September 4, 1905.]
recurrent expenses. The chief increases were in the contribution to Imperial government ($504,637,38, or $49,703 52 more), "Police and Fire Brigade, etc., ($228,311.06. or $14.208.75 more) and P. W. D. 874083.62, or $11,069 22 more ). Public Works Extraordinary $366,744,50, or an increase of $71,781.26. The
cost
total increase (exclu ire of the last item) was only $24,387.
THE AMERICAN VISITIORS.
ARRIVAL OF SECRETARY TAFT AND PARTY.
While much interest had been felt in the
announcement that the Secretary, of War for United States, the Hon. W. H. Taft, and Miss Alice Roosevelt, daughter of the Presideut, were to visit Hongkong this week, their arrival at Hongkong on the 3rd September was comparatively unexpected outside official circles. Still they did n t land without being cordially greeted and welcomed.
At half past eight on Sunday morning the United States Army Transport Logan arrived here with the distinguished party on board Accompan ing the Secretary for War were Colonel Edward, Captain J. K. Thompson, A.D.C. Captain William Kelly, Jun. A.D.C., Brigadier General Tasker H. Bliss, Miss Roose- velt, Miss Boardman, Miss McMillan, with the 24 Congressional guests-seven senators and seventeen representatives, and a large un- official party. Mr. Taft,
a. stout, grey- haired gentlemen with a ruddy countenance, was seen by our representative on board, but he pr. ffered no addition to his well known views on the Chinese que tion. Ha was weary of in- terviews, but politely tried to conceal the fact. He talked ‹n other matters, and said that the doubts regarding his visit to Canton were need- less. There was absolutely no reason why they should not go there.
The hopes entertained by many on
hore of s-sing an official welcome accorded the visitors were not realised, as the movements of the party were fre and independent of any pr. gramme. Missioosevelt 1-f the Logan in the morning. and, after a return to that vessel later int he dy tooker departure from Hongkong at 3 o'clock in the U.S. ganboat Callao. Sicretary Taft and congres onal guests came ashore in the afternoon and attended the r- ception held from 5 to 7 o'clock at the U. S. Consu ́ate, where General and Mrs. Bragg filled the roles of lost and host-ss. Subse quently. Secretary Taft with a party of about 50 went on board the steamer Kim Shan aud sailed for Catton.
A COOLIE'S DEATH.
At the Magistracy on the 31st August before Mr. F. A. Hazeland and a jury, an inquiry w 18 held into the circumstances connected with the death of Fung Chung, who died as the result of a fall from the verandah of No. 5 Tung Wal Lane, whilst trying to escape from the police, on the 20th instant.
Dr. Bell, superintendent of the Government Civil Hospital, sworn, stated-On the morning of the 20th Augu-t deceased was admitted to hospital suffering from a black eye and a wound on the left side of the head. He became ua. conscious and died on the 23rd. The cause of death was a fractured skull. A fall of 17 feet on hard cement would have caused such a fracture.
Inspector Smith testified that on the 20th inst. at 12 15 a.m. he took a party of police to raid a gambling house at No. 5 Tung Wab All the lukongs of the squad except one had entered the house before he
and
"Lané.
* iter
Sergeant Cooper arrived. When within a few yards of the house witness heard a general stampede on the first floor and saw three men escaping over the verandah. At the same time ho saw dec as d and a rattan chai fell from the centre of the verand h on to the street. securing the gamblers, and their gear, decess d who was able to walk, was taken to the station. and from thence he was sent to hospital. At the station dec:ased gave his wrong address but the police subs quently found that he was a coolie emp oyed at the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank.
After hearing further evidence the jury found that death was due to a fractured skull, the result of an accident
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
THE BORNEO GOVERNORSHIP,
We are indebted to Mr. Percy A. Sheppard, of the Transvaal Emigration Agency, Tientsin who but recently arrived in North China from British North Borneo, for the following note: and personal impressions of the retiring Governor
Mr. E. Perigrine Gueritz, whose resignation as Governor of B. N. B., &c, &c., is just reported, was, in his early days, on the staff of the Bank of New Zealand, in that Coloay. He subsequently ob'ained an appointment, under Government, in the Malay St.tes, and eventually joined the service of the Chartered Company of British North Borneo, holding office in the Government as Resident at Labuan, and then Postmaster- at the capital. successively as General, Government. Sekretary, and Judicial Commissioner. On the resignation of Governor Ernest Wo dford Birch, C.M.G. (late in 1993).
he
was appointed Acting Governor, being finally appointed to the full Governorship of British North Borneo.
Whilst still holding office as Judicial Com. missioner be classified the laws promulgated within the state, and published these in book form. All law court proceedings are con- ducted under the Indian civil and penal codes with such modifica ions and additions as have been found necessary to suit the local circum- stances, customs, and religions of the rac'8 within the territory, and these are to b found in Governor Gueritz's useful and comprehensive
m-uual.
