260
defective building. Decay of buildings or timbers, lanislip, fire, carelessness in re- construction or demolition, and bad founda- tion, etc., account for the renmining cases. The number of coroner's enquiries was 9, exclusive of the Cochrane Street case; the result of these as far as can be gathered from the table was to decide that 22 people had been killed and 4 injured-an instruc- tive result! One prosecution was instituted, viz., in the case of the collapse of Nos, 45 | and 47, High Street on the 15th June last, when the contractor, who was also part owner, was fined $100. Here a wall with a weak base had been pulled down and rebuilt and two additional windows had been opened in it; and three deaths were caused by the fall of the houses. In two cases chronicled in the list, involving the death of five men, no enquiry was held and no record of the cause of collapse appears.
Such, briefly put, is the story of building collapses during some six years of our Colony's history. It cannot be pretended and one of which those concerned have by anyone that it is not a miserable record, every cause to be ashamed. Yet only now by dint of great pressure do the authori- ties appear to have awakened to the The under- necessity of some action. manned building inspection staff is showing vigour, but the work is beyond its present strength, and unless it is reinforced there is little hope of amelioration. As we stated a few days ago, the Government is believed to be giving the matter most careful, atten- tion. It is to be hoped, too, that the subject of enquiries into such collapses as occur in the future may be fully dealt with, and some less futile methods adopted than bave prevailed in the past.
i
DEATH OF MR. J. J. FRANCIS.
(Daily Press, 23rd September.}
But Mr.
[September 28, 1901.
THE ENGINEERING EXPERT
FOR HONGKONG.
(Daily Press, 25th September.) It is stated that Mr. OSBEET CHADWICK has been appointed to the Commission which is to inquire into the sanitary condition of the Colony, and will act in conjunction with Professor SIMPSON. No official commúnica. tion has yet reached the Petitioners to con- firm these appointments, but there is reason to believe these experts have been selected. Reference has already been made in these columns to the appointment of the medical expert, whose nomination, we believe we are correct in stating, is not viewed with much favour by the local Government owing to his being a strong man and apt to give vent to his opinion. The administration of the
local Government has been so much criticised
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS.AND. j Q.C., the then leader of the Bar and the then Attorney-General (who at that time was allowed private practice) mong- For some years, polising all the plums, therefore, he was obliged to be content with the crumbs that fell from the table, and during that time he was glad to accept the posts" successively of Acting Police Ma- gistrate and Acting Poisne Judge, which he obtained through the influence of Sir JOAN POPE HENNESSY, whose side he consistently espoused in that Governor's long and bitter quarrel with the British and, Foreign com- munity. On the whole, it must be said for Mr. FRANCIS that his friendship with Sir JOHN POPE HENNESSY Cost him far more than he gained by it, and it would therefore be unfair to impute to him self-interest as a motive for his advocacy of the Hennessian régime. His outspoken utterances, too, estranged mrany persons who would otherwise have employed him professionally. FRANCIS's talents were so conspicuous, his of late that it may pardonably fear the advent of a strong independent commission experience so great and varied, that he was
of inquiry. The appointment of Mr. when Mr. HAYLLAR retired he had no rival viewed with mingled feelings by the com- bound to make his way to the front, and
CHADWICK as the engineering expert is and has since-for the past eighteen years
remained in undisputed possession of the munity. No one doubts the ability of such an eminent expert, for it is generally first place as advocate at the Hongkong believed that had his recommendations been Bar. He was made a Q.C. in the year 1886,carried out, and not in numerous instances during the administration of Sir GEORGE either tampered and trifled with or ignored
Since that period Mr. FRANCIS BowEN. has been closely identified with local affairs entirely, the necessity for such a Commission would not now exist. Fortunately Mr. in the Colony. In no capacity, however, has he shone so brilliantly as in the exercise COOPER, the real originator of the existing of his profession, where he made a reputa-system of drainage, will not be here to per- suade Mr. CuADWICK, as he undoubt tion that will long survive him. He was for some time a member of the Sanitary edly did in the past, but the fact remains thate the Committee who originated Board, and did yeoman service during the first outbreak of the plague- service which the Petition discussed very fully the Mr. CHADWICK'S being was most inadequately recognised by the possibility of
again seat and were unanimously op- presentation from the Colonial office of a silver inkstand while a young official as-
posed to his reappointment. There is no sociated with him in the work was rewarded reason to believe that on this the opinion of,
The Petition with the Companionship of the Order of the Committee has altered.
asked for an independent expert, and though of St. Michael and St, George.
