270-
that I was not
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[September 28, 1901.
newed laught married in Hongkong. (Re- | of several weeks' discussion by the merchants of] Rostislav, in presence of the inventor, Mr.
many of us, for
We have known Mr. Wood, good number of years, and we have always found him an exceedingly agreeable gentleman to work with, ready to do everything in his power to make things go. I have much pleasure in asking him, on behalf of all of us, to accept these presents, and I am sure we all hope he will spend many happy years with his wife, when he gets her. These presents doubtless will form a pleasing link in his con- nection with the Department here. (Applause.) | Mr. Wood replied briefly, and said-Mr. Chatham and gentlemen, no words of mine can convey an adequate idea of my feeling in accept ing these very handsome presents, which will always convey to me the expression of your good. will and recall many.happy memories. I know I have fallen very far short of deserving this kindness at your hands, but at the same time, as Mr. Chatham bas said, it is my good \luck to be married in the East. (Laughter.) I don't think I need say anything further beyond asking you to accept these few lame words as an expression of my most heartfelt thanks for kindness. (Applanse.)
your
MANILA.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Manila, 16th September.
MOURNING FOR MCKINLEY.
CORRESPONDENCE.
[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]
PUBLIC WORKS, PLAGUE, MAGIS- TERIAL ENQUIRY INTO JERRY 'BUILDINGS, &c.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE “DAILY PRESS.
Hongkong, 24th September. SIR, For the information of the community will you be so good as to publish in an early issne of your paper the enclosed correspondence, which has taken place between the Government and myself, and oblige.-- Yours, etc.,
Manila in the early part of this year, has at last Popoff, seven warships of the Black Sea Fleet returned from Washington and with it came are now being equipped with apparatus fr the new collector of Customs, Mr. Shuster. The communication between the fleet and the shore authorities at Washington did not change the at long distances at sea.-N.rgasaki Press. general scheme of duties to any great extent, and as the matter was thoroughly worked over by Manila business men several months ago, it was not thought that there would be much more to do than to set the date on which it would go into operation. However, when the Commission placed the tariff before the public, three days were occupied in lengthy discussions made up chiefly of objections. A large number of the merchants do not want the new duties to go into effect for six months, as they claim that they have large stocks on hand, on which they have paid duties at the old rates and hence any change at this time will cause a loss to them. The Commission met this by pointing ont that the business men know the old tariff was only a limited rating and that the new plan, in the ar- rangement of which they themselves were active, was to be adopted as soon as practicable. B sides, there were the buyers to be considered as well as the importers. Naturally each merchaut is particularly interested in his owu line of goods and he is well posted on the ways of im- porting and selling, and accordingly many of the arguments were extremely close and techni-¡ cal. Collector Shuster was present at the public meetings and was ready to explain every point or reason for special taxation. On Saturday Dr. Kruger, the German Consul, occupied the floor and ran through a long line of objections, but it is doubtful if they brought about many material changes. He thought the tariff very high on many of the German goods, and en- gaged in several debates with Mr. Shuster.
year
The death of the President has aroused the sincerest grief and sympathy throughout the entire islands.
Governor Taft and General Chaffee have received telegrams of condolence from loyal natives in all parts of the Archipe lago. Manila is draped in sombre crape. The Government buildings were the first to display The new tariff on the packing and exterior mourning and now the Escolta and other coverings is most unpopular, as in the majority business sections of the city are putting away of cases the packing is of absolutely no com. their varied colours beneath the prevailing black,Įmercial value and yet it has to pay duty. One All Government officials and employees are importer showed that under this ruling the wearing bands of black on their sleeves and importation of cigarettes would be prohibited. will continue to do so for thirty days. The as the duty on the tins and cases would raise Governor's proclamation announcing the death the tax from $125 to $500, of the Chief Executive was especially clear in The proposed amendments have been cabled explaining that the nation's loss would in to Washington, and an answer should be receiv- no way interfere with the life of the Governed to-day or to-morrow. The new Tariff will ment or the administration, either here or in become operative on 1st November of this America. However, already there are numeron's reports circulating among the natives to the effect that great changes may be reasonably anticipated. Many Filipinos seem to think that as Bryan had the second number of votes at the last election, he will succeed to the pre- sidency. A few months ago this calamity would have been an excellent means for stirring up the insurrection, but that is so crushed now that little or no disturbance is looked for. President Roosevelt's cabled as- surance that he will follow closely up the policy mapped out by McKinley has been received with great satisfaction and pleasure, as any change at this critical period might work untold harm. The people have learned to feel complete confidence in the McKinley adminis- tration and they naturally dread any alterations.
AGUINALDO'S SYMPATHY.
J
+
VLADIVOSTOCK.
