Articles in this chapter are initially from Canton Register whilst later ones are from the Friend of China. They detail the early situation of Hong Kong before colonisation and its subsequent development.
In respect of smuggling, which was Hong Kong’s raison d’etre, a quotation attributed to ‘the grandfather of free trade’ Adam Smith is reproduced here from an earlier chapter:
“to pretend to have any scruples about buying smuggled goods would be regarded as one of those pedantic pieces of hypocrisy which instead of gaining credit with anybody seems only to expose the person who affects to practise them to the suspicion of his being a greater knave than most of his neighbours.”
Vol 14 No 7 – 14th Feb 1841
Shuck (Editor of the Friend of China) and some other missionaries sailed to Hongkong (the island of fragrant streams, he calls it) for inspection.
They found Wong Nai Chung has some 400 people. A mile further east was Hung Heung Soo with some 100-120 people. Then for 3-4 miles there was no inhabitation, just occasional groups of 2-3 families, including at the quarry which was ‘the last place we saw on the north side.’
‘We slept in the ship and next morning returned to Wong Nai Chung and followed a narrow path over naked rocky hills and valleys and frequent streams. After several miles we found a larger stream with several fields along its banks which we followed to Tai Tam, a village of 10-12 families totalling 70-100 people. There was more natural forest here than anywhere else.
‘2-3 miles on was Chek Chu (later Stanley), the most commercial place on the island. It is on a peninsula like Macau with harbours at either side. There were over 1,000 people living there and about a 100 shops and 100 boats in the harbour. We walked back to Wong Nai Chung via a different path and saw a few houses at one point which our guards said were occupied by robbers. They told us we had missed one village called Hong Kong, after which the island is named. It is in the SW of the island and has 60 families with about 300 people.
‘In sum, the island has plenty of good water, plenty of good rock for any purposes, small areas suitable for cultivation and numerous fine bays and deep harbours. It appears to represent a substantial foundation on which to build our new colony. The total population appears to be 2,000 – 2,500 people of which 1,000 are in the west and north and 1,500 in the east and south.
‘Several other villages could be seen on nearby islands.’
Vol 14 No 18 – 4th May 1841
A report of Elliot’s Notice is published revealing terms for land acquisition in Hong Kong.
Editor – we doubt Elliot has authority to found a civil government on Hong Kong or sell any land. We cannot even say whether the British government will retain the island.
Vol 14 No 24 – 15th June 1841
34 lots of land were sold at Hong Kong yesterday and £3,238 per annum obtained in quit rents. Successful bidders are: Lot 1 - R Webster; Lot 2 - H Leighton; etc. The most expensive quit rent was £265 for Lot 32 - T Larkins and the biggest buyer was J M & Co with Lots 19-21 at £565.
Editor - This information comes from the Hong Kong Gazette but it is wrong. The terms of sale were read to the assembled people and the lots immediately put up for bidding. If this is Johnstone’s first official act (see below) it is worrying. Aliens cannot own British Imperial land without the sovereign’s permission but several appear to have won title at auction.
Some other lots were sold to a total of 50 lots with additional terms apparently related to all lots, e.g. the buyers will build to a minimum appraised value of £1,000 on each lot within 6 months of sale and purchase; a £500 deposit as security is required with the first year’s quit rent in advance.
Each lot is a marine lot (between the alignment of the proposed waterfront road, Queen’s Road, and the sea) and has a water frontage of approx 100 feet but overall sizes vary from 5,400 sq ft to 35,000 sq ft. Many of the purchaser’s names have now changed. It appears there was an immediate secondary market in the titles.
If our quarrel with China ends honourably, we will have to return Hong Kong to the Emperor and all expenses paid in Hong Kong will be forfeit.
A reassuring indication of nascent co-operation amongst the community occurred. One English firm, which desperately needed warehouse space to land its goods from the shipping, had already built on Hong Kong before the lots were offered for sale. Friendliness amongst the bidders resulted in no competing bids being made for the part-developed lot.
Vol 14 No 26 – 29th June 1841
On 22nd June 1841, A R Johnstone was appointed Governor of Hong Kong by Elliot (apparently acting in his own capacity - no mention of Bremer on the documents).
Vol 14 No 29 – 20th July 1841
The self-elected government of Hong Kong has placed advertisements in the Canton Press referring to Victoria Avenue, Government Quay and Government House. This will mislead readers in England.
Firstly, a ship has arrived with cargo for Whampoa or Hong Kong discharge at 30 rupees per ton or Macau discharge at 24 rupees.
Secondly, Government House turns out to be a matshed that blew away in the last typhoon. Everything else there is just as temporary. Readers in London should forget Hong Kong and the notion there is a British government ensconced there. It is a mere utopia.
Vol 14 No 29 – 20th July 1841
Elliot and Bremer sailed over to Hong Kong from Macau in the Louisa on 20th August in the teeth of the typhoon that blew away the matshed Government House. They were themselves blown back to the west and wrecked on Kow Lan, near the village of Fei Sha, south of the Broadway. The island is in the Wong Leung To group, part of Heung Shan.
At first the Plenipotentiaries were knocked down by the villagers and Bremer was stripped of all his possessions but then a man, who turned out to be an ex-comprador, intervened and took them into his house. He fed and clothed them and eventually brought them back to Macau in his boat.
Bremer landed on the Praia Grande in a red Guernsey frock and drawers. He looked quite attractive from a distance. The price of their freedom was $3,000 (later corrected by the Editor to £3,000). The remaining crew returned later.
It was a terrible typhoon. The barometer fell below 29” on 21st. The Sylph was lost on Lintin, the James Laing on Kau Yi Chau, the transport Prince George fell to pieces, the Black Joke and Jane were wrecked, the Framjee Cowasjee and many others went aground, the Rose and Snarley Yow foundered. Most other ships were dismasted or remain missing.
Editor - Elliot was sent here as Master Attendant. Had anyone been doing that job the shipping in Hong Kong would have been properly anchored with open hawses to the N E and damage reduced, but he appointed no-one to the task.
Vol 14 No 42 – 19th October 1841
Editor - Johnstone, the Governor of Hong Kong since Elliot’s departure, is trying to force us into his island. Our letter bags, which are delivered to the Superintendents Office at Macau, are forwarded unopened to Hong Kong although we are in Canton or one or other of the smuggling bases.
Pottinger has undertaken to act in accordance with our convenience. Well, this is inconvenient.
Vol 14 No 44 – 2nd November 1841
One of the last acts of the late Lord John Churchill was permitting the British storeships then at Kap Shui Mun to hoist the Union Jack.
Capt Belcher, who has been appointed Harbour Master of Hong Kong, has now forbidden it as contrary to Cap 13 of the 4th William IV which disallows the wearing of any flags usually worn by HM Ships.
Vol 15 No 12 22nd March 1842
Friend of China of 17th March has reported that pirates in the estuary are said to be directed by influential Chinese who have moved into Hong Kong as their base.
Vol 15 No 12 22nd March 1842
A list of property owners in Hong Kong, the successful bidders at the first land auction, is given. The Editor says it may not be entirely accurate. It includes Dent & Co, Dirom & Co, Fergusson Leighton & Co, Fox Rawson & Co, Gemmel & Co, Gibb Livingston & Co, Holliday Wise & Co, Innes Fletcher & Co, Jardine Matheson & Co, Jamieson How & Co, Lindsay & Co, Turner & Co as well as numerous individuals, including Cowasjee Rustomjee, Framjee Rustomjee, Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee, A R Johnstone, C Markwick, Lt Pedder, Lt Ochterlony, John Slade and four Christian missionary societies.
Friend of China 24.3.42 edition
Its astonishing to see a house building boom in Macau when the British will soon leave to live in Hong Kong. If Macau was a free port it might have a future but Hong Kong is advancing more quickly because it offers free and inexpensive asylum with ample protection for persons and property.
Friend of China 24.3.42 edition
23.3.42 – Australasian Packet sailed from Hong Kong for Namoa (an island off Kwangtung near the border with Fukien where the opium smugglers maintain permanent houses and stores) and Amoy with a full cargo of opium.
Friend of China 24.3.42 edition
22.3.42 the East India Company’s warships Ariadne and Hooghly were sent to Cheung Chau after a man was attacked by pirates and his property taken there while he was allowed to proceed alone in a small boat to Hong Kong to get money to ransom his property. His boat was found at Cheung Chau and was seized but no trace of his property remained in it.
The Company’s Officers took a few islanders hostage for the return of the property and handed them over to the Magistrate in Hong Kong.
Vol 15 No 13 – 29th March 1842
A census of Queen’s Town (the informally adopted name of the foreign settlement on Hong Kong Island) revealed the native population is primarily made-up of carpenters, bricklayers & masons (3,000 of them) who are involved in our construction work. Apart from them we have 600 hawkers, 500 chandlers, 440 prostitutes, 300 unemployed, 130 opium sellers and some others in food retail, services and the like to a total of 8,200 residents.
The major village of Hong Kong at Chek Chu is believed to contain about 3,000 people. There are a few hundred in each of the villages of Wong Nai Chung, Little Hong Kong, Shek Pai Wan and some other smaller hamlets making a total of over 12,000.
Vol 15 No 13 – 29th March 1842
Friend of China, 24th March - The Hong Kong Gazette, the Government paper, is discontinued from today. Official announcements will in future be made in the Friend of China.
The popular public house for seamen in Hong Kong is Britain’s Boast. The high-class place in town for the ships’ officers, civil servants and merchants is the Victoria Tavern (named in emulation of the prestigious London Tavern)
The Hong Kong population now is believed to be between 15,000 – 18,000
Editor - the recent census is much too small. The boat population is much more than 2,100. A figure of 5,000 boat people is more realistic. Most of this floating population are outcasts from their own country, perhaps liable to punishment under their own laws. Piracy and robbery are big problems here but, apart from that, the risk of injury in Hong Kong is less than in England.
Vol 15 No 13 – 29th March 1842
Hong Kong shipping report from the Friend of China, 24th March, showing date of movement, ship name and tonnage, etc.
January Ship Movements:
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2.1.42 2.1.42 13.1.42 24.1.42 - 24.1.42 26.1.42 28.1.42 |
Sri Singapore 85T to Whampoa with opium. Mavis 113T from Macau to Whampoa with opium. Young Queen 85T from Macau to Macau with opium. Sylph 317T arrived from Calcutta with General cargo; (departed for Macau 2.2.42 with opium) Caroline 85T to Whampoa with opium. Young Queen 85T to Macau with opium. Lady Grant 236T to East Coast with opium. |
February Ship Movements:
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4.2.42 7.2.42 6.2.42 13.2.42 15.2.42 17.2.42 16.2.42 17.2.42 24.2.42 28.2.42 1.3.42 |
Harlequin 292T from East Coast with specie for Macau. Australasian Packet 194T to East Coast with opium. American ship Anglona 108T to Macau with opium. Thistle 140T to Macau with opium. Aurora 90T to Macau with opium. Young Queen 85T to Macau with opium. American ship Ariel 105T East Coast with opium. Anglona 108T to East Coast with opium. Harrier 163T to East Coast with opium. Young Queen 85T to East Coast with opium. Red Rover 250T from Calcutta to East Coast with opium. |
Friend of China 31.3.42 edition
A Lands Committee was established in March to compensate villagers for their occupied land; select sites for public landing places; delineate the cantonment boundary, naval depot and dockyard; and select a watering place. Sgd Pottinger
Friend of China 31.3.42 edition
Several Chinese have been killed or hurt while building. We need regulations to prevent dangerous activities on site.
Friend of China 31.3.42 edition
Some readers have enquired if Queen’s Town is to be the name of the city of Hong Kong. We just copied it off the recent government census. It’s a nice name. There are other Queen’s Towns in Jamaica, Ireland and Canada.
Names are important. The capital of upper Canada was long called York but it was too similar to New York and was changed a few years ago to Toronto.
We also want something distinctive to avoid confusion and suggest the queen’s name - Victoria. It may be considered to prelude a ’victory’ over Chinese superstition, pride and prejudice.
Vol 15 No 14, 5th April 1842
Delano, who is US honorary Vice Consul this year, has sent us for publication an official complaint he has received from Admiral Kearney:
The Hong Kong Government Gazette has printed the name of an American ship engaged in the opium trade. The US Government does not sanction the smuggling of opium in violation of Chinese Law. It may not be done in ships flying the American flag. The owners and crew of any American vessel with opium that is seized by the Chinese will receive no support from my naval squadron. Sgd L Kearney, Commander East Indian squadron.
(This earns a sarcastic rejoinder from Editor Slade in a spoof reader’s letter reviewing the history of American involvement in opium trade)
Vol 15 No 14, 5th April 1842
Friend of China for 31st March has published a list of the officers charged with the first British government of Hong Kong:
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Pottinger Alex R Johnstone John R Morrison Charles E Stewart Alex Anderson Henry Holgate Major W Caine S Fearon G F Mylius Lt W Pedder Mr A Lena Mr Mullaly |
Plenipotentiary, Minister Extraordinary deputy Superintendent of British Trade acting Secretary and Treasurer Assistant Secretary and Treasurer Surgeon acting Surgeon Magistrate Coroner, clerk of the court, interpreter Land Officer and Surveyor Marine magistrate and Harbour Master Assistant Marine magistrate and Harbour Master Postmaster |
Vol 15 No 14, 5th April 1842
The Friend of China of 31st March reports that some of the successful buyers of marine lots in Hong Kong have complained that the restriction on reclamation of land beyond the high water mark is unreasonable. This restriction was promulgated by Pottinger in his new Land Regulations.
When they bought their lots they expected to reclaim land out to a couple of fathoms where they intended to create a sea wall. They propose to petition Pottinger for approval to reclaim land from the sea for a modest extra fee.
Vol 15 No 14, 5th April 1842
The Friend of China also reports on provisions in Hong Kong - food supplies are good. In the bazaar, all sorts of fish are available. Beef is cheap but mutton is expensive. Pheasants, partridges and venison and other game, all raised on the island of Hong Kong, are available. On our rambles we have only seen snipe, quail and partridge but have heard there are small deer on the south side. Vegetables are abundant. Bread and biscuits are made locally, even milk and butter are no longer rare. Goats and cows prosper in Hong Kong but sheep are in such demand they are eaten before they can multiply.
Friend of China 7.4.42 edition
Many people have told us that the best name for our town is Victoria
Vol 15 No 15 12th April 1842
Hong Kong Shipping Report, March 1842 (copied from Friend of China, 7th April)
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- 8.3.42 7.3.42 7.3.42 7.3.42 7.3.42 10.3.42 16.3.42 20.3.42 29.3.42 23.3.42 23.3.42 20.3.42 22.3.42 23.3.42 24.3.42 25.3.42 28.3.42 28.3.42 30.3.42 30.3.42 |
William 172T opium to east coast. Harlequin 292T opium to east coast. Aurora 90T opium to Whampoa. Young Queen 85T opium to Whampoa. Ariel (US) 98T opium to east coast. Arrow 175T opium to Macau. Hannah Kerr 594T opium to Macau. Psyche 100T opium to east coast. Thistle 140T opium to Macau. Ardaseer 422T opium to Macau. Australasian Packet opium to east coast. Arrow 175T opium to east coast. Poppy 140T opium to east coast. Primavera 105T opium to Macau. Rob Roy 380T opium to east coast. Black Swan 150T opium to east coast. Sri Singapura 90T opium to Whampoa. Young Queen 85T opium to Macau. Maulmein 171T opium to East coast. Primavera 105T opium to east coast. Ariel 82T opium to east coast. |
Vol 15 No 15 12th April 1842
Letter of 1st April from the American Honorary Consul W Delano Jr. to the Editor of the Friend of China - ‘Please publish the attached letter dated 31st March 1842 from Commander L Kearney of USS Constellation’:
“Your 24/3 edition again reports American ships carrying opium. I wish you to advise your readers, and the Chinese authorities by translation of this letter, that the US government does not sanction American-flag vessels to smuggle opium into China. If any such vessel is seized, the US authorities will not assist its owners.”1
Friend of China 14.3.42 edition
Hong Kong’s population is already greater than Singapore’s was five years after its establishment which then numbered 10,683. Singapore’s progress was delayed by a lack of official recognition and it took a treaty with the Netherlands and the Sultan of Johore before its possession was finally confirmed. That is why they were slower than us to get started.
Vol 15 No 14, 5th April 1842
The Friend of China reports that Pottinger has appointed a Lands Committee in March to assess compensation to existing Hong Kong villagers for our assumption of their land titles; to select sites for public landing places; to delineate the boundary of the military cantonment, naval depot and dockyard; and to select a watering place.
Vol 15 No 16, 19th April 1842
Proclamation of the Hong Kong government, 23.3.42:
Spanish, Mexican and other dollars, their component parts, Company Rupees and their component parts and Chinese copper cash are the legal tender of the colony. All dollars are valued at par. The following exchange rates are fixed
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2¼ Company Rupees 533 cash 1,200 cash |
$1 1 Company rupee $1 |
Vol 15 No 16, 19th April 1842
Friend of China, 14th April - The fire risk in Hong Kong is grave although not as grave as at Canton. The land officers have proscribed the construction of mat houses by Chinese immigrants and required them to rebuild in brick.
Chinese artisans cannot afford this and are moving up the hill beyond the British area. Already streets are appearing on the hillside where it had previously appeared too precipitous to build.
We hope insurers will set up offices here soon. At present growth rates, the value of European housing, personal effects and merchandise will exceed $5 millions by the end of this year.
Friend of China 28.4.42 edition
Petition of some British merchants at Macau 4.4.42:
The Spanish pilar dollar has become scarce and is no longer minted. We ask the Plenipotentiary to make Mexican and other Republican dollars the standard in government and mercantile transactions at Hong Kong and places in China occupied by Her Majesty’s forces. This might in time encourage the Chinese to cease discriminating between the various coins.
Sgd J M &Co, Dent & Co, Ferguson Leighton & Co, MacVicar & Co.
Pottinger replied 27.4.42:
I agree but this has no effect on my previous instruction about legal tender in Hong Kong.
Editor – it is seven years since G B Robinson wrote Pam of his ‘unfeigned regret at the dissensions and violent party spirit that so fearfully prevailed among the mercantile community.’ Now the merchants are combining.
Friend of China 28.4.42 edition
Reports from London describe Hong Kong as the valley of death because of sickness and the high mortality rate amongst the troops.
Friend of China 5.5.42 edition
Powers of Magistrates of Hong Kong:
William Caine, brevet Major in the Cameronian (26th) Regiment, Chief Magistrate of Hong Kong, is empowered to exercise authority, as near as may be, according to the laws, customs and usage’s of China (every description of torture excepted) for the preservation of the peace and the protection of life and property of all the native inhabitants, etc.
Any crime attracting an award of 6+ months gaol, $400+ fine, 100+ lashes or death will be remitted to the head of government for confirmation of judgment.
In all cases involving punishment or sentence you will keep a record of the brief facts.
You also have authority over other people (excluding Chinese forces and Her Majesty’s forces) committing breaches of the peace. Any army personnel committing offences will be handed over to the military.
You will investigate all cases of debt up to $50 yourself. Cases up to $200 will be investigated and referred to head of government for disposal. When you confine debtors to elicit payment you will advise the head of government.
William Pedder, Lieutenant of the Royal Navy. Similar jurisdiction for breaches of the peace, felonies and debt in the harbour (same restrictions as Caine). Penalties of 1 month gaol, $100 fine, 36 lashes and death to be confirmed by head of government.
Friend of China 5.5.42 edition
Any land sales made by holders of grants issued after the recent land auction must be registered with the Land Officer to be valid.
Friend of China 19.5.42 edition
It has belatedly been recognised that we also should have requested the cession of Kellett Island from Keshen to prevent the Chinese establishing themselves on it. A fort will be constructed there and garrisoned with a platoon commanded by a lieutenant.2
Friend of China 19.5.42 edition
Rumour - General Burrell is to be Governor of Hong Kong while Pottinger is away in the North. We think we should instead have A R Johnstone to whose “unremitting exertions and earnest devotedness the present prosperity of our colony is mainly owing”.
Vol 15 No 22, 31st May 1842
Friend of China, 19th May - Lt Benjamin Fox RN, 29 years, 1st Lieutenant of HMS Nimrod was the officer killed on the heights of Canton on 24th May 1842. A memorial to him has been erected on the Hong Kong waterfront.3
Vol 15 No 22, 31st May 1842
Editorial - The unprofessional conduct of the police at Hong Kong has caused Pottinger to discharge the entire force and replace it with soldiers. These men have proved inadequate to the task and robberies are out of control. Hong Kong still lacks its own legislature and is fundamentally a garrison town.
The appointment of the magistrate seems ultra vires. The chief magistrate (Caine) has jurisdiction over the Chinese only. The marine magistrate has jurisdiction over everyone who is not in the armed forces. Thus any English civilian may be imprisoned for a month or fined $400 or lashed 36 times on the order of Pedder for breach of any of the regulations. We hear Major Caine will soon rejoin his regiment – that will be the time to review these magisterial powers.
Friend of China 2.6.42 edition
3 privates of the 49th regiment have been caught robbing a Chinese family in Hong Kong. Many Chinese inhabitants report there have been numerous similar events before but as the criminals are soldiers they have kept quiet.
Vol 15 No 23, 7th June 1842
The Land and Road Inspector of Hong Kong (G F Mylius) is replaced by Edward Grascott Reynolds effective 1st May 1842. He has been told that all land sales are prohibited (Mylius had his land sales approved by Johnstone). If Reynolds finds anyone building anything anywhere he is to stop the works and report to Johnstone. His job is not to sell land but to keep the roads, bridges and drains in order and ensure those civil works presently authorised for construction are well made. He is to maintain and keep clean the public watering places, jetties and the market. No nuisances are permitted. If he encounters any difficulty he is to tell Johnstone or ask the magistrate to send police.
Editor – we thought the market building was a private building erected by the marketeers themselves.
Friend of China 9.6.42 edition
Hong Kong burglaries:
Mr Pybus’ godown, Captain Duus’ godown, Mr Kinsley’s godown, the French consul’s godown, the Victoria Hotel, and the naval commissariat stores have all been burgled by gangs from Kowloon who come across the harbour in boats at night. They scratch out the mortar and remove bricks from the walls to gain entry. This might happen less if our municipal police force had not been summarily disbanded.
Friend of China 9.6.42 edition
We hear capitalists in London are arranging to open a bank here in Hong Kong. The convenience of having paper money is attractive but all the colonial banks print too much, then the money gets too cheap and trade turns into mad speculation. Finally the bank reduces the issue, credit tightens and a panic ensues. This has happened repeatedly in England and America and we don't want it here.
Vol 15 No 24, 14th June 1842
Friend of China of 16th June reports Mr Dutronquoy of the London Hotel in Singapore has opened a London Hotel in Queen’s Road Hongkong.
Friend of China 16.6.42 edition
Hong Kong burglaries:
Mr Almack’s China house, Townsend and Co’s godown, D. Wilson and Co (of Calcutta)’s premises have all been burgled this week. Some stolen property was found at the waterside which suggests it might be the same Kowloon gang as last week. There are reports of similar burglaries in Macau as well.
Carpenters living at and employed on buildings near Townsend and Co’s godown knew of that crime but kept quiet as they said they themselves would have been attacked if they raised the alarm. One thief was caught and sentenced to 60 strokes of the bamboo (the revised punishment instead of the lash). Fortunately the attacks are only on property and not on the person.
A few weeks ago the burglars forced open the treasury of ‘an eminent firm’ in Macau and stole silver but the firm is keeping it quiet.
Vol 15 No 25, 21st June 1842
Since Pottinger arrived he has had a fresh-fish market built in Hong Kong. There is also Major Malcolm’s Canton Bazaar for other provisions. Malcolm’s Bazaar was built on one of the lots sold by Johnstone to an English company in the early days. When the buyer could not produce evidence of ownership, the lot reverted to government, which did not want it and it was sold a second time, on this occasion to Malcolm, who built the Bazaar.
Friend of China 23.6.42 edition
Crime report:
Two thieves were caught stealing a cow worth $10 from Pokfulam village on Hong Kong Island. They were sentenced to caning and their queues were cut off.4
John Northgate, a sailor of HMS Druid, bought two bottles of Sam Shoo from Ah Tuk for a rupee.5 At that time he had $8 in his pocket as well. He then got drunk and when he regained consciousness his pocket was empty. A friend, who was less drunk, swore he saw the theft committed by Ah Tuk. Ah Tuk got 4 months gaol with hard labour and was ordered to remain in prison until he repaid the $8.
Friend of China 23.6.42 edition
A native municipal police force has been re-established on Hong Kong.
Friend of China 23.6.42 edition
We must have an insurer for our houses, contents and personal effects. People are minimising the costs of building because of the lack of insurance. Cannot one of the marine insurers accept fire risks as well?
We are glad to see that some of the recent villas erected have provision for the storage of ice. It is so easily procured in China but is never seen south of Amoy.
Friend of China 23.6.42 edition
13.6.42 Pottinger returned to Hong Kong on the Company’s steamer Queen
Friend of China 23.6.42 edition
Pottinger is a splendid Plenipotentiary. He has done everything we could have wished. The erection of the market and the removal of all the hawkers to trade within it was a great benefit to Hong Kong. He stopped the Royal Navy seizing local junks, destroying confidence and disrupting local trade. (Many other benefits are listed in the paper.)
Friend of China 23.6.42 edition
The success of Hong Kong is guaranteed by the already heavy and recently augmented imposts on trade at the port of Canton which, in the aggregate on both exports and imports, now amount to nearly $17 million a year.
In 1836 James Matheson said in his book “The Present Position and Prospects of the British Trade with China” that ‘the regulations of trade (at Canton) are so contrived, as to secure the most grievous and increasing impositions’ and he asked ‘ how can a British merchant continue to carry on his commercial pursuits at Canton, but at a sacrifice of his personal safety and self-respect’
Vol 15 No 26, 28th June 1842
Robberies continue unabated at Hong Kong. Gangs sail across from Kowloon at night and burgle at will. More or less everyone has been affected. From Macau we hear it is the same group that robbed all the foreigners there, one by one, recently. A few weeks ago they forced open the Macau treasury of that ‘eminent firm’ and removed an immense amount of silver. We hear the amount far exceeded the value of all the property reported stolen since Hong Kong was ceded to us.
Vol 15 No 27, 28th June 1842
An American missionary has added another pagan soul to the Lord’s fold by the simple expedient of paying $2 to the heathen to be baptised. The man-of-God, fearful that his convert might be alarmed by the water pouring over his head, engaged a couple of Hong Kong’s native policemen to hold the man’s arms. We wonder if this increases veneration for Christ.
Rev Lewis Shuck, Editor of the Friend of China, complained about this report and the widespread ridicule of Christianity amongst the foreign community.
Editor Slade responded that his informant is a well-respected merchant in Macau and beyond reproach. He justified publishing the report by adverting to increasing local reports of misjudged missionary zeal. He says “a wise man has told us that ‘in any controversy, the instant we feel anger, we have already ceased striving for the truth and are merely striving for ourselves.’”
Friend of China 30.6.42 edition
The main road of Hong Kong, which we have called Queen’s Road, floods in rain. There are drains across it north/south but they are not interconnected east/west and water accumulates in between.
This week the magistrate heard a police charge against two Chinese shopkeepers for obstructing the road. What they did was import some sand to one of the flooded parts to make the pavement passable on foot without wading ankle-deep in mud. Its just as well he discharged them after hearing.
Friend of China 30.6.42 edition
The Royal Asiatic Society held a meeting in Hong Kong recently:
Alexander R Johnstone, Deputy Superintendent of Trade and effectively Deputy Governor (standing in for Pottinger while he is in the North) told the meeting that Col Sabine had told him there is a magnetic observatory in Peking like the one the Royal Society wants to build in London.
Capt Blackwood is leading an expedition to New Guinea hopefully as a preliminary step to colonisation.
The relations of Russia with Central Asia are very friendly and prosperous. Orenberg is the centre of these communications which extend to Afghanistan and Sind.
Friend of China 30.6.42 edition
In June 1841 Elliot said he would recommend Govt to reduce duty on tea shipped from Hong Kong by 1d per lb. Had the merchants responded to this excellent suggestion and Elliot been successful the total tea duty would now, after Peel’s changes, be down 2d per lb.
Friend of China 30.6.42 edition
Mr Parkinson, who lives at the head of the Wong Nei Chung valley saw the theft of five horses that had been turned out to graze near his house. A gang of men arrived, hobbled the horses, up-ended them, tied them on bamboos like pigs and carried them off towards Chek Chu (later called Stanley).
Friend of China 30.6.42 edition
The recent and unseasonable heavy rains have damaged our new roads and washed away parts of the seawall.
A Chinese house collapsed, two people were killed and four seriously injured. They had previously been warned to remove. We fear unless some law enforcement is practised a new family will build on the same spot and in due course experience the same collapse with the same result.
We should not join with the Chinese who attribute these deaths to chance. We need a building code.
Friend of China 7.7.42 edition
Letter to the Editor - The authorities at Canton are utterly opposed to the development of Hong Kong. All the merchants wish to keep the trade at Canton and injure the prospects of Hong Kong as they are convinced our advance will be their retreat.6 The Portuguese in Macau feel the same way for the same reasons. Some other foreign merchants (and even a few English ones) also wish to continue in the old way at Macau and Canton. They note that this island is becoming the resort of all sorts of outlaws and freebooters who annoy the peaceful and unarmed people.
Notwithstanding this, our population and business are both increasing rapidly. Several thousands of shopmen and merchants from Canton and its surrounds have bought land from our government here and erected buildings. We can buy locally more or less everything that is available at Canton and at only slightly higher prices. All we have to do is provide security and protection to this growing Chinese community and it will procure the finest products of the Empire at the best prices for our trade. We already offer security and protection on shore. The guns of the forts protect us and the harbour. The government is trying hard and doing quite well. The harbour is magnificent.
It is only outside the harbour that shipping is at risk of piracy. The authorities must address this want of security. Above Whampoa and all around Macau, British arms have swept the Chinese influence at sea completely away but we have not substituted our own control.
Yesterday a Chinese boat of 80-100 tons with 60-80 crew left Hong Kong for Macau and 3-4 hours later was involved in piracy. The French gentlemen in the schooner Paradox intervened and captured the boat although all the men escaped. She is now a prize in port. The Paradox had been en route to Macau carrying the French Consul Challaye, Mr Chonsky the secretary to Col Jancigny, Mr Froget, a local resident and 5 lascars. On rounding the point near Green Island they saw two pirate boats attacking a fast passenger boat on the Macau/ Hong Kong run. Most of the passengers were Macanese men and women. The pirates numbered about a hundred but the Paradox bore down on the vessels. The pirates may have thought it was a man-of-war for they fled. One boat escaped, the other ran aground. The crew of about 60 men threw their two iron cannon overboard and made for the hills. M Challaye landed in pursuit. He discovered a pirate hiding on shore and captured him. He then reported to West Point barracks and a party of men was sent off in pursuit. The captured boat was brought into the government landing place and immediately recognised as having been moored there the previous night. A lot of powder, shot, stink pots, bamboo filled with powder (for incendiaries), pikes, spears and matchlocks was found on board together with the two iron and one brass gun.
