1909-02-05 — Page 15

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH FRIDAY FEBRUARY 5 1900

Canton River Holocaust. DISTURBANCE AI QUARRY BAY.

BURNING OF THE FLOWER-BOATS.

HUNDREDS BURNT, AND DROWNED,

[From Our Own Correspondent.

Canton, 1st February,

oil.

CELESTIAL ANTIFATHIES,

rst inster

LAUNCH OF THE "KITANO SANAAN VEMMARO,

DISASTER NARROWLY AVERTED."

Now that the Chinese New Year bas piss. On the 54th ultimo the launch took place at ed, with the consequent cooling of that Nagasaki of the Kifano-maru, now being bulli ardour for armed robberies which is always at the Mitas Biehl Yard for the Nippon Yasen synonymous with the lower class Chinese Kaisha. Owing to a slight hitch in the launch chinunity at that tim of the year, the Police 9 in the tops are cut and why averted A1.9 a.m. rope was the which invariably crop up on the pan of irre

being treated to other forms of law breaking sinys were removed but the vessel remained fast. While strenuous efforts were being made possible ne'er-do-wells of the coolie class. The bitter estrangement between different

to move the vessel, the T. K. K. steamer Tanye

Great excitement was caused by the fear classes of Chinese, especially those from the mac, which was due at Nagasaki that day, came into sight and slowly steamed up, that she might be struck by the vessel being launched, as the incoming steamer was approaching rapidly and soon came abreast the ways which the Altina mark was to ius down, She bad only just cleared when for about 20 minutes, suddenly began to move and glided down into the water, crossing the track of the Tenyd-mary just two minutes after the latter had passed. The cheers of the spectators were.interparsed with right of relief at the escape from disaster.

THE SHANGHAI-NANKING

RAILWAY.

1H8 OPIUM QUESTION,

DUTCH OFIUM REGIE.

HANDY REFERENCE WOR

pletely burnt" to the water's edge; and in a few place on Saturday oraping, the scene of the the Kitano-maru, which had stuck on tho`slips, opposite is,taking place, for now that'203 miles, The Opium Rezie is a blind adopted by the item there is worth knowing about all those:

chains.

leisure hours.

• ROSENSTOCK'S DIRECTORY. The returns of this railway for the week end-

Is scarcely soome that six months could have ing January 16, 1909, show an excess in earn. The following letter, over, the sigeature of C. | elapsed since the well-handled edition of Rosen- ings and ou bors of passengers carried over J. Wychgel, M.D., appears in the Shanghai stuck's Directory of China and Manila for June ali previous records. When the line was first Mercure of 27th ult, sala December, 1908, came in for use, and som opened, and the more populous and busy ports. Sir-Referring to one of the conclusions we have another volume covering · JaDukry to of the country were connected, such si thang anived at by the Opiam Commission In the June 190g at our sibow. The latest edition is hai and Snochow, and only $14 miles of railway Straits Settlements and published recently, viz. a most comprehensive volume, admirably ar were opened, the earnings per mile per week that the Opium Regie 19. at present in use in | ranged and thoroughly fitted for all the requires were $155,70, and the numbers of the passen Java and in the Dutch Archipelago (where the ments of the business man whose interests be gets 387 on the average. Later on when 159 system of collectlog the revenue can be forced), in China and Manila. We doubt if even the miles were opened, the samings par mila paris to be recommended as a model and at the enterprising Rosenstock can-improra" upon same time as a step in the right direction to what he has, afready done. The gel-up leax, $154.67 and 587 passengers. The history of all opium habit, I wish to point out that the desthai wa wouldn't be without it at any price weak and the number of passengers carried remained about the same, the figures being sbalish and to further the supression of the cellent and the highest praise, we can offer is railways in that, the extension; of railway.com ductions at which the Straits Settlements Oplum The local depot is situated at 19, Queens Road munication, asrailway statistics show lowers the Commission has arrived at regarding the work- Central. number of passengers carried and thelearninga lng and benefits derived from the Dutch Opiùm per mile, because populous cities are not found. Regie are totally beride, the mark=according throughout the length, but on this railway the to my opinion, - Sto or the whole line, has been opened, the week eading.January 16, 1909, has eclipsed all pre- vious records and the number of passengers carried during that week has amounted to 79,089, earning $34,288, or an average of 390 passengers

a mile, and $168.68. These figures are better than any railway of the same length can adduce anywhere in the East, and distinctly show that the future of railways in Chion, provided due attention is paid to the comfort of passengers and to the civility of the railway servants, is more then assured. On this railway civility to the public and the prevention of the loss of "face" to Chinese passengers by Chinese clerks and ticket collectors dominearing over them hại baon insisted upon, and nothing has received stronger treatment than any com plaints to the contrary. This policy boars its fruit in giving the railway,much the best of the competition with the, steam-launches and the creek,

able Dutch Colonial Government to get the same revenue and even more out of the oplem consumer as was previously the case, and was adopted to shut the eyes of the Dutch people at home

