June 7, 1909.]
by a certain measure of success.-I am, Sir, Your obedient servant,
The Chairman,
F. H. MAY. Colonial Secretary.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
It was decided to ask the Government for fuller details of the scheme, the following being being among the more important points upon which the Committes wished to be informed:-- 1.The general lines which it is proposed to
adopt.
2. The arrangements for exchanging dollars
into notes and vice versa. (a) Whether the Government will have their own treasuries and staff for working
the issue.
(b) If not what alternative system have
they in view.
3. To what extent do the Government estimate the revenue of the Colony would benefit us against the present tax on Bank Notes und the data on which such estimate is based.
PROPOSED NEW FRENCH CUSTOMS TARIFF.
The following letter from the Government was received:
Colonial Secretary's Office,
30th April, 1909. Sir, I am directed to transmit for the consideration of your Committee the enclosed copy of a circular despatch from Lord Crewe dated the 16th day of last March and to inquire whether any commercial interests in this Colony are likely to be adversely affected by the proposed Tariff.-I am, &c.,
The Secretary,
F. H. MAY, Colonial Secretary.
Chamber of tommerce.
[Copy.]
16th March, 1909. SIE,-I have the honour to transmit, for your information, a copy of the proposed New French Customs Tariff.
Should there be any commercial interests in the territory under your admin.stration likely to be adversely affected by the proposed Tariff, I shall of course be glad to consider whether any representation should be made to the French Government on the particu ar subject.-I have &c.,
CHEWE.
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce. 6th May, 1909. SIR,-I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st instant (No. 2658/1909) covering a copy of the proposed New French Customs Tariff on which you request au expression of opinion from my Committee. - I have &c.,
(Sgd) E. A. M. WILLIAMS,
Secretary.
Hon. Mr. F. H. May, C.M G.,
Colonial Secretary.
It was decided to reply that the Committee did not see that commercial interests in this Colony were likely to be adversely affected by the adoption of the Tariff.
CHINESE TEMPLE COLLAPSES.
A NUMBER OF WORSHIPPERS INJURED.
A serious collapse occurred at the Tai Wong Temple, Queen's Road East on Thursday morn. ing, when a number of worshippers were entom- bed. The beams supporting the roof of the build- ing are said to have been in a bad condition, while the mortar is alleged to have been defec. tive. The police were hastily summoned, and when they arrived it was reported to them by the excited crowd of onlookers that some people were buried under the debris. Assisted by the firemen, who were also early on the scene of the disaster, they set to work to release the sufferers, and guided by their cries soon extricated them. They proved to be two young women who had called at the temple at about ten o'clock to engage in devotional exercises. When released, they were found to have received various nasty cats and bruises, and the condition of one of them is regarded as critical. Several others who were in the unstable building at the time of the collapse had narrow escapes, but none were seriously injured.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
CANTON.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
May 28th.
THE VALUE OF KWANGTUNG LOTTERIES.
The Shan Pit and Po Piu lotteries contract in the Province of Kwangtung is about to expire. The present monopolist is So Sing Kue, who has held the monopoly for the last three years paying $2,000,000 annually for the privilege.
Although certain Chinese merchants here have petitioned the Viceroy offering $2,400,000 per annum for the next term of three years, So is endeavouring to renew his contract with the assistance of certain officials at the former contract price and it is believed that he will succeed. As it is an open secret that the Provincial coffers are almost empty, the state- ment that the Government are about to renew So's contract which is 8400,000 less than an offer submitted by syndicate of substantial merchants, has excited a considerable amount of surprise.
THE ASSASSINATION OF LAU TAOTAI.
I wired you this morning that Taotai Lau Szo Kee was brutally murdered in his house last night. It appears that Lau Taotai was delegated by H.E. Cheong Ming Kee, Governor of Kwang si to proceed to the United States sometime ago to invite Chinese merchants to subscribe funds for the purpose of promoting various kinds of industries in the Province of Kwangsi. The expedition turned out to be a very success- ful one. Lau Taotai managing to induce the Chinese merchunts in the United States to subscribe over two million dollars. He returned to China quite recently by one of the Empress steamers and was making a short stay in Canton before proceeding to Kwongsi. Last night at about 8 p.m. several men called at his residence in Wing On Li, and insisted upon an immediate per- sonal interview with the deceased officiul, stating,
commercial affairs. When asked who they were that they wished to discuss some very important the visitors replied that they were members of the Wah Yik Company of Hongkong. Lau granted the interview and the men were asked to proceed to the reception hall where the Toutai was waiting for thein. Ou seeing Lau Tuotai the men all drew out their swords and rushed upon him cutting and stabbing him all over the body. After the men had left the house the family seut for doctors of the Red Cross Society and although everything was done by the doctors, Lau Taotai died at about 11 p.m. The matter has been reported to the Chief of Police and large rewards have been issued for the arrest of the murderers. So far, nobody knows the object of the dastardly deed.
