104
undertook to place 50,100. Cho Sui-chink signed for 20,000 for Timself, and to place
0,000. Wan Cho-chai signed for 20,000.
February 7th.
FIVE AND A HALF MILLIONS.
Another meeting was held on the 5th inst. at which over a million dollars was subscribed.
Yesterday another million dollars' worth of shares were taken, making the issue so far $5,500,000. One merchant bought for his per- sonal account 60,000 shares. All classes applied, nuns, bonzes, policemen, servants, and so on, each taking one or two shares. The 72 guilds have not yet taken theirs.
ARRANGEMENTS.
Wong Chin-ping proposed that the Company be called "The Merchants' Construction Can ton-Hankow Railway Co., Ltd." [P], and that telegrams of invitation be sent to all Cantonese abroad. The people agreed. The appointment of canvassers to wait on the geutry was left over for three days. Three delegates were appointed to visit Hongkong and other import. ant neighbouring centres, with credentials from the Chamber of Commerce. It was suggested to extend the time allowed (four months) for subscribers abroad, and to shorten it for subscribers in China. This was not agreed to. It was decided to advise Peking as follows, "It was originally intended that the railway was to be constructed by the merchants. As they were about to raise the funds, the innocent Lai Kwai-pui was arrested without warrant. The people were angry. Now the railway has been handed back to them, and over four million
dollars already subscribed. This is to allay your anxiety." The Chamber of Commerce takes $1,500 from its reserve fund to meet incidental expenses, telegraphing, etc. Lo Kwan-shek undertook to make good any deficit. The date for collecting all subscriptions will be fixed in a day or two.
i
THE DOWNFALL OF SHUM.
THE HONGKON + WEEKLY PRESS AND
"The Canton-Hankow railway has been redeemed by the combined strength and vigorous efforts of the Kwangtung people, who were determined to get it back, Tens of thousands of people were of one mind and all are anxious to see the complation of this railway. Owing to the trouble last year. the matter has been delayed. It is now our duty to take immediate steps to rai e the neces- sary funds to construct it, so as to there to our original ides in redeeming the con ession. All Cantonese people are invited to atte da meeting which will be held in the Chamber‹Commerce. | Please do not grudge using your legs to come there. We are anxio sly looking forward to see you attend."
THE NEW TAXATION DEFR TED.
The Viceroy is very much vere at having suffered defeat. It is said that Taotai Wen Tsung-yao, seeing his Excellency so dejected, spoke to him as follows:- In all dealings with the Cantonese people the officials must show a firm band and must use threats to intimidate them, so that they are certain to give in and gratify your Excellency's desires." It appears Wen Thotai has been the cause of Viceroy Shum's repeated efforts to bring forward the question of increased taxation. Cu the 24th of last month the Viceroy sent a memorial to the Throne recommending seven officials to be cashiered, for not reporting the truth and deceiving him as to what actually occurred in the course of the dispute at the meeting- From official sources I am informed that the seven officials
are the Prefect, the Nam Hoi, the Poon-Yu, the Railway deputy Chou Cho-yam, the Police deputy Cheong Shing-ling, and two others, probably Wen Tsung-yao and Heung Man-wing.
The Police deputy is very angry with the Poon-Yu Magistrate, on whom he throws all the responsibility, as he gave him to understand that it was the Viceroy's order that. Lai-Kwai- pui should be arrested. He says he will never forgive him if he loses his situation.
OFFICIAL TRANSFER.
[February 10, 1906.,
DEATH OF MR. E. A. BONNER.
It is with regret we have to announce the sudden death of Mr. E. A Bonner, solicitor, In the office of Messrs. Dennys and Bowley, the who died on the smallpox hulk Hygeia,” on
7th February. It was only on the hospital ship, but he gradually grow Tuesday that Mr. Bonner was admitted to
worse, and the doctors in attendance held ont at the bar and others will be sorry to learn of no hope of his recovery. His many friends
his untimely death,
་
A. Bonner, solicitor, of Messrs. Dennys & The news of the sudden death of Mr. 3.
Bowley, created a profound impression in him learned of his demise with genuine regret. the city on February 8th, and all who know Since his arrival in the Colony about five years ago he became very popular in legal and social circles. He was a prominent Freemason, and was keenly interested in sport, although he did in England when he played at cricket did not take the active part that he formerly
and football. The deceased gentleman who was about 40 years of age, was unmarried. He belonged to a family distinguished in the profes sion of the taw and was a nephew of Lord Chief Justice Alverstone. A pathetic feature of the occurrence is that Mr. Bonn -r had arranged prevented by the illness of Mr. Morrell, and had to go home on holiday a month ago, but was contemplated taking the journey two months hence,
Before opening the business of the day at the Supreme Court on Feb. 8, the Chief Justice referred to the sad event. He said Gentle men,-One of our number has suddenly dropped out from among us, and it is impossib'e that I should take my seat on the bench this morning without saying one word as to how deeply I felt the news of the death of our friend Bouner. We are so small a family that it is imposible the death should not be referred to from the bench, and I desire to take this opportunity of expressing to his relatives and friends the deep sympathy of the beach, bar and legal profession
It is reported that Viceroy Shum has received from the Central Government the following telegram:-"Viceroy Shum. You are requested to memorialise clearly what is the proper way to release Lai Kwai-pui. Hereafter you must ask for Imperial orders, before his term of office as President of the Cheong | the Happy Valley Cemetery on February 8th,
dealing with any railway affairs." This, it is said, determined Viceroy Shum to resign and go to Japan. His family, if they have not already quietly departed, are understood to be preparing to go.
