1908-04-25 — Page 11

New Dook Tug.

THE "DAVID GILLIES" MAIDEN RUN

FIREPLOAT AND SALVAGE STEAM ER

COMBINED.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY APRIL 25 1908.

River Catastrophe.

SCORES OF JUNKS DESTROYED.

LARGE, LOSS OF LIFE.

We take from the columas of the NoriA China Daily News,the following particulars of the disaster of the an river, reported in aprcial.telegram of 14th just.;-

was a fire and turbed from the house when the whole strept Instantly disappeared". They saw nobody, and do not know what supernatural

Strike at Danton.

intervention thaic deliverance was due. The LAUNCH OWNERS! DISSATISFACTION. cative reporter wonders if it was a god or a deyil.

The papers are full of notes like these-At the Lung Wang Mino à large Srecbuen junk was ready to start with over thirty people o board when she was sunk and the whole of them drowned. At the Ta Matou there were fifly rice boats and all-went-under, of their crews only thirteen men escaped.. A mandarin boat, with the mandarin and his family on board, was carried into the middle of the Yang tre where the waves tan mountains high and nothing has been seen of mandarin orboat since. Five great"

givap for the owners to come and claim them-po ose bas turned up. At Yang. chiaho there were eleven bosts loaded with bricks, and with about seventy people on board-

ABOUT A HUNDRED UNKS TIED UP,

ma

[From Our Own Correspondent.}

Canton, 17th April, 1908, This morning all the Chinese-towing Isun ches went on strike. The reason given by the launch-owners

is, their dissatisfaction with the manner in which the survey of the launches by the Chinese authorities in carried out In coafuence of the launch strike harbour. When they will resume busidea crooot be noticipated at present,

CANTON HANKOW RAILWAY.

RESIGNATION OF CHIEF ENGINEER

(From Our Own Correspondent.]"

make the new tug prominent among the large sleep as the roofs of bouses, this rainfall is in and soliceJunks have been recovered intact about our hundred junks are lying idle in the meeting hail from the 1st day of the 4th moon

aoth just. For the first time yesterday forenoon, the naw tag built for and by the Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Co., Ld, was seen 'speeding across the barbour on her maiden ruo. Her high bow, win black funnels, and low stern gave her all the conspicuous outlines which and varied aggregation of shipping in the barbour of Hongkong. A long trail of heavy black smoke, which was prevented from ascending high into the clouds by the density of the atmosphere hanging over the barbour yesterday, drew attention to the beautiful craft which is yet another testimony to the shipbuilding capabilities of the Colony which is steadily and surely making for itself a name among the industrial centres of the world, In the same way as Hongkong-standa pre eminently in the manufacturing rank with its largest sugar refinarios, cement factories, and rape works, so also will it, in course of time, attain to that position of distinction in the shipbuilding trade when it stands Do longer penalised for its taw material whas her next door neighbour-or even the hister. land of the island-is capable of yielding its coni, iron ore and finished steel plates wherewith the future steamships treading the Far Eastern seas will be shaped into being at the yards at Hunghom,

The saw tug took a little over eleven months in building. Her construction was commenced on the 7th May last year. Og the 30th January (wife of the Honourable Mr. Henry Keswick) last she was christened by Mrs. Heary Keswick the David Gilles. The new.tug replaces the Robert Cooke, her predecessor, which was wrecked on the faracels about two years ago. Unlike the Robert Cooke, which was only a powerful tog, the subject of our notice was designed and has been fitted to per form the functions of a tug fire extinguisher and salvage steamer combined, The Darid Gillies in built of steel, and is supplied

set of triple expansion engines, with a and has twin-screws. Her dimensions ute: length betweco perpendiculare 150 ft.; breadth, moulded, 27 ft.; and depth, moulded, 14 ft. 6 in. "Her mean draft is 10.ft. 9 in. Her engines are of the invested, vertical, triple ex- pansion, surface condensing type; the diame sers of cylinders are 13", aa",and 35", and length afstroke 30"

