1903-11-10 — Page 5

THE "EMPRESS”—“ KWANG TAI"

COLLISION.

PROCEEDINGS IN ADMIRALTY.

Shanghai, 6th November. Before His Honour. Sir Hiram Shaw Wilkinson, Chief Justice and Commander Moore, R.N., H.M.S. Sirius, Naval Assessor.

The Imperial Chinese Government, the

owners of the cruiser Kwang Tai v, the owners of the steamer Empress of India.

Mr. A. S. P. White Cooper and Mr. W. North Symonds appeared for the plaintiffs and Mr. E. H. Sharp, K.C., and Mr. W. A. C. Platt for the defendant company..

Mr. White Cooper handed in an Admiralty chast of the Coast of China near to Hongkong and in reply to the Court Counsel said that he proposed to leave the Court to mark thereon the position of the wreck.

His Lordship granted leave to Counsel to correct two clerical errors in paragraph 4 of the petition, Mr. Sharp offering no objection.

Mr. White-Cooper then read the following

petition,

7

The petition of the Plaintiffs shows as fol-

lowa:-

SUPPLEMENT TO THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1903.

PPLEMENT TO THE HONGK

in favour of safe navigation. The weather evidently degenerated from olden days, for it American war, was the refuge of several hun-adjunct to the Govermen was clear and though there was no moonlight is now but an unintelligible bawl, every thing could be seen a long way off.

CONVICTO.

3.As the Empress of India proceeded, the while light gradually opened out on her star board bow, until, as she was about to pass the Kwangtal, the white light suddenly began to There was practically no wind and the two) Chinese convicts, heavily ironed in pairs close in and the Kwangtai was observed to be ships were proceeding to the same destination,[Nota-By a recent order the chains have turning to port across the course of the Em-Hongkong. Those on the Empress must have been done away with.-Ed.] and attended by press of India. Immediately thereafter the seen the cruiser about 30 miles from the scene a couple of guards, pass along the Praia to do Quangtai's red light appeared and, (the of the collision or must have been watching various work for the barracks, carrying water, Quangtai continuing to swing round with great her for about a couple of hours. The cruiser etc. However, they are not so strictly discip rapidly) her port bow struck the starboard side saw the Empress about 10.45 p.m. so that the lined as in other places; they pick up rigar of the Empress of India near the break of the former only saw the latter for an hour. A and cigarette ands without let or hindrance, forecastle. When the Quangtai changed her

this time the curiser was proceeding at the rate and talk and joke amongst themselves. course as aforesaid the Empress of India was of 91 knots and the Empress 14 knots and she heading in a direction divergent from the would therefore have gained on the cruiser course of the Quangtai, and if the Quangtal something over four knots an hour. There had kept her course and speed, the Empress of was ample sea room, and it was not the case India would have passed her in ample safety of one ship overtaking another in narrow water. at a distance away of quarter of a mile or It was true that there was a number of fishing thereabouts. The collision occurred about.15

boats about, but there was no question of ample miles E. by S. of Breaker Point at about

sea room. The course of the two ships was, as 11.48 p.m.

4-The Empress of India took all proper measures to avoid the collision and to minimise the force and effect of the impact, and to render assistance to the Quangtal afterwards. Im- mediately when risk arose through the Quang- tai changing her course as aforesaid, the Empress of India's helm was put hard a'star- board and her port engine was reversed full

collision could only then be avoided by the Quangtai porting, repeatedly hailed her so to

stood by the Quangrai until she sank at two (2) next morning and the EmpressofIndia remained at the scene of the collision for some hours afterwards,

nearly as possible, parallel, which one might expect in the case of two ships proceeding, to the same destination.--Snanghal Mercury.

RANDOM JOTTINGS IN MACAO.

THE CITY.

GAMBLING.

