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CHAS V. LLOYD, Fatshan W. C. VALENTINE, Kinshan H. D. JONES, Honam L. LAURENCE, Tai On H. W. HOLMES, Lintan JAMES CAMERON, Shun Lee CHAS, STEWART, Chiyuen G. C. WILLIAMS, Linan REES LEWIS, Kalgan E. MONKMAN, Kanchow W. E. SAVER, Chun Sang J. S. SIDFORD, Szechuen SPENCER WILDE, Hang Sang WM. BENSON. Funan
WM. MCINTOSH, Shaishing
T. H. LISHMAN, Foo Shing
T. H. CHRISTIE, Canton River Pilot
EMBERG, Paul Beau
E.
H. W. WALKER, Kwong Tung
H. BRAETER, Sun On
W. F. BICKARD, Wai Shing
R. HOUGHTON, On Sang
F. MOONEY. Chip Sing
K. E. TUEBEN, Ichang
J. MCARTHUR, Mefoo
R. D. THOMAS, Heung Shan
E. S. CROWE, Kwong Sai
R. RAMSAY, Sui Tai
E. BIENAIME, Charles Hardouin
J. S. LEWINGDON, Chan Po
A. N. SAATON, Shui On
W. PALMER BALER, Kwong Sang
R. T. ANDERSON, Ting Sang
M. COULTNEY, Yat Shing
G. TROBERG, Kwan Lee
H. F. N. WALKER, Lienshing
J, MEATHREL, Anhui
A. E. SANDBACH. Choy Shang
W. H. LUNT, Kwong Tah
J. H. BROWN, Chenan
W. S. THOMAS, E Sang
J. MCGINTY, San' Cheung
R. A. BIRS, Sui On
J. MCCLEMENTS, Sou Ui G. W. EEDY, Tientsin WM. WALKER, Tong Shing I. C. C. ÅGAART, Palamberg ROBT. G. PARAMORE, Feiching E. EVANS. Hoi Sang
To the Hon. Basil Taylor,
Harbour Master. Hongkong.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
The Committee decided to write to the Govern. ment in support of the petition made by the masters of River and Coasting Steamers.
The Lights petitioned for were not only useful but actually necessary for safe navigation. The Chamber's opinion was that the suggested erection of a light on the Southern end of Kapsing Island should be the first to receive the consideration of the Government.
The following has since been forwarded to us for publication.
CONTINUOUS CERTIFICATES OF DISCHARGE TO CHINESE SEAMEN.
The following reply to Government was sent:-
Chamber of Commercé,
18th March, 1909. SIR, I have the honour to inform you that my Committee have now considered your letter of 30th January, 1909. (No. 483, 19.9) regarding the granting of continuous Certificates of Dis- charge to Chinese Seamen.
A similar system has been in force for some years with regard to British Seamen and my Committee understand that while the benefits conferred by this innovation are doubtful, it gives rise to considerable trouble to employers and has not resulted in the good anticipated when the scheme was inaugurated.
QUARANTINE STATION AT LAICHIKOK. The following reply was forwarded to Govern- ment:-
As applied to Chinese, the similarity of name so often found, and the difficulty of identification even when the Certificate bears a photograph, makes the scheme in the view of my Committee impracticable.
Chamber of Commerce, 16th March, 1909.
SIR, I have now the honour to state in reply to your letter of 2nd February, 1909. on the subject of the Quarantine Station at Lai- chikok, that my Committee approve of the amended regulations under Section 23 of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 1899, (No. 10 of 1899)
I am to ask you to convey the thanks of this Chamber to His Excellency the Governor for his consideration of its views in the matter. I have, &c..
E. A. M. WILLIAMS,'
Secretary.
Hon Mr. F. H. May, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary.
THE PETITION FOR LIGHTS.
The following letter was sent to the Govern- ment:-
Chamber of Commerce, 18th March, 1909. SIB, I beg to inform you that my Com- mittee have had before them the copy of a widely signed petition of Masters of River and Cousting Vessels addressed to the Honourable
the Harbour Master to the effect that
(1) A light be placed on the outhern end of Kapsing Island to act as a leading light across the Harbour to Kapsing Moon Pass.
(2) and that a light be placed either on Tong Ku Island or Boulder Point to act as a leading light for turning into Brothers Channel and also for the West River Steamers passing between Tong Ku and Sau
Chan.
My Committee consulted several of the principal shipping firms and from them learn that the lights petitioned for would be not only useful but are actually necessary for safe navigation.
In the opinion of this Chamber therefore, the light suggested in the first paragraph of the petition is one which is urgently required and should in their opinion receive the consideration of the Government; the erection of the latter light could be postponed temporarily if the con- dition of the Colony's finances render such a step desirable.
The Committee of the Chamber trust that this matter will receive the earnest considera- tion of His Excellency the Governor. I have,
&c.,
March 29, 1909.
