1909-03-13 — Page 14

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THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY MARCH 13 1909.

Singapore Opium Farm. with the consequence of largely decreasing the

GOVERNMENT TAKES POSSESSION,.

IMPORTANT CORRESPONDENCE ON OPIUM POLICY,

The matter of the Slugapore Opium and Spirit Farm, and the arrears of payment due therefrom to the revenues of the Colony, bas occupied the serious attention of the Governmeal for some time past. The question reached a climax, yesterday afternoon, reports the Straits Time of and insty when shortly after two o'clock, Mr Gibson, of the Chinese Protectorato, called at the Farm offices in Cecil Street, and formally took charge of the bus. laces on behalf of the Government. It was known to ourselves that strong measures were in course of making, but it was obviously a matter on which was not permissible to publish information in advance. Now that the action of Government has taken definite shape, we may say that the decision of the Government to appolat a receiver in the Farm business-in other words to enter into possession was final ly reached at a recent special meeting of the Executive Council, following on instructions framed by the Governor before he depared for Europe...

A

unable to agree that the main cause of the

alleged decline in sales was due to the action of Government, and that His Excellency to gretted he was unable to grant any abatement of rent or release the Farmers from their agree mention pr

WA FINANCIAL CATASTROPHE

the Straits Opium Commission which, while

a

The Slave Traffic.

JAPANESE WOMEN SOLD TO

HONGKONG. ON

KIDNAPPING GANG ARRESTED. L A remarkable but not uncommon story has

THE CA

B) Ya Shlochow, Feb. Thi Canton Hankow Railway is at longth within sight of the North River just above famous Filaitze gorge The line is la worl order for forty-five miles and hirendy a hu of yaitors have come from Canton to Yua

sales of the Farm. contrahy

Your petitioners respectfully submit that though in forms they made their contract with the King's Most Excellent Majesty in affect it is the Government of the Straks Seitlements with whom they carry it out: They urge that to such contract ordinary principles should On December 14, the Farmers, in a lengthy apply and that it is not just that the part pro- letter, expressed their disappointment and action or inaction make the performance of it generally of the action of the agil-opiunt party, fiting by the Agreement should by collatera alluded to the baneful effect on the opium trafia Government monopoly of the preparation and Coths to light in the arrest by the Kobe police, the farthest station opan.The rolling stoc mors difficult and oneros to be working · dis

to whom and of the great drop in receipts following the agreement happens toyboy

the Government's crusade against the sale advantageously. The Farm is losing money of opium in brothels: They again spoke heavily. The sales had dropped off some of a possible financial catastrophe, 11,000 lasts a month before the Government solving widows and people of limited means, took action in respect of brothel sales and now and said they felt their losses were prin your petitioners are faced with a further decline cipally, if not solaly attributable to the of 15,000 taels a month as above indicated.

appointment of the Opium Commission follow 2. Your politioners reiterate that they would ed by the stoppage of sales in brothala, They not have taken over the Farm at the úgure at asked for relief as an act of grace, and trusted which they tendered bad they anticipated that in the British Government's high sense of Im- the Government would put a stop to a practice partiality, Justice and right... to a further letter upon a consideration of which your petitioners they asked for an inquiry. The reply was tendered, of which the Government through the brief; is merely stated that Government did not Chiness Protectorate had been aware for a admit any respassibility whatever for the large number of years and to which it had alleged diminution in the sales of the Farm talien no exception. Your petitioner humbly and declined any further discussion of the represent that Government should render them

maller. Tas Government added that if the plenary assistance by preventing smuggling sent for January ware got paid at due date, they and licit sale of earphin and Coca political would proceed in accordance with the powers finally they desire to urge that the reserved to them in case of default by the terms position of the "oplum question" as it is called

of the contract. was altered and modified to the disadvantage of Briefly, the position at the time of seizure by your petitioners by the action of Government the Government, yesterday afternoon, was as in appointing the Commission referred to. follows: The monopoly for the sale of opium and spirits, a lot to the present Farmers, runs over a period of three years, concluding at the sad of the present year. The monthly payment due from the Farm to the Government under the forms of the contract is--for opium $235,000, for liquors $60,000, a total monthly sum of $295,000. The Farm has not paid a balance on January Inst-of $130,000, and owes for the whole of February $295,000, so that the total indebted ness to the Government is, in round figures, $425,000..

י.

