1907-07-17 — Page 5

Telegrams.

|| Reuters.]

The New Hebrides

London, 19th July. The British cruiser Cambrian landed a force on the New Hebrides to avenge the murder of a European.

The natives had some firearins and one bluejacket was killed and one wounded.

Australio.

The Commonwealth Government is in troducing, & Bill for spending £750,000, in ten years, in bounties for coffee, cotton, hemp, fute, rice, tobacco, and other crops.

Later,

The United States and Japan. - The Japanese who was suspected of spying in San Diego has been released, nothing of an incriminating nature being found upon him

".

The newspapers in New York report fre- quent collisions with the Japanese in West California.

Baron Aoki, at an interview, condesined "As hideously wicked" the utterances of ir. responsible Jingoes, which, being transmitt. ed backwards and forwards across the Paci lic, tended to involve the United States and Japan in war,

British Railway Contracts in China.

Mr. Runciman, replying to Mr. Rees, in the House of Commons, said that the final contracts for the Shanghai-Nanking and the Canton-Hongkong lines had been concluded;; that in regard to the remaining British rail. way concessions, negotiations were proceed. ing, and that though the progress was slow; the Government did not, anticipate that China would fail in the end to respect the obligations incurred.

RETROTED LOVER'S NAPENGE.

Alleged attempt to dynamite IS

ཀ—

SWEETHEART'S HOUSE/

What is alleged to have been a determined attempt to dynamite a certain dwelling house in the Ma Lung Sung village, at Sam-shui-po was discovered to have been made early this morning by two men, one of whom was caught, the other being successful in effecting his escape. The house-a one-storeyed, build- ing is occupied by a farmer's widow and her three sous. Some time ago, it is stated, a certain person had been in the habit of pestering the widow with his attentions, the was turned away. last month and since then, it is alleged, he has frequently, threatened the willow. At about half-pastiwelve o'clock this morning, the widow was awakened by a chipping noise sutside the house. She aroused her eldest son and to gether they went to investigate. Creeping quietly outside the house they sow two men making a hole in the wall of the building with a bamier and chisel. The xon sprang upon one of the men and held him down, while his mother screamed for help. The other man took to his beets and disappeared in the darkness, Assistance arrived and the prisoner was taken to Sam-shui-po' Pulice Station and turned over to Sergeant Sim. The man gave his name as Yip Foo, a foreman, employed at the waterworks, residing at the fitter beds above Bonham Road, On being searched three sticks of dynamite, with fuses and detonators attached, were found slapped to his leg. These, the police say, were to have been inserted into the hole made in the wall

and set on fire. ·

At the Police Court, to-day, Yip Foo was charged before Mr, F. A. Hazeland with plac. ing dynamite near a dwelling house. His **Worship remanded the accused in police custody for a few days. In the meantime a hunt will be made for the missing men and accused's quitters. searched for more dyaamile,

SUIT FÖR MONKY LENT.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, WEDNESDAY JULY 17. 1907.

QÛN CIVIL SURVANTS' SALARIES. | our disposal that might enable us to do so,

MEMORI L BV HEADS OF DEFARTMENTS,

COST OF LIVING IN HONGKONG.

6.

14

The following memorial forms one of the cactonuses referred to in Sir Mathew Nathan's despatch the Secretary of State on the above

subject:-

Han kong, November, 1908,

Your Excellency,With referencetothe reply of the Secretary of State to your Despatch on the subject of salaries of Public Servants, we, the undersigned heads and assistant heads of departments, have the honour to lay certain figures before you, in support of our contention that our present remuneration is inadequate, We ask that Your Excellency will scrutinize there figures (whether by the aid of a Commis sion composed of the unofficial members of Council, or as otherwise may seem, bost to you) and that then, if satisfied as their general correctness, you will forward them, together with such cominent as may-suggest itself to you, to the Secretary of State.

2. While we believe that the facts and figures given in the tables attached, will speak for themselves, some general explanation of our present position is necessary, as well as of the principle upon which our facts

selected.

were

3. We submit that in the Public Service, there can be bat ons just standard by which to determine what is or what is 'not an adequate recompense for the serv ces performed. This standard is based upon. the cost of the manner of living proper to the class of persons who render those services, and is calculated to main. | tain them in a reasonable degree of comfort. Our contention is, that our remuneration falls below this standard, and that it should there. tore be increased.

