1906-11-03 — Page 4

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THE HANKOW

FIRE.

THE JURY'S VERDICT.

EXPERT'S EVIDENCE TAKEN.

3rst ult. Mr. H. H.J. Gomperts, presiding a Coroner, and a jury, comprising of Messrs. A. Course (foreman), T. G. Drakeford and G. Kapp, con- tinued the inquiry at the Magistracy this morn ing, touching the deaths of those persons who were killed on the 14th instant, as a result of the fire on board the steamer #anime,

Detective sergeants Inspector Warnock, Watt and Grant, of the Central Police Station, and Sergeant Davis, of the Water Police Sta tion, watched proceedings for the police.

KISSING THE BOOK.

Dr. O. Marriott was the first witness called and he objected at first to be sworn by kiss ing the Bible, saying his objection was a sani. tary, one. His Worship said he could not swear the doctor in any other way, and the bibis was finally resorted to..

NO MEDICAL AID REQUIRED, The doctor, sworn, said he was on the -spot when the fire broke out on board the Hankow. The fire got very fierce soon after, but it did not appear 10, the withen that there were any ese on board at the time, althou h people were being rescued from the water. Sopu after he saw about twenty or thirty persons Witness on the deck of the burning steamer. attended to a few persons who were rescued from the water, but they were past aid. He inquired of a police officer whether there were any persons requiring medical assistance. The inspector replied in the negative, adding that those that were rescued were deal. Witness then left.

The Corner: Would you have remained if you were wanted?

Witness: Yes, until another doctor caine to take my place.

The Corner: Se from the condition of affairs you satisfied" yourself that you could do no Kond?

Witness: No.

· INADEQUAT. WATER SUPOJ,V......... · Arthur Lage, assistant engineer and station officer of the Fire Brigade depagtiment, was the next witness called.

10.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 1906.

said a few names after her airival be heard "fo chuk!" Witness want people crying aboard and saw the fire burning. It was only a small fire, then-enough he remarked to boil a pot of tea. Witness made an attempt to pull down the stack of matting, but it got worse, and commenced to burn the upper deck Then witness blew his whistle.

The Coroner: While you were near the fire did you smell any kerosene?

paint from the sides of the ship.

FAILED TO SWITCH OFF LIGHTS.

Ho Kan, the master of an unlicensed pas senger boat, said he was lying off the Liang Wing wharf on the morning of the 14th inst he heard cries of kamming coming from on board the Hankow and from the water He pulled up bis anchor and went to help. He rescued eight persons from the water and go them ashore. He went back again, but on this occasion the fire un the Hunkiro, which was shooting out hom that vessel, caught his boal and it took fire and was burnt to the water's edge. Waness and his three fokis jumped over- hard and swain ashore. By the fre he suffered

a loss of nearly $70 2.

A campan woman, the nwner of a cargo boal who also had her buat burnt in rescuing people from the water, said, altogether she and her Jokis saved about. therly lives. She estimated her loss at $1,800.

ELECTRIC LIGHT FITTER'S EVIDENCE.

to delv

LONDON'S LINK,

Press

THE SIRALIS CONRENCY.

i

to

highways and byeways, at the coffed stalls new dollar was received in Singapore in Oclo. of imports. He was not sure they must not thought it had been made rather too much of

The electric light fitter of the steamer Man #ception, spend a miserable evening, and reava millions were in crculation.

tom was in the electric light room when the fire broke out on board the steamer, Nothing went wrong with the steamer's lights..

A PASSENGER'S EVIDENCE. shopkeeper, carrying on business in Jervois The Corner: You are an expert in five Street, declared he was on board the steamer brigade matters-flat's what I was trained on the night of the fire. When he left the ships Prince's and other fashionable reso is, look in ties experienced by merchants in meeting the millions be got 228 millions or an excess of

in call a boarding house racter to fire lad oc curred. When he returned with the runner There was a very big fire burning, on board. His six friends, who came down from Canton with him, could not be seen then. It turned out afterwards that only this were saved, the bodies of the other three being identified by winess in the morgue. Before witness left the ankow he noticed nothing unusual Abbard.

The Coroner: You do no other work?—No, What did you do when the fire bell rang - I went up to the tower to locate the fire and assist the man on The tower to ring the se! and to inform the Central Police Station of the miller. Then went downstairs and turned the station out-that is all the machines. then went in the fire.

The Coroner: Can you tell what time yuu got there-in the Hànboro?

