Hongkong are the well-known firm of Messrs. Barretto & Co. The local director of the Company is Captain P. A. Lapicque, of the French Naval Reserve.
JAVA-CHINA-JAPAN LIJN.
Tourists in the East would be well repaid for a visit to Java, for in addition to its natural beauties, this island contains ruins of magnificent temples, relics of a past and wonderful civilisation, which fill the beholder with pleasure and surprise. The recent completion of a good railway system makes it possible to pass quite quickly through the island, and the Java-China-Japan Lijn have established a regular and excellent three-weekly service between Java, China, and Japan. They have six large 6,000 ton steamers—Tjikini, Tjipanas, Tjimahi, Tjiliwong, Tjilatjap, and Tjibodas—all of which are fitted throughout with electric light and offer accommodation for a limited number of saloon passengers, who may rest assured that their convenience and comfort will receive every consideration from the officials. The Company also take cargo to all ports in Netherlands Indies, and are the agents for the Sabang Bay Coaling Station, Pulo Weh Island, North Sumatra. The bay is completely sheltered from wind and sea throughout the year, and steamers passing that way can always replentish their bunkers and obtain a supply of fresh water.
The offices of the Java-China-Japan Lijn are in York Buildings, Hongkong. Mr. P. J. R. Bisschop is the manager, and the staff includes Messrs. H. J. van den Bosch, R. J. F. van der Voort, G. Otten, J. Jonckheer, H. Westhoff, and H. van Zuylen (marine superintendent).
THE "KWONG" RIVER STEAMERS.
There are several excellent services of night steamers between Hongkong and Canton. That wonderfully interesting city is brought within easy access of the Colony, and, even though the tourist is able to spend but a few days in this part of the world, he will find himself amply repaid for a visit by the many strange and curious sights. The journey may be accomplished easily and comfortably, on either of the steamers Kwong Tung or Kwong Sai operated by the Yuen On and the Shiu On Steamship Companies, Ltd. The steamer from Hongkong leaves the Company's wharf at nine o'clock every evening, Saturday excepted, and arrives at its destination about 6.30 the following morning. The steamer from Canton leaves the Shameen at 5.30 every evening, Sunday excepted, and reaches Hongkong about midnight. The boats are commanded by European captains and officers. They are large and comfortable, scrupulously clean, and lighted throughout by electricity, while the well-equipped first-class cabins are all fitted with electric fans. The fare to Canton and back is only $8, and meals are provided at very reasonable rates. The boats are owned by Chinese capitalists, and the general management of the combined companies s in the hands of Mr. Chau Sin Ki.
MELCHERS & CO.
So much depends upon the manner in which the business of a large steamship line is conducted in foreign ports that great care is exercised in the appointment of agents. The distinction of representing the North German Lloyd Steamship Company in Hongkong is enjoyed by Messrs. Melchers & Co., a large firm of exporters, importers, and shipping and insurance agents. A branch of this business was established in the Colony in 1866 by Mr. Hermann Melchers, the present head of the house in Bremen, and since then other branches have been opened in Canton, Shanghai, Chinkiang, Hankow, Ichang, and Tientsin. The partners are Hermann Melchers and Adalbert Korff (Bremen), C. Michelau and A. Widmann (Shanghai), and J. Bandow and G. Friesland (Hongkong). Their representatives in London are Messrs. Runge, Wolters & Co., Ltd., for their trade is extensive and is constantly increasing, so that agents in large business centres are a necessity. Besides acting for the Norddeutscher Lloyd, Messrs. Melchers & Co. represent the East Asiatic Company, Ltd., St. Petersburg; the Swedish East Asiatic Company, Ltd., Gothenburg; the Russian Volunteer Fleet, St. Petersburg; the Russian Ministry of Finance, St. Petersburg; the Deutsche Dampfschifffahrts Gesellschaft "Hansa," Bremen; the New Guinea
