April 15, 1899.]
case is practically settled; there only remains a slight dispute with our neighbours as to position of boundaries, which the Consul assures me will be settled in a few days. By arrangement the original lease is cancelled, and new titles (white deed), &c., are now in our hands; we have parted with some of our water frontage, but bare gained a corresponding ares partly on reclaimed land. Altogether, we have obtained a clean perpetual lease, against one terminable in 66 years, a yearly rental of 20 taels against $50, and 30,000 square feet of valuable land with a frontage of 75 feet. I am glad to be in a posi- tion to say that the first two months of this year show a great improvement on the last. The recent extension to the Dock has been practically tested by the docking of & steamer of over 30 feet long and a vessel with over 40 feet beam, leaving ample space in both cases. Turning to the accounts, you will have noticed that the reserve fund has increased by the addinion of $10,500; this is ac- counted for by the disposal of balance of profit realized by the sale of the Kulangeu property after reduction of capital. I am sorry to inform you that chiefly on account of ill-health we are about the lose by retirement our Manager, Mr. J. Anderson, who leaves us about the end of this month. His loss will be greatly felt by us, for to his knowledge, experience, and popularity is largely due the success which has attended the Company since it was floated. Mr. Black, an engineer possessing first-class testimonials and experience, has been appointed to the post of Manager as Mr. J. Anderson's successor. Be- fore moving the adoption of the report. I shall be glad to answer any questions in my power.
Mr. Anderson asked whether any money had been spent in relation to the land obtained.
The Chairman replied that $1,000 had been spent, of which the Government had practically promised to return 8680.
It was then moved by the Chairman and seconded by Mr. T. G. Gowlaud that the report and accounts be passed.
Carried unanimously.
Mr. W. S. Orr said that he thoroughly en dorsed the Chairman's remarks with regard to Mr. J. Anderson, and proposed that he should be presented with something which would be a souvenir from an appreciative Company, and further that such souvenir should take the shape of a service of plate.
The Chairman seconded Mr. W. S. Orr's proposition, and suggested that Messra. W. S. Orr and 'F. G. Gowland should select the plate in question.
This was carried unanimously.
On the motion of Mr. J. Ande son, seconded by the Chairmau, Messrs. R. H. Bruce, F. Cass, aud W. S. Orr were re-elected on the Consult- ing Committee.
Mr. W. H. Wallace was re-appointed auditor on the proposal of Mr. Gowland, seconded by Mr. Orr.
A vote of the thanks to Chairman concluded the meeting.-Amoy Gazette.
CORRESPONDENCE.
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents. )
MAIL DESPATCH.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS,
SIB.-The newspapers by last English mail, which arrived at Hongkong ou Good Friday, were received here on Saturday, 1st April, while the letters by the same mail were only received here (with Cauton P.O. stamp of 5th) to-day. As the P.O. at Hongkong found time during the holidays to forward the newspapers, is it not rather strange that they found no time for forwarding the certainly more important letters, which, as understand, arrive sorted.
UNUS PRO MULTIS,
Whampoa, 5th April.
SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS' CROWN- LEASES.
*
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS.
DEAR SIR,-May I ask the favour of your inserting the annexed copy of a letter which I addressel to the Editor of the China Mail, but
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPÓRT.
which was shut out on account of the late hour at which it was received.—I am, yours faithfully,
GRANVILLE SHARP.
Hongkong, 8th April, 1899.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE CHINA MAIL."
Dear Sir,-In your comments of last night | upon the Chamber of Commerce Meeting, you say "The question relating to the sudden change in the length of leases from 999 years to 75 years was sensibly referred to in the Chairman's speech. The address of Mr. G. Sharp, as representing the landlord interest, might be open to question, as formulating a special plea for the owners of property, and naturally more on the side of those who fix rents than upon the side of those residents who have to pay them. Increased Crown rents, also, in such case, would benefit the general body of ratepayers. We have no space at present to deal with all the points put forward in the report and speeches. But the out-look is en- conraging, even in the face of Colonial Office inertia, when we find a body like the Chamber of Commerce in union with other kindred local institutions, is entirely on the right side."
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1 believe that the Committee of the Cham. ber has fairly earned, and that they will appreciate, this expression of your approval. I also thank you for the line by which vour oriticism of my words is qualified. It is quite possible that you and many of your readers have forgotten the Chamber's letter of the 22nd September last to the Right Hon. Secretary of state for the Colonies, upon the subject of the change in the term of Crown leases. I therefore venture to ask that yon will be kind enough to reprint it here at foot. I think you will find that my address is mainly, if not altogether, based upon the statements therein contained.
If you simply mean by your comment that the objections come better from the Committee of the Chamber thau they do from me, I am altogether with you. In this matter they could hardly be more disinterested. These geutle- men represent much property in Hongkong, but I do not know that they are personally interested therein.
