1905-09-16 — Page 14

264

A COMPRADORE'S PROFIT5

ON MACAO STEAMER.

rath inti.

At the Supreme Court this morning, before the Chief Justice, the case, Chiu Hok 1am v. She T'at Tani, was called on when Mr. H. N. Farrers (instructed by Mr. C. D. Wilkinson, of Wilkin and Griet) appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. H. E. Pallock, K.C., (instructed by Mr. H. W Looker, of Deacon, Looker and Deacon) represented the defendant.

Mr. Pollock stated that in the present action, which was for an account of defend. ant's profits as compradore to the Hong- kang and Macao S.S. Company, two orders had been made, one on July t and the other. on November 4, 1904.

The order made in July was for an account of the profits made ty the defendant, while the second was for the payments, receipts and net earnings of the de- fendant and the amount dus to plaintiff at 15 per cant on the net earnings. On Decem ber 19 the defendant filed a very long delsited account under the order of November 4, which show. a balance due to plaintiff of $11.31 (defendant having previously paid $14.99 into Court). The plaintiff was dissatisfied and dis. puted the account, with the result that a very long inquiry before the Registrar took place and practically the whole of the costs in con- nection with the action were then incurred Counsel appeared for bath sides-Mr. Pollock and Mr. Calthrop. On August 16, this year, the Registrar filed his certificate, finding that

the

account filed by the defendant was absolutely correct, only the balance shown being due to the plaintiff

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 1905.

PAINAMP 70 ZHIBET.

BRITISH CONSUL TURNED BACK ON THE

JKONTIER

But

Mr. Alex. Hosis is a traveller as well as his Majesty's Consul General at Chengtu, the capital of China's largest province. In 1883 he journeyed along the Thibetan road from Chengta and crossed into Yunnan little dream ing that twenty years later he would again'find' himself in Szechuan facing westwards.. auch proved to be the case, and a diary of his travels over close upon fourteen hundred miles appear in the form of a White Paper issued to Parliament. The traveller writes of his experi- ences with a lively sense of their romantic nature and with distinct literary skill. His intereding volume, which consists of So closely printed pages, is issued a "China No. 1 (1905). Report by Mr. A. Hosie, his Majesty's Consul General at Chengtu, on a journey to the Eastern Frontier of Thibet (with a map)." Setting out from Chengtu, where one can observe a confused maze of greenery lit up in February and March by the bright yellow blossoms of the rape, and in May and August by golden patches of ripening grain, Mr. Hosie journeyed on the great highway which connects the city with Lhasa, and for the first days passed with his caravan through a country riddled with irrigating streams and canals, with alders fringing every watercourse and beans blossoming in the dikes between the paddy plots. By this same road travel the Chinese Imperial Residents for Thiber along it devout pilgrims, eager to look upon

THE FACE OF THE DALAI LAMA.

Some of the latter take years over the jour The Chief Justice-And now you are apply-ney, but the Imperial couriers, with relays of ing for judgment?

horses, are able to carry messages from Lhasa Mr. Pollock-We have paid more than the to the nearest telegraph office, 1,300 miles amount into Court. The law on the subject is away, at Techien l-in less than zo days. I think quite clear; the Registrar's finding is The road is barred by lofty mountain ranges, binding on both parties. If either party is diswhich strike terror into the superstitious way satisfied he can apply within 21 days to have farers, and so narrow are some of the spurs that the certificate varied or discharged. The certi- one looks down into an abyss on either side of Ecate was filed on August 16 and no applica the roadway, while in places the path zigzags tion has been made by plaintiff although the backwards and forwards over a lace of small, time for such application has now expired. loose, slippery stories and at times descends into gorges where Nature has run riot. Mr. Hosie describes everything that he sees, and throws new light on the country and its people On the road to Tachien.lu he visited O.mai sien and went to the top-a height of 10,158 feel. The sights to be seen from the summit are the "Glory of Buddha"-the 'reflection of the sun on the clouds hanging on the abyss below the top of the precipice; the "Myriad Lights," or lamps which are visible at night in the gulfunderneath; and the Snowy Mountains of Thibet. Mr. Hosie was however disappointed

Mr. Ferrers said that the whole point was that they did not get any notice of what the Registrar was doing. He read an affidavit by

Mr. F. X. d'Almada e Castro which stated that he was not given notice of the settling of the account, despite the fact that he was acting for the defendant, and also me field by Mr. Looker, the plaintiff's solicitor, which deposed that the Registrar had shown the defendant's solicitor a draft of the certificate before it was signed.

