1,—I have the honour to inform in violation of local regulations and of the definite assurances given by the Chinese authorities, the officials in charge of the likin collection on the Soochow of late frequently sent runners Foreign Setdlemeat who have lo and seized property from native within Municipal limits. Two spe have been reported by the Captain Superintendent of police as having occurred on the gth and 29h in the Western District, In the cotton vara was taken from its owner on te Babbliog Well eud and removed to the head likin office outside the Settlement; no explanation was obi able by the Folice from the branch likin station at Sinza in regard to the matter, nor any redress offered. In the second case, three out of a body of five men were arrested in the act of attempting to levy likin in the Markham Road. "They were charged the same morning at the Mixed Court "with others not in eustoly wi iti breach of Municipal Regulations by att ting to collect likin toxin the Settlement, the U.S, Assessor being present, and the case was remanded, pending reference to the Cot sular Body, at the request of the Chief Inspector of Police, Kepreseotations have made to the Council that one of the prisoners, who gave a false name and address when arrested, tso petty official of the likin ad the Council has therefore agreed to release this man should bail Lo forthcoming ty the amount of Tls. 1,000.
Tt is unnecessary for me to dwell on the seriousness of these cases, and on the i perative necessity which continues to exist for action which shall secure to residents itt the Foreign Settlement immunity from the rations and exactions of the likin officials. The failure of the Chinese authorities to recognise and fulfil their obligations in this matter has been a frequent subject of correspondence and remonstrance in the past, but the frequency of recent cases points, in the Council's opinion, to the need for action more vigorous than mere protest. In this connection, I have the honour to refer you to the correspondence published at pages 284 of last year's Municipal Report.
The Council trusts that the Consular Boy will take such steps as the importance of the matter calls for, in the interests of the Foreign Settlement.
Thave the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, Epserr A. Hewerr, Vatnxz, Esq. Tore Chairman, Consul-General for Portugal and Senior Consul, Shanghai.
Sin,—I have the hovout to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 3ist Murch last regarding the arrest within the limits of the Settlement of a petty officer and some runners of likin station (Sinra).
In reply I beg to forward you herewith, according to the decision of my colleagues, copies of letters which have been exchanged about the aforesaid matter, the decision of which is now pending the approval of the Consular Body to whom I submitted my views.
L have the honour to be, Sir.
Your obedient servant, Joaguia Marta Travassos VaLpez, Consul-General for Portugal and Senior Consul.
A. Hewert Esq., Chairman of the Municipal Council, Shanghai, Ji, Taotar of Shanghai, to His Ex. J. M. T. Vatves, Consul-General for Portugal and Senior-Consul, Sin,—have the honour to inform you that the Magistrate Wong of the Mixed Court wrote to me as follows brought Wang Yin-an, Lu A-erh and Wang On the 20th March the Municipal poice A-fu before this Court, and accused them 0 having infringed the Municipal Regulations by attempting to collect taxes on this side of Sinza, within the limits of the Settlement.
Lexamined the case with the Assessor Po (Dr. Barchet), and found out that Wang Yin-an, Lu A-erh and Wang A-fu while yo towards a southern direction to examine some rice, they met with " cart carrying cotton, and thoughtlessly pat some questions without intention of demaniling taxes. On my pressing questions Wai n declared that he is 4 petty official la the northern likin station, and that his name is Chan Tsu-weis is a runner and Wang A-fu is a vehicle In view of this declaration I requested the Assessor Po to allow, in th meanwhile release of the suid official, bat, notwithstand. is repeated request 1 was not attended Therefore Lask Your Excellency to write to the Senior Consul und request. the release of Chan ''ssu-wei."
From the above, it is apparent. that the petty official Chan Tsu-wet of the northern station was going towards a southern direc tion to exunine rice, and, inadvertently, questioned tht carters of cotton on the northern bank of the Soochow Creek. Although he made a mistake I don't think that he had any intention of collecting taxes in the Settlement, therefore. he could ye excused of the mistake. As to his nonieclaring, in Court his proper name I believe it was for ing his official position is really an official of the Inkin administra: tion, and his name ig Chan Tsu to you, having in mind our good friendship and your good intention to all, Wo request that orders be sent for the release of Chat Tsu-wei, for the present, while matters are not definitely resolved.
Wishing the happiness of the day and dated, 3ist March 1900.
Card of Taotai Jit, Senior-Consul Valdez to His Bxey, Ji, the Shanghai Taotai, Shanghai, 3rd April, 1909, the Senior-Consul has the honour to acknowledge receipt of His Exeellency's letter dated 3ist March, in which he requests orders be given to release Chan-con-w likin. officer arrested by violation the Municipal Rules, trying' to collect likin tax withia the limits of the International settlement.
The Senior-Consul considering his duty in replying, informs His Excellency that as soon as he received his letter and willing to comply with his wishes, he tried to get information about the matter before bringing it to the knowledge of the Consular Body, and he ig now glad he can reply to His Excellency that the said officer has been released on the Ist instant.
Therefore, further steps being useless, the Senior Consul hopes that His Excellency will
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.