WILAT THE FARMER OWES, da

Your petitioners therefore pray (1) That, a substantial reduction to their rent commensurate with, the failing off of their returns by reason of the matters above set fork may be accorded them: or alternatively,

(2) That some reduction may be made in respect of the months of November and December of this year and that they may be relieved of their contract at the end of the pre-

sant year.

And your petitioners will ever humbly pray. Signed at Singapore in the Colony of the Straits Settlements, the 2nd day of November,

The position taken by the Farmers is that certain matters have risen which it was impos-1908. sible to foresee when the contract was entered into, and which operated prejudicially on their income--tbese matters they claim largely arise from the action of the Government; and one of the chief causes of the fall in receipts from -opium is stated to be the recent prevention of the sale of the drug in Chinese brothels. This, and other mattere, are referred to detail in the appended petition which the Farmers placed before the Govamor, in November last. The crux of the question, from the Farmers' point of view, is contained in this document, loge ther with the reply of the Government declin- ing to grant the remission prayed for or lo reliove the Famers of the obligations under their contract. These two letters are as fol PETITION.

lows:-.

The Humble Petition of Khaw Joo Choe, Alexander Williami Cashin, Cheah Teow Eang and Choa Giang. Thye of Singapore, Mer- -chants.

Showeth :-

-That your petitioners are the Farmers of the Opium Farm for the Settlement of Singa.. pore for the year 1907, 1958, and 1909, under written agreement dated the 31st day of De comber, 1906,

2-Thai your petitioners are by virtue of such agcement under terms to pay to the Co- lonial Treasurer of the Straits dettlements the monthly sum of $135,000 and that security has bean given by means of mortgages of immov. able property in the Straits Settlements for the dus discharge of their obligation:

3.That cenais malers which it was impos sible to foresee'at the time the agreement above referred to was entered into are operating very prejudiciully to your petitioners in the conduct -of-the-business of the Form ; and that as your petitioners-humbly submit that these matièrs are in.large part caused by the action-of-the Government of the Straits Settlements, your petitioners desire to represent them."

GOVERNMENT'S REPLY,

Colonial Secretary's Office,

Singapore, 5th November, 1998, Gentlemen, I am directed by the Governor to acknowledge receipt of your petition dated the and instant, addressed to His Excellency and praying that a substantial reduction in the rest of the Farm may be granted on the ground of the falling off of the receipts attributed by you to certain causes set forth in the petition:

viz

(a) sjoppage of sale of opium in brothels, (b) inadequacy of the preventive machinery provided by law to check smuggling of morphia and cocaine,

(c) the appointment of a Commission to inquire into the facis regarding the use of opium to the Colony,

2. As regards (a), I'am to point out that the Government in only carrying out the law as it was at the time the Farmers entered into this Contract.

3. As regards (b) the Government is taking every possible step to check the importation of There has been no morphia-and cocaine, relaxation in the efforts of the Government in this direction since the Form was taken up

4. With reference to (c) the Government is unable to recognise any responsibility to the Farmers in the matter.

5. Under these circumstances His Excel iency direcis me to state that the Government must decline to grant noy remission of rent or to relieve the Farmers of the obligations of their Contract-I have, etc.,

(Sgd) W. EVANS,

for Colonial Secretary." RECENT CORRESPONDENCE. Following these two communications, there has been voluminous correspondence. Reply. ing on November 18 last to Government's letter, the Farmers refer to the brothel sales 4.Your petitioners would point out that, as is inevitable in a centre in which the male po.

and stata that Government, having allowed the law on this matter to fall into, deruetude for palation very largely exceeds the female, there are a large number of Chinese brothels in years, having allowed formet Farmers profits Singapore. A custom has prevailed for twenty accruing from these technically irregular sales, years or more for the keepers of these brothels and knowing that the present Farmers tender- to supply their customers with a small pickered on the assumption that they would have the of opium at a fixed rate or charge. The sales same resources open to them, suddenly cut off affected in this manner have of recent years: a very valuable source of revenue; and this maintained on average of over fifteen thousand they regard as inequitable without allowing a rebale in respect of the loss entailed. There taels a mouth, and the profit to the Farm being $1.60 per tal means a sum of $39,000 per men- bas also been a rigorous enforcement of the Li- zem. The Government of the Straits Settle- quors Ordinance.against brothal keepers, which ments have without warding decided to put a the Farmers claim operated to their prejudice, stop to a practice which had been allowed for They stated also that the volume of morphin and twenty years and have prosecuted two several cocaïna smuggling is increasing which seemed brothel keepers to conviction for the offence of

to indicate that the preventive machinery at the keeping an unlicensed opium shop selling

