1910-04-23 — Page 5

"

THE CHINESE ON THE RAND.

ない

SUCCESSFUL LABOUR EXPERIMENT.

HOW THEY WERE REPATRIATED, (Special for "Singapore. Frie Prats.") The Chinese labour experiment on the Rand is ended. The last coolle left Johannesborg óD the 18th day of February, 1910, ez the expira tion of his three years indentore, and on the 8th day of March, the 3.3. Heliopoliz sailed out of Durban harbour with 1,940 repatriates ca board, for Chifu and Ohio Wang Tao, via. Singapore.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY APRIL 23 roro

ful absences and irregular attendances at work, but such maltrealment never astumed the pro portions of the "Slavery Poster," which caused the public in England to believe that the Rand Chinese were led to thoir work in chains as slaves. Too law was always lovoked when over a case of maltreatment was reported, and a conviction, against the delinquent invariably followed. On the other hand the coolies ware not slow in appreciating kindness. As for trative of this fact it might be mentioned that sumerous presentations were made to these Europeans who were in charge of them during their stay kore. The following is a typical case which took place before they had been many months in the country. The occasion was the presentation of a piece of plato and an address, Van Rya Mine by the coolies employed there. in Chinese, to the Compound Manager of the

You have endeared yourself to us by the Below is a translation of the address:- untiring care which we have ever received at your hands. When our comrades have been unfl and ill you have soon that their needs have been attended to...............and not only have our rations, housing, and comforts gens. rally been given your daily consideration, but in seedful cases your generosity has provided even clothing and money, Under your charge we have been made to feel perfectly at home

On the assumption to office, the Liberal Party, in order that it might falfil its election pledges felt constrained to issue a Proclamation to the Chinose Labourers offering State aid, enabling them to return and discontended with their lot on the Raud,

CHILD-SIBALERS AT THE CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

*HEAVY SENTENCES INFLICTED.'

18th lust.

Before Hon. Mr. W. Reat-Darios, K. C12 Acting Chief Justice, at the Criminal Sessions this morning, Wong Nin, a Chinees youth, and Lei Tai, an aiderly woman, were charged with kidnapping and detaining a five-year-old child with intent to deprive the parent of the pasEOS. sión of same. Mr. C. G. Alabaster, instructed by Mr. H. L. Dannys, I., from the Crown Splici tor's office, prosecuted. The prisoners were undefended and pleaded not guilty to the charge..

The jury were as follows:-Messrs A. B. Rouse (foreman), C. M. Meyer, W. Macintyre, A. Finbow, H. Huopeden, J. T. Silva and L. V. Langslein.

nol

Mr. Alabaster stated that both the prisoners were charged with kidnapping a child five' been recovered. years of age which had as yet

The paraply of the child would say that thay used their child the Asth March... A playmate of the child would say that abc saw the first defendant catay away her companion while they were playing together. On the 18th April, the father mat the first defendant and accused him of stealing bir child. The man to the second defcedant, who also admitted admitted having doan so and took the father

also admitted the charges in the Police Court but each tried to put rather inore blame on the admissions before the jury, on which they could either convict or discharge the defendants as the case might be. - Evidence having been called, each of the prisoners was sentenced to four years' imprison ment with hard labour.

THE HONGKONG ELECTRIC COMPANY, LIMIZED.

ANNUAL REPORT.

twenty-first ordinary yearly meeting of share

The report of the Board of Directors to the holders, to be held at the Company's Offices, St. George's Building, at noon on Saturday, goth inst, is as follows:

Gentlemen, Your directors pleasure to submit the accompanying state. bava tho ment of the company's accounts for the year adaing 28th February, igro.

71,000,00

The balance at credit of profit and loss, ac fans ($3,000) there remains a sum of $171,790.96 count is $174,790.06'; after deducting directors available for appropriation, and your directors recommend that this be disposed of as follows To pay a dividend of iz per cant:-

Say S20 per share on 60,000 --

abaret .....................$ To pay a bonus of 1 per cont's-

Say to cents per share on 50,000 To write off plant account for de-

abaror

To write off property account for

preciation *** depreciation To write off furniture account for To pay a bocus to staff

depreciation iconemmaronec

*

6,000.00

72,065,65 5,000.co

477.CD 4.450.05

UNITED SINGAPORE RUBBAR CO.

