June 3, 1897:1
these 20 candidates, 15 entered for pianoforte playing, 1 for singing, and 6 for theory.
The results were as follows: In pianoforte playing 12 candidates passed, 1 failed; in sing- ing, 1 candidate passed, no failures; in theory 4 candidates passed, 2 failed.
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In the Theory Section, Miss L. Crawford was successful in obtaining the diploma of Associate in Music,
The theory papers were marked at the College, and the examiners report that the work gave evidence of careful preparation on the part of the candidates.
The local examiners' report treats of the performance of the candidates in practical music, and is as follows:---
13 candidates presented themselves for ex- amination in pianoforte playing, of which one entered for the Advanced Senior, 1 for the Senior, 2 for the Intermediate, and 9 for the Elementary Sections. All were successful ex- cept the candidate who entered for the Senior Section,
The selected pieces, for the most part, showed evident signs of careful preparation, and, generally, were very accurately played. Mr. Danenberg's performance of his two difficult pieces calling for special mention.
The Scale and Arpeggio playing, too, was on the whole, very creditable, though it would be well for young performers to remember that pace is not everything, and that the cul- tivation of a firm and crisp touch is far more important than mere speed. There is a Scale and Arpeggio Manual of Walter Macfarren's which contains at the beginning some valuable hints on scale practising, one of which young, and sometimes, we fear, even older players would do well to keep in mind. It is:-
"Quick practice is leaden,
Slow practice is golden." The Reading at Sight (confined to the more advanced Sections) was, we regret to say, in almost every case, deplorably weak. We can. not impress too strongly on students the im- portance of this branch of pianoforte playing,
and we wish instructors would devote more time and care to the teaching of it; for, though the reading of music at sight is, more or less, a gift, still, a great degree of proficiency may, with the aid of a painstaking and conscien- tious teacher, be attained by the persevering student. The answers to the questions on the rudiments and theory of music, too, were, on the whole, rather disappointing, thongh several of the candidates showed a very fair knowledge of their subject and gave their answers quickly and clearly. Here again, teachers are often inclined to trust too much to their pupil "picking up" the meaning of musical signs and terms, whereas experience shows that only too often beginners have an eye for nothing but the actual notes of the piece that they happen to be playing.
Taken as a whole, however, the results of the examinations are distinctly encouraging, and we trust that the success of the candidates on
this occasion may stimulate them to further
efforts in the future.
Signed
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singular that the Court found him not guilty of the first charge and guilty of the second. This decision will appear to most people to be somewhat of an Irishism. One naturally asks, if the prisoner was not guilty of the first charge, how could he be guilty of the second P Of course there may be some hidden explanation for this strange verdict.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Music. Now there are very few persons here, per haps, who knew, until Mr. Ralphs read his report, what this London College of Music is. I will. tell you, even at the risk of repeating what he has said. The Educational Department of the London College of Music provides a complete musical education for students of all ages-from the most elementary to the most advanced stage in vocal and instrumental music, and theoretical As regards the sentence on the prisoner, many knowledge and composition. Simultaneously officers are of opinion that it was totally inade- with technique and practical work on an in- quate, and this view is the one taken by strument, a certain amount of theoretical know- His Excellency Major-General Black. In ledge is also imparted, and pupils are thus the garrison. orders containing the decision taught to understand what they play and are of the Court His Excellency penned the fol- interested in their work. Now these lines are lowing remarks:-"I consider that the followed, I understand, in Hongkong, and, as sentence is too light for the offence, which Mr. Ralphs has pointed out, we are very for- means much more than a mere breach of canteen tunate in having amongst us such able musi- regulation. 1 quite believe that the prisoner cians, such accomplished musicians as Mr. would not touch a penny of soldiers' money Grimble, Mr. Ward, Mr. Lammert, and Signor entrusted to him and that he is honest in all Cattaneo. Under their guidance, and with the ordinary transactions, and it may be, as stated assistance of Mr. Ralphs, the Local Representa herein, that he accepted this money for his own tive, to whom the colony and the College of Music use in his belief that he was acting in accord- are much indebted, energetic measures have been ance with the usage of some other canteen made in the spread of music. (Applause). Mr. managers; but no amount of usage can alter Ralphs has already stated that twenty candidates the fact that what is lightly described as presented themselves for examination, and it is cumshaw' is really akin to the awkward
