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September 17, 1906.|
In support of the resolution, two letters; were read from firms of Hongkong architects, both of whom have at different times made surveys of the Concession, expressing the opinion that, owing to the unstable formation of the island, consisting as it does of mud and sand, no build ing should be allowed of a greater height than sixty feet. Further, that the piling, trenching and pumping operations necessary for a build- ing of greater altitude must almost certainly result in damage to adjacent buildings through the shifting of sand, etc., from under the founda. tions of such existing buildings, as caused by the said operations.
Mr PAGET, of the local firm of Purnell and Paget, architects, opined that the point was a technical one, that the letters just read amount- ed merely to a question of opinion and that other opinions could be obtained. He stated that the borings made on Lot 14 in con. nection with the proposed five-storied building showed alternate strata of sand and mud to a depth of 55 feet, after which red clay was arrived at. The borings were not continued beyond this point, but he was prepared to affirm that the foundations as planned were capable of supporting a building several stories higher than the one contemplated. He further stated that he could obtain technical opinion showing that the above letters have no bearing on the point at issue.
Mr. ENT remarked that the principal point at issue was possible damage to neighbouring buildings.
Mr. ZUNDEL, of Arnhold, Karberg & Co., the owners of Lot 14, objected to the sixty foot limitation as unreasonable. He stated that, before commencing operations, he had applied to the Municipal Council for permission to erect the proposed building. He pointed out that the various contracts had now been placed, materials purchased, and enlarged upon the awkward position in which bis firm might be placed by the present proceedings. He further enquired whether, in the event of the resolution being passed and confirmed, it would become operative upon the proposed building.
The CHAIRMAN stated that the Council has no right under existing Land Regulations to place any restrictions on the size of buildings. de read & communication from H. M. Office of Works in Shanghai giving it as the opinion of the Crown Advocate that no such resolu- tion can be made retrospective, but that a resolution limiting the height of buildings would apply to buildings in course of erection which have not yet attained the limit of the restriction. He informed Mr. Zundel that he was at liberty to present his case in writing within ten days from the date of the meeting, and he intimated his willingness to, in this instance, submit the same to H.M. Office of Works.
Mr. GRIFFITH, Chairman of Council, stated that no request had ever been made to the Council for permission to erect the building in question. The only letters received by the Council were from the architects, Messrs. Purnell and Paget, requesting the usual permission for use of public ground for storage of material, etc.
Mr. PAGET thought Mr. Zandel was some- what in error in stating that the Council had sbeen applied to for permission to erect the building. The letter in question was one addressed to the Council by Messrs. Purnell and Paget on 26th April last, and only asked for permission to erect hoardings outside the limits of Lot 14 and to store building material on public ground, in connection with the work to be undertaken on said Lot.
The vote was then taken and resulted in 105 for and 14 against (9 votes not being recorded), giving a majority of 91 in favour of the resolution.
At noon on Sept. 18 at No. 3 Ship Street, Mr. A. Day, formerly a ticket inspector in the employ of the Electrio Tramway Co., attempted suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. The cut was not deep enough to cause death, and when he was discovered sometime afterwards, and a Japanese doctor called in, the medical man made good the damage done. Day was removed to the Government Civil Hospital where he will undergo supervision.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
WEIHAIWEI SCHOOL.
PRIZE DISTRIBUTION.
The fourth annual Prize Distribution took place at the new school house on 2nd August. Bir Havilland de Sausmarez presided, and dis- tributed the prizes. Later in the afternoon aquatic sports were held, and Mrs. Stewart Lockhart presented the trophies to the winners.
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FUTURE OF WEIHAIWEL
The Head Master, Mr. H. L. Beer, read his annual report, of which the following is a condensation :-At our Prize Distribution last year two official letters were read anent the future of Weihaiwei. Ramours as to the intentious of the British Government | have been persistent this year too, and you may have noticed the formal denials of these reports that have recently been published in sundry papers on the China Coast. I have also seen another letter written by one in a position to know the facts, who states that negotiations" as to the rendition of Wei-hai- wei by Great Britain to China "have not even been suggested by either side." Taken with the official statements in Parliament thess contradictions of false reports should satisfy the ordinary man; but capital is proverbially shy, and investors interested in the development of the Colony may prefer to wait a more definite pronouncement. We may take courage from the historical fact that the English are not in the habit of surrendering a territory, once acquired, from motives of philanthropy; but rather, Laving once obtained possession, it has been our custom to increase it,-to add to it other territory. This is, I believe, the history, in brief, of the growth of our largest colonial pos. sessions. We may now, i think, safely conclude that the British flag will fly over the Territory of Wei-bai-wei for the next seventeen years at least. As a school-in common with all others who have interests in the colony-we have, of- course, suffered to some extent from the un- certainty that, with more or less reason, has existed about our faturs political status. Several parents of boys even now in the school giving too much credit to newspaper reports, have written asking what we intended to do now that Wei-hai-wei was to be given up! People have said to 018 why do yon still stick to a sinking ship? But, Sir, we have yet to be persuaded that the ship is sinking. We believe that, Wei-bai.wei with its magnificent climate, its splendid harbour, above all because it will remain under British rule, has a great future before it. In the mean time we wait till security of tenure is more assured and we have every reason to be satisfied with the measure of success the school bas attained. Last Prize Day we had 33 boarders, and towards the end of year the number was increased to 35. Several of these, however, were boys who came and went like birds of passage, and who for one reason and another were here for a year or part of a year only, o-day we have 26 boarders. Wei-bai-wei was chosen by us as the best place on the Chins Coast for a school, on account of its healthy climate.