Only a Local Commission could have arrived at such a conclusion

entre

In 1833 the Dutch Colonial Government ra- | served for itself the right of buying and selling oplum in the islands at that time under their controf;"

"WHO'S WHO "Once nyain "Who'n.Who," which gives ovary.

people in the United Kingdom who have 10 something in the world, is to hand and it is bulky and interesting as ever, What the journalists did - without “Whol Who # li tha past we cannot imagine, and how those people who wish to inquire into the antecedents of their acquaintances managed to scrape) their information together a beyond as Who's Whé " is an much a standard institution as the London Post Office Directory only, more so, the publishers: ara. A. and: O.. Black, Soho Square, London,

Kid

Shortly after to o'clock on the evening of the goth ultimo great excitement prevailed among the boat population lo Canton barbour at Tai- sha-tau, a pleasure resort, sear the Tunk Kwan theatre, on the opposite side of the Canton of are in flower-boat named "Tsai Keely is well known, and an interesting case Government Cement Works, over an outbreak

u

which endorses the above statement, came up hrough the careless use of korosis was a stir before Mr. J. 11, Kemp, First Police Magistrate, at the Police Court, this morning. The occurrance north wind blowing. In a short space of time, which culminated in the appearance of seven the boat on which the fire originated' was com- Chidese at the Magistracy this morning took minutes the flames spread over to other boats activities being Messrs. Butterfied and Swire's In the vicinity, permitting of no time to neigh extensive Sugar Werks at Taikco. It appears bouring crafts to make good their escape, be that as a number of Chinese were leaving the cause of the difficulty of moving these cumprensions after the day's work and previous to bruous vessels and, morover, they were lying proceeding to their homes, they met, with along an unbroken line made fast by iron anfortunate results to all parties concerned, This being the time immediately after the another batch of compatriots belonging to a

The Xilano mars is a double-screw' steel Chinein New Year, there were large numbers distinctly separate class. As the two factious of people visiting this quarter to spend their parties were not panicularly us to make classide of ons gross, with three decks, acquaintances, they promptly atided to show classified roo Ar at Lloyds, and built in con- The flower boats, moored in the way describ their respective superiority by force of fomity with the requirements of the Ship

strength, and before one could say building Encouragement Law. She is 465

"Jack. ed, lent themselves to an extensive conflagra. Robinson," nil sorts of missiles began fly-feet long. 56 feet wide and 348 deep, is fitted tion if

any one of them caught fire. So that

with triple expansion surface condensing on. ing about the place. The infuriated mob when the "Trai Kee" took fire all the others indiscriminately hurled stones at the peaceful gines, capable of developing 7,300 horse power, Wore doomed to the same fate. As the beat in which the fire originated was lying close to villagers, and to doing so damaged the pro-add her contracted speed is 16 koots an perty of their employers to the extent of some

hoar,--Japan Chronicle." the band, the people in the other boats beyond 13. The impromptu melee was at its thickest her, out in the harbour, had a mezar of reaching the shore. Seeing their imminent peril and rather than risking being burat alive they preferred to take to the water with the hope of being rescued or float to where they might reach a place of safety,"

On the alarm being given some crafts in the viciulty managed to raise their anchors, but, unfortunately, when the crew exerted their atmost to row away as quickly as they could, they found the tide unfavourable and too strong to contend against, and so were unable to move. They were accordingly carried back among the burning crafts and ultimately were calling out for his headgear, to the merriment car (No. 28) and handed a dollar. bill' to the deservedly look back upon with feelings of Java and the other Islands in the Archipelago, and America. It is, as the fore-word, heys, in. : themselves burnt. The heat of the flames was impossible for any

