March 2, 1901.]
informed that the skew bridge here men- tioned has been recently done away with. I therefore put myself into communication with the Director of Public Works, and he suggest- ed that instead of the words “ we should use the words "centre of the nullah
skey bridge crossing the Shaukiwan Road." In order that the alteration may be made I propose that the Council go into committee to consider the clause relating to the definition of the city.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the motion was carried.
While in committee the Council agreed to the suggested alteration, and on the Council resuming the Bill was, on the motion of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, seconded by the COLO- NIAL SECRETARY, read a third time and passed.
THE LAW OF LIBEL AND SLANDER.
The ATTORNEY-GENER L proposed the second reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend the Law of Libel and Blander. The Bill, he said, brought the law of Hongkong in- to line with that of England. The Chief Justice was proparing a new edition of the Statute Laws of the Colony, and in the course of considering the defamation and Libel Or- dinance, 1887, for insertion in that work, it was noticed that amendments had not been made in this colony, although the Imperial legislation on which the Ordinance was based had been modified by recent Acts of Parliament. The prosent Bill, in conjunction with the Ordinance of 1887, would have that effect.
The COLONIAL SECRETAŁY seconded, and the motion was carried.
The Council then went into committee to consider the Bill clause by clause, and on the Council resuming, no alterations having been made, the Bill was read a third time and passed.
RIGHTS OF NATURALISED PERSONS.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance to repeal all Ordinances for the naturalisation of persons as British subjects within this colony, and to make provision for the preservation of the rights of such persons.
He said he only wished to move the second reading, without going into Committee, as he desired the Bill to stand over till next meeting, there being some few cases of persons mentioned in the schedule not having taken the oath of allegiance. It was probable that some of these persons were dead, but some of the others might possibly come forward. In the case of those who had taken the oath but were dead, he did not think it would be wise to strike them out, because the question might arise to whether their children were born after naturalisation. In the case of the others who had not taken the oath, it was quite clear their names should be.struck out.
as
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the motion was carried.
The consideration of the Bill in committee was deferred.
S
It was pointed out by His Excellency that while all children born in the Colony during British rule aro British subjects, it must be understood that the children not born in the Colony, of deceased persons, for whom Naturalisation Ordinance had been passed, but who had not taken the oath presented in such Ordinance, are not British subjects, and that to become so they require naturalisation.
REVISION OF JURY LIST.
The question of the revision of the jury list was considered privatsly by the Council, which Prose immediately after.
MEETING OF THE, FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was held immediately after the Council meeting, the Colonial Secretary presiding.
CHINÁ OVERLAND TRADE REPORT,
THE DISASTER TO THE "CITY OF KIO." TERRIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. CONSUL-GENERAL WILDMAN AND FAMILY DROWNED.
colony by the news of the terrible disaster to A profound sensation has been caused in the
Mail Steamship Company's fleet. the City of Rio de Janeiro, one of the Pacific
received by Mr. Whiley, the local representa- The first intimation appears to have been tive of the Sperry Flour Company, who, as we reported in our Extra on Saturday, the 23rd ult., received the following telegrams :-
ཡ
San Francisco, 22nd February, 4.10 p.m. landed safely.
City of Rio sunk Fort Point; all passengers
There was only one minute recommending the Council to vote a sum of $260.42 to defray a portion of the cost of extra provisions plied to the New Territory Police Stations during the disturbances in Junelast.
The vote was agreed to.
San Francisco, 22nd February, 6.5 p.m. Several lives lost.
announced that all passengers had boon landed A sense of relief was experienced when it was safely, particularly when it was remembered that Consul-General Wildman and family were among the passengers, the other saloon passon- gers being Mr. D. M. Castle and Mrs. Castle, Mr. J. K. Carpenter, Mrs. Katie Nicols, Mr, H. F. Seymour, Mrs. C. K. McIntosh, Mrs. K. West and Mr. F. B. Lee. Mr. W. Klomau, & the time of the disaster. passenger for Hamburg, was also on board at
It
of
The second telegram caused great concern. vessel
was hoped, however, seeing that the
Was 80 close to land, that hope was dashed to the ground by subsequent
those on board had been saved.
most This
had occurred, namely, that the Rio was wreck telegrams, which gave some details as to what ed in San Francisco Harbour; that there was a terrible panic on board; that 122 lives (includ- ing 24 saloon passengers and 19 officers) had been lost; and that 200 mail bags had gone to the bottom. morning before Mr. J. S. Van Buren, the local It was eight o'clock on Sunday agent of the Pacific Mail and the O. and O., the effect that the vessel was a total wreck, and was apprised of the disaster, his wire being to that Consul-General Wildman and family and a Manila newspaper) had gone down. Mr. H. F. Seymour (formerly connected with
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The terrib'e fate which it is feared has be- family has occasioned the most intense grief fallen the United States Consul-General and his
they were acquainted. The children were two among the large circle of friends with whom in number-a bright little boy of about seven years and a baby girl of eighteen months --and the agony which a devoted husband and loving father, such as Mr. Wildman was known to be, ones must have been too horrible to contemplate. when he saw that there was no help for his loved
is Mrs. Wildman's brother, and naturally the The United States Vice-Consul, Mr. Aldrich, terrible news has completely prostrated him.
