554
A MAMMOTH EXCURSION.
AMERICAN: TOURISTS IN HONGKONG.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Americans are noted for doing big things, and to them belongs the credit for having organised one of the largest pleasure excursions yet chronicled. It is no small thing for a party of about 700 people to embark on a cruise round the world, but this has been done and is being done in a manner which is eloquent testimony to the ability of the organiser. Yesterday this large party reached Hongkong and completely Americanised our thoroughfares. The visitors were supposed to be marshalled in bodies for the purpose of being conducted over the city and shown its sights, and while this Was to some extent true, it was noticeable that quite a large number preferred to "do" Hongkong independently. It was easy to note the visitors. The American type of face is distinctive, and gives both men and women an individuality even on the street. Of course their mannerisms" and their dress also help to emphasise their nationality, while if nothing else proclaimed the tourist, the many cameras carried would îndicate that their owners were only here for a short stay.
c
But the incursion of so many tourists at once was not the only record created in Hongkong yesterday. The steamer by which they arrived. is without doubt the largest which has entered this port, and she was the cynosure of many eyes as she lay at the French mail buoy gay with bunting. Comments were made on Her great height and her many decks, and it was agreed that travel on such a mammoth ship must have many delights,
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America Co. By means of her installation of the Marconi wireless telegraphy system the Cleveland on he Atlantic voyages is in con- stant communication with land. The installa- tion will take in messages from any distance up to 2,000 miles, but is only capable of despatching to a distance of 300 miles.
The cruise began at New York, whence the steamer proceeded to Madeira, and steamed from there to Gibraltar. Naples. Port Said, Cairo, Suez, Aden, Bombay, Colombo, and other Eastern ports were visited in turn, and after an agreeable visit to Manila they have reached Hongkong,
shore
The Cleveland 'arrived in port about noon and moored at the Messageries Mari- times buoy. In about half an hour's time the flotilla of launches had drawn along. side, and the first party left for the about 12.30. The launches were busily employed for an h ur or two in taking off the passengers, who all seemed to be in good spirits and who seemed to appreciate the beauties of the harbour and of the island Special trams con- veyed one party over the entire tramway system, from east to west. Three hundred and fifty members of the party visited the Perk in the afternoon, and arrangements have been made for another large party to be taken up by the tramway on Christmas Day, while the ricshas were greatly in demand.
It is a noteworthy fact that neither death nor sickness has attacked the party. Everyone has enjoyed good health, and as the cruise is pre- eminently a health and pleasure one, the tourists must so far feel satisfied with the results of their trip.
EXCURSIONS TO CANTOV.
Last night a large party left by the Fatshan for anton, and this morning another numerous company depart by a specially chartered steamer for the same place, the third party going by the Heungshan at 7.15 a.m.
This will be the largest party of foreigners that has ever visited the city of Canton. The Viceroy, who has manifested considerable anxiety with regard to the invasion, has issued pro- clamations notifying the citizens of the coming multitude, ordering carrying coolies to make way for chairs, and asking shopkeepers to co-operate in keeping the streets clear. pecial police have been requisitioned to patrol the streets. We understand that it is the intention of Mr. Farmer, who is in charge of the local arrangements, to split up the party into numerous small groups, and to send them in as many different directions as possible. If the tourists keep to the arrangements, made for them no trouble is likely to arise.
The visitors are due to leave Hongkong on
1
FAR EASTERN TELEGRAMS.
ANOTAER KOREAN
The s.s. Cleveland is one of the latest addi- tions to the fleet of the Hamburg-America Line: She is of 16,980 registered tonnage, and was built by Messrs. Blohm and Voss, of Hamburg. She was launched in December, 1908, made her trial trip on March 16th of this year, and her maiden trip across the Atlantic was began on March 23rd. Her length is 600 feet, her beam 65 feet and her height from waterline to upper deck 55 feet. She is built of steel, and is provided with five decks, and a double bottom extending the entire length of the ship, divided into numerous watertight compartments. She is equipped with twin screws, and power is supplied by two sets of quadruple expansion engines, giving the vessel. a speed of 16 knots. For the safety of the vessel and its passengers, all the latest appliances have been provided: an automatic | Sunday next. hydraulic system for closing the watertight doors separating the eleven water compartments into which the hull is subdivided: automatic fire-extinguishers, inter-communicating tele- phones, submarine signal system, and wire- less telegraphy. The passenger accommodation extends over 5 decks, namely, the main, saloon, awaing, upper, and promenade. They are con- nected by a grand and smaller companion way, and an electric passenger elevator serves the five upper decks. The grand entrance hall and cɔm- panion was have received special attention, and well furnished and decorated suites have been located on both the promenade and upper decks. Single and two-berth rooms, with bath and toilet rooms, have been furnished and equipped with the idea of making the traveller feel "ahome." The Cleveland when making her usual runs be tween Hamburg and America, has accommoda- tion for 3,300 passengers, 300 in the first- class, 500 in the second-class, and 2,000 in -the steerage. For the present tour, how
ever, she has been adapted to carry only 700 passengers in the first and second-class cabins, but the passengers travel as one class only. The food is identically the same whethes served in the first or second-class saloon, and thr differences in the charges for the complete cruise depend only upon the position of the cabin occupied. The vessel carries a crew of 436 all total. The full complement have travelled with the boat. A popular attraction on the voyage out has been the two swimming pools provided
on deck for passengers'
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use, while two more pools are also provided for the crew. The whole of the catering for the toyage has been undertaken by the Hamburg
ASSASSINATION.
