54
US sna
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
seven years the sanitary measures enforced It has now become a fact, that for the last have rather inflicted hardship on the labouring class than benefited the colony at large, by des- troying the poor people's household property, which, though rubbish in the eyes of their betters, is treasure to themselves, and by indirectly raising the rents. Who will say that if, with 88 a month, the Chinese can house their families in large airy buildings with tennis courts and gardens attached to same, they prefer to huddle together in dark holes? The coolies are also human beings and possess very little, yet if it is really wanted, the similar senses. Though Chinese support matters hardship on their poor should not be entirely ignored.-Yours, etc.,
the Indian Imperial and Provincial finance out enquiring into the causes that justify such and expenditure: the authorities were moved, an attitude on their part. I know for certain Parliament was convinced, and a resolution that they will be very glad to support the agita was passed for the appointment of the Com- tion on foot, if it can only be secured that mission prayed for, with Lord Welby as chair-matters will not be made too hot for their poor man, and others, including that veteran and eminent Indian statesman, that Grand Old
to stay. Man of India, that Parsee ex-M.P., Professor Dadabhai Naoroji. Now just let how the Commission ended and what it achieved. Thanks to the genuine sympathy of Englishmen at home, those who had been to India, like Sir William Wedderburn, Mr. W. S. Caine, Mr. William Digby, Mr. Schwan, all M.P.'s, and those also who had not been there, it was arranged that the Commission should sit in London, examine witnesses, record their evidence and draw up a report with the necessary recommendations. The witnesses to be examined included Indian representatives from India, one from each of the large Presidency towns in the Presidencies of Bombay, Bengal, Madras and other places. Iudian political associations were, from the very inception of the Royal Commission, in high glee: they were ticipating events. They had arranged for expert Indian witnesses to be sent to England to give evidence before the Commission, and they were eventually actually sent there and manfully stood the searching examination and scathing cross-examination at the hands of the in- dividual members of the Commission.
I do not pretend to say that these Indian gentlemen, men of light and leading, were infallible witnesses; a fact here or a figure there might have failed to impress the Com. mission as a whole or its individual members, but what we are concerned with is the net result of the Commission. And what was that result? The Commission ended its sittings in due course and drew up an elaborate report which
an-
contained the self-same recommendations that these weighty Indian witnesses had gone all the way from India to England to impress upon the mind of the Commission, and which all political and educated India was earnestly praying for. Formal and authoritative orders and instructions have been issued by the Home Authorities directing and enforcing retrench. ment and economy in specified directions. If, shown above, India has succeeded, why should Hongkong not?-Yours, etc.,
28
A BOMBAYITE.
A DANGEROUS ROAD.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS."
9th July. SIR, The Hongkong Government is not only to blame for their inertion in the matter of sanitary reforms, but also for the dangerous roads in this colony. With regard to the latter I should now like to make a special reference to the one leading to the wharf of the Hong kong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Co. This thoroughfare is in a very disgraceful condition, with innumerable ditches full of mire, and accidents in this locality, I am told, are not of rare occurrence. Last Saturday while going to the Macao boat in a ricksha and just when I was about to take the turn to approach the wharf, the vehicle, the coolie and myself tumbled right into one of these ditches. The condition in which I emerged I leave it to and to your readers to imagine. Amidst the sympathy and laughter of my friends and some passengers, I went on board the Heungshan
for a new outfit.
you
Will the P. W. Department be kind enough to look to this grievance, or will they wait for some serious accidents to warrant any action on their part?—Trusting that you will give publicity to this letter, and enclosing my card, yours, etc.,
"A VICTIM.
THE CHINESE AND SANITATION.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PEE88.
Hongkong, 10th July. SIE,-I endorse every word your evening contemporary, the Hongkong Telegraph, says in its leading article of yesterday. It is not fair to condemn or form any conjectures as regard the motive of the few shining stars amongst the Chinese, in refraining from pending their signatures to the petition, with
ap-
JUSTICE.
HONGKONG ELECTRIC COMPANY,
LIMITED.
The twelfth ordinary yearly meeting of shareholders in the above company was held on Saturday at the offices of the General Managers, Messrs. Gibb, Livingstone and Co., 4, Queen's Buildings. Mr. ('. S. Sharp, chairman of the company, presided, and there were present:
Hon. C. P. Chater, C.M.G., Hon. J. Thur- burn and C. W. Dickson (directors), Messrs J. Goosmann, G. T. Veitch, R. R. Robarts, E. Terry, A. G. Wood, J. C. Peter, A. O. Baptista, J. Wheeley, T. H. Reid and W. H. Wickham (manager).