Macao is the great place for gambling at fan-tan (in newspaper diction it is the Monte Carlo of the Far East). This has so often been described that it is unnecessary to do more than refer to it. There are, however, many forms of gambling carried on, one in which paper

tickets printed with the Chiness numerals are used, and coolies may be seen in the streets daubing the numbers they fancy with ink, or burning them with the ever-handy joss-stick.

At the present time stern-wheel junks or passenger-boats, crammed with natives, ply between Canton and Macao and the interven. ing towns on the creeks, but they are said to

dred priests of various denominations from Manila and the Philippines generally, who are said to have brought such vast wealth with them that the banks in Hongkong, though they took it into their custody, refused to

allow interest on it.

called in this colony, have very friendly rela- The Portuguese, or Macaenese as they are tions with the Chinese community, and probab- ly the chief reason is because the majority of the former speak Chinese like natives, which is of course a potent factor towards a good feeling

to look on the colony with covetous eye, not hetween the two peoples. The French are said

for itself, but doubtless with a view to a sphere of influence including Canton, and their gun- boats are now constantly in the harbour.

erected for a Nursing Instit having been obtained, and th nowcompleted, it remains for carry out your Excellency's". and speaking for the Committee, will be lost in bringing the scheme

stage, it was hoped that the fulfilment of by erecting this adjunct. Having reac scheme for the Hospital would proceed without impediment. The plans and estimates had been prepared by Messrs. Palmer and Turner whose original design was considered first in

Grounds; but when tenders were invited they order of merit in the competition which had been held for a building in the Civil Hospital proved so far in excess of the estimates that it much trouble, a tender was finally obtained at seemed impossible to proceed further. After a rate within the funds at the disposal of the Committee, and the work has now, as you see," been successfully completed. The total ex- penditure upon the Hospital and quarters has been $118,891.05, and with the interest which has accrued on the principal, we have been It is said they are going to dredge the bar. enabled practically to meet this sum. There bour-sometime; that Maeno is going to be have, however, been some extras incurred -asis the case in every large buildlag-which railway is to be built from Macao to Canton part of the Government, to defray, our funds lighted by electricity-sometime; and that n

you, Sir, have kindly undertaken, on the

of things changeth, and rivals have lately ap- also sometime! It may be so: the old order being absolutely exhausted. Turning now to the Road, as I have already stated, one-half of the Fund, amounting to $91,190,69, wa

But Macao is quite contented as she is, and it is te be doubted if any other nation would tive as peaceably with the neighbouring Chinese as do the present owners of the colony.

Canton manned by a crew of 178 hands all do. After the collision the Empress of India billy narrow streets and alleys, paved with the paddie-wheel. I believe passengers often only come, as the Portuguese say, " to-morrow!" the guidance of the inte Director, Mr. R. D.

1.-Plaintiffs are the owners of the cruiser

time of the event hereafter referred to was on a voyage from Shanghai to Hongkong and

told and carrying in addition to her proper armament guns and munitions of war for the Imperial Military forces in Canton and six passengers.

fashion of a treadmill, geared by side-rods to by gangs of coolies treading on steps after the

pay their passage by doing so much "time" on this mill,

HENDICANCY,

colony that the threatened innovations will sake of the peace and picturesqueness of the

THE JUBILEE MEMORIAL..

out by the. Public Works Department, under preparation of estimates, which were carried

Ormsby, the work extending from Kennedy Town via Aderdeen, Stanley and Tytamtuk to Shaukiwan. When this preliminary work had been completed, Mr. Ormsby reported very unfavourably upon the section of the road which it was proposed to make out of

then General Officer Commanding, raised the Fund, namely, that from Kennedy Town to Aberdeen, whilst Major-General Black,

Kwang Tai of 3,200 tons register which at the speed, and those on board her, perceiving that Portuguese, half Chinese aspect; its variously taken by launches. These boats are worked | kong-Macan steamer; but let us hope for the period was spent in the making of surveys and A curious old 'city is Macao, with its half be decreasing in number, their place being neared on the run of the time-honoured Hong- allotted for its construction. A considerable tinted colourwashed and stucched house, and granite cobble, whereon the rickshas rattle in manner distracting to the mind but doubtless excellent for the liver. Some of the streets, especially in the purely Chinese quarters, Bro not only very narrow but crooked also, and the houses at the angles of peculiar outline; in fact, few houses in the older parts of the city are anything like rectangular in plan.

