1905-01-21 — Page 9

J.

24

company, and balance sheet forthe year ending 31st December, 1904.

The net profits for that period, including $51,966.63 balance brought forward from last account, after paying all charges, amount to $422,291.44. From the amount an interim dividend of $6 per share has already been paid After transferring $250,0so from equalization of dividend fund to profit and loss account it is now proposed to pay a final dividend of $6 per share, maintaining the usual dividend of 12 per cent. per annum on the Capital, and after writ: ing off directors' and auditors' fees there remains a balance of $37,875.70 to be carried forward to the credit of a new profit and loss

account.

DIRECTORS.

Messrs. J. H. Lewis and C. Michelau having resigned, Messrs. H. P. White and A. Haupt were invited to join the board in their places, and these appointments now require confirma. tion.

Messrs. A. Haupt and E. Shellim now retire by rotation, but offer themselves for re-election, AUDITORS.

The accounts have been audited by Messrs. T. Arnold and C. W. May, who now retire but offer themselves for re-election.

W. J. GRESSON, Chairman. Hongkong, th January, 1995.

The following is the balance sheet -

31st December, 1901, Liabilities.

Capital

$5,000,000, Equalization of dividend fund.............. 250,000.00 Accounts payable

1,502,830.76 Balance of profit and

loss account......$672,191-44

Less intérim dividend ...paid

300,000.00

31st December, 1994. dissets.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1905.

NAVAL, NOTES.

ARRIVAL OF HIM.S. "ASTRAEA.”

19th inst. The German cruiser Geler has arrived from Amoy.

upon an extensive repair, of the P. and O. Peninsulas, and they are also shortly to under take the overhaul of the Osiris.

WRECK OF THE SS "WORKFIELD."

16th inst.

It is notified in a Gazette Extraordinary issued this afternoon that the wreck of the British steamer Workfield, referred to in Local Natice to Mariners No. 45, now, lies in about 15 fathoms at low water spring tides. Cape of The fore masi showing 18 feet and the main Good Hope bearing 22 W 12 miles.

14th inst. H.M.S. Ocean, (with the Rear-Admiral on board) and H.M.S. Vengeance left Mirs. Bay carly this morning, sicering an Ensterly course The British cruiser Astroca, Capt. Lionel G. for a three hours' steam trial of different revolu- Tufnell, arrived here yesterday morning from tions. The exact technical results are not yet Singapore. She has relieved the Eclipse, and to hand, but it was evident that the Vengeance though she has been on the station for eight gave the most speed for the least revolutions, months, this is her first appearance in Hong Daring the best part of the trial she was six kong. She is a sister ship to the second-class revolutions less than H.M.S. Ocean and man-cruiser Fox, now on the East India, station. tained the same speed. About 2.30 this alter and comes from the Mediterranean Fleet. She noon both ships entered the harbour with the is a two-funnelled vessel of 4, 65 tops displace-mast 12 feet above water. T.BO. Whiting in their wake, The Ocean ment, 320 ft. length, 49 ft. 6-in. beam, and 19 made fast to a buoy ahead of the Tamar, but ft draft, with 9,112 horse power which, with the Vengeance had to content herself with her twin screws, drives her at the speed of mooring on the off shore side of II.M.S. nearly 20 knots an hour. She was built at Devonport in 1893 at a cost of nearly £250,000, Centurion.

The British steamer Neptune, Capt. Hender- She carries two 6-in. gens, eight 4.7-in., eight 6-prs, and sundry light guns. The gun poison, has arrived at Singapore from Cardiff with tions are protected by 2-in. armour and the 4,637 tons of coal consigned to Hongkong. vessel has four torpedo tubes, lier bunkers she touched at Durban en route. hold 4:0 tons of coal and she carries a com

The 5,8, Ikbal, which called here for a few coolies on her way to Durban, arrived at the latter port, on the rath inst. There were two deaths among the conlies en route.

The Captain of the German steamer Manila, which has arrived Sunpore from Labuan, Intelligence has been received that H.M.S. reports that wlien he let Labuan the Japanese Sulley, which has been caught in a gale, is pro-Scents Hongkong Maru and Nippon Muru ceeding under slow speed."

were cruising off that place.