Our cantantion is less ambitious, namely, to prove that ont pay is insufficient." There are however certain items in our expenses which |are peculiar to the Colony, as compared with others in the tropics, which are:-coal, ex- Cassive house-sent and the great cont of cloth. ing dus both to the need of 'providing against very hot and very cold weather, and also to the destruction caused by the 'damp. Steamer | from almost every other Crown Colony. fases too are higher from here to England that

[11, Table C shows that the enormous rents charged, so far from talling with the sine of in that metal, and enormously increased when silver, have greatly increased when reckoned

reckoned in sterling, ··

112. We have laid great stress on the increas ing dollar prices, because therein lies the key to our position. Under no possible circum stances could we gain by the rise of the dollar, since being paid in sterling it takes the same| proportion of our salaries to make our gold purchases, whether silver in high or low. At

5 Eggs (dok )...... 6 Flour

18

of

3.6.

5.4

06 1.6 3.224. 6.5 4.6 24 6.5 4 26 7.8 7.6 45

> Milk, fresh (pt)... 16 8 (inned (tip). 23, 9 Mutton (lb) 20 to Stout(samebrand) 38

Other items cannot be stated so exactly, Serrauts-The market rata of wages paid in dollars has increased at least aɔ per cent. We can give individually figures in support.

Transport-The Star Ferry have increased their mate for a single trip from 10 cents to 15 cents since 1903.

The Peak Tram and rickshat are the same in dollege as in 1903,

TABLE C.

7

To-day's Advertisements.

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF HONGKONG.

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JULIUS WONDRAK, LATE OF VICTORIA, IN TUER COLONY OF HONGKONG, Deceased

NOTICE is hereby given that the Court has,

by virtue of Section 58 of the Probates Ordinance 1897, made an Order limiting to the 3rst day of July, 1907, for sending in Claims against the above Estate.

All Creditors are hereby required to send their Claims to the Undersigned before the 'said date.

Dated this 5th day of July, 1907.

A comparison of the dollar and sterling rents of houses in 1903 and, 1956.

(N.B. This return deals with the houses.66α)].. and those only which were in existence in igaz.)

No, of Hauser.

Average Average Rental per Rental per madsam.

1902@1/8.

$ £ $

medseb... 1900 @ 2/3

£

1

Y +1

J. H. KEMP. Official Administrator.

INDO-CHINA STEAM NAVIGATION

* Pr

COMPANY, LIMITED,

FROM CALCUTTA,' PENANG AND SINGAPORE

the best, it silver prices at once and automa- tically adjusted themselves to the different ex- changes we should be as well though no better Lower Level, 233 11 50 160(nearly):18(nearly) THE Company's Steamship off. But as we have shewn, silver prices so far from shewing a tendency to so adjust them- selves, even slowly, are mendily on the rise.

13. Table D`sbews the average rate of ex- change during recent years.

14. To the full confidence that we shall have Your Excellency's sympathy and assistance, We have etc..

H. H. J. Gompertz, Attorney General. A. M. Thomson, Colonial Treasurer, W. Chatham, Director of Public Works.--- J. M. Atkinson, Principal Civil Medical Officer,

A. W. Brewia, Registrar General..

F. J. Badeley, Captain Superintendent of Į Police.

1. A. M. Johnston, Postmaster General (g A. Seth, Registrar, Supreme Court. G. H. Wakeman, Land Officer, Edward A. Irving, Inspector of Schools. F. A. Hazeland, Police Magistrate. "G. H, Bateson Wright, Headmaster, Queen's College.