The two boilers are cylindrical retura tubul r and are built of mild steel, their: diartieler being 15' 6" and length to 6". Their working pressure is 180 lbs. to' the inch. As will be seen from the foregoing brief specifica- tions the machinery contained in the hull of the David Gillies is more than ordinarily powerful for a vesigl of her size; but, as stated on the occasion of her successful launching, her builders have anticipated the advent of the larger ocean freighters and passenger carrier which are sure to make Hongkong a terminal port when the Pacific trade shall have attained the proportions which its development in the not distant future now. promises: Of great power, the tug is capable of steaming at the rate of twelve knot an hour. A special feature of the David Gillies is the powerful salving pamps with several of which she is provided The largest of these is a twelve-inch centrifugal pump by Drysdale. The pumping capacity is estimated at 3,750 gallons per minute, equivalent to 1,000 taus per hour. For supply ing divers with air when working under water there is on board a pump. of Siebe, Gorham & Cola make, driven by steam and able, to supply air two drivers at the same time. The electric installation is capable of estab lishing connection with lamps for divers when ever required. Pneumatic tools will supersede hand labour for the boring of holes, rock-blast jog in salvage operations or for rivetting plates and for the efficient working of that special class of tools there is a set of air compressors on board,

On the night of the 6th instant the boating population of Hankow met with a disaster the like of which has not occurred since the tele- graph became an institution lo China. At this season of the year, the mountains North- West of Hupeh is subject to widespread and heavy rains and, as the mountain sides are as mediately discharged into the Hab river, caus. 10g great and sudden freshers. These, hitherto, have been telegraphed from Siangyang, tour hundred miles away, and the officials on receipt of the news would immediately-send out men with gongs to warn all boats to clear out, or to take precautions,

-no trace remains of alther men or boate. At Chichiatsui there wers three boats with fiftego bundred picula of rice-carge, crews and boats all lost. A fleet of boats laden with cash in- tended for the purchase of tea up country put thing remains of them. The value of the coin into the Han that night fearing a storm-no- on board was upwards of Tis. 200,000. A merchant of the "name of Shen had goods on the river to the value of Tis. 150,000 and has last it all. And an on through a long list,,

THE FATAL ERROR.

AS " TIBA KONG" DISABLED.

WUCHOW-NANNING COMMUNICATION

INTERRUPTED.

143

CANTON SHIPPING C

PROPOSAL TO BUILD FOUR STEAMER

From Our Own Correspondent] MARANG PRE-Canton, 16th April, 1908. Yesterday at a meeting held in the offices of the proposed Caston Shipping Company eight members were selected to take charge, in turn,, of the Guances of the Company, Mr. Yo Wan Mee suggested that the Company should, as a tria), ran a few seamers on the West River, At the meeting it was unanimously, decided to build, four steamers, of which two will run bate ween Hongkong and Wuchow and the others between Canton and Wachow.RA

O. S. COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

ARRIVAL AT HONGKONG,

20th instinta Admiral Hemphill, U. S. Commander-in- Chicl of the Philippian Squadron, on board the cruiser Rainbow arrived early yesterday. With the Tatbes there have arrived the U. §. gupboats Concord, Helena, Wilmington Samar.

:

* Canton, 17th April, 1908. As a meeting of shareholders of the Canton aukow Railway Company has been arranged to take place on the rib day of the 5th moon" for the purpose of discussing matters in con- nection with the proposed establishment of a Railway Bank, the payment of interest to shareholders, and the construction of branch lines by "the Company, the Company will issue ticke's to applicants for admission to the o the 30th of the same month, after whleb data, no tickets will be issued, It will bo remembered that there has always been dis- turbance at the meetings of shareholders of the Company during the past two years. Now, under the good management of Bir Chuo Tung Liang, Cheng, who is at present president of the Company, the working of the Company found to have been carried on smoothly so far, risen twenty feat in three days and is still.

We are informed that the West River basad the bid foeing of one party of shareholders against the other has also diminished, so the rising, Communication between Wachow and forthcoming meeting is expected to pass off Nagning has been seriously interrupted, owing with every success.

Great progress has been made on the con to the stoppage of the s.s: Tien Kong, the only steamer trading between Wuchow and Nan-struction of the Canton-Hankow Railway and bing, where she is laying disabled at present. if it continues so, the whole line from Canton Mr. T. D. Moorhead, the newly-appointed to Hankow may be expected to be completed commissioner of Customs for Nanning, waited within a period under present satimate. To the exceptional ability and untiring energy of fat, Wuchow a week and had ultimately to

the Chief Engineer is this expedition entirely engage a native boat to procead to his port.