Government's disposal was not adequate. They opium without a license which action has had say that a sale of from 101,000 to 102,000 taeli the effect of stopping ssies of opium in the of opium per month is necessary to enable the manner indicated and has seriously affected Farm to pay expenses, and that during the the revenue derivable from the Farm.

preceding six months-the sales had only 5-Your petitioners desire to point out that amounted to 100,000 taels on one occasion and they tendered for the Farm upon the assump that in the month of September they were as tion that existing sources of revenue would not

low as 93.33 1aels; and they asked for a recon- be summarily closed against them. They knew

sideration of the petition. of the method of selling described and the volume of sales and they based the calculations which determined the amount of their tender upen this and similar items of information, Had they supposed that the Government had in contemplation the prevention of sales of Opium in manner long accustomed in Chinese brothels their texder if submitted at all would

tantial reduction.

SMUGGLING..

The Government replied that they had no. thing to add to the previous letter, except that if it had been brought to their notice earlier that opium was being sold in brothels contrary to the law, the necessary steps to enforce the law would have been taken,

*FARMERS' RUINOUS LOSSES.

|

FROTECTION, AGAINST FLOODS,

"It does not find proved that the evils from the use of the spiam hava increased during the past decade, does state that the members of the Commission consider that the clicum stances surrounding the use of opium justify the Government in maintaining a closer and stricter control over it, and they therefore recommend that the present system of farm ing the opium revenue be abolished hud that a Gavibution of chandu be substituted!" Wo day or two ago of four kidangpara of women uses tastefully palated a dark green and ver bave often pointed out the great difficulties in the partons of Shiokawa: Shalo, aged 3 compare favourably with that of an avata

Shigematsu Senkichi, 30, Ito Sakichi, 48, and raway in England. By means of the mile that will surround the control of the opium Inouye Kunnosuke, 35%. all of Kobs, reports sone Baptist missionarios stationed at Yingu monopoly by the Government. It may at once be admitted that there would be up in the Japan Chronicle of 27th ult. made a record Journey early this year Lea

It is alleged that the first-named two, who leg Yingtakat o pm. one day, the party ducement to foster the consumption of aplum, nor would there be so much risk of ipformers had been jointly engaged in a hotel and for diat of travelling all night in Duive systematically planting chandu on board ships, warding business at Kaigan-dori, 6-chome, ont arrived at the Filaitze Park in a litle Bluewhere in order to reap the share of the Kobb, but which was not proving sufficibat ver 12 hours. The journey up the small bugo fines that would be imposed on detection, ly lucrative were seized with the idea of stream to Yuntam took two houftud raising funds by kidnapping women and when the party reached the station they But the department that would administer a Government oplum monopoly would soon sending them abroad for questionable pur- found it crowded with a large number of Cales, discover that it had to contend against poses. They confided their scheme to the ore. The up train from Canton was late and enormous powers of Chisels combination to other two men zamed, who were carrying on this somewhat delayed matters, for the trains defeat and outwit it in every direction. Chi-restaurant and lantern-manufacturing bust could not pair on the slagle line; but neverthe nese merchants in every poppy growing pro- bass respectively, the former at Kiranagasa less, Wongsha terminus was toacted by 7 pm, vince of Chipa would had bat systematic dori, 3-chome, and the latter at Moto-mach after a three hours railway joumey. The dis muggling into the Straits would be a lucrative 5-chome. The four agreed together in therance overland larco miles. This formerly trade, and the cheaper Chinese chandu which shameful enterprise, Inouye being the capit entailed two long fatiguing days on launches, would flow into our ports uninterruptedly and elist. The gang started operations by engaging plus a night lu a native boat at Thingyan, no be distributed with great facility, many of the two girls, Higashi Haru, aged 30 of Nisbiosis we on the North River bail she advent often chintings nor assisting in the illicit trade, mura, Hyogo prefecture, and Hirose Tors, long-looked for rallway with delight When On February 5, the Farmers wrote, in regard would oast the better and more expensive aged to, of Takamatsu, Shikoku, ostensibly the line is completed to Yingtak and running at a handsome remuneration. On the night of way, we look forward to receiving one lettere to the balance of rent for january, asking that opium received in gradually decreasing quanti as waitresses for restaurants la Shikoku, in connection with the Canton Kowloon Rails time be allowed them till February 25 to par the line of importation of opium Into the girls to a French mail steamer then in Kobo each morning. We shall thea feel we are hot tien from India. The effect of this change of September 5th fast, the men escorted the two and daily papers from Hongkong and Shanghal This application was granted on the distinct understanding that payment in full would be Straits from India to China would certainly be

