December 4, 1895.] ·
ST. ANDREW'S BALL.
The Hongkong St. Andrew's Society did itself great honour and credit on Friday night. Probably never before has the patron Saint day of Scotland been so lavishly, enthusiastically, aud successfully celebrated, and it is also question- able whether such a large and brilliant company has ever before assembled at the City Hall. The holding capacity of the rooms was taxed to the utmost, and it is difficult to say how the dancing could have proceeded with the smoothness and comfort it did if a large number of gentlemen had not nobly sacrificed the delights of the ball room for the lesser and grosser attractions to be found in the smoking and card room. But notwithstanding these praiseworthy acts of self- denial the ball room was at times over- crowded, although nothing but the highest praise was bestowed upon tifu Society for its unbounded liberality in issuing so many invitations and in treating the guests with such fervent warmth and hospitality. There were quite eight hundred people present and yet there was not a hitch of any kind throughout the evening, a fact which speaks volumes for the great care which was taken by the various committees in the arrangements, particularly in matters of detail. The decora tions were not on a gorgeous scale; they were just sufficient to be neat and attractive, and it would be well if at every ball given in the colony a similar line were adopted. It is a great mistake to be too profuse in ball room decorations, and the Society is to be com- mended for showing a partiality for strict simplicity. The entrance and staircase of course received the greatest amount of atten. tion, and the bamboo arches which stretched from pillar to pillar and the arrangement of the banyan leaves and flowers in the entrance hall were much admired This year the large mirror at the top of the entrance stairs was displaced by the arms of Scotland, which pre- sented a very picturesque appearance on ground of Stewart tartan. Surmounting the arms was the thistle, which was prettily picked out with many small electric lights. The walls were decorated with an abundance of foliage. and the whole produced a most pleasing effect. The ladies' room had received very careful attention, and one good feature was the presence of two electric fans which kept the rooms beautifully cool throughout the whole evening These were lent for the occasion by Mr. Main. and were hidden from view by a covering of ornamental drapery. Punctually at 9.15 his Excellency the Governor and snite arrived and headed by Pipers McEwen and Pickford. who played the Blair Athol Highlanders slow march, they were conducted to the ball room. Soon afterwards the programme was opened with the lancers the Governor's set being as follows: -The Governor and Mrs. Stewart Lockhart, The Colonial Secretary (Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart) and Mrs. Black, Major-General Black and Mrs. Boyes, Mr. G. Stewart and Mrs. Travers, Com- modore Boyes and Mrs. Goodman, Mr. C. Mur- ray Adamson and Miss Black, the Attorney. General (Hon. W. M. Goodman) and Mrs. Macbean, Hon. A. McConachie and Miss An- derson. The music for the ordinary dances was supplied by members of the Rifle Brigade band. who kept excellent time, and the pipers played for the reels. The following was the pro- gramme :- 1. Lancers
2. Waltz
3. Caledonians
4. Waltz
5. Polka..
6. Highland Schottische...A 7. Waltz
8. Strathspry & Reel
9. Caledonians....
10. Waltz........
11. Eightsome Reel}
12. Waltz
13. Waltz....
14. Barn Dance....
15. Waltz.......
16. Strathspry & Reel -17. Waltz
18. 'Caledoniaus
19. Polka
20. Waltz...............
21. Waltz................ 22. Galop
а
Sheanahbean Bhochd. ..Rucanı Racum. An Comunn Gaelach.
Soiridh le Banbh. Lilleam's Calum's Morag Bhalgain, a bhalgain Caisteal Dhinra. Righle Thulaichean. Struadhnach bu leis.
..Gaolach Robi. Am Braman air reang nan
Teilear.
...Fear a Chinn Mhoir.
Bainnis Choinnich. Mouadh Mhuisg. Buachill Nan Caorach.
Sabhal à Bhailidh.
..Cuidchan Right. Mac Tan Ghasta. .Didcag mi Egoireiceag. Tha ini gu Tinn. Sabhal beag à Bhailidh. ..Fhleangach Boidhoach.
OKINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
The coup d'œil, viewed from the entrance to the ball room, was truly magnificent, and the ex- quisite toilettes of the ladies and the bright, handsome uniform of the many naval and mili- tary officers lent special warmth and colour to the surroundings. This year it was decided not to have any fixed time for supper-a very wise departure, as there was no break in the dancing and every one was able to have supper comfortably and without the unpleasant rush that must have ensued if the whole of the eight hundred dancers had been tied down to time. The supper was served in the Theatre Royal, and was excellently provided by the Victoria Hotel. The following was the menu.--
"Some hae meat and canna eat And some wad eat that want it, But we hae meat and we can eat, And sae the Lord be thankit."
The Back o' a Sheep Roastit. Roastit Turkey. Roastit Kobe Beef.
Corned Tongue
York Ham.
Corned Beef.
Roastit Capon.
Game Pie. Sheep's Head Pie. Pâté de Foie Gras in Jelly.
Partan Salad.
Roastit Pheasant.
air
In
"
**
Chuckie Salad.
Roastit Wild Deuk.
THE HAGOIS.
Fair fa' your honest sousie face. Great chieftain o' the puddin' race, Aboon them a yeltak your place.”
BOILED TATIES.
Freedom and whisky gang thegither.
Tak aff your dram." SWEETIES.
Shortbread.
Grosset Tairt. Auld Reekie Jelly. Killiecrankie Puffs. Buchan Baps.
