February 13, 1896.]
to investigate the casualty to his ship. His de- parture, therefore, has the appearance of an unwillingness to appear before such Court. In his absence, however, and without his having an opportunity of making a defence, the Court does not deal with his certificate. The officers appear to have conducted themselves in a proper and becoming manner under the circumstances. Given ander our hand and seal, &c.
-THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL.
A Commission has been appointed by H.E. the Governor to enquire into the working and organization of the Tung Wah Hospital with special reference to the following details, viz.
1-Whether the Hospital is fulfilling the object and purpose of its incorporation.
*
2.If yes, whether the Commission can sng- gest or recommend any matter or thing by which the present organization and admistra tion of the Hospital can be improved or carried on more effectively.
3.-If no, whether the object and purpose of the Hospital can be fulfilled by any other organization, with any suggestions or recom- mendations the Commission may make on the subject.
The Commissioners are the Hon. J., H. Stewart Lockhart, Colonial Secretary. Hou. C. P. Chater, Hon. T. H. Whitehead, Hou. Ho Kai, and Hon. A. M. Thomson. Acting Colonial Treasurer. The Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart
is to be the Chairman. and three members,
inclusive of the Chairman, are to constitute a quorum.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
the Meiji Insurance Company for 81.500. į The first floor was not insured. and the ground floor, used as a carpenter's shop. was damaged by water, and was insured in the Meiji Insurance Company for $2,000. The door on the ground floor of No. 53, a cigar shop, was scorched by the flames. The whole of this building was insured with Messrs Jar dine, Matheson and Co. for 87,500.
At 11.15 on the 8th Feb. a fire broke out on the first floor of 133, Praya West. The whole of the building was used as the Tan Wo rice shop and the business was also carried on on the ground and first floors of 28, Tse Mi Lane, which adjoins the shop. The second floor of 28, Tse Mi Lane was used as a family house. The Fire Brigade turned out with their usual prompti- tude, and a plentiful supply of fresh and salt water was obtained. In three-quarters of an hour the fire was got under, but both buildings were com- pletely gutted, and the houses on either side were slightly damaged by water. The Tan Wo shop was insured with Messrs. Reuter, Brockel- maun & Co. for $6,500. The fire was caused by the upsetting of a kerosine lamp.
FORMOSA.
[FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT WITH THE JAPANESE ARMY.]
TAIPEнFU, 24th January. The north-eastern seaboard of Formosa,
especially that portion to the south of Snan bay may be described as "straight up and down." High and densely wooded mountains rise It is directed that the examination of witnesses is constantly beating, and with a depth of water abruptly from the shore, on which a heary surf shall be held in private.
FIRES IN HONGKONG.
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just outside the first breaker of rarely less than fifteen fathoms. In the mountains live the Ravages, and at intervals where patches of arable land appear, at the mouth of mountain streams which in the rainy season have swept down deposits of sand and mould, we find the Chinese squatter, who carries on precarious existence by bartering with the savage, while his fields yield him beans, ground nuts, sweet potatoes. and hemp. But more extensive we find the big plain which stretches towards the north from Suao bay. It is bounded on the east by a stormy rock bound coast and to the north-west and south hommed in by high mountains teem- ing with savages who value Chinese heads as the richest of their possessions. This plain, which is known as the Kapsulan district, is not excelled in fertility by any portion of the island, and consequently is peopled by a planteous num- ber of Chinese, but a class who have always possessed a bad reputation. Gelan. the principa, settlement of the district, is a walled bity, one of the largest and most prosperous in the north and next to Changhwa the most troublesome The inhabitants had nearly all taken sides in a clan fight, which in consequence became of enormous proportions, with more encounters during an equal period than occurred during the Fronch Revolution, but the Chinese being more humane than those "Western barbarians brought only a few men in the field at a time, and hard words, although fred at each other with great violence, made the battlefield mor blue than
137
sulan of the Japanese or clear them out of the whole island, the attack was made on the small Japanese garrisons scattered throughout the district, with the results I have already given in my previous letter. So amazingly igno rant were these rebels that they returned a few days later and made an attack on Gelan from three sides, but upon the Japanese sending out a small detachment they retreated to the north. Meanwhile Japanese reinforcements had landed at charming Suao bay, with the inten- tion of sending a heavy detachment to the north, while a sufficient force left Kelung over-, land to join the southern detachment, thus hoping to be able to surround the rebels. General Okubo, who was in command, had about a thousand men of the south brigade in the southern detachment. Word had been received that the rebels were assembled at Shoke, a village about eleven miles north; so leaving Gelan on the 11th at daylight, the troops advanced on that place, and after traversing about half the distance they met about 1,500 rebels entrenched in a small village, who after resisting stoutly the approach of the Japanese for several hours retreated, some going towards the mountains, others in the direction of To-e. Over three hundred dead of the rebels were found, while the Japanese loss was four killed and eleven wounded. The troops remained in the village over night. The next day two companies of infantry were sent to Cho-ho, which is on the road from To-e to Taipehfu.
On the 19th the rebels were attacked near Kah-ho and Da-ba-yeng. After a loss of sixty they retreated towards Sancho, a few escaping to the western mountains. The troops spent the 20th in To-e, making a reconnaissance of the whole district that it might be swept of all rebels.
