1909-02-27 — Page 15

THE OPIUM COMMISSION..

"BEVENTI GESSION.

The seventh session opened at Shangbat at 10,30 am, on the 15th instant,

repon dealing with the Opiam question as It concerns Italy was presented by Signor Faraone. The Netherlands report then came up for discussion, and afterwards the Chief Commissioner for Japan, in reply to question

series of put by Mr. R. Laidlaw, M.P., gavo "i statistics covering the sale of Oplum Paste, the Consumption of Oplum, and the Revenue de rived therefrom in Formosarrak Mr. Tang Kuo-an, replying to questions put Sir Alexander Hosis, quoted figures from the to the Chinese Delegation at the last sitting by Japaucis Report on Formosa in support of the Chinese estimates of the percentage of smokora to the population, and stated that the further Information asked for would be supplied as 3000 as it could be obtained,

The Chief Commissioner for the Netherlands, Mr. de Jongh, then read a statement com prising the declared policy of his Governments which is gradually to reduce the consumption of Oplum in Netherlands Ladis,

The Commission adjourned at 12.15 p.m. On reassembling at 3.30 p.m. there was a brief dis cussion on the Austro-Hungarian report, and Dr. Rössler asked the Delegate for Austria Hungary to obtain particulars as to the use of opium in the Austrian concession at Tientsin.

China

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY FEBRUARY

and so far as we know, the most capable and that contain conditions relating to the opicm experienced of the delegates in namloiétation, trade, if China secures hot monopoly by the had been selected as the Chairman of a Confe kindly pandering of the faddist majority on rence the majority of which may be assumed the Conference, it will be millions to the the anti-oplum to be impervious to argamunt on genaral Chinese Treasury, And grounds. The majorly in instructed to act on agitation will come some fue day to under. the fixed datum of restriction and gradual exstand that the effect of the Conference has tinction, so far as concerns their own national been that it has stalified their agitation interests, and to aid in the framing of regula by enabling China to become mistress in her tions to bring these results about and to aid own house.. Were it upt for the fact that the in her alleged policy of suppression proceedings of the Conference may be made to This paragraph sufficiently explains the basis react injuriously upon the finances of this Colony we might, well afford, now that Tuan of the Conference programme -

The scope of the inquiries of the Shanghai Fang has shown the cloven hoof of the Opium Commission was contained in the reply monopely policy, to find some little amus given by. Sir Edward Grey to a question in ment in the further proceedings of the Inter- recited the text of the instructions which the least in what we shall be permitted to leard of Parliament in the middle of December. He national Opium Conference at Shangbai, or st Americas Government had given to their res those proceedings.—Singapore Frot Prem. presentatives in the Commission, and said that the British delegates would be furnished with THE SHANGHAI LAND INVEST. instructions on similar lines. The American delegates an instructed in the first place to United States and, secondly, to ascertain the devise means, to limit the use of opium in the best means of suppressing the opiom traffic, if such exists, among American citizens in the

· Far East.-- The third instruction in the Ameris can delegates directs them, in co-operation with the representatives of other Powers, to propose measures, which the Governments may adopt, for the gradual suppress the of opiam cultivation, traffic, and use within their Eastern possessions thusassisting China in her purpose.

MENT CO. LD,

· ANNUAL MEETINGUE The twentieth annual meeting of the above company was held at the company's offices on. the 17th inst. There were present:"Mesurs, E. Jenner Hogg (Chairman),]. M. Young, C. W. Wrightson, H. R. Kinnear (Directors) B. G. Holl, H. J. Clark, J. Valentine, L. Kerr, C. D. Kerr, G. S. Lindsay, A, Dallas, W. Carlsen, D. M. Gubbay, W. B. Buyers, Cummins and P. Peebles (Secretary).

EN ROBBERY AFTERMATH:

27 1909.

A NEW SOLICITORE:

OLD HONGKONG'DOY ADMITTED TO THE BAE. See Before the business at the Supreme Court was opened last Monday, the Attornay-General (Mr. W. Rees Davies, R.C.), moved that Mr. Hing Kam Hung be admitted to practise as a solicitor in Hongkong

DISCUSSION IN COURT-PRISONER MARIONET CONVICTED." When the Attorney General was explaining the law to the same Jary in the second case at the Criminal Sentosa last Tuesday, a discus sion between the Chief Justice and himself locked imminent for a whilevi, poco

The case was that in which a coelle named Chan Lam was accused of being in possession of property which was supposed to have been stolen during an armed robbery committed la the Ngau Tau Kok village, Lysemoon, on the and fustant, p

The Attorney-General, prior to outlining the alleged facts of the case, stated that wasre a mon was found in possession of property which did not belong to him, the law required the man to give a reasonable account of how he came into possession of the goods As a matter of fact the burden of proof was on

The Chief Justice-I don't know if that is the law maps

gun The Attorney General-§ will leave it to your Lordship to direct the jury on that point, later,

The Chief Justice remarked that the den of proof was French law-not English

The Attorney-General - reiterated that the function of directing the jury on point of law was the Chief Justice's, not his.