4. The justice of this argument, that our salaries must be suited to the cost of living of the day, has, on several occasions been re cogaized by the Secretary of State. To mention two only, in 1894 what was known as "half compensation," and in 1901" double com pensation," were given to us. On both these occasions the ostensible reason for the measure of relief was that the value of the dollar had- ilien. But the true reason can only be, that"] the falling dollar and disturbed the conditions of living to our detriment. Had it been other

Estintated necessary income at present prices wise, had we been unable to shew, not only

bat the change had been prejudicial to us, we$,400 per annum with double compensation that the circumstances. had changed but also | Di (A) a Head of a Junior Department (Salṣry

should have been totally unable to establish ' case.

A. G. M. Fletcher, Asst. Colonial Secretary, P. N.'. Jones, Assistant Director of Public Works

TABLE A.

-$500 per mensem) and (B) a Junior Officer on a salary of £345 per adoom (at 5. Our present position is no less serious; | 3=$155.56 per mensein). while the fact that it is attended by a rising instead of a falling dollar seems to preve, not that our difficulties are imaginary, but that the

price of silver is not the sole factor to be con sidered in calentating the cost of living.

6. To determing the cost of living of so heterogenenus a body as the hongkong Civil Service, and thence to deduce a fair rate of emolument, would be a task.of great difficulty. It might be done thoroughly by a Commission with unlimited time at its disposal; any such But thorough treatment is impossible for us. awe feel that facts alone and not theories cou prove our case; we have endeavoured to select two typical instances, and to deal with them in a concrete way. If our argument hold good for them, it will follow naturally that pro- portionate readjustments should be general throughout the Service.

EXPENSES PER MENSEM.

A Percentage of Tota!.

H

Percentage

of Total.

(48 houres). Peak,......... 110 10 0 6 130 (over), 14 (over)

(go houses).

Thus the average dollar rental of European houses has increased at the lower levels by $25, or over 18%; and the average sterling red tal has increased by £6.15, or 60%. The per centage of increases for houses at the Peak are 18 3% and 40% respectively.

TABLE D.

Average rates of Exchange, demand on London:-

1874.... 1875...

1890.........3/€

1891.***3/1

1876.........4/2 1877.........3/11 1878.......:3/to 18793/10 1*80........3/9 1881.........37 1382.........3/7

1892.........2/9

1883......1/9

1893 ..2/3 1894... 1895.........2/1 1896.........2/1 1897 1898... 18991/1

*1884.......3/7

1900

1884..... 1886....

1951

1837.........3/ 1838... 1889...

1/12 1902 1/8 1903.......1/8 1904 1/10 1925 1/1

THE RUSSO-JAPANESE AGREEMENIS.

SIGNATURE IMMINENT.

Tokio, July 10. The following telegrams are from the . C:

D. News:-

M. Pokotiloff, Russian Minister to Peking. has received final instruc ions from his Govern- 9.8 meat togarding the North Manchuria Custom

Agreement of which the signature is imminent.

(1.) Saving on account of passages home and back............$.60 7.3 $35 (2.) insurance,............ (3.) Rent and taxes,...150 181 75 211 (4.) Depreciation and

upkeep niture,

(6.) Dentist,

(7.) Chemist,

90

al for-

20

10

(8) Transport (trams,

chairs and rick- shas).

135 $20.5

25

(9.) Compradore........... 135 (10.) Fresh milk, (1.) Clothes nad bopis.... (13) Light and fuel...... (13) Governess or school fees............

....... 85 (14) ervants.......

5 (15.) Washing .... (16)-Wines, cerated waters, ice and to- bacco.......

15

(17) Recreation

charities........

(18) Petty cash-

20

10

8。

40

and

25

25

10

23.9

237..... -355-------+- 1 hese figures are based on a conservative estimate and allow no margin for entertain mort.

REMARKS.

