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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
PRESENTATION TO MR. BRUCE SHEPHERD.
On Friday afternoon a number of the Chinese community assembled at the Man On Marine Insurance Office, Queen's Road West, to present an address to Mr. Bruce Shepherd on the eve of his departure from the colony on a visit to England. A drawing-room had been specially arranged for his reception, where he was received on his arrival at three o'clock. Mr. Chau Tseung Fat, Secretary of the Insurance Office. opened the proceedings by briefly addressing the ass mbly.
signed to our care shall be done at not exceeding certain rate.
Had the Govern ment, before writing the letter referred to, asked for information on the subject they would have learnt that, as the captain of a steamer is directly responsible to his owner for the proper stowage and discharge of the cargo, in almost all cases the appointment of the stevedore is left to the master, and that the latter generally follows the advice of his agents in the election of a stevedore the agents presumably having a better knowledge of the current charges and of the capabilities of the various stevedore firms.
(4). Having no contracts we could not take legal steps to compel the stevedores to supply Mr. LI HONG Mr, who had been asked to make coolies to the vessels in port consigned to us. the presentation, said it was a very pleasant duty So far from remaining passive which the Chinese community bad called upon and desiring to cast the entire responsibility of him to perform that afternoon, namely, the pre- bringing matters to a satisfactory termination sentation of an address and a few trivial articles upon the Goverment, we, on the contrary, from to their friend in order to show their appreciation the commencement of the Strike, endeavoured | of him. (Applause). Mr. Shepherd was about to to ascertain through dur Chinese connections leave the colony for his native land on a well- what was the reason for the strike, and what earned holiday. Everyone wished him a pleasant action could be adopted to most speedily bring voyage and a happy time, and it was also hoped this to an end.
We ourselves are that he would return greatly invigorated for not shipowners, we act as agents only for various his duties. The Chinese community could not owners and hold from them authority to procure allow him to leave the colony without showing cargo and passengers for their vessels; we have some mark of respect and appreciation of the no authority to enter into contracts on owners' valuable services he had rendered to them. behalf to import labour or to make any other arrangments to supply labour for their vessels.
In your letter you ask us for an expression of opinion, in so far as the contents of the Colonial Becretary's letter are applicable to our business. We are of opinion that the Colonial Secretary has been wrongly informed of the facts on which his letter of the 2nd April is based, and that it would have served public interests better had be taken the trouble to enquire of some of the principal shipping firms before publishing his letter.
It is not a fact that several firms have had offers from one or more Chinamen to supply them with 1,000 to 3,000 coolies at the usual stevedor- age rates, etc, etc., as stated in his paragraph 1. And it is not a fact that such offers have in each case been declined, eto., etc., as per paragraph 2.
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It is not a fact tha ia no instance does it ap pear that any of the firms, etc., etc., as per para- graph 4.
It is a fact that one of our large mail lines received an offer through a legal firm from a Chinaman to supply them with coolies for stevedore purposes on condition that a contract for from five to ten years should be made at the rates recently paid by that Company. This is the only offer of a bona fide nature which was made to any of the European firms, and it is not to be wondered at that the mail com pany in question did not accept this tender, see ing that the Chinaman was a total stranger to them, and that it was purely a matter of specu- lation whether he would be able to carry out the contract he was so auxious to secure. Amongst business people it is not considered advisable to make contracts with men one knows nothing about. The mail company in question could not be expected to handicap itself in its future busi- ness by taking the risk of accepting such an offer simply for the purpose of supporting the Government during the recent crisis.
The address was tastefully got up in white satin, and mounted on a frame It read as follows:-
To BRUCE SHEPHERD, Esquire.
[April 17, 1895.
think that he could have carried out the business so thoroughly. He hoped that during his absence Mr. Wong Chun would perform the duties satis- factorily as he had hitherto. He hoped the business of the Man On Insurance Office would flourish is the future as it had in the past, and that all the gentlemen present might be equally prosperoun in their respective businesses.
Mr. WEI YUK proposed the health of Mr. Shepherd, coupling with it the name of Mrs. Shepherd, and wished them both a pleasant voy- age home.
This was responded to with great enthusiasm and the proceedings then terminated.
THE HARBOUR Master'S REPORT FOR 1894.
The annual report of the Harbour Master was laid before the Legislative Council on Thurs- day, We make the following extracts;--
Harbour Department, Hongkong, 11th February, 1885. Sir, I have the honour to forward the An- nual Returns for this Department for the year ending 31st December, 1894.
SHIPPING.
2. The total of arrivals and sailing amounted to 14,248,670 tons, or a decrease on 1893 of 100,452 tons. There were 31,470 arrivals with a tonnage of 7,123,748 tons, and 31,321 depar- tures of 7.124,922 tons.
The decrease in tonnage in European con- structed vessels is 66,677 tons, the numerical decrease is 306; and although 106 of these lat- ter are British, still British shipping on the whole shows an actual increase of 46,201 tons, the increase in the sixe of ships as indicated last year having been continued.
