386
THE NEW PEAK TRAMWAY.
(Daily Press, 5th November.). The Bill authorizing the construction of Tramway to the upper levels with a ter minus in the Peak district was read a second time on Thursday in the Legislative Council. The Hon. Sir PAUL CHATER, who introduced the Bill, explained the
object of the measure, described the route it was proposed to take, and said that it would open up an entirely new district, and was not intended to come into opposition with the existing Peak Tramway. He pointed out, with great force and clearness, that the new line would be a boon to residents on all the upper levels in the centre of the city, who at present are absolutely dependent on the capricious and exacting chair coolie. The Hon, GERSHOм STEWART, in seconding the motion, also dwelt on this phase of the question, and expressed a very decided opinion that the new tramway would enable residents on the Caine Road, Robinson, and Conduit Roads, and in Queen's Gardens, to reduce the very heavy expenses involved in climbing to those levels. Both epeakers were also sanguine that the growth of the traffic would very soon be sufficient to keep both lines fully employed; and Sir PAUL CHATER, dipping a little into futurity, predicted that two other tramways, one to Magazine Gap, and the other, from the west rn extremity of Bonham Road, up the slopes to High West, would eventually afford access to what will be the main residen ial district for the British and foreign population. No doubt this is looking a little far ahead, but, having due regard to what has already happened within the last twenty years, it is not, we think, at all unduly sanguine, pro- vided, of course, that the commercial progress of the Colony receives no unfore
seen and unlooked-for set back.
While we believe the residents generally will welcome the advent of another line of communication to the Hill District - both as supplementary to the present Tramway and affording a cess new and hitherto rather isolate I districts}
88
10
-they will also, we are sure, concnr most heartily in Mr. STEWART'a remark on the working of the Peak Tramway Company. The line has been worked admirably for the past fourteen years, with the minimum of mishaps, ipost of which have be-n of a trivial character. The cars are comfortable the permanent way thoroughly well kept, and the cables renewed with a frequency taht leaves nothing to be desired. The stations are also improved from time to time, and the passengers' safety and comfort
are carefully and conscientiously after.
looked
Several
The Company's servants are civil and obliging, and strangers can alway, obtain information readily. There is indeed little that could be suggested to improve the existing arrangements, and it is only due to the management to say that any reason able suggestion or well-founded complaint meets-with prompt consideration. little suggestions made in these columns have indeed been adopted with an alacrity that evidenced the desire of the General Managers to promote the comfort and supply the wants of passengers. It is therefore sincerely to be hoped that if the Comyauy desire to extend their line to the Queen's Road level--an improvement long sought but always considered to be imprac ticable the Government and the Military
Authorities will both unite to endeavour to
overcome the difficulties that so obviously
exist.
It must be admitted that if the new
from the tramway starts
bottom of Battery Path it will have a very dis-
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY, PRESS AND
[November 19, 1904.
Battery Path it will have ʼn very dis- perfectly indifferent on such matters; an 1 tinct advantage over the old line, init ill behoves us, now that -Russia has summer at all events. And though this thrown away the last rag of concealment, to advantage would only be secured by a very permita feeling of mero sentiment to stand considerable additional initial outlay, it in the way. That Germany and Russia would inflict a handicap on the old I ne have at present any setiled programme of unless the Peak Tramway Company can, by common action we do not for a moment some means, maunge to make their terminus j. believe, but a fellow feeling, us the pet said,
There are several
"makes 118 wondrous kind," and Mr.
on the same level.
BALFOUR's indifference is certainly goig a long way towards creating a closer under- standing than at present exists.
Unfortu
ely the case is complicated by the well- known proclivities of SHENG Kung Pad. As cager for self advancement as the late Lt HUNG-CHANG himself, SHENG is quite
as indifferent to the interests of his country, and apparently as o, eu to oreign blandish.