20 Intepus that inches to get near to rescuing yessolą or render affistance só helpless victims whose lives were being sacrificed to the inerciless devouring flames. A 1000 as the boats were ablaze the people on board hurriedly jumped into the water in large numbers. Roughly it is estimated that over a thousand botook themselves to the fiver, and only about three or four hundred of them were picked up by launches or sampans, Of the total number of casualities, about ninety per cent were drowned, and only those who could not leave where they were, on account of the smoke, be

And

I feeling ran high when a number of Indian policemen, observing that things were getting serious, arrived on the scene, and stopped further activities on the part of the energetic coolies by arresting all those who were imme. diately concerned in the disturbance,

This morning, the delinquents, as already stated, figured before Ms. J. H. Kemp at the Magistracy. They were each fined $25 and fanher ordered to pay $2.50 compensation, with the exception of the seventh defendant, who was discharged, and who on finding bis good fortune, rushed of highly elated and

of those in Count.

ין

4 TRANGAR INCIDENT.

|

†

COMMANDER: BŞBİL' TAYLOR 'FINED 51.

The figures given above are bigher even than An interesting case was heard bafore Mr. J.

the week in which the great Kiangwan festival H. Kemp at the Police Court, last Tuesday, takes place, which generally inflates the earn when the Hon. Commander Basil Taylor, R.N.,ings especially, and there is no doubt that this Harbour Master, proceeded against Ho Kwong, week of the China New Year in which the Company, for alleged assault. A motorman to the employ of the Tramway trains have been very full, in fact more full than A cross-sum comfortable, will beat even that total. The re Mons was brought by the latter for obstruction. cord is one that Mr. A. W. U. Pops, the General It appears that on the afternoon of the 25th Manager, and the members of the staff may ulto, Commander Taylor stepped into a tram-

conducior for his farmi

He got back eighty cents in Chinese money and a Hong. MR. H. SCOTT IN SHANGHAI, reused by the complainant, who asked kong ten-cent piece as change. This was

either to be given Hoogkong currency or the return of the dollar. On arrival at bis des tination, the Harbour Master got out of the car and, according to the evidence, stood in front of it. He was repeatedly asked to sign bis The defendant then sounded his goag, but same, which the complaisant refused to do, this even did not have any effect. After this, defendant started the car, the complainant still holding on to the car RUCE

SPEECH AT ENGINEERS' CONCERT. The smoking concert given in the German Club on Thursday evening, 28th uk., by the enjoyable function, and not the least interest Marine Engineers' Football Club was o most ing portion of the proceedings werd the speeches, in the course of which Mr. John Prentice presented the Engineers' Cup to this year's winners the Shanghai Football Club, Admiral Li Chun happened to be in the city says the Shanghai Times. Supporting Mr. Prentice, who, presided, were Sir Pelham on that evening. On learning of the accident, Warren, K. C. M. G., Ms. J. H. Scott, Mr. H.E.hastened to the scene, and directed his men. Scott, Mr. H.. P. Wilkinson, Rev. R. G. in rendering assistance on board the gunboat Winning. Captain E. 1. M. Barratt, Mr. W. M. Lung Seung. Admiral Li succeeded in rescuing over a hundred persons, Members of the differLaw, Mr. W. Malcolm, etc. ent charitable institutions and the Red Cross

came victims of the holocaust.

Society and others also lost no time in proceed'

ing to the scene to render assistance,'

it is learnt that some twenty flower-boats, five or six floating restaurants, a few cargo boats, and sampans to the number of same. forty in all were completely buratit,

Early yesterday morning, launches and native dredging boats and sampaos were engaged in scavenging duties and rewards of $1 each were offered by the officials and the institutions for the recovery of dead bodies. Up to 4. p,m. yesterday "altemoon" nearly four hundred corpses were picked up and photographed. It is believed that a few bandred more remain to be recovered.

The corpses that were recovered were all -placed in the vicinity of the water police station Dear the harbour limit, at the eastero' section, for identification. The collection" prezented & gruesome sight. The few hundred corpses lay exposed awaiting to be, claimed by their rela tivės.

Work is it being carried on by the chatt. table organisations in recovering dead bodies to-day. It is said that some of them must have foated far down the river by the strong current, Among the casuafilies one was Taptai Li Yick Che, who was deputed to Canton from Kwang

si to “receive a consignment of arms and am- monition for the use of the Imperial troops; another was Welyuân Cham Kai Tsang befɗng. ing to the Shan Hoo Chu, department; a third was Taotai Yik belonging to a Government -department, and severn officials and consol officials, and some twenty bankers of the Ho Y'a street.

