t
June 8, 1908.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRÅDE REPORT.
Talking of Dr. Slammer, one may wonder | feted by the Japanese Community here. Baron whether Sir Robert will be the last In- spector General as he was the last 97th surgeon and will the I.M.C. be metamorphosed into something else when Sir Robert goes, as the 97th was ?
APPRECIATION OF HIS SERVICES.
Hayashi has not settled all the questions that have arisen between China and Japan, bat be has been a strong Minister, and well deserves his promotion from being Minister to Ambas- sador. After being employed, on his arrival in the Japanese capital, for some time at the Foreign Office, he will be sent to a European Sir Robert Bredon was made C.M.G. in 1903 Embassy. In South China both his past and and K.C.M.G. in 1904. He was given the 2nd his future career should be regarded with Division 2nd Class of the Order of the Double special interest, for he is the man more than Dragon by the Chinese Government, and holde any other who is responsible, for good or for the following decorations from other sovereigns | evil, for the “Tatsu Maru” settlement. He is a and Governmenta:-Officer, Legion of Honour; very clear-headed, resolute, well-informed, and France; Commander, Order of St. Olaf, Nor- able diplomatist. More about him anon. way; 2nd Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Japan; and 2nd Class of the Order of the Crown of Prussia with Star.
We have previously noted the honour done to Sir Robert Hart by the Chinese Govern- ment in giving him the rank of President of a Metropolitan Board. To Sir Robert Bredon on assuming his new position they have given the rank of Provincial Treasurer, which is sometimes translated Lieutenant-Governor. 'This is the rank which Sir Robert Hart, the Inspector-General, Leld up to a a few years ago, when he began to run far ahead of ordinary Customs work. This rank given to Sir Robert Bredon at the present juncture is a significant honour, on which his friends, foreign and Chinese alike and they are legion --will warmly congratulate him.
was
Keferring to the appointment of Mr. C. L. Chow, director of the Imperial Railway of North China, to be Customs Taotai of Newchwang, this Hongkong born Chinese Official is for the present at all events to ran the two posts concurrently. There is much satisfaction locally that Taotai Chow will not leave the railway, in the direction of which he has shown much ability and gained great popularity. Previously Total Chow equally successful sa director of the Chins Merchants Steam Navigation Co. His occup ancy of the Newchwang Customs Taotaiship will probably not be a long one, for it is generally regarded as merely the first rang in the official ladder up which Taotai Chow is destined to climb to a very considerable height, he being one of the cleverest of the constallation of satellites with whom H. E, Yuan Shih-kai has surrounded himself.
COMPANIES.
A. 8. WATSON AND COMPANY
LIMITED.
385
The annual meeting of shareholders in A. 8. Watson and Company, Ltd, was held on May 30th at the offices, Alexandra Buildings. Mr. H. Humphreys presided and there were also pre- sent Sir Paul Chater, Messrs J. Scott Harston, H. P. White, J. A. Jupp (directors), L. Gay, W. T. Paddapha G. Repp, Machado, D. E. Clark, E. C. Lane, and J. Tarrant (secretary).
The SECRETARY having read the notice convening the meeting,
The local native press and the Chinese papers of Shanghai "continue to devote space to the Inspectorate-General, I.M.C., and to the per- sonality of Sir Robert Hart. One paper mentions" a well known man in Peking who is RETIREMENT OF CONSUL-GENERAL the building improvements there were not yet
No
applying with all his might for the vacant post of the I. M. C. Inspectorate-General. name is given, but he is described as an English subject. Another paper publishes a long article on Sir Robert Hart's Past Life in China," pointing out what are described as his "merits and mistakes."
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some connected and others not connected
MANSFIELD.
be
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His
Mr. R. W. Mansfield, C.M.G., who during the last two or three years has been British Consul-General at Canton, is retiring on a pension after a long and honourable connection It is to be noted that the Chinese in with the British Consular service in China authority who are concerned in Customs affairs extending over thirty-eight years. Mr. Mans are thoroughly satisfied with both Sir Robert held left for Home on June 3rd via Hankow, Hart and Sir Robert Bredon. It is the Peking and Siberia.
He began his career in 1870 when, after foreigners, both inside and outside the Customs service, who are so keenly discussing the passing a competitive examination, he was alleged desirability of having a fresh I. G. At appointed & student interpreter in the Consular s recent river picnic here, for instance, the service in China. His first appointment as name of Lord Curzon, of all people in the world. Acting Consul was to Foochow in 1875. He was on the lips of everybody in a crowd was then but a third-class assistant. representative of the shipping and mercantile Acting Consulship lasted only a month, interests of Tientsin! Others, again, pretend
but he remained at Foochow for three that Mr. Hippisley's name is one to conjure years as Acting Interpreter. In 1878 he was with in connexion with the
promoted to final disposal
second-class assistant and became Aoting Vice-Consul at Pagoda of the Inspector-Generalship. It is somewhat
Island, While there he was promoted astonishing to find many British subjects to be a first-class assistant, and in 1886 be with the Customs, arguing for the succession was transferred to Swatow as Acting Consul. of some other man than Sir Robert Bredon, left there in December of that year to fill a In 1888 he was Acting Consul at Wuhu and who is alleged to be too pro-Chinese, as if this similar position at Chinkiang. Towards the were a crime. This is the basis of the poken end of 1890 he was appointed Senior Vice- complaints of the Shanghai and China Associa- Consul at Shanghai. He was promoted to be tion oliques. What these people want, appar: Consul at Chungking in 1891, but did not ently, is someone who is not pro-Chinese, but pro-foreign. It is not very wise of them to for six months as Acting Assistant Judge and He remained on at Shanghai proceed there. show their hand so openly.
