:
.502
TYPHOON SIGNALS,
This question Was again discussed, the general opinion being in favour of the former system of meteorological signals instead of the storm warnings now in use. It was decided to make further inquiries into the subject.
(l'orrespondence.)
MR. WATTS'S CASE,
1. Victoria View, Kowloon,
30th November, 1897.
The Secretary! The Hongkong Chamber of
Commerce
Dear sir,-I shall be greatly obliged if you will bring the following facts to the notice of your committee.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
In July and August last 1 visited the coal- fields of NorthKwangsi with the object of finding out whether the coal was valuable as a fuel and if transport was practicable to the West River.| In September I returned and at a favourable spot for transport purchased a quantity of about 150 tons for carriage to Canton and Hongkong, depositing a part of the purchase money; but being attacked with agus
had to return to Hongkong, but left my interpreter (Mr. M. C..Shirazee) at the place to arrange for shipment and to see proper delivery. Mr. Shirazee has now returned and reports:-
The man Ho Ching Cheong and his wife have been arrested and taken to Fu Chuen and imprisoned and the money deposited has been returned into his hands; the pretext made is that the man was selling coal which did not belong to him.
To my own knowledge this man had been selling coal, openly since July to various buyers, and from information given he had been doing so for a long time back. The Magistrate at Fa Chuen, whom I saw in Angust, mentioned the fact that this particular man was selling coal and said he hoped I should buy a large quantity so that the people would have more money.
I
| December 30, 1897
are informed that Ho Ching Cheong and his | Odd Volumes Society and they could only hope that the next Governor would be as kind to wife were arrested and thrown into prison at Fu-Chuen, on the pretext that he was selling them as the present one had always been. coal that did not belong to him. Mr. Watts states that the man had previously been selling coal openly since July to various buyers, and had been doing so for a long period. He also says he has reason to believe that the natives have been told that they could not sell anything for export out of the province.
His Excellency then read his paper, which was most ably written. As he hinted at the outset, he did not limit his remarks to his sub- ject, but took a poetic licence with those old masters, Milton and Handel, and made them pegs on which to hang his literary venture. His Excellency discoursed eloquently on litera- ture, then gave a character sketch of Milton, then a historical essay on music, and concluded with a sketch of Handel. In conclusion His Excel-
This appears to be a quite unjustifiable inter- ference, and calculated to prejudice any similar attempts to extend trade in the Two Kwang, and as such calls for immediate protest. Ilency drew a parallel between those two great and understand that Mr. Watts has reported the powerful men. Both physically and mentally case to you and sent in a claim for actual loss there was a remarkable similarity between them. sustained by the action of the local authorities; They were both men of the highest character and of the brightest intelligence. Milton was no and so far as this Chamber can judge, from the
mean musician, and a musician is a poet. They prima facie evidence before it, he has an un-
were both afflicted with blindness and their best doubted grievance, which my Committee trust you will use your influence to redress, not only works were written late in life. Both at certain ou the score of the hardship entailed in the periods of life were steeped in poverty. Milton was insulted and hunted by adversaries and was present instance, but also with a view to check-
certainly once bankrupt. Handel, owing to the ing such official interference between purchaser and seller in the future.-I have the honour machiuations of his enemies, was made a bank- rupt on two occasions. In their literary and to be, sir, your most obedient servant.
musical efforts they were both animated by the same feelings and the same desires. Their object, which, happily for the nation, is still being accomplished, was to enlist the best and deepest sympathies of the people, to elevate the standard of thought and of living, and to leave a permanent impress of good upon the readers and bearers of their immortal works. The lives of both were excessively laborious, but nothing, not even blindness, could daunt their energy or damp their spirit. A week before his death Handel was present at a performance of "Messiah." No one, however fickle or frivolous, could read Milton's imperish-
R. CHATTERTON WILCOX, Secretary.
Byron Brenan, Esq., C.M.G., H.B.M.'s Consul,
Canton.
H. B. M's Consulate, Canton, 14th December, 1897. Sir, I beg to acknowledge receipt of your
letter of the 13th iustant.
I have already brought Mr. Watts' complaint to the notice of the Viceroy and requested him to call on the local officials for an explanation.
I learn from Her Majesty's Cousul at Wu- chow that there is an increasing export trade under transit certificates in the Kwangsi province, so that I expect to hear that the obstruction placed in the way of Mr. Watts is duo in some other cause than a desire to prolubil uative produce leaving the province.-I Further, the purchase was made and depositam, sir, your obedient servant, paid to the wife of Ho Ching Cheong in the presence of the headman of the place where
BYRON BRenan.
Consul.
+$
able bequest, "Paradise Lost," or listen to the divine strains of the "Messiah," Israel in Egypt," or "Judas Maccabeus," without feeling the Deity within," or at least being profoundly impressed and probably benefited thereby. The domestic lives of both men were adorned by virtue, humility, and love. In the mind of
the pits are situated, and the headman expressly The Chairman, Hongkong General Chamber of Milton were purity and piety absolute. Handel
stated that the coal sold was the seller's property, and that as Ho Ching Cheong was frequently absent his wife carried on both the mining and selling of coal during his absence.