The Persian report was left over for discussion of eradicating the evil from her Empire" quorum present, I propose that Mr. Peebles Attorney-General returned to the question, and

antil the question of the production of opium generally comes before the Commission.

A proposal made by Dr. Rössler that a Com- mittee should be appointed to consider existing International Agreements on the opiam traffic was accepted and there followed a discussion as to the scope of inquiry generally to which the Commission should confine itself.

The Commission adjourned at 3.45 p.m., until Thursday, February 18.

EIGHTH SESSION.

is the fourth instruction directs them to in fares the Commission about regulations and restrictions in force in the United States, and "to formulate and discuss proposals fox amending such regulations in points in which they may be found, in the course of the joint investigation, to affect the production, com merce, use and disadvantages of opium in the Far East.

The Chairman-The report and accounis

The Chairman-Gentlemen, as there is act as secretary to the menting, and I shall asle him to read the notice convening the meeting This having been done, vt A have been in your bands for some time and with your pemission we will take them as read, am very glad to be able to congratulate share holders on the continued satisfactory working of the Company. We have passed through a At the first meeting there was no public year of considerable stress but we still show admission, only the delegates and the repro-resalia that I am sure must. gratify you. We sentatives of the press being present. At falute keep up the dividend and bonus as last year, The eighth session of the Commission opened the press will not be present. Among the ing to Equalization of Dividendi

meetings the proceedings will be private and hile we propose to fortify our position by pass Fund," such at Shanghai at ró.30 am. on the 18th February.

points mentioned in the telegraphic report is the

a substantial sum as will further consolidate the After the President had announced the fact that Mr. Carey, of the Imperial Maritime strong position we have already attained and en. of the delegates appointed as a Committea na International Agreements affecting the traffic Customs, is to be Secretary to the Conference. sure our dividende even if evildays should come, Another, that the senior French representative We also carry forward a large balance-we in Opium, Mr. Mackenzie King presented a

moved that the proceedings should be conduct believe that we ought to do this and that you Report on the Opium question in Canada.

ed in the French language, a proposal that was will heartly approve of our doing so in view of supported by the Russian representative M. the possibilities turning out unfavourably dur Kleimenow. The proposal is to be examined by og 1909. Turning to the years-Our rentals sub-committee, but it is quite unlikely that it have increased by nearly Tis. 39,050, but on will be approved. The English. language is ibe other hand some of our expenses have been -so-extensively-used-in-autors-trade and beavy Taxes are largely increased-and-we Rastera diplomacy, and is so generally the have bad to meet a considerable number of lingua franca of the Far East, besides the fact repairs, due in many cases to changing ten- that Britain is more concerned in the opium nats. We have improved the lighting on some question than any other power save China, of our properties and that item is consequently that its adoption is a matter hardly open to dis∙ increased. Fire insurances amounts to more, as cussion. The most important thing in the our building, extends, and management ex-- whole proceedings was the speech of H E. the

penses are bigber owing to additional re- Viceroy, Tuas Fang, in opening the Conference. inuneration to the agents, to salaries increasing The Vienroy was careful to say that Chiba was with terms of service, and to sundries incidental sincere in her desire to suppress the opium to the growth of our business. habit among her subjects. But with a signi ficant fasistence Ke urged that it was necessary for China to get the entire control of the opium trade into her own bands.. His Excellency ex talled the monopoly system, and urged that the special treaties should be revised in order that the monopoly system might be, adopted by Chioa. This is, very precisely, a declara tion of the monopolistic policy that we felt convinced that China would adopt at the earliest practicable moment, instead of opium being, as now, a commodity passed through the Customs and, after paying duty, being distributed by tradera in the ordinary course of business, the sole buyer would be the Chinese Government, until the day arrived when it chose to shut out all imports of opium

The Chinese report then came up for discus

no further sion, but elicited to, un behalf of the Revenue Commlites, described the lines of investigation which it was proposed to fallow, and pointed out the necessity for reducing all statistics to uniform units. For example, it was suggested that all monies should be reduced, to English carrency, and that measures of surface, weight, curred be expressed in metrical terms. All figures furnished should cover the years 1993/7. Some doubt was,expressed by delegates as to the possibility of changing returns for fiscal poriods lato alatistics for the calendar years.

