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The Opium Farm.

TRIENNIAL MONOPOLY AWARDED. RO SYNDICATE SECURES THE PRIVILEGE/

5th inst.

"The sole privilege of preparing opium and of selling, within the Colony, (including the Now Territories), prepared opium inclusive of the privilege of collecting drons and of preparing and denting in droit opium, for three years from the rei March, 1910, has been awarded to Mr. Ho Shai-kit at a monthly rental of $98,600, equivalent to 51,183,200 per annum. The Award was made yesterday afternoon at a meet-, ing of the Executive Council. The delibera... tion was, apparently, a prolonged cas. On the occasion of our representative's earlier visit, the Council was then sitting in camera. At a later bear when the Council had arisen, the Clark | ⚫ informed the member of our staff that the award would be communicated this morning. When our represcalative called again in the course of this forenoon, he was kindly given the in- formation already mentioned that the tender of Mr. Ho Shai-kít had been accepted,

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THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY OCTOBER 9 1900

Interport Swimming.

RETURN OF THE SHANGHAI TEAM. SHANGHAI CAPTAIN ON THE RECENT VISIT.

The team of Shanghai swimmers returned from Hongkong by the Indo-Chins steamer Hougaang, yesterday, minus the dag which dated so gaily when they left for the southern Colony, says the Shanghai Times of and inst The results achieved by the members of the team are well-knowa; not single member tecured a point for Stanghai except R. W. MacCabe, who won three of the four swimming championships and throw the poio ball further shao anyone olan.

In conclusion, one other comment is permis sible in this connection. The various theories that have been advanced in public print to mc- count for the sustained value of the Hongkong Opium Farm are as far wide of their mark as thoss in the know are hesitant in giving away the raison d'etre for what appears an unaccountabla. but conjectural circumstance. Suffice it to say that, in the opinion of gentlemen who are closely identified with the trade and speak with authority on the subject and with whom we have had the privilege of discussing the subject on more than one occation, it is not seriously considered that the death-krell of the opium trade has yet been sounded by a long chalk, despite the pious resolutions framed by conferences and commissione' and the railleries of a rahid band of self-opinionated missionaries. There are surrounding and self-explanatory circumstances that go to uphold the value of the

P. Fowler, captain of the team, accorded our Hongkong opium farm. Unless, of course, the

representative an interview shortly after his trend of events is re-shaped there is no reason

return. Naturally he is not overjoyed with the for misgivings as to the fortuitous circumstances

results of the tour, but, be accords the fullest that have operated like the proverbial ill wind rastre of praise to the Hongkong swimmers to the benefit of Hongkong. Residents may

The trip down, he stated, was good, though anw rest in the comfortable assurance that for owing to a typhoon the ship was delayed for | the next three years, at any rate, from the 1st

14 hours at Fonchow. The only member of the March 19to, the main source of revenue of the cam to get ill going down was. T. E. N. On the 30th ult. when the tenders were re- Colony will remain unimpaired excepting for Rosser, who was stricken with an attack of ceived and, opened by Government, the first a difference which will be more than made dysentery and was ill all the time he was in announcement, loj boʻmade to an eager com- up by the scheme of retranchmeat that has

Hongkong. The visitors were mat on the -mualty of taxpayers, desirous of becoming" been adopted and by the cessation of the

steamer's arrival by Messrs. F. Lammert and acquainted with the prices offered for the opium extraordinary" public works in the comple-C. D. Silas, Honorary Secretary and Treasurer monopoly, was in the columes of the flong-tion of the New Law Courts and the Post Office respectively of the Victoria Recreation Club, hong Telegraph the same evening when it was,

in about eighteen months bence.

Hongkong? The conditions which faced the reported that there had been keen competition portion of £1,183,300 for ten months of the

Iwimmers on their arrival at the bath "were for the privilege resulting in the submission of coming year added to the pro rata rentals of

somewhat surprising. The take-off platform four closely-approximating lenders as fol the outgoing monopolists for the months of was about ten feet above the water and this lowk :-

January and February should provide a sum boight made a great difference to the visitors, sufficient to make good nothing under 25% of who struck the water with a splash and went the Colony's total, expenditure for next year, deep down, while the Hongkong men, being the Colonial Estimates for which cannot be accustomed to the height, entered the water at lang deferred beyond the present week. Never

a sharper angle and went but a short distance has Hongkong's budgèl been looked forward under the surface. The boards at each end of to with keconer anticipations, and the Gover the bath on which the swimmers turned were awaited with considerable interest. oor's speech in 'presenting it to the Council is greasy and the top of the board was a good distance above the water; consequently, the Shanghai men, why were accustomed to a rail at each end, were at a disadvantage in this regard and lost on each tura. The captain of the visitors requested that a rail be put down but this request was denied.

