LI
October 16, 1909.]
CANTON.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
October 11th.
HIGHWAY ROBBERY.
Yesterday, on the outskirts of Fatshan, a man was walking along carrying a bag contain- ing pieces of copper. Certain rascals saw him, and concluded that he was carrying a bag of dollars to the bank. They waylaid the man, intimidated him with firearms and decamped with the booty. One can imagine their feelings when they opened the bag! Several cases of highway robbery are daily reported from out- lying districts, for some of the country places are terrorised by roaming bandits, and the law seems unwilling or, perhaps, powerless to re- store order. It is only in the better policed districts that property is safe from these
marauders.
THEATRICALS AND GAMBLING,
In a village of the Nam Hoi District a large shed was erected for the purpose of serving as a theatre.
Unfortunately the troupe did not confine themselves to their legitimate histrionic business, but opened a booth as a "side-show' -for cricket-fighting. Gambling goes on tɔ a great extent on the results of these insect com- bats, and the authorities have lately made some endeavours to put it down. The village elders of this particular place tried to uphold the authority of the law regarding this matter, but their exhortations were of no avail. They have had their revenge, bowever, for some of them having occasion to come into the city approached the authorities and the result is that all
theatrical performances have been prohibited in the village.
BIRTHDAY OF CONFUCIUS.
Yesterday, the educational world of the city was en fête, the reason being that the day was the anniversary of the birth of Confucius. All schools were accorded a holiday and were in some cases beautifully decorated. The offices and the native newspapers, book shops, and all places having any connection with learning were closed for business and were beautifully ornamented with flowers and flags. On the Bund were to be seen many schools marching in procession to the great, Confucian Temple in the city Some of these were in uniform, with flags flying, bugles blowing and drums beating. One school was provided with a complete set of instruments to form a brass band, but as none of the scholars knew how to play the instruments they contented thiem- selves with carrying them in their hands. However, the drummer and trumpeter of the band made up for the others, for the noise they made was enough to split one's ears. The Temple itself presented a most animated appearance. The building covers an enormous space of ground and has many courts and passages. All these were thronged with spectators and several go-a-head pedlars were busy selling prints, warranted to bear an authenticated likeness of the great Sage. The actual Shrine, that is, the one containing the sacred tablets, is of comparatively small size, and at least three-fourths of it were crowded with coolies, beggars and street gamins. Such were the bad arrangements that the various schools had to force their way through this mass of humanity before they could approach the altar, and the bowing was done in such a rapid and careless manner that the ceremony was robbed of all vestige of solemuity. After the obeisances had been made the schools had to struggle again to get out of the sacred building. Within the temperature was like that of an oven, while the smells arising from thousands of perspiring humanity were anything but pleasant. Outside the building containing the shrine a brass band emitted horrible sounds at intervals. The whole
arrangements reflect but little credit upon those responsible, for a ceremony that might and should have been imposing was made painful and ridiculous by want of organization.
October 13th.
UP-TO-DATE BRICKS.
A. Mr. Kwok Fung Ye has petitioned the Taotai for the Development of Native Indus- tries for permission to float a company for the purpose of making bricks by Western methods There is a great deal of building going on
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
round about Canton, especially outside the East Gate, and just at present good bricks are at a premium. Mr. Kwok intends to import a set of modern brick-making machines and the business, if started, will be carried on under the style of " Wai Man." The Taotai has asked for further particulars as a prospectus of the proposed company was not sent in. He states, however, that provided the new method of brick-making does not infringe anyone's patent rights permission will doubtless be granted.
OPIUM TRAFFIC.
There are many good citizens in Canton who are doing all in their power to put a stop to. opium-smoking. Among them is Lai Kwok Cho, who has sent in a petition to the Taotai of Constabulary suggesting that the retailers ter of their customers, the register to contain of prepared opium be compelled to keep a regis
the name, address and amount allowed to be bought by each purchaser. In this way, he all the opium-smokers in the city, and it would argues, it would be possible to keep a check on
also prevent persons from buying more than their licence permits. The Tuotai has praised the scheme and there is some likelihood of its being introduced at no distant date.
ECONOMY.
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The Viceroy has received a despatch from the Minister of Finance stating that owing to the scarcity of public funds all the departinents of the Provincial Government must be managed with the utmost economy.
HONOURING THE DEAD.
Yesterday the leading citizens held a solemn service in one of the temples in honour of the recently deceased Chang Chi Tung. The departed official is reported to have done a great deal for the benefit of Kwong Tung while he was Viceroy the province, and the ceremony was, in consequence, very largely attended.
MACAO BOUNDARY QUESTION.
A good many natives of the city seem deter- mined not to let the Chinese and Portuguese Governments settle the boundary dispute in their own way. Petitions re continually being sent in to the authorities suggesting various methods of ending the dispute and not a few of these would doubtless disturb, if followed, the pacific relationships that exist between the two governments. One of the latest schemes, sent in by a Cantonese merchant, suggests that the loca- lities near the disputed boundary be filled with soldiers, "in case of accident," as the petition puts it. The authorities have hitherto hat the good sense to pour cold water on these firea brand schemes, and their authors have been admonished not to disturb the public peace with their alarms.
