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INTERESTING CHINESE DECREES.
The N.-C. Daily News translates as follows an interesting Imperial Decree dated November 3rd:-
Yang Shih-hsing, Governor of hantung province, reports the calm state during the Autumn of the Yellow River, as affecting the province of Shantung, through which it runs, due for the most part to the diligence, care and
side
ware
at times with
Im-
energy of the officials connected with the Yellow River Conservancy Department of his province, We understand that during the preceeding Summer months this year the freshets coming down that river were especially violent and that, in consequence, the embankments, etc., for the protection of the low lands lying on either
threatened minent danger of being overwhelmed. Owing, however, to the protection extended by the gods the efforts of the officials of the said Conservancy Department were most success. ful in preventing any catastrophes or breaching of the said embankments, thereby preserving peace and coutentment to the people in the districts drained by the said river, especially at this season of the first Falling of the Frost." In token of our gratitude to the Dragou River gods for their protection of our people we hereby command the Imperial Household Department to prepare ten great sticks of Tibetan incense, and the Imperial College of Inscriptions to write a sperial Tablet to be sent to the said Governor Yang Shih-bsing, to be reverently presented on our behalf to the said river gods. The said Governor is com- manded to burn the said great sick of Tibetan incense before the altar of the Temple of the
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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relationship should make the former acquainted with the needs of the latter. Instead of this, however, officials and people are separated by tho employment of forms and ceremonias no that matters are neglected. These officials do not attention to the welfare or troubles of those pay
ander them and often to such an extent that relatives and secretaries are permitted to browbeat and oppress the m 188 is while the gate. keepers and runners of the yameas prey upon and devour the substance of the people. Under such circumstances can anyone expect these local How can the spirits governments to flourish?" of the people, moreover, be elevated under such a state of affairs? Dwelling upon this point makes us feel indiguant indeed. Now that the Royal Commission is working on the rei ›rm of the official system in the proviuces the question of how to deal with thes- department and district becomes one of the greatest magistrates importauce. Moreover owing to our subjects being not yet educated up to the requiredl point. local self-government for them becomes premature and a difficult antler to put into force at once. It is, therefore, requisits for the nonce to consult together as to the course.
of action to be pursued in this matter to prepare for the new order of things or to decide as to the question of reducing the number of pilty officials and to limit the power of each one so as to keep a strict watch over their condition and
thereby provant dishonesty an appression, The main objet is how to bring officials an i people into close and more intimate relations than heretofore. Let the Royal Commission therefore communicate with the various Viceroys and Governors of provinces to come determination on this matter which shal be substantial, lasting and beneficial and then obey
to
a
our Decree thereanent. The Throne crestes officials with the sole object of a urishing our people; to make them happy and contented with
their several lots and avocations. Our sole wish
is to see our subjects live in harmony and to secure them this peace and harmony.
BROKER AND LAWYER.
JUDGMENT IN THE SHANGHAU
CASE.
SHARE
Great King (meaning the Temple of the Dragon River gods-Translator) and hang the said Tablet in the Great Hall of the said l'emple as a mark of the Imperial appreciation and gratitude. As for the officials concerned who distinguished themselves in their duties during the in connection with the conservancy of
year the said Yellow River, we hereby command that the brevet red button of th second grade be bestowed upon the following Tantais; -Hu. Ting-ch'u (of the Yuu Yi-Ts'ao-Chi Intendancy Ho Shn-yao, Lien Kuei, Isi hea and Chân Sha tung. The following expectant prefects are granted the rank of Taotai, At H. M. Supreme Court, Shanghai, Novem- viz-Hsieh Chung-yao and Pao Kuo-chen; ; ber 14th, before Sir Havilland de Sinemnarəz, and the sub-prefect, Kung Chih-pin, is Judge, the case of Benjamin and Potts r. promoted a full prefect. (Then tollows a list Duncan McNeill was included. of a number of expectant department and district magistrates who are each promoted a step in rank). In token of the Imperial appreciation of their individual exertions in this important work. Finally, in response to a Postscript Memorial of the same Governor, we hereby command that the Imperial commen- dation be transmitted to the following officials for the assistance given by them to the said Conservation Department.-Hsu Shu-kuang, Taotai of the Ch-Tang-Tai-Wa-Lin Intendancy of Shantung; Ting Ta-Ching, unattached expectant Taotai of Chibli province, and Ho
Taotai Kno-shih, expectant
of Shantung, province.
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Note:-It should also be noted that, while the Throne is thus lavish with its rewards to those, who successfully preserved the Yellow River banks from being breached by the freshets, catastrophe occurring would be visited with a wholesole cashering of the officials concerned- Translator.
CORRUPT OFFICIALS WARNED.
The following was promulgated at Peking ou Nov. 6th:-
We have received the report of the Prince and high ministers of the Royal Commission with reference to the proposed reform of the official system amongst the various Boards in Peking and we have accordingly issued an Imperial Rescript thereanent commanding their recommendations to be put into force. By command of the Empress-Dowager the said Royal Commission is to begin at once its labours with regard to the reform of the official system in the provinces and to report to us the result. We feel that the present unsatisfactory condition of affairs in the Empire is due to the fact that the relations between officials and the masses have never received the attention their importance require. Now department and district magistrates (Chou-hsien) are intimately connected with the masses and their close
His Lordship delivered judgment as follows: The decision in this case appears to in to the depend on a right understanding of contract. The raudor by his agent, the defendant. instructed
(November 26, 1906.
