THE BRITISH POST OFFICE IN TIENTSIN.
OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
•
CLOSURE AVERTED.
We have been courteously supplied by the. Secretary to aba B.M.C., with the. following pricin of the telegrams, correspondence, countil meetings, &c, relating to the proposed closure of the British Postal Agency lu Trenining with a' request that it should be published.
1.-Note from Major Natban, R.E., of the C. E. & M. Co., and the initial teletama on the subject
Tientsin, Sept. 9, 1907. Dear Sir,-With reference to our convers. tion, I enclose you a copy of a telegram receive ed by the British Post Master lagtracting him to close the l'ost Office this month, and copy of a telegram I have sent to the Governor of Hongkong, for your information and any action you thay, care to take in the matter, Yours
etc.
W. S. NATHAN, Agent & Gen. Manager.
W. E. Southeri, Esq.
Chairaiso, Chamber of Commercs,
Tien'in
Enclosures (a) and (b)
{4). Stedman, Haishi Trenisin, *** Close Tost Office September 30th, lever fal lows, notify public
l'osimaler General.
Sept. 9, 07.
[(b), Governor, Hangkorg, Postmaster here his received instructions from Postmaster, Finn, kong, to close Tientsin Post Office this month. This will cause con- siderable dissatisfaction' and inconvenience to British mercanule community, and I trust it will be possible to delay closing to enable farther representations to be made. Under- stand. Chamber of Commerce will...consider matter immediately. If office closed this month heavy surcharges will have to be paid
|
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH TUESDAY DECIMBER 3, 1907
5-The Chivimber at once instituted the in- quiry by telegram, and received a reply from Hongkong on September 17 su follows:
Governor, Hongkong Tientsia General Chamber of Commerce thank you for telegram... Endeavouring to pro-. vide ways and means. Please reply fatest date decision must reach you.
SOUTHCOTT
Chairman,
desired to effact the change will approach the Governor of Hongkong with "a
to the Transfer of the office,"
JATHAN, Agent & General Manager
British Municipal Council,
The Chalcosan,
The Colacil reached the following decision! Recognising the value of the British Postal Agency to the British Community," the Council:
#um of 55,625 in order to secure the continuance of the festition for one year.from the first instant
Council would stand to his decision to com-
was of courie anderstood, that the Junior This letter wis circulated for inspection and mand the Ratepayers of the British Municipal read to Council on October, and, bat beyond Extension to supply the remaining fourth (†) a general expression of opinion that the Post
This decision was communicated the follow- Office should continue to go on under its prasing morning to the Chamber of Commerce Decision 40on as puthte, latest first October. Bent administration so formal decision was with a request that it would at once intimate".
reached on the subject. Aene GOVERNOR,
Sept. 15, 47.
Soullicopt, Tievisio
Sept. 17, 07.
'12"'n October, the Chamber of Com merce received the following telegram from the
Governor of Hongkong late in the evening.
A meeting of the Councils was at once call- ed, as it was evident that no time coula be lost. This telegram and a letter dated Sept. 21 if the Post Office was to be saved within the from the Ren. F. H. May, the Colonial Sects. short time now available.
tary, received next morning (Oct. a), proved that everyone concerned in the question had until now been labouring under a mistaken idea in thinking that we were only asked to bear half of the lossiii.
6-The Councils met on September 18 and after carefully considerio, the whole situation decided to act on follows:-The Senior Council would at once call a meeting of the landrenters, giving the seven days' notice prescribed by the Land Regulations, "to discuss the proposed closure of the British Post Office, and if neces- Bary to find ways and means for coatinuing the s:id office.'
The Junior Cauitcil was in perfect agreement. with the Senior, but found there was not time to give formal notice of twelve days (as prescribed by their Land Regulations) for a public meeting of the Ratepayers. They decided that if the. Landrenters of the Senior Concession in public meeting authorised their | Council to give the required guarantee of $3,503, they (the Junior Council would fallin line with the Senior, feeling assured that their ratepayers would" spprove their action when the urgency sed importance of the situation were made known to them.