Witness: About 3.8.a.m. Contiming. When 1 got there the ship was well light and the hose had arrived. The hydrants were then put reels to work. I could see there were people in the water and I tried to assistne or two out from the steps. By that time more, firemen har arrived. Finding the hydrants were weak sent back for mais pressure, and also dispatch ed a message to No. 2 Police Station for their Wanchi eninc.

|

THE DEATIF ROLL

L. S. Adlington deposed that at 3 of a... on the morning in question he was aroused by the fire bell and went down with other firemen to the steamer lankote, which was on fire at the time. Witness later went a duty at the Tung Wah hospital. There he received, on the 14th, sixty-eight dead bodies, on the 15th eighteeri dead bodies and on the 15th thist en corpses. Altogether, 111 dead bodies were recovered.

a

STRAITS AND OTHER DOLLARS. In August 1904 when the Government was satisfied that there were a sufficient number of dollars circulating an order was issued de monetising the ad British and Mexican dol tars. In September 1904 owing to the difficul. oblig tjoes of foreign trade the free exports of Straits dollars was granted and the prohibiting of the import of other dollars removed tempor arily. Later an Ordinance was passed in 1904 which charged the cost of reminling on the revenue of the Colony. Owing to the great demands in Chius for Strails dollars the Ordin- ance of Sept. 1994 was rescinded excepting with regard to North Borneo, Sarawak, Nether land Indies, etc., which with the FM.S. form the area of circulation of the Straits dollars. In 1906 two ordinances were passed enabling the Government to buy and sell telegraphic transfers for gold and to issue gold in exchange for notes.

dollars.

would get the best advice on the subject pos He hoped they would decide for a smaller doi lar and that before any step was taken they

sible.

THE CHINESE ATTITUDE : "RETAIN THE

FINENESS.'

he Hon. Tan Jiak Kim spoke on the Chi- nese attitude and, said thai what had been remarked induced him to say that he fully endorsed the attitude taken by the Chinese Advisory Board which at a recent meeting bad voted with only one dissentient for retaining the fineness of the dollar.

The Col. Secretary in reply said thera was - no question of repealing this ordinance once it had been passed."

out of the old to say forty millions." But he did not think such, an addition to their currency was required and certainly not in addition to the one dollar notes,

that his on, friend had Sir David Barbour at ↑ dollars, that the dollar should be 800 fine and the end of the telegraph wire to say nothing of 400 grs. that they should replace■ largo pro WOULD YOU DE THERE?

FINAL STEPS IN RSFORM SCHEME.

those paragons of finance, the Crowe Agents, portion of the dollars with one dollarnotes and He trusted that duc allowance would be made to build up a gold reserve and that the reserve Some books are read because they are the fashion of the moment; some are bought For

The following report of the proceedings at for the want of intelligence and imperfect of the depreciation fund should obtain a con- private consumption, over emerging from meeting of the Singapore Legislative Council experience of less fortunate persons who sat on siderable amount of money from the Colonial their retreat in the innermost sanctuary of the held on Oct, 22, is taken from the Free that side of the table. The principles which funds.

undertia the arbour scheme were that exports

THE HON. H. FORT'S HOPE. reader; others are acquired for decorative pur

The Acting Colegial Secretary moved the

should exceed imports and that the rate pained

The lion, H. Fort said that he understood. poses. It is difficult to say under what catc gory Mr Robert

silver value of the dollar. As regarded the first enable the Commissioners to give gold instead Witscar: There was a smell of paint-theaf Landon" w Machravi "The Night Side first reading of a bill to amand the Currency by Government should be in excess of the that one of the main objects, of this bill was to

come. It may be that some

Note Ordinance. In doing so he said that as Council was aware the Secretary of State had exports exceeded imports it must be neces of silver in their coffers, that they might have point it seemed surely pretty self-evident that

of silver, the main purpose being the retention tenders will devour its pages with

announced his intention of making gold a legal when they display perusing Robert Thambura, second engineer, 5.6. fug. compounds which profess to detail the secrets tender and also of authorising the Government sary to make goot the deficiency. if he ship it reminted into nove dollars, le mould like of Queen somebody's bedchamber, the awfatto issue a dollar which would leave a subsinn. ped to Europe inerchandise valued at £1,000 to know whether sufficient precautions had de said he was on watch in the engine-raum dogs in a convent, the horrible intrigues tial difference between the intrinsic value of and imported goods valued at £600 the do. been taken to prevent the Commissioners at of Louis XX, the real history of the dia silver and the valus put on it by Government ficiency of zoo had to be made up to him in the same time and in the alternative being de

silver dollars

some forfa or other and the foreign debtor

gold in the morning of the 14th instant. Half way

pleted to a certain extent of their roterva. down the river his watca began. When the

mood necklace, and the licentiousness of the so as to avoid any danger alaum of Gra. was given.be was still in the

