1909-08-28 — Page 14

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Self-Government Society.

REPRESENTATIONS BY BRITISH AND PORTUGUESE MINISTERS.

PROMPT ACTION DY MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

[From: Our Own Correspondent.)

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY AUGUST 28 1909.,

Hongkong Policemen

Murdered.

KILLED ON THE ROADSIDE.

DASTARDLY CRIME DY CHINAMEN HEÁR

AU TAU,

axst Inst.

There has been another grim murder com- mitted in the New Territory-a murder of a most brutal character and one which is un precedented is the annals of crime in this Colony.

Opium in Hongkong.

of

SIR F. LUGARD'S POLICY CRITICISED

"In the eighteen months during which the correspondance.proceeded which resulted in the commission every Government taking part mide some move, either by proclamation ar legislation, to put its house in order before the moating of the commission. The United States Government itself enacted legislation probis biding the importation of opium, except for me Glcinal purpose. It went into effect on April 1 the current year. Qo' March 1, 1968, a pro. bibitory law went into effect in the Philippines. Other Governments, owing to financial quer tips, were not able to enact prohibitory let gislation, but they enacted legislation that will or less.

International action on the problem will wips out the traffic in the drug within a decade

proceed and the American Government is now seeking further co-operation from the powers. concerned,"

INTERPORT. SWIMMING,

SHANGHAI TEAM.

DR. HARSTON AND THE 1UNO WA"HOSPITAL.

CHINESE APPRECIATION. - We understand that Dr. G. M. Harston is about to leave the Colony on a holiday and the leading Chinese merchants have arranged to meet him at the Tang Wa Hospital to-day for the purpose of presenting him with some pieces of embroidered silk in recognition of his invaluable voluntary services rendered by the worthy Doctor in the treatment of Chi Basa suffering from eye diseases at the Hospital,

ALLEGED LARCENY of opium.

1

DEFENDANTS COMMITTED' FOR TRIAL. The trial of the three boatmen for theft of, and the woman for receiving, $4,000 worth of raw opium, part of the cargo of the steamer Kut Sang at the end of last month, was concluded at the Police Court, last Thursday, before Mr. Further particolars regarding the interport J. R. Wood

Mr. W. L. Shenton, of Mesars. Deacon, Lan-' Brimming have been received by the Secretary

while Messrs. F. O. Barlow and F. X. d'Almada ⚫ Castro were for the defence, of the International Swimming Club, Mr. Eker and Deacon, appeared for the prosecution, Prince. The Aquatic Sports will take place in Hongkong on September 23, 24 and 25, and tho following is a list of events in which, Shanghai will participate

J

First day Half mile; too yards, (3 lengths); high dive, (20 to 25 (est).

Second day-200 yards (6 lengths); 400 yards Third Day Pludging; Russing Header from (1a lengths); throwing the Polo Hall. Spring board; Flying Squadron Race, Shanghai

kong.

al

Evidence was beard at length in the morn

KARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN.

BERIOUS LOIS OF LIFE”

ELEVEN HUNDRED BUILDINGE DESTROYED, J The Japan Chronicle of 17th Inst, says :- The earthquake on Saturday afternoon, which had Its contre a little north of Lake Biwa; resulted in a serious loss of life, and great destruction af property. The centre of the disturbance ap pears to have bean not far removed from that of the great earthquake in 1891, and it is worthy of note that the vibration registered in Koba last Saturday was greater than that recorded in Osaka in 1891, when so much damage waI caused in the neighbouring city. Fortunately, although the vibration was greater, the shocks last Saturday were less acute, otherwise wa might have had to record a similar disaster to that which took place on the 28th October, 1891, when close on 10,000 people were killed and double that number injured in Alchi, Gifa, Fukui, and Shiga prefectures, 78 deaths oc curring in Osaka fu. As it is, on this occasion "some 40 lives have been lost, 168 persons have been injured, and 1,100 buildings have been totally destroyed.

