1909-06-11 — Page 11

CHAMBERS.OF.COMMERCE,

;

BEVENTH CONGRESS OF THE EMPIRE. The following letter with enclosures was laid before the Committee of the Chamber of Com. marce at their meeting held on 17th.all:-

Oxford Court, Cannon Street, London, EC., 12th March, 1907. Dear Sir, I beg to confirm my circular fat. fox have still to hear from a large number of ter No. 3, dated 3rd November,1908, Chambers whether or not they intend to be represented at the Congress, though, owing to the length of time necessary for communica tion between London and Sydney, it is very desirable that not only the names of delegates, bat resolutions for the programme, should reach me much earlier than usual.. It is as yat impossible to fix upon a definite date a being the last day upon which sominations

· and resolutions will be accepted; but, so far at any rate as resolutions are concerned, it is ob- vous that several months must be allowed in order that Chambers may have the opportunity of considering the various subjects and instruct ing their delegates. In regard to voting. 1 would therefore urge upon all Chambers the desirability of giving their immediate attention to these matiora,

I bave pleasure in enclosing herewith the first draft of the official programme, and shall. be glad in due course to add any resolutions you may desire placed, shereon in your name, A second draft will be circulated as 1000 AS circumstances permit.

As you are no doubt aware, special" arrange, ments have been made with the steamship companies trading to Australia, and I hand you hemwith a booklet giving fall particulars in this connection. You will notice that the reduced rates are available not only for dele. gates, but for members of their families travel- ling with them. Applications for these tickets must be accompanied, in each case, by a letter of identification, signed by the Secretary of the nominating Chamber, and I am sending you, anclosed, forms for the purpose. 1-have-for warded copies of the Ungklet direct to all delegates nominated to date.

A draft programme of entertainment to be offered to delegates has been drawn up by the Australian Committee, in accordance with which visits will be paid, subsequent to the Congress proper to the principal cities of the Common wealth (excepting Perth, West Australia, where it is hoped delegates will be able to call on the outward or homeward journey),

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH FRIDAY JUNE

FRENCH CUSTOMS TARIFE

'HONGKONG (NOT AFFECTED.

The committee of the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce, of their meeting on the 17th ult considered the following correspond-

apco :-

Colonial Secretary's Office,

30th April, 1909. Biram directed to transmit for the con.

..

CHINA'S FINANCES.

FERNS AND POT PLANTS.

11 1909.

"OPIUM AND ITS ORITICS,

KOWLOON POINT.

ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW LIGHT.

On the same date a fixed red automatic light will be exhibited from the buoy marking Cum Rock, situated 41. cables N. 75° E. from the above lights.

THE® RE-ORGANISATION: SCHEME.

SITE FOR RAISING,

A COMMISSIONER'S AMAZING THEORY,

It is notified. In the Garet's that, on a dain The following_letter has been, addressed by The following notification appears in the Having regard to the extreme moderation of to be subsequently published, a Group Flashe the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce, to the

Goritie:-

the views he expressed as a member of the ing 6th Order Light will be exhibited from Governments

Sealed tenders will be received at theColonial Straits Opium Commission, we confess to being Chinsuiteal Point, Kowloon Peninsula. The Hongkong Chamber of Commerce,.... Secretary's Office until noon of Monday, the little surprised at the tons of Bishop Oldham's light will be Rad with a Adla sector between

- 7th April, 1909.

1st June, for the latting of a piece of Crown recent discourin at an anti-opium meeting in S. 81 W. and S. 89% W. And will be athibited Sir, In reply to your letter of 11th February, land on cast side of Albany Nallah between Kuala Lumpur, writes the Straits Timis... Al from a red brick tower above the roof of the, 1909, (No. 5778/1904), requesting the observa Kennedy and Macdonnell Roads opposite though he committed himself to the amazing Signalman's quarters on the summit-of-the sideration of your committee the enclosed copy framed by the Board of Finance for the re-seen at the Public Works Deparment, area tion in the use of the drug, the Bishop wound above moao sea level. It will show a group tions of the Chamber regarding a scheme Kingsclere, as shown on plan which can be theory that there is no such thing as medera-hill behind the Point, at a height of 14x4fbot of a circular despatch from Lord Orewe dated organising of the Finances of the Chinese Em- about 11,300 square feet, for the purpose of up the ante supplementing the general report of three father of one second duration, atin the 16th day of last March and to inquire whe ther any commercial Interests in this Colony do not feel in a position to criticise exhaustive June, 1909, to the 24th June, 1910, subject to that haste and suddeness now are to be depre five seconds' darkness.

