these earth-shakings occurred within less than three hundred miles; both happened on the same line of weakness within which Panama is situated, and both within the last six months; the prospects of earth-quak- ings are thus by no means remote; and severe shake would certainly in the case of an elevated canal take years to repair, even if it did not eventuate in blocking the passage for all time. No such result could, of course, possibly happen in the case of a canal on the sea level, as the water would not have the additional force of gravity behind it. We can imagine the loss that would be entailed on the commerce of the world by the stoppage for a few weeks of the Suez Canal, but this is nothing in comparison with the untold and untellable loss which would follow the bursting of the other. This is our reason for attempting to interfere
in a matter in which it is true we have no immediate concern, but which all the more affects our future prospects.
HONGKONG JOTTINGS.
T
July 2nd.
Has it ever occurred to you when you experi- nce a certain irritation in various parts of your body, that the European is not the only one who suffers from prickly heat? Even the native knows something of its discomfort. Many readers will doubtless be surprised to learn, that many Chinese, particularly those engaged in occupations other thian hard manual labour, experience this visitation in the
summer.
It seems remarkable that the people habituated to this climate should be attacked by the prickly heat. One would naturally have thought they would have been immune from such an unpleasaut sensation, and it
would be interesting to learn if the medical men can supply any explanation.
14
The travellers by the Star Company's ferry bosts who declared that something would happen at the new landing stage on the Kowloon side must be as happy as the man in the position to ឋម y I told you so.' The approach was more difficult and more dangerous than the old one, and though nothing alarming has taken place, the company have seen the necessity of putting down guiding piles, a work which should result in the landing being accomplished with à greater degree of safety, though it is too much to hope that the bump, to which we have grown accustomed will disappear, or even be lessened.
Recently reference was made in this column to the expediency of introducing the female element into our domestic service. Europaus who care to make the innovation can have the assurance of a Chinese gentleman in this Colony that the experiment works exceedingly well. In his establishment, on the higher level, ho| has female servants wuo discharge all the duties usually expected from boys. A demure little damsel" answers the door", another brings the visitor liquid refreshment, and even the billiard marker is a girl. Dinner is served by females, and all the duties usually undertaken by the "boys" are well carried out by members of the other sex.
Apart from the question of the cheap. ness or otherwise of this form of labour, it has the merit of insuring greater obedience to "lawful orders", while the work seems to be as intelligently executed.
It has long been recognised that the Hong. kong Volunteers have not the facilities for rifle practice that may reasonably be expected to be placed at their disposal. The range at Tai Hang, admirably situated with regard to shooting requirements, possesses the great.drav. back of being comparatively inaccessible, and its
use
calls for a considerable expenditure of energy in making the climb on a hot summer's afternoon, nut to speak of the time occupied in making the journey from the city. The authorities have lately had the subject under consideration, and there is good reason for believing that efforts areeing made to secure a site which will be safe in the interests of the public and sufficiently convenient to make it
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
more attractive to those who wish to practica the art of rifle shooting.
When people complain about high prices in Hongkong, they never reflect that the cause may be due to themselves. We know perfectly well that one has to obtain some little know ledge of Chinese methods before one can buy with advantage, and it seems to me that a similar argument will apply to the pations of ricsbas and chairs. At the conclusion of the ride the ordinary individual feels very maob at the mercy of the coolie. He is not very sure of the
ather than risk & scene, in which he finds table of payments laid down and published, and impossible to make any refort to the buse and vituperation which he knows the pau is hurling at him, he pays what he thinks is more than a reasonable sum. Sometimes the coolie will take it with a grunt, but as often as not he dem nds "cumshaw probably thinking he has found a griffin..
Visitors who come here may not unusturally desire to have no trouble over an extra five or ten certs, but residents, as a protection for themselves and those who succeed them, should make themselves acquainted with the legal fare and pay neither more less. In special circum- stances where the coolie has been obliging. then the camshow would not be aniss, but when people pay ten cuts for what is only legally a five cent ride they are helping to establish a custom which is bound to re- act against the members of the com munity in, course of tine. At present if one pays a ricsha coolie five cents for covering a distance which has brought im teu cents from more extravagant riders, he may throw the coin into the sea and indulge in other actigos expressive of his disgust. Meanwhile the crowd gathers and as the central figure dislikes such publicity he may pay up and look pleasant.
This form of exaction is practised very generally, and while many people would willingly assist the authorities to stop it, the ordinary business man dislikes the loss of time involved by his attendance at the magistracy to prosecute the offender. If it were possible simply to complain to a policeman and have him sarry the case through, then all would be well Certainly greater co-operation on the part of the public is necessary to prevent the growth of a practice which is not in their interest, and the first step is for everyone to become acquainted with the fares and act strictly in accordance with these.
