1906-11-24 — Page 8

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«OFFICIAL SALARIES.

H.E. Viceroy Chow has ordered the Slä Hau Kok (Reorganisation Deparment) to “issue the monthly salaries of the officials of bis yamên, which will amount to about 4,000 taels, per month. H.E, the Viceroy has also placed" the military officials, which he brought with bim, under the control of Admiral Li Chuen.

THE "KINGHAM,”. }

The 6s, Kinskan went ashore this morning at 1 am, when passing the shoals, on her voyage from Hongkong to Cantob, at Tai Mel Beacon, a few miles from the Macao Forts She is expected to re-float this evening at high tide: Meanwhile the .. Pohan will take her place.

ROBES VS. UNIFORMS. Since the abolition of the Chu jen examion tions a majority of the people have preferred to wear military uniforms and foreigo clothes to official robes and these changes were up. proved by the high' authorities" at the time Therefore the merchants dealing in official robes here had a large stock of their goods left on their bands. Since last month, a sudden change has taken place, when a large number of candidates from various districts came to Canton to present themselves for examination for the senior licentiate degree, held at that time. All the candidates assumed their full official robes for the occasion. The pre- seat Viceroy' Chow holds a contrary opinion on the subject to that expressed by ex-Viceroy Shum, the former being opposed to the new military uniforms, for it was only the day be fore yesterday when he ordered his military officials to wear the old time official costumes, which had been discarded. During the last few days the merchants in the robe business bave cleared their stocks at a much higher quotation,

་་

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY NOVEMBER 24, 1906.

HK CHOW FUSTAN

HIS FIRST OFFICIAL ACT.

[From "Our Own Correspondent.]

Canton, 16th November.

PARDUO PANCIER.

RIOT HARROWLY AVELTED IN MOTAM,

21st inst

Shortly after siffin on the Igih instant most excellent and worthy launch Capiain, having perhaps dined and wined too bad. somely, did himself the proud pleasure, in passing through the streets of Honam, of commandeering, the pet Chinese, dog, of setting his light affections upon, and casually thup-keeper of those paits

H.E. Chow Fu, the newly-arrived Viceroy of the two Kwang, has lost no time in taking bold of the affairs of the provinces over which he has been called to rule, Big, first official act was to memorialize the Throne for per mission to carry out his with to appoint Mr. Sum Tung to be president of the Yuet-han Railway, in the place of Mr. Chang To Chai

This worthy, seafaring person appears to te, who had resigned the position, and whose of dogs, since he proceeded, without further in more or less degree, a virtuese in the matter resignation had been ccepted. Fu strongly recommended Mr. Sum Tung for under his arm, with the ultimate intention of HE, Chow ade, to tuck the bow wow, now in dispute, the appointment, and has now received descarrying it aboar the lugger. patch from Peking stating that the Throne bas, observed with great pleasure that H.E, had

When the unfortunate owner of the dog lost no time in taking up the affairs of the

bia animal, be met with 'a distinci refusal of Yuet-han Railway, and had so 1000 obtained a

restitution. grasp of them. The despatch concluded by granting H.E. Chow Fu's request for the ap-ed, leamed the cause of the trouble, and the

In the meantime the usual crowd had gather pointment of Mr. Sum Tung as Mr. Chang To worthy navigator found it necessary to find pro- Chai's successor, in the presidential chair of tection for himself and the animal at issue, the Yuet-han Railway Co.

under the friendly roof of a colleague.

INTERESTED IN RAILWAY MATTERS.

Canton, 19th November.

On his arrival at Canton H.E. Chow Fu lost no time in calling upon the representatives of the Chinese commercial communities to in the province. His first call was paid to Tootai quire generally into the mercantile affairs of

Wea TiolChoi,manager of the Hongkong branch of the Chinese Imperial Telegraphi Adin nistra tion. Tastai Wen specially came over to Canton to look generally into the working of the Yuet han Railway Company's affairs. It is stated that this gentleman has made so good an im: pression upon H.E. Chow Fu, for his bright. near, intelligence and energy, that it is believed that H.E. Chow Fu will recommend. Taolal Wen to the Throne, for promotion to a higher rank, possibly, also, for a high office in connec tion with railway affairs.

THE SHANGHAI DOCK AND. ENGINEERING CO., LD.

MR. TAYLOR'S, DEFENCE..