Two account books were found recording the shares of the crew in piratical distributions. (A few days ago another fast passage boat to Macau with about 60 passengers was attacked but the pirates were driven off by some Europeans who carried pistols on board)
The authorities at Canton know what is occurring and might have allied themselves with the pirates to punish the ‘traitorous’ natives in Hong Kong. We have a naval force on station - why not use it on patrol? Whampoa should be visited 2-3 times per month; a ship should always be at the Bogue; another between Lintin and Kap Shui Mun and another south of Lantau. They should patrol frequently but irregularly. Native boats of the type usually attacked should be sent out manned by soldiers in disguise to lure the pirates in to attack. This would remove the problem very quickly.
Yrs, Senex, Harding Place, Hong Kong
Friend of China 14.7.42 edition
Challaye’s statement concerning the Paradox piracy affair:
I embarked with Chonski and Froget and at 1pm had reached the passage between Hong Kong and Green Island. We saw a small ‘fast boat’ chased by a pirate. Men on the fast boat cried out for help. The pirate was travelling WSW under sail and went aground on the rocks. The crew (c. 60) jumped ashore and dispersed. A 2nd pirate boat was seen escaping towards the south of Lantau. Chonski, Froget and I loaded our arms and went aboard the grounded ship. We had the Paradox tow her off and brought her to West Point barracks. As I disembarked a Chinese walked passed me from the direction of the piracy. I thought he might know something and arrested him and took him to the Barracks commander, a Major, who sent a detachment off to search. I returned to the pirate boat and anchored her off the police station at the Bazaar. The police I/C sent a guard to protect the evidence.
Futtoo, a Lascar, says “I was a passenger on Lorcha No 35, owned by Jose, out of Macau 2nd July. 2 Portuguese, 3 lascars and 5 Chinese on board. Arriving at Kap Sing Mun a pirate boat fired a musket at us and chased us. We were faster and fled, anchoring near a headland for the night. The pirate laid off and watched us. In the morning when the wind started we made for Hong Kong and the pirate followed. One of the pirates called out to us that we had only escaped because it was night but he would catch us now it was day.
On reaching the point of Hong Kong a schooner came into sight with French on board. We turned around and fired off a musket at our pursuers. The pirate then made for land and ran aground. The crew (60-70 men) fled up the hill each carrying a bundle and two swords. They threw three large guns into the sea. They also had spears, matchlocks and plenty of ammunition. I did not recognise any of the pirates or the prisoner Chak Wan (the man Challaye arrested).
Jose Antonio, owner of the lorcha, agrees with the above and adds he saw the prisoner running and saw the Frenchman catch him.
Ah Chiu, a butcher of Hong Kong Bazaar, says Chak Wan is his partner. He left the bazaar 3rd July to sell opium in West Point Barracks. He is a good man and I offer to be his security in $100. I have known him for a month.
Ah Sum say Chak Wan is my brother. We were partners as butchers but the business was unsuccessful. Then a month ago he joined Ah Chiu. I am certain Chak Wan has nothing to do with pirates.
The prisoner is released on the security offered. The boat is detained by Harbour Master.
Friend of China 14.7.42 edition
On 23rd June James Borton, proprietor of Britain’s Boast pub in Hong Kong, was charged with assaulting Daniel Edwards, a Portuguese crewman on a lorcha.
Friend of China 14.7.42 edition
Yu Ming got 60 strokes for selling sam shoo to the Cameronians.7 Selling wine to the army is proscribed.
Chuen Chow got 20 strokes for not selling sam shoo to the Madras Infantry. A soldier ordered wine and offered Chuen half a rupee, Chuen had sam shoo in his shop but denied it (suspecting he was being set-up). He was charged with fraud as he took the money for sam shoo but did not supply it.
Editor– some types of distilled spirits can cause sudden death but sam shoo seems to be particularly efficient. It should be chemically analysed to see what is causing this.
Friend of China 14.7.42 edition
The editor of the Friend of China, the Rev J Lewis Shuck, dedicated the new Baptist Chapel on Queen’s Road on 10th July 1842, (delayed by a typhoon to 17th July).
Friend of China 21.7.42 edition
Hong Kong crime report. Tuk Kwai has been charged with piracy:
Ah Chu says he was sailing his laden boat to Hong Kong and at Kap Shui Mun (north of Lantau) was attacked by pirates. He made no resistance and he was dropped on shore and the boat and cargo was sailed away by the pirates. He now accuses Tuk Kwai of being one of the pirates and proves his evidence is true by cutting off a cock’s head.
Tuk Kwai denies.
Chan Shing, a shopkeeper in the Bazaar says Tuk Kwai has been his partner for four months and could not have been a pirate during that time.
Ngai Sun says I know Ah Chu was robbed and two days ago he recognised Tuk Kwai as one of the robbers.
Finding - Tuk Kwai is convicted. 100 lashes and 6 months hard labour in irons.
Friend of China 21.7.42 edition
Abdul Kareem, a tindal (a native Petty Officer of Lascars) employed by J M & Co, says that at 2300 – 2400 hours 30th June Kala Khan, a sepoy on duty at the J M godown at East Point, told him a boat pulling 30-40 oars had just left the rocks in front of the godown. He said Mr Rolfe and 2 sepoys were on alert. ‘I alerted the night watch and the sepoys (about 10 of them) on Capt Morgan’s gig. 9 of the sepoys had loaded muskets and I had a pistol. Then Buxoo, a Lascar who is sick and was resting on a board outside the godown, called to me and pointed-out several men who were stealthily advancing from the shore, occasionally squatting down to observe. At that hour and in those circumstances, I assumed they were robbers.
I left 2 men guarding the godown and took the rest with me. I hailed the strangers but they retired without answer. I followed them to a large rock at the end of the beach. There were about 10 men and I could see a small boat on the sand half out of the water and another larger boat at anchor a few yards out. I hailed them again. One of them blew a horn and 40-50 persons emerged from behind the rock shouting ‘da, da’. They threw a shower of stones and we opened fire with 6 muskets. The group fled. Some ran up the hill; others burned some papers and threw them into the sea. Then they sounded the horn again and went off in their boat(s). I feared they might have a big gun in the larger boat and did not pursue. This morning at 9 am a wounded Chinese was brought-in. On our side only Jaffa, one of the gig’s crew, and I were struck and very slightly hurt by stones.
Kala Khan and Hayat Khan corroborated Kareem’s evidence.
The magistrate went to J M’s godown to interview the wounded Chinese but he declined to answer questions.
Ah Sum from Ham Shui near Mr Burn’s site says last night my brother Ah Su and I were sleeping outside Mr Burn’s house. Some 7-8 black men started firing at about 20 men gathered nearby and woke us up. My brother arose and was hit. The black men ran away. We did not see any boats or pirates.
Ah Kuen says I was sent to Mr Burn’s site by Mr Gillespie’s comprador as head mason and have been working there for 5 months. I look after the site. I have never seen a pirate there. I have known Ah Su for 4 days. He and his two brothers are my workers on Mr Burn’s site. They have worked there for 2 months. Ah Su is a good man and would not be involved in piracy. I saw him sleeping on some rocks about 20 feet from the house when the shooting started. There is a ferry, a passage boat called Hong Kong Lu, which comes everyday between 8am – 4 pm. I never heard any of the men express ill-feeling towards J M & Co.
Ah Tsat, a contractor for J M & Co said the day before yesterday my brother Ngai Yee who is a comprador told me that pirates would soon attack J M’s godown in revenge for Capt Morgan having ordered Capt Nias to burn down their huts last year. I was told they also intended to rob me as I have prospered in J M’s employ. I warned the tindal Abdul Kareem to keep alert. The pirates come from Lam Tin near Sun On and from Tung Kwoon. Their group is known as the Tung Yuen Wui and they have two small fast boats of 15-16 oars each. When Capt Nias burned their huts at Tsim Sha Tsui last year he also burned one of these boats. The leader of the pirates is Fat Yau from Lam Tin. Capt Nias offered me $300 to catch him. I do not sleep at the godown, I go there every morning. I live on board my boat in Victoria harbour. I did not see the pirate boat nor the wounded man.
Ah Chiu, a pun-tau8 of J M says the night before last Cheung Sze told me that pirates would attack J M’s godown so I was alert. I told my coolies and Capt Morgan’s comprador. I live at Wong Nai Chung. The wounded man has died.
Ngai Yee gave evidence that ten days ago he went over to Tsim Sha Tsui. “As I walked I heard someone talking loudly and mention my brother’s name. That caught my attention and I listened. Those people were saying Capt Morgan had burned their houses and they should burn his godown in revenge. I don’t know who they were but came away quietly and told my brother.”
Friend of China 21.7.42 edition
Ngai Yun appeared at Court 5th July with a petition saying on 30th June Ngai Chi, Ngai Yau and Ah Sing of the municipal police came on his boat at 8pm and stole $138 and a bundle of clothes. Ngai Yun followed them to their house where they returned the clothes. He has 5 crew who will be witnesses.
Ordered to appear tomorrow with his witnesses; the policemen to be detained.
Ngai Yun appeared 6th July. None of his witnesses had agreed to attend. His friend Ah Suen told him yesterday to complain to the magistrate against the police and gave him a petition to present. As he cannot read he did not know what it said. He was not really robbed but Ah Suen told him to say so. “Ah Kwai the chief policeman owes me $40 from when we used to trade together and the petition should have been grounded on that. I thought the magistrate would compel Ah Kwai to pay.”9
Ah Kwai is called, admits the debt and agrees to pay by instalments. Ngai Yun is satisfied He is ordered to have his friends produce Ah Suen and will remain a prisoner until he does so.
Vol 15, No 30, 26th July 1842
Stylish Chinese Edicts seem to be addictive. The Hong Kong magistrate Caine has just issued his version of one. It reads:
“Caine, a military officer of the great English nation charged with magisterial authority over Hong Kong, clearly makes known his commands.
“It appears that recently there have been lawless characters who in buying and selling have mingled counterfeit silver coins with the genuine. This causes great wrath. This percipient proclamation is issued to the merchants engaged in trade. Whosoever hereafter makes use of counterfeit coin or gives them in exchange for other money shall be immediately seized and punished.”
Friend of China 28.7.42 edition
Hong Kong crime report:
Padre Theodore Jose accused Kou Pou of robbery. At 2am on 5th July the Father was awakened by someone moving a box containing $1,000 approx. He leapt up and seized the man. Another escaped. Thomas Low a Chinese Christian living with Jose witnessed Jose seize the man inside the house. He found medicine and shoes on the man which had also been stolen.
The prisoner denied robbery and said he was very poor. Sentence 100 lashes, 4 months hard labour in irons.
Joseph Francis, Chief Mate of the Sulimany, accuses Beechamee (a Portuguese topaz) of robbery. On 16th June Francis found three watches and Beechamee missing from the ship. He sent a party to Macau and found Beechamee had sold one watch and was selling the others. The value is $112. The prisoner admits. He broke the crystal of one watch by mistake. Two are still with the shopkeeper Joaquim and he will write and get them back.
Sentence 100 lashes, four months hard labour, restitute the watches or pay $112.
Friend of China 28.7.42 edition
Ah Poo, Lo Ah Wong and Ko Chai are charged with piracy. Tien Lung says the four prisoners were crew of a pirate boat and robbed him on 6th July at the Tung Kwu (now called Lung Kwu) anchorage. In the course of robbery Ah Poo wounded Tien with a knife. Ah Ching, one of Tien Lung’s crew, swears the prisoners were on the pirate boat. Yun Fat also swears that the prisoners were on the pirate boat that robbed him.
Ung, wife of Chow Ling, says on 6th she was in her husband’s boat and had just sold some fish when her boat was attacked by 10-12 pirates in the estuary. They took her boat, sent her ashore on Lintin in their own boat, and left. Her husband and son Ah Kuen jumped overboard and swam ashore.
Ah Kuen says he was in Dad’s boat off Law Chau, near Lintin. I don’t remember Ah Poo but the other three prisoners were amongst the pirates. I saw Ko Chai in Queen’s Road yesterday whilst I was searching for the pirates with my brother in order to get back the family boat. I pointed him out to a policeman who arrested him. Later Ko took us to a hut high above the bazaar where the other three prisoners were living. All the crown witnesses have sworn by cutting off a cock’s head.
All four defendants deny. They have not left Hong Kong island recently and are all in employment. The complainant says he could not be mistaken. He knows them all and particularly remembers Ah Poo who cut his right ear.
Tai Chung a contractor says Ah Poo is my carpenter. He has worked daily for the last 3 weeks except 5th, 7th, and 10th July. He comes at 9am each morning. I have to check his book to see if he worked on 6th. Ah Fat says Ah Poo is his brother. He did not see him 4th – 6th but did on 7th. He works at Rev Shuck’s establishment; I work near Capt Morgan’s. Ah Kai knows Ah Poo and Lo Ah Wong well. I see them everyday for the last month. I don’t know the other two.
Tai Chung was confronted with Ah Kai and confirmed Ah Poo did not work yesterday for Rev Shuck.
Judgment - All four prisoners guilty. 100 strokes. 6 months hard labour in irons.
Friend of China 28.7.42 edition
Ah Kum, Ah Bat and Ah Sing are accused of being pirates. Sgt Collins says last Monday night some prisoners escaped. I caught these three on Tuesday morning with property from Ko Peh Lok’s house whom they had had the temerity to burgle. Ko Peh Lok is the chief of the pirates. I took them to their boat and found papers on board which are pirate papers. Ah Chu, head of the Chinese police, says the prisoners took Ko Peh Lok’s property after escape from prison and from the heap of papers on their boat there can be no doubt they are pirates.
Defence: The papers found on the boat were forcibly put there by real pirates whom the Defendants had approached to buy insurance to facilitate their maritime trade without attack. We do not know the names of those pirates and they have since all run away. We came to Hong Kong only a month ago and cannot distinguish the good from the bad. The pirates come from Lantau. They have a fishing boat. Ko Peh Lok’s people forced us to take his property on board our boat. Then the police came, the pirates ran away and we were arrested.
Judgment Guilty. Boat forfeited. 50 strokes each; 4 months hard labour. Ah Sing 5 extra strokes for contempt.
Friend of China 28.7.42 edition
We should have an Anglican cathedral in Hong Kong. At present there is only the propaganda fide and the American Baptist mission for worship. Chusan, Amoy and Ningpo have several Catholic and American missions for worship. Concerning this subject, Lancelot Dent, on arriving at Singapore on his way home, heard of the intention to build an Anglican church here and donated $500 through his Agents to the fund.
Friend of China 28.7.42 edition
Chinese merchants bringing timber and bricks from Canton to Hong Kong for sale have been caught in transit by Chinese Customs officials. Their cargoes were confiscated and they have been imprisoned.
Vol 15, No 31 – 2nd August 1842
The Queen’s Road Chapel was formally dedicated on 17th July 1842. This the first Protestant church here (the Catholics built theirs last year). Revs Shuck, Dean and Bridgman (all Americans) conducted the first service.
Friend of China 4.8.42 edition
Major General Burrell, Military commandant of Hong Kong is promoted 31st July 42 and has been replaced by Lt Col Taylor. The latter officer regrets the sickness which has become so prevalent in the last month. He commends his men not to drink sam shoo as it has destroyed too many soldiers already.
Friend of China 4.8.42 edition
Hong Kong crime report:
Ah Kee, Ah Yu and Ah Sing, all municipal policemen, are charged by Tai Mai Tan that they came to his house, seized him and took him to Sgt Collins. Tai believes he was seized because he complained of a nearby gambling house where disturbances occurred and some men reported being robbed. After release, he went to Tsim Sha Tsui. Yesterday Lee Chong and Chan Kee complained Tai owed them $100. It is connected with a robbery in the gambling house.
My wife is Ah Sai and there are 8 women in my house under my protection. Several days ago Constable Ah Kee lusted for Sau Hing but I did not allow. Then yesterday he came with two colleagues in revenge. It is nothing to do with gambling or robbery. Sau Hing was mending clothes when the policemen arrived. Those clothes were further damaged by the policeman. My curtains were damaged and intentionally burned by the policemen’s cigars.
Ah Lin says at 5pm she was sleeping when she heard a disturbance and learned her father Tai had been taken away by police. Sau Hing knows all about it but she had gone out. The policemen say they had come to arrest Tai for $100 debt. They found him when he answered the door and did not need to enter the house. Ah Lin knows nothing about any damage.
Sau Hing says she was at her father-in-law Tai’s house when 3 police came and seized Tai saying he owed money. Constable Yu tore some of our clothes and wanted to have me. Ah Kee did not damage our clothes but he seized Tai.
Ms Chui Fung says Sau Hing used to belong to me. The curtains were torn in my house on 11th June by Lam Ping when he quarrelled with Sau Hing. The couple then separated and Sau Hing went to stay with Tai. Lam Ping will return in a few days and will corroborate what I say.
Ah Yau says he lives next door to Tai and saw the policemen arrest him at his door. They did not enter his house. Ah Chi and Ah Chu were also in the vicinity. They saw Tai being led away and heard no disturbance. Finding – case dismissed.
Ah Fuk went to a shop in Morgan’s Bazaar. He had a dollar and four rupees tied in a handkerchief which he placed on a bench in the shop. Then the handkerchief disappeared. The shopman denied knowledge. Ah Fuk searched him and found it. Heen Shing corroborates Ah Fuk.
The defendant shopman says the money was voluntarily given in part payment for a house he is building for Ah Fuk. Guilty. 60 strokes and cut off his queue.
Tien Cheah, Ah Yu, Tuk Seen and Hung Ho are charged with repeatedly erecting a mat house without authority. They have no defence. Hung Ho is old. He is fined $2. The others are fined $1 and get 20 strokes.
A/Sgt Crompton charges Ah Soo and Ah Mee with keeping a gambling table, making disturbance and resisting arrest. Fined $10 each.
Ah Chung, policeman, gets 15 strokes for permitting a visitor to come to the gaol talk with a prisoner and supply him with food.
Friend of China 4.8.42 edition
Editorial - British prestige is damaged by capturing places and then surrendering them. Here in Hong Kong a piece of land has been granted to build a Chinese temple and handsome subscriptions collected from both Chinese and Europeans, but work has not begun because the Chinese community do not expect us to retain possession of the island. Our Chinese residents are all fearful of what will become of them if they are returned to the care of their own government.
At least the business community has confidence. Many godowns are being built and hardly a firm doubts we will retain Hong Kong permanently.
Friend of China 4.8.42 edition
The value of Wakefield’s publication in 1830 of the principles of colonisation was only recognised after he gave evidence to Mr Ward’s parliamentary committee in 1836. His leading principle was then sanctioned by the Select Committee of the House. In Canada and Australia the Wakefield system was opposed. Wakefield was himself personally involved in the colonisation of New Zealand. His ideas have now been collected in Lord Stanley’s Colonial Lands Bill.
A price is to be fixed for land in the ‘settled’ colonies. It can be raised from time to time but never lowered. Half or more of the proceeds of land sales are to be devoted to encouraging immigration in order to ensure a sufficient supply of labour to operate trade and commerce. The other half is used to fund the surveys and pay compensation to natives who are dispossessed in the process. Land sales are to be by auction.
Here in Hong Kong we will never be short of labour. Indeed the Chinese are more useful and intelligent settlers than the hill coolies of India. We might soon develop a business as a source of artificers, fishermen and farmers to other British colonies.
Vol 15, No 32 – 9th August 1842
On 24th July an Imperial rescript was received at Canton concerning the barbarian seizure of the heen district of Hong Kong (‘fragrant rivers’ in this Edict). “They have built houses there and appear to intend its permanent occupation. This matter must be looked into and taken care of.”
Friend of China 11.8.42 edition
Letter to editor - There are 3,000 – 4,000 Chinese workers employed by Hong Kong Government on road construction, etc.
Friend of China 11.8.42 edition
The French official Challaye was burgled early on Sunday morning. A ladder was used to enter at the first floor. They stole a portmanteau containing $900, a box with $80-90 on his desk and a dressing case. Part of the stolen property was abstracted from Froget’s room but he himself was not disturbed. Three other thefts with the same modus operandi occurred last week and two of them produced very heavy losses.
Friend of China 12.8.42 Special edition
The Plenipotentiary Sir Henry Pottinger warns the people of Hong Kong that the Canton Provincial authorities cannot be relied upon as they might at any time be required by the Emperor to disavow their previous agreements. He particularly refers to the agreement to cease hostilities in the river. He reminds all foreigners that putting themselves or their property in the power of the Canton Provincial authorities is at their own risk and peril. The arrangements made by Elliot for Hong Kong remain in force until HM’s will is known.
Friend of China 18.8.42 edition
The first autopsy done in Hong Kong was on Ms Nga Lok Po who died suddenly causing her relatives to suspect she had been poisoned. The Inquest was held on 15th Aug and Dr Lunn, the pathologist, identified cause of death as a 'visitation of God'.10
The second autopsy related to a traumatic injury. Ho Wai 40 years a house painter of Canton Bazaar was in partnership with Ah Nam. On 10th August Ah Nam visited Ho Wai who was breakfasting with his girl friend Ah Hee on board his boat. Nam demanded arrears of wages, which was refused. An argument ensued. The two then went ashore to the tenement where they usually live and a fraças ensued. No-one else was in the house. Ho Wai came out bleeding copiously from the neck and said before he died that he was struck by Ah Nam. Dr Lunn identified the wound as the cause of death and opined it was done with a knife or chopper. Ah Nam ran away. The jury reached a verdict of 'wilful murder'.
Editor Shuck - ‘this is the first case of murder on the island. The people are generally so peaceful and non-contentious that there must be some extenuating circumstances.
Friend of China 18.8.42 edition
Subscriptions are being invited in London for a new bank with connections in India and China.
This year’s London season has been very gay and a grand fancy ball for 1,500 guests was attended by the Queen (dressed as Queen Philippa) and Prince Albert (as the Black Prince). Capt Elliot appeared in a superb Chinese costume as Commissioner Lin.
Friend of China 18.8.42 edition
A record of daily temperatures and pressures in Hong Kong since the last edition is given.
Friend of China 18.8.42 edition
For the last 5 weeks heavy rains have stopped all building work. The tiny supply of brick and timber (diminished due to the embargo placed on shipments by Canton) is also delaying progress.
A large two storey house is being built for Pottinger facing the parade ground.
American missionaries are building next to the Roman Catholic College.
One wing of the Morrison Education Society has been completed - it is a good site and a good building. Lancelot Dent (a founder member of the society) donated $3,000 towards its construction.
Friend of China 25.8.42 edition
Hong Kong Crime report:
Facts - Ponan Lall, a sepoy of the 39th regiment, took Ah Sai's boat to the Shah Allum. On boarding the boat, Lall tied his bundle (containing spare clothes and cooking utensils worth 10 rupees) to a strut of the roof covering. When alongside the Shah Allum the craft nearly upset and the occupants were thrown into the sea. Lall managed to board one of the many small boats alongside and was rowed to Ah Sai’s boat to ask for his bundle. Ah Sai said he did not have it. Lall saw some wet cloth in Ah Sai's hand and caught hold of him finding part of his possessions in a bag.
Judgement – Guilty. Ah Sai to get 40 strokes and go to gaol until he pays 10 rupees to Lall as compensation.
Friend of China 25.8.42 edition
The people of Heung Shan (the island is now called Chung Shan) have memorialised the Viceroy at Canton. They complain that Hong Kong is the base of pirates who continuously attack their trade. The booty is taken back to Hong Kong and sold. To avoid Hong Kong piracy they must buy a pass from the Hong Kong pirates. If they do not buy one, they are robbed and injured. These pirates have taxed the entire coastal trade of China in the vicinity of Canton. They must be stopped.
Hong Kong is in the district of Sai Ngon which borders Heung Shan at the north east. Hong Kong is said to have an efficient police force of foreign and native officers. They should arrest these pirates.
Friend of China 1.9.42 edition
The garrison at Stanley (Chek Chu) in Hong Kong has been sick recently. The son of de Quincey (the opium eater) of the 26th Regiment is one of the fatalities. Dr Bace of the same regiment has died as well.
Friend of China 1.9.42 edition
Hong Kong Crime report:
Sgt Hamer of the 18th Royal Irish Regiment accused Ah Yee of selling sam shoo. I went to his hut near West Point barracks yesterday and agreed to buy two bottles for a Rupee.
Alexander Ingram witnessed Ah Yee give a bottle of sam shoo to Hamer. Hamer had told him he had received one bottle previously.
Ah Yee’s defence - Hamer said he was sick so I got him some sam shoo. I was trying to help him. Sentence - 50 lashes, his house to be pulled down.
Friend of China 8.9.42 edition
Our predatory neighbours in Kowloon have visited again. An attempt on Albany Godowns was made and the robbers repulsed and escaped. We need a gunboat stationed nightly on the opposite shore.
Friend of China 10.9.42 special edition
Notice published by A R Johnstone, officer administering the government of Hong Kong, at Government House on 9th Sept 42:
On 26th Aug 42 at Nanking Pottinger announced agreement with the Chinese for settlement of all matters in dispute:
$21,000,000 payable over this and the next three years;
Canton, Amoy, Fuk Chow, Ningpo and Shanghai opened to trade, consular officer at each. Regular and just tariff on imports and exports;
Hong Kong ceded to Britain in perpetuity;
All captured British subjects, European or Indian, to be released unconditionally;
Emperor to amnesty all Chinese subjects who have or had connections with the English, and
Correspondence between the officers of each government to be equal.
On the To Kwong Emperor's ratification and payment of the first $6 million, British troops will withdraw from Nanking, the Grand Canal and Chin Hae. Chusan islands and Kulangsu will continue to be held until all payments completed and the four new ports opened.
Friend of China 22.9.42 edition
A duel has been fought in Hong Kong since our last issue. We deplore this kind of thing
Friend of China 22.9.42 edition
Mr Edward Farncomb, a private lawyer from Calcutta who has been advertising for business in every issue during the last two months has this week been made Coroner of Hong Kong.
Friend of China 22.9.42 edition
We report a case of kidnapping in this issue. We hear every time law and order diminishes there are cases of kidnapping of the wives and children of important people in China. During our military advance on Canton last year some of the wives and children of Hong merchants were abducted in this way and had to be ransomed.
It is also apparent from the reports of crime in China that slavery exists and seems to have been extended to Hong Kong. Our magistrate will have to acknowledge the fact as his warrant requires him to administer the laws, usages and customs of China to the native population.
Once we are formally admitted within the British empire this must cease
Friend of China 22.9.42 edition
Crime report: The difficulty with piracy at Hong Kong is continuing. Ah Lup has charged Ah Chiu with breach of contract:
‘On 26th Aug I was sailing through Kap Sing Mun (the strait between Ma Wan and Lantau Islands) when pirates boarded my boat and robbed me of 280 Taels of silver and 120 Taels-worth of property (2 iron guns, 4 bows, 200 arrows, 3 swords, 15 long knives, 6 fishing knives, 28 spears, 15 spikes and chisels, 1 gong, 16 hats and some clothes and medicine).
‘I am a businessman. There were seven people on my boat whilst the pirates numbered about thirty. They fired a gun across our bows. We did not fire back but stopped. They boarded and drank tea. We showed them our pass (issued by the Chung Suen Tong Society at Hong Kong dated 24th Aug and valid to 22nd Oct 42) and paid the usual 108 Cash to them as lucky money. They left then later they returned. The pushed us into a corner of the boat and took everything.
‘I accuse Ah Chiu. I paid him $6 for this pass. His colleague Ah Kui assured me it would protect me from pirates all around Hong Kong. Ah Kui is not in Hong Kong now and neither he nor Ah Chiu were amongst the pirates who robbed me. They guaranteed protection but failed. I expect Ah Chiu to pay 400 Taels in compensation.
‘I arrived here on 27th Aug to look for Ah Chiu, whose house is opposite the Chung Suen Tong but I could not find him. I went into Chung Suen Tong and showed them my pass and complained. They said they would check who had robbed me and if they had done something wrong they would pay me. I went back the day before yesterday at night and they refused to pay.
‘I have bought a similar pass from the prisoner before for trading at Stanley. When I bought this pass on 24th August there was a man called Yeuk Ho from Shek Pai Wan present who was also buying a pass.’
Ah Lup’s crewman Ah Sze also gave evidence. He went to Ah Chiu's shop opposite Chung Suen Tong on 24th Aug to buy a pass. Ah Chiu took me across the road into Chung Suen Tong and I paid $6 to Yan So and received the document. I took it to our boat and gave it to our captain Ah Lup. Our boat belongs to Heen Wu who lives at Sham Shui Seah near Canton. He owns the cargo as well. Everybody knows you must have these passes for protection. Heen Wu gave me Ah Chiu's name and told me to buy the pass from him. I was not on the boat when it was attacked.
Defence. Ah Chiu says he knows nothing. He never saw Ah Lup or Ah Sze before. I don't know what a pass is. I do not know the society they mention or the people who sell pork in the shop in front of the society. The people in the bazaar all know me. I now produce this testimonial signed by 20 bazaar hawkers showing I am a genuine trader.
Case adjourned for the bazaar shopkeepers to attend court.
At the resumed hearing, Ah Lup first produced three passes issued to three separate boats. Ah Lai is one of the boatmen and is brought into Court. He is shown the pass for his own boat but says he has never seen it before. Court notes that the three papers, whilst similar to Plaintiff's pass, are all new and not of the appearance of documents produced 2-3 months earlier. Prisoner is acquitted. Ah Sze is awarded 60 lashes for false testimony.
Friend of China 29.9.42 edition
Crime report - Ah Sing and Ah Charn are charged by Caine with kidnapping:
The witness Ah Sze says he is a carpenter. He went down to one of the passenger boats that had arrived from Canton to buy planks and saw his brother Ah Wai, 10 years old, sitting there crying. Ah Wai said Ah Sing had offered him work in Canton at Chow Chum one night's journey away at 50 cents per month. He had gone on the boat and after 3 days arrived in Hong Kong. While Ah Wai was saying this, another boy who was listening came up and said he had also been kidnapped. Ah Sze asked about him and his parents and found the family was also known to him. They come from the next village. Both boys had been told the same story. Ah Sze went to the watchman and reported.
