February 16, 1901.]
on it are, owing to its closer vicinity to grow- ing distriota, cheaper than to Japan. Labour is much cheaper and management of large undertakings by Europeans is more economic and infinitely more efficient than by Japanese. These are the sole advantages possessed by Hongkong in this industry as compared with Japan. They will-while they continue-per. haps enable it to compete successfully with Japan in neutral markets; but as to Japan itself, the local refineries now enjoy a fear margin of 30 to 35 sen per picul on refined sugar of the first and of 40 to 45 sen of the second or higher grade, and this is already quite sufficient to turn the scale in their favour for every picul that they are able to produce.
JAPANESE BUSINESS METHODS.
"In addition to these existing or prospective advantages enjoyed by the native refineries, methods of pushing their business have been adopted which are well calculated to bring their products into favour and notoriety among con. sumers. Most of the principal wholesale dealers, who form in themselves a close corporation virtually controlling the whole trade, are share- holders, and other things being at least equal it is therefore to their interest to push to the utmost the local production. With each pur- chase by them a gift of 100 tins of samples is made, each tin stamped with the particular refinery's trade-mark, and bearing a tioket denoting the grade of sugar contained in it and the date of supply, while in every tenth bag of sugar sold is a wooden ticket which on presenta tion at the office of the refinery entitles the holder to a prize. None of those or any similar expedi- ents are adopted by the Hongkong refineries. No special inducements are offered by them to wholesale buyers, no attempt at all is made to enter into relations with consumers and no use made of advertising, which is now greatly increasing in Japan. The great refineries of Hongkong are content to rest on their reputa. tion, on the almost unchallenged control of the market which their products have held for more than a decade, every succeeding year apparently increasing that control and ousting every com petitor from it. But the competition, that is now not threatened but an actual factor, is of a much more formidable nature than any it has heretofore encountered, and either energetic measures must be taken to combat it or an en- tirely new line of action struck out.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
VICTORIA GAOL IN 1900.
The Hon. F. H. May's report on Victoria Gaol in 1900 is published in the Gazette. We make the following extracts:
The number of prisoners admitted to the Gaol under sentence from the ordinary Courts was 5,263 besides 127 soldiers and sailors sentenced by Courts Martial. There were 30 prisoners admitted for debt and 12 in default of finding security, making a total of 5,432. Of these, 702 were old offenders. The corresponding number for the preceding year (including 736 old offenders) was 4,789.
SUGGESTION FOR HONGKONG REFINERIES.
"The British-owned refineries in Hongkong are two in number, both of which have had careers heretofore marked by very great pro- sperity and have proved exceedingly remunera tive enterprises, their dividends having occa- sionally reached figures as high as 19 and 25 per cent., and seldom having fallen below 10 per cent. The export to Japan has been an important factor in their prosperity, and should its threatened loss become a reality, there can be no doubt it will be seriously felt. There is one way in which it may be counteracted, one which is certainly the very reverse of free from risk, but which on the other hand might not only prevent the loss of what has already been attained but secure a full share in the increasing market of the future. That is, to establish branch refineries in favourable localities in Japan itself. The now treaties give the right to do so in any part of the Empire that appears suitable, restrictions that now exist in the ac- quisition of real estate, in perpetuity or for sufficiently long periods to justify the erection of expensive buildings and manufacturing plant seem likely to be removed by the legislation that the development of a more liberal spirit among the Japanese people is now promoting, and though such enterprises on the part of foreigners in Japan would have to encounter many difficulties from an organised opposition on the part of the native competitors already in the field-one that would not always be conducted on strictly legitimate 1
The daily average number of prisoners con- fined in the Gaol during the year was 486 as compared with 434 for the year 1899, and 510 in 1898. There were 125 prisoners convicted from the New Territory during the year, 37 of whom were sentenced to two year imprison. ment and upwards. There 141 convicts in the Gaol on the 31st December, 1900, against 96 on the 31st December 1899, and 55 on the 31st December, 1898.
The number of prisoners admitted to the Gaol for offences not of a criminal nature was 2,267.
There were 6 deaths and 2 executions during the year, and 27 prisoners were released on medi. cal grounds.
The sanitary condition of the Gaol was good. There were 2,344 reports against prisoners for breaches of prison discipline, being an average per prisoner of 4 82 as compared with 2,459 with an average per prisoner of 3.66 for the preceding year, and 4,038 with an average per prisoner of 7-9 in 1898. There were 7 cases in which cor- poral punishment was awarded during the year. The industrial employment of prisoners re- mains the same as last year. There were 2,265,291 forms printed and issued during the year, and 5,966 books were bound during the same period. The value of the work done in the Printing Department amounted to $17,365.57. Deduct ing the cost of type, paper, etc., from the earn- ings, the net profits amounted to $12.064 46. The total profits on all industrial labour amounted to $17,458.34.
All the improvements in the Gaol have been completed. The new wing, however, has not been opened, as the locks for the doors have only just arrived from England. The building of the new quarters for the Staff proceeds slowly, The Gaol at the present time contains 500 separate cells (78 of which are just about to be opened), and 14 association cells.