Replying to the series of letters by Mr. Nielsen in the NC. D. Now, and recently reproduced in our columns, Mr. F. E. Taylor journal under date 17th inst contributes the following letter to the same,

THE CHIQCHOW SW

RAILWAY.

FIRST SECTION COMPLETED.

[From a Correspondent.]

GRIHE MARITIME CUSTOMS

protested against this unseemly raquisition of #gainst the directors of the Dock Company, als of the Yuef han railway at Cantor will Peking, and the China Awocation at Home?

An ugly mob had collected; stones were thrown and revolvers drawn, and things looked serious for the Captain and the crowd equally

not forgetting the dog.

In

response to a telephone message, fifty of the newly ordained polite turned out to the assistance of the besieged skipper, and by dint of blows and persuasion, succeeded in clearing a road of escape for the dog-fancier.

We understand from a correspondent that, when asked by the Police as to whether be would accept a pecuniary compensation in lieu of the dog, the owner politely but firmly re fused to consider anything but the return of the spimal itself,

The dog still seemingly continues iu possess. sion of the captain, whe as done nothing to justify his ownership beyond the flinging of a 20-cent piece to the naturally infuriated crowd

If our information be correct, and we hold signed proof of the facts, we would ask if an outrage of this kind is to go unnoticed, since such happenings simply serve, to heap up trouble for more peace-observing and law abiding foreigners, in the places where they

Practical

EXPORTATION OF OXEN, .. Some time ago instructions were received here from the Board of Commerce (Shangpa) at Peking, prohibiting the exportation of cattle; but certain merchants in Nam Hung district. are still in the habit of exporting oxen ander British, German and other foreign flags. Every market day over a thousand heads are export- ed and at the end of the year the number of the cattle exported' will no doubl be con- siderable; In former years, the cost of an ox for ploughing was not more than $15.00, but at present the cost has increased to over $40.00.

its people obtain the means of their livelihood by agriculture. The exports thus caused the people to suffer considerably, as they cannot afford to buy oxen for ploughing, pur poser and consequently most of them are at of which reads as follows: "Chang To Chai of the following companies have been struck 7 per cent debenture issue, and then calculated prescat out of employment. It is feared that they will turn out to be bad characters, and disturb the peace of the people.

occur.

The ShanghaI AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE EXCHANGE.

By the courtesy of F. W. D. B. Dodrop a representative of this paper was yesterday how over the amalt automatic exchange that has been installed at the Autor House, says the N. C. D. News. Though the exchange, atur ally, contains comparatively few switches, it is complete unit of an exchange for 10,000 numbers, and in order better to show the actual working of the system the numbers are all above 1,000. It must be confessed that the switches which are enclosed in a handsome but the moving parts are few, and with ordinary polished case look exceedingly, complicated, care and $500 comes to the conclusion that there is little likelihood of interruptions in the service. Not the least interesting partion of the switches is the apparatus for calling atten- tion to as interruption or fault on any of the wires. A lamp is immediately lighted and the mechanisms can be overhauled so easily that in ordinary circumstances a few minutes should suffice to remedy any defect.

Nan Houg is a very poor district, and most of him to inquire into the prospects of securing COMPANIES STRUCK OFF THE mencing share capital of the new Company complicated as adverse criticism would lead working of the Customs administration, To

OFFICIAL AMÉNITIES.

Canton, 22nd November.

This morning, at 11 o'clock, H.E. Viceroy Chow Fu proceeded to the Shameen to'payis return visit to the Vice-Consul for Belgium at Hongkong.

SWATOW RAILWAY.

B.E. the Viceroy has deputed Tantai Sum Tung to proceed with Mr. Kwong, the engineer in-chief of the Yuet-han Railway Company, t0 attend the opening ceremony of the Chaochow. fu-swatow Railway, which will be performed on the 25th instant.

A SMALL PIRE. · Yesterday afternoon, at 4 o'clock, a slight conflagration occurred at Hin Chan Fong Street, originated in a certain dye works The flames destroyed the second floor of the building, but owing to prompt assistance be ing at hand, the fire was promptly got under

control.:

THE VICEROY'S YAMEN.

The removal of the Viceroy's yamen to the sx-Governor's yamen building has been already decided, and that of the Provincial Treasurer's to the Viceroy's is also proposed. It is siid that when the removal of the latter takes place next year, the vacant building will be demolished, and a public market will be put up on the site. The profit derived from the

market in question will be totally appropriated to support calleges, etc.