THE AFFECTED AREA. The centre of the disturbance appeam to have been Ibuki-yama, bill fans for the new battleship Ibuki is named. The districts moze produced there, and after which the round this centre in which the shocks were acate cover an area of twenty-five miles, and the shocks were distinctly felt at Maizurb and Kanazawa on the north, Kure on the West, Yamada on the south, and beyond Nagoja.on the east. In Kobe, as already stated in our alarm, and at Arima great anxiety was felt as, to the extent of the disaster, especially amongst the many foreigners, spending their holidays in the mountains. It was even folt at sea, the shock being so noticeable on one of the dinghies cruising in the bay that for the moment it was feared the boat had gone over a sandbank. The shock was also clearly perceptible on the ships in the barbour.

Society bar, in the case of the Fatehan 877. He also was chopped about the head duced at the end of last your having been with- 1 Hongkong; Water Polo, Shanghai v. Hong-fendant was the quartermaster. He was boldlug last issue, the 'shocks caused considerable

Mr. Laidlaw referred to the evidence given before the International Opium Commission, and urged that pressure should be put upon the Government of Hongkong to proceed more rapidly with the closing of opium dens in that city. If we were to carry out our promise to do all we could to help Chins in this matter of the opium traffic we must set our house in order in our own colonies. We must impress upon our officials that the suppression of the opium trade was 'not's Liberal fad, and that things would not revert to the old way directly this Government went out of office.. The officials in Hongkong ought to look to some source other than oplum for immediate of registration of opium smokers. which had proved beneficial hon, member sito complaiced of the preval elsewhere, might be tried in Hongkong. The of gambling under the British flag in the it is very natural that, carrying a heavy boxederated Malay States. Gambling was more of silver one qr, përhaps, two stops were made in evidence in those States than it was at Monte on the way, but everything went smoothly. Carlo. People went to Monte Carlo with sums until the party arrived near Lam Chuco- of money which they could very well afford to village paar Tai Moh Shau, Bud half way lost, but in the Federated Malay States the by were persons engaging in the vice were almost between Au Tau aud Tai Po-where they were

entirely Chinese coolies. Active measures attacked,..

should be taken by the Colonial Office to 'ropress this evil.

revenue. A

system

RABID MIT.'S' SUGGESTION. The House of Commons on July 27 went Jato Committee of Supply on the Colonial Office Vote, when Mr. Bennett called attention to the oplam traffic in Hongkong and Ceylan

The International Opium Conference had, he * Canton, 33rd Augesi,,

said, since this subject was last debated, met The Canton Self-Government Society has

unquestionably evil character of the traffic, and received from the Tsotel for the Development

at Shanghai, and had settled once for all the the absolute sincerity of the Chinese Govern of Native Industries a despatch to which was

Shortly before noon yesterday a report was attached a telegram which was received by the made, by two coolies, at the Tai Po Police Sta ment. In Hongkong there had been some measure of progress, although it had met with Acting Viceroy on the 18th instant from the tiba, to the effect that two Indian policemen the utmost opposition from the Imperial ser Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The telegram runs had been murdered by robbers on the roadside vants of this country. Sir F. Lugard had said as follows: "The Parlagueso Minister at some sight miles away. The coolics also that Lord Crews had asked the Imperial Govern Faking informed this Ministry at an interview stated that they had to flee for their lives. that the Self-Government Society in Canton has,

It is needless to remark that the policemant for a sum of money to make good the loss In the matter of the delimitation of Macao, been officers proceeded to the scene of the tragedy, caused by the closing of the opium dens. Hea acting

In an absolutely unfair manner which and near the Lam village they found the bodies hoped that Lord Crewe did not make that state- is calculated to insult the Portuguese Conof the officers. The body of an Indian sergeant, meat, but if he did he trusted that memban os sul at Canton. The same Society bas, moreover, tried to institute a boycott agales: the Fory name Kurram Deen (No. 627) was found that side and the Labour Party would strenuous- tuggest employed in all the foreign firms, Tole lying on the roadway, severely hacked. The resist the application of the money of the Lirie man had been dead for some hours. His body tigh taxpayerto such a purpose. The opposition action on the part oftheSociety is considered to

was cold and stiff with rigor mortis, and it was of British Governors to the action of the Im clear at fest night, that he had been murdered, perial Government was very deplorable. That hava undoubtedly bean detrimental to the

Our Imperial officers should be permitted friendly relations between the two countries, and murdered in a most horrible manner,

