4:00
deaths resulted I wish it understood, how.
that the accidents ever,
which resulted from this inoculation were not due to the method itself hut to the contamination of the vaccine just before final preparation. No test as to whether the vaccine has been con. taminated can be made on animals for the reason that the Ferran virus must be prepared for use and used while fresh.
Immediately after being notified that the prisoners inoculated had become sick, Dr. Strong laid the matter before the proper authorities for investigation and action by them.
It is needless to say that Dr. Strong is grieved beyond measure at the unfortunate accid-at which occurred with these twenty-four inocula. tions. Dr. Strong has made, in the past few years, thousands of inoculations with anti-cholera and anti-p'agus vaccine, and never before bave any untoward results followed. These particular inoculations were made on his own | responsibility under the authority abore des. described and were in no way authorized by or participated in by the Director of Health or by the Director of the Bureau of Science.
I am immeasurably grieved at the unfortunate result of this accident, and it is unnecessary to add that every possible step has been and will be taken by the governm at to care for the other patients who have suffered from this inoculation, and to relieve as far as possible, any distress which may have been caused the families of th se who have been affected.
SIR ROBERT HART'S CIRCULAR.
OFFICIALLY PUBLISHED.
In the "Customs Quarterly Gazette for July-September 1906, published on November 26th from the Statistical Department of the Imperial Maritime Customs, the following notification appeared :—
Circular No. 1,369. Inspectorate-General of Customs.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
"We have to acknowledge your dispatch of the 12th October, stating that in connection with the transfer of Customs control you had received our verbal directions on the 22nd of September to issue instructions, in so cordance with the draft Tubmitted, for
the
information and guidance of the Commissioners of Customs, to the effect that the procedure is to continue in every respect as hitherto, and that, having issued a Circular to all the ports embodying those instructions, you forwarded two copies of the same for
now
record.
•
"We thereon sent one copy, with a Chinese version, to the Waixupu, and have received a reply stating that the contents of the Circular have been duly noted, and that you are to be instructed to publish the same in the Customs Gazette' for the general information of all officials concerned; you will therefore act accordingly."
30th October, 1906.
REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.
current issue of the Gazette has a and
revenue, we
two
deorrase of
December 10, 1906.
THE NEW SWATOW RAILWAY.
them.
The Swatow correspondent of the N-C. Daily News sent the following account of the Ch'ao- Shar, Ch'aochoufu-Swatow Railway, opened formally on November 28th:--A large company station, and many of these found places in the of natives and fo eigners was present at the
train which left for Ch'aochoufu at eleven o'clock. The band of H.I.M.S. Jaguar accom. spending half-an-hour at the inland terminus panied the party, and enlivened the trip. After
the company returned to Swatow, and, at the terminus there, found A tiffin awaiting Speeches were made by the Taotai, the British Consul, the Commissioner of Customs, Mr. Richardson, and other guests. The Taotai drew attention to the happy coincidence of the function and the Empress's birthday. He regarded the opening of the line as marking another stage in China's advance, and only a stage for it cannot be long before this line is connected on the one hand with the trunk line to Hankow, and on the other hand with the coast line from Canton to Foochow and further. He also considered that not the least important result of the railway. building was the dispelling of such prejudice as led to the murder of two of the constructing staff last year. In conclusion he wished success to the railway, coupling with it in the toast the names of the original promoters Chang Yung. bsien and his nephew.
are
The line is twenty-three and a half miles There long or thirty miles including sidings.
two termini, and four other stations.