130

willing to give half in shares and half in money which would supply all the working capital There would also be the return of all cash in SALE OF A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY!"

the existing Company. The amount of shares would be open to negotiation. The Directors did not advise salling untright. They would An extraordinary general meeting of the Estates, Ltd, was held at Singapore, on 12th shareholders of the United Singapore Rabber to bear what the shareholders had to say Tast: Dr. Lim Boon Keug presided and the things

on the subject. The Company that would coms had an enormous capital to buy up other following were present Hon. Tao Jiak Kim, Tan Chay Fan, Chos Giang Thye, Lon Choon Guan, Seat Eng Keat, Yow Ngao Pan, Chao Kang Swi, bertson, Lim Nos Soon, Chia Wee Chiang, L. A. D. Machado (manager), Sob Feng Law (secreto tary), Seow soon Kim, Tan Boo Liat, E. J. Ro Hinnekindt, Scow Poh Loog. Ong Soon Tes, H. fronde, Yen Bas Keng, F. O. De Souza, S. K. Yin, C.. Emerson, H. A. E. Thompson, Wee Kee Swi, Wen Choon Cuan, Show Kok Wan, Chew Swee Toug and Koh Sac is.

The minutes of the last meeting were read" and confirmed.

CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS.

said the Company was not a local one, alkatr In eply to Mr. Thompson, the Chairman

explain in Chinese so that all present would Mr. Choa Giang Thye asked the Chairman be able to understand.

dispose of the property.

Mr. Robertson asked whether it was wise to,

The Chairman remarked that that was what the Directors were asking the shareholders, The Directors falt that they must be guided by the shareholders, att

given

Mr. Robertson then asked that time be giv the shareholders to consider the matter," Alt of them were not proient,

A European shareholder suggested that there was no harm in negotiating,

The Chairman said that if the shareholders were not in favour of selling, the directors nood not waste their time in negotiation,

Mr. Ironside the moved:-"That the direc cars be empowered to treat for the sale of the Company's undertaking, any agreement, which they enter into being submitted to the share bolders for confirmation."

Mr. Stow Poh Long seconded, and it was

aust cease on the sermination" of the lust to their homes, to a whà ware dissatisfied baying taken away the child. Both the prisoners To carry forward to next account... 11,798.36 dispose of your properly outright for cash, oven agreed.

bee cancelled accordingly. With many Although the offer of the British Govern athar. He proposed to put the prisoners'

The writer had occasion to see a train of repatriates off to Darbas and in course of Conversation with them they expressed their Borrow at having to leave the Rand, and spake in feeling forms of the kind and considerate treatment they had received at the bands of their managers.

They were disappointed, however, when their offer of re-cogagement for further patiod of thres years was refused by their employers. They main lained that in accordance with the contract. of service they should have been given the option of the renewal, and the failure of the mines to do' so they considered a breach of faith. It was explained them that the Mine owners would be willing enough to ccade to their request, but that the King, on the advice of his responsibla Ministers, had decreed that Chinese labour in the Transvaal contract, and that the option of a renewal had

muttarings at the injustice of such a procedurement was open for two long years, less thes 500 men availed themselves of it, namely. British taxpayer.

cheap trip to China at the expense of the of these to the Exchequer was a sum of go The cost of the repatriation

might well be asked: Who were these mes less than 30 per head The question and why were they dissatisfied with their Conditions here? The answer is easily 'given. In short they consisted of the most confirmed gamblers, malingerers, opium smokers, lonters repatriation thus cleansed the mines of a most and ne'er-do-wells of the compounds, and their undesirable element The Mine Managers had good reason to congratulate themselves Rand. Now comes the irony of it all! The when the last of these malcontents left the majority of these same individuals, immediate lyou landing in China again offered them- selves to the first recruiter for re-calistment 10 the Rand Mices. The recruiter, suspecting nothing, duly entered their, pames into his book, and took them before the Emigration Officer for the purpose of gesting their con- tracts signed. But these State aided repatriates had reckoned without their hast, for, by the in- fallible system of Finger Print Identification, their identity was easlly discovered, and they were instantly rejected, causing much weeping and gnashing of teeth,

they entered the carriages, and amid the firing of crackers and bombs to propitiate the God of Travel, the train left the station with the - last of the Celestials.