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Having been hard at work in the colony for some four years past, Mr. Wildman had long look He purposed returning to Hongkong in June, it ed forward with eagerness to his trip home. being arranged that Mrs. Wildman and childrea should follow later on. Having been closely in touch with the Philippines since the commence- ment of the tronble with Spain, he was thorough- ly conversant with everything connected with the Archipelago, and consequently had been requested to call on the authorities at Wash. ington while in the States for the purpose of conferring with them. on Philippine affuirs. missed in the colony. Both he and Mrs. Wildman will be greatly
173
Peninsular and Siam. In 1893 he was Consul: at Barmen, Germany, and at the World's Fair which was hold that year represented the Straits Settlements and Penang.” He was ap- pointed United States Consul for Hongkong in 1897, and was promoted to Consul-General in 1808. He was connected with several of the learned societies in America and had made a
His Malayan tales are most charming little butor to the leading American periodicals. name for himself as an author and a contri-
sketches, whilst his latest book is generally con-
man married Letitia Aldrich, daughter of China extant. On June 3rd, 1890, Mr. Wild- sidered to be one of the most readable books on
Judge Louis Aldrich, of California, and grand- daughter of Henry S. Foote, late United States Senator and Governor of Mississippi.
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is reported as having occurred, is but a fow It appears that Fort Point, where the disaster miles from San Francisco. It is accounted a somewhat dangerous spot. The current is very strong and the water is deep, but what makes it especially dangerous are the heavy fogs which are frequent and often remain for hours at, a stretch.
by Messrs. J. Roach and Sons, of Chester, Penn- sylvania, and was of 3,548 tons gross and 2,275 The City of Rio de Janeiro was built in 1878
tons not register. 38ft. beam, and 28ft. Din. depth of hold. Her machinery was constructed by the Union Iron She was 344ft. long,
Works The Rio first ran between New York and the Brazils, under a contract with the Brazilian.Government, and when the contract expired the Pacific Mail Company
three years ago, when she went ashore in Van bought her and the City of Pava. From then overything went smoothly with her until about -
then in command, took her to Nagasaki, whera Diemen's Straits, and Captain Smith, who was she was docked. Captain Smith had charge of her some considerable time. When transferred to the City of Peking he was succeeded by Captain Ward, who joined the company in lar captains entering the Hongkong harbour, 1874. Captain Ward was one of the most popu- and his lamentable end has occasioned general among the drowned. regret. As we have before stated, 19 officers are Warl; Chief Officer Johnson, Chief Engineor They include Captain Herlihry, and Dr. O'Neil. The withdrawal America had been contemplated for some time, of the Rio from the run between here and the Peru having been chosen to take her place."
CENSUS RETURNS FOR THE COLONY.
Lockhart, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary, for the We are indebted to the Hon. J.-H. Stewart: following statement of the census of the colony, January. All the returns, with the exception the taking of which was commenced on 18th
ploted, and a comparison with the figures of that for the Now Territory, have been com
shows the extraordinary increase that has taken. for 1897, when the census was last taken,' place in the population. The analysis does not are the details:- include the military and navy. The following
NON-CHINESE CIVIL POPULATON.
Year Male Female Total. British Kowloon .1901- 641
290 931 -1897 471 245 716
Increase
Rest of Colony (Not including
Territory,
Increase Decrease
170 45 215
..1901 5183 3113 8296
New
Total Non-Chineso
#
...1897 4499 3267 7766
681
Inors.
154
530
Civil Population...1901-5824 3403
Increase.. Decrense
1897-1970-3513
854
CHINESE POPULATION.
109
9227 8482
Increase 745
:
.1901–128,556 45,538 174,024 1897-115,154 45,119, 160,273
Increase 13,402, 419 13,821
1901-1571
100
1674
1897-1485
106
1591
Increase :89·
Increase
Decrease
Victoria
Mr. Ronnserelle Wildman, M.A., M.L., was 1864. born at Batavia, N.Y., on the 19th March, Wildman, M.A.Ph.D., and Helen Rounserelle, He was the son of the Rev. Edwin sup-who was the daughter of Colonel James P. Rounsevelle, LL.D. He was educated at the Genese Wesleyan Seminary, Lima, N.Y., and the University of Syracuse. He had had con- From 1888 to 1830 he was editor of the Idaho siderable experience as a writer and a journalist.
editor of the Overland Mail (San Francisco). The Peak Statesman (Boise), and from 1894 to 1897 was In 189 hs became United States Consul for Singapore, a post which he held until 1892, during which period he was.made Commis- sioner of the Smithsonian Institution for Malay
An amalgamation of the oil companies in Echigo, Japan, which it is proposed should be formed into one company under the title of the Imperial Kerosene Company, is projected. Seven companies, it is reported, have already agreed to amalgamate. The object is to com- pete with the Standard Oil Company.
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