1909-02-19 — Page 9

The Hongkong Telegraph.

NEW SERIES No. 6005

CONTENTS.

"Births, Marriage and Death",

Loading Articles

For Inebriates.

The Depression in the Shipping Trade.

On 'Opium,

The Future of Manchuria.

The Progress of Shipbuilding.

Telograme

"China's Currency.

America and Japan..

Viceroy Hau Shi-cbang,

Chip Pik.

Russia and China.

Ministry of Posts and Communications. HE. Hal Liang,

Ex-Viceroy Shum

Governor of Honan.

Casbiered Officials.

Shanghai Club.

Chan Pik's Departurò.

Hsu Shi-chang's impeachment.

Meetings:-

Hongkong University Schema.

Kulangau (Amoy) Municipal Council.

Legal Intelligende:-

Repairing a Damaged Ship.

A Question of Names.

Police:-

An Ex-lukong't Antics.

A Kidnapper Punished. Policeman Stoned. Miscellaneous Articles and Reporta

The Races.

Campaign Against Rater-

Hongkong Ice Co., Ltd.

Cathedral Choir Concert

Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Go. The "Geisha."

Race Pony Shot

Robbery at Ceriton Hotel.

The Cinna Fire Insurance Co., Lad. Application for Exhumation. Careless Passengers. Manchester Chamber of Commerce.. A Chinese Brigand. -Pickpockets at Happy Valley.

Bake-bouses and Dairies, Stowaways and Fumigation. The Colonial Cemetery.

Capt. Clementi Smith Married.-

Alexandra Cinematograph: Volunteer Corps Orders.

Water Return,

Canton Day by Day

Opium Commission, », d⠀

The Dismatival of Chen Pi

A Shadowland Opium Confereper-

Report on Swalow,..

Sugar Doty:

Wreck of the Adefor!!

Japan Sugar Residing Company. The Tacoma maria.

Cotton Spinning Industry.

Attached Russian Steamers.

Pari-mutual in Japan.

A Gaverbor's Suicide.

Drowning Fatality..

Opium Smuggling, Mr. Mody in Bombay. Cracker Catastrophe. Commercial:-

Share Market,

晚九十月正年元銃宜

MAIL SUPPLEMENT.

(ESTABLISHED 1881.)..

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY

五拜禮

號九十月二英港香

remains to be seen how far the British dele- gates at Shanghal will be able to escape from the compromising position they have been placed in through their Government's desire to deal courteously with an American invitation,

THE FUTURE OF MANCHURIA

(17th February.) There could be no more ample or definite

a

SINGL

vessels of too00 tons and upwards three were launched in the four years. 17 were launched during the 1896-97 while za were launched during the four years 1900-3 and no during the four Year 1904-7, During 1908, ten vessels of 10 bob tons and above were launched, the names of which are given, while at the present time ao vessels of over 6000 tane and 12 of over 10,000 tona, are under construction in Bellish yards. Of the total

output 60 per cent, or 554,995 toal (547,080 steam tons and 7,9rs sailing tons) Kingdom. In this connection, it should be has been built for registration in the United noted that the tonnage of United Kingdom vessels lost, broken up, &c, during the last twelve months appears, from the information at present in the possession of Lloyd's Re gister, to have besa 176,699 tons (147,170 steam, 341586 Jail) Sales to Foreign and Colonial owners for the twelve months ended November, 1998, according to the Registran General's Returns, reached a total of 362,666, tons (209,575 scam, 53.791 sall)." "On the other hand 2,950 tons (all steam) were builf abroad for United Kingdom owners, and purchases from foreign and colonial awach. during the same period amounted to $1,551, tons (46,997 steam, 4,554 sail): The sailing,