After the arrest the people refused to have anything to do with Mr. Shirazee, or even to be seen speaking with him.
I have also reason to believe that the people have been notified that they cannot sell anything for export out of the province, with especial
reference to minerals.
This is undoubtedly an attempt to prevent direct intercourse between the uatives and for- eigners in contravention of treaty rights.
I hare reported the matter to H. B. M.'s Consul, Canton, with an intimation that a claim for actual loss entailed will be sent in, and I would respectfully ask that my complaint be backed up by a representation from the Cham- ber of Commerce, as the action of the Fu Chuen Magistrate, if unreversed and unchecked, would effectually stop any exploitation of the coal deposits of North Kwangsi, whereas if left free from meddlesome, and oppresive interference by the officials, the natural development of the coal and iron deposits might prove of im- mense advantage to the locality and to the industries of Hongkong.
Trusting to hear from you in due course, i am, dear sir, yours faithfully,
FRANK W. WATTS.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
Hongkong, 13th December, 1897. Sit, This Chamber has received from Mr. F. W. Watts a statement in which he com- plains of mandarin interference, and consequent loss, in the attempt to carry on an export business from Kwangsi.
Commerce.
To F. W. Watts. Esq.,
Hongkong General Chasib of Con meree,
Hongkong, 10th Decemb... 17.
Dear Sir, I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 30th nit. complaining of the action of the officials in North Kwangsi and asking this hamber's support in your repre- sentations to the British Consul at Cantou,
In reply, I am instructed to say that your letter has been considered by my Committee and communications opened with H. B. M.'s Consul at Canton, from whom a reply was re ceived yesterday stating that the matter, is receiving his attention.-I am, dear sir, yours faithfully,
R. CHATTERTON WILCOX,
Secretary.
TWO GREAT MEN.
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR'S LECTURE.
was a man of blameless morals and manifested a deep and rational sense of religion.
At the conclusion of the lecture a very hearty role of thanks was passed to His Excellency.
FAREWELL CONCERT BY THE
WEST YORKS BAND.
The Band of the West Yorkshire Regiment has done so much to raise the standard of music in Hongkong and contributed, so mach to the entertainment of the community! that it was only fitting that the public should bid the Regiment farewell at a concert given at the City Hall on Thursday evening, 23rd December. When the Regiment arrived in the colony about twelve months ago musical en- thusiasm was in a somewhat evanescent stage but thanks to a great extent to Mr. W. G. Bentley and his Band the apathetic feeling bas in a large measure disappeared, and people are now more inclined to give an attentive ear to the highest quality of music, although it must be confessed there are still times when true merit appeals in vain for support and is unrewarded. Everyone must feel sorry that the West Yorks Band will a vague announcement, lut it attracted a room full of people at Government House on the 22nd in a few days leave us and we can only trust December. There was an additional attraction that the Band of the incoming Regiment will in that His Excellency the Governor was the contribute as largely to the entertainment of painter of the sketches, but it would be difficult residents the outgoing Band has done. to say
whether curiosity as to the identity of the Lancashire is a very musical county and we two men or the Governor himself proved the
have great hopes that its military represent- greater attraction. The members of the Oddatives will be worthy successors of the West Yorks. Volumes Society all wondered who were the particular great men they were to hear about and if anyone thought two local celebrities were to be honoured he was very greatly mistaken. The giants were Milton and Handel, about whom the Governor had much that was interest,
Two small sketches of two great men
Briefly the complaint is as follows:-Ining to say. September last Mr. Watts purchased about 150 tous of coal in Northern Kwangsi from the owner of the mine, a man named Ho Ching Cheong. After depositing a portion of the purchase money with the owner's wife, Mr Watts, who was suffering from an attack of ague, left his interpreter to make arrangements for the transport of the mineral to. Hongkong. Shortly after the departure of Mr. Watts, we
was
The proceedings opened with a short speech by Hon. W. M. Goodman, the President of the Society, who spoke of the keen interest that the Governor took in all things appertaining to the physical and intellectual improvement of the people, and
of how sorry
the residents of Hongkong were that His Excellency was shortly to leave them. This would be the last lecture His Excellency would deliver to the
аз
The concert opened with Wagner's Fest March " Tannhäuser," for which the Band had the assistance of the Philharmonic Society's. orchestra. The augmentation of string instru ments undoubtedly improved the rendering of the piece, which was played with great vigour and was loudly applanded.
E
The overture from Maritana," which was played without the as- sistance of the amateurs, was really magnificent. The erescendo and diminuendo passages were played with perfect precision and feeling, the oboe and clarionet parts being introduced with considerable success, while the staccato chords were admirable in time and expression. The third item was a reed quartette, (a) "Trau merei" (Schumann), and (b) "Menuet from XII:
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