November 18, 1899.}
streets of Honam and received a number of serious injuries, since which time her condition has occasioned her friends some anxiety.
Hongkong, 15th November,
We understand that the Cantɔn female mis. sionary and her Chinese cook, referred to in a Canton letter which appeared in Monday's issue, are now in Hongkong, with the intention of marrying here if possible.
Both parties being of full age we do not see how they can legally be prevented from carry- ing out their intention if they are so resolved. and if they be of sound mind, but it is to be hoped that every effort will be made to dissuade them. According to the Marriage Ordinance the Registrar-General is required, ou dus notice of an intended marriage having been given, to issue his certificate at any time not more than three months nor (except when the Governor grants a licence) less than fifteen days after the giving of suob notice. The case is not one in which a spcial licence could properly be granted. so that there will be at least fifteen days in which the friends of the lady may use their in-
fluence with her.
F
17th November
The American lady doctor who has come from Canton to Hongkong in the hope of being able to marry her late cook, a Chinamau, is meeting with as much opposition here as at Canton. The Chinaman has twice applied to the Registrar General to have the marriage celebrated, and a request made by the lady herself has been equally futile.
|
CHINA OVERLAND TRALE REPORT.
415
proseonted on account of his failure to obey | This creek is narrow and the banks low, but this order or neglecting to see that the consta- | the scenery soon becomes pretty. bles make careful search of the passengers and their luggage. Obey this. Dated 29th day, 9th moon, 25th year of Kwang Su."
PIRATICAL ATTACK ON A BRITISH
STEAMER ON THE WEST RIVER.
The British steamer Cheong Kong, which ar rived on Monday morning from Wnobow, was attacked by pirates on the voyage and was after wards made use of by the pirates to effect the plauder of another oraft. The vessel is owned by the Kwang Wan firm, aud the Tung Kee firm are her agents. All went well on the voyage from Waobow to Kumchuck, where she called to pick up passeugers.
She left Kum- chak again at 4 p.m. ou Sunday, and about a quarter-of-an-hour later the crew commenced to search the passengers, a usual proceeding, to as-
certain if any of them had arms. A number of pirates who had came on board as passengers at once produced revolvers, assumed a threatening
It was about 4 o'clock in the morning that I was roused by the cessation of the scrow and the outbreak of a hubbub consequent on the disembarkation of the Chinese Thespians with their baggage and properties. The steamer alse disgorged a large number of other passengers.
TO SAMSHUI.
At dawn I peeped out of my cabin window and observed that we were passing through s charming and productive country, pleasantly broken by hills; and about 8 a.m. we reached Kumchuk, where we only stayed a few minutes to drop some passengers. The gunboat Tweed was lying at anchor on the opposite side of the creek and looked far more imposing in her solitary state than she does when anchored among the shipping in Hongkong harbour.
From hence our passage was through an opal- ent and highly productive country. Mulberry plantations lined the banks, and numerous towns and villages, all bearing evidences of consider. able prosperity, were passed, At 9 am. the steamer was abreast of the extensive and popa. attitude, and overawed the crew, the master of the steamer being wounded There were about
lous town of Kow-kong, which stretches for seventeen bona fide passengers on board. The
miles along the river bank and spreads, to all pirates ransacked the passengers luggage, appearance, a long distance inland. The mas collected everything of value on the steamer,
sive towers of numerous pawnshops broke the and compelled the master to steam to Chamonotony of the low roofs, and yamen and Tan San, where they landed their plunder. graduates, poles were plentifully sprinkled This having been accomplished they used among the mass of buildings, many of which the steamer to make an attack on
are large well-built family mansions, embower- a junk
red in clumps of venerable looking trees. This towed by a steam-Iranch. The steam launch at once opened fire, which the pirates re-
is one of the great centres of the silk district, and is famous for wealth and influenos. Mr. THE PIRACY IN CANTON WATERS. | turued, the battle lasting for about half-au- hour, when the launch cast off her tow
Henry, in his book entitled “Ling Nam," and steamed away, leaving the junk to
state, as a proof of its importance, that at one time, Kow-kong was reokoned to be able the pirates' mercy. The latter then boarded her seventeen cases of opium and a box of gold
to supply 300,000 troops to the Imperial army the junk and made a rich haul, as they found on
if wanted, and it is obvions from the view coins valued at about $2,00). They then
gained from the deck of the Wuchow that it in steamed back to Cha Tau San, where they land-
a place of first-class importance. But no ad with their booty, and allowed the Cheong
steamer calls there. Probably it derives all Ita Kong to resume her voyage to Hengkong.
supplies from Canton."
UNPROMISING MEASURES FOR ITS
SUPPRESSION.
We hear that a large number of salt junks are at present held up at Taipingsha, between Kumchuck and Samshni, the pirates demand- ing a ransom of some thousands of dollars. The junk people succeeded in sending word of their plight to the Viceroy, but are still wait- ing for assistance,
The head quarters of the pirates are at Sai- chew, opposite Samshui.
A short time ago the owners of launches ply. ing on the North. West, and East Rivers pati- tioned the V ceroy for protection against pirates. The Viceroy in reply issed a pro. clamation which, we are informed, did not afford protection, but impose i restrictions on the traffic. The conditions imposed are said to bare veen suggested by the Commissioner of Cnstams The launch owners protested, whereup in the Commissioner of Customs issued the following notification :-
4+
|
|
|
|
|
HONGKONG TO WUCHOW, AND BACK.