BLANC ANGE,
Vanila and Chocolate Ice Creams. In the card room a most enjoyably evening and morning were spent, and nothing was want- to ensure the complete success of this im- portant item in the festive gathering, but there was one gentlemen who so far forgot his sur- roundings as to ask for Irish whisky, and a minute later he covered his ears with his hands when the pipers invaded the room at 1.57 a.m. Now the first offence is unpardonable, but in regard to the second he deserves sympathy To our English way of thinking the bagpipes dinna ken wha's aboot. (We always make a produce the most unearth- but bush! Ye point of italicising Latin, French, and other foreign phrases). Joking apart, however, the their pipers played exceedingly well, and selections, which more than resembled an were much appreciated by everyone. conclusion it only remains for us to heartily congratulate the St. Andrew's Society upon the enormous success of this year's ball-a success which was due to the indefati-
uable exertious of the hon. secretary. Mr. C.] Murray Adamson, and the various committees. The following were the stewards-C. M. Adam- son, A. G. Aitken, G. C. Anderson, J. Andrew, G. Murray Bain, H. E. Major-General W, Black, D. E. Brown, E. Burnie, Dr. Cantlie, J. B. Cousins, H. Crawford, W. A. Cruickshank, J. Dickie, A. G. Ewing Capt. Ferguson, R.B., A. G. Gordon, Capt. L.A. C: Gordon. R.A., F. Henderson, T. F. Houg, Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving. Robt. Inglis, A. Johnston, Geo. Kirkpatrick..J. Kirkwood, D. Landale, Hon. J. H. S. Lockhart, Dr. Lowson, W.. Macbean, D. Macdonald, Hon. A McConachie, H. MacCallum, J. McCallum, E. J. Main, J. C. Matheson, R.E., R. Mitchell, J. R. Mudie, J. C. Peter Geo. W. F. Playfair, W. Ramsay, R. L. Richardson, H. W. Robert son, A. Rodger, C. S. Sharp, R.. Shewan, A. Findlay Smith, Captain Sterling, A.D.C., Gershom Stewart, Surg. Major Stewart, W. Taylor, Hon. A. M. Thomson, John Thurborn, Jas. Waddell, A. Wilson, Hon. T. H. Whitehead. The various Committees were as follows- Invitations Messrs. C. M. Adamson, G. W F. Playfair, Hon. A. McConachie, Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart, and W. Macbean.
Card-Room-Messrs. G. Murray Bain, Hon. T. H. Whitehead, Hon J. J. Bell-Irving.
Daucing and Music Messrs. G. C. Ander- son, D. Landale, Gershom Stewart, Capt. Ferguson, R. B.
Supper and Wines Messrs. W. Macbean,
423
J. Waddell, A Rodger, A. G. Aitken, G. W F. Playfair, and Hon. T. H. Whitehead.
Decorations.-Messrs. W. Ramsay, A. G. Gordon, E. J. Main, D. Macdonald, J. Kirk wood, J. R. Mudie, W. Ramsay, A. Wilson and A. G. Ewing.
Ladies' Room-Mr. A. Findlay Smith.
TELEGRAPHIC GREETINGS.-
During the evening the following telegram was sent:-
"To the President, St. Andrew's Society, Shanghai.
Scotchmen in Hongkong send St. Andrew's greetings to Brither Scots in Shanghai."
The following reply was received on Satur- day:-
:
"To the President, St. Andrew's Society, Hongkong.
"Scotchmen in Shanghai reciprocate kindly greetings and wish ye well."
The Hongkong Society also wired a similar message to Singapore.
SUPREME COURT.
26th November.
IN SUMMARY JURISDICTION.
BEFORE MR. A. G. WISE (PUISNE JUDGE).
LAU KAU YU c. HOPKINS, CUMMING AND CO. The plaintiff sought to recover $1,000 which was placed to the credit of the defendant firm as security for the due performance of his duties as compradore. Mr. Mounsey appeared for the plaintiff, and the defendant Hopkins personally represented the defendants.
Mr. Mouusey said he understood that the defence was that the plaintiff was a partner in the firm, and that the money was deposited as his share in the partnership; therefore it would he more convenient if the question of partner- ship were first decided.
In answer to his Lordship defendant said he admitted the receipt of the money, but it was afterwards placed as plaintiff's share of the partnership.
His Lordship said that under those circum- stances the plaintiff had better give his evidence about the partnership and the defendant could then state his case.
The plaintiff spoke to depositing the money on being appointed compradore to the firm. When he left he asked for the money, but was always put off, and afterwards he received a letter from the firm stating that in considera- tion of his baring paid $1,000 into the partner- ship he would receive one-seventh of the profits. He never gave his consent to become a partner, and he never had any intention of becoming a partner.
His Lordship As. I lave said before it does not matter whether he was called a partner or not; that does not make him a partner. It is a very convenient way of getting out of it; of course if the plaintiff, agreed to it, it is another thing.
Defendant was cross-examining the witness as to what instructions he first gave his solicitor, who wrote asking for a return of the partner- ship money, when his Lordship said,
You are entitled to go into that matter of course, but it has been decided before, and therefore time will only be wasted unless you have fresh evidence, as Mr. Mounsey will get into the box and ex- plain the letter as he did before."
For the defence Hopkins called two witnesses who said they always understood that the plain- tiff was a partner in the firm, and defendant himself said that the deposit was put into the partnership and that the plaintiff agreed to this
course.
His Lordship said the witnesses for the de- fence had given their evidence very satisfactorily, but there was no proof that the plaintiff was a partner, and judgment would therefore be for the plaintiff with costs.
2nd December.
THE KWAN TAI V. DANENBERG AND CO.
The plaintiffs, who are shipchandlers and coal merchants, 26, Gilman's Bazaar, brought an action to recover $720.40 from the defendants