Ah Wai says he lives at Shan Yin. His father is To Pak and sells fruit at Tat Sha Yee. 3 years ago Ah Wai’s relative took him to Canton where he was taught to weave silk. He lived there. On 23rd August while walking in the street Ah Wai met Ah Sing who wanted a boy to help him sell fruit in Chow Chum. Ah Sing said he would immediately give me some good clothes and pay me half a dollar a month. He said Chow Chum is two nights journey from Canton. He took me to Honam where there was a boat. I got on board and we left but the next day we had not arrived and then I suspected I had been cheated. I called out for help and one of the passengers asked me about myself. I told him everything and he asked Ah Sing what he was doing. He told the passenger he had purchased me. The passenger asked to see the bill of sale but Ah Sing said his partner kept it. The partner is Ah Charn, an old man, and he contrarily said the bill of sale was with Ah Sing.
When the boat arrived at Hong Kong Ah Wai saw his brother Ah Sze and asked for help. Another boy on the same boat came forward and told the same story. Then Ah Sze went ashore and came back with policemen who seized Ah Sing and Ah Charn. My brother took me to his home and this morning brought me here.
The other boy, Ah Lai is 11 years old. He comes from Kong Moon. He says his father Ah Ling died 3 months before and his elder brother Chen Ching took him to a silk shop to learn to work silk. He was coaxed away by Ah Charn 5 days ago. He met Ah Wai when he arrived at the house on Honam. I met his brother when we arrived in Hong Kong. Ah Sze knew my father. I stayed in his house overnight.
The accused prisoners say they bought the two children in Canton and produce a title deed but it does not appear like a legal document and has no signatures. Finding - Guilty. 50 lashes each. 4 months hard labour. The children are released.
Editor - Apparently the boys had been bought to Hong Kong for sale, but to whom?
Friend of China 6.10.42 edition
Law and Order in Hong Kong continues troublesome:
Mr J F Hight reported the attempted robbery of Pybus' godown. He was awakened by a tremendous noise at 1.30 am. The comprador said many men were trying to batter down the front door. All the people in the godown were awakened by the noise. Hight could see a large junk anchored at the Pybus wharf in front. He got his pistol and fired a random shot. On the sound of that shot, a great crowd of men retreated from the doorway to the boat and sailed away to the west. Outside the door, which was heavily damaged by blows, was a 40 lbs mallet. At the wharf were 2 swords, 5 spears and 3 shields & a charcoal fire with a joss stick in a pan. This morning at 11 am we saw a body floating near the pier.
Mr William Henry works for Jamieson and How. About 1 am I heard a great noise and awoke. I did not know where the noise came from - either our godown or Pybus' next door. I saw a boat alongside Pybus' pier and an immense number of men moving towards the boat. Then I heard a pistol shot. Chaos. I came down to the godown and saw Hight and his coolies were on the pier collecting knives left by the departed men. I went with Hight and four coolies to the police station and woke the constable but he said there was no night watch available and he could do nothing until morning. At 10 am this morning I saw a body on the beach that had been shot through the head.
Another attempted robbery was made on Lt Hamilton's premises the previous night at midnight. 15 men with spears and lighted torches approached the house and tried to fire the servants' quarters. Hamilton and his writer rushed out and fired three pistol shots at the robbers who, instead of running away as usual, gave battle. Hamilton was stabbed several times. His writer and two servants were wounded. The thieves took $10 before escaping.
The Editor has received numerous letters enquiring what the government will do to protect life and property.
Friend of China 6.10.42 edition
Sir George Staunton has given notice in the Commons of a motion to introduce a bill for the establishment of courts of criminal and civil jurisdiction in China. That will be nice but we also need fundamental things like proper drains and bridges and watchmen on land and sea to protect us and our property.
Friend of China 6.10.42 edition
The Catholics are building an impressive church here which when completed will be a great ornament for the town. We need an Anglican cathedral as well.
Friend of China 6.10.42 edition
Letter to the Editor - It is now possible to ride a good horse along the beach from Western barracks to Sookunpo, a distance of about 4 miles. You could never do that in Canton. Not only that but one of the highest peaks is being levelled and a house erected on its summit. New sites are popping up everywhere and the whole island rings to the sounds of saws and hammers.
In the Chinese quarter, where your newspaper office is, all the houses are joined together in terraces. This is a fire risk. Fire engines and water tanks need to be able to get access. Water may be had for much of the year from the streams that run down the hillside along several of the north/south streets. I hope you will comment on this to engage the government’s attention.
Friend of China 13.10.42 edition
A proclamation in Chinese has been posted throughout Hong Kong by magistrate Caine and is dated 4th Oct 42. It has excited interest amongst the Chinese population.
It says 'a great many burglaries have occurred. No Chinese, except watchmen, can remain in the public streets after 11pm. Anyone disobeying will be arrested and punished.’
Friend of China 13.10.42 edition
Hong Kong Crime report - Murder and Robbery, Hearing 12th Sept 42:
Sher Harao, a Muslim baker from Bengal, says at 1 am 10th Sept 1842 20 Chinese men entered his hut. Ah Ha sat on his chest, seized his throat and pushed a cloth into his mouth. Harao’s servant Kallay Khan was sleeping at the foot of the bed. Chau Chuen tied Khan’s arms and held his head back by the hair while Ah Kuen pushed a crooked knife into his abdomen and vigorously moved the handle up and down. My servant Khan called out 'chin chin fo kee' which is an appeal for mercy, but was ignored. I have two Chinese servants Ah Sam and Ah Po. Ah Sam was severely cut-up. I saw who did it and it was not one of the three prisoners. I never saw any of these people before the murder. The robbers took 2 mace of cash from under my pillow and all my bedclothes and left. Kallay Khan died after half an hour.
Ah Po says Harao's house has only a plank for a door. In the morning of 10th Sept, 10-20 robbers entered. A robber held my head down onto the floor at the foot of the bed and another struck me with a knife. They kept me down there all the time and I did not see who they were. I know the 3 prisoners. They are all coolies working on the road outside. The bakery has been robbed twice before and the baker wounded. I do not know who did the previous robberies. I do not believe that the robbers work for the nearby Chinese baker - they work on the road.
Ah Sam says many robbers broke in that night. I was cut very slightly. I know they wounded Ah Po, strangled Harao and killed Khan. I told Sgt Collins I knew the robbers and pointed them out to him but now I am unsure if I can completely recognise their faces. I was confused when I identified them to the Sgt. I do not know if they were really in the hut.
Sgt Collins says at dawn Ah Po identified three robbers and said he would catch more. He said he knew who they all were. He took me to the front of the market where about 150 coolies were assembled that morning waiting to be selected for work. He had some raise their hats and finally identified the three prisoners. Ah Kuen was particularly violent on being identified before we subdued him.
Private Alexander accompanied St Collins and corroborates his evidence.
Defence: Ah Kuen says he's been in Hong Kong for a month. He has never seen the baker or his workers before. He did not rob them. He slept that night in a grass hut with Ah Po, Kum Tuk, Ah Yau, Kau Sau and Kung Chai.
Ah Po says the same. He slept with Ah Kuen, To Pei Chai, Ah Sum & Teen Tuk.
Chau Chuen says I know nothing. I live in a small hut on the hillside with Chai Lok and Ah Lum Chai. They are both coolies. No one else knows me.
Case adjourned.
23rd Sept 42 Court reconvened:
Ah Sam the main prosecution witness (who has been kept in gaol) wishes to further address the Court. I now further recall that the robbers all spoke in the Sai Mun dialect. I was awakened when they started beating Ah Po. He threw himself down in a corner. I took a pipe and threw it at them. One grabbed a bamboo and hit me twice (shows scar on shoulder and side). Two men were holding Harao, one by the legs the other by the head. One man was holding Kallay. His bowels were cut open. He lived about an hour more. The robbers wore only trousers.
26th Sept 42 reconvened:
Ah Sam is again recalled and confronts robbers. He now perfectly recalls them. I saw Ah Kuen murder Khan, I saw him on the body. The other two restrained Harao. I will cut off a cock's head to confirm the truth of this. I am confident in my identification now because Chau Chuen's cell is near mine and I have heard him talking in his sleep. He speaks of men who murder and rob.
Friend of China 13.10.42 edition
Local advertisements:
G Moses and Co offer a strong and elegant palanquin carriage complete with harness and valued at $300, for sale by lottery, dated 4th Oct 42
1st Oct 42 for sale at public auction by N Duus, the valuable household property (including horse and cows) of H J Leighton Esq.
Friend of China 13.10.42 edition
Queen's Road is beginning to look marvellous. Several hundred workmen are constantly employed in blasting and cutting, widening and ditching, building substantial bridges. It is almost entirely 60' wide except for a few short sections around massive rocks where it reduces to 50'. It runs from the town limits on one side right across to the other.
Friend of China 13.10.42 edition
We wonder if opium imports will be legalised in the new commercial treaty? Pottinger’s silence and the opposition of the Hong merchants suggest it will not. We think any arrangement should consider that the sale price of opium imports now totals an astonishing $20,000,000 per annum.
We cannot object to the restoration of the Bogue forts. That means the Whampoa smuggling trade will have to cease. The Chinese smugglers are expected to resort to Hong Kong which will become the main smuggling centre in our future trade.
Being a free port no remonstrance will be made locally. To get the opium trade to come to Hong Kong, our Chinese friends say we must merely keep the port completely open to their boats. This infers the swarms of pirates must be destroyed. Piracy is the only serious obstacle to the onward progress of our flourishing new colony.11
Friend of China 13.10.42 edition
The Bombay papers are quoting freight rates for a candy of cotton to Hong Kong at 8 rupees and to Whampoa at 12 rupees. These Canton exactions can be avoided if all China cargo is shipped here to our free port for smuggling into China.
Friend of China 13.10.42 edition
Lieutenant Hamilton is recovering from the knife attack during the burglary of his premises. He knows his two shots felled two robbers who were instantly carried away by their comrades. He says his writer's shot also hit someone. Crime is a problem.
The police have been diligent this last week and many people have been stopped and questioned. Several suspicious persons have turned out to be pirates and robbers. Cutting off their queues is a most salutary punishment. Many respectable Chinese say they will leave Hong Kong if this punishment is continued. We say ignore them. Men of integrity have nothing to fear.
Friend of China 20.10.42 edition
A subscription for the relief of suffering as a result of the Afghan fiasco has been held in Hong Kong. The Editor of Friend of China thanks the following residents for their contributions:
W Leslie, W Blenkin, C Board, D L Burn, Dadabhoy Byramjee, Naporwarjee Dorabjee, J F Edzon, C Fearon, R J Gilman, J Hades, J Holliday, W H Hunter, Merwanjee Jeejeebhoy, W Lane, J Leathly, J Middleton, E Moller, J D Neave, Manackjee Nenabhoy, H Pybus, J Smith.
Friend of China 20.10.42 edition
Hong Kong Crime report:
Girls for hire in Hong Kong are owned by men. Chah Yau is the owner of un-named girls who may be rented by the night.
Ah
Tai says he was sailing through Lyemun pass with two crew and a
cargo of salt fish for Hong Kong when he was approached by a pirate
ship with 29 men on board, armed with matchlocks, swords, spears and
knives. Both his companions threw themselves into the sea and one,
Ah Yau, has not been seen again. The other Chin Fuk will give
evidence in this case.
Ah Tai was seized and bound in his own
boat and kept that way for 4 days until his friends recognised the
pirate boat when it was tied up in Hong Kong harbour near Mr
Gillespie's house. The dried fish they stole was worth $18. The
Defendant was on board the pirate boat when Ah Tai was robbed. Both
the pirate boat and Ah Tai’s boat have been seized by Pedder.
Chin
Fuk corroborates Ah Tai.
The Defendant says his boat belongs to
Ho Yin of Macau. He was sick when the police came so was unable to
flee with the others. He is not a pirate. His queue was cut off
recently as punishment for robbery.
Verdict Guilty. 6 months hard
labour, 100 lashes. Boat confiscated. Victim's boat returned to him.
Friend of China 20.10.42 edition
Another pub that our seamen patronise in Hong Kong is the Army and Navy Tavern run by Case.
He is accused of breach of liquor licence terms.
Robert Lawry is Case's butler and manages the pub from day-to-day. The seamen drink in a basement specially reserved for them. Case walks through there occasionally and knows the use of the basement. His licence does not permit the sale of liquor to seamen or soldiers. Lawry sells the spirits for him and give the money to Ah Kau, who is Case's Chinese treasurer and keeps the accounts.
Case was fined and told not to breach terms of his liquor licence again.
Friend of China 20.10.42 edition
We should start a direct ferry service between Hong Kong and Canton. Travelling via Macau is inconvenient. The office of the Superintendent of Trade at Macau will soon be abolished. We hear a private merchant is about to commence a steamer service between Hong Kong and Whampoa - this is bound to succeed. The community at Canton are continually complaining of the difficulty in reaching Hong Kong. We have two tasks - to start a direct service and to get rid of the swarms of pirates.
Friend of China 20.10.42 edition
There were two fires in Hong Kong on the morning of 17th October - one at Elliot's Vale and the other between the Upper and Lower Bazaars. Six Chinese mat-houses were destroyed. Fortunately the police were on the scene early and got the blaze under control but the situation will get worse when the winter weather sets-in. These mat-houses increase the risk that one of our brick buildings will catch fire. All the matsheds should be removed from the bazaars. The Chinese regularly burn offerings and joss sticks and fires will continue to occur. It would be a calamity if either of our fine bazaars was destroyed. Most of the Chinese houses in the Upper Bazaar have matting behind them for cooling. They should all be removed.
Friend of China 27.10.42 edition
The numbers of piratical attacks on our boats are not diminishing. The costs of building materials and supplies from Canton are inflated by the losses due to piracy. Something should be done. We are now sovereign in this island.
Friend of China 27.10.42 edition
Hong Kong Crime report:
Ah Kwai says he sailed his ferryboat from Canton to Hong Kong on 24th Oct with various people and traders as passengers. When he passed the Tung Ku anchorage (Lung Kwu Chau) at 11pm his ferry was attacked by 2 pirate boats containing about 60 armed men. Two of the ferryboat’s crew were cut by swords. Ah Kwai was tied around the waist and hoisted up the mast.
“I asked Ah Song, the head pirate, to respect his protective pass which he had sold to me but he refused. He is the leader of the Chui Yee Tong which is the co-operative that all those pirates belong to. Cheung Tong is the administrator of the Chui Yee Tong and writes all the protective passes they issue. Altogether I lost $1,300 - $1,400 of property. I complained to the police on arrival in Hong Kong and they arrested the defendants in a matshed above the bazaar. They found four new passes and receipts at $12 each for 7 sold passes. There was a letter from Tong Mu applying for passes for resale. His letter said he had received 11 passes and sold 8 but still needed 5 more.
Ah Hei says he was a passenger on Ah Kwai’s ferry. He went to Canton to sell cloth and was attacked on returning. The protective pass of the ferry (to protect against pirates) was valid until 1st day of the 12th month. That Ah Song said he did not care about the pass and he would plunder us anyway. The pirates had matchlocks, swords and spears. They did not fire their guns but wounded us with knives. They stole everything we had. They only left us to rob another boat.
Ah Mun says I was bringing $60 of ready-made Chinese clothes for sale in Hong Kong. I was sleeping when the Chinese pirates boarded our boat. I lost everything, even my purse. I was below deck and did not see much. I cannot recognise any of the prisoners.
Sgt Collins raided the office of Chui Yee Tong. He found some papers. Ah Song is the elder brother of the society. An old woman named Mung Por is the occupant of the premises. She says she pays $2 per month rent to Ah Song. He is the owner but does not live there.
Kit Mun from Tung Kwoon is the ferryboat captain. He lost $300 in this robbery. Four of his crew were wounded. Ah Tai gave him $300 to buy cargo in Canton. It was all loaded on board for delivery to Hong Kong and was stolen. I bought a protective pass from Chan Tung of Chui Yee Tong for $8. It was valid for 3 months. I bought it in a matshed above the bazaar about 15 days ago. It was posted-up in my boat which has now gone to the Bogue. I cannot produce it.
Ah Tai is a comprador. He says he gave $300 to Kit Mun to buy cargo in Canton and it was stolen. He reported the case to Major Caine who told him to look for the pirates and report when he found them. He found them at the upper bazaar area and the police went and caught them.
Caine referred this case to the head of the government. Pottinger being away it was dealt-with by Johnstone. Ah Song and Cheung Tong were sentenced to 4 years gaol; the other three to 2 years. All will perform hard labour in chains. 100 strokes each.
They are first to be taken to the street outside Ah Song's house and have their queues cut-off publicly. Ah Song's house is confiscated and will be sold at public auction. The proceeds will partially indemnify the victims. Any balance due must be paid by the convicts before they can be released.
Friend of China 27.10.42 edition
List of merchant shipping in the harbour. Some of the companies on this list are agents rather than owners:
|
Trading Ships: Arethusa, Cacique. Ariel, Bolton, Black Nymph, Marian. Anne Mary, Bombay Castle, Kelpie, Litherland, Mary Ann, M C Weber, Osprey. Algerine - Diana, Frances Ann, Palestine, Susan. Emma Eugenia Foam Felicity Hero Himalaya John O'Gaunt Intrepid Wave Receiving Ships: Chusan General Wood John Barry Isabella |
Shipowners C Fearon Dent & Co J M & Co do Jamieson & How as agents of D Wilson and Co of Calcutta Fox, Rawson & Co Reynvaan & Co Dallas & Co Dirom & Co Lindsay & Co Hughes & Co Turner & Co W Allanson & Co McVicar & Co - Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee J M & Co Dent & Co C Markwick |
Friend of China 3.11.42 edition
Slavery occurs in Hong Kong. People are buying or stealing female children in Canton and bringing them here for prostitution. We are appalled to report that not only Chinese people are involved in this traffic.
Some Chinese might have come here with their slaves under the belief that our agreement to administer them under Chinese law permitted it.
Friend of China 3.11.42 edition
Letter to the Editor:
It is not possible to eradicate pirates without first eradicating smuggling. The occupants of every pirate boat that has so far been apprehended have defended themselves by saying they are actually opium smugglers. They invariably refer us to the General Wood or some other receiving ship for evidence that they buy opium, which they do. The pirates and the smugglers are the same people.
Many of the craft lying off the opium fleet at Whampoa are pirate ships. They defy the Chinese authorities there under the protection of the guns on the English receiving ships. We should permit the Bogue forts to be rebuilt and co-operate with the Chinese government in suppressing piracy.
Public opinion in England is getting better informed about our opium trade. They know it is detrimental to the legitimate China trade. The same attitudes that ended the slave trade will end the opium trade. As it cannot be immediately suppressed it should be legalised as the next best thing.
Editor - the finances of British India alone prevent the abolition of the trade. It is a rare example of a monopoly being a good thing, for the inefficiencies of monopoly enhance prices and restrict markets. When the Company’s government is involved in the trade it should not be surprising to find private individuals in it as well.
Friend of China 3.11.42 edition
Inquest:
Constable Patrick Breen says he was called to a disturbance in the bazaar. He arrested a man and took him back to the gaol where he was put in the stocks overnight. Breen then went back to the place of disturbance and found a dead body. The market people said the arrested man was the murderer. Breen left the market and reported to Sgt Collins. He went back to the house in the bazaar and found Dr Winchester doing a dissection. A pair of scissors were ascertained to be the murder weapon.
Tin Chung says there was a dispute. The deceased had asked the prisoner to repay some money. The prisoner knifed the deceased. When the mortal nature of the injury became apparent, the injured man said he would pay any expense to save his life but he still died. He continually cried out 'pelo, pelo' which means 'its all over'. The prisoner confessed.
Boyson, the apothecary at the Medical Depot, gave evidence he looked out of his house and saw a crowd at the deceased's house. He went over to see what it was. There had been a knifing. He saw the injured man on a cot. A bloody pair of scissors were nearby. Verdict wilful murder.
Friend of China 3.11.42 edition
Hong Kong Crime report:
Ah Yung, Ah Cheung and Ah Kwai were arrested in the bazaar on 15th October and many piracy papers were found in their house. One book shows 93 protective passes were sold to boats from Cheung Chau at $300 per year each during 1841. The passes are issued in the name Kwong Lung which is the name of the shop owned by Ah Yung. Another book records the sale of 115 passes to various boats.
There is a letter from Chan Yan Ting to Ah Yung dated October asking for 25 passes and sending $10 deposit and some fresh crabs. Another books list passes sold in the name of Chi Sum Tong and Seen Sum Tong. Another book shows passes issued by Ngai Yung Tong, Sun Yee Tong and Sun Hing Tong. Another letter from Chan Yan Ting in August asks for 25 passes and sends $15 and some crabs. An account of 88 passes sold to various boats by Ah Yung up to June is also amongst the papers.
Ah Yung says the prawn and crab boats and the fishing boats go to him for passes and he gets them from Ah Sing who lived in the matshed belonging to Sun Hing Tong which the police recently pulled down. Ah Yung says he is not a pirate and asks for mercy.
Witness Tam Sze says he owns the house which Ah Yung rents. He thought Ah Yung was a rice trader. He pays Tam $10 per month. They have known each other for a few months.
The prisoners were sentenced to gaol and hard labour and thereafter to banishment. The witness Tam was fined $40 for lack of circumspection.
Friend of China 3.11.42 edition
A gang of burglars from Kowloon landed from their boats at West Point last Tuesday night. They subdued and tied up two sentries and removed 24 muskets from the regimental armoury before the alarm was raised. The barracks are presently occupied by the Cameronians, Major Caine’s regiment.
Friend of China 3.11.42 edition
Dutronquoy and Company have pleasure in announcing the progress of their Theatre Royal under construction in Hong Kong. A troupe of actors and actresses will soon arrive for a series of theatrical productions. “The fair fame of the actresses engaged has never been sullied by the foul blot of calumny. They arrived in Hong Kong early November and their beauty and talent is only surpassed by their spotless virtue.”
Friend of China 10.11.42 edition
A new weekly newspaper has been started in Hong Kong by some eminent China scholars. It is called the Free Correspondent.
Friend of China 10.11.42 edition
Major General Saltoun has arrived to take command of the troops in Hong Kong. This famous soldier has participated in feats of British arms from the Douro to the Seine.
Friend of China 17.11.42 edition
Two Singapore papers have published their opinions on Hong Kong:
The Singapore Free Press - 'A harder bargain might perhaps have been driven with the Chinese, and more territorial acquisitions made, but we are convinced the present arrangements will be conducive to the interest of the English and promote a better estimate of their character by the Chinese. The treaty terms prove that we seek only what is just and proper and that we have no disposition to take advantage of their misfortunes to impose harsh and degrading terms upon them'
Straits Messenger - 'It will be perceived from the terms of the treaty that the demands of the British Government, as acceded to by the Chinese Commissioners, are as remarkable for their moderation as they are for the dignity of the position taken by Great Britain.'
Comments from the Indian Editors and from elsewhere are not yet available.
Friend of China 10.11.42 edition
If we could encourage Canton silk manufacturers to come to Hong Kong to weave their silk products they would be accepted in England as colonial goods and avoid the 25% Imperial Preference Tax.
The Italian, French and Turkish silk crops are now coming to market and the harvest is estimated to be very big this year. The best filatures at Naples are 17/- or 18/- per lb delivered at London.12
Friend of China 17.11.42 edition
D Wilson & Co, general merchants, have opened the Auckland Hotel in Hong Kong and invite the patronage of army and navy officers (both H M’s and the Company’s forces) and residents of Hong Kong. 10th Nov 42
Friend of China 17.11.42 edition
Hong Kong Crime report:
Three European soldiers forced their way into the house of Sang Tuk at Chek Chu (Stanley) on 4th Nov 42 and each stabbed him once with a bayonet killing him. A little later the same night a brothel in the same village was forcibly entered and an inmate ‘abused' and robbed, also by three soldiers.
The men are known and said to have been of previous good character but were intoxicated by that pernicious spirit samshoo.
Friend of China 24.11.42 edition
Reynvaan and Co, the old Dutch company of Macau, have built a brick godown at 20 Queen's Road and welcome your goods for dry storage.
Friend of China 24.11.42 edition
The three murderers at Stanley are Samuel Mitchell, John McDaniels and Alexander McLaine, all privates in H M’s 26th Regiment. The victim was not the supplier of their samshoo - his house was not plundered. Their motive remains uncertain. The pathologist Coles noted two triangular bayonet wounds through the victim’s chest, one of which had penetrated the heart.
The same evening another house was entered and a woman wounded and robbed of $8 in trinkets. She had small wounds and bruises all over her body
Mitchell said he bought 9 bottles of samshoo from the woman Ah Lok for 3 rupees and got raving drunk. Whilst in that condition, he says he was beaten-up in one of the pleasure houses. He had his bayonet with him – ‘I might have used it’ he speculated.
McDaniel said he was not guilty. Mitchell had told him in the guardroom that he had killed a Chinaman when he was with McKinley and McLaine
McLaine said he had been drinking with the others in the barracks but did not go into town and had no knowledge of the murder until the next morning.
The sentry said he saw a man running up to the barracks but before he could turn out the guard and seize him he had entered the barracks and could not be distinguished from the other soldiers.
Friend of China 24.11.42 edition
Wm Jardine sought to float a Chartered Bank of Asia in China with headquarters in London. A prospectus requesting subscriptions was issued but the public did not support it. Many of those people who actively co-operated with Jardine in that proposal were concurrently financially diminished by the widespread commercial failures in Calcutta. Another difficulty was the uncertain state of the law governing business ventures in China.
If capitalists in London are unwilling to support a local bank because of the uncertainty of political affairs in China, the cession of Hong Kong now provides a guarantee of local security.
J M & Co (of which Wm Jardine was so long the head) is now taking a lively interest in Hong Kong and we hope a bank will soon be established here.
Other banks are proposing to open branches in Hong Kong. One is the London Joint Stock Bank from amongst whose shareholders the new subscriptions for the Hong Kong branch are expected to come. This bank has an opulent body of shareholders, a nominal capital of £3,000,000 (£600,000 paid up). It has a guarantee fund which has now accumulated £100,000.
Editor - this bank is operated in a prudent and business-like way.
Friend of China 1.12.42 edition
Hong Kong - A fire started in the mat houses behind the lower bazaar on Monday morning (28th Nov) and 40 - 50 huts were destroyed. The government should remove the mat houses that are contiguous with our brick structures as they are the ones that burn. Otherwise with the cold winter weather now coming on, there will be another fire.
Friend of China 8.12.42 edition
Editorial - Pottinger arrived Hong Kong on Saturday on the Queen and negotiations for the commercial treaty will now commence.13
There is no prospect of Hong Kong being administered by the Company - its humiliating policy in the past would make the nascent colony a national disgrace and the Chinese would feel contempt.
Friend of China 8.12.42 edition
Hong Kong Crime report:
Ah Gee a ship's comprador is accused by Michael Edward Parsons of counterfeiting coins. Ah Gee is a steward of the transport Gertrude.
The prisoner agreed to buy a clock from Parsons for $11. On examining two of the first three dollars proffered in payment, Parsons found them bad. I found Ah Gee had $35 coins on him and fifteen appeared bad. Some dollars were sawn in two in front of him revealing their copper cores. The prisoner acknowledged that 14 coins were bad and offered me $10 to let him go.
Ah Po, the Gertrude's butcher, said Ah Gee had paid him $6 for clothes and they had all turned out to be counterfeit as well.
Ah Gee said he received the coins from HMS Childers so he thought they must be good.
Award : Six months hard labour, fined $100, Repay $6 to Ah Po
Friend of China 15.12.42 edition
Pottinger advises that, as so many people wish to talk with him, he has set aside Mondays and Thursday between 1100 - 1400hrs for the purpose.
Friend of China 15.12.42 edition
Hong Kong crime report
Ah Wong is charged with possessing a pirate paper. He was arrested on suspicion of robbery and the paper was found during search.
It is issued by the General Society and imprinted on it are the seals of the 13 societies that are members of the General Society. It is issued in respect of Ah Wong’s shrimp boat Chong Yau.
Friend of China 15.12.42 edition
Hong Kong Government Notice - The sale of all sorts of spirits and fermented liquors is prohibited on Sundays with effect from 5th Nov 42
Friend of China 15.12.42 edition
Another fraças took place a few days ago between salt and opium smugglers whose boats congregate between Jardine's Point and the General Wood. (This is a reference to the editor's earlier assertion that salt merchants are major opium smugglers, being the only class of merchants with the funds to finance the trade, boats to carry the goods and the exemption from searching that government boats enjoy. They thus anchor around J M & Co’s receiving ship General Wood off East Point to take delivery).
One opium smuggler was killed and many on both sides were injured. It seems the salt men won the battle on this occasion. The place is slightly removed from town and no criticism of the authorities is intended but we think they will have to prevent that area from becoming a refuge for outlaws who come to this island to avoid punishment.
Friend of China 15.12.42 edition
Letter to the Editor - A Chinese friend has told me about the piracy system being operated in Hong Kong.
Ho Liu King, who worked for Europeans at Canton for several years and speaks some English, came to Hong Kong when we first occupied the island and was employed as a contractor for several months.
A few months ago he bought an old ship of European design and now resides on it with his family in the harbour. From this floating base he controls the piratical compact of the island.
The compact involves 36 ‘companies’ each employing 60-100 men under a captain.14 They are amalgamated in a General Society to provide insurance services covering boat use throughout the entire estuary. The captain of each company can issue and sign printed passes on behalf of the entire compact.
The masters of boats buying the insurance pay $12 - 14 quarterly for every 50 tons burthen. Most of the ferry boats, salt junks and provisions boats have signed-up with the General Society. To buy a pass, first enquire of the shop keepers in the bazaar who know all about it. Any one of them will direct you to the Society’s representative. If you prefer, you may pay the shopkeeper a small additional fee and he will procure the pass for you.
The certificate states the name and tonnage of the boat and the amount paid for the last quarter. The General Society undertakes that should the holder lose his boat or cargo to pirates during the quarter of validity, his loss will be made good by the Society. All the pirates of the 36 divisions are expected to respect these passes but they are not made of stone and occasionally, when the cargo is irresistibly valuable, they might not acknowledge its authenticity.
It is said that in no case has the pledge of indemnity been redeemed. The group is said to have amassed a capital of several hundred thousand dollars. Some of the boats coming down to Hong Kong from the coast are unaware of this requirement.
Friend of China 29.12.42 edition
19.12.42 Mr Dutronquoy has closed the London Hotel and returned to Singapore. Mr Froget (secretary to the French Consul) is deputed to collect all debts due to Dutronquoy.
Friend of China - 1843 editions
The editor of the Friend of China is the Rev J Lewis Shuck, an American Baptist. The proprietor is Alderman White of London. Shuck dedicated the new Baptist Chapel on Queen’s Road on 10th July 1842, (delayed by a typhoon to 17th July).
Friend of China 5.1.43 edition
For sale - fast coppered and copper-fastened cutter about 20 tons suitable for ferry boat. Available at Fearon's wharf, Hong Kong.15
Friend of China 5.1.43 edition
10th Nov 42 D Wilson and Co, general storekeepers, have opened their Auckland Hotel in Hong Kong and invite the patronage of military officers and residents.