We, the undersigned, beg to acknowledge the valuable services you have rendered to the public in this colony during the many years you have been in charge of the Land Office. We can testify that you have performed your duties with fidelity and unremitting attention, and that the public here are loud in their praises of your The foreign junk trade shows a decrease of ability and faithfulness to duty. We appreciate 1.336 vessels measuring 5,883 tons; here also an you not only for your fidelity and integrity in increase in individual bulk in indicated. If the the discharge of your duties as a public officer, decrease was fairly apportioned, tonnage to num- but also for your truthfulness and sincere affes- bers, the decrease of 1,336 would average slightly tion towards as as a friend. We have noted over 4 tous apiece, whilst the 45,861 sotually with great pleasure your amiability and meek-shown averages a trifle under 76 tons apiece. ness in your dealings with the public, which Similarly the decrease in the local junk trade have been entirely free from all traits of false (1,408 vessels measuring 27,892 tons) seems to pride. We also note with equal gratification | indicate the retirement of the smaller oraft, the have been ever ready and cheerful in affording us and the vessels engaged averaging over 35 tons that, in all matters both public and private, you decrease averaging slightly over 19 tons a-pieos, advice, both in your capacities as a public officer apiece; presumably therefore increased sise and as a friend. Your candour and frankness means increased economy even with Chinese have ensured for you the good willf both Euro-craft. peans and Chinose, and all those who know you always feel happy to cultivate and strengthen 7.-Compared with the average of the past your friendship. Now, as you are about to pro-three years, the foreign junk tradə shows an in- ceed to England with your family, we cannot crease of 167,724 tons and a decrease of 69 vessels; but express our regret at not being able to de- tain you bere any longer.
KE
JUNTS,
the increased size of all the newer craft has already been noted. The local trade for the same period has decreased 187,774 tops with 4,966 vessels.
8.-The foreign junk trade for 1894 shows a decrease from the previous year of 1,336 vessels and 5,883 tons, doubtless more or less||directly due to the plague.
With respect we beg to present you the ac- companying chessboard and sets of chessmen and other trivial articles to mark our sincere wish for the long preservation of your health. These articles being very insignificant, we do not pre- sume to all them presents worthy of your as ceptance, but will designate them as pure tokens 9-The decrease in the local trade for 1894 of the sincere affection we entertain towards you. below 1893, of 1,408 vessels with 27,892 tons, is Worthless as the articles are, we venture to re-the result also of the plague, and partly of the quest you to do us the honour of accepting them decrease in work on the Praya Reclamation: and preserving them as souvenirs.
TRADE.
"We avail ourselves of this opportunity to 10.-4,132 steamers, 93 sailing vessels and wish you and your family a pleasant, calm, and 23,023 junks arrived during the year, giving a sate voyage, and sincerely hope that you may | daily average of 75 vessels arriving as against The Government by their letter of the 2nd derive material benefit from your temporary 90 the previous year. For European constructed April appear to desire to throw the responsibility cessation from work. May you soon be robust vessels the average daily entries would be 11,57 of the continuance of the strike upon the comand strong again, in order that you may be able as against in 1893 11.97. Of the steamers 71.9 munity, more especially the shipping community. speedily to return to your duties here, so that per cent. were British, and 33 were river craft, It is admitted on all sides that the strike was not we may again benefit by your advice, and be re- all of which latter were also British. an ordinary labour strike, but was a protest on lieved from the anxiety which we shall an the part of the coolies against the recent legis-doubtedly suffer by your temporary absence. lation.
WEI YUK KWAN HOI CHUNE MOR MAU CHUNG WONG CHUN LI HONG MI
CHAU THEUNG FAT
LEUNG TSAU FUNG WA CHUNE CHEUNG SAU PUN PONG HU SHUN CHUN and 5 others.
11. The trade of the colony in 1894 was influenced by two special and memorable events, viz., the plague and the war.
It is difficult, if not impossible, yet to appor. tion the respective "spheres of influence" of these two events, for some time they ran con- currently, though perhaps with contrary results. There can, however, be no doubt as to which in- fluence made itself most felt.
Under the circumstances stated above we think the recent crisis shows the absoluet necessity for the Government being armed with sufficient powers to take exceptional action at such a time, and in addition to these powers we suggest that all guilds and Chinese societies shall be made to register, and to provide the Government with a record of the names of their officers and the doings of the society; also that thankful for their kind address, but he did not for that quarter showed a decrease in arrivals o
all the books and papers of such guilds or secret societies be open for inspection by the Govern. ment whenever such a course may be desired.
You are at liberty, if you so desire, to forward this letter to the Colonial Secretary,
-We are, dear sir, yours faithfully,
DODWELL, CARLILL & Co.
· Hongkong 13th April, 1895," Mr. SHEPHERD, addressing Mr. LI HONG Mr and the gentlemen present, said he was very
The port was proclaimed infected with bubonio plague on 10th May, and the shipping returns
think that he deserved it. He had been in this 51 European vessels and 251 junks. It was not, colony for the last twelve years, during which however, until later that the full effect on ship. period he had always endeavoured to his utmost ping was made apparent, and the September to facilitate all matters connected with the Land quarter showed an additional falling off of 357 Office when he came in contact with both Euro-European vessels and 1,824 janks. During this peans and the Chinese community. The Land quarter both influences were at work, and, until Office is a very busy office, and if it had not been the 12th September, our shipping trade remained for the assistance of Mr. Wong Chun he did not 'under a ban. With the raising of the "* quar-
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