With

and to warn sellers of drink and drags, and day to establish records, it has been the been withdrawn panding the report of the other person, against supplying the inebriate misfortune, not the ambition, of the ship. Shanghai Commission, Humorously our with the same supply after warning to be ping industry to establish a record of the contemporary remarks that it does not know au offence under the Act." If in the opinion most unsatisfactory year's trading that why any bill should be introduced or drop of the guardian these powers aro Insufficient hip-builders and shipowners have ever ped because of the proceedings which are to enable him to exercise proper control over knows". Of course that is the language of taking place at Shanghai. But, from home the inebriate, this should form a ground for exaggeration carried to excess, and its of the remarks, which have been made on compulsory measures to be applied. Power uso in a staid business resume can only the meeting, it would appear that a certain to petition for a compulsory order is to be be attributed to the despondent feeling number of people are still under the delu. given to a relative, friend, or guardian of the writer who has probably been serious- sion that the delegates of the various coun voluntarily appointed." The fetition is to ty affected by the general depression. The tries have assembled for the purpose of be accompanied by a medical certificate year began faauspiciously because when the holding an impartial inquiry loto. the culti (unless the inebriate has refused to submit to shipbuilders notified the men that a reduc- valion, the commerce, and the cons: 4ption: demonstration of the change that has taken medical examination) and by a statutory tion of wages would be necessary owing to of opium That is most certainly not the place within the last for yours la the coad declaration, signed by the petitioner, and at the state of trade, the latior resisted the case. Anyone who takes the trouble to cast tion of the vital forces of the Chinese Em least one other person, that the alleged in proposition and they were locked out. After an eye over the form of invitation issued by pire, and of the existence of a power in the ebriate is a person to whom the Act applies. five months idleness the men accepted what the United States will find that the iniquity Chinese body politic bitherto little appre The "judicial authority" is then to visit him, they had throughout been offered, and re- of opium using was taken for grapted, and ciated by outsiders than that afforded by the or summon him before them and the pro- turned to work at the end of May. At the all that those participating were asked to con Madgharian status quo, writes Mr. Walter ceedings (at which both parties may be same time the North East Coast Engineers' sider was how to put an end to it. We not Kirtan in the Ching Saturday Review represented by solicitors or counsel) should men were on strike, and only accepted what seen an authentic text of the instructions (hanghai), quotes the Pall Mall Laceffe be held in private if desired by the in-they had before refured after seven months' given to Sir Clementi-Smith and his collea (London) and from which we reproduce the ebriate. Before making an order the judicial idleness, and returned to work at the end of gues on behalf of the British Government, following article, Similarly there are few, ifauy, authority is to point out to the inebriate the September. The shipping trade has bene and some of the recent actions of that Goy more potent indications of the latest strength advantages of the voluntary guardianship, fited by the restriction of output through crament quite prepare us to find that it may of the vast aggregation of territories under and when the order is made, the judicial liese strikes, with the exception of a few be as careless of British interests as if they the sway of a Manchu Emperor than those authority should exercise discretion as to its orders that have been lost, but the men's had been drafted at Peking. On the other disclosed by a comprehensive analysis of the nature. Guardianship is a less severe societies have been greatly impoverished, hand, we find some difficulty in believing possibilities contained in that dependency measure than detention, and should always and the spirit the men have shown of dis that the schior British delegate would have of China proper which aforetime cradled his be resorted to when practicable and likely to regard of the interests of their societies' off taken a voyage to the Far East merely to

