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Canton, 24th October,
NEW PREFECT FOR CANTON.
It is reported that Viceroy Shum has mem- orialized the Throne recommending the appoint- ment of the Siu-Hiog Profect, Tau-Ling, alias Tau-Yu-Sam, to the prefecture of Canton. It is said that he will arrive here shortly to take up his post. Tan-Yu-Sam is 8 man over seventy years of age, and consequently wea't and unsteady. This is well known in official circles, Mistakes are bound to occur in the performance of the duties of such an important post.
A PAWNSHOP GONE A-BEGGING.
The Fuk-Hing pawnshop, in which Chau- Tung-Sang was largely interested, having attempted to erase certain entries from its account books, has been seized by order of Viceroy Shum. The Viceroy would have like to confiscate all the capital but this is impossible as the pawnshop contains 10,000 1aels worth of redeemable articles belonging to the people whose right it is to take them back by producing the pawn tickets and paying in the necessary amonnts. His Excellency has endeavoured to find somebody willing to run the pawnshop. All those who have been approached have so far refused.
A FACTURY INVOLVED
It having been discovered that Chau-Tit-Sai was the proprietor of a half interest in the Tai-Yau-Cheuog factory at Fatshan, Viceroy Shum has ordered the local magistrate to make an enquiry into the matter. On the 21st inst., at 7 o'clock, the manager of the factory and a few fokis were arrested and immediately tried in the magistrate's yamen. A report of the proceedings has been sent to Viceroy Shum, and the Fatshan anthorities are now awai ing His Excellency's decision in the matter.
A BATCH (F EXECUTIONS.
THE HONGKONG WREELY PRESS and
steamer Kwong-chow undertook the work of demolition on his behalf as, otherwise he would have been heavily fiued for not complying within a reasonable time with the notices that had been served on him by the Customs authorities. The landlord looked very sheepish over the affair; but consoled himself at the thought that it did not cost him anything to pull the building down; the steam r having performed the work thoroughly and well.
THE SINS OF THE FATHERS,
[October 30, 1905.
the Viceroy. It appears that a number of commission merchants, connected in no way whatever with Chau-Tung-Sang's, affairs, had a great quantity of valuable merchandise stored in the premises of the above drug shop, They have petitioned Viceroy Shum and have sub. scribed the 80,000s demanded for the release of the premises seized
With regard to the Koong On and Fook On pawnshops, which I reported had also been seized, the Viceroy has now issued an order to the effect that all pawned articles must be redeemed within two months from date by paying half interest on the amounts received. All articles not redeemed within the specified time will be disposed of at the discretion of His Excellency.
In connection with the imprisonment of Chan- Tung Sang's concubines and children, although strictly speaking Viceroy Shum is within his rights in applying to the fullest extent the powers conferred on him by precedent and law, Excellency, who is a progressive official and not a few people are calling him harsh. His
A letter has been received here by relatives who has taken a fair share in the reformation from Chan-Tung-Sang's twelfth concubine, who of the Chinese code, was the last man expected it forms them that she left Peking unmolested to show such old-fashioned severity. The law applied in this ca e is centuries old. It is in keeping with the saying that the children shall atone for their fathers' sins. It is true that in the case of chil tren in tender years it is seldom applied.
Chau was in Government employ over twenty years ago. Viceroy has succeeded Viceroy since Chau retired from office. The responsibility passed on to other shoulders; and after so many to have been subtracted; from the Government years a claim is made for 3,000,000 taels alleged coffers. All Chau's properties are seized, his relatives suffer loss likewise, and his wives and await the Viceroy's decision. Sach proceedings children are thrown into prison, there to
Viceroy Shum should release at once the help. seem to carry 018
back to medieval ages. less members of Chau's family, who are totally ignorant of his affairs, and who have not been a party to any crime whatever.
SELLING PASSPORTS.
On the 22nd inst, the Nam-Hoi magistrate, acting under instructions from Viceroy Shum, On the 10th instant I reported that amongst set four prisoners to the Tien-chi-ma-Tau the charges contained in She-Ching Kuk's pati- execution ground to be there beheaded. Sevention one referred to the selling of passports to prisoners sent by the Fun-Yu magistrate were likewise despatched. Amongst those executed was Hui-Pia-Lio, who was recently extradited
from Macao.
"FOR VALOUR
Viceroy Shum has recommended for promo- tion over four hundred officials who have taken part in the campaign for the suppression of the Kwangsi rebellion. Strange to siy most of the officials recommended belong to the Civil department. They did all the fighting it
appears.
CONTRABAND CARTRIDGE-MAKERS.
artisans and students. I have since been informed that the charge made is that of selling the passports given for students and artisans free of charge to go to the United States. These, it is said, were sold to labourers by a broker employed in a shipping firm in Hongkong, and not, as stated, by Lu-Chee, alits Li-Lum-Kwai, who has no connection whatever with the former.
In the Chuen-mi Village, near Fat-shan, clandestine cartridge-making has been going has on for some time. The small factory has however, been discore ed and seven men arrested by the Chok-Pi Soldiery. They have been sent to Canton for trial. The punishment for this crime, according to the Chinese code, is death.
FANTAN IN HONAM.
