Page:Twentieth Century Impressions of Hongkong, Shanghai, and other Treaty Ports of China.djvu/784

776 in 1907, at Port Edward, in the premises that formerly served as the Chinese Regiment's Officers' Quarters and Regimental Mess. At Narcissus Bay and at Half Moon Bay are to be found neat little bungalows, partly furnished, about a dozen in number, which have been erected by the Weihaiwei Land and Building Company, Ltd., and which are specially suited to the convenience of those who prefer family life or more privacy than is possible in a hotel. The sulphur baths at Narcissus Bay, excellently furnished and under Japanese management, would undoubtedly be more largely patronised if they were more widely known, for the hot springs have been proved to be of high medicinal value.

Apart from recreations in and on the water, the visitor may, for a small monthly subscription, indulge in the "ancient and royal game" on the links of the Weihaiwei Golf Club at Liu-kung-tao, or on those of the Port Edward Golf Club. The public highways and the newly constructed Government roads afford the cyclist and pedestrian the opportunity of making pleasant excursions in various directions. Excellent snipe shooting may be had in August on the marshy districts in the neighbourhood of the lagoons, a few miles from Port Edward. Large numbers of birds are to be seen. Apart from those that are always here, wild duck, geese, snipe, curlew, and quail pay toll on their bi-annual migrations to the local sportsman. The pheasant and partridge, also, were to be met with on the hill-side at one time, but the industrious Chinaman, who found a ready and profitable market for game in the early days of British occupation, has practically exterminated them. Stringent regulations, enforced by substantial fines, now require a "close season," and it is hoped that the pheasant and the partridge will return.



trade of Weihaiwei is a negligible quantity, and consists mainly of the export of ground nuts to Hongkong and Canton. A certain amount of salt and rice—imported from other parts of the coast—is spasmodically re-exported to Vladivostock. The presence of the China Squadron for a few months each year naturally creates a certain amount of business. The principal commercial firms are on the Island, and are few in number. A ferry launch runs several times a day between Liu-kung-tao and Port Edward under a subsidy from the Government, which also subsidises the China Navigation Company, Ltd., at the rate of about £1,000 per annum for carrying mails to and from Shanghai, and the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, Ltd. at the rate of £4,000 per annum for maintaining the cable connection between Weihaiwei and Chefoo.

The administration of the Territory of Weihaiwei remained in the hands of naval and military authorities till January, 1901, when the Colonial Office took control with General Sir Arthur Dorward, K.C.B., D.S.O., the officer commanding the troops, as Acting-Commissioner. In the following year a direct representative of the Colonial Office, the Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart, C.M.G., formerly Colonial Secretary at Hongkong, was appointed Commissioner, and he still administrates the Territory. Mr. Lockhart's previous experience in Hongkong specially qualified him for the pioneer work of establishing settled administration in the new dependency. Revenue under the previous regime was low, necessitating a correspondingly large grant-in-aid from imperial funds. In the year 1902–3 the contribution reached its "high-water" mark—£12,000. The revenue raised locally in the previous year amounted only to $22,220 (Mexican). Under Mr. Lockhart's administration it has become possible to reduce considerably the demand upon the British taxpayer. The Russo-Japanese War brought a large, if temporary, increase of trade to Weihaiwei. Cattle, mules, and provisions were in great demand for both the combatants at the seat of war. The revenue for 1905–6 benefited accordingly, and there was a corresponding decrease in the grant-in-aid, which that year amounted only to £3,000. The disbandment of the Chinese Regiment effected a very substantial reduction in the expenditure of the War Office, but a small force of military police—partly mounted—became a necessary substitute. The Colonial Office contribution has, therefore been raised again to £10,000, but the net saving is still very considerable.

The local Government Staff consists of His Honour the Commissioner, who resides at Government House, Port Edward, the administrative capital of the territory; Mr. R. Walks. Secretary to the Government and Magistrate at Port Edward; Mr. R. F. Johnson, who lives in the interior of the territory, and administrates justice as District Magistrate in the remoter districts;