Friend of China 5.1.43 edition
Cases in the Hong Kong magistracy:
James Mahanny, seaman of the Lord Lowther is charged with drunkenness.
A Lascar complained his cooking pot had been stolen by an English sailor. He led the Constable to Mahanny who was then beating coolies on the road and violently pushed the Constable away too. The policeman called two other constables and they eventually restrained Mahanny and the pot was returned to the Lascar.
Defence - I was drunk and remember nothing. Fined $2.
Rum Gam, a Bengali, is charged with drunkenness
Sergeant says at 8pm last night I found the prisoner drunk in the street and singing noisily so I arrested him.
Defence - I was drunk and remember nothing. 30 lashes.
Friend of China 5.1.43 edition
Capt Pedder, the Hong Kong Harbour Master, keeps a flock of sheep. Two were stolen in early January 1843 and one was later recovered.16
Monsieur Froget, secretary to the French vice-Consul, also keeps sheep and complains his have also been stolen. He says ‘At 2 am 23rd Nov 42, I was awakened and went downstairs. The sheep are kept overnight in a bamboo-walled hut with mat roof. The door had been cut away and three sheep were missing. I looked around and saw them nearby with men leading them to a boat. Each sheep was being stolen by two men - one held the ears the other the body. I went on the boat and found all three sheep. I caught two of the men but one of them escaped. The fourth man said he was hired to carry sheep in his boat from Hong Kong to Cheung Chau. He did not know they were to be stolen first.
Friend of China 12.1.43 edition
Hong Kong Government appointment:
C B Hillier is appointed Clerk of the Chief Magistrate’s Court wef 31st Dec 42.
Friend of China 12.1.43 edition
The Canton Dispensary and Soda Water Establishment has removed from the Thirteen Factories to Captain Morgan's Bazaar in Hong Kong wef 1st January 43 where it will be known as the Hong Kong Dispensary. Sgd A Anderson and P Young. (This is the major competitor to Mr Alexander S Watson’s Dispensary)
Friend of China 19.1.43 edition
Letter to the Editor - You are right about the systematic nature of piracy and the unwillingness of the pirates to honour their passes. Three junks from Namoa called at Hong Kong on 12th day of 11th moon. They bought pirates' passes for each junk at $17 each and went to Macau where they sold their cargo for totally $2,100.
On their return here they were attacked by pirates outside the harbour and all their money and valuables were taken. They applied for indemnity to the man who sold them the passes but he demurred saying the responsible pirates were part of another gang.
In another case, another three junks arrived from the East Coast and were attacked on entering Hong Kong harbour. One escaped; two were boarded. One crew man died and others were wounded. The crews are now in fear and decline to sail their junks away from Hong Kong.
Friend of China 19.1.43 edition
Piracy - On the night of 5th Jan 43 lorcha No 68 came from Macau to Hong Kong with passengers but was boarded in the Kap Shui Mun channel by 120 pirates armed with swords and spears. They took the money and valuables and trunks of all the passengers. Two English passengers who resisted were stabbed and their money and clothes taken.
One of the injured foreigners was the gunner of the brig Ann that was ship-wrecked on Taiwan. He was returning to Hong Kong on his way to England having collected $312 back-pay in Macau that was due to him up to the time of his shipwreck. He received three stab wounds.
Nearby on the same night the colonial lorcha Enterprise (Sharp) was coming into the anchorage with a cargo of opium when it was also boarded by pirates. The Captain, his officer and four crew were murdered. The supercargo, Wilson of Turner and Co, was stabbed but escaped with his Chinese girlfriend and the Chinese crew of the Enterprise in the ship's boat. After its cargo worth $30,000 was stolen, the lorcha was set on fire. The Enterprise was the first ship on the Hong Kong colonial register. Capt Sharp will be remembered as the first master to take his ship to Canton after the war, surprising the denizens there when, unannounced, he pulled alongside the seawall at the factories and moored his ship.
We hear from Whampoa that foreign seamen in our fleet there claim to have summarily avenged these piratical attacks by slaughtering eight people, supposing their victims to be some of the involved pirates.
Pirates have also come ashore to loot on the south side of our island.
The Editor of Friend of China was himself recently captured by pirates while in sight of the harbour. The detailed atrocities that continue in our vicinity are popularly ascribed to the recklessness and insubordination induced by the smuggling trade in opium. It is impossible to distinguish opium smuggling boats from pirates' boats - indeed they are convertible if not synonymous terms. Now Hong Kong is practically blockaded. Native craft fear to come or, having come, fear to depart. There should be no doubt that the present state of the waters around our island is disgraceful to Britain and its supposed civilisation. The Canton provincial authorities have already sought our collaboration in suppressing piracy. We should do something.
Editor - The impossibility of preventing smuggling is suggested in evidence to the Select Committee concerning the export of textile machinery. Britain’s legislators sought to prevent foreign competition with her factory-produced woven cloth by prohibiting the export of certain parts of the machinery used to spin cotton, flax and silk. The MPs did not prohibit the export of the tools used in these trades, neither did they seek to prevent the artisans themselves from emigrating.
A witness told the committee he could export any of the proscribed parts, provided he was adequately paid. Another noted it was always safer to smuggle at the Customs House than far from it. This has just received further corroboration in London by the detection of an organised system of smuggling involving well-paid officials that has been operating for years (vide Blue Book No 201)
Friend of China 19.1.43 edition
Advert of M. Froget, the junior French representative - The rumour that Mr Dutronquoy was compelled to close the London Hotel and pay a fine of $500 at the order of the Hong Kong authorities is completely false.
He closed the hotel on 17th December because he had been personally assaulted, insulted and abused by patrons on the evening of 16th December.
Friend of China 19.1.43 edition
Chief Magistrate Caine visited Lyemun and saw two ‘opium smuggling’ boats (Editor - there is no reason for opium smugglers to fear the Hong Kong authorities, they must be pirates). The crews of about 120 men fled into the hills but Caine’s men caught a few. The stone cutters who live at the quarry there immediately dismantled the boats for useful parts but examination of the remnants revealed they had each mounted a 12 pounder and swivel guns. Having established that they were as suitable for piracy as smuggling, the few crew who were arrested by Caine’s men were handed over to the authorities at Kowloon.17
Friend of China 26.1.43 edition
Piracy - Recently, the schooner Spec on passage from Macau was attacked just outside Hong Kong harbour but beat off the attackers. The Kappa anchored before coming into Hong Kong and was forced to fire on a pirate's boat that was coming down on her. She sank the pirate.
The Chinese community in Hong Kong is considerably alarmed by these attacks. They feel trapped, especially as the Namoa junks which left here under convoy of HMS Royalist were all captured and looted by pirates and their crews mal-treated as soon as the warship parted company with them.
Friend of China 26.1.43 edition
The US merchantmen Lintin and Lema have been sold by the owners Russell & Co to the Canton government and are to be fitted out as armed men-of-war to cruise against the pirates.
Friend of China 26.1.43 edition
Letter to the Editor - On 12.1.43 a junk was attacked by three pirate boats and some of the crew were injured. One of the men is seriously hurt. It seems the pirates watched the junk whilst anchored in our harbour, then pursued it after it loaded a cargo and sailed for Stanley. After the junk had rounded West Point and was out of sight of the shipping in the harbour, the pursuers attacked.
Not long ago two junks were cut-off near Stanley and 30 men killed. Pirates used to be satisfied with plunder and did not injure and kill; now their violence has become cruel and oppressive. They can bring an end to all Hong Kong trade by sea.
There should be an insurance company for Chinese junks. A premium of 10% on the Sum Insured should suffice to reimburse the present extent of losses. We need 8 - 10 armed cutters to patrol the waters, manned by reliable Chinese. They would recognise the pirates better than we Europeans can. Pirates are always honest fishermen or opium smugglers when they anchor in Hong Kong harbour but as soon as they are out of our sight they become pirates.
Sgd 'X' of Stanley, 16.1.43
Friend of China 2.2.43 edition
Memo from Pottinger to the Imperial Commissioners:
Piracy is so bad I wish to co-operate with you in its suppression. I propose as a first step, the sending of 2-3 fast ships by both governments to cruise against the pirates. Second, you should send an official to the islands surrounding Hong Kong and register all the boats in them. Third, proclaim that any unregistered boat will be seized. Fourth, warn everyone against buying passports from pirates. Fifth, exemplary punishment of those pirates whom we catch.
As British ships will alert pirates simply by their appearance, the Hong Kong government is willing to fit out some junks for anti-piracy work.
Friend of China 2.2.43 edition
A fire commenced at 11 am on Tuesday due to a fire-cracker setting a matshed alight which in turn ignited coal within a matshed at the premises of Dadabhoy Rustomjee & Co.
The flames spread through temporary structures to the adjoining premises of Fletcher Larkins & Co, Gemmell & Co and the Government Ordnance Stores. Damage is estimated at $40,000
Friend of China 2.2.43 edition
Editorial - J A Mercer's cutter was fired on by a pirate lorcha as it passed through Kap Shui Mun. His crew say the lorcha is a pirate and had captured some Chin Chew junks which it was convoying into harbour.
We think the lorcha cannot be a pirate as it is unprecedented for them to fire on a European-rigged vessel.
Friend of China 2.2.43 edition
Hong Kong Crime report:
Mr Case, proprietor of the Army and Navy Tavern, is again accused of selling alcohol on Sundays. A report of groups of sailors going in and out was received by police yesterday (Sunday) and Sgt Collins went in at 7 pm and saw 16 soldiers and sailors inside. Three of them were ludicrously drunk. Five were down below, the rest were upstairs, seated around a table with bottles and glasses on it. He asked a Chinese man, who appeared to be the waiter, for Mr Case but was told he had gone out.
Defence - Case says his pub was closed all day and no liquor was sold except to the four lodgers. “I was out most of the day. So was my butler. When the Chinese waiter opened the hotel door to get a bucket of water, three drunken men forced their way in, bringing bottles of wine with them. The waiter and the coolies could not prevent them. They alerted my butler who immediately went for police help but while he was away, the officers concurrently arrived independently.”
Guilty - fined $30
Friend of China 2.2.43 edition
20-30 robbers attacked Lt Rogers house on the night of the 5th Jan 43. It is near the cemetery and belongs to the Spanish missionaries. He heard them breaking the door, got his double-barrelled shotgun and discharged both barrels through the door panels. He then picked-up his sword, opened the door and sallied out waving his weapon. The thieves dispersed but Rogers sustained several wounds from hatchets and spears. Every one of the robbers was carrying a firebrand. They are supposed to have come from Kowloon.
Friend of China 9.2.43 edition
Last Tuesday we assembled at the East Point premises of J M & Co to see the first ship launched in Hong Kong from Jardines’ slip. She is called the Celestial. The ship is designed by the late carpenter of the Fort William and is built entirely from teak She is about 80 tons and belongs to Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy of Bombay where she is to sail immediately. This is a good start to our local ship-building industry.
We also announce that a resident merchant is importing a patent slip.
Friend of China 16.2.43 edition
A fine fat deer was brought over from Kowloon this week and sold to a resident for 7 rupees.
Friend of China 23.2.43 edition
|
For sale |
Apply to C V Gillespie, 46 Queen’s Road. |
Friend of China 23.2.43 edition
The Aurora Macaense has realised that the creation of a free port here will make merchants unwilling to pay the onerous Macau exactions any more. The major part of Macau’s revenue is derived from rents and from duties on goods imported on account of foreigners.
Friend of China 23.2.43 edition
A cargo of ice has arrived from Chusan on the Omega for the use of Jardines’ employees. We should make an ice house here as it is so refreshing in the summer months.
Friend of China 2.3.43 edition
On 14th Feb, a ferry service from Hong Kong harbour to Stanley was commenced by P Townsend & Co. The Witch sails from the Harbour Master’s jetty at 10 am on Tuesdays and Fridays; the Rory o’More leaves Stanley to return at 4pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Passage each way costs 4 Rupees, Cargo up to 6 dozen cases costs 2 Rupees freight; 3 dozen cases or less = 1 Rupee.
Friend of China 2.3.43 edition
Richard Oswald is selling several Queen’s Road waterfront lots also a bungalow on a large waterfront lot (c.f. the bungalow on Marine Lot 46 above)
Friend of China 2.3.43 edition
There was a terrible accident last Thursday at The Point (The compound of J M & Co at East Point is referred to locally as The Point). JM & Co are building some extensive structures and one is a three storey building 160 feet long and 80 feet wide intended as office and accommodation for some of the staff. As the roof was being put on, the eastern outer wall failed and the whole thing collapsed. It will have to be completely rebuilt. This is likely to delay Jardine’s move into Hong Kong from Macau even longer.
Friend of China 2.3.43 edition
For the convenience of officers, Henry John Carr and L E Christopher will add a hotel to their livery stables near the premises of Townsend and Company.
Friend of China 16.3.43 edition
The Rev Shuck has resigned as editor to take-up his missionary duties. The new editor (unidentified) notes half the subscriptions for the paper are in arrears and requests subscribers to pay up.
Friend of China 16.3.43 edition
Pottinger to Vice Admiral Parker, 8th March 43:
The Chinese agree to active suppression of piracy. I have offered to co-operate. They have declined my offer. They plan to fit out 10-20 fishing boats as cruisers. They will detain any well-armed or heavily-crewed ship and take it to their naval base at Kowloon Bay for investigation.
The officials wish to know what to do if the pirates flee to Hong Kong. I have suggested you might assist, on their application, in seizing and conveying to Kowloon any suspicious boat. Should the pirate boats run in close and the crews flee ashore, I have alerted the marine magistrate and if he can’t handle it, he will call on one of your ships or on the land forces.
cc Major General Saltoun
Friend of China 30.3.43 supplement
Notice - a fine new lorcha well-manned and well-armed will commence running between Hong Kong, Macau and Whampoa on 20th March 43.
For charter, freight or passage apply on board to Capt Prush or to Fearon and Son of Macau or N Duus of Hong Kong
Friend of China 13.4.43 edition
Commander Cecille of the French frigate Erigone saluted the British flag on arriving at Hong Kong from Macau. Commodore Kearney in USS Constitution has so far declined to give the same recognition. Perhaps he is awaiting the formal exchange and ratification of the treaty.
Friend of China 13.4.43 edition
Hong Kong Government Notice, 10th April 43:
The Lands Office is commencing a survey of all lots on the island. Surveying marks, pickets and lines are not to be interfered with.
Pottinger advises all people that Her Majesty requires all persons claiming to own Hong Kong land to submit proofs of their claims and explanations of their title to such land. No further building or clearance may be done on any lot until title has been confirmed by government. The Chief Magistrate will assist the Land Officer in ensuring compliance. Absolutely no building may be done that encroaches on the alignment of existing roads. Following completion of this exercise, the terms and tenure of land holdings will be advised.
Friend of China 20.4.43 edition
Advertisement - The Auckland Hotel is being sold at auction. It comprises a two storey building 65' x 60' (with offices at the rear) on a waterfront lot 93' x 105' opposite the Hong Kong market. It is indubitably the best location in the colony for a hotel or store.
Also the bungalow on Queen's Road at the rear of Marine Lot 46 with six rooms, a water well, large offices (convenient for servants) together with a godown and a stable. The lot is 120' x 105'.
The properties will be auctioned on the hotel verandah at noon on 29th April 43
Friend of China 20.4.43 edition
The notice about non-payment of newspaper subscriptions continues weekly. The Friend of China Press regrets to announce it has received only half the subscriptions promised.
Friend of China 20.4.43 edition
An official from the Chinese government office at Kowloon Bay named Lai has made an official visit to our Chief and Marine magistrates to concert measures for the elimination of piracy.
Last Thursday a pirate was chased into Hong Kong harbour by the Chinese. On nearing the shore the crew jumped off to escape into the hills but several were captured by our police ashore and handed over to the Chinese officers.
Friend of China 27.4.43 edition
The Monthly Times of London reports a rumour in the London clubs that Sir Henry Pottinger is dissatisfied with the honours awarded to him and wishes to relinquish his post. It says a brother of his (Eldred) will be appointed Consul-General at Hong Kong.
Friend of China 27.4.43 edition
Hong Kong land tenure - the Plenipotentiary has declined to discuss with British merchants the terms on which we will own land in Hong Kong but we can examine Lord Stanley's Act of last year (5th and 6th Victoria concerning the sale of waste land in Australia) which provides a hint.
Those enactments provide that:
No land shall be alienated, except for the use of government or the armed forces, unless by sale.
Schools, churches, parks and cemeteries are included in the definition of government use.
Military officers can commute their pay or pension to buy land.
Land is to be surveyed before sold.
The Colonial Governor is the sole authorised person to convey title.
Sales by auction are quarterly.
Sales advertisements are to note the time and place, the lot details and its reserve price.
The land is to be classified into urban, suburban and rural lots.
Land that has been unsold at auction may subsequently be sold privately (within a reasonable time) at the upset price.
Successful bidders must pay a cash deposit of 10% with the balance within a month.
One half of the gross proceeds are to fund British immigration to the colony.
We suppose the new arrangements that the Plenipotentiary awaits will not nullify any prior lawful sales.
We should also get a loan to build a road right around the island and erect permanent public buildings for government. The future land fund should be adequate security for such a loan. We need a public quay or wharf like the Praya Grande in Macau. Every maritime possession has one and so should we.
Friend of China 4.5.43 edition
Robbery at Jardine's Bazaar
A large group of robbers came to the bazaar behind J M & Co's godown on the night of 27.4.43, armed with pikes. They started breaking into houses. Sgt Richard Fry lives in a house opposite the bazaar. He was awakened by the noise and shot two robbers in the street. Jardine's comprador lost $300 and 9 catties of opium. Totally three robbers were killed.
(This case is also interesting for the report being interpreted by C W Bowra, later of the Chinese Maritime Customs)
Friend of China 4.5.43 edition
David Hume has established a bakery at Queen's Road. 24 hrs notice for orders for new bread. He offers his warranty that his bread will keep for 10-12 days. Also meat pies and fruit tarts made to order (send your own dishes).
Friend of China 4.5.43 edition
A big fire broke out in the ravine behind the lower bazaar last Monday night and about 30 native mat-houses were destroyed. It was all over before the fire brigade could respond.
Friend of China 4.5.43 edition
Another attack has been made at Jardine's Bazaar. Sgt Fry was very brave and confronted the thieves. He shot three ruffians but others got away with some booty. That same night other burglaries were affected. The Friend of China printing office was entered and robbed.
Friend of China 4.5.43 edition
Editorial on smuggling and smuggling boats:
‘Fast crab’ seems to be a Mandarin expression. They are called cheung lung teng (long dragon boats) in Cantonese. They are used on the river and all its back waters throughout the delta. They take chests of opium from the store ships anchored at the Taipa or Hong Kong or Whampoa and carry it for sale to the towns and villages throughout the Province. All wholesale and retail of opium is in cash. The sycee or silver dollars are deposited on the deck (occasionally gold in ingots or small plates is tendered). The sycee is tested, the dollars examined and weighed. When the bullion value has been agreed, delivery commences. Ordinarily the buyer takes the chests without examination of contents.
The junior officials, who take either presents or a percentage of sales to permit the trade, are always helpful to the smugglers. They know smugglers will resist them energetically and probably successfully if they are un-cooperative so they allow them great latitude.
The entire Chinese civil service has been confused by the war. The British won the war; the British bring opium. They conclude they cannot prevent opium imports and sales. For the last 1½ years Whampoa has been a smuggling centre for both Chinese and European merchants. An anchorage near the mouth of Junk River is set apart for the dozen or more cutters and schooners that are daily openly selling the drug.
Although the Chinese smugglers no longer fear their government officers they always try to avoid them for economy. If they cannot, they negotiate a present for the official and his crew in order to continue passed him on the river. These days, they only fight if the official’s demand is excessive.18 An excessive demand denotes a confident official and his confidence might mean accomplices hidden nearby so the smugglers take care. They often make discretion the better part of valour when confronted, driving the boat ashore and sacrificing hull and cargo to the officers, rather than fighting back. It is supposed that smugglers cooperate with pirates, who steal boats, in which case they recover suitable hulls and only lose the cargo. The smugglers go up to Canton and Fatshan. They offload their cargoes in the inland towns clandestinely at night. They study the market carefully and endeavour to approach a village when supplies are exhausted or nearly so.
They also go along the coast to Chuan Chow (in Fukien) but stay a little off-shore. The many bays, coves and creeks along the East Coast offer good shelter. They buy tea and silk at Amoy and Fuk Chow. The qualities are lower than the supply we get from the Hong merchants' but the smugglers are tax exempt which makes their goods very reasonably priced. The English or American ship carrying the opium smugglers’ tea does not have to go up to Whampoa and pay the port charges there, so it works out much cheaper for him too, if the smuggler can supply all his needs.
We recently got on board a large smuggling boat in Hong Kong harbour. It belongs to the rich Chinese merchant Ah Kee who has established himself here and had the boat built here. It cost Ah Kee $1,600 to build and 40 carpenters were employed for a month completing it. This type of boat needs a complete overhaul and repair after 3-4 years' use and then its good for another 3 years. The dimensions of Ah Kee’s boat is:
|
Length Breadth amidships Depth of hold Height of mainmast Height of mizzen Draught |
87½ feet 18¾ feet 6¼ feet 62½ feet 43¾ feet 4 feet 4½ inches |
This is considered to be a 2nd class boat. A 1st class boat is 78 cubits (97’) long. The crew is made up of 2 captains, 60 standing rowers and 10 sailors to steer and shift the sails. Most of the crew come from Whampoa village. This boat can carry 350 chests of opium or 400 cases of congou tea. The crew get $6 per day each as wages. There is a formula for dividing the profits of trade. On the river or in calm sea this boat can achieve 6 mph without sails. In a good breeze she can double that.
The crew keep watches at night for eight hours from 8pm - 4am. They use two large joss sticks to show the time. Each quarter of the joss stick takes an hour to burn.
They have two 12 pounder long cannons at the bows. 12 gingals on pivots along the sides, 20 double-bladed swords, 30 rattan shields, 200 pikes (some with lances). The boat is equipped with 60 oars, 15 mats to cover the boat, 2 x 300' cables (one of bamboo, one coir) and a bamboo water pump. They like to have an English musket, a European telescope and compass and they get them sooner or later.
The gunpowder is kept in a chest in the captain’s cabin. They seldom carry more than a picul. Cartridges are made of bamboo paper that resembles silk paper and is particularly strong and fine.
At Hong Kong the crews can do as they please but at all other places they stay on board and only one or two will be permitted ashore to buy food.
Friend of China 4.5.43 edition
Letter from our Chusan correspondent:
Six or seven opium schooners have gone up the Yangtse but the Plenipotentiary is not doing anything about it. It is now being put about by word of mouth that Sir Henry’s proclamation of last 14th November does not apply to opium ships. This may explain Sir Henry's order to the senior naval officer in Hong Kong to release the three seized opium ships.19
We have learned that the captains of the opium smuggling ships told the Royal Navy representatives here that if their vessels were not immediately released they would in future charter foreign ships to carry the opium trade on the Chinese coast and rivers. What could we do?
Friend of China 11.4.43 edition
Hong Kong Crime report:
An attack was made on the Morrison Institute on Tuesday morning. The Rev Principal and one of his servants were both stabbed and some property stolen. The Chinese Secretary of the Hong Kong Government was living there at the time but was unhurt. A list of the robberies that occurred in the last fortnight would completely fill our newspaper. Our Police force is too small for the job.
Friend of China 11.4.43 edition
The Protestant missionary college (the Anglo-Chinese College) at Malacca is to be immediately transferred to Hong Kong (to the Morrison Institute).
Since its misunderstandings with the Jesuits and Dominicans, the Chinese Government has been wary of missionaries. If it knew of the missionary zeal in Hong Kong, and saw we did not attempt to stop it, it might be greatly concerned which would be embarrassing for our relationship.
We need to ensure as best we can that instruction in the arts, sciences and particularly medicine at the new school in Hong Kong is open to all, not just Christian people.
Friend of China 18.5.43 edition
Hong Kong Government Notice - Charles Batten Hillier is appointed assistant to the Chief Magistrate 13.5.43
Friend of China 18.5.43 edition
Public Notice - any land holder not co-operating in the enquiry and survey announced last week will have his land resumed and any buildings thereon will be removed at the expense of the owner.
Friend of China 18.5.43 edition
In the last few days 5 Chinese war junks have arrived in the harbour bringing Hwang Ngan Tung of Keung Nan, judicial secretary to the Imperial Commissioners and ex Chief Judge of Keung Su Province. He is accompanied by Heng Ling, Commander of the Imperial Bodyguard and Manchu General of Kwangtung, who is Ilipu's assistant.
Five officials came ashore and were met on the wharf by the Plenipotentiary’s interpreters M/s Thom and Lay and escorted by them to the houses that they are to occupy for their stay. The two senior officials go out everyday in a carriage to look around. They have been fêted by the authorities and have visited our men-of-war. At Pottinger’s recent trade-fair the Hong Kong elite were invited to meet the visitors and our women-folk were enraptured by Hwang who is handsome, polished, graceful and gentlemanly. The foreign residents are well satisfied by this visit which portends happy relations in the future but the new Chinese community on Hong Kong is fearful. Some of them have ceased visiting Macau as they fear to be squeezed if their connection with Hong Kong becomes known to the Chinese officers stationed there.
One of the five visiting officials is Yan, the Prefect and magistrate of Sai Ngon, who has to bear the expense of this visit (said to be $400-$500 daily). As Yan was appointed Prefect only a few weeks ago he has not yet accumulated any capital. In any event his posting has been devalued since the smugglers removed from Lintin to Whampoa. We hear he made a hurried trip to Canton to borrow $4,000 to meet these unexpected expenses.
The other dignitaries are Yang Pui a newly appointed Manchu officer, Wu Tin Luk from Shantung and Lu Pin Kin another magistrate who was appointed a month ago. The 70 sailors on the 5 junks each get 100 cash per day in wages. The total number of the retinue is about 300.
Friend of China 18.5.43 edition
‘SH’ has sent a letter to the Editor which the latter declines to publish but says relates to a British ship which has just arrived in the harbour from the East Coast with a cargo of smuggled tea. In view of Pottinger's edict of 20th April, it appears that Chinese revenue officers have authority to seize her.
‘SH’ says smuggled tea is often brought to Hong Kong and the Chinese diplomats currently visiting will doubtless find out if they do not already know.
Friend of China 18.5.43 edition
The Editor notes a local rumour that steel bulkheads damage opium by conducting electricity and magnetism. To carry opium it is necessary to have non-conducting bulkheads.20
Friend of China 18.5.43 edition
Letter to the Editor from Observer dated 2.5.43
We are far from London where government is uncertain of local conditions. It should welcome information from Hong Kong officials and local residents about our needs. The Plenipotentiary is active and zealous but he is only one man and may not be able to think of everything.
The administration of justice in cases of serious crime must be considered. We need laws adapted for enforcement here rather than a precise copy of English law. We do not need the whole English statute book - just those laws that relate to our specific problems like property crime ashore and afloat.
Friend of China 25.5.43 edition
On the night of Saturday 13th May some thieves lifted the doors off their hinges at Mr Rogers's house. He lives at House 8, Webster's Bazaar and is an officer in the 18th Regiment. They broke open a chest-of-drawers upstairs and took $99, some clothes, two pistols, a double-barrelled gun, a spyglass, two silver watches and a gold chain.
An attempt had been made to fire the house but failed. The same place was entered again on 18th and completely cleared of remaining contents. The bed was set alight and the bedding nearly extended the flames to the whole structure but was finally extinguished with water. The loss due to theft is estimated at $800.
Friend of China 25.5.43 edition
Inquest on a Chinese found dead in the market:
Ah Fung, the market overseer, found a man lying on the ground insensible. Another man nearby said he had eaten opium as he had nothing else to eat.
Ah Sung was in the market and saw the deceased putting on all his clothes that morning although it was not cold. He looked very ill and his face had turned black. On going closer I could see an empty pot with traces of opium left in it. He did not speak to me so I called Ah Kee (the overseer's son). The deceased operated a market-stall but he had some sort of disease and no-one liked to buy things from him. As a result he could do no trade and had become poor. A month ago he already told me he wanted to kill himself.
David Gaily, a policeman, gave evidence. He was called to the market and found the man lying on a stretcher. He appeared to have the hiccups. Gaily turned him on his back but he did not speak. Ah Fung told Gaily the man had taken opium to kill himself. Gaily called Dr Lockhart who gave the man some medicine but he could not swallow it. Gaily put the patient in Ah Fung's house and told Ah Fung to report when he died. Ah Fung went to the Chief Magistrate for advice and was told to move the man to Dr Winchester's surgery. Gaily went there at the same time and was told the man was dying.
Dr C A Winchester says I am the Colonial Surgeon. A man was brought to me at 6 am that morning having taken opium. He was unconscious, light breath, face livid and swollen, eyes shut, pupils contracted. I gave him strong irritants and then powerful stimulants. He lived until 9 am
Verdict - felo de se21
Friend of China 25.5.43 edition
Letter to the Editor - Last week you quoted the Times opining that each country must enforce its own revenue laws. Our local smugglers used advanced western arms to overcome the ancient weapons of the Chinese government and so do whatever they please. They smuggle in broad daylight and refuse to be stopped or searched by the coastguard.
It is misleading to compare this activity with smuggling across the English Channel as it is qualitatively different. British revenue officers can arrest the smugglers when they catch them, the Chinese cannot.
It is not enough to simply withhold protection from our smugglers. The treaty obligation is to deliver-up offenders to the government of the nation to which they belong.
Every nation has a right to punish those who disobey its laws. A provision intended to protect the innocent should not be used to shelter the guilty. If we allow these criminals to escape justice, Hong Kong will soon become completely lawless as we are indeed seeing. Sgd Observer
Editor's comment Observer is often right but this time he is wrong about the treaty provision and wrong about its construction in international law.
Friend of China 8.6.43 edition
Letter to the Editor - Observer has responded to the Editor’s comments on his above letter:
My interpretation of international law is reasonable. Vattel says "those countries to which foreigners are freely allowed access, the Sovereign gives tacit understanding that they will obey his laws... foreigners who commit faults are to be punished according to the laws of the country." This rule is neither new nor unreasonable and nothing further need be said of it.
Under our own understanding of international law, China can insist her laws be respected and if an offender is within her jurisdiction she can bring him to trial and punish him.
The treaty says offenders have to be delivered to the authorities of their own nation. We all recall the instances in which foreigners were surrendered to the Chinese for trial and we will prevent the execution of possibly innocent men in future by this treaty provision.
Smuggling around the world has been a secretive business but here in China it is done in broad daylight before the gaze of the world on the apparent basis that there is so much of it that we should say nothing. Smuggling opium is not just a fiscal crime – it is a crime because of the nature of the Drug itself. We cannot fairly say it is a petty matter. It reflects on our national reputation.
