466
The battery, the pumps, the rotating pans, and the saw-mill are driven by water power. The water is obtained from the Jalis River, and coming through a race, flows over a water wheel thirty feet in diameter, developing thirty-eight horse-power. About a mile up stream the diver is dammed to a height of fifteen feet, for storago purposes in case of drought, and the present ar- rangements are capable of extensive development, should the occasion arise for extra machinery, Even now there is sufficiont power obtainable, with a little rearrangement, to run a dynamo, and illuminate the works with electricity. The timber required in the various operations is floated down the Jalis and the main water race. and so direct to the saw-mill. This water power is undoubtedly a very great factor in the econom ical working of the Punjom Mines, and may prove of still greater use hereafter. The gold production during recent months has been of a promising character, and there is reason to believe that, if the development work is pushed forward, a good future lies before the Company. Thus in April the mill ran 29 days crushing 434 tons yielding 171 ounces of gold. Fifty tons of concentrates calcined, 49 ounces of gold, 1,700 tons of "headings" erushed yielded 212 ounces of gold. Pockets, 195 ounces of gold. Total output, 627 ounces.
THE RETURNS.
The following return shows the output of gold from Pahang for 1896 and for the first four months of 1897. The figures are given in ounces, and dwts. have been omitted for con- venience of printing. The cyanide process was begun at Punjom in April of 1896. The Silensing machinery was broken down during the greater part of the first three months of 1897. Raub has 20 head of stamps, Punjom has 22 head, and Silensing has 30 head. OUIPUT OF GOLD FROM PAHANG MINES 1896-1897-
Raub
Punjom Silensing Mill Cyanide Mill Gold. Gold. Gold. 506 377
Month.
Mill
1896.
Gold.
January
364
February
1,119
502
March
655
April
1,121
503
595
265
622
May
517
237
June
1,008 60!
261
393
231
July
603
280
August
1,176
246
444
604
September
654 487
183
1,912
October
ΤΟΥ
307
204
November
GOS
2-18
374
December
1,806
- 352
285
528
1897.
January
315
67
February
1,833
236
203
377 289
2,555
March April
625 102 1,750
12,533 8,151 3,167 6,393 Silensing machinery was broken down during the greater part of January, February, and March, 1897.
Punjom-Cyanide was only commenced in April, 1896. Cyanide return for. September, 1896, is for August and September work.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
occasion for raising additional funds. The shareholders would do well to ponder on the situation. It is perfectly certain that an out. put such as that reported for April, however encouraging, will not permit of development work on anything like the proper scale, much | less will it earn anything for the patient holders of shares. Nothing will do but a bold forward policy. Money must be raised, and money must be spent in developing the property. Such development might not, perhaps, answer.expec tations, but it is reasonable to assume, in the light of such prospecting as has been done, that it would do. so, for Punjom lies in the direct line of a known gold-bearing country. In any case it is idle to expect that the present policy will result in anything but disappointment. Low grade miues cannot pay under a hand-to- mouth system of development and working. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the Company will not much longer allow so excellent a pro- perty to lie to all intents and purposes fallow.
SUPREME COURT.
8th June.
IN ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION.
BEFORE SIR JOHN CARRINGTON. (CHIEF JUSTICE.)
[
CHINA NAVIGATION CO., LIMITED, V. THE
STEAMSHIP NORMANDY. The defendants mored for a dismissal of the plaintiffs' action on the ground that proceed. ings have already been taken in Shanghai. Master) appeared for the plaintiffs and Mr. E. Mr. J. J. Francis, Q.C. (instructed by Mr. Robinson (instructed by Mr. J. Hastings) for
the defendants.
Mr. Francis raised a preliminary objection to the motion on the ground that defendants had already entered an appearance absolute and that they had allowed such a long time to elapse before applying for the dismissal of the action.
Mr. Robinson cited various authorities to show that objections to the jurisdiction had been raised although an appearance absc'rte had been entered, and he contended that pro- ceedings by a motion to dismiss was the recog- nised practice.
His Lordship reserved his decision.
HONGKONG CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE,
At the monthly meeting of the General Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, held at 3 p.m. on the 4th inst. H. Smith (Vice-Chairman). N. J. Ede, T. Present? Messrs. R. M. Gray (Chairman),
Jackson, St. C. Michaelsen, N. A. Siebs, T. H. Whitehead, and R. C. Wilcox (Secretary).
The minutes of the last monthly meeting were read and confirmed.
NEW MEMBERS.
Mr. J. R. Michael and Messrs. Scheele & Co. had been elected members during the past month.
HONGKONG'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE POSTAL SUBSIDY.
The report of the Sub-Committee appointed to inquire into the above subject having been circulated and considered, a draft reply to the request made by the Government to be furnished with the Chamber's views thereon was debated and passed.
QUARANTINE REGULATIONS.
[June 17, 1897,
six gentlemen intimately connected with the shipping interest-Messrs. W. Poate, C. W. Richards, A. M. Marshall, J. H. Lewis, E. S. Whealler, and J. Goosmann-to express their joint views to the General Committee of the Chamber.
