1907-08-09 — Page 14

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HONGKONG AND WHAMPOA DOCK CO., LD.

·HALF-YEARLY REPORT.

The report of the Board of Directors of the Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company, Limited, to the ordinary half-yearly meeting of abareholders, to be held at the officer of the company, Queen's Buildings, Victoria, on Mon- day, the 19th August, 1907, ut in o'clock noon, reads :-

·

To the shareholders of the Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company, Limited.

Gentlemen, The directors have tow to sub- mit to you, their report, with a statement of Accounts for the ball-year ended 30th June, 1907.

The net profit for the six months,

after paying interest due and all

charges, amounts to$401,395.82 to which has to be added the balance

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH ERIDAY AUGUST 9, 1907

To Telegrains

Legal exponies, sinoviasta.

1,398.00 398.61

Marine Insurance account a Dredger account..

6,200.00

•Profit +75*7**

8,460.78 401.396.82

$329,906.19

Jan. 1 to June 30, 1907 By Net earnings of the Company's

three establishments......... $466,584.80 Towage net sarnings

71553-84

W

Bonus on insurance premia, &c. Robert Goods difference between book value, and amount realized from insurance companies under policy

"Hongkong, 6th August, 1907.

*,*17.55

34,850.00 $509,900.19

R. MITCHELL, Acting Chiel Manager. THOS. I. ROSE, Becretary.

THE WEST RIVER.

CÁNTON-SHAMSHUI RAILWAY.

Mr. A. 1. Angier, who reselline West River districts, on his Far Ekstern tour, & China Exprest - T-

1.

do a certain amount of survey work and the ittle Rodin, under the command of Lieutenant Walcott, RA, has made a name for herself in such work as well as in the inspection, &c. of launches rhening on the river. By the way

with competition. there is quite a curiosity in combich worked

the associated companies, sarrice

boats, the some Chinese-owned bas shape of

in

junk from Nacoing to Wuchow, without pay are seemingly scientific, and solid, la bang ment of any lekin (tong-shui) taxation en row constructed, and, was to be finished within four Hitherto these competing companies have months (say about May 2 Six hundred in, secured cargo from the Nanning district bourers were at first employed on the work through the median of Warhow" forwardings but this number was reduced to three hundred, agents," who obtained and distributed transit of whom oon-third are said to be buliden froman passes amongst their Nanning and other up Caston Building lots are divided into hi

the frontage

middle, and back-actions to be country constituents. For his patronage

marco y separate 31656

contributes the following article to the Zondon in pool British-gunbast if the Talk wechow... forward' azcot: receivas a iralons tensed respectivaly at 4560, 3310% undir 2016

receive

L

From Canton my Fuate lay up the West This originally, British vessel is owned and rebate. This rebate, together with bin «QUAGE loss than a por merenthan 113 mowy

legitimate com | River, and as the steainer had proceeded direct manned by Chineze, files the German flag, apd Porkkabe marine insurance rates, forma Inquiries and being made throt

from Hongkong to Samshul, I took the op goes to French gal (postoon) at Wachowquisites over and above bla portunity of Joining her there. At the same Another, by the way, is that now Nanning is miation which a Wachow forwarding agent i M. Customs, and tenders,

ants invited semi-officially from German firms for from his up-country constituents time I had the advantage of going over the opened to foreign trade. (it may be recalled Cantos-Samshul Railways This is a portion of that it was supposed to have been opened in (whom he cheats in every possible way) the installation of electric lighting throng haut the Yueh-ban or Canton-Hankow line, theagh 1999 at the same time at Ching-was-tab, in one or two cases only the Nanning shop the settlement. The plan shows the

• house, which in bui its point of departure from Canton is on the Santuao and Yochow) it would be advisable maker has a share in the business of his of well laid-out roads (mal001), a

to a certain extent pri sidential alto of fins side of the river to the main line. It for the British naval authorities to provide a Wuchow, agent, an, and personally shares in, built for the Chinese Superintendent of our opposite

about 30 miles in length, and was constructed motor boat of shallow draught that can proceed vately cognisant by the American-Belging parties originally to that port. The distance by water is 370 the latter's perquisites. Matters in this counsc- toms. The upper boundary, store of this sete associated with the enterprise. It is standard miles. The advantages of "showing the flag tionare, it is believed, about to undergo achange, lement is situated below the newly opened for the establishment of Customs, arrangements port of Nanning, and as the Customs station gauge, the road bed being fairly well laid and there would seem to be many.