THE YUET-HAN RAILWAY. The shareholders of the 'Yuet-han Railway Company, of Melbourne, Australia, have wired to the Company's head office here stating that they have forwarded their second instal ment to the Kwong Yun Charitable Institution. The Company replied that the collection of the second instalment will take place next January, and the money received in now left at the said institution.

SALT SMUGGLING.

Canton, 23rd November,

It is reported that lately steamers plying between Hongkong and West Rivers ports are in the habit of smuggling salt into inland towns, which is against the law. A certain merchant of Wong Lin has discovered this illicit practice and has at once communicated with the Vice-

roy and the Salt Commissioner advising them to capture the smugglers and duly punish

them.

TIN MINES.

A certain merchant surnamed Wei han pesi tioned the Sin Hau Kuk, äpplying for permis sion to open up certain tin mines at Wang Hong mountains in Sun On District. This department has requested the Sun On Magis Irale to make investigations and to supply the department with full particulars.

ין

VICEROY SHUM.

Yesterday, a telegram was received here from Weiyuan Po, stating that H.E. Viceroy Shum arrived safely at. Shanghai on the zoth instant.

A'SPECIAL PRIVILEGE.

|

REĜISTER.

NO BRITISH ENGINEER WILL COME. It will be remembered that some time ago you were enabled to announce that H. E Chang To Chai, president of the Yuct-han Railway, had wired to the Chinese Minister in the Court of St. James, in London, requesting the services of a British engineer for the pasi. tion of deputy engineer-in-chief of that rail [: way, H. E. the Minister, after giving the matter his careful consideration, has sent a telegram to II. E. Chang To Chai, a translation

President Yuet-han Railway Co.-Very clever British engineers will not come to China to fill the position of deputy engineer-in-chief, but Mr. Sum, who is in North China, has just as good a knowledge of matters concerning fishery construction as an experienced Iri--The-Two-Kwan-Trading Company.

-tisher,"

Canton, z3rd November,

It is quite clear that H.E. Chow Fu has not come here merely to be a figure-hend, but in- tends to rule over the two Kwang in an en- lightened manner, and to be personally in touch will all that goes, on of public interest and welfare. One of his fist acts on arrival in Canton was to send a Weiyon round to all the newspaper offices in Canton city to-order that copies of their journals be sent regularly to H.E. until such time as he may see t to contermand such orders. H.E. Chow Fu then requested the Board of Education to furnish him with a com-lete list of all the colleges and schools, private and public, in Kwang tung, together with the number of scholars in each, and all other matters relating to them. t is H.F's intention to re-organize the entire system of teaching and education gen erally in the Kwangtung Province. H.E. the Viceroy then turned his attention in the direction of the administration of justice, an notified the Judges, Magistrates, and other judicial officials, that they must he most careful in delivering judgments in cases where mis sionaries or foreign subjects are concerned.

Although Tastai Wen Chung Yau, the Eng- Hish interpreter and secretary to Ex-Viceroy to H.E. Chow Fu for an interview, the latter Shum of Canton, has made many applications

has so far refused to grant his requests. Ap. parently he is not in favour with the new Viceroy, H.E. Chow Fu.

The Public Garden of Canton has been for some time in course of construction, but now

H.E. how Fu has officially ordered the con- tinuation of the construction to be discon tinued,

The PUET-HAN Railway.

BĘ, CHOW FU ̃AND CHẲNG TO CHAL

[Fròin a Correspondent.] ·

Canton, 20th November. Yesterday morning Mr. Chang To Chai received a telephone message from the Vice Chow Fu, at his earliest convenience. As roy's yameb, requesting him to call upon H.E.

soon as Mr. Chang received this message he viceregal yamen, where he had an inter at once ordered his chair and proceeded to the view of considerable duration with H.E. Chow Fu. It appears bat B.E. Chow Fu's desire to see Mr. Chang was on account of his knowledge of and interest in the affairs of the Yu than railway: In the course of the interview Mr..] Chang requested H.E, Chow Fole permission

It is notified in the Gazette'that the names

off the Register, viz

1. The Shun Li Steamship Company, Limited, Launch Company, Limited.

2. Swatow Chow Yung Kit Sung Steam 3. Ban An Steamship Company, Limited.

Limited.