due. It is, thereipre, with great regret that learnt that Taptai Kwong, engineer in chief, is destrous of relinquishing his position and basing it with er guns. yesterday, tendered his resignation. On receipt of Kwong's letter, the directors of the Company at once sent hire a reply stating that his valuable services at present are urgently needed in the construction of the road, and that they, are not, in a position to accept his resignation. In the reply the directors earnCRI ty requested him to remain in his post and also assured him, that his services were not anly appreciated by the board of directors bat by all the shareholders of the Company,

On the evening of April 6 the gongs went round announcing that freshet six feet high was on its way down, but no ona paid much attention. They considered a six-foot freshet was not of much consequence, and, further, that, as ussal, it would not arrive for four and twenty hours Unfortunately the telegram Had been delayed a day in transmission, and

It is now stated that the original telegram, had also got altered from sixteen feet to six. The result was that, when the freshet, travelling whose error and delay was the cause of the at railway speed, put an appearance the same.

disaster, should have reported a freshet midnight no one was prepared. It was a pitch twenty-six feet at Siang-yang, instead of six feet. When it reached Hankow it still Showed dark night, and everyone was asleep, when sud-

a head of six feet. The delay was due, it is denly the thousands of boats in the Han giver were torn from their anchors and fastenings said, to a certain functionary being out when the telegram was delivared, so it was put aside and hurled together, to one confused-mass-on the breast of a raging torrent. Deep-laden unopened. Following that the gong men did boats were crushed under and sunk in a mo not go out to give the warning when they got ment, others were pounded to pieces, while their instructions, Thus the story now runs. of day, a scene of destruction such as can hard-six feet freshet instead of twenty-six; then the some caught fire and lit up, with the brightness that the telegraph clerk inadvertently wired a ly be imagined or described. The people on telegram was not attended to when it came to shore were powerless to render any assistance hand, and finally the gang men dawdled. It is but stood looking on while the cries of the comforting in bow that these men-the gong men to wit-have been dismissed. The whole perishing "rent the heavens and were very.

is a good sample of the slack way in which painful to hear,", as the reporter of the native

things are managed in China, newspaper put it.

The bulk of the boats, which contrived to keep afloat, wore swept out into the Yangtze where a fresh trouble awaited them. A strong north cast gale had sprung up, raising huge waves which only the life-boats could face. These saved many, but many were drowned on their sinking boats who, but for the wind, could have been taken off easily. Three huge Szechuan junks, all ablare, drifted in on the hulks, and steamers moored off the British Buod, and for a time the hulks of Messts, Geddes & Co., and Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., were in considerable danger. The al- arm was given and the Fire Brigade Lurned out, just as daylight was coming in, and, thanks to'good management or good luck-some give- credit to the one and some to the other po harm was done beyond the burning of a cargo-boat.

The amount of loss will never be known. The native papers say that one small steamer and seven hundred big boats with innumerable sampans were destroyed. Same two thousand people perished including women and children, lor many of these boatmen bad their families on board as well as the crews. The money- value of the damage done they put down at upwards of Tis, 1,000,000 This estimate can- not be greatly exaggerated, for, along the eight hundred yards of the British Bund alone, thirty wrecks can be counted, many of them junks of the largest size. Their crews are nearly all gone to the Dragon King's palace the pative paper says, or, in other words, drowned.

Had this happened in any other country the news would have rung all round the world,. but here it will hardly be mentioned beyond the next parish. The ever patient toiling native will take it as the will of Heaven, and quietly set to work to raise again his fallen fortunes without the slightest bit of clamour. One cannot readily forgive, however, the hope lessly incompetent and careless officialdom of China which allowed this thing to happen when all could easily have been made sale, as has often been done before.

A WHIRLPOOL OF WRECKAGE.

Not the least important and certainly the most valuable as far as the large shipping in

According to information received yesterday terests of the port are concerned is the equip

in Shanghai upwards of seven hundred junka mant for extinguishing fires on board ships.

were moored at the mouth of the Han River in harbour which has been fitted up on the

and the banks of the river were lined with the David Gillies, The fire-engine is from the

tents and sheds of Chinese beggars, who had well-known firm of makers-Merryweather &

taken advantage of the low winter tides to Son. It is capable of coping with a volume of

establish their habitation there. These were 750 gallons of water per minute, throwing up a

ali swept away by the osrushing wave and the ~.-continuous stream 125 ft high. With such pres: loss of life is estimated to be at least 2,000. sure the David Gillies should render javaluable as the force of the bore that the

tung in Late ui einargency, on suy outbreak

junks moored in the month of the Han bank of the Yangtze which is at this paint almost a mile in width-and wrecked on the apposite share. So strong was the freshet that it converted the anual downward course of the Yangtze river into an upward current and for Iwo days the centre of the river had the appear ance of a boiling and bubbling whirlpoo! junks were whirled until they finally came to Around the circumference of which disabled total destruction by being sucked underneath

It has been raining incessantly for the last week. The rains are very widespread and the Yangize is rising rapidly. The people predict a dreadful flood this year, as sixty years ago in the year Wu-shen there was such as flood that the tops of the houses in Hankow could hard- ly be seen. This is Wu-shen' year again and everybody knows that it is only the designation of the year, but the events as well that repeat in China.