The Registrar, Mr. Seth, was called and he deposed that he showed Mr. F. X. d'Almada e Castro a draft of his certificate. There was nothing in the Code to show that it was neces sary to give solicitors notice of the settling of

the account.

The Chief Justice-Did Mr. d'Almada know of the settling?

with

THE SUPERNATURAL VISIONS.

Mr. Hosle returned to the Chengt plain | HALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED three months after leaving it, and exchanged the clear, sunny, buoyant atmosphere of the western highland for the dark, cloudy, depress ing climate of the capital of Szechuan,

"

FUN IN QUBEN'S ROAD,"

TAFT OUT-TAFTBD.

An intensely amusing scene occurred in Queen's Road Central this forencon, affording mirth for the spectators and the victim alike. A European visitor to the Colony, of enormous, may we say elephantine, proportions, who recalled the great Taft, elected to have a chair-ride. Hailing a couple of coolies outside the Hongkong Hotel he peremptorily ordered them to make ready for his "barly" frame. The coolics might not have disdained a dainty Chinese lady, or a miniature school bay, but when they were confronted with Goliath, and all the giants rolled into one they became manifestly dismayed and started to hobble off as best they could. But the mas sive, Christmas-like revelation of a man-who may have seemed like an ogre to the coolies was also a bit of a sprinter. He was up to. the chair in two hops and neatly caught the rear coolie by the deft manipulation of a shepherd's crook. Then he solemnly set the chair down in the roadway and started to encase himself inside. Now, many ordinary people find it a matter of trouble to seat themselves in these slim receptacles, but when this Gargantuan attempted the task he had to exercise the palience of Job before it was completed. Fortunately it was a cool day. By this time a crowd of chair coolies, ricksha-pullers and the riff-raff who are always to be found on such occasions assembled in the middle of the street and started to laugh. That brought the Europeans to the scene, for it is morally certain that when a coolie starts to laugh he has an object in view. When the large-sized visitor had safely co. sconsed himself in the chair the real fun began. The front coolie beni down and heaved. He found himself on bis back in two seconds and wondered what had hap pened.. The chair hadn't moved. Then both the coolies with a heap of "peching" and wrest- ling and shouting of "Both together" made a grand magnificent effort. That failed. By this time the street was thronged with onlookers, who agreed that nothing so funny had been witnessed since the dars of George the First, The air ang with laughter and a lady who came out of a shop near by laughed so ecstatically that she neatly had a fit and had to be patted on the back and embraced and finally led away before she recovered. The gentle. man who was causing the block in the traffic and formed the centre of attraction sat severe- ly in his chair, with a mild smile on his face. Probably he thought this was the re- gular performance when a new comer es. sayed to enter a chair. By this time the chair-coolies were swearing at each other with a fluency and vigour that brought down

30TH JUNE, 1905.-

Liabiliilexp Capital account:-20,000 shares

at $50 Reservo fond

$1,000,000 00

185,000,00

Underwriting account of the com-

panyinou

88,941.50

33,587.40

416.00

Sundry accounts payable............ines Unpaid dividends momonni Unpaid bonus.inquievie 138,00 Proft and lor account............4021 · 196,100.55 $1,503,683-54

Value of the Co

Aunit.

steamers:- Haitan, Hatching, Haimun, Halloony, & Thales,

as perlastreport......$873,000,00 Less book

value ofs.s.

Thales...5 45.000 00

Less book

value ofs...

Halloong

now sold. 105,000.00 $150,000.00 $715,000.00

Value of buoys and moorings at Swatow, Amey, Tamsul and Hongkong, steam launch and wharf at Hongkong, as per fast report..................... 41,434.67 Less amount written off

as solved at last gene al meeting...... 1,662.52

Loans on mortgage ......... Hongkong & Shanghai Banking

Corporation..... Freights due on 30th June, 1905... Sundry accounts receivable from "

agencies, &c................... Coal account, stock in hand Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation (Fixed deposit)................