Macas lies, roughly speaking, forty miles west of Hongkong, which for various reasons has usurped the trade and prosperity of the former place, partly owing to the shallowness

2.-Defendants are the owners of the British #crew steamer Empress of India.

3-The Kwang Tai left Shanghai on the 13th August, 1903, at about 12.15 a.m., anchored at Gutzlaff the first night and next morning at 5 o'clock started again. Anchored again an Fu Yan Island on the 15th August, 1903, about 7 p.m. and left on the 16th August, 1903, at 7.30 a.m. and started for Hongkong.

4. At 10.38 p.m. on the 17th August, 1903, sighted the Cape of Good Hope light, and at 10.54 sighted Breaker Point light proceeding at the rate of about nine knots. The Kwang Tai had her regulation lights properly fixed and burning brightly and a good lookout was' being kept on board of her. The weather was dark but clear. The Course was, West by

South 4 South which would take the cruiser straight to Ped, Blanco Island, At about

10.45 p.m., the lights of a steamer, astern were "sighted at a distance of about 8 or 9 miles. Those on watch saw the two masthead lights In a direct line. This steamer afterwards proved to be the British steamer Empress of India. There was no vessel, ahead. The red and green lights of the Empress of India became visible concurrently when she was at a distance of about 2 or 3 miles.

5.-The Empress of India was seen rapidly overtaking the cruiser Kwang Tai, and the Kwang Tai kept her course without alteration

17

To those on board the Empress of India it seemed that the Quangtai must have neg ligently failed to observe, until close thereto, a junk which was on her port bow, and that those on board the Quangtai must have lost all pre- gence of mind. The junk was not in the Quangtai's way, and if she changed her course for the junk, as was unnecessary; she ought to have ported instead of starboarding.

6-A good look-out was not kept on the Quangtai.

The Quangtai, though the overtaken vessel, neglected to keep her course,

8.The Quangtai Improperly starboarded

her helm.

9-The Quangtai having starboarded her helm as aforesaid, improperly persisted in swinging around to port, though such action rendered the collision, certain, and though the collision would have been avoided by the Quangtai porting.

of the sea and the fact that the harbour is very small and gradually but surely sitting up with the mud brought down by the Went River, and partly, no doubt, to the lack of energy and ea terprise of the lethargic Portuguese Govern-

ment. The houses, now private residences,

which belonged to the East India Company in the palmy days of the Colony, still stand on the Praia or sen-front, the walls thick and the windows barred heavily with iron, though this is usual with most houses in Macao.

Many of the windows in the colony are filled in with small pieces of split oyster-shell in lieu to-The Quangtai improperly attempted to of glass, framed together in wood, which gives cross ahead of the Empress of India.

them the look of the old-fashioned leaded 11-The Quangtai gave no whistle or signal sashes. Both Chinese and Portuguese seem or warning of any kind to the Empress of In-fond of ornamental plaster-work, most houses dia to indicate the said change of course. being stuccoed, as native brickwork will not

12.Both before and after the collison the stand the weather without protection. Varie Quongtai was navigated in a reckless and gated pavements of gmy granite picked out in improper manner:

white patterns with quartz are much in vogue, and tozether with the enormously heavy double- tiled roofs of some houses and the flat tops of

13.-Those on board the Quangiai neglected, to comply with the established practice of sea-

One sees very little of Chinese beggars in Hongkong and Shanghai, but there are many of them in Macao, some suffering from hideous mutilations and diseases, chiefly of the legs and feet, and skin eruptions of every description, which is not surprising considering the filth through which the coolie class walk barefoot, not to mention their personal uncleanliness. All sorts of eye diseases are exceedingly common. These beggars lie by the roadside or besiege the shop doors, where they are very. persistent and annoying, though the native shopkeepers do not seem to mind their hanging round the premises. Many blind and semi-

blind persons tap their way along the street,

some striking a small gong at intervals.