The rebels having retreated towards Tai- pehfu, two companies were sent to follow them. while troops were sent yesterday from Taipehfu to head them off. If they do not escape again, we may expect to hear the last of the rebels in a few days.
executions resulted. Some of the Hakkas who Many prisoners have been taken and several had been engaged in their little rebellion earlier in the season laughed at the prisoners as they were brought in. "You have had your taste also," they remarkod as the rebels were lead by, "we had ours last fali."
break has cost the Japanese a loss of 178 men, Up to the 8th of this month this late out-
as follows:-
Officers
Non-Com. officers Privates
Interpreters Civil officers Police officers Policemen Coolies Workmen
Loss. Killed.
Wounded.
3
10
9
94
27
Total loss 178; killed 120, wounded 58 Chinese loss probably about 1,000 killed;
TAIPERFU, 1st February.
On the morning of the 6th Feb. the Fire Brigade were busily engaged from one o'clock until seven o'clock in extinguishing two fires, one of which was a very serious one. The firemen were first called to a second hand clothes shop at 56, Jervois Street, where an outbreak had occurred on the second floor. There was some delay in getting water and before the Brigade, who were under Hon. Commander W. C. H. Hastings and Mr. Badeley, could conquer the flames the first and second floors had been burnt out. in addition to a picture and fan shop at Queen's Road Central, which backs the shop in Jervois Street. The building in Jorois Stree was insured in the Transatlantic Fire Insurance Company (Messrs. Siemssen aud Co., agents) for $13,000, and the ground and first floors of 21, Queen's Road Central, were insured in the China Fire Insurance Company for $2,000, Nos. 22 and 233. Queen's Road Centrul were slightly damaged by water. The origin of the fire is not known. The firemen were just pre- paring to leave when the bell at No. station Bounded a fire in the Wes♦ district.
The hose was rapidly rolled up and the Brigade proceeded with all haste to Queen's Road West, where three shops. Nos. 55. 57, and 543 were well alight. The fire, which originated in the basement of a cigar shop at No. 5
On January 25th a detachment of 200 soldiers through the overheating of some tobacco which bloody However, these warriors to impress encountered about an equal number of rebels had been carelessly left on a furuace to dry. each other with terror had armed theinselfes- about 20 miles to the south-east of Taipehfu. spread with alarming rapidity, but fortunately well, Chinese fashion. These people had defied Afteran engagement in which fifteen rebels were the Brigade had a “plentiful, and speedy supply the Chinese mandarins iu more than one in-killed and two Japanese wounded the rebels made of water. It was a long time, however, fore stance and had for sonie little time before the their customary exit. The Japanese followed the firemen could obtain a mastery over the flames. arrival of the Japanese failed to pay any taxes them, but found the pathway abounding in and their efforts were mainly directed to pre-whatsoever, and when the mandarin expos. traps prepared for the special benefit of the venting the spread of the fire, as it was seen
wojen." The favourite method seemed to be of that the three shops were hopelessly doomed.
stretching a line or more, often a vine, from side It was not until seven o'clock that the men
to side, which was connected with the triggers were able to leave, and they are to be com-
of rifles staked in the underbrush in such a mended for confining the fire within the limits
manner that if a person passing by should they did. The basement of No. 57, where the fire
disturb the vine they would have almost simul- originated, was insured with Messrs. Sander
taneously a bullet in close proximity and Co. for $2,000; the first floor was an opium divan and the second floor a coolie house, which were not insured. The ground floor of No. 59 is used as B tinsmith's shop and was insured with Messrs. Reuter, Brockelmann and Co. for 82,400; the first floor was a coolie house and the second floor a family house on which no insurance had been effected. The ground floor of No. 55 is a paper shop and the second floor a coolie house; no insurance had been effected. The second floor of No. 61, a dry goods store, was also completely burnt out, and it was insured in
tulated they rattled their spears, took stray shots at his guard, and eventually ended up the only gentleman himself. As no other tax col- lector applied for the situation Kapsulan was dropped off the roll. Having enjoyed this state of affairs for over a year and impressed with their own fearfulness, the "Gelanites" awaited the Japanese, who were busily engaged in clear- ing out the Chinese soldiers. This finished, troops visited Gelan, but as no Chinese soldiers appeared it simply amounted to a peaceful re- connoitre. But this was too much for the Chi- nese; the Japanese also feared them and had not dared to fire even a salute. Later, troops ar- rived and a magistrate was established at Gelan. This to the Chinese was a little too much and might lead up to taxes Therefore the two clans, so long enemies, embraced each other in the common cause, and after debating whether it would be best to simply clear Kap
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Although several rifles were in this way dis- charged, fortunately no one was hurt. Along the route were found many spears and rifles and considerable amunition.
January 27th, the German Emperor's birth- day was celebrated in a befitting manner by a most pleasant reception and sumptuous dinner given by Dr. Gruenwald, the acting German Consul, at the Twatutia Club. H.E. Admiral Count Kabayama, Governor General, Major General Oshima, Rear-Admiral Tsunoda, Chief of Naval Department, Major-General Murai, Major-General Hishizima, Colonel Okuba, Rear
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