August 8, 1904.)
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
if there was a ferry he inevitably took us by | HONGKONG COOLIES IN THE RAND. the deepest crossing possible to choose. Except a few ditches there was only one considerable river to get over on the way there.
This was not a very bad obstacle on the journey towards Hongkong, but on the way lack to the Samchun River its horrors seemed to have increased.
What was before a three-feet stream was swollen to the extent of sixty or eighty fe t. Our guide who, as I mentioned, was a long and hardy Now Territorian, took particular delight in leading us over all the worst roads, and when it came to crossing the stream he chose as a crossing place one of the deepest parts that it was possible to choose. There was only one saving circumstance, which was that on our arrival at the stream we were all so much
covered with mud that we were glad to wade across without stripping. ×0 that wo could wash away some of the
mud with which
our pether limbs were encased. It was no use swearing at our guide. because he was case-hardened fo swearing. aud
he admitted with laugh that he had set himself out to roast" the "tender-feet" from Hongkong. Personally, I was so sore in my bones as the result of my ramble through the New Territory that I was glad when I arrived home to get to bed, which I have not left
since.
JAPANESE ECONOMICS.
The Fourth Financial and Economic Annual of Japan, briefly referred to in to-day's leading article, is a model of lucid statistical work. Its excellent railway map. its illustrative diagrams, and its various tables, compiled so that he who runs may read, give a clearer presentment of the state of Japanese economic progress than columns of comment could do. The diagrams on plate 3 show the sources of revenue. The national debt at the end of March last stood at
over 550,000,000 yen. or a little over ten you per head. There is a striking diagram showing how largely the imperial policy is responsible for the incurment of the debt. In six years the number of business companies in Japan was multiplied by eight, but since 1900 has remained almost stationary. The capital authorised stands at over twelve hundred millions, nearly nine hundred millions of which has been paid up. Commerce and transportation is shown to be far ahead of industry, under this caption. Imports still keep ahead of exports since 1896, Japan buying nearly 325,000,000 yen worthof goods last year. The bulk of her exports last year went to China and
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Two Chinese being accidentally killed in s mine night shift on the Rand. a number of others mutinied, and threw stones at the Controller, who was injured.
The police eventually restored order. and arrested seventeen of the ringleaders.
The mutineers subsequently returned to work.
Rand belong to the first batch sent from The Chinese coolies who mutinied at the Hongkong. They were consigned to the New Comet Gold Mining Company on the East Rand. The property forms a part of the East Rand Proprietary, of which Sir George Farrar is managing director. He it was Boksburg, on 31st March of last
who, at
year. first
raised the cry for Chinese. To judge by the preparations being made, says the Straits Times, no effort is to be spared to make the Chinese satisfied with their surroundings. Compounds, well ventilated and built, lit with the electric light, and each supplied with a fully-equipped kitchen. bave been provided. A strict supervision will be kept over the other miners to prevent acts of brutality on the Chinese who, as at present arranged, will do underground surface work. It may be added that opposition Rand. Jobu Chinaman is expected to bring back prosperity to the mines. The Randites have yet to learn that “John is clannish, and will give trouble the moment be fancies that injustice is done to him,
work on some of the mines, and the natives the
to Chinese labour has almost died out on the
Mr. T. H. Kershaw, C.M.G. lato Legal Adviser F.M.S. in a letter to the Times commenting on the discussion in the House of Commons on the outbreak of beri-ber: among the Clinese labourers who have arrived in Johannesburg, says. I have myself lived for 3 years in the neighbourhood of Chinese coolies in Singapore. Pouang, and the Malay Peninsula. During that time I have learnt to respect them for their sobriety, industry, and thrift, and should be sorry to see any prejudice created against them in South Africa by ex- aggerated statements as to the nature of beri. beri."
WEDDING IN HONGKONG.
At St. John's Cathedral, on the 3rd inst..
Miss Mary Frances Hunter, sister of Mr. E. H. Hunter of the Hongkong & Shanghai Bank- ing Corporation, was married to Mr. W. R. McCullum of the same Corporation. The Bishop of Victoria conducted the ceremony The bride, attired in a beautiful white satin dress, had as her bridesmaids the Misses Stella May. Margery Berkeley. Nancy Playfair and Kathleen Ross-Taylor. Mr. C. W. May acted Sir William and Lady Goodman. Sir Henry as best man. Among those present were
and Lady Berkeley and the Misses Berkeley. Hon. F. H. May. C.M.G. and Mrs. May, Sir Paul Hon. P. N. H. Jones and Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Hoare. Chater. C.M.G., Commodore and Mrs. Dicken.
Hon. R. Shewan, Hon. G. Stewart and Mrs. Stew- art. Mr. J. R. M. Smith. Mr. T. P. Cochrane, Mr. and Mrs. Playfair. Mr. and Mrs. Tilden. Mr. and Mrs. Ross Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. H. W.
Fraser. Mr. and Mrs. L. A. M. Johnston. Mr.
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REVIEWS.