You would hardly insist that being interested in a matter disqualifies quy oue from expressing an opinion. Editors of newspapers frequently write upon the importance of the freedom of the press. It would be hard upon them that the public should throw discredit on their state- mets because they are directly interested. So also with questions affecting property. Each section of the community exercises vigilance for its own protection, and, provided that due bene- volence is shown towards others, the statements even of those interested are considered as bona fide and often regarded with the more attention from the fact that the men are supposed to know well the matters upon which they speak.
I rarely overdraw my bank account, but I have done so in the past, and know where the shoe pinches nine out of ten holders of property in Hongkong. These borrowers of money are as useful, or more so, than the leaders, and are entitled to consideration. It is they who have, in large degree, developed the colony. I con- firm the statements of the Committee of the Chamber that it will be disastrous for Hong- kong if, after their continuance for more than fifty years, these grants of 999 years Crown leases be broken off. Where would the Colony be without its builders? We used to be de- pendent upon bulks in the harbour; shall we go back to them again ?
313
oral body of ratepayers." I beg leave respect- fully to differ from you. The Orown rents will have to be provided for. in the first place, by the Crown lessees; and finally will fall upon. the sub-tenant in the shape of increased monthly rental. The owner will be compelled, not only to secure a fair interest upon his capital ex- pended, but also to provide a sinking fund for. the replacement of his property at the end of the shortened term, involving an addition of fifty per cent. to present rentals.
I have not purchased a piece of land in Hongkong for many years, and have no desire to increase my interest therein. I hope that the expectations of the Chamber's Committee will be fulfilled, that the 999 years' leases will become greatly enhanced in value. It will well serve my ends. But I would much rather that my fellow colonists share with me the advantages to come, and sincerely hope that the order discontinuing the issue of these long leases may be withdrawn, in deference to the strong and united expression of opinion from our leading merchants, bankers, and owners of property.-I am, yours faithfully,
GRANVILLE SHARP.
[The letter from the Chamber of Commerce to which reference is made by Mr. Sharp appeared in the Daily Press of the 15th October last.-Ed., D. P.\
ACCOMMODATION FOR THE CUSTOMS OUT-DOUR STAFF, TO THE EDITOR OF THE "
DAILY PRESS,” Dear Sir,--On behalf of a body of men who dare not speak for themselves or protest against their treatment, I would beg your indulgence for permission to call public attention to the neglecting to make proper provision for the manner in which the L.M. Customs are... members of the Out-door Staff. Months have signed, and absolutely nothing has been elapsed since the Kowloon Convention was
done towards erecting quarters or stations. Now, at the eleventh hour, little dog kennels would seem that the policy of drift was being are being constructed to shelter white men. followed as usual. The quarters provided by exceptions, have always left a geat deal to be the Kowloon Customs in the past, with a few desired. It has now passed that point and become a public scandal. Money has been thrown away by thousands on useless objects. If this money had been expended in a more appropriate way, i.e., towards providing good accommodation, the necessity of publishing this sir, your obedient servant. letter would have been uncalled for.-I am,
Hongkong, 11th April, 1899.
TRUTH.
A BICYCLE VOLUNTEER CORPS.
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It
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS.
SIR-Now that cycling has become so com. mou and popular in this colony, it seems that the cycle might with advantage be turned to account in the defence of the colony or the suppression of disorders. With the tempera- ture at 80 deg, and over marching would soon exhaust our few defenders were they called upon to-do much of it, whereas if they could cycle by road to the nearest point at which their services were required their strength would be ecouomised for climbing the hills to the point they were to operate at against an enemy and for the real fighting. A small body of cyclists would be a mobile force, which could be rapidly concentrated on any point required and hold an enemy in check till the main body of de- fenders arrived. They would also form a use- ful force for scouting, for bicycles could be concealed amongst brushwood, and one or more men left to see that they were not tam- pored with by the natives. Again, if a large number of cycles were secured in a double row - to bamboos by their handle bars, one or two men could convey them along the road to the point where they were wanted. I should say that this method of moving them by the guard left in charge of them would form one portion of the drill. I make the suggestion for what it may be worth. If the bicycle could be used by vol. unteers to advantage in this colony, how much more so at Singapore, Shanghai, and Tientsin, You say anent short leases, “increased Crown I where, there are long stretches of level roads. rents also, in such case, would benefit the gen. A maxim gun and ammunition mounted on
Why, sir, are shares so much more generally held than estates ? Because it is so very much easier. None work harder than the property owners of the colony. Ceaseless activity and constant vigilance are required; and when realization is necessary, the owners of shares have a great advantage. I should be sorry that my worst enemy should go through all which I have known of these labours.
May I venture to deprecate the needless re- ference to class interests, as calculated to stir up ankind feelings between them. Among those whose chief wants are supplied, altruism should not be, and is not, altogather absent. Although rents are highean Hongkong, it is the effect of the climate and exceptional con- ditions, more than the lust of gain.
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