pire, I am directed to state that my committee raising ferns and pot plants; from the 4th of the Straits Commissionses with the remark torvals of one second, followed by a period of are likely to be adversely affected by the proly sa large and far-reaching a scheme, but the the conditions below:-

cated quite as druch as lethargy and inaction. posed tariff-1 am, &c.,

(Sgd), F. H. MAY,

centralisation of control, which seems to be Each tender should bear on the cover the But in spite of all that the report contained to Colonial Secretary,

the essence of the now Regulations, would be words "Tender for Permission to occupy show that there was no gigantic social evils The Secretary, Chamber of Commerce,

an important step forward and greatly assist in

Crown Land near Kingaciers.

traceable to the use of opiam in the Straits Set the birth of a purer administration.

The Government dose not bind itself totements or F. M. S. there is a broad suggestion in the Kuala Lumpar speech that many people accept the bigbest.or.any.tander.

understate the facts about the traffic because Forms of tender and further particular can

they have an interest, through the public rev be obtained at this Office...

- venues, in the profits' derived from it-Ir-thar quite fair-For-our-own part we have met "a great many people and have talked this matter over with them, and we find that the Sponcial considerations waigh much less than the social and moral. What troubles the minds of the majority of people is the effect likely to be produced by depriving the Chinese of a solace to which they have been accustomed for generations. One finds in every community practically without, exception, a certain pro- portion of men who insist upon having some special form of indulgence. Among European it is generally alcohol, because they prefer a stimulant; in Asia.it is generally opium, be cause they prefer a sedative. We do not doubt

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16th March, 1999. Sir, bave the bonour to transmit, for your information, a copy of the proposed new French Custom Lari.

Should there be any commercial interests in the territory under your administration likely to be adversely affected by the proposed tariff, I shall of course bo glad to consider whether Any representation should be made to the' French Government on the particular stibject.—— I bave &c.,

(Sgd:) Chiwe

Hongkong Chamber of Commerce,

6th May, 1909.

Hon. Mr. F. H. MAY, C.M.G.,

Colonial Secretary.

It was decided to reply that the committee did not see that commercial interests in this Colony were likely to be adversely affected by the adoption of the tariff:

FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE RAILWAY.

:

POINTSMAN'S TERRIBLE END,

Needless to say, my committes are entirely sympathetic towards any proposals calculated to confer benefit upon the people of China.—! have &c.,

(Sgd.), E. A. M. WILLIAMS, '

Secretary,

1. The area leased to be that tlated pink on a plan signed by the Director of Public Works Hoo. Mr. F. H. May, ç..o., Colonial Secrc-and dated 28th May, 1909. -

tary.

„CURIOUS CAPTURE BY A

FISHERMAN:

EXPLOSIVES' IN THE SEA.

'เ

a. The amongt of monthly Crown rent to be atated in tender. In the event of any tender being accepted, the amount stated in such tender to be paid monthly in advance. into the

Treasury,

3. Should the permites be allowed to remain in occupation of the land after expiry of this permit the tenancy to become a half-yearly oue, sobject to cancellation on two months' notice being given at any time.

4. Any structure for the reception of plants be approved by the Director of Pubile Works. matsheds will be permitted to be erected on 5. Na person to live on the premises and no the ground.

6. No offensive manure to be used and the place is to be kept in a tidy state.

7. Access to Albany Nullah is not to be inter fered with. The parmit will be liable to cau cellation should any of these conditions be not fulfilled,

KOBE FROM WITHIN.

HUMBLE BUT LUCRATIVE PROFESSIONS.

