony when the "little fry" are con- England's members of what is termed the In-cerned. The curious position is that, as Ordinary Insiness mijatinas -lumaki be addroedternational Exchange Commission. The first Laxpayers, the subordinate officials contri-

to The Manger, The Editor will not underinke to be responsible for of these gentlemen, Sir James MacKay, is well-hute their quota to the enhancement of the any rejected MS., my to return any Contribution. known as the negotiator of the British-China salaries of their brother officials to this in- Commercial Treaty, while Sir Ewen Cameron, ordinate degree. The sum and substance as the London manager of the Hongkong of the decision from the Secretary of State to and Shanghai Banking Corporation, needs the petitioners represented, as it might have no introduction to the commercial con- been expected from the want of local official munity of Hongkong, he being closely sympathy manifested towards it, the exact connected with the interest of the Colony view conveyed in the despatch transmit- The decision ex- that is bound up in the leading finan-ing the memorials. cial institution in the East. Mr. Chal-pressed the Secretary of State's stereo- mers is principal clerk at the Treasury, typed regret" at "being unable to grant and the two other members are known any general increase of salaries or any to us in their connection with the recent relief by way of exchange compensation, Commission that dealt with the Straits Set-

on the ground that sufficient reason has not tlements currency difficulties. The com- been shown for such, on the part of the Subordinate Oficials and Exchange Composition of the Commission is one against petitioners. What greater ignorance of the prevailing conditions of the Colony can be imagined than this intentional blinking of the hardships which fall to the lot of most wage-earners in Hongkong, by reason of the excessive cost of living here complained of by all classes alike? It is hard to imagine the consistency of the reasoning which dictates in one case the enhancement of remunera- tion by means of double exchange compen sation while in another no grant of com- pensation at all. We have shown but a few days ago, from the financial statements furnished by Governinient, that some four | hundred thousand dollars was disbursed by the Treasury during last year for the double, exchange grants. On the basis of the average monthly rate of sterling ruling. officers granted the privilege have been and continue to receive salaries nearly ninety per cent of their respective salaries provided in the Estimates. "Monstrous "hardly qualities the prerogative which is enjoyed by the one class to the disqualification of the other. We have quoted in a previous article the

The C. P. R. Ca

Telegrams:-

Opium for China.

European Jumps Overboard.

Meetings:--

The China Light and Power Co., 1d. Tebrau Planting Co., Ltd.

Sani ary Board.

Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce. Legal Intelligen∞:--

Junk Owner Sues C. & M. S.S. Co.'s Rufi Miscellaneous, Articles and Reports:-

The Plague.

A Forgery Cast.

The Bribery Charge against Johannsen,

tion.

The Volunteer Concert.

A Post Office Case.

Purse Snatcher Sentenced.

William Powell, I.d.

which no exception need reasonably be taken, seeing that it consists of the advocates for both reform and the present status que. The Commission, which is said to be in large part due to the desire of China to find a way out of the difficulties created for her by the insistence of certain of the Powers that the payment of the war indemnity, be on a gold basis, will deliberate a fort night in Landon with the American and other delegates and then proceed to Paris. The San Francisco Chronicle, from which we cull our information, says it is

Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Copora. stated that one of its important duties will be to discuss the possibility of harmonizing the policy of the Straits Settlements with that of the local currency of the United States in the Philippines and that of Mexico The result of the conference will be looked for with considerable interest. It has been predicted by extruine gold nunometallists that the attempt to regulate exchanges will

Raub Gold Mining Co.

Hemp, Sugar; Rice.

Kemsene.

Freight.

Fire at Macao.

Reported end of the Yunnan Rebellion, The Kwangsi Rebellion

The New Amoy Dock Co, Ltd.

The New Treaty Ports.

S. C. Farnham, Boyd & Co. Ltl.

Naval Promotions,

Results.

Tientsin.

Chinese Decorations for Foreigners. War Preparations in Port Arthur. Change of Officers in the T. K. K. Accident to S.S Rohilla Maru, Philippine Products.

Philippine New Coinage. Fortifications for Philippines. Fighting the Plague.

The Japanese lavasion of Korea. India's Yarn Trade.

Bridging the tongkong Harbour.

