62
FIRE NEAR THE GRAND
PALACE, BANGKOK,
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
CANTON.
[July 27, 1903.
88,529,
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
The Bangkok Tmes gives the following was less by 1,89. There wer history of the building-The Phra Buddha murder but more croce of Prang Prasate, like the temple of the Emerald The number of Chinese Buddha itself, dates back to the time of the first | from 68,411 in 1901 On the night of the 9th Inst. Eiam was on King of the dynasty. There was formerly a under review, while the number the verge of a national calamity which only large pond in that part of the grounds, and the other immigrants fell cousic providential circumstances averted. By some
first king of the dynasty had the original build-pective figures for the past unaccountable means, the Siam Observer says, ing erected in the centre of the pond to serve given as follows:--In 1900 fire broke out at about half past nine o'clock in
as a library. But in the ceremonies attending in 1901 the numbers fell to 28,25 and in 1902 the evening in the Phra Baddha Prang, in the the completion of the building it was set on fire it was only 20,242. In addition to this the compound of Wat Phra Keo, and consequently, by the fireworks nged, and burned to the ground. emigration of Indians for South Indiau ports within the walls of and in very close proximity Then the whole pond was filled in and the shows an increase. In 1900 there were only o the Grand Palace. The smoke was first building re-erected. The building now des. 11,251, in 1902 there were 16,204, last year observed issuing from the dome of the beauti-troyed, however, was erected on the saute site there were 18,183. fully moulded and decorated pagoda, which by the late King Phra Chom Klao (Maha surmounts the Phra Buddha Prang. Ere Mongkat to contain the Emerald Buddha, many minutes, the entire populace of the which His Majesty thought ought to have a district was doing its utmost to cope with special temple for itself. It was on that account he outbreak. There was ogasiderable danger that the building, though one of the Wat of the fire reaching the Temple of the buildings, came to stand within its own Emerald "Baddha," which is separated Lonly grounds surrounded by a wall. Tradition has by a narrow pathwayfrom the ignited it that after this pagoda was finished the King
- Canton, 22nd July. building, and the first thought of those in had a dream in which the statue appeared to
ARREST OF FOUR OFFICIALS. charge was the safety of the world-renowned him and said it did not wish to be moved from
The Viceroy of the Liang Kwang, backed up Emerald Buddha and others of the valuable trea- where it was. The Emera'd Buddha was as he is at Court, is evidently determined to sures and records of ages which are housed there, accordingly left in the royal temple which one
carry out his work of reform thoroughly, The These objects were fortunately accomplished in knows as Wat Pra Keo, and the other remained latest report in Canton is of a somewhat start- safety. In Bangkok now bnglers are posted at different parts to sound the alarm in case of fire. with an altar and Baddhas.
a very fiue temple-techuically & Phra-prangling nature. At the end of last week the The trumpe's sounded several rousing blasts and, accompanied as they were by the firing of guas, served to bring the different fire- brigades to the spot in a remarkably short space of time. Everything having been sot going. copious streams of water were poured on the burning building It was lucky that at the time there was not much of value stored in the building, and all the movables that it was pos- sible to save w re quickly removed including the Badhist band books (Bible). The roofs of the east and west wings fell in with a great crash and sent showers of sparks up into the air. It was fortunate that scarcely a breath of air stirred to carry the sparks to the adjoining properties; otherwise damage of an irretrie- vable nature would have been done. The firemen got the mastery of the flames about three o'clock, after the east, west and south wings of the building had been reduced to ashes, leaving only the blackened walls and pillars standing. The dome, itself being of solid brickwork and mortar, remained intact, but un- derneath it the beautiful interior blackened rain.
was a
£
There are two theories in currency regarding the outbreak, the Observer says. One is that owing to some derangement of the electric wires attached to the roof of the Wat, the dome caught fire. Another story is that, the day being the third of Buddhist Lent, offerings were duly made to the priests and that one of the candles burning beside the pooms upset and caused the outbreak. But is was stated that no one was in the building when the fire occurred, that there was no offering of pooms there, and that there were no lights except the electric lights. In that case the electric wires would seem to furnish the only possible clue to the cause of the outbreak.
་
The ruins were still smouldering at ten o'clock next morning and tremendous con- course of people hai gathered to view the soene of destruction. They had the pleasure of witnessing a remarkable procession. The Emerald Buddha had been removed to the Palace for safety, in accordance with the King's directions. The danger now being over, the sacred image was conveyed back to its place with great ceremony. The fears of the people as to the safety of the Buddha were thus removed. The procession, the central objects of which were the precious Emerald Buddha, and His Majesty, was composed of about 2,000 people, including, besides the drummers and umbrella-bearers, large contingents of soldiers and sailors, each of whom bore banner emblematic of the faith. The Buddha itself was carried on the shoulders of several nobles attired in glittering robes and shaded by a huge golden lla The Buddha having been safely under its canopy with much ceremony, se pipers gave several weird blasts romony concluded, smid manifestations part of those followers of
repla the
Bud
The
50,00
lessed it!]
estimated at Tes.
