September 1, 1897.)
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
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east of the Kwangtung Province, I finally suc- kong to Canton. I must point out that no transit pass can be obtained in Canton unless ceeded, with Mr. Fraser's aid, in getting the the cargo is imported by foreign ships. At Prefect to issue proclamations sanctioning free that time there appeared to be an understand-sale of kerosine oil and other cargo arriving ing among the shipping companies trading to under transit pass. I also visited Lienchow, in Canton that no kerosine should be carried. I the north-west of Kwangtung, where I met I then felt that my called and enquired at every shipping office iu with the same success. the trade to obtain carriage for my oil, but was duty was done and returned well pleased with Had I not, however, re- refused space at any price. Among them might the object attained. be mentioned Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co. | ceived the substantial support, which I did, from "He that will to Couper man to Couper," so I | H.M.'s Acting. Cousul at Canton, Mr. Fraser. purchased an old South Sea Island schooner, my endeavours would have been wasted in vain. To him and his superiors in Peking I owe my got her registered so that she could carry a flag, got her towed up to Canton, where I deepest gratitude.
The question of the inward transit pass sys- obtained transit passes in equal quantities to the principal centres of trade in Kwang-tem having been settled arrangements were si, viz., Kwileinfoo in the north, Lowchowfoo also carried, under certain rules, for outward in the west, and, Namningfoo in the south. transit pass goods. This I had nothing to do The schooner, which was named the 'uchowfoo, with, but the one had to follow the other, so I returned to Hongkong, where she was wrecked | cannot be blamed for taking redit for both, in the typhoon of 29th July last year, when the and there is not a merchant in Canton of any Captain (Jay) was drowned. However, I pro-importance who does not take advantage of either ceeded with my cargo up the West River, and, one or the other or both. Take one or two Ger- man firms, for instance: they have traced my with the exception of a threatened attack from pirates, I arrived safely at Wuchow footsteps so fine that in order to convey kerosine after, a passage of nine days from Canton, oil from Hongkong to Canton, and bound, under and again. my trouble began. The kerosine transit pass, for places on the North River, have oil farmer, who before this collected 30 cents either for themselves or acting for Chinamen, per ease on all kerosine which passed through purchased Chinese junks and obtained a register Canton, despatched a steam-launch to Wu- under the British flag in order to secure clieap chow to warn all merchants not to buy my transport.. oil under threat of their being fined and their shops closed. I put myself at ones into com- munication with Mr. Fraser, and through his representations with the officials the farmer's steam-launch was withdrawn and I was informed by the Prefect there would he no further trouble. However, confidence was not easily restored among the dealers. I despatched the three cousignments into the interior, each in charge of one of my servants, but after ten days I conld not get an offer for the portion retained for sale at Wuchow (about 1,500 cases). A new idea struck me. large siguboard printed in largo Chinese characters meaning something to the following effect: -"John Andrew, foreign merchant, dealer in kerosine oil, single cases for sale." On the first day I sold five cases singly, and continued selling in small quantities for six weeks, the largest quantity at one time being ten cases. By this time confidence was restored and the large dealers came forward and in a few days I was rid of the whole cargo, my detention on this occasion being about two months. My servants from Kwelim and
in returued
due course with Namning the proceeds of their consignments. having experienced no difficulty. At Lowehow my man met with considerable obstruction and detention, but eventually, with Mr. Fraser's help again, he came back with the money. I felt pleased at the successful termination of my trip, although by no means a paying one, but I looked forward to obtaining a good market and speedy clearance on another cargo which I It was towards intended to bring up at once.
I had a
the end of August that I left Wnchow, and on the following morning one might imagine my surprise to meet fire cargo boats deeply laden with kerosine oil, each adorned with the house flag of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co. and escorted by a European in a batow boat. All my hopes of recouping my loss on the first venture were crushed: to place 3,000 cases on the top of what I bad already sold meant about two months' supply on the then small market of Wuchow. I never felt smaller in all my life, and although I had no reason to complain about had other people taking advantage of work volunteered 'o do. I do most bitterly complain that I was not treated fairly. These 3,000 cases belonging to the Ewo firm had been brought up to Canton by one of the Indo-China steamers and I naturally had a grievance at their accepting freight from others that they firmly and distinct- ly refused to me. Had I been granted the same previlege I would have saved the loss occasioned by the wreck of the Wuchowfoo and the life of one European would have been spared.
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My explanation is almost done. The question What about which might natually arise is, the opening of the West River?" In auswer to this I can merely say that I selected Wu- chow on the West River as my base of opera- tions over the transit pass case knowing that H.M.'s Government only wanted some excuse for insisting upon the Chinese opening the river to trade. I found the excuse and it might have been years before such another opportunity turned up. The Chamber of Commerce were good enough to mention in their last an- nual report that " Mr. Andrew's claim against the Chinese Government had been settled satis- factorily." Where they got their information from 1 don't know, but if the case was settled no thanks are due to them. If under the heading of
Opening of the West River" in the same report they had expressed their thanks for the good work I had done it would have been more to the point. Ijam not, however, a member of the Chamber, but it might have been a proper thing on the part of the Committee to ask me to become 1 have met one. I may almost say that with more obstruction, opposition, and competi- tion from the European mercantile community of Hongkong in carrying nut the transit pass system than I did from the Chinese officials. The weakest must go to the wall and I suppose I must take a back seat among all the wealthy merchants who now make use of transit passes, but I have had my say and the arm raised for Justice and Merev.