with the resultant facilitated, importation and was fixed to be on the settlement, it seemed quite adapted to the moderate speeds attempted, traffic.

exportation of though scarcely adapted for express

the hands of marchants at

at that was to place, or at any rate, to attempt The Chiners have retained one fordiquer, Wuchow 21 midday, the lofty pagoda on the part a more direct control and rightful benefit place, le station between the souls

For some time previous to our making space of goods at Nanning, will inevit pretty clear that the intaction of the Chinese Mr. Lind, as superintendent of the lie. and considering that he has to control high hill facing the city was in view as a con- in their trade. This inevitable change will have and the newly opened port. Another len through the city, and thus bengi, M. Customs everything, from supervision of locomotives and picuous landmark. Shortly before reaching to be carefully studied, for white W rolling stock to upkeep of roadbed and repair two rocky flats, known as 'Chicken Basket always remalu the port of transachaill station would, of course, be placed just above shops and stations, he must have his hands. Island, are passed. At high water reason' in which will pass all cargo between. Hongkong arrangements are completed and the wheel fug Sir, It will no doubt interest your readers tolerably fall at times. All the drivers and summer, when the difference in level is from and the upper river: Nanning, the mart and began to move, the foreigner would realise that the newly opened port was of little or no leaving available for appropriation...$791,560.56 to learn that the address from the Community | stokers, the conductors and station-mastors, so ft: to 60 ft., the lower of these gels coveres, depôt of its district's trade, should soon devolgdvantage to the merchant. 'In" otbbr word

are Chinese, and they seam, under the super, and at times even the jass-house on top of the | into an all-important spot. It was being at the settlement: was oped to: fakelgat to H:E. Bir Matthew Nathan has safely reached The directors recommend that a dividend | its destination. To a nole ta me Sir Matthew [intendent's supervision, to run the line well; } higher ona gets invaded by the watery element, fully explained to Nanning merchants that not the city of Nanning? Thy wka obvións..

Nathan writes as follows:-

brought forward from last account... 400,933-74

and from this have to be deducted- Directors' fees.......$10,000,0.3

· Auditors' fans anno

$802,330.56

CORRESPONDENCE.

SIR MATTHEW NATHAN.

750,00

10,750,00

TO THE EDITOR of the “HongKong TELEGRAP35,"*

for the ball-year of 8% or $100,000.00 be paid to shareholder, pass $100,000.00 to a special account and carry the balance $494,580.56 to the new account.

During the past six months, twelve cargo Jighters, ons steam water-boat and four stero wheelers mentioned in the last report have been finished and handed over to their ro- spective owners after satisfactory trials; one steel, steam launch for the QM. Department,

U. S. A was delivered in Manila.

The address arrived here at the end of last week. The covers are a beautiful piece of work and the number of signatures makes me very pleased and rather proud,"-Youre, etc.,

EDBERT A, HEWETT. Hongkong, 5th August, 1907.

ALLEGED KIDNAPPERS IN GAOL.

ROUNDING UP OF THE GANG MAY FOLLOW SOON.

We have orders in hand for a number of new Testele comprising one steel towboat for En Corps, U.S.A., Manila, one steal tow giseer Corps, boat and one steam cargo lighter for Bangkok, In the breast of three persons-two women thred steel launches for Manila similar to the and a man-ibe West Point police believe that one finished fast half-year, oos wood fire-float they have in custody part of a gang of notorious for the local Government and two wood tow kidnappers, who, they allege, have bean prac boats-one for Singapore and one for Hong- tising their game in the Colony for some time. kong barbour. We are also building a tow-The trio were arrested on Monday last for kid. Li Moi, a sixteen-year-old girl, one napping boat to replace the Robert Cooks.

day last week. On the 7th inst, they came before Mr. H. H. J. Gompertz, to answer the charge.

The dredgar Canton River was not employ ed during the past six months, but has been on charter to Messrs. Butterfield & Swire since the kat inat.

The belt returns from Aberdeen Docks have been greatly reduced through the expenditure of $9,517 on repairs to the two. dock caissons largely due to severe straining during the ty phoon last September; most of the typhoon damage of our three establishments has been made good and paid for out of working ex- peases.