The only problem I recognise is one of extent - how far should we go to prevent smuggling. The Russian government has prohibited opium traffic. There are legislative measures against opium in other parts of our own Empire. I think we should banish any foreigners convicted of smuggling from our island of Hong Kong and punish any Britons. In that way a British colony may not be converted into a den of smugglers to the degradation of our national character and the injury of our Empire.
Editor's note - I wholly disagree with Observer. Smuggling is not a crime but a mulctuary offence. It is the armed resistance to authority that is offensive not the smuggling. We just confiscate the property and fine the offender in relation to the value of his contraband. There is no loss of honour to the offender and it is certain that revenue offences in England do not entail loss of citizenship.
Lord Mansfield has expressly observed, and the whole King's Bench has concurred, that "one nation never takes notice of the revenue laws of another" French authorities agree with the English ones.
I will also quote Vattel - "it is seldom that nature is seen to produce in one place everything for the use of man: one country abounds in corn, another in pastures and cattle, a third in metals, etc. If all these countries trade together as is agreeable to human nature none will be without such things as are useful and necessary; and the views of nature, our common mother, will be fulfilled."
The corollary to this is that the smuggler is asserting the laws of nature and vindicating man's inalienable right to commune and commerce with his brother man.
Friend of China 25.5.43 edition
The Chinese diplomatic party left the island last Thursday on the steamer Akbar to Whampoa en route to meet Ki Ying who is now approaching close to Canton. They boarded the Cornwallis to witness Pottinger’s investiture of Parker with a KCB (Knight Commander of the Bath).
Some thought this was bad taste as Parker was getting his award for trouncing the Chinese admiral. Fortunately, no Chinese interpreter accompanied the officials who relied throughout on the English ones.
Friend of China 25.5.43 edition
Letter to the Editor - When Pottinger arrived in Hong Kong he was surprised to find that huge areas of prime land had purportedly been sold by Johnstone and his group to the opium smugglers. One lot included a Chinese village whose unfortunate inhabitants were ordered to pay rent to the grant holder. A prominent opium merchant has boasted in England of his large estate in Hong Kong so this is not a secret. The Chinese village that is within a European lot is the village of East Point which J M & Co enclosed with a ring fence ‘at the request of the villagers’. The government then interfered and said J M & Co were wrong to control the villagers’ access and egress and ordered the fence removed.
Recently government said it is reviewing the terms of grants made by Elliot and, until they are confirmed or otherwise, no-one knows on what terms or tenure they hold land here.
Editor - The author of the above has more to say but I have adapted his view to my own:
The problem in China in the last 7-8 years has been the sudden and ill-considered replacement of the monopoly system of the Company, which controlled about half British trade, with an open competitive system. As a result everyone has sought to export to China; all legal trade is at an end and only a smuggling trade continues. As the legal trade depends on the silver of the smuggling trade to finance itself, it makes smuggling an integral part of the whole system. Smuggling cannot be ended without reducing the volume of trade very substantially. This was Elliot's analysis - that to preserve the trade in tea and let the English people have their morning ‘cuppa’ he was compelled to support the opium smugglers and their business, hence his fervent and oft repeated hope that the trade would be legalised (there was no other honourable choice).
Friend of China 25.5.43 supplement
The present officers of the Hong Kong Government are:
|
Pottinger A R Johnstone Lt Pedder C E Stewart A T Gordon Capt C Edwards Capt Ochterlony Major Moore Major W Caine Capt Davidson Capt Edwards J R Morrison Lt Col Wilson CB |
Chief Superintendent of Trade Deputy Chief Superintendent Marine Magistrate Acting Secretary and Treasurer Land Officer Surveyor (from 18th Regiment) Engineer Deputy Judge Advocate General Chief Magistrate Assistant Commissary General Assistant Quarter-Master Chinese Secretary Army Paymaster |
Friend of China 25.5.43 supplement
Proclamation of the Hong Kong Chief Magistrate:
No Chinese can go about between 8 - 10pm at night without a lantern
No Chinese can go about at night between 10pm and dawn without a pass.
No Chinese boat can move in the harbour after the 9pm gun until the dawn gun.
Friend of China 8.6.43 edition
The Vixon opium schooner has just sailed from Hong Kong harbour without notice to the Harbour Master or Post Master or application for Port Clearance - another example of the disregard that our merchants have for the authorities
Friend of China 8.6.43 edition
Notices:
The partnership of L E Christopher and H J Carr is dissolved effective 1st June 43 and all demands will be settled by Christopher.
The partnership of Penn Townsend and Andreas Molbye, trading as P Townsend & Co (godown operators with weekly sales of goods), is dissolved by mutual consent and debts will be met by P Townsend.
John Bennett advises his partnership, Bennett, Paine & Co, is dissolved and he will be carrying on the auctions alone (every Friday at 11 am) charging 5% on all sales and ½% on goods bought-in. Rates for ships, opium and real estate are negotiable. Accounts will be provided within three days of sale and proceeds paid 30 days thereafter. An exchange and reading room is added to the auction room. The reading room will be on the 1st floor above the sale room. It will open for customers on 12th June 43. (The following week Paine advertises he will be settling all debts of the old partnership)
D Wilson & Co take pleasure in announcing to the members of their subscription billiards rooms that they are open effective 1st June 43
E Farncomb, solicitor and Notary Public, has for sale several extensive marine lots with deep water frontage and with convenient bungalows having delightful views of the harbour and town; he also has some large plots of land for building. The property is contiguous with government hill in a first rate locality and forms a desirable and safe investment.22
Friend of China 8.6.43 edition
A supplement to this edition contains a proclamation of Sir Henry Pottinger dated 1st June saying he has received a note from Lord Aberdeen, the Foreign Minister, reciting instructions to remove the Court of Criminal and Admiralty Jurisdiction (enacted in the 3rd and 4th William IV (1833) in which the Chief Superintendent of Trade is made the court officer) from Canton or on board one of Her Majesty’s ships at Canton to Hongkong.
The court will have jurisdiction over British subjects who commit offences in Hong Kong or China or at sea within 100 miles of the Chinese coast.
The practice and proceedings of the court will comply so far as is practicable with the practice and procedure in England. The Chief Superintendent will be assisted by 12 jurors. He can make rules for proceedings but they are to be forwarded to London and subject to approval or disallowance.
Editor Carr's comment - very disappointing. We have been waiting for authority to establish civil, criminal and admiralty courts from London. Bringing up Palmerston's old bit of abortive legislation now is horrible. The terms were expressly provisional and now, after ten years, here they are again completely unamended.
Capt Elliot tried to make this statute work in the trial he conducted in Hong Kong harbour (concerning the 7th July 1841 affray at Tsim Sha Tsui causing the death of the Cantonese Lam Wai Hei23). It was in vain. We particularly need a civil court even more than a criminal or admiralty one. Sir Henry has been doing so much for us it is not surprising his health is suffering. For that reason I wont say much, but this act does not apply to the bulk of our population - the Chinese. Although we do not want to be ruled by the Company, we think it would have been wise to consult Lord Ellenborough as he is so well informed on the mercantile interests here and is imbued with the spirit of the times.
Friend of China 15.6.43 edition
A letter bag will be made up in Hong Kong to be sent by fast boat to Macau at 5 pm daily. Individuals receiving letters in Macau will be charged 10¢ each. The address must be written in Chinese as well as English or Portuguese.
Friend of China 15.6.43 edition
Letter to the Editor - The Hospital of the Medical Missionary Society (MMS) has been opened in Hong Kong on MMS Hill on 6th June 43 for the benefit of Chinese in- and out-patients. Accident and emergencies can come at any time. Others come between 8am - 11am. Sgd Benjamin Hobson.
Friend of China 15.6.43 edition
A band of 20 robbers landed at the foot of the hill where Mr J F Edgar's bungalow has been built opposite the steamer berth. The dogs barked and Edgar was alerted and the thieves ran off leaving a 20 foot bamboo spear near his out-houses. The steamer is obviously inadequate to protect us. One resident, living at Wong Nei Chong valley, has somehow obtained a military guard to protect him. All our suburban lots will be valueless unless we can devise some way of protecting them.
Friend of China 15.6.43 edition
The patent cordage manufactured by an American in Manila (named O’Keeting in a previous edition) is now available for sale in Hongkong. Apply to William Scott who will forward orders to Manila for delivery a few weeks after.
Friend of China 15.6.43 edition
We understand Eldred, the brother of Sir Henry Pottinger, has been selected to be the Governor of Hong Kong. He will leave India immediately.
Friend of China 15.6.43 edition
The Royal Engineers are sending Lt Collinson with 2 sergeants, 2 corporals and 30 privates to Hong Kong to erect fortifications under the command and direction of Major Aldrich. When the batteries are complete, a field officer of the Royal Artillery with two companies of gunners will be sent out to man the installations permanently.
Friend of China 15.6.43 edition
The Roman Catholic Church in Hong Kong was opened for public worship on Trinity Saturday 11th June 43 at 9 am. Father Antonio Feliciani, the Prefect Apostolic of the Mission, performed the consecration ceremony.
Friend of China 15.6.43 edition
The letter box for the next overland mail to England via Bombay (per Anna Eliza) will close on Thursday evening, 9.6.43
Friend of China 15.6.43 edition
Advertisements:
John W North makes and repairs sails and would welcome some business. He has rented the loft over Kent & Company's shipyard.
J McMurray has opened a bakery at the Lower Bazaar opposite W Scott's godown and will supply bread and pastries at short notice.
N Boule and Company has opened the English Bakery and will deliver bread to your home at 6¢ per lb.
For sale, nearly new - a splendid buggy and harness. See Robert Lawrie of the Navy and Army Tavern.24
Friend of China 15.6.43 edition
The Straits Messenger reports that the current Hong Kong land survey and the associated proof of ownership of land that government now requires, is considered onerous by many buyers who paid their money to Johnstone after the first auction and received their land solely on his assurance of title.
The money, or most of it, has since disappeared hence the new requirements.
The Messenger says 'The arbitrary undoing of the acts of his predecessor by the present Plenipotentiary is not at all likely to beget confidence in the public mind as to any future engagements he may enter into on his own responsibility with any of HM's subjects.’
The Messenger opines that whilst ‘Pottinger deprecates the practice and encouragement of smuggling... it ... will still prevail, as extensively as before.’
Friend of China 15.6.43 edition
Few of the daily criminal outrages in Hong Kong are reported to the authorities. We will mention the attack by robbers on the watchmen guarding some houses being erected near the upper bazaar. The watchmen had attempted to arrest this gang of robbers who had just robbed the houses and were ascending the hill taking-off their stash of booty towards the matsheds on the upper slopes. Two watchmen were stabbed and seriously injured.
On the evening of the 7th June at the same place an aged Lascar was knocked down and robbed of $5 by a Chinese.
Friend of China 22.6.43 edition
The overland mail has brought news from London up to 6th March 43 and it is disturbing. Sir Robert Peel has told the Commons that Hong Kong will not be a free port in so far as opium is concerned. This exclusion of opium will reduce the value of property on the island.
Friend of China 22.6.43 edition
The Roman Catholic church has been completed. It is called the Chapel of the Conception and is located on Wellington Street with its front towards the bay in the middle of our burgeoning town. A college is attached to educate Chinese for the ministry. The church is 112 ft long and 48 ft wide. The first 12 feet is the porch and the last 38 feet is the altar leaving an area of 62’ x 48’ for the congregation There are eight 30" diameter columns supporting the roof, four along either side at 6½' centres from the outer walls. The walls are granite, infilled with brick, the roof is wood. There is a granite walkway from porch to altar but the rest of the floor to either side is wood. The walls are painted white and the roof is light blue making it cheerful inside. Father Feliciani thinks he can house 1,000 persons. The cost was $9,000 of which one third came from mission funds and the rest from donations by residents.
About 100 people attended the first service - Negroes, Bengalis, Madrassis and Chinese. There were soldiers from the 55th Regiment (Connemara), sepoys and native artillerymen as well as Portuguese, Italian and other foreign seamen. The English were in two groups at the sides near the altar. There were 7-8 women present as well. In addition the orchestra numbered about 50 musicians. Father Feliciani reviewed the history of the Catholic church in the East and mentioned Loyola and St Francis Xavier.
He noted England's colonial insignificance then compared with her greatness now. There was no longer any Dutch monopoly, Portuguese cruelty and oppression, or Chinese exclusion but only the broad mantle of British power and commerce extended to other nations and other religions.
Friend of China 22.6.43 edition
Rules and Practice Directions of the Criminal and Admiralty Court of Hong Kong are published in this edition. Its very long. Below are three brief points on its jurisdiction:
The jurisdiction of the Court does not extend to capital sentences. In such cases, the convict is to be kept in solitary confinement pending for an indication of Her Majesty's pleasure.
No member of Her Majesty’s land or sea forces (subject to military law) is amenable to the jurisdiction of this Court.
All other British and foreign subjects, who are permanent residents of Hong Kong, are subject to the jurisdiction of the Court.
Friend of China 29.6.43 edition
Peel's speech in the Commons’ opium trade debate:
“Now with regard to the interdiction of the illegal traffic, that subject has occupied the attention, not only of the present, but of the late government, who gave instructions to Sir Henry Pottinger on the subject which her Majesty's present government have renewed. And who is Sir Henry Pottinger and what is the course he was directed to follow? What was the spirit of the last communication which has been blamed by the noble lord, the MP for Liverpool? What was his feelings and dispositions towards the people of China? Did he not stand almost alone there, and has he not given proof that he is a man in whom the House of Commons may confide?
“He has been instructed to represent to the Chinese government, not, I admit, the attempted impossibility of interdicting altogether the importation of opium into China, but such a respectful representation as may conduce friendly relations and an advantageous understanding upon the subject of revenue; and if the Chinese Government can be persuaded to look at the question in the way in which European Governments regards similar questions, namely, with respect to the means for the prohibition of smuggling, an amicable arrangement may be agreed upon.
“The importance of the subject is my excuse for reading from the last instructions sent out to Sir Henry dated 29th December 1842, to prove that Her Majesty's Government have not been indifferent to these matters, and that they are fully aware of the evils with which it may be pregnant to the honour and character of this country, as well as to the employment and safety of the great capital presently involved in the trade.
“On the date mentioned Lord Aberdeen wrote this dispatch:
“"Whatever may be the result of your endeavours to prevail upon the Chinese Government to legalise the sale of opium, it will be right that her Majesty's servants in China should hold themselves aloof from all connexion with so discreditable a traffic. The British merchant, who may be a smuggler, must receive no protection or support in the prosecution of his illegal sale and he must be made aware that he will have to take the consequences of his own conduct. Her Majesty's Government have not the power to put a stop to this trade on the part of the British smuggler; but they may impede it in some degree by preventing Hong Kong and its waters from being used as a port by the British smuggler, as a starting point for his illegal acts. That is to say, when Hongkong is ceded, until then the smuggling of opium cannot be prevented there; but as soon as it is ceded, you will have power to prevent the importation of opium into Hong Kong for the purpose of its exportation into China."
“Now I think I have proved to the satisfaction of the House that this important subject has not escaped the attention of her Majesty's Government. Considering the present state of affairs, and the negotiations which are pending, I think it much better that the whole matter be left in the hands of the Government, rather than the House should come to a vote which might defeat the very object of the motion. So much for the illegal traffic.” Unquote.
Editor - The immoralities encouraged in India are balanced by the affectation of virtue in China. The only virtue here derives from Lord Aberdeen's intended prohibition of storing opium on Hong Kong island. Pottinger's practical sagacity will find that measure preposterous in a free port as Hong Kong has been declared to be. J M & Co, who have spent over $250,000 erecting buildings at East Point, say they will remain at Macau if opium cannot be stored in Hong Kong and many other smugglers will follow their example. Everything that A R Johnstone, Caine and Capt Mylius (the three people to whom the success of the colony is attributable, according to the Editor) have achieved here could have only resulted in getting a few refugees and settlers to supply the garrison and men-of-war. People who have invested heavily in Hong Kong have a reasonable ground for complaint, he concludes.
Friend of China 29.6.43 supplement
Hong Kong Crime report:
At 1 am Sunday morning 25th June 43, the house of M/s F H Tiedeman and Marzetti in Magistracy Street was burgled by scratching away the mortar and removing bricks from a wall. Three Europeans, four Lascars and two Chinese slept inside undisturbed throughout the commission of this crime. Property worth $800 was taken. The thieves must have been in the house for about an hour before an occupant was awakened and raised the alarm.
Mr Prendergast, whose house is within sight of Magistrate Caine's, was also burgled last week. The servants were suspected and charged but exonerated by the Court. They returned in daylight to collect their possessions and, under the noses of the police guards, entered the house, took whatever they chose and left.
Adam Elmsley's official residence was also burgled and property taken.
Friend of China 29.6.43 edition
Keying, Hwang and the Manchu General Haeling arrived in Hong Kong on 23rd June 43 on the India Company’s steamer Akbar to a salute of 15 guns. The steamer was flying the Chinese flag. The new arrivals will replace the late Ilipu in the forthcoming tariff negotiations. Keying is the third most senior man of rank and authority in China. The three had an early lunch on the river. War junks saluted as they passed. An inspection of the Bogue forts was made, then they came to Hong Kong.
A British resident has provided the Editor with a typically scurrilous report of their arrival. It suggests the writer’s preference for form over substance:
As I arrived, the wide street running along the harbour’s edge
(Queen's Road) was being rolled flat by many coolies and all its
mountains, gullies and lakes converted into as smooth a surface as
possible.
A man trotted passed carrying a silk umbrella on a long
bamboo. 20 paces behind was a sedan chair and four sweating coolies
carrying a fat official. There were altogether nineteen of these
umbrella bearers and chairs that passed me in succession. Coolies,
Chinese and Europeans gathered to see the great men arriving. Four
nanny goats and their herder then passed. He was followed by four
officials with long bamboos who appeared to be responsible for
clearing the way - they tried to catch the goat herder but failed.
Then there came two rows of men carrying boards (shields), possibly
the ends of tea chests. Then came a Chinese band of gongs and
whistles. Then two rows of sword bearers with guns, all painted very
fiercely. Then four sweating coolies carrying a box of sycee. Then a
body of pike men. All of these groups were military but did not walk
in step or in line - apparently for this reason, they were
disciplined by officials along the road sides who hit offenders on
their heads with a bamboo. Once hit, the man generally fell down in a
faint and took no further part in the parade. He sat at the
street-side with his equipment and presumably had to await the
procession returning.
Then there was the band of the 41st
Madras Native Infantry, blasphemously playing 'the Campbells are
coming.'
This was followed by more officials roaring and running
about with bamboos, hitting any coolies within reach to demonstrate
their power. Then came the three Celestial dignitaries in three sedan
chairs raised on the shoulders of the bearers. I have never seen any
of the three officials before although I have often admired Keying's
portrait on my grandmother's teapot. As you have not seen that relic
I will describe him. He is very fat and could hardly fit in the
chair. His eyes protrude, his tongue lolls and he sweats. His
companions were similar but thinner. These No 1 chop men were
followed by some Englishmen, the sort who would stand in a pillory
rather than not be seen at all, and finally the mob, the rag, tag and
bobtail of refugees, villains and rascals who comprise the Hong Kong
population. Falstaff's ragged regiment was a pattern of elegance in
comparison. I fear we have given diplomatic authority and sanction to
a troupe of Chinese masqueraders and jugglers which will become all
too apparent when the ratifications are exchanged.
Friend of China 30.6.43 extraordinary edition
Copy of Her Majesty-in-Council's Letters Patent creating the colony of Hong Kong:
1/ The ratified peace treaties were formally exchanged 26.6.43.
2/ Pottinger concurrently swore the Oath to become Governor of Hong Kong.
3/ The city on the northern side of the island is to be called Victoria.
4/ A Legislative Council composed of public officers and other persons, all residents of Hong Kong, will be appointed by the Queen.
5/ The Governor is empowered to make law with the advice of the Council. The Queen might disallow those laws on the advice and consent of parliament.
Friend of China 30.6.43 extraordinary edition
Pottinger has appointed the following 44 people to be Justices of the Peace with power over all British subjects in China. (NB - The oath formally empowers the JP in China, i.e. he seems powerless in Hong Kong on the terminology used):
|
Assistant Chief Superintendent Chief Magistrate Asst Magistrate British Government Agent (Vice-consul) at Macau |
A R Johnstone (and Registrar)25 William Caine Charles Batten Hillier to be appointed |
The remaining 41 JP's are:
Alexander Anderson; George Balfour; George Thomas Braine; David Laing Burn; Charles Spencer Compton; John Dent; the Hon Francis Charles Drummond; Patrick Dudgeon; Henry Dundas; Joseph Frost Edger; Angus Fletcher; Alexander Thomas Gordon (Land Officer); John Darby Gibb; William Grey; Henry Gribble; Henry Robert Harker; John Holliday; Andrew Jardine; Crawford Kerr; George Tradescant Lay; William Cairnes Le Geyt; William Potter Livingston; Thomas William Lockwood Mackean; George Alexander Malcolm (Lt Col); Alexander Matheson; John Ambrose Mercer; William Morgan; John Robert Morrison; William Pedder; John Rickett; Alexander Scott; Joseph Mackrill Smith; Charles Edward Stewart; Patrick Stewart; William Stewart; Robert Thom; James White; Alfred Wilkinson; John Wise; Richard Woosnam (Pottinger’s private secretary, previously an assistant surgeon of the Company); Peter Young.
Editor's note - shame there are no Parsees. In India they are now eligible to be magistrates. While in Bombay the Editor met many Parsee magistrates - excellent men. Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy was one of the people I met - another excellent man. The trade between India and China is due to the Parsees who here and at Bombay transact half of all the business. In a crown colony a British subject is eligible for the highest positions regardless of colour, caste, creed .....
Friend of China 6.7.43 edition
Letter to the Editor - Who is the British Vice Consul at Macau? I have lived here for years and never heard of him. Why do we need so many JP's. Are they to comprise the juries required in our new Courts? What's going on?
Sgd Scrutator.
Friend of China 6.7.43 edition
Hong Kong Crime report
At 2 am Sunday 2.7.43, thieves removed bricks from Solicitor (and sometime Coroner) Farncomb's wall and entered his house. They used fumigating firesticks to produce an anaesthetising smoke that kept the servants asleep. They took two trunks of clothes. The empty trunks were recovered the next morning on the hillside behind the house.
1.30 am Wednesday thieves were seen carrying off property from N Boule's godown. One was shot and sixteen arrested but some brandy, oil, wine and beer was lost to those who escaped.
On 27th June Leung Cho King boarded a ferry with his wife and mother at Hong Kong for Canton. After his bags were stowed he went ashore with his wife to get more rice. Then a Chinese warjunk Tai Pong Yau Ying came alongside the ferry looking for Leung and asserting he was a pirate. They seized his chest containing $80, two gold rings and clothes and took both the woman and the luggage to the warjunk. They loaded the chest on board but left the old woman in the Tanka boat alongside for over an hour. Meanwhile Leung had seen what was going on and alerted Hong Kong police. They arrived and arrested two soldiers who had taken the luggage. The case was referred to Caine. Only part of the property was recovered. The soldiers were handed over to the Canton authorities who later reported that they had acted on the instructions of a Provincial official whose purpose was to rob. He had been degraded and punished.
Caine complains that the whole week has otherwise been occupied settling squabbles between foreign captains and their crews. He asks merchant marine officers to exercise more prudence.
Friend of China 6.7.43 edition
The Friend of China Editor regrets there was no decree prohibiting slavery amongst the first ordinances of Hong Kong. He notes that when Lord Ellenborough announced the annexation of Sind, he simultaneously announced that slavery would in future be prohibited in that Muslim state.
Friend of China 6.7.43 edition
The British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Reporter, a London newspaper, has just seen the Friend of China article on slavery in Hong Kong and says it must be stopped.
The omission in the Oath required of JP’s has been corrected to include jurisdiction in Hong Kong
The Queen has appointed the Rev Vincent John Stanton as chaplain of Hong Kong.
Friend of China 13.7.43 edition
Hong Kong Crime report:
A Chinese man was shot after a burglary at M Boule’s godown but is recovering. The 16 men who were arrested for this burglary have been discharged by Magistrate Caine for lack of evidence against them.
Friend of China 13.7.43 edition
Notice of J M & Co dated China, 1st July 43 - James Matheson ceased to be a partner on 30th June 43. M/s Donald Matheson and David Jardine were admitted as partners on 1st July 43. The firm now has five partners - Alexander Matheson, Andrew Jardine, William Stewart and the two above.
Friend of China 13.7.43 edition
For Sale – The tavern Britain’s Boast with its stock is for sale without reserve by public auction on Friday 14.7.43. C Markwick, Auctioneer.
Friend of China 13.7.43 edition
Lord Aberdeen’s declaration on opium has caused the traders here to circulate to their constituents their opinion that Hong Kong will in future be only a military post. They say people with commercial interests in China will have to place themselves under the jurisdiction of the Emperor.
Friend of China 20.7.43 edition
All Chinese residents of Hong Kong are reminded that they must carry a lantern when out in the public streets between 8 – 10 pm and that after 10pm until dawn they must remain indoors. Sgd Magistrate Caine
Friend of China 20.7.43 edition
Editorial - We need early advice from Pottinger on the tenure of land which we have already occupied and built upon. Since his survey notice, all building has stopped.
Friend of China 20.7.43 edition
We do not want our island becoming a dependency of the India Company like Penang or Singapore, but if Lord Aberdeen continues with his plan to ban opium from Hong Kong, then we should prefer to be a Company dependency than a Crown Colony.
Opium is fundamental to our trade in China – we cannot do without it. If we do not monopolise the opium trade here, it will move to Macau.
Friend of China 20.7.43 edition
Editor - We are pleased to see an advertisement in this edition offering insurance on Hong Kong houses and merchandise.
Friend of China 20.7.43 edition
The Count de Ratti Menton (the anti-Judean from Damascus) has arrived to become French Consul. He could find no premises for himself, his lady and his suite here and, after interviewing Pottinger, immediately left for Macau.
Friend of China 20.7.43 edition
Hong Kong crime report:
Four Chinese boatmen are charged with stealing a chest of opium on 12th July. On 11th July, Mr Pitcher withdrew fifty chests from Gillespie’s godown and engaged a cargo boat to take them to the schooner Petrel. He counted the chests into the chop boat and found that Gillespie had given him 51 so he sent one back.
A little later, when he counted again, he found only 49. He suspected the crew was aware they had received one extra picul and had decided to steal it at about the same time as he sent the extra chest back.
After receiving some information from the sailors on the cargo boat, Pitcher sent over to the lower bazaar and three pieces of opium were recovered. The opium is worth $420 per picul (i.e. it is Turkish) and 12 catties worth $45 retail remain missing. Each crewman was sentenced to 15 lashes and to pay $5 fine.
Friend of China 27.7.43 edition
Pottinger has proclaimed on 22.7.43 that the commercial treaty has
been concluded.
He continues to be very busy and will temporarily
cease to receive visitors until 1.8.43 when the Company’s armed
steamer Akbar leaves for Suez (i.e. when the commercial
treaty has been signed by China and the ship takes a copy to England
for ratification)
Caine has proclaimed to the people that in addition to the curfew for Chinese people, there is also a curfew on Chinese boat movements between the 9 pm gun and the dawn gun.
Friend of China 27.7.43 edition
J M & Co are appointed agents of the Alliance Fire Assurance Company for householders risks only. The tariff of premiums is as follows:
|
Brick building and contents up to £10,000, building isolated from others and constructed of incombustible material Building up to £8,000 as above but attached |
¾% p a - 1% p a |
6 months cover at ¾ and 3 months at ½ of annual rate.
The insurance may refer solely to building or contents or a mixture of both.
Patrons will participate in the profits of the company after completing five successive premium payments.
Send in details of your premises – any non-disclosure with vitiate cover.
Friend of China 27.7.43 edition
Storage business in Hong Kong:
W Allanson is discontinuing his business of Allanson and Company wef 1.8.43. He runs a godown in a brick and mortar building at 20 Queen’s Road.
Gillespie’s granite-built godown at 46 Queen’s Road seems to be doing well.
John Burd & Co is advertising godown space to rent below the premises of Gibb Livingston & Co in Queen’s Road and also appears to be trading satisfactorily.
D Hume, the baker opposite Allanson’s godown, has obtained an eating-house licence from government.26 He invites people to stay at his premises on daily, weekly or monthly terms.
Friend of China 27.7.43 edition
J S Anderson of Macau and Patrick Chalmers of England have commenced trade in Hong Kong on 1.7.43 as Anderson, Chalmers & Co.
Friend of China 27.7.43 edition
Published extracts from the commercial treaty with China:
The export tariff:
|
Raw silk Silk piecegoods Silk with cotton/wool Silver and gold Treasure Tea |
10 Taels per 100 catties 12 Taels per do 3 Taels per do 10 Taels per 100 catties free of duty 2 Taels 5 mace per 100 catties |
The import tariff
|
Cotton raw Cotton piecegoods Cotton handkerchiefs Cotton thread All mixtures etc Linen Linen coarse Metals and hides Treasure All others |
4 mace per 100 catties 1-2 mace per do 1-1½ candereens per do 1 Tael per do 5% ad valorem 5 mace per do 5% ad valorem various free of duty 5% ad valorem |
The new tariff is effective 27 July 1843. From that day the Hong merchants will cease to function and the Consoo Fund is cancelled.
The four new ports cannot be declared open until an Edict to that effect is received from Peking. It is expected in early September
Friend of China 27.7.43 edition
The Victoria Hospital at 1, 2 and 3 Queen‘s Road opposite Fearon’s Wharf is operated under the direction of Drs James Satchell and Richard Jones. All patients must bring an undertaking signed by a ship’s master or employee of a firm in China that the medical fees for treatment will be paid.
Terms Seamen $1 and Officers $2 per day.
Friend of China 31.7.43 extraordinary edition
The medical committee has recommended the ground at West Point be levelled and drained to reduce the high incidence of sickness there. The remains of the 55th Regiment presently occupying West Point barracks will evacuate. The barracks will be guarded temporarily by watchmen.
Editor - the 55th has concluded its tour and is being replaced by the 98th foot anyway.
Friend of China 3.8.43 edition
Proclamation of the Plenipotentiary in English and Chinese:
The new tariff requires that unspecified goods pay 5% ad valorem duty. This does not apply to opium. Opium is contraband in China.
Any English trader bringing it into China commits an offence and will receive no protection from the British Crown.
Friend of China 3.8.43 edition
Letter to the Editor from ‘Snooks’
The number of JP’s exceed by one third the number of the entire Hongkong constabulary. The Chinese community is not allowed out at night without a pass. It would seem that the nightly burglaries are not actually happening. Last week you reported three – not in some side street but all in Queen’s Road. What we need is a few oil lamps around town and a few constables on patrol at night. We don’t mind paying for it.