It is nearly six years since the first batch of Cainese coolic's arrived in Durban en toute for the Road Gold Fields, and during that time much controversy raped 19 to the desirability or otherwise of employing alien labour to assist in the development" of the mines, and as to whether or as the system of indentore underf which the coalie con. fracted was slavery or savoured of slavery. It now a matter of history that a certain British Election was fought out purely on the Trans vaal labour question. The slavery Cry" resounded throughout the Kingdom and was the Slogan of the Party which was returned to Power with the greatest majority within, the memory of the present generation. To men who were on the spot, and who knew the pre. vailing conditions of the Chiasso, the outcry of Slavery was a wicked and abominable lie, but the British public, ever ready to be gulled, bad no other alternative, bol to accep: the olaborate pictorial pastore placarded for their edificatioo, as kospel, and consumed them accordingly, One great staleamun now deceased, admitted to the House that he wis confirmed in bin mind that the system of indenture in the Transvaal was not Slavery but savqured of Slavery. Another, though younger but at the same time a responsible Minister of the Crown, gave it as his opinion that the term Slavery, it its application to the Rand indentured labour System, was a minological inexactitude!"

ter-

As one who has been latimately associated with Chinese Labour ever since its inception a brisí ésumé of the actual conditions which prevalled here will, perhaps, be of interest to your numerous readers, and may the same time remove any misconcepti

In the opinion of the writer and the officials control ling Chinesa affaira here, the coufles had ver been better treated, housed and last but fot leart, better paid. They were accommodated in elaborate compounds specially baill at great expanse on the part of the Mine owners. Every comfort was provided for, and the Hospitals on the Mine were all that could be desired. The prevailing wage was good, the minimum boing s, and the maximam as high as 5/, according to the energy shown by the worker, and the dature of the work accomplished by him. The average rate of ipay was between 3 and 4 per month, and everything in the nature of food and accessaries of life was provided for by the management. When these figures are com parad with the rate of wages in the Northern Provinces of Chibli and Shan-Tong, where the majority of the labourers. hailed from, the Rand figures spell opulence of the bighest degree. The data, gathered from statistics compiled by the Chamber of Mines, shew the number of the Chinese employed, their death rate, and the wages, earned by, them during thair atay here. They speak for themselves. The total number of Caineso imported into the Transvaal amounted to 63,296, made up, year by year, as follows

1904

1905

.1906

1907

33,387.

29,146. 10,643,

2,131.-63,296,

|

As regards the general behaviour of these labourers it is a matter of common belief that they behaved very badly in the beginning, for the crimes of murder, robbery and housebreak. were rift. It was thought by some people that the criminal population of Tien Tsin had arrived in the fri few batches. The majority of the new arrivals were City man, and were by no means Sio kbebs, The Palice, however, were not long in arresting many of these un- desirables and most of them, when convicted, were sentenced to long terms of imprisonment, and they were always repatriated as soon as their sentences were completed. But for these regret. table incidents the general character of a great majority of the coolies was unexceptionable.

HONGKONG PENNÍS LEAGUE,

FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.

On behalf of the committee I have much pleasure is presenting the first annual report of the Tennis League..

petition, viz Kowloon, Y.M.C.A., Craigen- Eight clubs participated in the Shield Com gower, Civil Service, Schoolmasters, Taikoo, Lushero and Chinese Y.M.C.A.

The shield' was won by Kowloon after a knen struggle with Y.M.QÏÃ..., who were second. The competition was most successful and season.. It is significant that despite periodical served as a stimulus to many during the hot rains every fixture was fulfilled, and it was not necessary to extend the season beyond july.

The committee secured an excellent trophy on a heavy blackwood base is fixed a deat cluster of three silver tennis bails, the whole silver racquet, and on either side of this is a bordered with silver shields on which will be inscribed the names of the winning cabs.

The shield and medals were presenced to the winners by Mrs. Forsyth, the, wife of the president, at the conclusion of the match Champions. Rest of League."