BANYAN
HONGKONG GENERALỊCHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Minutes of a monthly meeting of the general committee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce held in the Chamber Room, St. George's Building, on Wednesday. th June, 1906, at 3.45 p.m. Present Hon. Mr. E. A. Hewett (Chairman), Mr. A. G Wood, (Vice- Chairman). Hon. Mr. W. J. Gresson, Messrs. A. Haupt, H. E. R. Hunter, D. R. Law, G. H. Medhurst, H. E. Tomkins and A. R. Lowe (secretary).
NEW MEMBERS OF COMMITT
IMITTEE.
The Chairman expressed the pleasure the Committee felt at Mr. Gresson being able to rejoin them and at Mr. Hunter's acceptance of office during the absence of Mr J. R. M. Smith,
MINUTES.
***. (July 9, 1906. New Zealand, Wellington,
10th January, 1906. His Excellency Sir M. Näthan, K.C.M.G.
Hồng kong.
Sir, have the honour to present to you. Mr. John Graham Cow, who has been appointed Official Representative, for the Easts of the New Zealand International Exhibition, which is being held at Christchurch, during the period of November, 1906, and April 1907. ►
Mr. Gow is visiting Hongkong with the object of inducing the Government of that port to take part in the Exhibition by making a and manufactures of Hongkong. At the same representative exhibit of the arts, "products, time, M. Goy will also interview manu. facturers, and exporters, generally, with the same object,
Ishall be much liged if your Excellency will grant your kind offices to assist Mr. Gow and to introduce him to the proper authorities To enable him to successfully carry-out the work connected with his appointment. Any assistance you may be able to render him will be very much appreciated. I have, &c.,
(Sgd.) J. G. WARD,
p. Premier. Hongkong Chamber of Commerce.
23rd May, 1906. “'
#
Sir, I am instructed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 18th instant with enclosure regarding the proposed New Zealand Interuational Exhibition to be held at Chris- church between November, 1906, and April, 1907.
My committee are of opinion that there is barely sufficient time in which to make arrange- ments for sending under Government supervis- ion an adequate assortment of goods which would thoroughly represent the trade of the Colony at this Exhibition, but they consider it advisable that the R-gistrar-General should explain to the Chinese guilds and merchants the advantages to be derived from being pro perly represented thereat.
Up to the present there is no dir cʻ trade between the two Colonies from this end, but, as there are a number of Chinese resident in New Zealand, doubtless a stimulus would be given to this Colony s exports such as bamboo, bask pewter, brass, foodstuffs, ivories, lacquer, oil, silk and silver articles, if the Caiuese interested in these productions can be induce to send exhibits to form a small court:
I am to state that a circular is being issu d to members of this Chamber directing att ntion to the fact of the representative of the New Zealand Exhibition being now in the Colony, and his willingness to enter into negoti dious with intending exhibitors. I have, &c.,
(Sgd.) A R. LOWE,
Secretary.
Hon. T. Sercombe Smith.
Colonial Secretary.
BILL OF EXCHANGE STAMPS.
+
The following correspondence took place:-
Colonial Secretary's Office. 1st May, 10 6. Sir,-1 am directed to state that a proposal bas emanated from the Colonial Treasurer that Bills of Exchange from $10 to $25) should in the future be stamped with an embossed stamp on the original of a set and with an impressed
16 the case of stamp on the duplicate as cheques, and to invite an expression of opinion from your Chamber on the proposal.—I have, &c.
(Sgd.) T. SERCOMBE SMITH,.
Colonial Secretary.
The minutes of the monthly meeting held on the 9th ultimo and of the special meeting held | The Secretary, Chamber of Commerce. on the 15th ultimo were read and confirmed. NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.
The following correspondence was recorded: Colonial decretary's Office
18th May, 1906.
量
Sir, I am directed to send you for the information of your Chamber a copy of a letter from the Premier of New Zealand introducing Mr. John Graham Gow, representative of the New Zealand International Exhibition to be held at Christchurch, for such action as your Chamber may consider desirable. I have, L.,
(Sgd.) T. SERCOMBE SMITH
Colonial Secretary. ⠀ The Secretary, Chamber of Commerce
Enclosure copy.
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce, 15th May, 1906.
Sir, I am instructed to inform you that your letter of the 1st instant inviting an expression of opinion on the proposal of the Colonial Treasurer to substitute an embossed stamp of 5 cents on the original and an im- pressed stamp of 5 cents on the duplicate of Bills of Exchange from $10 to $250 instead of 3 and 2 cents respectively have been considered by my committee and they see no reason why the alteration should not be made. I have, &c.
(Sgd.) A. R. LowE,
Secretary.
Hon. T. Sercombe Smith, Colonial Secretary.
Page 10Page 11
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.