The charge was dismissed; as His Worship

thought the complainant had no right to stop

ciherwise have been an assault, was in this the car. The starting of the car, which would case no assault at all.

The second charge (that of obstructing by

satisfaction; Much credit is also due to Tootai C. L. Wong, the Managing Director, and a former student in America, to whose tactful in- fluence is due the absence of all friction in the affairs of the railway,

|

The right of selling oplum in retail was leased out to rich Chiuose merchants, who were called opium farmers.

1.

It is only natural that the oplum farmer tried to make the most out of his job and enormous fortunes were made by the opium farmers,

Not only did the opium farmer encourage the habit of opium-smoking, so as to ensure himself against any loss; but he also assisted in the smuggling of opium, and he was looked apoa by the Dutch Colonial Government as being a smuggler himself.

As a result of this the Dulch, Colonial Government in the year 1894 began to take steps towards handling the retail sale of opium themselves, and the first experiment was made on the leland of Madura, which proved itself so successful to the coffers of the Dutch Colonial Government that the system was extended to A large factory was erected at Salemba near Batavia. Here the opium at the present time is being prepared and mixed with a certain drug, which in all probability' is lithium salt making it impossible that any, one should be able to adulterate the Government prepared opium. Same is put in small tubes bearing the Government stamp.

..

The Railway Co. hoa, we understand, indent ed for extra rolling-stock to meet the increase of traffic, and it is to be sincerely hoped that. the patience of the travelling public is exhaust-ly of the selling of prepared opium in retail, new cars will soon be placed on the rails before The so-called Opium Regis, ie, the monopo

ed by having to stand so often for want of room. It speaks volumes for the goodwill that the travelling public bear to the railway that the complaints have not been more: numerous,

-N. G. D. Nous,

FRENCH MAIL COLLISION,

FURTHER PARTICULARS.

the Harbour Master) was then heard. Mr. J. In connection with the collision which oc Gray Scott, manager of the Tramway Comcurred on the 23rd ultimo, near Kannonsaki any, gave evidence, and after lengthy explans between the French mail steamer Sydney, 4,118 ations wara listened to, a fios of $t was im tons, and the buri-mart, belonging to the posed.

THE DAI NIPPON SUGAR.

REFINING COMPANY.

COMPANY'S Actual positION.

bas absolutely nothing to do with any desire on the part of the Dutch Colonial Government to abolish the drug babil, bot is only an improved system of collecting the entire, revenue, part of which formerly went to the opiam fermer,

WHO'S WHO YEAR BOOK. Who's Who Year-bookis, to to quote the introduction to this useful compliation, made up of the tables which" were, formerly unch's popular feature of "Who's Who itself Luis a compendium" of the most varied" information and must have its place on every desky where facts concerning various sides of life are wanted at a moment's notice,

THE WRITER'S VODE MECUM,VE "The Writer's and Artist's Year Book ira regular godsend to the young and ambitious scribbler who has little acquaintance with the inner working of newspaper or magazino work. "It tells the tyro where to place bis moriet and articles to the best advantage, suggests what he is likely to be paid if bis effusions are accepted, Journals and magazines boib in Great Britain and gives fall particulars of all the leading,

dispensable to writers and artists, who are told what sort of illustrations the various publica- tione prefer." It only costs a shilling and is published by A. & C. Black, Soho Square, Lon- don, W.

JAPANESE SUGAR MONOPOLY.

REPORTED VIEWS OF GOVERNMENT. The Rocht publisher the following us tha views of a high official in the Finance Depart meat on the question, of making the sugar business & Government monopoly, Thin It should therefore be a pity and also n dan authority is reported. to have said that the ger if the International Opium Compuission attitude of the Government on the question should be led astray, and to draw wrong con- still remains undecided. Public opinion on the clusions and comparisons from. the different question is divided into two sections Those in reports which may be laid upon the table for lavour of the busicors being made a Govern

ment monopoly maintain that the collapse in perusal.