H.M.S. Vengeance has received orders from the Admiralty to be prepared to proceed to Malta, and there get ready to pay off and recom- mission on the 28th March. This indicates that ne of our best battleships will shortly be leny. ing the Station, as she must get away early inplement of 312 ali told, February, at the latest, in order to arrive in the Mediterranean sea by the slipu. lated time. The Vengeance, it will be te membered. only arrived at Hongkong on. The 26th of July, 1903, she having done the first year of her coinmission with the Medit. erranean Fleet. She will be missed very much. from the Station as one of the smartest and best sporting ships here. It is to be

regretted that, she will not be able to fulfit her fotball engagements for the longkong Shield, owing to the dates, as shown in our column's in yesterday issue, being ton far ahead. We wish her a pleasant voyage home.

The departure of HIM.S. Vengeance for Malta may be taken as the first move to educing the strength of the China Fleet, which 372,201.44 it was rumoured sometime ago would take place. But beyond sending this ship and per- $7,125,122.20haps another battleship shortly, the China Squadron will remain at its proper strength, particularly with regard to cruisers of high speed.

Cash... *

6,778.17 Amount advanced on mortgage... 1,641,753.00 Amount invested in property .............. 5,431,181-82 Furniture account..........................dmetest

4,111,79 Accounts receivable ........ wire

41,368 12 $7,125,122.20

PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT.

Dr.

December 31, 1954-

To interim dividend of 6% for the

half-year..........

To charges account

$300,000,00 28,441.19 To repairs to house property....... 13,489.95 To advertising

940.70 15,488.73

To fire insurance

To balance to be appropriated as follows:--

Directors' lees $ 7,500.00

Managing

directors'

fees.....

25.915-74

Auditors' fees.......

1,000.00

Final dividend of 6%

for the half-year...... 300,000.00

Balance to be carried

to new account...... 37,875.70

Cr.

H.M.S. Ocean (flying the Rear-Admiral's Flag), Vengeance, Horue and Iphigenta have been performing various drills, etc., at Mirs Bay. The weather has been splendid, and on hursday burge party of men were landed to work on the temporary rile range, which is being fitted for the convenience of the fleet. It is supposed before long that the Naval musketry practice will be carried out at this place, which will be far more convenient than Stonecutters Island.

HEALTH OF THE NAVY.

Gth inst. The number of cases of disease and illness in the Royal Navy for the whole of 1903 shows a decrease 29'50 per 1,000. The total number of case of all kinds, and embracing the whole 12 months are necessarily large (any one man having been perhaps medically attended several times during that period). These cases for that year were 31'57 per thousand. Invalid- ing has happily fallen to a lower figure. The ratio of the total force was 24:03 per 1,000, a decrease of 593 as compared with 1902. The 372,291.41 death rate is also most favourable to be com

pared with 1912 and shows a decrease of $730,452.0173 per 1,oco. The total deaths for the Royal

Jan. 1, 1994. By undivided profits, 1993 ...................$. 51,956.63 Dec. 31. By interest on mortgages..$148,008.69

Less-interest on loans

payable............... 94,607.77

By rents

By commission

By scrip fees...my

By profit on sales of property...TE

By unclaimed dividends.

By transfer from equalization of

dividend fund...

Navy during 1903 was 4'19 per thousand, which is the lowest for the last 37 years. Unly two wounds received in action, one of which proved fatal, were recorded, both being at Durbo in Italian Somaliland. They were landed to punish a native Chief for the shooting of an Italian Lieut. During the action cut. Gaunt CM.G, KN, who coromanded the force, 53,400.93 was shot through the thigh and a matine killed 273,909.37 by a shot through the head. The health returns 8,380 5 are brizẞy as follows:-3 cases of small-pox as 251.05 against 14 in 1902; 15 per thousand were due 91,343 94 to enteric fever (a slight increase). The total of deaths were, however, 7 less than the previous year. The China Station reports to cases of plague, some of which were fatal. There was one case of cholera. The Mediterranean Station had the lowest sick rate. There were 17,295 cases of wounds and injuries and 129 deaths as compared with 16,389 wounds and

1,200.00

250,000.00

$730,452.01

A. SHELTON HOOPER,

Secretary,

Auditors.

We have compared the above statement with the books, vouchers and securities of the com. pany and have found the same to be correct.

T. ARNOLD? C. W. MAYS Hongkong, toth January, 1905.

THE PHILIPPINE ALIEN CONTRACT LAW.

CASE OF PECULIAR HARDSHIP.

