!
June 2, 1900.]
(a.) The road to follow generally the 150 ft. contour.
(b.) The revstments on the seaward side of the road to form a 8 ft. parapet.
(c.) The platforms over any nullahs the road may cross to be easily removeable, and
(d) Projections to be formed at points suit- able to se
serve as gun positions.
I have the honour to be, sir, Your most obedient servant,
F. H. MAY. Acting Colonial Secretary. The Honourable C. P. CHATER, C.M.G., Chairman Jubiles Committee.
SECRETARY OF STATE'S LETTER. SECRETARY OF STATE TO GOVERNOR OF HONG-
KONG.
Downing-street,
28th February, 1900.
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 274 of the 27th September last, forwarding copy of correspon- dence relating to the projected construction of a road round the island of Hongkong in com memoration of the sixtieth anniversary of Her Majesty's Accession to the throne.
2. Subject to the Military considerations of which you are separately advised. I am prepared to concur in the opinion expressed in paragraph 9 of your despatch under acknowledgement, assuming the Trustees of the subscribers con- sider that they are bound by Resolution Three of the Jubilee Committee, and do not see their way to adopt Mr. Ormsby's suggestion, which would have seemed preferable on other grounds and begin the work at the Shaukiwan end.
I am, &c.,
J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor Sir Henry A. BLAKE, G.C.M.G., &c. 2. No serious difficulties are anticipated in complying with the requirements, and although the proposal to construct the road as near sea level as possible has to be modified, the new road will still be a decided improvement on the existing (Pokfulum) road, which rises to an alti- tude of 490 feet above sea level and does not
follow the shore line. The level of the new road will be about the same as that of the Pokfulum Road where it joins the Bonham Road near the C.M.S. house.
|
Conditions (b) and (d) are practically ques- tions of expense only and therefore concern the Government who have undertaken to complete the Road. Condition (e) is curious and interest- ing in view of the practical demonstration so recently given by the Boers of the ease with which structures of great magnitude may be wrecked.
The following letter has now been written to the Government accepting the conditions and urging that the plans, specification, etc., may be put in hand at once and an early start made on the work.
LETTER FROM COMMITTEE TO COLONIAL SECRETARY.
Hongkong, 23rd May, 1900.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
mitted to the Jubilee Committee for any remarks they may have to make.
I have the honour to be Sir,
Your obedient servant, C. P. CHATER, Chairman Jubilee Committee.
Hon. F. H. MAY, C.M.G.,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
&o.,
&c.,
&c.
THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY CELE-
BRATION.
THE RECEPTION AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
on
In his capacity as Acting-Governor. H.E. Major-General Gascoigne, C.M.G., entertained a large number of guests at Government House Birthday. A small and select party sat down the 24th alt. in honour of the Queen's to dinner, consisting of the head military, naval and civil officials, and the unofficial members of Council. Captain Scott, C.B., of the Terrible, was also present. After dinner the other guests House began to arrive, and the interior of Government In the brightly-lighted reception-rooms and soon presented 2 brilliant scene. hall the guests moved to and fro, or chatted in groups, the scene presenting a variety of colour and animation. The charming toilettes civil uniforms formed a pleasing contrast to the of the ladies, with the glittering consular and
sombre dress of the civilians, whilst the khaki white military and naval costumes and the
and red uniforms of the Volunteers added an additional feature to the scene. Outside, the coloured Japanese lanterns, and seats grounds and trees were bedecked with gaily plentifully scattered about for venience of those guests who desired to the rear lawn the band of the Hongkong Regi sit in the open air and listen to the bands. On
verandah adjoining the ball-room the band of ment played a selection of music, whilst on the
the dancing. The ball-room was made full use of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers provided the airs for by those who were not deterred by the heat from dancing. Supper was provided on the floor below. The affair was an unqualifie success and was greatly enjoyed by all present congratulated General and Mrs. Gascoigne are to be heartily
on the result of the enter tainment and on having fullfilled so pleasingly the social duties of the head of the colony in the absence of Sir Henry and Lady Blake. Cap; tain Trefusis, the general's aide-de-camp, and Mr. R. F. Johnston, in the capacity of private secretary, were responsible for the arrangements, and were most energetic and attentive. The party terminated about midnight.
were the con-
THE GOVERNOR'S SALARY.
The following is the Secretary of State's des- patch with reference to the Governor's salary:-
Downing Street.
6th April, 1900. December, 1899,
SIE.-Since my despatch No. 280 of the 8th was written, in which I
385
5. The proposal that the Governor's salary should be reckoned in sterling and paid to him at the current rate of exchange, is intended to meet the requirements of the Imperial Act above referred to. The same argument does not apply to the ordinary Civil Service of the Colony, whose salaries will, of course, continue to be reckoned in dollars.
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedi ent, humble Servant.
