November 30, 1903.]
for the European and American markets. But Amoy's position as the port of tran. shipment for the teq-trade of Formosa is seriously threatened, for with the projected harbour improvements at Kelung, aided by Japanese legislation in favour of direct ship- ment from Formosa, Amoy must in time be beaten by Kelung as port of shipment to America.
Passing over the transit trade, which was comparatively insignificant, we turn to what Mr. HAUSSER says about emigration. 102,516 passengers left Amoy in 1902, of whom 76,896 were emigrants to the Straits, Passage rates were lower than in 1901, but the charterers on the Singapore and Penang line did well all the same. Small success attended the attempt to induce Chinese to emigrate with their families direct from Amoy to British North Borneo. Terms were liberal, but failed to attract, and the Chinese authorities gave no encouragement- The total tonnage of shipping entered and cleared was 1,983, 759 tons in 1902, against 1,801, 457 in 1901. The British share was 1,056 vessels entered and cleared, with a tonnage of 1,321, 112 tons. The only seri ous competitor of British shipping was the Japanese, with 440 steamers and sailing vessels, 380,415 tons, a slight reduction since 1901. Of the total value of the foreign and coast trade, roughly 64 per cent. was carried in British vessels, 20 per cent. by Japanese, per cent. by Chinese, and 4 per cent. by German vessels, the balance being divided among the vessels of five other nationalities. Under inland steam navigation rules there were entered and cleared 10,171 steam launches of a tonnage of 285,386 tous, as compared with 8,952 entries and clearances, of 286,756 tons in 1901.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
SIR HENRY BLAKE'S
DEPARTURE.
PRESENTATION OF CIVIL SERVICE
ADDRESS.
At Government House on the 20th inst. H.E. the Governor, Sir Henry A. Blake, G.C.M.G., was presented with an address from the civil | servants of Hongkong. The ceremony took place decorated with plants and palms, the decora in the banqueting hall, which was beautifully tions having been carried out by Mr. W. J. Tatoher, of the Afforestation and Botanical Department. H.E. the Governor and Lady Blake sat at a table at the head of the hall. Among those present were Chief Justice Sir W. M. goodman, His Honour A. G. Wise (Puisue Judge), Hon. F. H. May, C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary), and Mr. May. Hon. Sir Henry Berkeley (Attorney-General) and Lady Berkeley, Hou. A. W. Brewin (Registrar-general) and Mrs. Brewin, Hou. W. Chatham (Director of Public works), Hon. Basil R. H. Taylor (Harbour Master), Capt. F. W. Lyons (-uperintendent of Police) and Mrs. Lyon, Hon. L. A. M. Johnston (Acting Colonial Treasurer), Mr. R. F. Johnston (Acting Clerk of Councils). Mr. 8 B. C. Ross (Acting Postmaster-General), Mr. P. H. Jones Assistant Director of Public Works), Mr. C. Clementi (Assistant Registrar-General), Mr C. MoL. Messer (Land Office), Mr P. P. G. Wodehouse, Mr. J. Dyer Ball. Mr. A. Sth, Mr. J. W. Jones, Mr. C. J. Xavier. Dr. T. Bateson Wright, Mr. J. W. Woodcock, Dr. W. W. Pearse, Dr. B. T. T. Hanson (Chief Detective-Inspector), Mr. G. A.
Barnett, Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe, Major C. G. Pritchard, Mr. H. W. Slade, Mr. Nathan Wright, Mr. E. A. Irving Mr. E. Jones, Mr. F. B. L. Bowley, Mr. J. J. Bryan, Mr. George Thomas, Mr. Bruce Shepherd, Mr. G. H. Wakeman, H. C. Nicolle, Mr. J. Ballin, Inspector W. S. Hudson, Mr. Au Fung Chi, Mr. Chan l'ui, Mr. Tung How, La Ki Kwong, Mr. Wong Kwong Tue, Mr. Mr. Chan Sing. The arrangements for the reception of the guests were carried out by Inspector D. Gourlay, of the Hongkong Police.
Sir W. M. GOODMAN said: -Your Excellency, I have been entrusted with the pleasant duty of presenting to Your Excellency an address
Finally, with regard to mining concessions, Mr. HAUSSER records that in the early part of the year a British syndicate, formed in Hongkong, acquired from the original native concessionaries certain mining and prospecting rights in the district of Au Chi. This aud the adjoining district of Lung Yen appear to be rich in iron and coal of excellent quality, which would fetch re munerative prices, could they be conveyed cheaply to the coast. The mines are only some 60 miles inland, but under present conditions the cost of carriage is quite prohibitive, owing to the absence of all transport facilities. The difficulties are not insuperable, and it is in this direction, Mr. HAUSSER says, that the introduction of foreign capital and consequent development of industrial activity will most surely rescue the Chinese of this region from their pov-feel sure of a courteous reception and a kindly rety and enable the trade of the port to emerge from its present stagnation and dull monotony.
