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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
of Mestre, Butterfield and Swire, and Mr. jok of Messrs Jardine, Matheson & Co., and they promised to do all they could, but so far nothing appears to have been done. If it is possible for me ever to do any thing I shall be happy to do it (applause) and I will see the representatives of those firms on the first occasion. Now, as the Chief Justice sut Mr. Francis have offered prizes to the seven pounders I, although I am a poor man, shall be happy to offer a prize to the Maxim Gun Corps-(applause)-to be shot for in Hongkong.
20th October Amidst many expressions of regrets, lusty cheers for the various officers of the Corps, and the firing off of a hundred and one vigorous chóruses, the Volunteer encampment at Stone- utters Island was brought to a close yesterday morning. Sunday was passed very quietly. There was a full master at Church parade, good digestion having waited upon appetite at the official dinner given on Saturday night, and the men listened with marked attention to apointed and éloquent sermon by the Rev. G. J. Williams. In the afternoon there was another big muster and the whole Corps was photographed at the position, "prepare for action." A guard was also photographed, and we understand that this picture is to be sent to an army journal for publication. One or two volunteers went away before dinner, but most of them determined to see the last of this most successful camp. Yesterday morning the photographer was again busy and then the unwelcome task of packing up was gone through and after breakfast the men returned to Hongkong and reluctantly put themselves in civilian clothes. Everyone was looking the picture of health and strength and it is to be hoped that next year's encampment will be productive of as much benefit as this one and that the strength of the Corps will steadily increase in numbers and efficiency. The second number of the Camp-Gazette had a very big sale! It is again a most creditable production and is full of excellent stories and very amusing matter, which the general public should not fail to read: A very interesting feature is a history of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps, in which the various events in Volunteer life in Hongkong have been carefully traced. The Corps was formed in 1862 and the first drill took place in March of that year. The enthusiasm in the movement was well
I maintained. One of the most exciting incidente in the history of the Corps was the calling out of the Volunteers in September. 1864, to mount guard at the barracks on the occasion of the 99th Regiment being sent to Kowloon for interfering in murderous affrays between British and Malay seamen. A good account is also given of the visit of the Volunteers to Macao at the invitation of the Governor of that colony and of the cordial reception and hospitality given to them by the residents there. This was in November, 1864, and two years later the Corps was disbanded. Since then it has been reorganised and disbanded again on two or three occasions, but now it seems to be es- tablished on a permanent footing, the passing of Ordinance 3 of 1893 placing the Corps under the direct supervision of the military authorities and making it subject to the Army Act in exactly the same manner as the Volunteers are in England:
THE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY'S CONCERT.
A ballad concert, in aid of the funds of the Hongkong Benevolent Society, was given on the evening of the 15th October in the dining room of the Peak Hotel. The room was unfortunately much too small to comfortably accommodate the large audience that assembled, and regrets were expressed that the City Hall had not been engaged Amongst these present" were H.E. Sir William Robinson, Major-General Wil- sone Black, and Commodore Swinton Hollond, whose names appeared on the programme as pat rons. The Benevolent Society's concert may now, we believe, be looked upon as an annual fixture and as opening the musical season, and if the committee are always able to afford the com- munity such a rich treat and such pleasant zurprises as last year and this year the entertain ments will be looked forward to with pleasant nticipation. Thursday's programme opened
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don, the bars recit. vain," and alto aria Mrs. A. G. Gordon. we cannot speak in term she was in excellent voice an will dwell in the recollection of No 7 on the programme was the Mendelssohn's Third Symphony, the organ by EXT Chipp: Mrs sang the soprano solo ...“ On" wi will I take thee?" (Mendelés she rendered with great sweetne sympathy: There were two more orga on the programme, but as the tim getting late and the dinner hours appro the congregation began to thin rapidly and one of the pieces was played; Those who present will feelindebted to Mr. Grimble fo ranging such an enjoyable recital and no doubt - the organ fund, in aid of which made, would benefit substantially Mr Gum ble's playing was, needless to say, excellent. but if we might venture a suggestion it would be that music orginally written for the or is on the whole better adapted for the instrume than pianoforte music specially arranged If Mendelssohn, for instance, had thought chia. famous: “ Songs without Words would sound better on the organ than the piano he would prost bably have written them for the organs In the interesting, notes printed with the programmes we were reminded that “after Bach, Mendelssohntly ranks as the foremost.com- poser of classical organ music: "Why, notie have selected some of his organ musio ? +3. **