!!

that by

A SLOW PROCESS OF EDUCATION this craving for one form of indulgence or the other may be ultimately eradicated. But what is proposed by the antiopiumists is that the Asiatics should be forcibly deprived of their own form of indulgence, which, it is assumed, will be replaced by no worse. Other man may be quite at sincers in their desire to see an evil redressed, but if they are persuaded that the suppression of opium will mean the popularisation of morphine, or cocaine, or alcohol, are they not entitled to consider whether the change may not be from a comparative to a positive evil? If the pro. 'bable effect of converting a thief to honest ways were to make him a murderer, would anyone claim thief-conversion, as a noble and salutory occupation With all deference to Bishop Oldham we say that there are thousands of Chinese who take an opium pipe when they feel specially tired, worried, or, as we should say, out of sorts. For a few be-bours it gives them absolute peace, and they trouble no one. A good many Englishmen lo like circumstances fly to liquor, and they may pass through a stage of violent madness before they reach condition of oblivion which is mare horrible in its external_aspects, and more disastrous in its after consequences than that produced by opium.

A young female contributor to the fogaku- webad makes the following curious comments on Kobe seen from within:-

Sunken mines are still occasionally found off these counts, but it is not often that cases of SIR-I am directed to acknowledge the re explosives are recovered from the deep, remarks ceipt of your letter of the at instant (No. 3658/ the Japan Chronicle. A fisherman named | 1909) covering a copy of the proposed new

Kanemasa Torakichi, or Nishi-gocho. Minami-to French Customs tariff on which you request an expression of opinion from my committed-have just made a capture of this nature. At batago-cho, Sakai, and his brother Yasukichi I bave &c.,

midnight on the 19th ultimo the two brothers (Sgd.), E, A. M. WILLAMS,

were drawing their set from the sea at a point Secretary.

about a mile and a half south of Osaka liarbour off Sakai, when they were astonished to see entangled in the meshes a case containing a doren objects shaped like guashells. Both men were almost overcome with, panic and trembled like leaves for a few moments, but finally they recovered sufficiently to wrap the explosive objects in some straw matung. 10 the morning they reported their find lo the Sakaj police station. The information was immediately dispatched to the Central police of Osaka. A gunpowder manufacturer was summoned and was sent to the Sakai office to give his opinion as to the treatment to be ac corded the explosive, as welt as its degree of danger. After an examination the expert said· ‚“The beautiful and spotless flowers offered to he had never seen gunpowder cases like those the gods and used to decorate the dining tables before bim, though the contents were undoubt. of foreign families are grown and sold by the edly an explosive of some sort. Thereupan people belonging to the special class (i.c. the the officials became more servous than ever, so-called &tos, who are usually regarden and none of them would dare to iny his hands longing to no inferior class in Japan). About on the shells. The chief officer was greatly thinly years ago, Mr. Urita, a biste priest embarrassed but eventually one of the men of Nanko temple, saw the wretched condition was prevailed upon to gently deposit the of these people, and in order to provide them strange objects in an out-of-the-way corner of with work as a means of elevating their moral- the police station, On Friday moming any, taught them how to grow flowers, and this official of the prefectural office, together with bas now become their regular trade, It is not In picasant association "to connect · spotless Major Kometa, of the Military Arsenal, were to make a detailed inspection of the shells. It owers with these people; but perhaps we is thought that other finds of a similar natureought rather to praise the foresight of Mr Orita

in teaching then such an innocent trade, will be found near the spot where the case was fished up

"The initiators of fashion in Kobe society are those Japanese women who live with for eigners in the quiet residances on the Hill. They live in the greatest luxury, and are the embodiment of vanity. Even the wives of high grade officials and rich merchants are unable le vie with them. The monthly allowance of these women is said to be one hundred yea, be- sides be fashionable clothes of the four seasons. No wonder that they are the setter. of fashiont

This tour in Australia will probably extend A native pointsmao, in the employ of the over three weeks, and at its cloto delegates Kowloon-Canton Railway, at Hunghom, met will be at liberty to make such other visits in with a terrible death last Friday.. The man had the Commonwealth and elsewhere as they may been engaged the whole day working the desire. Cordial invitations to delegates have points for the locomotive, but nothing hap. been received from several cities to New pened until the afternoon. It would seem Zealand,(Auckland, Canterbury and Dunedin), that the man was in the act of turning the also from Launceston (Tasmania) and Hono points, which is done with the assistance of a lulu (where the Vancouver-Sydney boat calls), ever, to allow a train to go by, when be ac- and, though it has been found impossible to cidentally slipped. The train had drawn Dear arrange collective-visits-to-these-places-it-is-at-the-time, and infalling the unfortunate boped that many will be able individually to take advantage of the invitations during the course of their journey, The Organising Com- ⚫mities suggest that the visit New Zealand will come more conveniently at the conclusion of the Australian tour.-Yours elc,

(Sgd.) KENRIC B; MURRAY,

Secretary,

FIRE AT MITSU BISHI ENGINE WORKS.