in the direction of making opiam far cheaper harbour, and took them to Hongkong, where so much cut off from the world as at present. made on the date mentioned, and that interest would be payable on amount overdue at the and therefore stimulating its use. Regrettable they were disposed of to certain places of ill-

A fow days ago I walked over the five miles rate provided for in the contract from the date as this might be from many points of view, lame, the gang netting Y350 for each girk on which it became dued until date. of payment:oretically imaginable but happily impossi- the gang secured two more giror carrychlow Tai Min. Very few workmen were about, it would be, however, infinitely better than the Satisfied with the success of their first venture,

of track which is in process of construction be October-Mochlo Yaye, aged 20, of Kawachi On February 28, the Farmers wrote regret. ting that for want of funds they were unable to ble complete cestition of opium production.in

matsbeds stationed on intervals along the line, avail themselves of the time allowed and fur China and of consumption averywhere else. district, had Yatinda Mine, aged 18, of Ako possibly owing to heavy ralus seg falling. ther, that owing to the long and continued For the only alternative would be the ghastly district in circumstances as before, and sold Judging from the noises lasujng: from-the losses they had sustained, they not only found one of the Chinese generally taking to the them in Hongkong for Y450 each..

Their vilo traffic seemed to be flourishing, the coolies were insidesindulging in gambling, it impossible to pay January's rent, but would numerous brands of deleterious potate and but it was doomed owing to the action of one of opium smoking; Much of the track

other spirits, some of which is minute quanti- be unable to pay their root for February,

of the girls, Mochib Yaye, who, overwhelmed bad to be banked twenty feet high and thore, ties are still sufficiently poisonous to turn & and they found it impossible to raise the hecos

man for the time into a madman. The Asiatic by the terrible position in which she found her. And where the new material dips into the river. sary money. They stated, further, that if the Government would relieve them of their con temperament, when excited, is cruel and homself at Hongkong, succeeded in sending a let-bed, a facing of loose masonry two, lest thick

ter to her parents at home informing them of the circumstances. The latter lost no time in tract for the residue of the term they thought; cidal, and that pitch is easily reached under by the immediate sale of their stock, and the alcoholic stimulation of the kind inevitable og value of the security in the bands of the Govern the consumption of foreign spirit, of which communicating with the police, as a result of The men are still under. examination at the meat, that they would be able to pay off all at large quantities are now imported here. That which the whole gang was arrested, as stated. rears of rest and debt dus. They left them importation will be multiplied a hundred-fold selves in the hands of the Governor to make if opinm, that peace-giving sedativa to the vast police-station, while it is understood steps are majority of moderate users, is ever entirely cut being taken to rescue the anforluntate girls whatever substantial reduction of the rent be

off. The well-to-do and educated Chinamas in from the wretched fate which threatens them, might thlok reasonable.

the Straits will in the main go on as he now does, and drick, his light beer, his whisky and sods, and often his rather dubious champagne.. But the labouring Chinase will prefer whatever bas the double virtue of cheapnessaud potency, In default of the opium that at least kept him a peaceable and contented member of society, the Chinese coolie will be supplied with such vile poisons that will, to quote a parallel in Ea gland, make-him-"drusk for a penny, and dead drunk for twapence," When the Chinese coolis has got his "penny-half-penny wonb on board then: Singapore will see what it will seo. The Chinese temperament and bad alcohol are to such other as the fame to gua powder. We have after wondered whether any gentlemen who subscribe to anti-opium Chinaman from what is the main does him so societies for the problematical salvation of the harm, have any interests in spirit export trade 10 the Far East. 11 China shut up its opium production, there are many millions sterling that will he made in this way. On the whole we think that there could not be many for the person perhaps not knowing opium from cur raut jelly, who would deny that opium to the Chinaman, would deny everything else that was agreeable to everybody, just because he did pot care about it himself.

