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guese Consul, who is doyen of the Consular Mr BERGHOLZ, in the absence of the Portu- body, proposed in felicitious terms the health of the hosts, H.E. Wei Han and Mr. Grove, which both gentlemen suitably acknowledged, and the proceedings terminated.
April 12, 1909.] ·
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. Corporation was a member of one of the oldest but one break from Peking in the North to was a little over 89 miles, making with the British firms in China. From what they had Canton in the South, and thence to seen that day
the he was
British section a length between the Canton and quite sure that Colony of Hongkong. As railways in South China, and this railway in there
he had said. Kowloon terminals of 112 miles-considerably no need to particular had become to them all a living the recognised
dwell upon less than was anticipated at the time of the reality and they knew and felt absolutely sure communications throughout the wide extent concluding Mr. Grove stated that the very advantages of improved reconnaissance survey some years ago. In that it was simply a question of time before they of that great empire within would be able to go from Hongkong to Peking confines they were standing, but though the Managing Director, conducted the Ad- whose cordial manner in which H.E. Wei Han, by railway. (Applause).
there was perhaps no such H.E. WEI HAN in response to the toast could not refrain from contemplating
need, he ministrative Department, Was most fully said that twenty years
the appreciated and he felt the greatest ples- ago there were benefits which would arise therefrom. It was sure among the Chinese very few who appre-easy to foresee a new era in the history of the and friendly remarks made by him. He in acknowledging the very kind ciated railways, but how the desire to Chinese people. Every railway would act as a (Mr. Grove) would like to say that he took no encourage railways was almost universal. The conductor of new life, as a means of stimulat- credit cry of "hina for the Chinese" was a naturalling into increased activity
to himself that such harmonious old one, and he could not blame those who used it. civilisation for twenty, thirty, he knew not how fail
forms of conditions prevailed, for по one could but he WIS sure that when the terms of a many li on each side of each new track new
work cordially with 80 courteous foreign loan
H.E. gentlemen as arranged fairly and wants would be created,new needs felt, new hopes could only add that the foreign and Chinese Wei Han. Не squarely the Chinese were only glad to aroused, fresh aspirations stirred. accept foreign capital. They were also as intercourse and inter-provincial commerce would their endeavours would be to complete the Internal staff alike were giving much loyal help and that eager to have the assistance of experienced increase, a common spoken language would in work in such a manner that it would be foreign engineers as in the present instance. time prevail, famine would be banished from the for at present China had very few experienced land and the bonds of nationality would be
a credit to British engineers and in keeping railway engineers of her own.
with the importance of the undertaking His Excellency strengthened-perhaps even a uniform currency (Applause.) said he looked forward with confidence to assis-might be established. Those were some of the tance in this connection from Sir Frederick results which flowed from the progress of railway Lugard's University scheme, and he hoped at enterprise in China, than which in his opinion the same time that good results would be ab- there was no more truly beneficient enterprise tained from the Whampoa Engineering School. —(Applause). In concluding His Excellency expressed Mr. GROVE. the Engineer-in-Chief, in also his high appreciation of the tact and responding, remarked that the constructional judgment of Mr. Grove, and said he staff on railway works were sometimes, he was had been frequently struck by the admirable afraid, apt to become so much engrossed in the arrangements he had made. His Excellency details of work and the attendant worries also took the opportunity of thanking the British which and Chinese Corporation, represented by Mr.in some
were, under any conditions, present form or another that the larger Ross, for the assistance rendered in getting the issues were somewhat obscured from their foreign staff from England and in obtaining view. Such
an occasion good materials from proper and economical was not only encouraging but, as their medical
as the
present officer would say, like an Mr. G. H. Ross, in responding on behalf of the They had been doubly fortunate that day, first excellent tonic. British and Chinese Corporation. said he was im in the gracious presence of H. E. the Viceroy pressed with the historic interest of the occasion, and other high officials connected with the as it marked a step in the progress of railway government of the province, and secondly in the development in South China. Railway develop-kind attendance of H. E. Sir Frederick Lugard ment was China's greatest need. There was no and representatives from the British section. necessity for dwelling upon the economic gains On behalf of the staff he expressed to the gather-distress and rendered assistance. This steamer and political advantages of improved methods of ing their pleasure and gratification, not forgetting communication and transportation. These were the compliment paid them by the presence of the now fully recognised by all the leading states-Consular body and so many representative men in China. Nevertheless any event which gentlemen, an especially he would add their served to mark the spread of the idea was note-sense of indebtedness to the Viceroy for so worthy and in a sense, as he had said, historic.kindly laying the foundation stone of the The Canton-Kowloon Railway took a long time Canton station building. In responding to the to get "under way." When he first came to toast proposed by the Consul-General for Great China, more than fifteen years ago, this pro- Britain it might not be perhaps out of place for jected line formed 2 favourite topic of him to give a brief account of the progress to conversation, and many people then thought date. First as to the definite alignment of its construction would shortly be under-the Railway: This was
markets.