FRENCH CONVENT.
DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES.
More than ordinary interest was manifested in the annual distribution of prizes at the French Convent which took place on the 19th inst. The ceremony was largely attended, there being present in addition to H.E. the Governor and Captain Mitchell Taylor, A.D.C., Sir George and Lady Errington, Admiral and Madame Berrin, Lieut. Audonard, M. Gaston Liebert, French Consul, His Lordship Bishop Pozzoni, the French, Italian and Spanish fathers, as well as the Christian Brothers from St Joseph's and many ladies. On entering the visitors noted the quaintly dressed Chinese children standing in a cloistered way, while in the schoolroom itself small European children claimed attention by their pretty dresses and bright faces. Part of the school-room was curtained off for the ceremony, and this was beautifully decorated.
When the gubernatorial party entered, the larger children sung the National Anthem, and afterwards gave the chorus "Over the tars.” Then Father DE MARIA, read the report of the Inspector of Schools.
His Lordship Bishop OZZONI addressed the gathering. Speaking in English he said--- It is my first duty to express on behalf of the reverend Mother Superior and Sisters of the Convent their sincere thanks to your Excellency for your kindness in consenting to preside at the distribution of prizes to the scholars attend- ing this school. I have already had the pleasure of welcoming you at the opening of the Calvaire, a work of charity, and now I am happy to see you here again for an elucational purpose. Your Excelleny's great personal interest in and keen. appreciation of all that concerns education in Hongkong is a matter of such common know, ledge in the colony that it is no surprise that despite the numerous calls on your time, you have been able to devote an afternoon to stimulate interest in this School. The report of the Inspector of Schools, which
not quite so flatter-
just been read, is
as
has
com-
would we
wish but the ing ments are capable of some explanation. The Reverend Mother tells me the teaching staff have taken the criticisms' into their earnest consideration and hope that, with the addition in the personnel introduced since the last examination, greater efficiency will be secured.. A factor which operated against better results last year is explained to me in the fact that the staff was numerically below that which could satisfactorily teach the number of children attending the School. Two teachers have since arrived and have taken up duties in the school. One of them has taken up the duties of head teacher. She is a French sister and has been in England for the required course study, where she qualified and was granted the usual certificate. If there is anything in a name we may expect much from her, as her name The following reply was sent to the Govern- Sophire, means wisdom, (laughter and applause).
E. A. M. WILLIAMS,
Secretary.
Hon. Mr. F. H. May, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary.
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE 26th SEPTEMBER, 1906.
ment
-
t
Chamber of Commerce, 24th March, 1909,
Her popularity in the school is demonst- increase in the rated by a considerable number of scholars some thirty per cent SIR-I am directed to reply to your letter more than last year, the number having of the 26th February, 1909 (No. 3699/1907, increased from sixty-five in 1908 to 85 forwarding a copy of a despatch addressed to
in 1909. I regret to say that, owing to fail- the Government by the Secretary of State for ing health, the Reverend Mother has been the Colonies and enquiring whether this Cham-ordered home by her medical adviser. Wishing ber supports the adherence of the Colony to her a good passage and a speedy recovery, the International Convention of the 26th Sep-hope that on her return she will find that the tember, 1906.
My Committee do not consider that restrictive measures of this nature should apply to a Colony employing Asiatic labour. In their opinion the labourer in this Colony is relatively better off than his European confrère and it will be time enough for the Colony to adopt protective measures when it can be shown that labour is unjustly treated by employers. The troubles facing a local employer are already great enough without unnecessarily adding thereto.
Another aspect of such a system on the China Coast would be a decided disadvantage to British Shipping in obtaining labour and my Committee are, therefore, unable to support the proposal put forward by the Harbour Master which, if adopted, would in their opinion increase the cost and difficulty in securing good seamen I beg to return the Memorandum as re- without conferring any benefit upon the ship-quested.—I have, &c., owner in return.—I have, &c.,
1
E. A. M. WILLIAMS, Secretary.
Hon. Mr. P. H. May, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary.
For these reasons my Committee regret that they cannot support the adherence of the Colony to the Convention.
E. A. M. WILLIAMS, Secretary.
Hon. Mr. F. H. May, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary.
school is in the ranks with those classified in the first grade of the Government grant-in-aid schools. Again I have to thank Your Ex- cellency and gentlemen for your kindness in being present to-day.
HIS EXCELLENCY then addressed the gather- ing. He said My Lord Bishop, ladies and gentlemen, it is just about a year since I had the privilege of,opening the daughter institu- tion of this convent at the Happy Valley and I hope and believe that during the past year those destitute people who were welcomed by you in that home have found it a happy home in a happy valley, I took the occasion then to review briefly the objects and the scope of the work of the French onvent in Hongkong and for the benefit of those who may perhaps chance to read my words who are not entirely familiar with the work I will just tell you in a few brief words what this
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