June 25, 1898.1
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
MACAO.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
MACAO, 22nd June.
supercargoes, took to the ship's three boats, and, the weather being smooth, landed with little difficulty on the rock, one of the boats, which had been damaged when being lowered, being broken in landing. On the following I am glad to say that the plague has now day, the 4th, the Captain and some of the crew died out altogether in this colony and every- went to a larger island in the neighbourhood thing is resuming its normal course. Natives where was are the Korean fishing village. They who had run away to their native places are were received with great kindness by the now returning, and one no longer hears anxions Koreans. The Chinese were able to communi- inquiries, formerly so frequent, as to the hum- cate with the Koreans by means by the written ber of cases of plague per day. I hear that in character. The Koreans at first arranged to
a few days more the mat-sheds erected for the send the shipwrecked men to the Korean main- accommodation of plague patients are to be land, but afterwards they found a Japanese fish-burnt down, and that on the site where these ing boat which agreed to take them to the near- est port or put them aboard a passing vessel. The fishermen took them first to the Gotos, where they stayed for two days, and then came on to Takashima, whence they were brought up on Saturday night by the Yuguo. The rescued men say that they received also very kind treatment from the Japanese who brought them over. The crew are at pre- sent lodged in the Sailors' Home.-Nagasaki Press.
The cargo was insured for Tls. 63.000. The Smit was an iron-screw steamer of 822 tous net, 1,259 tons gross register, and 153 horse-power,
built at Alblasserdam in 1884.
NINGPO.
10th June.
sheds now staud the Government is going to erect a brick and stone hospital for use in any future epidemic that may take place.
On the 1st July a new set of stamps is to be introduced in our Post Office. The values are
all stated in cents instead of in reis and the set
will number twelve to fourteen.
I hear that the steamer Honam has been chartered by Mr. Lee Sang, of Hongkong, to make a special trip to Macao next Saturday. Mr. Lee Sung has brought a suit against the Macao Vaiseng Company for a large amount which he claims to be owing to him by the Company. The case has already been before the court two or three times, and now Mr. Lee Sang has to appear personally, and is reported to have engaged the Honam to make a special trip to suit his convenience.
CANTON NOTES.
"
All is quiet at the time of writing. There are, however, persistent rumours that several thousand Fenghua men iutend coming to the [FROM THE CHUNG NOOI SAN PO."] city to-day or to-morrow. Every precaution is On the 19th instant heavy rain accompanied being taken by the officials. The principal by thunder and lightning was experienced in gates are well guarded, and only one leaf of Canton throughout the whole day. Much dam. each gate is allowed to be open. Each section
age was done to the trees, houses, and boats by of the city has been warned by criers to abstain
the rain and lightning. An old woman who joining any body of countrymen who may
was doing some work in her house outside the enter the city, as perchance they might be East Gate was killed by lightning. This rain injured if strong measures are taken by the has done a great deal of good, for all the dirty officials. The district magistrate has resign-streets have been well washed. It is expected ed, his post, the indiguity he has suffered at that the plague will rapidly die out after such the hands of the people being his reason. The torrents of rain, which will no doubt have washed Chinghai magistrate has been ordered to act
away the bacilli to a great extent. temporarily as the Ningpo magistrate; but from native reports the Governor at Hangchow is unwilling for him to be established here, as he is too valuable a man for the difficult post at Chinghai. The prefect leaves to-day for Hangchow, to report to the Governor. There have been disturbances in the Yuyao district (Shaohsing), several people having been seriously injured.-N. C. Daily News corres- pondent.
SOCIETE FRANCAISE DES CHAR- BONNAGES DU TONKIN,
1895.
**
Mr. Erich Georg in his weekly share list dated 18th June, says :-Charbonnages are ou offer at $120. The report for 1897 shows a debit balance of working account of fres.148,031.56, which together with fres.177,200.31 debit bal- ance for 1896, makes a total of fres.325,231.87 at debit of working account. The report says that the operations for 1897 show a considerable improvement on former years, the quantities sold being as follows:-
Coal.
Briquettes., Tons 85,803 Tons 7,527 1896.
114,587
14,051 -1897.
143,399
37,757 while the sales for the present year, of coal alone, are expected to be not less than 200,000 tous, 152,000 tons having been contracted for already for this year, at prices which show a marked improvement on former ones. But for the higher freights ruling, the result for 1897 would have shown better results, but this item will not show again so much this year, as the greater part of the contracts are now made f.o.b. Hongay. During this year the Hougay briquette factory will be extended to meet the increasing demand for this product of the Com-
pany.
**
A Peking,telegram in the Japanese papers states that Great Britain has obtained the privilege of constructing railways from Shang- hai to Nanking only. The Chinese Goreru- ment has not yet conceded the privilege of eonstructing the line between Shanghai and Ningpo.