Vladivostock. 1st August, The expected visit to Vladivostock of the Russian Minister of Finance in connection with the pending question as to whether or not porto-franco" "should be re-established here, has fallen through, but in his place Mr. Romanoff, the Chief Deputy to the Minister, will leave St. Petersburg in a few days and is expected at Vladivostock ria the Siberian route and Port Arthur, early in October.
A strong appeal is intended to be made to Mr. Romanoff by the local merchants for the re-establishment of a free port here for at least another five years. For this purpose, a special statistical bureau has been organised under charge of the Military Governor, who has invited al those interested in the subject to. furnish the bureau with statistics and other data, showing the growth of trade for the last five or ten years in the provinces affected by the customs tariff, and to give their opinions and reasons as to the removal of the tariff in such provinces.
Aguinaldo has sent letters of sympathy to Governor Taft and General Chaffee. The following is a translation of the communica tion to the Governor :--" The situation in which I find myself will not permit me, as I desire, to personally express to you the pro- found grief with which my heart is filled, because of the sad loss the nation has just experienced. If the statements of a Filipino / The data is being daily received at the Gover- who is in my condition may be considered snor's office and is arranged in systematic order, an expression of feeling, accept this as the manifestation of the most sincere sorrow my soul feels, which associates itself with the grief of the nation and with the personal bereave- ment which afflicts your heart at this time, by reason of so lamentable a misfortune.-Re- spectfully yours, Emilic Aguinaldo."
MEMORIAL SERVICES.
Memorial services will be held on Thurs- day, the 19th inst., in which both the military and civilians will participate. The troops will form on the Luneta at noon, when the last salute will be fired from the guns on the city walls. Major-General Lloyd Wheaton will be in command of the ceremonies, and Chaplain Freeland will offer the prayer.
*
THE NEW TARIFF.
"The Philippine tariff, which was the subject
"representation note' and, together with a decided upon by the committee of this special bureau at a meeting held a few days ago, will be presented to Mr.. Romanoff on his arrival here, and he, in turn, will also be requested to present the matter for final decision upon his return to St. Petersburg. Some hopes are cherished that if the tariff is not entirely removed, certain articles of first importance will be freed from duty.
The Russian first-class cruiser Variag, now at Kronstad, is preparing to leave for the Far East, and will be a powerful acquisition to the Pacific Squadron. Captain V. F. Ber will be in command of the ship.
-
T. H. WHITEHEAD.
! Enclosures.). Hongkong, 3rd September, 1901. DEAR SIR HENRY BLAKE,
With reference to the following Reso- lntion, of which I have given notice, viz:
"That in the opinion of this Council a of first-class throughly experientel officer ability in every respect and of considerable pro- fessional standing should be secured to fill the office of Director of Public Works, and that this which might be made by the Government for Council would willingly entertain any proposals
the provision of a better salary than that hitherto paid."
I understood from your Excellency's remark that you were undecided, as to whether the motion was in order, but in the hope that you will allow it, I venture to now make the follow- ing remarks, as the next meeting of Council may not take place for some time.
The Public Works Department is the greatest spending Department of the Govern. ment. The duties devolving on the Director of that Department are very responsible and most important.
Those difficult and arduous duties must steadily increase year by year with the material progress and the ever expanding commerce of the Colony. If the plague can be kept away from Hongkong there is practically no limit to the further expansion of the trade of the port which may safely be said to be yet in its infancy.
The development of the New Territory in the Kowloon Peninsula (on which $736,571,34 of public money has been expended from 1898 to 30th June last) must add largely to the duties of the Director of Public Works.
The work of the office is now so vast in the aggregate that it appears to have already out- grown the capacity of any one man, however- able, industrious, or energetic he may be.
In short, the time appears to have arrived for the separation of purely sanitary and municipal work from the public works of the Colony. It is growing more evident every day that the granting of municipal powers to the tax-payers cannot be much longer delayed..
لی
In the interests of the trade and the shipping of the port I am convinced of the imperative necessity of now securing and appointing a thoroughly experienced officer, first-class in every respect and of considerable professional standing, to take charge of the Public Works Department and of the ever increasing duties devolving on that Department in respect of roads, streets. buildings, sewerage, water-works, reclamations, and the many important public works now in progress and in contemplation.
A better salary than that hitherto paid is in- dispensable, and the Council should" willingly vote the same.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) T. H. WHITEHEAD. His Excellency
Sir HENRY A. BLAKE, G.C.M.G.
Government House, Hongkong, 5th September, 1991. DEAR MR. WHITEHEAD,
I quite recognise the important work to As a result of successful experiments with be performed by the Director of Public Works wireless telegraphy made recently at Odessa as an administrative official, and I have no between the shore and the Russian battleship' doubt that this is fully realised by the Secratary
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