October 30, 1905.]
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CANTON WATER WORKS,
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
commander Mok-Kok-kee of having misappro- Some time ago I reported that Viceroy Shum priated the monies received by him for the par- decided to establish "water-works in Cinton.pose of providing uniforms and clothing for his His Excellency has now appointed Taotai Chu men. Commander Mok is a nephew of Major- Wing-Cho and prefect Chan-Mong-Tsang to General Mok-Sin-chik of the army here. proceed to Shanghi to engage the services of a British Engineer, Mr. Young, to carry the scheme through.
COLLISION.
A collision occurred on the 23rd inst. between the Hung-Hung steam launch and a passenger boat which was conveying a number of men to the Hongkong steamers. The collision occurred in the middle of the stream. The passenger boat was capsized and two of the passengers drowned. The question of responsibility will be inves- tigated by the Harbour Master and the Customs officials.
26th October.
NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
The head of the Kwangtung police has petitioned Viceroy Shum requesting permission to establish the Central station in the Governor's
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yamen which has been vacant since the post has been abolished by Imperial Edict. Viceroy has given his sanction and the Police are expected to take possession of their new offices within the next few days. The yamen is said to be one of the largest in Canton and exceeds ia area the Viceregal one.
It is reported that new stations are to be established at Nam Kwan and Tungkwan, the southern and eastern suburbs. The force has been thoroughly reorganised of la'e and has proved very effective in checking lawlessness.
THE TARTAR-GENERAL.
The Chinese gunboat Chau T'o has been despatched to Hongkong to bring the Tartar- General up to Canton. His Excellency's departure from Peking was delayed as he had been invited by Viceroy Yuan Shiu-kai to attend the first Grand Manoeuvres of the reorganised Chinese Northern Army. It is expected that the Tartar- eneral will call on His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong.
APPEASING, ANGRY SPIRITS,
The Prefect of Canton, Chan-Mong-Tsang, has given orders to the Nam-Hoi and Pun-Yu magistrates to perform the customary cere- monies connected with the Ha-Yuen festival.
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The above officials are requested to carry the joss of the Guardian Spirit of the city to a certain place outside the western gate to be worshipped there, and that offerings of pigs, sheep and chickens be made at the joss's temple inside the city. The prefect has ordered bands to play music at both places. This festival is cf very ancient origin. It is aunually held to quiet the spirits of those a ho have died in prison or who have been executed. It is said that centuries ago a cruel official had been the causa of the death of a great number of innocent persons. Their spirits are constantly hovering about the magistrates' yamens, and it is to appease their just anger that this festival has been established to allow this class of official to atone for their and their predecessors' sius.
AN AWKWARD MISUNDERSTANDING.
On the 23rd inst. an express was circulated by the local auctioneers, Messrs. Tavares and Cunba, announcing the sale by auction of Mr. Take's household and office furniture at the residence No. 116 British Concession, Shameen. It appears that the premises were sublet only a few days ago to Mr. Take by the lessee, Mr. Silva, for a period of three years. Mr. Silva on seeing the express naturally sought to protect himself and caused the premises to be sealed by the Portuguese Consul-General who communi- cated the matter to the Municipal authorities. Mr. Take, who is a Japanese subject, was carry- ing on business here as a commision agent.
THE WAI-CHOW DISTURBANCES.
A LUCKY SERVANT.
A man, saroamed Au, living in the neighbour- hood of Fatshan, won the first prize of the Shan-Pia lottery, a um of over 50,000 taels. He gave to his slave girl, who had a s venth share in the lucky ticket, only 40) taels! The slave girl caused her father to see the gentry and directors of the Man Sin charitable institution and prompt redress was obtained. The latter bave ordered Au to hand over to his servant the sum of 7, 00 taels.
во BOGUS BRAVES, Brigand often resort to the expedient of impersonating braves to overcome their rictims and, under the pretence of sarching for stolen goods, carry away all the valuables they come across. A party of thieves who were impersonating the braves of No 17 division were met by the commander of the the ruse as he recognised none of the men, and division, Sau-Kai-Cheong, who immediately saw caused them to be arrested by his own brave. Several escaped but the ringleader, Lo-Gnai- Ching-Tai, was caught. These men were wearing uniforms of the 17th division and. but for the accidental meeting with the commander, would have robbed the house they were surrounding.
PRESENTATION TO THE CANTON
POSTMASTER,
(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
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inst. at the Chinese Imporial Post Office, when A pleasing ceremony took place on the 21st the postal staff assembled to say farewell to the Postmaster, Mr. A. H. Hylaad, upon his departure for home on a two years' furlough. after thirteen
years' service io Advantage was taken of the occasion to present Canton
Mr. Hyland with a massive silver salver, ta te- fully ornamented and saitably engraved, together with the usual scrolls wishing health and prosperity to the recipient. The presenta tion was made by the Chief Inspector. Mr. Tsui Hung, on behalf of the staff, and his speech in Chinese eulogised Mr. Hyland's many gord qualities, his ability in building up the postal service in the Canton District from its inception in 1897 to its present flourishing state, which the speaker said was largely due to Mr. Hyland's unremitting exertions and adminis- trative ability. In conclusion, he wished, on behalf of the staff assembled, and for many more scattered all over the province, to wish Mr. Hyland every happiness and enjoyment in his own home and to hope that, on his returs, they should all meet again and resume their present agreeable relations.