125 deaths for 1952. The fatal cases were:→→→ Bons and scaldings 7, heat and sunstrokes 6; injuries 23; suffocation from submersion 75, choking with food 2, poisonous gases 2, local injuries accounted for 15,605 cases and 16 men committed suicide. On the whole the report is extremely satisfactory.

MATTERS OF CUISINE.

A Special Committee is trying to devise a means of improving naval cookery. By the new rations system, Jack gets a greater variety of food, though no better method of preparing it has been introduced. In some foreign navies bread is baked aboard ship. Only two of our men-o'-war-the Swiftsure and the Triumph have bakeries, and in both of these ships ex periments are now being conducted with a view to finding out whether it is possible to provide a ship's company with a regular supply of fresh bread. Sailors like "soft tack" much better than they do sea biscuit, and though the bread produced in the ovens of the Swiftsure and the Triumph might not please a fastidious palate, the men are delighted with it. Whilst Army cooking has improved immensely, that of the Navy remains as imperfect as ever. Nor can there be any change for the better until the preparation of the men's food is left to ex perts instead of to the cooks of the messes, who are hauling on a tackle one hour and preparing a dinner the next.

zolb inst. On Monday last two Englishmen, named Rae and Woodington, arrived from Manila under conditions of unparalleled hardship brought about through the operation of the Contract Labour law in the Philippines. Ac- cording to their story, which is borne out by the papers they hold, some time ago the Manila Railway Company's agents in London advertised for two foremen platelayers to pro ceed, under three years' contracts, to work on the Manila Dagupan Railway in Luzon, P. I. Their applications were favourably considered, contracts were signed, and in due course the men came out to Manila. On arriving there they had to wait two days before seeing the Manager of the Company, and when they did so it was only to be informed by him that, according to law, they could not work there. On landing in Manila Rac had some $4 or $5, and Wooding. ton about $30, and their position can therefore from Manila. be better imagined than described, How. ever, as it happened, the Manila, Times The British fleet in Hongkong harbour will heard of the matter, and taking their case

go for a short cruise on Tuesday next, and will up, secured them passages to longkong, not be ex: erted back in port until about the where they landed with about $4 between 4th February. Three days later the ships them. It is asserted that, while waiting in again proceed to sea and in all probability will Manila, a party of mechanics assaulted the steam in a southerly direction. men saying that they had come out to under- H.M.S. Vengeance leaves Hongkong on the sell them, as their contract provided to pay 7th February, and three days later parts com- them at the rate of £300 per annum, while the rate prevailing in Manila was the equivalent of pany with the fleet and steers for Malla under 4225 per anum. Upon arrival here they were advised to see the Colonial Secretary and by him they were sent to the Soldiers and Sailors Home, steps now being taken to ensure their return to England.

17th inst. H.M. surveying vessel Rambler has returned

easy steam.

The trophy for the best shooting with heavy guns in the China squadron has been won by the Vengeance and was handed over a few days ago by the previous holders-the Ocean in 19oz such a small ship as the Bramble wan the coveted shield.

The U. S. cruiser Baltimore, now lying in the foreign man-of-war anchorage, leaves for of firing and mancurring, is to proceed to Manila on the 23rd instant, and after a course

All the conlies and workmen at the Navy Yard, Trincomalee, have now been discharged, with the exception of 150 men, retained to pack stores. The stores will be sent to Bombay de England, and the coal will be removed by ships as required. MS. For and Hyacin have sent in requisitions, and the coal stores are not sufficient to last six months. The Yand will be finally closed on the 31st of March, after being in existence for 98 yeats. Further details will be known on the arrival of Admiral Atkinson Willes on the leth inst.

zoth inst. The British cruiser Sutlej, 11,co3 tous, has arrived from Portsmouth.

The U.S. transport Steward will leave for the Philippines on or about Tuesday. She has undergone a thorough overhaul at the docks, it having being found necessary to put considerably more work into the vessel than was originally allowed for.

Lieutenant Russell of fl.M.S. Centurion left for home on the P. and U., s.s. Palawan, to complete his gunnery studies. The night be fore he was entertained by his fellow-officers in the ward-room, a very pleasant evening he ing spent. Lieutenant Russell was most popular on board the Centurion, and carries with him the best wishes of oo and all.

The British cruisers Hogue and pigenin came in from Mirs Bay this morning.