A contract has been made for the lengthen log of No. 1 dock, and the work is now in pro gress under the supervision of the Company's staff.

No extensions to buildings have made and but few tools have been added to our plant during the half year under review. Your directors, however, have decided to proceed at once with an extension to the Kowloon boiler shop and install sévorel sew machines to other departments."

H. P. WHITE,

Chairman. Hongkong, 6th August, 1907.

DALANCE SHEET 30TH JUNE, 1907. Liabilities,

June 30th, 1907. To Capital 50,000 shares of $50

cach, fully paid up

Admiralty

loan.....£20,000 €¢

Less repay.

ments... 18,893 18 4

£1,105 18 2/2‡

No. 1 Dock extension accoust Marine. Insurance account -... Sundry creditors

Balance of profil

brought forward

from last account 400,933.74

Profit far. the half

year ending june 30th, 1907

401,396.8z

Assels, June 30th, 1907. Aberdeen... By Value of Aberdeen Docks, as

per last statement...

Kowloon

By Value of Kow.

loon Docks as

•per last state-

meat .......... $2,469,860.25 Less, cast of ex. tension of Kow.

loon Marine Lot No, 27 (ITADS- ferred to No. 1 Dock Extension account)

Cost of No. 2 metal, amelting furnace for moulding shop Cost of two ston

derrick cranes for yard plant...

17,156.25

2,457,704.00

2,819.00

6,000.00

No. 1 Dock Extension Account.

By Amount paid in

12

connection with

purchase of ex- tension of Kow.

loon Marine Lot-

No. 27 ************

Account expend-

ed to joth June,

19070

Cosmopolitan.

By Value of Cozmo.

politan Dock, as

par last stale-

ment

H

Cost ofone boiler

for

supplying

steam to drive

plant

17,156.25

7,674.06

300,000,00

3,066,92

Value of tug, dredgers, laun- ches, lighters and 1.5.Borsagon Sundry debtors

"Value of material

expended

on

44,151,81

work in progres Value of materiai

on band

– 1,561,967.10

REVENUE ACCOUNT." June 30th, 1907.

To Interest.............

Li Mui lived with her sister at 4. Reinacker Street, West Point, and eams her living sewing clothes at street corners. She has been thus employed. for a number of years. At the be ginning of last week, her story goes, she was mending some clothing in Queen's Road West when an old woman, in whom she recognises one of the defendants, approached her.

"It's a shame," the old woman is quoted saying to the girl," that you should slave here day in and day out for a mere pittance."

· Cara®

they are at libery after completion of Customs.

arrangements to forward cargo without tran-ly the intention, but representations it passes to Wuchow by junks chastered, by mads et: Peking, and a telegram received themselves, and duly reported to the Come the day left Wuchow stated that the missioner, who would give them a Customs city of Nanning, and not merely the fore flag. The significance of this will be go settlement, was to be considered as recognised when it is remembered that hitherto the area for foreign trade. This means that all cargo from this district and beyond has quods purchased from ar sold to dealers in

shul tax on their way to or from the settlement, doing trade would not be mulcted in Tang where presumably the shipments would be made or received. It remains to be seen what effect generally the opening of Naoking to foreign trade will have on West River traffic At first glance it should tend to its increase in volume.

and squeezing by lrkin officials bave been Passes, through the medium of which delay obvialed.

The trains keep good time and are usually packed. The line pays well and returns good dividend, though it has to put much of its carsings into capital account. The Chinese will not put up any more capital to complete the works. Consequently the erection of locomotive shed, of workshops, carriage factory, stions and the construction of permanent stations ogu bave to be gradually provided out of earnio Adjacent are three blocks of missionary builk come down in junks under foreigners' transit Nanning with whom the foreigner, would be Practicali whatever surplus remains, after providing the dividend the Chinese require; is thus utilised capital account. When these requirements have been fulfilled the dividend available should be large, for the trafic will probably not decrease as time The line traverses a generally goes on. flat rice-growing district, and only a few low hills necessitating a little culting and grading have had to be dose. The station at Samsha is about half a mile or sp from the river, but may possibly be taken nearer the bank later on, facilitating the bendling of freight and the con venience of passengers

6.5. "LINTAN." Arrived at Samshui we found the steamer Lint in already at Rucher. She is owned by Butterfield and Swire, but has the amalgamated Aag. as the service la run on joint account by. the China Navigation Compa the Indo-China Steam. Navigation and the Steamboat Company, (the Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Company), Before 2 left Hongkong I was advised that if I was proceeding up the West River that there was only one vessel to travel by. The stern chow are comfortable enough, but the Lintan is distinctly the one to make the trip in. She has excellent cabin accommodation, a nice saloon, and Capt. Birss can make you as com fortable as one need desire.

