September 12, 1895.]
THE EXTRAORDINARY DEATH AT CAPSUTMOON.
THE ENQUIRY CLOSED. “
At the Magistracy on the 4th inst. Hon. H. E. Wodehouse concluded his enquiry into the cir- cumstances attending the death of Lam Po, a boatman in the Chinese Customs, whose body was found in Aberdeen Harbour on 6th August and whose death was supposed to have been cansed by falling off the Customs launch at Capsuimoon on 1st August.
No further evidence was called, and his Wor- ship, in closing the enquiry, said-I find that death resulted from hemorrhage and shock oc- casioned by mutilation of the body and the wound on the left leg, but under what circum. stances occurring there is no evidence to show.
THE GYMKHÀNA MEETING.
By some extraordinary freak the weather actually allowed the fourth Gymkhana meeting to be held on the day first fixed, and there was an exceptionally good attendance at the Happy Valley on Saturday to watch the proceedings. Amongst those present were his Excellency the Governor, Sir William Robinson, Major General Black, and Commodore Boyes, and many ladies were also in the enclosure. The programme contained six events, of which only two were pony races, but there could be no mistake about the keen interest which was displayed in the novel events. The most amusing was undoubtedly the "white tie race.". The competitors had to accomplish various feats, amongst the most notable being the drawing of a pig, for which points were awarded. The judges certainly had a difficult task in the pig part of the race. Goodness knows what standard 'they adopted for the giving of points, because the drawings represented the most extraordinary Berkshires
ever
seen; indood they might have been, anything from a jellyfish to a brick. But it did not follow that the most accomplished artist would gain the prize, as the winner, Mr. Landale, obtained only one point for his produc- tion, but he made up his winning points by good riding and a neat tie. Both pony races were productive of plenty of excitement, and al- together the afternoon was very enjoyably spent. The band of the Hongkong Regiment attended by permission of Colonel Barrow and the officers and played several selections of music.
The following wore the officials:- Patrons-His Excellency Sir William Robin- son, K.C.M.G., His Excellency Major-General Black, C.B., Commodore G. T. H. Boyes, R.N. Committee:-Capt. Goold-Adams, R.A., Mr R. Alerander, R.B., Mr. T. F. Hough, Lieut- Col. Barrow, H.K.R., Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving, Mr. Hart Buck, Lord Chas. Conyngham, R.B., Mr. W. A. Cruickshank, Capt. Gordon, R.A., Mr. R. M. Gray, Capt. Loveband, A.D.C., Mr. A. S. Manners, Mr. G. C. C. Master, Lt.-Col. The O'Gorman, D.A.A.G., Mr. C. S. Taylor, Commander W. F. Tunnard, R.N.
Judges-Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving and Lieut. Col. The O'Gorman.
Handicappers.The Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving, Mr. R. M. Gray, Mr. HartBuck.
Starter.Capt. Goold-Adams.
Clerk of the Scales.-Mr. R. Alexander. Timekeeper.-Mr. R. M. Gray.
Hon. Treasurer, Mr. G. C. C. Master. Hon. Secretary.-Mr. T. F. Hough, FOOT RACE FOR EUROPEANS; 50 YARDS WHEELBARROW RACE. First prize $8.00; second $6,00; third $4.00; fourth $2.00. There were not many people present to witness the fun in this race, which resulted in a close finish, Private Brickwood being the winner, and Private Dillon second.
HALF MILE RACE, HANDICAP; for all China Ponies First prize a cup value about $40; second 70 per cent. of entrance fees; third 30 per cent.
Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving's Daylight, 11st. 11lbs.
(Mr. Landale) 1 Capt. Radclyffe's Dandy, 11st. 12lbs.
(Owner) 2 Mr. Cruickshank's Warlock, 11st, 2lbs.
(Owner) 3
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. Major Moore's Sweetbriar, 11st. 4lbs........: (Mr. Paley) Mr. Lewin's Tommy, 10st. 5lbs.
There was
(Lord Conyngham)_0 horses away, and after start had been made some difficulty in getting the Daylight obtained a slight lead. Passing the village he was closely attended by Dandy, War look, and Tommy. Daylight increased his lead in the straight, and Warlock was near the rails. A hundred yards from the past Dandy drew out, but could not overtake Daylight, who
won
lengths between second and third. Time, 63 a good race by three lengths; two
secs.
TENT PEGGING COMPETITION; three runs allowed, points deducted for style and pace; Entrance fee $1.00, First prize a Cup pre- sented by His Excellency Major-General Black, C.B.; second the entrance fees.