Mr. CHADWICK may be an able engineer enthusiastic Volunteer, which force he held a commission for and familiar from experience of the condi-
veurs, and
tions prevailing in Hongkong with our for some Wits
essential neeils, yet his having filled for some years the position of consulting engineer to the Hongkong Government disqualifies him if that condition is to be adhered to. At present he is a servant of the Government whose administration he is called to investigate and judge, and is scarcely likely to condemn methods which have initiated and which from
HO
He was in
time
10-
he may
It is with sincere regret we have to record the unexpected death of Mr. J. J. FRANCIS, ¦ also K.C., the leader of the Hongkong Bar, and one of the oldest and best known residents | many in this Colony. Mr. FRANCIS, availing its popular and energetic Commandant. himself of the vacation, recently left here Even when advancing years induced him for a short trip to Japan, and information to resign and make way for younger was received here yesterday morning to the, men, he still evinced the keenest effect that he had died at Yokoliama ofterest in the movements of his Corps, and apoplexy. Few men have been more identi, nearly always attended at their outings and fied with the history of this Colony than parades. He was also for several years a had Mr. FRANCIS. His experiences have member of the Committee of the China been alike varied and interesting during his Association, and eventually Chairman, a long career in Hongkong. He arrived here post he only resigned just before leaving for experience have been found unsuitable. with the Royal Artillery, in which force he Japan, on the ground that he found his We feel we are expressing the feeling of the was a non-commissioned officer, during the professional duties consumed all the time community in stating that while there will second China War, and at its conclusion he was able to give to work. Mr. FRANCIS be no formal objection made to his appoint- bought his discharge, married, and settled always had one unfulfilled ambition: he ment, yet much disappointment will be felt down here to the study of law in the office coveted a seat on the Legislative Council, if he should arrive, for the reason that the wishes of the community for an independent of Mr. GASKELL, a local solicitor. For this and was a candidate for the seat vacated by profession he was by his natural bent of Mr. WHITEHEAD when the latter gentleman expert have not been recognised. Such, mind eminently qualified. He had been last went home bou leave. But the Chamber however, emphasises the greater need of the not responsive; the medical expert being a strong and a capable educated at Stony burst, having been in- of Commerce tended for the Roman Catholic priesthood, members prefer to be represented by a and though he could not, being essentially member of the commercial community, and
rboice fell op
Mr. THURBURN, of a militant character, bring himself to their take orders, he always remained a faithful manager of the Mercantile Bank of India, son of the Church and admirer of the Jesuit Limited. Hongkong will miss JOHN JOSEPH order. It was not remarkable, therefore, FRANCIS in many ways. It will miss his genial, that, when he had served his articles and breezy presence, his ready eloquence, and tommenced practice, he soon rose in his his cheerful willingness to assist in the pro
After a few years' sue.
motion of any public measure or any social new profession. cessful practice, during which he made institution. As one of the founders of the money, he decided to read for the Bar, and Odd Volumes and as an ardent supporter of accordingly sold the practice to his partner, the Navy League be rendered invaluable Mr. M. J. D. STEPHENS, and proceeded to assistance in arousing public interest in those bodies. In his time he met with many London, where in due course he
On his return rebuffs, sustained many reverses, but always admitted at Gray's Inn. to the Colony, However, Mr. FRANCIS found met them manfully and never bore malice, difficult than he expected to General sympathy will be felt for his widow, make his way in the higher branch of on whom the news of his decease must have the profession Mr. T. C.. HAYLLAR, len with much severity.
it more
was
Iras
mail.
A recent proclamation of the Shanghai hsien Magistrate set forth new laws regarding tramps These are promulgated by and vagabonds. authority of the high provincial authorities, In the prefectures of Soochow, Sungkiang, Changchow, Chenchiang, and Taichow, for a first offence, such criminals will be cangued and two characters signifying tramp" will be branded on their left cheek. Only if they find bondsmen will they be released. After three years' good conduct they will be allowed to remove the branding. A second offence will be dealt with more severely by imprisonment for three years. Persons bearing arms for illicit purposes will also be branded and tied to an iron stake for one year. If they are still unrepentant they will be tied to a big stone for Very aggravated (cases will be five years. banished or summarily executed as necessary.
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