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April 25, 1895.]
LIEUTENANT GENERAL BARKER'S FAREWELL TO THE GARRISON.
THE FINAL REVIEW.
The immense throng of ladies and gentlemen. who assembled at the Happy Valley on Friday afternoon testified, in the highest possible de- gree, to the deserved popularity of Lieutenant- General Digby Barker, and to the high opinion formed of the very efficient men who have now. lost his command. It was a magnificent spec- tacle that was witnessed, and one which will cer tainly live long in the memories of those who were fortunate enough to witness this grand review. Altogether there were about 2,600 off- prers and men on the fld, and it can well be im- of ined that the scene was a most imposing one. Bogen a small band of soldiers parading the streets is attractive enough, but how much more attrac- tive is a huge assemblage of nearly threa thousand bright aniformed men, and how proud the men themselves must have felt to have seen such a large gathering, which included his Ex- dellency the Governor, Sir William Robinson. KC.M.G., Admiral Fremantle, and Mrs. and Miss Barker, to watch the progress of their well executed manoeuvres, and the final leave taking strictly military leave taking-of the General. The grand stand and the enclosure were specially set apart for favoured visitors, among whom were, of course, many handsomely attired ladies. who leut a very charming effect to the scene. Some time before the commencement of the proceedings the various corpa bad taken up their positions on the ground. The saluting point was in the centre of the top end of the field, and at the other side, on the extreme left, was the Artillery Brigade under Major Botfield. The Brigade was composed of the Royal Artillery, under Major Magrath, the Hongkong Royal Artillery, under Captain Simmonds, the Royal Engineers, and the Field Battery and Maxim Gan Company of the Houg. kong Volunteers under Major Pemberton. Then came the Infantry Brigade, commanded by Colonel Barrow, and consisting of the Hong- Kong Regiment, under Captain Retallick, and the Rifle Brigade under Major the Hon. E. Noel. The General having taken up his position at the saluting point, attended by Lieutenant Colonel O'Gorman, Colonel Mulloy, Captain Murray, A.D.C., and Captain Thomas, the re- view commenced. There were two marches past, first each company maching independently of the others, and theu marching in battalions. the whole of the companies were then reformed, advanced in review order, halted, and presented arms. The movements were carried out with- out the slightest hitch, and were diversified by one very pleasing ceremony on the part of the General. His Excellency presented Royal Humane Society's medals to Privates Makin and Miller, A.M.S., just before the advance in ro- view order. The medals were given for the gallant rescue of a comrade who fell through one of the stern ports of the hospital ship Msance, and while a strong ebb tide was run. ning. In making the presentation
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
You I wish to thank the officers, non-commis sioned officers, and men, for the good dis cipline and conduct which have prevailed, and which has tended to make my command a plea- sare. I have no doubt that General Black will be in command in the morning, and this will be my last official act. I wish you all farewell.
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PERFORMANCE OF "THE MAĢIS- TRATE" BY THE A.D.O.
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do man, and later on when overcome by agitation at the very painful predicament in which he found himself. Of Mr. Brady's impersonation of Cis Farringdon we cannot speak to› highly. It might have been thought that Mr. Brady would have been inclined to give rather too broad a reading of a part of this kind, but any fears of that sort were speedily dispelled, and Mr. Brady once more proved himself a born actor. His conception of the character was at once refined and irresistibly funny, and he kept the audience laughing all the time he was on the stage. Mr. S. L. Darby is always a success in old man's small degree to the success of Wednesday even- parts, and as Mr. Bullamy he contributed in no Thing's porformance. The part of Colonel Lukyn was taken by Mr. J. II. Thresher, R.B.. who unfortunate in bis make-up. Surgeon-Major a good account of it, though a little Westcott appeared as Captain Horace Vale, but did not display much of the genins of an actor. Mr. J. D. Lapraik as Achille Blond, Proprietor of the Hotel des Princes, and Mr. A. II. Brabazon, R.M.L.I., as Isidore, the waiter, were both fairly good, especially the latter, Mr. G. Balloch also did very well in the part of Mr. Wormington, chief clerk at Mulberry Street Police Court. The Metropolitan Police were represented by Mr. H. C. Nicolle Lugg), and Captain A. P. Welman (Constable (Inspector Messiter), Mr. J. Andrew (Sergeant Harris). Mr. Audrew had more opportunities than his fellow officers and he took full advantage of them, displaying a good fund of humour. Mr. W. S. Frowd, R.N., appeared to advantage as Wyke, Mr. Posket's servant. The principal female character, that of Mrs. Posket, was taken by Mrs. Alfred Wrottesley, who gave a very good and spirited interpretation of it. Mrs. J. Andrew, as Charlotte, was graceful and natural in her act- ing, but unfortunately her enunciation was so indistinct that most of her lines were lost to the audience,
On Wednesday, 17th inst., the Hongkong Ama teur Dramatic Club played Pinero's farce! Magistrate" at the Theatre Royal. The colony appears at present to be richer in dramatio talent than it has been for a good many years past, and Wednesday evening's performance re- called the palmy days of the A.D.C. From be ginning to end there was not a dull moment and the audience was kept in a state of laughter al- most throughout. The audience was not quite so large as might have been expected, but on Saturday, when the performance was repeated, the house was crowded in every part. Amongst those present on Wednesday were H.E. Lient General and Mrs Barker and II.E. Vice-Ad- miral Fremantle.
