January 30, 1904.J
of the population here consisted of adults from 20 to 40 years of age.
There was no other important public business before the meeting.
A VISIT TO THE FATSHAN RAILWAY.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. Fatahan is a very populous place, much résem- single ended boiler. As she lay awaiting bling Canton, equally crowded, equally narrow baptism she made a very pretty spectacle. as to streets, and equally non-salubrious as to numerous flags flying over her white-painted amella. To get thence up to one of the sections | hull. Mrs. May performed the launching at which work is proceeding it is necessary ceremony, others present including H. E. Mr. to resort to a rowing boat and be paddled up F. H. May, C.M G., Mr. Ponsonby (private the river or else to walk up the line some four secretary to H.E.) Major General and Mrs. or five miles distance. The river route is Villiers Hatton, .B., Vice-Admiral C, G. preferable. Here one comes among a group of and Mrs. Robinson, Mr. W. B. Dixon house-boats where live the white overseers and (manager of the Hongkong and Whampoa engineers engaged on the constructional work. Dock (o)., Mr. D. B. Law (of A hearty welcome is extended to the visitor, Messrs. Butterfield and Swire, who represent- and news of far-away Hongkong eagerly sought ed the West River 8.8. companies), Engineer- after and relished, If one were to take up a Capt, North (Naval Yard), "Capt. F. D. and bundle of San Francisco coloured newspapers it Mrs. Goddard, Capt. A. W. Outerbridge, Dr. is questionable whether he would not be hailed Noble. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay, Mr. H. Č. Wil- as a public benefactor or killed by a repletion cox, Mr. Butterworth, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. E. of kindness.
S. Wheailer, Hon. Gershom Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. Tomkins, Mr. T P. Cochrane, Mr. W. Wilson (Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Co.), Mr. B. Layton, and Mr. A. G. Wood.
It is with no little interest that one first views the new railway between Canton and Fatahan, especially if, like the waiter, one has not seen a locomotive bigger than the Matankok pug for the last few years. As the intending traveller proceeds up the river from the Canton steamship wharf on the old Star Ferry launch the Guiding Star his surroundings are 80 thoroughly Chinese that be almost begins to believe that after all this story about the existence of a modern railro d up the country is a myth. Yet suddenly as the boat emerges from the city and turns round a bend in the waterway there comes into view a veritable train with a smoking engine in front awaiting the coming of the connecting ferry and its numerous passengers As for the station itself-its ame
is Shekwaitong-it is only yet in the course of construction, but promises to be a structure worthy to adorn the ter- minus of so impor'aut an undertaking as the Canton-Fatshan railroad. After a view of the rolling stock, the aye is caught by the bright and flowery uniforms of the Chinese station attendants. These officials do not appear to be 80 alert as the porters at home but they sport a dignity, begotten of their raiment perhaps, absolutely foreign to their European compeers. There is no booking-office. A Chinese supplies tickets as the passengers enter the carriages, and after the usual preliminaries have been gone through the engine gives a warning "toot" and we are unde going the experience of riding on the first railroad to be constructed in Southern China. The carriages are of a
We have received from the Hon. H. E Pol- primitive kind but very comfortable and roomy.lock, K.C., the following copy of a letter re-
First-class fare is 50 cents.
It is interesting to note the deportment of the Chinese passengers. No doubt the people of the countryside have had ample opportunity of making themselves familiar since its inception with the presence of the line and its concomitants, yet it is superficially apparent that they have not got over the first wonderment with which they surveyed the newcomer. All along the route one saw groups of the inhabitants gazing curiously at the train and its occupants. The Chinese passengers themselves stuck their heads out of the windows to observe the rogress of their iron horse. To European eyes the chief attraction after the first novelty of the locomo- tion had worn off lay in the beautiful fertile plains through which they were being sped. The plains seemed endless. At this season of the year of course the land is bare of crops except where a patch of uncut sugar-cane rises here and there to relieve the drab aspect of the turned-up fields, or a grove of fern-like trees lends verdancy to the scene.
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As for the track itself, it is made of blue clay dug from both sides of the line. These excavations of course have left a deep canal on each side which are filled with water. One cannot bat admire the excellence of the track; the material of which it is composed appears to have capital lasting powers, Between Canton and Fatshan steel sleepers are used; beyond Fatshan Japanese wood is to be utilised. The rails weigh 15ibs. to the yard and the gauge is 4 feet 84 inches. It is satisfactory to learn that the reported troubles on the line have not been so serious as we were led to believe in Hongkong. There have been a few sporadic disturbances, but nothing to cause the promoters and staff any great uneasiness. Iudeed one and all join in declaring how friendly and pae fic has been the feeling shown towards them by the Chinese. Good progress is being made on the work, and before very long the through traffic to Samshui should be an accomplished fact.
THE REGISTRATION OF DOMESTIC
SERVANTS.
ceived by him from the Colonial Secretary's Office:-
Colonial Secretary's Office. Hongkong, 23rd January, 19.4. ceipt of the petition addressed by certain ladies SIR, I am directed to acknowledge the re- of the Colony to the Officer Administering the Government on the subject of the registration of domestic servants, which accompanied your letter of the 20th instant,
Shortly before the launch Mr. D. R. Law presented В handsome bouquet in a silver holder to Mrs. May, and, in so doing, said that on behalf of the owners of the steamer, which rs. May had so graciously consented to launch, he had the honour to pre- sent her the flowers as a token of their gratification at her having been able, among her other numerons important engagements, to find time to perform the ceremony.
