346
has been accorded to us by the population of Cochin-China, and for the kindress of your Government. We will send a telegram to the Teungli Yamen to acquaint it with all the details of our visit to Cochin-China and re- questing the Yamen to thank the President of the French Republic in our name.
LI HUNG-CHAN · AT SINGAPORE.
HIS EXCELLENCY'S EXPLANATION OF WHY
HE DID NOT LAND AT HONGKONG,
Singapore, Sth April. Yesterday afternoon, at one o'clock, 'His Ex- cellency Li Hung-chang received, at Govern- ment House. between forty and fifty of the principal Chinese residents of Singapore. The to the Chinese Consul-General, and anyone arrangements were entrusted by the Governor desirous of being presented had to leave his
name at the Consulate. There was no limitation
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
him throughout his drive in the afternoon. The well-known fact that many Chinese resident were very bitter against Li Hung-chang owing to the disastrous war with Japan caused the Police to be more anxious for His Excellency's safety than they would otherwise have been. His determination to drive straight from Mr. Seah Leang Seah's garden to the vessel was somewhat of a surprise, as it was understood he would not leave till considerably later. His decision was attributed to fatigue.
LI HUNG-CHANG WILL MEET LORD
SALISBURY.
:
We are authoritatively informed that, on the conclusion of the coronation festivities in Mos- cow, Li Hung-chang will go to London, where he is entrusted with a special political mission to the Marquis of Salisbury. Questions of great importance to British trade and political
the two statesmen. supremacy in the Far East will be discussed by While in England His Excellency will be received and and entertained by Her Majesty the Queen., Li Hung-chang either of rauk or position. The Chinese had previously arranged to return to China by Advisory Board and the Society for the Protec- tion of Women and Girls were very fully repre-experience of the fatigue that would be entailed way of America, but he has now decided, after sented, and nearly all the principal merchants by so long a journey, to return via Suez Canal. were in attendance. Among those present were: the Hon. Dr. Lim Boon Keng, Mr. Lim Sam, Mr. Lee Ching Yuen, Mr. Seah Leang Seal, Mr. Tan Jiak Kim, and Mr. Wee Kim Yiu. The presentations were made in sections, accord- ing to the provinces of China, to which those present belonged:
Tew Chew, Fokien, and
WHY HE DID NOT LAND AT HONGKONG,
[April 23, 1896.
THE NEW CHINESE PUSTÁL ·
SERVICE.
In appears, according to some accounts, that this country will have to thank H.E. Chang Chih-tung for the establishment of a regular Government postal service. H.E. recently sent a despatch to the Tsungli Yamen, enclosing statistics of the postal services of Great Britain and the United States and suggesting that the Yamen should memorialise the Throne on the matter. As an incentive H.E. stated that "the United States had received in revenue, through. its post, an average of $64,209,490 per annum for the last eighteen years, while in Great Britain the Government received on an average from thirty to forty million dollars." As we know, the Tsungli Yamen memorialised in favour of the innovation, which has received the sanction of the Throne, Sir Robert Hart having been appointed Postmaster-General. The latter has presented a report to the Throne as to what should be observed in this new service, the report being embodied in some forty-four articles. This received the Imperial sanction on the 20th of March last, The Tsungli Yamen has there- fore since then sent a circular despatch to the various Viceroys, Governors, and Tartar Gene- Li Hung-chang officially stated, at the Chirals of the Empire informing them that H.I.M. nese Consulate yesterday, his reasons for not the Emperor had sanctioned on the 20th of landing at Hongkong
He remained on board March a scheme for the enlargement of the the steamer in deference to the advice of his present Customs postal service on Western medical adviser, who feared the plague in the lines and that this service was intended to island. Dr. Irwin said there would be no risk be extended throughout the whole Empire. and that there was every evidence that a large revenue would accrue from this new step, &c. We hear that the Government will give every opportunity to the members of the various pri- join the Government staff, and thus one great vate postal and courier offices of the country to
cause of discontent amongst a large class of people in the country will be removed. scheme is Mr. F. Corsten, civil engineer, of The real author of the new Chinese postal
Nanking and Shanghai. He suggested the scheme to H.E. Chang Chih-tung in August last, and was instructed by the Viceroy to draw up rogulations for a service for the three pro- vinces under H.E. Chang's jurisdiction..
The scheme has since been extended to the whole Empire. and Sir Robert Hart, Bart., has been put at the head of it by the Emperor.-N. C. Daily News.
Canton were the provinces mainly represented. in His Excellency himself going ashore; but if / Further, that China would join the Postal Union
The kow-tow, on the suggestion of the Governor, was dispensed with. Li Hung-chang, according
to custom, would have had to return the com- plete prostrations offered him, and this, it was considered, would have been too fatiguing to a man of his years. Consequently, a low bow with bended knee was substituted. The cere-
mony lasted nearly an hour, and, for a short time afterwards, Li Hung-chang rested and con- versed with the Governor.
At three o'clock, His Excellency drore, in one
he went his servants would also land, and the infection might be brought aboard. While he
remained on the vessel none of his servants would dare to land.