Ko Yiu-sban, Leung Kin-

sang, and Ng Ming-sau $98,759 · HoShaj-kit.

98,600

Luk Yan She Ying-luk

95,000 $91,200

The bids represented' the 'payments offered for cach moaib, so that on the basis of the -lowest tender, the monopoly' was mull winch over a million dollars each year

to the Colony (the next three years, and this despite the fact that the existing fathers.. had consented to a reduction in the number of opium-3moking divaos in the Colony, which are subject to ultimate extinc tion in accordance with a deferred programme of suppression to which the Colonial Gov. erament bad pledged itself to the Secretary of State for the Colonies pursuant to the policy of the Imperial Government in assisting Chine te exterminate the opium babit wjedin” the „Middle Kingdom root and branch.

For four days the Government has had under lis most earnest consideration the four tenders, god, although the notification calling for lenders specifically provided that, Government was not bound to accept thebighest or any tender, it is Goquestionable that the merits of each have re- ceived very careful thought. Yesterday the Exe ecutive Council was called together in solame conclave to adjudicate on the claims "of the teoderers. The meeting was a prolonged

oat. That they presented some difficulties in ' arder to reach a decision fair to the bidders

and' in consonance, with the interests of the taxpayers, our presentation the other day of the constitution of the four syndicates will have made it clear. The length of yesterday's meet- ing might, in itself,"be accepted as sufficient· avidence of the conscientious chrè devoteikto ao

Impartial and unbiased judgment of the bidders' claims. The verdict now anounced will be accepted as one entirely in the Colony's best intercita,

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PORRY CULTIVATION.

The pro-

BRITISH INTERESIS IN CRINA,

with reference to the entire suppressing of the apipm evil in China, a natiye report says cided that plantation of native opium should be that the Autoplam Commissioners have de.

The first race set down was the hallmile, with reduced year by year and satirely prohibited in

the hundred yards championship later in the the 14th year of Hsuan Tung. Begioning from day. To this arrangement objection was taken the next year a Government monopoly will and eventually, after some discussion, the he established for ppium, which will as and the half-mile later. In the hundred yards V. R. C. agreed to put the hundred yards first. be gradually reduced, until it is catirely sup pressed in the 8th year of. Hsuan Tung (1916)

the best man WOD "Humphreys," said Fowler, The consent of the Diplomátic Corps in Fek. is the best man for that distance in the Far ing will shortly be obtained to this proposal East, and the next best man is MacCabe, The Prince Regent is reported to have shown though Claxton was placed second, but it was great impatience at the delay of the Commonly by a touch and during the race both missioners in reporting on a memorial coutin Prince and Claxton were touching MacCabe, ing suggestions in regard to opiam prohibjob. It was not intentional, but Humphreys did not and he accordingly asked more than once for swim a straight course and on taking the lead the report. It is also stated that a Cepier has he swam into the centre of the bath, forcing resolved severely 10 denounce a high Minister

the other competitors over towards the side, who broke off opium smoking, but has since tioce held all three over the first two lengths but he was some distance behind relapsed into the evil'habit.

when the 'race finished, He WA1 40 far over that be Bardly touched the push-off board when turning for the last lap. On the swim ming shown in the hundred yards it would have been a fint race for two lengths between Humphreys and. Prince. On the same day there was the high dive. Hongkong appointed one judge and requested me to act as well, but did not appoint a third judge ser a referee. There was a large entry but finally we go them down to three-Souza, Silva and Cooks, 1 did not say that I considered the Swallow dive was not as good as the ordinary dive, When i was told that the judging must be done under local conditions, I said: I am sorry; cannot judge because I do not know local con- ditions. However, when the diving had con cluded I had Cooke (Shanghai) first, but the other judge had Souza first. Had the decision I received a letter dated Marchi, 44, from His "Drop-given for simply neatness in catering the Majesty's Foreign Office, in which I was in-

water there would have been many in front of formed that if the London and China Syndicate Cooke, in distance he was far and away the were willing to agree to a compromise agree.best, in the flougkong-papers-ixas stated ment on certain line-

that I had disqualified some of the competiton guarantee that the for doing the Swallow dive, but that is not so. I allowed them to continue but in diving they moved their arms to retain their position in the nir and that counted against them. The ques- tion was referred to the committee-and-it-was- decided to award the prize to Souza.