We may here, duly interpolite the tele gram which the local Chamber of Commerce sent to the Manchester Chamber on Septem- bee 19:—
Chamber Comínerče, Manchester.. Protest against closing Uritish Post (fice here Twentieth October, Reason given loss
The Colonial Secretary's letter makes it quite clear that Tantsin was expected to hese the whole loss ($7,500) this your, and alia lipids out the prospect that this sum may be increased to 110,574 in subsequenî yê irs..
Southcott, Tièntain,
To-day's Advertisements.
_______DOCTOR,
WANTED
IMMEDIATELY
BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE. Hongkong, 3rd December, 1907. [1051
Canton, le Decembre 1907.
Intimations
THE
the fact to the Govern-r of Hongkong,OUS avons Thonneur de vous informer ROBINSON PIANO
16-On October 16, the following letter was received from the Secretary of the Chamber of
Commerce
que Mr CESAR FRITZSCHE, quiltast notre maison en date de ce jour la procuration que nous lui avions confine par notre circulaire iu & Aval, 1997, casse de fait,
"Agrees, M," nos salute bien empressés, 1051]
E. PASQUET & CIR, TOUGLAS STEAMSHIP COMPANY, LIMITED
Tientsin, 16th October, 1907. Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge it. ceipt of your favour of 15th instant, contents of which ato noted, with, thanks, I am directed to express the thanks of the Chamber for the generous way in which the Councila have come | FOR SWATÓW, AMOY AND FOOCHOW. forward in this mitter and guaranteed the
necessary sum, in order is secure the conting.THE Company's Steamship ance of the Local Postal Agency
I have pleasure in forwarding herewith copy of telegram despatched by us yesterday to the Governor of Hongkong. The Councils may -rest-assured that: thịs Chamber will take the matter up, and make every possible effort to secure the permanency of the British Postal Agency without making any further call for a subsidy on the part of the Councils-[
Your telegram Friday (received,?). I offered continue (Office (f 7,500 reimbursed half-yearly instalment. If refused Office closes sale stamps despatch letters Twentieth Oxober Delivery may continuo' without surcharge" Thinly first | have, etc., December. Wire reply.
1. Oct. 07.
GOVERNOR
"on letters with Pritish stampy owing to in-ti langkung revenue estimated seven hundred
sufficiency of notice.
The letter was as follows:-
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Hongking, September 21, 1957. (enche Tientsie Oct. 7, 1957). Sir-With reference to your telegram of September 11 and subsequent telegraphic cor respondence relative to the decision of this Government to close the Post Office at Tien. tin, I'am directed to confirm the Governor's telegram of 12th inst, in which "you, were in- formed that the cost to the Government by the maintenance of the Tientsin. Post Office is esti- mated at $7.50 per as:um for the coming and fifty pounds sterling yearly-cost transil between Hongkong and here. Hongtang Gora, and that His Excellency could only con vernment offers continue' provided Tientsin sent to continue the condict of this branch 3.-The above correspondence was submitted contribute half deficit. Endeavour persuade office if your Chamber were ready to defray to the focal General Chamber of Commerce tome postal authorities contribute instead 10- and also in the luci Branch of the Chinwards this expense. Can you assist us in Association, on! the following telegram was order to maintain penny-portage? Suggest forwarded to the Governor of Deegang on ask London Chamber co-operate. Must have September 11, 1997, by the-former budy :--
reply before Twenty-Fifth eptember. Tientsin Chamber Commerce.
Sept. 9, 07,
NATH K...
W. E. SOUTHCOTT,
Ticolajo.
Sept. 19, 1,07 8.-The twn Councils met on September 251 the eve of the landrents' mecting to consi der the situation up to date, and to discuss the
Governor, Hongkong. Tie-tsin General Chamber of Comerce has been hanted copy of Hongkong Postmaster General's wire to Bri." tish Postmaster here dated 2 joth joatánt giving instructions to close tri ish Post Office on, Thirtieth instant. This Chamb' thoroughly endorses Mr Nathan's cable to you of the Ninth instant, and at same time cannot too' strongly recoinniénd continuance of British · landrenters at their meeting on the marrow, Port Office, o berwise British Community which is the second largest' in 'China will be greatly inconvenienced Briti vested interests Tientsin larger than Chelor, Ningpe, Haskow #bich have British Post Offices, All other 'foreign Great Powers have Post Offices here..