There were eight competitors and Mr. Landale and Mr. Cruickshank each gained three points, but the prize was awarded to Mr. Cruickshank for the better style of pegging. The other competitors scored as follows
Capt. Welman,
Lieut-Col. The O'Gorman. Capt. Burney Capt. Loveband Mr. Salmon
Mr. Drury
1
LADIES' NOMINATION "WHITE TIE RACE," competitors to start from flag a distance down the course, ride to winning post, get white dinner ties tied by nominators, mount, ride to table at starting post, dismount, draw a pig on paper, mount again, and finish at winning Conditions.-3 points for each good tie and
post. Two prizes.
drawing. 2 points for each middling tie and drawing, 1 point for each bad tie and draw- ing. 3 points for first past winning post. 2 points for second past winning post. will be placed in the order of their finishing Competitors having equal number of points past the winning post. Nominated by
Mrs. Hawkins 1 ..Mrs. Drury 2 Mrs. Gray +3 Mrs. Welman +3 Mrs. Sansom 0- Mrs. Eccles 0 Miss Boyes Mrs. Moore 0 Madame O'Gorman 0
Miss Jackson
Mr. D. Landale Mr. W. A. Cruickshank Mr. A. D. H. Grayson Captain Welman Mr. J. S. Bruce Capt. Radclyffe Capt. Loveband Mr. G. N. Salmon Mr. Paley Mr. Peter
0
This was a very interesting event, but the most amusing part, the drawing of a pig, could not be seen by the public. There were ten each libelled the pig in a most flagrant fashion. riders and in their hurry to get remounted they One pig had only three legs; not one had a
snout.
HANDICAP, ONCE ROUND; for all China ponies. First prize a Cup value about $50 presented; second 70 per cent. of entrance fees; third 30 per cent.
Mr. Hart Buck's Voltigeur, 11st. 2lbs.
1
(Owner) Mr. Little's Chesai, 11st. 3lbs., Lieut-Col.
The O'Gorman 2 Captain Radclyffe's Dandy, 10st. 3lbs.
(Owner) 3 Lord C. Conyngham's Glenties, 11st. 6lbs....
(Owner) 0 Mr. W. D. Graham's Baccarat, 11st. 5lbs.
(Mr. Landale) 0 Mr. Cruickshank's Warlock, 11st. llb. Major Moore's Sweetbrier 11st.
(Owner) 0
(Mr. Master) 0: The horses were got well away in a bunch, but on passing the plantation Voltigeur drew to the front and maintained the lead throughout. to overtake Mr. Buck's horse, but failed by a In the straight Chesai made a gallant attempt length; a bad third. Time 1 min. 59 secs. FooT RACE, SACK RACE, BLINDFOLD; dis- tance 50 yards. First prize $6.00; second $4.50; third $3.00. Open to native soldiers and police.
HONGKONG GOLF CLUB.
CAPTAIN'S CUP.
201
Valley from Saturday, 31st August, to Monday, The above Cup was played for in the Happy
Hawkins with a net score of 82, the Sweepstakes 2nd September, and won by Mr. V. A. Cæsar falling to Mr. Gershom Stewart. The returns were fewer than usual, although the entries show no falling off. Results:-
CUP.
Mr. V. A. Cæsar Hawkins *Mr. Gershom Stewart
Captain O. P. Marshall Mr. Clement Palmer
Captain W. V. Eccles, R.B.
97 15 82 6.84 105 21 84 96 11 85 3 86
89
Also entered for the Sweepstakes.
}
HONGKONG RIFLE ASSOCIATION.
The Short Range Cup was competed for by twenty-three members on 31st August won outright by Private Godbeer, R.B. Con sidering that Private Godbeer on the last two occasions of winning competed from scratch" against several members receiving from 12 to 15 points, his success was most creditable. A new Cup will be started. The Spoons were won by G. White, J. Lowrie, Lt. Lee Dillon, Lt. Close, and W. Duncan. The following were the beat
scores :-
Pte. Godbeer, R.B... G. White J. Lowrie Lt. Lee-Dillon Lt. Close
W. Duncan.. W. Stewart. Pte. Gigg, R.B.:
500 600 Handi. To- yda. yds. cap. tal. 32 32
64
24 26 14
.64
32
27
27.
29
60
22 27 10. 59
31 23
.58
27 24
::57
23
24
.57
CORRESPONDENCE.
[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]
THE INDO-CHINA STEAM NAVI- GATION CO., LIMITED.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS,”] SIR,Your contemporary the China Mail has the following paragraph in its issue of the 31st ulto., with reference to the above Com. pany:- "The steamer Tigris is the first of two new steamers to arrive for Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co. They are to engage in bability be retained principally for "the general coasting trade, but will, in all pro Southern trade-Bangkok, Java, &c. The other steamer, the Amara, is expected soon. Sir Company, which may be taken as an indication new steamers are building for the Indo-China that the business of this Company is in a flourish. ing condition. One of the steamers is destined for the Yangtze River trade, one will replace the Wingsang on the Hongkong-Calcutta run, and the Wingsang will be placed upon the general coasting trade between Hongkong and the North."
Now, sir, the exact criterion of the pros perous business of any joint-stock company should be the market value of its scrip. If such is, as it should be, the sole measurement of the prosperity of a public company, I regret to observe that the business of this Company may be termed far from being prosperous, as after having written off £301,175 1s. 11d. out of ita paid-up capital of £495,890 as shown below
Depreciation Account
£.
8. di 12,000 0 0
13,370 0-0 19,923 1 11 21,873 0
Year. 1882.
1883.
1884.
1885.
1886.
24
1887.
1888.
5,363 33,456
1889.
1890
The concluding event was decided in heats and the competitors, all of whom were Indians, seemed to enjoy the race as much as the spectators.
1891.
1892
25,772 07 20,000
25,489 0 0 23,817
1893.
1894
35,831
0
(20,000--0