"Although I did not make any fuss about the long plunge, I considered that the usual 60 seconds limit should have been adhered to, but here there was no time limit. It is also custom. ary to have three attempts. There was very. little is it, however, The winner did 57 feet and I did 5s feet a inches. The height of the dive was against us and the tide also had an unfavourable effect.

The following letter appears in The Times of September 100-

Sir-lo The Tinks of 10-day I read, with great interest, the telerence you made, in your leading article, The Future of China to the humiliating position to which the Chinese Gov. ernment have brought themselves in regard to the Anhui Mines. Humiliating, indeed, it is; and I venture, Sir, to submit to you the latest phases of this case which have been a subject of discussion for over four years-with the impatial Chinese Government, whe bave persistently obstracted us in the development of oor mines, to the great detriment of Chinese as well as of British interests.

it

"Lord Li is prepared Gentry of Anhui, whose hostility in the past has been to a large extent the cause of the failure of the negotiations hitherto undertakez, will offer så abstraction, and that the Chinese Gavernment will also agree."

་ ་

1

THE YOKOHAMA SPECIE BANK,

ITALI-YEARLY MEETING,

The half-yearly general meeting of the Yeko. bama Specie Bank, held on the joth pltimo at the head office, adopted the following statement as to the disposal of the proft fai stie last half- year, amounting, including surplus brought forward, to Y2,995,843 To Reserve

Y. 400,000 To dividend 'at rate of 12% 1,440,000 Carried forward .............................. 1.155.848

Total...............:Y3,995,548

In presenting the report and accountı, Ba ron Takahashi, president of the company, refer red to the economic conditions of the country, and noted that the greater part of the various enterprises which suffered from the effect of the slump in trade the year balore last had during the year under review besa steadily recuperated, and placed once more op a firm footing. The market was still exercising caution, although it was now progressing, to wards a fair recovery. Considering the slow way in which the period of prosperity was re- turning in Europe and America, immediate activity in the Japanese market could bardly be hoped for, consequently no marked require- meat of money in any grades of enterprise had been seen. In addition the successful Aotation of loans abroad, coupled with the sale of Government stocks in foreign countries. had contributed to the monetary slackness, and banks bad difficulty in finding suitable outlets for their surplus money. The total trade during the first half year amonsted roughly to Yao1,510,000, of which V187,000,000 reprosented exports and Y214,000,000 in pons. The imports showed a failing off of Y38,480,000 compared with the corros- ponding period of last year, but the ex- ports had increased by Y13.980,000, mak- ing the net decrease - iz the total trade Y24,500,000. The decrease is imports was accounted for chiefly by iron and steel and machinery, which must be attributed to the cautions policy adopted by business-men who were engaged in the work of reorganisation; while the increased export was due in some" degree to the improvement in the trade with Chinacaused by the comparative recovery of the value of silver, and in another direction to the. increased export of raw silk, tea, etc., conse-

returning to their normal level. There was quent upon the general economic conditions of Europe and the United States gradually thus no cause for anxiety in the general tendency of trade. Owing to special cir- cumstances, the business of the Specie Bank had been brisk. It was, however, a matter for regret that the collection of some of the bills discounted in Kobe, Osaka and Port Arthur could not be effected and had had to be written off as bad debts, but the activity of business in other directions had off.et this, so that the result was only slightly diferent from that of the preceding period..

EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA..

A RUSSIAN PLAINT,

The following communication, signed "Ed- ward Exersky, appears in a Vladivostok con- temporary, and is of interest from more than one point off view::

I have often heard that these in search of work cast longing eyes on Australia and speak of that country as a sort of fabled lond filled with all kinds of good things. As I had some idea of going to Aust- alia and saw no probability of obtaining Buy information regarding the condition of Russian emigrants there, I decided to apply to our Consul General at Melbourne, and wrote him accordingly. A day or two ago I received the following reply:-

INTERNATIONAL WALKING

"COMPETITION,

MAJ-GBN, BROADWÖÖB,

INTERVIEWED..

OPINION ON THE CHINESE ARMY.. "The greatest drawback to the efficiency

SHANGHAI, COMmittee appointED.

