August 11, 1902.]
population is sixteen, including Mizutani, the lessee.
Under these circumstances, says the Kobe Chronicle, it seems clear that the United States has lost any right it may at any time have had to be considered the possessor of the island.
HONGKONG CORONATION
CONTINGENT.
MEMBERS GRANTED PAY.
Whiting from London on the 4th ult., our correspondent with the Hongkong Volunteer Contingent saj§ :---
10 a.m.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
a reception at the Lyceum to the Colonial officers.
The men are mostly away on leave. Generall leave has been granted subject to recall. Sir Henry Blake paid us a visit and has granted us the same terms of pay which the Ceylon and the Straits men are recei.ug,
Various rates for
I have been
different ranks, full pay while on shore in England, and half pay while on board ship, both | on the voyage here and back. We have drawn pay up to the 3 th June. Everything was fixed up by Sir Henry at the Colonial Office. It is very nice jud ed to get this cash, as things are not cheap here. We arrived at Liverpool at 8 a.m. on 23rd
very busy with “pidgin." June, disembarked and entrained on a special at Major Chapman is laid worked.
There are so None of the contingent baggage was many, many details and of course lots of red opened by the customs, which was very nice tape. Yon must exense such a poor account, for us all. There was an awful muddle at first but since the Corenation has been put off things with the baggage. It got mixed up with others are not very lively, I cauuot keep track of all in the customs sheds, and it was some time the Sunday school treats our men have been before things could be got together. Wejtaking part in, but there are several, and they arrived at Wood Green Station at 2 p.m. and stem to be having a very good time. headed by the Highland Light Infantry band, marched into Alexandra Palace. They did not seem prepared for us; there must have been some bungle somewhere. No one knew there were any white troops, and consequently the Volunteers are encamped with the black folk. The H.K.V.C. have four large tents, and are comfortable. The meals are served in the Palace, and the food is good. Officers have a bell tent each and mess in the Palace, where there is a special officers' mess, dining-room and sitting
It is very nice here in fine weather, but we have had a couple of rainy days and it has been awful-mud, mud, mud!
room.
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STRIKE OF CIGAR OPERATIVES IN MANILA.
The latest news to haud from Mauila regard- ing the strike of the Filipino peratives in the cigar-factories of Manila is to the effect that though the majority of the operatives wanted to return to work, there was a small section amongst them who wished to prolong the struggle, in the hope of getting their demand for an increase in their wages granted by the Manufacturers' Union. It Was rumoured that the Labour Union was distributing $5 Fer week to each operative on strike, but it was supposed either that this was a game of brag and bluster in the part of some of the Filipino ledders or that there were only a very few recipients of this bounty, as it is well known
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Crowds of people come to see the soldiers. There are about 2.000 Colonials here from all parts of the world. It is a wonderful sight to see the various kinds of colours both in uniforms and skins. Capt. Forbes,
D" Co., and Lt. Nicholson, "A Co., visited us the evening we arrived.
The following joined us here:-(ol. Sergt. that the Labour Union has not so much funds Major Rodger, C Co., Guns. F. R. Smith, as to enable it to support thousands of operatives "A" Co., Black, 'A" Co., Russel, "Cin this way; and as a great portion of them are Co., Pte. Watson,
D" Co. Here again the already auxious to return to work at the old Head-quarter Office were not advised that these scale of wages this supposition is considered to men were to join us here, though I believe full be true, The agreement entered into by instructions were sent from Hongkong.
fach of the members of the Manufacturers On Tuesday, 24th June, the Contingent was Union, to the effect that if oue factory medically examined. There was a big parade had. to close on account of the strike of of the Colonials in the Palace Grounds. We its operatives, all the rest should close also, were inspected by Lord Roberts and the Duke was to have terminated on the 31st of July, of Connaught. Lord Roberts said to one of and it was believed by some of the strikers bis staff in reference to the H.K.V.C.- Very that this agreement would not be renewed after nicely turned out, I must say." The drilling this date; they therefore decided to prolong the which the men bare been put through bas struggle till that date, and await the result of smartened them up a great deal.
the conference that was to be held by the Manufacturers' Union to consider what further steps should be taken to cope with the strikers. As there is no disposition on the part of the. factories to yield, and as the majority of them were in favour of renewing the agreement, it was expected that the work would be resumed in the first week of August, if not by all the operatives, at least by that portion of them who are already clamouring to return to work.
Daily Press, 6th August.
On the 25th June we had a long route march lasting about two and a half hours. We then lined up in the Palace Grounds as a sort of rehearsal for the Coronation. We had been 41 days on the voyage and mostly wearing soft shoes, so most of the men had their feet blis- tered; mine were pretty bad. It was a hot day, but the H.K.V.C. marched very well. Not a man fell out, while there were several from other contingents. On the 26th June we had another route march, but it was a very short one,. thank goodness!
The King's illness has upset everything. There have been several entertainments of various kinds which our men hare attended. Things have been quiet in camp, bar, of course, the crowds of people who come to gaze upon the black faces, etc.
