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vessels are to be seen. showing the flag which for years bas been the symbol of peace and safety for all nationalities trading in those waters. It is quite true that ia time of War these small vessels might have to be abandoned, and in peace thy cost something in upkeep, but surely against-this we have the advantage which must accrue to the service, of having such a training school for young officers who while learning their profession and the waters they navigate will acquire also the great lesson of responsibility and of how to act on their own initiation when suddenly called upon to do so. Men go trained must, we would think, prove a valuable asset in war time and the money so spent on these small vessels would prove a good investment. Added to this their moral effect upon outlying peoples would be of great benefit as symbols of the power they represent in protect ing the development of our trade on peaceful lines. Shortly after our last abuual meeting we had to deplore the dreadful catastrophe which bad befallen upon our sister port on the far side of the Pacific and in view of the very close relations which exist between San Francisco and Hongkong telegraphed our condolence in the name of the community. Since then we bave had our own disaster. The terrible storm of the 18th September last will long remain in our memories, and
we trust it will always remain as the most devastating one on record in this Colony. I do not wish to enter upon a controversial question so will do no more than express the hope that at least one result of this storm will be an improvement, where it is poss- ible to effect it, in our system of storm warnings. We all much appreciate the kindly messages of sympathy which reached us from all nationalities including a message from His Gracions Majesty Offers of help were generously proferred but it was rightly decided that in such a matter the Colony should stand on its own feet, gratefully declining the assistance so readily and sym- pathetically tendered. The appeal for funds to help those who suffered loss was most generously responded to in the lony and once more serves to show the feeling of kindly sympathy and unity existing amongst the numerous nationalities forming our trading (ommunity The Typhoon report and accounts which have so recently been published showing the good work accomplished with the aid of the Relief Fund demonstrate how urgently assistance was needed. This assistance has, we trust, reached all those deserving of it. It is very satisfactory to note that the Government will at the earliest possible date proceed with the construction of that larger refuge for small craft which is so urgently required and for which this Chamber has so often petitioned in the past, The Chamber of Commerce accounts attached to the report do not call for any special com. ment. It is however satisfactory to be able to report that since the closing of accounts for the first time in many years some small payments have been made from the Pinnacle Rock Fund through the Commander of H. M. Surveying Vessel Waterwitch." We would like to see more use made of this fund, the existence of which is personally hrought to the notice of the Naval Authorities when opportunity offers. With regard to the finances of the Chamber generally it is perhaps as well that we should be reminded that while these are in a satisfactory condition, our revenue is hardly stable, as it varies from year to year.
The necessity for an amplo reserve fund was clearly demonstrated last year when in the опе case of the Sainam piracy alone, a very considerable expenditure was incurred in telegrams, despatches amount. ing in all to some $900. Before I take my seat I must refer to some of the changes which have taken place since our last meeting. I know the whole Chamber will have endorsed in the most heartfelt manner, the vote of condolence passed by the Committee at the death of our late Harbour Master, Captain Barnes-Lawrence, who carried out bis duties with so much ability, winning the esteem and friendship of all brought in contact with him. With regard to changes on the committee, Mr. Siebs has left, temporarily I hope; his post is still vacant Mr. Gresson who represented Messrs. Jardine Matheson & Co. has gone, Whether he will return or not is doubtful. We are much indebted to these gentlemen for the
these
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
services rendered to the Chamber of Commerce. We are very glad indeed to welcome as the successor of Mr. resson r. Henry Keswick who is the son of a gentleman who for many years took part in the trade of the Empire aad for 15 years acted as Chairman of the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce.
We have now further to regret the premature departure of our late Governor Sir Matthew athan n his leaving the Colony varions addresses were presented clearly indicating the high esteem in which His Excellency was held by the residents of Hongkong. It is needless bere to recapitulate the many evidences we hava received of his determination to forward tha best interests of the Colony bnt chief among thosa which occupied his care was not only the construction of the railway from Kowloon to the frontier but the sa isfactory working of this line with it extension, which before many years have passed we hope to see completed to dankow. The improved sanitation of the Colony, the extension of water supply, educational matters and many other interests all showed the thorough manner in which His Excellency endeavoured to carry out the high expectations we formed on his arrival of successful and exceptionally brilliant rale. I am sure we all deeply regret his depar- ture but rejoice to 'hink that his great ability is to be employed in the interests of our Empire in a still wider field and we trust. that for long years to come he may be spared to devote himself to his Country's service.
The CHAIRMAN then moved the adoption of the report and accounts as presented.
