December 28, 1903.]
hole generally, it would be undoubtedly the field of combat selected by “Old Campaigners" of the type portrayed by Thackeray in Vanity Fair-in other words by Russian matrons with marriageable daughters on their hands. To show the success that would be likely to wait upon the operations of such a female strategist, I need only mention the fact that here, as in Singapore, it seems impossible for hospitals and the like to keep nurses any length of time as they get married almost as soon as they come out. Returning to the main question, I shall prophesy that Port Arthur bus every prospect of being quite a beauti- ful and remarkable city in some ten years time. Its buildings will be fine, its climate will be as bracing as it is now and its sanitation better, it will have a viceregal court-probably more splendid than anything outside of India; and ita harbour will have by that time become very much better than it is at present. A large number of globe-trotters and Far Eastern residents will also undoubtedly pass through it on their way to and from Europe. This desirable consummation would have been brought much nearer if so much money had not been spent on Dalny sad thus diverted from Port Arthur.
2
A GARRISON CLUB.
&
Besides the Naval Club there is also Garrison Club where private theatricals are frequently given, and the Officers' Club that is now being built in New Town will, I think, be one of the handsomest things of its kind in the Far East. It will cost about £50,000 sterling and will be sumptuously fitted up in every way, so that it will in fact be a regular palace in whose halls the highest of the Russian nobility might-and undoubtedly will-give and be given enter- tainments without any incongruity. Taking it all round, Port Arthur promises to be a magnificent social centre in a short time.
PORT ARTHUR IN 1903,
com-
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
back again and cornered the Chinese gang on the river. The Russian troops are said to have shown unusual endurance and bravery in the little campaign.
COREAN NOTES.
[FROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT.]
Mokpo, 1st December. The commander of the Coreau soldiers at
Wijn who assaulted two Japanese there has sent a formal apology and punished the offenders. be paid to the injured Japanese. Also it was promised that compensation should
As the result of the protest lodged by the Japanese Minister in seoul with regard to the prevention by the Russians of the landing of Mr. Hagiwara at Yong-ampho, the Russian Minister reprimanded the Russian lumber company's représentative, who was responsible for the illegality.
Under the secret instruction of Yikon- thak, Corean Minister of War, a Corean officer bas left Seoul for Port Arthur. His mission is supposed to be connected with the engage- men of Russian troops in Corea,
Reports of various arrog int sets of Russians in Northern Corea are daily received here.
The Corean Court is reported to have failed in its intention to borrow from Viceroy Alexieff 200 troops as palace-guards.
HONGKONG HIGH-LEVEL TRAM-
WAYS CO., LD.
RDINARY GENERAL MEETING.
The nineteenth ordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the above Company was held 40, Queen's Road Central, at noon yesterday, for at the registered offices of the Company, 38 and the purpose of receiving the report of the gene. ral managers together with a statement of accounts for the year ending 30th November, 1903. Those present were Mr. Hart Buck (chairman) and Messrs. Henry Humphreys, C. Ewens, A. H. Mancell, G. Murray Bain, R. K. Leigh, W. H. Gaskell, J. A. Tarrant, J. M. Wong, and J. L. Cotter (secretary).
This is the title of an article which Colonel Artemeieff writes in the Novi Krai of Sunday last. The Colonel takes a broader view of the question than one might have expected of a military man, for he thinks that now that Port Arthur has ceased to be a mere camp and become a busy commercial centre something should be done towards giving it the privileges enjoyed by other Russian towns and letting the
The CHAIRMAN:-Gentlemen, As you have mercial class have a greater voice in mani-
doubtless saen the report and statement of ac- cipal concerns. The Colonel does not, of
counts. I will with your permission consider them course, say that Port Arthur should be
as read. I am pleased to say that our business governed in exactly the same
way as a Russian town. Its peculiar position neces-
during the last financial year has been as good as before and that we are in a position to pay sarily requires some alteration in the municipal
an increased dividend. The improvements to the regulations in vogue in Russia. The two points Station at the Upper Terminus have been com- on which the Colonel insists are: (1) the pleted and have given general satisfaction. necessity of changing the present regulations As you are of courseware, our capital, $125,000, concerning the rights of election possessed by does not in any way represent the value of our householders; and (2) the necessity of appoint-property; in fact if at the present time we were ing civilians to administer municipal affairs as in the West. The writer does not think that the foreign element is to be feared; on the contrary, he says that its co-operation in mani- cipal affairs cannot but be for the great good of the town. "Finally," he asks, "is the population of Port Arthur, on the whole, of a worse type than the population of Shanghai; and, if it is not of a worse type, why not have popular Government here as well as in Shanghai ?"
THE MANCHURIAN HIGHWAYMEN.
