1903-11-27 — Page 3

THE STORY OF THE MANILA OBSERVATORY,

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1903.

gratitude of shipowners, sailors and merchants in that buay region..

Under the direction of Father Faura the During the progress, and for some time after meteorological service in the Philippines the completion of the Cuban war, the Spanish developed and extended in every direction. Jesuits were the object of much indiscriminate The people of Manila supported him with sub- and rancorous abuse by English writers onscriptions to enable him to instal the latest both sides of the Atlantic. To their dark apparatus, and at length a memorial, influen- machinations were attributed the decline of lially signed, was sent to the Court of Madrid the power of Spain in her colopies and all the praying that the private observatory at Ateneo evils of mis-government which drove the Fiti be made the official centre of a net-work of pinos and Cubans into savage insurrection. secondary stations. This royal sanction of Much of this vituperation was merely ex-

Alfonso was given in April 1884. The Jesuits pedient and opportune; and we doubt, not that wera placed in charge of the new service on-) in moments of calmer reflection, permitted by salaries, which with the amount allowed for the subsidence of the war fever and racial maintenance and upkeep were charged partly hatred, the writers themselves would willingly to Imperial and partly to local funds. By the recall the hard words hurled at a body of mis-end of 1887, Father Faura had completed his sionaries who have for years been undoubted-net-work of stations. The principal obser- ly the most important factor in the spread of vatory was transferred from the College in modern civilization in the Far Enst. We know the Walled City to a new building in the of no document better calculated to ensure a suburb known as Ermita, on slightly elevated tardy repentance than the story of the Manila ground near the sea. This building it observatory as told in the official report of the still occupies, and no position could be Philippine Weather Bureau for 1902, Part 11, more favourable. The magnetical department just issued by the United States Govern- was in full operation by the end of 1888 ment. It deals with the rise and progress and the astronomical department was fully of the meteorological service of the Philip equipped in 1808. when a large, equatorial pine Islands; its establishment and deve- telescope was installed. To simplify the work lopment under the Spanish Government; and in' the secondary stations Father Faura in its reorganization under the Government of the vented an ingenious aneroid barometer, which United states, from the year 1865 to the year was found so useful that hardly a ship's cap- 1902. The most significant thing of all, tain in those seas is without one. This devoted "however, is that the narrator is no less than a priest and scientific labourer, who

Spanish Jesuit, Father Marcial Sala, S. J., the acclaimed by the Ayuntamiento, the City Official Secretary of the Philippine Weather Council, "Adopted Son of Manila," died in Bureau. We would seek in vain for an in- 1897 after thirty-two years of unique service in stance of enlightened official tolerance and the Far Fast. He lived to see the fulfilment perspicacity such as this in the whole British of his mission, his observatory at Manila being Empire.

at the time of his death in close relationship and communication with all the observatories in China and Japan, and having earned a great European reputation. His mantle de- scended on Father Algur, who had accom. panied him at the invitation of the Univer States to the World's Columbian Expo- sition of Chicago to represent the Spanish: Government. In 1897 Father Algue published a book on the thunderstorms of Manila, which Dr. Paul Bergholz, Director of the Observatore of, Bremen, asked permission to translate. Having received the author's assent, the worthy German gave the translation to the world as his own original work, despite the fact that he had never been in the East in his life. But this is not the only prop to his spurious reputati ́n that Dr. Bergholz has filched from a Latin decad. ence he 'probably affects to despise. Father Algue, working on the basis of Father Faura's amerald barometer, invented a barryclone. meter, the construction of which he entrusted to the German house of G. Luff of Stuttgart Dr. Porgholz get scent of this and entered into