with a pianoforte solo by Mr G Grimble; | gether | Norwegian Wedding Dance" (Grieg), a piece the bas with a very pleasant rythm, which Mr. Grimble | “ Elijah, played in his usual finished style, though the ing Beethove time, we thought, was rather too slow Mr. played by Mr. Grin D. K. Sliman, whose return to Hongkong must alto recit. be hailed with much satisfaction, followed with Blumenthal's "Evening Song," for which he was loudly applauded. Mrs. Vallings, who made her first public appearance in Hongkong at the Benevolent Society's concert last year, gave her assistance again on the present occs sion; her song in the first half of the pro- gramme was "
Twickenham Ferry," which she rendered with charming archness and sweet ness, and as an encore she sang "My love she's but a lassie yet." Mrs. Welman sang When thy blue eyes (Lassen) in very pleasing style, but she appeared to be suffering from nervousness, which prevented her doing full justice to herself. The next number was a violin solo by Mr. Goffe, Salterelle " (E. German). Mr. Goffe's tone was not quite so pure as we usually expect from this brilliant player, but was much better in his encore piece, the Intermezzo from Mascagni's Caveliero Rusticano." The first part of the programme concluded with a song by Miss Coxon, "Berceuse" (Godard). This was Miss Coxon's first appearance before a Hongkong audience and all who heard her will eagerly look forward to a repetition of the pleasure, She has a sweet, strong, and well trained soprano voice, which she uses with much feeling, and her song elicited enthusiastic applause. As an encore she sang a charmingly simple song The dearest place on earth to me," playing her own accompaniment, and was again warmly applanded. Mr. Grimble opened the second part of the programme by playing a polonaise by Chopin." Mr. C. H. Grace followed with a song from "The Artist's Model," "Is love a dream?" of which he gave a very fine render- ing. He was encored and responded with "My love is come." Mrs. Vallings then sang "Caller Herrin," and as an encore "Whistle and I'll come tae ve," and quite carried away the audi- ence, especially in the latter. Mr. Goffe gave another violin solo, for which he was again loudly applanded. Miss Coron and Mr. Sliman then sang the duet See the pale moon (Campana), in which their voices blended with pleasing effect. The concluding item Was "The gay tomtit," from The Artist's Model," by Mr. Grayson, but as the time for the last tram had arrived only a small proportion of the audience was left to enjoy it. The accompaniments for Mrs. Vallings, Mrs. Welman, and Miss Coxon were played by Mrs. Norcott, and the remaining accompaniments by Mr. G. Grimble. The grand piano used was lent by Messrs. W. Robinson & Co. The concert was organised by Mrs. Caesar Hawkins, who is to be complimented on the attractive programme presented. The concert was a great success throughout and will result in a sub- stantial addition to the funds of the society.
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ORGAN RECITAL AT UNION CHURCH,
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AN EXCITING VOYAGES At two o'clock on the morning of the 19th Oct the British barque West York arrived here in towin of the Norwegian steamer: Hernies: The West I York was dismasted and presented a most dilapi dated appearance. She left Taku on the 5th inst: with ballast, her destination being Bantjarna Java, and in addition to the master, Captaing Davis, she had a crew of fifteen British seamen,- All went well until the 13th inst, when the ship
was about 15 miles S:E. of Turnabout Islands A very high sea was running and on the morning of that day the ballast shiftedu and in a short time the starboard rail was under water. The whole of the crew were ordered be-r low to replace the ballast, but with every roll ofe the vessel the mud went back again and it was soon seen that the vessel could be saved only by cutting away the masts. This was done on the » morning of the 14th, the masts as they toppled overboard orashing down a large portion of thea starboard rail. An anchor and ninety fathoms of cable were also slipped and the crew thereupon again turned to right the ship. They worked hard for many hours and succeeded in getting the ship partly upright, The next day! the helpless vessel was sighted by the Hermer, which towed her to Hongkong. I The ore a most"exciting time and considering the rail was for many hours under watersi wonder the boat did not heel over an event; which everyone on board expected to h
THE NAVY LEAGUE,
11800
There was a very full congregation at Union Church on the 19th October on the occasion of the organ recital given by Mr. G. Grimble, and amongst those present we noticed H.E. Sir William Robinson. Several vocalists gave their assistance, namely, Mrs. Gordon, Mrs. Hägen, Mr. C. H. Grace, and Mr. D. K. Sliman, and the programme was very excellent as re- gards quality, but a trifle long as regards quan. tity. Musical appetites no doubt differ, but while there are some who could enjoy listening to the organ for many hours together we think that the majority would pronounce one hour at a time sufficient. The opening piece was the largo from Beethoven's Sonata in E flat, Op. 7, arranged for the organ by Frederic Archer.
| On the 12th September Mr. D. K. Sliman then sang." Then shall the Righteous shine forth," from the Elijah;"bers having been enrolled he was in good voice and his singing was much appreciated. Mr. Grimble next played a couple of Mendelssohn's Songs without Words No. 5, Book 6, and No: 3, Book 5, arranged for the organ by Frederic Archer. The transposi tion of the Songs without Words from the piano to the organ seems to us to alter their character altogether, and to produce an effect not alto.
The following is the report of the Hongkong Branch of the Navy League for the year ending 30th September, 1896
At a meeting of the China Association kong Branch) held on the 22n1 7 was unanimously agreed Navy League in Hongkong bers of the Chins their intention of joi
to form a Com
men were Coxon, RNA. Shewan
Thi
as Pres
Secretary for the yee
350ciation pr
OC W CH
E. W Mitc illet RNI
Mr. Atal EW. Mitchell H
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