its whole Throughout
course the line is practically level, with no deep cuttings. The only bridge of any size spans the north, or Ampou branch of the Han river, about two miles from Swatow. The greatest difficulty encountered was the number of small streams
and water outlets which had to be spanned composed of field mud dug up close to the line, by culverts. The embankment is mainly
and ballast is sparingly used. The rolling stock is sufficient for present needs, but not abundant; and one, at least, of the engines has railway sheds are supported on wooden pillars sunk into the earth, a most perilous venture in this land of white good deal of shoddy about the carriages rough castings, inferior veneer, imitation "leather" on the cushions. The construction
done service elsewhere. The roofs of the
ants. There is a
The comparative statement of the revenue expenditure of the Colony for the period ended 30th September, 1906. At the outset it is satisfactory to note that the actual expenditure is well under that which was estimated, and the satisfaction would have been increased bad as good a state of things been found under the heading of revenue. The actual revenue was 85,014,109 representing a slight advance on that of the same period in the preceding year, and falling rather more than $2,000,000 under the estimate for 1906. On the other haud the actual expenditure amounted to $4,986,461, a slight decrease on that for the same period of the preceding year, and falling by rather more than $2,000,000 under the estimate for 1906. Of course it will have to be borne in mind that these increases and decreases are more apparent than real. Turning now to the beads of Peking September 22nd,
find decreases recorded in Circulars Nos. 1,339 and 1,361 acquainted you
items, namely: Interest, a decrease with the establishment and opening of a separate of $8,267 and water account, 861,089,ough and special office to deal with Customs affairs, including land sales a further decline of $118,971 The Inspectorate, which had hitherto functioned is found. Against this total in and under the Tsangli Yamen and Waiwupu, $188.328, there is a total increase of $215.335 was thereon accordingly instructed to report contributed to as follows-light dues, 81,771, henceforth to, and take its orders from the new
licences etc.. $57,302; fees of Court or office, department, the Shuiwuch'u. The two Tach'en, etc., $31,835; Post Office, $3,326; rent of appointed to control the Shuiwuch u,
Government property, etc., $17,166; mis. Their Excellencies Tieh-Liang and Tang Shao-cellaneous receipts, $3,931. Under the heading yi, explained to me on two separate occasions, on
of expenditure are comparatively few increases, the 12th and 15th May, that work was to proceed the greatest being found in Public Works Ex- as before, and they now authorize me to circulate traordinary and in the Harbour Master's Depart elected to give cart-blanche to a Japanese this intimation as an order for the informationment, which is probably explained by typhoon of the Service generally. While the Inspector damages and extra work. In the Judicial and General will have the same relations with the Legal Departments there is an increase in Shuiwach'u that he had with the Waiwupu and expenditure of almost $5,000, and the Medical his duties continue to follow the same general Departments have absorbed $2,743 more than
in the previous year. lines, Commissioners and port staff will also
The other column of continue to work just as before and remain in the figures reveals a large number of items which same relation to the Inspector-General. Further, have entailed less expenditure than before, the seeing that this explanation should dispel most notable coming under the head of Post apprehensions expressed since the appearance of Office, and amounting to $211,382. There is a the Customs Edict on the 9th May, the mem.
decrease of $71,508 in the Military contribution; bers of the Service are to avoid originating or
the Police and Prison Departments have been DUTY ON KOREAN AND CHINESE circulating, whether by mouth or pen, disturb-
run at less cost than last year by $30,644, and the miscellaneous services have absorbed ing rumours and hypothetical fears calculated to provoke public comment to no useful purpose, but which may do more harm than good as affecting the dignity of the Chinese Government. The Maritimme Customs worked satisfactorily, efficiently, and usefully in the past, and the Chinese Government has been considerate and liberal in its dealings with its foreign employés; it is not intended to change such treatment and it is expected that Service contentment and efficiency will march hand in hand with its continuance. I may add that this Customs Circular has been submitted to, and approved of, by the Shuiwu Ta-chén before issue.
I am, Sir,/
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) ROBERT HART,
Inspector-General. To the Commissioners of Customs,
Postal Commissioners,
And Deputy Commissioners in
charge of Likin Collectorates.
C.
Shui-wu Ta-chen to Inspector-Gensrul (Translation.)
$45,714 less than in the previous year.
THE SEOUL TELEPHONE SERVICE
In pursuance of usage in vogue since the establishment of the Japanese Legation, the authorities of the Residency-(eneral in Korea have established telephone service in Seoul and to some extent the telephones are available to the public. We learn from Japanese contem. porsries that Mr. Collbran, president of the American Korean Electric Company, operating the electric railway sud lighting plant in Seoul, has repeatedly protested against the telephone service being conducted under the control of the Residency-General, on the ground that his company hold a special charter for establishing and conducting a telephone service in Seoul.
I he question is assuming such an important aspect that it is expected that Mr. Luke E. Wright, the U.8. Ambassador in Tokyo, and the Foreign Office will take up the matter with a view to early settlement.
has taken two years to a day, and has cost, up to date, close on three million dollars, A first- class English firm tendered to do the whole for one million and three-quarters, but the Chinese
company, with the present result.
The administration of the railway is well organized, and the trains are punctual. If the embankment survives the rains (the sceptical draw attention to the fact that it has been observed in the middle of the driest weather) it will develop trade, and inspire further extension; but not, we should judge, under existing aus- pices, if experience teaches anything.
44
GOODS.
orea,
The Japanese Official Gazette contains the following Imperial Ordinance, No. 303, in regard to the application of the Conventional Tariffs on the Korean and Chinese products —
* Import duties on articles produced in and also pig-iron, tin in ingot or slab, and mercury produced in China shall be imposed according to the rates of the Conventinal Tariff. In such cases as the duty in the General Statutory Tariff is lower, the duty shall be imposed according to the same tariff.
Articles I. & II. of the Regulations relating to the operation of the Customs Tariff Law will be applied to the articles referred to in the preceding clause."
This Ordinance came into effect on December 1st.
Meteorological observations made at the Hongkong Observatory during the month of November show that the average maximum temperature for that month was 73.4 and the minimum 62.4 degrees. The total rainfall was 0,175 inches.
}
▼
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.