An expedition organised by the General Staff here against the Manchurian highwaymen who have been proving troublesome of late, has proved successful. The scene of the operations was the Liao River and the Chinese were under the command of Messieurs Tulen-Sans and Falen-boa he fourth part of a brigade "too part in the operatins. In an action at the village of Vafin, the Highwaymen were com; pletely defeated. The Russian losses were four killed and ten wounds, one officer being in the latter category. According to the official state- ment of the local Chinese administration, the bandits lost acout two haudred killed and about as many wounded. This heavy loss on the part of the Chinese was due to a n girt attac being made by the Russians and to a panic among the bandits. Tulen-Saua lost bis right hand, wijch was cut off at the west. The expedition did its
to construct a similar line with the same kind of
buildings at the various stations, think we should require a capital of at least $500,000, which would naturally reduce our present sub- stantial dividend to a comparatively insignificant one. I might add that in view of the fact that almost all the building sites in the Peak district are now built upon we must look to the visitors passing through the Colony for any future im- provement in our returns. Before moving the adoption of the report and statement of accounts I shall be pleased to answer any questions.
There being no questions, the Chairman moved that the report and statement of accounts be adopted.
MR. G. MURRAY BAI-Gentlemen, I have great pleasure in seconding that the report and accounts be adopted. I think shareholders will agree that the company is in a most satisfactory.condition, financially and otherwise. The general managers deserve the greatest praise for the way in which they have managed the working of the business during the year.
|
TheCHAIRMAN:-Thxt coroludes the businear of the posting. Diviilend wärriats will be ready at 3 o'clock to-day. I thank you for your attendance, gentlenten,
The following is the report m Gentlemen,We beg, to lay before you report and statement of accounts for the yout ending 30th November, 1903,
The net profits for the twelve months, -
after paying charges and all run- ning expenses, and making provision for anditors' fees, amount to ...
.$41,315 68
To which has to be added the balance.
brought forward from last socount 3,890,13
$45,205.78
And from this has to be deducted remuneration to general managers (5 per cent. on gross earnings). 4,380.39
Leaving available for appropriation $40,825.40€
Your general managers and consulting committee recommend that a dividend of $20 per share be paid to shareholders, absorbing $25,000; that $5,000 be writen off rolling stooks and $1,541.82 off stations and shelters; .that $5,000 be transferred to permanent reserve, and the balance, viz, $4,283.58, be carried to new profit and loss account.
CONSULTING. COMMITTEE.
Mr. J. Orange having resigned, Mr. R. K. Leigh was invited to fill the vacancy, and accepted a seat on the Board. In accordance with Rule 15 of the company's articles of association, the present members, Mr. C. Ewens, the Hon. C W. Dickson, and Mr. R. K_Leigh retire, but, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.
AUDITORS,
In the absence of Mr. Fullerton Henderson: from the Colony, the accounts have been audited by Mr. W. H. Potts and Mr. W. H. Gaskell. Mr. Potts and Mr. Gaskell offer themselves for re-election.
JOHN D HUMPHREYS & SON, General Managers. Hongkong, 12th December, 1903.
The accounts are as follows :---
BALANCE-SHEET,
For the year ending 30th November, 1903.
.$
LIABILITIES. Canital account: 1,250 shares of $100 each,
fully paid un Permanent reserve fund Unclaimed dividends
Local and general liabilities
Profit and loss: brought forward $1,890.13 Profit and loss: for current year 41,815.66
ASSETS.
Permanent way, concessi n and deed of
grant as per last account.. Stations, Crown leaseholds and buildings (inland lots 1,317, 1,812, 1,333, 1,334, 1,335, 1,353 and R. B. lot 86) Rolling stock Furniture account Coals and stores in hand
Accounts receivable Cash in H. and S. Bank Cash and compradore's orders
in hand
1.5 000.00
25,000.00
340.00 *,060.30
45,205.79
$201,606.09
8 0.
123 000,00
15,418.25 27,952.99
125.00 1,492.59 750.47
$28,993.29
1,873.50
30,366.79
$201,606.69
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT. To sa aries and wages
Dr.
To maintenance and repairs. To charges...... To eals and stores.
To rates. Crown rent and fire inancanes To godown and at tion rent
Less sundry tents received To office rent and clerks' salaries To balince..
Cr.
G.
22,519,20
5,261,18
3,174.35
-9,783.45
1,078.64
$2,10
64.67
1,495.93
3,000,00 45 235.79-
*
$91,497.94
0.
8,890.13
4.01 86,083.18 259,78
1.260.85
Mr. Henry Humphreys proposed, Mr. A. H Mancell seconded, and it was agreed that Mr. C. Ewens, the Hon. C. W. Dickson,By amount brought forward from last year and Mr. R. K. Leigh, be re-elected members By transfer fees of the consulting committee.
The Chairman proposed, Mr. R. K. Leigh work with deadly thoroughness. It travelled seconded, nud it was agreed that Mr. Potts and. 400 verste west of the Liao River, and after Mr. Gaskell be re-elected auditors for the wards started on a new chase of the same length ensuing year.
!
By traffic reompte for the year to date By interest By steel rail.
$91.497.94
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