PRIME MINISTER THE VICTIM.
Tokyo, December 23rd.
On Wednesday the Premier of Korea was attacked by a native armed with a sword, and fatally wounded.
The tragedy occurred outside the Catholic church at Seoul after a requiem service had been held in connection with the death of King Leopold.
The assassin is a Korean Christain who has been to America.
OPIUM SMOKING IN CHINA.
The Peking correspondent of the Times," London, telegraphed on November 22:-
Reports which have been received at the British Legation regarding the suppression of opium smoking show that considerable progress has been made in the northern provinces and in Yunnan and Kwangtung. Some little progress has been made in the central provinces, while very little has been done in Szechuan, Kweichow and Shensi.
IMPORTS
[December, 24 1909.
COMMERCIAL
RICE.
L
Messrs. Wm, G. Hale & Co. of "aigon in their late t Circular say :--Old crop is almo t exhaust- ed, scarcely 3/4,000 tons being now left for export, and for which holders demand exorbitant prices. rospects of the new crop are exceedingly favour- able, and the out-turn is expected to be a very fair average. Early grain from some of the most favoured districts has already made its appearence in small quantities, but will come in more freely during the nex: month. Overtures; from Europe have, so far, result d in the settlement of some 50,000 tons, chiefly for Feburary/April shipment. These sales are more or less of a covering nature a d have been effected in order to allow Specul- ative se lers to partly meet their freight engage- ments, which are csidered to be very heavy Java boye e, after relieving our market of sowe 10,000 tons for February/March shipment, now refuse to follow the sumall rise in prices, having, seemingly, ovei reached their purchases with Burmah. Kice prices, in order to counter- blance the effects of the dui y rising exchange and the general want of demand, have ased down consider bly since our 1st advices, and our market now clo-es with a decidedly downward tendency.
We quote for Feburary to March delivery. No 2 White sifted steam mille (round) *. No. 2 White unsifted steam milled
(round)
5% Oargo steam milled round 10% Cargo steam milled round 20% Cargo steam milled round
... $3.15.
2.82
...
2.75 2.65
* Prices according to terms and conditions. The following is a statement of this year's Ex- ports of White Rice, Cargo Rice and Paddy:-
Destination, Hongkong Manila..
Iloil
Cebu
Japan Singapore,
Batavia ...
Tjilatjap
Passoeran Samarany Sourabaya India Ceylon..... Madagascar Réunion Egypt. Australia Europe
Mauritius
Total
Same period of last year..
Total pcs.
65,406
44.282
7,542
42,260
37,309
57,9.9
24,909
2,432
2,506
7,325
67,229
4,062
2,757
45 17,037
12 202 27,636
1,232
206,030
631,208
759,695
HONGKONG, 23rd December :-The downw:.rd tendency continue-, market being weak :-
Saigon, Ordinary
Round, Good quality
"
39
Long..
84.80 to $4.85
4 85 5,05
4.90
5.10
39
4.80
No. 1... 5.00
"
5.05 -5.10
*.6.05 6.10 5.15
Siam, Fiold mill cleaned, No. 2... 4.75
"
Garden,
51
White,
**
12
Fine Cargo.
OPIUM.
HONGKONG, 23rd Dec. -We beg to continue our advice of the 9th in t,, since when the movements in our various Opium markets have been as follows:-
Stocks on the 9th Dec., 1909–892) 2,034
3 Dec., 10th Imports per Delta
Linan
Malwa, Patna, Benares, Persian.
9:7
934
110
127
170
120
110
--115
20
67
360 200
13th
*
*
"
G. Apear-
20th
"
13
C. Apeur-
20th
>
"
17
20th 21st
+
Liensang- Kutsang
Less Exports to Shanghai Less Exports to East and West Coast Ports including Local Consumption for the fortnight..
Estimated Stocks this dai
8954 2,871 1,389 1,114
220
245
136
429 208
35
1079
759] 2,222 916 Benga!,-A demand so far on a moderate scale has just set in and the market clo es at $1,420. for Patna and $1,445 for Benares,
Malwa There has been no business doing. Persian-Superior drug is quoted at $1,225.
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