Wuchow is situated below the confluance of the Fu-ho with the West River. The Fa-ho, which washes one side of the city is source of much trouble when in freshet in the summer. Its mouth is then almost impassable, whilst dangerous eddies and currents are here formed in the West River. The most con spicuous building on approaching

Wuchow is Mears. Jardine, Matheson and legs, in one of which the Commissioner of Customs has recently resided. On my former visit he had lived in a yames in the native city. The Customs office is still on a pat (pontoon) on the river. Most of the business indeed is done on paf. The Linian was made fast to two, into which she discharged as late a godown, and where the export cargo is collect ed for the down trip. The British Consulait, which was formerly located on a house boat bas now a fine position on the summit of hill on the western side of the Fa-ho. Ex. tensive and picturesque, vinws may be ob tained from it up and down West River and up the Fu-ho. The Chinese authorities have a signal station situated within the grounds, been permitted to rent at a nominal amount which commands all three stretches of water, and whence an excellent view is obtained. The Consulate office is lower down the hill at at elevation which just clears flood level. Some little inconvenience is caused, by the Consulate being situated the other side of the Fu, but with the present volume of trade it is perhaps not serious.

UNCİPOLITICAL,

It is reported, and generally believed amongst the Chinese, that the idea of making Naoning the capital of Kwangsi has been relinquished again be considered when the effect of the only for the present, and the preposition will changed conditions of West River trade at Nanning become evident. There is another report that the Freach are conducting some negotiations with the Chinese, in which they are offering to give un certain interests in the Kwong Chow Wan neighbourhood for other two new provinces in the Nanning,' angchow districts, now under contemplation, Under this concessions in congection with the creation of scheme Kweilin would remalo the capital of Kwangi, while Lungchow and Nanging will made capitals of the two new provinces, of M which the former will be provided with a coast out to be at all reliable; but if, perchance; core treaty port. This information may not tura

SOME GENERAL OBSERVATIONÉRA The real opening of China's inland water? ways to steam navigation; and, as a conss-

quence, ber vast markets to trade would undoubtedly benefit both China and the"

steam navigation, but the concession was world. Since 1898 the inland water of

largely nullified by Impracticable rules and China have been supposed to be open to

regulations. These have been modified soc he first impossible rules were drawn up, bot there still remain anomalies that prevent the esa revenue would presumably benefit as well full benefit being reaped by either side. Chine as owners of steam lines. There are so many interests in Chips that when the spokes of the

terests becomes affected. This is especially

On hills behind fact, it is obviously of the utmost importance wheel receive a turn one or mork of those in-"

to shipping Interests on the West River, as a of valuable freight obtained from the

The girl replied that there was nothing elsewheelers running between Canton and W the Consulate there is a group of mission quotity region would then be diverted, the case when the foreigner,comes along, sad,

for her to do; that she had been sewing in the streets of Hongkong for coming on to six years, and that she had become accustomed to the work, besides now and again she made good money.

Come with me," the old woman was alleged to have proceeded, "and I'll get you work, You shall have fine clothes, jewellery, and a comfortable home."

THE SCENERY,...

It will not be necessary to write at any length on the scenery of the West River, which Li Mui consented, and she was taken to a is now fairly well known and need not be lenement in Des Voeux Road West, where she elaborated. Thers are two capital guide books was made to discard her rags, and silk cloth-lasued by the companies which tell you ail ing, bangles, finger-rings and hair ornaments about the river and its immediate surroundings. in age of these you are reminded of the given her. It was customary when Li Mui was toiling on the footpaths at West Point for her beauties of scenery on the West River, with its to be at home before dark, but on this particular gorges, its peculiar thread-like continuation of evening there were no signs of the young lakes one alter another with barriers of highland

camitress Her sister became alarmed and

always ahead. There are pretty green hills rising notified the West Point police, with the result directly from the water's edge coltivated with that a search party was sent out and the miss-patches of tea, hemp, tobacco, cassia, indigo,

Inspector. Fenton, of No. 7 Police Station, applied for an adjournment when the case came 10,132.76 up for hearing His request was granted, 50,000.0 The reason for the remand was not given out, 1,729,754.78 | the gang will follow OOR.

