348
Houses then in existence on the seaboard! and waterways, at Open Ports, on land routes, and on the land frontiers of the Empire. It scarcely needs to be added that the numerous inter-provincial barriers are still busy. Viceroy CHANG CHIH-TUNG, in a recent memorial to the Throne, seems to have been newly awakened to this fact, as he refers to "the losses and delays and squeezes which the existence of the present numerous harriers represents, minimising the profits of the native merchants and enhancing the cost of living throughout the country. Not only are honest traders losing their business but dishonest ones are being driven to trade under foreign flags in order to evade the dues, thus casting severe reflection on the Government and not conferring any benefit on the country." It is not at all disagreeable to find such an influential native official saying what has been said over and over again in these columns; and what is by this time as hackneyed to every business man in the East as the statement that BALBUS was a
C
That
bad man was to the British schoolbox of another generation. If it rested there, or was directed to the persuasion of Peking to implement its pledges, this Memorial of CHANG CHIH-TUNG'S would elicit unqualified approval. It appears, however, that he has a scheme involving a substitu- tion rather than an abolition. He would levy the inland dues in one general tax," such as (be clains) has been instituted in his own provinces with success., success, however, is a matter of opinion. According to the Peking Times, "the results have not been reported favourably on by merchants." In any case it has not had many months trial. There seems to have been some encroachment upon the legion of squeeze chances," when he says that within his provinces he has closed 29 lekin stations, retaining 20 general tax offices, and five special lekin barriers bamboo and wood tax at Yingwuchon, naukeen tax at Changkianglou, silk, tax at Hojung, gypsum tax at Yingcheng and
"
boat tax at Aulu." But at the best it is a sectional improvement only; and does not affect the principle involved, The trouble may be lessened (for the collector-
fewer general), the chances
(for the squeezers "), aad the delays reduced (for the merchant); but the taxation remains s heavy. Even if he gets his way, and has the new arrangement introduced into all the provinces, China's obligation under the Commercial Treaty with Great Britain will not have been half met. The old trouble will continue mad a new name. That is all. It is well meant, however; and will probably be recognised as a step in the right direction. Chinese reform pilgrimages have a bad habit of ending at the first step, even when directed toward the right Mecca, and this secus to be one in which China might properly be encouraged or spurred to continge & little further than is her wont.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
|
|
HONGKONG
SANITARY
BOARD.
the 14th November at the Bard Room.
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held on Hon. Dr. F. Clark (president) presided, and there were also present: Dr. W W. Pearse, M.O.H.. Lt. Col. Josling, Mr. A. Rumjahn. Dr. Macfarlane, Hon. Mr. A. W. Brewin, Hon. Mr. W. Chatham, Mr. Fung Wa Chua and Mr. G. A. Woodcock (secretary).
CLEAN BILLS OF HEALTH AND PLAQUE.
Was
૧૩
[November 18, 1905.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE BALL.
A BRILLIANT EVENT.
In the long list of Government House func- tions, it is safe to say there have been none to eclipse in splendour or enjoyment the ball given on Nov. 14th by H. E. the Governor, Sir Matthew Nathan, in honour of the birthday of his Majesty, King Edward VII, which was celebrated by the community last week with the usual demonstrations of loyalty and good will. And it could not well have been otherwise, considering the elaborate arrangements that had been made for the entertainment of the numerous guests of His Excellency and the careful attention to detail that ensured the comfort and convenience of everyone. Almost dazzling in its brightness yet cha ming in the variety and richness of its colour effects, the ballroom scene, was one of the prettiest that could be imagined. But the picturesqueness was not limited to the ballroom. Its approaches and its environs also apealed to the aesthetic sense, for those entrusted with the decorations had carried out their duties in a manner indicative of great taste and ripe windgment, and on all sides there was evidenced
The reply from Government to the Board's recommendation in this matter follows:-I am directed to acknowledge the ject of the granting of clean bills of health in receipt of your letter and enclosures on the sub- connection with plague cases, and to inform you that the question of the adoption of the Paris Sanitary Convention. under which the delay in issuing clean bills of health is reduced to five days after the last reported case. referred to the Chamber of Commerce by Government on the 8th September, 1904. No definite reply has as yet been received from the Chamber, but a further reminder has
Was
been sent to them. and the Government is
prepared to act on their recommendations when received.
The PRESIDENT suggested that the reply be laid on the table until they heard from the The suggestion was Chamber of Commere › acted
upon
LATRINE ACCOMMODATION AT
TSIMCHATSOL
1
A minute was received from the (.8.0. wherein it was stated that H.E. the Governor approved of the sit recommended in the report. of the M.O H, and A.M.O.H for a latrine at Tsimchats i H» desired to know. however, whether the Public Works Department had funds in hand for the construction of the work.
The Director of Public Works minute-By the time a contract can be let and some work done to justify a payment to the contractor, the present financial year will be closel. There is a sum of $12,000 in next year's estimate for the construction of latrices and urinals, and the
work cau be defrayed from the vote.