CHINESE RAILWAY LOANS.
KOWLOON-CANTON BAILWAY.
The following is a transistion from the Universal Gazette :— Cho terms of the loan for
Railway may broadly speaking, be said to have the proposed Kowloon-Canton (Chin-Kaang)
been arranged, and the agreement for the same may therefore be signed within a few days. The following is an extract of the more important points of the Agreement:-
(1) The los to be £1,500,000 guaranteed by a mortgage of the Kowloon-Canton Railway.
(2) £94 to be paid for every £100. (3) Interest on sim› tɔ bɔ at the rate of 5
per cent per annum, sama to com nence on date of is no of the Ban Is,
(4) A siuge track ↑ › b3 first constructed, but
consteneted, the road bed to be widened so as to be prepared for the construction of a double track.
(5) Work on the road to be started within eight maths failing which the Agreement will
be annulled.
(4) The Hand Office of the proposed Railway to be in Canton. The Viceroy of Kuangtung and Kangsi to appoint a Director who shall be assisted by a British Engineer-in Chief and a British Manager.
(7) The staff of the Company to receive £35,000 as remuneration during the time agreed upan for the castraction of the Railway. The said sum being the commission for the purchase of materials.
(8) The sum of £1,000 to be paid the Com. Day each year; payment of which will cease upon repayment of the who e loan.
(9) The loan is to be for fifty years. Interest only ou sam to be paid for the space of twelve years and a half, after which both principal and interest to be paid in instalments.
(1) The Viceroy of the Two Knang provinces will arrang separate terms with regard to the joining together of the Canton line to that of
the Kowlon line.
THE CHEKIANG RAILWAY.
We are informed that Mr. Chêng Jèntèh, an engineer of the Chekiang Railway, has been seu to survey a proposed line between Hangohow aud Chiahsing, (coll: Kashing) accompanied by a staff of some tweuty assistants, and on the 14th inst. had got as far as the market town of Lingpingchen. The work on the short line between Chiangan (Tsientang River) and Kungchen Bridge (the new foreiga settlement at Hangshow) is in charge of the Hagineer-in- chief of the Company, Mr. Chang K'eb-ming.
ANOTHER LOAN FOR THE HU-NING RAILWAY.
NEW TREATY OF COMMERCE.
The Shenpao "states that the sanction of the Throne has been obtained by the Ministries of Finance, the plaintiffs to sell
Posts and Communications, and 100 shares in the Shell Transport Company. A riculture. Works and Commerce, which This was done, and on payment the defendant presented a joint memorial recently on the delivered to the plaintiffs a share certificate with subjest of floating another Loin of £850,00) for a blank transfer attached. This was handed the Hu-ning Railway.-N-C. Da ly News. ou, and in dus time reached one Stahlberg who applied for registration and was refused. None of those, and there were many, through whose hands the papers passed suggested that they were inadequate. From Mr. Clarke's evidence the defendant delivered all he contracted to deliver and all the plaintiffs
It seems to me expected to get.
a be- tween the parties the matter end there, unless there was a loss to the plaintiffs which the defendant ought to indemnify them against, The plaintiffs sold to one Elias as broker. I do not know for whom he bought, but it was not Stahlberg. However, when Stablberg could not get registration, Elias elected to refund him the amount paid for the shares. and then bouuced the plaintiffs but of the money, saying that the pipers had been returned to hià, Stalberg could not get registration.
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Now a blank transfer such as this is not a deed, but it is evidence of a contract to sell,
which is enforceable. The sale in this case was, so far as the evidence goes, complete. That is all the defendant contracted to do. There is no warranty on the part of the transferor or of any other person through whose hands the transfer passes that the Company will register, as is clear from the case of London Founders Association v. Clarke, XX. Q. B. D., 576. Therefore if Elias paid Stahlberg that is his own look out, and it cannot give him any right of action against the plaintiffs or the defendant. The plaintiffs seem to have sued the wrong person.
• Judgment for defendant with costs,
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AGREEMENT BETWEEN JAPAN AND CHILE.
A treaty of Commerce and Navigation between Japan and Chile, was to be published in the The Japanese Offiial Gazette ou Nov. 6th. tresty consists of fifteen articles, and its pro- visions are in substance identical with the similar treaties with other Powers. It is, however, accompanied by a supplemat, which provides that all the immanities and privileges granted or to be granted exclusively to the Pepublics of Latin race in South and North America shall be withheld against the Japanese and Japan retains the same authority to with. bold such immanities and privileges granted or to be granted exclusively to the independent countries in Asia.
This treaty was signed in 1897, and was to be ratified in Japan immediately, but in Chile its ratification was delayed by the Parliament on account of the uncertainty of the commercial policy of the Government.
A Japanese Legation and Consulates will be established in Chile, which course will be also taken by Chile in this country.
The conclusion of this treaty, it is expected, will lead to grest developments in Japanese emigration and the import of saltpetre from Chile and trade between the two countries will be further encouraged by the opening of the Toyo Kisen Kaisha service,
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