The accompls show a credit balance of $3co notwithstanding heavy initial expenditure.

The annual general meeting will be bold in the Boogkong Cricket Club Pavilion on Thurs- day, the 21st of April, at 5.15 p.m..

Hongkong, April 1910.

A. O. BRAWN,

Hon. Secretary.

SUGAR IN THE PHILIPPINES.

At the inception of the Chinese inbour system here the Government was very fortunate in ob laining the services of Mr. W. Evans, (now Re. sident Councillor of Malacca) who, as is well kapwa, is an authority on Chinese labour i

BIG SCHEME PROJECTED. the Straits. He organised a Department of the Foreign Labour Department. On the de Chinese Affairs on the Straits model, termed

Three million pesor of Hawaiias capital will parture of Mr. Evans for Singapore, Mr. J. W. sugar plantation within 30 miles of Manila in be spent in the development of a 20,000 acre Jamieson, (now Consul General of Cauton) a

less than 10 months according to a report car China, on her part, sent out as Consul General Dillingham interests of Honolulu through their well known Singapore, come tbere in his stead.

topt at Manila, on the 14th inst, that the ope of her most cultured sons, in the percan of agent, Mr. A. F. Thayer, had taken over the H. E. Lew Yuk Lin, a graduate of Yale. Mr. Calamba estate comprising 10,000 acres of Low was persona grata with the Rand magnates.frier leeds and bad contracted for 10,000 acres He will be remembered by many of your readers additional in public and private lands adjoin- Es Vice Consul in Singapore during the nineties, 1ng the estate. and subsequently as charge d'afaires in Belgium's Capital. Mr.. Low remained three years in the Rand astit recalled home to take up an important post in the Wai-Wu-Pu. Ever since bit departure China has been represented here by H. E. Liu Ngai.

I cannot close this brief resume without a reference to the proceedings at the doanal general meeting of the Association of Mine Managers, which took place in Johannesburg during February, 1910, when the Chairman, passed a valediction on Chinese Labour. The Chairman, Mr. Cazala, said inter alia Chinese conlies leave the Raud, and this seems "The present mouth will see the last of the a fitting opportunity, therefore, for some fare well remarks on the subject......... workers, the Chinese were extremely good when on piece work, that is, when their pay depended entirely on their own exertions, and they ex- The average death rate per mille, perhibited a high standard of capacity. There is acuum, in the different years, are instructive

no doubt that the example of the Chione is res from a labour point of view::

popsible, very largely, for the decided increase io efficiency shown by oor aatives during the last three years or so, (Hear hear) and it will be most necessary. 10 sen that no económic

The average nombers employed reached their maximum in 1906, when an average of about 51,150 Coolies were employed, reducing to 49,200 in 1907, 10 21,000 in 1908, and only 6.500 in 1999, while at the date of their depar

ture they only numbered 1908.

י ד'

1904

1905

1900

*1907

Par: 1,000 per annum :

39,919,

18.386,

19.617.

16,106,

1908*

36.925, 1909

15.013. "From which it will be seen, that the first year's moderated death rate of 30.9, when compared, that is, with the native death rate here, has beas reduced by over 50%) down to the ex tremely low figure of 15 per mille in 1959, and it. must be kept in mind that this death rate includes all deaths from disease, accidents, suicide and misadventure. It is instructive to compare these figures with those of the natives, who show the following death rate :—

1903

5904

1906

1907

1908

Per 1,000 per annum.

73.51

43.73

47.76

34.80

33.19 32.10

pressure or temporary period of shortage of labour is allowed to reduce that efficiency as memory of the Chisamen becomes more dim in the future......There can be no doubt that a great economic error, was made in deciding to repatriate all the Chinamen, and your Com. railtee's Report places on record our Associa tion's complete satisfaction with the Chinese as labourers, and our feeling of regret that the de cision should have been come to, to repatriate such a large proportion of our unskilled labour, and that a section, which was, as a class, up. questionably the most trustworthy and reliable, the best behaved, and the most healthy of any unskilled labour we ever bave had, or ever are likely to bave on these Fields (Hear, hear)," W. F. ZenлDER. Johannesburg, March 11th, 1910.

