January 27, 1902.]
all will pray that whoever may be brought in from outside the limits of the Hongkong Government service will be a man of undoubted strength to character.
THE LATE POSTMASTER-
GENERAL.
(Daily Press, 23rd January.) It is with most sincere regret we have to record the death of Retired Commander W. C. H. HASTINGS, R.N., Postmaster- General of Hongkong. By his lamented and untimely decease, the Colony loses an able, energetic, and most painstaking official, who can ill be spared. Captain HASTINGS only recently returned to Hongkong from a trip home on leave, and was almost immediately after his return obliged to give up the work he had so much at heart. He died yesterday morning at the Government Civil Hospital from cancer on the spine, a rather unusual form for this fell malady, after a good deal of suffering: Captain HASTINGS
in Hongkong
1900 out as Assistant Harbour Master, and has since that time filled many posts, amongst others those of Acting Harbour Master, Acting Police Magistrate, Acting Coroner, Acting Captain Superintendent of Police, Acting Governor of Victoria Gaol, Superin- tendent of the Fire Brigade, and finally he was appointed Postmaster-General, at a time when that department had fallen into considerable confusion. In all these varied
came
to
posts he brought the same thoroughness and quick intelligence to bear, and upon assuming charge of the Post Office he insti- tuted drastic reforms and alterations which, as far as possible under the conditions-the most inadequate and ill-adapted building in which it is housed and limited staff-brought it up to comparative efficiency. Had the gal- lant officer lived to see the Post Office housed a in suitable structure he would no doubt have been able to realise all his plans and wishes for its efficient and rapid working. As it is, the Colonists are indebted to him for inaugurating many reforms and for bringing the Department more into line with current requirements. Captain HASTINGS thoroughly identified himself with the public life of the Colony, always showing a keen interest in all forms of sport, and was for some time Chairman of the Victoria Recreation Club,
|
14
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
55
the original committee which drew up that daily. There was no exaggeration in the document, the principal members of which opening remarks of Mr. OSBORNE on Thurs- were the Right Rev. the Bishop J. C. HOARE | day on the shortage of water, and many of (President of the Committee), the late Mr. our readers are in a position to endorse them J. J. FRANCIS, K.C., Colonel PASSEY, and to add further details. The present Dr. HARTIGAN, the Rev. W. BANNISTER, drought is admittedly abnormal, though Messrs. W. POATE, H. HUMPHREYS, not unprecedented. It is the duty, however, MURRAY STEWart, A. CunniNGHAM, T. H. of municipal authorities, whether officially REID, and W. D. BRAIDWOOD. The much appointed or popularly chosen, to be ready lamented Mr. FRANCIS was a particularly to face abnormal conditions. Mr. CHATHAM ardent supporter of the scheme, and his allowed that recourse to the measures re- advocacy of it was among the last of his commended by Mr. OSBORNE and already services to the public. It will be remem-adopted within recent experience may be bered that, as a result of the Committee's necessary, though it is hoped that this will ot nbe so. It may be gathered from this deliberations, the Bishop was requested to draw up a petition. This he did, and after that should the present drought continue it had been approved by the other members, unbroken for a few weeks more the Govern- it was forwarded to H.E. the Governor. Sir ment is prepared to incur the expense HENRY BLAKE gave it his most cordial sup-called for by such steps as the provision the Island of fresh water drawn port, as was to be expected from his previous on declarations on the education question in from the Canton River. As we have now Hongkong. The report on the Blue-Book for barely more than eight weeks' supply, this Everyone 1900, forwarded in September last with his emergency may arise very soon. endorsement, said: No satisfactory pro- of course hopes that this will be averted by vision for the education of European a timely visitation of rain, but the situation children exists in Hongkong. Whilst is very discomforting and emphasises the European parents prefer to have their improvidence of our local administrators in sons and daughters educated at home, a the past. The rapidity of the growth of preference dictated by climatic and other Hongkong is, very naturally, alleged in reasons, there are not a few Europeans excuse of this want of foresight, but the now in the Colony who are unable to lesson to be learnt is that all existing or afford to send their children to Europe. future schemes for the water-supply of Kowloon must allow It would seem only just that educational Hongkong and "facilities which are at present wanting the largest possible margin of increase. "should be afforded for such children."; This is a subject on which the local Press Such virtually being the Governor's opinion, has repeatedly dwelt in the past, but the agreement between the official and non- with little apparent effect. official view on the question was rare for completely justified the arguments advanced Hongkong, and a favourable result to the in our columns and those of our appeal has been eagerly looked for. There temporaries. We wish to claim no particu. have not been wanting, it is true, pessimists lar credit for such expression of opinion, who prophesied that the matter would be for it is only the thoughts of such of the "shelved" and that Hongkong would be community in general who have devoted forced to continue in its state of educa- any attention to the matter that have been tional benightedness. This happily has not voiced. proved to be the case, and we trust to see soon a move to put the Colony on a more dignified footing among the foreign settle- ments in the East.