Discussion ensued on a suggestion made by Mr. Tang Kun-an, that à Committee should be appointed to investigate the subject of Anti- oplum remedies and to determine the means of curing the Opium bakit without recourse to the actual drag or any of its derivatives. No decision was arrived at, and the matter was left over for further discussion,

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The japanese and American delegates pot a number of questions with reference to the Persian and Indian reports respectively, an swers to which will be laid on the table at the next sitting.

The Commission adjourned at noon until the 19th instant at 10.30 §.m.

NINTH SESSION. The ninth session of the Commission opened at 1030 am, on 19th lnst. with a renewal o

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Joterest account is the difference between payments of interest on debentures and over- draft on one side, and receipts from mortgages on the other. It is about fls 4,000 less than last year, as the amount of mortgage has been somewhat reduced.,

Profit and loss account you will find credited with Tir. 290,000, the profit un the sale of part. of No Estate, and with premiums on Debsn. tures sold recently, On the other side is debit under this heading, as earlier last year. debeatures generally were in less demand and were sold at a discount. The item of Tis. 2,012.48 is the premium on certain half shares left over from the last issue and, sold, the amount received lesy Pad over to the share holders entitled thereto.

After presenting the case to the jury, the

mis-stated the point of law. askad bis Lordship in what respect had be

The Chief Justice The law does out ab.

solutely state that the burden of proof was on the prisonerit was for the Crown to prove the robbery and the prisoner to show how he came lato the possession of the stolen property.

The Alteracy-General's reply was not caught, and he proceeded to state the case. He said that about one o'clock on the morning in which lived several familles was plundered question a house at Ngaa Tau Kok in by a gang of masked robbers. The prosecu- tion was not in a position to identify any of the robbers. On the same day of the robbery the prisoner was arrested with some of the stolen goods in his possession. When charged, the prisoner took the police to a shed at Lyee: recovered. A woman in the shed told the moon where the balance of the property was police that the property was brought there by the prisoner that day. To answer to this the prisoner said that the clothing was given him by a man to carry. Altogether thirty pieces of

owners. clothing was identified by its

Evidence followed off

A statement made by prisoner denying the charges, was followed by the jury returning a verdict of "guilly, and a sentence of two years hard labour was passed,

"MR. CLEMENTES OPIUM

MEMORANDUM.

PERCENTAGE OF SMOKERS IN CHINA.

Mr E., W. Thwing writes in the Shanghai Mercury The matter of the percentage of Opium users in China is ons in which reports greatly differ. The Chinese claim perbaps too large a number for the Empire, while the English estimate given is certainly too small.

Mr. C. Clementi's article au the subject has been read with,much interest, but some import ant elements of the question seem to have and reports been overlooked. Official figures may sometimes be very misleading, and do not always agree,

Mr. Clementi gives the estimate. al Chips's opium production for 1906, ar about six-times the amount imported from abroad. Another

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te so doing the Attorney General stated that Mr. Hing Kam Hung had a distinguished career. He was educated at Queen's College, and later went to England where he joined the firma of Ullithorne and Currey, Gray's Inn, as an articled clerk, famaining there for five years. He passed his final examination held by the Incorporated Law Society in London in fude, 1908, and subsequently was admitted a solicitor in England, He obtained a certificate of third class honours from the Incorporated Law Society in June, 1956. He returned to Hoog kong in December last, and cow wished to join the firm, of

Looker and Deacon

The Chief Justice (Sir Francis Piggott) said Ahat he had read through the papers and found them in order. He had much pleasure to ad- mitting Mr. Hing Kam Hung to the Bar. ⠀⠀⠀

AFFRAP ON SHIPBOARD.

CABIN "BOY'S" ASSAILANT CONVICTED. Leung Sal, formerly a seaman on board the steamer Rum Sang, was sentenced by the Chief Justice last Monday to a term of impri- sonment for stabbing the cabin "boy" (Lui Wa) on board ship on the toth ultimo.

SHIPPING SUBSIDIES;

QUESTIONS:

SJAPAN

80

Tokyo, Fab 12,

The Committes on the Ocean Steam Navi

gation Subsidy and Shipbuilding Encourage- ment Billa in the Lower Hourd met at 11 am.

