September 19, 1904.]
of the neutral goods, then, entitled to compen- sation if his property has been destroyed toge ther with the ship? The correct answer is probably that when he shipped his property on a vessel sailing under a belligerent flag he knew that he incurred the risk of its being destroyed under certain circumstances together with the ship, and therefore that he must be deemed to bave taken the risk of such a loss upon himself This was the position taken up by the French Prise Court when a olim for compensation was made by the neutral owners of the cargoes of two German ships which, during the war of 1870, were sunk by their captors.
IMPORTANT JAPAN-COREA
AGREEMENT.
Regarding the appointment of for. iga finan- cial and diplomatic advisors to the Corean Court, Legotiations took place between the Japanese Envoy in Seul and the Corean Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance on
the 19th inst, when the following terms were agreed upon and signed:
1.--The Corean Government shall engage Japanese suggested by the Japanese Govern ment as financial advisor, and all financial affairs shall b (xecuted after inquiring his view.
2. The Corean Government shall employ & foreigner recommen ed by the Japanese Go- vernment as a diplomatic advisor, whose view s'a'l be consulted in all diplomatic affairs.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
SNAKES IN HONGKONG.
A big sndke has just been killed in the Tytam district. It measured no less than 18 girth, lending colour to the stories of old days feet long and was correspondingly thick in about the huge reptiles to be found on the island of Hongkong; borne out though these be to this incredulous age by the presence in measuring 18 feet and the other 144 feet. The the Museum of two huge local specimens, one Tytam snake was found peculiarly. It sp. parently had discovered the track of a deer that daily went down to the pool of a stream to drink, and had caught and crushed the animal to death. Then it began to devour its victim. But it had proved incapable of completing its gigantic banquet, and, lying down torpid by the side of its half-finished meal, was found asleep by some hillside people and despatched. Unfortunately the head Was smashed to such a11 extent as to make its carcase practically valueless for museum On the hills about Pokfulum the purposes. brown snake and the venomous flat-crested
**
green are still to be found in great quantities, while at Stanley those species abound in legion killed at Tytam is the largest which has been and cobras are also frequently seen. The snake killed for some years, but its death has served to revive many recollections amongst old inhabi- tants about reptilian monsters encountered on the island and sometimes successfully shot or otherwise put out of existence. One of these stories is that about an old Hongkong worthy (now at home) whose name shall be Chips. He was a Scotsman and had been at the The Japanese financial advisor referred to in the above agreement is Mr. T. Megata, Direc-road to traverse on his way home.
Scots Lod:e. He had a dark, white-surfaced tor of the Taxation Bureau, who was only story is best told in the words of a well But the recently nominated a member of the Upper known Police Inspector (now also at home). Ilouse. He has been long in the service of the
"I was sitting in the station," he said, Tokyo Ministers of Finance, and is an excellent
"after midnight, when in bursts 'Chips with authority. Mr. Stevens, councillor to the Ja-
a face as white as a sheet. What's the matter, panese Legation in Washington, is to be the
man?' I cried. Thereupon Chips' began diplomatic advisor. He has been in the Japan- ese service for about twenty years and is quite along the road when he came to a fallen tree a tangled yarn of how he had been walking Japanese.
lying across it. He touched it with his stick and found to his horror it was a huge snake. And did it move ? I asked him. 'Aye, an' I moved tae,' said 'Chips. It is alleged that he moved some of the wine his country, too, before he left the station."
IMPUDENT HOUSE BOYS.
In the Summary Court recently Mr. Justice Sercombe Smith heard a case in which two Chinese boys and a cook sued a European lady for a month's wages. No. 1 boy claimed $17 and the others less than $10 each. The defen-
dant admitted that the wages were due, though not in full. With regard to No. boy, he claimed $15 and $2 which he alleged he had lent to his mistress. Defendant said he left on the 29th ult., two days before his term was up. On the day previous he would not do his work, and she gave him $1 cumsha to induce him to go about his duties. Even then he did not do his work. On the morning of the 29th he was saucy and again neglected his work. She afterwards went into his quarters, paid him his wages, and told him to go, whereupon he flung the money back at her. He and the other two began to threaten her, and she ran down to the backyard. No. 1 boy pinched her arms until they were black and blue, while the others pulled her about by the skirts.
His Lordship said she should have summoned them at the Police Court.
Defendant stated that she had called in a sergeant of police, but she had not summoned them as she did not want her name to appear in the papers.
His Lordship gave judgment for $12 without costs.
When the boy heard the judgment he muttered something in Chinese to the effect that defendant should pay the money due him. His Lordship called him back and told him he had better be careful what he said there, or he would find himself in gaol. He might be insolent to his mistress, but if he was insolent in that Court it would be at his own risk.
The two other servants got judgment without costs.
At the conclusion of the case his Lordship strongly advised defendant to take out sum- monses against all three plaintiffs and get them punished
Summonses were accordingly taken out.