On the 30th June all our camp was taken to visit the fleet at Spithead. We went off in three detachmen's in special trains to Southampton. We steamed round in the Bavarian, Allan Line, chartered by the Government as a transport. Meals were served on beard free. We were up at 4 a.m. and returned about 10.30 p.m. It was fia ne sight; lots of cheering.
CANTON.
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
113
Canton, 31st July.
GREAT FLOODS.
rain, and in cousequence the rain water turned Three or four months ago when there was no brackish, people complained, and the Chinese officials went to the temple of the King Dragon heavy downpours for a month or so, till at to pray for rain. Now the rain has come in last fourteen districts in Kwongfu prefecture and twelve districts in Sewfu prefecture have been flooded by the West River, and nearly all down, and the mulberry-trees, sugar-canes, the dykes, houses and shops have been broken ground-ants, rice, and paddy destroyed. H.E the Viceroy has now despatched several officials to the districts of Nam Hoi, Sam Sni, and Koyew, to make a tour of inspection. The tide 1ose up to 5 and 6 f et high, and thonsands of inhabitants have been rendered homeless, while
According to later advices received from Manila by the s.s. Rosetta Maru, the conference of the Manufacturers' Union took place on the 31st July, when it was resolved unanimously to stick to the original agreement eutered into to resist the demand made by the cigar operatives for a further increase of 50 per cent. in their wages. It transpired during the meeting that a good majority of those operatives were anxious to return to work at the old wages, but that they were threatened with violence by their recalci- trant brethren and their "patriotic' leaders and they were therefore afraid to resume work. The leaders of the strikers were openly warned that any further prolongation of the struggle will ultimately prove ruinous to the cigar On the 1st July the Colonials were received industry of the country, as one or two of the pro- at the Horse Guards by the Queen. She was prietors were already considering the feasibility looking very well, though sad. It was a very of removing their factories to a suitable locality brilliant *scene. The Prince and Princess of in Spain, where labour is plentiful, cheap and Wales, Duke of Connaught, several others of the well trained and the trade is well known. Others Royal Family, and a lot of distinguished visitors. are looking to Hongkong as a desirable place to They all passed down the lines inspecting transfer their industrial establishments to, but the troops. All the Royalties, etc., then formed the want of expert labour procurable on the spot up at the saluting base where the Queen tcok stands as an obstacle in the way of realisation up her stand by the flag. The troops marched of this scheme. It is estimated that the number past her in column of route. There were of operatives on strike is about 3,000, and not crowds of spectators. Sir Henry Irving gave 10,000 as stated by some Manila newspapers.
many have died. At Wachow especially all the streets outside the city have been inuundated and all the wooden rafts swept away. The water rose up to the roofs. The villages of Nam Ning, and Loo Chow have been entirely swept inhabitants had no means of escape. Several away, and there is not one house left, while the villages in the district of Kwai Lum have also been swept away, the flood rising to 7 or 8 feet high, and all living beings were drowned, The here comes the calamity of water, which has Chinese bere say: · Before the plague is over destroyed innumerable lives.
Rumours have been current in Canton, the Chung Ngoi San Po says, to the effect received a despatch from 2 heng Kung Pao, the that the Canton authorities have recently chief director of railways, saying that, as the construction of the Canton-Hankow railway officers should be sent to examine the places will soon commerce, some civil and and military through which the line is to pass. The Viceroy that errand. It is also reported that the Anglo- has consequently ordered Sin Kau-kak to fulfil
Chinese company prop ses that the Canton and Hongkong railway stall start from Fa-ti, and that the American and Chinese railway company wish to construct a railway from the prefecture of Kwangchow passing through Tung-kwou, San-on, Waichow province of Folkien, in connection with the and Chinchow to the Canton and Hongkong Railway Company,
CORRESPONDENCE.
[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]
THE FORTHCOMING RACE MEETING.
21
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS,'
Hongkong, 1st August. SIB, Surely Tyro," the author of the letter which appeared in your issue of to-day, in his proposals does not go far enough towards making the chances of everyone more even. I should strongly advocate that instead of the waler griffins being allowed to arrive some six weeks before should only be allowed to arrive some six they have to race, they days before that date, and so as to prevent the experts gaining any undue advantage in that short interval ad with the view the draw should not take place until the evening of further equalising the chances of all, that before the first day of the ruces. and no one who has ever won a race is permitted If this is done. to ride, I think everyone would have such an equal chance that it would certainly effectually stimulate, or stifle, racing in Hongkong for many years to come. of the scheme and as a downright good sports- "Tyro," as the originator man, might claim either an allowance of 10 lbs he should not find himself out in the cold.- or a start in each race, so that as far as possible Yours, etc.,
· DRIVELLER.” .
TO THE EDITOR OF THE
DAILY PRISS.” Hongkong, ist August. SIR, I have been so s rongly impressed by the sporting spirit shown by your correspond- ent who so aptly styles himself "Tyro,” that
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