$1,500,000.00

is

French priests, who hold official ránk, are met with everywhere on the upper river, and many and talk, in French. When we promote our of the sons of Chinese officials take lessons,

the upper waters, the natives may believe that Englishmen dwell on earth.

OPIUM.

coffers, displacing payments that Imperial the dues and duties he pays get swept into the

chequers if it had only been made a system formerly found their way into provincial ex that when this occurred a contain proportion

collecting agency, the Imperial Maritime: Customs, as was done in the case of the opium lekta arranged under the additional article of the Chefoo Convention, much trouble would have been saved and smooth working possibly assured.

ary buildings, and behind these again Macdonald. It is a site that peculiarly the grave, and, monument elected til appeals to the Chinees mind, and from this position his spirit may look down on the box pital bear the West river bank, which be so ably directed, and where he did so much good, trade, and when British motor gunboats patrol of the collection had been handed over by the Within the city of Wuchow, an excellent view over which is obtained from the British Con sulate grounds cross the Fu-ho, may be seen the new foreign colleges and schools that form so conspicuous an object now in all cities and towns throughout the country. One can only hops each time that you see these construce plans that they are the forerunners of what we Term progress throughout the country, but of

Students in uni. the ultimate effect of which so little can be clearly discerned at forms are conspicuous here as cluewhere, is was certainly a sign of the times to meet at the Tactai's yamén an English and French-speaking queneless Chinese oficial bound to Kweilin, the provincial capital, to take up his post. His wife withal spoke English, and was quite ac customed to foreign ways nad dreis. The

Respecting the opium trade, general informa. tion by the Chinese states that the business in native opium, which had been thoroughly, dislocated last year by the raising of the tax to Tis, 115 per picul, bad shown a gradual revival towards the end of the Chinese year. It is not, however, at present in a flourshing state. The revival, is due to a demand for replenishing ing province, and the truth of it is borne out exhausted stocks in this and in the neighbour by the fact that surplus stocks of yarn and plece goods found sudes market, which immediately induced a smart revival in the importation of those commodities during the same period.

Officials in certain places

63,499-43 but it was rumoured that the arrest of others of ship nestled "beneath the spreading banyan has powers and influence of such men may not be are reported tô bồ making: atque opened to foreign trade, the more: are the pro

TARGET PRACTICE". IN

FLEICHER street,

VOLUME OF TRADE.

and the mulberry (for the large surrounding and chatrict), and other fruit-bearing trees; has occasionally sloping banks, where the high, and has receded leaving a fertile valley, and where some picturesque village or small town deposited itself, invited, as it were, by the pro-greal at present, but in time should bear some Then, fruit. spect of a. rich food producing oil. again, the banana palm and the far palm and the Ramie plant, (Chinese grass) grow in full Trade along the West River seems to be luxuriance, as also the giant bamboo, forming slowly gathering way; though its volume bas extensive groves of graceful feathery foliage scarcely come up to expectations.hrough A COOLIE AMUSES HIMSELF WITH A'

and lending a delicate softness to one of the the courtesy of the Commissioner of Customs LOADED REVOLVER.

I was informed that the trade for 1976 amount. 802,310,56

A somewhat amusing case, illustrating a prettiest panoramic landscapes to be found

anywhere in this part of the world. They graw ed to Hk. Tit. 10,000,obo, against a total of $5,154,697-53 coolie's ignorance, was that which came on for

in rich maxres olles resembling Prince of Bk. Tis. 22,250,000 in 1935. The decrease was hearing at the Police Court, on the 8th inst., Wales's feathers. The growth extremely due to inundations and droughts as well as in- when Lo Taof, a labourer who is employed by picturesque, and the buge rafts of bamboo poels temal disturbances. There was a partial fall and lives at the Commissariat department it met on the river often form considerable ob-ure of the rice crop, which the officials prohi Fletcher Street, figured in the dock before Mr.straction to navigation. H. H. 1. Gomperta, to answer charges of dis. charging a revolver in the public street, to the danger of the public, and with being in pos- session of a revolver and forty-nine rounds of