FOOTBALL. SHIKED.

'HONGKONG'S VICTORY."

zoth inat:

IHN YANGTSZE WHARF AND GODOWN CO., LD.

Annual MEETING.

The seventh annual general meeting of the shareholders in the above Campany was held at Shanghai on the 15th inst. In the absence of Mr. Charles E. Rayner, Mr. B. Rosenbaum presided. There were also present Mestri, K. dorp (director), E. Goetz, F. R. Rogers, C. Hoffmann (Secretary), H. O. White, R. Mac- gregor, J. Stampff, H. Strover, and I. C. Michael. Total shares represented 1,555.

on

|

During the past few weeks the rain has caused sonic damage to the road of the newly- opened section from Sua Kai to Sam Wah Tim had it now stands in need of immediate repairs. White this section is under repair, there will be no train running on it for three days.

HUNGKUNG BANK ROBBED,

PEON ADICONDS WITH RS. 2,000.

The American admiral paid an official visit to Vice Admiral Lambiou on board bis flag" ship yesterday,

At 8 o'clock this morning, the Rainbow. saluted the port, the compliment being retorn." fired a salute of is guns to Vice Admiral ed by the Kowloon shore battery. They then Lambton; the King Alfred-responded. Subse quently a complimentary salute boomed forth for the Commodore-H. M. S. Tamar retura-

:

THE YANGISZE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION, LID:

ANKUAL REPORT.

We have received from Messrs. Shawan, Tomes & Co., local agents, the annual report for presentation, to the eighteenth ordinary gencial meeting of shareholders, to be held at the offices of the Association, No. 26, The Bund, Shanghai, on Tuesday, April 28th, 1908, at 4.30 o'clock p.m. precisely.

The board of directors have now the pleasure In submit to the shareholders the annual report and audited statement of accounts and balance thest to December 31, 1907. **

Working account 1906 and former years. This account shows a credit balance of $128,- 802.74 against 5237,956.37 on December 31,1900. the directors recommend the payment of A dividend of 20 per cent out of this account on the original 8,000 shares (shares Nosto 8,000), which will-absorb $90,000 and to place the sum of $5,000 to the credit of a building reserve fund, leaving a balance of $37,802,74 to be carried forward.

Working Account, 1907.-The mat premia earned during 1907, after deducting retara premia, r/insurance premia, etc, amount to $920,085.14 against $845,154,13, during,, 1906, and the account shows a balance at credit of 5563.961.14.

The directors recommend the payment of a special dividend of 5 per cent$3 per share, to be paid out of interest earned, on the original 8,000 shares (bates Nos, 1 to 8,0 0), which will absorb $24,000, and to carry forward- the balance of $53951.14

The dividends will be paid in tauls at ex- change 73-515 per share at exchange 75 Tis, 10.95 per share,et a

The Secretary having read the dotice cob. vening the meeting, the chairman said: Gentle men-The General Agents' report and state- ment of accounts for the past year bave been in your hands for some time and with your permission I will take same as read. The ba- lance standing at credit of our working account, uniortunately, reflects the general depression which the trade of Shanghai passed through last year and is less than our balance in 19.6 The Manager of the Bombay branch of the by almost exactly the amount placed by us to Hongkong and Shangbai Bank has reported to reserve at our last general meeting. Fortunate-

the police that Rs. 2,000 bave disappeared ly, we have from the preceding prosperous from the bank; On the 19h a paon of the years already accumulated a reserve of Tis, bank was given R1, 2,0os in currency notes, with instructions to take them to the register. After'a very keen game with the Bedford's,50,000, equal to 20 per cent paid-up capital. :-