|

WAS

Meteorology as an applied science was established in Europe and America in the year 1860; and it arenes an up-in-dateness some critics may find difficult to explain, that the Spanish lesuits, settled at Manila, five years afterwards began a public meteorological service from their private observatory in the college at Ateneo. For some years previous to this the Fathers had dedicated themselves to the study of predicting the existence and course of cyclonic storms, so frequent in that part of the globe; and the terrible typhoon which in September 1865 devastated the whole of Luzan, decided them to disseminate by regular methods the knowledge they acquired by constant vigilance and observation.. Father Frederico Faura was the first Director of the new service, and it was due to his enthusiasm, energy and resource that the project attained the development and importance which soon gained for it, the status of a Government institution. The first installation in the Ateneo observatory was extremely modest, consisting of a few of the most indisnensable instruments a contract with the instrument maker to make. for the observation of temperature, humidity. Į him an identically similar apparatus which hr atmospheric pressure and wind; yet, despite of has given to the world as his own inven. limitations, the Fathers published a monthly tion. Dr. Bergholz's book on storm has been leaflet and an annual chart. illustrated 'ranslated into English by Dr. Robert H. with various curves, giving the results Scott, F. R. S, and his barocyclonometers are obtained from the observations of each

in vague in the British and German navies. A month and n, resumé of the principal atmos-

more egregious case of sie vor non vobis it has never been our misfortune to stumble pheric perturbations occurring during the year. These unpretentious publications attracted the

across in the domain of science.

Immediate attention of the commercint and

There is another unfortunate episode in this trading communities of Manila, whose support history which may not be passed over in enabled the Director, three years afer the silence. Dr. Doberck, the Director of the Brit- start, to instal the universal meteorographish Observatory at Kowloon, first quarrelled Invented by the famous Roman astronomer,

with the Jesuit astronomers of Zi-ka-wei and Father A. Secchi. The usefulness of the got much the warst of it. When the Spanish.. observatory grew year by year, and in 1870 American war broke out, and the Americans the Director began to publish a monthly invested Manila, he took advantage of his bulletin, containing, besides scientific discus. official position to send an unauthorised letter to the United States Minister of Agriculture Bions, the results of daily observations of all the meteorological elements, taken at three- complaining "of the inaccurate and alarmist hour intervals, together with the corresponding typhoon warnings issued by the observatory at mean values. But it was not until 1879 that Manila. With a precipitancy not easy to ex- the devoted fäbours of Father Faura and his plain, except on the supposition that the Unit- assistants attained the object they had in view ed States Government mistook this peevish from the very beginning, namely, the pre-complaint of a disappointed individual as the diction of the existence, progressive mavement and trajectory of the typhoons which sweep the China Seas. On 7th July, 1879, the Director made his firat public typhoon pre- diction, which was sadly confirmed by the destruction that took place in Northern Luzon. Another prediction was made on the 18th November, and the commotion it produced among the population of Manila was tremendous. The Captain of the Port, D. Alejandro de Churruca, impressed by fulfilment of the July prophecy, sent word to all points of the Bay that not a ship should leave her moorings during the time of danger; and the Governor-General, Dan Domingo Morriones, placed himself in communication with Father Faura and decided, in spite of the opposition of the sceptical, who scouted the virtue of meteorology, to take all the precautions advised by the Observatory. He was wise in his generation. The storm broke with fury over the capital on the 20th, but the prepared

nets of the inhabitants saved them from serious loss, Those ports, however, which were un- connected with Manila by telegraph, and could not therefore be warned in time, suffered in the usual way. Forty-two boats were wrecked in the south of the island and many lives lost. A new era than began in the history of the Manila Observatory. Father Faura's predic- tions were eagerly awaited and received with the greatest respect by the maritima population, not In the Philippines only, but all through the Far East. The connection of Manila and Hong- kong by cable gave Sir John Pope Hennessy, the Governor of Hongkong, the opportunity of obtaining from Ateneo a daily and methodical

Auction,

PUBLIC AUCTION.