Medici, but they expect to find the Night leaving the Colony owing to the value of silver. generally had had to supply himself or one-self It might at times pay traders of the Colony to do with the equivalent of that deficiency in the exchanges notes for gold and send the gold engine room. It was about 3:5 then. Witness

Sila of London full of scandals, innuensoes, This would mark the final stage he trusted of

the Currency conversion. It was to enable crancy of the country in which he was living out of the Colony thereby making a profit out immediately went to turn the fights off, but

and voiled allusions to Secisty's indiscretions

The imports and exports according to the of the gold and he did not see that the danger failed in the attempt, owing to the smoke. He

they will be mistaken. Mr. Machray has writ. the Commissioners to give gold to people who had great difficulty in leaving the engine.

rell &

a book of life in London as he has found it tendered notes instead of silver so as to avoid figures published in this Colony showed a car had been provided for. It appeared to him siderable difference against the import trade that it would be still necessary for the Simits room, and by the time he reached the deck

it is the work of a naturalised Londoner, so preying on the silver reserve held. by Govern

He had endeavoured to ascertain in some de

merchant at times to pay perions in outports. it was time for him to get ashore, as it

to speak, le presumes that his readers are ment and to make one dollar notes legal

gree as to how true those figures were.

in silver, and, if it was legitimate to them ja was dangerous to remain on board longer.

not fools altogether, that they can see what is tender. The other object was to provide fa

FIGURES OF THE CURRENCY AREA. import Mexican and British dollars and export A NOATMAN'S STORY.

going on under their eyes addit is oonrcer-cilities for exchange for the purpose of mintieg sary to dwell on unsavoury topice, Appropri. the new dollar. The report of the London

It was necessary to consider the figures of Straits and at the same time the amount of ately enough, he begins with a description of Currency Committes was published in May

slicit currency nica including the Malay Penis. Straits dollars in the Straits were short it would Pi cadilly Circus between the hours of st p.m.1903: they recommended that a dollar at the

sula and such outside portions as British Nonth be extremely difficult for the merchant to carry Borneo, Sarawak, etc., as came under their on his business with other countries, da and I am. Most people know how the paint-same rate and fineness as the British dollar

the

of the coin he confessed there was quality system. ed Jesebels of the pavement, and the wretched should be issued and that the coinage of this

He found that imports into this

some attraction in the suggestion that, they pictures of misery,, jostle each other between dollat should be absolutely in the hands of

Colony amounted 10 337 inillion dollars for These hours in probably the best known Government, That recommendation had been

1905 as againal exports of 278 million dollars, should have a smaller coin of the same fine. thoroughfare in the world. It is the passing given effect to by the Ordinance of 1903

But from the imports they must deduct im-ness. But the argument against it seemed to bo that if we had a coin of the same fioontas ahrung that Mr. Machray depicts, not seeking euabling the Commissioners 10. send dollars

ports into the Colony from the Malay Peninsula too deeply, below the surface or bald by them in reserve out of the Colony to and what was called the intersettlement trade as at present it would inevitably be melted down. But that was a condition under which to emphasise the pity of it all. Along the ba feminted. When the first instalment of the

amounting to 102 millions, leaving 230 million they always lived in this Colony, and he deduct another five millions under another where Hooligans are watching their chance, in ber 1903 a proclamation was made making it the public-houses, and in the alleys. of Soho passed in Council. The Import and Export did not appear under exports but were really legal tender At the same time an order was

F. M. S. heading and the import of coals which where the policemen go in twos and three Ordinance which prohibited the import of other Mr. Machray gives a campo-cut impression

so, as they were exported as bunkers and that the varied and mysterious babits of wader.thin the straits and the export of the Straits amounted to 6 millions or 224 millions and ground London. Bu "in Society" we leave side by side. As the dollars were received whole of the charges for military contribution and for a year the different dollues circulated,

with the other deduction a19 millions. The the sordid and the cheap. We hob.cob with Duchesses, declare at the top of our voices that they were given to the banks and exchanged and public debt and he supposed they might it is a beastly bore having to attend her Grace's for Mexicans and British which were sent to call two millions it might be more. If they in