International Walking Competition was held of the new Chinese Army at the present time

A meeting of last year's committes of the

at the Rosso-Chinese Bank on Thursday evening, Joth alt, to make the preliminary

is in the quality of men, who officer the troops," Arrangements for this year's event. It was says Major-General R. G. Broadwood of the decided that the competition shall take place British Army. "There is a lack of the mill. on Sunday, November 28, on exactly the same

tary spirit which, while it is being bercoms, fines at last year, entries for teams and indivi- will hamper the Chinese Government in the duals to close on Monday, November 23.

development of its new army for a

a long time Thacommittee will consist of the following:-

to come. The Chinese as a soldier is not the Route Committes --Messrs, P. Crighton, R. equal of the Japanese by any meaRL" 1. Fearon, F. E. Schnorr and Dr. Fresson.

Traffic Committes-Messes. A, A. Brady, Mr. Chapeaux, Col. C. D. Bruce and Capt. Mallet.

Finance and Prizes :-Messrs. G; R. Bennett, H. G. Gardner, Jas, McKio and M. Speelman.

"Grand Stand and Refreshments:-Messrs. F. J. Burrett, W. L. Gerrard, J. Nolasco and A;

W. Olton,

di

Hon. Secretary-Mr. R. W. Heldom Judges: Sir Pelham Warren K., M., Mesir, G. Lanning and A. McLeod. Timekeeper: Mr. R. McGregor... Starter:-Mr. S. W. Pratt.

7 far bast iN PARLIAMENT.

CHINESE PORK.-.

In the House of Commons on September 6 Mr. Fall naked Mr. Churchill if any reports had been received by the Government from the Consuls in China respecting the shipments to this country of Chinese pork and the conditions under which it was produced and killed and prepared for shipment.

General Broadwood is in command of the British forces in Southern Chine, where he has been stationed for two years, and a half, He has studied the situation closely, and has had much experience with making soldiers of the dark, races, as be has spent most of his life in the service in Africa and China. He has bosa.. staying at the Fairmont, but sailed yesterday for the Orient, to resume command of his division, reports the San Francisco Chronicle of 25th August

The Chinesa as' nation are Módu« cated to commercialism, and la times past, the army has been held in Con. tompt," said the General yesterday, "For that reason, the best quality of men have not gone into the military service, and it is a problem to-day to secure the better class of men to lead. the troops, That is something which I think time will remedy, however, and there is no rea son why China. cannot in the course of yours bava as efficient an army as any nation.

"In Japan, the situation is the opposita. To be in the army is hold the highest honour, and the Japanese officers are men of the finest stamp. Commercialism has been considered low grade, and the Japanese merchants general. ly have not been as áno man' as the officers.

Mr. O'Shaughnessy asked whether any stops had bese taken to ascertain how the pigs whose carcases bad been imported iate this "The Chinese are hardy.and have the pos country from China had been fed; whether the sibilities physically of good soldiers, But ther pig in China performed the office of street is lacking the military spirit. In Japan every stavenger; whether Mr. Buros, in the interest man has to serve his time in the army, a of the consumer would take steps, by legisla-France and Germany, but in China while the tion, or otherwise, to have the purchasers of central government has taken over the tusle of pork imported from, Chica made cogoisaot of raising and controlling the new army, there is the fact that it came from that country.

ao established way of raising troops and the results are unsatisfactory. The viceroys of the provinces are called upon to furnish a certain draft of men, and if they are able to do so they comply. Very often a man is got into the army by compulsory methods, which do not tend to make him an enthusiatic soldiar.

"In the work of mastering and maintaining this army China is greatly hampered for funds. The viceroys are called upon to furnish the money, but often they find it hard or impossible. to reach the requirement.

Mr. Burns: Mr. Churchill has asked me to auswer the question addressed to him by Mr. Fell, and in doing so I may be allowed to re- ply to Mr. O'Shaughnessy. As I stated on Aug. 1, caused inquiries to be made both of the importers and of the Consul-General at Hankow, The latter reported that the animals exported were catirely different from the or diary scavenger pig, and worn of a special breedfed on rice, in the valley of the Yaugtsze. (Laughter.) This agrees with the statements made by the importers. The Consul General further stated, on the authority of the doctor who inspected the carcases before shipment, that the killing and general handling of the naimals were satisfactory. I have no power to prevent the antry into this country of entire carcases of pigs from any source which, on examination at the port of entry, arevolutions can be curbed. But China is in no found to be sound. and free from disease I doubt whether there would be any advantage, as regards public health, in requiring a de claration as to the country of origin in the case of meat derived from carcases which have

satisfied the requirements of the Foreign Meat and Unsound Food Regulations.

Mr. Rees: Is the right hon. gentleman aware that every pig in the East which is in tended for food is always certified as being an exceptionally clean feeder? (Laughter.)

Mr. Burns: I have not been in that portion of the world, but I assume the hon. member, who has bad that advantage, speaks with some authority, (Laughter and cheats).