66
富家
វ
THE WATER FAMINE.
Events have
con-
But at least it can be asked with
justice that the local authorities will refrain from continuing the blind policy of the past.
THE NAVY IN CHINA IN 1900.
Of these, one
(Daily Press, 20th January.) An interesting return has been prepared (Daily Press, 25th January.)
for the House of Commons, and since issued, Mr. USBORNE did the public good service of the casualties incurred by the British and enjoyed a widespread popularity for by calling attention once more, at Thurs- naval forces employed in operations ashore his genial qualities, his unsparing devotion day's meeting of the Sanitary Board, to and afloat in China in 1900. From this it to duty, and to his fearless discharge of it the unfortunately perennial question of the appears that the total number landed was on all occasions. He was also a staunch and Colony's water-supply. He elicited from 167 officers and 2,040 men. enthusiastic supporter of the Navy League, the Director of Public Works the informa- officer and 51 men were killed, 26 of the. of which indeed he was President of the tion that we have at the present moment latter with Admiral SEYMOUR's relief force a widow and in hand a little over eight weeks' supply, and 22 in the defence and relief of Tientsin. local branch. He leaves several children to mourn the loss of an judging from the rate of consumption last 4 officers and 12 men subsequently died of affectionate husband and a kind father. In week. Mr. CHATHAM also stated that the their wounds, while disease accounted for
services for the supply of shipping are the loss of 2 officers and 20 men. their sad and irreparable loss the commu-being disconnected, and that the supply for total deaths thus amounted to 7 officers and nity most heartily sympathises.
A SCHOOL FOR EUROPEAN
'CHILDREN IN HONGKONG.
(Daily Press, 21st January.) It is with feelings of great pleasure that we learn that the Secretary of State for the Colonies has expressed his approval of the scheme for the establishment of a school for the better education of European children in Hongkong. We believe that it is prob- able that Hongkong will be granted an European boys' school and in addition a One of high-class school for Chinese. the most discreditable wants of the Colony thus appears reasonably certain of being filled. The news will be received with gratification by all those who took part in the movement which culminated in the petition to His Excellency Sir HENRY A. BLAKE, and especially is credit due to
The
The 83 men.
The wounded were 13 officers and buildings is also to be cut off. Medical Officer of Health had already in- 256 men. Altogether the casualties were formed the Board that the supply of water 20 officers out of 167, and 339 men out of for disinfecting purposes in connection with 2,040-both fairly heavy proportions on the the cleausing gangs was brought up in numbers engaged. According to the sum- buckets from the Praya. In three direc- mary showing the various brauches engaged, tious, therefore, the fresh-water supply of the Royal Navy landed 154 officers and the Colony is being economised, giving a 1,495 men, and lost 3 officers and 47 men correspondingly larger amount for other killed and 11 officers and 174 men wounded; absolutely necessary purposes. As the water the Royal Marine Artillery landed 12 officers hitherto devoted to the above-mentioned, and 59 men and lost 3 officers and 3 men services is a very considerable quantity, killed and 2 officers and 6 men wounded; the saving is important in its dimen- while the Royal Marine Light Infantry sions, and it is reassuring to know that landed 1 officer and 476 men and lost 1 Works thinks officer and 33 men killed, and 73 men the Director of Public any extreme measures unnecessary. Never-wounded. In the bombardment of the Taku theless, it cannot be denied that very grave Forts by H.M.89. Algerine, Fame, Phoenix, inconveniences are already being suffered and Whiting, only three naval officers were by a certain proportion of the community, landed, the other officers and men, though while all alike are incommoded by the pre-actively participating in the fighting, re- sent limitation of the supply to three hours maining afloat. It may be noted finally
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.