September 12, 1895.]
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On Tuesday morning the dead body of a European was found on the road near the Wongneichong Gap. He had shot himself in the left breast, and although no weapon was found near him several cartridges were found in his pocket, and it is supposed that the re- volver was picked up and taken away by Chi. nese. In the dead man's pocket was found a card bearing the name Hermann Michael, and another one bore the name of the Praya East Hotel. The inquest was held on Friday at the Magistracy before Hon. H. E. Wodehouse. The deceased was formerly in the German navy, and on the 28th August he arrived in Hongkong as a passenger by the steamer Oldenberg. He wished to get employment as a clerk, and lived at the Western Hotel. On the 31st ult. he went out and the next that was heard of him was that he had shot himself with a revolver. The following letter was found in one of his pockets:-"My dear parents, sisters, and friends. You must not be angry with me for taking this step. Give my compliments to my intended.-Your loving son, Hermann Michael." The verdict was "Death from hemorrhage caused by a bullet wound self inflicted.
A court-martial was held on Monday on board the Victor Emanuel to investigate two charges of neglect of duty brought against Staff Pay- master William James Hubbard, of the Tamar. The Court consisted of Captain Bigge (Pre- sident), Commander Tunnard, Lieutenant- Commander Stewart, Lieutenant Barker, and Lieutenant Graham. The first charge was that prisoner failed to have his accounts brought up to date, and the second was for failing to hand his books to Captain Blaxland at the proper time. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and said that his offences were of omission rather than of commission, and he had no object whatever in retaining the accounts, as was proved by the fact that a balance in his favour was found when the books were examined. He also trusted that ourt would take his many good testi- monials into rahle consideration. The prisoner, who had been in the service since 1883, was convicted on five charges of neglect of duty in 1890 and was deprived of six months' seniority and dismissed his ship; and in 1894 he was convicted of a similar offence and lost one year's seniority in addition to being severely reprimanded. Yesterday the Court ordered the prisoner to be deprived of two years' seniority and to be dismissed his ship.
the
On Monday afternoon a lot of Crown land at the corner of Connaught and Murray Roads was put up to auction. Connaught Road, it may be remarked for the benefit of those who have not noticed the change in names, is the old Praya in front of the Cricket Ground, and the lot sold yesterday, at the eastern end of the re- clamation, extends from that road to the new Praya The boundary measurements are 100 feet by 160 feet, the contents in square feet being 16,000. The upset price was $104,000, being at the rate of $6.50 per foot. The lot was put up at the request of Messrs. Butterfield and Swire, who were re- presented at the sale by Mr. Dowler, and it was knocked down to them at an advance of $25, theirs being the only bid. The ground on which the new Club is being erected, and which is se- ted from the lot sold yesterday by another lot, para sale for $3 a foot. The difference in price was sold not so much due to a general advance is perhaps bes as to the fact that the Club in land vast sold on the reclamation and to lot was the firdpetition for it, but it also in- an absence of coflamation ground is coming dicates that the recrếp into favour. At the sale Monday several peo- re present as in- ple connected with property waremarked that terested spectators and it was it probably the lot was a very cheap one and no other lot in that locality will be ?btain- rate. We understand that plans for four large hongs to be erected on the reclamation to the west of the new Club, on privately owned ground, have already been prepared and that work is to be commenced on the buildings almost immediately. At the sale yesterday Mr. C. C. Malsch acted as auctioneer on behalf of the Government, and with reference to one of the published condi- 8, that the purchaser should erect a build-
able at the
same
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
of Bank notes in circulation and of specie in The following returns of the average amount reserve in Hongkong, during the month ended 31st August, as certified by the Managers of the respective Banks, are published:
Banks.
Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China. Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. National Bank of China,
Limited
Total
Average Specie in amount.
reserve.
$
1,688,427 1,000,000 5,879,075 2,500,000
853,360
203,000 7,420,862 3,703,000
20562200
basis of extenuating, the villainy down to affect to believe that the British Government guiltlessness, At any rate officials up here will certainly proceed to vigorous action, as women and children were chiefly concerned.
Our Indignant Meeting was keenly watched and discussed in native circles, and not a little grams through so quickly. It is a curious fact susprise was expressed that we got our tele-
obvious method of arousing the British Govern. that none of the speakers referred to the most ment to prompt action, viz., through the medium of Exeter Hall. Let the aggregate of which are all the religions and philanthropic societies has been confirmed in the appointment of found no government in England or Amerios no uncertain sound and there will be Puisne Judge, in which he is now acting. As the news, we understand, has come by tele-voice are usually for peaceful measures: if they which will dare to resist them. Their vote and graph and through private channels, it may be some little time
are transferred to swell the number of the ment is officially announced, and in the shall see the latter for a certainty.
before the appoint- chronic advocates of a spirited policy, then we meantime Mr. Wise's official status will remain that of Acting Paisne Judge. Since the late Sir James Russell was made Chief Justice we question if any appointment has been made more widespread satisfaction than that of in the colony which has given Mr. Wise to the Puisne Judgeship will give. Mr. Wise is endowed with an unusual fund of common sense and is an exceptionally able lawyer. Even the absurd Licensing of Private Vehicles Ordinance, passed while he was Acting Attorney-General, has not shaken public confidence in his usually sound judgment. But it is chiefly as a Magistrate and Judge that Mr. Wise has made his reputation. Every man has his metier and possibly Mr. Wise might have proved less successful as a maker of the laws than as an administrator of them. At all events, the colony may congratulate itself on hav- ing got a very capable Judge. With Sir Fielding Clarke and Mr. Justice we have as strong a bench as we had in the Wise times of Sir George Phillippo and Mr. Justice Russell (afterwards Sir James Russell).