India for reminting. This went on till thirty-creased their public debt to much extent as po tom to the club declaring: "What a success it

doubt they would and as it had to be paid out of was! What a crowd: Everybody was there !

the exparts of the Colony it was well to remem The daar Duchess dnes those things so well!

ber that. He therefore made the total importi Never had a more ripping time" And every

of the Colony to be about 221 million dollar. body who hears you feels that he made à mis

Taking the exports he found that their exports tako in neglecting the art of jiu-jitsu. With Mr.

were 278 million dollars and deducting th F. M. S. and inter-Settlement trade of fifty Machray we dine at the Carltor, the Savey,

at the Empire, the Opera and other shows,

exports. This had been the case for the last just managing to get rid of the day in the early

fifteen years. If they were exporting to that hours of

extent in excess of their imports they need next morning. We have a jaunt in

exte aon-Society circles, visiting East End music

have no fear of any drain being made on their halls, Earl's Court, etc. The description of

gold reserve and it would be possible for hui pasque at Convent arden should induce

Government to reassure the public, by under the young and trivolous to decide that here

taking to give gold in exchange for their they will see life, and to determine that next winter will see them in the gallery or "on, the For Capital thumb-mail sketches are given of some of the quarter clubs in London, in cluding a nameless institution called the Night Club" where the ladies" speak Eng lish with a foreign accent, and bullies haunt The spoing life of the city the lobbies.

Much has a couple of chapters 10 itself. of the glamour of "New Year's Eve at St. Paul's" "will be destroyed for Scotsmen by the coldly cynical picture of the scene which Mr. Machray portrays; it must be sadly in congruous for the Sicat to hear his national song being rendered For Old Long Time Altogether "Night Life in London" has to be read to be appreciated. When we add that there are something like a hundred full-page and side illustrations from the inimitable pen of Tom Browne, the artist who gives point to Mr. W. W. Jacobs' stories in the Strand, we have said enough to convince all lovers of the droll, the pathetic, and the curious that this series of life-like sketches is worth buying.

The Night Side of London: by Rober, Ma-

GOLD AS LÉGAL TENDER. chray, illustrated by Tom Browne, R.J, R.B.A., T. Werner Laute, Clifford's Inn, London.

The proposal to make gold legal tender was Satire is FREE TRADE SQUID.

more deadly than the lyddite shell an advance of the recommendations of the London Committee. Their recommendation of argument, and Art is the Dumps' should was that gold was not indispensable as legal do more to cast ridicule on Protection than a tender and that all that was necessary was ton of so-called facts. Mr. Eugene Merrill has that to maintain the fixity of exchange was to Witness, continuing, said that five or seven

written a book which professes to be the "Re: enable the Commissioners to issue notes in utes after he arrived the whole ship was minutes

part of the Artistic Sub-Committee of the Tarifi ve ablazeforward. There was also a nolerate breeze

Commission on the duping of inreign art exchange for gold and give out gold in ex for abtes as long as sold was, vailable. blowing at the time sufficient to clear the vessel of smoke. If witness het obtained 100 pounds

products into the United Kingdom, together The advice on which the Secretary of State with recommendations, and a model tariff con- decided to make gold legal tender came from pressure of water probably the forward part of the

structed by the Secretary, for dealing effective-this Government. They had felt if this were Hunkow would not have been so much dam.

OWNERSHIP OF CARGO.

ly with the evil. And it is signed by order, not done the transactions conducted by the aged, Theafter part could not be saved anyway.

The consignors and consignees of most JC" which may be taken to mean Jae Cham Currency Commissioners would not get home Witness would expect a fire on'a sitip to spread of the

cargo of the Jankow belonged brain. The Poet Laureate is represent to the general public, rapidly when the ship consisted of dry wood, to European firms, continued the witness. ed as pleading for a duty on foreign

BUT A LITTLE UNDERSTANDING. paint, canvas, etc. Witness said that since he

He examined the ship after The fire had been in the Colony he had seen all kinds

**These transactions were entirely confined to in order that the British poet may be placed on but could and nothing that could suggest try and the annexation of the Moon, pressure from different hydrants. At one of

