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April 29, 1896.]
is not a joint and several promise; it is only joint. I have not the least objection to ask you Lordship to amend my petition by striking out the word " several."
Hon. Ho Kai consented to the amendment, which was thereupon made
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
dealt with by Consul at Canton under instruc- tions from Minister at Peking.
THE INTERVIEW WITH THE NEW BRITISH MINISTER.
An account of the proceedings at the inter- view of the Committee with H.E. Sir Claude MacDonald on the 4th instant was laid on the
table.
PROPOSED CLAIM BY ME. ANDREW FOR DETENTION AT WUCHOW.
Letter read from Mr. Andrew, dated 7th instant, enclosing pro forma account of claim he proposes to make on Chinese Government for loss of time, business, and money incurred by his detention at Wuchow and asking Committee to suggest amount of indemnity and support his demand. Rosolved that reply be sent, stating it was outside the province of Chamber to fix amount of indemnity, but if he failed to obtain satisfaction the Chamber would be ready to assist him in the prosecution of his claim,
FORTHCOMING CONGRESS OF CHAMBERS OF THE EMPIRE.
Replies read from Messrs A. G. Wood and E. Ma kintosh accepting with great pleasure the nomination to act as additional delegates to represent this Chamber at the forthcoming Congress of Chambers.
THE CHAMBER AND THE SANITARY BOARD.
Mr. Francis then explained the facts of the case. In 1889 Wong Tsik Hing was com- pradore to the firm of Douglas, Lapraik and Co., and the two guarantors were both in the compradore's employ in connection with the firm and were securities for the faithful per- formance of his duties. In December of that year the compradore was indebted to Douglas, Lapraik and Co., to the extent of about $40,000, and in the middle of the year he was made a bankrupt. The guarantors were re- sponsible for anything that happened and the defendant had given a mortgage on pro- perty belonging to him and his family to Douglas, Lapraik Co. According to Wong Tsik Hing he was being pressed for payment by the firm and plaintiff was asked to advanca $10,000 for Wong's immediate neces- sities in connection with the business, and as an inducement plaintiff was offered one half share of the compradore's profits and asked to look after the office and accounts. That proposed arrangement could not be entered into until February, 1890, when plaintiff advanced the money and received from Wong Tsik Hing a promissary note and the defendant and his friend became guarantors. The note contained the following words:"It is agreed that interest at the rate of $10 per $1,000 per month be charged. Use of the money limited to two months, after which principal and interest to be paid in full." When this note was given an agreement was entered into, and in con- sideration of the advance plaintiff was, at a future data, to enter into partnership in the compradore's business. As a matter of fact, the agreement was never carried out and in July, 1890, Wong Tsik Hing was dismissed by Douglas Lapraik and Co. Lo King Chee dis-
Foreign Office, appeared from the colony, while the defendant,
March 3rd, 1896. after remaining here two years, went to Japan Sir. The Marquis of Salisbury has received and he returned to the colony in April fast
your telegram of the 29th ultimo calling atten- year. After detailing the facts counsel sug-tion to the obstruction of the sale of Mr. gested that it would be the proper course for Andrew's goods at Wuchow-fu. his learned friend to proceed with his defence first.
Hon. Ho Kai, before calling his witnesses, said his defence was that the plaintiff undertook to take a new promissory note from the prin- cipal debtor after two months had elapsed. He also undertook to look to the principal debtor for the repayment of the whole of the principal and interest and to return to the defendant the original promissory note and release the guaran- tors from all liability.
The defendant was called and he said he signed to guarantee for only two months, be- cause it was agreed that he should be employed in the shipping office by Wong Shik Hing.
Other witnesses were called and judgment was reserved.
The case was not concluded until last Satur- day.
THE HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
At a monthly meeting of the Committee held at the Chamber's Rooms on the 17th April- Present: Messrs. A. McConachie (Vice-Chair- man), J. J. Bell-Irving, N. J. Ede, T. Jackson, St. C. Michaelsen, N. A. Siebs, T. H. White- head, and R. C. Wilcox (Socretary).
The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed
THE COMMITTEE.
The Chairman announced that Mr. R. M. Gray had resigned his seat in consequence of leaving for home.
Mr. Bell-Irving proposed and Mr. Jackson seconded that Mr. Herbert Smith be invited to fill the vacant seat. Carried unanimously.
NEW MEMBER.
Mr. H. Wicking was elected a member of the Chamber.
THE WUCHOW OBSTRUCTION CASE.
Read letter from Mr. Sanderson, of Foreign Office, acknowledging receipt by Lord Salis- bury of the Chamber's telegram of the 29th February and stating that the matter is being
Read a letter from Colonial Secretary, re- questing on behalf of H.E. the Governor to know whether the Chamber has changed its opinions on the subject of the Sanitary Board, and, if so, to be informed of the reasons for such change.