For the benefit of those who have not seen this popular forca WO may say the plot turus ou Mrs. Posket, who has a son by her first marriage, having deceived her husband as to her age and represented her child as being fourteen instead of nineteen. Cis Farringdon, the son, is prec.cions even for mineteen, but is treated as a child and has a music governess, to whom he makes love. Mr Posket. the Magistrate of the Mulberry Street Police Court, is taken out one evening by his hopeful step-son for a little enjoyment and they sup at the Hotel des Princes. It so happens that a Colonel Lukyn, who is an old friend of music governess, was taken by Mrs. Welman, but The part of Beatie Tomlinson, the Mr. Posket, as well as of Mrs. Posket, has just not with very great success. Mrs. Moore, as Pop returned from India. Colonel Lukyn was god ham, the maid, looked charming and in what little father to young Farringdon and consequently she had to do acted well. The play is not one, it acquainted with his real age. Mrs. Posket may be remarked, in which the female characters therefore thinks it necessary to obtain a have very large opportunities, the interest cen private interview with
him to ask him tring in the two leading male characters, Mr. not to mention dates to her husband. With her Posket and Cis Furringdon. The applause was sister Charlotte she sets out to find him at his very hearty throughout the evening and apartments and follows him to the Hotel des the curtain had to be raised again on the Princes, where he and Captain Horace Vale are final tableau. As the audience left the Theatre about to sit down to suppor in an adjoining room expressions of approval were to that occupied by Mr. Posket and Cis Farhands and the A. D. C. may congratulate itself heard on all ringdon. The party remains after closing hour
on having scored a complete success. Mr E: the police enter the house, there is an unsuccess W, Mitchell was ful attempt at concealment on the part of the needless to say, the duties of that important the stage manager and, guests, Mr. Posket and Cia Farringdon manage office were very efficiently discharged. The to make their escape through a skylight, but the committee was composed of Messrs G. A. Cald. rest of the party are arrested and are brought well. C. H. Grace, E. W. Mitchell, H. C. Nicolle, before Mr. Posket's court next morning, and the J. Orange, G. G. Brady, hon. treasurer, and Magistrate, distracted with the turn affairs have Captain A. W. Miller, R.N. bon. secretary. taken, adopts the words put into his mouth by his clerk, and sentences, them all. his wife in cluded, to seven days' imprisonment. The scene in court is not represented, but what Lieut.-General Barker said-I have very
goes on is conveyed to the audience by the action in the Magistrates' room. Mr. Posket him great pleasure in presenting to you these Bononrable marks of distinction, and in order to previous night's experience and after this the self is suffering severely from the results of his carry out the instructions of His Royal High-frat case of the day is disposed of he bas to retire ness the Commander in Chief that the presenta from the court, being too ill to continue busi- tion should be made in as public a manner as possible, I have delayed giving them to you until I could do so before the whole garrison. Your gallantry, which has been so appropriately 1ecognised by the Royal Humane Society, is most creditable to yourselves, and as the Divi-
ness.
brother Magistrate, Mr. Bullamy, who reopens His place on the bench is taken by his the hotel case and releases the prisoners ou a remand, to give them the opportunity of show ing that they were the guests of Cis Farringdon who, it appeared, had bired a room at the hotel
By kind permission of Major the Hon. E. Noel and officers, the Band of the Rifle Brigade Overture... "Il Barbiere de Seviglia " was present and played the following: Selection..." Little Christopher Columbus Valse
Louisana "
Rossini.
Caryll Squire.
TRIAL TRIP OF THE SPANISH GUNBOAT “QUIROS.”
The composite gunboat Quiros, which has been built and engined by the Hongkong & Whampoa Dock Co., Limited, to the order of the Spanish Government for special service in the Philip
25th January, when she was launched. The vessel was fully described in our issue of the
the General has said, throws a lustro upon permanently and was therefore entitled to en pines, went out on an official trial on Tuesday.→
Corps to which you belong and the army at large. There is little doubt that the soldier you resoned owes his life entirely to your prompt bravery and it will ever be a matter of satisfaction to me that my very last act in my command here was to take part in doing you honour. I hope you will live long to wear those honourable distinctions, and that they will stimu-
late others to like heroism.
In fually addressing the commanding officers the General suid-Gentlemen, I have called you together first to express my satisfaction with the appeara co of the troops, and the manner in which they have been handled to-day, and secondly, to bid you all an official farewell on vacating this command. In doing so I wish to thank you all for the hearty support which I have invariably received from you, and through
party return to Mr. Posket's residence, explana tertain his friends, even after closing hours. The tions are made, Cis Farringdon learns his real There was a large party of Spanish officers on age and declares his intention of marrying his board on Tuesday, consisting of the Consul and music governess, a declaration which meets with Vice-Consul, Senor Don L. De Castro, the Com- the hearty approval of Mr. Posket, who promissiou, the Captain and officers of the vessel, thousand pounds when they leave for Canada. R. Cooke and several of the staff of the Dock mises to give the young couple a cheque for a and several others: also Mr. D. Gillies and Mr. being glad to yet rid at any price of the youth | Company. who had led him astray.
The principal characters are Mr. Posket (Mr C. H. Grace) and Cis Farringdon (Mr. G. G Brady), and both were capitally sustained. Mr Grace's make-up was excellent, so much so that except for his voice it would have been almost im possible to recognise him, and his acting through out was good, alike in the earlier scenes when he was the complacent, self-satisfied, and well to
The conditions of the contract were more than fulfilled; the mean speed of four runs over a two knots' distance was 12 knots with 480 indicated horse power. To test bør range of action the coal was carefully measured for three hours, giving a result of 4 4 tous for 24 hours at 91 knots; the bunker capacity being 75 tons, this consumption gives the vessel a range of 3,775 knots. Unfortunately the weather was