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April 7, 1900 ]
A YEAR'S WORK IN THE NEW
TERRITORY,
The Report on the New Teritory during the First Year of British Administration, which has been forwarded to the Colonial Secretary in London, comprises the actual Report by the Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart and twenty-one appendices. Wo make the following extracts:
The territory has been divided into 8 districts
and 48 sub-districts.
The total number
of villages on the mainland and in the islands amounts to 597: This number includes even hamlets of two or three houses. these villag are walled. the object being to Some of afford the inhabitants greater security. if at-
tacked by robbers. Cáo of these walled villager was once besieged for three months by
robbers.
LAND.
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In the mouth of May fast, soon after the New Territory had been taken possession of by the Colonial Government, questions arose in respect of the following matters, viz :-
(1). The registration of Chiu se deeds under our Deeds Registration Ordinance of 1843. (2) The grant of Crown Leases by the Go- vernment in substitution of the existing Chinese titles, or
(3) The grant of Certificates of Title. under which the existing titles should be acknow. ledged by the Government,
Up to the 20th January last Mr. Messer had registered at Taipo 21,736 claims and Mr. Kemp at Ping-shau 5.613 claims..
When it is remembered that great confusion has existed in the matter of land in the New Territory for years and that disputes and family feuds have been gouoral in consequence, it is not surprising that there should be many cases requiring readjustment by the Govern-
ment.
The Government has come to the conclusion that such disputes can be most easily and readily dealt with by a Land Court, especially established for the purpose, and it is hoped that such a Court will shortly be created by law, as it cannot fail to be a great book to the
inhabitants of the New Territory.
BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
means of communication hitherto existing be- tween Hongkong and the newly leased area has been by sea, which in bad weather is impractic." able, and by a rough footpath over a pass about 1,000 feet high from Kowloon to Shu-tin situated on an arm of Mirs Bay. There ca, be little doubt that the construction of this road, which is desirable both lor strategical and administrativo purposes, will bring the New Territory into closer relations with Hongkong proper, and will lead to an increase in traffic
Communication between British Kowloon and Kowloon City has been improved by the extension of the Hunghom Road on the East City. This work has been almost completed. side of the Kowloon peninsula to Kowloon
MR, MARSH's Concert,
211
organ recital at
That it is not difficult to attract a large audience in Hongkong to a performance of bigh-class music has often been contended, and the gathering that listened on the 3rd inst. to the brilliant musical entertainment provided by Mr. Marsh and his supporters was an additional vindication of the classical taste of the com- munity. It is in the experience of many that it is not difficult to secure a large audience to witness a burlesque performance, but it is often a far from easy task to obtain an appreciative assembly of any size, representative of the community, to hearken to a programme at regarding the erection of permanent quarters people who attended the last o
No definite decision has as yet been arrived of good music. But after the large number of for the executive staff, as it was deemed advis- the Cathedral, there was little room for misgiv- able to gain experience of healthiness of the ing that the able vocalist now in our midst would' of the executi re staff are situated before community. It only happens occasionally that neighbourhood where the temporary quarters secure the sympathy and support of the com- mitting the Colony to any large expenditure benign providence turns the steps of an artist, on account of permanent buildings. In view, vocal or instrumental, who has delighted home Medical Officer that much of the malaria from ly we have seek solace in reading critiques however, of the opinio of the Principal Civil audiences, towards Hongkong, and consequent- which Government officers have suffered so
of home triumphs and utilising those talents much is due to the temporary nature of build-
which we are even fortunate enough to pos8DES. ings occupied by them, it seems desirable the
And those talents are by no means mediocre, permanent buildings should be erected without for when a prophet does arrive there is always unnecessary delay.
an am unt of support willingly proferred him. On this occasion the prophet happens to be vocalist, and as such Mr Marsh comes with a brilliant record. Having heard him sing it is not necessary to look up his achievements to judge his ability, for many years have elapsed since a singer with a voice of such calibre here interesting to note that Mr. Marsh, heard in the East. But it may be
EDUCATION,
learn English, and it is hoped that before long Many of the inhabitants seem anxious to
arrangements may be made made for encourag. ing the study of English. It might be well to establish a school for the teaching of English at Un Long in the Shap Pát Héung District, which is the most central and populous of all the sub-districts. I am of opinion that the present village schools should be retained, but that steps should be taken by the Government to oucourage the teachers.
REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.
has been estimated at$100,000, including arrears The revenne for this year from all sources for 1899, while it is roughly calculated that the Expenditure, exclusive of Public Works Ex traordinary, will be about $175,000, $150.00 of which, in round figures. will be required for the Police Establishment.
The expenditure on account of Public Works will amount to about $20,000, most of which will be expended on Police Statious, the Táipó Road and the Survey,
CONCLUSION.
