Sir William Robinson has got even with the peomizalng mandarin who presides at Kowloon City. This fan-waving warrior, a petticoated colonel commandant, had the Cheek to respond to an invitation from certain compradores, cyclics, etc., to come over to Hongkong to tuke the leading part at the ceremonial of opening the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. The Governor very rightfully determined not to pass over this invasion of his privileges, and sent a despatch to the British Consul requesting him to lay the matter before the Viceroy. This was done, and the Viceroy has in consequence written a despatch to the peccant mandarin, reprimanding him and warning him that if he attempts any further interference with Hongkong he will be dismissed. A copy of this despatch, together with a proclamation explaining it, has been and has been extensively read by the Chinese in the streets.
THE BUBONIC PLAGUE, better though there are still a fair number The logue is, on the whole, a little of sporadic cases of it, Every effort is however, now being taken to discover all eases and check the progress of infection, though the Chinese are still proving very obstructive, notwithstanding the greater now shown for their Lares and Penates by the visiting officers. At the ports of Indo-China more liberal measures have been adopted, I am glad to note, in regard to vessels arriving from Hongkong than the quarantine imposed at Manila and some other ports. Actual qua-routine will only be enforced where there are cases of sickness or suspicious evidences on board. At the same time rugs and old bedding of Asiatic origin will not be allowed to be imported.
'THE NATIONAL BANK OF CHINA, shareholders in the National Bank of The fifth ordinary anonol meeting of the
China, Limited, was held on the 7th inst. The Chairman, in: his opening speech, said that although the past year could not be called a good year for banking profits yet the Bank had. made steady To It had paid the same dividend, added $20,000 to reserve, and its fixed deposit, current, and other accounts showed an increase of $600,000. The funds of the Bank had also been kept ina very liquid condition. Their note issue was also appreciated, over nine-tenths of it being constantly in the hands f'the public. The directors had decided fature to only issue yearly statements instead of half-yearly as they only met adopted unanimously, and the other formal once a year, The report and accounts wera
business transacted. que CHINA AND MANILA STEAMSHIP CE.
'The report of the General Managers for submission to the annual meeting of shareholders has been issued. It shows that the ai kick Wt is proposed to_pay' a dividend of refit amounts to $35,974,
To per cent. to place $10,000 to reserve fond, and to carry the balance of $974.02
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.