We are pleased to hear that Mr. A. G. Wise speak with ummed up in these two words
TIENTSIN.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
22nd August.
The
The closing incident of the late. war was witnessed on Monday, 19th August, in the debarkation at Hsin Cheng, near Tientsin, of nearly one thousand prisoners of war. Japanese seem to have treated their unwilling guests remarkably well. The private soldiers and sailors were wholly reclad at their enemies' expense and were each presented with five yen to meet current expenses. The wounded have been restored by Japanese surgical skill, and not a few of the maimed have been supplied with wooden legs, &c. These unfortunates were under a constant fire of good natured badinage from their more lucky comrades. The men were in high spirits, though the officers were somewhat anxious to their subsequent
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treatment by their own authorities. The sailors will at present shift for themselves; the soldiers are ordered to rejoin their various camps. The officers' conduct will in all cases be investigated. before they are restored to their old rank. A goodly number of the junior naval officers are under orders to take up residence at the Tien. tsin Naval College, where free quarters and a microscopic monthly allowance will be granted to them until the Government can again find them employment. This policy proves that the Chinese look forward to anoter navy in the near future.
This question has brought to the local front infinite pains during and after the Tientsin the Rev. Jonathan Lees, Mr. Lees took Massacre of 1870 to bring the guilty to punish- appeal to fair judgment and justice and had none ment. His speech on this occasion was a masterby of the rant and vengeful strophes into which just indignation hurried some of our orators.
but up to date has not come into the Concessions. Asiatic cholera is still horribly in evidence,
city to be in so ill a plight as our neighbours We, however, do not seem even in the native in Peking and Chefoo.
declaring Tientsin to be an infected port, and One zealons Consul has "expressed” his views, has summoned our merchants to comply with the exacting quarantine regulations of his government. This has aroused some handsome indignation and very plain speech.
Li is again said to be about to start for Chinese etiquette requires him to have an Peking (Aug. 31st); but personally I doubt it. audience with the Emperor after having negotiated, the Shimonoseki Treaty. Fatigue Quindisposition have so far been suffic reasons for postma vrview non both wish to avoid. But now that great things are going on in Peking Li is becoming impatient that he is not in evidence: the idea gains ground that he will return to power. All the major and minor officials are paying assiduous court both to him and Wang Wen-shon, an unmistakable sign of native opinion. The two Viceroys are the negotiators of the supplement. want the business to be done here, but ary Treaty with Japan. The Chinese
capital; hence Li's prospective visit. There is Mr. Hiyashi is unwilling to leave the
of faction strife and palace intrigue: For no doubt his presence will precipitate the crises months these have reduced the Central Govem- ment to impotence.
The Tartar U, the new Minister to Tokyo, is about to leave for his post. His suite includes Chin Fong. a goodly number of those who accompanied Li
MISCELLANEOUS.
•
Daily News says, has consented to providing The Viceroy Chang Chih-tung, the N. C. Nanking with waterworks after the foreign received orders from him to come to Shanghai method, and several deputies have already to study the matter on the spot and to engage some foreign firm to undertake the work. The scheme has been hailed with delight by the whole population of Nanking, except, of course, On the same day the fag-end of the British the water carriers. It is to be a commercial Legation guard arrived in Tientsin. Sir undertaking and residents of Nanking have Nicholas O'Conor has for some time wished its been asked to subscribe for the shares. withdrawal and proposed to accompany the marines down; the Kucheng tragedy, however, kept him in Peking, after all arrangements had peen made to leave.
The Kucheng atrocity created a profound sensation up here, and ever since its occurrence has been the chief subject of discussion both in foreign and native circles. Curiously enough the Chinese have so far informed themselves of foreign views as to recognize at once that the fact that most of its victims were women. The leaven is slowly spreading; ten years ago among themselves they would have made this fact the
It is reported in some of the native papers at Shanghai that the Viceroy and Generalissimo Lin Kun-yi has lately sent up to the Throne a memorial asking to be allowed to retire alto- gether from public life, giving as a reason the serious character of his present maladies.
By the retention of Li Hung-chang, Chief of the Anhui or Huai political party, at Poking, and the retirement of Lin K'un-y, the Chief of the Hnnan or Ts'u party, the literary faction head, will, the N. C. Daily News saye, gain a decided superiority over its two older rival in the politics of this Empire.
e stone and lime-mortar walls," he heinomness of the crime was intensified by the ❘ of which Chang Chih-tung ia the acknowledged
was authorised by the Director of Public to state that a brick or brick and stone
would be allowed.
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