HE Undersigned have received instructions,

to sell by Public Auction,

THE

(FOR ACCOUNT of the CONCERNED),, TO-MORROW,

the 28th November, 1903, at 11 AM at No. 20 and 21, CONNAUGHT ROAD, SUNDRY HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, and MERCAHNDISE, Comprising -

GLASS SHOW CASES, WRITING DESKS and CHAIR, MOROCCO COVER. BLACKWOOD SOFA and CHAIRS, OIL ED CHAIR, TEAKWOOD BOOK-CASES, PAINTINGS, LONG SAMPLE TABLES, CHINESE RUBBER SROES, COT FRAMES for NETTING UMBRELLAS, a Great Assortment of PERFUMERY and CALIFORNIAN CIGARETTES, &c. &c.;

ALSO

A Quantity of AMERICAN BICYCLES, (All New).

TERMSAs usual,

HUGHES & HOUGH,

Auctioneers. Hongkong, 27th November, 1903. [14196

Hotel.

KING EDWARD

HOTEL.

A HIGH CLASS PRIVATE HOTEL,

LADIES' AFTERNOON TEA ROOMS.

PRIVATE BAR · ·

AND

BILLIARD ROOMS.

Hot and Cold Water throughout. Electrically Lighted. Electric Fans (if required), Electric Passenger Elevator to each Floor. Table D'Hote at Separate Tables,

For Terms, &c., apply to the

MANAGER

Hongkong, 43rd October, 1952

For Sale.

FOR SALE

Iravod

TACANDE. ISCENT

Gasoline, Lamps of all descriptions from the best makers.

Incandescent Mantles,

Chimneys,

Globes, Sha

kutimations.

THE

ROBINSON PIANO

Co., LTD.

NOTE.

ENTIRELY

NEW STOCK ARRIVING. SPECIALLY AND MOST CAREFULLY CHOSEN BY OUR MR. ROBINSON,

GREAT

NOW IN EUROPE.

Mails.

NIPPON YUSEN KAISHA.

(THE JAPAN MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY.)

PROJECTED SAILINGS FROM HONGKONG.-SUBJECT TO ALTERATION.

STEAMERS.

SADO MARU.....

·S. J. G. Parsons... SHINANo Maru* ... W.Thompsen... BOMBAY MARU.

T. Murai....... Yawata MaRU

A. E. Moses SANUKI MARU...........

W. Townsend............

REDUCTIONS KUMAND MARU

in our present stock of Pianos and Musical Goods.

Our NEW MUSIC STOCK has arrived.

THE APOLLO

MASTER PIANO

PLAYER

THE BEST OF ALL.

[

THREE STYLES: PRICE FROM $450 UP.

PATTI ENDORSES THE APOLLO.

Adelina Patti (Baroness Cederstrom) has given another great testimonial to the Apollo Piano-player. She was so delighted with the instrument that was purchased by her last year that this second testimonial is even stronger than the first one that she gave,

Mme. Patti says that "the Apollo never has | given her the slightest trouble and that the new concert grand is one of the most wonder- ful and perfect piano-players that she has

ever seen."

Hongkong, 28th October, 1993,

Cause

Ges, &c., for TAND ELECTRIC COMPANY,

CHINA & JAPAN TELEPHONE

Gasoline and

Gas Lamps

at the most moderate prices.

Lamps fixed up for Buyers free of charge.

Naphtha of the best kind kept in stock.

TAI KWONG CO.,

56, Lyndhurst Terrace. Hongkong, 17th November, 1903. [1375€

DEL

Intimations.

EUTSCHE WEINGESELLSCHAFT

DUHR & CO., COELN,-

LIMITED.

HONGKONG EXCHANGE, OPEN DAY And Night,

SUBSCRIPTIONS.

EXCHANGE LINES..$100 Per Annum

PRIVATE LINES, By Arrangement.

NO CHARGE FOR INSTALLATION.

