September 22, 1900.]
CANTON.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Canton, 15th September.
THE UNEMPLOYED.
On account of the troubles in the North and the consequent closing of many shops there and elsewhere, the business of Canton has been very much paralysed, and between five and six thousand labourers were thrown out of employ. ment. The Nam Hoi Magistrate the other day called a meeting of the head men of the guilds and gentry, and proposed to enlist half of the number as soldiers; but as to the other half the head men promised to find work for them.
A BLAG FLAG CHIEF COMES BACK.
With regard to the report that Linyungfu, the Black Flag General, has taken 5,000 soldiers to the North by the overland route, it is now said that he and his troops are coming back, seeing that there is no use proceeding further.
SUN YAT SEN AGAIN.
was
It is rumoured that Sun Yat Sen the re- former, who, it may be remembered, suspected two years ago of smuggling arms into Canton and trying to raise a rebellion in Kwangtung in the time of the late Viceroy Tan, and who in consequence was said to have taken refuge in Japan and other places, is gathering his followers and enlisting soldiers somewhere about the West river, and acting in conjunction with his colleague Kang Yu-wei, intends to march up to the North to wreak vengeance upon the vicious mandarins, and help the Foreign Powers to restore order.
LOCAL RUMOURS.
All the newspapers having been sup- pressed here, the bad characters a few days ago started a fresh rumour just the contrary of the foreign version, to the following effect: that 20,000 foreign soldiers were killed by the Chinese troops; that the Foreign Powers had to withdraw their troops from Peking, and pay an indemnity to China; that the Foreign Powers are to forfeit their treaty rishts, and all the ports are to be closed against foreign commerce; that Kwang Hsu is to be reinstated. and the Empress Dowager banished that Kang Yu-wei is to be recalled to be minister in place of Li Hung-chang; and that all mission- aries are to be excluded from China. Another rumour is to the effect that there are thirteen Foreign Powers waging war against China, of whom Japan is most powerful because she reached Peking first and did most of the fight ing work that China has to pay to them 13 million taels; that in each treaty port there will be two foreign Consuls to guide the mandarins in governing the people; and that any native converts who repent, and are willing to follow Confucianism again, are at liberty to do so.
CONSEQUENCES OF THE TROUBLES. The literary examinations in all the provinces have been postponed this year in consequence of the Peking trouble, as it was feared that by their anti-foreign proclivities the literati might raise trouble and incite the populace to riot. The Waising farmers, some residing in Canton and some in Macao, have taken steps to forward their claim to the local mandarins for a refund of part of the monopoly money. It will take some time yet to get it back.
A CANTON ROMANCE.
In the Cha Fan Street, Old City, there lived a woman, by name Ayes, of the age of 22, described as beautiful and fascinating in manner; and in the same house there also lived a poor widow Lao-she to keep her company. Of late Ayee had made the acquaintance of a young Buddhist priest, who in the disguise of a layman, with a false queue, paid her visits so very frequently as to rouse the suspicious of the neighbours, who reported the matter to some soldiers of the garrison near by. About a dozen soldiers were lying in wait to catch a view of the pleasure. seeking priest. On the 12th inst.. between 8 and 9 p.m. as he was in the house, they burst open the door, and rushing in caught the pair in a tête-à-tête. Without loss of time the intruders plucked off the false queue of the bonze, tied him up hand and foot, and beat him. Mrs. Lao, hearing the noise in the next room, and imagin- ing that it was a burglary, rushed up stairs to the roof and gave the alarm by sounding a gong and shouting out for help, which attracted all the enighbours to the spot. The priest crouching
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. down with tears in his eyes pleaded hard for mercy. He said that Ayee was betrothed to him when quite a girl, and had been married to him; that on account of family trouble he went into a convent and turned a priest, and that he came to pay her a visit. As according to the religious tenets of Buddhism a priest should live in celibacy, he was compelled to pay a squeeze of 40 to 50 dollars before he was allowed to depart.
CORRESPONDENCE.
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS' CHINA RELIEF FUND.
REPORT OF THE LADIES' WORKING
COMMITTEE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS.
Head Quarter House. Hongkong.
15th September.
Sir, You were kind enough some three weeks ago, through the instrumentality of various sub- cribers in Hongkong, to forward us the sum of 375 dollars, which was further augmented by 100 dollars from Major-General Gascoigne, making 475 dollars in all.
This was handed over to our committee. to
spend in the manner we considered most advis able for the use of the sick and wounded soldiers and sailors at the front (in China), and a number of ladies were kind enough to volunteer their services in the making up of the materials.
We have now the honour to inform you that we have spent the money in the following man.
and the articles in question have been for warded by us to Colonel Prendergast, R.E., Com- missioner at Waihaiwei, for distribution by him as he sees fit:-
ner,
40
55
Flannel Shawls. Sots of Pyjamas.
12
Flannel Bedjackets.
10
12
Dozen Woollen vests. Dozen pair of socks. Knitted waistcoats.
In addition to these, we have also included 10 books of short stories kindly forwarded by Mrs.
