THE RECORD OF THE YEAR.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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part of the year parts of South Chi quarantine to which were subjected at various ports a serious burden on commerce. however, no such panic and exodus Chinese population as that which prevailed in connection with the 1894 outbreak the interference with local trade was paratively small. A serious outbre cattle plague occurred at the Dairy Company's premises at Pokfulam and the Company lost almost its entire herd, but fortunately the disease did not spread the other dairies. A disaster of appalling magnitude was the great tidal wave, which swept the north-east coast of Japan June causing a loss of about twenty sand lives. Japan also suffere during the summer from floods, the latter for a time inter railway communication at various In Hongkong we had on the 29th July the most severe typhoon that has visited the colony since the memorable typhoon of 1874. but thanks to the timely warning given the damage wrought was comparatively small, Under the heading of maritime disasters two stand out conspicuously for the lamentable loss of life by which they were attended and one of them for the noble heroisin displayed. On the 29th July the German gunboat Iltis was driven on to a rock off, the Shantung Promontory and broke in two. The majority of the crew were on the after part of the vessel and went down with her singing a patriotic song, an incident that will live in. history amongst the tales of heroism of the sea. Seventy-seven men and all the officers were lost, the number saved being eleven only. The other maritime casualty notable for the loss of life it entailed is the disastrous collision which occurred near Woosung on the 30th April between the steamers Onwo and Newchwang, by which some hundred and fifty lives were lost.
18 trying to promote trade in her but while the differential The year 1896, though it has not been force the success attendent upon her fforts without its misfortunes, and very serious is not likely to be large. The Chauvinist are ones, may be looked back upon as having journals of Saigon, Haiphong, and Hanoi been on the whole one of general prosperity continue steadily girding at Siam and trying in the Far East. In the earlier part of the to foment quarrels and difficulties with a year money was plentiful and trade brisk, view to further territorial annexations on and the values of all first class securities the part of France at the expense of Siam, advanced considerably. Latterly the con- but there is no reason to suppose the Paris ditions have been less favourable. The Government contemplates any departure financial drain upon China caused by the from the agreement arrived at with England recent war with Japan has been felt more respecting the integrity of Siam proper. In acutely than at an earlier period and this, Siam itself progress is slower than we would coupled with the high price of food stuffs like to see it, but it is fair to observe that caused by crop failures, has given rise to efforts are being made to improve the some stringency in the local money market administration of the law and to place the and to restricted consumption of various finances on a better basis. In the Philip lines of imports. This, however, is a tem- pines, with which Hongkong has important porary check only, for crop prospects are commercial connections, a formidable now favourable, while as to China's financial rebellion broke out at the end of August. A embarrassments, they are not more than the large number of troops have been sent out country can very easily bear, with anything from Spain to assist in quelling the move like an intelligent administration of her ment, but at present the prospects of a speedy resources, and fortunately there are signs restoration of peace do not appear promising. of the gradual opening up of the country. In our purely local politics, perhaps the The year has seen the opening of several new most important event that calls for notice ports to foreign trade, a railway line connect is the change that has been effected in the ing the capital with Tientsin is approaching constitution of the Executive and Legisla- completion, and the construction of a line tive Councils. Two unofficial members have from Peking to Hankow, to be subsequently been added to the former body, so that local extended to Canton, has been decided upon. interests are now directly represented It may be some time yet before the latter in the Government. This is one of scheme materialises, but events are moving the results of the ratepayers' petition in that direction. The opening of the West for a larger amount of local control over River was agreed to by China in the early local affairs, and although the concession part of the year, but the date for giving has not been made in the form the majority effect to the agreement was deferred pending of the European residents desired, it is none the settlement of other questions, including the less an important and valuable exten- the settlement of the Yunnan and Burmese sion of the principle contended for. In the frontier and also, we believe, the extension Legislative Council seats have been given of the boundaries of this colony. Mean- to the Officer Commanding the Troops and time preparations for the opening of to an additional Chinese member. The Wuchow, the principal port on the river, presence of the General in the Council, have been in progress, the building of the especially as the government is in future Custom-house being almost completed, and to devolve upon him in the absence of the there is every reason to believe that early Governor, will prove a public advantage, in the year now entered upon steamers will and the presence of another Chinese be seen
plying upon that fine waterway. member on the unofficial side, if it does not An agitation has also been in progress for a do much good, will at least do no serious revision of the Chinese fiscal system as harm. The Sanitary Board question has applied to the taxation of foreign 'imports. been agitated throughout the year, but a China in want of money and wishes to in- few days ago a despatch was received from crease the Customs tariff. To this foreign the Secretary of State postponing the settle- merchants offer no objection provided one ment of the constitution of the Board until payment franks the goods throughout the em- the arrival of Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON's pire and the lekin squeeze is done away with. successor. We take this to mean that Mr. Whether China will agree to these terms or CHAMBERLAIN is inclined to sanction an not remains to be seen, but the abolition of the unofficial majority on the Board, in ac- wasteful lekin system with its all pervading cordance with the wishes of the inhabitants peculation would prove as profitable to the as emphatically expressed in the poll held
one. In Hongkong Dr. Chinese revenue as to foreign trade. An in May, but that he deems it desirable to important event of the year was the visit of defer his final decision in order to avoid CARRINGTON has replaced Sir FIEL LI HUNG-CHANG to Europe and America, directly overriding the Governor's re CLARKE 88 Chief Justice and during the has been in the colony he and the fruit of his observations ought to commendations. The military contri- few months make for progress in his own country, bution question has also been warmly has commanded the esteem both o though for the present LI is out of favour discussed during the year, the point legal fraternity and of the public. and unable to exercise the influence heat issue being the taxation of our Right "Rev. Bishop BURDON, formerly possessed.
municipal revenues for Imperial purposes. many years ably preside Turning to the surrounding countries, we The decision of the home Government has of Victoria, has retired
that Japan has been commercially been announced and is against the colony, work, but we und ous during the year and that her but the point will continue to be agitated after spending have run fairly smoothly. In For- whenever opportunity offers with a view of return to Hongk however, she has had a somewhat securing a reconsideration of the decision.labours. The popi difficult task in the establishment of her A minor question that gave rise to some removed to Singapore authority over her new subjects, and india discussion in the earlier part of the year Hongkong by the W
ions on the part of some of her officers was the necessity of constantly guarding ment, whos
painful consequences that were re- against the encroachment of mandarin in- we are sure, by no one more than har fluence in the colony. The particular in- apaneso - Government. Affairs in the cident that brought this old time questio are now quiet and the expectations once more to the front was the ignoring. taimed of the development of the re- the Governor in connection with the open- f Formosa under Japanese Gov-ing of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, bid fair to be fulfilled. In the chief place on the occasion being taken France has secured concessions by the Chinese mandarin from Kowloon nan frontier. In her own way she city. A reference the higher Chinese
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In connection with the changes that have taken place in official and social life we must first note the appointment of Sir CLAUDE MACDONALD as British Minister at Peking. His Excellency received a warm welcome the hands of his nationals, both - at kong and Shanghai as he passed and the impression favourable
to be as br though_nothing
created was highly
on that point. CANTLIE Car event that caused wid the community, for Dr. only taken an active and various public mo
endeared himself to a large cir
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