Mr. Nakashaji, Vice-Minister of Communi. cations stated that shipping subsidies had been granted under two laws the Steam Navigation Encouragement Law and the Special Steam Service Subsidy Law. By this means the. steam navigation of the Empire was controlled. There was, however, no need for tomessures to exist for the purpose, and the two laws werd

Ocean

Steam vow incorporated into one in the Navigation Subsidy Bingaroy

Mr. Nishimura Tanjing pointed out that Article 1 of the Ocean Steam Navigation Subsidy Dill, which authorised the Minister of Communications to grant a subsidy subject to this law for a term of from three to ten years, and to order a steamship company to open a regular ocean service, was evidently a violation of the latter clause of Article 63 of the Constitu don, which says: "The raising of national loans and the contracting of other habilities by the national Treasury, except those provided for in the Budget, shall be subject to the con sent of the Imperial Diet Mr. Nishimura urged that if the Minister once gradled m'sub- sidy in accordance with Article of the Bill, and it was passed, the hands of the Diet would thoreafter be sled. Wri

The Vice-Minister of Communications denied that Articlel, was a violation of the Constitu tion. As the existing law authorised the Go vernment to grant a subsidy, to steamers in general, so the sew Bill authorised the Govern meat to grant a subridy to cortain particular

The accused had entered a plea of "not guilty," and the following jury returned the verdict which resulted in him being sent to gaol:-Mass.. Ramsay (foreman), Rich Mr. Nishimura, asked whether the Govern Soares, H. E. Scriven, L. A. Rose, A. Ritchie, E/ W. Schierenberg and H. B. Davidson. ment intended in future to leave steam, naviga

Presenting the case to the jury, the Attorney; } dan en home waters entirely unprotected, with wounding with intent to do grievous plied that the financial position of the Govern

The Vice-Minister of Communications re». "General said that the defendant was charged

bodily harm: The affray, he observed, was ment did not permit of protection being extend

ed to navigation in the dear seat. After the result of a petty quarrel on board the steamer, On the day in question, weighing the importance of the two, the Go- prosecutor asked defendant for the setara vernment had decided to protect the more of twenty cents, which was still owlog.important branch first, though it did not cen Defendant retorted that he had returned the slder that protection for navigation in home and defendant, drawing a knife, stabbed the money at Calcutta. A dispute here followed waters was unclean.

Mr. Nishimura further asked why the term of "boy" several times. After the stabbing be operation of the law was not fixed in the Bill.. made an attempt to escape: Letting himself iffe pointed out that the minimum qualifica down with a rope over the ship's alde, be got tions of the steamers-3,000 tons and 12 koots into a sampan, but was stopped by the third-was all very well, but need might arise for officer. According to the medical evidence the raising this standard. prosecutor was to a very critical condition, owing to the loss of bland, when he was ad mitted to hospital, where he still remaloed. There were a clean cut wound on his left chest, another on his arm, and a third on the left up- par eyelid. This cut rosulted in the loss of his eye-sight in that eye. At the Magistracy, the defendant practically admitted the charge. Heaverred that he was attacked first with an Iron har.

The jury without retiring found the defend. ant guilty, and his Lordship passed sentence of three years' imprisonment with hard labour.

SOLDIER-SENT TO PRISON,

CONVICTED OF STEALING TRAMWAY COMPANY'S MONEY.

The Vice-Minister of Communications re- plied that no inconvenience would be felt by adding to that standard in future,

Mr. Nishimura said that The total value of the trade of Japan with South America for 1906 was not more than Y500,000, including exports and imports, and the subsidy to be granted. to the South American service would touch about Y700,000. It was strange that a subsidy granted to the steam service should ex ceed the total value of trade with the coustries to which the service would ply. The total number of emigrants who had settled in South America did pot exceed 19,000: Did the Government so any roal-necessity for opening: a'steam, service to South American Ag

The Vice-Minister of Communications"mid that both the trade with and the emigration of labourers to South America had brilliant, pro- specta and the Government thought the present was a most opportune time for opening steam serviço, an

The case against the soldier belonging to the R.G.A., who was accused of stealing one dollar and fifty cents in coppers from the cash Mr. Nishimora further remarked that in box on ose of the tramcars the other day, was countries where more subsidies werd granted: resumed before Mr. J. H. Kemp in the Police the steam navigation was less developed, and Court, last Thursday forenoon.