Uns lou,
W
2. I am further to ex lain to you that when the receipts of the Tientsin last Office together with the, proposed contribution" from your Chamber are aredited in the revenue of this Colony they become liable to a deduction of 10-per-centom like all other 'revenue of the "Colney on account of Imperial Military charges," It would therefore be necessary in this case for you to pay a conir bution of $10.574 if the revenue of 11ongkong were to be at no loss at
in respect of the Tientsin Post Offices. 3 In view, however, of the short notice that
5. GILMORE,
Act, Secretary. Wni. McLeish, Esquire" Secretary, British Municipal Council and Extension, Tientsin.
Gaverdor, Hongkong.
British Municipal Council have guaranteed provide 7,500 dollars to secure continuance of British Post Office for one year as from first instant, guarantee will be paid over whenever
demanded.
.
SOUTHCOTT Despatched 15th October, 1907.
-China Critte
-CHIVESÍC MINERAL WEALTH,
China is now beginning to recognise the importance of her mineral resources and un Article which appears in the P. & T. Timst is of interest to those who are following the question leads
HAITAN
Captain. Reach, will be despatched for the above Parts, on FRIDAY, the 6th instant, LE to o'clock AM.
Fox Freight or Passage, apply to
DOUGLAS LAPRAIK & Co,
General Managers, flanglang, 3rd December, 1997. [roya INDO-CHINA STEAM NAVIGATION. COMPANY, LIMITED.
FROM CALCUTTA, PENANG AND SINGAPORE,
HE Company's Steamship
THI
"KUMSANG":
having arrived from the above Ports, Consignees 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 P.M., the 6th inst., will be landed at Consignees' risk and expenis. No Fire lasumaca will be effected. Bills of Lading will be countersigned by
JARDINE, MATHESON & Co., ED.,
General Managers. Hongkong, 3rd. December. row.
....
BAZAAR
IN AID OF THE
FOOR CHINÉSE ORPHANS
OF THE
.*
ASILE DE LA SAINTE ENFANCE, under the Distinguished Patronage of Their Excellencies
Sir FREDERICE LUGARD, KC M C., C.B., D.SO, an Lady LUGARD,
country possess a strong fascination for the Mining conditions and prospects in any
speculator, and in few more than in China which is known' to abound in, vast fields of un- exploited mineral land. The mineral wealth of thir-empire in perhaps almost-incalculable, for French Sisters have the honour to announce that their ANNUAL BAZAAR the resoucer of the country, through the will be held at the City Hall on WEDNES combined agencies of ignorances and pre- DAY, the ith inst, at a 'clock in the judice, still remain a sealed 'book, and” an
afternoon. estimation of the passibilities of the provin
nature if the resolution to be put bafore the this Government has been able to give you of cial hinterlands is based solely on the rare buz 10*pect the different Needla and Fancy Warks
the closing of the Office, the Governor decided At this meeting a private telegram was contuf regn the additional sum that might pro fidenially submitted to the Council, It appeared to warrant the conclusion that-the-perly have been regaired of your Chamber, and China Association in London was of opinion is to meet as far as possible your desire to that Tientsin should put up the guarantee
keep open the office for one more year, required by the Hongkon, Government and so SOUTHCOTT, secure the continuation of the postal agency in Chairman. -' | the part, and then continue the agitation at
Home to be relieved of the burden.
Sept. 11, 07. 3-The Gov.ingr of Hodgkong replied on
the following day, September 13, 1902, as fol
The Councils also discussed the expeiliency of asking the Chamber of Commerce to join Town:
Pthe guaraniots, and thus, secure the help of Chamber Commerce, Tienisin.-Your tele-business men residing in the other Conces gram (received?), Estimated d-ficit working Post Office twelve months from October $1,500. Your Chamber willing reimburse half yearly instalment this Government will conseriti cep office open twelve months, otherwise regret close twentieth October.