5. Chang Su Ho Gardens, Limited.

6. Shun On Steamboat Company, Limited, 7. Yuen Wo Company, Limited, B. The Newchwang Yee Hing Yuen, Bean and Oil Company, Limited.

·LUSITANO, FOOTBALL, CLUB,

Victor's team (D) in the eleven-a-side compell- On the 14th inst bitto's team (C) met tion and the former wog, by i gou! to fi Ribeira's team (A) mei Roza's team (E) on the 21st and resulted in a draw, one goal each. On (C) and the latter won by one goal to mil... 23rd inst. Barros team (B) met Britto's team

The score now clanda ?—

1

PWLDFA Points: Britto's team (C) ... z 2002 0 4 Ribeiro's team (A). 2 1 01 3 3 Roza's team (E) 2013 13 Barros's team (1)... 2003 Victor's team (D)...70 2 0 0 3

A NERVOUS VICEROP..

TENDERS HIS RESIGNATION.

{From a Corrispondent,)

Canton, 17th November. It is sinted here that H. E. Tung Chap Tok, predecessor of H. E. Viceroy Shum at Vannan, and now Viceroy designate of Fukien and Cheking provinces, has tendered his resigna. tion to the Throne, of his new appointment, on the ground that there are so many foreigners in those provinces, and much intercourse, through business relations, is necessary with them, and H. E. therefore lears, as he is now a very old man, that he will be unable to rule and administer the affairs of those provinces satisfactorily, and peacefully. He therefore prays that he be allowed to retire from the public service. It is rumoured that after this Appointment was made, the Throne learned that it was unacceptable to the people of the two provinces of the viceroyalty to which he was nominated, he being a persona non grata with them, and therefore the Throne asked H. E. Tang for his resignation.

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.

Joan for the proposed Kowloon Canton (Chu Kuang) Railway may, broadly speaking, be said

to have been arranged, and the agreement for the same may therefore be signed within'a few days. The following is an extract of the 'more important points of the Argeement:

resign from the directorate of the Yuet-han

TERMS OF THe loan agreEMENT. failway, as it was necessary for him to return home to attend to the arranging of the funeral from the Universal Gazette:-The terms of the We, N. C. D. News, translate the following obsequies of a deceased 'relative, and also to look after private matters of his own.. H.E, the Viceroy, in replying to that request, said that while it was necessary for the reasons stated for Mr. Chang to resign his position on the Board of Directors of the Yuet-han Railway Company, H.E. hoped that Mr. Chang would still continue to take an interest and at all times help with his advice on matters pertaining to

e railway administrations. Mr. Chang thank.. ed H.E. the Viceroy and promised what he CROW'S FOREIGN DEPUTIES.

naked. His promise was communicated to the The following is the list of the Viceroy's shareholders of the Yuet han Railway Company, Deputies of foreign affairs:Taotais Shum who expressed great satisfaction on hearing Tung, Chui Lup Yuen (English); Prefects Lothat they were not to lose the services of Mr. Chung Ming (English and French); Fu Shai Chang`altogether. Chun (English); Magistrates Chan Show Pang and Chuen Kwang Show (English and French)

. COUNTERFEITERS,

'H.E. Tai Hung Tsz, a native of Canton, bus been granted the privilege to ride on horse back in the forbidden city" by an Imperial Decree of the 20th instant.”

Through information received from the neigh- bourhood, a certain house, suspected as the Haunt of counterfeit colners, was rajded, but no forgors were found on the promises, Only machinery for mințing coins were seized.

EMPRESS DOWAGER'S BIRTHDAY.

H.E. Viceroy Chow has issued invitations to the different foreign consuls, Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners of Customs and Fest, the Harbour Master and others, to lon choon, at the Eight Bannerman'ı Hall, in hon- our of the birthday of H. 1. M. the Empress Dowager of China, on the 25th instant.

'NAMROI MAGISTRATE.

It is reported that the Magistrate of Namboi, Lo Ni Kwan, will ubon vacate his past and that SLE. the Viceroy intends to appoint Chong Wan You, the present Magistrate of Pan U, to Ell the vacancy.

|

A

NEW PRESIDent repudIATED.

Capton, 23rd November.