The Census of the Bombay Presidency. Boycotting Chinese;

prove abortive, and they point to the alleged

breakdown of the Latin Union, which aimed

ment.

at a similar result, to support their views. Methods of Reform in China, and their NetBut, according to our San Francisco contem-opinions of Mr. Huttenbach of the Straits poray, they overlook the fact that the with Settlements on the effect the depreciation of drawal of the support of several nations the dollar has on the wage-carning class in practically on a bimetallic basis was respon-silver-using countries. That effect cannot sible for the failure of the Union and not work otherwise than to reduce the social and any inherent defect in the plan; and they physical standards of the individual members also ignore the essential difference between of that class unless the wherewithal to main the proposed method of regulation by tain the standard of efficiency is obtained. limitation of output and the free coin- Mr. Huttenbach is no mere theorist; but age arrangement which prevailed when speaks as an authority on the subject, his France, Belgium and Italy were in agree views and his deductions being based on It may be said also that many bime-practical experience and a perfect knowledge tallists are doubtful about the success of any of the condition of the country of which he experiment which may be made which does not provide for the free coinage of the two speaks. To cite a still greater authority in relation to this Colony; we need only allude metals on a fixed ratio. They claim that the break-up of the Latin Union was due to the abandonment of free coinage by the United States, and they feel assured that any attempt to maintain a ratio without the privilege of free coinage will merely re sult in providing an expensive currency which might as well be of paper, if it is to be made redeemable in gold, as of the more costly counters of silver, whose truc

China and Impoṇation of Arms.

Reminiscences and Anecdotes.

Great Britain in China.

International Exchange Commission.

The Eastern Mails.

The Flour Trade.

Impressions of Mongolia.

United States Currency Commissiou.

The Shortest Route.

Death of Miss Janet Waldorf.

American Cotton Manufacturers. The Pope Illness.

The Nile of 1953-

Local and General.

BIRTHS. On board the Spanish mail steamer Isla de Luton, on 29th May off Socotra, the wife of JUAN MENCARINI, 1.M. Customs of a son, ALFONSO.

On the 28th June, at Foochow, the wife of

value will fluctuate with the fluctuations of the price of silver. Under the circumstances,

The Chairman proposed:-"That after such reduction the capital of the Company be in- creased from $150,000 (divided into 15,000 30,000 shares of $10 each) by, the creation of 15,000 new shares of $10 each to be offered and Regard-faccepted to be allvited to the present share- holders of the Company in the ratio and pro-

mined present the needs of the College, as regards the number and kind of men that will be required within the next few years, convey a pretty accurate idea of the plan, which has apparently been formula-

We have received from Mr. D. E. Brown ted, for the enlargement of the scope of the institution's work. During the current year general agent of the Canadian Pacific Rail the needs, are: a principal and one other way Company, a circular announcing the man for the preparatory department. The acquisition by the Company of the fleet work of this department corresponds with the comprising fourteen steamships ofthe Liver usual preparatory work at home, with the pool, Bristol and London services from exception of the European classical and Messrs. Elder, Dempster and Company. modern languages. One man to supply for From San Francisco exchanges to hand yes, two or three years in the preparatory depart terday we learn that it was privately reported ment, and then teach in connection with this time last month from Tacoma that the the Fitting Class, which is meant to fit pupils Canadian Pacific Railway had quietly ab for entering the preparatory department. sorbed the Canadian Pacific Navigation One physician, to act as physician to the Company, taking over its fourteen steamers school and teach in some of the lower depart-plying between Victoria, Skagway and other ments until the medical departement is started, points. The transfer is very important to Northwestern transportation interests, since which it is hoped will not be later than 1907. During 1904, the call is for one superinten it gives the Canadian Pacific an opportunity dent and one other person to take charge of to make through rates from Eastern cities to the Fitting Class above mentioned. For the Alaska and British Yukon towns. following year two more men for prepara ing the service from our starting point in the tory work will be required, this number Farther East this big deal makes it possible to be augmented by one more man in 1906 for passengers booking viâ C. P. R. Lines with the addition of one professor of physics to travel between China, Japan and England and two physicians to make up a faculty of entirely by the Company's steamships and four for the medical department. The limit railway, under the unique conditions that of increase in the staff does not stop here; the service for the entire distance of 12,010 for duting 190; it is contemplated to in-miles is under the direct management and crease it by one professor of mathematics, one professor of economics, one profes- sor of pedagogy, one professor of chemistry, and two men for preparatory or supply work, During the fifth year, ic, in 1908.the ad- ditional members will include one professor uf incchanical engineering, one professor of history, one professor of philosophy and allied subjects, one assistant in pedagogy, and cae man for preparatory or supply work, In addition to these the development of the scheme may call at any time for professors of biology and geology, five more men for pre- paratory work, a dentist, a pharmacist, and a business manager. It will thus be seen that the magnificent programme presented by the Christian College in China, when completed within the next few years, will not lack in efficiency in any department of in- struction for the Chinese out here that is at present placed within reach of those desir ous of secondary education in Europe 'or | America. Dr. Wisner is at present assisted in the faculty by Dr. A. H. Woods, Mr. Clancey M. Lewis, B.S., and Mr. Olin D. Wannamaker, L.A.