taken.
undertaken in
Things, however, moved but in the autumn of 1907 and practically com slowly in the Far East, and though the pre-pleted by May of 1908. Construction might be liminary agreement was signed in 1898, this did said to have generally commenced from July not materialise until 1907, when the final 1908, or say ten months ago, though small agreement to which he had just referred was portions of land were purchased and made over concluded- —an agreement which was negociated before that date. At the present time laud had by one of the most patriotic and most dis-been purchased for about 60 miles, and earth- tinguished statesmen, and a Cantonese, H.E. work and bridgework were proceeding satis- Tang Shao Yi. In acquiring land for a line of factorily throughout this railway passing through densely populated dis- the works in progress which those present length. As to tricts such as those on the projected route had seen that day, he felt he between Canton and Samchun, it was but apologise that they should have gone so far to must natural that difficulties arose. As in the early see so little. With good fortune, a few months days of railway constraction in England, so would see a great difference and rail laying in this neighbourhood, many owners failed to should commerce in the autumn. There was appreciate the necessity for the compulsory every prospect of their being able to open a acquisition of their lands and houses, or to length of thirty miles to traffic within twelve realise the eventual benefits to be derived from months from date, and he saw no reason at pre the proximity of a railway to their towns and sent to depart from the terms of his estimate, villages. In this connection the difficulties which were that they could run against which Mr. Wei
trains for Han had to through traffic with the British section on contend were great, but he could assure before July 1st, 1911. Mi Woo in his remarks him that his tactful handling of these matters had mentioned some of the difficulties. It had been watched with the greatest interest, and had frequently been said that they had no though slow acquisition of land was regrettable, difficulties to contend with on the Chinese involving as it did delay in construction, he had section. - but little doubt that in the end all opposition deal of their line was easy going. The country Well, they had no tunnels and a great would be overcome and the shortest and most they passed through for nearly fifty miles was direct of routes secured. That day's ceremony somewhat of a terra incognita. He could promise was convincing proof that the railway was now the eventual railway traveller that he would find within measurable distance of completion; and to in many places an interesting line, both from Mr. Wei Han, Mr. Grope, and the entire staff, an engineering point of view and also fro both Chinese and foreign, he offered warmest the picturesque. The crossing of the East River congratulations .ou the good work aleeady valley was no small undertaking. In a length accomplished. When joined with the British | of eight miles they had a total girder opening section and with the neighbouring Canton-of some 3000 feet, and during highest flood Hankow line, it would form an important link times the country became a in that great projected and already partially depth of water averaging ten feet or more. The huge lake with a completed chain of trunk lines, stretching with total length of the line, as shown on the plan,
or
on
RIVER STEAMER DISABLED.
Sensational reports were circulated in the city the 3rd insttan that the steamer San Cheong had foundered on her voyage from hundreds of people had been drowned. Investiga- Canton during Friday night and that many tion proved, fortunately, that these alarmist being the fact the San Cheong had her stern tube statements were without foundation, the basis damaged and that she was making water so badly that Captain McGinty decided to beach her, which he did off Castle Peak. The Hoi Tung coming on the scene responded to the signals of took off the passengers and brought them to Hongkong.
San Cheong, discovered the mishap to this When Captain McGinty, in charge of the
signalled for assistance which was soon forth- vessel, and ascertained its serious nature, he coming. The discovery was made off Castle Peak and though the Hoi Tung was two miles off when the San Cheong's signals were observed, Captain A. C. Broadbridge lost no time in altering his course and making for the dis- abled steamer. On learning the nature of the accident which had befallen the San Cheong themselves to the work of taking the passengers the master and crew of the other vessel devoted off the injured steamer, a task which was success- Ginty beached his steamer. fully accomplished. Thereupon Captain Mc-
+
It was a fortunate occurrence that the steamer was on her return voyage. At this time most homes to participate in the tomb-worshipping, of the Chinese are preceeding to their ancestral and as a result very few were travelling down-
wards.
The San Cheong, which is owned by the Cheung On Steamboat Company, was sunk in the typhoon of 1906 and also had a bad time in the typhoon of last year. She is a twin screw McGinty. vessel of 692 tons, and is commanded by Captain
Salvage operations were commenced on Satur- day afternoon by Messrs Carmichael and Clarke, when the hole was plugged and the water pumped out of the steamer. She was patched and towed to Hongkong yesterday for repairs. operations. Happily the weather was favourable to these
the 23rd instant says:-Viceroy Chang of A Canton dispatch to the Osaka Asahi dated Liangkwang has sent a note to Mr. Segawa, Japanese Consul at Canton, giving evidence Tungsha or Pratas Island, showing that the as to the claim by the Chinese Government to.... island belongs to Kwangtung province. He requests the Japanese Consal to order Mr. Nishisawa, a Japanese who is settled on the ment of the question is being regarded by the island, to leave there at once. The settle- Cantonese with great interest.
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