It is stated here amongst those who know

that the majority of the shareholders of the Yutt-ban Railway Company, Lid, do not ap prove of the appointment of Sum Teng to be the new president, because he was appointed to that post by H.E. Chow Fa without any reference to them, and without having first ob rained their consent to such appointment: They therefore propose to make Lai. Kwok Lim, a wealthy proprietor of a number of anks in Canton and Hongkong, president of the Company in the place of Sum Tung

WILLIAM MASON, an inmate of the Sujlors! Home, was charged before Mr. F. A. Hareland, at the Police Court on Friday, with being drunk and incapablo in the public street, in the Central district, last night. He admitted the offence, and paid $3.

(1) The loan to be £1,500,000 guaranteed by a mortgage of the Kowloon-Canton Railway.

(2) 494 to be paid for every £100, (3) Interest on same to be at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum, same, to commence an date of issue of the Bonds.

(4) A single track to be first constructed, but the road bed to be widened to as to be prepared for the construction of a double track (s) Work on the road, to be started within eight mouths, failing which the Agreement will be annulled.

It is cow six months since the Decree spocint ing Their Excellencies Tica Liang and Tang Shao-yi Comptrollers-General of the Imperia Customs gave rise to the natural suspicion that a deliberate attempt was being made by the Chinese to undermine the efficiency of the ons Canton, 18th November, public service which could lay claim to be con- ducted bonestly and for the benefit of the The first section of the Chiuchow Swalow country. Outwardly and as far as 1 Railway Company's fine was finished on the Government was concerned the administration Lihe culteie You have printed three letters from Mr. 16th inst, and trains started running at once, of the Customs was perfectly utisfactory, and Nichen, ostensibly written to prove that that

and on that day, for fares and freight, over there would be no real justification for the ap- shareholders of the Shanghai Lock and Ea pany intend to hold an official opening of the of two officials who were wholly unacquainted confirmation of the Resolution passed by the $200 was collected. The directors of this compointment to the supreme contral of the service

ist inst, will mean "the hopeless ruin of the the Chinese and foreign officials of Hongkong burdened with office. The matter was taken. ginesting Company at the meeting held the lino on the 25th inst., to which they will invite with the working of it and were already over- Company,"

he first letter does not advance and Canton. It is anderstood here that the up strongly by the British Chargé d'Affaires in. any arguments, but is devoted tu accusation

Mr. Kong, the Chief Engineer of that warned by the telegrams in The Times from its the promoters and supporters of the scheme Company, to repesent them at the formal open Peking correspondent and prompted from It contains ing, and to tender their congratulations to the other source, addressed argent appeals to the ander discussion, and myself. three misstatements: that I am the author of Chiuchow-Swatow. Railway Company's direcBritish Government to procure the revocation. the scheme, that the figures given, are mine," fors on the success of their enterpiha.. - of the Edict of May 9. Representations O and that no-prolesnonal advico has been taken.

made through the usual diplomatic channala to The second letter consists of a column and a

the Chinese Government, but thesdward balf of ancient history concerning company

couched in the mildest terms and the Britlah no longer in existence, and half a column

Cabinet showed that it felt abliged to content regarding the proposed scheme in which there

itself with somewhat vagus assurances that the are four misstatements that the capital of the

appointment of two Chinese Comptrollers Dock Company is to be 'increased, that the

General did not entail Interference with the. administration of the Customs, la view of two concerns will remain one, that the capital of the new Company is to be 11s. 3,0.000, and

the interests at stake and in the light of the that the new Company pays Tis. 1,780,000 for

nature of the new office and the immediate the property, The third letter pròlasses to

activity shown by the Comptrollers General, deal seriously with the scheme.

it was a source of considerable disap mea will appreciate the value of his remarks about the expense of lighterage, the need of

British Government, so lukewarm to its pointment throughout China to find the dredgin,, and the disadvantages incidental to

championship of the policy of maintaining godowns on the other side of the river; because

the status quo. A possible explanation of this they know that nearly half the cargo coming to

altitude has since been provided by ir Robert Shanghai is discharged into lighters, that the

Hart's circular of September 24, fo which be necessity for certain amount of dredging

regime. It is obvious that, if the Inspretor records his formal submission to the new which Will Lot be costly, must be anticipated, and that there are already thirteen wharves

General was unwilling to adopt the only and godowns on the lootung side. In the

method open to him of safeguarding his post second colume of this letter is a tante in which

tion, a made it extremely difficuil, for others Mr. Nielsen gives figures for the proposed

to bring outside pressure to bear upon the scheme which (with the exception of the faci

Chinesa Government on the plea that the that it is proposed to build twelve godowns) are

future administration of the Customs wat in all of bis own invention, although he tells your

jeopardy. readers that the figures given for the new

The position to-day, therefore, is that Sir scheme are put my guies, but the figures of

Robert Halt hat assumed responsibility for the promoters." He has taken the actual com.

