1
}
March 26, 1896.]
the Straits Settlements, and India has for some time occupied the attention of this Chamber. The rates seem to my Committee excessive and to constitute a serious burden on trade, tending to restrict its natural expansion in some direc- tions.
The rate to Nagasaki from hence is $1.26, to other ports of Japan $1.40, and to Penang $1.80 per word as compared with $2.00 per word to European countries. When it is considered that the messages to the first named places pass only over the Companies' cables (with the exception of some small payment to Japanese land lines in the case of that country), while those to Europe have to pass over other cables to which out-payments to other administrations
have to be paid, the difference between the rates becomes strikingly apparent.
A further comparison may be noted in the case of Shanghai, the rate to which port is only 20 cents per word. The tariff is the result of the competition between the Companies' cables
and Chinese land lines. Yet the distance to
Nagasaki, to which 31.26 per word is charged, is not more than 300 miles greater than that to Shanghai.
ADE REPORT.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE
Warden's by Wor. Bro. Death, P.M., Wor. Bro. Macdonald, the Master for the present year, occupying the vice-chair of the centre table facing the presiding Master.
Between the conclusion of dinner and the opening of the Lodge a short toast list was gone through. "The Queen and the Craft and "H.R.H. The Most Worshipful Grand Master and the Grand Lodge of England were proposed from the chair and received with the loyalty customary amongst Masous.
11
Chater and to the harmony which always
here to
Bro. J. DYER BALL proposed “The District Grand Lodge of Hongkong and South China and in doing so alluded to the disappointment caused by the absence of Right Wor Bro.
characterised the working of the District.
Wor. Bro. COOKE, D. Senior Grand Warden, in responding to the toast said-Wor. Master and brethren, on behalf of the District Grand Lodge I thank you for the kind manner in which the District Grand Lodge has been proposed and received. We are all very grieved that the District Grand Master could not be take part in the ceremony, from which he has been prevented by an illness in which I can deeply and truly sympathize plaint myself, and I am sure we all. wish him a with him, having suffered from the same com-
speedy recovery to health so that he may again take up the duties of his responsible office as District Grand Master. Worshipful Master and brethren, I can only again thank you for the cordial manner in which you have proposed and received the toast of District Grand Lodge. H.E. the GOVERNOR, who was received with loud applause, said-Worshipful Master and brethren, I think it was the great poet Dryden who said that An honour is an empty bubble." I should be sorry to say I agreed with that immortal Bard, for a very great and I may Bay unparalleled honour has been conferred Acting Superintendent
upon me this evening, an honour quite un- Eastern Extension, Australasia and China expected and unsought. I feel very acutely
Telegraph, Co. Ld.
My Committee are of opinion that these rates might be materially modified without impairing the earning power of your Companies, or in any way pressing unduly upon them. A reduction in rates would probably be attended by such an increase in business as would prevent any fall. ing off in receipts.
I am also instructed to call attention to the rates to Europe, which my Committee think are still too high, notwithstanding the reduction recently made.
Trusting that these representations will meet with favourable consideration from your Com- panies.-I am, &c.,
R. CHATTERTON WILCOX,
Secretary.
To L. Webster, Esq.,
Great Northern Telegraph Co.
who are
The Eastern Extension Australasia and China | no.")
Telegraph Company, Ld.
The Great Northern Telegraphi
Company of Copenhagen.
that there are many gentlemen round this table more competent to do justice to the duty involved in that honour. ("No; You are aware that I am not a member of Zetland Lodge I am a mem- ber of the Lodge of Harmony in England and a staunch Mason, but unfortunately have not had time to take an active part in the working, but when I retire from my Government I hope to reach the thirty-third degree. (Applause.) I have been asked to propose the toast of the evening, and the Right Wor. District Grand Master, whose absence we all so deeply deplore, has given me some notes, which I afraid may impinge upon what the Master is going to say upstairs, but which will give We are very lucidly the subject of the toast. met to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the grant of the warrant of Zetland Lodge. THE JUBILEE OF ZETLAND LODGE. (Applause.) This is our Jubilee. (Renewed
Hongkong Station, 9th March, 1896. Dear Sir, I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 6th instant regarding the telegraphic rates charged by the above Com- panies, and to state that the matter will have due consideration.-I am, &c.,
L. WEBSTER, Acting Manager in China. The Secretary, Chamber of Commerce,
Hongkong.
(
DINNER AND EXTRAORDINARY LODGE OF EMERGENCY.