At a time when the West River has become
somewhat notorious;-firstly, by reason of its waters having been nominally opened to foreigu trade and navigation; secondly, on account of this privilege having, like many another Chinese con- cession. proved less valuable than was expected owing to official duplicity; and. thirdly, bsovuse of the piracies which have become shronic in the distr.of through which it courses;-a brief account of the voyage to Wuchow, the present head of steam u vigation, may induce others to vecture ou a trip fraught with much interest aud made uuder pleasant conditions.
|
Beyond Kow-kong the river broadens ont and several pagodas are passed, until about fifteen miles further up it sweeps round a point marked on the ohart as Roo Geo Kok, where the current is very strong. Just beyond this rises on a bold point Kumchow Pagoda, a fine tower of seven stories in good condition, at foot of which lies a small picturesque island. Some large brick kilus were next passed, o ose to the banks, where the bluo bricks so well known in Kwangtung are manufactured. These are baked with fuel brought down the river from upper Kwangtung and Kwangsi, consisting of grass, twigs, and other vegetable refuse. It is stacked neatly on flat boats and is generally accompanied by another craft carrying a similarly sized stack of ful for the buffaloes who used for working in the brick folds. A curious sicht is presented in these brickfields by the scores of mat umbrellas dotted about, under which the men shape the bricks. The collection of the fuel and fodder constitutes quite an important industry further up the
are
This is to notify the owners of Chinese steam-launches that the robberies com nitted on steam-lɑnuches are due to the failure of the masters to comply with the orders of the The three steamboat companies-the Houg- Viceroy and the Commissioner of Custons as kong, Canton, and Macao Steamboat Co., the to searching the persons and the Inggaze of China Navigation Co., and the indo-China S. passengers. In consequence of this failure to N. Co.-have placed two steamboats, specially make the search direûted armed robbers are built for the trade, on the line between Hong suabled to take pissage by the launches, and, with kong and Wuchow, calling en route at the Treaty the assistance of other robbers who come along- | port of Samshni, and at the way ports Kong-river. side in boats, to commit their depredations while | mün, Kumebuk, Shiuhing and Takhing. These THE TREATY PORT OF SAMSHUI. the launches are on their voyages. As the rob. steumers are designed for and do carry a large A few miles further and the steamer enters beries are increasing day by day, the Viceroy number of Chinese passengers, aud they have a creek, near the entrance to which on the south has given orders that every steam-launch shall good accommodation for 16 saloon passengers bank stands the Treaty part of Kỏngkan, engage tour constables for the purpose of search. The bulk of the cargo is conveyed in a lighter, of which all that 080 be Been 10 ing the persons and the luggage of passengers which is towed up and down river, and which rather fine temple and Home few good to ascertain whether they are carrying revol. will carry some 360 tons. The trip to Wuchow houses, but it is quite insignificant, though vers or other weapons before they are allowed and back occupies four days and a night; that it is almost directly opposite to the mouth of to go on board. These constables are to be is to say, about 110 hours, including stoppages, the North River, which here debouches, fork- paid by the launches and are to wear which are frequent; and the steamers leave ing in two channels round a leg-of-mutton uniforms bearing the word "constable" and Hongkong on Wednesday and Friday evenings, shaped island called Lo-ab-chow or Rattler the name of the launch to which they are
at 5 p.m.
Island, a low flat cultivated island. Just beyond, attached. The names of the constables, with I had greatly desired to see the country and its the farther arm of the North River, on the their ages and native places, are to be register. great commercial highway, and it was in the con- northern bark, is Ho-kow, the port of Samshui, ed in the Custom-house and in the office of the fident expectation of an agreeable journey that I which city lies about a mile away inland, its walle, Sin Han Kuk, where the constables can apply went on board the steamer Wuchow on Friday pawnshop towers, and pagoda being conspicuous for their arms, which must be paid for by the evening, the 20th October, and joined a very owing to a slight rise in the land. Ho-kow is' launch-owners. If the launches carry their pleasant little party of passengers who were merely an anchorage, marked by a line of insigni- own arms they must be submitted for examina- of like mind with myself. The steamer left ficant buildings on the banks, broken now by the tion at the Custom-house. As these provis | the wharf (the Douglas wharf) at 3.15 p.m. and residence of the Commissioner of Customs and a sions are made for the protection of mer
few new Chinese houses and godowns, and a con- chants and launch-owners and are issued
siderable collection of native craft. The British under the instructions of the Viceroy,
Consulate is for the present located in s'houseboat launch owners must strictly comply there-
and everything seems of a rather temporary char with. In future if any robbery is com
aoter. The trade, however, is increasing, and the mitted on a steam-launch through her carrying
little port had, at the time of our arrival, armed robbers sa passengers, the licence of the
decided air of business. The steamers Wschow, launch will be 'mancelled and her owner will be
Samekui, and Chounghong, the gunbosi Sand-
|
having picked up her parasite (the lighter) in | the quarantine" acohorage we steamed off through the Capsuiman. The parasite carried kerosene below, while her deck was piled with the properties of a Chinese theatrical troupe, bound for Kongman. After dinuer, we passed Lintin, and about 9 p.m. entered the Kerr Channel through the Wang Moon entrance.
|
|
|
|
|
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.