43,772.05

536,000 00

4981.29 91,648.99

52,924.8: 3,356.40

50,000,00

$1,503,683.54.

PROFIT AND LOSS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1905.

To

dividend paid for year ending

seth June, 1904.................................. $ 40,000,00 To amount written off for deprecia- tion for year ended 30th June, 1934

To exchange account To auditors' fees

prata:

To remuneration to consulting com».

mittee for 12 months......

To remuneration to general mana- gers for office expenses, for 12 months

1,661.6z 18305

600.00

2,000 DO

10,000.00

To balance........rinasummagammen 196,190,55

,

. Reserved by the priesthood for the superstitious pilgrims who annually throng the mountain, so he turned is in a service held in the temple just under the summit. The abbot, in full canonicals, recited prayers, Mr. Seth-1 showed him a draft in my interspersed with the beating of drama and the Mr. Pollock-I suppose you're not instructed clashing of cymbals, the pilgrims sittings on the house." People laughed till they were sere. By interest on mortgages account 28,275.41

Chambers.

on that point, Mr. Ferrers? (laughter).

The Chief Justice (to Mr. Ferrers)-1 don't think you are entitled to much, anyhow. It is clear to me that it would be to your client's advantage to give judgment for $11.31.

The question of costs was argued, and the Chief Justice ruled that plaintiff was to receive costs up to the time the defendant paid the $14.99 into Court and in connection with the taking of the account on the Original scale, and that defendant was entitled to his costs from the time of paying in the money,

A BROKER'S COMMISSION-

DISPUTED IN COURT.

benches and standing around, with their eager faces it up by the glare of many candles. It was a weird spectacle, he says, and one will agree with him if the imagination can picture a temple high up on a mountain side, with iain lights twinkling far below and the stillness of night around.

THIBETAN LADIES.

Tachien-lu, exceeding, the Chinese in. habitants, were "ihe dull-red and grey woollen- gowned Thibetan men and womer, moving with that free and easy gait unknown to their Chinese neighbours. The Thibetan ladies, when clean and well-dressed, as Mr. Hosie saw them in Tachien-lu, will take rank with their European sisters. Many beautiful women wore long silk gowns and long red topped bools, and ornaments of gold. Dark brown eyes, finely-cut features, an excellent carriage, and sprightliness of demeanour distinguished

12th inst.

AT THE BOUNDARY LINE. In Summary Jurisdiction at the Supreme

Passing over many pages of this interesting Court this afternoon, before the Puisne fadge, naressive of a journey through a wonderful a claim in respect of brokerage was heard, the

arrive at the country we

stage where parties being Tseang For Ming and Chai Yik

Mr. Hosie's Caravan reached the Pan, brokers of 53 Wellington Street, and 40

hillside whose ridge marks the boundary Des Voeux Road, plaintiffs, and Choy Yee, between China and Thibet. Mr. Rosie described as gentleman of || Wongneicheong describes how he met the lams himself, travel Read, defendant. Mr. H. K. Holmes appeared on behalf of the plaintiffs and Mr. C. E. Hing in a green sedan chair borne by four Chi.

་་

Beavis, of Messrs. Wilkinson and Grist, re- presented the defendant.

them.

steep

Mr. Hosie whether he was going into Thibet. When he answered that he was proceeding only as far as the frontier, he said, "You have not far to go," and such proved to be the case, for he soon arrived at the top of a steep hill side the ridge of which forms the boundary line between the two countries. Under this brow he was met by the Chinese authorities, who again begged him not to cross the

The more the others laughed the sironger. grew the language of the distracted coolies A poor mongrel dog sat up on his hind legs and plainly said that this was better than stealing scraps from the Central Market. The visitor was evidently a personage of great importance

for he remained at his case-that is to say wedged in on all sides-and waited developments! If he had only made a speech the show would have been complete. When the chair-coolies had ex- hausted themselves they set to work again, and again and yet again. The poles held for a wonder, and at last the chair rose, apparently of its own accord; the passenger waved good. bye to the crowd and went off in the direction of Battery Path. People who saw the scene in Queen's Road are still hughing as they think of the ludicrous sight. Taft, alas, was out- Tafted.