As
plant and machinery, and, in regard to this, I
[July 15, 1901,
that, in addition to the ordinary wear and tear can only refer to my remarks of last year, viz., on our plant and machinery, provision has also to be made for such becoming superannuated
point we have considered it necessary to keep doing the same work at a lower cost. This is a through the invention of machinery capable of
well before us, and provide for accordingly. The amount available for appropriation, as shown in the accounts, is $52.831.89, and I trust that you will approve of the disposal of this in accordance with the recommendation of the Board. Before proposing the adoption of the report and the passing of the accounts, I shall be happy to answer any questions shareholders may wish to ask regarding these.
of the CHAIRMAN, seconded by Mr. G. T. There were no questions, and on the motion VEITCH, the report and statement of accounts were accepted and passed.
The next business was the election of directors, and on the motion of Mr. J. GooSMANN, seconded by Mr. J. C. PETER, the Hou. J. and Murray Stewart be re-elected anditors. Thurburn and Mr. C. S. Sharp were re-elected. Mr. VEITCH proposed that Messrs. J. C. Peter
Mr. T. H. Reid seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN said-That concludes the be ready on Monday. business, gentlemen. Dividend warrants will
INDO-CHINA STEAM NAVIGA- TION CO.
of the board of directors of the Indo-China Steam Navigation Company, Limited, presented The following is the nineteenth annual report
to the shareholders at the twentieth ordinary general meeting, held at the London offices June :---
the company,
on Thursday, the 13th
of
The startling events that have taken place had the disastrous effect on the shipping trade in Northern China during that year have not which might have been looked for. It is true that the customary business with Chefoo, Tientsin and Newchwang has been seriously interfered with, but this loss has been com- pensated by the necessities of the fleets and armies, and by the extent of trade in the Southern Provinces. Competition by foreign shipowners for the coasting and river traffic is, however, even more keen than before.
+4
per
The notice convening the meeting having been read, the CHAIRMAN said:-Gentlemen, with your permission propose that we adopt the customary course, and take the r port and accounts as read. We feel pleased that the figures we are able to place before you at this opportunity show continued progress. During the past year, we have had a good deal less work pass through our hands in the shape of installations and such like, which, considering the large amount of such work done during the previous year, is hardly to be wondered at, and the receipts from this source accordingly show some falling off; this, however, is balanced by the expenditure on such being correspondingly lower. The receipts from current supplied, the working account shows so large a surplus, In these circumstances it is satisfactory that however, show a satisfactory advance, and the which enables the Board to recommend an gross earnings for the year under review are increased dividend. The disposable balance not so far behind those for the preceeding year. whilst the profit on working is some $11,000 propose should be appropriated to the payment amounts to £63,336. 7s. 8d., which the directors better, and we trust this will be considered satisfactory. Most of the items of expenditure interim divident paid in November last 10
of a dividend of 6 per cent., making with the show some increase. Coals show an advance cont. for the year, together with a bonus of 4 been a larger quantity consumed, whilst the in the amount expended, but there has per cent. free of income tax. This will leave au average price per ton is rather lower, and ward.
amount of £13,747. 78. 8d. to be carried for- we hope the course of the market may enable us to still further decrease this.
The directors have thought it expedient to you will see from the accounts, the new
open a
General Reserve Fund," which is issue of shares is now fully taken up, and This will serve to continue their policy of meet- credited with £70,000 from accumulated profits. all capital due on same to date has been received.ing the requirements of trade with the newest In November last a call of $3 per share was made on the new issue in order to provide the further funds required for payment for the new machinery ordered. This machinery has now nearly all arrived, and a portion of same is in the working, the results of which, however, already in use, and should effect some economy have not had time to make themselves felt in the accounts now before you. The remainder of the machinery we hope will shortly be erected and ready for use, and when this work is completed, our station will be well equipped with machinery of the most modern type, and of a capacity well in excess of our present requirements. We anticipate, however, that some further outlay may shortly be necessary for a few further additions to the station plant, and for laying down under ground mains in place of some portion, at least, of the present overhead system, which is now under consideration. During the past year we have found it necessary to make some additioning in last report has been despatched to to the station buildings and the staff quarters, the cost of which appears in the accounts. These provide much needed additional accommodation. As will be seen, we recommend a $23,348.61 to be written off for depreciation of sum of
and other current requirements. class of vessels, as well as for renewal of boilers
The rate of exchange for the adjustment of dollar, and owing to remittances having been accounts has been continued at 1s. 11d. per been derived from this source which is added to made at more advantageous ratos, a surplus has Exchange Reserve Account, increasing it to £11,699. 18. Bd.
been unimportant, no total loss having been The claims on underwriting account have sustained during the year, and the balance at credit now amounts to £206,101. 18. 6d.
noticed in last report, two small steamers from In addition to the river steamer Fuh Wo the West River with their attendant barges, in which this Company was interested, have been sold during the year, the proceeds fully covering the figures at which they stood in our books.
The steamer Lai Sang mentioned as build- Shanghai, where she arrived on the 2nd instant, and she will immediately take her place on the Caloutta line. A second steamer for the improved coasters of about 2,300 tons register. trade is now in hand at Giasgow, also two
SAMO
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.