M.J.-A special charge is made for lines of

more than average length,

STOCK ON HAND OF AHRBLEICHART, a red Ahr Wiue at $18.50 GRAACHER, Moselle ............. at $16,50 LAUBENHEIMER, Hock ............................. at $15.00 | ·ELECTRIC SUPPLIES OF EVERY DES

All per Case of 24 Quaris. Price Reductions for Larger Orders,

-GROSSMANN & CO. Hongkong, 16th October, 1903. [125ge

official protest from a friendly Power, the Min- ister of War directed General Otis to order the suspension of the Manila warning. This creat- ed public consternation at Hongkong, Macas, Shanghai and Tokio. The public demanded an explanation and Dr. Doberck's discomfiture was complete. The British Government re- pudiated his action promptly, and the United States immediately requested Father Algue to resume the exchange of the meteorological messages. Out of this evil came much good. The incident drew the special attention of the Minister of Agriculture to the importance and utility of the Manila observatory and its A meteorological service. The previous apprend bation of Admiral Dewey strengthened the determination of the Government to place the Jesuits' observatory on the same official status as it enjoyed under Spanish rule, a consum. mation arrived at by legislative enactment in January 1901. In the interval the service has have been installed and its general utility been thoroughly reorganised, new instruments

enormously increased. The report under

review is profusely illustrated with plates and contains some excellent mars and charts. It is a magnificent testimony of the work done by the Spanish Jesuits in the carso of science and humanity, and it has the interest of a charming romance, with the further satisfaction of a reliable chronicle.—Indian Angintering.

Notice of Firms.

NOTICE.

7E_have_this-day authorized 'Mr. M.

exchange of meteorological notes. With this WHIGASA to alge our firm per pro-

sad in view he addressed an official communica tion to Don Fernando Primo de Rivera, Gov- ernor and Captain-General of the Philippines. begging him to use his influence with the Fathers to establish, the service. The latter complied with alacrity and welcomed with great cordiality the project of Major Palmer, R. H., to establish an observatory at Hongkong to supplement their own efforts at Manila. In the meantime the Manila warnings, were avidly assimilated on

the whole China Coast, and their marvellous accuracy and reliability gained for them the enthusiastic

curation.

MIDZUSHIMA & Co. Hongkong, arat November, 1903. [14010

NOTICE.

THE Public are hereby informed that no

change has been made in the Rates of Subscription to the Hongkong Telegraph and they are warned against paying more than TEN CENTE (10 cis.) per Single Copy.

THE MANAGER, Hongkong Telegraph Co., Ltd. Hongkong, 30th September, 1908.

BEER.

TUBORG

guarantees free from Salicylic Acid, FIRST Class PILSENER BEER any other Chemicals. PRICE $10.50 per case of 48 bottles (quests) or 6 doz. pints.

Special Prices for Quantities.

Sole Agents;

BIEMSSEN & CO. Hongkong, roth January, roog

[1950

LEVY HERMANOS. DIAM

IAMOND MERCHANTS, JEWEL

-LERS AND WATCHMAKERS.

FASTMAN'S

KODAKS and FILMS. Sole Agents for OMEGA" WATCHES." "OMEGA" is the best, "THREE YEARS" guarantee given to every purchasar.

40, QUEEN'S ROAD,

Watson's Building.

40]

SANITARY SOFT

NOTICE.

THE BEST PREVENTIVE OF ALL)

BOAP.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

EYES FLUID

SOAP:

DISINFECTANT

AVOID ALL RISK OF OUTBREAK : BY

ITS USE,

W. G. HUMPHREYS1& Co., Bank Building/

Hersheng, all: hm-h, Tho

CRIPTION IN STOCK.

A. E. Harwell

DESTINATIONS.

SAILING DATES.

Daylight.

(MARSEILLES, LONDON & ANT-SATURDAY, 38th Nov, at

WERP, VIA SINGAPORE, PENANG, COLOMBO and PORT SAID.......

VICTORIA, B.C. and SEATTLE SATURDAY, 28th Nov., at

U.S.A.VIA SHANGHAI, MOJI, KOBE and YOKOHAMA

ROMBAY, VIA SINGAPORE AND

{ COLOMBO

NAGASAKI, KOBE and YOKO-

HAMA

KOBE and YOKOHAMA SYDNEY and MELBOURNE, VIA

MANILA, THURSDAY ISLAND, TOWNSVILLE and BRISBANE)

4 P.M.

TUESDAY, 1st December,

.. at Nopo, WEDNESDAY, 2nd Dec, at

Noon.

