68,92) chests. The quantity of opium imported into the whole of China was in 1888 82,612 p.culs, and in 1897 49,309 picula-a decrease of 40 per gent The imports into Hongkong during the same period show a decrease of 47. per coat, but the average, decrease of the Canton, Lappa, and Kowloon districts, which supply the central part the province, was 54 per cent. The loss at Canton was 58 per cent., and at Kowloon, 84 per oot At Lappa, there has been an increase of 17 per cent. The Lapps office reckons every ghost of Pains at 120 pionls, while at Kowloon it has been customary to charge on the exact weight. The merchant gains a slight advantage in the Lappa, system, and imports his opium through Lappa in preference to Kowloon. The Chinese dealers in Bengal opium are said to have made handsome profits, owing to the steady rise in the price, though the volume of trade les The price of Malws fluctuated heavily, and the dealers made no profits.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Nauve-There is not the least doubt that the use of native opiam has greatly extended during the last 10 years. The quality has im proved owing to its lower price it has been found profitable to employ it for adulterating the foreign drug, and the palate of the smoker has gradually become accustomed to its use. Exom, Yuunan and Kweichow it pours into the Cauton province by the West River and its tributaries, and the per centages of decline in the imports of foreign opium given above seem to indicate that the competition of the native drugi is keeper in Kwangtuug than in some ther provinces. It has, however, been stated to me by a native of great experience in such matters, that the competition of the native drug this part of China has reached its climax, and that the sale of Indian opium is likely to increase rather than to diminish. The native drug is very much adulterated on its way from the place of production, the price has risen to nearly that of Patna, and the outturn of boil- ingia somewhat less. The present price of raw Yunnan opium is about Tls. 30 for 100 <taels weight, and it produces about 55 per cent. of prepared opin u when boiled. Patna costs less then Tis. 32 for the same quantity when raw, and its outturn in boiling is nearer 56 per cent. It is obvious, therefore, that the Indian opinm even at the present high price, should be able to hold its own, mora especially in the vicinity of Hongkong, whence it enters China- in considerable quantities without payment of duty!
MISCELLANEOUS,
The question has been raised whether China js suffering from a scarcity of silver. I am informed on good authority that money is plentiful in Canton, and has ruled cheap during the last year or so. Silver prices have risen
4., the prices of articles as measured in silver have risen. Owing to the depreciation of silver as measured in gold, the Native gets more silver for bis exports, which are chiefly to gold. using countries. The same depreciation of the white metal compels the Chinese to pay more silver for what he buys from gold-using coun- trine Kwangtung is a great consumer of Foreign, manufactures, and the increasing- exports, especially of silk. enable the Natives to: pay this enhanced price more easily.
The net value of the trade for the year is shown below :---
Hk. Tls. Foreign Imports from Hongkong... 17,138,751 Native
3,517,012 China to Chine
2532,737 Hk. Tls. forts to Hongkong
22.511.512 Hongkong to Macao
2,858,541 Macao to Hongkong 1,479,097
H. M. HILLIER, Commissioner of Customs.
Kowloon, 20th March, 1899.
THE PLAGUE..
During the week ended 5th August the new cases numbered 29 and the deaths 29, as against 97 and 39 respectively during the previous week. The numbers reported daily during the present week are as follows-Sunday, I case, Ideath; Monday. 11 cases, 10 deaths, Tuesday, 3 cases.
9 deaths; Wednesday, I cases, 5 deaths; Thursday, 2 cases, 2 deaths; Friday, 2 cases,
deaths,
THE GREAT EASTERN AND WALE- DONIAN GOLD MINING CO., LIMITED.
The General Agents of the Great Eastern and Caledonian Gold Mining Co., Limited, Messrs. Lutgeus, Einstmann & Co... have received the following report from the mines, written by Mr. Thomas Cash
The following is the work done in the differ- ent mines to above date (1st July).
BANK OF ENGLAND MINE.
No. 1 stops over the main level in now 94 fuet along the reef. No. 2 stope 22 feet. No. 3 14 feet, and No. 48 feet. The reef all throngh will average about 15 inches wide and should yield when crushed about one ounce per ton. The maiu drive North is now in 64 feet; the reef in the face is about 6 inches wide and carries very rich looking mineral and about 5 dwts. of gold per ton.
At 60 feet this reef went out to al- most thread of stone, and only a trace of gold, and as the prospects have improved so much and the main wall is much more defined 1 would advise you to extend the drive say another 20 feet.
RISE AND SHINE MINE,
The drive to connect the main shaft with securely timbered. The underhand stoping can the winze 27 feet North has been completed and
now be carried on with very little dead work, The first stope north frommain shaft has been taken along the reef 12 feet by a depth of 7 feet. At present the reef will average 15 or 18 inches wide and should yield 25 dwts per ton. I like the prospect of this mine very much,'and think the reef will be quite 2 or 3 feet wide when we get into settled country. Just now the reef is greatly knocked about by faults in the rock.
ZULU MINE.