JOHN ANDREW, Hongkong, 27th August. 1897.
THE PUNJOM MINING CO.,
LIMITED.
The Secretary of the Punjom Mining Co.. Limited, advises ns that he has received the following progress report from the Manager at the Mines on work carried on at Punjom during the month of July
August Shaft 200 ft. Level.-Fair progress has again been made in sinking this shaft below the 200 feet level, 28 Fret having been completed during the month. than this even would have been made but for a hard bar of ground which came into the shaft at the latter end of the month.
Better progress
*
The ground is again favourșble for further sinking and 1 am in hopes of eeing the sink ing completed to the 315 feet level and the cross-cut commenced by shout the end of the coming month. We are still able to handle the water by buckets, but as soon as the cross-cut is sufficiently advanced the pump will be put
in use.
The total depth of the shaft is 293 ft. 6 in.
In the stopes to the west of the new shaft the reef is very strong and occasionally shews patches of ore carrying tree gold, but taken as We bare not a whole the ore is very poor.
With the market of Wuchow closed to me with kerosine I decided to try green fields and pastures new and accordingly started up the North River with kerosine towards the end of the year. The first venture was 2,500 cases and although I met with considerable detention on the first occasion | succeeded in finding any pockets of value during by official obstruction at Sewchowfoo, to the north | the month, but as the character of the reef is
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patchy we may get them as we stope out the ground. The reef is terribly hard, and is let- ting out a quantity of water, hence we do not win nearly the quantity of ore one might expect to get from such a big reef,
The Chinese miners make but a very poor showing in such hard ground and as we may expect this kind of ground as we go deeper the question of introducing rock drills will soon have to be considered.
If the reef when found in the level we shall soon be opening at 300 ft. warrants the outlay at least three drills shonll be got at once.
Intermediate Level.--The drive here to go up to the north shaft has been extended 36 feet, making its total length 70 feet 6 inches. Of course you will know that the object in driving this level is to prepare for working the reef seen to the west of the new shaft at the 200 feet level.
110 feet Level.-The stopes above this level have again given their usual quantity of ore for the mill, but I regret to say the quality is not very good. Another month will see these stopes almost, if not quite, exhausted.
North Shaft-Owing to a great influx of water, work had to be suspended here in the early part of the mouth, hence only 2 feet have been sunk. We are now fixing the Evans We have pump and hope to have it completed and sinking resumed within the coming week. made some important alterations to the pump itself so as to do away with the necessity of sending the steam cylinder down in the shaft.
The total drivage for the month is 205 feet 6 inches; ore mine, 150 tons.
Milling. This was carried on during 31 days, crushing 450 tons of ore from the mine yield- ing 135 ozs., aud 1861 tons of headings yielding 197 ozs. 6 wts, of smelted gold.
Caleining Works.-These works treated $5 tons of concentrates for a yield of 15 ozs. of smelled gold.
Cyanide Works-These works ran 26 days treating 630 tons of tailings for a yield of 305 oz8. 10 dwts. of bullion valued an 21 48. 44d. per oz.
General.-The usual attention has been given to all work coming nudler this head and every- thing kept in good order.
Labour. The supply of this eontiunes to be fairly plentiful.
Health. This has been fairly good. Rainfall.-The total rainfall for the month is 9 inches.
THE BUREKA AND QUEEN MINES.
Messrs. John D. Humphreys and Son, the General Managers, inform us that they have received the following telegram, which has level: Estimated the width of the reef is five reference to the Eureka mine at the 210 foot feet; has the appearance of good body of ore."
The following reports were received by yesterday's mail:- NEW BALMORAL GOLD MINING CO., LIMITED.
Mount Macdonaki, 5th August 1897. Queen Mine-Fair progress is being made by the contractors for sinking the main shaft; they have now sunk a total of 82 feet, leaving 18 feet to complete their contract. The ground is fairly good, continuing dry, and unless a decided change takes place. we advise that the sinking be continued after completion of the
contract.
Bulmoral Mine-The tributors on G.L. 5 are now raising stone, which will be crushed next week, when its value will be proved. The stone raised shows gold.
We have started two men on G.L. 6 known locally as the "Trn- Blue," and have commenced to drive a tunnel to get apiersome old workings owing to a heavy inflow of water they were where formerly goud go was obtained, but abandoned. By tunnelling. this difficulty will be overcome, and there is every probability that we may meet with good stone.
p. pro, Jon D. HUMPHREYS & SON. C. J. WILLMOTT. OLIVERS FREEHOLD MINES, LIMITED,
Mount Macdonald, 6th August, 1897. Eureka Mine. Since reporting on the 23rd alt, work in the various portions of the mine has been going on most satisfactorily, and the developments are most encouraging. At the 200 feet level the drives north and south on the
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