INDUSTRIES.

The waterfront of the harbour is strewn with

in connection with the handing over of the Following is a verbatim report of the speeches

account of which appeared in our issue the Jubilee Memorials last Saturday a lengthy

same day-

cently constructed. The committee was formed

in 1807 to consider what form the memorial subscribed for by a loyal population should piles of fish of many varieties, pigs in the usual take, and how best to carry their wishes into bamboo cages, ducks and fowls in crates or

'effect, and now, in the closing months of 1903. tied in bunches by the leg, and mysterious having brought their labours to a satisfactory native "chow" concoctions, spread out on the conclusion, they ask to be relieved of their dirty ground to dry in the sun, women and child responsibilities. After much discussion it was ren salting and scaling fish, firewood choppers agreed to have two memorials, one, in defer- and the general mob of pedlars, ricksha-mention for works of mercy, to take the form of

ence to the late Queen's well-known predilec- loafers and sampan-people, most of them shout ing and bawling their loudest. The whole waterfront reeks of fish: fresh, salt and de-expressed wish, to be a carriage road to cayed, mostly the two latter. The various fish-

encircle the island. These works were fo ing industries are interesting, particularly the commemorate, in a lasting manner, the sixtietis mudlarks who sledge along the mudflats at low anniversary of her late revered Majesty's tide catching the so-called walking-fish, but to

glorious reign. As the scheme for this com- memoration originated during the administra-

a

Hospital, and the other, to meet a widely

Rams and Gibbs, who devised a suitable route

the work has been satisfactorily concluded,

until after the collision occurred. The Empress mate and violated the principles of the general others, some used as flower-gardens and others describe them would be outside the limits of tion of your Excellency's predecessor, Sir Wil- | said-Sir Paul Chater, Indies and gentlemen,→→

of India did not alter her course or speed but game straight on 'crashing the Kwang Tai, striking the Kwang Tai on the port quarter with her starboard bow and grazed along the side of the cruiser smashing her boals,

j

Immediately after the collision the helm on the cruiser was put bard aport and the engines. were stopped. The Kwang Tai then sheered off to starboard and the Empress of India to port striking the cruiser with her starboard propeller and inflicting injuries to her which caused her to sink in about two hours' time after the collision, off Breaker Point position bears N. 82 Mag., distance 15 miles. The collision occurred at about 11.50 p.m.

6.After the collision the Empress of India stopped at a distance of about two miles from the cruiser and stood by to render assistance. 7.The cruiser blew her whistle for as- sistance and the Empress sent a boat and sub- sequently two large boats in which and in the boats of the cruiser 166 out of the officers and crew and five of the passengers were saved.

8. The pumps of the cruiser were set to work immediately after the collision but the water gained on them rapidly and at about 1.50 am. on the morning of the 18th Aug., 1903, she heeled over and then sank by the stern carry. ing down with her Commander Chee Fung Yee, the 4th engineer, seven able-bodied seamen, two boys and one staker and one passenger,

9-A good lookout, was not kept on board the Empress previous to the collision.

Plaintiffs therefore pray---

maritime law, and particularly of articles 21 asdrying grounds for clothes, grain and fish, vive and 29 of the "Regulations for Preventing the city a quaint appearance, to which the smal! Collisions at sea.”-

windows with their venetian shutters contri, bute. Numbers of lieuses scattered over the suffered by the defendants to an amount ex-city have quite a nice bit of garden, some

14.--By reason of the collision damage was

ceeding $50,000.

