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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
April 11, 1903.
Shortly THE ADMIRALTY DOCK QUESTION. | number and persistent importunity of street
TO THE EDITOR OF THE
DAILY PRESS,'
"
with® free board of 4ft. 6in. the collision the lights of the Hoi-kiang rere made out about a mile ahead. The latter
Hongkong, 3rd April. have been as nearly as possible end on to Eclair. On her side, the Eclair was nearly SIR-The prospect of the new Admiralty on to the Holkiang, the latter being just Dock being removed to another site appears to little on the former's port bow. After the average Hongkongite almost too good to be appearance of the works making out the other vessel's lights, the true; but the "dead Eclair ported a little until she dropped the gives colour to the hope that, if the project is green light and had the red only; and then not already abandoned, it is in a fair way to As Stephenson succeeded even- kept on her course red to red, on which they become so. would have passed amply clear. Until they tually in filling up that Moss, so the engincers were close up to one another-something like here doubtless could conquer the difficulties five or six lengths of the Eclair apart-they kept which have arisen; but at what a cost! A dock red to red, when suddenly the Hoi-kiang shut intended to carry the heaviest battleships requires out her red light and showed her green, indicat-something more than a piled foundation on ing that she 1 ad starboarded and was erossing porous ground why not admit at once that the the bows of the Eclair. When this occurred game is not worth the candle, and instead of the Hoi-kiang was broad on the port bow of the persevering in an error and spending untold other steamer. 'About 20 seconds after the green money for the sake of saving "face take a common senso view of the situation and at the - light appeared the collision occurred. As soon
as the Eclair saw the green light she did the same time meet the wishes of the Colonists? That someone has blundered" is apparent, only thing she could do she reversed her en- *gines and ported her helm. This course of action, but that is no reason for perpetuating that however, had not time to take any substantial | blunder; when the whole thing is reviewed it
may prove after all a blessing in disguise. effect. The Hot kiang came into the Eclair on *her port bow, and the former vessel, which did the striking, went clean into the Eclair and practically cut her amidships. Fortunately the overhang of the Eclair was very great and al- though she was cut into so deeply she was not ont below the water-line bat had an immense hole knocked in her between the water-line and the under side of the main deck. The Hoi-kiang romained sticking in the Eclair for crew and 'some minutes and most of the
passengers were rescued at that time. The Hoi-king then went down by the head. Babsequently the Eclair put off a boat and rescued the balance of the other vessel's people from the water. The Eclair was able to go at Valow speed to a village on shore to the eastwards and was there temporarily repaired. Their ex- planation of the collision was bad look-ont on board the Hi-kiang; circumstances appeared to show that all the people on board her were asleep or at any rate off their guard. It was true the steersman was not asleep but he was in the small wheel-house with a lighted compass and could not be expected to see ahead.
Evidence was afterwards taken.
CORRESPO \DENCE.
ROBBERIES IN THE COLONY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS.'
Hongkong, 2ad April. SIE,--The Colony just now is full of beggars and thieves. There can be no doubt that this state of affairs is largely due to His Excellency the (tovernor's pro-Chinese senti- ments. Without the moral support afforded in the shape of extreme leniency to offenders, thieves and beggars would soon revert to their normal proportions. Incidentally it may be mentioned that those who have not yet turned beggars and thieves are more insols t than ever. Yours truly,
FAN KWEI.
"PHILANTHROPY UNLIMITED
TO THE EDITOR OF
C THE DAILY PRESS
Hongkong, 2nd April. · SIB,Arithmetic is a good thing sometimes but an aocomplishme it in which "Generous" is somewhat lacking There are a large number of two-storey Chinese houses at Kowloon the rental of which falls short of $16 per month, t can be built for $2,000, $16 and none, alas ! that a month return on "a house worth $2,000" is a “generous” estimate indeed and one that makes the landlord supremely Lappy when he gets it. It is not "philanthropy " "that makes Chinese houses give a poor return, but Health Ordinances and Sanitary Boards, combined possibly with a tendency on the part of builders to anticipate ather than supply the demand. Chinese houses the moment are " bit "overdone."-"Yours,
HOUSEOWNER.
If
The advantages of removing the Dockyard to the mainland have been pointed out before: tho benefits to the mercantile fleet if more space could be allowed are too self-evident to need showing; and the wonderful improvement the removal would make to the City and the Colony at large is incalculable.
and more suitable site can be another obtained and doubtless tho authorities know of several-would-it not be feasible for the Colony to take over the existing works and complete the wet docks as originally planned, bat_with_modifications to admit of a bund ruauing along the front so as to give access to the eastern end of the city and relieve the congestion of Queen's Road?
Drawbridges would provide ingress and egress to the docks: and thus we would have what the Colony has been pining for for years - safe and commodious harbour of refuge in
central situation.