$100,000.00

ammunition'

on without police permit. Inspector Gourlay, of No. a Police Station, who prosecuted, informed the Court that the accused's brother, a seaman, returned 10 the Colony a few days ago from voyage, While in London he purchased a revolver which he brought ashore on landing here. The accusell saw the revolver lying on a lable in his room last night and, during his brother's absence, he phere he opened proceeded to the street, where fire at the wall of one of the buildings. A

sergeant of the 3rd Middlesex, who came very nearly being struck in the eye by a bullet which had glanced off the wall, made known the affair and accused was arrested. A seatch of his quarters resulted in the discovery of the ammunition. .3,461,523,00, accused pleaded guilty to the charges, and he was fined $50 on the first charge and Sto on the second. An order, forfeiting the revalves and ammunition, was made.

:

BRICK-KILNS.

PIRACY.

mean

if Tis. 11 over and above the lawful tax of Tia 115 per picul. By certain reliable Nanning authorities it is asserted that the recent moral Imperial Edict has indeed reached the yamen here, but has been thrown far into the official drawer, and to escape being accused of altogether disregarding it be of ficials have communicated its contents to the people verbally in a more or less indirect way." lowever, though there would at present sem to be little indication of an actually decreased opium trade, the opinion seems to be un animous amongst the better informed in the province, that the younger generation not yet addicted to the drug are morally renouncing its use. A decrease in the opium trade, which passing into or through the two Kwang pro- vinces, and which is principally conducted at Kweichow, Pakeik, Nanning, Kweilin, and Wachow will result in a diminished transit of waters for reasons which are obvious, yarn and piece goods through West River

RAILWAYS.

Now that native costoma and lekin are largely in the hands of the Customs there is not the same inducement, for native officials to cut fine and get-below treaty rates of export and import duty evident that as long as junks were carrying more favourable duties than steamers, but short of insisting that could not carry mich certain classes of cargo that they were getting cargoes it was difficult to see how the point nate circumstance that the more the country is... could be carried. It is certainly an unfortu

vinces-deprived of their revenue. Every im

for inste a new route, such as the West River. asce, is opened to foreign navigation, there results a further shrinkage of provincial reve,,. noe, Metropolitan revenues may increase and... the incidence of the burden of foreign loans. be lightened to Peking, but the provinces are as a result often hard put to find monies for their own requirements. The position is a curious one, and would probably only arise in such countries as Turkey and Persin, outside ca ins. The remedy would seem to be that the perial authorities should band over a certain proportion of the collections now received by them, and that were formerly made by the provinces themselves.

PASSENGER TRAFFIC).

considerable

bited the sale of for export. As they were not allowed to sell the rice, other products were brick-kilns to hurried up, and experts such as aniseed, oil, &c,

I may note, by way of conclusion to a trip There are likewise many large be the well were fostered. It is, perhaps, worth noting that be observed on the babies are extensively certain articles, owing to lakin, tung shut, or

first strike anyone making the run is the other exactions, still go to Hongkong. There

up and down the river, that what will probably manufactured. The fael to bake them camer

where you see crowded passenger boats, mostly down the river from the upper part of the they obtals ex-territorial rights, and are then dusiries of Wuchow of sufficient importance to

steam towed, but many depending alone for province, and from Kwangai on boats loaded re-exported to Chinese territory. Amongst in

enormous passenger traffic carried on. Every." high up above the decks. It consists of twigs be worth nothing is that of boat-building.