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THE COMMISSIONER TALKS. His Honour the Comissioner, in proposing a vote of thanks to the Chairman, said he con- gratulated the school on having Sir Havilland de Sausmarez to preside at the Prize Distribution (hear, hear). He sincerely trusted that the boys would always appear before a judge under the same favourable auspices (laughter). The rumours as to the future of Wei-hai-wei were as endless as astonishing. It was surprising how persistency in the spread of such reports made people believe them (hear, hear). Some newspapers seemed to know a great deal more even than the responsible authorities, for they published the terms on which Wei-hai-wei was to be given back to China with a precision that made untruth almost appear real. But though these false rumours had been in existence for months the fact remained that the British flag still floated over Wei-hai-wei, and Mr. Runciman had stated in the House of Commons that nothing had occurred to affect the British lease of the Territory (hear, hear).
PRIZE WINNERS.
Form IV. "Dax Prize " :-J. P. Moller. Improvement Prize :-C. C. Walker. Form III. "Dax Prize":—S. M. Toulmin.
Improvement Prize :-E. G. Grimble. Form II. "Dax Prize :-E. Munsie.
Improvement Prize: -W. F. Paxton. Form I. "Dux Prize":-R. D. Lammert.
2nd Prize: -M. E. Beer. Improvement Prize :-H. Clifton. Languages (Latin, French, German) :-W. J.
Roope.
English Subjects:-W. J. Roops. Mathematics (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry):
-J. P. Moller.
Scripture History:-8. N. Toulmin. Conduct Medal :--W. F. Martinson,
CORRESPONDENCE.
THE LATE LOUIS SPITZEL.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRISS,
Hongkong, September 10th. DEAR SIR,-The magoanimous obituary given by "Reuter's Service to the late Mr. Hang-chang, if not for a purpose the future Louis Spitzel, as European advisor to or of Li only may reveal, is, to say the least, unconfirmed. In 1892-3 Mr. Spitzel, as a jeweller, was introduced by General Wm. Mesny, of
Meany's Miscellany to Li, as possessing a magnificent diamond. The introduction led
to favours at arsenals and minte, in due time, so that jewels were set aside for obvious
reasons.
The subject of this world-wide obituary had sufficient business talent to refuse to deal in small matters, and had more zest for risks of some magnitude. He was much respected by his competitors, and admired by all for not dealing with foreigners.
The office of Mr. Spitzel was closed at Shanghai in the early spring this year.- Enclosing my card. I remain, dear Sir, yours faithfully,
CHINA HAND.
In 1904 the doctor paid only three professional visits to boys here, and since last Prize Day medical aid has been sought for an inflamed HONGKONG'S MORTALITY RETURNS finger, a small abscess in the ear, sad a strained wrist.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE “HONGKONG DAILY
*1 PRESS.
CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS.
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Europeans was on a par with that of Bourne- mouth and below the rate of many other of the health resorts of the United Kingdom.
Sir Havilland de Sausmarez said, with regard to the question of the future of Wei-bai-wel, SIR,-Referring to your observations on the that he wished he was in a position to add death-rate among Earopeans in Hongkong, I something definite to what had already remember before coming to the colony consult- appeared. He did not intend to prophesy, and ing some statistical tables to get an ides of the for two reasons: first, that a man should not salubrity of the place, and was agreeably sur- prophesy unless he knew, and secondly he (Sirprised to find that the rate of mortality among Havill and) did not know. (laughter). But be had a suggestion to make. He would advise all who felt anxiety, as to the Colony's future to get hold of Sir Edward Grey and Lord Elgin and compel them to spend the hot months of the early summer at Hongkong, Shanghai or in the Straits Settlements, and then let them come to Wei-hai-wei for a change. He had no doubt a definite decision would be reached promptly (hear, hear). Seriously, however, he saw no reason why the British Government should give up Wei-hai-wei, and he thought that, for the present at any rate, they I might make their minds easy.
A year's residence in the colony sufficed to show me how misleading these figures really are, judged, as I judged them, in comparison with the returns for the healthiest towns in England. You have enumerated many of the factors which explain the low death rate here but there are two others of importance which should be taken into account.
In the first place, the observer caur ot fail to potice how small a proportion of old men we have in our community; and the explanation is
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