The conductor of the car was recalled and smaller heldy was granted steam navigation showed greater development. He, in Cour

the discussion on Mr. T'ang Kuo-asis proposi. from ‚Indis-and Parnia. It was only last month/ Reserve fund is increased 10 Tls. 1.52),045.73 | Dritishofficial, who has resided in China for many the Court had the following questions 10 ask mentioned France and Germany ai cater in:

tion, that a Committed-should be appointed to consider the medical aspects of the opium „question, and the best means of curing the-- opium habit without recourse to the actual drug or its derivatives,

that we drew attention to the fact that the in- stitution of an opium monopoly would be view ed by the present rather reactionary Chinese Government, as one way by which the influence of the foreigner in Chian would be diminished, The passage may be worth re-reading in the light of H. E. Tuan Fang's emphatic demand for the creation of a Chinese Government monopoly of opium. On the 19th ult, we wrote as follows:

If the present Government comes to the con- clusion that foreign influence will be weakened by the reduction and final exclusion of foreign rows opium it will approve such recommen

The Rt. Hon. Sir Cecil Clementi Smith expressed sympathy with the object which Mr. Tang had in view, and stated that he wis not opposed to any practical inquiry into the subject; but he considered that the Commis. sion did not possess amonggat its members a sufficient manber of scientific men to form a committee of the kind suggested by Mr. Tang, Fiew of anti-oplum remedies and of the pro-dations of the Conference as will tend to endow and the investigation from a medical point of perties and effects of opiam and its products it with a monopoly of its own production of should be recommanded by each Delegation to opium. But there will remain the very different question of how, the monopoly once establish- its own Government. He moved an amend,

ed, it will proceed in regard to a matter that ment to this effect.

has for the Chloese government & fiscal aspect of immense importance. Aiready the shrinkage of opium revenus from the very partial and sporadic measures taken to suppress the island cultivation of the poppy, is causing the Chinese Government very real concero. And angious inquiries are being made by the Frovincial Governments as to how the hiatus But in the revenue is to be -made, up. the appearance of suppression of opium production must be maintained long enough to persuade lodia to abandon altogether the production of opium, because there will be no Chance of a complete monopoly till then." But when that time comes, China will be in, the fortunate position of being able to do just what it pleases, and we suspect that the course it wil find most satisfactory, because most profitable, will be the regulation and management of i own revenus by domestic excise taxation, and, perhaps still more, by the much larger amounts

Dr. Rössler and R.E. Taunerite Miyaoka, supporting Mr. Tang's proposition, considered that their labours would be locomplete were the Commission to include of reference in its report to the medical aspect of the opium question, Eventually, the amendment moved, by the Ri, Hon. Sir Cecil Clementi Smith was adopted by

the Commission.

After the Japanese and British Delegations had replied to questions put to them by Dr, Hamilton Wright and Dr. Tennay, Monsieur Retard, the Chief Commissioner for France, explained bit attituds with regard to Mr. Tang's proposition.. He quoted the correspondence between the United States and the French Governments, and pointed out that there was no suggestion therein regarding the study of the Opiam question from a medical point of view. He understood that the subject was to ba considered by the commission purely from a commercial and administrative standpoint; consequently be agreed with the Rt. Hon. Sir Cecil Clementi Smith as to the advisability of leaving the medical aspect of the opium pro blam to be investigated by the highest scien- tific and medical authorities of the two hemis. pheres.

The Commission adjourned at 11:40 am. until Monday, the and instant.

STRAITS COMMENTE

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by the transfer authorized at our last meeting of Tl. 653,552.21 being the premium on the new issue of capital. This fund has reached such proportions (it is equal to nearly 40 per per cent of our Capital), that we see do reason to make further addition to it at present.

The reserve fund for the equalization of dividends" will, if you approve our proposal, ba brought up to the substantial sum of Ti 30,000, and will be available at any time för the maintenance of our dividende, in cass of such need. !

The balance sheet, shows, the cost of our various proparties up to date and I may men- tion that we have expended during the year about

Th. 36,000 on land:

394,000 on new buildinga. 25,000 on railing land. All of which is satisfactory outlay.

Our Morgages amounting to Tla: 2,579 412,- 20 are all fully covered. As to the future wo are proceeding in all respects very cautiously waiting to see how this year will develop, but as far as we are concerned we have no cause for the slightest apprehension.

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When had you last seen, the money in the box?-I counted the cash at Shek-tong isui.

And the car was returning to town?-Yas,

point.

......