Mr. Kilbride: Does the British Consul, who certifies that these pigs have been fad on rice, acigally see them being fed on rice? (Laugh tex.)

Mr. Burns: That aspect of the question is. certified by the Consul in China.

"Imperial Russian Consulate-General,

Melbourne, July 17, 1909. "Dear Sir, In reply to your letter of May 17th last, I beg to inform you that for foreigners,

CHINESE FORTY CULTIVATION, and especially those not knowing the English

(7th.) Mr. Rees asked the Secretary of State language, it is difficult to find work of any

for Foreign Affairs whather the Consul-General nature lo Australia. None of the reports re- at Szechuan informed the International Opium presenting that the Australian Government en- Commission that no trustworthy statistics exist. actuality. The dominant party at present and whether, if so, the British Goverment in courages immigration correspond with the ed as to the acreage under the poppy in China'; are the Socialists, who are extremely tended to adhers literally to engagemooli the antagonistic to any competition, and not fulfilment of which by China, in the absence of only do not sacourage immigration, but trustworby statistics, could not be ascertained prevent it by say menus, Russians coming or assumed. here in search of work literally die of hunger- Sir E. Grey (Northumberland, Berwick); and aften do not know how to extricate them-We have not information to this effect, but the selves from their difficulties. This is aggravat-reporte recently received from our Consular ed by the fact that Australians are, particularly officers in China tend to show that the Chinese unfriendly to Russians. In these circum Government are both energetic and sincere in stances 'I consider it a duty to warn you, in the their attempts to suppress the cultivation of the arent of your coming to Australia, that you may poppy in China. Full repons of the proceed meet with a terrible disenchantment,

ings of the International Opium Commission are now on their way home and will'shortly be laid on the table of the Bouss.

**CONSUL GENERAL”, (Signature)

It may not be unprofitable to indulge in some short considerations of the respec five tenders. It will have been seen that the, difference between the two highest bids was an amount of only $150 a month, or $1,800 a year, representing an Aggregate of $5,400 for the whole of the triennial period when the amount involved as payable to the Treasury would be over three and a half milljon dollars. Whereas the menbers of the first-named syndicale aré, ib relation to the Opium Monopoly of the Colony, so to speak Straume incogister, their closest competitor, Mr. Ho Shaikit, the assistant compradore in the firm of dipium merchants of Messrs, E. D. Sas; 1000 & Co., is reputed to represent Mr. Hö, Sor, who, as the guiding spirit of the successful syndicate, has held the opium monopoly for two In view of this definite undertaking on the terms in the past. His partners, in the prescut part of the Chinese Government, through the instance, areno less than two local millionaires, Mr. Ng Li-hing, the beneficent donor of Government, I proceeded to Peking, and on Chinese Minister in London, to his Majesty's 'the $50,000 contribution to the Hongkong Col my arrival, Liang Tun-yen, Vice-President of lege of Medicine, and Mr. Leung Yao-po, the the Waiwupu, sent Sir Walter Hillier (Adviser compradore of Messrs. Gibb, Livingston & to the Chinese Government) to me, with instruc- Oo. Associated with these gentlemen of means

tions to draw up the proposed agreement in and Mr. Ho Kom-long is Mr. Lau Chu-pak conjunction with myself. This agreement was who may be described as a Chinese gentleman based on the principle of Anglo-Chinese "In the quarter-mile race there was a protest of influence with all his vested interests in co-operation, suggested by Laid Li bimsell, against MacCabe The course was from a Hongkong. The only other member of the and on completion was placed in the bands of

launch moored alongside the bath to a baby Syndicate is Mr. Chan Kai-ming, whose name Linog Tun-yen, who himself memorialized the 10 yards from shore, round which the com need only be mentioned to recall his longThrone in regard to it.

petitors had to swim, Humphreys got round

"In thus making known the courteous letter. standing connection with and intimate 'know. In the meantime an agitation had been set first, closely followed by MacCabe, but shortly fall into the hands of those who dream of finding from our Consul-General, I hoped that it might ledge of the opium trade in Hongkong. Mr. an foot by certain members of the Anbui. Gen- after rounding the buoy Humphreys claimed better conditions of life in far-off Australia. It Chan has officiated as the efficient secretary try, who, however, to my knowledge, do not

that MacCabe had committed a foul by diving of the present farmers for quite a long time. represent the people of the district where the under the buoy instead of swimming round it.

