September 4, 1905.J
can
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
CANTON,
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)
Canton, 23rd August.
DISCLOSURES.
I observed in your morning issue of yester day's date that the Hongkong Sanitary Board proposed to legislate bye-laws to prohibit gar- deners in the Colony from using human excreta for manuring their vegetable gardens, as such practice may always be dangerous to health and especially so in times of epidemics of cholera and typhoid. It may be interesting for you to know that large quantities of vegetables that are consumed in Hongkong are products ex- ported from Canton. Most of the vegetable gardens here are situated in the environs of the East Gate of the City, which extend right up to the font of the White Cloud Mountains. `All vegetables that come from that quarter into the city either for local consumption or export, it is needless to say, are manured with human nightsoil, and they are all washed in the leper's poud," near the leper's village which is situated close by the East Gate. This is a malter of fact; there is no exaggeration about it. Some of the European doctors here who have witnessed these proceedings being carried on there wil coufirm my statements. Unfortunately the Chinese proverb says: "anything washed by water can be considered clean" and those Shameen or Canton European residents who do not possess regetable gardens of their own will have to rua considable risk not only in epidemic seasons, but all the year reand as long as they use vegetables produced by the
$50 a month from the bank. I paid interest for the money.
I borrowed according to the existing market rate. With the money borrowed from the bank, I jined as partner in other banks, one in Canton and one in Hongkong. The one in Canton was Tun Tak and the other in Hongkong was Chin Hing. | After the formation of the Tun Tak Bank HONGKONG'S VEGETABLE SUPPLY; UNSAVOURY in Canton the Tun Tak Bank opened in Hong- kng. In addition to the money in the Tun Tak Bank I also put money into Yau Tai Cheon and Wai Tai Sing of Hongkong, $1,000 each, also $1,00 in the Wah Hing and Sing Loong, $1,000 in the Tai Tak Company of Hongkong. The Wo Hing firm was selling goods to Samarang, Sumatra. I took no active part in the business. I was simply a sleeping partner. The Wo Hing lent me $1,000 b cause I was a partner without any security on a promissory not. The Wo Hing closed some time ago. The whole of the capital was lost. I do not know if they lent other money on security. The Hip Fong firm, in Kobe, Japan, had a branch in Wing Lok Street. I am not a partner in that firm. With the money I borrowed I carried on business but lost it all. The Shin Wo is a bank in Canton, in which I was a pirtuer, for Ts. 5,000. I borrowed $5,0.0 and gave security, which security had depreciated 30 or 40 per eant. Out of the total of $6,000 invested in these different banks I have only $800 which
be realised. No. 8 George Lane is the only house pro- par y I possess. In my memorandum there was $4.000 for loss on purchase of 14 houses in West Point which I had agreed to buy. I paid $4,000 deposit, but failed to carry out the con- tract and the money was forfeited. I cannot
say whether I have the receipt or not. The amount of the contract was $175,000, and I expected to raise that with the assis'ance of my friends. borrowed the $4,000 from the Foon Kat Bank. I had put down $1,500 loss on the Ko-Shing Theatre. I hd a share in that theatre. The manager told me there was a loss. I made enquiry about the loss, and the manager told me that during dull Insiness all the capital invested was lost. I am still a partner in that business. I have no other business in Hong kong except those mentioned. Formerly I was in business as a photographer. That business was known as the Mee Cheung. I formed that business with another man 15 years ago, but up some time in 1903, in order gave it to enter the bank business.
have no interest in the Mee Chung business now, but have gone there occasionally since. My old partner went away and asked me to look after the business in his absence. I did so.
My friend has now returned. I sold my share in that business for $3,009, This concluded the examination. Mr. Wakeman said it was the same old story. His Lordship added that it would be better not to close the examination,
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Mr. Wakeman agreel and the examination was adjourned.
IN SUMMARY JURISDICTION.
natives.
LEPROSY.
Lately I hear that a certain benevolent European doctor here has proposed to Viceroy Shum to start a leper institution on European methods and he is willing to render his services free of charge, devoting a certain number of hours every day to the institution for attending to the lepers and intructing several pupils in the methods of treating leprosy, so that in a few years those pupils will be able to run the hospital without his assis- tance. There are 20,000 lepers in Canton and they are freely permitted to leave the leper vil age and to come into the city to beg. This is not only a public naisance but it is also a source of datger to the citizens, as the lepers go round the public markets to make purchases, and handle the various kinds of articles of food. The doctor suggests the selection of a large island somewhere down the River and to have all the lepers in Canton
Canton
isolated there. I believe Viceroy Shum has taken a favourable view of the doctor's proposal and there is every likelihood that the proposi- tion will be carried out in the near future. But the only thing which may hinder the scheme from being taken up at once is that the Pro- viucial coffer is not in any way over-flowing. Unless the various large charitable Societies
BEFORE MR. A. G. W18E (PUISNE JEDGE) and wealthy people here are prepared to give
"A CLUMSY LIAR,
**
Chan Kwai, a stonecutter, sued Lai Kan for $22, balance of wages due. The parties were not legally represented. When defendant submitted his wages book, he was asked by His Lordship to explain how it was that he had commenced the entries relating to plaintiff at the fifth moon and when he got to the sixth moon he suddenly jumped back to the fifth Defendant's answer was not very clear, and he was told by His Lordship that he was not clever enough. He would have to pay for his lying, and judgment would be given against
moon.
him with costs. He was warned that if he attempted that practice again, he would be sent to gao1.