There was a severe cut on his head, vary openly to thwart our policy was intolerable, The Fortuguese Minister bas requested this

and some very sharp treatment should be Ministry to despatch telegraphic Instruc

nearly reaching the eyes, and his left shoulder

dealt out to those Governors, who resisted our tions to the authorities in Canton asking

was chopped right down-a sight nevar to be them to protect the Portuguese residents forgotten. At the bottom of the ravine the efforts in different parts of the world. In Ceylon, instead of making progress, we had in South China whenever necessary. The

police officers discovered the body of the other British Minister at Peking has also made

man, Police-constable Mohammed Khan (No. gone backwards, the oplum ardinance intro Self-Government representations that the

drawn. Both in Hongkong and Ceylon more la-

and shoulders. He was mious his boots, and

stringent measUIGE WEIG DOCOSsary to deal with evidently had not been dead for very long. cident, acted unreasonably by attempting to

the opium traffic. stir up bad feeling among the Chinese, This.

In order to follow the facts of this terrible Ministry has been requested to give instruc tragedy it is necessary to place the locality in tions to stop the Saclety's action. In his des" the mind of the reader. Au Tau is a lown patch the Acting Viceroy, H. E. Wu Seung twenty-five miles away from Hongkong, and Lum, wamed the members of the Self-Govern

nine miles from Tai Po, and six miles distance ment Society to be carelal in their policy with

from Castle Peak Bay, travalling in a north. view to avoiding serious consequences,

easterly direction. On receipt of the above despatch, the Canton

At at early hour yesterday morning Indian Self-Government Society at once issued cir-police-sergeant Kurram Deen and Police-Com- culars to convene a public meeting to take place stable, Mohammed Khan left Az, Tau Police Station belog the escort to see to the safe de- to-day, when the despatch will be read to the people for consideration and probable dis-livery at Tai Po of a box cantaloing over $400 cussion

in cash, which was the annual Crowe rent of that district. The box-of-money-was-carried A HOSTILE MEETING.

on a bamboo pale by two coolies, who are well known in the neighbourhood. THE ANTI-PORTUGUESE BOYCOTT QUESTION.

Canion, 24th August.

The party left Au Tau after six o'clock, the As the result of the despatch sent to the coolies carrying the box, in the manner already Self-Government Society by the High Authori-described, while the ladian policemen marched ties, embodying a telegram from the Ministry alongside them." of Foreign Affairs with regard to the represen tions of the Portuguese and British Ministers at Poking in connection with the Fatihan in cident, a public meeting was held on the aard Instant by the Caston Self-Government So. claty, when there was present a large number of people. Chan Wai Po, the president of the society, presided over the meeting. The chairman read out the despatch tecalved by the society to the assembly. It was declared at the meeting that the differ ances between Messrs. Butterfield and Swire and the Chinese as a result of the Faishan incident had already been settled, by the pays ment of the compensation to the deceased's family. The representations of the British Minister as embodied in the telegram despatch. ed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were therefore misleading. With regard to the re presentations of the Portuguese Miglster, who accused the Society of having acted in a manner calculated to insult the Portuguese Consul at Canton, and further with having at tempted to institute a boycott against the Portuguese, the Chairman stated that the unfortunate mas-no doubt with the intentionisbed to see a dimloution of its consumption. Society had never gone beyond urging the Portuguese Consul to give a definite reply to the Society's communications. The Chairman further disclaimed any intention on their part `to bring about a boycott against the Portuguest. After considerable discussion, it was resolved

While the attack on the policemen wat be that a reply denying the allegations of the Por- tuguese Minister should be sent to the Higbag made the coolies, becoming scared, dropped Authorities in answer to their despatch for the the box of money on the road, and cleared for Information of the Moistry of Foreign Affairs. Tai Po which they reached an hour or two It was also decided that telegrams should be later. Having settled the officers the murderers sent to the Chinese in various places to im- departed with the box of money. It is believed press upon them the liberty of their choice in they made for the frontier. the transaction of business with foreigners.

The telegram drafted at the meeting for dispatch to the Chinese residing abroad reads as follows:-"With reference to the Fatakan Incident, the Portuguese Consal has alleged that the Chinese witnesses acted in a blassed manner. The family of the deceased bus ro ceived compensation from the British firm of Manira. Balterfeld and Swire, and the fil- feeling against them should therefore be removed. The Portuguese did not think fit to Express regret is the matter, but on the other band accuse us of having tried to boycott them, Everyone should understand clearly the fact that one is at perfect liberty to buy and sell as ons likes and must act accordingly for the sake of sustaining our reputation:

Just

(Sd), THE CANTON SELF-GOVERNMENT

SOCIETY."