may sava them from grim want and despair. to the order of their bidding, the Lok Yau mices are situated, and as consequence, pre-Cooke (Hongkong) agreed with Humphreys The altitude of the Socialists towards immi syadicate next claimed public attention with sumably, of that agitation, the Throne did not and at the conclusion of the race-MacCabe graats is curious, Where are their high-sound- their offer of $96,000 a mouth, or 12,750 issue, the Imperial Decree sanctioning the baving woo, Humphreys lodged a protest. Ang watchwords Prointarians of all countries, below that of the highest bidder," By a completion of the agreement.

onile! Freedom and Equality,' &c. ?" The promise committee meeting was held, after which I was simple arithmetical calculation, it is seen made to His Majesty's Government, on the informed that the protest was withdrawn. The that the present concessionaries offer just faith which I was induced to go out to ball-mile was an easy win for MacCabe. We about a lakh of dollars less than their com

Peking, was thus violated and the Chinese were handicapped in the second team race by petitors for the new grant for the whole Goverament now suggest that the matter

the absence of J, Wilson, admittedly the bindi period of three year; to be exact the difference shall be settled by the purchase of the con- fastest mas of the team. He was suffering from between the first and third tenders is one of cession from the London and China Syndicate, diarifica, did not appear at the bath and did 599,000. Having regard to the fact that, in the the price offered to us being £50,000 for not play in the polo match. Fortunately, Ros.

'Corps. property which is valued, by competent surser, though palpably ill, participated in the game but he was too greatly handicapped and could not play up to his usual form.

"The water polo, match surprised me. We expected' 'Hongkong to play a much better.

All heads of firms have been asked to grant game thao they did. T. Wilson wat in youl for the first half and stopped many hard shots,

as much leave as possible to volunteers in their but at half time Rosser took his place; both let employ to enable them to attend Camp, and in two goals. Our weakness in goal, the ill.pretically all have agreed to do so.

Membris should therefore make applications ness of Rosser and the absence of Wilson were our weak points. Jones played.a very sound whole time cannot be granted, arrangements now, so that in those cases when leave for the game, but bis shooting was weak. MacCabe played well though he had swum a hard race bers the first half of the week and others the can be made with the firms to allow some mem- over the 220 yards course just before. Cooke

course of the searching inquiries instituted

A

by representatives of the Hoogkong Govern-vevors, at £836,000, for a portion of which ment last year into the question of the prepared spacess group was prepared to pay as £170.000 oplum trade with special reference to the namely, for 210,000 out of a total of 500,000 opiam divans in the Colony, and to the unusual shares. facilities accorded to, the Government by the grantees in a ready accessibility to their books and papers, and also to the fact that the mem ben of the syndicate' and their responsible officers were willing and obliging witnesses to the deputies of the Government, the Luk Yau monopolists had a very strong claim upon the consideration of the Execative. Moreover, at a critical period of the opium crisit when in another Colony the Government had had to go through an experience bich, fortasalety, was not the lot of the Hongkong Government to sufer, the present farmers, not only set up no obstacles In the way of Government in its inquiry into an admittedly difficult problems, but actually, if reports can be relied upon, were the means of considerable assistance to Gov- exument in getting at a correct appreciation of the prepared opium trade in Hongkong: The present grantees' defeat, therefore, în fall: ing to obtain the new monopoly will merit the sympathy of the public who will probably not be uamindful that, in the slender condition of the Colony's parse,, sentiment has had to ba sacrificed to expediency. At the policy which has determined, the granting of the new Farm note can, of course, cavil, and the decision of the advisers of Government will be received

with satisfaction.

The last of the four bids-that of Mr. Shi Ying-lak of $91,000-geed not be dealt with at any length. The large disparity between this, and the other tenders would ipso facto pat it out of court altogether, apart from the consideration that he is reported to hold a thats in, the 'subsisting farm, and would not improbably be again associated with the Lak Yan syndicats, had the latíor-bhán successful “An 140nring the award posterday afterwaÓN.

here,"

I bave been informed by His Majesty's Fo reign Office that the whole matter in under con- sidération, and, in reply to one of the questions asked in the House of Commons on the subject, on August 31 last, Sir Edward Grey stated that, in his opinion, it was a case that ought to be proposed ona compromise to which we were settled by a compromise. We have already assured the Chinese Government would agree. If their breach of faith is to be rewarded by worked hard but C. W. O, Maype' was- not' demanding further concessions from us, 1 ven quite fit. We all swallowed a good desi of salt ture, Sir, to bope that His Majesty's Government, water and it upset us considerably. in considering any other compromise will poi