FRIDAY, 4th Dec, at:

Daylight.

FRIDAY, 4th Dec, at

Noon.

*Through Passenger Tickets issued for the Principal Cities in the United States, Canada ind Europe, in connection with the GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY and Atlantic Steamers Round-the-World Tickets also issued. Between Moji and Kobe, 1st and 2nd Class Through Passengers have the Option of Travelling by the Sanyo Railway.

For further Information is to Freight, Fassage, Sailings, &c., apply at the Company's Local Branch Office in Prince's Building, 1st Floor, Chater Road,

Hongkong, 27th November, 1903. NORTHERN PACIFIC STEAMSHIP

· COMPANY.

BOSTON STEAMSHIP COMPANY.. BOSTON TOW-BOAT COMPANY.

VIA

Proposed Sailings from HONGKONG,

SHANGHAI, INLAND SEA OF JAPAN, KOBE AND YOKOHAMA,- FOR VICTORIA, B.C., AND TACOMA, IN CONNECTION WITH NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY COMPANY:

AS MIHARA”

Manager.

COMPAGNIE DES MESSAGERIES · MARITIMES.

PAQUEROTS-POSTU FRANCAIS

NOTICE.

STEAM FOR

SAIGON, SINGAPORE, BATAVIA, COLOMBO, ADEN, EGYPT, MARSEIL- LES, MEDITERRANEAN AND BLACK SEA PORTS, LONDON, HAVRE, BORDEAUX; ALIO PORTS OF BRAZIL AND RIVER PLATE,

the rat 'December, 1993, "MANCHE" Captain Moirano, will be des...“ 2,817 M. Ridley Dec. 15 patched for SAIGON, with Mails. Passengers. 3.5oz. Truebridge... Dec. 19 Specie and Cargo to Europe and Ports of Call 9,605 T. W. Garlick.Dec. 31 for transhipment to S.S. Himalaya connecting 4417 G. V. Williams. Janat Colombo with 8.8, Sydney, Shawmut...... 9,605 W. M. Smith... Feb. 20 Olympia** ...l 2,637 |A, Dixon ......

Will leave for Manila TO-MORROW,

at 'Noon.

Steamers. Tons. Captains.

Tacoma Victoria Tremont

Lyrat

1903-04-ON TUESD, the Company's Steamship

+ Cargo only. Steamers marked (*) have do second-class passenger accommodation,

The attention of passengers is directed to the very cheap rates offered by this line to the Pacific Coast and to the Interior and Eastern Cities of the United States and to Europe.

Special rates allowed to members of Govern ment Services.

Through Bills of Lading issued to Pacific Coast Points and to the Principal Cities in the United States and Canada.

For farther Information as to Freight, or Passage, apply to

DODWELL, & CO., LIMITED,

General Agents, Hongkong, 27th November, 1903. 18748

ORIENTAL

COMPY

THE PENINSULAR AND ORIENTAL STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY.

STEAM FOR

STRAITS, CEYLON, AUSTRALIA, INDIA ADEN, EGYPT, MEDITERRANEAN. PORTS, PLYMOUTH AND

LONDON.

Cargo and Specie will be registered for Lon- don as well as for Maneilles, and accepted in transit through Marseilles for the principal places of Europe.

Shipping Orders will be granted till Noor only on MONDAY, the 30th instant, Specia and Parcels received until 4 P., on the same day. No Cargo will be received on board on.. TUESDAY.

Parcels are not to be sent on board, they must be left at the Agency's Offics. Contents and Value of Packages are required.

For further Particulars, apply at the Com- pany's Office.

G. DE CHAMPEAUX, Agent. Hongkong, 21st November, 1903.

H

Insurances.