In connection with this matter the PRESIDENT
an embellishment that must have been born of trained skill. I here was nothing lavish or overdon», and the effect, as already suggested, was distinctly pleasing. Of course the beautiful interior of Government House was such as to lend itself to artistic treatment, and the men from the Tamar and the dockyard who arranged the bunting so admirably in the adjacent rooms and rérandahs are deserving of commendation. At the same time one must recognis the tactful supervision of Inspector Ritchie in the scheme of decorations and in the varions arrangements designed for the accommodation of the guests. Palms, shrubs and greenery were most effec tively introduced, adding considerably to the pleasure which the scene afforded.
The band of the 2nd West Kent Regiment, ensconced behind a pretty display of palms, etc., discoursed exquisite music, and the well-selected programme of dances was carried through with a zest and a pleasure that were manifest.
In all, the guests must have numbered over a thousand. Entering the ballroom, they found a polished for that was bound to add to the
stated that it was proposed to draw up the enjoyment of the dancers, while for those report of the M.O.H. for cirenlation.
come up at next meeting.
It would
SANITARY SURVEYOR'S REPORT.
to
The report of the Sanitary Surveyor for the third quarter of 1905 was laid on the table. He stated therein that he had deposited and passed plans during the quarter for the drainage of fourteen bouses, while with previous plaus There was a total of 395 in hand during the quarter. The drainage of 166 houss had been com- pleted and cancelled, leaving 209 carry forward. 277 notices were in hand for repairs or additions to drains, while the drains of 23 houses had bin reported defective, and required to be entirely reconstructad. had been served upon the owners of the houses in question calling upon them to execute the necessary work. In addition t those before mentioned, the drains of 3,364 houses had been inspected with the result that 729 minor drain-
Notices
served on the owner or empier in each case to age unisances had been discovered, and notices abate the nuisance.
WATER ANALYSIS
The report of the Assistant Government Analyst, Mr. A C. Franklin, on the public, water supplies was to the effect that the water was of excellent quality
MORTALITY STATISTICS.
The mortality statistics of the British foreign and Chines community, excluding the army and navy, at a death rate of 100 per annum, show a percentage of 182 for the week ending 21st October.
Although it has been in "working order to some extent for a considerable time and is already well known, the Osaka Gas Company. Limited, has only just completed the large buildings and extensive plant which are to enable it to supply the whole of the busy city of Osaka, and eventually the surrounding towns and villages, with a reliable and comparatively inexpensive motive power and illuminant. November 4th was a great day for the company; it had been look, d forward to for many mouths, !
For the fortnight ending 7th instant the for the contractors had promised to complete ¦ total number of houses limowa hed was 1,481, the work by the beginning of November, and this they have not only done, but they have carried out the work to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. There was a grand inaugural
'function" on November 4th.
44
LUMEWASHING
RAT RETURN.
For the week ending 4th November 589 rats were destroyed, eleven of which were infected
while fourteen out of 543 caught during the following week were found to be infected.
L
who sought less active pleasures there were chairs set out on the verandah, which was protected by malting and bunting from the chilling breeze, or the card room with its special attractions. An innovation this year was the whisky and soda bar placed between the ball- room and Government House, also protected by matting. The supper room, decorated with flags, while the retiring rooms was capable of accommodating about 180 guests, were thoroughly adequate.
Dancing commenced at 9 30. The list of acceptances was:-
Mr. E. Arndt. Mr. F. R. Adams, Mr. C. E Anton, Mr. W. S. Allen, Mrs. and Miss Arm- strong, Mr. L. J. C. Anderson, Captain W. Arnold, Colonel and Mrs. Aitken, Mr. Atkinson, Armstrong, Captain Anderson, Mrs. and Miss Miss Allaway. Mr. and Mrs. Arima, Mr. F
Austen, Mr. J. S. Adamson.
Mr. and Mrs. J. A. F. Bourchier, Mr. and Mrs. Butcher. Mr. and Mrs. Bateman, Mr. W. D. Belgrave, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Bingham, Staff-Sorgeant and Mrs. Bell, Mr. A. G. Botelho, Mr. A. Byer, Mr. W. S. Brown, Captain F. L. Bennett, R GA., Mr. and Mrs. Bowdler, Cap- tain Boyd, Mr. D. E. Brown, Engineer Com mander and Mrs. Blake, Mr. F. G. Brighton, Mr. C. M. G. Burnie, Mr. and Mrs. D. Braid- wood, Mr and Mrs. Murray Bain, Mr. Biden, Miss Beleber, Mr. J. Dyer Bail, Mr. Butter- worth, Mr. and Mrs. Ball, Mr. Boyd, M. and Madame Berindoague, Mr. and Mrs. Borthwick, Mr. Bell, Mr. R. J. Birbeck, Captai Baker, Mr. J. F. Boulton, Mr. and Mrs. A. Bicker Mr. and Ms. Bird. Mr. J. Barton, Mr. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Barnett, Mr. E. A. Bonner, Miss Barrow, Miss Blair, Mr J. W. C. Bonnar, Mr. R. E. O. Bird, Mr. Babington, Miss Barker, Mr. C. E. H. Beavis, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey, Mr. F. F. Bovet, Dr. and Mrs B. Mr. A. O Brown, Colonel and Mrs. Bunny, Mr. F Browne, Mr. and Mrs. C. Barrett, Mr. H. J. Barnet, Mr. and Mrs. H. Bell, Mr. A. Bryer.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.