All repairs to the timber in the main level have been completed and underhand stoping is now being carried on. South of the main shaft the stopes have been taken along the reef 14 feet by a depth of 5 feet. The reef is 18 inches wide and should yield from 25 to 30 dwts. per ton.
I am unable to say very much about this reef at present as it will take abouta month to prove the length of the chut- of stone north and south.
CALEDONIAN MINES.
The old main underlie shaft has been retim. bered to the bottem leve', also a new bucket and ladder way put in the whole depth. After some few repairs to be done in the old workings. which will take, I think, about a week, we can then start to sink the air shaft to connect with the new main shaft. There is a great quantity of stone in sight north of the old main underlie shaft, and when it is driven on and opened up as the expense to get it to the battery will be I feel sure it will more than pay for breaking,
in former days and I think when it is developed very small. This has been a very good mine
it will prove a very sound property.
THE SHANGHAI FEATHER CLEAN- ING CO., LIMITED.
The following is the report for presentation - to the shareholders at the third ordinary-meet- ing, held at the office of the General Manager, Shanghai, on Wednesday, the 9th August:-
The General Manager submits a statement of accounts to the 30th June, 1899.
The profit and loss account, attached shows a debit balance of Tls. 59,354.73.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Messrs. G. Galles and E. Karbe having left Shanghai, Count A. von Butler and Mr. H. Lehmann have joined the Board, their election requiring the confirmation of the shareholders.
AUDITOR,
The accounts have been audited by Mr. F. Ellert.
LIQUIDATION.
Buildings Machinery Launch Furniture Inventory... Coal Factory stores
Unexpired fire insurance Sundry debtors
[August 12, 1899.
Tia, ots. 66,989,58
68,322.19
3,650.00
1,767.57
770.97
320.00
2,121.60
572.23
185.10
1,000.00
86,298.02
41,274.10
Balance of working account Loss on consignments
10,519.60
48,735.13
69,254.78
Tls. 243,568.06
Stock of feathers in Shanghai Stock of consignments in Europe. 126,667.12
Less advances
Profit and loss account--
THE CHARBONNAGES CO.
Mr. E. Georg, in his weekly share list dated 5th August gives the following particulars with reference to Charbonnages:-The report for 1898 has been issued and passed at the meeting held in Paris on 8th June 1899. I find from same, that the total production of cual during 1898 has been 204,024 tons, against 127.713 tons in 1897. During 1898 the sales amounted to 214,935 tons against 143,399. tons of coal in 1897; this amount includes 24,141
tons employed for making briquettes at Hon- gay, and 3,500 tons. used for the various ser vices of the Company. Of briquettes, 29,456 tons have been manufactured in Hongay, and 20,036 tons in Kowloon (Hongkong); the sales amounted to 42,606 tons, leaving a stock of 8,422 tons on 31st December 1898. As the the working of the Kowloon Briquettes factory loft a loss of $12,289.44, it has been decided to suspend the working at the factory for the present. At the extraordinary meeting of shareholders, held in Paris on 4th May 1898, it was decided to write down the value of shares from fros. 500 to fres. 250, sad to issue another fros. 1,00,000 in shares of same value. This has since beau effected, and the amount of fres. 3,000,000 written off from the value of the Mines. Machinery. Buildings, Old Profit and Loss Account, and various other items. The Pofit and Loss Account for 1898 shows a credit
Balance of fres. 42,398 39, of which 5 per qənt. or fres. 21.119.92 have been placed to legal reserve fund, and fres. 491,278.47 carried for- word to Debentures outstanding to the amount of fros. new account. The Company has
5,000,000.
THE ROYAL HONGKÒNG GOLF CLUB.
BEST SCORE POOL FOR JULY.
Conditions for this monthly pool have been altered to a competition against "Bogey," 18 holes. Whether the hot weather or other attrac tions were the cause, the entries were only six in number.
9 down rec. 7 strokes 11
.8 wido
Mr. C. Palmer Me C A. Tomes
Bogey's card for each round, 5.4.5.4.3.5.5.4.5 -40.
CAPTAIN'S CUP AND SILVER MEDAL FOR
AUGUST.
All things considered the entries were fairly good. the winner of the cap returning a fine first round: 5.4.4.4.3.4.6.3.6--39. CAPTAIN'S CUP.
85
Mr. C. M. S. Burnie .. Mr. W. Taylor Mr. C. W. May Mr. H. Pinckney Mr. C. Palmer
+80
6 79
100
12 88
95
6 89
99
10
89
98
Comdr. Davison, R.N. Mr. P. de C. Morriss
106
14 92
101
8 93
118
16 102 119 16 103
20 entries
POOL.
99.
12
87
95
6.
89
98
90,
:101
93
15 entries.
A proposal will be submitted by the Board of Mr. W. J. Gresson Mr. C. W. Dickson Directors to liquidate the Company.
PHILIPP ARNHOLD, General Manager.
LIABILITIES
300 shares fully paid up Sundry creditors
Tla. cts. Mr. W. Taylɔr 150,000.00 | Mr. C. W. May.....
93,568.05- Mr. C. Palmer
Mr. P. de C. Morriss
Tis. 243,568.05
5883
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