JEBONG ROBBER co,

These lands are located in Laguna province and have superb water facilities, as they front on the lake and have two rivers flowing through the property that will furnish upwards of 50,000 barrels a day. This will enable every acre of the land to be irrigated after the Hawaiian system which has proved such a success.

Mr. Thayer, who is known to have spent more than two months looking at lands in provinces Dear Manila, refused either to affirm or deny the report, although it is known that the Bureau of Lands now is at work on the final certificates showing the purchase of these lands for the Dillingham, a multi-millionaire sugar producer Dillingham interests of which Mr. Walter of Honolulu, is the head.

From all the facts available, it is learned that entire 20,000 acres is between R 46 and P. so the average price paid by Mr., Thayer for the an acre. From the moment it was learned that he was in the field to buy fands, prices of pri- vately owned estates are said to have gone abooung skyward until some of the smaller haciendas near the Calamba are cow held as

irongly as city lots,

According to information reaching The Manila Times from Honolulu, the purchase price is the smallest item in the investment, Machinery for a mill to cost £600,000. already bar been

Honolulu

ordered

$171,790.95 Directors-Hon. Sir C. F. Chater, C. M. G. leaving the Colony and Sir H. N. Mody and and Mr. E. G. Barrett resigned their seats on, Mr. G. H. Medhurst were appointed to fill the Vacancies. These appointments require the confirmation of shareholders, la accordance with the articles of association Sir H. N, Mody and Hon. Mr. W. J. Gresson retire, but, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.

Auditors. The accounts have bean audited by Messrs. W. Hutton Potts and J. Cox Ko wards. Messrs. W. Hutton Potts and J. Cox Edwards offer themselves for re-election.

J. W. C. BONNAR

Chairman, Hongkong, 18th April, 1910.

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS TO FEBRUARY 28TH, 1910. Etabilites.

5,222.50

Capital 63,000 shares each $10 paid up......$620,000.00 Dividends upclaimed ................... 058.0 Sundry creditors,

Balance of profit and loss accoust... 174,790.90 Suspense account... 1,744.89

ASSETS.

'Plant and mains accoumi,” cost of, as per lasi account Less amount provided for

depreciation n

$490,362.15

06,382,15

Cost of plant, since added 92,055.65 $430,000.00

Properly, cost of landu, d buildings as per last account. Less amount provided for depreciation............

Installation material,

stock of....... Storesandcoal,stockof... Tools, &c, stack of ...... Furniture, cost of, au per

Last account lasurance, value of up- expired portions .of policias.

Sundry debtors... Hongkong and Shanghu Cash with agents..... Banking Corporation

Dr.

St13,043.09

41,043.99

S7816.44

Dr Lim Boos, Keng said:-Gentlemen, This meeting has been called chiefly on account of the resolution, notice of which has bren in your hands. Bui before we proceed to deal with it, your Directors wish to lay before you some important mailers and to ascertain" your views upon them. It is well known that repasted offers have been made to purchase your estates, but your Directors consider it inadvis. able to entertain any of these, as they are of the opinion it would not be to your advantage to at the present boom prices. Your Directors, however, have considered it advisable to hand over a detached portion of year property in the large sum which will be payable in shares of Seletar and Sembawang districts for a very the New Company. The price asked for by your Directors has been accepted by the pro moters of the subsidiary company and will be offered to their shareholders without any addi- tion of profits and charges. Your Directors do upt think, it will be to your interest to make public the details of their transactions. The Seletar and Sembawang sections are estimated by Mr. Machado to contain about 2,796 (72,175). acres of which 1,575 nre jangle or blukor and about 700. are under cultivation. Your manager's report on this property gives the following figures:- 1 year old

2

3

98,848 trees 10,632

11,048 29 7,080, " 1,750

129,328.