WHITE, WOMAN SUMMONED. AN ALLEGED NUISANCE IN A TYPE FOUNDRY.

This is the story one of our reportera was told, as it was given by the coolies carrying the money box. As we were approaching Lam Chuan, bound for the Land Office, ai Tai Po, at about 6.40 a.m., we saw eight mea-four seated at .sach side of the road." They thought nothing of this and con- inued on their way, and no sooner bad they attempted to pass the men than they wore rushed upon.

In the twinkling of an eye the robbers jump. ed up and, having produced their choppers, bey prang upon the indian sergeant and with two strokes killed the man on the spot.

Their attention was next turned to the police Constable, who also was brutally attacked with choppers. Crawling to the side of the road the of getting back either to Tai Po or Au Tau t report the occurrence-removed bis boots to make the tramp easier, but he must have col- Iapsed through loss of blood, which accounted for his body being found at the bottom of the ravine.

The bodies of the two policemen were to moved to Hongkong and the burial took place this forenoon.

:

Kurma Deen (the sergeant) was thirty-two years of age, and had been in the Police Force for about twelve years, having joined from the Indian regiment. His compatriot was two years younger, and joined the local Force five

year ago.

When the news was received in the Colony H. E. the Governor (Sir Frederick Lugard) was

promptly notified, and there is no denying that it must have broken upon him as a very up pleasant piece of news.

Detectives are scouring the New Territories diligently in search of the murderers. Up to now no one has been arrested, but no stone will be left unturned to bring the offenders to book.

OPIUM TRADE DEPRESSED.

NO PROSPECTS OF ANY REVIVAL IN INDIA.

+

Colonel Seely, referring to the opiums ques- tion, said that in Hongkong by the end of February, igro, all the opium dens would have been closed, There were people who said that the result would be to drive the smoking of opium into other quar ters, but the Conference was in favour of closing the divans, and the best information the Government could get led them to believe that this was a good plan. It was intended to continue to restrict the amount of opium in ported. With regard to the Federated Malay States, the Government was about to set up a State monopoly of opium, which he thought met with the general approval of those who

They wished to check the habit of gambling and their aim was.10 reduce it to the narrowest limits with a view to ultimate prohibition." On the question of the view of the Government in regard to opium generally, they considered it to be a bad thing for a race, and that the more it could be checked and stopped the better for all concerned. Is this matter they had the example of the Japanese, who were stamping it out by savage penalties, and of China, who was also trying to shake herself free from the babit. They, would not cease to do their best to assist China and to diminist as far as poi. sible, and as soon as possible, the consumption of opium is all places where the Colonial

Office bed rulė.

ME Verdey expressed dissatisfaction with the statement which he understood the Under- Secretary to bavo made-that it was intended to create a Government monopoly in opium in the Federated Malay States. He commended 10 the Goverdurent as worthy of imitation the action of the Siamese Government in extirpat.

ment monopoly in Slam and had yielded a large gambling dens which had been a Govern revenue, and of the Japanese Government in taking drastic means to exclude opium from their country to the immense advantage of its people.

די

SECOND CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT THE HAGUE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

Washington, July 18 The State Department has requested all the countries which participated in the meeting of the latamational Opium Commission at Shang. bai, Chips, last February to send delegates to be held at The Hague second conference to it means will be on in the near future; at sidered for the international control of the pro duction, manufacture and traffic in opium, with a view to the complete suppression of the eso of opium except for medicinal purposes.

Hamilton Wright, who was one of the Ameri- can delegates to the conference at Shanghai is sion of the conference. It is hoped by the Department that the conference will also tako up the question of the use of cocaine and other narcotics and babit forming drugs, Mr. Wright is preparing legislation for submissión to Cope gress which if enacted will place the manufac- idre and interstate traffic in habit forming drugs ander the supervision of the Bureau of Internal

Arrangements are well in band and the team will probably leave here on or about Septem ber 17, saya the N.C.D. Neur, which will allow them ons or two days for training. The Shanghai team has not yet been selected, but it is probable that the following swimmers will. represent Shanghai, R. W. MacCabe, E. Prince, C. W. O. Mayne, P. Fowler, D. H. Cooke, T E. N. Rosser, Wilson, W. Jones and G.I. Robinson. The teams is very fast one, and should acquit itself well in the Championships and the Team Race, although it is hard to say bow Shanghai will fare in the Water Polo.