A certain B.A., Dame Ha-Piog-Nam, having reported to Viceroy Shum that whereas hitherto
no fantan houses existed on the Honam side of the city, seventeen houses have recently been opened, and that rows have ensued and several lives lost, Viceroy Shum has replied that the provincial judge has received instructions to order the immediate closing, of the seventeen houses as they had no right to be opened.
OLO CUSTOM,
Viceroy Shum has instructed all the military and civil officials under his jurisdiction to wear their winter hats and uniforms from the 24th inst. There is no fixed date for this change, but it is the custom that the highest official should select each year the day on which the change is to be made.
HOUSE 1. STEAMER. On the 16th inst. I reported that the s.8. Kwang-chow ran into a house ou Honam which collapsed into the river. It appears that the Imperial Maritime Customs authorities here notified the owner of the property on several occasions during the last three months to pull down the building as it was protruding too far,
and was, an obstruc.ion to navigation on the river. After the accident occurred the landlord reported the matter to the Customs authorities and claimed $500 damages.
The Customs have dismissed his case and informed him that it was very fortunate for him that the
Canton, 25th October,
CANTON-HANKOW RAILWAY: A NEW
SENSATION,
It is reported that the Peking Government refund (-ic) the 10,000,000 taels which he has ordered Viceroy Chang-Chih-Tung to
borrowed from the Hongkong Government. The local papers, commenting on the above news, express their surprise at such a step being taken by the Central Government authorities. The Chinese Government having decided to expropriate the American Development Co's railway concession, had to borrow the money somewhere. If Chang-Chih-Tuug was not authorized to make this loan he has taken a great responsibility upon himselt. It is hardly possible that the loan o uld have been obtained without the consent of the Peking Government. If the above news is true, and Chan-Chih Tung was authorized to raise this important loan, the decision of the Peking Government is sur prising in the extreme; for they are practically breaking their word. It is also reported that Chang-Chih Tung has refused to be a director of the Yuet Han Railway, and that he has recommended Tong-Shao-Yi and Liang-Shing to be joiut directors of the concern.
[The foregoi is published practically unedi- ted, as it seems to suggest extraordinary vacillation at Peking. By substituting the word "refuse" for "refund," it would be intelligible. There must be a misun 'erstanding somewhere Possibly it is merely a réchauffé of the story told by the Tokyo Asahi, two or three weeks Ian: "In Goveroment ciroles
ago,
which
(Peking) the loau is adversely criticized, and the Department of Commerc› has ordered Chang- Chih-Tung to repay the loan speedily and to refrain from contracting other loans "Ed.]
CHAU-TUNG BANG'S CASE.
The Koong Yik drug firm have managed to obtain the release of their premises, seized by
un.
with all her children and servants. She took away all her luggage and was not interfered with in any way during her departure from the capital. She adds that she is coming back to Kwangtung. She apparently does not know yet what has happened to the and will no doubt change her mind when fortunate members of Chan's family here
she reaches Shanghai. It is curious to note however, that while even servants are arrested Peking. The orders carried out by Viceroy here she should have been permitted to leave slum are said to have been issued at Peking. It is strange that the sime proceedings were
Peking must have been known to the authorities not simultaneously taken at both places, as the presence of Chau's concubine and children in
there.
Following the seizure of the Tam-Yin-Kok Club, somebody informed the Viceroy that a quantity of furniture had been removed from the premises prior to the seizure. It appears that an accountant, surnamed Kan, had done the fact, caused the furniture to be taken back to shifting. Lee-chee being acquainted with the
the club at once. This was reported to the Viceroy who was quite satisfied and, seeing that everything has been returned, will not press
the matter further as far as the members of the club are concerned.
The value of the coal seized at Honam and
which, in a previous letter, I sat down at $100,000 worth is worth considerably more. I, am informed that the lowest figure would set its value at $400,000. The boxes and trunks found in Chau-Tung Sang's and Chan-Tit-Sai's houses have been opened at the Sin-Hau-Kuk's offices in the presence of diffe ent officials deputed by the Viceroy. Some were found to be empty but most of them contained valuable articles. There was clothing, etc., which had been prepared for the found a complete silver tea set, curios, silk
wedding of one of Chau's daughters. The value of all the contents was estimated at 60,000 taels
HONGKONG PRISONER EXECUTED. Li-Tak-Hoi, one of the petty officers under Admiral Li-Tsun, and who was recently extradited from Hongkong, was boheaded yesterday by order of Viceroy Shum, Li marched to the execution ground with great courage and dignity. He showed no fear. He addressed the following words to the officials deputed to carry out the Viceroy's orders: bave surrendered myself and I sincerely regre t it. Capital punishment has been meted to me for a paltry offence. Had I foreseen this I would have turned into a pirate chief and would have committed a crime proportionate to the sentence pissed on me."
Li died bravely. His family have claimed from the military officials his body for burial,
VICEREGAL BANQUET.
"[
Viceroy Shum will give a banquet at the Sam Kuan Chi (the three genii temple) to the literary chancellors, Chu-Cho-Man, whose term has expired, and Yu-Sik-Mui, the newly appointed chancellor. Most of the high officials have been invited to attend the feast.
THE TARTAR-GENERAL.
The Acting Tartar-General Shing-Ta-Gen has received a wire from Shanghai advising him of the Tartar-General's return. His Fxcellency has deputed officials to meet him at Hongkong where he is expected to arrive by the 8.8. Kwan Tah within the next few days.
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