GOVERNOR,
sions, but it was finally decided not to do so. The resolution to be-submitted to the land- renters was drafted and approved. (See below) It is to be noted that both Councils and Chamber were still under the impression that all that was asked of thegi was to meet half of the total deficit of 57,5:0,
Sept. 12, 07. Concomitantly with the above the local and unanimously passed the following resolu
ghe landrenters, mel on September 26 Branch of the Chins Association, in reply to "In view of the fact that the Junior represectations made by wire to the Hongkong Council has expressed its willingness to com- branch, received a telegram which, by its ex-mend to the ratepayers of the B.M.E. that they plicit terms, confirmed the conclusion that the should participate in the require guaranice, Government's offer was that if Tientsin would this meeting of landrenters authorises the find one half of the total deficit of $7,500, Council to provide the guarantee required by zamely $1,750, the Government would be willing to carry on for one your more. This the Hongkong Government to continue the
British Postal Agency in Tientsin for
year after September 30, 1997,"
conclusion was the basis of the next action In Tientsin, but as will be sten subsequently by the letter from the Colonial Secretary on Sept., 21, 100%, received here on October 2nd, the conclusion was wheng.
|
4. I am to ask that your decision for may be communicated to me as soon the matter of paying the contribution asked |
'ns possible as the Imperial Post Office must be informed of the final settlement of the question before the 1st of October, am, etc.,
The Secretary,
F. P. MAY,
Colonial Secretary,
Chamber of Commerce, Tien sin..
merce communicated the above telegram and 13-The Secretary of the Cha ber of Com letter carly an October 2 to the Councilss special meetings of both Councils were at once called for the same evening.
The whole schl:ct was discussed anew in decision was reached: the light of the above letter and the following
A com-
They request your presence in order to
made by their Poor Orphans,
Asile de la Sainte Enfance,
Hongkong, 3rd December, 1967, - (1053 appliances. requisite even for preliminary survey and experimental tests of any mining area, a period of two months in which to en-
CO., LD.
OFF
THEIR ENTIRE
STOCK OF
HIGH-CLASS
PIANOS
25% Discount
For CASH.
To make room for New
Fenson's Models.
Hongkong, 5th November, 1907,
HIGH
I GRADE
HAVANA
to
CICARS.
EXCELLENT SMOKES,
$4.toper too in boxe!
4.56
valuable experiments which have directly and indirectly been possible. The greatest interest has therefore attached to the publication by the Chinese Government of the conditions under which this imperfect knowledege may be ex intended, and when in 1994 the regulations issued
practical work, hopes were raised that the coving the tardy permission for this work, is were found to offer little encouragement for
'i nga 'engineere and start operations after re- protests of the lowers would result in more to itself a prohibitory reduction of the formerly generous privileges being accorded by the conceded six months' grace. It would in the amended and permanent opes.
Arst instance necessitate the engagement be parison of the preliminary regulations of forehand of mining experts on the bare chance three years ago with these which we have just of a prospecting permit being granted, should published as the full blown effort of local services not be available or justly ap Chang Chil-tung, approved by the Throne and praised, and retaining fees, and expenses for development in China, will we fear only con- overcome the period of one year, only, or by issued as the future conditions of mining an indefinite period. This difficulty being firm the impression that, in spite of her as special sanction's possible eighteen months etions to the contrary, China does not intend is allowed for the conclusion of all prelimin. that her mineral lands shall be developed at ary work and the formation of definite plans all, and least of all by aliens from the West. for its continuance. The issue of prospectuses, In general principle the new regulations are raising of the requisite capital, the importation identical with the provisional ones, only the of the necessary plant are all apparently it. following proposal to the Incal Chamber of lemon have, so to speak, become the suggestive of a capacity for hustle nel La Chaoza....