The telephone itself is a handsome nickel- the non-interference of the Shuiwuchu in the plated instrument, and is far from bain so Tis. 1,380,000, added to it Tis. 400,000, which It was expressly stated will not be raised until one to suppose. The disl contains nine figures such guarantee should be based, as it wars, on many it will be a matter for regret that any the business ur the new Company justifies aperture to fit the finger, and all that it is vested with the permanence which would havs ad cipher; opposite each figure is an

the span of an individual life instead of being building more godowns, has further added the

necessary to do to register the figures that form resulted from action taken by the, British 14 per cent on a capital of Ts. 3,000,000, and

the number required, is to insert the finger in Government in the event of the the apertures referred to, and draw the dial General having handed in his resignation, ins the inspector- he says that the promulers of the scheme ex- pect a profit of 111. 420,030. In my speecks the

downwards, until it is brought to a stop by a mediately, to the Chinese Government) Aam finger rest. The dial returns automatically to profits were estimated at Tis, 283,500, and no

things are, however, it must be admitted that o such figure as fla. 420,000 was mentioned, In

its normal position, and to ring up, and get heyond the initial encroachment upon Sir. adding the debenture issue to the capital, Ms. connected with, a number that is not engaged, Robert Hart's prerogative and the inevitable Nielsen in deliberate-contradiction-to-the work of between three and four seconds, waste of Customs revenue by the formation of the note he appends to the table, in which he Should the number wanted be engaged a click.

wholly superfluous Govenment Department, tells us that the Shanghas and Hongkew, which cannot possibly be mistaken, is the Comptrollers Gene al have refrained from Wharf Company has a debenture issue of Tished when the receiver is put to the ear. The drastic measures and have been contest with 734, 500 which he does not add to the capital mediately the receiver is placed on the book minor matters. In other words they are feeling. numbers are disconnected automatically imverriding the Inspector-General in relatively of the Company. How be works out the ex- traordinary figures showing what the Yangtze

their way and are avoiding such'crúda mistaket Whatt and Godusen Company and the Shang

united protests and possibly the active inter- as would bring down upon them certainly the baiand Hongkow Whailand Godown Company

farence of the Powers interested in the mainten should caro "by employing the standard used by the promoters' i do not understand. The

ance of the existing efficiency and integrity of standard used by the promoters was storage

the Custom Service. Were it not for the capacity based on fluor space, which he care

trollers-General is displayed and for the gen method in which the activity of the Comp Tully ignores. His constructive suggestion that the Dock Company should pay a nominal

eral spirit af the moment in China, some people. dividend of Tls, 3 and build gudowas with the

would be found charitable enough to suggest balance of the earnings on the same lines as

that the Chineset-overnment-is-actuated suggested by the promoters of the new

merely by a desire to make itself on fall with. wrieme

is 'most encouraging, because he adds,.

the workings of the name admistration ** In two or three years we should have nguv

provide motive power to carry on without any hiatus, when ir Robert Hart te dozen godowns ready somewhere on our prov

finquishes his present post. Inasmuch as peny, and as our capital would remain the same

circumstances exclude this specious explana we should have an excellent chance of earning

tion, we are forced to regard, the existence of a good substantial profit on the money sunk f'course one naturally wonders whether the Shuwachu with misgiving, and it behoves there? Why godowas built by the Dock Com- pany at the expense of the shareholders should the whole of a large exchange would continues to leave nothing undone to checkmates to work as smoothly and perfectly week after far as possible the evil likely to casus from its earn a good substantial profit, while those build by the new Company will be a hopeless failure week. Time alone would show, but mechani. cal contrivances are, now made so perfectly is not made clear.

