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November 9, 1901.]
yet standing. There was a university building in the rear of the church, which was utterly ruined, only the foundations remaining after a thook of less than one minute. The debris of the university disappeared years ago, pro- bably for paving or new foundation work, such being the purposes for which the church walls are now coming down.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
against an area equal to the vertical projection of the entire roof. All roofs shall be securely anchored to the supporting walls or timbers through their trusses or rafters. Steel trusses of more than ten metres span shall be constructed to allow for changes of temperature and the clear span of wolen roof trusses shall not exceed twelve and one-half metres. There The new building law presupposes that is provision for buildings in interior courts, corrugated iron roofs, dove-tailed joints, broad which must have a clear space of six metres foundations, truncated corners and strong around them and not exceed six metres framework protected by masonry will keep in height. No sheds or stables shall exceed earthquakes, as well as typhoons, outside the six metres in height or be constructed on danger line. It provides that in the District the street front. Kitchen chimneys must of Strong Materials all buildings shall be of be of heet iron, with conical spark arrestera; stone, brick, iron, steel, or substantial wood of they must be supported by iron-work and approved kind and quality, and it prohibits the reach at least one metre above the leaves use within that district of nipa, bamboo and of any building within a distance of ten other light materials. In that district also no metres; they shall be at least 20 centimetres permit is to be granted for the material altera- from any woodwork; at the point of leaving tion or repair of buildings of light material now the building, the intervening space shall be standing. Such buildings must be removed filled by sheet iron or brick; and all chimneys from the walled city and two of the wards by shall pass through the roof and no opening for January next, from certain other wards by next thein may be made in the walls. Smokestacks July, and from all parts of the district by one shall not be of brick or masonry for a greater year from next January. A permit is to be height than 14 metres. If higher they must required for all repairs in this district, based be of steel, carry spark arresters, be secured to upon an application in writing, with plans and withstand a wind of 200 kilometres per hour, specifications attached. Specifications for new rise at least five metres above any building buildings must be minute. Owners must con- within a distance of 50 metres and be at least struct sidewalks and keep them in order. one metre from any woodwork. The law goes, Building materials shall conform to legal trade into detail as to theatres, meeting or amuse- and manufacturing standards and only the best ment halls, factories, and the classification and lime-mortar may be used, with such proportion inspection of steam boilers. There is thus no of sand as to insure cohesion and elasticity and reason why Manila should be shaken, burned, with a mixture of cement, if it is to be exposed or blown down if a circumstantial law can to the action of water. The maximum safe hedge it with safety. The authorities seem to bearing capacity of the soil is estimated at fear storm or fire more than earthquake. Why twenty tons to the square metre, and founda- fire is not common can be explained only by tions must be proportioned to that pressure, reference to the fortnue that guards the reck- and must reach a depth of 50 centimetres less, for men, women and children smoke, throw below the general surface of the ground. | lighted matches broadcast among the easiest In composite buildings of masonry and tinder, and nearly always there is breeze enough framework, the uprights of the frame to fan a flame. Protection against high wind work shall extended into the foundation is a necessity in comfortable existence here. piers not less than 50 centimetres, but not But when the earth, content usually with mild- through them. No wooden pile or timberly swaying its bulk, comes into the open for a foundation shall be permitted above the lowest level of seepage water. Outside masonry walls without framework shall have a minimum thickness of one-sixth of their height and masonry partition walls without framework shall be less than 30 centimetres thick. main wall shall be of greater length than twice its height without partition walls for support. Only in places of worship; may masonry walls without framework be more than one story in height, but composite walls of masonry and framework may be four stories high, with a wall thickness of 80 centimetres at the first story, 60 at the second, 40 at the third and 20 at the fourth. Three-story buildings must start with walls 60 centimetres thick, two-story buildings with 40 centimetres and one-story buildings of that construction must have walls 20 centimetres thick. Framework of buildings of more than one story shall be so designed and braced as to support the roof independently of the masonry filling, and to withstand a wind pressure of 200 kilometres per hour against roof and sides. No story may be built of less than three metres or more than five metres high. Floors in tenements, dwellings, apartment-houses or hotels shall be of sufficient strength to sup- port an imposed weight of 340 kilometres per square metre. Joists shall be connected by cross bridges at intervals of every five metres of length and joists and beams shall be secured to walls and to each other by iron anchors and straps, so that there shall be a tie running from wall to wall across the entire building at intervals not to exceed three metres. Openings It is stated that the ground on which the more than two and one-half metres in width Black Fort stands will be included in the shall be spanned by a steel girder or properly Cathedral property and used as & Roman designed "arch. Lintels or girders shall | Catholic cemetery. not rest directly upon brickwork but upon
Treasurer of Chibli contemplates, bedplates of cast iron or granite. Framework publishing a work on Boxerdom, so that the of buildings, when not filled with masonry," people may understand the idle futility of
hall have sufficient stability to resist a wind of Boxer doctrines and avoid the eyil. 200 kilometres an hour against the area of roof and sides.