The fact of his having been singled out for the high office of Governor, in preference to the Cliart red Company, as previously, borrow- g, and, so to speak, importing a Governor with Malay Peninsular experience, as the tise capabilities and to the high esteem in which fullest testimony to his well known administra-
he is held by the court of directors as well as the Colonial Office at home, which has to sauc. fiou the appointment.
In common with his predecessors, Mr. Gueritz has had great difficulties to face, with a clientele of poorly remunerated shareholders at weakened exchequer and a long suffering
home to propitiat. Reports have retched us that his nervous system had so cewhat given way under the heavy responsibilities and the strain attendant on his high office, so that he had recently to seek a spell of relaxation in a visit to Penang: but apparently, this has failed to fully recuperate his nervons system. His euforced resignation under these circum- stances is the more regrettable alike for the cause and from the fact that it will be a great disappointment to his brother officers, with whom he is most popular. The great loss to the Chartered Company can hardly be over- estimated in view of his long experience in the territory.
Socilly Sandakan (the capital) will feel the loss equally with the officials, for not alone Governor Gueritz. but his charming wife and pretty young daughter have always been great favourites in the all too limited social circles of that part of the lovely island known as Bri'ish North Borneo.
THE CHINA ASSOCIATION.
•
A largely attend d meeting of the China Association was held at the offic of the P. & O. S M. Co., London, o 31st July, Mr. W. held in private, the S cretary and the Chair. Keswick, M.P.. presiding. The meeting waS
our reporter. both refusing to almit The meeting was addressed by Sir Cha“. Dudgeon, Mr. J. J. Bland, Mr. J. W. Moon, M.P. Mr. J. W. Barkhill, Arch. Little Sir Thus, Jac s n, Messrs R. S. Gundry, R. C. Wilcox, J. H. Scott, Brroa Brouan and others. The following resolution was proposed by Sir Chas. Dulgeou: -"That with a view to the more efficient protection of British interests in the Far East and to the promotion of the declared objects of the China Associ tion this meeting considers it advisable that steps be taken towards amalgamation at the earliest possible date with the society known as the China League" whereof the objects are identical with those of the China Association. If, however, this course be found for good reasons imprac- ticable or inexpedie..t at present, then, and in
|
161
any case, this meeting considers it essential to the satisfactory continuance of the association's work that it be hereafter conducted on broader and more independent lines, and that to this and close relations be established and maintained by the geral committee with The Chamber of Commerce în Great Britain and with such public bodies and individuals as are generally identified with British interests in the Far East. Finally that the education of public opinion in regard to those interests through the medium of the press appears to be a measure calculated to promote the aims of this association." After consid rable desultory conversation and proposals a motion that the resolution be not put was carried by 19 votes to 18.
L
CORRESPONDENCE.
EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAU Y PRESS."]
Hongkong. 25th Ang., 1905.
SIR-I shall feel extremely obliged if you will kindly insert this letter in order to give me the opportunity to contradict the false and greatly exaggerated reports as to the standing of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States.
By authority of the President (Mr. Paul Morton), I am able to announce that neither the financial soundness, integrity nor surplus of the Equitable Life hare been brought into question.
The Society's business is going on as usual. The available assets have increased during the first half of this year by gold $7, 96,252.
Yours faithfully,
F. KIENE,
Manager.
THE INTELLECTUAL EQUIPMENT OF MISSIONARIES.
The current number of the Corea Review contains an article descrbing a journey through a part of Cores and sigued "J. Robert Moose." Mr. Moose is apparently a missionary, for in the coarse of his article he makes the following delightfully naive observation:
more
Just at this season the people gather wild vegetables in great quantities from the moun- tains. There is a sort of root which they call tu-duk, which sounds like the Corean for " bread." This gathered in large quantities by the women and girls whom we often saw return- ing home with great bundles of it on their heads. I have never seen this root i the rice-growing sections of the country. It is wonderful how God has supplied every part of this country with whatever seems to be most needful for the people.
Mr. Moose might also have pointed out how wonderful it is that water is always provided in abundance where rice is cultivated, and polar bears where food is otherwise likely to run short, to say nothing of rapacious officials where there is an oppress d peasautry. Such remarks seriously made and solemnly printed give a curious side light on the intellectual equipment of men sent out to the mission field. Educated Japanese who read them will scarcely have a rery high opinion of education in te West. Japan Chronicle.
SHANGHAI GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Fr.m the published minutes of a meeting held on August 15th, we compile the following: Mr. C. Brodersen succeeds Mr. A. Wright as The secretary was instructed vice-chairman. 10 get further information of the Paris Sanitary Convention, about which the Hongkong Cham. ber had communicated. Correspondence relat. ing to the minting of copper o sh was read.
In permitting the Provincial Authorities to produce these ten-c:sh pieces in varying intrinio values she (China) is evading her Treaty obliga- tions. Something more explicit than this state- ment is necessary as a foundation for a remon-. strance to the Chinese Government against evasion of Treaty obligations." The other cor- respondence referred to the examination of pilots' eyesight.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.