April 23, 1896.]
and the efficient administration of the Municipal Act depends mostly on a single European officer, who has plenty of other work to do be. sides, the difficulties are naturally much greater than in the larger towns where there is a European community and not a few intelligent and educated native gentlemen. In these lat- ter places, several of whose circumstances closely resemble Hongkong, there has, speaking gener- ally, never been any difficulty in obtaining adequate representation on the Municipal Councils of energetic and public spirited mem. bers of the European non-official community. I Merchants in India are every whit as hard worked as those out here, yet they manage to sit on these councils, and to give invaluable assistance on municipal affa irs. It is true that you will not always get absolutely the leading men in the mercantile community, but experi- ence shows that is not an unmixed evil, as occasionally the men in the very first rank have after a long residence in the East grown some- what lethargic, or rather, might I say, conser vative. What is wanted are men fairly repre- sentative of the mercantile community with plenty of energy and " go," and hitherto, as already said, there has been little difficulty in obtaining auch in India. To an Anglo-Indian, therefore, the assertion of Sir G. Bonham that efficient representation of the mercantile community could not be found in Hongkong to sit on a Municipal Council would if repeated now be little less than a gratuitous and un- founded insult to that body of people.
Had Hongkong been administered by the Gov. ernment of India there cannot be the slightest doubt that Victoria town would have been made into a Municipality many years ago, the present system of administration being at least twenty years behind the times. One of the first steps taken after the annexation of Upper Burma was to create Mandalay a Municipality, and that this step has proved successful no one who is acquainted with its administration since will deny. Surely Hong kong is more worthy of a Municipal Govern- ment than Mandalay.
I would suggest that those here who are interested in the reform of the present system should apply to the Government of India for copies of the Acts relating to the Municipalities of Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, and Rangoon, and also for the loan of the official reports of the debates on them in the various Legislative Councils, which latter are frequently very in- structive. The presidents of these Munici- palities would also doubtless be glad to give information on the practical working of these Acts. A committee might then be formed and a persistent agitation kept up until Municipal Government is conceded.
If Hongkong were run on Indian lines it would have a Municipality consisting perhaps of about fifteen members, of whom the pre- sident and two others might be officials, whilst of the remainder six might be elected by the European and six by the Chinese community. There are, I am aware, some who would refuse representation to the native com- munity, pointing out that as a whole they are opposed to necessary measures of sanitation. The subject is an important and complex one, and can scarcely be entered on here, but I would point out that great weight should be given to the policy deliberately adopted on the subject by the Government of India and that with nine Europeans as against six natives there would be no fear of the latter imposing on the Muni- cipality their views on sanitary matters. Further, there are various checks and safe- guards relating to the subject which will be found in the Acts to which I have alluded and might be advantageously introduced into a Hongkong Municipal Ordinance.
It is difficult for an outsider to understand the reasons of the local Government in refusing the production of the correspondence with the Secretary of State in regard to the remodelling of the Sanitary Board, but doubtless, as sug. gested by you, there should be no difficulty in obtaining its production through Parliament, The action of the local authorities is directly contrary to the policy of the Government of India, which is always to encourage and foster Municipal aspirations and not to repress them.
PROGRESS.
Hongkong, 15th April, 1895.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
AN INTERESTING POINT IN CRICKET.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS." SIE,-Some of your readers may remember a. rather curious incident that occurred in a match on the Hongkong cricket ground during the past season. Captain Grafton, R.N., playing for the Plains v. The Peak, played a ball, and as it appeared likely to fall on to his wickets he struck it as he had a perfect right to do-a second time; and smacked it up into the hands of the wicketkeeper. An appeal was made to the umpire, who gave the batsman out caught at the wicket. A considerable amount of amicable discussion ensued in the pavilion as to whether this decision was a proper one; the ayes and noes being pretty evenly divided. The question being one of some interest it has been referred home to the more or less autho- ritative ruling of the Field; and I shall feel much obliged if you will give publicity to the opinion therein expressed and which is as follows:-
"The decision given was incorrect. The ball may be hit a second time for the sole purpose of guarding the wicket. If after striking the ball a second time the batsman should attempt to run, he is, according to the general interpreta- tion of Law 27, at once out, no matter what becomes of the ball. It follows that as, in such a case as you describe, the law forbids the batsman running, it also shelters him from being canght."
Thanking you in anticipation for your cour- tesy in inserting this letter.-I am, yours obediently,
EDWARD A. RAM,
Hon. Soc. H.K.C.C. Hongkong Cricket Club, 20th April, 1896.
ALTRUISM.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS,"
SIR-The spectacle of the German firms appealing against the military contribution through their representative, the member for the Chamber of Commerce, is amusing enough, even to a soul saturated with Gilbertianism, but what are we to say to the suggestion of the Mercury, mentioned in your yesterday's issue, that the help of the British Minister should be invoked for a German firm to conduct their business on Chinese territory At the same time we may read that the German Govern ment are combining with the enemy to oust us from Egypt! Altruism is
|
Hongkong, 21st April, 1896.