The Government's response to this was to appoint a receiver and manager in the person of Bir, Gibson, who, as we state above, took possession yesterday afternoon.

www.

PRESS COMMENTS.,

Writing editorially on zad inst,, the Singa pore Free Press says Yesterday afternoon the Government found it necessary to place one of its officers, Mr. Gibson, in charge of the Opium Farm as Receiver, the Farmers having for some time been seriously behind in the instal ments of rental due to the Government. It in understood that this matter had very seriously, angnged-lbs-attention of Sir John Anderson before his departure to England, and this revenue difficulty cannot but have besu an addition to bis anxieties. It is understood at the sum in which the Opium Farmers are behind-hand is an much'ni $600,000.・・ The prescut contract covers the years 1907, 1908, and 1909 and the amount payable under the Singapore contract for each year is $2,930,000. Taking the Upium and Spirit Farms together the Singapore Farm has to pay $310,000 per mentem, the contribution on account of opium being $250,000. The shortage is therefore equal to two months' rental. As security, for the discharge of the obligations recited in the Contract under the Opium Ordinance therd is a cash deposit In the Colonial Treasury of $40,000 for the Opium Farm and $10,000 for the Spirit Farm, these being for Singapore only. There have also to be deposited title- deeds to the valus of three monitis' rental of the Farm and mortgages on these, as security for the Farm, bave to be executed. No doubt as on a previous occasion it will be alleged on behalf of the Farmer that the Farm has proved upremunerative and that money has been lost But against that it has to be said that the Farm syndicate has better means than anyone else of estimating the excise revenue from opium, and in consideration of its own estimates as the basis of a triennial contract with Government, it has been endowed with the control of a valuable monopoly. It is notorious that former triennial periods the profits from the opiam contract have been very great, The undertaking of necessity must be a speculative dine, but the Gov:fament should do no mora than accept the estimates of the highest bidder, and then, under contract, award him the

THE "FATSHAN” INCIDENT,

AGITATION IN Shanghai,.

OFF NAGASAKI,

being erected to protect the bank against scouring by the foods," At fint it was not pro-

the great floods which only come once in a posed to place the rallway above the level of generation, but the experience of last your, when miles of dykes gave way before the tre mendous floods in June, caused a change in the plans, The engineers wood-frame house at Taimin, built cheek" by jowl with the ancient temple, stood above the first laval, but when the bank was raised some ten feet it was; completely enclosed. Now it lies in a hollow, Blue is the sky and bibe the water, and to shut off from the South wind, and offering a port and starboard placid green hills that lis restricted outlook to the unfortunate inhabit-

AMONG THE WORKMEN, Taki Trees and shrubbery, one acre of whith Brand and beautiful about the city of Naga ants, th would make a more beautiful botanical garden. It is not often that one comes across an oight Hours' day in actual operation in China, but than any artificial creation since Adam strolled

the tunnel at Taimin is being cut by thres in in the delectable orchards of Eden.

laye of men, each of which works oight hours a day. Already work has been proceeding at the tunnel for ten months, but it is expected: that six months more must elapse before the total length of 130 feet has been cut through. The men who-drill-holes-for-blasting-have-a- curious habit. Using a bamboo tube a yard long, the workman fucks up some water and squirts it into the hole. The tube is then inserted into the hole and the process of suction reported. In this fashion the dust and fragments loosan.. ́ed by the drill are removed. The stuff thas brought out resembles pea soup in colour and subelstency, and one could imagine it would. taste very pleasant, should the workman hep- pen to suck not wisely but too walle

A little launch, white-winged with foam, seers straight for the liner. On ber spotless deck little toy Customs officials stand in groups of twas and threes, for all the world like soap shot Nelsons. Clear the gangway," shouts a bull-necked Plymouth quartermaster, gigantic Gulliver fellow compared with the midget men who a minute later come trip plng on deck out of the launch with a laugh and a smile. An American Dear me who has been chewing cheap tobacco since we left Shanghai, and is still chewing, vows that if one of those carmine Japs touches his kit he will shove him down a bunker. The Customs men pars quietly over the ship. They come down aft where wo, the submerged tents, have congregated. There is fire in the aye of the man from Chicago, but there is no buskertrick, for the Custome man lifts his hat and smiles and is delightfully polite that we could not have received more courtesy had we been kings life my bat to the man of Nippon the has good behaviour written all over him from his little tiny shiny boots to his little tiny prak