ancestors. It is not five years since Man- meet the needs of the case." A compulsory cials has caused the employers to resolve say dito to a number of persons who have churia was the scene of world-shaking events order of guardianship would givethe guardian upon mare resolute action in the future by never looked at more than one side of the which have left a more or less sinister imonage of the United Kingdom would thus power: To prescribe for the inebriate a deciding not to allow the temporising that question, and who must be densely ignor pression upon the minds of men. She is tons, and the steam tonnage to have in appear to have decreased by about 75,400 place of residence either in the house of the has taken place in the past, of which so much ant in regard to many of its most im still the scene of a struggle which, while of a cressed by 445,000 tona. The net increase inebriate or in that, of the guardian, or in advantage has been taken, but that all ques-portant, features. In regard to Colombo, less sentational character, is destined to that of a licensee under the Act, but in notions of wages shall hereafter be dealt with and, indeed, to all places where the majority prove of an equal if not a superior epoch-1908 is therefore about 169,600 tons. For of United Kingdom tonnage at the end of other place to place him in the care of a simultaneously in English and Scotch yards, of the population are non-Chinese, wo can marking description. The spasmodic toil of the previous five years the estimated net in- "custodian, being a licensee under the Act; It is to be noted as one result of the depres ful'y appreciate the expediency of having war has given place to the no less strenuous to deprive him of intoxicants and prevent sion that shipowners both in Great Britain. A restrictive system of the most drastic des but infinitely more enduring strife of peace ions; 1904 489,000 tons; 1905, 468,000 crease were as follows:1903, 495,000. him from oblaining them; to prevent him and abroad have had their attention called to cription. It was no part of the duty of our and commerce, and Manchuria, once the cock tons; 1906, 164,000 tona (the bigbeat! from leaving the prescribed residehce unat the serious loss entailed financially by the local Commission to inquire into the effects pit of the Far East, is now in the throes of figures on record); 1907,436,800 tons. tended by a responsible person; to require wasteful competition that exists. Mr. fohn which the use of opium has on Europeans or labour which, properly supervised and pro- Glasgow heads the list of shipbuilding cen- him to submit to the attendance of such White writing on this aspect of the question Indians comparatively with its effect upon tected will produce a progeny of prosperity tres, with 233,830 tons launched, followed nursesoratiendant asthe guardian may think evidently from the owners' point of view Chinese, but there is a far greater tendency such as few other portions of the earth's sur- by Newcastic, Belfast, Greenock and Sunder necessary; to warn seliers of drink and drugs, observes: During the year arrangements, among both to go to excess in the use of any face have presented to a welcoming world. land. As regards the movement of the ship- and other persone, against supplying him which it is to be hoped will continue, have stimulant or narcotic than there is among Situated in a zone which, while subject building industry during the course of 1908, supply after warning to be an offence under been made between the various important the markedly phlegmatic and frugal Chinese. to extremes of temperature at the solstices, Lloyd's Register Returns show that, at the the Act). The guardian of custodian, should lines in the Atlantic trade to terminate the For that reason we have not a word to say is essentially a temperate one, the climate is opening of the year, irrespective of wat ships, have power to release the inebriate on rate-cutting in passenger rates. Similar against the bill passed the other day by the conducive to the highest potentiality in 948,800 tons (936,378.steam,, 1452 all), perold, with or without conditions, and to peaceful arrangements have been made in American Senate forbidding the importa human effort, and the country, possessing us were being built. In the United Kingdom, telax the discipline as to opt leaving the re- connection with the general cargo freights tion of opium except for medicinal purposes. it does a store of natural wealth unexcelled in The returns for the March quarter indicated idence or