The abattoir has been sited on the hillside above the town and the offal and blood etc., trickles down a stream on its way to the sea. This stream passes beneath the market place. Some of the muck gets stuck en route and creates a really foul smell as it rots until a rain shower washes it away. The proper place for slaughtering cattle is at the seashore. We cannot use natural watercourses as sewers without first training and lining them. The local people have different ideas. For example, in Magistracy Street the residents empty their commodes each morning in the centre of the road.
The bodies of seamen dying on Her Majesty’s vessels in the harbour are lowered into boats and rowed a short way off and dumped. Does this accord with naval regulations? Is there no service for the dead?
Friend of China 3.8.43 edition
Letter to the Editor:
Last week you reported on four fellows who stole $45 of opium and got fined $5 each. They made a profit!
I was told the fine was suggested by Pottinger himself. Robbery is a serious problem. Some say the population is divided into two classes – those who have been robbed and those who are about to be robbed. As soon as the moon is in its 1st or 3rd quarters the robberies commence in spite of 44 JP’s and 28 constables. The constables are insufficient and the magistrates have mostly already been robbed. How can they look after the thieves when they can not look after themselves?
Pottinger has been robbed, Caine has been robbed, the assistant magistrate (Hillier) has been robbed. Mr Bruce has been robbed. Mr Farncomb has been robbed. I don’t have enough paper to list them all. Sgd Old Stager.
Friend of China 3.8.43 edition
Editorial on Hong Kong opium policy:
From the drift of Sir Robert Peel’s speech on Lord Ashley’s motion (briefly detailed above), the decision to permit importation or storage of opium in Hong Kong appears to rest with the Plenipotentiary. We need a quick decision.
Pottinger must know that the evils of opium will be aggravated if it is forbidden here. Six of our most influential merchants have decided to stay in Macau in anticipation of government interference if they come here. They all previously spent a lot of money here on land and buildings believing Hong Kong was to be a free port.
The uncertainty has caused building to stop.27 In the last month rents at Macau have advanced 15%. Now in spite of the wonderful tariff, our outlays in Hong Kong have been devalued by half and our city will become nothing more than a garrison town.
Friend of China 3.8.43 edition
Four companies of the 98th foot are to embark from Madras for Hong Kong to relieve the 55th.
Friend of China 3.8.43 edition
Mark Upson, private soldier of 98th Regiment gave evidence at an Inquest in the Hong Kong Coroner’s Court:
I was playing on the hillside overlooking the village at Wong Nei Chung when I heard a groan and saw a man lying on his back in a paddy field below with his throat cut like a chicken. I went down with a friend. There was a lot of blood flowing from the wound. He soon died. At the time there had been several Chinese making a great noise worshipping five or six yards from the place of death. We could not find a weapon nearby. Verdict murder.
Friend of China 3.8.43 edition
W T Gemmell & Co announce the removal of their office from Macau to Hong Kong on 24th July 43. Their Canton office will continue to be managed by Mr James A Hulbert. Robert Strachan and Adam Scott are employees authorised to sign per pro the Company.
Friend of China 10.8.43 edition
With conclusion of the tariff negotiations, Pottinger has resumed his former practice of receiving visitors between 11 am – 2 pm Mondays and Thursdays.
Friend of China 10.8.43 edition
The Hong Kong Seamen’s Hospital is opened. It can treat 50 in-patients and caters for any sort of disease. Daily rates - Officers $1.50; seamen 75¢ (board & lodging, medicines and consultation). Dr Young has offered his services free as surgeon. He will attend at 8 – 9 am every day except Sunday to give advice to out-patients. Concurrently the Hospital for Foreign Seamen in Macau has closed.
Sgd Alexander Anderson
Friend of China 10.8.43 edition
An additional JP was sworn in on 8th Aug 43. He is Nicholas de St Croix.
Friend of China 10.8.43 edition
J S Rigge and Company’s business has been transferred in its entirety to M/s Gibb Livingston & Co on 1st July 43. Sgd John Silverlock.28
Friend of China 10.8.43 supplement
Thomas Elsworthy and Samuel Dyer have commenced business in their own names at Fletcher’s Godowns, Queen’s Road on 19th July 1843
Friend of China 10.8.43 supplement
The partnership of Pedro Paulo do Rozario and James Borton as tavern keepers is dissolved 22nd July and the distribution of assets is subject to arbitration.
Friend of China 17.8.43 edition
Letter to the Editor - ‘Recently a corpse came up with the paddle wheel of a steamer. Its head and right arm were out of the hammock. A boat had to tow it out of the bay and sink it with shot. A few days ago a body was buried 400 yards astern of a merchantman and the following day another 300 yards ahead. A body floated passed the crew of another ship as they sat down for dinner and, as fish was on the menu, they declined to eat. The best proof of the presence of bodies in the harbour is the arrival of sharks.
These are the bodies of our sailors and soldiers. Men who come here to risk their lives should not be treated like dogs when they die. When a stoker on the Vixon died recently, his comrades had the body brought ashore for burial. Our military men deserve better’ Sgd Man before the Mast
Friend of China 17.8.43 edition
On Tuesday 8th August 184329 to the west of Mr Scott’s godown on Queen’s Road, some Chinese set up two vertical posts joined by a horizontal one above. They stuck red papers with black characters on the vertical members and hung some lanterns from the horizontal one. Then every day until Saturday two or three processions arrived bringing offerings. They played instruments and beat gongs. On one occasion, five priests in scarlet robes with devices embroidered on them came wearing square hats like the Rabbis. Three had tiaras of gold and precious stones. One priest rang a bell, another read a paper then all the people bowed three times. The gong was banged again, music started and everyone marched off.
Friend of China 17.8.43 edition
Notice - Sea bathers are warned that sharks have been seen in the harbour.
Friend of China 17.8.43 edition
We had torrential rain in Hong Kong last Tuesday and Wednesday and downpours every other day until Sunday. Some roads are more or less impassable. Now 46 convicts supervised by two British and two Chinese policemen are repairing Queen’s Road.
Friend of China 17.8.43 edition
The Baptist chapel, which is a few yards from one of the principal police stations, has been robbed of all its lanterns
Friend of China 17.8.43 edition
Died 8th August Thomas Elsworthy recently arrived from England
Died 9th August Samuel Dyer at Macau ex Emu from London.
(These are the young men who on 19th July 1843 announced commencement of their partnership, M/s Elsworthy and Dyer at Fletcher’s Godowns, Queen’s Road.)
Friend of China 17.8.43 supplement
The following people will comprise the Committee of Public Health and Cleanliness. They will be assisted by Dr Peter Young (surgeon of the Merchant Seamen’s Hospital) and Mr William Scott:
A T Gordon, Land Officer
Charles B Hillier, Asst Magistrate
Charles A Winchester, Asst Colonial Surgeon
They will recommend measures for draining the city, keeping the streets well-repaired and maintaining cleanliness by adoption of Sanitary Rules.
Friend of China 17.8.43 supplement
Some people attend the Merchant Seamen’s Hospital claiming to be distressed British seamen. Dr Peter Young requests they provide a letter so costs can be reclaimed from the government.
The government responds with new orders for admission to the hospital:
A ship’s master wishing to send a crewman to hospital will advise the Harbour Master and Marine Magistrate who will refer the case to the Colonial Surgeon. He will authorise the patient’s admission to hospital or otherwise.
The ship’s master, ship owner or consignee will guarantee in writing to the Harbour Master and Marine Magistrate to pay hospital expenses on the scale published 10th August 43. The official is to ensure the advice is genuine and that the benefits of treatment are not abused.
In an emergency these rules can be avoided on the authority of Harbour Master and Marine Magistrate or the Colonial Surgeon.
Friend of China 24.8.43 edition
Appointments:
J R Morrison is to act as Colonial Secretary during the absence of Lt Col Malcolm.
Richard Burgass is appointed Legal Adviser to the Government pending for Her Majesty’s approval.
The following officials are appointed members of the Legislative and Executive Councils of Hong Kong with effect from 21st August 43:
|
A R Johnstone Esq. J R Morrison Esq. William Caine Esq. |
They will all henceforth have the words The Honourable added before their names and other honorifics.
Friend of China 24.8.43 edition
Copy of Instructions given by Her Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies to Pottinger concerning the terms for granting land in Hong Kong:
He is to abstain from alienating any land in perpetuity or for any greater period than is necessary to induce residents to erect buildings.
Lord Stanley connects a promise with the general prohibition to alienate Crown Land and with the general refusal to sanction any grants that have already been made. That promise is that once government is established, a competent and impartial authority will enquire into the equitable claims of land holders to permanent or temporary confirmation of title so far as they can be confirmed consistently with a just regard to the interests of Society.
It should be understood that Her Majesty’s Government does not recognise the validity of any grants or sales of land that took place under any authority prior to the exchange of the ratifications of the treaty at which time Hong Kong became a bona fide possession of the Crown and from which day rents will commence.
The competent and impartial authority will comprise:
A T Gordon, Land Officer
Capt de Havilland, 55th Regiment as Asst Surveyor and
Charles Edward Stewart, Colonial Treasurer, assisted by
Richard Burgass, Legal Adviser
It is Her Majesty’s will that no lands will be sold or let except at public auction and with a reserve price equal to their fair reasonable price or annual rent.
Editor - The restrictions on land sales are unsurprising considering that in the last colony to join the British Empire (New Zealand) there was flagrant land jobbing and peculation involving almost every member of the colonial government.30
The two big whinges of our whingeing population of smugglers have been the commercial tariff and land titles. They were agreeably happy on the first and we hope in due course that they will be satisfied with the second.
Friend of China 24.8.43 supplement
We regret to announce the death of J A Mercer aboard the General Wood yesterday afternoon after a three week illness. A truly kind-hearted man, the community has sustained a severe loss.
Friend of China 24.8.43 supplement
Matheus de Costa & Co are making their own ginger beer from fresh ginger and selling it at their shop at 8 Webster’s Bazaar. If you want a regular supply, let us know so we can schedule the production.
Friend of China 24.8.43 supplement
Victoria Hospital for Seamen submits its first monthly report to 19.8.43:
Admitted 16 (3 dysentery, 6 VD, 7 miscellaneous);
Cured - 3 VD, 3 miscellaneous;
Relieved - 1 miscellaneous;
Still admitted - 3 dysentery, 3 VD, 3 miscellaneous.
Friend of China 31.8.43 edition
Capt C W Bowra operates a godown at 13 Queen’s Road.
Friend of China 31.8.43 edition
The incidence of fatal disease remains very high in Hong Kong. Much of it seems related to residence near J M & Co’s land holdings at East Point as many of the people who move there get sick and die. There is a valley behind East Point enclosed by hills at one end and by a marsh at the other.31 It is used for paddy and fertilised with liquid manure. In the present high temperatures this area seems to be the source of malaria. We have been dissuading newcomers from residing there until it has been properly drained.
Friend of China 31.8.43 edition
The merchant Snooks has sent another letter to the Editor but we can’t publish it as its too rude. However, as he might try to publish it in Singapore or elsewhere, we will tell you what he says.
Snooks says the recent migration of the Hong Kong government to Macau is due to the unacceptable risk of disease here. He considers it cowardly.
Editor - Pottinger has long contemplated a trip to Macau and it did not relate to disease. Snooks describes Pottinger as ‘the accidental governor who is great in his littleness and in the absence of his superiors. His head has been turned by his sudden elevation’ The Editor says this is ridiculous (but he publishes it)
Friend of China 31.8.43 edition
Letter to the editor - You should publish a Prices Current. The leading firm has resumed publication of the Canton Register under a new Editor who intends to publish his Prices Current.
Friend of China 31.8.43 supplement
Mr J R Morrison died this morning
Friend of China 7.9.43 edition
Letter to the Editor from Scrutator
The announcement on 21st August was incorrect. People addressed as The Honourable should not also have the title Esquire appended. The former supersedes the later which merges into it.
Editor ‘I think the new usage came from India - they do strange things there’
Friend of China 31.8.43 edition
Editorial - The panic that the removal of the Hong Kong government to Macau on 25th August produced in the local populace causes us to address the subject of sickness in Hong Kong. Almost all who can leave this island have since departed.
The best medical minds have ascribed the cause of sickness not to the climate or some other environmental factor but to the absence of suitable housing for Europeans living in the tropical climate of Hong Kong.
Had there not been a delay in the sales of land, and a moratorium on building until that was sorted out, we suspect no health problem would have arisen.
What with the insecurity of life and property due to robberies and piracy, this present epidemic of sickness, the low tariff in China and particularly the attack on our ‘free port’ status over opium, it is not surprising that some of the earliest colonists have now departed.
All this creates such an overwhelming feeling of disappointment. It is only our unrealisable investments in Hong Kong that keep us from leaving immediately.
Friend of China 31.8.43 edition
Hong Kong robberies – a black week:
1 am Wednesday 40 armed Chinese thieves attacked the bazaar next to J M & Co’s premises at East Point. They forced the front door but could not break through the barrier within. The inmates opened fire. The robbers threw in fire balls to illuminate the inmates. The noise alerted the watchmen of nearby godowns who quickly arrived and the burglars fled. This attempted theft was close to a depot of soldiers placed there to respond to crime. In spite of the sounds and sights of guns and rockets, none of them turned up.
The same morning thieves entered the merchant seamen’s hospital in the eastern suburb of our town and took a patient’s watch and gun.
That evening two 32-pounder cannon were taken from in front of Capt Bowra’s store. Bowra employed 20 men to place them there and left them out because he thought no-one would steal them. They could not have been carried off through the town and must have been brought down to a waiting boat at the wharf. Where were the boats of the warships that are supposed to guard the harbour or is the order preventing Chinese boats from night movements already a dead letter? The curfew on land has always been a dead letter – there are hundreds of Chinese, with and without lanterns, passing along Queen’s Road all through the night.
On the night of Thursday/Friday thieves broke into the godown above Tiedeman’s premises by scratching away the mortar between the bricks to ultimately make a hole 5 feet square through which they abstracted two bags of rice and two cases of cherry brandy. They descended to Tiedeman’s shop and took 7 bolts of broadcloth worth $1,000+
On Friday some opium was stolen from J M & Co by one of their coolies.
Friday evening a Chinese was robbed of $100. The thief was caught and got 60 lashes and 3 months gaol.
That night the house of the acting Governor was attacked & his sentries disarmed.
On Saturday night the house of H Pybus was attacked by 30 armed men and were only induced to retreat by a show of great resistance.
On Sunday the army commissariat stores were entered and plundered extensively. Where were the sentries?
D Wilson’s store was attacked at the same time but the thieves were scared off before they could gain entry.
These are not all the thefts this week, just the most impressive ones. Where were the police? Of the 28 constables, half are sick and unfit for duty. Where are the thieves – the official responsible for Kowloon should know very well. He can find them, their guns, and probably Tiedeman’s broadcloth, at the drop of a hat. If any of the thieves had been caught, they would have got fined a few dollars, received a few lashes and perhaps a day or two in prison. Leniency to thieves is injustice to us. Until the government is prepared to deal realistically with crime, we will have to continue to take the law into our own hands and defend ourselves with arms.
Friend of China 31.8.43 edition
Reward - One silver watch made by L Samuels of Liverpool, Serial No 30564, and a Mantan double-barrelled fowling piece with ornamented barrels. Both stolen by robbers. Any one presenting either item should be detained. Reward.
Friend of China 31.8.43 edition
Notice - The partnerships Dirom Carter at Bombay, Dirom Richmond at Liverpool and Dirom’s in China have all expired and are succeeded by Dirom Hunter at Bombay, Dirom Davidson at Liverpool and Dirom Gray here and at Canton
Friend of China 31.8.43 edition
Hughesdon Brothers of Calcutta and China announce their two branches are severed. The Calcutta firm remains the business of Joseph and Charles Hughesdon.
Joseph Hughesdon resigns from, and Alexander Calder and Henry Rutter have joined, the China firm, all effective 1.9.43. The China firm will in future be called Hughesdon Calder & Co.
Friend of China 31.8.43 edition
Deaths this week:
|
29.8.43 2.9.43 6.9.43 |
Daniel Bates of New York aged 29 years Francis Robert Foote, Deputy Commissary General Capt de Havilland, Lands Committee, 55th Regiment |
The following have died intestate – J B Kent of Georgetown, DC, USA on 28.8.43, James Prestoe (see note above) and William Smith.
The estate of Alexander Scott, died 24.8.43, who had just arrived to take up the job of recording officer of the Admiralty and Criminal Courts of Hong Kong, is to be administered by Gordon F Davidson, on behalf of Government.
Friend of China 31.8.43 edition
Receiving ships in Hong Kong harbour - John Barry, Mercury, General Wood
Friend of China 31.8.43 edition
17.8.43 an inquest was held before Solicitor Farncomb, sitting as Coroner, concerning a Chinese found dead on Queen’s Road. Constable Christopher was called to Queen’s Road and found a man lying beside a boat near Mr Townsend’s premises. Christopher said ‘He seemed hungry. He was breathing heavily, his stomach was heaving and he appeared exhausted. My coolies gave him some rice. This morning when I returned he was dead. I guess he died of starvation.’
Verdict – died for lack of the necessaries of life.
Friend of China 31.8.43 edition
28.8.43 J Molton has withdrawn from the partnership operating the Hong Kong Inn near the lower market which will in future be operated by James Smith and James Brimelaw.
Friend of China 31.8.43 edition
D Wilson & Co bought the Auckland Hotel site and buildings at the recent auction. The hotel is closed and will in future be used as commission sale rooms for the display of goods Wilsons have for sale from London and from their office in Calcutta.
The brick-built billiards room next to the former hotel and one of the Shearwood’s slate tables within it, together with the right to supply wines and spirits to users, is for rental to a respectable party willing to give security.
Friend of China 7.9.43 supplement
The Hong Kong (ex Canton) Register reports that at 12.45 am midnight the watchman at J M & Co’s godown at East Point saw people moving under a small lantern towards the house of J M’s comprador’s which has repeatedly been robbed this few weeks. When they arrived, torches were lit and oiled paper balls were thrown inside to illuminate. He saw many Chinese people trying to force open the doors. The sentinel raised the alarm and fired towards the robbers who fled. Rockets were sent up as a signal to request assistance but no-one came and all the thieves escaped although some blood traces showed one or more of them had been wounded.
The Hong Kong Register Editor notes that soldiers are based a few hundred yards away precisely to deal with night robbers.
Friend of China 7.9.43 supplement
Farncomb as Coroner held an Inquest on 21.8.43 on the late James Smith.
Smith was a tenant at the Jolly Sailor Tavern. This morning he got up after breakfast and sat outside. He looked weak. He got up and walked about. A Chinese outside called to the Proprietor to point-out something. He went out and saw Smith had collapsed on his back - eyes half open, face black, insensible, speechless. We carried him inside and called the doctor but he died immediately. One of the servants had seen Smith vomiting black stuff for the last 2-3 days.
Verdict : visitation of God
Friend of China 7.9.43 supplement
Peter Wildredge ceased to be a partner in the Canton firm of Lindsay and Co with effect from 1st June 1843.
Friend of China 7.9.43 supplement
Holliday Wise and Co moved their office from Macau to Hong Kong on 2nd Sept 43 but will continue to operate an office at Canton under the management of their employee John Ritson.
Friend of China 7.9.43 supplement
For sale French cognac and English brandy in hogsheads. Manila rum and Java arrack in cases. Apply N Duus, 18 Queen’s Road. (Duus sells foods, wines, perfumes and hardware)
Friend of China 7.9.43 supplement
Stolen from the Merchant Seamen’s Hospital (now called the Victoria Hospital for Seamen) yesterday - one watch, No 136 made by J Hall of London,. Anyone recovering it will be rewarded.
Friend of China 14.9.43 edition
Rev Charles Gutzlaff is nominated to replace J R Morrison as Chinese Secretary to the Chief Superintendent and Governor of Hong Kong. He will temporarily remain at his post at Chusan until relieved.
Samuel Marjoribanks is made medical officer to the Canton consulate wef 1.4.43
John Rickett is made British Consular Agent at Macau wef 22.7.43
Friend of China 14.9.43 edition
Letter to the Editor - You must stop Her Majesty’s Hospital Ship dumping its ex-patients in the harbour. The ‘many dead’ of the Minden deserve better than to be taken out to sea by reluctant mess-mates who, as serving officers, are prevented from disapproving publicly. Even gaoled felons in England get a proper grave whereas the remains of these people can never again be located by relatives - they cannot mark the spot with a tombstone. Its not the Royal Navy that is responsible – they asked for land but were told none is available. Would the Chinese let us use Kowloon-side?
The bodies are supposed to be sown into the hammock together with four shot to ensure they sink but they keep popping-up again badly decomposed. We have had four stinking corpses floating in the harbour this week. The solitude and darkness of a sepulchre is the appropriate place for the deceased. Sgd HS
Friend of China 14.9.43 supplement
Tenders are invited by the Hong Kong Financial Secretary for the purchase of 30-day sight Bills totalling £4,000 in sets of £250, drawn by the Plenipotentiary on George Lenox Conyngham of Downing Street.
Tenders are invited for Hong Kong Government 30-day sight Bills totalling £1,500 in sets of £250 on the UK Treasury.
Friend of China 21.9.43 edition
Hong Kong trade report - very dull. New Patna $900, old $850, Malwa $760-765. Junks and native craft are seldom arriving. Whether they are responding to warnings from Chinese officials or fear the uncontrollable piracy in our waters is uncertain. British manufactures sell for less here than at Canton. Only smuggling seems to be profitable.
Friend of China 21.9.43 supplement
Notice - Mr Christopher has procured a respectable hearse and undertakes to arrange all aspects of funerals.
He also has a billiards saloon in Queen’s Road opposite the market.
Friend of China 28.9.43 edition
Letter to the Editor - I am a sailor on one of the storeships in harbour. My captain keeps me working all week and I can only go ashore on Sunday. When I arrive on land I find the pubs are all closed by government order. Some Chinese entrepreneurs stake-out the closed pubs and way-lay people like me. They secretly sell us grog at high prices. We either buy from them or go without.
They take us up the hills at the back of the town to grottoes beside mountain streams where we drink the villainous stuff to the detriment of our health. Alternatively we can board one of the lorchas in harbour where we can buy another similarly noxious wine at even higher price and drink unconcerned for the attentions of the land or water police.
This is hard for us sailors but if the matter was well represented to the nobs, they might care for us better without affecting the morals of the town.
Yours Ben Brace
Friend of China 28.9.43 edition
For sale – a few complete water-closets. Suitable for both upper or lower floors of houses. Contact N Duus, 18 Queen’s Road.
Friend of China 28.9.43 edition
No new cases of malignant fever, such as decimated our population last month, have occurred within the previous 11 days. Our government is expected to return soon from Macau. Compared with what it had appeared capable of, Hong Kong is at present a conspicuous failure.
Friend of China 5.10.43 edition
Letter to the Editor - Hong Kong appeared to be a good base to acquire by the might of our arms, from whence we could conduct trade with China, but the sickness that has prevailed this year from June to September has reduced its attraction. Even the magnificent harbour seems less valuable.
The Cornwallis and Agincourt each have 100 crewmen sick; 200 sepoys of the left wing of the 41st Madras Native Infantry are hospitalised. 100 men from the other Regiment have died of fever. Many Chinese residents are also ill.
We must make Hong Kong healthy before anything else. Is this sickness an infrequent visitation or should we expect it every summer? Reportedly the mortality in 1841 and 42 was also extensive. We should check the nature and numbers of deaths and publish the information. Sgd Observer
Editor - if we add another c. 200 souls to represent those who removed to Macau on first feeling the effects of the fever and then died there, the actual death rate becomes even higher than Observer suggests. We should all move over to Kowloon where it is much healthier and where the land prices would quickly rise to 4-5 times what they will ever achieve on this island.
Friend of China 5.10.43 edition
The recent burglary of Lord Saltoun’s house failed and little property was lost as the inmates of his house were alerted in time. It is notorious that the Chinese thieves can make great holes in walls and would take down the entire side of a house if it was required to effect their ends. Newcomers must take particular care as it seems to be new arrivals who are selected for theft.
Even the army is unsafe. On 25th September 30 x 6lb cartridges and 21 x 32’s cartridges were stolen. 2 barrels of musket cartridges were found on a beach where they had been left apparently preparatory to moving them to the thieves’ boat. Two boats were sent out after the escaping thieves and searched some lorchas anchored offshore but unsuccessfully.
On 27th September two men cut a hole in a tent behind the Artillery Hospital and removed private property within.
Friend of China 5.10.43 supplement
New government appointments:-
Major Eldred Pottinger CB, Bombay Artillery (the Chief Superintendent’s nephew), will be an extra aide-de-camp to his uncle with effect from 1st Sept 43.
Alexander Anderson is appointed Colonial Surgeon wef 1.10.43.
Dr Winchester continues to act as assistant Colonial Surgeon.
All appointments subject to confirmation by Her Majesty’s Government.
Friend of China 5.10.43 supplement
Alfred Humphreys has formed a partnership with William Henry and will in future trade as Henry Humphreys & Co at 13 Queen’s Road (the address of Bowra’s godown). Dated 8.9.43 (The company deals in wines, groceries and ship’s stores)
Friend of China 5.10.43 supplement
From advertisements each week in Friend of China it appears the big Hong Kong grocers are now:
F H Tiedeman of an unnumbered godown and store in Queen’s Road,
N Duus at 18 Queen’s Road, and
Pain & Co at 2 Magistracy Street.
D Wilson of the Calcutta house that was active as a grocery from early 1842 and became proprietor of the Auckland Hotel in 1843, stopped advertising in September 1843 but is still occasionally Agent for visiting ships e.g. Algerine
Friend of China 12.10.43 edition
Mr Lattery, watch and chronometer maker, has arrived in Hong Kong and is staying at Lane’s Hotel from whence he offers his London experience to the assured satisfaction of all customers.
Friend of China 12.10.43 edition
Fox Rawson & Co have been appointed agents for the subscribers to Lloyd’s in Macau, Hong Kong and Canton. 12.9.43 (apparently agents for investing Names)
Friend of China 12.10.43 edition
A new receiving ship named Jardine, has joined John Barry, Mercury and General Wood in the harbour.
Friend of China 12.10.43 supplement
Editorial - Last Saturday night our Chinese residents chin-chinned the moon (sheung yuet - 8th moon 15th day, the full moon). They erected poles from their houses, many 20 – 40 feet long, and placed lanterns on them, together with grotesque figures of men and dragons. They let-off fire crackers from morning to night along the entire length of Queen’s Road. The noise of the crackers was bad but the smell was worse. They should be allowed to enjoy their festivals but not let-off crackers on the public highway.
Friend of China 12.10.43 supplement
Hong Kong crime report:
Kwong Ah Kwei was tried for attempted burglary of West Point Barracks, convicted, sentenced to 40 lashes and then banished.
The fisherman Wong Tse Kiu was convicted of robbery and false imprisonment and sentenced to 60 lashes, 6 months imprisonment and to refund $29.50.
Ching Ah Sing and Wong Fuk See were tried for robbery and convicted. They had only recently been released for prison. They were sentenced to 50 lashes, 2 months imprisonment and banishment.
Chan Ah Tat stole his master’s watch. He got 30 lashes and 4 months solitary.
Friend of China 12.10.43 supplement
Lt Collinson of the Royal Engineers and his party of 34 sappers and miners, 14 Royal Artillery men, women, children and ordnance stores have arrived per Mountstuart Elphinstone to construct the batteries of Hong Kong.
Friend of China 12.10.43 supplement
Notice, 9.10.43 - Gibb Livingston and Co are selling their ‘desirable detached two storey residence situated within a ring fence on the hillside near the government offices and enjoying commanding views of the entire bay. The building contains numerous bedrooms, five airy sitting rooms with English fire grates and a large secure treasury with double doors. A detached godown of 60’ x 30’ and extensive servants quarters complete the Estate. The whole comprises a desirable investment for a firm.’
Friend of China 12.10.43 supplement
Public Auction 23.10.43 by P Townsend at his sale rooms - The public house ‘the Three Jolly Sailors’ on a plot measuring 105 feet square, situated on rising ground near the Western Police Station with streams within 50 yards to east and west. An airy house with commanding view of the harbour. Ideal for private dwelling.
Friend of China 19.10.43 edition
The Editor publishes a letter to Mr Cowasjee Shaporjee Taback from the Hong Kong government dated 4.10.43:
Thank you for your enquiry. As a creditor of the insolvent Hong merchants you should have collected your dividends at Canton as repeatedly advertised in the local newspapers by Capt Balfour.
Now the account has been closed and the uncollected dividends placed in HMS Dido at Whampoa. You will have to await the convenience of the government. Notice of intended further payment will be given in the usual manner.
Friend of China 19.10.43 edition
George Grey Sullivan and Frederick Howe Hall have been sworn in as JP’s 18.10.43 by the Chief Magistrate. Sullivan is to be vice consul at Amoy. In addition, Charles Alexander Winchester is made surgeon at Amoy
Friend of China 19.10.43 edition
We are pleased to see the Chief Magistrate has commenced his long threatened attack on delinquents. These people mostly lurk on the hill at the back of the lower bazaar and the preponderance of burglars either live there or have confederates there.
A few attempts to set fire to the housing have recently been discovered and doused. We must make sure these delinquents cannot come back.
Perhaps we should adopt the Chinese method of graduated personal responsibility. The Dutch have done this in Batavia with their Chinese. It has not been done in Singapore and robberies are also frequent there.32
Friend of China 19.10.43 edition
Tenders are invited for the construction of a Sergeants’ Mess, cook house, wash house and canteen at Chek Chu (Stanley) and for barrack furniture.
Plans of the intended buildings available from Army Commissariat 17.10.43
Friend of China 19.10.43 edition
Mr L E Christopher runs the Eagle Livery Stables at the back of the Victoria Hotel. He has ponies for sale
Friend of China 19.10.43 edition
Merchant removals from Macau to Hong Kong:
Hughesdon Calder & Co have removed from Macau to Hong Kong wef 16.10.43
Holliday Wise & Co has moved from Macau to Hong Kong. The Canton office remains open as before. 2.9.43
Friend of China 26.10.43 supplement
A R Johnstone is holding a public auction of all his household furniture on 28.10.43 at his house. P Townshend will be auctioneer.
Friend of China 2.11.43 edition
Letter to the Editor - When will we have a Church of England on this island? We started a collection 2 years ago and the subscription list was quickly filled but even now, a site has not yet been procured. Several Christian meeting-houses and a Roman Catholic chapel have been built; the Chinese have their temples and the Moslem his mosque; but we British still worship in a matshed. A recent edition noted that a parson is being sent to care for us. Where is the church he will work in?