to Sir Thomas Jackson. In his evidence THE SINGAPORE opium FARM. before the Straits Currency Commission, in answer to the Chairman's question:

i

very

(17th July.)

you recognise that the fall in silver,

Telegraphic information was received in the fall in the value of silver as com

the Colony two days ago that the new opium gold, has been

and spirit farms have been granted by the pared to serious matter?'

Sir Thomas replied: Straits Settlements Government to the pre "I do, and I feel it, that is much more." sent farmer for $475,000 a month against Asked whether he thought that prices and the present rental of $263,000. The yearly ages do not get adjusted to the new rate of increase derived by the new revenue is, exchange in time, his reply was: "No, not therefore, $2,544,000 at the rate of $212,000

A special supervision of a single company. dispatch to the S.F. Call states that "the Canadian Pacific Navigation Company has always been allied with the railway, and some

of its stockholders were shareholders in the railway, thus insuring harmonious operation. However, the railroad has not been in a position to make arbitrary rates without ab- sorbing the water tariff and at tithes this would not be profitable. No change has been made in the Alaska tariff, but trans portation men believe that, when any large amount of business is open to competition the Canadian road will be a formidable rival. The Canadian Pacific is working in utmost harmony with the White Pass Railway, which moved its headquarters last fall from Seattle to Vancouver. A fine line of steamers is now owned by the Canadian Pacific, com- and prising its trans-Pacific, trans-Atlantic British Columbia coast services, British Columbia lake service and Alaska sérvice."

TELEGRAMS.

HONGKONG TELEGRAPH"

SERVICE.

(From Our Correspondent.) European Jumps Overboard

AT CANTON,

CANTON, 13th July, 3.50 p.m. Mr.Duncan(?) mate, recently in the employ of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., at Shanghai, jumped overboard

the tidepole at Whampoa and was Macao S.S. Pon while. lying in drowned.

G. SIEMSSEN, 11.G.M.'s Consul, of a daughter, when the doctors on both sides say that the quite; to a certain extent they have, but not a nionth. The value of these farms alone from the Hongkong, Canton and

On the 2nd July, at Tangshan, the wife of medicine will not cure, the result of the con JOHN JACKSON, of the C. E. & M. Co., Chinference will be looked for with curiosity. wanglao, of a son.

On the 12th July, at No. 9, Pedder's Hill, the wife of I. KUHN, of a son.

On the 15th July, at No. 30, Haskell Road, Shangbai, the wife of C. J. WHITE, of à daughter.

MARRIAGES.

On the 7th July, at St. Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore, by the Revd. E. G. Evans, M.A | NATHANIEL STUBBS, sixth son of Samuel, and Rose Jennette Stubbs, of Singapore to Rose MARY, eldest daughter of Captain Fripp and the late Rose Constance Fripp, of Singapore.

DEATHS.

At the Peak Hospital, on the 9th July, C. F. E. MANICUS, of Amoy. Age 43 years.

On the 10th July, at 38, Range Road, Shang hal, MARY MARTIN, the beloved wife of TIMOTHY RICHARD, aged 59 years.

The Hongkong Telegraph

HONGKONG, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1903.

INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE

SUBORDINATE OFFICIALS AND

EXCHANGE COMPENSATION.

In several respects last week might be considered as one of disappointments to the Colony generally. The reply from the Secretary of State to the Naval Dockyard Removal petition aroused considerable feel-

On the 8th July at St. John's Church, Hat-ing of surprise and in certain quarters almost kow, THOMAS ALEXANDER STEWART CAME RON, son of 1. B. Cameron, to MARY, eldest indignation. To yet another section of the daughter of the late Samuel Ed. Williams, of community ati unpleasant piece of informa Tientsin, N. C.

tion was reserved to be communicated to then towards the week's end. The reception accorded their memorials to the Right Honourable Mr. Joseph Chamberlain for some measure of relief they sought to gain by reason of the silver exchange question, which no impartial judge will deny affects to a considerable degrec all wage-earners in the Colony, was a denial which is not con- clusive in the argument therefor. The petitions from the subordinate officers of the Civil Service have been published in the COMMISSION.