7. In making our selection of typical cases we were impressed by the fact, that the ad- ditional cost of a married life is far heavier, in proportion to that of a single man, here iban at home. It is undecessary to labour this point-house rent and steamier fates alone would prove it. It seems inevitable therefore that our typical cases should be married men. It follows that they should also be men whose marriage could not have been considered by the Government as an act of imprudence, for the consequences of which they were them- selves alone to blame: Funber, our examples had to be chosen from different grades of the Service. Again, as the up-bringing of children is an ordinary consequence of marriage, wa took for our typical cases officers on their highest incremeni, on the suppo ation that they WHAT WAS THE CONSIDERATION?

had married on first reaching their present ap- pointments; and we have supposed that they Mr. F. X. d'Alamada e Castro appeared this have each a famdy of three young children, the morning before his Hanour Mr. A. G. Wise, increasing cost of whose later education may Puisac Judge, on behalf of Ma Cheung Chap, be left to the future and subsequent promotion. of No. 3 Mercer Street, gentleman Mr. P. W. The types selected by us to answer all these Goldring of Messrs. Goldring and Baslow, conditions were (A) the tread of a junior de-out taxes) is Sijo; but the cheapest houses are (3.). The average rent at the Peak (with represented the defendant, Leung Kwan Shing.partment on a salary of £5,400 with compensa 100 small for a man with a family. of No. 2c5 Queen's Road Central, trader.

tion, and (B)'a subordinate officer on a salary of £345.

8 Table A gives what we consider to be a reasonable rate of living for these two officers, together with explanatory notes. It also gives the salaries drawn by them at the present

(5.) 8. Free medical attendance and medicine. rate of exchange. And if it is alleged in reply(6) Teeth "go" very badly in Hongkong and

dentists' bills are very high, that we have endeavoured to prove-too-muchį. that were the difference between the necessary and the actual as great as we repicient, open crises must have, occurred as they

In this case.the plaintiff claimed the sum of $656.1, beng the amount of principal and interest due on a "borrowing" note dated auth: December, 1906, and made by defendant in favour of plaintiff.. "Paintiff said that he lest the money to the defendant who signed

the note in bis presence.

Mr. Goldring: Was there not a broker in this case?.

Witness: No, there was no broker,

Mr. Goldring: Did not Kwok Tek Saa have not done! to that we reply, they have Larrange a loan?..........

Witness: Yes, I asked him to do it".

Me Goldring; Well, isn't that having a broker? Did you receive $60 from the plain $50?

*

Witness: No, he only paid $410. . »Defendent sald at the Ume when he wrote

he note plaintiff was not there. In December Witness asked his cousin, Kwok Tek Sun, 1 get him a loan of $600, and Kwok took him to the plaintiff who offered him $420, being 30% Pöyat on the amount, which he accepted.

"Honour said it was unfortunate for the „at, but he had digned the note, and the dust be judgment for plaintiff with costs,

POLICE Constable Wingerd, of Yau-ma-ti Po- lice Sixtion, considers it cruel to carry birds, head downwards, Yesterday afternoon, he met. Wu Cho, a cool, residing at YA, Fourth Lane, holding two ducks in this fashion and prompily placed him under arrest. This morning, the cook was charged before Mr. G. *N, Orme with ill-treating the ducks. `He wai

Food $3.

been--slaved-off-but-in many cases by most unsatisfactory devices: wives and chit dren have been sent home, with no prospect of return_manyol.us-have given up our houses and sold our belongings and are living in hotels and boarding houses and meases like neither married men nor bachelors, and some

of us have been compelled to abandon our policies on our lives, as we can prove to Your Excelleny:

[

9 Were there any real hope for an early change for the better we might have continued to endure in 'silence, as we have done for the past several years. But we know only too well that the cost of living is no. the increase, and that the highe” dolļagākas brought an no relief. Wo give ip Table. B some comparative figures to prove that we do not exaggerate..

10. The Secretary of Stato has informed Your Excellency that we are better paid thao' the public servants of most other. Colonies- statement, that' yes are not la'a position to controvert; as we have not the information at l-,

(1.) "stimated at 1/40th of cost of return pastages, if families are not brought back, the cost of 2 establishments must be incurred. (3.) Includes widows and orphans' subscrip tion.

B. A 4-roomed cottage at Kowloon or Hongkong.

(4) 1% per mensem on (A) 57,000 and (R) $500.

-

(includes (A) Peak Tramway (B) Electric

tram or the Ferry,

(4.) Includes all stores and tinned provisions (13) B. includes school material.

wash amah Si3; house coolie Sio; market - (14.) A:—Boy $14; cook $14; Amah 314; coplie 59; bathroom coolie 55,

B:-Boy $10% cook Sto.

