April 28, 1900.]
eply to Mr. Denison-Pender's letter had been received from the Post Office Authorities.
I remain, dear sir,
Yours faithfully,
F. HENDERSON,
Acting Secretary.
VON DER PFORDTEN, Esq.,
Manager in Chins,
· E. E. A. & C. Telegraph Co.
PIRACIES ON THE WEST RIVER.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, April 5th, 1900.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
steamers in this port, due to part of the general cargo consisting of Japanese (so-called) safety matches, I submit the advisability of declaring such matches to be "dangerous goods" under section 12 of Ordinance 26 of 1891 and section 15 of the Merchant Shipping Consolidation Ordinance 1899.
The second case occurred this morning, ap- parently through spontaneous combustion. It was fortunately discovered while the Acting Senior Boarding Officer was inspecting emi- grants on board; otherwise, had the vessel (the steam-ship Chunshan) got to ses before discovery of the fire, a panic among the 800 emigrants would have been inevitable, and great loss of life and property have probably ensued.
I am aware that there is much to be said on both sides of the question, but these, matches appear to be distinctly dangerous, and hence some restriction becomes necessary.
Sir,
I am directed to transmit to you for the information of the Chamber the enclosed extract from Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Seymour, sug- gesting that with a view to the better preven tion of piracies, merchant vessels should use one route only. between Samshni and the sea, which would be specially protected by gunboats, and proposing one such route. I have to re-simal a portion of the total trade of the port, quest information as to whether the Chamber of Commerce approves of this route or can sug- gest a better one.
I am to request you to send me a reply at the carliest ро ssible moment, as it is desired to take immediate action on the Vice-Admiral's pro- posal.
J
I have the honour to be, sir,
Your most obedient servant,
F. H. MAY Acting Colonial Secretary.
"The ACTING Secretary,
Chamber of Commerce.
Extract from Vice-Admiral E. H. Saymour's letter, dated 3rd April, 1900:
F
For the prevention of such things in future ene plan which seems to me advisable is to make it publicly known that efforts will be made to protect one route only between Samshui and the sea. Which this route should be may be difficult to decide, but I should suggest the West River by Campbell Island, Kum-chuk, Chan-lui Island, and the Broadway, to Macao, as the easiest to patrol and protect, but there may be good reason to prefer another one."
Hongkong Gene ral Chamber of Commerce,
Hongkong, 20th April.
Sir,
I beg to own receipt of your letter (No. 568) dated 5th inst., enclosing extract from a despatch from Vice Admiral Sir Edward Sey- mour suggesting that with a view to the hetter prevention of piracies, merchant vessels should use one route only between Sawshui and the sea, which would be specially protected by gun. boats, and proposing such route.
I am instructed to say that the proposal is receiving careful attention, but time is required to obtain full information as to the most desi- rable route. A reply will, however, be forward. ed as soon as possible.
I have the honour to be, sir,
Your most obedient servant, R. CHATTERTON WILCOX,
Secretary.
Hon. F. H. MAY, C.M.G.
Acting Colonial Secretary:
JAPANESE
SAFETY MATCHES.
<
Colonial Secretary's Office,
5th April, 1900. sdgley Sirp sunt quos rakam directed to transmit to you for the erosa consideration of the Chamber of Commerce the
senclosed copy of a letter from the Acting Har
bour Master on the subject of the desirablity of declaring under section 15 of the New Merchant Shipping Consolidation Ordinance, when it comes into force, safety matches of Japanese Manufacture to be dangerous goods.
I have the honour to be, air, 1 29 Your most obedient servant,
-F.H. MAY,
Acting Colonial Becretary,
The SKORETARY, AURAT AU S
Chamber of Commerce. Into
ea in Harbour Deparizhent
Hongkong, 3rd April, 1900,
follow
honour to
There having 1
two ca
ring
The trade in these matches forms so infinite-
that I imagine it will scarcely be a hardship to the shippers to restrict the carriage of them to such ships as do not carry more than 20 passengers, as provided for in the 1899 Ordin- ance, section 15, sub-section 5.
I am, &c.,
B. TAYLOR, Acting Harbour Master. The Hon. the Acting COLONIAL SECRETARY.
1
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
Hongkong, 20th April.
Sir,
letter (No. 572) of the 5th inst., transmitting I beg to acknowledge receipt of your for the consideration of this Chamber a sug. gestion by the Acting Harbour Master on the question of the desirability of declaring under Section 15 of the new Merchant Shipping Ordinance, when it comes into force, safety mat- ches of Japanese manufacture to be dangerous goods.