517 acres

Eve

=

584

39

9+

680 acros

ther planting has been done so that the planted Steco the above figures were compiled fur-

your Company form an important and valuable area is now over 700 acres. These partions of developmental estale for there are still 2,000 acres to be planted up. They are separate ed from the maio portion in Sarangoon and. Pongol by a distance of oight to nine miles. and have been under the control of na as- sistant manager. As the new Company bas arranged to appoint this gentleman a thair. manager and will appoist M. Mar chado as their visiting agent, you will be satisfied that your interest in this concern will be in safe hands. By has relegating the $523,065 65 development and extension of these outlying sections to a subsidiary Company which bar acquired valuable rubber boaring properties in the vicinity we shall retain under our own' care the best of your estates consisting of q more or less compact area of about 4,060 acres. Mr. Machado has supplied the following estimate of areas and planted areas:-

- 100,000.00

WORKING ACCOUNT,

40.507-45 13,320,62 2;279.17

677.00

18

I year old..... 145.336 trees 763 acres;

...... 19,350 = 100* "

hand 365 600

2

3

อ

"

11 ........ $9.058 4 to 5

115,800 . By comparing the figures with those pab. lished in the prospectos you will observe the great progress that has been made since the 1,500,00 formation of the Company.. You will no doubt 30.164.36.

also appreciate the great value of the gos odd 18,500.25

acres containing healthy and well developed trees from 3 to 5 years of age. On a very can servative basis your manager has prepared the following estimate of the yield of rubber which speaks for itself.

$3,795,94

$288,8+0.44

To Agency and office 'expense....... $1.000.00 To Heat and taxes... 10 Insurance

To Auditors' fees ...... To Had debts

To Amount carried to profit and losk

Account...... PESCALINE)

3.923.70

78.50 $200,00 601.93

169,595.48

$185,299,61

TROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT. Dr.

To Amount available tor appropria

tion...

$174,799.96 $174,790.90

*

1910,

· 1910

10/2

1913

1914

1915

T

.... 12,000. lbs. *. 70,000 *** 209,000 # ***383,000 ...$26,000 ...678,000 19

You will thus see that we are now entering upon e dividend paying stage and with the above figures at your disposal you can readily calculate the value of your property from the investor's point of view i.e. so reckon rubber at 3 to 4 shillings per b and the cast of production from 1 to 1/6 per By Net profit on working...... 5184499.98 lb. With regards by interest By Berip and transfer fees.

the areas still unplanted 16,50 your manager is proceeding with the clear. 791.13ng and planting at quickly a circumstances

will permit.

Your directors must call your $185,299.or attention fariber to corisin facts which enhanc

ed the value of your estates, () There ja almost no sickness among the men working on the plantations which are in fact in a vary salubrious condition. (2) Labour is cheap and plentiful All kinds of hands prefer working in Singapore on, a less wage to going elsewhere, Although wages are bound to increase in the future we have been assured by our manager that our plantations, used never fear a scarcity of labour. (3) Nearly all our planted areas are. kept clean weeded and free frem lal ng. (4) Our Ireos are in good condition and aro practically free from disease and pass. We have there lore every confidence that you will approve of the steps your directors bare taken to form a strong subsidiary company. It is with the view of acquainting you with all the facts at the disposal of your directors that I have won tured to go over those particulars as briefly as possible. We may congratulate ourselves that wa are in possession of such an extensive area of rubber which is yielding Intox at this time.

Mr. Seow Pob Lang inquired what propor- tion the present shareholders would get in the new Company.

Cr.

By Amount of undivided profit, as

.

per last account.

5,195.84 By Balance of working account

.................................. 169,595.48

brought down. and

will be shipped immediately on receipt of the cablegram from Mr. Thayer announcing that the purchase of land has been completed."

It is understood to have been the original purpose of the Dillinghams to buy at least 50,000 acres, but the price limits are said to bave been such as to prevent carrying out this plan. Even with 20,000 acres, sugar plantors way, labour will move a problem as upwards of a thousand field hands must be employed.

$174,790.96

RAUB GOLD MILES.

DIVIDEND DECLARED,

"A dividend at the rate of one shilling and That the Calamba estate has been sold is two penca has been declared by ibe Raub Aus- evidenced by the work already under waytralian Gold Mining Co., Ld, Coupon No. 11, on the plantation where roads looking to payable on the 31st March last.

its planting in sugar now are being cut

across the finalds.