The death at Shanghai on the 17th inst. of Mr. John Smedley removes one who was well known in Hongkong in the 'Sixties. Mr. Smedley was born in 1841 in Sydney, N.S.W., where he was educated, and afterwards served articles as pupil to Messrs. Mansfield Bros., architects, In 1866, at the age of 25, he came to Hongkong. and was shortly afterwards admitted as jauior partner in the firm of Storey and Son, architects and civil engineers. Among his first works was the decoration of the Theatre of the Club Lusitano in Shelley Street, sketches for scenery, and a picture of the Ball at the inauguration of the Club. Mr. Smedley also painted the large picture of Hongkong, now in the possession of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co. This was done from the deck of the Johns Adams. In 1872 he moved to Yokohama and commenced praptice there. In 1880 he returned to Australia, where he lived for 11 years. Back in Yokohama in 1891, he went to Hankow in 1894, and finally to Shanghai in 1897. He leaves a wife and family.
which the members of the Civil Service of this Co- lony desire to offer to you on the occasion of approaching departure from Hongkong. Before your reading that address I should like, in a very few, simple-spoken words, to assure Your Excel. lency how sincerely we regret that you are leaving us. Those of us who have had the pri vilege of meeting you frequently in connection with your public and social duties feel that we if I may presume to sy so, & wise and sym- are losing, not only an able Governor, but also,
pathetic friend. Auy member of the Service who may have had occasion to approach. you in any difficulty or perplexity could always
891
and in whose name I will; now proceed to read the address. (Applause.)
TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIR HENRY ARTHUR BLAKE, G.C.MIG, GOVERNOR and Com- MANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE COLONY OF HONGKONG AND ITS DEPENDENCIES, AND VICE-ADMIRAL OF THE SAME.
May it please Your Excellency,-Before Your Excellency leaves this Colony to take up the important appointment which His Majesty the King has been pleased to confer upon you, it is the desire of those who have served under you in Hongkong to express their regret at the prospect of your early departure, and the high respect and admira. tion which they have learned to feel for Your Excellency.
All sections of the community must be aware that since your arrival in this Colony in 1898, you have never spared yourself in labouring for its welfare, but none can know this so well as those who have had the privilege of working under your direction.
The period of your administration has been a momentous one in the history of the Colony, and has had its special difficulties and saxistics. Not only has Hongkong grown steadily in wealth and prosperity, but its area has been largely extended by the occupa- tion of the New Territory.
With the advance of the Colony in Imperial and commercial importance, increased re. ponsibilities and new problems have arisen, demanding from the Governor no small measure of sugaoity and administrative skill. In our
own endeavours conscientiously to perform our humbler part in the increasing labours of the Government, we have all been cheered and encouraged by the knowledge that the highest example of hard work, energy, and enthusiasm has been shown us by Your Excellency; and at the same time we desire gratefully to acknowledge the courtesy, consideration, and sympathy which you, as head of the Civil Service, have invariably extended to all its members.
The Crown has already recognised Your Excellency's administrative abilities by con. ferring upon you the highest appointments in several of the colonies of the Empire. In your administration of the Bahamas, Newfoundland and Jamrica, and here again ia Hongkong, your Excellency has proved that the Royal choice could have fallen on none worthier or better fitted to carry on the high traditions of British justice, integrity, im- partiality and earnestness which, no less than in the mother-country, are so proudly cherished in the King's Dominions beyond the Seas.
The experience gained by your Excellency during so long a period and in so many Colonies has added year by year to the value of your services. It was therefore with great satisfaction that we, the Civil Servants in this Colony, learned that His Majesty had selected you to be Governor of the Colony of Ceylon, one of the fairest as it is one of the most important of all His Majesty's possessions.
We feel confident that your Excellency's term of administration in Ceylon will be ac- companied by the uniform succans which has attended your administration of four other Colonies; and the Civil Service of Hongkong, while regretfully taking leave of a Head for whom it has the highest regard, congratulates the sister-service in Ceylon on its acquisition of so capable, just, and considerate a Governor.
In conclusion, we desire to express our heartfelt wish that, not only in Ceylon but elsewhere, good health, prosperity and hap pines may long be granted both to Your Excellency and Lady Blake.
and patient hearing We could always feel sure that he would rec ive wiso counsel or direc- tions from a chief who would go fully into the matter, and who was never anxious to AVO himself trouble or to shirk the responsibility of a decision. Earnest and thorough as your work has been, it has not diminished the kiudliness
of your heart, the warmth and geniality of your hospitality, or the keenness that conduces to the welfare and well-being of the interest you have always taken in all of the Civil Servants in this Colony. I can. therefore, assure Your Excellency that the document which I am about to read is no merely formal address, but one which presses, however inadequately, the actual senti ments of those who have signed it, and who have had the advantage of serving under H. E. THE GOVERNOR said:-8ir” William you during the period of your administra- Goodman and Gentlemen,—I thank you for the tion here in Hongkong. This document is expression of your regret at the severance of signed by more than two hundred and fifty our official connection, and for your generous members of the Civil Service, and it is enclosed appreciation of my desire that in the per- in a blackwood cover which bas been formance of onerous duties by the Civil Servants specially carved for the occasion, and which of the Colony you should not be unduly weighted we hope, will remind you of Hongkong. Black by want of consideration on my part, wood is a durable material, but I venture to predict that it will not outlast the esteem in which Your Excelleney's memory will be held by those on whose behalf I am now speaking
ex.
We have the honour to subscribs ourselves
Your Excellency's Most obedient humble servants, [Here followed signatures.]
My life has been spent in the service of the Crown. and my Colonial experience has been varied. I know what is sometimes not realised, how large a part the Civil Servants play in securing those
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