528
THE HONGKONG WEEKLĹŸ PŘESS AND
ROYAL HONGKONG YACHT CLUB. | the financial soundness of the Chinese mer-
The second race for the Commodore's Cup will take place to-day, as previously announced. On Sunday a race for two cups presented by the 3rd M. L. I. will be sailed, starting at 12.30 from Blackhead's Pier over a conrse round Kowloon Rock, Channel Rock, and mark boat off Lyeemun (starboard), dinghy at starting line (port), Kowloon Rock, Meyer's East Buoy (starboard), fiuishing across the starting line distance, 15 miles.
Handicap. Bonito and Alaunoh allow-Iris 1 min, Meteor 4 min., Erica 3 miu., Maid Marian 3 min., Chanticleer 4 min., Gloria 7 min., Doreen 7 min., Active 8 min., Dart 10 min., Ladybird 14 min., Payne 14 min.
OFFICIAL SALARIES IN HONGKONG.
AN APOLOGY TO THE GOVERNOR.
In its issue of the 23rd November the London and China Express says:—
|
chant, trader, and banker. The Chinese be- lieve in and are more friendly disposed to the British than to any other foreign power. With fiecal reform the trade of China is capable of almost immeasurable expansion, and fiscal reform would largely help in the solu- tion of the China problem. In this connec- tion Chinese statesmen would welcome skilful guidance from the British, as they know full well what England has accomplished in bring- ing about and establishing fiscal reform in Egypt. What is urgently needed in China is another Lord Cromer."
THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. According to Tokyo advices, samming up information possessed by the Japanese at Shanghai, the Diplomatic orps is still in conference with regard to various items to be demanded of the Chinese peace commissioners. It is reported that the representatives of the
[December 29, 1900
HONGKONG.
A new table has been issued of rates of postage for parcels chargeable at the Post Office in the Colony on and after the 1st prox.
The Victoria Recreation Club's premises at Murray Pier will be finally closed on Monday, the 31st instant, when the New Club House in Austin Road, Kowloon, will be opened.
In consequence of the sailing ships Adolph Obrig and l'aul Revere having arrived in har bour several days over their scheduled time, they have both lost what were considered by local shippers to be pretty valuable charters.
Mr. H. E. Pollock, the Hon. Treasurer of the Seamen's Church and Mission Fund, 80- knowledges with thanks the receipt of the following further subscriptions:-- The Rev. R. F. Cobbold, M. A.
...$25. His Honour Sir John Carrington ..820. The Mother Superior of the Italian Convent begs to acknowledge the receipt of the follow- ing sums
Dr. Hartigan
***
44
Young Chik Shing..
Messrs. Levy Hermanos... Goo. D. Sharnhorat...
J. Boyol
T. F. da Cruz
...850 25
10
5
Powers have decided to resume hostilities in the ovent of China failing to comply with the ultimatum of the Powers Prince Ching and Viceroy Li Hung-chang are not in a position to present any peace terms to the foreign repre sentatives, who have caused the Chinese Com-
The service at St. John's Cathedral on The missioners to wait for conditions stipulated by Christmas morning was well attended. the Allies. Boing dissatisfied with this state of
edifico, had been tastefully decorated from the affaits, some of the staff of Ching and Li Hung-portal to the chancel and altar-steps with sea- chang have already left Peking for Shanghai.
Our attention has been drawn to an article by our Correspondent in Hongkong which appeared in the Supplement of the London and China Express of August 3, 1900, under the heading The Far East Revisited." It was there stated, with reference to an increase in the salaries of the Governor and certain higher officers of the Colony, sanctioned by the Secretary of State as from January 1 last, that although these increases had necessarily Having approved of the peace conditions to be voted by the Legislative Council they adopted by the Diplomatic Conference at Pek- were drawn before such a vote had been passed, ing. the advices continue, the majority of the and this alleged drawing was censured as an Governments of the allied Powers have already irregularity of a personal and private nature appointed their representatives to act as peace which could not be condoned under the circum- plenipotentiaries. The power invested in the stances in which it occurred. We unreservedly Foreign Ministers is stated to be limited, as the Goverments reserve the right of final decision accept his Excellency's assurance and that of the Colonial Treasurer, which have been pro-in important affairs. The Diplomatic Corps has duced to us, that no increased salary was drawn by any official until such increases had been duly voted by the Legislative Council, and we express our sincere regret that the un- founded allegations in question should have been made or allowed to appear in the issue above referred to. We tender to His Excellency our apology for any annoyance caused to or aspersion cast on him by the statements of our correspondent, which he has regarded as libel on him, necessitating recourse to legal proceedings if allowed to stand uncontradicted
MR. T. H. WHITEHEAD ON CHINA.