SHIPPING FACILITIES.

The Shanghai Mercury says:-It is satisfac tory to learn that through the kindness of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co. the mem bers of the swimming team to represent Shang- hai in the Hongkong Gala will be able to fact the return journey will be arranged for travel to Hongkong at a much reduced rate, in at a single fare. Not only have the agents of the Indo-China S. 2. Oo. given these, very considerata terus, but, endeavours are being made to have a return steamer to fit in with the conclusion of the gala, and thanks to thesa arrangements all difficulty with regard to the Shanghai team's participating in the event has been met. In the meantime plans are being considered whereby the members of the team will spend a weak-end up country where the long distance events can be done justice

to,

& D

LIQUOR LICENCES,

RESOLUTIONS BY MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council was held on the afternoon of Wednesday, the 18th, at which the following resolutions were passed unanimously:—

(1) That & duly be imposed on all Foreige and Chinase alcoholic liquors Imported and consumed in the Colony. Liquors supplied

"

to ships, in unbroken casos forconsumption on board, and liquors re-exported, to be exempt from doly.-

(a) That Arrack and spirits of wine he treat-

ed as alcoholic liquors.

(3) That all licensing fees be based on a valuation of the RoAual turn-over of the business of the licensee....

ing, and in the afternoon the second engioner of the ship, Mr. J. C. Dallas, was called and said, that about 12.30 am, on the 30th July, when, he went aboard be noticed a sampan, bored about thiety, or forty yards aft. The witness noticed four men on board. When he got on board the ship he met the quartermastar the top of the gangway. The second de a lamp, and witness, having passed him, want to bed. Nothing happened until about three a'clock when he heard the quartermaster Detective-sergeant Wilden, of the Water calling the second officer, Police, spoke to arresting the men and recover ing the opium at different places. The theft when discovered-wes-reported-to-the-police. and he was deputed to trace the epium and find the thieves.

All the defendants reserved' their defence,

committed for trial to take place on Monday, and after they had been cautioned, they were whan a special sessions will be called to dispose of the case, so as not to delay the departure of the Kf Sang.

Just at the time the first earthquake occurred a train was passing the foot of Ibaki-yama, and the passengers saw with alarm that the hill appeared to be in a state of eruption, a shower of sand and stones being seen to fail. Sada afterwards something like smoke was SOUN rising from the foot of the hill, but was aftur. wards found to be vapour issuing from near the OPIUM SMUGGLING SCANDAL. source of the Otomi River, where a large area

1

CHINESE BANKER ARRESTED.

The second arrest in the oplam smuggling cave was made id-day. reports the Mandla Times of 18th just

#

This morning a warrant for the arrest of William Kennedy, a well known Chinese banker, and an American subject, was issued by the Court of First instance, charging him with the illegal importation of opium.

This is the second arrest made as a result of the recent attempt to smuggle, over Pao,000 worth of opium into the port of Manila by secreting the contraband drug in pinces of mining machinery imported from China, in connection with which Louis T. Grant, a well known Manila marchant, was arrested about three weeks ago. *

Kennedy gave bail in the sum of P7,500, It is the theory of the prosecution that Kennedy financed the deal, and the warrant for his arrest was turned over to the city detec tives, for service.

of land subsided. Even at seven o'clock on Sunday night two or three shocks an hour ware being regularly felt in the neighbourhood of the bill, and the people living thereabout feared

a

volcanic eruption,

From the official reports sa far received, the district acutely affected was over ten miles long and Gva wide, extending from the hills on the boundary of Omi and Mine provinces, on the east, to Osito mura, on Lake Biwa, on the west. None of the villages in this sone escaped without damage, but fortunately, chiefly owing to the fact that the shocks occurred in the after- noon, no fires have been reported.

EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. Constant additions are being made to the records of the damage caused by the earth quake. Several houses collapsed at Gifa, fis- Aures opened in the roads in the neighbour. hood, and much damage was done in the glass. and porcelain warehouses. The electric gona. rating-station of the Gifa Electric Lighting. Company was wrecked, and the city on Batur day was in darkness, the people balog afraid -to-light kerosene lampz Almost_all_the_j habitants have been camping out since Satur

DEMENTED WOMAN A SUICIDE, day, and mosquito nets are seen spread in the

DIES IN THE SHKUNG-SHUI RIVER.