In what way the drug abolishing is furthered the shares of the Dai Nippon Sugar Refining present is illustrated by the editor of the Company is due to the disclosure of irregulari Sumatra bode who visited an opium smoke ties in management. If the Government offers Rokkaido Colliery Company, the Superintend-shop and found half of the smokers to be native to buy its business at the present moment; ent of the Yokohama Water Police states that soldiers (500 Asiatische Liefd 22nd inst.) the company might agree to the purchase at a low figure. The irregularities of the come the Sydney let Yokohama for Kebe on Satur The Dutch. Anti-Opium Society which was

pany are a question of national importance and day at 12.30 μm., in command of Captain Re. founded in the year 1890 has undoubtedly a

ihe Government cannot remain with folded bufat. This officer has had experience of over right after these eighteen years of struggle to

arms indifferent to the matter. Such people expect something more from the International 35 years, with the M. M. Company, says the

believe that it is now high time for the Gorará...?? Opium Commission, than empty promises, Japan Herald, from which we take these de- fails, and has been capinin for 13 years, When

The people that smoke opium, those who add ment to take over the business and secure this" the vessel left Yokohama she had on board

twenty millions of guilders to the national resource of ravenne; while at the same- passengers and cargo. At leda she passed venue, and which the Dutch Government by endeavouring to improve the sugar indesit Kannonsaki, The day was fine, with clear the stringent laws squeezes out of them, are On the other hand those who disagree with the weather, and everything for-miles around

mostly those that do not belong to the better monopolisation of the industry hold that if the could be seen. Shortly after passing Kan.

io: do classes and who possess a weak will business of the Dai Nippon Sagar Refining Come popsaki, the uri-maru was sighted at

power, and are therefore wasble to control pany is taken over by the Government at the pre- beni janćtare, the loss of the company, amount- their cravings for the fatal drug,

The rich Chinese in the Dutch East Indies,ing to millions of yen, would have to be borne which we will call the Upper Ten, do not smoke by the Treasury, and the Government would plum; at least during my sixteen years of prac-be held responsible for favouring a private tice amongst the native and Chinese popula company. They hold that it is not expedient Lion I only stated the habit by two of the weal-

Chingue

The accounts of the Dai Nippon Sugar Re- fiuing Company have been investigated by Messrs. Wu, Fujimoto. Imal, and Ushioda, auditors of the company, together with Baran Shibusawa, Mr. Toyokawa, of the Mitsu Bishi, and Mr. Hayakawa, of the Mitsui. According to Japanese papers, the losses of the company, d. distance of about half a mils” and on as shown by the result of the lavastigation the starboard side, steaming ahead on an were as follows:-Bills receivable and un- easterly course, as was the Sydney. The com- recoverable clains, Y416,420.59; loss incurred mander of the Sydney was on the bridge at the in November last, resulting from the decline time, and between the two vessels a small sail in price of sugarheld in stock, Y708,000; loreen | ship was observed, this boat following the same for the period from December to April-last-due--course as the other vessels. When the dia to decline in price of sugar, interest on loans and debentures, andotherexpanies;Y,150,000,

making a total of Y2,374,420,59, Against this a sum of 1450,000 is receivable, comprising The profit from the company's mill in Formosa, V300,000, and the estimated profit from the three mills in Japan of the 'com. pany for March and April next, taking the out put at 150,000 bags for the two months, Y. 50,000. The actual deficit at the end of April 30th next istbus estimated ei Y18:4,420.19. The company's reserves amount to Y2,300,000,' and when this is taken into account there will be a surplus of about Y400,000.

|

After other speeches, Mr. J. H. Scott, who was warmly received, said that he could dot claim to be one of the engineers, but he could claim by heredity to have the blood of en- ginkers in him and to be with them in spirit. He was one of a family which for six genera- tions had been shipbuilders and engineers: his great-great-grandfather, his great-grand father, his grandfather, bis father, bis brothers and now his nephews bad, been, all to direct succession-shipbuilders and engineers. Many of them there had served. their time in their works, and he was very sure that all of them looked back on the time they spent in those works with a good deal of satisfaction (bear, hear) because they learned their trade well. He had been brought up in the profession. He did not know except as a layman, but in several parts of shipbuilding and engineering his time he had tried his apprentice hand at He had heated rivals, and he had tried to pat them down again when they were hot, and he had done the thing which he expected a good many of them had done, be bad 'cooled a rickety," Mr. Prentice was pro

tance had been lessened to about 500 yards the bably the oldest friend he had in the room

Captain of the Sydney altered his course to because he brought him up whico-ba was a boy. The speaker was a comparatively.

