28.1
CHINA ASSOCIATON.
HONGKONG BRANCH
The
report of the committee of the Hongkong Branch of the China Association was issued on October 19 from the Daily Press office. It says :—
Our last report was written in February, 1904, and was approved by members at the general meeting on 17th March of last year.
The present report covers the intervening eighteen months and as during the whole of that time the Russo-Japanese War has been in progress the period has been one of exceptional interest.
In the appendix will be found correspondence upon various questions which have occupied the attention of your committee, and which we trust will meet with approval.
KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.
As this is by far the most important subject to this Colony our efforts have largely centred round it and we are glad to say that there are signs that these have not been altogether without effect.
In April, 1904, Mr. G. Stewart went to Peking, and was requested by the committee to interview the British Minister and to give them any information he might be able to obtain in regard to railway construction in Cuina.
The result was embodied in a letter to the chairman dated 12th May, 1901, and is published in appendix A ogether with particulars of an
important interview which your committee had with the officer administering the Govern ment, on Wednesday, 18th May, 1904.
We take this opportunity of recording the high appreciation we feel for the consistent sympathy and support accorded to our efforts by Mr. May during his term of office as Acting Governor.
On the arrival of H. E. Sir Matthew Nathan, in July of last year, we were naturally auxious to ascertain if the views of our new Governor, on this subject, coincided with ours. We are glad to say that His Excellency at once declared himself an enthusiastic supporter of the railway and that since the first day of his arrival he has
unceasingly laboured to help forward the enterprise.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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BARRIERS IN THE CANTON RIVER.
[October 21, 1905.
relieving steamers proceeding to Wuchow from | committee. It now consists of the following the long detour forinerly necessitated by going gentlemen: -Hon. Mr. G. Stewart, chairman to Kongmood.
Mr. G. W. F Playfair (absent,) Mr. & G. Wood, Mr. H. W. Robertson, Mr. E. Osborne, Captain Tyler's scheme for meeting this Mr. G. H. Medhurst, Mr. F. Salinger, and Mr. question provides what appears to be substanti-M. Stewart, bon. secretary, ally necessary, as far as can be judged at the
G. £TEWART, present moment; but if hereafter it is found that the partial removal of the obstruction is not effective, it will be within our province to press for a faller completion of the work of removal.
TRADE MARKS REGISTRATION,
The advisability of having a branch office for this work at Canton has been put forward, and we hope will be secured, as it would be a con- venience to importers trading here and in South China.
TRANSIT PASSES,
This has again occupied our attention. Appendix E shows the line we have taken upon it, and we are glad to say that this system is now working better than formerly.
RAILWAY ENTERPRISE IN CHINA,
Our views on this subject were communicated to the L ndon Branch in a letter dated 511 July, wherein we urged the abvisability of cooperation with the Japanese.
THE RIGHTS OF NEUTRAL SHIPPING DURING WAR.
We have deemed it advisable to beg our London Committee to press this matter on the Foreign Office in the hope that some settle- ment of claims within a reasonable period may be effected. The reference in our letter of 5th July was written with the object of drawing
the attenti n of the Home Authorities to the
bad effect to our carrying trade which might result if Chinese shippers get the impression that their interests under the British flg are neglected because these waters happen to be a long way from England. In more than one instance, when steamers have been sunk, not. ably the lipsang and the St. Kilda, we have contended that all accepted rules guiding naval operations have been violated.
THE AMERICAN BOYCOTT.
The American Boycott has occupied public attention of late to a great extent and the
committee are fully alive to the serious effect which a continuance, and possibly on extention of this course of conduct may have on all foreign trade.
THE RUS80-JAPANESE WAR.
After consideration of the project from all points of view, he is of opinion that it will be better for the Colony itself to construct that portion of the line lying within its own borders,
The termination of the Russo-Japanese War, rather than guarantee interest on the whole line. which from the point of view of humanity all Your committee, although at one time favour- must welcome, will, we hope, be of permanent ing the idea of a colonial guarantee for the character; and although, at the moment, the whole line, willingly fell in with the Gover- terms of peace may not appear altogether as nor's view, which avoids any possible difficulties complete as all well-wishers of Japan had hoped that might have arisen from the Government for, we trust that upon fuller consideration our of one country guaranteeing interest on a lineally will feel more contentment, and will be running through the territory of another. able to reap therefrom benefits sufficient to compensate her for the sacrifices she has so nobly made and for the brilliant successes which have fallen to her arms in this Titanic conflict.
Thanks to the energy of His Excellency, engineers from home are already at work sur veying on our section of the line and we may therefore hope before long to have an estimate of the probable cost to us of this all-important undertaking.
CHINA LEAGUE.
