THE KOWLOON EXTENSION.
The long-expected papers with reference to the Kowloon Extension are published in *Saturday's Gazette, and Monday next has been fixed for the hoisting of the British flag in the new territory. It will be noted with satisfaction that negotiations with re- ference to Kowloon city and the extension of the northern boundary so as to include the town of Shun Chun are in progress, and it is to be hoped that they may speedily be brought to a satisfactory con- clusion. In the meantime the addition to the colony has to be taken over with a -thorn in its side, in the shape of the main
tenance of native rule in Kowloon city, and - an unsatisfactory boundary on the north. It appears to be in contemplation, also, to raise revenue in the new territory by the discreditable system of farming. By one of the Bills to be introduced in the Legis lative Council, the Governor-in-Council is authorised to make rules for farming out the right to sell or otherwise deal in spirits, opium, salt, or any other com- modity whatever." We trust the Legis- lative Council will not pass this law, or, if it be passed, that His Excellency and the Executive Council will refrain from making any such rules, and will resort only to reputable means for the raising of
revenue.
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Barring the defects alluded to in the fore- going paragraph, the arrangements with respect to the new territory are such as we think will meet with public approval. The administration to begin with is to amount to little more than supervising local bodies and protecting life and property, but the new territory is to be considered an integral part of the colony, and as its resources and requirements become better known, the necessary legislation will be passed. It is apparently hoped that there may be mineral wealth to be developed; roads are to be made; and the Hon. J. H. STEWART LOCK- HART, in his report, says the construction of railway between Canton and Kowloon would greatly aid the development of the new territory, that in the event of a main
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
line being constructed it would be advisable to establish branch lines, and "It has also "been suggested that, even if the Canton- "Kowloon line be not established at once, light railways should be constructed in the new area. They would, no doubt, help to "develop it and increase its population by attracting people to it, but roads seem to be the first requisite, and should be at- tended to as soon as possible." In Mr. LOOKHART's report or which the hon. gentleman may be complimented--will be found references to the various industries of the district as they exist at the present time.
The scheme of administration drawn up for the new territory marks a new depar- ture in
[April 15, 1899.
at an end and doubtless we shall shortly see on the harbours of Mira Bay was published, its reconstruction upon more popular lines and no doubt we shall in due course have a undertaken, There is something of the similar report with reference to Lantao, which cloven hoof, however, in the suggestion may be expected to be of a very favourable that the Sanitary Board, though the best character. We are accustomed to think machinery for Hongkong, is not suited for of the harbour of Hongkong as capable of the direction of sauitary matters in a affording "accommodation for the fleets of territory_extending over 376 square
“the world," but, as a matter of fact, the miles. There must be some central traffic is increasing so rapidly that the authority in sanitary as in other matters, available space is beginning to get congested. and the Sanitary Board would form the New-comers complain that all the best best authority; it might hold a similar re-berth are monopolised, and that they hayo lation to the village and district Sanitary to anchor at considerable distances from the Boards that the Local Government Board business centre. At the same time the holds to the local sanitary authorities in men-of-war auchorage is becoming too small England.
for the larger fleets now on the station, Another important question is that in and as the Naval Yard Reclamation will relation to the Chinese Customs. Mr. contract it still further, it is not improbable CHAMBERLAIN says that no time should be that the Naval authorities may claim a lost in giving attention to the prevention of considerable slice of the ground hitherto smuggling into China and the collection given up to merchant ships. But a few of the Chinese Customs duties on opium. miles away there is another harbour, "You will see," he writes to the Governor, almost if not quite equal tu thut "that Her Majesty's Government have come of Hongkong, and it seems not improbable "to the conclusion, which—if I understand that in course of time another town will right is your own conclusion also, that spring up there that will attract to itself the only satisfactory solution of this question some of the overflow shipping from Hong- "will be the establishment of some system kong. On Lantao admirable sites for in- whereby the Chinese Customs duties on dustrial enterprises will be obtainable, for opium imported into China from Hong some time to come, at prices that will kong, including the newly-added terri- appear merely nominal as compared with tory, shall be entirely collected by the those now ruling in Hongkong, and with "Government of Hongkong." While this good water frontige, now almost unobtnin- subject is under consideration it is to be able here, For locks and shipbuilding hoped that some means may be arrived at for yards no better location could be desired. settling once for all the outstanding difficul- Lantao will also probably come into favour, ties in connection with the Customs, not as Captain CLARKE suggests, usu only in relation to opium but to trade insidential centre. In Hougkong for many general.