Mr. Hyland leaves for home at the end of this month, and it is expected that he will receive an enthusiastic send-off not only from his many foreign friends. but from a large number of Chinese, with whom his reputation is very high. The flowing bowl will flow, and welkin ring with the bombs and crackers so dear to the native heart.
A reconstruction of the staff is caused noon Mr. Hyland's departure. Mr. W. G. Lay having been appointel Postal Commissioner, and Mr. J. L. McDowall, Deputy Postmaster.
MACAO.
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)
Macao, 24h October. THE SHOOTING SEASON. It is reported that Commodore Shek Yuek
The shooting season has commenced and is Shau, who
was deputed some time ago by now in full force in the neighbourhood of Macao. Viceroy Shum to quell tl e insurrection at Wai-The sudden change in the weather has brought chow, has succeeded in capturing the ringleader, Li A Lum, and twenty of his followers in the Haishai village, in the Loong Chean district, They are being sent here to be tried and will no doubt appear on the execution ground at en early date as no mercy is shown to this class of criminal.
CHINESE Soldier PIDJIN.
The soldiers of the Hi division have sent joint petition to Viceroy Shum accusing their
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forward a big lot of game. Many parties went out last Sunday, some of them having left on Saturday night to go up the river. I under- stand that they all returned with good bags, and are now 80 enthusiastic over their suco ss, that they are again making arrange. ments for another day's good sport on Sunday next. Some sportsmen aro even going up the West River, but birds are plentiful round about this city, snipe especially
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being numerous in the villages near Tai-po. The best way to get to these plices is to go by boat to Salicut, and then tramp across country to Tai-po, the boat to wait for the return of the party at Tai-po. A good guide is necessary.
TREE CUTTING.
Owing to the posting of the electric light standards, many old and beautiful trees which adorned the Rua de Campo and the Rus de 8. Domingo, have ben cut down. These tree wera planted many years ago at great expense to the Government, and it is a pi'y to see them cut down wholesale. The Electric Company could very well have fixed up these posts without interfering with these beautiful trees, which used to afford fine shade during the summer. I hope that they will not commit the same depredation in the Avenida.
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THE TRANSPORT AFRICA.
This transport belonging to the Portuguese Government is now on her way to Macao, having left Lisbon sometime last month I understand that she is bringing out reliefs for the garrison and the navy of Macao.
FIRES.
I notice that cases of fire are now rather frequent in this city. Can it be because we have now a new Chief Justice ? When the Insurance Companies started taking risks on Chinese hous s sme years ago, fires were of frequent occurence, but Dr. Magalhaes, the then Chief Justice, suspected arson, and in many instances m-ted out exemplary punishments which served as a deterrent. Fires then became few and far between, and now with the departure of Dr. Magalhaes, there is again a revival of these nefarious practices. It would be well for Dr. Area to follow the principle adoptel by his predecessor; he would be conferring a boon ou the people of Macao.
A DANGEROUS ÁMUSEMENT. Some soldiers belonging to the Artillery were out for a stroll one evening. One of them drew out his sword and started playing at fencing with one of his comrades. He unfortunately wounded him by accident. The man was so frightened when he saw the wound, that he himself telephoned to the barracks for
wounded man protested against this, saying a guard to take him to prison, although the
that he was not seriously hurt. The man now will have to face a court martial.
AN OLD TALK.
The scheme of extending the Praia Grande to Barra is again mooted. It is rumoured that the work will be started soon, but I am inclined
to think that such will not be the case. If there is any truth in the rumour, it would be much more advantageous for Macao to have the reclamation work near the Heungshan's wharf continued. The latter has begun; why not. have the work completed? The Government is becoming notorious for vacillation of this kind.
PAKHOI.
FROM GUR CORRESPONDENT.]
VISITORS.
20th October.
We were visited, on the 14th instant, by two torpedo destroyers, the Sabre and the Francisque, of the French Asiatic Squadrou. They left on the 18th instant for Haiphong.
A NEW BUILDING.
The German Consulate has been removed to its new palatial building. It is one of the finest mansions that adorn the foreign residential quarter, being a contrast to the old Consulats, which is of light structure. The new Consulate took a little over one year for its construction, the foundation being laid sometime last July, but the severe typhoon of the 10th August following laid flat the partially erected walls, and the work of reconstruction had to be commenced afresh. I hear that the cost of building was some $20,000. Considering that both the materials and labour are cheaper here than in most of the Treaty Ports, one might guess how substantial must be the edifice costing so much. Its architectural beauty is by no means a matter to be overlooked. It is a two-storied building with verandabs nearly all round. As a summer residence it has no equal in the port. A covered way connects the building with its kitchen and outhouses, of which there are many. An equally
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