•
THE WINNING NUMBER,
CRICKET LEAGUE ANNUAL
MEETING.
annual meeting at the offices of the Hongkon
The Hongkong Cricket League Hold” thar Land Investment Co. on the 19th inst" H.- T. Sercombe Smith presided, others present being Messrs. W. Braidwood, P. W. Goldfing Skinner (A.O.D.), Sapper D. 8. Man 1 (E1), (H.K.C.C.), B. K. Mehts (Parede C.C.), Bergt. Messrs. L. E. Brett (Civil Service C.C.), A. 0. Brawn (Craigengower C.C.), and A. E. Alger (hon. secretary and treasurer). League tent not represented were H.M.S. Tamar and tas R.A.M.C.
The SECRETARY read the notice convening the meeting.
The CHAIRMAN proposed that the report and accounts, as presented, be adopted. Mr. GOLDRING seconded; and it was carried dinani- mously,
The CHAIEMAN said that they were presented with a difficulty. Were they to elect a president, vice-president, hon. secretary and treasurer that meeting, or wait till each olub in the League elected a representative?
had had their meetings. The only question Mr. BRAIDWOOD took it that all the teams
was whether other teams joining would not like to have a voice in the League.
Mr. GOLDRING said that the Hongkong. Cricket Club had not yet held its annual general meeting.
The CHAIRMAN, under the circumstances, all the teams in the League being represented, proposed that they elect the officers; and it was
seconded, and it was agreed that Mr. T. agreed to.
Mr. GOLDRING proposed, Mr. BRAIDWOOD Sercombe Smith be elected president.
Mr. SERCOMBE SMITH said he would be very pleased to accept their nomination (Applause).
and it was carried that Mr. Braidwood be elect- Mr. BRETT proposed, Mr. BEAWN seconded,
ed vice-président.
Mr. BRAIDWOOD said he would be very pleas. ed to do what he could.
Mr. BRETT proposed, Mr, GOLDRING second- ofed, and it was agreed that Mr. A. E. Asger be asked to carry on the duties of hon. secretary and treasurer for another year.
In spite of the law, lottery tickets meet a ready sale in Hongkong. The following from the Shanghai Mercury is therefore of local interest.
Lottery tickets being frowned upon by the City Fathers, those who still persist in buying them are naturally looked upon as fair game by the dealers, and many are the ways adopted by the surreptitions vendors to profit by the favours of Dame Fortune. A recent "find" among the belongings of a dealer whose boxes were searched for a different reason, may save some loss to foreign purchasers. This consisted of a large lot of English numbers, digits, all carefully cut. The explanation finally vouched concerning these was that when the dealer had told a lucky ticket to a foreigner, he "faked" bis list of prizes, by pasting another number carefully over the top of th prize won; say $50 was won, a "3" placed skilfully over the "5" increased the seller's profit by $21. The possibilities of the method are easily seen. Those who will encourage such immoral institu-
tions should beware.
•
ROYAL HONGKONG TACHT CLUB.
The yachting season of the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club commences about the 1st November though a ladies' race may be held at the end of October. A general meeting of members will be called in a few days for business, and to hear all about the amalgamation of the Yacht Club with the Boat Club. There are no new yachts. Vernon, the winner of last year's championship. Commodore Robinson's yacht, now belongs to Mr. Tooker; while Dione is solely owned by Mr. F. H. May.
Major Pratt, R.A., owner of Doreen, leaves the Colony to-day to take up a position at Woolwich.
The CHAIRMAN : I think we ought to express. our thanks to Mr. Asger for his work during the first and hardest season.
The CHAIRMAN recommended that a sub- committee, consisting of Mr. Brawn, Bergt. Skinner and Mr. Asger, be elected to draw up a set of rules and bye-laws for the League; and submit them for approval.
Mr. GOLDBING seconded, and it was carried unanimously.
Mr. BRAIDWOOD asked if any steps should be taken to invite others to join the Club.
Mr. BRETT thought that the entranos should be raised to $10. Their present funds were not sufficient.
The CHAIRMAN was opposed to raising the entrance fee while the League was in its in- fancy. He thought it would be well to ap prosch other teams.
Teams mentioned as likely to join were the Hongkong Police, the Torpedo Depot, and the Royal Artillery.
Mr. MANN said he thought the R.A., for one, were looking like business.
The CHAIRMAN said he understood that E. R. Hallifax was anxions to get a polios team together.
It was finally decided that any teams wanting to come into the League must sand in their names to Mr. A. E. Asger, the or before 30th September.
beret
Mr. GOLDRING said that the s
present
were not sufficient if they were annual presentation of eleven gold
The CHAIRMAN suggested silver onéa.“ Mr. BBETT mentioned that the Longue were not invited to the presentation Shield. The Cricket Club did not invitation, and some of them were trespassing.
The CHAIRMAN: There was nothing Mr. BRAIDWOOD: What about Mr. AsɑEE ́mid that on one or one of the team had to get out and”
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.