15.-The collision was not caused or contri. buted to by any improper conduct on the part of the Defendants or their servants ; was solely

occasioned by the negligent navigation of the Quangtal as herein before shown.

16-In any event the defendants deny llabl. fity in respect of the alleged loss of life on board the Quangtal.

17.-Save as aforesaid the Defendants dany all the allegations contained in the petition,

The Registrar of the Court the read the Preliminary Acts of the two ships,

His Lordship asked whether the course W. by S. S. mentioned in the petition was mag netic.

Mr. White-Cooper said it was magnetic and the difference between magnetic and true course was five degrees or half a point.

After some further discussions, Mr. Sharp said that in answer 7th in the Preliminary Act the course was true. He did not object to his friend amending the Preliminary Act by insert- ing the ward 'true.'

this short article. Perhaps the native occupa tion which most impresses, and concerns, the European is that of the washerman. The des- tructive creature haunts the sea-shore, where the large boulders make convenientdrying-ares topped mass of granite, a small boulder and

with two or three fine old trees and bamboo His stock-in-trade consists of a large smooth. clumps, and owing to the steep and irregular nature of the ground one may be standing in a street with a garden many feet below on saa

side, and an ancient crumbling wall perhaps twenty feet high on the other, over the top of which peep the bushes and plants of another garden.

WATER-SUPPLY,

Macao desends for its water supply entirely on wells, many of them very deep. Almost every large house has two or more wells, some-

some water, the colour of which element does not trouble him. He wets the clothes and dashes them on the rock, ser eating this process till they are "finished;" armed with the small rock be fears no stain however stubborn, but pounds it out on his washing-stone.

SAN PAULD,

The forts are perhaps the oldest buildings in Macio, but the chief ancient ecclesiastical

liam Robinson, I think it will be both interest. and arpropriate to briefly recapitulate the circumstances attending the inception of public memorials of the gracious Lady who may the plan and subsequent creation of these

history. I will go back to the commencement. be justly described as the greatest Queen in

when it had been resolved to worthily celebrate, Subscriptions were invited from the community In an enduring manner, this great occasion. in 1897 en the understanding that a Hospital for Women and Children and a Nursing Insti- tute should be erected, and that the first sec tion of a road to encircle the main portion of These works, I am glad to say, have now been the island of Hongkong should be constructed,

serious objection to its construction on mili- ladies and gentlemen-The Committee formed to the scheme, and finally an appeal to Down

Hon. Sir Paul Chater said—Your Excellency,tary grounds. Several ineffectual attempts were made locally to overcome the opposition adequate and suitable permanent memorial of This appeal was successful, but the sanction for the purpose of securing for this Colony aning Street on the subject became necessary, the late Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee for the construction of the road was hampered or such few of them as are left after a six years' originally intended. The carrying out of this in its being laid on a higher level than was them here to-day to take over, as head of the interval-have invited your Excellency to meet scheme was entrusted to Mesers. Denison,

Government, this building and new road re-

for the toad, and tenders ware received which came within the means apportioned to it, and Having thus contributed this section of the Jubilee Road, we now look to the Government to take in hand the completion of the project the island, opening up all its many beauties to for a high road that will practically encircle invers of scenery and of nature. The total cost of these two works has been $234,163.32, and I may here point out that the delays entailed by the various difficulties encountered have not been without some compensating advantages inasmuch as the interest accumulated on the has permitted of the original proposals being Fund materially augmented our resources and

carried out in a substantial and workmanlike manner. Having now stated in outline the may of these two Memorial works, it only remains for me to ask your Fxcellency to be good enough to declare the Hospital open, to effect which purpose I beg to hand you this silver key (Applause.)