We understand that HM.S. Sutley is the first Naval ship to leave England under the new arrangement for two years' commissions.

SHIPPING JETSĀM.

14th inst.

The s.s. Ascot goes into deck for an outside clearing, on Wednesday, after which she will proceed to Chinwantso for coolies, being in lowed in a few days by the ss fakul, the last steamer chartered for the run, which will call at Chefoo and Chiawantao.

The collier Mart has arrived at Singapore from Barry-in-Furness, and stated she is en route for Bangkok. According to the Straits Echo, the ship's papers showed that she is bound for Vladivostok, so she has been do tained for inquiry and has been denied coal or

walen

Captain Berryman, master ef the steamer London Bridge, which has arrived in Bombay, reports that he was stopped at Gibraltar where his coal was bought by the British fleet. Interviewed by the Indian Daily News he says ten other steamers with coal were also stopped, the supply at Gibraltar having apparently un low.

The s.s. Cranley's coolies are to be removed to-morrow to the 9.5, Swanley, which will be used as a temporary isolation station. After completion of the term of quarantine, provided no new cases ОССИР in the meantime, the coolics will be re-transferred to the Cranley which will then resume her interrupt ed vayage to Durban.

--The dividends for 1904 of German steamship lines at present ate estimated as follows: Hamburg-American Line, 8-10 per cent.; Nordd.-Lloyd, 6 per cent.: Hamburg South America Line, 7 per cent.; Kosmos Line, 10 per cent; Deutsch-Australia Line, 7-8 per cent. Deustch-East Africa Line,-per cent.; Deutsch-Levante Line, 4 per cent. Haosa Line, Bremen, 8-10 per cent,

STOWAWAYS.

14,000 miles voyage. The two vessels will each the Cape in the midsuminer of the Southern hemisphere, when storms are least rquent and smooth water is more in evidence off that boisterous headland, *****

| ul. $.eco Philipines' cu ruacy, of which will be the first issue. It is the inten. tion of the Company to purchase the stall steamer Borneo, 125 tons carrying capacity, which will be used as a means of gathering the produce of the Moro province and sending

19th inst. it to market.

Mr. D. E. Brown, Orient agent of the Cana On the arrival of the China Merchants' dian Pacific, has left Winnipeg for the Coast steamer Taishun, from Shanghai, it was found after an extended visit in the East of the The following telegram has been received that three of the Chinese passengers were States. they now remain. The vessel had on board in Shanghai from. H.M.'s Minister at Seoul ed suffering from smallpox. They were all promptly removed to the hospital hulk where numerous head of cattle, but these were allow-Master of Japanese ship reports he passed ed to be landed after the work of fumigation floating mine about 20 miles from Welhaiwei on the 8th of January, in Lat. N. 37" 3rt', Long, was completed.

'E. 122° 324”” 4

Fenator Hale has introduced a bill to require the employment of vessels of the United States in the transportation by sea of all supplies of every description for use of the Panama Canal Commission or of contractors in the construc tion of the Pacama Canal.

13

GERMAN MAIL S.S. "KOON." The Imperial German Mail Roon from Shanghai and the North steamed into the har bour shortly after nine o'clock this morning, and proceeded to an anchorage off Stone cutters Island, having to report a case of small- pox which had broken out on the voyage down

It seems that the Kialin had a bad time of from Shanghai. The patient is a European,

it on the Ella rocks for, according to the Shang- third class passenger, who came on board at Shangbai apparently in good health. The hai Times, the whole of the stem being Roon carried a large number of first and damaged from the 10 feet mark right funder second class pasangers, amongst whom no water and it is stated that she has sustained. little alarm was felt. However, after

serious damage to the ball under the waterline strict medical examination the first and which will detain her for some time affecting were allowed her repairs. This is yet another instance of second class passengers shore, the vessel nevertheless still remains the effect of entrusting a valuable vessof to an

She was timed to leave unqualified native pitol of the "elo"custom in quarantine. for Europe to-morrow, but on inquiry this and look-ste" type, says that paper. Possibly afternoon at the office of Messrs Melchers and when a collision occurs involving an appalling Company, the agents of the North German loss of life, if some prominent government Lloyd, we learn that it is possible a delay may official happens to be numbered amongst the be occasioned by this unfortunate outbreak, victims, possibly than, the authorities will wake they having received no intimation from the up to the necessity of examining the qualifica medical authorities as to when the steamer tion of ignorant natives posing as pilots. will be released. Later, we learnt that the mail steamer will leave at 6 p.m. to-morrow. Amongst the passengers for Hongkong, was Major Nathan, General Manager of the Chinese Engineering and Mining Company, Limited, and brother of H. E. the Gove nor, Sir Matthew Nathan, R.E., KCMG, to whom he is on a visit. The gallant Major, alter leaving the mail, proceeded to Government Houst.