Mr. Uchida, Director of the Marine Bureau, said that the extent of the shipping: subsidy granted depended on the national circum If the motorman hadn't told you would you ||mances of each country: In Great Britain, have known that the money was missing? No which possessed vessels representing about

The motorman said that at the time there|| wore only the two soldiers in the car.

years, estimates native opium eleven times the amount of the imported article. If that be so it would almost double Mr. Clementi's estimate of 2% as the smokers for China, Sir R. Bart, in the official Yellow Book, (Peking 29th Jan, 1881) said: "I round numbers, the annual importations of foreign opium may be said to amount to 100,000 chests, or, allowing od catties to each chest, 10,000,000 caltics (the catty is the Chinese pounds one catty is equal to one pound and a third avoirdupoit)," dir R. Hart said again, a month or two ago, that-In 1864 the opium imported, was valued at, over thirty million taals, and represented about 46 per cent, of the import trade; it now represents only about 7 per cent a fact which shows rather how general trade has grown than that the opium trade has diminished. Opium-Yes however, is doomed."

If the Indian opium trade has not greatly | diminished, and China has ten or eleven times as much native opiam, the oplum consumed in China is much larger than Mr. Clement's estimate, and therefore the percentage of users would be bighat. F

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Smuggling in another unknown quantity | If anyone has any questions to ask I shall be which enters into the problem, very pleased to answer them to the best of my The use of the Opium Ash," which has a more evil effect, and is taken in smaller quanti ability before proposing the resolution.

There being no questions a number of reties, supplies many thousands of the poorer solutions were putto the meeting and adopted people. This "Opium Ash," is a by-product after smoking and so does not enter into useimourly.

Custom house reports.

་*

A witness for the defence stated that on the day the larceny was alleged to have bean com. mitted he saw the defendant gambling in the barracks gymnasium. He'saw defendant win. several hands, The winnings sometimes amounted to a dollar.”

half the total, shipping tonnaga of the world, about -Yo,000,000 was granted, in shipping subsidies annually. - In-Japan a subsidy con- formable to the national financial power was granted.

Mr. Nishimura further pressed his questions-- and asked why the special subsidy to the Hem. bay line was withdrawn, a subsidy being grant The Court-What were they gambling at?-ed only under-the provisions of the disam Pontoon.

܂܂

Do you usually use coppers to gamble with? Were do you get them from? -Frem Chinese, Do you svar change your pay into coppers? Yes.

How much do you get for a dollar ?--I only change twenty and forty cents.

Do you get a premium?-No, sir. You get twenty cents for twenty cents? Yes, sir.

You are not in the habit of changing dollar, are you?-No.

Do you know if other men are?-No, Another witness said that defendant had won about thres dollars on Sunday. There was a large pile of coppere near him.

Asked as to whether he had any more wit».

CATHEDRAL choir conceRT Yet the very large number of "Opium Ashnesses to call, defendant said that be bad one

devils," as the Chinese call these poor sota, will more, but it only, occurred to him this morn«": increase the percentage of thore who use ing. That was a man in the canteen, and be opiam. Again the amount used is open to decould state that on one occasion ba bad pald bale. An average of Tis 0.2 per diem may be for twenty piatt of beer with coppers correct for the foreign ports, where many are The Count-You are convicted. I sentence wealthy and usa more, yet a very great number

SECOND RECITAL LAST NIGHT. The repetition of the 'concert given by the Choir of St. John's Cathedral under the direction of Mr. Denman Fuller, Cathedral Organist, over a week ago, took place at the City Hall

that will ultimately be produced from lugar last Monday night, when a moderately large of poor people, in the Interior; who ute a much you to three weeks! hard labour. Daphn

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mellor amount, are much injured and im poverished by the habit. Many women, and even children, usa very small amounts of opium with bad effect. I have known of a woman blowing the fumes of the opium pipe into her child's face to stop its crying, thus creating the habit, ...

ular demende for an encore. The programme would supply many more unern, t It is possible enough that this demand for a

With such uncertain elements, with varying reports, with the actual testimony of those who have lived in the interior for many years of the people, as to the wide use of opiam, it is by no means a certain conclusion to estimate, the opium users in China as only 2% of the

BABES AND SUCKLINGS.,

WHERE TRUTH ONCE COULD BE 'OBTAINED.

In the course of the armed robbery and kidnapping trial at the Criminal Sessions last Tacsdky, the monotony was broken by a bit of

Navigation Encouragement Law

Mr. Uchida replied that the Bombay line. was opened in 1873 because of the necessity of shipping raw cotton from Bombay, Fresned by the competitiba of foreign steamers," the Nippon Yosen Kaisha applied to the Govern ment for the grant of a subsidy, and in 1806 a Eabsidy was granted for: a term of ten years. An agreement was made between the Nippon Yusen Kaisha and foreign steamship com panies, and the subsidy was withdrawn upon the expiry of the term of contract, after which a subsidy was granted only under the provi sions of the General Steam Navigation Encour ngement Law

After some farther questions and answers, the meeting was adjourned-Japan Chronicle RECOGNITION OF BRAVERY.