that there seems no reason why a carefully When, before the meeting held on the is supervised automatic exchange should not ins, Mr. Nielsen wrote the jetter signed stand the test of prolonged service. At any "Warning" and the second over his own

rate, while it worked one would not have to sigoature, his name did not appear in the listing up a number four or five times spend of shareholders. Two days before the meeting about ten minutes at the telephone and then namely, on October 30, he had five shares

be told that the number required was engaged, transferred to his name, and be sent in proxies

as has frequently been the experience in representing about 300 shares, mostly held by Shanghai. It would seem a simple matter to the Chinese. It is strange that he should have

teach even native operator the word taken up shares just at a time when, according." engaged and thus prevent, much of the to his expressed opinion, the Company is in delay experienced by subscribers to the local danger of ruin. Mr. Nielsen is quite within service. But the fatter, even when at its best, his rights in claiming to be a more able man does not get one through in, at the outside, of business than the prominent gentlemen four seconds. Much might be done to improve sects at, but he must surely know that he our telephone service, which certainly cannot weakens his claim when he is convicted of be said to be satisfaciory st present. faking figures and distorting facts; and he musi Do be surprised, if the public wonder whether this bold investor in hve shares has written six calumas attacking the Lock Company and the new scheme with the sole and philanthropic aim of guarding the interests of his fellow. shareholders, or if doubts arise as to whether he may not be actuated by some other motive not quite so altruistic,

back to my speech and realizes how he has I feel convinced that when Mr. Nielsen turns misstated the figures and facts, he will feel the keenest regret that he has incuried a risk of misleading the public by his hasty letters,

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not necesarily endorse the opinions expressed by Correspondcats in this column.)

SHANGHAI DOCKS.

TO THE EDITOR of the "Horakono TrikonaniL”

Six,-With reference 10 the letters which have appeared in your recent issues, under the signs ture of G.. Nielsen, who I understand is a broker in Shanghai, allow me to say with regard to the last letter, wherein he obtains his conclusions by adding the capital of both companies together, that his arguments ́ate. entirely fallacious. As a man of figures, which he pretends to be, he ought to know that in all questions of this character you must compare like with like. The business of a dock com pany is very different to that of a wharf and godown company, the profits of storage in Shanghai being very large, as is evidenced by the prosperity of the Shanghai and Hongkew each company must rest entirely on the amount Wharf and Godown Company, The earnings of of capital subscribed. It would have been much better if Mr. Nielsen had attended the meeting of shareholders and addressed the chair instead of writing a mass of cotre-pon | dence to the papers, whith only shows him to be in some way financially interested against the Dock Company, the development of the unproductive assets of

As regards the writer's reference to Mr. F. E (6) The loan is to be for fifty years. Interest | Taylor and the Weibsiwei Gold Sine, I can enly on same to be paid for the space of twelve not see what connection or relevence that has "and a half, after which both principal, and in• to Shanghai Docka. It would have been fairer, terest to be paid in instalments.

wad in better taste on his part if he had con

(6) The Head Office of the proposed Railway to be in Canton. The Viceroy of Kwangtung be assisted by a British Engineer-in-Chief and and Kwangsi to appoint a Director who shail

a British Manager.

(7) The staff of the Company to receive £35,000 as remuneration during the time greed upon for the construction of the Rail way. The maid sum being the the purchase of materials.

e commission for

pany each year; payment of which will cease (8) The sum of £1,003 to be paid the Com- upon repayment of the whole loan.

*(10) The Viceroy of the Two Kwang pro-fined his remarks on this subject to another vinces will strange separate terms with regard letter,—1 am, etc, to the joining together, of the Catton linë to

INTERESTED. that of the Kowloon line.

November az

again.

It is almost impossible for one who is not an expert to describe the working of the switches. It is fascinating to watch them, and hear the successive clicks which indicate that a number is being called up. First on one part of the steriously sise, Lurn, and come to rest, and board then on another, one sees rods iny: almost immediately a bell indicates that the number sought has been obtained. When the conversation is finished a unanimous click, and sinukaneous falling of several of the rods show that disenonexion has been effected. Perhaps ring up a number which is already engaged The rads move up and round as usual, hesitate when they should come to rest, and then drop without more ado.

