Godowns by Force Hankow, Sept. 9.
A large number of employees of the Wahan Banicipality this afternoon entered and commenced' to demolish the roofs of Messrs. But-Yerfield & Swire's transit sheds on the Native Band immediately adjoinig. Special Administrative District 3 {former British Concession).
It is understood that-the Muni ality wishes to extend the bondage through Messrs. Butterfield Swire's property towards the Native City and have been endeavouring to negotiate with the firm for the Surrender of the property for some viMfesars, Butterfield & Swire, how-ime past.
ever, have consistently referred the Municipality to the Consular Authorities but so far as can be ascertained the matter has not been branched by the Chinece in British cffcinl quarters and they apparently commenced the demolition of the property merely as a test.
It is understood that the compensation offered to Messrs. Butferfield & Swive was purely nominal.
Matters are now in Consular hands and further developments are being awaited with interest Reuter.
Scheme of Town Manning Peking, Sept. 10.
With veforence to the controversy between the Wuhan Municipality and) Messrs. Butterfield & Swire, which culminated yesterday ina! number of municipal employees commencing to demolish the firms! transit sheds on the Native Bund fat Hankow, it would appear that the difficulty arises from a town planning scheme adopted by the Municipal ye The Wuhan Municipality desires to build a road along the river-front, Joining up with the bund of the former British Concession.
There are several transit: sheds upon this part of the river front, the owners of which are reported to be willing to give up their sheds and to rebuild them further back upon three conditions.
These three conditions are compensation, guarantee of mooring rights and free transport of goods from the river across. the proposed yond to the new sheds when they avo built.
At present the chief difficulty ts concerned with obtaining, guarantee: for the leat two conditions.
The compensation offered, it is Dolieved, is satisfactory provided it paid in hard cash.
It is understood the British authorities are taking up the matter ith Nanking.—Reuter.
Matter to be Negotiated Hankow, Sept. 10, No further action has been taken by the Wuhan Municipality in regard to the demolition of Messrs. Butterfield & Swire's transit-sheds.
Apparently the procedure yester-aay, when & number of municipal employees commenced to demolish the firm's transit-sheds on the Native Bund, was a test to see whether! the firm would offer any resistance to the action taken, but resistance: was not forthcoming, It is understood.that the matter il now be negotiated through official channels, Sept. 11.
With reference to the telegram! from Peking regarding Blessrs. Butterfield & Swire and the Wuhan Municipality the facts of the cai are that the Municipality proposes run a road across Messrs. Butterfield & Swire's property which has always had direct communication with the river.
It is authoritatively stated that Messrs. Butterfield & Sw(re are willing to discuss any scheme by which the godown and loading facilities, which are essential—to their' business, will be adequately protected.
However, up to the present, the municipality have not endeavoured to negotiate with the proper official] quarters but have taken the arbitrary action of entering and commencing to demolish the firm's property.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.