Your Directors recommend you to begin this❘ing clerk for registration, as they were to be the Hoogkong Football Club.emerged from

sent to a client op country. Next day the the Shield competition with honours on Satur. year to write down the book value of your build- ings, fighters, pontoons and stem-launches,

peon absented himself and has not since been day afternoon. Owing to the indifferent coa-

thus strengthening your financial position in heard of. A week later, the bank authorities dition of the weather the attendance was not

another direction, which' you are able to do received a 'communication from the person to o large as was aoticpated. Nevertheless, sup

while maintaining your dividend at the cus

whom the notes should have been sent, stating porters appeared in strong numbers, and cach

tomary figure and also carrying forward nearly that he had not received them, and on inquiry, team was accorded a warm welcome on entering the same amount as in 19:6,, I may say in the field. The ground was rather heavy owing

they ascertained that the notes were not this connexion that while we are writing off

delivered to the registration clerk. The police to the recent downfall. The home team won

otr buildings the fact is that they actually succeeded in tracing one of the stolen notes the toss, and the sailormen proceeded to attack,

Rs. 100 to a goldsmith, from whom the Enthusiasm ran high throughout the game and stand to book much below replacement cost. at half-time the score stood at two all. At this Shed E has in the course of the year beenaltered absconded peon purchased a pair of silver to a permanent godown with floor weli, above anklets. The numbern of sixteen of the miss- stage, soon after the re-start, Hongkong ex

highest flood level, and is now classed as a

ing notes, for Rs. 100 each, are known. The bibited some pretty play; the dribbling and first-class risk by the Fire Insurance Associa remainder of the uples arp each of small valus. passing were excellent. The sailors' combina tion fell off somewhat in the second half, but tion this accounts for the addition of Tis. they managed to give the club some trying 16,670 to the book value of buildings, etc., All times when at close range. The Club warded buildings, pontoons and lighters have, as usual, been kept in first-class repair and the cesi

THE REORGANIZATION SCHEME. off every attack, and, at the eleventh hour, so to speak, netted their second and last goal amid charged to working account,

Recently the question of the reorganizition loud cheers. At the finish the score was 2-1. As regards our Yangtzepoo properties I have The winning team then assembled in front to disclose to you su important change in the of the crowded pavilion where the present-policy followed by your,irectors insomuch as of the Chinese Navy was again discussed by ation of the shield and medals was made by we have decided to liquidate our holdings and the Ministry of War. It was stated that the Mrs. G. C. C. Master.. Mr. Adcolt, the captain have disposed of same at a fair profit which will sum of Tis. 10,000.com should be jointly pro- of the Club Leam, in returning thanks to Mrs. pass to the credit of the current year and be vided by the Ministries of War and of Finance for the purpose of purchasing battleships shown in your next year's report. 1 wish to Master, said:-On behalf of the members of

Exchange and lovestment Fluctuation Ac... the Hongkong Pootball Club I thank you very say, however, that the purchaser of Lot No. : from foreign countries and establishing naval

has the right to withdraw from bis bargain bases, and that the annual expenses for upcount This account has been increased by sincerely, Mrs. Master, for coming down and

on forfeiting the sum of Tis, a5 co and paying keep should be equally defrayed by the pre- $83,169.50 and now amounts to $85,157 77 presenting the medals and Shield to us this afternoon. The Glub has a fine team, and 1 che year's interest on the entire purchase vincial governments. It is reported that the believe it is the best team that we have had for price, although it is improbable-in view of its new Navy will be divided into three sections, many years. There has been keen rivalry for being an advantageous bargain to him for his viz., the Peiyang, Nanyang, and Yuehyang purposes that he will avail himself of this (Canton) Fleets. Each feet will be com the Shiel, but I think that amongst the many

fight. Circumstances had arisen which satis posed of ons large battleship, fifteen large and players the utmost good feeling has existed. 1 relieve that the final of the Crystal Palace fied your Directors that it was wise to sell these smaller cruisers, a number of torpedo-boats, contest has been played to-day, or will be two properties and trust you will take my dispatch-boats, gunbosts and/submarines and word for it that this step has not been lightly will be commanded by an admiral. Yoling- played next Saturday, and a great deal of enthusiasm will be displayed on that occasion, entered upon. The last instalment of the pur-kong, in Kwangtong, and Sanmun Bay will be but I dare say quite as much enthusiasm has chase money is due to be paid to us in February the bases for the Tuchyang Fleet; Chusan and nest and anticipating the conclusion of the Nimrod Sound for the Naoyang Fleet, and. been shown in this match to-day. We have won the Shield after a very keen contest, and payments we shall have a further good cast Chefoo and Taku for the Peiyang Fleet An have elapsed since the Club lust won the

itable employment.