"Hongkong had the better swimmers but if allow the question of our rights to be made a

they visit Shanghai I think we shall beat them maiter for discussion, in view of the strong attitude taken up by his Majesty's Minister in

In conclusion Fowler referred to the enthy Peking, Sir John Jordan, in his Note to Prince siastic ovation the member of the team received Ching, President of the Waiwupts, dated June at the prize-giving, particularly that accorded 25, 1908, on the subject of our rights. to MacUabo. The team left with the good

All task is, Sir, that this strong attitude

wishes of their opponents ringing in their ears; shall be maintained by His Majesty's Govern wishes which were heartily reciprocated. ment, and that as, in the face of the Chinese Government's promises the compromise agros ment on the basis of co-operation has not been made effective, his Majesty's Government shall insist that, if we are to bave a fresh compromise forced upon us, in the shape of a compulsory sale of our property to the Chinese Govern and Catos Syndicate for the Auhul mining ment, a fair price shall be paid to the London concession. This mach, at any rate we are entitled to demand, and this mach the Chinese RETURN of visitors to the City Hall Library Government should grant if only to save China for the week ending the 3rd October, 1909, (the from humiliation, as a nation, of violating a Museum was closed for repairs) definite andertaking.

Library, I am, Sir, "

377.

* Your obedient servant,

JOHN LISTER XAYE, sachester'square, W, Sept. 7.

Arrangements are being made to put Hong kong sad Shanghai upon the same basis with regard to future events. Correspondence bar, we understand, zirendy been opened and we have no doubt but that a satisfactory arrange ment will be arrived at. It is to be hoped that the roles adopted by the Amateur Swimming Association will be adopted by both places. Association (London) and the National Diving

Non-Chiness.. Chinese ..................

THE VOLUNTEER CAMP.

CORPS ORDER BY THE COMMANDANT. The following order has been issued by the Commandant of the Hongkong Volunteer

Commanding their Companies as soon as pos

Members are requested to notify Officers sible what period they will be able to attend

Cam

second ball

first week end. On Monday morning those Its hoped that all members will attend the members who have not leave for whole Camp or first half of week retura to Hongkong.

Wednesday evening members who have leave for second half of week go out to Camp not leave for second half return to Hongkong. and on Thursday morning members who hava

day, 20th, in which all ooits will participate On account of a fall day's practice on Satur all members should endeavour to get leave off Friday night. Saturday morning, so as to return to Camp on

Mr. McKinnon Wood: The only steps hitherto taken by the Chinese Government is a recent proposal that negotiations for an in- crease of the Cottoms tariff in return for the abolition of lekin should be entered into with the Powers. In view, however, of the failure of the Chinese Government to carry out other importaat provisions of the Treaty of 1903, His Majesty's Govern ment are not at present disposed to give this proposal their support more especially in view of the fact that now lekin stations are be ing established in China, and that foreign trade frequency and amount. Is being subjected to lekin exactions of greater

"The new Chineza army is much better than the old and in armed with modern weapons. It possesses u lair degree of efficiency, but it is of little value at present except as a policing force. At present it is about 300,000 strong. The old. time land-grabbing expeditions into China will now be much more difficult, and dangerin

position to become aggressiva.

"I believe that Chiba's only aim is to protect what country she still holds and prevent further occroachments upon ber boundaries. She will be quite content with that. She has no aim to take a band in the Manchurian situation, and certainly would not attempt to force the Japan ese or Russians.ont of there. In the event of another cloth between those powers China's attitude would be aolbing more active than to protect what interestsshenow has in Manchuria."

Major-General Broadwood bears the distinc tion of bring the youngest officer of his rank is the British service, just as bo was the youngest Brigadier at the time he was raised to that rank, He has spent most of his life in 'activa servico in the frontier country and fought under Lord Kitchener in Northern and South Africa. Hồ has been decorated with many medals of honour, ad is one of the foremost generals in the ser vice of his King.

MONKEY IN A KOBE SCHOOL.

SENSATION AT SUWAYAMA.