The Secretary was instructed to make the principle is corried firther. The whips of cluded in this time and the regulation is Commerce: The Councils of the Brish Con- scarpions of Rehoboam in the hands of the usually associated with mining enterprises ession, and British Municipal Extension should venerable Viceroy and the Board of Commerce, is allowed for the drafting and deposit with each pay one fourth (1) of the esti rated deficis
of an extensive nature. Sixty days only Gran Valor and Ichabod has been written in flaming letters the authorities of plans in triplicate, which of $7,500 and the balance to be found by the across the portal of investors' expectations. are to include not only geological diagrams, Espagnola Chamber of Commerce."
The new regulations are more than three but explicit information in regard to under- This decision was coinmunicated to the times as numerous as the provisional ones, grund details and possible developments Marca Roja ̃........... that Body at once began a canvas by circular scope for an intelligent judgment og the works: not to mention buildings and work Chamber of Commerce the next morning, and bed go into details which leave little or no which in the natural course of things could
hardly be encompassed in the preliminary Honey Suckle
required, $3,750, by voluntary subscription. of its members to see if it could raise the moiety
part of any official, or allowance for any shops which would be equally non-existent at El Om ... special_condition. Everything appears to the time, 14. On October tz the secretary of the
have been thought of which experience or a
The possibilities for interference with any Asta.... Chamber communicated - to the Council to vivid imagination can associate with interested, outlined in Art. 40, of the prin mining enterprise, in which foreigners are The Chamber did so in the following tele-that it could only raise the sum of $1,125 possible friction between Chinese and foreign cipal regulation, are sufficiently forcible,
Brévas Governor, Hongkong.
by subscription among the Members. The er, and a possible advantage being gained quite spuit from all miner · considera-
Flor Fina the British Postal Agency in Tientsin be closed While no definite discrimination is made be-alleged loss through mismanagement if it Royales secretary said "In view of the fact that should by the mining promoter of any in-tionality, long to render the conditions valvelers it would be very difficult ask the Councils 10. Aween natives and foreigners in regard 1p the suited the interests of a Chinese rival or op
for foreign capitalists, as in China a case of
reconsider their decision with a view to guaran,haring of profits, the privileges accorded are teeing the deficif."
ponent to create one, might be fareseen sean Companeron 79 4,00 se hedged round with restrictions as virtually everyday probability and the appareat liberal.
Chinese mind, accus pined to a metaphysical prise as much as they like possesses a pacon- to nullify every concession yielded. To they of the clause these points are under Hours......
stood foreigners may engage in mining inter- verbosity, the stipulations embodied in the seious humour. The incidental expenses and hundred and forty-seven regulations will pro ftabilities provided the mining promoter are My telegram fril'lelegraph immediate reply,bably act only as a stimulant: to ingenious if totalled up fairly costly and comprehensive,
GOVERNOR.
the fees chargeable on the observance of the cucumvention, for pone know better than the annual formalities in regard to Oct. 12, 07.
plans, ceni. The secretary of the Chamber also stated Chinese how to evade the responsibilities of cases and the like representing in themselves
an appreciable item when allowance the law without openly setting it at defiance, that he had wired a reply as follows:-
In the sew regulations the idea of foreign curacies" has been made ance for “inc Governor, Hongkong,
to have been reply until Tuesday,
Matter having immediate attention. Cannot capital being utilized-appears
more seriously contemplated then formerly and the reference to foreigners is more fréquent and specific, the conditions of their participation 15-On Monday, October 14, the Seniorbiing such as almost inevitably to afford Council again met and reviewed the whole Chinese an oppʻrtuolity for dispensing with position once more. It was fully recognised them whenever it might be found convenleat, that an anoual subsidy "of the nature or printable to do so, and laying the burden
to-The Secretary of the Councils the same local Chamber of Commerce, and asked it to day communicated the above resolution to the
wire Blongkong at once; that the required guarantee had been found."