incendurism. t was the general opinion that a his feet again. An academician suggests the bankers and the Commissioners and it time he got a pressure of 180 is, but that enolic stowaway got on top of the stack of heavy duties on foreign busts, portraits, and appeared from certain remarks in the public depended on the motor at the power house, mait ng and cainmenced smoking. The mat. landscapes. Mr. Beerbohm Tree thinks it "dis press with reference to a shipment of gold When a fire is discovered, said the witness, the tiny got fighted and was smoldering until graceful that people should be able fo prefer recently to London evident that even the more alarm is first sent to the Central by tele: the breeze fanned it into flames. Another Rejane or Bernhardr to-need 1 say whom?" intelligent section of the public had very little phone and from there the other outdoor stations theory was that probably an opium lamp and would tax foisign dresses, scenery, understanding of the why and wherefore of are communicated with. Witness said that, was knocked over on top of the stack of

these transact ons. It was also leit that if gefully, three to four hundred thousand bad north of the Peninsula the Siamese Govern complexions and plays, Mr. Kipling proposes assuming, for example, the Hongkong Hotel

matting. Near the gangway, seventeen to start a company to be known as Foetic Pro gold was to be made legal tender the took fire he did not think his mains would charred bodies

balance between the merchants and the been saved and this sum was at their disposal:ment had demonetised the Maxican and British up by the were picked

ductions (Limited)-the idea being, "to main carry water to the top of the buildi. g. There police. These were mostly women and children,

As regarded the size and flseness of the new ain a staff who will attend all cricket and bankers and the Chinese traders could be was not sufficient water in the Colony to meet any big building that was burning fiercely, and the crowd. The police recovered the bodies of etc., etc., and sell appropriate verse, composer quickly to the lower classes. As to the bill being melted down; if they took 80s fine is who were in all probability trampled upon by football matches, athletic meetings, horse races adjusted in gold and thus the knowledge dollar in his epinics they must reduce the fine of the gold would filter down rather more mess if only in o der to protect the dollar from the fire spreadin

fifty-two women,

that

of nineteen men, aineteen

on the spot, while you wail". There is a funny itself the intention was that the Commissioner would be necessary to make the dollar of the children, two persons died in hospital some

description of a libel suit heard before Mr.

same size as the existing dollar because he P.C. 69 H. V Parr, of No. 7 Police Station,time later as a result of injuries received, and Justice Darling in which Mr. Augustus Birtel should stop any drain on their silver reserve Said was on the wharf at 10.30 p.m. two more charred bodies were recovered after

and Mr. G. R. Sinis appear, Sir Conan Doyle, by paying gold in exchange for notes instead understood that the weight of the present dollar was 116 grs, and was nearly equal to two fifty on the 13th instant, waiting for the arrival the vessel was towed out to sea. That made a Mrs. Meynell, Mr. Hewlett, Mr. A. G. Balfour of silver and it was thought advisable to pro-

cent pieces, five twenty cent places or ten ten of the Hankowo, She made fast to the

total of 101 killed on board and in the harbour. and others are made to express quaint views vide in Subsection three Section two that this

should come into effect at once. The order in cent pieces. If therefore they reduced the wharf at 2.55 a m. on the 14th instant. As

on tarif reform, and there is a series of con

Council soon as she arrived witness boarded her and

The Coroner, addressing the jury, said that clusions which are not at all bad from a

weeks and it silver went up more in

in of greater value than the main coinage saw Captain Branch on business. Ha

Leghe did not see the use of multiplying evidence, humorous, point of view, Occasionally the or six might not be issued for another month weight they would have theirsubsidiary coinage 800 and also that the half dollar should be secured a girl on board, who was kidnapped. The police had many more witnesses to call, humour is rather forced, but "Art in the price it would be necessary for the Commis. of which it was subsidiary. That might in fur sioners to take some decisive action. Subther years under circumstances which might from Camon. When witness was ontboard a but their story was about the same as that Dumpa" should prove an effective campaign section three was to make section two give the arise such as a further tise is silver cause great Portuguese watchman me up and said. "Fire taken already. Witnesses bad given their agcot. aft Witness, the captain, and the first officer evidence very clearly, and they had listened to

Art in the Dumpr:" by Eugene Merrill Commissioners that interim power, Section inconvenience and trouble.

three was to make dollar notes legal tender. were together at the time. As soon as it was it very carefully. In a case of this kind it was T. Werner Laurie, London.

Section five of the amendment gave power to known that a fire was on board the officers made always necessary to hold an inquiry. He

BY THE LATE Mrs. CRAIGIE. for the scene, followed by witness, who, sound stated that it was the opinion that the ship had

Probably the Bream and the Business" keep stocks of dollars at Penang. It would be ed his whistle. He got ashore by the forrard been set fire to, but there was no evidence to

necessary later on to bring in a bill to con- Kangway and went below to see what he could

prove that. He would ask them to give their

splidate all the various ordinances bearing on do to the fire. He could not get pear enough, verdict and if they had any remarks to make he however, owing to the rush of Chinese passen would take them down.