Consul. Then canie his transference to Weu This raises the question, What can an In-chow and afterwards to Foochow again as Acting spector General or a Commissioner or other Consul. In August 1895 Mr. Mansfield pro- high official in the I. M. C. do in pushing the ceeded to Kution to enquire into the murder interests of his own nationals ? Aby man will of missionaries near that place and the following of course have more sympathy for his own na Lyear he was transferred to Wabu. He remained tionals than for those of any other flag, but as there little more than a year, when he once regards his official action what can he do? Sir more became Acting Assistant Judge and Robert Hart has so organised and arranged the Consul at Shanghai for seven months. Four cosmopolitan nature of the Customs staff at months later he was Acting Consul-General each port that favouritism is an impossibility; at Shanghai for a month.
Then came his and besides that the most favoured nation clause transfer as Acting Consul at Canton from June in all the Treaties secures for every Power its 4th, 1898 to August 10th, 1899. From there own full share in whatever is got by or done for he went to Amoy and in 1902 (the year he was any other Power.
made a C.M.G.), he again went to Shanghai as Acting Consal-General. Onde more he went back to Amoy in 1905 and in 1906 was transferred to Canton where he has finished up his career at the age of fifty-eight,
All this leaves out of account what Sir Robert Bredon is likely to do during the time Sir Robert Hart is away on leave. Many may have a surprise in store. Sir Robert Bredon is now for the first time No. 1, and it remains to be seen whether he will justify or refute the charges and insinuations of his enemies. We shall see what we shall see.
In Mr. Mansfield the Consular service loses a valuable officer who has won the respect and esteem of his nationals wherever he has been stationed, and he leaves Chind with the sincere good wishes of troops of friends that he may H. E. Baron Hayashi, who left Peking for long be spared to enjoy at Home the repose his Tokyo on Friday, embarked from Tientsin long and faithful service of British interests in yesterday, having spent the interval in being' China has richly earned.
May 18th.
The CHAIRMAN said-Gentlemen. The report and statement of accounts having been in your hands for some days, I will, with your permission, take them as read The result of this year's working does not, I regret to say, compare favourably with recent years. We have not only had to contend with general depression of trade, but increased competition in several has been particularly noticeable in Shanghai, departments of the business. The falling off Tientsin and Manila, where our returns were further adversely affected by change of pre- mises, or alterations thereto. In Shanghai (Hongkow branch) and also in Tientsin, these changes were unavoidable owing to the ex- piration of our leases and the owners deciding to pull down and rebuild our premises, necessitating our going into temporary quarters elsewhere. With regard to Manila I mentioned in my speech at the last annual meeting that
completed, and that there would be a further addition under this heading during 1907. Owing pines, the extra revenue which we expected to to the stagnant condition of trade in the Philip- obtain from increased sublettings has not so far come up to our expectations; consequently it completely write off the whole of this expendi- may
take a little longer than I anticipated to are. Though all these changes should eventual- ly prove of great benefit they have as they were business and a decreased turnover. The loss bound to do, caused temporary dislocation of
on subsidiary coins for the year amounts to $18,508.56. Turning to the accounts the item "Building Improvements" shows an addition during 1907 of $34,040 89, mainly on account of Manila, as above mentioned. The increase in aerated water machinery and plant amounting to $13,948.81 has been mostly incurred in Manila and Shanghai. Your Consulting Committee, decided nearly a year General Managers, with the approval of the ago to take steps with a view to closing the Foochow Branch. In this course they were influenced as much by the decline of Foochow as a centre for trade, as by the working results of the branch, which had been unsatisfactory closed to business on the 28th February last, for many years. The doors of the branch were
and the final stages of its liquidation proceeded with. I am glad to be able to state that there will be little or no loss to the Company through adoption of the report and statement of the closing of this branch. Before moving the accounts, I shall be pleased to answer any questions.
There being no qestions,
I he report was adopted on the motion of the CHAIRMAN, BOconded by Mr. MACHADO,
Mr. JUPP proposed, aud Mr. CLARK, seconded, that Messrs. F. Maitland and W. Hutton Potts be re-elected auditors. Carried.
The CHAIEMAN➡That concludes the business of the meeting, Gentlemen. Dividend warrants will be ready on Monday. Thank you for your attendance,
* WATKINS LIMITED.
The ninth ordinary annual meeting of share- holders in Watkins Ld, was held at the com- pany's office, Watkins' Building, on May 30th, Mr. G. Watkins presided and there were also present Messrs. A. R. Lowe, Chan A Fook, John Lemm, Chow Hon Waḥ, Úhun Yut Kai, and others.
The notice convening the meeting having been read,
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