Li Hung-chang was also very anxious to proceed. He feared a nine days quarantine at Singapore, and was afraid that he might arrive in Russia too late for the coronation, which is fixed for the 14th of May. Should the Ernest Simons be at all delayed, the Russian Government has arranged to send a of he Governor's carriages, to the Chinese Con-warship to Alexandria so that Li Hung-chang sulate where he was received with great ceremony, Straits Times.
may go to Moscow by way of the Black Sea. the Consulate having been decorated for the occa- sion. The Consul conducted His Excellency to his room on the first floor, where he rested for a time. The distinguished visitor seemed to feel the heat considerably, and, to cool himself, threw off some of his ceremonial costume. At
A CHINESE IMPERIAL POST
OFFICE,
A few days ago Peking Government, owing to financial strin- was obliged to sanction, amongst other things, the establishment of a rational and uniform postal system throughout the empire, under the control of foreigners. like the I. M.
We mentioned that the
four o'clock he reappeared and was entertained at a grand banquet, at which the members of thegency, Embassy, and the staff of the Consulate, were present. His Excellency, however, is most par- ticular as to his diet, and ouly partook of a few plain dishes. At half-past four the Colonial Secretary, on behalf of the Governor, returned His Excellency's call, and at five o'clock the Governor sent down a carriage, and Li Hung- chang went for a drive around Singapore, calling at Mr. Seah Leang Seah's charming gardens on the Serangoon Road, where he was hospitably entertained. Throughout his drive His Excellency was followed, in another car- riage, by Captain Herbert, A. D. C., and by Mr. Police Superintendent Bell. From the Gar dens Li Hung-chang drove direct to the Borneo Wharf, which he reached at half-past six, the
steamer leaving at half-past eight. The Chi- nese Consul and the whole of his staff were present to bid His Excellency farewell. The Chinese Consul General is Mr. Thio Tianw
Siat, and the Assistant Consul-General is Mr. Low Yuk Lin.
II.E. GRATIFIED WITH IS RECEPTION.
The Chinese Consul, in conversation this morning at the Straits Times Office, said Li Hung-chang expressed himself as greatly pleased with his reception, although he had felt somewhat fatigued. H.E. said he thought the Governor was extremely kind to him.
POLICE ARRANGEMENTS.
Very complete measures for the protection of Li Hung-chang were taken yesterday by Mr. Bell, Superintendent of Police. A special force of constables was detailed for duty along the routes traversed by His Excellency. A large number was stationed at the entrance to Government House, and throughout the day around the Chinese Consulate. Chief In- spector Jennings was in attendance during His Excellency's drive from Government House to the Consulate, and Mr. Bell himself followed'
Customs. Indeed, 85 &
matter of fact, some three years ago such a scheme was actually sanctioned by the Throne and Sir Robert Hart was entrusted to draw up a plan for superceding the existing disconnected and irresponsible private system, which is, how ever, surprisingly well condu ted and admirably and safely managed, except that the rates charged. for the carriage of letters strikes foreigners as exorbitantly high, and must of necessity greatly restrict communication between the various portions of the empire. At that time it was believed the new scheme would be inaugurated designed and details arranged, but somehow it without delay, and the stamps were actually fell through-really because of the opposition from high quarters interested in the maintenance of the present archaic and expensive system. Now it is said a Decree has been issued authoris. ing the I. G. to organize the postal service at once, in the hope that he will earn a revenue out of it for the Peking Government.--China
Gazette.
The Shanghai Mercury says:-Original shareholders of the Shanghai Langkat To- bacco Company, Limited, have been extremely fortunate. At the beginning of the current year the shares were quoted at Tls. 245 On the 6th of March they had gone up to Tls 310, and on Saturday (11th April) the closing quotation was Tls. 345. This rise in the price of shares, that were issued at Tls. 100, is owing to the discovery of oil on the estate, and in connection with which two large tanks are to be built at Pootung, just below Messrs. Arnhold, Karberg & Co.'s permises, and we have no doubt that the Langkat oil will find a ready and profitable market throughout China.
|
HONGKONG.
On
After a long spell of close humid weather the sun has made its appearance and during the past two days it has been very powerful. The plague continues and yesterday there were seven cases, the total for the year now being 554. On the 15th inst. Major-General Black made the annual inspection of the Volunteers and complimented them upon their work. Friday Hon. H. E. Pollock delivered an in- teresting lecture at the Odd Volumes Society's room on the younger Pitt. On Saturday Mr. R. Cooke was the recipient of a handsome presentation on his departure for England on leave. On Monday the annual meeting of the Hospital was held and a satisfactory report was the Alice Memorial Finance Committee of
presented.
Museum last
There were 2,137 visitors to the City Hall week, of whom 180 were. Europeans.
It is notified in the Gazette that Mr. Felipe S. Mesa has been recognised as in charge of the Consulate-General of Peru.
There were twelve cases of plague on the 15th April, nine on the 16th, ten on the 17th, four on the 18th, nine on the 19th, seven on the 20th, and eleven on the 21st.
At the recent Easter Rifle meeting H. E. Sir William Robinson, K.C.M.G., presented two $10 notes on the range as prizes in the Ladies' Nomination Competition No. 4.
Shortly after nine o'clock on the 14th April four armed men entered 8 second-hand clothes shop at 90, Queen's Road East and took four fokis into a back compartment, tied them up, and bade them keep silence. The robbers, who were possessed of revolvers, then ransacked the shop and stole olothing and money of the value of $100. The fokis have told the police that they can identify the robbers.
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