All ready Mrs. May out the cord, thereby releasing the dog-shores holding the vessel. For some few minutes the vessel did not move, the hydraulic jack to give her the first impetus not seeming to shove hard enough. At length, however, she commenced to slide down the well greased ways, Mrs. May breaking a bottle of champagne on her bows, while the crowd on the platform waved their hats and gave three cheers. The vessel ever gather. ing speed, took the water very nicely, aferwards. being hauled alongside.
Mr. W. B. DIXON, addressing the assembly, said that on behalf of the Dock Company he had the greatest pleasure in seeing the ladies - present at the launch, The Lin Tan was the first of a series for Mr. Law. He also availed himself of the opportunity to thank Mrs. May and would ask her to accept a little souvenir of the occasion. The souvenir was a handsome gold bracelet.
|ned the builders in expressing their warmest Mr. D. R. Law on behalf of the owners join- thanks for Mrs. May's kindness in launching the Lin Tan so successfully and graciously. He called for three cheers for the ladies.
When everyone was confortably seated in the Dock Ball-room Mr. Dixon wished success to the good ship Lin Tan. The youngster had taken her first step. She was intended for the West
the Government so recently as 1902, when, after This question was very fully considered by
ferred to in the petition, it was decided not to the fullest investigation by the Commission re- legislate for the compulsory registration of ser- vants, but instead to give wider powers for deal ing with misconduct by the class of servants
River and would probably accommodate from that formed the subject of the Commission,
150 to 200 passengers. There would be not This was done by the enactment of Ordinance
more than 12 berths for Europeans; 15 or No. 2 of 1902 which was supplemented by O--20, however, could be carried if the sofas dinance 45 of 1902, dealing with servants of all classes.
I have therefore to express His Fxcellency's question which has been so recently decided. regret that he does not see his way to re-open a
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant, [Sd.] A. M. THOMSON,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
It is rather strange a: first to find that the line does not pass through any large villages or towns as one would expect. Ra ber these seem to be avoided. But there is method in this seemingly unwise d parture. The pro- moters recognize that it will take time for the Chinese country-people to be reconciled Hon, H. E. Pollock, K.C. to the presence in their midst of such a modern institution as a railroad; hence the line has been purposely deflected away from contact with the numerous villages that dot the plains, and the belief is entertained, doubtless with the best of reason, that as time goes on the various stations en route will become centres of activity and attract the Chinese to them as being the most convenient bases from which to carry on business requiring rapid transit.
LAUNCH OF RIVER STEAMER AT KOWLOON..
THE 8.8. "LIN TAN." This steamer, built to order of the West River S.S. companies, was launched at the Hongkong & Whampoa Co.'s Kowloon Docks on Thursday afternoon. The vessel is a twin- screw crafi. 175 feet between perpendiculars by 32 feet by nine feet, being capable of carrying a deadweight of 260 tons on a draught of 6 feet 6 inches. Her length is limited to enable her to pass the quick bends on the river, and her depth and draft are also limited. She is provided with very full accommodation, having a few staterooms with sleeping accom- modation for first and second class passengers carried no farther than Fatshan, but above on the upper deck, besides large spaces on the that point there are many more miles of main-deck for Chinese third-class passengers. excellent track already laid towards Samshui, Machinery consists of ordinary compound the contemplated objective for this branch. engines supplied with steam by a very large
As is generally known, the Canton-Fatahan line is not an independent work; it is part of the scheme for establishing a great trunk line from Canton to Hankow, to embrace some- thing like 1,00 miles of track when all its branches and subsidiary parts are included. From Canton to Fatahan is ten and a half miles distant, and the journey occupies about forty minutes. At present the traffic is
were utilised. Chinese first-class berths would number about 30, and other Chinese could smoke their
below. ipes comfortably He was
very pleased to avail himself of the occasion to thank Mr. Law for the order There were still three months in which to complete the ve-sel; six months had gone. He begged to propose success to the vessel, coupling with the toast the name of his friend wr Law, who was a stiff business man, having principles to serve his firm in the best way.
Mr. Law in responding said that he was sure the owners considered themselves very fortunate in having had their vessel launched and christ- ened by so lucky a lady as Mrs. May. They had also to congratulate themselves on being in the hands of builders like the Hongkong & Whampoa Dock Co. Their name was a guarantee for the highest workmanship It was a comparatively easy task for their surveyors to superintend the building of a vessel contracted for with the Hongkong. Dock Co.; and they were generous builders as well. always willing, nay anxions, to adopt any suggestions and improvements, although not embodied in their contract. without extra charge. He could not therefore do better than recommend any of the ladies or gentlemen who might be contemplating building a steamer to
entrust their orders to
his friend Mr. Dixon. They saw with what high esteem his own firm held the Dook Company's work. Yonder lay the keel and frames of the
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