J. CHAMBERLAIN,
Governor Sir HENRY A. BLAKE,
G.C.M.G., &c., &c., &o.
THE £200,000′ LOAN.
The following is the final statement in respect of the Loan of £200,000 raised under Or- dinance No. 2 of 1893, which was laid before the Legislative Council on the 28th ult.
Dr.
Amount realised Praya Reclamation: $386,134.40 Praya Reclamation, Reconstruction of Government Piers 140,000.00 Central Market 222,729.59 Slaughter House, Pig
Cattle Depôts
and Sheep Depôts.. 103,567.92 Water and Drainage
15,049.61,
Works
Gaol Extension
Total ...
759,215.64 165,456.46
Cr. $1,792,153.62
i.....
$1,792,153.62 $1,792,153.62
A. M. THOMSON, Treasurer.
Treasury, 17th May, 1900.
ATTEMPTED;}MURDER AT SHAUKIWAN.
fitter named Chan On was charged with attempted At the Magistracy on the 28th ult. a Chinese
arrived from Singapore and has been residing murder. It appears that he has only recently with his wife at Shankiwan. On being informed his absence, his anger was aroused and he seems to that his wife had been unfaithful to him during have deliberately decided upon putting her to death. He accordingly purchased a wood-chop- per with a keen edge, and at four o'clock on Sunday morning approached the bed in which his wife and without giving her any warning, began to smash another women were sleeping, apparently, and her in the face with the chapper. The poor wo- her arms cut in consequence. The other woman man threw out her hands to save her face and got who did the same was also, injured about the wrists. Finally the wife managed to get away from him and escaped out of the house. The husband followed, but not seeing her he made his way to the Shaukiwan Police Station, where he made a report to Inspector Robertson. He said. he had attempted to murder his wife, that she had escaped, but that he did not know whether she was dead or not. The man being greatly excited and covered with blood the Inspector The wife was not accompanied him home,
ATTACKING HIS WIFE WITH A CHOPPER.
Sir,
In reply to your letter No. 587 of the 7th April enclosing a copy of despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the sub- ject of the proposed construction of a road authorised the increase of the Governor's Enter there, but on going into the next house he dis-
the committee
see no
from Kennedy Town to Aberdeen, I have the honour to inform you that at a meeting held on the 18th inst. the Jubilee Committee (execu- tive) carefully considered the conditions upon which the Military Authorities prepared to withdraw their objection to the road and that conditions should not be complied with
reason why, these 2-There has already been too much delay in starting the road and the Committee strongly urge that the preparation of working plans, specification, &c., may now be put in hand at once and that tenders may be called for and the work commenced at as early a date as possible.
3-The Committee further express the hope that in the event of the Public Works Depart ment being too short-handed to make an imme- diate start, the matter may be referred back to them with a view to the employment of a local firm of engineers, it being distinctly understood that the plans must be approved by the Director of Public Works, who would also exercise & general supervision.
4It is presumed that, in any case, before tenders are called for, the plans will be sub-
tainment Allowance by $3,000 a year. my salary of the Governor is not equivalent to the attention has been drawn to the fact that the full amount of £5,000, which by the Governor's Pension Act (28 and 29 Vict. Cap. 113) is laid
covered her in a state of collapse, having lost a considerable quantity of blood. She was removed to the hospital, which it is not expected she will be able to leave before Friday.
When charged the prisoner, who speaks Eng- "Yes, my wife bad woman. I tried to kill her, but she is not dead yet.”
At the Magistracy he said, "Yes, I tried to for the purpose. I paid 25 cents for it." kill my wife. I bought this chopper specially
doma as the minimum salary entitling a Gover-lish, said
nor to the highest rate of pension on retire- ment.
opinion that a Colony occupying the important 2. I have the honour inform you that I am of position of Hongkong should pay its Governor doubt that the Legislative Council will readily a salary equivalent to £5,000, and I have little
agree to do so.
of £5,000, £800 should be regarded as an En- 3. I would suggest that out of the total salary tertainment Allowance, that being the approxi- mate requivalent of the present Entertainment Allowance of $8,000. gation Allowance at present received by the The Exchange Compen Governor will, of course, cease to be paid.
4. I have accordingly to request that you will and that you will invite the Council to vote the lay these proposals before the Legislative Council, increased salary from the 1st January next.
He was remanded until Friday.
the Court, have been sold, provisionally, it is The Penang tramways, with the sanction of
reported, to Messrs. J. G. Allan and R. Young.
Dur-
the Queen's birthday was duly observed.
In Canton the anniversary of Her Majesty the ing the day the ships in port were gaily dressed sul, Mr. B. C.G. Scott, received calls from his col- with bunting. In the forenoon the British Con-
leagues, and the principal residents of Shameen. In the evening the British Consulate was nicely p.m. a great quantity of orackers and fireworks illuminated with coloured lanterns, and at 10
were let off by one of the British firms.
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