Three men surnamed Wong, Wan, and Ching, who were alleged to be members of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's movement and who had made every preparation to raise a rebellion in Heung- shan district, were arrested a few days ago. They had a good number of men ander their direction and many junks loaded with arms and ammunition were also ready. They told the people that they had obtained permission from the Canton Government to get these men as lukongs for the protection of the district. All the men had uniforms resembling that of the Inkongs of Canton. They appointed the day of the dragon boats festival, e. the 23rd instant. to raise the rebel standard. The Magistrate of Heuugshan got wind of the affair and tele- graphed to the Canton Government asking that soldiers might be sent thither, in reply to which a gunbo at named Kwong Ching was sent with a number of soldiers. When the soldiers arrived on the scene, the rebels dared not make any re- sistance and the three leaders and some of their followers were arrested.
Several days ago some juuks sent by the charitable institutions in Canton to buy rice in Kwangsi to sell at a low price to the people, and which had permits from the Viceroy exempting them from all the taxes, were illegally detained on their return journey by the Assistant Ma gistrate of Ho Hsien. The Magistrate would not allow them to pass unless ten dollars were paid to him for every ten picals of rice on board. The junks of course would not yield to his wish and sent letters to the charitable institutions stating the misconduct of the Magistrate. The directors of the charitable institutions at once went to report the case to the Viceroy, who im- mediately sent a despatch to the Governor of Kwangsi asking him to tell the Magistrate to let the junks pass without delay and to dismiss the Magistrate. In consequence of this case there is no rice to be sold at cheap rates in Canton at present, but the charitable institutions have fold the people that it will commence again as soon as the rice has arrived.
On the 14th instant at noon a thunder storm suddenly appeared, and the two flagstaffs out. side the Yamen of the Viceroy were burnt by lightning, as if they had been purposely set
515
fire to. A fire alarm was at once sounded and the local Magistrates went with the fire brigade to cope with the fire. It was not, however, until two-thirds of each flagstaff had been com- pletely burnt that the fire could be ex- tinguished. A good many rumours have arisen concerning the fire. The most marvellous one is that heaven has given a warning to the Viceroy to act honestly and not to squeeze too much.
+
An Imperial edict was issued on the 15th instant to the effect that Weng Tung-ho, one of the Grand Secretaries and President of the Board of Revenue was dismissed on account of his inability, dishonesty, and laziness as reported by some censors. He should be severely dealt with, but as he has been in the Government ser- vice for so long a time a special favour has been shown in only dismissing him from office. An Imperial audience is to be granted to Wang Wen-shao, the Viceroy of Chibli, who is to proceed to Peking at once, and his post temporarily taken by Jung Lu, a Manchu, who has just been promoted to be the successor of Weng Tung-ho in the presidency of the Board of Revenue.
to be
On the 12th instaut an Imperial decree was issued approving the proposal of Yung Wei, a Vice-President of a Board, who asked to, send youths of the Royal Family to foreign coun- tries to study their customs and methods of Government, and to establish Chambers of Commerce in every province, of which important merchants should be appointed members. high official must be appointed to be the head of each Chamber of Commerce.
HONGKONG.
A
The Japanese warship Akitsushima arrived on 19th June, from the Pescadores:
There were 1,538 visitors to the City Hall Museum last week, of whom 149 were Europeans. The handsome new offices of the Cable Com- panies on the Praya were opened for business yesterday.
A Japanese press telegram states that the term of lease of the district around Kowloon is 99 years from the 1st July.
The Raub Australian Gold Mining Co., Limited, advertises another dividend of Is. per share, payable on the 2nd August.
Monday being Accession Day the men-of- war in the harbour were decorated with bunt- ing and at noon a salute was fired.
We understand that Bishop Hoare was to be consecrated on the 11th June and that he and Mrs. Hoare leave England on the 11th October.
At the Magistracy on Saturday 14 persons were summoued for using houses in Second street without authority from the Sanitary Board, and in each case a fine of $25 was imposed.
The replacing of cocklofts removed by the cleansing gangs still goes on. Commander Hastings had nine persons before him on Satur- day for this offence, and imposed fines ranging from $3 to $12.
Much sympathy will be felt with Captain and Mrs. Hastings in the loss of their little boy Gerald, who died on 20th June after a very brief illness. The funeral took place the same afternoon.
At the Magistracy on Saturday Commander Hastings had before him a Chinaman who was charged with stealing the following articles, which are valued at $1,000-oue air-pumping machine, one-diver's suit and boots, 110 feet of hose, two lead sinkers, and a quantity of rope, the property of a contractor engaged in the erection of a pier at Kennedytown. On the application of Mr. Reece, who appeared for the defence, a remand was granted, bail of $500 being allowed.
The Union says We believe there is con- siderable discontent among the members of the outdoor staff of the Customs at Kowloon. It seems there are some eighteen third class tidewaiters, while there are only one 1st class and three 2nd class tidewaiters. Some of the 3rd class have been stationed at Kowloon for years. Perhaps they are such good men that the I. G. cannot make up his mind to shift them to other ports where they may not be so useful. It's hard lines for the men, nevertheless. Where promotion is concerned, Kowloon appears to have been left out in the cold.
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