CHINESE NAVAL REORGAN-

IZATION,

formation

To withstand insidious attacks from without it is essential that the Customs Service should capable of carrying on his work with its own be firmly established on a permanent basią,.

ty, providing contentment and inducement to momentum. Its machinery should run smooth- work for those who are already in the Service and attractions for the best material without

shall, not suffer from the caprice af in, dividuals but as far as possible should be conducted on the recognized lines of an effice feat European Civil Service, which remainų unaffected by changes in the personnel of the actual government. of the country, It is unfortunsic fact that at the present Juncture the Maritime Customs cannot be sai 10 an swer to all these requirements, and it is movit able that a spirit of uneasiness should prevail in the Service with the realization that the In- spector-General has not put up a disinterested fight against the first indication of Chinese inter ference. There: can be no objection 107 the. Chinese Goverment taking an intelligent interest in one of its own Departments, of Staje and eventually the day should come when According to the imperial decree issued on China will be in a position to masage her own the 6th inst, a Haichnopu or Admiralty is to affairs, Until then, however, she requires the be established in Peking at some future date assistance of foreigners and nowhere more in have charge of the re-organization of the essentially than in the Caston. These fute Imperial navy of China. Now the Peking ign employees; in order to be al' to put forth.. Government has decided to dispatch the 4th their best effort, require to feel assure that grade Prince Pu Lun to Great Britain, Ger- their interests are safeguarded and that they many, the United States, France and Japan to enjoy security of tenure and order in promo study up-to-date naval affairs in these countries tion in their offices. Recent events, havd for adaptation to China's needs. The Govern served to shakh the confidence of the Comtoin ment hat wired to the various Viceroys and. Staff and to accentoate latent dissatisfaction Governors advising them each to put aside a with the existing lack of system and lack of certain sum of money for meeting the travel consistency of purpose in the guiding principles ling expenses of the proposed Imperial Com. of the Service. It would be well if these: facts: missioner who will probably leave Peking for, were faced without delay, lest the perpetuation these foreign countries esily next spring in

of the present system shondenspent 2005 company with some foreign educated Chinese efficiency, and integrity, or a public service"with" naval students who are to be selected from among the officers and midshipmen on board the various warships of the Pei-yang and Nan- yang squadrons.

Besides this, the Peking Government has new dispatched Tao:ai Wang Jéopao of Chibli to Foochow for the inspection of the Imperial Dockyards there with a view to the introduction 8 certain reforms into the various departments on the ground that the yards are the most im portant factors in connection with the proposed reorganization of the Chinese navy.

The Government is also. consulting H.E. Viceroy Yuan Bhih-kai with reference to the re-establishment of the Nayal College at Tien- isin which was destroyed, during the Boxer | disturbances in 1900, It is stated that the present gamated with the proposed naval college naval school at Cheloo will either be amal- Tientein or abolished as the case may require in future. In order to procure funds for the es tablishment of the proposed Haichuapa and the reorganization of the Imperial navy, the Government has already selected several re liable officers who are to proceed to the Yang Ize, Canton, and other inland waterways in the

such a sple0013 record as the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs --N, C. D. News,

THE AMERICAN SQUADRON.

THE PICK OF THE AMERICAN NAVY,

· The founk Division of the second squadron of the United States Atlantic Fleet consliting of the four sister first-class armoured cruisors' West Virginia (fligiblp of Roir-Admiral Wil lard H. Bronson, commanding), Captain C. H; Arnold, Colorado, Captain S. A. Staunton; Afaryland, Captain R. R. logersoll, and Prime sylvanda, Captain T. C. MacMess, arrived at Colombo bu the 3rd Inst. from2 Bombay 'qu' ke at to Manila to replace the squadron tà: iba Philippines. The squadron, which is under the command of the newly-appointed Commande in-chief of the United States Alfatic Floo S centrated from different ports and sailed the United States on the ‍8th September. The first port to call at was Gibraltar, whence, the, «Virginia and Pennsylomnia ancho condition of the naval forces, so that a whole while the Colorade and Maryland want sslechange might be introduced into them. In Palermo. After a brief stay, the Flags other words after the investigation, the strength, the Penniyivanie Joined, ite. Colore of the various forces will be greatly reduced in Maryland, and the... squadron, order to obikis funds for meeting the increased, Faleron, the seaport of Athens. charges, Same of these selected officers or cruisers came de to Port Said and deputies have already left Poking for their | Bombay. Each of the croisen has i respective, destinations in south and centrul | and two marts, and the squadron China-N, G. D. Newt.

Provinces for the investigation of the existing dron proceeded to Naples, where y

| sight to view from sikoena