I have listened with great interest to your His Excellency, having accepted the key,

account of the Road and the Hospital that were tightly decided upon as a fitting memorial of will go down the ages as the greatest amongst that beloved Queen whose memory will always remain green in our hearts and whose name the great Queens of history. The difficulties about the Jubilee Road I remember very well. When I came here first the foundation-stone And just been laid by my predecessor in the presence of a considerable crowd, among them, no doubt, the General Officer Commanding, wha instead of opposing the Governor's trowel with his sword-Blaying the masons, and carry. ing away the bottle with the newspapers placed there for the enlightenment of futura archeologists, returned to his quarters, took up the mightier weapon, and wrole that the road was a military danger and must not be. Then I remember the time when the controversy arase whether the rond should go by Shaukiwan or by Kennedy Town. The Government, who as we know subscribed half the funds, were rather

miks. But the Committee were very firm and inclined to favour the Shaukiwen Fond, which' would have given a driving road for about 20 absolutely declined to have that road from that with their pertinacity they succeeded in Shaukiwan. Of course, I need hardly tell you dominating the Government on that point. The argument on the one side was that you would have a driving road round the island. On the other side it was said you would have a road round Mount Davis on which the Chinese would come out in the afternoons and would be seen there in crowds enjoying the balmy south. western brecies laden with the odours of Cheung Chow. (Laughter.) The real secret of the Committee's determination was never openly stated. I do not know how it got about, it may have been that one of the Committee was, like Cassius, loose of soul, and in his sleep did mutter his affairs. (Laughter.) The real secret i believe was that the Committee said the Government have undertaken to finish this road and it will take up all the money wo have to make this small bit round Mount Davis, and if we do not spend it on that difficult piece of rond we will never see it done. Now we have a very good 16-feet road there at pre- sent. So far as we can see it appears to be

milk by the higher and lower levels. It has principally for the purpose of affording an opportunity to the Dairy Farm of sending their been completed in part at such a level as would probably shorten the wind of any assailant who attempted to take the island that side and leave defenders of that section (Laughter.) It in him an easy victim of the Volunteers or other true that w the persevering determination that characterises everything in Hongkong, portions of the road after the heavy rains attempted

times right under the building itself, with the building is the Convento de S. Paulo, of which completed, so far as the Hospital and the sec-

opening in one of the basement rooms, an arrangement possibly convenient and biased by the conlie, but hardly in accordance with modern sanitary ideas. It is very common practice to keep two or three fair-sized fish in these wells, which, it is supposed, keep the water clean. No doubt, they prevent mosquitoes breeding.

The air of Macao is very free from smoke and smuts, as there are few fireplaces in the houses, and cooking is done with Chinese "chatties" and charcoal; nor is the harbour crowded with steamers and launches belching black smoke, as is the case at Hongkong and Shanghai. During the few really cold days of the north-east monsoon que misses

little is now left but the wall of the eastern

façade, fairly perfect, a fine flight of granite

tion of the road are concerned. Many difficul-

ties, which could not have been foreseen by the

feet in height of the walls of the nave, which delaying the work, but, as will be seen, they steps leading up to it, and about six or seven

Committee, have been encountered, necessarily appear to have been made chiefly of adobe or

were overcome at length, and we now have the and dressed granite, with pillars and carvings amount available from the sum subscribed, concrete. The east end is of regularly laid pleasure of recording their completion. The on the outer face, and recesses or alcoves in after defraying the cost of the local celebra which there still remain life-size bronze statues, The interior of the nave is filled with mounds

tions of the event, was $182,424.00, and this of rubbish, and is a grazing place for fowls and jects, giving for each $91,213. I propose for was divided equally between the two pro pigs. The flight of steps, now broken and the sake of convenience to deal separately grass-grown, is used by the Chinese as a convenient place to dry joss-sticks.

with them, and will refer first to the Hospital. structure was built in 1602, about fifty years tion of a building in the grounds of the The The scheme originally provided for the erec- after the founding of the Colony, it is said by Government Civil Hospital, and included p

1.That the plaintiffs have judgment against Chiness cruiser Kwang Tai which result. the cheery look of the open fire quite as much as Japanese workmen, and was burnt down in the Nursing Institute, which was to form an ad.

the defendants for the damage occasioned to them by reason of the collision and for costs.