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.

About 6'a.m. on the morning of Wednesday, the 26th ultimo, fire broke out in the electric engine works at Akunoura, Nagasaki, belong- ing to the Mitsu Bishi shipbuilding yard, reports the Japan Chronicle. The building was a three-storied structure of iron framework covered with galvanised iron sheets, 198 ft. long, 64 ft. wide, and 33 ft. high. The operatives, together with about 200 men from a British warship, a party of about 40 men from the German gunboat Jugar, and a patty of artillery troops, with the city fire brigade, worked

strenuously to extinguish the fire, but did not

succeed until about two-thirds of the building were destroyed. It is stated that the work done by the British and Gorman sailors was ́ admir- able. Some fifty firemen and operatives were slightly injured whilst endeavouring to put out the flames. The cause of the fire is not yet known. The damages are estimated at about Y70,000,

INDIAN BOOR.

NO OPENING IN HONGKONI;,

The following correspondence has been ex- chauged betwood the Government and the

Chamber of Commerce -

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 15th March, 1909. I-am directed to inquire whether, in the opinion of your Chamber, any opening exists for the employment of Indian Labour Indestured or unindentored in this Colony, and whether they consider that facilities with regard to passage and provision of land should be gives to encourage Indian immigration.~) AMD, BIC,

•

(5gd,), F. H MAY,

Colonial Secretary.

די

The Secretary,

The Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber of Commerce, 18th March, tgog. Sir-1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th-instant (No, 1723/1909) inquiring whether, to the opinion of the Chamber, any opening exists in the Colony for Indian labour, indentured or uniodeatured, and whether it is considered that facilities with regard to passages and provisions of land should be given to encourage Indian immigra tion.

The above matter is now receiving the atten tion of my Committee.-1 bave &c.

(Sgd.), E. A. M. WILLIAMS,

Secretary.

pointsman got caught between the locomotive, and a truck, which was in tow. The man was dragged some distance before the engine could be stopped, and when he was extricated it was discovered that he was dead. Death was instantaneous. Deceased was about thirty-six years of age.

MANOFACIDRE OF MATCHES.

USE OF WHITE PHOSPHORUS PROHIBITED.

A meeting of the general committee of the Chamber of Commerce was held on the 17th uit, when the following correspondence was considered;

Colonial Secretary's Office,

Hongkong, 13th April, 1909. Sir,With reference to your letter of the 24th of March I am directed to point out to you that the particular question which was re- terred to in the despatch of the Secretary of State of the 21st January fast, transmitted in my letter of the 26th of February was whether this Colony should adhere to the International Convention of 26th September, 1906, respecting the prohibition are of much while phosphorus

in manufacture matches.

desires to obtain the opinion of the Chamber It is on that question that this Government

of Commerce,-I am, &c.,

(Sgd.), F. H. MAY,

Colonial Secretary,

The Secretary,

Chamber of Commerce

Hongkong Chamber of Commerce,

14th April, 1929. Bir-flam in receipt of your letter of 13th instant (No. 3699/1907), on the subject of the adherence of this Colony to the International Convention of the 26th September, 1906.

Will you be good enough to again forward me the despatch of the Secretary of State and the memorandum, bath accompanying your letter to me of the 26th February, so that my committer may be enabled in express an opinion on that portion of the Convention which has special reference the probibition of the use of white phosphoros in the manufac turns of matches.I'an, &c.,

(Sgd.), EA, M, WILLIAMS, Secretary.