tions have been drawn up by the Department for the Compilation of Constitutional Laws, shield, and hope that another tee years walk

RXTINGUISHING STREET LAMPS. not elapse before we get

CHINA'S NEW NAVY,

Capital-As authorized by the shareholders; 4,000 new shares were issued on December last and were applied for and allotted sta premium of $40, per share. The subscribed capital now amounts 10: $1,200,000, and tha", paid up capital to $720,000,

Reserve Lund-This fund having been cre ited with $10,000, being part of the premium on this isine of now shares, DON SIGounts; to

$1,000,000, and the directors do not at prosent consider it necessary to add any further sum to this fund

terling exchange has been taken at 2/5 5/16 (the demand rats on December 31,- 1907), and the relative value between dollars and taois at

73.

lovesimais. The value on December 31 last has been taken for all the Association's investments.

of fire in any of the larger godowns on the waterste swept across the river to the opposite it is a matter för congratulation since ten years reserve for which we shall certainly ond pro. | Admiralty will be established £fter naval regula Kad in accordance with the Articles of As

front whether on the island or at Kowloon. The Dock Co. is to be congratulated on belt addi tion to the appliances for protecting the ship ping against the risks of fire whilst in port, «j

The David Gillies is under the command of Capt. Maler. The new lug has the distinction in that her first requisition for service was made this forenoon when she towed H.M.S. King Alfred, flagship of the British Comman der-in-Chief on this station, into dock for ber usual overhaul,

"POSITIVE PROOF?"

A FOREIGNER AND AN EASTER CAKE.

20th inst

droonk?"

1 was droonk I couldn't have carried the cake I've the cake, haven't 17

the eddy or colliding with the shipping com- panies' halks which are moored off the Bands. More than seven hundred bodies have already. been recovered.

AFTER THE EVENT.-

A FATAL ERROR,

again. thank you very much for your kindness. I ask every. one to give three hearty cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Master. Continuing he said: There is one thing. I would like to do, to refer to the splendid game which the elferde played to-day. They put up a most plucky fight, and I can say that marked by its dogged preservance, and they there was very little difference. Their play was worked hard throughout the whole of the com: petition. It was not thought that they would come out so well but they have shown their mesli. They are true sponsmen and played one of the best matches in the Shield contests, Three cheers and a "tiger" for the Baffords This concluded the ceremony,

The more we learn about the Han river | R. E. JUNIOR, QUADRILLE CLUB. catastrophe of Monday night, writes a corres pondent newly arrived in Shanghai from the

FANCY DRESS BALL.

enjoy by what's good

༄

HIGH JINKS PLAYED BY TWO WELL- KNOWN CITIZENS;

i8th inst. Two well-known members of the European

Directors-Mr. E. B. Skottowe having re-.. signed his nest on the Board owing to his ......... departure from Shanghai, Mr. George Miller was invited to fill the vacant seat, Mr. Miller offers himself for election at the meeting, sociation the other Directors all retire from office, but, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election. A

Auditor-Mr. G. H. Thomson retires, but, being eligible, offers himself for re-election.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

W. B. JACKSON," Secretary,"

Shanghai, April 7, 1908,

The wharf's business for this year, so far, albough not so good as in previous years, hears favourable comparison with that of other wharven of the port and gives us no cause of alam. here is promits of improvement al- ready and April's business in very creditable so fer as this Company is concerned. A certain good feature of our Company is the very steady satisfactis of their interests and in the case of community, who took it ibto their heads' lastXPECTED TOURISTS IN JAPAN: support of our constituents based upon the

certain powerful steamship company by close night to have a good time," ended their sprea

at the Central Police Station af about 12.30 There is at present before a Special Com connection of interests with us in our success. Of their continued support we are well assured. o'clock, this morning. While gallavanting mittes of the House of Representatives are

The staff at the wharf bave attended to their round the city during the earlier part of the presentation relating to accommodation for duties with their customary goal and deserve night an idea struck them, that extinguishing foreign visitors at the time of the great Ex- your thanks. Before moving the adoption of the sheet lamps would he fine sport. This hibition. The Committee held a meeting on the repoft and accounts I shall be pleased, to they proceeded to do with their sticks, and the 17th ult. when Mr. Wada, Chief of the soon three gay lamps along the Upper Business Bureau of the Exhibition, gave sompa answer any questions which shareholders may wish to put.

