132
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND view of the public attention that had been drawn to Hongkong's recent achievement.
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would teke in 500 tons of coal from lighters in the Roads. Previously to this, however, Mr. Sellar had written to Captain Scott asking It was nearly five o'clock before the Terrible to be informed when the Terrible would arrive weighed anchor, since ere she did so the body at Singapore as he would make preparations of one of her complement, a petty officer, who for her prompt coaling dispatch. A reply was died as the vessel was coming Lo Singapore, was born from the ship's side by a firing party made to the effect that Captain Scott would wire when the Terrible left Hongkong. Accord-rf tars from H.M.S. Vestal, preparatory to ingly from later information Mr. Sellar interment in the Bukit Timah Cemetery. calcutated the Terrible would be here on Sunday. Delayed at Hongkong, the vessel was a day late, and it was not until yesterday morning at seven minutes past ten that she was alongside the wharf ready for her coals, but she was unpre- pared for anything in the way of record-break- ing. Mr. Sellar went on board and informed Captain Scott that it was the Tanjong Pagar Co.'s intention to endeavour to break the Hong- kong record and he (Captain Scott) at once courteously offered the assistance of his mon
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The offer, however, was declined, Tanjong Pagar preferring to accomplish its big order unaided, and accordingly at 10.7 the c olies began their five-hour task. Throughout the whole of this time they worked like Trojans with pick and shovel basket and pole, bossed by their own foremen and watched by their contractors, Mr. Tan Kheam Hock and several Tanjong Pagar officials and some from Pater. son Simons. No halt for makan; they took this as they plodded on and with the work at its height, in the blinding clouds of grimy dust and under the fierce scorching sun rays. Capt. Scott said as he watch- ed the crowds of coolies swarming ant-like ap and down the gangway
either side of the ship, that he had never seen anything like it. At Hongkong special preparations had be n in progress on ship and wharf for two days previous to the attempt at record lowering, a band played merrily to encourage the workers and the coolies were assisted by the Terrible's crow, all the Chinamen did was to carry the coal to the ship, where it was received and bunkered, but at Tanjong Pagar yesterday the coolies were in command of the Terrible, they invaded her and held her decks and all the jolly Jacks and gallant Marines did was to look on admiringly and wonder how the yellow devils did it, for, of the 1,500 tons odd, they carried every ounce to the ship, discharged and bunk- ered it, and all the Terribles did was 'n see that there was no obstruction in the path of the coolies,
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Soon all was ready and the huge vessel, the first of its size to attempt the passage, noiselessly glided out through the western channel in charge of Captain Owen. It was a beautiful scene, for the rays of the setting sun glinted on the brightly polished brasswork of the cruiser strangely contrasting with her Crowds watched her sombre-coloured bull. departure from the wharf-side and as she passed the French mail, flags dipped and the French band struck up a lively tune, and the last heard from our famous cruiser was "Auld Lang Syne," now changing to “ as she passed out of Korpel Harbour, over that course rendered fanious by the passage of the Dido. beating homewards her freight of gallant officers and fars.
Home, Sweet Home'
THE FIGURES,
Appended are the actual figures of the coaling
Vessel arrived alongside the wharf at 9.30 am. and work was started at seven minutes past ten.
From 10.7 to 11 a.m. 260 tons were put on board
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12
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1
15
2
19
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1
3
290
p.m 310
305
11
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310
11
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and at 3.7 1,510 tons had been put in the bunkers, an average of 302 tons per hour against the former record of 272 tons per hour at Hongkong.
A TONGSHAN SENSATION.
The
(August 16, 1902.
PENANG IN 1901.
The administration report on Penang, for 1901 notes that the actual revenue for 1901 sas $2,221,990, an increase of 8458,878 orer 1900, while the expenditure amounted to $1,814 313, an increase over 1900 of $414,975.
The figures of the Trade Returus for the year show a decrease on both imports and exports as compared with 1900; the decrease being $7,503,665 in the former and $3 496,717 in the latter. The total values were imports 863.716,747; exports, $66,133,165. There was no decrease in the value of imports from the United Kingdom, but the principal decrease of about $5,000,000 was in imports from British Colonies. On the other haud there was a large decrease in the exports to the United Kingdom of over 5 millions, with increases of over half a million to Colonies and of nearly 2 millions to foreign countries
The docking and slip accommodation of the port is becoming inadequate for its requirements, as several ships were unable to go into dock when acquired to be surveyed. Mr. Matthews of Messrs. Coode, Son, and Matthews visited the port in December and inspected the barbour works and proposed improvements. By his advice an extension of the new iron pier now under construction is to be made northwards. By this extension, the total length of the pier will be 600 feet and the width of the viaduct
will be increased from 25 to 10 feet, at an esti-
mated cost of £51,000.
The attention of the Assistant Superintendent of Forests has been chiefly directed
o the collection and planting out of gutta-producing trees especially palaquium varieties. A plan- tation of palaquium gutta was made in the Northern Forest Reserve on the Island. Seeds were obtained from trees growing cbout the
which Waterfall valley, from
3,000 plants were grown. Thousands of young stumps have been obtained and kept in a nursery for future planting. The Waterfall Gardens have been maintained in their former condition, a new plant-house added, and an
eddition made to the herbsrium.
some
DACOITS IN NORTH SIAM.