A sad case of felo da se is to hand from the

streets, in The helds, and sometimes under sha cayes of the houses. Over 20 shocks hays DVOD vaporisnosd' in Ciln, and sha prorepla donaday! returning to their homes in case another severe

New Territory, the victim being a native wo-shock may bring their dwellings down about man who was about forty-five years of age.

Wong flo, which was her name, was born at Sheung-hui, where she was engaged on a farm, and for some yea's was known to be de (4) That in the event of the preceding resolo-meated Desorted by her friends and acquaiut Iances, who became 'alarmed at the woman's tion being adopted the issuing of adjunct strange bebaviour, Wong HD led a wandering li ences be discbatiuued. (5) That all places where liquors are sold by life, foaming about the hillside, and getting

retail for consumption on the premises to her food wherever it was obtainable. required to take out licences,

(6) That as to the method of collecting the import duties a spirit farm is undesirable, These rasolutions were communicated to His Excellency the Governor the following day.

*

·COUNTERFEIT bollars;

COOLIE SERTENCED FOR-UITERING. "Tell him he has done this, before and that back to Hongkong agaio," said Mr. F. A. Hara he will be banished. Tell him not to come land (first police magistrate) to a coolie in the Police Const, last Thursday forenoon.

Fong Ching, unemployed, no fixed place of abode, was charged, at the instance of Police Sergeant Watt, with disposing of a counterfeit Indo-China dollar at Hunghem on Wednesday According to the evidence defendant went to a shop at 37, Kawtoon City Road and called for two packets of cigarettes, in payment for walck he gave the saleswoman a dollar piece. The coin was closely examined by the master of the shop, who told defendant that he had no change. and invited him to go to the police station for it. Defendant bolted, was chased, and caught At the lock-up the shopkeeper said that the defendant had passed a similar dollar piece in

his shop a week ago,

The defendant admitted the charge and was gentenced to two months' bard labour and six hours stocks. In passing sentence, his in the words given above.

them. At a marble-quarry in Gifa prefecture the side of a cliff collapsed, killing ons.mam and fojuring five others,

Last Wednesday morning the poor creature was seen to pass through the village and make in the direction of the river. Arriving at the perpendicular. At Nagahama, a town on Laka banke she was alleged to have divasted hameli of her clothing and jump into the water. She sank immediately.

Some hours later her body was recovered and, so.it is reported, was buried by the villagers.

AN UMBRELLA TRICK,

SHOPKEEPER ROBBED OF A BAG OF MONLY.

26th insf.

At Nagoya the shock at 3.30 on Saturday afternoon was very violent and was accompani ed by a loud rumbling nolas. The damage, done at Nagoya is comparatively trifling, though much alarm was caused. Se far nd loss of life or serious injury has been reported from Aichi prefecture. At Hikone, two houses collapsed and 40 houses were thrown out of the Biwa, ten houses were totally demolished and 20 partly collapsed. The chimney of the Om! Silk Recling Company was brought down and part of the offices wracked. Orai 30 love the compound of or stone lanterns in the Yawata shrine were overthrown, and the Meiji Bank building was badly damaged. At Higashi Kosaka a young girl was killed at the village shrine by falling foro. At Maibara (the Junction of the Tokaido, and Hokaroka lines) the shock was falt severely. The police station and the lofty building of the Trutsuya Hotel wore thrown out of the par- pendicular, and a house collapsed.

No less than two hundred houses word thrown down in the district under the jurisdic- tion of the Ayaml-mura police and numbers of persons were dog out of the débris of demolish ed houses. At Sans, Osata-mura, Higashi Asai district, 28 houses collapsed, and & parsons At three o'clock yesterday afternoon three

were killed, and similar reports come from men, pretending to, be strangers to each other, many other villages between Lake Biwa and followed one another into a tailor's shop at 259. Nagoya, In the Higashi Asai district, the centre of destruction, 30 persons were Queen's Road Central. The first man asked to be shown some umbrellas, the second inquired killed on the spot, 150 were injured, 15 after some towels, while the third stood at the temples and shrines were totally destroyed, while 46 partially collapsed, 431 dwelling The man examining the umbrellas, opened houses were completely demolished and 1,200 one in the face of the salesman, while the third damaged. No less than 6to other balichnga counter an interested spectator,

the "spectator"-believing that he was were totally destroyed and p66 were partially cleared. The theft was noticed by a foki.. screened, picked up the bag of money, and wrecked.