May 31st.
SALE OF THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER
CO'S INTERESTS IN CANTON, into an agreement with the China Light and During Viceroy Sham's régime he entered
Power Company with a view to taking over the Company's property, and interests in Canton at any time after the expiration of 25 years of the contract. Both the Chinese Government and the merchants have been in favour of taking over the concern, "with the object of avoiding possible international trouble arising out of disputes between Chinese consumers and the foreign company." At the end of the last year the Chinese Government and the merchants started negotiations with the China Light and Power Company to purchase the concern. In the beginning it is stated the Company demanded the sum of $1,500,000 but the hinese Government haggled over the the price for many months, wanting a substantial reductiou and, in fact, about two months ago, negotiations almost fell through. Last week the Govern ment re-opened negotiations in earnest with the Company, Taotai Chan Mong Chang re- presenting the Government and Messrs. Poon Pui Yu and Li Young Fong representing the merchants, and on the 28th instant the price was settled at $ 300.000 odd between the parties.
The completion of the sale will take place within a month from the 28th instant, when the whole amount of the purchase price in Hongkong currency will be paid over to the Company.
479
INSPECTION OF PARACEL ISLANDS. Admiral Li Tsun and Taotai Li Chi Cheun left Canton last week on a gunboat to inspect the Paracels, Pratas and several other islands, which are said to contain rich deposits of guano. It is the intention of the Govern- ment to work the guano on one of these Islanda and grant concessions of the others to the merchants. Mr. Fung Wa Chun, who is re- presenting the merchants in this matter, has also sent a representative with the Admiral's party. In the meantime the merchants here are anxiously waiting for good tidings.
|
|
|
MURDER OF TAOTAI LAU.
Taotai Lan's son has telegraphed from Kwei Chan that he has received many telegrams of condolence both from officials and merchants. Viceroy Chang, on receipt of the cablegram from Lau's son, went personally to the deceased official's house to offer sympathy to the family. The telegram asks for information of the names of the murderers and the object of the dastardly deed, and also praying that redress may be given to the family of the deceased.
COXSWAIN CHARGED WITH
MANSLAUGHTER.
A death inquiry adjourned, and the principal witness placed in the dook on a charge of manslaughter, were the striking facts recorded at the Magistracy on May 3rd. An inquiry was being conducted by Mr. J. H. Kemp into the! circumstances attending the death of a Chinese boatman who was drowned in the harbour on the 23rd May as the result of a steam launch colliding with the sampan. The jury was com. posed of › essrs. C. A. Carr, S. Boulton and P. H. J. G. Jonckheer.
{
The story was that the deceased Chan Kan, his brother and sister were in a boat off Reclamation Street, Yaumati, fishing, when a steam lauuch coming from Hongkong ran into them and capsized the boat. Chan Kun, who was at the bow rowing, was thrown into the water and was never seen again. The steam launch was continuing on its journey when the woman called out "sare life," and it returned. A lifebuoy was thrown to the two in the water and they were taken on board and afterwards put shore. The deceased, however, was never seen again. The evidence of Dr. Pearse was that the cause of death was drowning.
His Worship informed the jurors that in addition to the statements presented to him others had been laid before him, and he had been going through these during the inquiry. Had he seen them earlier, he would have brought a charge of manslaughter against the coxswain of the steam launch instead of holding un inquiry. What he proposed to do was to abandon the inquiry and charge the coxswain with man- slaughter. He was sorry that he had brought the jurymen up, but he had not the information before him until now.
The inquiry was closed and the coxswain Ho Kau was charged with manslaughter. When asked to plead, he said that he did not know whether be caused the death of this man or not. Evidence was called and the case adjourned.
£6
CHINA'S SOVEREIGN RIGHTS.
4
77
The Board of Agriculture, Works and Commerce has ascertained that it is not uncom mon for foreign Consuls in China to exercise their functions beyond the limits of the foreign settlements, and also foreign troops frequently go beyond the same limits,
The Board therefore has arranged with the Wai Wu-pa to introduce a set of regulations so that the spirit of the foreign treaties may be carried out to the very letter,
14
THE DAILY MAIL" CUP.
The full results of the shooting on Empire Day for the Daily Mail Cup in the Far East were as follows:-
Kuala Lumpur Singapore Shanghai Penang Ipoh... Hongkong
757
757
727
719
715
660
the 600 yards range, the former team winning Kuala Lumpur and Singapore shot again at
with a score of 251 against Singapore's 249.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.