bada good-night to their interesting information. He said that the num Mr. Michael said that the second largest surroundings. In attempting "play the ber of tourists visiting Japan averages about asset of the Company appeared in the balance same trick on the fourth lamp, an officer 4,000 annually. This figure might be expected.

yo to increase to 24,000 in the year of the Exhibi sheet as properties Th. 232,238.05." He sprang out of the darkness, and escorted asked of what this property consisted. Mr.merrie gents" to the station. After a charge ion, which would mean that accommodation must be provided for some 2,000 at a time, Michael also pointed out that the system of had been framed against them, and the de paying yearly dividends was somewhat out of linquents had begged that the affair be not. Twelve hundred of these could be accommo date. Almost every British Company paid an mentioned to the newspapermen in case it dated in the ordinary hotels and inus when the interim and final or a half-yearly dividend." He should be reported, dancherknow, they were, plans of the proprietors were carried out, al principle. would like to see the Company adopt this released on Sag bail each. Of course, they did though, at present only ago bedrooms, were not appear at the Police Court, this morning, actually available. This left 800 to be provided when the case was called, and the Magistrate for, and the Exhibition Authorities were giving

forfeited.

Municipality on offered a grant of from 3,000 to 4,000 frida for hotel-building purposes. Mr. Wada considered that in on way or other sufficient sccommodation would be provided--Japan Mail.

The chairman said that it was not the custom

Albert Road

ย

in Germany to pay interim dividends, in fact it (Mr. 1. H. Kemp) ordered the bail-to-be the monitor full considerating, while the Tokyo

was not allowed by law, but as this was EU English Company the matter might be cop- sidered by the Directors.

Shortly after half-pasi eleven o'clock last bight the West Point palice arrested a for- signer in the middle of Queen's Road West on a charge of committing a nuisance. The

scene of disaster, the more appalling does it The last dance of the season held in the foreigner was returning home from a party in a semi-glorious condition, He carried a large appear to have been, reports the N.CHD. News Easter cake, wrapped in a handkerchief, under below Hankow, the river takes a sharp band,

of the 15th inst. Down at Yaugio, sixty 1.E. Theatre on Thursday, April 16th, was a decided success. The Theatre was tastefully his arm; and much of his time. pievious to bind on the North bank there is a backwash decorated and dancing continued from 8 p.m. arrest was spent in dodging the vehicular

lo 3 a.m. The following is a list of costumes where flotsam accumulates. Up to date, no traffic and taking up the whole road. When less than eighteen hundred bodies have been

worn by the "Bappers and their guests: he awoke in a cell. at No. 7 Police Station this

taken out of the water at that one place (Fesce). Mrs. Lethbridge (A Dairymaid) Mr. Mrs. Hayward (Moslem Lady) Mrs, Musso morning his surprise was great.

"What am I here for?" he queried when he The authorities, after being criminally care.

Norton (Erin go bragh) Men, Lightburn (Red was visited by the officer on duty. "For being special attention to the dead. For every body white and blue) Min. Dobbinson Passes Lady

Mrs. Thorpe (Indian Prince) Mr. "No" was the reply, "You are bero for recovered they pay a reward of eight hundred cash, and offer two thousand cash for every one

(Halian peasant) Mrs. Bush (Bridge Problem) committing a nuisince."

Mrs. Blackman (Mercia) Mr. Haskisson.

Mr. Stampff thought it much better to leave "I know that," the prisoner proceeded. rescued alive. The various benevolent halls

(Nurte hospital) Mrs. Oxberry (Kuman Bat) are all bard at work providing coffins, and notices are issued calling on relatives to go

Mrs. Moses(Messenger) Mrs. Wynberg (Sailor) the maller as it was, as an interim dividend uld only mean that people in Shanghai Mrs. Fogg (Shamrock 1) Miss Sheffield (La down and claim the bodies. Of these, how- He seemed greatly relieved to discover that ever, there are few, as the bulk of the drowned Poupee) Mine M. Sheffield (Coon boy) Mies would start gambling in these shares,