THE STOWAWAYS.

The case, remanded from yesterday, of the nine Japanese women and five men, charged with stowing away on board the ss. Mac this part without paying for the same, was quale, at Moji, and so obtaining passages to resumed before Mr. Gompertz at the Magis tracy this morning. The accused expressed their willingness to pay their passages amouet to $15 each, the Captain stating that if that were done he would not press the charge. George Richard Wardle, chief steward of the Macquarie, said that none of the accused up his knowledge or consent. When they were plied for tickets, nor were they on board with found he reported the matter to the Captain, who ordered them to be supplied with food. St. John corge, master, recalled, said that the fourteenth defendant was found in the quarter master's cabin the day after leaving Atoji. She was not on board with his know Inspector Langley placed thirteen Japanese, ledge or authority. The tenth defendant, act pine women and four men, before Mr. Goming as spokesman, sa'd they got on board at heriz at the Magistracy, charged with stowing Moji with the consent of the chief officer and away on the s.5. Muiquarie, and obtaining the chief steward, to whom they promised to passage to this port. They said they obtained pay 350 yen upon landing in Hongkong. The the consent of the chief officer and the steward other defendants confirmed this statement. to come here from Moji.-C. W. Elliot, chicf His Worship wanted to know how, if they were officer of the s.a. Macquarie, testified to finding on board with the cagnizance of the chief the stowaways in various parts of the steamer, officer and chief steward, they were found hidden in various parts of the ship.- the day after they left Moji. One of the men offered to give witness 550 to let them all go. They said they were all in one cabin.-Captain St. John George, inaster of the steamer, stated George here explained that, when found, the defendants threatened to implicate the chief that the accused had not his sanction to come on board, nor the sanction of anyone on board officer and steward if they did not have their with his authority. His worship said he un liberty on board, and so he ordered them all to derstood from the police that the accused were be confined in one cabin. The males were prepared to pay their passages.-Witness said fined $150 each or three months, the females, The 5.5. Silk, on her arrival from Durban on if they would guarantee to pay he would not with the exception of the 14th defendant, were the 12th inst., brought back a few coolies whose press the charge-The case was then remand-each fined Spo or one month, the fourteenth health would not stand the strain of the worked, to obtain the evidence of the chief steward. defendant, who had started away on her own account, was fined $15.-The quartermaster and climatic conditions in South Africa.

stated that the last defendant was his wife,

The repairs to the ss. Agincourt are how nearly completed and she is expected to be ready for sea in a day or two.

There are at present thirteen vessels of all sorts in the hands of the Kowloon Dock people, for various overhaul and repair.

The s.s Ebie, which has been sold by Messrs. Jebsen and Company to the Japanese Govern meni, sailed hence yesterday for Kobe.

It is the intention of the directors of the Orient-Pacific Steamship Company that the ships of their line shall not call at the ports of Marseilles or Naples after March next.

The s.s. Hailcong, lately sold to Messrs. Jebsen and Company, has been re-christened the Schleswig, and registered under the German flag. She has cleared for Shanghai,

The British steamer Cydonia has been suc cessfully feared off the Blenheim Shoal and steamed into the roads. It is understood that she has not sustained any damage. She was bound for the north with a cargo of oil.

Going through the Suei Canal on the home ward voyage on Dec. 3rd, the Princess Alice got her propeller entangled in the buoy chains, and traffic was stopped for a short time; but the encumbrance was soon cleared, and traffic was resumed.

No further cases of small-pox have occurred on board the s.s. Cranley, which still remains in quarantine. It has not yet been decided what disposition will be made of the coolies on beard, though they may be transferred to an- other vessel.

The C. N. 8. Hanyang, which arrived at Shanghai from Swatow on Monday reported: Experienced fine weather, with N.E. wind and smooth sea. When approaching Kiutoan Lightship, we found the light was not visible at six miles, although the weather was fine and clear at the time,

Regarding the question of coal supply, Cardiff merchants generally consider it very improbable that the Government will go a step beyond the refusal of cargoes to vessels which, like the Captain W. Menzell, have been shown on irrefutable evidence to act as store ships in either belligerent.