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103
Physical Training for Children, by Japanese Methods. By H. IRVING HANCOCK. New York and London: G. P. Putnam's Sons. structions, jiu-jitsu is even more impossible. A IF dancing cannot be learned from written in-
careful examination of the exercises described herein discovers the fact that there is a very little jiu-jitsu about them. The author has evidently seen something of that Japanese art, as we gather on coming to Chapter VIII. and its successors. Prior to these, we find simply a lot of variations of
kindergarten calisthenics, for which the author need not have travelled so far as Japan. Few of the variations can be regarded in the light of improvements, and we do not think it probable that the author will live fo see this hook used as a Manual in Schools and at Home." The introduction contains an attempt at clearer indication of the pronunciation of jiu-jitsu, which was quite a wasted effort. That spelling is quite as phonetic as the author's
•
jew-jitss," for, as a matter of fact, the last sound is more than a mere hiss. The su" is faintly breathed between the tip of the tongue and the top teeth, the vowel being shaped as in the French word “plume." Mr. Hancock states the States, and we wondered if he were as prolix. that he has worked as a newspaper reporter in and padded so much, as this work shows he much that could have been spared. In it can be and do. The first chapter contains
the author explains that the value of physical exercise is that it causes deep breathing. and
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so purifies the blood, yet between almost every exercise the pupil is enjoined to spend thirty seconds doing breathing exercises With regard to the exercises themselves, we are glad to note that moderation is insisted upon. Wore it in truth genuine jiu-jitsu that is being taught, we should have felt obliged to emphasise the warnings. Physical culture has been very much overdone of late years. A reasonable amount of walking and fresh air will do all that is required for health. Consider men like the Rt. Hon. Joseph Chamberlain. He has made a practice of reducing his physical exertion to an almost irreducible minimum," and there are few athletes more hale than he at his age. As for jiu-jitau, has Mr. Hancock considered the peculiar breakdown to which jiu-jitsu experts have shown themselves liable in their later years Returning to the book, we find it disfigured with Americanisms, such as "bit of snap. belong, at Court," "vimfull," and the like. Throughout there are rash generalisations introduced to support the author's ideas. The statement that Light eating is the rule in Japan "compels the sugges tion that Mr. Hancock has not consorted much with wrestlers, jiu-jitsu men, and other athletes. at meal times. The bulk of that "little bit of taking into account a dozen other courses that cooked rice he mentions is amazing, without they make no bones about, if the chance be offered. In spite of his admission that
"
America, while she favoured Great Britain and British India with the most of her orders, America running us very close in the amount shipped to Japan. Hongkong bought thirty millions worth of Japanese commodities. and sold or sent only two. Russia's trade with Japan is represented by a mere dot. There are now 4,500 miles of railway open, 1,250 of it being
large volumes have been written that have nationalised. The population of Japan proper
been devoted wholly to descriptions of the evil at last census stood at 46,301.999--a steady
affects of alcohol." Mr. Hancock has thought it increase of over one per cent. being noticed each
necessary to devote five pages to a typical year. The book gives a short history of the
teetotal lecture--one of the facile and “cheap taxation system, in which the beautifully
order and three pages to an anti-tobacco graduated system of the income tax compares favourably with some others. The Govern- W. A. Cruickshank, Mr. A. G. Wood, Mr. and tirade that could easily have been much
more ably done. He credits that old gag mient Tobacco. monopoly is already in Mrs. Volpicelli. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond, Mr.
about pigs not using tobacco to his native operation, but does not apply
and Mrs. H. E. Tomkins. Mr. H. N. Mody. Mr. guide "in Tokyo. Mr. Hancock needs guidance tobacco until April next. It is interesting and Mrs. Evan Ormiston. Mr. J. R. Brazier.
in many ways. He says (in this book on to observe a modern government still paying Mr. H. C. Wilcox and Mrs. R. C. Wilcox. Mr.Physical Training for Children") that "many feudal pensious, and compensatory allowances to
and Mrs. A. Fullerton, Mr. and Mrs. H. Schu- of the older statesmen of Japan are beginning Shinto priests deprived of their profession by G. C. Moxon, Mr. and Mrs. B. Layton, Mr. and threatened tobacco evil may be curbed in their bart. Mr. and Mrs. W. Danby, Mr. and Mrs. already to concern themselves as to how the the early Meiji reform of their institution. Mrs. E. Goetz, Mr. R. Fuhrmann. Mr. and Under "Mining" it is said that the Govern- nient's mining industry was in most cases a
Mrs. C. Pemberton, Rev. F. T. Johnson, Mr. country. That is why, no doubt, they have concerned themselves to institute a national failure so far as financial aspect is concerned
T. F. Hough, Mr. C. W. May. Mr. J. Y. V. tobacco monopoly. There are many far-fetched but under private management. the mines have Vernon, Mr. J. Barton. Mr. H. T. Butterworth, and exaggerated statements; but we have since been brought to “a flourishing condition."
and Mr. J. Whittall; with the members of the already far exceeded the limits of our space. The book has 153 solid pages of facts and
The photographic illustrations are excellent. We may honestly close with a compliment. figures.
to cut
At Tapah (Perak), the other day, a Chinaman was tried for murder and acquitted. On being acquitted, the Penang Gazette says, he raised up his left hand and said That is the hand. my lord, that committed the murder." Thus saying. he marched out triumphantly.
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Bank Junior Mess.
On the 4th inst. Mr. and Mrs. McCullum left for Kobe, where the bridegroom' takes up an appointment as accountant in the H.K. & S. Bank.
Captain J. H. McLeod, of the Philippine coastguard cutter Palawan, has had his certi ficate suspended for three years, having been found guilty of estafa (oppression.)
"Break." How the Navy Prepares for War. By TRE-POL-PEN. London: The Westminster Press (Gerrards Ld.). Hongkong: Kelly & Walsh.
THE books about naval Hife that have been ́
written by landsmen, many of them very well
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