The Acting Attorney General seconded the gers. Witness then remained on the gangway

motion for the first reading. for five minutes until it got too hel to remain thero any. longer. People were then in the The jury returned a verdict of death by mis- water, Witness secured a life line and threwit10- adventure, and added at a rider that they those in the water. He also threw pieces of thought a dangerous practice for ships to timber that were

tere lying on the praya

wall into carry such inflammable cargo (unprotected) on the set for those in the water to cling to, but the main deck; that the services of the police they did not avail themselves of the opportunity and others in saving life should be highly com and so witness took off his coat and entered mended, and that the two bant people, who had the water with other officers. He himself their boats destroyed through saving life, rescued about thirty persons, all alive, for they should be compensated. walked away soon after getting ashore.

That concluded the inquiry. With the aid of a plan of the Hankow witness bere pointed out to the jury the place where the fire started.

ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION FAILS.

The Coroner How long after you arrived

Laspector Woranck, who bad charge of the at the scene of the fire did the engines arrive? -

police, supervising the work on board the They were following me all the way down.

Bankow it the time of the fire, spoke of the How many hydrants did you have it

time he arrived on the scene, the time the fire work?-Five.

Can you give the time when the Wanchai brigade got to work earnestly, and the work of saving life. The inspector said that nearly all enging arrived my the scene? could not say The engine had to come all the way for who were rescued from the water expired soon. Wanchal, but it was there when the Goverturnter being brought ashore, first aid having failed to restore them to life. The names of those who did goed work in saving life he gave. as follows-Lee, Sergeaul yo Lavis (in charge of police pinnace), who jumped overboard and saved a man from on top of the paddle. box; P.S. 73 Davill, who rescued many persons; PC.Parr, Detective sergent Grant, and Mr. J. any persons, said the inspector, as Alves. soon as they were rescued left the scene, and so the police were unable to get the exact sum- ber of lives saved, but there were over o saved. Winess had not been able up to the present to get the information if the bunko's cage was chiefly insured.

arrived.

Did you

I have a pressure of 100 patines from the hydrants? No, we were only getting from between bo to 70 pounds.

When you sent for more pressure did you cel it? Yes,

Who controls the pressure of water? -The P. W. D.

KIDNAPPED GIRL ON BOARD.

Ther

THE CORONER'S REMARKS.

THE VERDICT,

Those who, bad studied the report of the Currency Committee would see that two im portant deviations had been made. These were the enlargement of the area of circulation of the Straits dollars as merchandise for the pur pases of trade.. It was found that owing to trade requirements it was impossible to limit. the circulation of the Straits dollar and it was theo decided to extend it to countries surrounding it. With reference to the prohibition of the use of British and Mexican dollars as merchandise it was felt that their use would suppress a considerable quantity of Straits dollars and that their cir- culation would cause great inconvenience and hardship to the innocent holders of these dollars.

is the last of the late Mrs. Craigie's works It is a novel in which love, passing and wear ness of life are curiously blended, where she subject, woman refuses her lover because he will opt change his religion, and a coquette Princess philanders with A dangerous passion. A

ENSURING FINANCIAL SECURITY. young girl, who changes her name from Clopt

The Col. Secretary moved the second read. to do Verney, nearly wrecks-the career-of-ing of the Bit and dealt with the reasons young minister, who recalls faintly Robes Government had felt must guide them in push- Elsmer. There is power, insight into human ing this measure through. If they did not nature, strength and energy in the book, au carry this measure at once it was possible they might be faced before another meeting came it is sprinkled with epigra es.

ing potes for payment and as Government was now bound to pay out silver for notes it would not be contenient. This was not probable but it was just possible and as Government were the trustees of the public they must take every

security.