2-That the bail given by the defendants be in such damages and costs.

3-That the amount of such damages may be referred to the Registrar for his report,

4.That the plaintiffs may have such further or other relief as the case shall require.

Defendants to this petition are the Canadian Pacific Rallway and Steamship Company.

ANSWER.

In answer to said petition the Defendants Baylas follow

1.-The Defendants are the Canadian Pacific Railway Company whereof the head office is at Montreal in the Dominion of Canada The Do-

its heat, but the natives merely shut all doors and windows and heap an clothing. The Chi- nese then put on two or three pairs of trousers

and half-a-dozen jackets, but still often go with

bare feet,

PEOPLE.

The Portuguese residents seem to lead an

easy-going if monotonous existence; the chief arrival of the Hongkong steamer, and when events of the day being the departure and the military band plays in the evening; the band deserves well of its audience, but..I have never heard them applaud even its best efforts; perhaps it would be bad form. There are no basiness houses nor manufactories except native, and these small and unimportant, such

early part of 1835.

CAMCENS' GROTTO, Camoens' Gardens, where the Lusitanian poet lived in exile, contains a bronze bust of Camdens, and several granite slabs with verses in praise of the poet and Macan by various authors. Some of the lines lauding the place are, perhaps, rather highly coloured; the sea at often it reminds one of pen-soup, due chiefly i Macau is rarely an amethystine blue; more the mud brought down by the river. Camoens Gardens contain a few fine trees, and shade in South China is not to be despised. A few foreigners sometimes visit the place, but it is usually deserted. The Portuguese authorities

junct of the staff quarters of that institution. Competitive designs were invited, and were in due course sent in by the local architects, but before any decision had been arrived at regard ing these, a letter was received from the Principal Civil Medical Officer urging that the proposed Hospital should be erected at the Peak and suggesting that * Craigieburn" |

was considered by the committee, and though might be acquired for the purpose. This letter

the suggestion for the purchase of "Craigie bura" was not adopted, there was a consensus of opinion in favour of acquiring a site on the higher levels instead of erecting the building in the Civil Hospital compound. A resolution

Mr. White Cooper, in opening the case for the plaintiffs said that they were there on that occasion to ascertain whether or not the owners of the Empress of India were responsible for the unfortunate collision with the Imperial

ed in 13 lives being lost. This model gave an approximate representation of the cruiser, but it had not been made accord. ing to any scale and he merely put it in, so that the Court might see the style of the vessel, har build, etc. It was not made to scale but otherwise the model was a correct ..representation of the cruiser. She was a composite cruiser, built at the Foochow Arenal and launched some 15 years ago. (Counsel here gave the dimensions of the cruiser, ber engines, armaments etc.) Her ordinary speed was 9 to gi kaots, but she could make 10 knots and on one occasion when she was conveying Viceroy Chang Chi-tung she made Iz knots. She possessed steam steering gear

we certainly doing well in the matter of tree- to the effect that a site not lower than fendants are the owners of the Royal mail twin which was worked from the bridge. She trade Macas still possesses is chiefly in the ex-country round Macao ls, on the whole, very legly carried. Some difficulty was experienced but they were coaxed back into position by as joss-stick and fire-cracker making. What I planting and laying out gardens, but the Robinson Road should be selected was accord-bndily to convey themselves to the sea level, screw steamship Empress of India, registered was under the command of Captain Chee port of fish, vegetables (especially potatoes) bare and sun-scorched. The Chinese are by the committee in finding a desirable site, Mess . Denison and Ram, and now it is a in London, of 6,000 tons 'gross burden, and Fung Yee, an experienced naval officer who and fruit which Hongkong consumes, and eggs utterly and wantonly reckless in their habits of but fortunately Barker Road was then under good road, and I hope it will be availed of by g subsidised by the Commissioners of the Ad had been 20 years in the Chinese Navy, which go to Manila. Dried shrimps and prawns, cutting and destroying trees and plants for fuel construction, and after examination of those large number of people and ultimately will be mirally for service as an armed cruiser. At and who unfortunately was one of those who cared in the sun on the flat roofs of the houses the time of the events hereinafter mentioned perished. The Captain was a man of about 30 lining the harbour, are sent to San Francisco.