An Interesting event took place yesterday. morning on board the Revenue Cruiser Gluen time, reports the NC. D. News of 19th lost. when Mr. O. R. Coales of H. M, Consulate- General, presented Mr. J. H. Barton, obe of the officers of that vessel, with a testimonial from the Royal Humane Society for his gallant attempt, in trying circumstances, to rescue A Chinesa sailor, from drowning. The man fall overboard in stormy weather and in a strong tide-way about two miles outside the Liao, River naar Newchwang and in his efforts to save him. Mr. Bailon nearly lost his

importation of opium into every counity where there are Asiatics who wish to consume it. In audience patronised the efforts of the members so far at the Conference may, unwittingly, by

to augment the Organ Fund. The programme its conclusions, aid the present Pakiog Govers-was identical with the original one. It was re- ment to shut out foreign opium, it will help grettable that Miss Brotherton Harker, whose to bestowing upon Chiar the monopoly of the name was down on the programme for a domestic and foreign supply of A commodity piano sole, was unable to appear owing to that will continue to be consumed by mil indisposition. The other sumbers proceeded foos of Asiatics until the day arrives when

Again another matter of the use of the without a single hitch and were all appreciated.

น Panter" or small opium balls. Many poor homour. Two, witnesses (the busband and own life. Captain W. F. Tyler, Coast To Mr. Donman Fuller fell the honour of the modera commerce shall have taught the Asiatic

fra encore of the evening, for his "Ballade," sols who have smoked away their money and wife) had already bees examined, and a third Inspector, the Captain and officers of the In Hongkong papers that have come to hand-the universal appreciation of alcohol. And wa

cannot afford to buy the smoking opium, will to which he responded with another item on

Was called. Everybody looked in the direction Cuentas and an officer from the Revenue. there appear brief telegraphic references an believe that the new Government at Peking nouncing the opening of the international will da all' in its power to encourage the con

the piano. "Little Blue Moon" by Mrs. Esatisfy the craving by the eating of these

Pautiz” A very small quantity if the swat of the witness room, and saw a girl child walk. Cruiser Linksing were pressat on this interest Opium Commission at Shanghai. Although terence to help it to this megnificent monopoly

Barrett was very much appreciated, the last towed. In this way a small amount of opium nine, but she looked only six, and was a triffs | sentation. mentioned that Sie Pelham Warreg ing up the corridos. Her age was given:asing occasion. Mr. Coales in making the pre- brief these telegrams belp to indicate that the that is steadily approaching realisation,

verse having to be repeated to satisfy tha` pop-

taller than the witness stand, regretted bis. Inability to be prozent, but that

· Conference not intended by its promotors to

The Chief Justice had his double as to the he himself felt it a great pleasure to take part carry out any investigation into the general monopoly of the control of opium by the Chi- again concluded with the extremely farcical nomery sumber "There was an old woman

child's age, and immediately called for the in the recognition of a brave act. He joined question of the use of opium and the various

nese Government, through its chief representa incidental administrative matters connected live the Viceroy Tuan Fang, may have come at who lived in a shoe, specially adapted to

Ordinance relating to children giving evidence in Sir Peibam Warren's expression of regret The Attorney-General-She is aise your that Mr. Barton had not been successful la saving, the fe for which he risked his own, therewith, but is rather meant to assume a sort of cald douche upon the most thorough musical accompaniment. The pisca had to be

Toasts were then drunk in Mr. Barton's foregone conclusion as the basis of its delibera. going faddisis amongst the foreign delegates, repasted in view of the vociferous applause

old, and a very intelligent child.. which greeted its performance. On the whole, tions, which can result in little more than a What they may be able to come to compres

the concert organized by Mr. Denman Fuller total population. ↑

honour. a discussion arriving at a common understand, bend was that His Excellency practical