According to the Official Gazerte of Japan issued on the 5th inst, the steamers of Japan of upwards of 1,cootuns in displacement may go in and out of the Talien Gulf for trading par- puses, but the whole crew should be limited to Japanese subjects only. Japanese merchants are allowed to go across to the Gulf, if they have reasonable funds and credit in business and have the permission of the Minister of

War for that purpose.

A Board of trade inquiry has been held at West Hartlepool concerning the loss of the Tendy, s., belonging to Messrs. R. Ropner and Co., of West Hartlepool, off Padang (Sumatra), on August 14 last. The Tenby, commanded by Captain Henry Whitmore, struck on a coral reef whilst on a voyage from Cheribon (Java) for Port Said, with a cargo of 5,150 tons of sugar. The Court found the vessel was not navigated with proper and seamanlike care, the loss being caused by the wrongful act and default of the master alone, and the Court suspended his certificate for six months; but agreed to recom- mand he be granted a chief, officer's certificate during that period.

WORK FOR THE DOCKS.

AIDING AND A BETTING..

Francisco Fernandez, steward, and four Chinese cabin boye, were then charged with aiding and abelting the above defendants, The first was fined $15, the seco d discharged, As regards the third, fourth, and fifth defend- ants, the captain and chief officer gave them good characters and asked that they might be dealt with leniently. His Worship said it was a serious matter to try and implicate the officers of a steamer in such a case, and having regard to the penalties he had inflicted in the case of the stowaways themselves, he would fine the third and fourth $roo, and the fifth $150.

THE

THE WRECKS ON THE BOMBAY REEF

5.5. "SHREWSBURY" AND "BARON GORDON,"

20th inst. It will be remembered by our readers that in the beginning of this month Captain Owen Wilks went down in the Laeries to view the 5.5. Shrewsbury, as she lay stranded on Bombay. Reef, but owing to the weather he was unable to get near enough to board her, and so went on to Saigon, Captain Wilks has now returned to able weather he was able to get on board. He Hongkong, and having met with more favour- found her full of water, but otherwise in ex actly the same conditions as when she was abandoned not having shifted her position in the least, In the absence of a diver, he was unable to ascertain the full extent of the damage but he thinks that, given fine weather, there is a very good prospect of salving the Shrewsbury. No doubt an attempt will be

made to this end in due course,

Captain Wilks also visited the Baron Gordon, but saw there is no hope of satving her, as she now lies high and dry on the reefe

RESCUE AT SEA,

Capt. G. Gitsche, of the German steamer Elisabeth Rickmers, which arrived this morn- ing from Bangkok, rescued a fisherman from off a sampan which had been blown a hun- dred miles from land and was drifting about in the middle of the Gulf of Sing. At seven o'clock of the morning of the sth inst, while steaming from Hoihow to Bangkok the frail craft was sighed, and as the ship drew near the officers perceived a man on board. The Elisa- beth Rickmers was hove to, and the fisherman rescued and taken on the steamer,The poor fellow was so exhausted that he fell to the deck, and made signs for food and water. He was given both, and when he was feeling better the officers learned that he was a fishermon from the mainland at Koh Kong, about a hundred miles from where he was rescued, and had been dr fting about for four days without food or water. Had it not been for the kindness of the skipper and his men in treating the poor fellow so well he would undoubtedly have not survived. He remained aboard for two days, and on the yessel's arrival at Bangkok was. placed ashore apparently quite recovered from the effects of his terrible predicament. He thanked everyone most warmly for all that had been done on his behalf. The position in which the rescue was effected. was about Lat. 11° 20′ N., Long, 101" 40′ E.

LIGHT ON CAP-SUI-MUN. The Harbour Master has issued a notifen- tion stating that on and after the 1st April, the light exhibited at Cap-Sui-Mun, on the west paint of Ma-wan Island, will be altered. The new light will be a sixth order dioptric light, red, visible six miles in clear weather, and will be displayed at a height of çö feet above high water, in the same position as the existing two lights.

One of the immediate results of the loss of the 5.3. Secunder has been the formation of a Galle Chamber of Commerce, to enable those concerned in the trade of the post to take con- certed action for their interests. The first meeting was recently held when this unfor tangle wreck and matters connected with the harbour engaged the attention of the Chamber."