THE DOUGLAS STEAM-SHIP

CO., LD.

The report for presentation to the share- holders at the twenty-second ordinary general meeting, to be held at the offices of the com- pany, on Saturday, the 23rd inst., at noon, is as follows:-

$150,546.22 By balance of profit and loss ac By general interest account

count, 30th June, 19045 41,662.62 3,146.30

By coal account

By difference between book value,

By

of ss. Thales and the amount

1,061.38

realised on her sala 44.450.16. difference between book value

of 8.5. Hailoong andthe amount realised on her sale. *

81,609.84

By profit on running the company's

steamers during the year...... 59,340.51

$150,545 22

We have compared the above statement with the books and vouchers of the company and found the same in accordance therewith.

W. HUTTON POTTS..

J. E. BINGHAM, F.L.A. (N.Z.)

Auditors.

Hongkong, 11th September, 1905.

Cr.. By agency commission ..................s.

head office, branches and agency charges ............ remunerationforhalf-yearend- ing, 31st December, 1904, lu directors, committees and as- ditor.................................................................. losses and claims paid bonus on contributions 1904, (declared 14th April, 1905)

balance..

c

WORKING ACCOUNT, 1901, On 30th June, 1905. Dr.

To net premium from tal January

10 30th June, 1905

라

interest......+91940) (1999

exchangeəsi:61599sta

65,510.34

216,570.98.

PROPERTY SALE

9th inst. Close upen 9,000 square feet of Crown land adjoining Tai Hang Inland Lot No. 126, Tal: "Hang village, are to be sold by public auction. 14,629.03.

at the P.W.D. offices on the 5th insti-The 1,883,412.18 boundary measurements are north 200

south 100, east 87', west 87, or a total aren of 293,484 40 8.700 feet. The land is subject to an annual 1,483,921.82 tent of Soo, and the upret price at which it will be offered is $4.350. Special condiisons pro- vide that the purchaser of the lot is to ent $3,958,537.77

away to such lavals as the Director of Publia: Works may approve wiibis. 18 months of the date of sale the portion of the bill falling within Its boundarlen and also the portionss extanding: $3,093,537.04 over a width of 15 fest outside and along the 137.576.80 fouth boundary and a width of 6 feet outside 4,957:43 and along the west boundary. The purchaser shall also cut the hill to such a slope as to obr viate the risk of landslips or construct such rec taining walls as may be necessary for that pur pose. The purchaser is to form a road 30 feet wide along the east side of the lot and a lane 15 feet wide along the north side of the lot to such levels, as the D. of P. W, may, direct and to his satisfaction.

$3,325,071.37

Cr.

13

By agency commissions ..............

head office, branches and agency charges

59,881.73

207,019.89

remuneration for half-yearer.d.

ing 30th June, 1905, to direct- - ors, committees and auditors losses and claims paid

"

*

balance........

BALANCE SHEET On joth June, 1905. Dr.

To capital 10,0:0 shares of $:go ssch---$2,500,000 upon which $100 per share called and paid . up

.. Reserve Fund

15.459.08 603,388,34 2,339,112.23

$3,225,071.27

| $1,000,000.00

Silver ....St,850,oca.co Sterling £20,000- 23.333-33

Tunclaimed bonus and dividend ,, exchange fluctuation account investment fluctuation account' „ working account, 1904, balauce- "working account, 1995, balance re-insurance fund £97,868, 8.9 underwriting sus

"

pense account... £40,289.36.8 sundry creditors

bills payable... 448

Cr.

By cash on current account whh the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation ... cash on deposit with banks in Hongkong, Shanghai and Sin. gapore ...ENRY cash invested in mortgages, debentures and other securities

in Hongkong, Shanghai and Singapore

amount invested in London,

Viz, am

Deposited in banks £ 94,000, 0.0 Invested in sterling securities....... Invested in rupeo

paper.......

Invested in sterling

mortgage at Hongkong

(Market value at

date)

162,933.18.5

8,450,0,0

P

20,000, 0.0

£385,383,18.5

y amount inve ted in Melbourne,

via. :— Deposited in bonks Invested in sterling

securities

2,000.0,0

16,128.6,0

THE EARTHQUAKE AT MAGAO.