submiling to attendants and between Brazil and the Continent and Unit As far as the Chinesd who have been value or extent by any other similarly coa- nurses." A judicial authority" is defined cd States; in the general trade between the accustomed to it are concerned, smugglers stituted area, affords a field for exploitation in hand, and those for September a further a decrease of over 300,000 tons in the work is a judge of the tigh Court, couply-court United States and West Indies; the United and down-at-heel doctors will supply second to none right round the world and decrease of 114.000 tons. A slight increase judge recorder, stipendiary magistrate, any States and Mediterranean trade; also be all their reasonable needs, and there is back again. In a country such as Man has since then taken place, and at the pre- two justices or any justice of the peace tween large German companies trading in no harm in keeping it as far away from churia, where the first stage of development sent time the tonnage under construction. specially, appointed by quarter sessions, many different directions. The acute de-other people as possible. In China itself, on modera lines was effected but yesterday, amounts to 764,520 tons, which, however, is Ciders may be inde for the detention of pression has been evidenced by the laying up either inside or outside spheres of British 50 to speak; which pertains more to the only 4 per cent of the total for June, 1966. inebriates in retreats, or in reformatories, of steamers in foreign ports, such as in the suministration, the position is durely differ character of a colony, in need of pioneering The total warship, tonnage under con magistrates to have power to send them to East, River Plate and Mediterranean, with ent. There we have to deal with a settled sad settling, than any of the eighteen pra:struction to the country, is now a19,271 the latter in addition to or in substitution their crews on full pay. The tonnage laid up habit of thousands of the people, and not one vinces; which has come under the search. tons displacement as compared for prison og summary, conviction for other at home and abroad is about 1,000,000 tons of which can be regarded as a wholly useless light of political publicity inseparable from 268,777 At the end of 1907. With offences, including neglect of or cruelly to steamers. About 5o Greek steamers were laid indulgence. Even Bishop Oldham was war; and which, having once entered upon regard to the colonies and foreign coun children. The condition that three previous up at one time in the Piraeus, which is proof couplaced by the evidence he heard in the convictions should be proved before an in- of the wretched condition of the Mediter coule of the Straits Commission inquiry dependent for its progress and ultimate also considerably below those of previous a programme of modernism, is now virtually tries, the figures under that heading bra ebriate can be sent to a reformatory is to be sanean trade, for it is certain no ship can that great many of the Chinese consider prosperity upon the instruments so creat years, the total number of vessels launched abolished; and the consent of the inebriate make a profit if our Hellenic friends cannot." cpium mecessary to the preservation of their ed, it will be obvious that machinery being 882 of 903,617 tons, a decrease of to be dealt with summarily is no longer to It may be observed that the simple effect of health, and it is quite certain, whether the which in highly developed countries per 66,000 tons as compared with the previous he hecessary. It is further suggested that a the owners' action is to create a series of belief be well founded or not, that there tains almost solely to the domain of com- Treasury grant should be made to After gigantic rings, which it is claimed have work must be overwhelming justification for inter-merce is here invested with certain attributes. United States, while Germany, France, year, The leading place is taken by "the Care Associations to induce them to tendered so much damage-to-British-interests in-fering with personal liberty in such circum of sovereignty Rail-power on land is on Japan, Holland and Norway follow in the assistance to inebriates on their release from Singapore and Penang. The production of stances. With anything that China may do terms of strategical equality with sea-power order named. Taking the United States Yeformatories; that the State should, at its the past year in British yards has been about in the way of restricting personal fiberty we