The Chairman :-The shareholders will get all that we get, I cannot say how much they will get as it is not desired to make it public

A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting which then adjourned sine die.

THE FAR EAST IN PARLIAMENT.

CHINESE PORK.

In the House of Commons on March 21, Mr, Fell asked whether the attention of the Government had been called to the promise made by the authorities in the Isle of Man that the Chinese pork which was being cured into bacon there, after being rejected at the ports of London and Liverpool, should not be offered for consumption in that island, but should be exported at once. Would the Government sen that it was not landed in England?

Mr. Baros (President of the Local Govern ment Board) said he had no information beyond what had appeared in the press. He would refer the bun, member to answara.

ascertain the facts. already given on, this subject. The Local the Isle of Man, but he would do his best to Government Board had no jurisdiction over

RAILWAYS IN THE FAR EAST. (23rd), Lord Balçarres, on behalf of Sir W: Bail, asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government's policy in the Far East would be modified la auch a manuer as to not run counter to British and... American commercial interesis,

Sir E. Grey: Tas questions of the hon. member are based upon misapprehension. la the matter of the Chiuchow-Algus railway, in which this Majesty's Government have been prassed to take an active part, they are udable to do so, as they are bound to pay some regard to the provisions of the Anglo-Russian Agreement of 1899, which bas never formally been abrogated. To interpret this attitude on their part as running counter to British and American interests is so antire misrepresenta-

tion,

Lord Balcarres, as bobalf of Sir W. Bull, asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. whether the Americaa Government had re- quested the support of Hu Majesty's Govern- meat for the Chinchow-Aigua scheme: and if so, what reply had been given to the American Government.

Sir E. Gray: The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The attitude way scheme has already been defined in my of his Majesty's Government towards the rail- previous Answer, and the United States Go their views and of the view of the Anglo-Rus- verament have been kept fully informed of sian Agreement el 1899, upon which they are

based,

Lord Balcarres, on behalf of Sir W. Bull asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he had received any information con- cerning the reparted agreement between Russia' and Japan regarding Manchuria and Mongolia; and whether His Majesty's Government would define the right of those two Powers to interfere in the railway developments China wished to make in those regions by the agres- mants she had signed with American and British groups.

Sir E. Grey: The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The hop, member has already been informed that it is not for His Majesty's Government to admit, deny, or define the rights and interests of other Powers in the matter; and & must remind him of the agreement already referred to in pre- vions asawars

GLENEALY "HSTATES,

MR. MAUDE'S LATEST REPORT,

April 14. The Times of Molsya in informed by Messrs": Aylesbury and Jarland that Mr Maurics Mande reports on Glenealy as follows under data April the fourth Since my last visit in September the growth has beeq extremely good. There is scarcely any root disease and white ants aro scarce.

A further seventy acres is being planted and five hundred are being failed, Tad estimated yields will be much exceeded.

The rubber from the factory is very good sod the tapping is some of the best work in the Stales,

I am sure that Glonesly will prova a sound. investment. The total capital is only $300,000 and for this about 1,000 acres will be brought into bearing.

Good dividends may be expected in the meantime."

After being spoken to by the Ron. Tao Jiak Kim and Mr. C. Emerson CATS AS PLAQUE PREVENTBERS, the Chairman announced that $100,000 would be received in shares of the new com.

According to the original plans the Dilling- THE CONFIDENCE 1RICK AGAIN. Something will be kept for the reserve. ham interests will build their own wharvos at the plantation, operating their own line of launches and barges, enabling them to load the 5uished sugar directly upon ocean going steam. ships in Manila bay,

it is understood that the great facilities of Manila as a port with its superb harbour fed to the confining of Mr. Thayer's attentions closely to possible purchases in the immediate neighbourhood of the island's metropolis. Ab. other factor said to have entered into the

CHINESE WOMAN ROBBED OF $300.

pany. It will be distributed pro rate among the shareholders, with a portions for reserve

reserve."

bw machinery and also laying a railway siding | selection is the wider, labour market existing banknotes on the roadside but was afraid to go pany's property to proposed Company to ba

here.