Hon. Mr, F. H. MAY, C,M.G., Colonial Secretary,

Colonial Secretary's Office, 15th April, 1909. Sir, la reply to your letter of the 14th inst. I am directed to forward herewith the copy of the despatch of the Secretary of State and the memorandum in question. I shall be glad if both documents may be returned to cae in due course.—I am, &c.,

(Sgd.), C. CLEMENTI,

for Colonial Secretary. The Secretary,

Chamber of Commerce/

"Hongkong. Chamber of Commerce, 27th April,#1909. Sir-I am now directed to reply to your letter (No...3699/1907) of the 14th instant in which the Government desires the opinion of toe Chamber as to whether or not this Colony should adhere to the International Convention Hongkong Chamber of Commerce, of the 26th September, 1906, respecting the prohibition of the use of white phosphorus in

Hon, Mr. F. H. MAY, C.M.GH

Colonial Secretary.

27th April, 1999,

Sir, I bave the bonour to reply to your Jatter (No, 1775/1909) of the 15th March, 1909, requesting an expression of opinion from this Chamber as to whether any opening exists for the-employment of Indian Labour in this Colony, and whether facilities with regard to passage and provision of land should be given to encourage lodian immigrationi.

My commitias, having consulted several em ployers of labour, have been informed that there is no opening for Indian Labour in dantured or unindentured,: In fact, there are Indians in the Colony at present who cannot find employment.

My committee.consider that market require. mants are amply met, at present, by the supply of native labour. I have etc,

(Bgd.), E. A. M. WILLIAMB,

Secretary,

Hon. Mr. F. H. MAY, CM/G Oslonial Secretary.

|

-ibe manufacture of matches.

My committee consider that, for precisely the same reasons al were advanced by the Representatives of the Imperial Goverment for the non-adherence of Great Britain on this polot, this Colony should not adhere to the Convention.

|

As pointed om in the memorandum accom- panying your letter, it has been proved that the evils traceable to the use of white phos phorus in the manufacture of matches can be successfully suppressed by regulation.

adequate There appears, therefore, no justification for the adoption of calculated to hamper trade. ---

+

My committes desire to thank His Excel. leacy, the Governor for reforming this matter to them,—I have &c,,

*W(Sgd), E. A. M. WILLIAMS,

Secretary.

Hoa, Mr F. Hi Hai,

60g Colonial Secretary,

FIRK NEAR SHAD-KI-WAN.

THAT-TZE-MOI VILLAGERS ALARMED."

Teal-tze-mui village is situate half way between the Belle View Hotel and Shau-ki- wan proper. Shortly before five o'clock last Friday aftessoon, a fire broke out in one of the houses in the village, but it was not long before it was subdued. But while the fire fasted the villagers were greatly alarmed, as it was feared that the whole village would be destroyed. The fire started in a one-storey building, caused by the overturning of a stove, A bed curtain was set alight, and the flames spread, eating its way up a partition to the wooden roof, which was destroyed. inmates of the house, who were assisted by friends, fought the flames bravely and had them extinguished, efore any further damage was done, it is e timated that the loss would reach

nearly Sto.

DISASTROUS FIRE. IN*

“Plague, dysentery, and smallpox.are the local diseases of Kabe, but they are periodical rather then prevalent. [We should hope so, indeed! A rat, even now, is bought at 5 sen by the Sanitary Department of the city, and there are people, it is reported, who make it their business to catch rats, making a daily Tho, profil of more than 70 sen. This is a much more lucrative trade thas that of a petty official.

peared, but its disappearance was not due to

TOBACCO SMOKING

is almost univeral, ospacially among ministers of religion. They cherh a pipe because it is the mildest way in which the universal craving for some form of indulgence can be expressed. Yet we have seen men's nerves broken, their digestions ruined, their eyesight destroyed by the excessive use of the weed which has had more than one episcopal blessing. We have heard, too, terms of denunciation applied to tobacco almost identical with. those applied to opium. Would it be just to place the millions who smoke in moderation under the necessity of paying exorbitantly for thair pleasure be- cause there are a few cases of stupid, uncontrol- led excess? If the answer is affirmative why should cheap food be the greatest desideratum of a community which numbers, many ?;lo all' these matters it seems to us that the type. Bishop Oldham represents strives too much for the reform of a, lew, and cares too little for the comfort of the many, '