In reply, I am directed to say the Committee deprecate action in this matter at present, considering that the proposal is based on the occurrence of only two cases of combustion and the proposal suggested would certainly divert those of comparatively recent date, whereas
an important trade from its accustomed channel, This Chamber in the meantime is bringing the matter to the attention of the Chambers of Commerce of Kobe and Yokohama, suggesting to them to urge upon those concerned the necessity of observing more care in the ma- nufacture of these safety matche1,
I have the honour to be, sir.
Your most obedient servant,
R. CHATTERTON WILCOX,
Secretary.
Hon. F. H. MAY, C.M.G.,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
Hongkong, 21st April, 1900.
Sir,
In consequence of two recent cases of fire on board steamers in this port, due to part of the general cargo, consisting of Japanese so- called safety matches. a suggestion has been made to the Colonial Government, which has been submitted to this Chamber. viz., that, under the provisions of the new Shipping Or- dinance, these matches should be declared dan: gerous goods.
This Chamber bas, in reply, deprecated im. mediate action in this direction as it would tend | to obstruct trade and because such diessters have not been frequent in the past. The Com mittee, however, wish to express the opinion that Japanese manufacturers would further their own interests, and obviate interference here by paying greater attention to the absolute safety of their matches from spontaneous igni. stion, ajan tepsiguda ali nes
THE CANADIAN MAIL CONTRACT,
293
Canadian Pacific Railway Company's Royal Mail Steamship Line,
Dear Sir
Hongkong 10th April, 1900.
In view of the expiry, in May 1901, of the contract at present in effect with H-B/M's Government for the carriage of mails from Hongkong by way of the Paolilo and Vancouver, B.C., I would ask if you could arrange for the passing of a resolution by your chamber urging the desirability of renewing the contraol in question. Such a resolution on the part of your chamber would, I feel sure, carry much weight with the British Government when negotiations are opened in connection with the matter.
I need hardly point out that, upon Pacific grounds, the maintenance of the service is all- important, forming as it does, an essentially British route throughout and capable of being used in any manner that circumstances may demand; and, further, I would call your par- ticular attention to the great regularity with which the service has been carried on by the Canadian Pacific Railway Co. during the past nine years the period during which the exist ing contract has been running and also to the rapid transit given to the mails,
|
Your chamber may consider it desirable to go further than suggest merely a renewal of the Contract by recommending the institution institution of a more frequent service, say fortnightly throughout the year, at a propor tionate increase in the subsidy payable by the Government. Any such suggestions in this or in other directions will, I am sure, meet with Government. the attention they deserve at the hands of the
When the question of mail subsidy first came up in connection with this Company's Mail route your Committee very kindly took up the matter and urged upon the Government the desirability of instituting the service, and a reference to the Report of your Committee for the year ending 31st December, 1887, will show what transpired. Your present Committee will, doubtless, see their way to following up the representations theu made, at the present time.
tion has been passed at the Annual Meeting of In conclusion, I would mention that a resolu-
the Foreign Chamber of Commerce at Yoko- hama, a copy of which is attached hereto, for your information. Resolutions to the same effect are in course of being passed at various other ports in China and Japan. I am, sir,
Yours truly,
D. W. ČRADDOCK
Aoting General Agent. R. CHATTERTON WILCOX, Esq.
Secretary,
General Chamber of Commerce, Hongkong
Copy of Resolution passed unanimously at Annual Meeting of Foreign Chamber of Com- merce.
Yokohama, March 29th 1900. That in view of the quick Trans-Pacitio Mail Service via Vancouver, so, efficiently car- ried out by the Canadian Pacific Railway Com- pany's Steamers, it is desirable in the opinion of this Chamber that the present Mail Contract with H. B. M Government should be secured to arrange for a fortnightly service throughout the year, if possible, with a proportionate in- crease in the mail subsidy, as the continuance and extension of the service is of increasing importance in the general interests of trade.
Average Memo-Hongkong and Yokohama
to London.
Hongkong, Yokohama. Canadian Pacifio Railway - zaraC6 shtypes Gala da. 36 dayu- -4.25 days
San Francisco Lin
days (31 days
North German Lloyd (va onnan
Naples) as #M; M:Cos{via Marseilles) P&O (Brindisiy 201
LyYours faithfully, STAAR-CHATTERTON WILCOX,⠀⠀⠀・
* Bak të güßedretary, chang The SECRETARY, UNASMEJUSDetall les futur vec Hlogo and Osaka -General. Chamber* of j
Commuros, Usodi certos Apsau #Identical letters were sent to Kobe Native and Yokohama Foreign and Native Chambers
Lommeros,] 291
Hongkong Gødbral
Dear Bla
31 days as 41 dayı
Commerce,
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