Mixvres of a Meeting of Consuls held at the British Consulate, on Friday, the 8th of December, 1876, Prosent:—Messra, Krauel, Beaiichi, Christiernssen, Boleslawaki, Myers, Reding, Garay, Medhurst.
Exciines were read from Messrs. Godeaux, Heyden, and Shinagawa.
Kauri requested it to be noted that he was authorised to represent and ote for the Consul-General for Japan.
Mr. Mepucrsr reported the successful collection of the funds on account of the Woosung Bar survey, and attendant expenses; thanks to the exertions of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce and to Mr. Fitz, The Report of survey had also been printed, and copies were distributed amongst the members present, Mr. Mepucust proposed, seconded by Mr. Myens—
That the survey fee due to the Dutch Engineers, 3 Escher and De Rijke, be forthwith' paid, And the payment was voted accordingly.
The proposals by the Municipal Council in respect to the adjustment of the Wharfage Dues next came under notice.
Mr. Mepuunsr reported that, in purauance of " resolution passed at the meeting of the 19th September Inst, he had made a farther appeal to the Taotai, under date the 25th of September, entreating him to ply in some sort or another to the Coun-application, and representing the mortification he experienced thus far in deinig unable to satiety either the Council' or his colleagues' exiquiries on the subject.
To this letter, however, he had received no reply, and there remained now the alternative agreed to in their last resolution, namely, to send a deputation to the Taot The subject provoked considerable di cussion, which at length resulted i posal by Dr. Kravez, which was ae:
effect by Mr. Bosstawsxt, to the following That in consideration of the persistent want of courtesy shown by the Taotai, in the adjustment of Wharfage Dress, the Consuls matter of the Council's application for an
should re-consider their decision of last m-eting to send a deputation to the Taotai, and that instead thereof they should address him decided note informing him that his lack of courtesy and failure in duty leave the suls no alternative but to represent his conduct to the Ministers for communication to the high Chinese authorities.
The motion was carried, On the subject of roads outside of the Set-Hlements, Mr. Medhurat was glad to be able to furnish more favorable infurmat that aul settlement of the Woosung Railway controversy had so far had the effect of disarming the suspicions of the Taotai, that he had consented to carry out his pledge made to Mr. Mayers, tint facilities should be iven towards carrying out the Municipal d's road schemes,—Wei deputed officers) had accordingly been occupied during the last few dave in examining the proposed lines of rond in company with the Council's agent and Consular {nterpreter, and Mr. Medhurat It confident that the roads would soon be in hand, Mr. Myers enquired whether the Seward oad was included in the category of those, the concession of had asked for by Mr, Mayers.
Mr. Mepuvnst replied that he derstood Seward Koad to have get, ad all slong been fostered by the nited States Consulate, in whose safe keeping he had been content to leave it, Mr. Mepuuxst then went over the letters to and from the Senior Consul, arrived since the date of last meeting. In respect to one from the Renter's Telegram Company (Limited), equi how far the C pr recommend yearly contribution: Company on the part of their several Governments, it was agreed that the questi was scarcely one for the Consuls to deal with in their corporate capacity, and that a reply should be retw application to the Cor individually.
A memorandum of the receipts and expenditure on account of the Senior Consul's department was submitted.
This closed the proceedings, and Mr. Mepsonst said it only remained for him to tions of Senior Consul, in wwequence of his approaching departure China, It woe with much regret that he announced this intention, and thus closed his connection with the Consular Body. He could only express the hope that his conduct of affairs had given satisfaction, and he owed it to his colleagues both present and to express his hearty acknowledyements for their friendly ce-operation and kindly toleration of his many defects and omissions throughout the whule period during which he lad had the honor to preside over their bod; 'A. question as (o the succession to the Senior Consulship having been asked, Dr. Keavex begged on behalf of the Consul-General for Japan to state that, if the succession fell to him, he must bey leave to excuse himself from undertaking the office, as his duties would shortly require presence in Japan, Mr: Bocestawssr thought that the body had better address themselves to M. Godeaux, and request his leadership. Should he refuse, Bir. Myers would be the proper person to tak the office; and, anticipating this possibility, he would beg Mr. Myers to say a few words on behalf of the Consular Body, in reply to Mr. Medhurst's farewell remarks, Mr. Myers, responding tu the call, suid that, although he had been in this country but a short period—short indeed as come pared with the retiring Consul's term of over thirty years in Her Majesty's service in China, yet, in this brief tine, he had had the' happiness of reeoynising the master hand of Mr. Mediurat in the development and improvement of the vast commercial and other interests associated with this port, the mest imps of the Empire of Ci He had fou i public serv forward. by his voice, his infit-nee, and his personal zeal,' every useful scheme of public duty and private benevolence, All of these could be quoted as showing the result of years of intelligent and well directed toil, devoted to the welfare of his countrymen without thought for himself in the secomplishment of great and enduring benefactions and services, The speaker felt convinced that he expressed the sentiments of his colleagues as certainly as his own, when he asserted that they all parted with Mr, Medhurst officially and personally with the most profound regret, For himself he appreciated deeply the honor propused to be don him the event of Monsieur ation of the Senior Conip, and whilst assuring his evlleagues that he would endeavour to win their con fidence should he be elected to represent them, he would ask for their kind assistance in the discharge of any duties which might devolve upon hit Mr. Mepuorsr thanked Mr. Myers for his kind observations, but disclaimed all to the exceptional qualifications and services ascribed, and he beyyed to assure Mr. Myers that it only needed such henry ce-operation as he had always received from his colleagues, to render the Senior Consul's charge altogether a sinecure, Mr. Bouestawskr requested that Mr. Medhurst's and Mr. Myers remarks should form part of the minute Josern Haas, Moret.
F. E. Hevoey,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.