Some excitement was creat d in Gough Street, on August 28th, by the report that a mad dog was running about. A constable tried to kill it with a bamboo, but failing, drew his revolver and shot it. The usual rost mortem examina. tion was held at the public mortuary, and it was found that the animal was in a bad state of mange.
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their pecuniary support at nce, I am afraid it will soon be forgotten. Let us sincerely hope that the shrewd and enlightened Viceroy
hum will find a way.
GOVERNOR CHANG'S DEPARTURE. Governor Chang left here to-day at one o'clec': for Shanghai by the China Merchant's Steamer Kicong Tai.
KWANGTUNG GOVERNOR'S SON SHOT. It is said that Li Ching Shi, Governor of Kwangsi, has received a private, telegram from his family in Ho Fei Hsien, Ngan Hwei Pro- vince, to say that his son has been shot by a European, and has since died. It appears that one morning young Li went out for å ride and his pony happened to tread on a dog belonging to a Europeau and killed it. The European was very angry and went straight to the Governor's house and insisted upon seeing young Li per- sonally Li, who thought it small matter, and thought probably the European wanted some compensation for the killing of his dog, went out to interview him. The
European on seeing Li drew out his revolver and shot him. This is the story as told to me by a Chinese friend. Of course I cannot vouch for it.
Was a very
CANTON-HANKOW RAILWAY,
137
Yesterday there was a meeting held by the railway committee at the Kwong Chai ho >pital re the taking over of the Canton-Hankow Railway At the me ting Leong Sui Shan propo di t the company should now settle what portion of the capital should be subscribed and wi at duties or work should be apportioned to the two- syndicates (ie., the Cauton and Hupeh), and when these two questions are decided to com- municate the result to Viceroy Sham and request him to cable same to Viceroy Chang Chih Turg. The above having been decided, a member of the committee then proposed to elect and depute Leong Shui Shan and Lai Kwai Pui, as deputies representing the Canton syndicate, to proceed to Hupeh and settle all further details of the company with Viceroy. Chang, should h agree to the first proposal. The meeting was then adjourned sine die.
Canton, 25th August.
! PO WAI YING ABOLISHED. Official notice has been given by the Sin Hau Kok that His Excellency Viceroy Shum has abolished the Po Wai Ying office and henceforth all steam launches towing junks are requested to pay the protection tax direct to the sin Hau Kok.
AMERICAN BOYCOTT.
The prefect of Canton has notified the five large charitable societies that a meeting will be held at the Kwong Chai Hospital on the 26th instant to deliber.ti on the subject of the Chinese Exclusion Act and Boycott of American goods; the Nam Hoi and Poonü Magistrates have also been requested by the prefect to attend at the meeting,
I believe, the prefect has received official instructions from Viceroy Bhum to convene this meeting in order to investigate the various complain's made by the United States Consul and to request the directors of the charitable societies to devise some means to pacify the boycott committees.
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It is said that the boycott committee here has received a letter from the Almoy boycott committee, in which it is stated that they have recently discovered that a certain American firm have changed the "Star" chop of their kerosine into "Cock" brand. Over 5,000 cases of kerosine bearin the "Cock brand were shipped from New York in a sailing vessel and arrived there (Amoy) a few days ago. shrewd consignees have ben trying to palm them off as Russian oil, but fortunately the intelligence department of the boycott office discovered this artful trick and warned the dealers in time. The consignees on finding that their game was discl sed, immediately sent 1,000 cases to the Sam Tat Company
there.
5.
The
4) in hopes of disp sing of it Swatow people have been duly cautioned and there is no doubt they will find the market blocked against them.
A MEAN ROBBERY,
On the 23rd instant six amahs who were on su expedition to the White Cloud Mountains to worship, the Cheang Sin (Fairy) were waylaid in broad daylight and mercilessly robbed by a gang of daring brigands, at the foot of the White Cloud Mountains. The robbers, not contented with depriving them of all valuables took their clothes as well, leaving the poor amals naked in a bush close by the road. Their cries were heard by a man who happened to pass the road. He went aud reported the matter to Military Station No. 19. Clothes were brought to the amahs and they all returned home. Four of the robbers have since been captured by the braves of No. 1.3 station.
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Canton, 30th August.
COLLISION.
The Chinese Government's steam-launch Ching Kong collided with the British motor boat Lung Chow on the morning of the 26th instant. The collision took place at Tse Tung How, near Shamshui. The matter has been referred to Mr. A. Schmidt, Deputy Com- missioner of Customs here, for arbitration: I am told that the captain of the Ching Kong
The Lung Chow has filed a claim for $500 damages, on, behalf of the Chinese Government. is a new motor boat built in Hongkong about two months ago. Her design isɛsomething similar to that of a large Chinese passenger
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