columns of the Telegraph, and the comments which they elicited from this journal were (13th July.) Some months back Great Britain virtually those of an unbiassed mind. We wished to refused to entertain a proposition made by see justice done to the lower branches of the United States that the leading commer-he Government service, and we did not cial nations should take under consideration hesitate to express, and now to reiterate, the propriety and possibility of assisting the our opinion that no one branch of the Ser silver-using countries to put their monetary vice should have been excluded from parti- affairs on a more satisfactory basis, declaring cipation in the liberal Exchange Compensa in effect that the matter was one to be set-tion Scheme granted by the Legislative tled by the countries concerned in their own Council. That scheme, be it noted, has way. Following the visit of the American been placed on a footing of a double grant Commissioners to London about the middle for those of the "charmed circle" who, of of May last, it will be of interest to learn Course, are to be ranked among the govern

A DEL TE SANTU

of so eminent an authority with that of revenue for Hongkong, not excepting land quite Contrast the unprejudiced opinion in the Straits Settlements exceeds the total the higher officers of the Government, to sales, by nearly one million dollars a year. whom we are prepared to grant the higher The principal unsuccessful bidders, we learn gift of intuition than a pretended show of from the Straits Timer, were the Sect Tiang ignorance which led to their advice to Lim kongsi, who offered $460,000 per month Downing Street. Truly, none are so blind for the first year, $480,000 per month for the second, and $500,000 a month for the third as those who do not wish to see!

-giving an average of $480,000 a month, or

WESTERN KNOWLEDGE FOR CHINESE.

apparently $10,000 a month more than the

successful bidder. When compound interest is considered, however, the two bids stand (16th July,)

about level. A Penang syndicate offered Comparatively speaking, but little is known $461,000 per month, while the Towkay of the facilities which are afforded the Chi- Loke Yew made an offer of $335,000 nese of the better class for acquiring per month which was the lowest put in. Western knowledge in one of the best equipped institutions, as regards its projected personnel, in China that is within our know ledge. The Christian College in China, for such is the name of the institution to which we allude, is established within easy reach

On the 31st proximo the Hongkong con. cession, which does not, however, include the spirit farm, the licensing of dealers in which is regulated by statutory powers vested in the Government, will also be allotted. The present monopoly brings in of Hongkong, at Macao. Its headquarters a revenue to the Colony of $750,000, an were at first in Canton, and when the nually, and if the price to be paid for the new Boxer trouble broke out in 1900 it was privilege will bear anything like the ratio found by the faculty, with the Rev. Dr. O. F. derived by the Straits monopoly we should Wisner, as president, that a more convenient have an increase in the new Budget by habitat might, with advantage, be established approximately three-quarter million dollars in the neighbouring Portuguese colony. per annum for the next three years at Since then the educational work of the least. There is no reason why a much larger College has been conducted with increasing amount should not be paid for the exclusive success, and the carolment of Chinese privilege of dealing in opium in retail in the pupils progresses apace with cach new Colony and the New Territories.

A thorough course of elementary increased and annually increasing Chinese term. education in the language and science population creates a larger demand for the of the West has hitherto been aimed drug, and the supply should increase in a at; but by a recent programme, which like proportion, While capable of paying a we have seen, the College bids fair to be larger price for the farm, there seems to be come one of the most important institutions at the same time no necessity to put of its kind in China. It was started with up the retail price to consumiers, who are funds endowed by Americans and is incor mostly to be found among the coolie and

Opium for China. (From Our Own Carrechoudent.)

BOMBAY, 16th July. The P. & O. Steam Navigation Company's steamer left Bombay yes- terday afternoon with about 1,000 chests of Malwa opium.

The prices are---

Malwa New......Rs. 1,240

Old

1,310 Oldest

* 1440

גני

THE PLAGUE.