In this instance his Influence is almost openly thrown in favour of the sale, and as he is still a persona grati with the EMPRESS-DOWAGER that inflenes cangot
methods of accomplishing this descent, hut all of them present obstacles more or less serious. One would be to carry the fine on an overhead track down Garden Rd, and another to make a detour and, crossing the nullah at St. John's Place, to bring the line down the Grove on the cast of Murray Barracks. This ter project, however, would remove the terminus a little distance east, but the distance would be more thanments. made up. by the facility of locomotion on the level secured. This matter will no doubt be discussed at length, and may pos- sibly come up for consideration when the be neglected. Of late his enemies, and they Bill comes on in Committee. His Excel-are ihany, have been bringing certain leucy the GOVERNOR stated, for the infor- charges against him, not easily comprobetided mation of Mr. STEWART, that the old Com by those unaware of the true canse, but to pany had asked for permission to extend those acquainted with the position, these their line through Crown lad to the efforts to get rid of him are not difficult of Queen's Road level, and their request was explanation. Of all these factors the British under consideration, and His Excellency Government displaysu ignorance app trently added that though their rights are peculiarly founded on indiference, and seems to be wil affected, the Company had not petitioned to fully throwing away the favourable oppor he heard by the Council in connection with tunity of regaining much of its lost prestiga the new Bill. The fact of the old Company now presented. It is true that in refusing to forbearing to oppose the passage of the new modify its treaty with Tibet at the sug Bill should therefore be counted in their gestio of the reactionary party at Peking favour, and the Government and Council | it has made an un vonted display of firm- will, we hope, accordingly give to the appl-ness; but that, satisfactory so far as it goes, is by no means sufficient, and very much more remains to be done. There is no reason to doubt that the protest against the treaty has been inspired from the Russian legation at Peking; and that the suggestion has been made that the British Government should under such influences be thought capable of retiring from the position once taken up affords an instance of the low opinion held in Peking of its stability of pose. Its late conduct`ia permitting the recent outrages on its flag to descen into uf, the realms of diplomacy is but another if such were ucided, that the present had of the Government is incapable of grasping the real necessitios of the position. Actie- mouthpiece of Imp rial interests in China we have no disposition, as we have no right, to intermed lle with home politics, nor have
ction for extension a most favourable" and
·
attentive consideration. Th Peak Tram- way Company have deservel will of the community and should not be in any way penalise I in their enterprise, while the public generally are greatly interested in the extension of the old line to Que u's Road.
to
THE NEGLECT OF IMPERIAL INTERESTS IN CHINA.
(Daily Press, 7th November.)
|
pr
Hal Mr.
That the Chinese Government objects to the proposed sale of the concession of the railway from Canton to Hankow by the Americau syndicate which had engaged to make the line is apparently some proof of we any right to criticise the acts of His the revival of better counsels at Peking; MAJESTY's advisers except in so far as they and as such is well worthy of notice. That concern those interests. The conduct f in the first instance this line should have the Government as far as it relates to Rus- · fallen into American hands is an indication: sia, and therefore incidentally its neglect of of the low condition into which the apathy, Imperial interests in China, is one which uccessive. cannot be passed ovor without criticism; but use the mildest phrase, of British Cabinets had permitted Imperial one thing depends on another, interests in the Far East to fall. The BALFOUR sufficiently apprehended the insult protest of the Chinese Government, that in implied in the stoppage and intended con secking to make it over a Belgian fiscation of the Malacca, he would not have syndicate, the American projectors were in been called on to eress the cowardly point of fact transferring it to Russia, murder of the fishermen on the home coast. Had he duly met and comprehanded the affords some hope that Government is at the eleventh hour waking up to a recogni-perty intrigues of the Russian Minister ut tion of the true aiuis of Russia, and sees. Peking, the Russo-Japanese war for the however late, that the purchase of the line restoration of Manchuria would not have In the present instance is only intended as the first step towards an become necessary,
a well-devised protest agains; the scheme of occupation of China Lerself. There is no doubt that in protesting against the pro. SHENG KUNG PAO, backed up, as it up. posed sale China is really within her inter-doubtedly would be, by the better inten
to
|
MAR
tioned section of the Chinese Government national rights, and we may well ask what steps is the British Cabinet taking to back itself, could iar-lly be ineffective, and would her up. The time has passed when any block the roul to further Russian encroach-“ There are times when an un- delicacy need be felt with respect to hurting ments. the supposed feelings of Russia. That sheathed sword is a better peacemaker that country has by her recent action in the the most cautiously worded despatch, and Red Sea and the Pacific, and more recently a good sword is just as effective in turning in her conduct with regard to the fishing the balance as an equal weight of rubbigh fleet in the North Shown that she is land palaver.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.