Munvres of a Meeting of Consuls held at Shanghai, on the 13th day of February, 187 Present:—The Consular representatives of Austro-Aungary, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Russia, and the United States.
Letters from the Consuls-General of France and Japan, stating their inability to attend the meeting, were placed before the meeting.
The following correspondence was laid upon the table.
Alletter from Mr. Medhurst, reporting action in regard to the interference of epaous, etc., with the Contractors of the Municipal Council, while engaged upon Municipal work, and enclosing the Che-Haien's proclamation against such interference.
'A correspondence between Mr. Seward and the Taotai in regard to Bye-Law XXXIV, and the Slaughter House proposal.
'A correspondence between Mr. Medhurst and the Taotai in regard to the interchange of presents at New-Years.
A letter from ten members of the Pilotage service, asking that the number of pilots for the Port be reduced to twenty-letter from Mr, Medhurst, covering from Admiral Shadwell, reporting an t between Admi i tion, to discontin firing of the river at Shanghai, 'A letter from the Mixed Court Magis trate, transmitting the Petition of the Councillors of a benevolent institution, that they he allowed to collect a contribution of one cash for ench cup of tea taken in the various tea shops within and without the Settlements.
'A correspondence with the Municipal Council in regard to the above communication, in which the Council take ar adverse view of the proposal.
'A letter from the Taotai, transmitting the petition of the Councillors of the Koo Yok-tang, reporting a ease in which lives have been lost' by the striking of a native boat against the boom of a
of a boat, against a buoy at night, an man-ofnar at wight, and by the atsiking asking that the commanders of vessels of war, and the owners of buoys, be required to put ligh upon these dangers.
Alletter from the Harbour Master, recom-Harbour Kegul:
ions, to provide for danger occurring by reason of the presence of kerosene oil and sulphuric acid upon vessels in harbour, and for fire signals for such vessels.
'A letter from the Chehsien and the Mixed Court Mayistrate, stating the observances required on account of the death of the Emperor of China, A letter from the Taot conveying his thanks to the Consuls and Commanders of vessels of war, for their recognition of the death of the Emperor, as shown by the half-masting of their flag A letter from the Municipal Council, setting forth the inadequacy of the system of punishments at the Mixed Court, and the lack of power in the Court.
The letter of the Pilots was left for discussion with the Harbour Master, ata future The Senior Consul was asked to respond trate of the Mixed Court in tition forwarded by him, in the sense of the answer by the Council.
The Senior Consul was also asked to place the Taotai's letter forwarding the Petition of the Koo Yok Tang before the Harbour Master, with a request to be informed whether it is not desirable that vessels of war should swing in their booms at night, and whether they may not be required to do so by a Harbour Regulation, and whether it is usual elsewhere, and practicable here, to secure the lighting of buoys.
The Senior Consul was also asked to write to the Harbour Master in reference to the proposed amendment of the Harbour Regulations, inquiring whether itis desirable to include sulphuric acid in the list of articles the presence of which should be considered. a sufficient danger to require the vessel bearing it to anchor below the shipping, and whether it would not be well to specify what is meant by explo-ive or inflammable material," and exprossing with this exception a general approval of the rules proposed by him.
The questions raised by the Council in regurd to punishments at the Mixed Court, and the powers of the Court, were referred to Messrs. Davenport, Haas, and Yates for a report.
The Senior Consul was asked to request the Consuls to send in to him, in sealed envelopes, nominations for the Court of Consuls for the year 1875.
Joszrm Haas, Acting Consul for Austria, Moret, Consul for Belgium, W. Keswics, Acting Consul for Denmark.
E. Goneavs, Consul-General for France, W. H. Mepxoursr, Consul for Great Britain,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.