THE PRISONER MADE PRESIDENT.
At a meeting of the guilds on the 6th inst., at the Chamber of Commerce, Lai Kwai-pui was appointed President and Chief Director of the Railway Co., and Ling Chui-hong, vice- president. The names of Taotai Cheong To- chai and Cho. Sun-chok, Viceroy Shum's appointees, were struck off. The first call on the shares will be on Feb. 23rd. Those taken for distribution amongst friends have to be paid fer within four months from that date.
CANTON.
|
Taotai Chau-Hai-wai, who w.as recently delegated to attend the grand manoeuvres of the northern armies, is transferred to Saechnen,
Pui College having expired.
DISPUTED OWNERSHIP.
ما
It is reported that Viceroy Shum has received a long telegram from the Wa iwupu requesting him forward explanatious regarding the seizure of $400,000 worth of coal, said to belong to Chau-Tung-a bang. The British Minister has protested against this seizure, as the coal is said to belong to National Bank of China.
the
THE EQUITABLE LIFE INSURANGE SOCIETY.
8
on this sad occasion...
靄
The remains of Mr. Bonner were interred in
number of his legal friends”, members
of the Perseverance Masonic Lodge and others following him to his last resting place.
MISSIONARIES ́ ATTACKED,
SENSATIONAL AFFAIR AT CANTON.
has cansed great
There was great excitement on the Shameen on Saturday morning when it became known that the residence of Dr. Andrew Beattie, who with his wife, has practically made the care of. lopers their life's work, was forcibly entered on Saturday morning by a gang of armed robbers. Surrounding the American Presby- terian Mission, which is situated at Fati, they The long letter of Mr. Paul Morton, the held up the inmates, and while several spized president of the above society, to the policy. Dr. and Mrs. Beattie, bound them hand and holders appearing in our advertisement columns foot, others ransacked the house and collected all makes reassuring reading to policyholders in this the valuables-money, watches, silver, clothing. [FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT].
world-famediasurance society. Upon the author-etc., to the value of over $1,000. Pistols held February 3rd. ity of two firms of chartered accountants of the at the heads of the missionaries prevented them PRACTICALLY "DO IT YOURSELF." highest standing policyholders are assured that from raising the alarm, but the assailants did am told that the Viceroy has cabled a after an exhaustive examination of the affairs not attempt to carry into effect the threats which message to the following effect to the Board of of the Society, and with Commerce in Peking If it is a mistake to revaluation of the assets, there is a surplus over Naturally, the occurrence
conservative they made towards the Doctor and his wife.
raise funds locally for the Cantou- Hankow and above all liabilities amounting to gold excitement among the foreign residents who Railway, it is better to appoint a high official $67,142,865. The balance sheet and a brief from Peking to come here and take over the preliminary report to the president of the management of railway affairs and sea to its society are set forth in the advertisement. construction." No reply is mentioned.
The agitation of the past year and the severe criticism to which American assurancƏ com- panies generally have been exposed, demanded. in the interests of policyholders the steps taken by the Equitable to restore public confidence, and in the face of so gratifying a report as the two eminent firms of expert accountants have been able to present no doubt need linger in anybody's mind as to the soundness and stability of a company so long and favourably known in all parts of the world. Moreover, not the least satisfactory feature of the president's letter is the declaration of the policy of the new adminis tration which will aim not so much at making the company the biggest but rather the best and safest insurance company in the world. The local agents are Masary Showan Tomes & Co.
VICEROY AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
In his message to the Chamber of Commerce, of which I sent you a full translation the other day the Viceroy promised to afford full protection to any resolute and energetic person who would undertake to raise funds and construct the railway. This, it is said practically puts the affair in the hands of the merchants, as the officials will have nothing to do with the matter. In consequence, the merchants of the 72 guilds have consulted Lai- Kwai-pui, and Lai has urged them to take the matter up at once, as this seems a chance for them to get control of the business. !
The 72 guilds and the eight charitable institutions have now issued the following
express
feel uneasy, and the Viceroy has been asked to
punished. have the culprits promptly arrested and
SHOOTING FATALITY AT MACAO.
On
Our Macao correspondent writes Friday, the 2nd instant, Mr. 8. da Lus, who has been an employee in the government office at Taipa for many years, took a holiday and went shooting. Not far from the village, he shot at a bird. Suddenly he heard a groan. On investigating, he found, to his dismay, au old chinese woman shot dead. Mr. da Lus at onde returned to Taipa, and gy
gave himself up to the administrator that village, telling him hat
had happened.
Mr. da Luz was at once sent t The Chief Justice at Macao. This in Macao, as Mr. popular.
Lus is well known and
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