a
Speaking at a dinner of the Imperial Liberal Council at the Hotel Cecil, London, on 12th ult, the Hon. T. H. Whitehoad, said:-
The foreign trade of China aggregates some £70,000,000 per annum, and the British Empire. including India, shares in this trade to the extent of about 69 per cent. Having lived in the Far East upwards of twenty-six years. I have had a varied experienco of China and the Chinese. The recent troubles in China were exceptional and should receive exceptional treatment at the hands of the Bri- tish Government. The troubles were brought about by the European Powers annexing or stealing Chinese territory. Regarding affairs in the Colestial Kingdom there was no greater living authority than Sir Robert Hart, for many years Inspector General of the Im- perial Chinese Maritime Customs, and his some- what remarkable essay, "The Peking Legations, a national uprising and an international epi- sode," in this month's Fortnightly Review, is deserving of careful study and every considera tion. The China problem is one of the greatest the world has ever had to face, inasmuch as the European Powers have there to cope with about 25 per cent. of the total population of the world. The Chinese are a virile race, amenable to reason and most easily governed if skilfully guided. They can be led but will not be driven. During my residence in Hongkong the British Banking institution I have the honour to represent there has turned over with its Chinese customers commercial transactions aggregating many tens of millions of pounds sterling, and the bank has not lost a penny by any one of its Chinese constituents. It affords me great gratification to thus testify to the commercial solidity, the integrity, and
|
|
|
sonable greenery and ferns. The processional hymn was Hark the Herald Angels sing," and the Anthem "Awake, O Zion" by Stainer. During the offertory the hymn "O come, all ye faithful" was rendered by the choir. The Lord Bishop of Victoria, the Right Rev. J. C. Hoare, M. A., was the preacher.
The annual Christmas dance of the Hong- kong Police was held at No. 8 Station on Tuesday evening, when there was a large atten- at last acknowledged Prince Ching and Viceroy danes. Dancing commenced at nine o'clock, Li Hung-chang us the Chinese pouco ministers and was kept up with great spirit and enjoy. vested with plenary powers, but some of the
ment until the small hours of the morning, Mr. allied Powers have not yet appointed their
Lance- Grant acting as master of ceremonies. representatives to negotiats peace with the Chinese Commissioners, and accordingly the Sergeant Kent acted as secretary, and, with the help of an able committee, carried the formal opening of the peace negotiations will pro-proceedings through to a successful close. The bably not take place till the end of next month.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE
GERMAN EXPEDITION.
The official report concerning the German Expeditionary Force to the Far East contains a number of interesting details which are now made known for the first time: 5,579 horses have been procured at the immenso cost of £672.899. It was out of the question to send German horses to the Far East through the Red Sea and the tropics during the hottest season of the year, nor could China by reckoned upon to supply a sufficient number of service- able horses. Arms. ammunition, and field appliances of the newest make wore got to gether. As this material had to be taken from the supplies stored up in case of war, steps will be taken to replace it by April 1, 191. Only the material for two mountain batteries had to be bought. as it was not comprised in the army stores. The equipment of the force with arms, ammunition, and fie'd appliances had been so well provided for, that no reservo rein- The forcsments will probably be necessary. food supply sent out with the force is sufficient to meet all demands for some long time, and in any case fresh supplies could be des- patched from Germany before the present supplies came to an end. An adequate sup- provided in ply of winter clothing was view of the difficulties of quick transport in China. Both the clothing and general equip
were made ment given out to every man in view of the special conditions of life on Six field the voyage and also in China. hospitals can accommodate 1,200 men, and tonts for the sick, movable barracks, and wood for building barracks have also been taken out, aud their use will furnish accommodation for 1,000 The hospital stores already in China will men. meet the wants of 3,000 sick and wounded for four months. The official report shows very clearly that the authorities have taken the gratest possible care in every direction to ensure the comfort of the German troops in China.
|
ballroom was gaily decorated with bunting and greenery. Inspector and Mrs. Duncan were warmly thanked for their kindness in extending the hospitality of their house for the occasion. The police are taking active stops to sup- press an evil that is developing to a serious extent in the colony-the issuing and passing of of bad money, presumably by a gang or gangs counterfeiters. As matters at present stand, it is an absolute necessity, when one is re ceiving change, no matter from whom, to examine every coin, especially ten and twenty cont pieces, with a view to testing its genuine. noss, and even then, so clever are the counter- feits-differing almost in no essential from good money-the chances are that one is deceived and comes away in possession of the very coins one has been seeking to avoid. However, in view of the attitude of the authorities, there is every reason to hope for an amelioration, if not even the extermination, of this very real evil.
St. Peter's Church was well filled on Christ- mas morning, when the congregation were treated to a carol selection and a solo from the Messiah "For behold darkness shall cover the earth." Later in the day the church members and their friends entertained the seamen from the various mercantile marine vessels in harbour to a fete at Little Hongkong, where a variety of sports were indulged in. The company left Hongkong in several launches. There were, in all, about 150, ineluding some mon from the siege train at Kowloon, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and blue- jackets from the men-of-war. The programme included tugs of war, throwing the hammer, fut races, &c., and concluded with an all-round seasonablo tos. Prizes were subsequently pre- sented to the successful competitors in the various events by Miss Johnston of Fairlee, and Miss Mabel Sheffield, who was introduced as the skipper, opened a deeply-ladened sea-chest (which took the place of the annual “ Brig ") and distributed asoful presents to the assembled company. At the close it was testifled that the day's entertainment had been one of the most enjoyable which has been held within the history
of the church.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.