Friend of China 2.11.43 edition
Letter to the Editor - Several garden houses have unchained dogs that rush upon anyone venturing through the fence to approach the house. Last Friday I went to collect a debt from a house on Queen’s Road and, on entering the garden, a dog rushed at me and savaged my right hand.
I have kept a record of doctor’s fees for treatment and I will try to get it back from the responsible person. Meantime victims should report to the magistrate. This nuisance should not be permitted to continue.
Friend of China 26.10.43 supplement
Hong Kong Crime report:
Robberies are again increasing but the most absurd one recently was the breaking into a billiards saloon on Queen’s Road where all the servants were sleeping (they place the balls, keep the score, bring drinks and clean the room). The robbers had removed the chairs and were taking down the chandeliers when the jingling of crystals seems to have disturbed the sleeping men who then raised the alarm. All the robbers escaped and no property was taken.
The burglary procedure of removal of bricks seems to have stopped and we attribute this to the government’s destruction of the matsheds and hovels above the lower bazaar – those were nests of banditti
The beggars have also largely disappeared. We are not surprised. Several bands of them passed our doors in the custody of the police last week and were taken down to the harbour and embarked on boats for their native land (Kowloon).
D Wilson and Co’s store was robbed by one of the employees. The magistrate convicted him on Tuesday and sentenced him to 60 strokes followed by hard labour in irons for four months (sentence is reduced in the next edition). Interestingly the culprit was named Julian by the American missionaries who converted him, thus reminding us of his royal namesake. Before his arrest Julian had an impeccable record and also spoke English quite well. After conviction he was paraded along Queen’s Road from the prison to the place of punishment wearing European clothes – white hat, jacket and trousers – and surrounded by policemen. He was not bound. His queue had been cut off, presumably at the time of his conversion to Christianity, so there was nothing for the policeman to hold onto in the normal way. At the place of punishment (on the Sheung Wan waterfront) was a large crowd of some 40 Europeans, 200 Lascars and nearly 400 Chinese. A European deputed for the usual rattan-man on this occasion and did not administer the lashing with much force. Julian was then led back to prison and the crowd dispersed without the usual murmurs of commiseration for the beaten man. Perhaps the Chinese were pleased to see one who had abjured their own system being punished. The Europeans were surely saddened to see one who had embraced theirs reveal himself as a hypocrite.33
Friend of China 9.11.43 edition
Julian, whom we mentioned above, is really Wei Ang. He is 24 years old. Eight years ago he was taken by a foreigner to South America. Three years later he turned up in USA and was given an education. In 1839 he was baptised a Christian in Baltimore.
He came to Hong Kong in February 42 and lived with Rev Shuck until August when Shuck dismissed him for unpredictability (he thought he was a King and visited the neighbours looking for his Queen). Shuck had spent $100 on Julian’s board and lodging so none of the other Christians was prepared to take care of him, believing he should be thrown onto his own resources for a while until he appreciated the value of their Christian spirit.
It was thus that he came to be working for D Wilson & Co. After the case was heard, Shuck received a letter from Baltimore noting Wei had developed mental disease there from over study. Two American missionaries gave character evidence in the case and as a result the award was reduced from what we reported to 50 lashes and 3 months hard labour on the roads.
Friend of China 2.11.43 edition
Fires in Hong Kong:
25.10.43 a fire broke out at 7 am in a mathouse attached to the Chi Nam godown in Queen’s Road. There was no wind that day and the fire was confined to the one building. There is nothing in the colony more dangerous than these mat out-houses attached to the godowns of Queen’s Road.
28.10.43 at about 1 am a fire started in a building in Hong Kong occupied by the wives of the 55th Regiment. The women all escaped but their property inside was entirely destroyed. About $3,000 damage was done
Friend of China 2.11.43 edition
Editorial - We have previously complained that the government has not made progress on sales of land, on building the church, on setting-up the Courts, etc. With the publication of the commercial treaty we finally understand why. It is only now that the terms of doing business in China are known. Now foreigners are in a position to assess whether they want to live here.
Friend of China 9.11.43 edition
Letter to the Editor - What has become of the Committee of Public Health? Is the raising of Queen’s Road by a couple of feet the sum total of its activities?
Friend of China 9.11.43 edition
Hong Kong Crime report:
Coroner Farncomb has conducted an inquest into the death of a Chinese found on the hill behind the Native Light Infantry barracks near the Canton Bazaar. It appears that at the time of death some robbers had arrived at that spot and were engaged in removing bricks from the outer wall of N. Duus’ bungalow when they were detected. Lt Haythorne, who lives in the bungalow which is behind Lord Saltoun’s house, heard dogs barking. There were three officers of the 98th Regiment living in the bungalow with Haythorne. It was 3 am and he could hear bricks being removed from the wall. One colleague was awakened. The two agreed to go out, one to the left the other to the right, and circle round to the rear of the bungalow where the sound of the thieves scratching out the mortar was coming from. Haythorne arrived and fired his pistol but it mis-fired. The thieves heard the noise and ran away. He drew his sword and chased three of them down the hill. The thieves separated and he followed one who ran towards the house of the women of the 55th Regiment. He struck at him and was then able to come up to him and lunge at him with the sword. Thereafter he returned to the bungalow.
The body when discovered had been dead for over two days and no pathological examination was attempted so the cause of death was not elucidated on medical grounds. Haythorne said it may possibly have been the man he ran through with his sword.
At the time of Haythorne’s attack, the case comprised an attempted theft. Even for actual theft the formal judicial award is not death. Had the thief been resisting the Lieutenant or fighting back, a lunge might have been permissible. The jury nevertheless brought in a verdict of lawful homicide.
Editor - they must be wrong.
Friend of China 9.11.43 supplement
D Wilson & Co have decided to close their Hong Kong business and return to Calcutta. All the Hong Kong stock will be auctioned shortly but private offers are welcomed before then.
Friend of China 16.11.43 edition
Major Eldred Pottinger died at Government House in Hong Kong on 15.11.43. He fought with honour at Herat and Kabul.
Friend of China 16.11.43 edition
Public Notice - The 98th Regiment, now quartered at Stanley, consumes 20 hogsheads of beer (50+ gallons per hogshead) and 80 gallons of Cape wine each month. Tenders are invited for supply.
Friend of China 16.11.43 edition
Notices:
Robert Webster, being about to leave China, has transferred his business to M/s Bell and Co of Macau.
Dickens and McIntyre have opened a general provisions store opposite Alexander Moss’ godown in Queen’s Road. They are also auctioneers.
D Wilson’s closing-down sale of stock will be in two auctions on 17th and 21st November 43 by auctioneer P Townsend at Wilson’s godown.
P Townsend will auction the land and buildings of the public house ‘Briton’s Boast’. The building is a two storey house of stone and brick raised above the level of the road and commanding a fine view of the whole harbour - seven rooms in the ground floor and many airy bedrooms above. It is situated on a 105 feet square lot in a nice quiet part of town – perfect for hotel or private dwelling.
Friend of China 23.11.43 edition
The Army commissariat invites tenders for the building of barracks at Sai Wan.
Friend of China 23.11.43 edition
Letter to the editor
The Post Office is so bad that many of us prefer to pay 25¢ per letter for a fast boat to take mail to Macau. If we use the Post Office there is no telling when we will get a reply. Mails for the north are also irregular. All that is required to rectify this situation is a few regulations.
The Harbour Master is also inefficient. Vessels come and go without reporting. Many ships depart without any notice to residents. The regulation requiring 24 hours notice of departure is routinely ignored.
The Hong Kong government should take a lesson from Singapore. They are most efficient administrators.
Friend of China 23.11.43 edition
Editorial - We should build an ice house and import ice from North China. We need it for medical purposes. We cannot afford to lose more men of the calibre of Morrison, Eldred Pottinger and Knowles (Lt Col., Royal Artillery). Another summer like the last will take off the few remaining talented men amongst us.
Friend of China 23.11.43 edition
Teams from HMS Cornwallis and HMS Agincourt have played a game of cricket at Kowloon.
Friend of China 23.11.43 edition
Marine Lot No 61 in the ownership of M/s Bates and Kent, both of whom died of fever this summer, is up for sale by auction on 9th Dec.
Friend of China 23.11.43 supplement
Hughesdon Calder and Co have a consignment of sycee silver in large ingots for sale.
Friend of China 30.11.43 edition
Letter to the Editor concerning the physical causes of the sickness that has killed so many this summer:
During the S E (summer) monsoon the hills north of Hong Kong stop the wind and make the air stagnant. The exhalations from the ground rise and unite with vapours from rotting animal and vegetable matter to accumulate in the air we breathe. Occasionally a typhoon dissipates this bad air. We ourselves cannot remove hills or create wind, but are we able to remove the miasma?
Decomposing animal and vegetable matter is noxious and causes disease even when greatly diluted; when concentrated it causes rapid death. The virulence of the local fever is from this cause. The specific gravity of miasma is greater than air so people living on upper floors even at the valley floors escape its action while those on the ground floor are immediately effected. The tropical sun is almost vertical and draws the miasma up the valley sides so that even there ground floors of houses on the lower hillsides are effected. As night falls the exhalations condense out of the air and a mantle of death falls on our dwellings.
In Hong Kong a large number of people are concentrated into a narrow coastal strip and their presence itself contributes to the impurity of the air and water. The ravines and streams contain animal and vegetable matter that rots all day. It is brought down to the open sewers and drains of the town.
Both the cause of our illness and its remedy should be plain.
An embankment should be built along the waterfront beyond the low water line. The drains should be bricked in on all sides and extended through this embankment to the sea where they will always discharge below the water line, thus trapping the emanations underwater.
The hillside steams should be diminished in capacity so the speed of their flow is increased. Then the rotting animal and vegetable matter will be quickly washed down into the sea. Most of this effluent comes from the refuse of the matsheds on the upper hillsides that are occupied by the poor Chinese. They should be legally restrained from throwing rubbish in streams and forced to remove all the dirty things around their huts. We should complete all this work in the current cold season to ensure we do not have another diseased summer like the last one.
The local water supply is very poor and the Chinese themselves agree. We should immediately start to filter it through charcoal before drinking.
It seems the dampness of Happy Valley which is proximate to wet rice cultivation and the proximity of the ravines and uncleared land at West Point may have both generated particularly noxious airs (the two areas where disease was most prevalent) but there is obscurity about local effects.
Friend of China 30.11.43 edition
Notices:
A public auction 1.12.43 of A R Johnstone’s collection of Chinese ornaments and others Chinese articles (he has returned to Britain) is to be held by C Markwick.
Henry Humphreys & Co have five complete London carriages with harnesses for sale.
P Townsend has two four-wheeled light carriages with harnesses and a buggy for sale.
Friend of China 30.11.43 edition
Local news:
Rev Charles Gutzlaff arrived from Chusan on HMS Vixen 15.11.43 to assume the office of Chinese Secretary to the Hong Kong government.
Lord Saltoun will shortly leave Hong Kong for Manila in HMS Dido
Sir Wm Parker will sail for Calcutta early December on HMS Cornwallis.
HMS Driver will sail for Chusan on 2.12.43 with Thom who is going to take-up his duty as British Consul at Ningpo.
The barracks to be built at Sai Wan are for the European Regiment that is expected to arrive soon.
A census is to be conducted on the island. The numbers of Chinese arriving here is enormous and a huge village has appeared at Tsim Sha Tsui opposite.
Friend of China 14.12.43 edition
Leases for Hong Kong Crown Lands allotted as Marine or Town lots will be delivered to occupiers or purchasers on and after 22nd Jan 44. (except those specifically reserved pending for a response to the reference sought from London - this concerns complaints that Johnstone et al were paid for the earlier land grants but did not account for the proceeds)
Friend of China 14.12.43 edition
An auction of leases on crown lands will be held on 22nd Jan 44. This will be for town lots south of Queen’s Road between the Harbour Master’s hill and Central Police Station. Lots will be marked out the day before and a plan showing the proposed streets in the area and the class of building to be erected on each lot is available from the Land Officer.
Friend of China 14.12.43 edition
Capt T Ormsby is appointed extra aide-de-camp to Pottinger.
Friend of China 14.12.43 edition
Those people who neglected to claim dividends resulting from the failures of Hing Tae, King Qua and Mow Qua from Capt Balfour before his departure for Shanghai may now do so in Hong Kong after 10th Jan 44.
Representatives of claimants must produce a Power of Attorney or guarantee that such authorisation will be produced within a year of payment.
Friend of China 14.12.43 edition
The schooner Comet, ex Rosa, has been registered at Hong Kong. It is the first British ship over 100 tons to be registered here.
Friend of China 14.12.43 edition
All notifications by all government offices in Hong Kong since the hoisting of the British flag over the island up to 31st Dec 43 are to be published in a book with alphabetical and classified indices on 10.1.44. $4 per copy.
A second and subsequent volumes will be issued from time to time.
Friend of China 21.12.43 edition
Richard Burgass has been sworn-in as a JP in Hong Kong and China by Chief Magistrate Caine.
Friend of China 14.12.43 edition
Government Tenders:
Sealed tenders for building a guard room at Stanley Barracks are invited.
Tenders requested for the carriage of 180 military invalids to London. Government will supply food and water. Ship with doctor preferred.
Friend of China 14.12.43 edition
The volume of news has greatly increased. Starting next year, the Friend of China will be published twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Subscription price will remains the same but the advertising cost is reduced.
Friend of China 14.12.43 edition
Robberies in Hong Kong continue unabated by land and sea. We are located amongst the Ladrone Islands. We should have street lighting. Can we not ask each inhabitant to immediately place a light at his door? Two recent cases of gentlemen having their silk umbrellas snatched from their hands and the thief disappearing into the gloomy night convince us of the need.
Friend of China 14.12.43 edition
Editorial - Queens Road has been in a wretched state for the last few days. The light rain has produced a layer of 3” - 4” of mud and numerous pools of standing water that combine to make the road impassable. There is an abundance of granite chips in the neighbourhood of the new buildings – why not macadamise the whole surface?
Friend of China 14.12.43 edition
To Let : The bungalow and out houses of Framjee Jamsetjee on Queen’s Road near MacVicar & Co’s premises. Apply to the owner in Macau or M/s Holliday Wise & Co in Hong Kong .
Friend of China 23.12.43 Edition
Public attention has been focused recently on the laying-out of our new roads and the sale of Crown Lands. There are two new roads to be built. One commencing from Queen’s Road east of the Baptist Chapel, passing to the left of the Roman Catholic church and thence turning more northerly to return to Queen’s Road in front of Harbour Master’s Hill. The other also starts east of the Baptist Chapel to a position north of the jail then curves passed the front of Government House to descend back to Queen’s Road which it joins near the Hon A R Johnstone’s house.
Two lots of land have recently been sold. The first was the Marine Lot of M/s Bates and Kent, with merely a shed upon it, which sold for $4,500. The other was a Town Lot on the south side of Queen’s Road with a godown upon it and a house nearly finished above. This sold for $5,500 by private contract. On these prices, the approaching land sale should be remunerative to Government
Friend of China 23.12.43 Edition
A recent UK enactment has equated the tariff on British produce landed at Macau to the same level as British produce landed in Portugal. This is a massive reduction. Had it been announced a few months ago, the foreign traders in Macau might never have moved to Hong Kong.
Friend of China 28.12.43 edition
Rev Stanton has arrived and will hold divine service at the matshed Anglican church at 11 am on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day then every Sunday.
Friend of China 28.12.43 edition
Government Notice - Sealed tenders invited for daily supplies to the military hospitals of Hong Kong of inter alia eggs, chickens, milk, onion, potato, fruit, leeches and rice straw.
Friend of China 28.12.43 edition
The old printing press and type faces of the Eastern Globe and Commercial Advertiser newspaper are for sale since a new printing system has been purchased. Anyone wishing to establish a journal will find our equipment price very reasonable. Apply Eastern Globe office, Hong Kong 20.12.43
Friend of China 2.1.44 edition
Calcutta Overland Star - The opium traffickers in China are dissatisfied at the prohibition on storing opium in Hong Kong. As a consequence, many of them remain in Macau and they say, as a result of their absence, Hongkong will be no better than a military post. They say the only important business done in China is opium smuggling and without it Hongkong will fail as a trade emporium.
We hope this is incorrect. We hope the trade from England to China will swell sufficiently to make the presence or absence of these opium traders irrelevant to the new colony’s success. In this respect a very large tea crop is anticipated this year and other Chinese exports are expected to arrive in Canton in bigger quantities than hitherto.
Latest intelligence says opium is selling at very high prices in China.
Friend of China 2.1.44 edition
Coroner Farncomb has held another Inquest - John Reid, a part time accountant of the Friend of China was found curled-up dead in his room on the upper floor of the Eastern Globe office.
Colonial Surgeon Alexander Anderson recalled he had treated Reid for Delirium Tremens and brain disease induced by alcohol. Five weeks ago he spent 2 weeks in hospital which did him good.
Richard Oswald works for the Friend of China. He knew the deceased since his arrival in Hong Kong. He introduced Reid to work for Alderman White the publisher of Friend of China as a part time accountant. He worked satisfactorily for one two days but thereafter got so drunk he was incapacitated. Oswald said after Reid left he did not see him again.
Pieter Caulincourt McSweeny, the owner of the Eastern Globe and Commercial Advertiser, met Reid two weeks earlier. He was then working for Friend of China and wanted a cheap room. McSweeny gave him the spare room upstairs. Reid complained of illness but nothing serious. He always stayed in his room. McSweeny never saw him drunk. He did not know where he got his meals. When having dinner yesterday, the servant told me that Reid had died at noon. I found him on the couch in his room in a foetal position. Mr Christopher later straightened his legs.
Verdict : visitation of God.
Friend of China 9.1.44 edition
We have seen the plans for the layout of our new city. The existence of the many buildings already constructed means the planned straight roads will run over land already sold. The expense of repurchasing land already built upon will be heavy. In some cases only a triangular lot will remain. Why do the roads have to be straight? There will be fifty lots of vacant land for sale, many on the hillside almost as high-up as the mosque.34
We think the roads should be formed before the houses are built as the labour and costs of the latter, which is the greater, will be accordingly reduced. The new drains should be covered and if the expense necessitates a government rate we should be happy to pay. The narrowest planned road is 15 feet wide. The others are 25’, 28’, 30’, 52’ and 55’ wide (only Queen’s Road is 55’). There are many roads planned to cross Queen’s Road which should provide ample ventilation and indeed a narrow road will also give some shade.
It is regrettable that no plan was prepared for this island before building commenced – that seems to be the norm in British colonies. We hope the sea wall will be built below low water mark.
Friend of China 9.1.44 edition
The Hong Kong (ex Canton) Register has commenced the new year in an enlarged and improved format that augurs well for this new Colony. The Canton Press continues on the same scale as formerly.
Friend of China 9.1.44 edition
We wish the government would consider granting a small lot in central Hong Kong for the construction of an ice house. All the central Marine Lots have gone and, unless one of the reserved lots can be appropriated, the ice will be stored far away and much will be lost in delivery. Everyone says they will subscribe to an ice house.
Friend of China 13.1.44 supplement
Major General D’Aguilar CB, Commander of British Land Forces in China has been appointed Lieutenant Governor of Hong Kong by the Queen. He arrived 27.12.43 on HMS Castor.
D’Aguilar and Major Caine of Her Majesty’s 26th regiment of foot, are appointed members of the Legislative Council. Barrister Richard Burgass MA, JP is to be clerk of Council. The Council assembled for the first time on 11.1.44.35
Friend of China 16.1.44 edition
Appointments to the staff of Major General D’Aguilar wef 1.1.44:
Capt Henry Torrens D’Aguilar, Grenadier Guards, assistant military secretary.
Lieutenant Charles D’Aguilar, Royal Artillery, Aide-de-Camp.36
Friend of China 13.1.44 supplement
Our matshed Anglican church is cold in winter and hot in summer. If we started today, it would take 18 months to build a real church. We hope our new chaplain will do his best to make it more comfortable.
Friend of China 13.1.44 supplement
The Morrison Education Society has published its annual report:
We have three classes. One of 8 students, one of 4 and one of 12. I (unidentified) am the only teacher. It is a year since the Trustees applied for a second teacher but they have not yet succeeded in employing one. I teach the boys English. For the first two years they cannot be left alone because they do not understand enough English to work unsupervised. So while I am teaching one class the other two are unsupervised. I just revere the memory of Morrison, father and son, and do my best.
Friend of China 23.1.44 edition
Letter to the Editor - You have been sick otherwise you would have seen all the drunken sailors in town this last 7-10 days. Yesterday there were 70-100 staggering along Queen’s Road. Every evening as one passes the ‘rum mills’, one hears the beastly songs of these people. In England the police would stop them. Sgd A Citizen
(Editor’s note – the cause is the liberty given to crews of men-of-war, specifically HMS Agincourt during the last few days. It will stop soon)
Friend of China 23.1.44 edition
A list of successful purchasers of 116 town lots is given in this edition – surname and price agreed to be paid. The printed prices are the price per acre and are to be adjusted for the size of the lot. The lots are sold on 75 year leases with annual ground rents payable, six months in advance. The bazaar lots (unidentified) will not be available for six months and payments for them will start then. Successful bidders are required to take immediate possession of all other lots. The equivalent of ten year’s ground rent must be spent on the buildings and work must commence within 12 months.
Braine, on behalf of Dent & Co., and Oswald both protested the sale of lots that had previously been sold to them by A R Johnstone. They were sold again anyway.
Friend of China 27.1.44 edition
There are many complaints from residents about the way the land auction was conducted. The government should have notified people who held land sold during Elliot’s tenure that it did not recognise their claims and was reselling the land. In the absence of notice their interests were prejudiced. It should also have given advanced notice of the restrictive terms of sale – i.e. minimum cost of development, 75 year lease, etc.
Friend of China 27.1.44 edition
About 70 robbers attempted to break into the godown of M/s Jamieson How and Co at West Point at 1 am on 21st Jan 44. They seized and bound the watchman on the wharf. They then went to a camp at the wharf where some masons were sleeping and threatened them to keep quiet and not interfere. Then they approached the house, fired off two muskets and forced the doors with axes and crowbars.
The occupants signalled for help which was answered by Mr Edger of the bungalow on the hill behind. The bungalow inmates armed themselves and their servants took pikes. As the rescuers approached, the robbers saw them and fled west and all escaped unpunished. They kept close to the wall of the godown so shots from the loopholes could not hurt them.
Mr Edger had received a warning on Saturday that he was soon to be attacked but he did not respond. The occupants should have withheld their fire until the robbers had opened the door. At least then one volley would have injured some of them and our capture of wounded might have elicited useful information and identified the supposedly honest Chinese residents who are believed to be directing these attacks.
Friend of China 30.1.44 edition
26.1.44 an Ordinance is enacted by the Legislative Council of Hong Kong to introduce English law and jurisdiction for British people resident in Hong Kong, Macau and the domains of the Chinese Emperor.
Any defence of want of jurisdiction raised by a defendant will hereafter be denied by this enactment. Courts of Justice in Hong Kong are given jurisdiction over English people in all three areas.
Friend of China 30.1.44 edition
Letters to the Editor:
1/ I am in Macau on a special mission for the government of Netherlands but I am not the Netherlands Consul as you say in your Anglo-Chinese Calendar. Sgd Tonco Modderman Junior.
2/ The powers of Pottinger are incredible. There can be no other official in the British empire with such authority. I refer to the recent sale of land by Pottinger’s relative, the Land Officer A F Gordon. We lot-holders have improved our lands with fine houses and now the government sets artificially high upset prices and short 75 year leasehold terms. The government was enabled to sell these lots at high prices solely because people had already built upon them. They should have offered unimproved lots to the east or west then averaged those values and applied them to the central lots.
I urge all colonists to combine and appeal to the home government. A petition signed by all of us would be heard and even this powerful Plenipotentiary would have to listen. I have no doubt that he has over-stepped his authority and an appeal will obtain us redress. Sgd Publicola
Editor – nearly every lot sold well above its upset price. The high costs arose from buyer interest not unrealistic pricing.
Friend of China 30.1.44 edition
Yesterday morning the Merchant Seamen’s Hospital was burgled and much property stolen. Dr Cowan the resident surgeon lost $200 and most of his clothes. Alarmingly, these robbers were armed and when fired upon they fired back. We need a real police force to deal with this threat. The Chief Magistrate says he often asks for a force but has not yet got one.
Friend of China 3.2.44 edition
Editorial – we have heard many complaints about the land auction. Nearly all are from people who bought land from Elliot’s government and, being unable to prove title, now have to buy again. All the actions of a local government are subject to ratification from home and the House of Commons will not permit an injustice to remain.
There is one complaint which is shocking. One purchaser is said to have received advanced advice that the penalty for successfully bidding for a lot and not taking it up was to be 15% of one year’s rent. This gave him a commercial advantage in the bidding.
Friend of China 3.2.44 edition
Editorial – the state of our roads and drains is unsatisfactory. Recently many female European immigrants from India and England have arrived and we are pleased to see they like to exercise regularly but how can they do so when the roads are ankle-deep in mud?
If we do not arrange the drainage quickly we will have another unhealthy year like last year. Those areas where pure water runs by the road are free of the Hong Kong Fever as the water carries off the impurities. The occupants of D’Aguilar’s house, previously Lane’s Hotel, all the way down the hill from there to the house of Captain Burd have not yet had a case of fever.
We must enclose the sewers and the ravines.
Editor - We are glad to note that European ladies are also settling in Canton
Friend of China 3.2.44 edition
The police force is unsatisfactory. The officers are often drunk on duty. Such people should be returned to their regiments. The complaints about sailors getting drunk however are less reasonable. Sailors in the Royal Navy only get two days off a year.
Friend of China 3.2.44 edition
We notice the arrival in Hong Kong of Thomas W Waldron, U S Government Agent, with stores for the U S Squadron. We understand he is to be Consul in Hong Kong and only awaits the arrival of his credentials to take up the office.
Friend of China 3.2.44 edition
Major General Lord Saltoun will be departing Hong Kong from the Commissariat Wharf, Central at 2pm Wednesday 7th Feb 44 on HMS Dido.
Friend of China 3.2.44 edition
Letter to the Editor – Publicola’s letter is no good. Elliot’s land sale was advertised in the Hong Kong Gazette of 25.6.41. The published conditions said bidding for the lots was for an annual quit rent and the reserve price was £10 per lot. Bidding would advance in 10/- increments. The highest bidder would be acknowledged purchaser by the lot being hammered down to him. A memorandum would later be given to him to formally confirm title. The terms of the recent sale were comparable with Elliot’s sale except that now there can be no doubt about government’s ability to give title whereas then there was.
Publicola’s complaint about the prices is also unwarranted. Merchants have been fixing annual rents between themselves recently of as much as £160, £185, £230, £250 and £265 p a for a lot with a frontage of 100 feet. Commencing from an upset of £10, the average result of a quit rent for a lot 105 feet square appears to have been upwards of £80 p a yet Publicola complains the upset prices fixed at the recent sale took advantage of those who had improved their lots. Your correspondent does not have the Brain(e) to realise the tyranny and grievance he alleges is mere fantasy.
Pottinger’s powers are extensive but they represent the trust of the home government in him. Until there is a genuine instance of tyranny there is no point in raising a question about them. British merchants are not cajoled or coerced into settling in Hong Kong. Enterprise in China has been so long trammelled that China traders are happy to settle here.
The home government has reportedly decided that Hong Kong must pay for itself – that alone is justification for high land prices. Enhanced government income will attract refined men and raise this colony from its present reputation as a hotbed of disease. Vindex
Friend of China 3.2.44 edition
G T Braine of Dent and Co is exposed in the above letter from Vindex as Publicola. Here is his response to the editorial in a previous edition lambasting his view on the land sales:
The first land sales were in June 1841. In view of our relations with China at that time we bought the land but none of us wanted to develop it. Then A R Johnstone, who was deputed to govern Hong Kong by Elliot, gave inducements (in the form of grants) to us in return for our developing our lots. It was in response to Johnstone’s grants that J M & Co, Dent & Co and others invested large sums and this caused yet more people to build and the Hong Kong economy to take-off. Had there been any intimation that Johnstone’s grants might be repudiated, we would not have invested.
On the contrary, Pottinger established a Committee in March 1842 to investigate Johnstone’s grants. On 22.4.42 he required parties with claims to send in a statement of them without delay or they would be overlooked. I believe every land-holder complied with Pottinger’s request and submitted a claim. His land was then marked out by Pottinger’s Land Committee. Now, two years later, Pottinger says all claims prior to the treaty are invalid. Having thus apparently annulled his former act how can I know that he will not annul again and again?
The Land Committee that Pottinger established proceeded irregularly as it kept no minutes. We have developed our land in good faith and now it is taken away. The government should not expect its colonists to submit. Many influential members of this community are dissatisfied. An appeal to the home government is being considered. If we act together we will prevail.
In the latest land auction, the conditions were not published until afterwards but some bidders knew beforehand that if they bought a lot and abandoned it later they would only have to pay 15% of the first year’s ground rent. I do not know how these buyers found out but it is certain that not everyone knew it, so it was unfair. The main effect of this was to raise the price of the land as a knowing bidder might buy many more lots than he needed or could afford. He would then have the advantage of picking the best lot with few rocks and no gully running through it and abandoning the others.
I still hold a faint hope that Pottinger will investigate the matter and resolve our dissatisfaction. Publicola
Friend of China 10.2.44 edition
For auction on 15th Feb 44 at noon at West Point - all the materials used in the construction of the West Point barracks will be sold. Successful buyers must collect their purchases within a month of sale.
Friend of China 10.2.44 edition
Tenders are invited before 10.2.44 to form streets and build sewers in Victoria per plans displayed in the Land Office.
Friend of China 10.2.44 edition
J B Pain & Co is selling full-sized billiards tables with cues, cue stand, marking board etc all made at Canton. $250 each. Sample in our godown for inspection.
Friend of China 10.2.44 edition
Editorial – the present depressed state of our Australian colonies is worrying. The Sydney newspapers to 9th Dec 43 show three vessels at that port advertising for passengers to Hong Kong. If unemployed Australian colonists emigrate here, they will regret leaving the healthiest climate in the world for the most pestilential. This Editorial is published in the interests of humanity to deter any more of them from coming here.
European carpenters and blacksmiths will not be able to work in this hot and humid climate. Maybe one or two will find work as overseers but even the Friend of China compositors, a sedentary occupation, have difficulty coping with the weather. Hong Kong is an expensive and sickly island. How can an Australian survive here? The Chinese do all the mechanical work. They do it excellently for a quarter of the cost of a European. A few sober and industrious individuals might succeed as superintendents but there will not be many such jobs. All the building has already been done and it will be years before much trade develops here.
Even young men coming as clerks to the government or to the merchants cannot expect many vacancies. The best jobs will be allocated to people in London. Local appointments will always be inferior.