[From Our Own Correspondent].

Macao, 10th September, 1905.) At twenty-five minutes past one o'clock in the afternoon yesterday a sharp stock of earth- quake was felt throughout the city which created. a good deal of alarm amongst the inhabitants. || 11 was the severest shock yet felt in the, series of sismic disturbances commencing about two months ago. In violence and duration yester day's shock exceeded the two very severe obes 2,063,333.33 felt on the rath-12th August. The shock of 135,18977 Saturday, like those of last month, was preceded 305.007.61 by two loud reports very similar to the explo - 26,445.80 | sion of heavy artillery. The ramblings then 1,485,921.81 | followed and the oscillating movement was folt' » 2,339,112.23 | Immediately after. For the rest of the day 1,043,930.00 | there were continual slight tremors,

$9,043,223.18

It was reported that Government House 429,758.17 sustained some slight damage, the outer walls 308,355.87 being slightly cracked in places, but not suffi

6,168.53 cient to cause any alarm. The Treasury Building (Fazenda) álso suffered some damage. of a similar nature. Some private houses also en the Praya Grande were more or less severely damaged, the only actual collapses occurring in the Chinatown. On account of this collapse a few pedestrians received a few scratches and bruises from the falling bricks and masonry. but no serious personal injuries were reported

$196,026.40

519,482 78

2,816,697,80

4,110,761.82

(Market value at

date)......................... | 18,128.6.0-193.368.53

By amount invested in Yi kohama,

viz Deposited in banks Yen 80,000.00

UNION INSURANCE SOCIETY OF Japanese securities

CANTON, LIMITED,

The repart for presentation to the share- holders at the thirty-second ordinary meeting to be held at the society's offices at noon on Thursday, the 19th October, next, is as fol.

lows:-

The directors have now to submit to the

The general managers have now to submit to the shareholders their report on the twenty-shareholders a report of the business of the. second year's working of the company, ended society for the year 1904, and for the ax

months ending the 30th June 1905. 30th June, 1905.

1904. The net premium collected for the amounts in $4,582,357.20. After providing for in May last, there remains at credit of work. a bonus of 20 per cent, on contributions pald ing account a balance of $1,485,921.82, as per

After paying all running expenses, premin of mittee, auditors' fees, the amount at credit of profit and loss recount-including $ 26,000 difference in amount realized by the sale of Thales and foilaong, and their book values holders, it is proposed to appropriate this as is $196,100.55, and with the consent of share-annexed statement. follows:-

The directors recommend that this sum be appropriated as follows:-

nese bearers, with, relief bearers and escorted by a retinue of from thirry to forty men, Thi betan and Chinese, some of the latter with bat It was explained that the claim was one per

tons on their official 'hate. There was a run cent commission on the sum of $60,000 whichning fire of questions as to their respective des. the plaintif obtained for the defendant on the tinations, and one gray-bearded old man asked insurance, remuneration of consulting com-year, after deducting returns and reinsurance, security of a first mortgage secured on Marine Lot No. 18, and amounting in all to Józi.

One of the plaintiffs sald he was asked to obtain the loan at the rate of 8 per cent per annum, but this he could not do, and subse- quently informed the defendant that he could gut the matter through at the rate of 18.50 per $1,000 per month. He was asked to endeavour to arrange at a'cheaper rate; but this he wat unable to do, and defendant accepted at this rate. Negotiations were entered into regard. ing the mortgage deed, but the arrangements fell through and the money was never advanced. Trang For Ming bad nothing to do with the matter in question. In cross-examination, Chiu Yik Pan said that a man named Chan of Des Voeux Road was going to advance the money. He was the peron whom witsess Brst approached on the matter; he never saw anyone also on behalf of the defendant.

Mr. Beavis-Do you know anyone of the name of Rumjahn - saw him once or twice.

Oh1 quite so; you saw Rumjaha 7-Not about

this loan...

Did you never see Mr. Rumjahn once, about this loan at any time 7-1 told him about the lóan.

Did you see Mr. Kumjahn more than once about this proposed loan?-I saw him twice.