SUSPECTED ARSON.
A day or two ago a fire broke out at midnight in Ling Chung Street in the City. Several buildings were totally destroyed and no less than 18 persons were severely injured. There were several suspicious incidents connected with the fire that point to arson, and the authorities have ordered a strict investigation to be made into the origin of the conflagratiou.
CHANGE OF OFFICIALS.
The newly-appointed Provincial Judge is duo to arrive here to morrow morning by the s.s. Chan On. Chan Mong Tsang, the acting judge, will then return to his substantive appointment as Taotai for the Development of Native Industries, while the officer who has been acting for him will return to the Eastern Provinces.
IMPENDING OFFICIAL CHANGES
His Honour the Chief Justice, Sir Francis Piggott, left by the French mail on Monday afternoon for a fortnight's stay in Shanghai. He will then return to the Colony, deliver the judgment he has on hand, and depart by the same vessel for Home on long leave.
We understand that the Hon. Mr. W. Rees Davies, K., Attorney-General, will act as that Mr. F. A. Hazeland will succeed MF Chief Justice during His Honour's absence,
Davies as Attorney-General, that Mr. J. R. Wood will preside as First Police Magistrate, and that Mr. E. R. Hallifax on his return to the Colony will act as Second Magistrate.
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THE HONGKONG UNIVERSITY.
ANOTHER HANDSOME CHINESE DONATION.
We are informed that Mr. Cheung Pat Sze,
to H. E. the Governor towards the University a prominent resident of Canton, has forwarded
endowment fund the handsome sum of $100,000, which he has succeeded in collecting from re- sidents in the Cauton district.
THE KING'S INTEREST IN THE PROJECT, With reference to the recent announcement the His Majesty's Government had decided to provide an annual sum of £300 for scholarships at the Hongkong University open to British subjects, we are informed that H.E. the Governor yesterday received an intimation that His Ma- jesty, as a mark of his personal interest in the proposed University, has been gracicusly pleased to direct that the holders of these scholarships shall be styled " King Edward VII Scholars."
Lord Crewe adds that he is sure that the Community of Hongkong will receive this intimation with much gratification and that it will enhance the prestige of the scholarships. under which they are to be held, and the Facul- Their number and value, and the conditions
ties to which they are to be attached, are left to the discretion of the Governor, with the sug- gestion that they should be confined to Hong- kong or Straits-born Chinese.
EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF
CANTON.
At the January meeting of the Canton Mis- sionary Conference, a Committee was appointed to consider the formation of a branch of the Educational Association of China, whose object is the promotion and improvement of Christiane ducation. This Committee met and unanimously concluded that such an Association ought to be formed, and called a meeting of the friends of education to consider the question further. At this meeting, after discussion, it was voted to proceed at once with the organiza- tion, and Committees were appointed to report to a subsequent meeting. This meeting was held on April 24th, 1909. Constitution was adopted defining the aims of the Association and the plan of organization.
After the Constitution was adopted, the or- ganization was completed by the election of the following officers and committees President G. W. Greene. Vice-President, Mrs. Ĉ. A. Nelson. Secretary and Treasurer, H. B. Graybill, Executive Committee.-G. W. Greene, Mrs. Nelson, H. B. Graybill, Miss Noyes, E. Dewstoe. Programme Committee.- J. J. Boggs, Mr. Chung, Miss Lowry. Commit- tee on Institutes.-C. A. Nelson, Miss Myers, Miss Anderson, Dr. Graves, Mr. Crane. Secrė- tary of Information, Mr. Laird.
held on Saturday, October 9th, in the lecture The next meeting of the Association will be
hall of the Medical College, Canton Hospital.
WEIGHTS PROSECUTION.
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At the Magistracy on Oct. 13 Mr. F. A. Hazeland delivered his written judgment in the case in which the Mitsui Bussan Kaisha were summoned for using unjust scales on board the Fukui Maru and the Shibetori Maru. In the re-hearing was granted and the decision reserved. first case defendants had been fined $800, but a
His Worship said that the defendants showed great carelessness in not having their scales tested and he did not propose to alter the fine which he had previously imposed. With regard to the second offence, which he treated as being in the nature of a concurrent offence, he inflicted a fine of $100, $50 for each scale which was shown to be to the prejudice of the purchaser.
An interesting prosecution was opened at the Magistracy yesterday before ir. J. R. Wood when a Chinese official charged a Hongkong marriage broker, whose address was given ay 158 Queen's Road Central, with having on th 13th April last obtained the sum of $240 gd and $500 Mexican and taols 412 by falselyte. to contract marriage according to Chinese presenting that a certain girl was free and able
custom. Mr. Hind, of Messrs Bruttu and Hett, appeared to prosecute, defendant being represented by Mr. Leo d'Almada. The bear- ing was adjourned.
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