Vernacular papers report that some axciting scenes were witnessed" at the Kobe Girls' School, Suwayama, on Tuesday morning last; whether the account of what took place is authentic we cannot ray, but it is amusing. It is said that about 9 am, a large tailless monkey was discovered on the verandah of the school dormitory. The animal soniched up a fire. extinguisher and walked off with it op zhe womir- case, when the top came off and the fluid. escaped from the extinguisber. The monkay" thereupon began playing with the empty re ceptacle. All the girls were in their clais.. rooms, but two of the teachers, Misses Omori and Kawal, who ware with a visitor in the waits. THE LIKIN SYSTEM IN CHINA..... ing-room, quickly became aware of the crea Captain Murray asked the Secretary of State vants, one of whom put in an appearance bat In the House of Commons on the 9th inst., ture's presence. They at once called the war. for Foreign Affairs whether the Chinese Gov-he was afraid to approach the moskey, having ernment had taken any steps to carry out the been told ibat tailless monkeys were savage and provisions of Article Vill of the treaty be would attack man. Meanwhile the animal — tween Great Britain and China of 1902, re-tered one of the roomy and began leaping from lating to the abolition of the left system in one table to another. Tiring of this and per China; and, if not, whether their omission to colving the opening door of the waiting room, do so was governed by the fact that the en- the monkey entered and, completely ignoring gagements referred to in section 14 of Article the progance of the astonished ladles, calmly Vill, had not been entered into by the Powers appropriated the visitor's handbag and, opes- concerned.

ing it, extracted the contents. At ibla juncture. · some of the girls came back from the class rooms, and were startled at seeing the monkey. One or two of them.tried to entice the uninvit ed guest out by offering him plecss of sweet. potato, but the bait failed. Presently the mon key sipied a bottle of glycerine used for toilet, purpose, and whilst he was busily engaged in investigating the contents thḥ, remainder of the girls came back from the class-moms, and an indescribable uproarensued. Disturbed by the clamour, the monkey made a bolt through the crowd of girls, scattering them in all direc tions, and, darting out of the room, clambered on to the wall outside still grasping the bottle of glycerins. Assured that he was well out of the reach of his pursuen, ha applied the bottle to his lips and sacked up its viscous contenta. After this unusual beverage was partaken of the gorged himself with the fruit. He then light- monkey sprang into a persimmon tree, and": ed on the roof of Mr. Nakal's house, just outside the school and, seeing some clothing hanging. out on the monobos (clothesdrying stage), be - began to sample one of the articles spread out morsel, the monkey is said to have become for drying. Whilst chewing this succulent

for his capture. Not wishing to become en. aware that a policeman was planning's scheme - tangled in the meshes of the law, he cast round for a convenient way of escape and perceived a friendly face at last. This belonged ta kin master, foreigner who resides close to the school. The gentleman held in his hand m that, according to the latest figures available, view. The latter, despite his surfeited condi

In reply to Mr. Renwick, Colonel Seely sald rosy apple, which he held up to the monkey's there were 5,370 Chinese left on the Witwaters. tion, could not resist the temptation, and came raud on July 31, and 175,895 coloured persons down from his perch, alighting on the shoulder were employed in gold mining in the Transvaal | of his master, who then carried him home. in the month of Jeus. During the quarter

We understand that recently a wild monkey ended March 31 the rate of mortality from ali

came down from the hilla to Jogakuchi, just bo- 15.959; balives, 35.408. Accommodation for wrought havoc at the shops along the road. causes per 1,000 per annum was: Chinese, law the camstery near the Tor Heal, and native wives and families was not, keda Remembering this incidast, the shopkeepers derstood, provided in the compounds: Chinese closed their shops, when they heard on T labourers were offered facilities for bringing cident at the Jogakko, klaking that the monk their wives and families with them, but sxcept key at the school: might be the maine that rew in two comes advantage was not taken of the cantly paid them về Beleiti malarske akt

- CARRIAGE OF CHINESE PORK., Mr. Fell asked the President of the Board of Trade if the shipment of Obinese park to Lon- subsidy from the Government for carrying don was made in a steamer which received a mails,

Mr. Churchill replied that the consignment alluded to in the question was anderstood to have been made per the P. and O. steamship contract with the company the Postmaster Palerme Under the terms of the Post Office

sels performing any service undertaken by the General bad the right to send mails by all vos company for their own purpose. The Palermo on the voyage in question was not employed ne a mall ship, mor was she likely to be so em-

A launch will leavs Hongkong 5-15 pmployed. daily and Kowloon Customs jelly (25 minules from Camp) at 8 am. so that those members of the Engineer Company who cannot stay in Camp during the day can attend for evening work with the portable searchlight.

17th, Friday 19th and Saturday 20th.

The Artillery practice dates are Wednesday

leave for consecutive days can still attend two Those members who are unable to obtain days gun practice if they can get leave for Wednesday and for Saturday morning.

In addition to the first week and they should come to Camp on Tuesday evening, attend Wednesday's practice, return to Hongkong Thursday morning and come back to Capp Friday evening for the last work unde

CHINESE ON THE RAND,