tarboard, announcing the fact to the buri. maru by ons blast on the syren, intending to old resident of Shanghai when Mr. Prentice

pass the latter vessel by the stern, and thus came here; he recognised his high merits

following the regulations for the prevention of and bis worth and he determiced to train him

collisions, After his signal the Zburi-maru up in the way he should go. They knew

bught to have kept on her course but to his what that way had been, They all looked

great surprise, the ship, when, the Sydney was upon him as the head of their profession in Shanghai, as a wortby example to be followed

captain of the Sydney attempted to avert a very close, suddenly stopped on her way. The

by all of them, but they did tot bope he

collision, but it was too fate, and the next in- would remain long with them, because the

stant the bow of the vessel struck the stern of advice he gave him ogly the previous day

the fourl-mar Such was the force of was, "Roll up, and go, home" Shanghai

The shares deposited with the company by the impact that the bow of the Sydney was a very good place; they all loved it, Mr. Isomura, a director, and thirty-seven other penetrated the sters of the Japanese ver. and be loved it as much as any of them, but persone number 30,693, comprising 20,517 old sel more than six feet, it was then 1.45. he thought a time came when a man ought ibares, 9,716 new shares, and 460 other shares. The captain of the Sydney thought it was bol. 10 go and have a good time at home, three. Against these shares a sum of Y1,890,100,53 iter to keep the vessels locked together until all acres and a cow or something of that sott advanced. Taking the loss on the old shares of the the crew of the buri had been transhipped. (laughter)—and enjoy himself in the old country company owing to the decline in the market at Thirty-eight of the crew of the Fouri were tran- A Tonkin paper calls attention to the in- where he was born and bred Ms. Prentice Y40 each, the company's loss in this con- shipped, while two others did not come on creasing importance of Saigon, and its extra-bän asked him to give them some advice, but nection will be about YB10,000. This arrange board, having already put on lifebelts and en ordinary commercial development, as a strike he really did not feel capable of doing it. But ment whereby Mr. Isomura and others de

tered the sea, and these men were afterwards leg example of French colonising enterprise, this he would say as a manager of steamships, posited the shares against advances bad its picked up by same fishermen. Ten minutes Every year, that port goes ahead in a remark. probably as manager of the largest steadip origin, we understand, in the necessity of able manner, the population increases rapidly company of China, that the managers the depositing security with the Finance Departer, the four-maru commenced to settle, and Rradually Bank. When almost awash, the steamship companies had always had the ment for the excise on sugar. The arrangement vessel suddenly rose out of the water and im greatest regard and consideration for the then is to be abolished in October next, when the mediately afterwards dived down by the stera, who served them, and without whose services | account with Mr. Isomura will be settled. In this being the last that was seep of her, The they would be of little use, and they recognise the event of the settlement being unsuccessful, Sydney returned to. Yokohama where she ar- ed, and he recognised, that these was no mofe the loss to the company will be so much rived by 4.30 p.m. The vessel is not much loyal body of men in the world than the Engie greater.

damaged, with the exception of a few plates. neers of Shanghai (Load applause). This he

broken above the waterline, and the repairs are would say 10 them, that if on occasio-

expected to take about three days, when she such occasions had arisen in his knowledge

will again proceed on her journey. The sea- and hisrecollection-if an occasion they should

men of the four are being cared for at the not view things from the Bame point of view, as

Japanese Seamen's Institute. those who were managing the steamships, if they would take a little calm consideration and were trying to make tome money out of them think that those who were running the stenmera? and they would tackle to the work and trust to those who were looking after them, they would not find their trust misplaced. There was no reason whatever why they should not pull in the same boat. They were all The prosperity of the line was the prosperity of aiming for the same’end; which was prosperity. all who served it, and as long as they kept that

PROGRESSIVE SAIGON,

COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE OF FRENCH COLONISTS.

FUTURE QUEEN OF THE EAST,

and builders never find business slack.

The tonnage frequenting the port rose from 834,340 tons in 1902 to 1,595,515 tons là 1907. The yolume of trade la Imports and exports together shot up from a value of over 259 millions of francs in 1902 to nearly 392 millions fa 1907.

MORE CHARMING THAN SINGAPORE.

· A Paris nowspaper of some note calls Saigon | *** the Paris of the Far East, and says that French tourists arriving there after seeing Port Said, Colombo.and Singapore, feel joyful and proud that Saigon la so much more charming and pleasant to the eye, which feeling is shared Salgon, with its gardens, broad thorough. fares, and Ene houses, cau indeed lay claim to be a handsome city. Six thousand Europeans are included in a population totalling over $40,000.