Three fatal cases of plague, making 1,347 since January 1st, were notified during the twenty-four hours ended at noon to-day. They were Chinese.

portion of one new share for every old share in the Company hild by the respective share-

holders thereof,"

Mr. D. E. Brown' seconded. Carried.

with the Debenture Trust Deed or Mortgagė

The Chairman proposed :-"That in con sideration of the guarantee and undertaking now given by Messis. Shewan, Tomes & Co. (the General Managers of the Company) and testified by their signature hereto (and to be further testified by the execution by the said Shewan, Tomes & Co. ofa separate instrument of guarantee to be executed contemporaneously hereinafter referred to and to be held by the Trustees thereof to be appointed as hereinafter 1994 and 1905 in respect of the new shares mentioned) that the dividend for the years 1903. referred to in the second of the preceding reso- lutions shall not fall below the rate of 6 per centum per annum in each and every one of the said three years the said Shewan, Tomes & Co. as such General Managers as aforesaid be and they hereby are authorised to issue Debentures the property of the Company to be secured by a duly executed Mortgage thereof by the Com- pany to such persons as Trustees for and on behalf of the Debenture holders as the said Shewan, Tomes & Co, may by writing under their hand appoint. The said Debentures to be issued in the shape of Bonds for $1,000 or Sto each at the Debenture holders option respectively but so that the aggregate amount in value of such Debentures taken together shall not exceed the sum of $200,000. The Bonds for and in respect of the said Debentures may be issued at a discount not exceeding 21. per cent, on the face value thereof, but so that- the holders respectively of such Debentures shall not be entitled to be repaid more than the face value thereof. The, said Debentures, to bear interest at the rate of 8 per cent., per an num to be computed from the date of actual issue to the respective holders thereof and to be repayable within 5 years from and after the date of such actual issue in manner following that is to say No portion of the amount paid in respect of any of, such Debentures shall be repayable during the first three years following the date of the actual issue thereof but upon the expiration of such period of three years there shall be repaid in respect of each Deben- ture to each and every holder thereof

(u) "One quarter of the amount paid in re. spect thereof within six calender months following the expiration of the said period of three years;"

to the amount of not more than $100,000 on

(5) "One quarter of the amount paid in re- spect thereof within twelve calendar months following the expiration of the said period of three years;"

(c) "One quarter of the amount paid in re- spect thereof within eighteen calendar months following the expiration of the said period of three years;"

and

("One quarter of the amount paid in re- spect thereof within twenty-four calendar. months following the expiration of the said period of thiee years." Mr... H. Lewis seconded. Carried.

The Chairman-That is all the business, gentlemen,

TEBRAU PLANTING CO.,, D.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The seventh general meeting of shareholders in the above company was held in the com- pany's offices at noon on Tuesday. There were present Messrs. Hart Buck (chairman), H. Humphreys, G. Murray Bain, A. H. Mancell, A. P. Nobbs, J. S. Hagen, I. M. Wong, Lau Chu Pak and J. L. Cotter (secretary).

The general managers reported as follows:

To the Shareholders of The Tebrau Plant-

ing Company, Limited.

Gentlemen, We beg to lay b.fore you our balance sheet for the year ending 30th April last. We also annex the repeat of our estate manager, Mr. Larken.. The accounts have been audited in Singapore by Mr. Evatt; and in Hongkong by Mr. W. Hutton Potts.

JOHN D. HUMPHREYS & SON,

General Managers. Hongkong, 1st July, 1903.

JOHORE, Singapore, 24h: May, 1903. Messrs. JOHN D. HUMPHREYS AND SON, Hongkong. General Managers, Tebrau Planting Com.

pany, Limited.

}

Dear Sirs. -- beg to report as follows on the Mount Austin Plantation during the twelve months ending 29th April, 1903. **

CHA tea is already exported from Odessa to Persia via Baku, to the extent of 400,000 lbs. annually, but it is anticipated that the quantity will very largely increase as soon as the new Russian steamers piy regularly with the Persian Gulf. The business is highly profitable to the merchants engaged in it, the tea being mostly of the poorest quality, while the exporters get the benefit of substantial bounties and heavily But Indian tea is so subsidised transport. superior that it would be sure to monopolise Coffee. My hopes of a rise in price were the Persian market if it found free and direct completely disappointed and in spite of the fall The entrance overland from the country of its prin value of silver, the dollar price of coffee in duction. To prevent that, the Shah, unde Singapore remained so low, only from $18 to Russian influence, seeks to bar it out by heavy Sro per picul, that combined with shortness of Customs dues; while the quarantine regulations crop, it was evidently no use to attempt to carry so vexatiously used against incoming on the coffee portion of the plantation, for we caravans that the cost of transport from Quetta. were not getting enough to pay the coolies' is seriously augmented. Owing to the increased wages, and bad to continue drawing on our production of tea in British Asia it has become capital, although the coffee had arrived at essential for the financial prosperity of the maturity. In spite of the low price we could industry to open fresh-external markets, and still have covered working expenses if we had. there is one more promising than that of had a reasonably fair amount of crop, but unfortunately the whole plantation became Persia.-Gløde,

ate

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