PROPOSED
EXTENSION SEAWARD OF THE
NAVAL YARD.
In conformity with decision arrived at on the 7th ult., a letter had been addressed. on the 14th alt., to the Government, calling attention to the possible jujurious effect on the fairway and on the foreshore the proposed extensive reclamation in front of the Naval Yard may have.
Read two letters in reply, dated 20th and 25th May respectively, from the Colonial Secretary, the latter enclosing a despatch from the Commodore conveying an assurance that the Chamber's representations would have the careful consideration of the Naval Authorities.
ABOLITION OF TONNAGE DUES AT MACAO.
Read letter from Colonial Secretary, dated 10th May, forwarding copy of a letter from H.B.M.'s Vico-Consul at Macao stating that by a Royal Decree of the 6th May telegraphed from Lisbon, vessels entering Macao from Hongkong, Canton, Pakhoi, Hoihow, ports on the West River, and all other Chinese ports are exempt from tonnage and other dues.
This letter was duly acknowledged on the 4th May.
LIGHT DUES,
Read letter from Liverpool Chamber of Commerce in acknowledgment of Chamber's circular letter of 28th January, which had been favourably considered by the General Hongkong and addressed a letter to Mr. Cham- Trade Committee, who decided to support berlain on the subject, copy of which was
enclosed.
A letter acknowledging receipt of above and thanking the Liverpool Committee for their prompt action in the matter had been despatched.
THE BOUNTY ON RAW SILK IN JAPAN, A letter had, on the 19th May, been addressed to the Yokohama Chamber in reply to their communications announcing the passage of a Bill through the Japanese Diet, and its subse- quent sanction by the Emperor, to put a bounty on silk exported direet from Japan by natives. The letter sympathised with the Yokohama Chamber and expressed a readiness to
co-oper- ate in any steps that may be taken to induce the Japanese Government to reverse their policy. PROPOSED TAX ON IMMIGRANTS IN THE STRAITS SETTLEMENTS,
The Vice-Chairman having called attention to a Bill proposed to be introduced into the Legis- lative Council of the Straits Settlements to provide funds for the erection of Immigrants' per head on each Chinese adult landed, and a Examination Depots by imposing a tax of $1 letter having been received from Messrs. But- terfield and Swire asking the Chamber's oppo- sition to the proposed measure,
A letter was, on the 21st May, addressed to the Government of the Straits Settlements deprecating such tax as calculated to impair the freedom of the ports of that colony and as detrimental to shipping interests, and forwarded to the Colonial Secretary for transmission to Singapore.
Information has since been received to the effect that the proposed legislation has been abandoned.
PROPOSED REGISTRATION OF TRADE MARKS IN STRAITS BETTLEMENTS. Read letter from Singapore Chamber dated 28th May thanking the Committee for the valuable information afforded in the Chamber's letter of 8th May on above subject,
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE. These returns are instructive, particularly in the comparison they afford between the work ing at Ranb and that of Punjom. It will be seen that up to the present year, or, perhaps, to be more accurate, up till the actual working of Bukit Komon at Kaub, there was little to choose between the gold output of the two places. Development persistently carried on. though not yet, it is true, on a large scale, at Raub, has Bukit Komon as its most conspicnous first fruit, and the result at Ranb will, no doubt, be that development work will now be pro- ceeded with on a considerably greater scale. What development has done for Ranb there is every reason to hope it would do for Punjom. But without efficient development mining operations at Panjom might just as well cease. The Purjom Company have a magnificent concession, amounting to one hundred square miles in area, and it does seem manifestly their duty to work at least some portion of it with vigour.. Just previous to the some- what encouraging output of gold reported for April there was some talk of calling for fresh capital in order to extend and enlarge the operations of the Company. But important one and would require careful consid-sent placed under care of Mr. B. Brenan. since then it seems to be considered in Hongeration. Meantime, to secure the opinion of kong that with such an output there may be no those most interested, it was resolved to ask
|
Read letter, dated 14th May, from Colonial Secretary, stating that the Local Government Board had recommended a systematic medical inspection of all vessels entering the waters of the Colony, and enclosing a copy of the new regulations made by that Board in November, 1896. Before entering at length into the scheme for medical inspection the Governor requests the opinion of the Chamber regarding the adoption locally of the sanitary regulations enforced at home, and as to what modifications, if any, the Chamber may think desirable.
It was agreed that the subject was a very
QUARANTINE AT NEIGHBOURING PORTS. Read varions letters in reference to quaran- tine and medical inspection at Bangkok, Neth erlands India ports, and Shanghai, all of which have been published.
THE OPENING OF THE WEST RIVER, Read letter from Colonial Secretary of 3rd inst. enclosing copy of telegram received that day from British Minister, Peking announcing the arrangements for Consular charge of the new Treaty ports of the West River, at pre-
Letter had been acknowledged and copies sent to local Press.
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