PENANG IN 1902.
From Mr. Kynnerley's Administration Report on Penang it appears that during the year 1992 there was a decrease of $10.791 under special expenses, and of $20.126 unter works and buildings, and also that the actual revenn exceeded the estimate by $118,526 while the expenditure was $395,312 under the estimate. In other words the settlement is more than half a million better off than it hoped to be. The actual revenue for the year was $2,337,474 as compared with 2.221,914 in 1901, showing an increase of $115,560, while the expenditure— exclusive of Crown Agents' payments amount ed to $1,836,306, as against $1,810,254 in 1901, being an increase of $26,052. On the expenditure side there are an increase of $59,516 under personal emoluments and exchanged compensation allowances, due to the fall in exchange, and $39,041 under roads, streets, bridges. On the revenue side Personal emoluments, other charges, and stamps exceeded the estimate by $83,177. pensions were largely below the estimate; and under works and buildings, special services, the estimate exceeded the actual expenditure by $201,344. The stamp revenue was $274,715 as against $179,148 în 1931.
The steady growth of the shipping in Straits waters is evidenced by the fact that there was the port of 167,874 tons, while the total value an incre. se in the tonnage of vessels visiting of the imports in 1902 was $79,358,893 against $63,716,747 in 1901, an increase of nearly $14,000,000, while imports from the United Kingdom show an increase of over one million dollars, frem British colonies over five million and from foreign countries over million. The imports from other Settlements decreas. d by half a million dollars Imports from the following places in millions of dollars were:-Perak 204. Hongkong 12, United Kingdom 61, Siamese Western States (including Kedah 14) 6, Bombay 53. Selangor $ Sumatra 4, Barma 44, Singapore 2, Madras 14.
nine
In the matter of health the island has been below the average, with an average death-rate of 40,73 of which average 43.09 per mille were within the Municipal limits. Small-pox, cholera, tyhoid and dengue were the most prevalent diseases, but no deaths were directly due to the last named.
M
The Penang police are not happy, According to the Chief Police Officer, the new Criminal Procedure Code hampers instead of assisting the department. Though the inspectors are said to have worked well, it is plainly set forth that the European contingent cannot be said to be satisfactory. It was seven sergeants short during the year. The majority are reported to be unsteady and the rest unfit for promotion. The detective department is inefficient but great diffoulties exist in the way of improving it.". It cannot be said that there was any decrease in orime, though the number of cases arrested
Treasurer-who is Acting Governor—received four despatch-boxes from Kwangai, These boxes were not only sealed with the vice-regal seal, but carefully nailed up, and it is said that despatches are only made secure in this way when they are of the utmost importance. I hear from an official that these despatches gave the Treasurer authority to arrest four offic.als, who are to be kept in durance until the Viceroy's return, when they will be executed. The names of these officials have not transpired, but they are probably not of high rank.] It is not the first time that Shum has res rted to extreme measures. When he was Governor of Shansi he cansed five officials to ba beheaded.
THE WONG SHA RĦULAMATION AGAIN. Investigation is being made into the com- plaints against the Nam Hoi ex magistrate, who bears a very evil reputation. A special deputy has been appointed to enquire into five of the most serious charges. One of these is the affair of the Wong She reclamation, of which a good deal has been heard. The Nam Hoi is said to have accepted an enormous bribe from contractors, who in turn squeezed the villagers in the neighbourhood. The latter have sent in a petition against the magistrate, who will, rumour has it, have to pay a very heavy fine. Petitions are poating in from parties who suffered under the late regime, and who now hope to have redress,
the
THE KWAI YUN MAGISTRATESA In Kwangsi, Soum's detectives are paying visits to the various districts, and receiving
before him, and investigates the case in person. complaints. If they report unfavourably on an official, the Viceroy summons the latter A large number of dismissals and other punish- ments are reported. The most notable case among the lower ranks is that of Chun, the magistrate of Kwai Yun, who in a few months beheaded 5,000 men. Many of these are said to have been innocent, and Chun has been summoned before the Viceroy and thrown into
prison. One of his victims was a detective, who had formerly been a robber chief, but had been taken into the Government service a common practise in China. The circumstances were not enquired into by the magistrate, and this mistake is likely to cost him dear, as he will probably be executed.
[FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT.]
Canton, 20th July. FIGHT BETWEEN BEBELS AND THE IMPERIAL
TROOPS.
About three weeks ago there ras a fight between the rebes and the Imperialist soldiers of the On Yung regiments. The latter were desi the rest threw down, their arms and ran. From feated, about two hundred of them being killed
four to five hundred soldiers returned to Wachow, and when the commander of the regiments tried to compel them to go back to Kwangsi, they refused so they have come back to Canton, and related how they were TOPOG by the military commander. did not give them their pay or suficient food, while the rebels were well armed, **
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