No
Roofs shall be of galvanised iron, tile, or similar non-combustible material, Roof-trusses shall be of steel or substantial timber, con- structed so as to support, in addition to their own weight, a uniform load of 85 kilograms per square metre over the entire roof surface, and to resist a wind of 200 kilometres per hour
show of power, it leaves no doubt that it can use its giant strength like a giant. The building law will not got its supreme test until that challenger shall try conclusions with it.
NORTHERN NOTES.
The following items are from the P. & T. Times of the 26th ult:--
Prince Ching and Na Tung are both proceed ing to Honan to meet the Court.
The State Lottery in Peking has been stopped, but the reasons are not stated.
Li Hung-chang is stated to intend meeting the Court at Paotingfa. Ching-ting being too far.
One hundred and twenty-four eunuchs have arrived in Peking from Hsian. First batch!!
On the 18th inst. the Plenipotentiaries handed the Indemnity Bonds to the Doyen of the Diplomatic Body.
Tenders are now open for the destruction of the Taku Forts, which is the next item on the fort-demolition bill.
The metropolitan examinations are to be held in Honan. This is, of course, the direct evasion of the provisions of the Terms.
One of the Yamêns in Paotingfu is being prepared for Li Hung-chang, who will take up his residence there after the Court's return.
The new Bureau of Government Affairs, which is in reality the old Tsungli Yamên under another name, is having offices built in Kai- fong.
The
The Russians, having control of all the telegraphs in Manchuria, do not permit any code messages, and all Chinese telegrams have to be translated into English.
We are glad to see the Club has shaken hauds with itself, and looks quite smart in its new coat of paint, and a brave show of greenery in front; many improvements have been made in the interior
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Foreign cloths have been ordered to take the place of silk bunting around the entrance gates of Peking in honour of the Court's returo, and some Chinese think that under such circum. stances it would be better to do without any decorations at all.
The telegraphic instructions to reduce the number of yameus and officials in Peking, which was received by the Grand Council office last month, turns out to have been a bogus message, and not sent by Imperial orders at all, the Court having no such intention.
The commandant of the Imperial Palace Guard, some 5,000 men, has notified his men that they will be drilled daily in the use of fire- arms, and that the number of their arms and the ammunition are to be kept intact. In other words a rifle is to be produced where a rifle ought to be. No prigging.
The native papers lay great stress on the frequency of the daring robberies of cash-shops by armed bands, sometimes in open daylight, as in the Chinese eyes such things are only possible when a very rotten Government is in power, and they urge the P.G. to take very strong measures to check these crimes or it will lose face with the people.
The repairs of the Palace are now almost completed, but the Summer Palace is not ready yet, as the Court considered there was no need for haste there. The Princes recently visited the Summer Palace, however, and were 80 shocked at the ruins that they dare not let it be seen by the Empress and are subscribing funds towards its immediate repair.
The Imperial authorities are endeavouring to repurchase articles taken from the Palace on the capture of Peking and sold by foreigners in the Capital. A curio-dealer has lately produc- ed the screen which stood behind the Throne, and stated he had given Tls. 600 for it. Li Hung-chang has therefore reimbursed him to that amount. This seems to be a favourable chance for owners of loot from the Palace to do a deal.
Two fresh cases of armed robbery are reported near the West Gate of the City. It appears to us that the Police Department requires to be rather more on the alert, as during the winter these cases will become more and more frequent unless greater care is taken, and the whole Provisional Government will become discredit-
ed. All the departments are so well managed that it will be very regrettable if any slur is cast on the occupation through the laxity of one. It is stated by Chinese that the Chinese police are in the pay of these rascals, and this is à difficulty which can only be circumvented by extra diligence of the foreign superintendents, of whom there are several.
CORRESPONDENCE.
[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS."
Quarry Bay, 6th October. SIR, I was amazed to read the report of the discharge of a coolie who threatened Mr. Schoenfelder with a chopper. Apparently (ne must not take one's servants too often to Court; nor must one "take the law into one's own hands," even to striking an innocent coolie with a paper envelope. The injured innocent has decamped with a large basket of velvet, lace, linen, etc., etc., belonging to his late master's neighbours, but as the late master was censured for having trouble with his coolies he did not call a policeman, nor did he strike him with a piece of paper. Apologising for taking up raluable space.-Yours, etc.,
SUB JUGUM.
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TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS," Hongkong, 7th November. SIB,-Can you tell me why the sanitary Authorities do not prosecute Europeans who convert their basements into kennels, stables, and poultry-pens? I am largely blessed-or cursed-with an ultra-amiable neighbour who keeps a mangy pack of yapping ill-tempered dogs-mongrels and otherwise-together with whole flocks of poultry, in his basement. In fact, were the exact truth available, I believe it would be found that the "gintleman who pays the rint" blissfully wallows under his bed.
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