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November 4, 1901.1
last meeting, a letter was addressed on the 18th September to the British Minister at Peking acknowledging receipt of his letter of the 26th August giving certain information as to duties on imports, and, referring to the signature of the Protocol, expressing a hope that there will be no delay in carrying out its terms both in the letter and the spirit.,
The SECRETARY stated that, on the 30th Sept., a letter was addressed to the Chamber of Commerce calling attention to the fact that Sir James Lyle Mackay, the Commissioner appointed to conduct the commercial negotia. tions with China under the provisions of the Protocol, would probably arrive here about the middle of November, and inviting them to either express their views on the Tariff in the form of a Memorandum, to be transmitted through this Chamber, or to send a representative to meet the Commissioner with this Committee.
The SECRETARY said that, so far, no reply had been received to this communication.
The CHAIRMAN said it would be well to write again, and the Committee concurred in this view, it being the general opinion that the Canton Chamber should be represented here when the Commissioner arrived.
The CHAIRMAN said he thought the Chamber should do something on the occasion of the arrival of the British Commissioners, though | it was probable they would not wish to remain in the Colony long. He might mention that Sir Ernest Satow was coming down to meet the Commissioners.
The VICE-CHAIRMAN thought there should be a conference between the Committee and the Commissioners.
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD suggested that a memorandum should be prepared by a sub-com- mittee composed of representatives of the Import-houses, giving the views of the Chamber on the Tariff and trade.
After some discussion,
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
launches of less than 60 tons within sec. 28 of | the Ordinance.
After some discussion, it was decided to write in reply that the Committee were aware of the fact mentioned in Messrs. Dennys & Bowloy's letter.
With regard to the amendment suggested by the Chamber in No. 16 of the Quarantine Regulations,
The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD said that when the clause was discussed in the Legislative Council he moved an amendment in the sense suggested by the Chamber, but though Mr. Bell Irving, Mr. Thurburn, and Mr. Wei Yak supported him, it was lost, the original clause being carried by the aid of the Senior Unofficial Member and Dr. Ho Kai, who voted with the official majority.
After some discussion, in which regret was expressed that the Government should have seen fit to reject so reasonable an amendment,
The CHAIRMAN proposed that the shipping companies and firms should be asked to unite in a protest against the clause as carried, and send it in to the Chamber, when the Government might again be addressed on the subject.
This was unanimously adopted.
THE BANKRUPTCY LAW.
Read letter from the Colonial Secretary, dated 16th October, referring to previous corres- pondence on the subject of the amendment of the Bankruptcy Law, enclosing copy of a des- patch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies covering copy of a letter from the Board of Trade on the Bankruptcy Amendment Ordinance, 1901, with an opinion by Mr. Muir Mackenzie, its legal adviser, together with copy of a minute from the Crown Solicitor on the subject, and requesting the opinion of the Committee on the points raised by the legal adviser of the Board of Trade, which were summarised as follows:-
1.- Should the meaning of the term "debtor " in the Bankruptcy Ordinance be extended so as The CHAIRMAN proposed that the Vice- Chairman, Messrs. R. L. Richardson, H. E. to include, in addition to British subjects, not Tomkins, T. Arnold, and A. B. Smith be ap- only resident foreigners, but also non-resident pointed & Sub-Committee to consider the pro- foreigners carrying on business in the Colony' gramme and draw up a memorandum of the either as partners with others, or by means of a manager or agent, either in a firm name or in subjects connected with the Tariff to lay before the Commissioners:
Hon. J. J. BELL IRVING seconded, and this was carried unanimously.
THE AMENDMENT OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCE.
On the 29th Sept. a letter was received from Messrs. Dennys & Bowley, forwarding copy of a Petition presented to the Government by the Kwang Wan Steamboat Co., Ld, the Shun On Steamship Co., Ld. and the Shun Tai Steamship Co., Ld. (owners of team launches plying between Hongkong and ports on the West River), with reference to the number of passengers they will in future, under the Bill to amend the Merchant Shipping Ordinance of 1899, be allowed to carry on board their launches.
On the 28th idem a letter was received from Mr. Whitehead, enclosing copy of a draft Bill. and, referring to the above Petition, sugges- ting the appointment of a Sub-Committee to consider both the Bill and the Petition.
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This suggestion was adopted, and on the 12th October the Sub-Committee presented their report, which was to the effect that the pro- posed amendments in the Ordinance their approval, with exception, viz, in No. 16 of Quarantine Regulations (Table I) in which they suggested the substitution of the words "if on ship's articles" in place of With "whether on the ship's articles or not.” regard to the petition of the launch-owners, they fully endorsed the proposed Government Regulations, and were of opinion that all steamers trading from Hongkong to the West River and other Chinese Inland Waters should be governed by the River Steamships' Regula- tions, under which the Macao and Canton river steamers run.
their own names?
2.-Should an adjudication be allowed to be made against a firm in the firm name, so as to bind all the joint and separate property of the partners in the firm although not individual- ly named in the order of adjudication ?