Here is a craft, a real creation of Nippos with one gigantic towering sail ribbed like a French butter- huge scroll of a sail on which you could have written the Lord's Prayer in ten-foot letters. It is as if they were holding an A Home" in Mars and the hall carpet. had-rolled right down from there to Nagasaki. And the sail drifts by, and behold! Nagasaki, lying like a jewel at the foot of green bills, and up a hill more grean, than the rest a red road that lies sinuous among the trees and winds over the crest to end at Moji on the far side, Moji so beauillal that the gates of Paradis must be near at band,

But what of Nagasaki, and how can one describe it? That were impossible. When you see it for the first time you want to pick it home end put it on the drawing-room mantel- up and wear it on your watch chain, or take it piece for an ornament.

THE END OF “TENGSHUI." It is remarkable how the advent of the rell» way is removing superstitions. Not so long. ago the cry that the fosgahni” would be spoiled if a mise were to be opened, was safe ficient to stop any attempt at exploiting the mineral wealth of the country. But, as *-Tail- way official remarked: “the railway has killed "(dagshui." The numerous graves whi stud the landscape at one time presented in perable barriers to the construction of a railwa Now they are being removed from the rou: at prices ranging from five to a hundred dollars), according to the position of the family and the amount of "bobbery" they are likely to mises Yantam a temple stood in the way, but the Temples alag have had to go. A jaitle abova native contractor and bis man were joth-to-lay rude hands on the sacred shring) - Ogly bị - using dynamite was the foreign engineer abla to get this stumbling block out of his way.

THE CASE OF THE TRACKER

It is matter for regret that the railway cara pany has been so regardless of the tow pathe along the river. By raising embankments ther it is pathetic to see these hurtian besaggio) have covered over the tow-path in plachte and barden at the tow rope struggling and slippes on the new clay surface on a wet day. In other places what was before a narrow creek Csilly scrambled over, has been excavated ten feet wide and many deep. It would hawn been an easy matter and cost little to taride plank bridge for the trackers, Again; in places like the Blind Boy's Pass the tow-path narrow track hewn out of the solid rock, some times sixty feel above the water. 1 walkedi along it the other night, and even without fe weight of a tow-line found it difficult to avoid sliding into the stream below, Work had commenced at a big tunnel, and the road oti gically only two feet wide was conceded by sloping deiris several feet deep. A false step. and one would have been precipitated us the talu death.

Barges are putting off from the shore crowded with tittle, Noah's ark men and women and little toy boys and little toy girl There is so much laughter and happiness and real mother tincture of joy about them that ons at first -mistakes them for a picnic party instead of an average gang of coalers, Then the barges wear alongside and the men and boys and In a flash ladder girls sort themselves out.. platforms are rup ap from the barges to our bunkers, ladder platforms that look like how hadra flower-pot stands. And the women and girls spring on to them and take up their positions in a tig-zag line. In a moment hundreds of little baskets, little strawberry basket affairs, filled with coal are being tossed "up from one girl to the other and emptied into the bunkers." The amplies ge flying back to There is a constant traffic of boats say fifty, the barges, where the men have already filled a day-whose trackem require these pathas scores of others. I have seen a fair number of Surely they are entitled to soms consideration, basket tricks in my time, but this beats them The Company may contend that it le not their all. And the workers laugh and chat and shout duty to make a tow path along the river-sida, to one another. Then it is all over, the fidders but they are morally bound, and in any other THE LS Suruga, of the Barber Line of are down, the hawsere loose, and the barges country would be legally compalled, to restore steamers, which ran ashore outside the break-drifting back to the quay. And over the water or replace footpaths previously existing water at Manila on the rat inst., and sustained comes that ceaseless ripple of laughter which MINERAL POSSIBILITIES.

her bull, will, we understand, seems to say: Isn't costing a joke, just, one light damaga be sent back to Hongkong, where she will be huge joke? Just as the ballet dancer appears drydocked at Kowloon for survey and the ge- more attractive in the limelight, so dass the cesary repairs. Hongkong firms are interest-twilight add a greater charm to Nagasaki and its glosions bills. In the cool of the evening od in the vessel's cargo,

I watched, the lights, breaking, oct in red and" yellow and green dots all along the quay, and on the lantern adorned verandahs of the tea bouses among the trees