oo water, and under the conditions with first as an evidence of the fact that the ship own cost, provide for the accommodation 900,000 tons of merchant steamers-oply have no concern. She is entitled to impose which not only Manchuris but the whole builders of Great Britain were not the only and malbtenance of all inebriates committed little more than one-half the production of the death penalty, upon opiumo smokers if Far East-to say nothing about localities sufferers by the depression, it appears that by the Courts and that existing reformato- the previous year, and much less than one she thinks fit, but she is ant entitled, under farther afield-are at present confronted, the total mercantile tonnage reported from rich, go far as they are found adaptable to a half the total in 1906. Of the past year'e the treaties she has made, to call upon strategy is an essential in commerce as it that country (304,543 tons), ls 170,000 topa general scheme, should be taken over by production, one-fourth was, built by three Englishmen to sacrifice all their opium trade. ever has been or will be in war. the State; and that the State should provide yards-viz., Messrs. Hatland and Wolff, unless she gives conclusive proofs that in agent in the government and develop decrease in the tonnage built for service an smaller than that of the previous year;.the. On February 3, 1989, at Shanghai, WILFRID, any further reformatory accommodation Belfast, 106,528 tons; Messrs. Workman, the first instance she will take effectivement of any country, the locomotive is the Great Lakes being no less than youngest son of the late Augustine Hawkins, which is found to be becessary. The State, Clark and Co., Belfast, 50,303 tons; Messrs. steps to atrop out cultivation of the poppy infinitely more potent than either the diplo-111,000 tops. With reference to Germany, London, to FRANCES MARY eldest daughter inne or with the local authorities, is to Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson, in her own territories. The Shanghai con matic or military art, Thus, with this great the returns show a decrease of over 67,000 of the late Capt. Benjamin Wanstall of Shang-provide for the maintenance in retreats of 61,580 tons. The production of the past ference seems to have met in something agent in the hands of alien Powers; with the tons in the shipbuilding output as compared the inebriates who cannot otherwise be suit year is the smallest, for. 20 years, with of a mutual admiration society spirit. nationals of those Powers swarraing at every with last year. During the years 1900 1904 ably provided for, and power to recover the exception of 18931 but it must be China, with, we know not, how much coign of strategical advantage; with the the average yearly output was about 204,000 contributions from relatives will be given. remembered the tonnage is steamers (as tongue in her cheek, says abe has re- débris of conflict still cumbering the laud, tons. In 1905,255,000 tons were launched, The State reformatories lately started at more effective than-sailing ships), although solved to eradicate this evil, and all the and the machinery of civil administration and in 1906, 338,000 tons. Since then there prisons for troublesome cases are to be con a good proportion represents special vessels, countries which do not grow opium or