Alika by foreigners also,

The city is plentifully supplied with lungs. In the shape of large open stretches of land "reserved for the purpose, which spread over 780 hectares (a hectare is equal to 2.47 acres). Some of the thoropghfares are 60 metres (a matre is equal to Test nearly) broad, and most of the sirante ava 15 metres broad,

- AN ADJACENT CITY,

The City of Chalon which lies nearly three

· miles from Saigon, taken up less space and

numbers 200,000 inhabitante, moilly Chinese,

who pig together in narrow and winding

street.

A wide road planted with trees is now under Construction to connect Saigon with Gbolon. When it is finished, the twp will form one city with, say, half a million of inhabitants, and with

■ just claim to be styled the Queen of the Others ilmit the,ares of Saigon to the city properly, so called, and set the population with in the bounds so narrowed as 2015 Eumpeans and:13,999-natīvas în 1907-7-within-theke nare. row limits 917 now houses were built in 1907.

¦

The balance sheet now stands as follows:-

Liabilities

............................................ Y 12,000,000 LORDS

Loans on security...Y6,500,000 Bills issued in payment Bille issued against

for raw sugar.................. 2,000,000

secured bills. 2,000,000 fixed deposits ***... *,500,000 Capital paid up ...... Reserveseriene Taxes.in arrear

Other accounts..............

Tola!

Asitis,

in front, as long as they thought that those who Tokyo and Osaka mills and other were looking to them for good work and who

ware doling out the monthly money to them Dairi mill ... appreciated their services, be did not think they Formosa mille opin would ever find any reason to feel that they Shares.and, bonds held by com were trying to driven hard bargain. There were

no better steamers of their class in the world Stack of sugar, crude and refined

than those in Ching, and all who had any con- |.

section with them knew that there were no bet-

2,200,000 3,000,000 1,600,000

Y27,200,000

TOLSTOY'S WORKS.

TRANSLATIONE INTO CHINESE.

A complimentary address was forwarded to Leo Tolstoy by his admirers in Shanghai in celebration of his pightisth birthday on Sep- tember to last, to which a reply has now been received through his, secretary, in which the Downed author expresses his thanks to those concerned in the forwarding and signing of the address. He appreciates very much the fool 4,600,000 inga therain expressed. 5,500,000

A proposition was put before Mr. Tolstoy at 5,100,000 the same time that some of his works should be franslated into Chinese, commencing with 1,000,000 "The Russian Revolution" and followed by 12,000,000 "My Confession" (written in 1881 and which established his, reputation in every country, He is very pleased to hear of this proposal and approves of the order in which it is proposed to translato his works.

Total:..........Y27,200,000

ter up kept steamers in the world. Ho shank. It will be seen that the value of sugar in stock ed the President) and all of them and hoped balances the loans. Ninety percent of the bo should attend many, more functions like | refined sugar has been sold on contract, and thi. Some of them might have known him at the company is now delivering the sugar and home. Much as he rejoiced to come to Shang. settling advances with the money received. hai, and much as he would regret leaving it Unsecured bills, reaching Y2,000,000 in amount, again, he would look forward to the time when will decide the company's fate. If the holders he should return home (Lond Applauso.) of those bills force a settlement at the present Other speeches followed, Sir Pelham moment, the company will be, doomed. On Warren, who referred to their Chairman, at behalf of the company so appeal has been Honest John, proposing bis health, Mr. H. made to the Mitsu Bishi and the Mitsui for J. H. Tripp giving the "Ladies," and Mr. H. P. asistance, and the attitude of those organisa Wilkinson repiring. The gathering, disperand | Llona is being watched with grost interest After the National Anthem had been sungai Japan Chronicle

by

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The well-known famous story of the poor coolie, who is able to do so much work more if be only smakes a few pipesof the innocent drug, in such nonsense that it is quite necessary for me to point out the absolute fallacy of its contents.