The chairman said that he thought it was Qaino (Arabian lady) Miss M. Quina (Veals Do you recollect whate you were arrested-strangers from a distance. Among the Tilley) Miss Goldenberg (Grecian girl) Miss M. sounder business to declare a divideed after dressed and also not a few children. One mast Goldenberg (Folly) Mr. Easter (Union Jack) the report on the yen's work was out With was salved with four children lashed to it and Miss Easter (Spring) Mrs. Walton (Scotch regard to the item of Tis. 232,238,05 for pro one of them, a boy about twelve years old, was fishergirl), Mr. Clecs (Gentlemen, 13th cen-perties, that referred to the two Yangtzepon all alive after being a day in the water. Thirtery) Mr. Jacobs (Territorial soldies) Mr. properties which had been disposed of, but the Teen hundred hout wants have been recovered Robertson (Comhoy) Mr. Goldenberg (Admir profit would come into next year's account.

al Nicotine) Mr. Lethbridge (N.C.O.R.B.) The following resulations were then put and at Yanglo."

Mr. Parkinson (Egyptian) Mr. Thompson carried (Beachcomber) Bir. Tala (Courtier 13th Cen On the night of the 7th instant half a ́atreat tury). Mr. Walsh (Bushranger) Mr. Sheffield on the right bank of the Hao, consisting of (Courtier 15th Contury) Mr, Goldenberg (Eari About a hundred houses, collapsed and disap, Chemerfield) Messrs, Hatcheson and William had all gone to bed as usual, and only noe fader); Mr. Grandy (Convict 4010) Mr. Shuje mily escaped. It was the Chang family who (Rejah of Bhong, Mr. Taylor (Chinamia), M lived near the Ya Hyang Roll-in people in Goodyer (Newmarket Bookie) Mr. Hayward (A. all. In the middle of the night they were sud rising Son) Mr. Torner (Tennis player) 3 7 he was making tracks for the charge« denly awakened by some one knocking, and Jordan (Bestia), Messrs. Heigh and Pitchford a to recover his much còrated cabe 10"bestier "Get.ro quickly "They thought. It 1 (Canteen Managers *** Contributed and

his cake was safe in the hands of the polică.

night?” the officer jocularly inquired. A Sure," answered the foreignar. In a side lane in Des Vœux Road,"

He was, Lold that bis recollection was bad,

that he was picked up in Queen's Road,

* Te that so.!! ha exclaimed. But I was

Samsha?

of dropak 1. **! What word you drinking at the party?" hé was next asked.

Not Josh soul shaadies

Whisky, brandy, port, beer,

dead are many women, some of them wall

ČOLLAPSE OF A STREET, -¦

Proposed by the chairman, seconded by Mr. Oldörp: That the Report and Accounts as pro- sented be approved and passed...

Pal.dropk at Easter /.0! all sorts. Everybou seared in the river in an instant. The people'}(Babes in the Wood) Mr. Loskie (Harry Lan- Gostei That a dividend of '18 per cent equal to

RHAW hailed, batore Mr. J.R.' Wood at the Palca Cour to-day, and after promising most *projmials são, to repeat the offence, be wat die

264 with a caution. The last seen of the

Proposed by Mr. Oldsrp, seconded by Mr. Tla-18 per share be paid for the year 1907.

Proposed by Mr. Macgregor weconded by Mr. Blampff: That Me G. Wailleamier be re- electing andliter, CENTER ME

The chairman said that dividend warrants. would be put but that afternoon,

.:

GOLP

The monthly competition for the Saunders' Farewall Oup was held at Happy Valley, between April 11th and 13th. The following cards were retaimed:

--BAUNDERS' FAREWELL CUP..

H. H. J. Gompertz.........(rec. 14) Five up. C. P. Chater,(rec. 5) Alisquare G. T. Beath.... (Tec. 4) Oso down E. J. Grille 1). Twodaws

18 entries,

POOX

H. C. R. Boucher, R.M....(cc. 5) One up C. P. Chater.rec. 5) All square F. E. Deacon......................{red: T4) All square C. T. Beath free. 4) Dan down E. ), Gristanir.(rec., 3) Twodown, H. H. Tomlinson, R., reo) Twadown

23 entries. * Winner of Cap,

Winasr of Pool,

THE TIME BALL

-NEW-TOWER-ON-BIGNAL-HILL

The Director of the Observatory notifies thút the Time Ballis dropped-dally (Sundays and holidays excepted) at the new toweri situsted op Signal Hill, Kowiona Polat, the approxi- mate position of the tower is as follows pue

· Latitude 22% 37% 52% North/90A Longitude 114, 10 39 East of Gresowich The Ball,, which is painted black, is i to half-mast at 213b, im. that at 128) 37m. Pan

or, p., Biandard Time of the

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