Did you see him more than twice ?-Well, I saw him several times, but I did not mention anything about the money.

In fact, you saw him several times didn't you? Yes, aw him a good many times,

And about this loan too?-Yes. Several times about this loan?-Yes. In what solicitor's office?-Mr. Holmes. In fact you worried the defendant and Mr. Rumjahn about this money? You wanted your comminion?-Well, I expected some commission I the matter went through.

Continuing, witness said the arrangement was that if he was able to find a man to ad- vance the money he was entitled to his com- mission, it was not a question of no morgage, no commission, He admitted that he was not entitled to his commission until after the mort. goge deed was executed, but, the proposed mortgages was willing to advance the money on the title deeds offered by the mortgagor who, however, was unwilling to accept the loan.

Judgment was reserved,

boundary line, which lay a few yards above him.

AN INVASION RESISTED.

Having been reassured that he had not the slightest intention of setting a foot in Thibet, they begged him to wait a few minutes, until they made the necessary disposition of troops along the boundary line, which was guarded on the Thibetan side by armed soldiers. In a few minutes he was invited to ascend the brow of the hill, where he found the Thibetan soldiers arranged in a line running north-east and south-west. In front of the Thibetan soldiers another line of Szechuan Thibetan soldiers, equal in number to the lalter, was drawn up. The Thibetan soldiers, who were armed with matchlocks and swords, were un der the command of a Chief, and a lama with a gik pagoda hat stood by his side Tiere. was perfect silence as, escorted by the Chinese authorities, he went up to the boundary: stone which marks the frontier of the two countries but he could see a fixed determination on the faces of the troops to resist any attempt on his part to cross into Thibet. The boundary stone, which stands some 30 yards to the north-east of an obo by the roadside, is a well worn, four-sided pillar of sandstone, about 3 feet in height, each side measuring some 18 inches. There was no i scription on the stone, and when unthinkingly he mada movement to look for writing on the Thibetan side, the Chinese officials at once stepped in front of him and barred the road to Thibet.

A VIEW OF THIBET Looking into. Thibet the eye met a sea of grass-covered treeless hills, and from the valley at the foot of the Ning-ching Shan rose smoke from the camp fres of 400 Thibetan troops charged with the protection of the frontler. There was no time to make a prolonged in spection, for the Chinese authorities were anxious for him to leave as soon as possible. As he had attained one of the objects of his Joursey--a visit to the eastern frontier of Thibet --he had no wish to remain longer, and mount, ing their horses, they rode down the Chiness slopes of the Ning-ching Shan. No sooner had they descended, than first a mounted scout, and then swarms of Thibetans on foot, rushed Ten days having elapsed since the lair case to a hill-top commeading a view of their road of plague and the health of the Colony being back to Pang-mu-tang, and be was under the otherwise. good, the issue of clean-bills of impression that they wore satisfied: that they health has been resumed as from to-day-the-¦ had successfully resisted a British invasion sath September.

from the east,

HONGKONG: A CLEAN PORT.

12th inst

|

"To pay a dividend on the capital of the company of 7%, which will absorb $10,000, to write off $46,461.76 from the value of the com- pany's properties on the June 30th last, being. the equivalent of 2% thereon, and to transfer $70,638.79 to the credit of the reserve fund."

During the year, the steamers Thales and Hellsong have been sold, at what must be con- sidered satisfactory prices, considering their age, and that they were too small to prove remunerative in our trade.

the coast, has been fairy plentiful, but with the During the period under 'review, cargo on keen competition still existing, Tates are not high enough to show large profits.

We are pleased to report that the company continues to command the confidence of ship. pers, and a full proportion of the trade to and from the parts to which its steamers run,

The Emma Luyken was chartered to meet requirements during some of the busiest months of the year.

Advantage was taken of the demand for money at the Chinese New Year to invest the available funds of the company in first class mortgages, at good rates of interest. The valuations of company's surveyors shows that the properties held by the company form ample security for the advances made.

The steamers of the company are in first class order, the Hallas having undergone an exten- sive overhaul in her engine room.

