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486
they can for our protection. If the police and the detectives, Mr. Quincey, for instance, would do their duty we should have no rob. beries in Hongkong. I will give you an instance of how the Ordinance affects the community. The theatres have to be closed at eleven p.m.; if the play went on after that time a policemen would stop on the stage and put a stop to it. In the City Hall, however, they are allowed to go ou until one o'clock in the morning. This is the way they draw the distinction between Chinese and Europeans. The Government give all sorts of recreation for the European community. What have they done for the Chinese? They gave them a recreation ground in Taipingshan. What kind of a place is that for recreation while latrines and urinals are there? We are the prin- cipal ratepayers in Hongkong: we pay more taxes than the Europeans. and derive the least advantage. If we have suffered any hardship before it is we who are to blame for being silent. We should always bring our com- plaints to the notice of the Government in order to have them remedied. I condemn the Ordinance simply because it is against the Chinese only. I advocate an increase in the police force. and this would have a far wider effect than the Ordinance. I must ask you to express your true views on the subject. You must not pro away with the idea that you have been influenced in any degree by Mr. Hà Amei or by myself, and you must not think you have been influenced by wealth or position.
No other speaker care forward, and the Chairman suggested that as there were so many people present they could mot all fod time to sign the petition praying for the Ordinance to be abolished: would these in favour of the petition therefore hold tip cane isund :
Everybody in the room held up a hunt. Mr. SIN TAK FAN then proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman.
Mr. Ho AMEI in reply said the petition would be forwarded to the Government and he hoped they would return a favomable reply. The proceedings then terminated.
THE GOVERNOR AND THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL.
In accordance with custom the newly-elected committee of the Tung Wah Hospital on Mon- day called upon His Excellency the Governor at Government House, Mr. Lo Chi-tin, chairman of the previous Committee, introduced the new Committee, of which Mr. Ku Fai-shan is chairman. Hon. J. H. Stewart-Lockhart was present as Registrar-General, and Dr. Ho Kai interpreted the speeches. Cufortunately na general notice was given to the Press, and we are indebted to one of the gentlemen present for the following report of the proceedings.
His Excellency said he would avail himself of the opportunity of answering certain questions which had been inchíded in à petition presented to him respecting the management of the Tung Wab Hospital. It was absolutely neces that there should be in the hospital sary a Chinese doctor who had been trained in Western methods. The object of having a doctor
in any way interfere with the treatment of patients who preferred the Chinese methods, but to get full infor- mation as to the nature of the diseases treated in the hospital and return of the deaths that occurred there. These statistics were necessary especially when past events, such as the plague, were taken into consideration. Moreover, such a doctor could also show the Justices of the Peace who visited the hospital round the wards and answer any questions they might wish to put.
not was
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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Speaking in regard to the allegation that the Chinese were the victims of class legislation," which was made at the meeting at the hospital on Sunday, his Excellency said that the idea was a proposterous one.
The Chinese had the benefit of a well established Government, they were more comfortable here than in their own country, and the treat. ment they received was ju
every respect better than they could get anywhere else. The marvel to him was that they stopped here at all if they were not satisfied.. Some people were evidently trying to stir up strife, and if this continued he should have to take measures to suppress it.
The Committee then withdrew after intimat- ing that they would consider the suggestions made by his Excellency.
SERIOUS FIRE IN QUEEN'S ROAD,
fifteen feet.
A FIREMAN INJURED.
[December 25, 1895.
DETERMINED SUICIDE OF A PRI- SONER IN WELLINGTON STREET.
At noon on Wednesday a woman named Cho Tsan was arrested by a couple of Chinese detectives on a charge of kidnapping. She was a small- footed woman and she asked to be allowed to take a chair and her request was at once ac- ceded to. When going up Wellington Street towards the Police Station she suddenly pulled out a knife and stabbed herself in the throat before the detectives could interfere. The wonnd was seen to be a very serious one, as blood flowed freely from it, and she was taken with all possible speed to the Government Civil Hospital. Before getting to the institution, however, she died, and on arrival there the doctors ordered the body to be taken to the mortuary.
The inquest on the body of Chan Tsau, the woman who committed suicide in a chair in Wellington Street because two Chinese detectives arrested her was concluded at the
Magistracy on Friday. The finding was as follows-That deceased died of hemorrhage caused by wounds in the neck, and that such wounds were self inflicted."
HONGKONG BENEVOLENT
SOCIETY,
The annual meeting of the members of the Hongkong Benevolent Society was held Wednes- day, at noon, at the City Hall. Mr. T. Jackson presided, and there were also present-Lady Clarke, Mrs. Coxon, Mrs. Master, Mrs. Good- mau. Mrs. David, Mrs. Macbean, Mrs. Dowler, Mrs. Hawkins, Mrs. Dodwell, Miss Anderson, and Captain G. C. Anderson.