"SMOKER" AT THE WARRANT OFFICERS CLUB.

17th inst. There is a probability that the Philippines Government will shortly be sending another vessel to Hongkong for alteration and refit ting at the hands of the Dock Co., We under stand that, owing to the steamer Ingalls being too small for the purpose of cable laying in the Archipelago, it has been decided to detail the Luscom for that purpose and also as a repair ship. The steamer recently arrived at Manila from Zamboanga, and Mr. FT Mumma, an electrical expert who has been in charge of the operative work on the Ingalls, has been ordered to report on board the Ziscurs, which it is thought probable will arrive here in a few days for the purpose of undergoing

GAELIC

18th inst. several important changes in the construction

The Occidental and Oriental Steamship of her bows which will have to be allowed before she will be suited for cable laying and Company's liner Gaelic, Captain Finch, which, repairs. The work rendered necessary in for twenty years has been passing in and out of cludes, besides taking out her bows, the con- Hongkong, arrived to-day from her last trip straction of backs and the rigging forward of across the Pacific. The youngest of the three machinery and appliances for grappling the White Star liners dying the flag of the Occid. cable in taking it up or laying it. This altera-ental and Oriental Steamship Company, the tion and refitting will take from a month to six Guelic, is the first to be retired, because she lacks the fleetness of her sisters. Both Coptic weeks to complete.

and Doric have been re-engined since they left the ways at Harland & Wolfe's yard and are able to make better time than the Garlic. The Goe it, however, bas had a wonderful career. Never laid up for repairs except for the lew weeks following er going ashore in Oriental waters, she is to-day apparently in as good A capital smoking concert was given by the condition as when she left Liverpool a score of members of the Warrant Officers' Club last years ago. Built for a thirteen knot boat, she night, in honour of the American officers of made fifteen knots day after day on her last the Baltimore and also as a species of farewell. run from the Orient. Her boilers, old as her social gathering in company with the warrant hull, have been treated with such good care officers of H.M. Vengeutice, scheduled to that the Federal inspectors have never reduced leave for home very shortly. The club quarices. her steam pressure limit by one pound and the

were prettily decorated for the occasion, and Gaelic herself is still classed A Fat Lloyds. everything went with a swing from start tofinish. Along with her sisters, the Gaelic shared the Mr. Casey of II.M.S. Handy occupied the chair,

and every inch of space was occupied by mem favour of passengers to and from the Orient who traveled for pleasure and to whom comfort was

bers and their friends. ⠀⠀ "The programme was a first consideration. Bigger and faster boats lengthy one and contained some well selected will in time lead to the retirement o the Cepic songs, etc. The comic element was particu, and Doric and it will be with great regret that larly strong, Messrs. A. R. Eva 5 Walstow,

for Vladivostok. The Rosalie is a compara-ling between here and the Far East, see the Ober of highly diverting rongs, Mr. Evans was

the "regulars," of whom there are many travel-Riley and the Chairman contributing a z and O. flag hauled down for the last time.

The new freighter Minnesota is due bere shortly from San Francisco. We gave a full description of the vessel some months ago. Captain. John J. Truebridge commands the Minnesnia. The other principal officers are: Chief officer, 1, F. Blaine; first officer, W. S. P. Keyes; second officer, . C. Grening; third oficer, John Duffy; chief engineer, George Allan chief steward, Frank Weber.

The N..Y.. F. S. Tosa Maru arrived at Nagasaki on the 10th with 1,629 Russian prisoners of war from Dalny.

At the harbour office this morning one Chinese candidate passed and two failed before the Pilot's Examination Board.

In the Japan Sea on 11th inst the Japanese cruiser Tation ciptured the British steamer Rosis with 6,500 tons of coil on board, bound |tively new steamer of 4,303 tons gross. belong

ing to Messrs. J. Cory & Sons, of Cardiff,

The Siberia, which arrived to-day from San Francisco, has brought one of the largest ship ments of gold ever taken across the Pacific viz. $4,500,000 11.S. currency. In addition to $2,500,000 from San Francisco, she has brought the $2,000,000 now coming this way on the Mongolia.

Captain William Finch of the Gaelle will take command at Hongkong of the Coptic, turning over the Gaelic to Captain Beadnell, Whether the Gaelic will be sold at Hongkong or return to Liverpool is still undecided.