R. Chatterton Wilcox.
209
of fire to a minimum, as no kerosene or naked lights will be required in any part of the vessel. On Saturday night the ship was lighted up by electricity, when she presented a brilliant spectacle. The machinery deserves special men. tion and speaks volumes for the resourcefulness of Messrs. Fenwick & Co. in being able so suc- cessfully to carry out a work of this magnitude, so different to their ordinary type, without dislocating their usual business: special appli ances had to be devised for machining some of the heavy parts, and a new cupola was constructed for making the large castings, all of which turned out successfully. We may mention that the low pressure cylinder weighed 31 tons. The engines are compound surface condensing, diameters of pistons 18" and 38", and length of stroke 6 feet. The cylinders are fixed on to steel joists on the main deck, which are extended to carry the paddle wheel. The latter consists of 14 wood floats secured to steel rims, the diameter from centre to centre of floats is 17 feet and revolutions of the wheel
24
per minute. Water is circulated through the condenser by a separate rotary pump, which with the Air, Feed and Bilge pumps is in a compartment underneath the engine room. The Dynamo and Motor are in the engine room, where is fitted an elaborate system of switch boards; there are also switches in various parts of the vessel, so that the officer on watch may control any section without having to send messages to the engine room; on account of the distance to the pilot house being great, a speaking tube is fitted between it and the engine room, and the reply telegraph has two standards on the bridge and "Tell-tale " arrangement showing the direction in which the engines are running. The Boiler is 13 feet in diameter and carries a pressure of 120 lbs. steam; forced draft is provided by a separate engine driving an air impeller 5 feet diameter: the change from 'forced' to 'natural' draft can be effected in a few minutes. A steam Windlass and Capstan are fitted forward, the anchors are Trotman's patent, and Cables to Lloyd's test.
•
On the trip the machinery ran well, and the smoothness and easy handling of the main en- gines were noticeable. Unfortunately no speed trial could be taken as, owing to the very light draught of the vessel, and the position of the orifices for inlet of condensing water being near the wheel, immediately on a high speed being attained the centrifugal pump became charged with air, and consequently refused to work: this defect was discovered at the preliminary trial a few weeks ago, and in consequence an additional injection valve was fitted, but appar- ently is not sufficient to overcome the difficulty. Other devices will be tried, and before the ves- sel is placed on her run the high speed expected ing Committee. by her owners and builders will have been at-
tained.
May we also take this opportunity of thank- ing all those ladies who so kindly helped us in the work, and those subscribers who enabled us to send these comforts to our comrades in the North-We have the honour to remain, yours obediently.
H. GASCOIGNE. A. E. BERTIE. J. TURNER. A. CLIEVE.
Members Ladies Work-
[We have still a balance of subscriptions in hand, but as it is possible a base hospital may shortly he established in Hongkong, when similar articles will be needed, we hold over this balanco in view of its possible requirement. Ed. D. P.]
TRIAL TRIP OF THE
8.S. NANNING."
The trial trip of the new steel sternwheel steamer Nanning took place on Saturday. 15th inst. The vessel is the first of two building by Messrs. Geo. Fenwick & Co., intended for the West River trade, her sister ship, the Sairam, being now ready for launching.
The principal dimensions of Nanning are:- Length over all 168 feet. Breadth moulded 31 feet, Draft of water with 170 tons cargo, 4 feet. The passenger accommodation is extensive, On the main deck are two large compartments with berths for 64 natives, and a separate room for women with 16 berths: the crow's quarters are on this deck at the forward end. The saloon deck has accommodation for 16 second class passengers and a women's room with 8 berths; forward of these are the officers and first class passengers' state rooms, boys' rooms, lavatories, &c.
Above the saloon deck is the pilot house and Captain's room, lifeboats, and appliances for navigating the vessel. The electric light is installed throughout, thus reducing the danger
The following gentlemen were present:-Mr. Lowe and Mr. W. Ramsay, Superintendent Engineer (representing Messrs. Butterfield and Swire); Mr. Yule (representing the Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Co.); Mr. A. Sinclair, Superintendent Engineer (represent- ing Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and to.); Messrs. A. Rodger, Director, W. G. Winterburn, General Manager, J. Andrew, Superintendent Engineer, and W. Merry, Engineer, for the builders (Messrs. Geo. Fenwick and Co., Ltd.); the re- presentatives from the three local newspapers, and guests. It was a fine afternoon, and refresh- exception of the fact that the pamp was not ments were provided in the saloon, and with the working as well as was anticipated, there was nothing to interfere with the success of the trip.
According to London telegram dated August 31st, it was on that date officially certi- fied that eleven cases of bubonic plague had broken out in Glasgow. The British Medical Journal in discussing the subject doubts whether even the vigilant medical officers of health at our numerous seaports are in a position to deal with imported cases of plague as promptly as desirable. That journal further points out that while there is no need for alarm, it is not con- vinced that we are not liable to have cases of plague occurring in seaport towns and in large cities, and it urges the Local Government Board to issue information, so that every medical man
hall know immediately what to do.
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