272
ཤང་ཁ
LADY LUGARD.
HEALTH REQUIRES RETURN TO ENGLAND,
Although Her Excellency Lady Lugard had been looking pale and tired and although her recent voyage to hanghai and back was un- dertaken in view of the unsatisfactory state of her health, we were unprepared for the news that the Governor's lady has been seriously ill. We are indeed very sorry to learn that such is the fact, and feel confident that in expressing strong hopes for her speedy recuperation and recovery we have the whole community with us. We are authorised to publish the following
as the latest bulletin:
There is now less cause for anxiety and the doctors have ordered ber home to England as soon as she is sufficiently convalescout to leave."
PROBATES IN HONGKONG.
The Calender of Probates and Letters of
Administration granted by the Supreme Court of Hongkong during 1907 showed that the value of the estate in Hongkong of the late Sir Robert Jardine was sworn at $8,758,100 on which $262,743 was paid as duty. Other estales were:-Thomas Arnold, who died at Exmouth in October, 1906, $140,000; Robert Law. who died at Shanghai in July, 1906, $10.200; W. O. M. Young, died at Glasgow, in May, 1906, $24,600); Edwin Heath Warner, died in Kansas, U.S.A., 8265,800; John McDonald, died at Shembashi Uchi, in September, 1906, $10,200; Job Walter, died at Leonards on Sea, in January last year, $79.700; Poon Hung, died at Namboi, in December, 1911, $143.000; Ng Man, died at Victoria in Cotober, 1906, $99,500; Thomas Rowan, died at Victoria in March 19 6, $83,000; J. M. A. da Siva, died at Victoria in April last year, $85,400; Alexander Tillett, died at Victoria in February last year, $287,400; Harry Wicking, who died at Yokohama in April last year, $124,600; W. B. Dixon, who died at Blackheath, in October 1906, $52,000; E. W. Mitchell, $34,000; W. W. Brewer, 821,500, W. Ramsay, $9,60; E. Bowdler, $73,0 0; David ilmour, 894,600; G. H. Drewes, $19,700; Aler. Fowl-r, $35,600 Charlotte Meyer, $25,100 etc. The value at which estates were sworn was $12,675,740, on which $368,938 probate duty was paid.
TIENTSIN.
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)
April 10th. Next month Hongkong will have a notable visitor in the person of the Inspector-General of the Imperial Maritime Customs, who will рав through the Colony in the mail steamer on his way home on leave."
In Hongkong Sir Robert will be close to Canton, the scene of his early labours in China, first in the British Consular service and after. wards in the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs,
The recent death of Sir Nicholas O`Conor, the British Ambassador at Cous'antinople, and a fellow countryman of Sir Robert, recalls a On fact that is perhaps not generally knowo. the death of Sir Hary Parkes, the British Mi- nister in eking, Sir Robert Hart was appointed Minister in his place, and the appointment But Sir Robert declined i'. - was gazetted.
There is a story of the ben trovato order that Sir Robert replied that there were many foreign Ministers in Paking, but only one Inspector-General. As a matter of fact, it was in deference to a special request of the Empress Dowager that Sir Robert remained at the bead of the Customs and did not go to the Legation. But Sir Robert was and is an excellent diplomatist. Just about the time referred to, in 1884-5, be performed valuable services to the Chinese Government in connexion with the Franco-Chinese difficulty in Tonkin and the subsequent Treaty, Before that, in 1876, he had taken a great part in the negotiations re the Chefoo Convention.
As stated, Sir Robert Hart declined the post of Minister to China and Korea, and for 16 months following this the late Sir Nicholas O'Conor was Chargé d'Affaires in Peking. Later, in 1892, Sir Nicholas returned to Peking
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
was,
as Minister, and in 1895 was transferred to St. Petersburg. It is a curious conjecture what Sir Robert Hart's career would have been, and politics, had he accepted the position of British, what his influence upon the course of world Minister in 1885. "If he had been in Peing 88 Minister when Sir Nicholas O'Conor or if be bad bean there duri g the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars as well as during the eventful period, soma ten years ago, when Germany sized Kinochow, | Russia took Port Arthur, and Great Britain leased Weihaiwel, would the results seen to-day had Sir Robert represented his own country in have ben different as regards British interests
Peking?
Sir Robert Hart is credited with having advised the Chinese Government in regard to
the recent Tatau Miru "inoident and to have thrown the weight of his advica and influende on the side of H.E. Fuan Shib Kai in advising
an amicable and bouourable settlement with
Japau.
În Southern Chios there seems to be a strong feeling against this settlement and against the Japanese. Anti-Japausse sentiment is strong and very widespread in the North, not only among the Chines, but among foreigners. But in most cases it is unreasonable, and there is a danger that it may be pushed too far. There are indications, however, of a reaction taking place in this respect.
COMMERCIAL.
OPIUM.
HONGKONG, April 24th.
$950 to $970 to. ..$1000
.$1050 to
Quotations are:- Malwa New Malwa Old Malwa Older Malwa Very Old Persian Fine Quality..$500 Persian Extra Fine Patna New Patna Old Benares New Benares Old
per picul
11.
Like
do.
do.
to
to .$880
$1110 to
to $1075 to $.
tu
do. do. per chest
do.
do.
HONGKONG, 16th April, 1909.-The movements in the various Opium markets have been follows:-
as
Malea. Putna. Benares. Pergn.
315 1,533 $13 73.5 240
230
Stocks on the 2nd April, 19S April 2nd, Imports per Deranka
7th
Lai Sang 13th
G. Aprar
Less Exports to Shanghai ..