completed round the island, when I hope it sites available, it was decided to apply to the

will satisfy all the conditions that were intends she was on a voyage from Weosung to Hong-years of age and had been in command of the

The Cplony possessed many mrdern Government for the ground on which wo are ed. And now, Sir Paul Chater, and ladies and Neither the police nor the soldiers seem churches, but they are plain and generally now assembled. You, Sir, readily consented gentlemen, as regards the Hospital thin la kong, manned by a crew 233 hands all told. cruiser for about six months when the collision overworked or harrassed with excessive drili ugly stuccoed structures, though some are to grant the site, and the committee then con

work, I think, against which no caviller could 2-On Monday, 17th August, 1903, at about

though their pay is said to be very small they of large size, Bells seem 9.45 pm, the Empress of India had just passed

appear contented enough, many of the soldiers nearly all day at one church or other,

the key in the entrance door of a building.1.cpa to be ringing

say one word, and I look forward with great pleasure to the unique opportunity of turning the Lameck filands. The night was dark, the

acting as police auxiliaries. The sentry at the calling the faithful to prayer, the worshippers

feet above the foundation stone which was weather was fine, the wind was light the

various guard-rooms scattered over the city is seeming to consist chiefly of women wearing

laid, "I believe, originally wear the Govern Empress of India was proceeding at a speed

not in bandage body and soul to a cast-iron black cloaks over their beads. There is good

ing with its 41 beds, and situated as it is above ment Civil Hospital. (Laughter.) This build of about 14 knots an hour through the water

military discipline which knows no relaxation store of monkish and priestly brethren, whose found that the, funds were not sufficient to her regulation lights were duly exhibited and

of regulations to suit climatic conditions; when, processions on the many Saints and Holy days erect both the Hospital and the Nursing In- must be, I am sure, a blessing in the future to the vitiated atmosphere of the crowded city, burning brightly, and a good look-out was

iired of standing or pacing to and fro, like a are the excuse for crowded excursion steamers stitute as well. It became necessary, therefore, the poor people who will be accommodated being kept. In these circumstances, those on

sensible man he sits down. At intervals, and from Hongkong, the larger functions being to refer the matter to the Government, and here. It is a fitting memorial to our late be board observed at a distance ahead of about 8

whenever the Governor passes, he gives a long showy and impressive with the rich vestments your Excellency, recognising the difficulty, loved Queen, and I am sure we will all foin in miles a white light which proved to be the

sustained shout, supposed to be Alerta of the priests and the silver images from the kindly consented to recommend to the in declaring that it is well and duly opened wishing it God-speed. I have great feastin som light of the Hwangtaj,

which means he is on the qui vive, but it has churches. Macao, during the late Spanish Secretary of Stats for the Colonies that an | (Applause,)

happened. Previous to holding this command he was in another man-of-war named Sel Kee. (Counesl here detailed her complement of officers and men-178 all told.) In addition to this she was carrying six gentlemen who were friends of the Captain as passengers to Canton. On the occasion of her disastrous voyage she was also carrying arms and ammunition to Canton to assist the authorities in quelling the rebellion there. The collision occur red on the night of Monday, 17th August On this night averything asemed to be

THE CHURCHES.

building possible for the funds at its disposal. centrated its energies on securing the best Owing to the greater cost of building on the high levels, and the necessity of providing quarters for the staff required, the Committee

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