SPEECH BY H.E. THE GOVERNOR,
A few weeks ago the Jubilee of the introduc- tion of Freemasonry into Hongkong was cele brated by a very successful Ball, given by the Masonic bodies in general. It was felt by the members of Zetland Lodge, however, that a Lodge celebration was also desirable and this took the shape of a dinner and special lodge of emergency, followed by a smoking concert, held on Saturday evening. The Right Worshipful District Grand Master, Hon. C. P. Chater, as one of the oldest members of the Lodge and also by reason of his holding the highest office in the district, was invited to preside on the occasion and kindly consented to do so, but, to the great disappointment of the brethren, he was unable to fulfil his promise owing to ill- дева. In his absence the duty was confided to Wor. Bro. W. M. B. Arthur, who is also one of the oldest Past Masters. His Excellency the Governor accepted the Lodge's invitation to be present on the occasion and at dinner and in the Lodge room occupied the place of honour оп the right of the presiding Master. There were also a num- ber of guests from the sister Lodges. At dinner the Senior Warden's chair was filled by Wor. Bro. Mallory, P.M., and the Junior
am
District
applause.) This used to be the second senior lodge in China, but when the was divided into two parts in 1876 it became the senior lodge of Hongkong and South China. Like most useful institutions, it had a very small beginning. In December, 1845, a few years after the cession of this island to England, nine brethren met in conclave and the result of their discussion was a petition to the Grand Lodge of England, the response to which was the issue of a warrant which bears date 21st March, 1846. (Applause.) That was at a time when, comparatively speaking. long- kong was only partly populated, when it was little more than a barren rock, and when an ascent to the Peak was regarded as equivalent to scaling Monte Rosa, or some great Alpine mountain. (Applauso). The first meeting was held on the 26th June, 1816, and, if I may he allowed to paraphrase Wordsworth, the Lodge began its youth in gladness but was very soon met by despondency and sadness. It was a question whether Zetland Lodge would survive, but where the seeds of Freemasonry are sown there they must flourish and bear fruit, some fifty-fold and some a hundred-fold (Applause.) The men of the hour were at hand. Brothers Rawson and Mercer rallied the breth. ron of Zetland and by their pluck and encour agement an era of prosperity set in which I believe has continued ever since. (Applause.) In 1853 Zetland Lodge determined to have premises of its own and the foundation stone
}
257
of the building was laid with considerable ceremony, possibly within the recollection of some here this evening, and as Governor of the colony I am glad to think the site is held directly from the Government at the enormous expense of one dollar per annum! (Laughter and applause.) The first building having become too small, in 1865 this present building was opened, and the debentures which were issued for the erection of the edifice have, I am glad to hear, been all redeemed. (Applause.) I am authorised by the Right Wor. the District Grand Master to say, and I say it with great satisfaction, that the Lodge has been most suc cessful, that it is most ably officered, and that it (Applause.) The number of brethren who have has for many years worked most harmoniously.
passed through it is 1,350 and the present num- ber upon the books is 117. (Applause.) So much, brethren, for the past; what shall we say of the present and the future? It is said an old Roman Emperor many hundred years ago on his death bed had asked to be informed of the progress of the battle; he was lying in extremis when the Captain of the Watch came in and asked what was the watchword of the night, and he replied Laboremus. So must
Still the work
it be with us. We labour and others enter проп the fruits of our labour. We dig the foundations, others build them, and others again raise the superstructure, but after many years the faithful workmen, members of our fraternity, their little spell of toil concluded, remains. So is it in Freemasonry. Higher sink perhaps into oblivion. and greater rises its fabric, and broader. and wider extend her civilizing and hu- manising influences. (Applause.) So may it be, brethren, with Zetland Lodge. plause.) May she increase in numbers and wealth, may she flourish until the crack of doom, may the great Architect of the Universe guard and keep her, and may she ever, with that charity for which she is so much distinguished, minister to the sufferings of distressed Freemasons. (Applause.) I have the greatest pleasure, brethren, in proposing the toast of "Prosperity to Zetland Lodge'
(Ap-
The toast was most enthusiastically received. Wor. Brother MACDONALD responded. He said Brother Sir William Robinson and brethren, being Master of this old Lodge this year it falls to my lot to respond to this toast, though per haps less qualified to do so in a becoming man- ner than most of the brethren present to-night, and I trust you will forgive me if I do so as briefly as possible. In the name of Zetland Lodge I thank your Excellency for the very kind and graceful terms in which you have proposed this toast, and you, brethren, for the vory cordial way you have received it. It may have been expected that. I should here give some particulars of the past doings of the Lodge, but you will have an opportunity of hearing a very full history of the Lodge when we assemble upstairs, so that I need not make any such references here. Zetland Lodge to-day completes fifty years of work and we as members are very proud of the antiquity and standing of our Lodge (applause.)—and will endeavour to maintain the high and responsible position held by the Zetland as mother Lodge of this colony, On behalf of those present, as well as those who are absent through illness, who. I am sure, will appreciate the kind words of your Excellency, I thank you. (Applause).
Wor. Bro. G. C. Cox, P.M.-Wor. Master, your Excellency, and brethren, it is my pleasant duty to propose a toast which I am sure will meet with your enthusiastic acceptance. It is that of the sister Lodges and visitors. (Ap- plause). Between the sister Lodges and Zetland the greatest love and harmony have always existed and the members of Zetland Lodge will, I am sure, join me mest cordially in wishing the sister Lodges all prosperity and happiness and that when they come to celebrate their respective jubilees they may do SO with as much satisfaction to them- selves and under as favourable auspices as we now celebrating ours. (Applause.) To the visitors, who have given us the honour of their presence this evening Zetland Lodge extends a cordial and fraternal greeting. We are especially indebted to Brother Sir William Robinson for his attendance. (Applause.) We know that the calls on
are
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.