thrown completely out of gear, the task of has been a considerable decrease, the pre- tiqued, and one new Institution specially such as fast passenger boats, and an increas conduct any, trade, in it worth speaking of reconstruction may well have led to trepida-sent figures (207,800) being 110,000 tons provided for this purpose is recommended. ing number of oil-carriers-a trade now em praise her resolution and give assurances There is also a proposed development of ploying many steamers. The tontage for (wblch will cost them nothing) of ready

tion on the part of the most experienced less than two years ago. It should be stated, the system of probation introduced by last the foreign owners represents a small neslatance. England with a huge revenue

statesman and caused the stoutest-hearted to however, that these figures do not include year's Act for ordinary offenders. If the amount only of the past year's production, in India at stake and with the incomes of

blench.

vessels launched on the upper rivers, the offender is an inebriate the committee pre- and few orders for there owners have been two or three great colonies in danger of

total of which amounts to over 18,000 tons, pose that the probation order should in- given during the year. Foreign owners have being wiped out, is divided between a desire

The largest steamers launched in the coun clude conditions that the probationer shall suffered equally, if not more acutely than to look as pious as her neighbours, and to

try during 1900, were the George Washington, not be intoxicated, or take intoxicants, and British owners, in their various services; preserve her reputation for financial sanity."

of about 25.500 tons (this being also the In a recent issue, reference was made to largent steamer launched in the world during. time, to the supervision of a probation Continental account are reported to bave taken when a promise was given to reduce Great Britain during the past year and the tous, live, other scamera of between officer "we are strongly of opinion that been cancelled. Japanese shipbuilding Indian production, and export of opium in exceedingly unfavourable conditions that 6,000 and 10,000 tons were also launched this officer should not be a member of the and awning, which developed so rapidly, has roof. The wiser course at that date would were experienced. Now we have received and two of between 15,000 and 20,000 tons. police force." Courts of Quarter Sessions suffered severely, notwithstanding the sube have been to inform the Chinese Govern the official, account from Lloyd's, which is, I Frauce, however, there is an increase in and Assizes will also be empowered to sidies given by the Japanese Governmentment that we would not stand in the way of of course, severely practical and leaves the the tonnage launched of 22,000, due to the commit direct to reformatories, but to sus-With regard to the trade in the Far East it her desire to introduce a reform, and that on reader to form his own conclusions, and from building of six steamers of 6,000 tons and pend the operation, of the order pending is recorded that business is in the most de- receiving independent evidence that cultiya- all we can discover it would seem that the upwards. The figures for Japan (59.725. the result of a trial on probation. If this plorable condition, necessitating even tion of the poppy was being stopped in Chloa actual results are by no means so unsatisfac tons) show a slight decrease a compared passer satisfactorily, the person is to stand Japanese tonnage to lay up. The low rate we would undertake to stop it in our own tory as might have been thought from a first with those of 1907. They include four completely discharged. The committee of five cents per picul accepted, Saigon posscanions to a proportionate extent. That impression. It appears that during 1908, steamers of about 8,600 tons each. At the propose to define "inebriate" as follows, to Hongkong, is proof of this. Rates from would have been a far more effective way of exclusive of war ships, 533 vessels of 929,669 present time there are under construction substituting it for "habitual drunkard," the West Coast America have been extremely helping the reforms than the ten year system ton's gross (viz., 454 sleamers of 914,570 tons nine steel steamers of over 72,000 tons, the term used under the present law: Au low, produced by the large amount of reduction actually adopted. In the one and 69 sailing vessels of 15ogg tons) have largest being one of 13,500 tons, to be fitted inebriate is a person who habitually takes of tonnage sent out with or-uses any intoxicating thing or things, and the American fleet, This caused a numment to China to see that reduction did war ships launched at both Government and show that the general increase which had Coals for case there would have been a clear induce 6 en launched in the United Kingdom. The with turbines The returns under review while under the influence of such thing or ber of steamers to be seeking employment, actually take place. In the other we are private yards amount to 36, of 74,186 tons taken place during 1907 in the output of things, or in consequence of the effects many of which had to book to Australia and blindly assisting to create for the Chinese displacement. The total output of the United most of the other countries has not been? thereof Is: Dangerous to himself or others; accept very low rates for time charter there, a most valuable monopoly, and if anyone Kingdom for the year has, therefore, maintained in 1908. With the exception of or, a cause of harm or serious annoyance to as low as a per ton d.w. being accepted.supposes that they will cast it away a few beco. 559 vessels of 1,003,855, tous! It Austria-Hungary, where an increase of about his family or others; or incapable of manag.The case oil trade from the United States to years hence, all that need be said is that If is true that the output of mercantile 15,000 tons has taken place, there has been ing himself or his affairs, or of ordinary pro Australia, China, and Japan has employed a they live long enough they will be convinced tonnage in the United Kingdom for. last considerable reduction in the total tonnage, per conduct." Mr. Ryland Adkins, M.P., large amount of tonnage, but at low rates, of their error. But whatever other countries year was the lowest on record, but launched. It may be noted that of the tondage ons of the members of the committee, dis Indian business, coasting and homeward, may do, we protest emphatically against the would be foolish to expect that launched during 1908, the United Kingdom sents from the power given to a judicial has been very poor throughout the year, Atrepresentatives of Great Britain entering into high, resulte are to be the invariable has acquired over 301 per cent. Of the total authority to order the detention of an in the same time the prospects are stated to be any pledges such as the American Govern rule. Ar was pointed out in the previous merchant tonnage output of the world during ebriate, at any rate for more than six months, brightening and the reduced production of meat suggested. This Colony has not been article, the decrease in tonnage launched 1908, 50 per cent was launched in the without the inebriate having the right to go lounge during the past two years has con- consulted directly or indirectly as to the con was to a large extent the corollary of the United Kingdom; but, If only seagoing steel before a jury, If he chooses, with the con- tibuted to readjust the position created by feience at Shanghal, and it ought to be left numerous strikes which occurred although steamers of 3,000 tons gross and upwards be sequential rights under the Criminal Appeal this over-supply of speculative production in perfectly free to deal with the opium question that point does not appear la Lloyd's sum- taken into account (thus excluding vessels Act, 1906.