Resolved to reply to effect that if the Governor desired an expression of opinion on the subject it would be necessary to ascertain the opinion of the members of the Chamber.
THE ANNUAL REPORT.
959
patients sent up by the Tung Wa Hospital.on board four boats moored below the southern barrier. The native Press remarks on the strong objection raised amongst the Chinese by what they think the inquisitorial proceedings of the sanitary officers in Hongkong, many men in consequence sending their families out of the colony, and on their rooted prejudice against being treated by European doctors. I have the honour to be, &c.,
E. H. FRASER,
Acting Consul. To the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Hongkong,
There was no discussion on the letter, which
the President said had been sent by the Colonial Secretary for the information of the Board. plague was raging in Hongkong because cases Mr. EDE hoped it would not be thought that
were occurring here.
BAD WELL WATER.
Mr. W. E. Crow, Government Analyst, re- ported having examined six samples of well water. Four of the samples contained impurities and were unfit for potable purposes; two samples were fit for potable purposes. It was resolved to order the closing of the four tainted wells.
WHO KILLED THE OX?
Chan Po, of 14, Temple Street, applied for $25 compensation in respect of an ox which was lodged in the Government cow shed about two weeks ago and was found to have been struck There was no evidence dead on the 7th instant. to prove who killed the animal, but there had been a quarrel between two butchers on the other side of the harbour, and there was every reason to believe that the destruction of the animal was a result of the quarrel.-It was re- solved to forward the application to the Colonial Secretary and to state that it had been circulated
The Chairman announced that the report to members. was in the hands of the printers.
THE FOREIGN OFFICE TO THE CHAMBER,
I am directed by His Lordship to inform you in reply that the case is being dealt with by the Acting British Consul at Canton, who is in communication with Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking on the subject.
Mr. Beauclerk has been asked to report the result of the action taken by him in the matter.-I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
(Signed) T. H. SANDERSON.
The Chairman,
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce.
HONGKONG SANITARY BOARD.
三
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held on the afternoon on the 23rd April at the offices. Hon. F. A. Cooper (Director of Public Works) presided, and there were also present Mr. H. B. Lethbridge (Acting Captain Superintendent of Police), Dr. J. A. Atkinson (Acting Colonial Surgeon), Dr. Clark (Medical Officer Health), Mr. N. J. Ede, and Mr. H. McCallum | (Secretary).
MINUTES.
of
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
CHOLERA AT CALCUTTA.
In reply to a communication from the Colonial Secretary a letter was read from the Under Secretary of the Government of India stating that in the opinion of the Medical Board cholera had not assumed an epidemig. form at Calcutta when their last report was issued. Statistics were enclosed.
PLAGUE RAGING AT CANTON,
The Secretary read the following letter:- H.B.M. Consulate, Canton, 20th April, 1896, Sir,-Referring to previous correspondence I have the honour to report that the bubonic plague rages, even more virulently than at date of last report, throughout the city and suburbs of Canton. An out-patient hospital has been opened at the Temple of Longevity and pre- parations have been made to receive plague
“A LACK OF PRIVACY": A BROTHEL KEEPER'S APPLICATION. Lai Lo, living on the first and second floor of 17, Square Street, wrote complaining that on the 4th April the partitions of nine rooms. which were made of new planks, were taken down and burnt; that the cost of partitioning the rooms was $30, and that the premises are now unoccupied owing to lack of privacy. The petitioner wished to partition off the rooms again, but dared not without authority, nor had she money to buy planks and pay the workmen. She therefore asked for compensation.-The re- ports showed that the woman was a brothel keeper, and Dr. Clark certified that the wood which was removed was in a filthy condition and unfit to be retained in any habitation. He considered the petitioner had no claim against the Board. She did not need the permission of the Board to erect new partitions, provided there was no mezzanine floor in the room.
On the motion of the PRESIDENT it was re- solved to inform the Colonial Secretary that in the opinion of the Board compensation should not be given.
A CASE OF "OCCULT POWER." Messrs Leigh and Orange again wrote to the Secretary respecting their application to sub- stitute conerete for earth against the walls of 118 and 122, Hollywood Road. They consider that "the regrets the Board express as to our proposals are made under a total misapprehen- sion of the case, and that as engineers and architects of long standing in the colony and with a conderable experience of sanitary matters, we are of opinion that we are not doing a work which calls for the implied censure of your letter."
The Secretary appended the following note-- Messrs. Leigh and Orange appear to be in Possession of occult power and can tell when members misapprehend matters.
The President wrote that there was no neces- sity to continue the correspondence.
It was resolved to acknowledge the receipt of the letter and to inform Messrs. Leigh and Orange that the motion implied no censure on their professional reputation.
MORTALITY STATISTICS.
For the week ended 11th April the death rate was 28.6 per 1,000 per annum, as compared with 8.5 for the co responding period of last year. For the week ended 18th April the death rate was 24.4 per annum, and at the corresponding period of last year it was 19.2.
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