LECTURE IN KOBE,

Investigation Institute, in response to an invita Dr. Miyajima, of the Infections Diseases

clation,, delivered a lecture on Saturday, 9th tion from the Koba Municipal Sanitary Asso-

Another member of the ignorant class of Chinese bas falian a victim to what is popular I known as the confidence trick. It appears" hope you will be satisfied with this Billy that while a Chinese woman was walking along cents to each sbareholder and $100,000 for in the street on Tacaday, she was accosted by a Chinaman, who was accompanied by a youth, The Hop, Tas Jisk Kim, then proposed that The man informed the woman that the bay had the Directors negotiate for the sale of the ips, st the Butaku-des, Sawayama The sub- picked up a beadle containing a number of Saletar and Sambawang sectings of the Com-Ject of the lecture was the method of stamping and have the bills changed into smaller money,

out bubonic plague. He stated that such He asked her if she would go and change the affirmative, he asked her to doposic some seco notes and upon the woman replying in the

by distinguished scientiae man for more than ten years. But, so far, there had not been any rity, whereupon the simple creature handed

batter method discovered than to 'breed',ni 10 the value 93 $339. Un arriving at the money palat, The Director wished to ascertain cats too transmitted plague bacilliy but thank

TO MANY TEMPTING OFFERS. over a package containing money and jewellery The Chairman said, there was another reis. People often warn apt to consider than many cate as possible and so exterminate changer's, the woman opened the package but whether the Thareholders would give them was a mistake. In districts or Aousas **zare

measures had been most diligently considered

The above table shows that abhough the The annual meeting of Jebang Rubber Com mative death rate has been reduced by more pany was held at Colombo and the profit for than 65% between the years 1903-1908, it still remains higher now than the highest death directors had sold forward 135,000 lbs of first. the year was stated to be 38 per cent. The zato shawn by the Chinese.

quality 1910 crop at Rs 450 and the whole al The number of gold mining companies em. the 19ti crop was sold forward at 7/6. The ploying Chinese labour on the 31st December agod, was 33, and the total number of coolies

company has goo acres daveloped out of re- Vasue, Considerable amounts will be expouded employed was $3,917 The mines paid out this year in building factories and installing as vagas and salaties no less a sum than €4,421,160 exclusive of the cost of food sap. pallos, siores, etc. In 1907 the wagas earned by the Chinese sicus amounted to 1,164703. In 1908 £495,124 was paid cut as Chinese wagas The figures for 1909 have not as yet been published

As in all new ventures, there was some dificulty in the beginning in handileg the Chiness. Misunderstandings between sa players and employees sometimes arose, but in course of time those dificulties disappeared,

be in about two weeks, the field superintend-stuffed with worthless paper and right inside, thels, existing property on very advantageous plague incomparatively unknown, the doctor as the man settled down to their new conditions Companies in the F.M.9." (Who said her cuts of the interents will be hurried into this was found a solitary banknote! We do not terms to the present shareholders. Very fampt. gave Ravazal practical lakances, wary quickly it from many coolles, warn | roosts?). Final dividend of so per cent passed a new purchase to prepare the land and plant the know whether the daring impostor has beening offers had been made to the Company to Top, he referred to the brown methode of me maimited by their white overenere, for uniewo making sa per qust for the yasis We test crops

mrticipate fu" their shares. The parade ware for SALE

right into the factory. Many questions were asked as regards the forward sales and thẹ. chairman in reply to some ventured on the very wide statement that he believed it was quite an exception for a company pot to make forward advantage or otherwise of forging into a stare contracts now, In the course of discussing the ling company and the consequent dividend taxations which would be incurred, the Chair man said "it is quite on the, tapis that there should be a tax pat on dividend paying rubber

Limited."

Led Sembawang Rubber Company, Mr. Choa Giang Thyo seconded and it was carried nem, con.

Aside from water transportation, the Calim- ba estate is within a mile of railroad facilities has promised to put in a spur tract direct to and that the Manila Railway company already the mill site as soon as it abail be nooded. lala, is expected in the Philippines within 60 Mr. Walter Dillingham, who is now in Hong days and as soon as the cane crushing season in the Hawaiian islands is ended, which should was mentified to discover that the package was authority to negotiate for the re-formation of many cafs are kep, the poison of babonid

brought to booki

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