The 'tandard Oil Company's tank' s'camer Dakotak, a big oil carrier of 4006 tons gross and 2593 tons nes, recently in longkang Amongst the passengers by the mail steamer has arrived at San Francisco and will remain Roan leaving for home to-morrow will be Cap- there for six weeks or two months, being in J. Watson, formerly chief officer of the changed into an oil burner and will it en bring Agincourt. He is going to England to bring a cargo of refined oil to China. T is steamer out a new salvage plant and steamer for Mr. J. and the Housatonic have been chattered by Watt Jameson; the well-known wrecker and | the Standard.Dil Company for this service, the salvage engineer. g

all being carried to China in bulked cased here, as labour is cheaper here than in America and the casing can be done at considerably less coste

roth inst.

in particularly good form, and was encored repeatedly. The Chairman was quite at home in his rendering of "Casey's Ball, and there were many other good 'and amusing comic songs presented. Mr. Bowen, always a favourite at local concerts, was at his happiest and sang "In Friendship's Name" 'in really first class style. No loss successful was Mr. Brand who gave several sentimental songs with complete satisfaction to all, while Mr. Thwaites and Mr. Bailey among many others added much to the general, enjoyment of the evening. A novel hem in the programine was the introduction of a Chinese juggler and conjuror 4Chang Se who went through a number of amusing tricks, whilst a small boy, who accompanied him, gave 'a fairly good acmbatic exhibition. During the |course of the evening, the Chairman in felici. tous terms proposed the joint healths of His Majesty King Edward, and President Roose veli, a toast which was drunk with great enthu around the forn from New York to San save the health of "The Guests" and after wel The towage of a 2,000-barrel oil barge siam. Later in the evening Mr. Presley, R.MA, Francisco by a Standard Oil tank steamer is coming the officers of the Baltimore, extended a novel experiment which is about to be at the heartiest greetings of the club to the officers tempted. The steamer has been specially of H.M.S. Astra. In conclusion, he regret- equipped with an appliance to relieve the ted the departure of their friends on H.M.S. The South Philippines Steamship Co, bas strain on the cable in the tempestuous weather | Vengeance, and said they would all join with now Messrs. Caird and Co. have been engaged been incorporated with an authorised capital | which she and her tow may encounter on the him in wishing them God-speed and deg

It will be quite fresh in the memories of our readers that a somewhat similar case occurred but about eighteen months ago, when Mr. Allen, a bank accountant, was transferred to the Manila branch of his bank, under contract from Hongkong, and was refused permission to take up his appointment, and though the matter was taken to the highest tribunal in the Honolulu. United States, he had to leave the Philippines The American torpedo boat Bainbridge, and accept an appointment elsewhere. With which was recently in Hongkong, has been this case so recently occurring, and bearing in painted white as an experiment. Owing to mind that the Manila-Dagupan Railway the cramped quarters on these tiny vessels Company is an English concern, and the and to the fact of their consuming such' Messrs. Caird and Co., Greenock, have re- manager annglishman, it appears a remarka vast quantity of coal, the department ceived a further order from the , and O, for a able thing that the London agents should has hitherto had them painted a dark green passenger and cargo steamer of 800 tons, be requested, as, presumably, they were, to colour, but as the larger vessels are all making three vessels, aggregating 26,000 tons send out two plate-layers under contract to the painted white it is desired to have all the they have on hand for this company. The company, when the representatives must have shins of the navy of uniform colour. Those first one placed the largest is for the mass known that they would not be allowed to land serving aboard the vessels seem to favour the service, and she is almost fully plated; the in Manila. It certainly appears to be a most darker hue for the torped boats stating, in second, of the Asrage class, is in frams and in deserving case for the assistance of charitably explanation of their reason, that the torpedo process of plating; while a berth is being made disposel members of the community, and we boat is much harder to keep clean than the for the latest one ordered, which will be n trust that many p.rsons will see their way to larger fighting craft and that the dark green duplicate of the second. For come months help these young men to tide over their trouble colour is more adapted to them,

Twelve nationalities are represented in the 282.vessels which the annual statistical records of the Custom house show to have plied be tween Manila and foreign ports. Of these 147 were English, 51 Americans, 21 Norwegian, to Japanese, 6 French, 4 Spanish, and the remain- der Italian, Swiss, Hollandese, Austrian and

Russian,