HUMBUG.
LI HUNG-CHANG AT SAIGON.
[FROM A CORRESPONDENT.}
Saigon, 6th April.
345
also drew up for the suite of the grand old man. At the flagstaff were waiting M. Lafont, on behalf of the Governor, M. Berenguier, Deputy' Mayor, and the Colonel, on behalf of the mili tary authorities, in full dress.
The moment the Ernest Simons cast anchor, the pretty and graceful state barge towed by a steam launch from the arsenal, which had been lying in waiting, came alongside the mail steamer and the animation and curiosity of the enormous crowd of Europeans and Chi- nese who had assembled at the pier was raised to the highest pitch. His Excellency Li Hung- chang had accepted with pleasure the invitation of the Governor to spend the day at Saigon; we have no epidemio disease here nor any bad feeling, and the prevailing enthusiasm was a clear expression of the friendly relations of the two great nations.
As soon as the state barge, bearing the Chi- nese flag, into which Li Hung-chang and about twelve mandarins had stepped, was clear of the Ernest Simons (which had at the same time lowered the Chinese ensign from the main), the heavy guns of the ironclad Styx boomed forth and saluted His Excellency with 21 rounds.
Li Hung-chang, who was easily recognisible by the yellow silk jacket and peacock feather, was in high spirits and saluted in a most cordial manner the aforesaid gentlemen, who accom panied him to the carriage, and at this moment the band played the Marseillaise. From the assembled Chinese broke forth a cheer for the grand old man, who greeted and saluted every. where. The biggest Chinese merchants were present and no ill-feeling of any kind prevailed.
In the Government landau were seated Li Hung-chang, M. Lafont, M. Berenguier, and another mandarin, and the suite of about twelve mandarins were accommodated in other Government carriages.
The two cavalry detachments ranged them- selves in front and behind the carriage and the cortège proceeded along the quay and the Rue Catinat to Government House, where M. Sandret, the Acting Governor, awaited His Excellency, the troops presenting arms.
Subsequently a grand dinner was given, with all the high functionaries present, and in the evening a brilliant gala representation took place at the theatre, which was splendidly illuminated and where the "Grand"Mogul' was played. When Li Hung-chang appeared in the Governor's box the orchestra played the Chinese National Anthem and the Marseillaise, which were listened to standing by a crowded house.
As we have no plague nor any other epidemic diseases at Saigon Li Hung-chang slept at Government House and the next morning (Sunday) at eight o'clock the same cortège in the same gorgeous manner proceeded to the mail steamer preceded and followed by the The passage of His Excellency Li Hung-valry in right royal style, M. Sandret, the chang through Saigon by the Messageries Acting Governor, accompanying his illustrious Maritimes fine mail steamer Ernest Simons was guest and remaining with him in the state the occasion of a most gorgeous reception and
cabin of the Ernest Simons up to the very last have been brilliant festivities, which will be long remem-
moment. Li Hung-ohang must bored by residents.
delighted with his friendly reception on French territory.
The Ernest Simons arrived in front of the pier at half-past eight on Saturday morning, flying the dragon flag at the main peak. The Messageries Maritimes landing stage was gay with bunting, a fine display of French flags and palm leaves was made at the signal mast, and two enormous and beautifully worked yel- low Chinese flags marked the spot where His Excellency was to put foot on French territory. The Ernest Simons was obliged, owing to the tide, to go further up the river to the so-called point A, to be able to turn, and half-an-hour later the majestic vessel approached the Mes- sageries landing pier.
Saigon had been in full animation since the early morning. Flagstaffs with tricolour flags had been placed along the quays and the Rue Catinat up to the Palace of the Governor; the troops lined the streets from the signal mast, and the military band was placed directly oppo. site the point where Li Hung-chang was to land.
The Governor's landau soon made its ap- pearance, drawn by four horses and preceded and followed by a large body of cavalry to serve as a guard of honour. A number of other pri- vate carriages from the Government stables
At the dinner at Government House Lá Hung-chang made a short speech. We translate it from the report in the Courrier de Saigon:—
Ladies and gentlemen, I drink to your health, to the prosperity of the French Government, and I rejoice at the important event which sup- plies the motive of our passage through this country.
We are going, as you know, to the coronation of the Emperor of Russia, H.M. the Czar Alexander. The Emperor of China, our master, has confided to us this im- portant mission. We are going direct to Alexan- dria, whence a special ship will take us to Odessa, and thence we proceed to Moscow by the most rapid means.
After the coronation of the Czar we will visit Europe; passing through Berlin we will go to Paris, to present to the respective Governments of these two countries the letters of thanks of which we are the bearers expressing to France and Germany the satisfaction of the Tsungli Yamen and of our Emperor at the part taken by these two powers in the restitution to China of the province of Liaotnng by the Japanese. We thank you, M. le Gouverneur and gentlemen, for the cordial reception which
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.