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May 19, 1902.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
371
It was decided that the question was beyond | following resolution :~~" That this Committee the province of this Chamber, and to reply to place on record its regret at the departure of the Colonial Secretary to that effect.
Sir Thomas Jackson, and its high appreciation of the many valuable service rendered by him to this Chamber of Commerce, both as Committeeman and as Chairman.”
CLAYTON' RAT-DESTROYING APPARATUS.
COLLISIONS BETWEEN JUNKS AND STEAMERS. Read letter signed by the River St amboat | Companies, dated 19th April, asking the Chamber to approach the Government with a view to obtain such a modification of the law as A letter from the Clayton Fire Extinguish would do away with or lessen the disadvantageing and Ventilating Co., Ld., dated London 21st under which steamboat-owners labour in the March, was then produced, in which further case of actions brought against them by junk particulars are given of the rat-destroying owners for alleged damages through collision, apparatus. and quoting a recent case to show the loss to which the former may be anjustly put while the latter incur little risk in commencing a suit. The CHAIRMAN said that a letter in support of the companies' contention was, on the 25th April, addressed to the Government, and a copy of the companies' letter to the Chamber was forwarded at the same time. He thought they had a very good peg to hang their case on, the instance given being a strong one. So far no reply had been received from the Government,
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INCREASE ON THE DUTIES LEVIED ON OPIUM AT CANTON.
Read letter, dated 21st April, addressed by the Opium Hongs to the Chamber stating that the Canton authorities have increased the duties on all kinds of opium from 3 candereens per tael weight-Tls. 36. to 12 candareens-Tis. 144 per chest in the case of Bengal opium, the drug chiefly used in Kwangtung, and asking the Committee to take steps to protect this important trade.
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The CHAIRMAN said that a letter was the 24th April, addressed to Mr. Scott, the Aoting British Consul at Canton, asking for further information before proceeding in the matter, and that gentleman had replied con- firming the statement, but adding that the compradore of one of the foreign opium firms had offered to form a syndicate to farm the new tax, Mr. WILCOX said he had heard that day that there was a report current among the Chinese to the effect that tions had come down from Peking to the Provincial authorities disallowing the proposed increase in the duty on opium. He could not say whether the news was authen tic, but the Chinese had the knack of picking up information of this kind by backstairs pro- cesses, and native rumours were often near the mark. No doubt, however, if the statement was correct it would soon be verified.
instruc-
The CHAIRMAN said be only hoped that the report would turn out correct. They might wait a little for its confirmation or contradiction. THE RATS Ordinance, 1902.
As the Government had already asked the opinion of the Chamber on this aparatus and its suitability here, which was answered in the negative, it was considered unnecessary to discuss the question further.
THE SINGAPORE CHAMBER AND THE
CORONATION CELEBRÁTION, The CHAIRMAN said that in redemption of a promise made on the 6th January last, a letter was, on the 24th April, addressed to the Singapore Chamber of Commerce giving the principal features of the programme to be observed hore on the celebration of the Corona- tion of King Edward VII.
PROPOSAL TO LICENSE CHINESE PILOTS. Read letter, dated 2nd May, from Mr. E. Osborne, Secretary of the Hongkong and Kow- loon Wharf and Godown Company, Ld., bringing to notice the great risks run by ship owners and wharf owners through the employment of uncertificated Chinese pilots, and proposing that the Government should be asked to license these pilots, the Chamber being requested to lay the matter before the Government.
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Mr. WILCOX thought it was decidedly a question for the Chamber to take up. The Chinese engineers had been compelled to take out certificates, and this had resulted in a better class of men being employed.
Mr. H&WETT was of the same opinion and thought it was very necessary that competent men should be secured as pilots.
After some discussion,
It was unanimously decided to address the Government on the subject and suggest the advisability of granting certificates to pilots so that control can be exercised over them.
THE APPROACHING DEPARTURE OF THE
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CHAIRMAN.
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Mr. POATE—I have vory great pleasure in reconding the resolution proposed by the Vice- Chairman. I do not think I can add anything to what has been said by Mr. Sharp, who has expressed our views pretty fully.
The CHAIRMAN--I am sure, gentlemen, that the little I have been able to do for this Cham- ber has been to me a great pleasure to perform. especially with the co-operation I have met with. I have always considered the Chamber of Com. merce to be the most representative body in the Colony and capable of doing more good work than any other institution or body here, and the best services should therefore be given to the Chamber. During the long period I have been connected with the Committee I have met with the most cheerful co-operation from all concerned, and I have been associated with some of the best men we have ever had in the Colony in this Chamber. I have again to express the great obligation I am under to Mr. Wilcor, whose steady co-operation, wide know- ledge, and untiring energy have helped materially to make my term of Chairmanship acceptable to you all, as evinced by the cordial vote of thanks you have just passed, and which I greatly appreciate. (Applause.)
Mr. WILCOX briefly acknowledged the com- pliment paid to him by the Chairman, assuring him that the remembrance of his appreciation would afford him lasting satisfaction.
The meeting then terminated.
THE CHINA CONTINGENT FOR THE CORONATION.