motive power on sall or oar supplemented by The Lungchow-Nanning route has been The

yuloh. Waterways have for cen- powerfal grass and other vegetable refuse. Fodder for

strong craft are turned out each year. In the buffaloes who are used to knead out the Quite an extensive sumber of fairly well-built

reported that little hope is entertained for the immense number of passengers transported clay, when being worked up also comes down in similarly laden boats. The collection of this matters of trade there is a dificulty at present surveyed by French engineers, and iti turies been the chief highways of China; but in regard to kerosene ail business. Storage successful railway enterprise in that locality, on the waters of the Weit River and the fodder and fuel and its carriage makes i

premises have been erected across the West industry in itself. Along the hillsides one may live on the opposite bank to Wuchow. The The mooted extension of the Canton railway to Canton delta must be seen to be appreciated. see shoots often some hundreds of yards.in length for sending these materials down to the Chinese new want to impose a small extra Nanning seems to be a matter of deep interest. The difficulties of navigating the West River the same way as prevails at Hankow, where it as a feasible and Apart from the question of channel in flood- river-banks. Another feature is the crops bedy, over and above, the tariff duty, in mach apparently regard the plan hasil, who are at the same time very

was imposed, I believe, by common consent of profitable one. Due consideration for the water season, there are many sand-banks ing grown on the foreshore of the river,

ail parties. It apparently seems to be the porness and danger of the intermediate hilly and racks, some of the latter only visible intention of the Chinese authorities to seek to country, would seem to be dismissed from the st dead low water, and the former constantly impose this extra duty where such installations minds of these merchants whose present shifting. Many of tbare dangers are uncharted. are made. As the precedent set at Hankow feverish desire-encouraged somewhat by the Lieut. Walcott, of the Robis, has done much success of the Canton Samshui branch-is good work in locating dangers, and he is ever, to overcome the slow and risky transit of ready to assist captains with the information has already beco met and successfully com«.

ho has gathered. The Customs has done,” bated at Hangchow, there seems no reason why it should be imposed at Wachow. There goods in their obstructed waterway. Carri

age of cargo by junk in the low water something in the provision of buoys and bea cons, whlist for smail fees the lepers in, soma season, when navigation in obstructed by thei are also the makings of trouble respecting fore

rocks in miles of river rapids, is a matter that

districts maintain bamboo marka These are shore cases which may develop.

compels attention.

very useful, as when a raft passes over them thay band to the waight and return when has passed, whereas other marks are often swept away by them. These rafts are 3.real-

"wind or stream, sire, and drift wherever danger to navigation. They are often of great

drift together and between them completely may take them. Sometimes two or three

Land... minor, way, big tows are likewise A. ngisor black the river for a time. In koolber,

A launch or sma'i picam, vessel with, Sfteen or twenty ward and unwieldy to handle, ance, and oftes an bstraction, boats abreast or astern of bar is naturally Awks

it

There is much talk about piracy on the river, but you seem to know far more about in Hongkong and other places than you do on the West River itself. With the disastrous holding up of the Suinam in July last year, and the untimely murder of Dr, Macdonald, the subject did not seem far away, but, the whole NEGOTIATIONS for the amalgamation of the master is really more of the nature of armed

THE OPENING OF HANNING. Dairi Bugar Refining Company with the Japan gang robbery withhyiolence than piracy in the

· FOREIGN IMPORTS. trus meaning of the word. The fraterally who Sugar Refining Company having ended" in

Through the courtery of Messrs. Jardine, failure, negotiations for the purchase of the carry out these gang gbberies, with occasions

Matheson and Co.'s representative at Wuchow

Wuchow is the "post of transhipment," but Dair Company were recently opened. The al murderous assaults, is a fairly numerous one, topresentatives of the two companies met and seems in defy the sometimes half-hearted, have been supplied with the following notes Nanging is the mart and depot of West River and at others bloodthirsty attemple of the offi- respecting the Nanning trade. Before giving trade. The sale of foreign manufactured goods 14,50.31 at Nagoya, and the negotiations were con.

British uch as yarn and piace-goods--can be con cials to put

tan end to them. There is short shrift them, however, I may remark that cluded successfully, the terms of the pur- chase having bees agreed upon last week, as a rule for any leader who falls into the bands Consul should be appointed there. At least he ducted at Nanning, with more profit to the reports the Japan Chronicle. The terms of the authorities. Only a few days before I should be present for some time whilst this foreign firm than it is conducted in Hang ong. Ate to be submitted to a special general reached Wuchow a malefactor had been be part is being got into working order. Questions To do so, however, the foreign firm would have meeting of the Japan Sugar Refining Com-headed in the city. His body was literally are constently arising each day that require to risk the system of five months credit curs

roth of this month.. The torn to pieces by the populace in their eager the presence of a man on the spot. He would pany on the

dealers can be guaranteed by reliable com main points are that the machinery, plant, the desire to get some of his flesh and blood, for be able to deal with these immediately and tomary in this district. Yarn and piece-goods ground of the factory and stock-is-trade of the by consuming this they thought to become prevent possible innovations that may be at mission agency shops at Nanning, and the risk