It could be a source of revenue to the Colony Owners of launches, yachts, &c., would willingly pay a rent to have their craft secure from storm or damage by collision when they have no crews on board. During the typhoon season a toll could be levied on every vessel passing the bridges, the rate varying according to the class of sampan or cargo boat; we would then have boats working up to the last safe hour, and starting as soon as ever danger is past, instead of the present race to Cansoway Bay, often who no typhoon comes at all; and the subsequent jamb when vessels which would get out find it impossible to do so autil other craft which block the wty are removed,
What อ relief, too, to the Government officials; the dredger, tugs, and lighters ont of harm's way whenever danger threatens; the large fleet of launches, harbour and police, all handy for service without loss of time and expenditure of coals bringing them from Stonecutters, which at best is insecure, yet the 'only spot available for shelter.
The financing of the scheme should not be beyond the means of the Colony the enormous value of the site to be taken over, balanced against the low cost of land on the mainland, should tend to avoid loss on what has already been done. A situation 30 minutes' steaming from Blake Pier might be obtained for very little, with unlimited room for expansion, granite ad lib, a perennial stream of fresh water, non-malarial district. good anchorage, safe shelter; but doubt less all likely places have been well surveyed and it is not for the layman to make suggestions.
Before closing, I would request anyone interested to take a bird's-eye view of the Wanchai anchorage, and compare it with its appearance of 10 years ago; what with the encroachment of the Dockyard works, and the overflow of naval vessels into what used to be an entirely mercantile area, there is hardly room to swing à cat, much less u ship.-Youra, etc., NAUTICUS.
THE ABOMINATION OF STREET- BEGGARS:
TO ÆÈE ÉDITOR OF THE “DAILY PRESS” Hongkong, 3rd April. SIB, I notice this winter an increase in
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beggars
*If, as I understand, me dicity is forbidde by our Bye Laws, why are not the j'' bobbien more alert in running in the beggars
But though the Police could and doubtless should, do more to check this evil the surest and shortest remedy lies with us. If only people would "practise total abstinence” from bestowing a copper this publio nuisance would soon cease. No one wishes Charity to be discouraged bat do'eing out alms to beggars is not true Charity —nor does it relieve the necessities of the most deserving.
have
The Master' has said "The poor: always with you and whensoever we will, ye may do them good." Let then all wo recognise His authority seek out, and substantially relieve, cases of deserving destitution, or if they cannot do this personally, let them employ as almoners those who can and who will only too gladly aid them in their true and Christian alms giving-Yours, etc.,
A FRIEND OF THE DESERVING
POOR.
THE REPORTED EUROPEAN CASE. OF PLAGUE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PŘESS:
Hongkong, 3rd April, 1903. SIR,-In your report of the death of the chief in the bottom steward of the 8.8. Hyades you state that the body was "found floating of the dock occupied by the Hyades." I beg to was not in dock at the time but lying alongside point out that this is incorrect, as the Hyades the wharf, and it was in making his way to his occupied by another ship. By my own enquiry ship that he fell into the dock, which was then it appears uncertain whether it was a case of
W. B. DIXON, plague.-Yours, etc.,
Chief Manager H.K. W. D. Co. [Our information that it was a case of plague was taken from a return by the Medical Officer of Health showing the number of cases of bubonic fever (plague)" notified on April 1st. The only respect in which our report was "incorrect" appears to be that though the body was found in the dock, the Hyades was not occupying the dock.-ED. D.P.]°
RESULTS OF MISTAKEN LENFENOY.
TO THE EDITION OF THE “DAILY PRESS,' Hongkong, 3rd April. SIB,-It is the opinion, I think, of a great many people in this Colony that the policy of of mistaken the present Government is one leniency towards the Chinese, and I am not surprised to hear of a strong desire on the part of the Chinese community for a continuance of the present Government for another five years.
Any petition to appoiot H. E. for another term of five years would no doubt be eagerly signed by all the Chinese of the Colony The worst classes can hardly expect to have such a good time finder another Government as they have at pres nt.
H
We constantly hear of robberies and thefts with no recovery of the stolen goods, and this shows what a rotten state the police are in. But there is a much worse ill, and that is the dumping of bodies of the Chinese who have died of plague and the spread of the disease in consequence. The dumpers are no doubt paid well and the practice will continu but it might be put a stop tɔ at once by the simple means of cremating nuy bodies found. A simple remedy, but not attempted. I presume, for fear of hurting the susceptible feelings of reason for not trying this way of putting the Chinese coolie! If there is any other stop to the practice I should be glad to hear it.
Yours, etc.,
THE CHINESE AND H.E. THE GOVERNOR.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS,
Hongkong, 4th April
the SIR, I read with a good deal of interest, Petition from the Chinese community Secretary of State praying for an extension o
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