A very clever trick, whereby a shopkeeper was robbed of bag of a money, was played by three rascals yesterday, gas of whom only was coght, the others having made good their escape.

The story was told to Mr. F: A. Hareland, in the Police Court to-day, when ose Wong Tak pleaded not guilty to stealing a bag containing $19 in silver

The tom

total loss of life and damage officially ra«.

Killedparkeraude Chrysumme

The Government of India have had under An interesting casa came on for hearing be fora My, F. & Hazeland at the Magistracy last consideration for some time the question of Thursday, when Chan Tin, in the employ of the the cultivation of opium in Mara, in view of Shan Fat Type Foundry, ST, Hollywood Road, the gradual restriction of exports to China, The position is a difficult one, for stocks of summoned a woman named Della Huard, who

the Malwa drug aso very large, and prices are occupies the flat above the foundry, for assault, alleged to have been committed on the 3rd steadily falling. The trade, which is financed in Bombay, is consequently in a depressed Mr. 1. I. Gardiner appeared for the defence. stato, and there is no prospect of any revival, preparing a programme to govern the diica Worship recommanded the man for banishment | The second man followed his confederate, and ↑ ported up to Sanday evening was as follows s--?)

The demand from China will continue to fall off, if the anti-opium policy of the Peking Government is maintained, and, the native states of Central India are already beginning to feel the effects of the new conditions that have been set up. The Daly remedy seems to be, says the Pioneer, to encourage the cultivation of crops other than poppy, but it has yet to be ascertained whether the losses that most inevitably be incurred at first can be made good.

The next summons was brought by the Hoard woman against the owner of the foundry for causing a nuisance by allowing obnoxious matter to accumulate in his premisen

The third summons, a cross-action, was by proprietor, a woman, against Miss Huard tho for disorderly behaviour.

The plaintiff, Chan Tin, sald that the defend ant lived above the shop where he was am- ployed. On the day in question she threw some water into his premisas. Complainant told her not to do it and she repealed it, this time the water entering a cauldron of molten load, causing the lead to rise and scald him.

H Worhip-Do you suggest sho: did it purposely?-Yeri.

The defendant denied that she thraw dirty water into the foundry.

Mr. Gardiner Do you water the plants your self?-Sometimes I do.

One morning, she added, the plaintiff used very bad language towards her servants).

His Worship discharged that summons. The next to be heard was the case of alleged nuisance Miss Haard described the smells came from the ground floor. She said she re-

ported the matter to the Banitary Board auther tles, but they said that the anisance, if any, was not sufficient to, take action against the pro- prietor of the foundry.

His Worship-How can this be stopped these offensive smalls?,, govor

A sanitary, Inspector said it could not be stopped. The smells were caused by the burn- Ingall from the machine, engetegzirantes

His Worship anggested that some Krange- ment should be come to with the landlord with 'view to abażing the nuisance, and the same

NIPPON FIRE INSURANCE CO.

SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT. The following is the working of the Nippon Fire Insurance Company, Limited, for the year ending 31st March, 1999-

The cat premiums collected were Y1,054, 846.515, and the total losses, less reinsurance, amounted to Y307,838,815, being 36.7 % of the premiums,

The surplus for the year ip Y491,137,681, which the directors have resolved to appropriate

as followers

Legal reserve fund ............ 13,000,000 Special reserve funds 200,000,000 Dividends to shareholders !(15% per annum)

112,500,000

15,000,000 8,000.000

723,637,681

Bonus and social expenses to

directors and auditors, Rawards to the retired officers Balance carried forward to

next yoursteinst

Revenue.

For several years the United States has taken the lead in the work of suppressing the opiam evil. The congress held in Shanghai was first suggested by the United States, and the pure pose of the second conference is to carry on the work of preventing the spread of the ase of opium. The American delegates to the conference were Hamilton Wright, the Right Rev. Charles H. Breat, Episcopal Bishop of the Philippine Islands, and Charles D. Tenney, Chinese secretary of the American Legation At Peking. The State Departopsat 10-day gave out the following statement regard ing the work of the commission.