Exports to East and West Coast Ports including i Local Consumption for the fortnight..
Estimated Stocks this day.
325 2.50
160
584 2,105 12 925
152 €30
J
J
973 1.015
150
419 1,253 633 1,413
Bengal. -The market has been steady at about last prices, viz: $1050 for Patna and $1010 for Benares. The demand at the closes is for Patna of numbers 10,000 and over, quotation for which is $1,075 steady.
Malwa,-Price are about $20 lower and the market is rather quiet. 2 years old
J
8980
1,020:30 1,070.80
oldest.. Persian. Good drug is quoted at 8-50.
COAL.
The arrivals at Hongkong between the 6th and the 15th inst., according to Messrs. Hughes and Hough's latest circular, totalled 47,050 tons, of which 34.550 tons came from Japan, 7,600 tons from Hongay, and 4,950 from Newcastle NSW. It was all sold, 2,800 tons of Japanese coal being for Canton. The coal expected amounts to 10,700 tous Australian coal, and 49,000 tons Japanese coal, all sold except part of consignment of 5,000 tons Australian coal expected by the s.s. "Terje Viken."
Quotations are as follows:-- Cardiff.
- to $
cx-ship, nominal Australian $13.60 ex-ship, sellers. Yubai Lump...$12.00 nominal. Muki Lump...$10.50 to $11 00 ex-ship, nominal. Moji Lump ....$6.50 to $9.00 ex-ship, steady. Moji Unscreened§6.00 ̊ to $8.00 ex-ship, steady, Akaike Lump...$8.75 to $9.00 steady. Labuan Lump $9.26 ex-ship sellers.
[April 27, 1908
PIECE GOODS.
From Messrs. Ilbert & Co., of Shanghai in
recorded, and more or less enforced idleness, as their weekly Report, dated Shanghai, 16th April, sayAnother week of stagnant trade has to be far as the settlement of new business is concer ned, has been generally prevalent. It is difficult to give any satisfactory explanation of the de- perhaps it would be found to be the outcome of pression, but if it were possible to account for it,
many different influences, of which the following are the most important.
Restriction of credit by the Chinese Banks, brought about by fear of losses in dealing with customers who have lost money, owing to bad trade and other causes.
:
Withdrawal of capital from the north caused by unrest and insecurity regarding the future, both political and financial. For examplo: New- chwang exchango on Shanghai is 25 per cent. of 5 per cent. premium in ordinary years. discount owing to absence of hard money, instead
Heavy likin charges on cargo transported by rail, the likin in some cases anfounting to con- siderably more than the freight.
Depreciation of copper cash, which has reached a climax; depreciation of subsidiary silver coin- age, the bulk of which is at a discount of over 15 per cent, as compared with Mexican dollars.
Genoral fear that a further decline in prices may be impending; the fall in cotton and forced sales at auction contributing to increased distrust
in the future.
It would seem impossible to look for my im- provement in the near future under these condi- tions, but China is a country in which surprising changes are rapidly brought about-restriction of credit will cure itself, when large accumulations of capital become too unprofitable-the currency and likin questions are with us always, and a reaction in the cotton market is not improbable when it is brought home to consumers that this year's crop is about 2,000,000 bales short of last year's. The stoppage of looms in England and America and the gradual reduction of stocks all over the East, are favourable influences, while it often happens that fears about the future are overdone.
MISCELLANEOUS EXPORTS:
Messrs. Arnhold, Karberg & Co.'s Fortnightly Produce Circular, dated Shanghai, 16th April,' reports on the produce market as follows:- Gallnuts. Little interest is shown. Supplies limited. Cowhides.-A continued good business
on a somewhat lower level of prices. The tendency of the home market is downward. Feathers. Some demand from Europe. Owing to moderately large stocks holders grant con- cessions. Cotton- Absolutely no demand from Japan and Europe. In spite of this the tone of the market is very firm, as owing to the threatened boycott of Japanese Yarns, local Mills are doing an excellent business and are free buyers of the raw material. Taking also the late season in consideration we expect a rise. Tallow. -Fair quantities arrived. Prices receded. Straw braid.The only demand seems to be for good, fine Mottled Laichow, of which there are no stocks. Any arrivals of this braid are immediately bought up regardless of quality. There have been a few small settlements in 7-ends Split, but presumably only speculative ones as demand from America just now is nil. Braids of proper standard lengths are beginning to coine round, and comparatively higher prices are being asked. Wool-Sheeps.-Stocks are a drug on the market. America shows less interest than ever and will not come into the market at any price just now. Wood Oil-Market firm. Antimony.-At last the Chinese have seen the futility of trying to uphold prices in face of weak markets at home. Considerable business has been done at greatly reduced figures.
SHARE REPORTS.
Messrs. J. P. Bisset & Co. of Shanghai in their Share Report for the week ending April 16th, 1908, a limited state:-Business has again been on scale, and there is practically no change of any importance to record. Banks.--Hongkong and Shanghai Banks. The market closed easier with sollers of this stock at $710. The T.T. rate on London to-day is 25. Insurance. A single operation is reported in new Yangtze shares at $150. The old stock is quoted at $165. Shipping, -No business reported, but Indo-Chinas are wanted at Tls. 30 for the preferred stock, and Tls. 15 for the deferred. Shanghai Tug & Lighter Co. A small business was done at The 44 and Tls. 45, closing with buyers at the latter rate. Docks and Wharves, Shanghai Docks and
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