It will be remembered, says the N, C.D.Na.cap. of rst lost, that some time ago we reported in our columes the arrival of Cantonese, by name Ho Chea-buan, in Shanghai, from Cantor, la conection with the Fatihan incident, in which a Portuguese ticket collector on board the steamer. Fatahan was alleged to have caused a Chiness passenger's death by kicking him violently, Ho Chên-huan came with the object of stirring up Chinese feelings on the subject on the ground that neither the Portuguese Consul nor the Chinesa authorities had taken steps which afforded the Canton public satisfaction in the matter,

Yesterday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, a large mass meeting was held in the Cantonese Hospital in Haining Road, which was attended by several hundred people, mostly Cantoness,

Mr. Ho apium monopoly for the three-year period, lng the Fatahan incident, and starecapitulat. There is no hardship at all in the Govern- Portuguese Consul bad not replied to the ment holding the successful tenderer 10 his Viceroy, who had written to him several times. bood. Relying on that the Government has to Mr. Huang Yu-kan then delivered an im frame its own administrative estimates year by pressive speech and brought it home to his year, and it is willing to accord to the ac audience that unless Chinese displayed a unit cepted tenderer his three years' secure tenure of ed front, foreign aggression would be aggra- the monopoly, the advantage to the Govern-vated and Chinese' lives would be regarded as ment being that a very large proportion of its no weightier than "wild goose feathers la revenue is, under the contract, held to be free foreiga eyes. Resolutions were then passed from fluctuation and therefore to be a sure ele with acclamation to the effect that telegrams ment in its own financial budget. In selling be dispatched to the Viceroy at Canton, the the monopoly the Government has the advant Waiwupu and the Portugucin "Miajsier at age of that security for the proportion of opium Peking asking for severe punishment of the The Farmers again return to the charge in a revenue that the contract returns to it, and is offender, Mr. Hsiao-shib, Editor of the Eastern bave been subject to.au appropriate and subs letter dated November 28, in which they point freed from the cost and trouble of working its Timca, drew up the telegram and Mr. Cheeg. out that the position is a very serious one for opium revenue, the Farm doing all that out of Hai-ku, Editor of Public Opinion, was ap. them, and the prospective losses ruinous. In the profit margin over and above its periodical pointed-Treasurer of the contribution fund 6-Your petitioners further represent that face of these facts they state candidly that they monthly payments to Government. The present which reached over 52005- there has been of late a large volume of would not be ableto pay the full rent for Novem situation is for the Government a very difficult morphia and cocains smuggling, which, owing her and would be ready to hand over all the act one, asfit was also on the previous occasion, as it would seems to the insufficiency of the receipts for that month, estimated to be when, however, the decisive step of placing preventive machinery provided by the Straits $240,703, and that the books are accessible at as officer in charge as Receiver of Opium Settlements. Legislature, the Gorerament

any time. In a farther letter, the Farmers Revenues bad not been taken. We have asems powerless to check, it being..found in stated that they were paying in to the Trea- yet to learn how far the Farmers and the practice extremely difficult to secure a convic-sury $130,000, the estimated balance on the Government co-operating, or whether there tion in a prosecution for smuggling, Both working during November,

is to be an entire throwing up of the Farms by morphia and cocaine are very much more The Government's reply was that they had contractors. In the latter case,, how is the potent than opium and are increasingly used granted the Farmers permission, under certain Government to improvise a system of supervi- substitutes therefor, to the prejudice of the conditions, to postpone until next year (1909) sign of all the retail opium shops, and how is it revenue obtainable by the Farm. Unless the payments due at the'and of November, De- to create a department to check smuggling in illicit commerce in these droga, which has now | cember and January in respect of arrears of

place of the Farm chictingd? Whatever hap Attained to considerable volume be checked rent, but were unable to grant any, reduction pens, unless the Farmers have had no legiti your petitioners fear that (that?) it will largely or postponement of the current rent as it be- mate reasons in failing to implement their con Increase with results disastrous to your potis | came due ; insther that the Farmers would be tract, the opium revenue of this Settlement for Bosara' interests.