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LANTAO.
unlimited room,
re.
This would especially prove to be the ensu extent distinct from that of Hongkong. should the island be found to possess mineral wealth; but that is a point on which it will be prudent not to entertain too sanguine expectations.
THE UNIT. D SPATES AND THE PHILIPPINES.
years past difficulty has been experienced in finding house accommodation for the in- creasing population, both. European and native. At Lantno there is practically Captain CLARKE's letter, published in another column, draws attention to Lanta and tennis-court would not be the expensive and a house with a garden
as possibly the most important portion of the Kowloon extension. Lantao is an
luxury that it is in Hongkong. With a good island similar in its general characteristics service of steamers the journey need not to Hongkong, but larger and with higher occupy more than an hour, so that it would peaks. But the point to which Captain for those who had to come into Hongkong not be very inconvenient on that score, even CLARKE chiefly directs attention is its excellent harbour. Whether it is actually every day; but with the growth of in- a better harbour than Hongkong may be dependent business at Lantao à community doubted, but it is undoubtedly a good har-will gradually spring up there to some bour, and it is contrary to all recorded experience to suppose that under the British flag such a magnificent sheet of water should remain commercially undeveloped. In the early days of foreign intercourse with China the anchorage of Tongku was largely used by sailing ships, and when the question of founding a British settlement arose Lantao was mentioned in rivalry with Hongkong; but the latter was selected, The proclamation issued by the Civil presumably because it was considered, on Commission on Philippine Affairs will be the whole, the more eligible. The Gov-found reprinted in another column. The ernor-General of India recommended Lan- Commissioners say that "unfortunately the tao, on the advice of the East India" pure aims and purposes of the American captains, but that advice probably rested on "Government and people have been mis the fact that the Tongku anchorage was interpreted to some of the inhabitants of "certain of the Islands." Have the Am- and had up to that time been more exten-erican authorities ever up to the time of the sively used. However that may be, when British shipping had established itself at Hongkong, Captain ELLIOT's order in 1839 to remove to Tongku, on account of" the " anchorage at Hongkong being liable to surprise by fire-ships and war-junke,' evoked a vigorous protest from the com- manders, who were supported by the Agents for Lloyds and for the Insurance Offices. At that time the predilection in favour of Hongkong had become pronounced. Captain ELLIOT's order was, however, carried into effect, and the shipping was for some time located at Tongku.
since politics. It is not so long ago | closer in to the entrance of the Cantou river
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were told of the impossibility of grafting representative institutions upon Orown Colony government, but the ad ministration of the new territory is based largely on the representative system and an extension of that system to the city of Victoria can no longer be consistently re- fused. Each village is to have what will practically be its own Sanitary Board, and the Governor is instructed to refer to the Federated Malay States for precedents on this point. In the Secretary of State's des- patch we also have an admission that the Banitary Board is the best machinery for dealing with the sanitary affairs of Hong kong. All danger of the dissolution of that neatul body may now therefore be considered
In last Saturday's Gazette an interesting report by Commander DE HORSEY, R.N.,
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issue of the proclamation attempted to give a true interpretation of their pure aims and purposes? Did they know themselves what their aims and purposes were? The pro- clamation would have come with better grace before the fighting began than it does now. The sentiments expressed in the proclamation are excellent, but they are somewhat discounted by the fact that they have only been arrived at in face of the strong opposition offered by the Filipinos to the conquest of their country. Also, while no doubt can be entertained that the sentiments expressed are those which the great bulk of the American people will ultimately entertain, it is doubtful whether
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