Did these advicates of the drug babit ever tell you how much the poor conlin had to pay for his innocent pastime and did they ever left you how many coolies die of old age? And if they have ever met with any old aged coolles? I leave the answer to my readers.

principal, if not the most important, news I may add that the chief Editor of one of the papers in the Dutch East Indies is ode of the Edvocates of the drag babit and has been advising the Dutch Government to cultivate the poppy in the Dutch East Indies in order that the Government may reap a larger revenus by selling the surplus of raw opium to China, where, there is for opium of a good quality a splendid' market,

to take over the Business at the present mo ment while the company is in difficulties,

ד

"In my personal opinion," Contiszed the

afficial, "I endorse the latter opinion, A Government monopoly should be established only on a business which, if left in the hands of private concerns, ie in danger of being monopolized by a few large capitalists as "a; trost to the disadvantage, of the consumer. 'A Government monopoly should not be devised merely to obtain additional revenue. When the tobacco business was taken over by than Government, powerful capitalists had threaten- ed to monopolise the business, and their powáz could not be despleed (this presumably refere to the proposed combination of the Mural, firm with the American Tobacco Company). The present difficulty of the Dai Nippon Sogar Re- ning Company is attributed to the congestion of the sugar market consequent upon the Ig. crease of the sugar excise. But it was clair from the first that the increased tax on sugar would affect the business. The fact that the company produced sugar without restric The newspaper in question is the Souration, not taking foto-account the effect of the Increased tax, indicates the Ineptly bags Handelsblad,

According to the report of the Straits Settle tude of its management. If the Dai Nip- ments Commission it stems to me that their pon Sugar Refining Company is ruined, government bas the same ideas about the colit means coly the collapse of a private com lecting of the revenue as the Dutch Colonial pany, and there is nothing in it which need Cause alarm for the outlook of the sugar, bust- If the International Opium Commission ness in general. If the sugar business is made. wishes to accomplish something more than the Government monopoly, however, great diffe publishing of a bluebook, containing the differ-culties will be faced in the management as it snt reports of their members, it is of the utmost is impossible to obtain raw material la Japan, importance that they should agree on one thus differing from the case of tobacco. I can point, ie, that the cultivation of the poppy not see the need for dismay at the difficulty of should be stopped by international agreement, of a private company, nor can I endorse anch excepting what is required for medical pur an important step as he decision to monopo

lise the sugar business on the strength of the poles,

small amount of compenssitoo which would be. required on taking over the business at the pre sent functure.- Japan Chronicle.

Government.

HERR PREMYSLAV'S CONCERT.

'TAMOUS VIOLINIST CHARMS LARGE": AUDIENCE..

GOLEMM

The monthly competition for the Captain's Cup took place at Happy Valley bolwass 30th January and 1st Febrúary. The follow. ing cards wors returned s

CAPTAIN'S CUP;

H. O. R. Boucher 82-9-73. Major Close............................

B. F. Mackay

G. H. Edwards

G. N. Orme...... H. E. Tomlinson. H..B. Bedwell. Capt Marray. P. H, Holyoak..

3rd inst. Music-lovers of Hongkong were provided with another treat at the Theatre Royal. last night, when Herr Leopold Pramyslay, the famous violinist, gave bir second and last recital to a large and appreciative audience on the occasion of his pasting through Hong. kong. Those who were present on the Vir. tuose's first appearance a few days ago went away delighted and precious fow missed this second opponunity of hearing the great musician. It is needless to praise the clever lnterpretation of good music by Herr Premyslay, but, muffice it to say that bis technique was little short of marvellous. Racores were repeatedly demanded during the evening, to which Herr Promyzlay! graciously Steps have already been taken to translate responded. The sexieite from "Lucia di "The Russian Revolution" into Chinese and Lammermoor (unaccompanied) was one of the the work of translation is in progress owing to most appreciated numbers of a well-arranged a geoprous follower of Tolstoy (who wishes to programme. Mrs, J. Cochrane kledly assisted remain anonymous) having given financial are at the piano, and great praise, în dus sistance. Further help is, however, required to. that lady for the excellent manner. and an appeal is made to the public for sub in which the performed her arduous talk. scriptions Which should be forwarded to the Opportucities of listening to really good magic Capt, Murray Treasurer of the Tolstoyna Translation So- In the Colony are few and far between, and clety, 101, Bubbling Wall Road, Shanghai, who | last night's concert was in every respect a funce will dulykacknowledge receipt of same- tion which was thoroughly appreciated by Shanghai Timer

grateful audience,

29 entr

POOX

H. O R. Bouchert H. Aylmert....... TS. Forrest.sepis M. A. Murray .... Major Closa „!!! H: B Bed HL Tom

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