SHIPPING ENTERPRISE.

NORDDEUTSCHER-LLOYD COMPANY'S

PROJECT.

they disappeared in the crowd. The umbrella "purchaser. Wong Tak, could not get away in time He was found guilty, and the Court passed sentence of six wocks' hard ́lkbode and abe hottrs' stocks.

MEIJI PIRE INSURANCE CO.

ANNUAL REPORT,

We have received a copy of the nineteenth annual report and statement of accounts of the Meiji Fira Insurance Company, Limited. The following is the working of the company for the year ending 31st March, 1909:

Tojured

Temples and Shrines→→

Totally Wrecked .......................................se Partially destroyed ................................. Dwelling Houses

201

59

Totally wrecked unaşura 470 Partially destroyed ignomid:167. Other Buildings

Totally wrecked .....

MR, O. VRIESLAND IN HAMBURG. As soon as the Panama canal is finished the North Deutscher Lloyd Steamship Co. will have a line of round-the-world steamers run ning into this port, says G. Freisland, agent of the German lies at Hamburg. Steamers of the type of Princess Alles, Prince E. Ludwig and the newer Bisalow class, which ply from Hamburg and Bremen to the Orient by way of the Suez Canal, going to Yokohama and return Ing homeward from that port by way of the Suez, will, as soon as the Para canal, is com pleted, come from Yokohams to Puget Sound and return to Germany by way of Mexico and Central Americs, passing through the Pana canal. Whather alternate sailings will be given by an outward line is not yet arranged. composition in the consting steamship trade in Net profit of the year........................... 220,458.718 brought down the houses. '

Partially destroyed 992 A tragic feature of the disaster is that in the district devastated the calabration-of-the-Bon festival was commenced on the very day the earthquake occurred. All the farmers were, keeping holiday, the little villages were en féia, The premiums, collected during the year,

half-past with friends. relatives. That, at

apda after deduction of reinsurances, amanat to you and the country folk were exchanging alts

throw,

the earthquake suddenly struck terror The losses, altar deduction of reipsurance, into the holiday-makers, who rushed out of 1001,781,249. amount to you 357,653.340, The balance of the working a/c

Mr. Freisland said there was now strong

The commission was one of inquiry only, Its fanction was to sindy the epium problem and to report as to the best and most fossible means for solving it. This the commission did to the entire satisfaction of the Governments the Orient, especially in the South China concomed. The delegations were, unanimous service, where the new Chiasse nulonal steam. that the spium evil must cease, and the ship line had become a factor. The Chinesa revolusions that practically covered the diff about the world subscribed stock in this line, calilos were passed msm.com. The delegations and a start has been made with three chartered were in entire accord and it was not thoight Norwegian steamers running from Hongkong wise to draw up an elaborate report as toss to Bangkok, and other pors of Indo-Chins, why and wherefors of the resolutions. It was Mr. Frisland thinks, however, that the com- considered that it would be more affective to petition will not be long maintained He be. condacon the lilicit use of opluis; by lagdow, Heyes:tha Chluasa iina has not sufficient capital general resolutions than to write a report that to continue, the war and must soomer or fater jmo aus would roads Ja

the house in wild alarm. The first shocks.

for the year amounts to ex 1,615,758.718 Jaated for about five minutes, and the folk had scarcely recovered from their terror what sayŋ ther shock came some minutes after, stronger. Less reserve for unexpired

· risks pa the grit March, 1929 -: 3,595,300,000 to the first, and it was this tremor, which

The director recommend the sum of,yen 220,458,718 to be appropriated in the following menner:

Dividend of 20% to share.

holders semestrés # 50,000.000 Houns to directors and audi

torej

To reserve fund .....................

nóc

SKBZBZONE FOUND ON SA

HILLSIDE

A gruesome discovery has been vinde kanti Colony. Two skeletons lying close) to me other were found last Tuesday, by""Forst Guard, on the hillside above No. 1 Bridge)? 158.718 | Pobfoblem. From appearances it would noem

that death had intervened shout, elgiaan. 1918 || months to two years agoJULENT WORKAHOL

the mortuary for barkki