The amount appearing as freight dos and accounts receivable on 30th June have since been collected,

CONSULTING COMMITTEE, Since last general meeting, Mr. A. G. Gres son resigned his seat on the board and the Hoo. Mr. C. W. Dickson was invited to fill the vacancy. The committee now comelits of the Hon. Mr. C. W. Dickson, the Hon. Mr. R. Shewan, Mr. C. H. Thompson and Mr. A. G. Wood, who retire in terms of the Atticles of Association, but being eligible, offer themselves for re-election,

AUDITORS.

The present accounts have been audited by Mesars, W. H. Potts and J. E. Bingham (the latter acting in the absence of Mr. A. R. Lowe). Messes. Polls and Lowe retire, but offer them. selves for re-election,

DOUGLAS LAPRAIK & Co. General Managır.

A dividend to shareholders of $40

per share.......................................$ 400,000.00, An addition to the silver reserve

fund of.......................

$50,000.00

An addition to the sterling reserve find. of £20,000 at exchange

21333-33

Carried forward to underwriting! suspense account to close the account for the year 1904 4....... 714,588.49

$1,485,931.82

1995-The balance to the credit of this year's account amounted on the 30th June 1905, 10 $1,339,112.73, as per annexed state- ment

DIRECTORS,

Whealler has resigned his seat on leaving the Since the last general meeting Mr. E. 5.

Colony, and Mr. G. H. Medhurst of Messrs. Dodwell & Co., Ld, has joined the board,

In accordance with clause 86 of the articles of association. Mr. N, A. Siebs and Mr. A. G.. Wood retire, but offer themselves for re-election

AUDITORS.

In the absence of Mr. A. R. Lowe, the board

Potts and A. R. Lowe retire, but offer them- selves for re-election.

H. W. SLADE, Chairman. Hongkong, 15th September, 1905.

Following are the accounts-

held to conform

with Insurance Law passed in 1903 1

100,000.00

Yen 180,001.00

By amount at débit of branches

and agencies............ Jundry debtors.

The gaol-was entirely empty, sil the prị- soners having been removed to the San Fran cisco and Monte Fon prisons so the slight damage done to the gool caused no concern.

A minor shock was felt at 3 am, to-day (Sunday),

INTERNED BUSSIAN WARSHIPS,

The Shanghai Tactal has wired to the Waiwupu and Viceroy Chou Fu regarding the interned Russian warships to the effect that as peace had been concluded between Japan and Russia, the Russian Consul demanded to inspect the arms and ammunition dismounted | from the interned Russian warships and that the Russian Consul will make, more important claims and therefore it is desired that, due in, structions from, the Waiwupu and the Viceroy: be soon given to him-The S. C. D. Journal,

THE P. M. S. 3. " SIBERIA"

|_ MAKES A÷"RECORD PASSAGE.

The P. M. S. Siberia arrived Yokohama on the 31st ult after making a record trans Pacific passage by the Honolulu route. Her arrival caused a great deal of comment as she was not scheduled to appear In the Harbour until Sunday, and inquiry elicited the fact that not only had her passage been unusually 202,835.55 speedy but it had broken all previous records, Good as her performance was, it might have. been even belter but for a delay at Honolulu which caused her to go easily to the Midway Islands, as it is desirable to approach these Islande in daylight as they are very low and consequently a danger at sight. To approach thus it was necessary to go from Honolul at a reduced speed. Even with this drawback the actual steaming time was only thirteen days, seven hours. From San Francisco to Honolulu the trip was done in 4 days, 19 hours, 21, mins, which beats the record made by the Kora of 4 daya, 23 hours, 15 mins. The Sibarid, too, was heavily laden on leaving San Fran cisco, bor draught to Honolula being 29 feet. At some stages of the journey ahe did 22 knots

808,191.48 95,858.82 59,043.323.18

Sterling exchange taken at 18. 10jd.

W. J. SAUNDERS, Becretary.

We have compared the above statements with the banks, vouchers, and securities at the head office, and with the returns received from the various agencies of the society, and have found the same to be correct,

4

W. HUTION POTTS,

). E. BINGHAH, F., (NZ) Auditors. Hongkong, 15th September, 1905.

MARINE COURT.