(15.) A. and B. Wash-amak lecluded with

servants.

(17.) A. Includes Hongkong Club 57, and Peak Club $5.

B. Includes Cricket and Civil Service

Clubs,'

TABLE B.

Shewing prices of commodities, wages and expenses of living generally other thau rests and taxes in 1902 when the dollar was worth 1/8 and in Uctober, 1906, when the dollar i worth 2/3.

Commodity,

1 Beel (lb)..... Bread (1b)

COMMODITIES,

1902,

1956.

A conforence was beid in Tokio this morning by thefige Elder Statesmen and the principal Ministers; it is believed that they came to a fisat decision wish reference to the Russo,' Japanese Agreement and that they are sending instructions for its conclusion.

Japan's influence'in Manchuria Will be ma- terially widened though 'Russia's praponderat- ing influence la doves Mongolis is recognized...

The Japanese public rejoices that the Franco- Japanese and Russo-Japanese agreements will tend to consolidate further Japan's position in, Korea, especially in view of the existing state of chaos at Seoul,

The Tokio sharonparket shows a slight up ward tendency in anticipation of the Russo Japanese Agreement.

Japin also is sending instructions to the Japanese Ambassador at St. Petersburg regard, ing the signature of the Commercial Fishery Treaties.

JAPANESE COMMENT.

.:

"KUTSANG,"

baving arrived from the above Ports, Consignass of Cargo by her are hereby informed that their Goods will be delivered from alongside.

Cargo impeding the discharge or remaining on board after 4 F.., on the 19th inst, will be landed at Consignees' risk and expense. No Firs Insurance will be affected. Bills of Lading will be countersigned by

JARDINE, MATHESON & Co., LD., i

General Managers. Hongkong, 17th July, 1007.

NORDDEUTSCHER LLOYD, BREMEN, IMPERIAL GERMAN MAIĻ LINE.

NOTICE TO CONSIGNERSĮ,

“HE Steamship.........

T

"ZIETEN,"

having arrived, Consignees of Cargo are hereby informed that their Goods, with the exception of Opium, Treasure and Valuables, are being landed and storedat their risk intothe hazardosi, and/or extra bazardous Godowns of the Hong. kong and Kowloon Wharf and Godows Com- pany, Limited, at Kowloon, whence delivery may be obtained.

Optional Cargo will be forwarded unlesi notice to the contrary be given before WED. NESDAY, the 17th of July, at 1 P.M.

No Claims will be admitted after the.Goods have left the Godówns, and all Goods remain ing undelivered after the 23rd of July, will be subject to real..

All broken, chaled, and damaged Goods are to be left in the Godowns, where they will be examined on the 23rd of Jušlý, at 9.30 A.M.

All Claims must reach us before the 28th of July, or they will not be recognized.

No Fire Insurance will be effected. Bill of Lading will be countersigned by the Undersigned."

NORDDEUTSCHER LLOYD.

MELCHERS & Co.,

Agents,

Hongkong, 17th July, 1967,

JAPAN AND KOREA.

Intimations

THE

ROBINSON PIANO

CO. LD.

TALKING

MACHINES

ARD

RECORDS.

New Stock just arrived

LARGE AND VARIED

ASSORTMENT

MUSIC.

Comic Opera

Scores

and Dance Music.

RECEIVED BY EVERY MAIL.

(

Hongkong, 29th November, 1906.

We take the following telegrams from the N. 0. D. New !---

Tokio, July 11. Many Tokio papers to-day have editorials dealing with Korean affairs. Two papers pro pose that the Emperor of Korea should pay a personal visit to Japan to apologize. Count Okuma considers that the dethronement of the Emperor is now practically inevitable. The Kokumin says that should such abures be al- lowed to continue the Japaness Protectorate will be frustrated, and urges Marquis fto to come to a bold and unequivocal decision. Japan does not intend to destroy Korea's independence, but in view of the tangible.recognition of Japan's positioù in Korea, as evidenced by the rejection of the deputation to the Hague,

THE

LEADING.