THERE 15 ANOTHER POINT which appears to us to deserve some. consideration. Unless we are to assume that the temperate and unharmful use of liquor, is in itself, a sin neither the State nor the Church has a right to interfere. The special offence of excess, antil it reaches the degree of intensity which is clearly barmful to others than the debauchees themselves, is not a matter for the State but for the moral tea chers. Yet the latter clamour continuously for penal laws or prohibition. They speak and act as if they had neither faith themselves nor in the views they teach-as if all moral reform must emanate from a big cudgel with a braway police man at one end of it. Force, it used to be said, is no remedy, but, really, in these latter days it seems to be mach more fervently honour- ed than any form of sweet reasonablencas or moral suasion with which we are familiar. If Bishop Oldham could show us can opiam sinner brought to repentance for each slashing attack that he and his anti-opium friends have made upon governments we should have greater plea- sure is reading his addresses. At present he rather gives the impression of a person who having entered upon a great work decides that it The rude and discourteous manners of the will be pleasanter to çast the drudgery of it on to merchants are remarkable, and we are sur-

somebody else. We do not in the least object prised at their excessive over-chargos. Until to educate, educate, educato”—it is an excel- a few years ago, they made a nice haul from lent phrase, but whose business is it to, educate foreigners, but the tourists have now become and who should be the pupils? Our impres- smart, and can haggle as much as the natives.sion is that where moral conduct is concerned. Ou the whole the bad custom of marking an article wonh ten sen at one yen, is said to have ceased..

"The famous Minatogawa has at last disap

any catastrophe such as inundation or tidal wave. It is the hand of man that has done it. Year after year, people have been pegging away YOKOSUKA..

with hoe and space on the river bed, which has now become mere level ground. - The DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT OVER Y2,000,000. site of the old river mouth has a few useful building, but the other portion of On the afternoon of Sunday (23rd ultima) the old river bas baen built over with disastrous fire broke out in Yokosuka, as a re- cheap theatres and show places, and the sult of which the most prosperous part of the historic old battleground has been devastated town was devastated, reports the Japan Chroni-without a spark of compunction. It would cle. The outbreak occurred at a few minutes almost seem that the citizens of Kobe are load after 2 o'clock, originating in an oil engine at or destroying historic monuments, and it would rice shop in Hirasaka, Wakamatsu-cho, kept not be surprising if the tomb of the loyal by Miyoshi Roppei. Fanned by a strong wind, Nanko were removed somewhere else. the flames spread with a remarkable rapidity "In general, the 'people of Kobe are' frie towards the sea beach, and em route swept volous. At best they are only a conglomerated away over a bundred buildings, including mass of people from all quarters of the country the office of the Gunko Shimbun and the and though they are specially intimate with Herumala theatre. This dames then raged their next door neighbours this is only in order, with increased fury and by 5 pm. the main to calculate on their help in casa of emergency. streels of Wakamatsu-cho and Olski-cho down Once they are removed to other streets they are to the sea had become smoking ruins. The again entire strangers. fames, spreading laterally to Ogawa-cho, swept away the Gendarmerie Station, the Electric Light Company's office, the Gtaki Post Office, the Kyaei Bank, the_Auzma-kwan, the Toki ware, and Kalyo-ken (the leading hotels), and a number of other buildings. The flames were got under control by six o'clock after strenuous efforts of the police fire brigade, parties of men from the Port Admiralty and the warships in the harbour, and the Yokosuka Heavy Artillery Brigade.

It appears that the scarcity of water is largely responsible for the wide extent of 'destruction, A destructive are in the city in December last proved the inadequacy of the water supply in Cases of fire, and this year the naval water works main was extended into the town for fire hydrants, but the earthquake of last mouth „damaged the main and the water could not be procated, as repairs had not been completed. in test circumstances the only course avail- able to stop the progress of the flames was to pull down houses. This work, which largely added to the excitement and confusion, was carried out by the soldiers, who worked desperately under the direction of a Major General in command of the Heavy Artillery Brigade. The men from the battleships Kalori and Tango and the raiser Kaume are men tioned as rendering signal service. The licensed quarters in Olaki-cho and Wakamatsu-cho were devastated, and fourteen restaurants and tea houses, as well as the whole of the geisha quarters, were destroyed. In all, more then Soc buildings were burnt down, and the damage is estimated to exceed Y5,000,000.