NEW ZEALAND INSURANCE COMPANY.

FIRE AND MARINE.

ESTABLISHED 1859.

CAPITAL............. £1,000,000.

10043

AVING been appointed AGENTS for the

I ahove Company, we are prepared to issue Policies of Insurance at Current Rates REISS & CO.,

Hongkong, 5th November, 1903,

Agents

[13296

WORTH GERMAN FIREȚINSURAKOS:

COMPANY OF HAMBURG,

(Through Bills of Lading issued for BATAVIA, THE Undersigned AGENTS of the above

PERSIAN GULF, CONTINENTAL, AMERI

INCLUDING

BATTERIES,

CHEMICALS,

ELE

LECTRIC BELLS,

THE

INSULATORS,

IGHTNING CONDUCTORS.

TELEPHONES,

WIRE,

SWITCHES,

FIRE, &, &c.

PRICE LISTS ON APPLICATION.

ELECTRIC BELL INSTALLATIONS,

Erected and kept in order.

Estimates given for all kinds of Electrical

work.

CAN and SOUTH AFRICAN PORTS.) HE Steamship

"CHUSAN,"

Captain W. B. Palmer, carrying His Majesty's Mails, will be despatched from this for BOMBAY,on SATURDAY, the 5th December, at Noon, taking Passengers and Cargo for the above Ports.

Silk and Valuables, all Cargo for France

Company are prepared to accept First Q'S FOREIGN and CHINESE'RISKS st CURRENT RATES.

SIEMSSEN & Co.

170

Tanokane, 18th May, tot..

To be Let.

TO LET.

and Tea for London (under arrangement) will NO. 1, RIPON TERRACE (in FLATS)

be transhipped at Colombo into a steamer proceeding direct to Marseilles and London; other Cargo for London, &c., will be conveyed vid Bombay,

Parcels will be received at this Office until 4 P.M. the day before sailing. The Contents and Value of all Packages are required.

Shippers are particularly requested to mul the terms and Conditions of the Company. Bills of Lading.

For further Particulars, apply to

E..A. HEWETT,

Superintendent. Hongkong, 23rd November, 1003.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS IN

ADVANCE →

Trained Mechanicians sent to Out-Paris to fit AN early opportunity to those WISHING

up Installations if required.

HOUSES in WONG NEI CHONG ROAD

facing Race Course.

FLATS in MORETON TERRACE, facing

the Pale Ground,'

OFFICES now in course of erection, Con.

NAUGHT ROAD (near BLAKE PIER), GODOWNS IN BLUE BUILDINGS. GODOWNS for Coal or Yarn, PRAYA

EART.

Apply to

THE HONGKONG LAND INVEST MENT & AGENCY CO, LD. Hongkong, 12th November, 1903. F:359:

TO LET. CHEAPEST HOUSES IN THE COLONY,

TO SEND. GREETINGS to their RELATIVES and FRIENDS at Home.

I have just unpacked a parcel of Raphael MORRISON HILL GAP ROAD. Nice V Houses, 4 Rooms, Bath Rooms Oute Tuck's XMAS AND NEW YEAR'S CARDS houses and Verandahs, Only $40 Inclusive of various pretty designs and description, of Taxes. NOTE ADDRESS ICE HOUSE ROAD, specially selected to suit the taste of young

and old-

WILD DELL BUILDINGS, No. 147, Very moderate prices and as usual 10% dis-WANCHAI ROAD. Comfortable and Airy count for cash,

Flats of a or 3 Rooms, from Sagʻinclusive of H. RUTTÓNJEE, Taxes, No. 5. D'Aguilar Street,

S.A. and

For full Particulars, &c., &c. Apply to

W. STUART HARRISON, AM, INSTA-CIR

Manager Hongkong, and April, 1903,

S. A. SETH, Land and Estate Broker, Dairy Farm Coj Lid

36 and 38, Elgin Road, Kowloon. Hongkong, 29th November, 1903, [13930 Hongkong, 13th September; 2005.

19160