The movement to amalgamate our Association with this body has again been put forward, and, after full consideration by our London Com- mittee, has been negatived by a small majority. This matter, as you are aware, was considered at an extraordinary general meeting held after our last general meeting on March 17th, 1904, when a similar decision was arrived at. Your committee have seen no reason to alter the opinion they then held upon this subject, and the appendix B shows their views as given in their letter of 18th August last, which it is hoped correctly expreses the opinion of the general body of members.
· UNIFORM COINAGE OF CHINA.
We have always supported the arrangements outlined in the Mackay Treaty upon this point and, although the desired end seems still a long way off, owing to the laxity of the Chinese Government in carrying out the stipulations agreed to in that Treaty, we have given what. ever influence we may possess towards its attainment.
WISH RIVER STEAMERS. We have endeavoured to secure increased facilities for these steamers, and, since 1st May last, they have been permitted to clear at their option for either Samshni or Kongmoon, thus
It will be a serious hindrance to the fall development of trade in this part of the world if the conclusion of peace is looked upon, by either party, as a temporary measure only.
TREATY RIGHTS IN MANCHURIA.
Together with two letters of our own on this subject we print in the appendix a memorandum by Mr. Kopsch on the subject of commercial affairs in Manchuria. It was written before the war and has been in our possession for some time. But in view of the many important commercial questions which will inevitably arise out of the new conditions created by the war, we venture to think that its contents may prove of interest to many members.
THE CHAIRMANSHIP.
Mr. Wilcox resigned the chairmanship of this branch of the Association on his departure from the Colony in January of this year. As will be seen from the correspondence on the subject the Hon. Mr. G. Stewart was appointed to succeed him.
are
We desire to record our indebtedness to Mr. Wilcox for the excellent work which he accom p'ished during his term of office, and we glad to know that his sevices have received appropriate acknowledgment at home by his appointment to a seat on the London Com- mittee.
THE COMMITTEE.
During the period under review there have been many chang in the personhe o lone
Chairman.
CORRESPONDENCE.
THE CLOCK TOWER.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRES 8.
"
SIR-In the present discussion on the subjec of the removal of the Clock Tower one or tw points seem to have escaped general notice.
The first of these is that the Clock Tower was not erected out of the public funds of the Colony but by moneys privately subscribed.
In the early Sixties a feeling seems to have prevailed that the Colony should possess_come buildings of a public and permanent character. Tower, the City Hall, and the fountain opposite This resulted in the erection of the Clock
it.
The funds for the erection of the Hall and the Tower were provided by private subscription. The Clock and the fountain were the gifts of
individual donors.
Funds for the erection of the Clock Tower
having been thus provided, the Government agreed to bear the cost of maintaining it. The City Hall is still maintained at private expense.
these circumstances, the Government can remove The question naturally arises whether, under
or destroy a building erected through the generosity of private individuals and handed over by them to the Government in trust for the public as a permanent memorial.
Did the people whose names appeared on the subscription list give their contributions on the understanding that the building they were paying for might be pulled down by the Government at any time ?
It can soarcely be contended that they did. when paying their subscriptions, an erection of a It is apparent that they had in contemplation,
permanent nature and not one which would be liable to romoval or destruction according to the policy of the Government of the day.
Should the Government suddenly decide to pull down the City Hall and the fountain and not to re-erect them, an immediate outery would generally be made. Yet its rights-or no- rights-in respect of these buildings are precisely a similar footing as in the case of
the Clock Tower.
On
The real point at issue seems to hinge on the question of obstruction and consequently on the interests of the public. Anyone who takes the trouble to derote a quarter-of-an-hour to personal observation will easily be convinced there is no obstruction at all. :
It is, too, I think overlooked that, if any obstruction over existed, the migration of all the principal shops to Des Voeux Road, and the pending removal of the Post Office to the same locality will make a considerable difference in the volume of traffic hitherto existing in the neighbourhood of the Tower.
ooked than any other. If the Clock Tower is One other point, and possibly one more over- pulled down it is not the intention to re-erect it. Any removal will be complete in the sense that it will be never s'en again.—I am, sir, ours ate.,
AN OLD FRIEND OF THE TOWER Hongkong, 15th October.
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THE PUBLIC LIGHTING.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRE88."]
Dear 818, I would like to bring to the notice of the authorities the need of having the street lamps lighted earlier than is at present done, To my knowledge cortain streets in the Colony to wit, Caine Road and its vicinity, are in total darkness before the gas is turned on. This renders the public thoroughfare dangerous for traffic. I trust the "powers that be" will ree their way to remedy this grievance and só confer a boon on the community.—Yours truly,
ELGINITE.
Hongkong 17th October 1905.
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