The CHAIRMAN said he was decidedly of opinion that their answer to these interrogations should be in the affirmative. He thought that they would all agree with these proposals, which were in the spirit of their own sugges- tions for amendment of the Bankruptcy Law, only they went perhaps a little further.
The Committee unanimously concurred in these remarks, and it was decided to reply to the letter in that sense.
This was all the business of public interest.
CANTON.
[FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]
Canton, 26th October.
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deep, and in this the horses ran. unable to turn, their riders could there- fore give all their attention to the shooting. Four wickerwork pillars some two feet in diameter were set up at intervals a few feet on the left hand side of the trench, and these served as the targets at which each man dis. charged his arrows. Proclamations were for- merly issued forbidding Europeans to watch the examination for fear of accidents, but this was not done this year and there were two or three present. The bow-shops, whereof there are over a score by the East Gate alone, will be hard hit by the change, and are being forced gradually to close their doors.
THE CIVIL EXAMINATION.
Thursday morning very early the list of Kuiyan or M.A.'s was carried in procession with music from the Examination Hall to the Governor's Yamen, and then placarded through. out the city. The total number of degrees given was 176, about double the average number. The list was headed by a man of the Sz Yap district; the second was a native of Canton. The 68th name is that of a rich Singapore merchant who has come to China especially for this purpose. The successful candidates attend a banquet at the Examination halls in a few days, after which the Chief Examiner leaves the building, where he has been shut up for a month. His entry and exit are the occasions of a procession in which the officials ride in open chairs and wear court dress. There is much competition among the proletarist to be the first bearer of the news to a successful candidate, as custom decrees him a reward of ten dollars. The same authority also compels the candidate to give a feast to his friends, which involves the spending of some $200 more.
THE STRIKE OF FISHERMEN.
The Wong Sha strike of fishdealers has come to an end. It was occasioned by the creation of a new embankment, 500 broad, which prevented the fishing-boats from discharging their cargoes as formerly, at the back of the dealers' houses. The dealers objected to the expense involved in hiring coolies to carry the fish, and refused to supply any fish to the shops in the city. The price has consequently risen, and the Wong ha fishermen who were thrown out of work did a little rioting. They told the prefect on his enquiry into the case that a certain literary Doctor had advised them to do this as the only way of calling attention to their grievances, matter has now been settled by the constructors and he dismissed them with a caution. The of the new embankment undertaking to allow the fish-dealers to occupy the new houses on the water front of it in exchange for their present dwellings.
A BOXER VICTIM.
A day or two ago a man was observed in Canton who, though dressed in rags, was by his manners and appearance a gentlemen. The gate-keeper of a certain rich merchant noticed him passing and repassing the house and told his master. The merchant went out and accosted him, and he replied that he was looking for the house of Mr. So-and-so (giving the name); the merchant said that he was the man in question. The beggar thereupon gave his name and the The new house tax came into effect last merchant, recognising it, invited him to come mouth, but has hitherto provoked no distur-in. It appears that this man lived in Peking, bance, as the landlords have not yet attempted to raise rents. But the people do not look upon it with favour, and the deputies who were sent round to enquire the rent of each house were received rudely everywhere and pelted with stones in one village,
* THE NEW HOUSE TAX.
THE LAST OF THE BOW.
where he was very prosperous. He owned 27 pawnshops, was reputed to possess one million dollars, and had seven sons, one of whom was a member of the Han Lin Academy, while two were Kuiyan. Last year on the beginning of the siege of the Legations the Boxer official demanded a sum of $300,000 to be paid within The bow in China, though it has long ceased two days. He was unable to find the money. to be an effective weapon, was still the official The soldiers entered his house and killed all his weapon until the recent Imperial Edict con- family, men, women, and children, on whom they demning it, and it made its final appearance could lay hands, to the number of over 40 a week ago, when the last military examina-persons, finally burning the house. He himself tion on the old lines was held. The Edict with one attendant escaped and reached Shang- substituting the gun for the bow was only hai, where his money gave out and he supported Read letter from Messrs. Dennys Bowley, received when the candidates for the military himself for two months as a street hawker. A They friend had persuaded him to come to Hongkong, dated 17th October, in which, after acknowledgexamination had all reached Canton.
He merchant lent him $100, and has since had a ing receipt of Chamber's letter of the 12th idem, therefore petitioned the Viceroy to allow the and he now wished to return to Peking. The they asked if the Committee were aware that the old examination to be hold once more. River Steamer Regulations, as the Ordinance at first refused, but finally consented. The actual letter forwarding the money and saying that examination was held on the parade ground the man having sold such property as he could present stands, only apply to vessels of over sixty tons, and that an amendment of the In- outside the East Gate a week ago, and lasted recover, is going to try a make a new fortune terpretation clause will be necessary to bring two days. A trench was dug some two feet in another land.
Letters to this effect were despatched on the same day to the Hon. T. H. Whitehead and to Messrs. Dennys & Bowley.
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