The liabilities of the fire insurance offices in this outbreak are estimated as follows

Tokyo FireY64,000 *** Meiji Fire....ma '35,000+ ** Kobe Marineinimum 25,000 Yokohama Fire

10,000 Nippon Fire

$10,000 4,000

Kyodo Fire............................................. Happily no loss of life is reported, but the fire is regarded as having struck an almost fatal blow at Yokosuka. The restoration of the city. to lis former state will take at least three year The sufferers rendered homeless are being quartered in the City Office, the temple, and other public buildings,

THE DRAGOONING. ATTITUDE

*

the paid moral teachers should take the work in band, and that the sinners should be their pupile. Let them give the policeman and his "You can Dever sen so many vacant bauses big cudgel a rest, and we can confidently assura anywhere else as you do in Kobe, but never, them that when they have taught, the Chinese theless rest is by no means low, and a number that the use of opium is a folly and a crime, of petty officials are moving out to the country. and caused the revenue from opium to disap Girls are engaged in many employments, pear, governments, either colonial or imperial, Numbers are in the Post Office, and the City will be foremost in offering congratulations, Office alone employs more than twenty, Girls It is are also taking the places of office boys, ticket. clorks, and money-changers. Flower-selling that we rescat-the bullying and badgering of was at one-time-their-trade-exclusively, but governments-into-the-making of laws which peddling has now come within their sphere, rastraie personal freedom, instead of steady while their influence is extending to the second patient work upon the minds and hearts of hand book store and barber shop. At home

individuals so as to raise them to an apprecia- they work at the manufacture of articles for ex- tion of their own duty and their own highest port, and they serp from thirty to forty sec interests. We rather incline to think that the when tiny become skilful...This is much easier type of Chinaman who frequents these parts can work for them than that of maid-servants, and be led more easily than driven. If the Govern. maidservants are very scarce. Many houses payment says you shall not have opium at a fair travelling expenses to bring a girl from the price, they will set their quick wits to work on country, but as soon as the girl is acquainted schemes of smuggling, but if they can be con- with the place she moves off under the pretext vinced that the use of the drug is bad, they will that her' parent is sick." Kawara-sembai, and Kobe beef are counted as such. The animals are of course not raised here. They come from Tajima province, but the people insist that those slaughtered in RETURNE of the average amount of bank Talima are inferior in quality to those killed notes in circulation and of specie in reserve in in Kobe. There is a famous or rather Hongkong, during the month ended 31st Tofacious institution in Kobe of which all May, 1909, an certified by the managers of

Kobalten ought to be ashamed; it is the bed. | the respective Basks:-- bug. 'The creature is very quick in its move- monta. It came first from China about 40 yearṇ ago, when Prince Ito was the Governor of Kabe. Almost all the houses are infested by the vormin. In the dead of night they creep out of the crannies and sassult the sleepersy inflict. ing severe bites: Foblic and private efforts to exterminate them have not succeeded Visitors to Kobe are advised to go to newly built botel 'li they want to indulge in a good sleep."---/opan

“There are very low famous focal products,

leave it alone whatever the price may be. Here, then, there should be a splendid field for

móral anation.

Average Specias in Banks.

“Amount. Reserve. Chartered Bank of India,

Australiaand China; 53,276,642 52,500,000 Hongkong and Shanghal

Banking Corpora tion,.................................me, 17,356,758 13,000,000 National Bank of Chins,

Limited,...

ལlaliww

|

49,275.

5,683,673) 35,500,000||

·U, S. MONETARY COMMISSION.

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PROGRESS OF THE INQUIRY,

· The following letter has been received by the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce

March 12th, 1909,

Washington, D.G, Dear Sir,-1 have returned to Washington six wooks later than I had anticipated and so have only now received your letter of the toth of December and the report of the Chamber for which I am much obliged,

The evidence taken by the Commission for the next three months will be for the most part banking and currency, the Exchange evidence will occupy next winter and spring, I abould not be surprised if there is material of import. suce from England also. The Chamber of Exchange has under consideration (a) sog. gestion to issue "Cṛown notes* secured by silver (the proposal of the Royal Currency Commission of 1888) with which to pay the weekly old-age pensions. With the Vallver contants of a shilling worth ́ hardly more than fourpeace the profit on the operation is attractive. Hera Congrass is to be occupied with Tariff Revision, but the state of the Ex- change with Asia is much on the minds of the representatives from the Pacific Coast States..