previous year:

de it thinks proper, having regard to the mary. The increasing tendency to build trading on the North American, Lakes), out? more and material interests of its people steamers of large size has been again apparent of the total of 179 such steamer, of How that can be done has been pointed out in the output of the United Kingdom for 1,950,741 tous launched in the world, over most ably by Mr. John Anderson and his 1908. During the four years, 1892-5, on an 638 per cent of the tonnage has been launch colleagues of the Opium Commission, They average, eight vessels of 6,000 tons and ed in the United Kingdom, would make Indulgence more difficult, es upwards were launched per hour in the apparent then that Britain'sU1}}} pockly in the F.M,S, and prevent the Unlied Kingdom; in the following four shipbuilding trade even if dull abases which may be possible under the year, 1806-9, the average rose to 23, and been experienced, The retur Frodent conditions, but they would not take to so away a privilege when there is nothing to to Z

the four years rgo0-3, and dropped: (nestly so gloomy and disp! how that it has been setiquely abui

GET 7190471 During bean expected, and the p such vorsals were launched de fals for better

Weekly Share Report Yarn Market. Exchange. Local and General,

.. BIRTHS.

On February 5, 1909, at Copenhagen, to Mr.

and Mr. P. N. FORUM, & 100.

On February 5, 1909, at Shanghai, to Mr. and Mrs. A. M. CHAPHLAIN, a daughter,

On February 6, 1999, ni Shanghai, to Mr and Mrs. JNo. C. d'AQUINO, a daughter,

MARRIAGES. -

hát and London

On February 9, 1959, at Shanghai, CHARLES AMNER, of Ipswich, 10 ALICE PENNEY, of Bury St. Edmundi, Suffolk, England.

DEATHS.

On February 6, 1999, at Exeter, HARO INEZ SMEDLEY, aged 2), (by telegraph).

On February 8, 1999, at Übungbai, ROBERT RONNENKAMP, the dearly beloved baby of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Mackenzie, aged 13 mouths. On February 10, 1.09, at Shanghai, the be- loved twin boy of Mr. and Mrs. REIDER, Eged 5 months.

".

THE PROGRESS OF SHIPBUILDING,

Аз ва

The Hongkong Telegraph that he should be, subject, for a specified indeed, some orders for new steamers for We fear, however, that the false step was the depression in the shipbuilding trade in the year), and the Cincinnati, of about 20,000

MAIL, SUPPLEMENT, ISSUED GRATIS TO SUBSCRIBERS.

HONGKONG, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1999. FOR INEBRIATUS.,

(13th February,)" Some interesting recommendations are made by the Departmental Committee ap- pointed by the Home Becretary to consider the working of the law relating to inebriates. The chairman was Sir J. Dickson-Poyader, M.P. According to a summary appearing in the London Morning Leader, the com. mittee recommend a new Act consolidating the various Inebriate statutes from 1879 to 1899, and extending the law in important respects. It is suggested that inebriates should be allowed to enter into a legal obligation before a justice of the peace to abstain from intoxicante for a specified period, not less than one year. Inebriates are also to be allowed to apply voluntarily to magistrate for an order of guardianship. The term may be for any period named by the applicant, not exceeding a year; and be will name his own guardian. The magistrate must satisfy himself that the applicant is an Inebriate, and understands the nature and effect of bis application. The powers of such a voluntarily-appointed guardian would basTo prescribe for the inebriate a place of residence, either in the house of the in- ebriate or in that of the guardian; to deprive him of intoxicants, and prevent him from obtaining them to require him to submit to the control of nurses or attendante, in so far

the guarding may consider necessary

THE DEPRESsion in thE VAN SHIPPING TRADE,

(15th February.) In the reviews of the shipping trade during last year now coming to hand vein of pessimism runs through most of them, and indeed one firm declares that while. "It appears to be the ambition in the present

ON UPIOM

(10th February) Some exceedingly trenchant, not to say sarcastic, home-thrusts anent the oplum trade and the Commission at Shangugi appear in the latest issue of the Straits &imer: The reference is primarily concerned with the Colombo Opium Bill, which, it seemy has