To work as a retailer is almost hopeless - the local Chinese have particular tastes and little money. Apart from our armed forces there are not three hundred Europeans on the island to patronise retail shops. The only avenue to wealth here is monopolised by a handful of foreign traders and they never advertise vacancies. We do not want an influx of unemployed English waiting to catch fever and seeking refuge in the bottle.
Friend of China 14.2.44 edition
We had an auction of land lots on onerous terms on 23rd Jan 44. Notwithstanding the terms, a total of over one hundred lots were sold at rents of between £5.10.0d - £100. 0.0d a year. A failure to build as required in the lease terms attracts a fine of one year’s rent. A lot of building will no doubt be done this year.
Hong Kong is now quite healthy. The barracks built at Sai Wan and at Stanley are spacious and airy.
Her Majesty’s 55th Regiment will return to England soon. 250 invalids have been sent back already on the Cornwall on 2.2.44. Lord Saltoun left on HMS Dido for London with a large tranche of the indemnity money.
Many English merchants remain headquartered at Macau. Its future cannot be good. Hong Kong is better both for storing goods and instructing agents in Canton or up the coast. The princely constructions of J M & Co and Dent & Co are nearing completion. We expect all English merchants in Macau will very soon come to Hong Kong.
The only remaining problem is crime. Our Chinese residents are of the worst type of Chinaman. Even with Police and watchmen on private houses, the thieves enter through walls and bolted doors. A few days after the attempt at Jamieson and How’s godown (previously reported), Mr Edger saw a piratical attack in the harbour. With his assistant Mr Henry they took to their boat and gave chase. They captured nine pirates and their boat. Each pirate was sentenced to five years on the chain gang plus 100 lashes per year to be followed by banishment.
The pirates who murdered Dr McKinlay of the 18th Regiment and two Portuguese sailors have been caught by the Chinese and beheaded. The three heads are to be raised on pikes at the place of the crime to deter the others.
Friend of China 17.2.44 edition
The government’s land auctions continue to exercise a fascination over the resident foreign community. Those who bought previously and improved their lots resent discovering that their tenancies are now only for 75 years. They claim Elliot’s sales and Johnstone’s grants were in perpetuity and they expect freehold title. If those first investors had not been induced to invest here, they say, the island would still be a barren rock. They have each invested from $25,000 - $200,000 on improvements to their lots, blithely unaware that the land might revert to the Crown in 75 years.
Friend of China 17.2.44 edition
30 Chinese attacked the premises of M/s Milne and Vesey, carpenters of Queen’s Road, on Thursday morning. The thieves got inside and wounded the two men, one severely. Vesey had been around town that day collecting and paying debts but the greater part of his collections had already been paid to others. The thieves soon left without taking anything.
They moved on to Dr Anderson’s house nearby but were beaten off.
Friend of China 17.2.44 edition
Mr Lawrie the publican was warned his house would be attacked Sunday night. He alerted some friends who agreed to stay with him overnight. That evening they heard sounds from the adjoining house which should have been unoccupied. They went around and demanded admittance. No response was obtained so they themselves broke-in and shot two Chinese discovered inside. Three European friends of Lawrie have also been arrested and police investigations continue.
Friend of China 20.2.44 edition
The Chinese who were wounded in an affray with three Europeans last week are recovering. It would be well to settle this affair.
Friend of China 20.2.44 edition
The cause of the sickness that killed so many of us last summer has been traced to the stagnant water that lay in every ravine and on every field. We need to straighten and clear the hillside ravines and drain the paddy fields.
English firms in Macau are holding back from transferring their business here, citing the health risk.
Friend of China 24.2.44 edition
Capt Haly of the 41st Madras Native Infantry has been appointed Superintendent of Police and was sworn-in as a JP on 22nd Feb 44.
Friend of China 24.2.44 edition
The Court of Justice with Criminal and Admiralty Jurisdiction will hold a session on 4th March 44. Anyone summonsed must attend.
Sgd Charles B Hillier, Recording Officer.
Friend of China 24.2.44 edition
The declaration of the Law Court’s opening is welcome. We have been living too long under military law. Now we suppose civil and criminal judges will soon arrive to administer the law but for the time being it will be Sir Henry who is the judge. His legal adviser will assist him on legal points.
He is so powerful he should take great care.
Friend of China 24.2.44 edition
Between 1 – 2 am on Friday 23rd Feb 44 a robbery occurred at Mr Mrs White’s bungalow. 30 men armed with pikes and swords attacked the house. They made much noise and frightened the occupants. Mr Lind was awakened and discharged his pistols but there was such a press of robbers it did not stop them. They broke through the inner doors and threw in fire pots. They ransacked the house. The watchman and servants were stoned and driven off. The watchman alerted the guard and the officers of the mess responded.
The ladies were earlier able to escape to the officers’ mess of the 41st Madras Native Infantry.
The robbers were brave and withstood the sepoy’s fire until they had forced-open the chest containing the silver plate and removed its contents. They made off with a large booty of plate, jewellery and clothes. One was shot in the thigh and died soon afterwards. All the others escaped but several were wounded. They fled along the footpath to the lower bazaar. It seems they had a boat under the bridge between Edger’s house and the lower bazaar.
The captured robber confirmed that the group came from Kowloon and landed near the point. He gave the names of two accomplices which have been passed to the magistrate of Kowloon.
Friend of China 24.2.44 edition
Sir E Belcher is to reside in Hong Kong in the house formerly occupied by Mr Edwards while he undertakes a survey of the China Seas.
Friend of China 27.2.44 edition
Letter to the Editor - The recent attack on Mrs White’s house is shocking. Near her house is a police station and the mess and quarters of numerous military officers yet she was attacked in her house, she and the other occupants expelled and their valuables stolen away. Chinese flow into Hong Kong saying they come to chin chin Joss. We should try to control access better.
Friend of China 27.2.44 edition
First published shipping list of all the China-trade anchorages:
In Victoria Harbour:
|
Ship Fortescue Hope Ratcliff Omega Warlock Water Witch Brahim Gondolier Annie Magnolia Fairlie Oriental H. Pratt (USA) Anita Neried Celestial Spec |
Consignee or Agent J M & Co J M & Co J M & Co J M & Co J M & Co Dent & Co Dent & Co Holliday Wise & Co Holliday Wise & Co Turner & Co Turner & Co MacVicar & Co J D Sword & Co Russell & Co N/A N/A N/A – this ship is for sale |
British ships at Whampoa (with cargo for Canton):
|
Bombay Larkins Duchess of Northumberland Canton Elora Emperor Canopus Hesperus Saghalien Lucy Sharp Osprey Emerald Isle Forfarshire Resolution Rookery John Laird Marmion Coromandel |
J M & Co J M & Co J M & Co MacVicar & Co MacVicar & Co MacVicar & Co Turner & Co Turner & Co Turner & Co Augustine Heard & Co Augustine Heard & Co Augustine Heard & Co Lindsay & Co Lindsay & Co Bell & Co Bell & Co Gibb Livingston & Co Dent & Co |
American ships at Whampoa:
|
Probus Oscar Charlotte Panama Robert Fulton |
Wetmore & Co Wetmore & Co Russell & Co A A Richter C H Tiers |
British ships at Macau:
|
Anita John Witt Eliza Kestrel Mary Bulmer Fortitude Lennit Fair Barbadian Carthaginian Gratitude Guisachan |
Russell & Co Russell & Co Boustead & Co Boustead & Co Turner & Co Lindsay & Co John Smith F Ley N/A N/A N/A |
Also anchored at Macau are six Portuguese ships, one French, one Spanish and three Dutch, the latter three represented by Dents, Reynvaan and Turners respectively.
Friend of China 27.2.44 edition
There have been numerous burglaries of late but not one instance of the police interrupting them. Mrs White’s theft shows that success is giving the thieves courage. The attack was close to the military quarters and mess. The escape was after 9 pm when the harbour is supposed to be guarded by the navy. There are 6-8 men-of-war in the harbour but all anchored at the eastern end – why? The thieves cross to Tsim Sha Tsui. Does Sir Thomas Cochrane need to see his ships from his house ashore? Do the naval officers need them nearby for ease of boarding?
There should be a warship at Green Island, off West Point and off East Point with others in between these three. The heavy and noisy man-of-war boats should be exchanged for the light local boat (called a ‘pull-away boat’ at Macau). Six of these boats, each with a crew of six, would close the harbour crossing to the thieves. The British fleet in harbour has 1,500 men aboard. It seems little to ask.
Friend of China 27.2.44 edition
We were pleased to see a party of convicts under a police superintendent being employed to root out residents on the beach east of Lindsay & Co’s godown. Paupers and rogues anchor their boats near the shore there and provide residence for any one. We should not allow these boats to approach our shore unless for some genuine and overt purpose. We should licence and number all the small boats and lorchas used as ferry boats, for fishing and for lightering. All the other small boats should be burnt and sunk if they still remain at our beaches after due warning. Too many of the Chinese boat people have no jobs and no means of support. They come here to plunder and enjoy the mildness of British justice when they get caught. We are becoming an asylum for the dregs of Kwangtung.
Friend of China 27.2.44 edition
The business of the late Henry Pybus will in future be conducted by John Mackey & Co of Calcutta represented in Macau by M/s John Leffler and Charles Wilson Murray acting per pro and/or as Agents.
The godown of the late H Pybus is for sale by auction by P Townsend on 11.3.44. It is 150’ x 60’ with a treasury within and two cottages attached. Also for sale is one half of the marine lot between Pybus’ godown and the unoccupied godown of Jamieson How & Co.
Friend of China 2.3.44 edition
Ordinance 1/44, an Ordinance to define the law in Hong Kong relating to slavery:-
Anyone using a slave in Hong Kong will be subject to imprisonment to 2 years with or without corporal punishment and hard labour and a fine of up to $500 for each offence plus up to an additional $200 payable to the informant(s).
Any foreigner bringing a slave to Hong Kong and not reporting the fact within 10 days of arrival will be subject to imprisonment to 6 months with or without corporal punishment and hard labour and a forfeit of up to $100 for each offence plus an additional $50 for informants.
Any former slave upon reporting to government will be advised that he is free.
If the former slave opts to stay with his former master, two house-owners resident in Hong Kong must give $500 sureties against the removal of the former slave from Hong Kong.
Any former slave shall be maintained at public expenses until he can maintain himself.
If a slave is found serving a former owner, proof of his regular employment must be provided.
In the absence of proof of employment, if thereafter the former slave is found working for the former master, it will be prima facie proof of slavery.
Anyone having a slave in his house and not immediately reporting the fact will be subject to imprisonment to 3 months with or without corporal punishment and hard labour and a forfeit of up to $100 for each offence and an additional $50 for informants
The above awards are in addition to any awards applicable to the case under the Laws of Great Britain.
Friend of China 2.3.44 edition
Ordinance 2/44, an Ordinance to regulate printing of books and papers:
This Ordinance comes into effect after 1st April 44 and applies to any publication in Hong Kong of news or commentary on news.
Every document printed and published in Hong Kong is to show the name of the printer and publisher and the place of printing/publishing. After 1st April 44, possession of a printing press in Hong Kong will become illegal unless owned by a declared printer or publisher. Failure to comply with either of these clauses merits a fine of $3,000 and/or gaol for 2 years.
The printer and publisher of every paper shall declare his identity before the magistrate.
A change of address requires a new declaration
A departure from Hong Kong requires a new declaration
Failure to comply with any of the above merits a fine of $3,000 and 2 years gaol
Public search of the declarations is available at $1; Copy of declaration $2
Production of declaration in proceedings is prima facie proof of identity of printer or publisher.
Person ceasing to be printer or publisher to declare same.
Declaration of cessation is proof of the fact in proceedings.
Friend of China 2.3.44 edition
Capt Haly will return to his regiment and Capt Bruce of Her Majesty’s 18th (Royal Irish) Regiment will replace him as Police Superintendent temporarily. He becomes a JP
Friend of China 2.3.44 edition
Capt Haly, as part of his police duty, has cleansed all the drains in the upper bazaar. The part of Queen’s Road in our vicinity (beneath the upper bazaar) is now fragrant. His procedure of holding back a head of water then letting it rush through the drains morning and evening has carried all the filth to the sea. We are sorry he is returning to India with his regiment.
Friend of China 2.3.44 edition
Editorial – the repudiation of slavery by Britain in her colonial possessions is the greatest effort of British justice, an act of generosity which has no parallel in ancient or modern history, an act which many admire but none yet follow. We hope a copy of this Act in Chinese will be circulated amongst the population.
Friend of China 2.3.44 edition
Editorial - It is a common complaint of ship masters and strangers that there is no place of entertainment here. We think a coffee house with an attached reading room in the Central district would serve and we will cheerfully supply a quota of English and colonial papers to it.
Friend of China 2.3.44 edition
Thursday 29th Feb a Chinese child was shot at East Point by a Lascar and an Inquest is to be held today.
Friend of China 2.3.44 edition
Januario J Lopes has closed his ‘high class’ hotel in Macau as all the traders are coming to Hong Kong. He has concurrently opened the Waterloo Hotel at 40 Queen’s Road on 1.3.44.
Friend of China 2.3.44 edition
Rev Charles Gutzlaff is appointed Chinese Assistant to the Chief Magistrate and member of the Lands Registry and Land Committees.
Editor - Mr Gutzlaff’s appointment is very satisfying and will be highly conducive to the impartial administration of justice. It would be difficult to find a more competent person for this job.
Friend of China 5.3.44 edition
The first session of the court occurred yesterday. The Governor and Lt Governor (Pottinger and D’Aguilar) sat as judges. Burgass was clerk and Hillier was registrar. A jury was sworn in and Mr Patrick Stewart made foreman.
A Filipina seaman of the Harlequin was charged with murder of his 2nd Mate, and an artillery marine of HMS Driver was charged with murder of a Chinese boatman. The Filipino was found guilty but had been provoked. The death sentence was passed and Her Majesty’s pleasure requested. The marine’s case will be concluded today.
(The 16 Grand Jurymen is a who’s who of China-traders and British officials - David Jardine, John Dent, T A Gibb, John Holliday, Christopher Fearon, Charles E Stewart (the FS), C Cleverley etc.)
Friend of China 5.3.44 edition
The patent slip that was imported some time ago from England and never used has been purchased by government.
Friend of China 5.3.44 edition
Letter to the Editor concerning land allocations – the Upper Bazaar was allotted to the present occupants under formal certificates of the Land Officer. They were required to erect houses within a few weeks or lose their allotment. Some were later ejected by the Lands Officer for failure to comply with this provision and their lots reassigned to others. As a result of the building condition, the Upper Bazaar was quickly built up and shops opened. The occupiers have since made some profits, probably sufficient to make the costs of building worthwhile.
Now they have been told they will be evicted in six months and compensated at the government’s own valuation of their houses. All these lots have been resold to others. No other land is offered to the present occupiers. They have learned this only since the recent sale in which their lots were unilaterally sold from under them. The drains up there in the Upper Bazaar are a bit smelly and amongst the genuine traders are a few ‘houses of disrepute’ but government does not need the land for new streets. The certificates the present occupants hold only say that a rent may be chargeable in future. The new buyers have been told they may erect Chinese houses on them.
Some foreigners who were the earliest investors in Hong Kong have withdrawn from this island because of the unfair land arrangements. Now the Chinese in the Upper Bazaar are experiencing the same treatment. They are getting up a petition to Sir Henry requesting he not break faith with them. We wish them luck. Sgd, Good Faith.
Friend of China 5.3.44 edition
A waterboat fitted with tanks and a force pump has been assembled by N Duus for the convenience of masters of ships in the harbour. It will now be possible to fill a ship’s water tanks at the anchorage without sending a boat to one of the streams. The boat will be anchored off Duus’s Wharf
Friend of China 5.3.44 supplement
The government has published a set of Rules to suppress vagabonds by the regulation of small boats in the harbour:
All boats must provide security from a resident native and register with government within 24 hours of arrival. Failure - boat burned. The registry number is to be painted in large letters on both sides of the boat and on its flag. Failure - fine, 2nd failure - expulsion.
The boat people will appoint a superintendent answerable for their good behaviour. He will be made responsible for their acts. Every boat-operator must report to the Chinese Secretary on arrival and declare why he has come? what is the cargo? His ship’s papers are to be deposited with the Marine Magistrate until departure. Every boat-master is responsible for his crew. If any one commits an offence, the master must report it to the Chinese Secretary
Every boat arriving in Victoria will be boarded and served with a notice listing these Rules.
Boatmen unable to account for their visit will be handed over to the magistrate at Kowloon.
The small boat anchorage will be buoyed and all will anchor within it. No-one can anchor within 150 covids of the low water mark. No boat can leave the anchorage after 9 pm.
Dropping ballast in the harbour is an offence punishable by a fine.
No guns, gongs or firecrackers after 8 pm.
No shotted guns in the harbour.
Masters of ferry boats will bring passengers to the Chinese Secretary for examination. Intending residents will be registered. 1st omission $5 fine, 2nd omission $10, 3rd omission expulsion.
Rates for boat hire in Hong Kong are fixed as follows:
|
Cargo boats of 7+ tons - Cargo boats up to 7 tons - Fast boats, 2 masts 5 adult crew - - Fast boats 1 mast 3 adult crew Sampans Large boat to Stanley |
$3 per day $1 per trip $2 per day $0.75 per trip $1 per day $12.50 per half month $25 per month 75¢ per day or $12 per month 1 mace for 2 hours $5-6 per trip acc’g size |
Any excessive demands will attract a fine in the same amount. 2nd offence - licence cancelled
Friend of China 9.3.44 edition
Letter to the Editor – Has anyone noticed that all the deaths we had last year were of men. The women survived! Is it because they protect their heads when out in the sun; or because they eat a lighter diet? Many Europeans in Hong Kong are unaccustomed to the tropical sun which in India we know to be fatal. Would a doctor favour us with dietary guidance? Sgd. Quidnunc
Friend of China 9.3.44 edition
Another list of shipping is published. The vessels anchored at Whampoa (British and US) are mostly the same as last week.
Friend of China 9.3.44 edition
The British Court sat again on 6th March concerning the marine gunner of HMS Driver. The evidence was that the murderer wore a red jacket while the accused was wearing a blue jacket. He was acquitted.
Friend of China 9.3.44 edition
The weather is warming with the approach of the summer monsoon. New arrivals should take care. Although there is much discussion on the precise causes of last year’s heavy toll of disease, one of the causes is no doubt exposure to the sun. Another appears to be immoderation in food and drink.
Friend of China 9.3.44 edition
The U S frigate Brandywine is in Hong Kong harbour and Commodore Parker landed here on Wednesday. He was received by D’Aguilar, staff and the band of the 55th Regiment.
Friend of China 9.3.44 edition
An inquest was held on the Sylph (Rustomjee Cowasjee’s clipper) on 23rd February into the suicide of a Bengali. He was the servant of Penfold, the Chief Officer. While Penfold was ashore, the steward took the keys of the medicine chest and one of Penfold’s razors. He then appears to have consumed the best part of a bottle of laudanum and cut his own throat.
A few hours before his death a seacunny had written a letter for him to a friend in Calcutta but there was nothing in it or in his conduct to suggest his later action. He was on good terms with the rest of the crew. Verdict – temporary insanity.
Friend of China 9.3.44 edition
An Inquest was held on 1st March into the death of a Chinese boy who was shot whilst on a junk anchored off Kellett Island. The boy’s mother and crew said the boy was standing on deck facing the shore when he was struck on the forehead by a ball. The shot came from the direction of The Point (East Point). The ball was extracted but offered no clue to its origin. The boy died in distress two hours after the shooting. Several witnesses, working at the East Point waterfront, were examined but had nothing to say. Verdict – manslaughter.
Friend of China 9.3.44 edition
For sale by raffle - 40 subscribers are invited to buy tickets at $10 each for Capt Lauder’s magnificent horse.
Friend of China 9.3.44 supplement
Publication of an ordinance to invest British Consuls in China with judicial authority to enforce the terms of Ordinance No 2 of 1844 that was passed by the Hong Kong Legislative Council on 28th Feb 44 within the ports under their control.
The Consul is empowered by this law to hold proceedings, levy fines and imprison but his decisions are subject to revision by the court in Hong Kong.
Friend of China 9.3.44 supplement
An ordinance to establish a Registry and Lands Office as the registry for title to all land in Hong Kong to facilitate tracing ownership of property. All deeds of sale and purchase affecting title to land and all Wills and Judgments transferring title may be registered. Registered instruments will have priority over unregistered instruments. All sorts of legal instruments may be registered in the Land Office and kept in safe custody by the Officer until required by the depositor. A list of fees for registration charges is given.
Friend of China 9.3.44 supplement
Another shipping list at Victoria, Macau and Whampoa distinguishing nationalities. The American ships rarely come to Hong Kong but stay in Macau and Whampoa. Jardines, Dents, Turners, Lindsays and Russells all maintain their store ships at Whampoa, week after week.
List of American ship agents at Macau – Wetmore and Co, Russell & Co, Oliphant & Co, Nye Parkins & Co (the late Gideon Nye’s last business) and some individuals.
Friend of China 12.3.44 edition
The recently enacted requirement for registration of all boats has caused some inconvenience - many ferry boatmen have left for Whampoa and elsewhere.
Friend of China 12.3.44 edition
Many residents have employed watchmen to protect their property but it is suspected that some of these gentlemen are in league with robbers.
The Rev Gutzlaff has offered to enquire into the character of any watchman and to issue his certificate in respect of those he believes to be honest. He will devote two hours each day to this chore after 10 am commencing 15th March 44.
Send your watchman to Gutzlaff. If he does not qualify for a certificate, he should be discharged.
Friend of China 12.3.44 supplement
An ordinance for the relief of Distressed British Seamen (DBS) and for compensation for acts of crime and negligence committed by them in China was passed by the Hong Kong Legislative Council on 28.2.44.
Masters of ships entering Hong Kong or any treaty port will give a bond valid one year for all his seamen. He agrees to pay compensation for any damage they cause and to accept any DBS for carriage to England.
Friend of China 16.3.44 edition
Edict – anyone sentenced to transportation by the Hong Kong Criminal Court will be sent to van Dieman’s Land or Norfolk Island. Sgd Pottinger, 11.3.44
Friend of China 19.3.44 edition
D’Aguilar has improved the police force by permitting volunteers from the 55th Regiment to serve in it. It is now intended to put these soldiers in boats to police the harbour. Should not Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane be doing that? His marines have recently been ashore in Kowloon exercising with four brass field pieces while D’Aguilar’s soldiers will be rowing the harbour in search of pirates.
Friend of China 19.3.44 edition
The Calcutta press reports that £1,000 has been subscribed in Hong Kong for the building of an Anglican church. The Calcutta papers also say that 12 Inspectors of Police and 12 privates are to be sent from England to Hong Kong. The Inspectors will be paid £400 p a.
Friend of China 23.3.44 edition
Open letter to Pottinger - You have enormous powers. But how can one Governor take back what the previous Governor gave out. The buildings on our lots are amerced by government. We have spent thousands of dollars believing our title was in perpetuity.
Now it is said to be a 75 years lease on which basis the ground rent exceeds the value. In Belgrave Square, a most fashionable part of London, the Duke of Bedford pays a ground rent of £56 a year. Your readers would be amazed at what J M & Co and other large houses are paying here. The ground rent on even small lots is equivalent to the Duke’s.
The price of land is excessive. The island is unhealthy. We are nightly attacked by thieves. Few comforts are available while necessaries of life cost four times what they do in England.
Stop oppressing us. Recognise the acts of A R Johnstone. Persons who bought and built in good faith under the authority of the sign manual of England should never be in doubt of their possessions.
But the rents may be increased for free hold sale if you think fit. Sgd A Colonist
Friend of China 23.3.44 edition
Editorial – for over two weeks there have been no robberies. The Chief Magistrate may be congratulated but we think it is D’Aguilar who deserves the credit. He has augmented the police force. The boat regulations have likely also helped. The Superintendent has since been busy clearing the drains daily. We hope he continues to have enough help to do this as it is too late now to do all the things we should have done to avoid another feverish summer.
A survey is to be made of Happy Valley. Hopefully the stagnant malarial water there will soon be drained.
Friend of China 26.3.44 edition
Editorial:
Sir Henry’s wish to return to England is well known. We don’t know yet who will replace him. We also need judges. We do not want our civil cases tried by military magistrates.
The colonists here have an arguable case concerning A R Johnstone’s land grants. The principal connection that the big China-trade firms have with Hong Kong is the money they paid Johnstone for land here. Now that investment has lost value they have less financial reason to come.
On Sundays the licensed pubs are closed but sam shoo is sold by disreputable Europeans and plenty of drunken soldiers and sailors can be seen. Who knows the quality of the wine sold in this way? These unlicensed peddlers work one day a week and take the other six off, such is their profit.
Friend of China 26.3.44 edition
The Harbour Master is issuing a daily shipping list showing arrivals and departures at Hong Kong harbour during the prior 24 hours. We will keep a copy in our office as well for the information of interested subscribers.
Friend of China 30.3.44 edition
Two new Hong Kong laws have been enacted:
Ordinance 7/44 enacts that the usury laws in England shall not apply to Hong Kong. It is thought that in a new colony, where profitable speculations abound, the rate of interest should be set by agreement between the parties.
Ordnance 8/44 prohibits the distillation of spirits in Hong Kong. Chemists and druggists are permitted to have a small still (not more than 8 gallons) upon providing security and declaring it is only for medicinal purposes.
Editor – I don’t understand this second law. Rum from Manila is landed at 30 cents a gallon. Spirits have to be expensive before people distil their own. Is the import of sam shoo from Kowloon to be prohibited? The Chief Magistrate recently disallowed a shopkeeper from making ginger beer because it was ‘conducive to drunkenness’
Friend of China 30.3.44 edition
M/s Milne and Vesey are contracted to government to fix the drains but week after week nothing is done and now the hot weather is almost upon us. They should not turn over the soil now and expose us to the noxious disease-causing fumes in the decomposing granite subsoil. We prefer instead to rely on the Police Superintendent sluicing the drains daily.
The latest plan we hear is to form a 6’ diameter brick arched tunnel under Queen’s Road with branches joining at every junction to carry off the sewage. With our surfeit of labourers they should complete this in 3-4 months but the work should only be done in winter.
That part of the island that has a sandy soil overlying hard rock is free of disease. This is characteristic of land between Captain Burd’s house and Dr Anderson’s dispensary.
Friend of China 30.3.44 edition
Framjee Jamsetjee announces his business was transferred from Macau to Hong Kong on 27.3.44
1 After this notification the Friend of China ceased identifying the cargoes carried in ships listed in its shipping reports.
2 Kellett Island is a tiny island in the eastern harbour of Hong Kong.
3 I do not know where this memorial was erected. I cannot recall ever seeing it. A more permanent memorial (his uniform jacket) is now displayed in the museum at the Bogue Forts.
4 This strange queue-cutting punishment emulates Christian practice when inducting a Chinese into the religion by baptism. It likely deters an offender from returning to China.
5 Sam Shoo is rice wine distilled three times to achieve a high alcohol content.
6 The supposed cause of the crime spree in Hong Kong.
7 China makes vast quantities of rice wine flavoured with a myriad variety of spices and vegetables. In the foreign press all Chinese wine is called sam shoo.
8 A labour contractor.
9 This looks like an early example of what used to be called gau deem – the innocent interpretation of criminal facts.
10 The relatives must have been appalled - even the foreigners’ God is against us.
11 The history of the smuggling trade reveals that each time the Canton authorities acted decisively against it piracy increased. It seems likely that pirates are unemployed smugglers. British success in war has caused the Chinese to cease enforcing their anti-drug laws. This has enabled the importers to make less expensive arrangements for distributing the Drug that do not require local intermediaries over the last mile. That seems to be a contributing cause to the rise of piracy. The opium importers established their self-interested policy when opium imports were first considered for legalisation in 1830s. They continue to oppose the measure recognising it will reduce prices and profits.
12 Imperial Preference Tax became part of Hong Kong law too, until the 1970s.
13 Details of the commercial treaty negotiations and terms are in the China 1842 – 1844 chapter.
14 A high percentage of the total population, according to the recent census.
15 It will be recalled that initial land sales did not extend beyond the high water mark. It seems that licences to reclaim seafront land have since been granted.
16 References to sheep belonging to Pedder, Froget and later to the French Consul (see below), suggest these men belong to the Sheep Club, of which General Saltoun was also a member. This club was a co-operative of lamb-eaters which imported sheep for fattening and consumption locally. There was then no Chinese supply of lamb. The Cantonese supply of animal meat is mainly pork.
17 This reveals an underlying difficulty. The pirates were the smugglers employed by the merchants to carry contraband into China. After the Treaty (and in some instances before) the merchants invariably preferred to employ Canton Provincial Government boats for smuggling, thus leaving their former contractors unemployed. On the other hand, Pottinger wished to attract legitimate Chinese maritime trade to Hong Kong and have those merchants carry foreign goods into China as return cargo, effectively substituting Hong Kong for the factories. This put Pottinger in opposition to the smuggling community.
18 Or if he declines to be bribed, as during Viceroy Tang’s administration pre-war
19 See the last China chapter for better particulars.
20 A pretext to justify working the teak clippers until they need replacement, probably responding to the P&O’s concurrent offer to operate a steamer service to China.
21 Suicide without unbalanced mind – a verdict that makes the deceased responsible for his own death and thus a felon at English law. It permits his estate being seized by government.
22 This advertisement is concurrent with the government survey of land to ascertain real ownership
23 See the relevant China chapter for details of this Court hearing.
24 This is the big-facee thing-of-the-day; riding out to East Point each evening before supper.
25 The former appointment of Deputy Chief Superintendent of Trade is abolished.
26 There are no food business or hotel regulations yet. Business authorisations appear to be based on an informal assessment that the applicant is ‘fit and proper’.
27 Last week it was uncertain land title that caused building to stop – this week it is freedom to import opium.
28 Silverlock was a party to the International Bank of China fiasco with Martin and Jardine.
29 Editor says this should be about 7th moon 13th day
30 See the Asia chapters for details
31 Sookonpo.
32 It seems the police and/or army have swept this hillside and rounded-up and deported the unemployed occupants but I cannot find a report in the paper proper.
33 The missionary habit of cutting-off the queues of converts must have been offensive to the Ching. It likely diminished Chinese respect for their dynasty.
34 The Jamia Mosque remained in the same place until very recently.
35 The previous attempt to form a LegCo was in 21.8.43 with a membership of A R Johnstone, Morrison and Caine but Morrison was sick and died a few days later and then Johnstone had to leave Hong Kong ‘for his health’.
36 The employment of relatives by senior British officials is the norm not the exception. It occurs in successive ministries in London, particularly Perceval’s, and also characterises the appointments of Governors General and some Governors in India.