required to pay fa per cent. on any portion of the remainder of the year must be placed ia a 7---After your petitioners had taken over the the rents for November which remained un- position that is precaricas, if not worse than Farm and commenced the conduct thereof the 'pald on the due date, and that if any part of that. The contract gives power to the Governer Government of the Straits Settlements appoint- the rent remained unpaid for ten days, they or Officer Administering the Government to sue ed a Commission to consider the whole ques- would exercise their power to appoint a re- the sureties to the contract and their adminit. tion of the consumption of opium and the re- caiver manager..-

trators and assigns, as well as the Farmer “venus raised by import daties, thereon." This Oo December 8, the Farmers expressed and his executors and administrators, and Commission commenced its labours about the their sense of the "indulgence shown by also to determine the contract and dispose, month of July, 1958, and continued them until Government in their being permitted to post of the rights and privileges accruing under that RETURNS of the average amount of bank recently. Its report is, it is understood, in pone payment of arrears alluded to, but instrament to other persons. The situation at poles in circulation and of specie in reserve in draft and in sborily to be issued to the public. pointed out that there had been further present appears to be that in which the Govern, Hongkong, during the month ended 28th As soon as this Commission was appointed the drop in daily receipts, and that the losses of ment may fact itself called to take the action February, 1909, as certified by the varions anti-opina organizations began to be the Farm would react on sub-shareholders, and authorised in the terms of the contract. If any of the respective Banks ——

Average Specie In Extremely active and a determined campaign they referred to the possibility of a financial thing can persuade the Government of the dis was commenced against the use of the drug, panic. If a catastrophe was to be avoided advantage of a revenue, farm it is the upples Banks Amonnt. Reserve, A mass of anti-opium, literature has been cir they asked the Governor to reconsider the sant experience of the broakdown of the conChartered Bank of India, culated and hand-bills and pamphlets have application for a reduction of rent, or to relieve tract. This has happened on two consecutive, Australia and Chine, $3,074,683 $1,500,000 been scattered broad-cast. Your petitioners them of the Farm at the end of the year (1908), contracts, and this very precariousness arising Hongkong and Shangbai submit that it is beyond question that the action and they asked for a personal interview with from the allocation ofibe Farm monopoly.mui ma sanking Corpora of The Straits Settlements Government is up-His Excellency,

Impress upon the Government the fact that stien antras pointing the Commission had the effect of The Farmers were granted an interview with the risks of loss are much more upph its own National Bank of Chios, spurring into activity the very formidable forces 817 Arthur Young, who wrote, on December side than upon that of the contractor, The Limited, n... which are hostile to the use of the drug in any, 132, that aler laying the Farmers repredinter whole incident frone that servar to precipitate form and whether in moderation or in excess, tigns before the Governor, Mis Excellency awan, the consideration of that recommendation of")

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THE Colonial Secretary Informs us that Hong kong has been declared an infected port by the Government of Netherlands-India.

2

RETURN of visitors to the City Hall Library and Museum for the week ending the 7th March, 1909

Library, Museum, Non:Chiness.........|

447 140 " Chinoso'...................................................., 255, 2,704

Total um 791 -2,844",

It may not be generally known that the concession to make the fallway cattles with it the sight to ali minerals witble ten miles of the lion. This may be worth millions to the com pany, for the district is very rich in minerals, "Many stone quarrios ako aiready to be found along the river bank; while cargoes of lime stone go down country frequently Abora Shiuchow we bare rich coal-mines worked fo ́s primitive fashion which yield a fine: quality of coal meme F1201

There run the rickshaws, each with its little red light flickering across the water. It is a if the whole city were dusted with stars, it is now estimated that at least tæp yours Nagasaki: at night, like a diamond, glitters must elapse before the line in working to Ving./ with a splandid brilliance. From thousands of tak, while much heavy cutting and tasselling verandahs multi-coloured lanterns swing in the wall the contractors ers they get to Shluchows breaza, tanto

Gold Evanḍthan there remalus, over: sixty; miler" and the little people walk along the quay before the borders of Henan are, reached. and behold the glory of their city. In vain C. D. News, look for a drunkard reeling home, for the mind of the Nippongin is too beautiful for that

And then stillness falls over the city, and the Inst lantern flickers out among the trees, and darkneus nefiles on the water until the to Ordinance No. 19 of 1998, entitled an dawa vipens and the red son of Nippon limes ance to amend The Fire Langrance Cou In the sky,MoNRO ANDERSON in Pall Mall Ordinance 1008,

TULEENERYaw in the matter of

His Majesty the King has not been exercise his power of disallowance with

cinformation has been received |not raisa enough to supply the

Governor-General of Nother. During the past year thare word.

China oggs valued at

from

land

He has declared Hongk

facted with plaʼoE

oggi came to