BOATMEN FINED.

and in the last two days she was doing 21 knots against a strong current From San Francisco to Honolulu her daily runs were, 381, 438, 446, 455, and 367, the last bringing her into port, From the Midway Islands her runs were 397,- 443, 441, 429, and 452, 96 being run to bring her to port on, the last day. The route via Honolulu is 5,039 miles as against 4,535° miles direct. The record for the direct route is held by the Korea which did it in to days, 15 hours, 15 minutes. The time usually oc cupled by the journey via Honolulu is sixteen

9th inst. Before the Hon. Mr. Basil Taylor, Marice Magistrate, P.C. Norman charged, two bost men with unlawfully disobeying the orders of the Harbour Master by obtructing the approaches to the Harbour Master's wharf in Victoria Harbour on the 8th inst. C. days. Norman proved the obstruction and the men were fine 33 or 7 days' imprisonment each. Emost pleasant, J. Meugens, second boarding officer, charged four other boatmen with a similar offence, at the same place, and they, having no defence, were also fined $3 or 7 days each.

COLLISION IN THY HARBOUR,

LAUNCH BUNK.

9th inst. About two o'clock this afternoon the steam

The paisage was a most smooth one and was

There was a great deal of social activity on board; two balls were given in addition to the usual forms of steamer recreation, and a news paper, called the Siberia Daily News, was. published. The contents of this journal werO very amusing, but after leaving the Midway Islands the publishers were, by the courtesy of the Cable authorities, enabled to publish bond fide cables of general news. "AF niany of the messages referred to "the peace negotiations they were read with great interest, The money realised by the sale of these paper was voted to the Seamen's Institute in San Francisco. The printing was done by hecto graph.

appointed Mr. J. E. Bingham to audit the pre-launch Tat Yuk Furg, belonging to Messrs. A sent accounts in his place. Messrs. W, Huiton S. Watson & Co., Ld., was leaving the Polloger Pier steps for one of the vessels in the har bour, when, as the coxswain alleges, the Bank lausch Way Foong, going from west to east, ran into her, striking her with such force on the The passenger list included a number of ab port side as to start her slem and turo it tabilities. Mr. E. H. Harriman, family and almost to right angles with her bows. The party were on board. Mr. Harriman'is' the Tat Yunk Fong at once began to fill with President of the Pacific Mail, Steamship Com water, and to prevent her sinking. entirely the pany and of the Union Railroad and the South. was hauled back and made fast to the pier, ern l'acific Railroad Mr. Goelet, the malfi where she now las almost entirely submerged, millionaire, and Mr. Golet ware of his party, with the hull full of water and a heavy list to star Mr. R. P. Schwerin was also on board. Mr. board. The usual inquiry, when held, will no Schwerin, is the Vice-President and General doubt place the blame for this accident where Manager of the Pacific Mall Co, President of It belongs.

the O, & O. Co., President and General Manager of the Ban Francisco, and Portland 5. S. Co., and President of the Portland and Asiatic, Mr B. C. Howard and Miss Howard- were also among the passengers. A

WORKING ACCOUNT, 1904. On 30th June, 1905. Dr.

To working account, balance on

30th June, 1904, brought for ward (alerting partionconverted at 1, Tod.)....... $2,078,997.41

Leis difference in exchange (due to conversion of steři ing portion of above at rs. ભુત.

To nei premium from ut July

31st December, 1904.

Interest...

.. exchange

to

THE HONGKONG VOLUNTEER RESERVE ASSOCIATION,

An interesting, event on the trip was that at the Midway Islands Hr. Harriman's party went ashore and immediately opened up cable com munication with San Francisco and New York,

12th inst. 39.522.11

The principal scores for the zoo yards pool 52,039.475.30 competition at King's Park, on Saturday, were as follows:-E. Biogbam 38+28-66; L: G. 1,694,490.63 Bird 50+66) .J, Philpotts 6044-641 Freceiving the replies whilst they were there. In

221,225.72 Fisher 60+ 4moj; W. T. Edwards 50+ 1464

$350.13. C. Cottier 5548-6311 Raskin 30+ 12-62}} 13958,137-77

Winter). E.Bagham,

one case the reply came within twenty minutes. Captain J. Tremaine Smith is to be congra tulated on a trip which was in every way wo excellent and satisfactory.