At 130 on Monday morning a fire broke out en the promises of Pan Fong, 285, Queen's Road Central. The fire was discovered by the accountant, who was sleeping on the counter on the ground floor. He was in charge of the shop, the master of the slice department being in Namboi and the master of the umbrella department in Canton, and he was awoke by hearing sounds of wood burning. He saw the shelf of the bout shop on fire and at once raised an alarm. The Fire Hirigade, under Hon. Com. under W, C. H. Hastings and Mr. Barleley, turned ont is quickly as possible, but before the men wire alb to get to work the shop and the adjoining one. 287, a silversmith's warehouse. were well ablaze. The fresh water was turned on, but it was some time reaching the hose, as in most of the houses in the district the taps The CHAIRMAN The object of this meeting are turned ou at night in order to catch
is to pass the accounts of the Hongkong Bene. the water as early as possible in the volent Society and to elect the Committee for morning, and of course this practice results in a the ensuing year. Last year we left off with a good deal of delay in case of fire. The
balance of $320.92; this year we have a balance sea water was brought into use as promptly of 8852.86, which is a very considerable increase: us possible, but the flames had obtained a very
The funds of the Society have benefitted by a strong hold by the time the hose were in full performance given by the Amateur Dramatic play, and there seemed every likelihood. parti-Club, whereby 8271.71 was handed over to the
ularly as a strong wind was blowing, that the fire would destroy many of the houses before it was checked. However, the firemen worked! splendidly, but there was unfortunately a serious accident just after operations were commenced. Sergeant Gordon was taking a hose up a bamboo ladder when the ladder suapped and Gordon fell a distance of about As he fell the top part of the ladder swung against his back and he was also injured about the head. The ambu- lane was brought and the injured fireman Was taken to the hospital, where he 18 progressing as favourably as possible. A good supply of water having been obtained the firemen set work to conquer the flatnes, but they could not succeed in saving the houses on each side from total destruction, while two other houses were considerably daniaged the ground floors by fire and water. The shops completely gutted were 285, where the fire originated. 287, a versmith's shop, and 283, a boot shop, and those damaged on the ground floor were Nos. 279, a shoe shop, and 281, a foreign goods shop, No. 285 was insured with Messrs. Sieussen and Co. for 1,000. The ground floor of 283 was also insured with Messrs. Siemssen and Co.
other firs concerned are The
Messrs. Stolterfobt and Hagan (56,000) and Mr. W. R. Loxley (814000, It is not quite certain wirt was the cause of the ladder breaking; it was probably weakened by either dry rot, or perhaps a rusty iron rung was responsible for the accident. It was a very unfortunate affair. and it is to be hoped that Gordon will soon be able to resume his duties. Sergeant Moffatt was just accending the ladder when it broke, but as he had only gone up two or three rungs he escaped injury. The fire is supposed to have been caused by the overheating of a shelf nuder which was a furuace used for drying shoes.
accurate a!!
The Committee, through Dr. Ho Kai, pointed out that they had been elected by the Chinese community, who were not in favour of Western methods of treatment so far as the healing art was concerned. Therefore the Committee were
placed in rather a difficult position and they would like to consult the kai jong or Chinese com. munity.
His Excellency replied that he did not object to the Committee consulting the community, but it must be clearly understood that they must have a doctor who had been trained in Western methods of treatment in the hospital.
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sil-
An order of the Queen in Council respecting the tonnage admeasurement of ships belonging to the United States of America is published in Saturday's Gazette.
Society, and by a ballad concert which brought in 8272.44. The Society has, as usual, done very useful work during the year, and the total amount of the working expenses was only $28.50. I am informed that the Society has not spent quite so much as during the previous year, when fifty-eight cases were dealt with at a cost of $1.770. This year fifty-seven cases came under the notice of the Society, and $1,205.92 was spent. At the same time I bave not the slightest doubt that the Committee did not pass any deserving case. It is well known bow useful this Society Las been in Hongkong, and I think there is no society in the colony that deserves more cordial support from the public than this. Those ladies who have given their time and attention to the sifting of the many cases to see whether they were deserving or not ought to have the best thanks of the community. There is no doubt there is too much of giving a dollar here and a dollar there without finding out whether the money was deserved or not, but such is not the case here. I know personally that every case is thoroughly sifted, and help is given only to the deserving. I will now read the following ac-
counts:-
Dr.
Balance from last year Donations and subscriptions Interest Hongkong Bank Special case contribution
A.D.C. Performance Ballal Concert
#..
$ 320.92 1,077.00
7.07
148.00
271.71
272.44
$2,097.14
Cr.
$1,205.96
21.50
2.00 j
5.00
10.00
852.68
$2,097.14
Relief of cases Printing and stationery Cheque book.... Wardrobe for clothes Refunded case undeserving
Balance carried forward
JULIE DODWELL,
Hon. Treasurer.
Audited and found correct. 7th December,
1895.-
HILGROVE C. NICOLLE,
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