Five hundred and fourteen prisoners can thus becon fined on the separate system-the only satis- factory one-while 56 more prisoners could be ac- commodated on emergency by putting 5 prisoners in each association cell. This gives a total capacity of 570 prisoners. The daily average number of prisoners was last year 486, and on occasions, by no means of emerger oy, as many as 598 prisoners were confined at one and the same time, while the numbers for several weeks
in the hottest weather were over 570. The accommodation is therefore already insufficient, and I have accordingly to point out that the building of a new prison for convicts should receive early consideration:
CANTON.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
141
Canton, 8th February.
ARRIVAL OF THE NEW VICEBOY.
The new Viceroy Tao Mu arrived yesterday afternoon at about 4 p.m., with nine attendants only accompanying him. Most other Viceroys and high officials would have brought over a hundred or more.
The conduct of the Gaol staff has been good.
The following items are from the Foochow Daily Echo for the 2nd February :-The gloom cast over Foochow last week by the news of the death of H.M. Queen Victoris has increased rather than diminished this week through the stern fact having been more thoroughly realised. The dull cold weather too has not been without its effect on the spirits of the community over and above the natural depression caused by see. ing everyone in mourning and all the Consulate flags at half-mast.-The Tartar-General, Shan Lien, died on the 27th ult. at his Yamen in the city. His Excellency had not completed his lines this might be counteracted first year of office in this province, having only to a large extent by a liberal admission of arrived on the 17th February last. He stood and efficiency of European management should the foreigners resident here who did not know in themselves go a long way to atone for all other disadvantages. The experiment is a risky one, but the possible rewards may be sufficient to justify its contemplation, and it is far less speculative than many for which funds are yearly found in abundance in Eastern European settlements."
He was received at the
Government wharf by the Acting Viceroy Tak Sow, the Tartar General, the Hoppo, the Pro- vincial Judge, and other officials, and conducted into the Kan-yat Teng Pavilion. After the ceremony of reception, interviewing, etc., wAS gone through, and tea had been offered H.E, took his departure, and went into his yamen, and the other officials also left for their yamens.
His Excellency is said to be 80 years of age, and of very economical habits; instead of the costly blackwood furniture which usually adorns-an official building he has ordered it to be replaced by common wooden things. Being quite the opposite to all other Viceroys, he is said to be averse to receiving the presents which are as a rule sent by subordinates seeking favour.
MANILA.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
PROMINENT CONTRACTOR IN THE TOILS. Manila, 7th February. The Military Police have arrested Mr. D. M. Carman and his partner Senor Carranza, who have been doing business under the name of Carman Company for the last two years. The firm is one of the most influential - in Manila and during its existence, which dates only to the beginning of the Am- erican occupation, it has accumulated a great amount of wealth. Mr. Carman practically controls the lighterage and bay transportation of the port of Manila, and with these vast inter- ests he has made his power felt everywhere in the business community. Besides for many months during 1899 he furnished the Govern- . ment with most of the bull-cart transportation for carrying on the operations in the provinces.
The police have not yet made out any formal charges against Mr. Carman, and his present status is that of a man held on
uspicion for aiding and abetting the enemy. However, the officers claim that they have a very strong case against him, and in all probability the charges will be sent in to-day. In the meantime Mr. Carman is detained at the Anda Street Station, and no one is allowed to see him. His partner is also held
under similar circumstances.
THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CHARGE..
Mr. Carman occupies an unique position among Manila business men. He came here on the transport which brought the Montana Volunteers and immediately started into busi- ness by arranging for the disembarkation of the tropps. At that time cascos or lighters were very scarce and there was much difficulty in handling the troops and cargo of the army transports. Being a live business man he saw his opening and devoted himself to the handling of cargoes. The business profited so well that he was soon making plenty of money and began to take an interest in other ventures. It is said that he left San Francisco as the representa- tive of several firms, but if so his connections have never been carried out to any great extent. Mr. Carman was treated with especial favour by General Otis and by the chief quartermaster, From Otis he obtained
launches on the Pale permission to ply
and the Laguna
de Bay during the months when the insurgents were holding almost every place except Manila. Armed with Otis's pass he was on the river and lake at all times of the day and night passing through the American lines and visiting the towns held by the insurgents, which were
men.
Japanese shareholders, and the superior economy | high in the estimation of all who knew him, and | forbidden by the Americans to other n
him, perhaps even by sight, must have warm regard for the memory of this high official who co-operated with the Viceroy and the Taotais in preserving law and order in the troublons and anxious times of the summer.-It is report ed that the Russian gun-vessel Mandjour is at anchor under Matsu disabled,
This wont on during 1899 and part of 1900. Everybody know it, but though there was a great amount of grumbling among other business men there was nothing to do as Mr. Carman had Otis's pass and the General would give no one else like privileges. It is during this period that the police claim Mr. Carman incriminated himself by carrying on large deals
Page
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.