Mr. FORBES-Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, It is my privilege to again congratulate the committee, and thank them for their labours during the past year. The speech of the Chair man has been so complete that there is very little for me to say. With regard to the Railway to Canton it is very satisfactory to know that good progress has been made and that the Loan recently issued in London was a sucC988. We
are at present passing through period of depression and cannot look for much in the way of revival of trade until there is some settlement of the currency question. It is to be boped that the recent joint memorial of the Chambers of Commerce to Peking will bare a good result. As all matters relating to the general health have a bearing on trade, aud shipping particularly by reason of Quarantine regulations, we have been much interested in the Report of the Sanitary Commission. We hope the matter will not be allowed to drop but that on the contrary every ffort will be made to improve the existing conditions. When we met last year we were hopeful that a start would shortly be made on the Typhoon Anchorage for small craft. A year has passed and the terrible loss of life in the great Typhoon has emphasised still more the urgent necessity of this work. I trust it will not be long now before a start is actually made, The Members of the Chamber will, I feel sure, concur in the regret expressed by the Chairman on the departure of Sir Mattbew Nathan. I have now much pleasure in second. ing the adoption of the report and accounts.
The motion was carried.
The CHAIRMAN proposed the confirmation of the election of the Stockton Milling Co. as a
member of the Association.
Mr. CRALDOCK seconded, and the motion was agreed to,
Mr. ORMISTON proposed the election of Hon. Mr. E. A. Hewett, Hon. Mr. H. Keswick and
Messrs A. Haupt, D. R. Law, G. H. Medhurst, N. A. Biebs, J. R. M. Smith, H. E. Tompkins and A. G. Wood to the Committee.
Mr. HINDS seconded, and the motion was carried.
The CHAIRMAN-That is all the business,
gentlemen. Thank you for your attendanes.
THE REPORT FOR 1906. Following is an abstract of the report :- The year under review has been a fairly busy one for the Committee, several important ques- tions having come up for consideration. The necessity for making modifications in the re- gulations governing the working of petroleum in bulk bas again been before the Committee and we are glad to be able to report that the Government has adopted the proposals put for- ward.
[June 1, 1907,
The Government did the Chamber the honour of consulting them with regard to the contemplated change to be made in stamping Bills of Exchange, and the Committee were of opinion that the proposals of the Authorities were satisfactory.
After considerable correspondence on the subject of a British Postal Agency at Tientsin the Government decided to make the experi ment for a twelvemonth of opening an Agency with the assistance of the Chinese Engineering and Mining Company Ltd. .It is to be hoped the experiment will prove satisfactory as it is most desirable in the interest of British trade that such a postal Agency should be maintained at Tientsin.
In connection with a case tried in the Admiralty Court arising out of a collision between the vessels Kwongtung and Tai Jn the question was raised by the Chief Justice as to whether all river steamers over 300 tons should not be legally compelled to carry two certificated Officers, in addition to the Master. The Government referred the question to the Committee who however are of opinion that the same rule which chtains in home waters should hold good here and that under the cir. cumstances it was not desirable to make it compulsory for vessels of this class to conform to more stringent regulations than are applied
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to like vessels at home.
The question of the disadvantage nader which Newchwang suffered as a centre of im ports and export as compared with Tairen Dalay) in consequence of the passing of goods free of duty through the latter port, was specially brought to our notice by the New- chwang Chamber of Commercs,
The gray+ injustice thus occasioned to those who desire to carry on their trading operations through Newchwang was readily admitted by this Chamber which is strongly in accord with the demand put forward that Newchwang and Dalny should be placed on an equal footing, Representations were consequently addressed to the Diplomatic Body at Paking and it is understood that by an establishment of I. M. Customs stations along the frontier this cause for complaint has now been removed.
This all important question bas again been before the Committee during the past year, and while it is to be regretted that no apparent advance has been made by the Imperial Chinese Government to carry out the much needed reform in China's currency as agreed to in the Commercial Treaty of 1902, still we trust a move may be made before long and as a reminder to the Authorities cone rned are for a third time in conjunction with the Shang- bai and Tientsin Chambers of Commerce pre- paring a joint memorial to forward to the Diploma'ic Body at Peking on the subject.
The Hongkong & Kowloon Wharf & Godown Co. Ltd. having proposed to bring in a new bye laws bill, the draft of the bill was submitted to the Chamber of Commerce by the Govern- meat.
The Committee did not however consider there was any special reason for such a bill as the rights aud interests of the Company and their Constituents appered to be already fully safeguarded for by existing laws. It is under- stood that the proposed bill has now been abandoned.
Further correspondencs has passed between the Government and Committee from which it will be seen that it has been definitely decided to erect a new time ball station on Signal Hill at Kowloon, a change which the Committee consider is a decided improvement upon the present site.
The important question [of the Paris Sani- tary Convention] was dealt with fully in the report for 1905. Since then further corres- pondence has passed between this Chamber and the Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, but unfortunately that association and the Straits Government still hold the opinion that it is not advisable to reduce the period of quarantine from ten to five days. H.E the Governor in the Spring of last year decided to send a represent- ative to Singapore to discuss the matter with the Straits Authorities and Dr. Bell was selected for this mission; which however did not result in inducing the Singapore Government to agree to subscribe to the Paris Convention.
Under these circumstances the Committee were obliged to inform His Excellency that
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