COGNAC

TS

Japan is entitled to every means in her power J. & F. MARTELL'S,

to prevent any disturbance in the Far East. Unless Japan and Korea unite to safeguard the lives and property of the Koreans the civil iration of that country is impossible.

UNHAPPY EMPEROR,

Tokio, July: Is. The Kokummin welcoming the Russo-Japanese Agreement says that such-so Agreement was vainly contemplated by enlightened Russians and Japanese of all parties Marquis lie on the occasion of bis visit to Europe io 1901-19oz had

Tokio, July 12. the draft of the proposed Agreemeel in his

The Emperor of Korea bis sect a cyphér pocket, but the announcement of the Anglo-telegram, in the name of an American, to the Japanese Agreement came unexpectedly, to Deputation to The Hague, stating that he is the deep regret of not a few statesmen in imprisoned by the Japanese, and that his own Russia, including Count Witte. The latter Cabinet has sided against him. entertained the idea of a Russo-Japanese alliance during the Portsmouth Peace cluded this also. The antebellum negotia negotiations. Circumstances however, pre tions between Russia and Japan opened the way to such an Agreement, but unfortunate lp tumed out to the contrary. After a quarrel friendship is deeper, but the price paid for the forthcoming Agreement has been the vary dear. It is, however, exceedingly gratifying that it has been recognized that the East of Asis is wide enough for Japanese and Russian exploitation. The immediate cause of the in Russia considered the Portsmouth Peace Agreement is said to be that the military part

The building of the navy, the doubling as only meaning a long trace, deeming it imperative-to prepare-for-a-war-of-revenge.

Meanwhile the deputation to The Hague openly declares that it is in possession of lin- closure of Imperial participation is highly perial credentials. This compromising dis disquieting to the Emperor. All political par ties at Tokio are taking up the Korean ques tion with great keenness...

TITE EMPEROR'S PURSE.

Tokio, July 10, Mr. Song Fong-chun, Korean Minister of Commerce, has been appointed chairman of the Committes having control over the Korean Emperor's private purse,

COMMERCIAL.

TO-DAY'S EXCHANGE.

Selling

2/2

2/2 7/10

3/24 ..2.76

......53 V.S.O.P.

2.241 .164

164) V.V.§.O.P.

of the track of the Siberias railway, and other | London—8zak T‚T..

Do. demand military movements have originated in these latent apprehensions. The anti-peace riot of Do.4 months' sight.......... lato a belief that Japan was actually dissatis-Germany-Bank T.T...... September 1995 in Japan was misconstructed France-Brok T.T. ......

America-Bank T.T. died with the terms of the Portsmouth Treaty, indis T....... Do. demand................... and that she regarded a second was as inevit able. Thus misconception has led to miscor. Shanghai-Back T.T.....................-73.

Singapore T.T. ception Meanwhile certain influences have fapan Bank TT... asserted themselves for the allaying of such | fara-Dank.T.Tamara. apprehensions, resulting in a satisfactory solo- tion of the Commercial and Fishery negotia- tions, and finally bringing about the forthcom- jog agreement,

THE Emperor of Japan bag recognised the 5. Lade 3 li s. d. § valus of the services given, is connexion with 14 || 2,816, 20.. 5.4 the Franco-Japanese agreement, by Mr. Karino 951

16 and other members of the Japanese Embassy

3 Butler (sin)....... 50 18 20 1.66| 10 Puris, by granting annullies or giving higher 4-Cosis (tan)

· 9.50 15.10-15,00 €139

decorations than thay hitherto hald.--

Duying.

...61. Z prem

.....ǝja 15/16

months' sight L/C... 6 months' sight L/Comunidad/3}| 30 days' sight San Francisco & New York.34) 4 months, sight 30 days sight Sydney and Melboufia 22.3 1/16 4 months pight France équi

6 months sight"| H

4 months sight Germany.. Bar Silver

Bank of England reisi..

Bank of France...

Sovereign +144

do.

per dozen $25.00

28.00

49.00

90.00

SOLE AGENTS:

H. PRICE & Co., Ltd.,

"WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS,

12, QUEEN'S ROAD CENT

rong, 15th Taip«1907/

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