"bora repolition remarkably well.” ing ns-to mannar in which that foregone ly told them that, so far A China was. Conclusion may be best given effect to. This, concerned, they were all, free to make what-The programme was as follows: in the first place, may be inferred from the ever ruleo and regulations' they liked re selection of the Chairman, who is Bishop garding the control of opium in their own Brent, an American cloric who... han la countries. But if and when Chins got the bonred in the Philippines, and was the Chair- monopoly she was determined to exact by man of the Philippins Opium Commission, treaty modification,, she would take good care which extended its enquiries' to the Straits that once opium was a domestic business of and India, Bishop Breat presides over the fist owe, she would go her own way and listen meetings of the Conference with bin mlad com to no representations" from foreigo, Kources. pletely made up, mod like the rest of the One thing that would be pretty certale is, that ¡American representatives, possektes those views there would be no opportunity given for med. which are more fraukiy partisan ikan judicial diesome outsiders-to-interfere with whatever No doubt this selection of Bishop Brent as policy the Chinese Government thought ft Chairman is due to the fact that the fetare, to adopt in regard to its productions or cons national Conference was his original idea, com sumption of opium, within lis provicces. That municated in letter to Fresident Roosevelt would be China's own affair, and boibing in AD with hom the diplomatic initiativa lay?" It is swiftly going to confer on China, the power of perkapı (mit ar wail that this should be so, for excluding an intrusive, it ignorantly well-meant *it would have beed a difficult position if Bir Cecil Interference, than this perfectly intelligible de. Clementi Smith, who is the most distinguished, mand for the alteration of all those trenties

Anthem. A through the night " **Gounod

Send out Thy Light".

*** Walsh air Mrs. G. H. Edwards, Min Nicholson Mossra. Edwards, Hiden, Crispin, Piano anda...said." Air and variations i vevamo klas Bretherton Harker Carol....." la dulci Jubels" (1570) Cars!! Mrs. Jarrett, Miss Humphreys After Sath, Mr.

Main, Mrs. Broughall, Mrs. Gaidamlių), Manara, O

Ayris, Matthews, White, Handali

and siden. Evening Lysin "O gladioma light“... Salitran Vocal polka,

"Merry June

Gi Vincent

•Ali Setb, Mik. Birourkaik FRAMEDICI Solo

Bernade

Mr. Ht Ayrls. Boser. White, Wright, Kempthorne Piano solo

"Ballads” (Opus 47)

#air, Dantzan Füller coa

"Sweet and Low miss out ¿Quartet size

Dr. Edwarda, Hira. Brougland), Mr: 0. 12, VARAGARRID Edwards, Hys Randali

M, Br

*** Ligili Biur Moon Tuning Tubot: "There was as old eraman My Browall and Me, Ca

Barn the Kide

Solp with cho

Gles

"A SHARP PENALTY.

SELLER OF ILLICIT ONIUM CONVICTED, A coplle, who was arrested selling illicit oplom in Morrison. Hill Gap Road Irst Wed- nesday night denied the charge when brought up in the Police Court, on Thursday. He added that when arrested the officer told him committed last be was to answer for an offences

The Court Then what were you doing thers email boxes if you were not selling

The defendant They do not belong to me. They are bis (meaning the chief excite officer); It turned out however, that the defendant had thrice been convicted for similar offences. Four years ago Dewas Gnad $100, the next yfar Seco, and the your after that Szco,

His Worship imposed a due of Saço, or months, bara labour.

year,

with

The Chief Justice-Wa will try her The oath was then administered, the girl repasting every word clearly, S

The Chief Justice-Ask her if she' under.. stands what she has akid.

The Girl Yes.

The Chief Justice-What 2

The Git-That,- (Laughter),..........

THE EAGLE UNDERESTIMATED.

NAMAMUSING "ALIBI" BY COOLIRA

Arather amusing statement) was advanced by a prisoner at the Criminal Sessioos last Toes day open leven YEINAMASI

The man was accused of committing an armed robbery Fat 0 Island, Mirs Bay, and the alibi which he attempted to establish was lugenious in the delianin

After further questioning, as to what she meant by "that" the young witness stated that what she had to do was to tell the truth

The Attorney-General-Out of the months of babes and sucklings we obtain the truth

The Chief Justice That was in the old days, (Laughter de to do When the robbery, was committed, shid The girl gare her ayidance very well indeed, the prisoner, I was at Shad-kl-Wing her!! and at the conclusion everyone wondered lival: The distance between Kat whether the younger girl would be called the kijwan je very great-11,your 42700 would, jake you half a day it three year old one

The Chief Justice Are you going to put the lanach would occupy opa day. ( praso, tuckling in the box (Laughter. Eu continued wor Pane threeThe Attorney General No, my Lordi: I will take me two days to cover the's

- limit myself to the hebreji (Mora laughter), 1. la 10 mom way wonder be all AARO

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