:

HIS EXCELLEncy's calculATIONS. His Excellency congratulated them on the interest displayed in the subject which Govern- ment was glad to set. The suggestion that they should not coin so many dollars as before was worthy of consideration. If they had the one-dollar notes which would shortly be in the hands of the public he saw no reason why they should nat dispense with a great number of the NEW COLLARS FOR GOLD.

metal dollars and their place in the reservo The questions which, had risen in his mind

would be taken by an equivalent amount in gold, as regarded this latter point was what were

If they replaced five millions in notes thay Government's intentions, after this Bill had

would be able to put an extra five million dollars gold into their fill; and if they reduced been passed? Was it to be a permanent con version or did they intend later to repeat this

the ilver dollar from go to' 800 fineness they Ordinance or such sections as applied to the

would increase, (assuming there was no loss payment of silver in exchange for notes. Atin minting) the number of new dollars made present people could get noles for gold, gold for notes or silver för notes and that latter power was to be taken from them. If they took this power away he supposed they would g ve it back later or else they would fail to give the public exchange between silver and gold. This was one of the main ideas of the harbour scheme and if the Government were not afraid to give silver for gold the public would have every confidence in their new dollar. He be lieved the Gevernment need have no fear of any great depletion of their reserves. He therefore suggested to Government that it should reassure the public if they needed re assuring by declaring that it was prepared to exchange new dollars for gold and that would really only be carrying out the proposals of the Barbour scheme. As regarded the price of silver, of courss there were under the present circumstances two courses open. Silver was advancing to parity with the dollar-they could either raise the rate and cause further disloca. tion of prices and values or on the other hand they could debase the dollar. He saw no rea son to fear that the public, if the Government were prepared to take the risk of changing Kold for silver, being afraid to accept the new

dollar.

COST OF THE PROPOSALS.

A GOVERNMENT PLEDGE. Hon, members need have no fear that Go vernment would coin more dollars than were absolutely necessary for trade, and the Govern- ment would be bound to keep up the gold value of the new dollar. Government would undertake that absolutely. As to facness of size if they get a dollar eight-ninths less value than their previous ont it was a matter of little consequence whether the reduction was obtain ad by reducing the amount of alloy in the coin or reducing the size and weight of the coin. He did not think the Chinese were so ignorant As to think a smaller dollar of the same fiacness better than the same dollar of less fineness, if

they understood clearly that in either case they were only taking coins for a gold value. On the other hand if they kept to the present size they could start remistiog at once with the old die, and a new die would take three or four months to get ready. If the appreciation of silver con- tinued their margin which was now practically reduced to two per cent would go, as a rise of three per cent would at once start the drain and do what they would they could not stop it.

As to the cost of the proposals. Under the

The exportation would be on a smáli scale present arrangements he understood that pro fils were to be written down into the deprecia. because the banks and large firms here would tion and reserve fund and it was hoped in the never do such a thing and in this connection he should like to notice favourably the car. course of a few years that the deficiency in this

dial cooperation Government had received fund would be made good. But he was not

from the firms and people here in all mea sure that this scheme before them was not rather sanguine view to take and he suggested sures taken in this matter of currency reform, As to the island currency, the currency for the to Government that it ought to put aside a sum

In of money to meet this requirement. The Fig- ance Committee had been exercising their in-

in

down the estimates and a cutting

sum of

་

Dotch island the dollar, was de the sol content Mexican care demonetised, but ours was permitted. In the

Trade dollar and made the tical the medium of

exchange, doubtless in time the Straits dollar would be demonetised also, but it was current at present. Later exchange might have to be carried on through a gold medium.

THE YANGIZE steamship‹

SERVICES.

50 CENTS THE POTULAR COIN. He believed the order in Conacit was being deliberated on by His Majesty that day, possí bly at the time they were discussing this, and that order provided that the fineness should be made legal tender to any amount in the same way as the dollar was at present. This would probably result in the half dollar coming very widely into circulation, because it would be exactly half the value of the dollar, instead of DOLLAR AND SUBSIDIARY COINAGE SIZE. as at present of a low value..

After tome further discassion of details the If they reduced the size of the dollar they

bill passed through committee and third readi ought to reduce also the die of the sub-idiarying and was declated passed. cuinage. The importance of securing a large

Council then rose. margin upon the silver value of the dollar was obvious to themall. They didnot want to have to go through the worry of a conversion again and they ought to take all steps to prevent it. They could take such measures as were possible and he suggested that by taking 800 fine they would be safe in keeping the dollar the same SITE TEEXOGRES OF THE AMALGAMATION SCHEME. at present until silver reached 304 pence. If Negotiations to effect the incorporation of they reduced the dollar to 400 grs and Boo fine

the Yangtze services of the four Japanese. they would be safe till silver reached 38 ponce steamship companies-the Nippon Yusen Kai- which was a very much larger margin than 368 Oliver Hobbes. T. Werner Laurie, London.

penetrate into the future it was obvious that the Company and Daito Steamship Company-aro to have made considerable progress. demand for silver and the production of gold It is expected that on the return of Mr. Kondo, We have had tales of school life in Scotland

were both apparcully on the increase and both President of the Nippon Yusen Kaisha, from by Ian Maclaren, in England by Rudyard

tending to raise the price of silver still higher his tour in South China, the arrabgements Kipling, and now we get a glimpse of school

Thirty-eight and a quarter pence might act be will DANIEL haw, Edward Duke, John Murphy life in Ireland from Shan F. Ballack. If the conceivable medsure to ensure their financial | high enough in that case, but then they ments will be practically completed.