I think if any member of your Chamber should be available next autumn or winter, it might be well to communicate with Mr. T. H. Whitehead of the Bank of India, Australia and China, London, Mr. Whitehead will know where I am.-Believe me, etc.,

(Sgd) MORETON FREWEM.

HONGKONG GYMRHANA CLUB.

THE THIRD MEETING.

held at the Happy Valley, on Saturday, 3rd The programme of the third meeting to be July (weather permitting) is as follows: 1-3.30 pm.-ONE MILE FLAT RACE-For subscription griffins of SCREON 1908-09, Weight for inches as per scale. Winner of one race at this season's gymkhanas, or at- 1909 mesting, 10 lbs, extra: two er mors. races 14 lbs, extra. To be ridden by owners. Popy to have been the property of rider for at least one month prior to date of entry. Entrance fee 55. First prize; presented," and prize: $35.00 3rd prize: $10,00 (Entrance fees to go to winner),

$100, Distance one mila. For all China 350 p.m.-GYMKHANA STAKES.--Valua ponies. Catch weights at to st, 6 lbs. Win- bers of an open race or open griffin raco ́s Ibs.extra. Non-winning subscription griffins allowed 5 lbs. Jockeys who have not won' more than two official racen in Hongkong," Shanghai or Tientsin allowed i lbs. "A cup called the Gymkhana Cup will be presented

at the end of the season to be 'won by the pony scoring most marks in the races for the Gymkhana Stakes at the gymkbaba mootings during the season, counting_4 points for a first; 2 for a second; and I for a third. The benefit of marks already scored. to pass with the pony on a sala. Any win- ner of the race to carry « lbs; extra for each win in subsequent starts for the race, but in the event of a pony carrying the penalty dot winning, 2 lbs, to remain deducted until be wins again when he will carry the full pensi- ties without deduction. Penalties accumula- tive up to 15 lbs. Entrance fen $5, and prize: $ag (Half entrance fees to go to "winner.)---

3-4.10 p.m.-THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE HANDICAP-For all China ponies, Entrance fem $5. First prize: Presented, and prize: $25.00. 3rd prize: 8x4 (Entrance fees to go- to winner).

4-4.30 p.m.-TENT PEGGING, IN SECTIONS OF THREE-Open to teams, mounted on China ponies, and composed of three men, representing any recognized unit or club in the Colony. Three small cups to be pro- sented to the winning team at each competi- tion and at the conclusion of the season a trophy will be given to the team which scores the highest aggregate of points all meet- ings-included. In compaling-for-the-small- caps a competitor mend not necessarily repre- sent the same unit or club on each and every occasion, but if competing for the aggregate trophy he can only represent one.ahit or one club during the season, that is to say, ha must continue to compete for the unitt or club first selected by him and for no other, To provide for sickness, absence from the Colony, or for improvement of a team, DOW members may from time to time be introdac ed into a team, but in order to win the nợ, gregate trophy two at least of the members composing the winning team must, hare competed in not less than three competitions. Points will be awarded as follows

3 for each carry, say per team........ 9 points or a for a carry under 20 yards, or I for a touch,

·3 for speed,

3 for style...

saruanyemiconpaphotos

A dropped spear disqualifies the team for the rún concerned. Note-Style means the proper und workman- like handling of spears and the synchronous working of a team. Points will be deducted from a team should the judge'observe any. member carrying this spear in a dangarous and unsportsmanlike manner.

The fudges will deduct points if in their opinion a team be moving ai too slow a pace. (To avoid delay, each team must be ready to compete when called upon to do so by the

startor. Any foam not ready will be disquali- fied. Teams will run in order mentioned on the programme),

55.00 pm. HURDLE RACE, ONE AND A QUARTER MIKE--Over not less than eight flights of hurdles. For: all' Uhina panias. Catch weights IX stones, 5 Ibu. Jockeyk who have not won more than a official races in Hongkong, Shanghai or:Tientsin, allowed 5- lbs. 1st prizes presented. and, prizes $254/ 3rd prizei Sto. (Entrance fees to go to winner.)

6–5.20 pm -ÕNE AND A QUARTER MILE FLAT RACE, HANDICAP,For all China ponia, Entrance foo:55. First prizes:)Pre- sented by the Hongkong Gymkhama" Club, and prize: Sag. 3rd prize : 310. (Mitrance: fena to go to winner).