A further feature of the river may be noted,. Dairi Company will be transferred in its en-imbsed with the courage and fearlesseers of tempted at a place opened toforeign trade by the of loss through financial failings it said to be

must close. On the previous occasion 303.066.92 tirety at the price of ¥6,500,000, of which which he had been the possessor. The lawless Chinese authorities, and not as a port possess little. This business would be facilitated, if

V2,530,000 will be paid in cash, and the acts have a certain influence on trade, and fer. log the status of a treaty port. Unfortunately the foreign firm ventured into the Wast River and I 366,184.89 balance in 7 per cent. debentures, which will eign passenger tourist traffic has undoubtedly there is a shostage of men in the Consular export trade without expecting to make much of a visit to Wuchow I was struck by the 292,853.50 be issued to the Suzuki Shoten, proprietors been affected by the Safnaw attack, for which Service at the moment, and possibly no one can profit, for the general system in this trade is absence of trees in the delta and the frequent one of exchange in kind, in which remittances barren look of the hills higher up, notwith,. of the Dairi Company: The debentures no consequential damages can be obaloed bespared for Nanning at prosect... This is to be

of money for yarn and piece-goods are avoided standing occasional attempts at reforestation, ti will be redeemed in eight years after stands from the Chinese Government Another effect regretted. I will now pass on to the memo-

for the simple reasons that interest is exorbit Around, the ancestral mansion, and, the disci ing for three years from the date of issue, is that nearly all the (Chinese) launches as well random respecting Nanning trade, the Suzuki Shoten pledging itself not to start as lbs jonks they tow have to submit to The opening to foreign trade of Nanning ant and risks are great, owing to dangers of the trict is popular for these family seats y bit may get lee clusters of trees, but they only access the Imperial in the sugar redoing business, in return for squeere by the robber gangs, or else stand will, by the establishment of

met with on the river, for consumption in delta") 1,606,118.91 which the right of special agent for the sale the chance of being marked down as an ob Maritime Customs "rrangement there, effect an ARION CONCESSION OF SETTLEMENT the general want of arboricultures: The limber 2

of the company's sugar will be given, The ject of attack. This way much blackmail important change in trade conditions at Wu- $5,154,697.53 stock of sugar held by the Daiti Company is obtained which is a hindrance to trade All Chow, which has hitherto been the contralling The Chinese authorities have cheaply taken towns, is rafted down from higher up in

valued at about Y2,000,000, which la to be trading nations are therefore concerned in the centre on the West River, Cargo from the over a certain area to be leaned out to foreign Kwangal delivered to the company, so that the amount suppression of the so-called piracy. Much Nanning district, which has hitherto been ers in lots for any period from one to thirty to be paid by the company in cash will be good work is done by the various genbosta socured by competing foreign, steamship com- year, under ragautions drawn up apparent $56,506.35 Y4.500,000. Out of Y13,000,000 of the capital There are three British river vessels (too slow panies at Wachow under system of transit 4075.92 of the company, V4,500,000 Hill remains un-in speed, it may noted), besides other foreign passes, will, under the charged conditions, no 3.947.45 paid, and when this som is called up, it will and Chinese armed. boats, whilits Chinese longer be procured by those for the exporter not be difficult for the company to pay the guard boats are as unmerous as they appear to will be able, as soon as Customs arrangements be generally ineffective. The ganhosts also are completed, to forward his goods by chartered 18,342,36 | cath to the Suzuki Shoten.

Crown rent..................ATIVO. Fire insurance..meritori Office expenses, salaries, station- ery and rent of head office'

on the same lines as ibose of the so-called THE Ministry of the Interior at Faking her david settlements of Haugchow or Soochow The cided upon forty-six regulations for The CORITOI sile in the highest one at Nanning and is always of the monopoly of thesale of opioi above high-water level: An extensive signs will be presented to the Throat or crow and moniar retaining wall, whose foundations: in a few daysệte