Gang-robbery is reported in the Straits Times, to be rife in Northern Siam. The other day a gendarmerie station at Phre was rushed and a number of rifles stolen. When the last mail left, a story was current in Bangkok to the effect (bat gang-robbers had threatened to sack the important town of Lakon Lampong. It was said that at Phre both European and Siamese places of business have been raided, that the Governor had had to leave town, and that the place was in charge of 300 Shan gang- robbers. These men were said to be provided with firearms.
A British sol ier named Jones, of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, caused a great sensation in Tongshan in the early part of the week, says the P. & T. Times of the 2nd inst., by a serious assault on a neighbour named Becker, the pro- prietor of a small restaurant or hotel. issues are serious enough in all conscience as it is, but there is every reason for Jones to congratulate himself that he has not to be arraigned for the most serious of all By seven minutes after three the task was
criminal charges. Jones, who like all the men accomplished and eight hundred grimy unkempt detailed for special duty on the railway coolies laid back and revelled in luxuries, de- service, was 8 man of excellent character, light pictured on their countenances despite bad possibly reacted to the conditions that often the thick veil of coal-dust. And so Tanjong overcome men in the great heat, and had been Pagar broke the World's record for coaling taking far more than was good for him. Late and lowered Hongkong's colours, and she did,
on Saturday night or early on Monday morning to her credit, under conditions that were almost he went to Becker's premises and demanded normal, for besides the Terrible being un admission and drink after the door had been prepared, there was other work at Tanjong closed for business. The proprietor steadily Pagar to be done that day. As a matter refused to open. but as the disturbance continu-
The Siam Observer of the 31st ult. says:- of fact nine ships discharged something like ed and the man became threatening, he some- A strong body of troops left Bangkok to-day 2,244 tons of coal and 2,891 tons were bunkered, what unwisely fired off one or two chambers for Pré, via Pitsanuloke, to deal with the Shan this including the coaling of the French mail.
of a revolver. This, instead of deterring the ap-dacoits who have looted Muang Pré and Muang This shows what Singapore can do when put plicant, seems only to have further enraged him. to it, for it stands to reason that if the above He went along to his own quarters and excited- feat can be performed under such conditions as ly told his comrades that an attack was about yesterday's that in time of war even better
to be made on them by the Germans. The could be done, for it is almost certain that at
men seem to have risen to the situation, and such a time merchant vessels would have to recognised the real source of the alarm, but wait for His Majesty's Navy and it would be
before they could restrain their comrade, he hardly likely that a French mail would simul-
bad seized his rifle and cartridges and had taneously require to be coaled. The Terrible
rushed back to the hotel, where he fired at was coaled yesterday practically under ordinary point-blank range through the door. As chance circumstances and it is a feather in the cap of had it, the unfortunate proprietor was still on the dacoits have come from is a matter of the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company and a mat-guard, and received three bu lets in rapid succes- uncertainty. They may have come across the ter of congratulation for Singapore.
sion in the hand and neck. Jones was soon follow-border from the Burmese side. There is, in- ed, seized and promptly put under arrest, while deed, a report that the Shans entered the Dr. Moorhead was called and at once took Monthon Bayap, or the Province of Chiengmai, charge of the wounded man. Jones's conduct in small parties disguised as traders," and after arrest could only be explained by the concentrated at Muang Lawng. Supposing delirium of drink. Mr. Becker was able to be this report be correct, the challenging of one brought down to Tientsin by the mail train on such party by the police would be intelligible, Thursday, and then seemed to be doing fairly but, of course, that action could not be regarded well; no fatal issue is feared.
as the real origin of the raid. There are many Shan settlers in Chiengmai province itself. It is estimated that about five per cent. of the inhabitants of Frè and Nakon Lampang are Shan settlers. It is possible that the dacoits may be such settlers from some part of Chiengmai province, but this, again, is only Europeans do not appear conjecture.
The measures taken by to have been attacked. the authorities, and the strong force of troops
When it was all over and the Terrible was resuming her former spick and span appear- ance previous to her departure, it was a proud moment for Mr. Sellar when Capt. Percy Scott congratulated him as Manager of the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company on the excellent work performed. "You must wire to the Admiral' (the Admiral on the China Station) said he, "and tell him what you have done. That you have put fifteen hundred and ten tons of coal on board the Terrible in five hours, which I think is the best performance that has ever been accomplished," and by way of conclu- sion the gallant Captain mentioned that the Press must know it, for it was a matter in which His Majesty's Government took a deep interest and there was a general interest in
We need hardly state, says the P. & T. Times, that this unhappy incident has produced a profound sensation in Tongshan.
A Japanese Government telegram received at Tokyo on the 31st ult. from Port Arthur stated that twenty cases of cholera were report. ed in the city on that day, thirteen of which ended fatally.
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Lawng. The marauders are now said to be over six hundred strong, but this is only rumour and is very probably an exaggeration. Previous estimates have put the number at about 300. As to the origin of the disturbances, this is at present somewhat difficult to ascertain, but one report has it that a Lumber of the Shans were either arrested, or stopped for enquiry as to their business, by the police, and that the dacoits there- upon gathered and made a feud of it. Where
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