COMPLIMENTARY. DINNER TO VOLUNTEERS.
of Volunteers who left for England on Wed- A complimentary dinner to the contingent nesday on the Empress of Japan to represent the Colony at the Coronation of H.M. the King, was given in the Hoa, C. P. Chater's bungalow at Kowloon on the 10th inst. The VICE-CHAIRMAN-As in all probability by members of the Corps not included in the this will be the last occasion on which we shall contingent. Major Pritchard, the Comman have the honour of Sir Thomas Jackson presid-dant, presided, and the other officers present ing at our meetings, I am desirous of saying a were Major Chapman, F.B. (in command of the few words to express the great regret we all contingent), Lieut. Armstrong, F.B. (second in feel at his approaching departure from among us command), Captain Macdonald, F.B., Captain Read letter dated 10th April, from the and our bigh appreciation of the many valuable Grieves, "D" Co.. Captain Ordish, "B" Co Colonial Secretary drawing the Chamber's services he has rendered this Chamber of Com-Lieut. Macdonald, F.B., Lieut. Sayers, "B attention to the liegulations drawn up under merce. (Applause.) It is now some twenty-five Co., Lieut. Mitchell, Section 3 of the above Ordinance and published years since Sir Thomas first joined this Com- in the Government Gazette of the 15th March,mittee, with which he has been closely connected and requsting that these should be brought to the notice of the shipping community.
Some discussion ensued upon this question, it being thought by some of the members that the sanitary authorities were the proper source from whence such notice should be given to the shipping community; but eventually it was decided to draw attention to it in the published minútes.
These regulations are to be found on p. 334 of the Gazette of the 15th March and apply to all ships not propelled by car except junks or lorchas not propelled by steam. The attention of wharf owners and steamship agents is specially directed to them. There are also provisions to prevent rats from entering buildings, to which the attention of property owners is drawn.
FRENCH CUSTOMS TÅBIFF BILL. Head letter from Clonial Secretary, dated 26th April, transmitting dopy of a further despatch on the above subject from the Secre- tary of State for the Colonies to the effect that the Tariff Bill was passed by the French Senate on the 21st February.
THE SUGAR BOUNTIES and cane SUGAR.
Read letter from the local Government, dated 11th April, transmitting to this Chamber copy of a letter received from the Chamber of Com- merce at Georgetown, British Guiana, giring the text of a telegram despatched by that body to the Governments of Canada and Australia arging that England should do justice over sugar bounties, kartels, and rum surtax for all "British cane sugar producing countries, especially the West Indies, and praying for support in getting effect given to the petition.
After some discussion,
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E" Co., Lieut. Oliver,
B" Co., and Lieut. Wheeler, "D" Co. Over a hundred non-commissioned officers and men almost ever since, and he has been Chairman now attended the dinner, which was a most enjoy. for more than a year, and I think you will all able one, and which was enhanced by the seleo- heartily agree that the manner in which the tions played at intervals by the excellent band of business of the Committee has been conducted by the Hongkong Regiment, present by kind per- hím has been such as to merit the highest commission of Major Berger and officers of the mendation and been worthy of the best tradition regiment. During the evening, too, songs were of this body. Your term of office, sir, has given by Gun. Hays, Private Stevenson, and been coincident with a most momentons period others, and an amusing recitation was con- for commerce in this part of the world, and dur-tributed by Sergt.-Major Northcote, who caused ing it we have had questions coming up before great laughter by the appropriate introduction us of the deepest importance to trading interests, of allusions to the home-going contingent. and it has been a source of gratification and advantage to us to have at our head one who out of the fulness of his knowledge of and long acquaintance with commercial matters out here has been able to bring so much wise counse', shrewd advice, and good guidance to bear on the consideration of the important matters coming before us. (Applause. Unfortunately, we are about to lose your advice and assistance before the period of change is finished, and I venture to think, sir, that it will be a most difficult, if not impossible matter to find as a successor to you in the chair on with anything like the same knowledge and grip of the com- mercial questions of the day out here, as you however, to inflict on you a long panegyric, as I do not propose I more than half suspect that such would only be distasteful to you, but I feel I am on firm ground, and that I voice the opinions of all the members, in expressing the great regret we feel will have a happy reunion with your family at at losing you, and our united hope that you home and be spared to enjoy many years of honourable and well merited retirement after your long period of work in the Far East (Loud applause.) I now beg to propose the
have been able to show.
After the usual loyal toasts had been honoured. Major PITCHAED proposed the toast of the evening-the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Coronation contingent, coupled with the name of Major Chapman. Of all the troops that would take part in the proces- sional ceremony there were none, he said, who would attract more attention than the colonial troops (hear, hear) and the feeling in this Colony was that the contingent going from here should be the best of all. (Applause.) That being so, continued Major Pritchard, he trusted that every man in the contingent, not only for his own sake but for the sake of the Corps and the Colony, would do all he possibly could to acquit to the Corps, the Colony, and himself." (Loud himself as a soldier and a gentleman and be a credit applause.) There were many little things each man would have to remember from the day he left the Colony until he came back, and one was that he would be a soldier pure and simple. As at all times behave as one-obey orders and a soldier, then, it was imperative that he should observe discipline in everything The contin- gent was going home under two very able and popular officers (prolonged applause) and Major Chapman would have as his staff oficer
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