The Osaka Shosao Kaisha and the Honn Witness, continuing, said that while he and John Fitzgerald, seamen, employed on Scotch and English sketches had never been

have to consider

different scheme for very dif was on the wharf seeing the ship coming board the C. P. it. Company's liner Empress of written the Irish Tom Brown". would have

adoption, Provided that the dollar notes be- Steamship Company are both receiving sub alongside he did not notice any signs ad, were charged before Mr. F. A. Haze. been considered admirable. In many respecte

came popular the Government need not recoin sidies from the Goverment for their Yangtze in

conildered necessary, for that. of a fire or any smells of kerosene, As land, at the Police Couri on Wednesday, with The Cubs" appears to be overdrawn. It The Hon. W. H. Shelford said they had so many silver dollars. He gathered that the services, and it

somewhat too emotional, if Irish boys rescm- soon as the Hankow warped to the wharf the absenting themselves from duty. The defend Chinese passengers proceeded to go ashore, and ants were granted a few hours leave on the ble' the Scotch and English type in any way. history of currency reform. The flen. Acting Treasury 11. millions so that apparently they terment of Communications are now in- sem listened with the greatest attention and interest Colony required about 18 millions in circula-Government to re-adjust the subsidies on the to all that had been said with regard to the tion, the barks held 61 millions and the incorporation by increasing grants for the ex- did not know there was a fire shoard 29th instant. They did not put in an appear. Perhaps it i the Celtic way to let the feeling to the rush. From the time witness ance on board up to a late hour yesterday run riot even in youth, but the attachment of Colonial Treasurer had referred to the want of

would have to replace some 351 millions. If blow his whistle to the time he was driven off afternoon and the police at the Central Station. Jan, the autoblographer, to his senior Brust information amongst even the more intelligent they could replace a large portion of that by an vestigating the maiter. the gangway by the flames not more than six were communicated with. Sergeant Wilson is just a trifle mawksh. Unfo:tanitely classes of the public as regarded the state of Or seyen minuids had elapsed, Witness went out and located the leave-breakers in the have not had an opportunity of trying the this question. He personally approached #issue of St notes they would have an amount

of the Naval Staff Board, Viscount Hayashi, Globe Hotel, sealed around a table. They book on a small boy in Hongkong, whose with the greatest possible difidence and gold, keeproge smaller silver resereto sell for Ir is anounced that Admiral Togo, Chief were locked up. The defendants stated that opinion would be invaluable, but for ourselves hesitation, for the more ang studied it the gold, keeping a smaller silver reserve.

"THE FIRENESS OF THE DOLLAR Foreign Minister, and Vice-Admirals Shibaya they had no intention of breaking their leave. we confess that we prefer Shan F. Bullock is greater appeared the difficulties. In this mat

He suggested therefore whilst they had theme and Sameshima have had their officiat They got brake themselves after a few hours By Thrakna- River" or "The Squireen fir ter the Government had the advantage of them on shore and did not have the cost of a'sam- hefore "The Cubs,"

in that they had, he supposed, sources of in power to issús notes in exchange for gold they rank raised to the Third Class of the Sening pan to take them aboard. They warn each "The Cubs." by Shan F. Bullock T. formation they had not. They had the service should later, on either agres to give gold is ex Grade from the Third Class of the Junior sentenced to one week's hard labour,

Warner Laurie, London,

of expert advice and upision and he supposed change for notes or in exchange før sey | Grade - S

many

owing

thought that if the passengers had left their boxes on board when the fire occurred all would have got off safely, but they did not, even those who jumped overboard took their property with them.

Chintre Constable 170, who was on duty de the wharf while "the jikow wont alongside

"The Dream and the Business"; by Joba round with a large number of people present with silver rising, and afthough they could not sha, Osaka Shosen Kaisha, Hunan Steamship.

AN IRISH "YOM BROWN,"

"ONE OF THE LÈss fortunate"

а

tension of the service. The authorities of the