Was
011
the advice of Senor Randegger in 1885, relinquished the legal profession to de- Academy of Music for two years, and made his vote himself to music. He studied at the Royal
first appearance as a public singer at the Norwich Festival in one of the oratoriós for which that city has made itself famous. Later Mr. Marsh turned to operatic music, singing with the cele. brated Carl Rosa Company as leading baritone. and later, he joined the Royal Italian Opera Company. Mr. Marsh has sung in many places and with great success, and has on three occasions sung before Her Majesty the Queen, receiving flattering souvenirs in consequence. Mrs. Marsh is known to the music-loving public as Miss Alice Esty, and is one of the most successful primia donnas in Great Britain, She hopes to join her husband on a visit to Hongkong next Spring, if her professional engagements permit, when a cordial welcome from the community will await her.
Shortly after the territory came nuder the control of the Government of this Colony steps were taken for, rearing trees for plauting in Buch places as needed them and subsequently an estimate was submitted for the expenditure of $2,500 during 1909) in forestry works in the ter- itory, current expenses for 1899 being defrayed
In view of the difficulties that had necessari. from other votes of this Department. Comly to be encountered in taking over the New mencing in April and continuing throughout Territory and of the short period during which the year, I personally made tours over the it has enjoyed the benefits of British rule, the
Such is a brief outline of Mr. Marsh's profes- greater part of the territory in order to gain progress that has already been made may be as much knowledge of it as possible for applica- regarded as satisfactory. Au efficient Force his success is forced upon everyone with whom sional career, and one important attribute to tion afterwards and to arrange for planting has caused a great dimination in crime and has he comes in social contract, uainely his persona...... operations during 1900. Up to the end of established confidence among the inhabitants.lity. To an admirable voice be unites a fine December about 60,000 pits and sites had been Improved communications have already led to prepared at Táipó, P'ing-shán, Au Tau and
un increase in traffic and steps are being taken Fa-ti Au and along the course of the new road.
to start new industries and to effect improve The planting of trees and seed sowing will
ments in those already established. Progress commence immediately.
in the New Territory may be slow but dow that confidence prevails among the people, it may be anticipated that capital will soon be attracted to it, which cannot fail to hasten its development.
His Excellency the Governor suggested that some Chattanooga Sugar Mills should be ob- tained from America to demonstrate to the sugar growers the advantages of using Western machinery in place of the primitive mills in use. The new mills have arrived and, been fixed in the midst of the sugar districts and satisfactory trials of cane-crushing, have been made. Wis Excellency the Governor and the Colonial Se- cretary were present at two of the trials. The arrangements of setting up these mills aud conducting the trials were entrusted to and carried out by myself.
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A considerable number of references have been made to this Department in conuection with tree conservation and kindred subjects and I submitted a draft proclamation, which was authorized and published cautioning the people against the destruction of trees.
I have introduced from Ceylou a superior variety of Pine-apple plaut for distribution amongst the growers of this plant.
PUBLIC WORKS. The chief work on which the Director of Public Works has been engaged is that of the Main Road from British Kowloon to Taipo, which was commenced immediately after the territory had been taken over. The only
presente, being a starwart specimen of man- hood, and it is easy to picture his success in many of his creations.
It was thought that the hall would be far too small for Mr. Marsh's voice; it was, for many would have preferred to have heard him in a larger building, but as an artist he took in his surroundings and adjusted his voice to the nar- row acoustic limits. He was first heard in "The Prologue" (Pagliacci) by Leoncavallo, and was vociferously applauded. To Mrs. Lows son was Bocorded the difficult task of next appearing, and she sang Hope Temple's song
44
An interesting article, sigued K., appears in The Shanghai Mercury about the Jewish Set- tlement at Kaifengfu, Honan Province, on which a book has just been published by the Thoughts and Tears.' In this she was very Roman Catholic Mission at Siccawei, The successful, possessing as she does an excellent Synagogue at Kaifengfu, where for upwards of and well trained soprano voice of much strength. five centuries. the Jews of China had their head-She was followed by a very nicely performed quarters, has long vanished, but certain inscrip.selection from Haydn," Poco adagio and Rondo tions have been handed down, and the researches all'Ongerése," consisting of a trio by Mr.H. Siebs of Alexander Wylie, in particular, throw some violin, Mr. E. Siebs, 'cello, and Mr. A. G. Ward light on this obscure piece of history. The first pianoforte.. The trio was admirably arranged, Jewish refugees are supposed to have reached and the effect of the three instruments was China in company with the last Sussanian King very fine. They were deservedly recalled but of Persia, whose flight before the Caliph Othman did not reappear. Mr. Marsh then sang "A is placed by Gibbon in 651 A.D. With regard Summer Night," by Goring Thomas, this differ- to the Settlement at Kaifengfu, the writer in ing entirely in character from his previous the Mercury says: "Their creed faded out, effort. As au encore he gave "My love is come." not from any attempt at persecution, but from Cowen's" Swallows" was given by Mrs, Badeley, the indifference of its professors, who, by their and her rendering was characterised by clear. superfluous attempts to prove its identity with articulation and good singing; she was well the universalist creed of the Confucian hierarchy applauded, and the first part of the pro- of China, really took away its only reason for gramme terminated with Mozart's beautiful separate existence."
duet "La ci darem” from -Don Goivanni,
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