4-On September 14, 1997; bath of the British Councils met for the special purpose of discussing the situation and the above telegram the next day :- grams which had been submitted to them by -the Chamber of Commerce.--
The Councils decision, as already sublished in the press reports of their proceedings, was as follows:-Ta instiute a search inquiry, if such were possible, as to the cost of the Jocal Post Office administratiin: to d nothing in the matter of contributing to the guarantee until they, were assured that all other measures for waving the Office had failed,
It should also be noted that at this Council "meeting it was, stated that the China Associa- tlon bad-wired the matter home to the parent Association in London, urging it to take the question up; it was also suggested that as Liverpool and Manchester.did a large business with Ticatsin, and therefore benefited greatly by the penny.post, their Chamber of Commerce should be asked to move in the matter.
As per your telegram twelfth September Tientsin British Municipal Council fully appre: ciating your considerate offer have guaranteed in provide estimated 3,750 dollars half amount deficit to secure continuance of British Post Office here for one year as from thirtieth Sep tember 1907 the guarantee will be paid over whenever demanded.
SOUTHCOTT,
Chairman, Chamber of Commerce.
Sept. 27, 07. 11-On September 27, the following letter was received from Major Nathan:——
Tientsin, China,- 27th September, 1927 Sir÷I þave noticed in the report, of the meeting of laud renters held on the 16th Sept- omber that it has been decided that half of the loss on the running of the British Post Office in Ticotain shall be met by an increase of tax Under these circumstances it appears likely that the land renters may desire to have a greater voice in the running of the Post Office that at present, and it may therefore be desir able, owing to the inconvenience of having Post Office on private premises, that the post tion heretofore o cupied by the Mining Com pray a'ould be taken up by a public body in Tientsin, which would, I assume, bo the jhalish Municipal Councing
This last feature of the situation was all the more I'mportant as the Councils had grounds for believing that the frooming mails were from four to five times heavier than the outgoing, and | ation in the Seulement therefore that the Home people concerned with Tientsin derived four or five times the advan tage of the cheap postiga bus stemed but Lalethal St. Martins le Grand should be asked bear the greater po slan of the deficit which It was believed was wholly due to high cost of the sea transit of the mails from Hongkong to
The Coun Gi69.on this occasion asked the mber of Commerce to ascertain the dalo po which definite reply must be
shall therefore, be glad to know the epi alow of the Council in the matter, and if it is
inspection a copy of the following telegram Two days later be forwarded for the Coun is received from Hongkong
SOUTHCOTT, Tientsin.
13 Oct, 07.
S UTHCOTT.
of that indicated in the Colonial Secretary's lete 181.15 mod spons billiy almost entirely on tor was out of the question; but, on the other hejs shoulders. The tiì e limits for prospect hand; it might be worth a special effort on this log and commencing work in such cases where occasion to quaranten the deficit for one year, permission to exploit is granted, are in almost as during that year they might make strenuous all instances shortened in the new condo efforts to secure abe permanency of the office the extension of one year on preliminary work without any subsidy. It was recognized that, granted in the old regulations being reduced to if the office sera once clajed, the charces of possible but by no means certain dix months getting permanently established were much in the new. When yo
the delay, smaller than they would be, if it were now kept expense, open while the question was being apitaled at ably atte Home,
foveri
5.00
CONNOISSEUR'S SMOKE
TEOFANI'S
2,50
5 per box of 100.
||! Tha ̈Articles of the regulations which, will however most vitally interest foreigners in Chins, are those which relate to mining co- HIGH-CLASS CIGARETTES. terprise already in existence. - It is clearly stated that all mining concerns cow in oper Allon come u-der the regulati na to 6, cruzes will form the subject of immediato di Zenidjek _and_ra_may_confidently anticipate that these, plomatic negotiation and quite possibly the foundation for considerable friction. Taken in Surfine supplementary, are calculated to place a real London Life their entirely the régulatiɓat principal and and permanent check on mining develop. ment in Clins, the tendency of their opera tinh being to limit the freedom under the resources of the country hidebound by official supervision and interference Eren H. PRICE & Co. Ltd:: Chinese, however advantageously placed by native resourcefulness will carcely be on WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS couraged to launch out into extensive specu stion under conditions (which limit their chanres of profit to Individual oficial Integrity, and your premit
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