word most gratifying to state that no less than seven- English
bribe,' paid, moreover, teen certificates have been awarded. In the not out of the pockets of the generous giver, theory of music 6 candidates came forward and but out of the enhanced price paid by his com- 4 passed; in practical music, pianoforte andrades for the beer which they drank in the singing, 14 candidates entered and 13 passed. I canteen. This involuntary contribution the think it must be gratifying to the community Commander-in-Chief is determined shall cease of Hongkong to know there are so many rising and any levy of it in future must be rigorously musicians amongst us. It is not necessary dealt with.-W. BLACK, Major-General. 27th for me to say anything in favour of a musical May." education. We all know that" music bath charms to soothe the savage breast," and that "The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils; The motions of his spirit are dull as night, Let no such man be trusted." And this applies to ladies as well as gentle men. We all know that musical knowledge is one of the most charming and delightful of ac- complishments. We all recollect that one of our great modern writers, Sir Edwin Arnold. aid that "Music is the handmaid of Religion," and properly exercised its influence can only be felt for good. I can only hope in distributing these certificates, which I have great pleasure in doing, that musical education under the regis of the London College of Music may make as wonderful strides in this colony as it has done elsewhere. (Applause.)
We have gathered privately more of the exact position canteen managers than transpired at the trial of Sergeant Fretter. It seems that the canteen manager receives 38. 6d. a day beyond his ordinary pay for tapping and looking after the beer and in addi. tion he legitimately makes a certain sum in the way of allowances for waste, so that the posi tion is a very remunerative one and is eagerly sought for. Beyond these extras Sergeant Fretter received, roughly speaking, £7 10s. a month, not a year as was, we think, generally supposed, from the brewers themselves. It will thus be seen that heiwas making "a small for- tune." It must also be understood that the "cum- shaw," or "bribe," came indirectly out of the pockets of the soldiers themselves, as the canteen manager's allowance was naturally tacked on to the cost of the beer, thus increasing the price of the liquor. At the present time beer is being bought about $12 a hogshead cheaper as a con- sequence of the "tip" to the canteen manager being abolished, and that is a very important consideration to the men. We think on all hands it will be admitted that bribing or tip- The thanks were returned by means of threeping in any shape or form.is a most pernicious vigorous cheers for His Excellency,
His Excellency then distributed the certifi-
cates.
Hon. E. R. Belilios proposed a vote of thanks to the Governor for so kindly presenting the prizes.
His Excellency then announced that Mr. Grimble was down for a speech.
Mr. Grimble said he was really down to second the vote of thanks. He was sure every- one would consider it a great honour to have Sir William Robinson there to present the prizes. There would be another examination in November and they hoped to have His Ex- cellency present at the next distribution of prizes.
G. GRIMBLE G. P. LAMMERT
Examiners. A. G. WARD I am directed to convey the thanks of the Council to the examiners for the very efficient manner in which they conducted the exami-request of the Governor and the proceedings nations, and also to the authorities of the City Hall for allowing us, on several occasions, the use of this building..
His Excellency--I have been asked this after- noon to present the certificates which have been awarded by the London College of Music to the successful candidates from our little colony of Hongkong, and I have very great pleasure in doing so. Until I had come this afternoon, I had no idea Mr. Ralphs was to read the reports which he has just read to you, and he therefore has, unwittingly, taken the wind out of my sails. But even though I re- peat what he has said I think I cannot do better than call your attention, in order that it may be impressed more fully upon your minds, to the fact that this little start has been made in the little colony of Hongkong in musical education. As Mr. Ralphs has said, last year "Musical Centre" and Hongkong was made a the colony was affiliated, as it were, to the Educa- tional Department of the London College of
Mr. Grimble then played a lullaby at the
concluded with the playing of." God Save the Queen."
THE SENTENCE ON SERGEANT FLETTER.
COMMENTS BY MAJOR-GENERAL BLACK.
The decision of the court-martial which tried Sergeant Fretter was, to the non-military It will mind at any rate, quite a curious one. be remembered that there were two charges against the prisoner. The first was for taking a fee in respect of merchandise brought into a barrack in which prisoner had authority, and the second was for conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline. The prisoner admitted having received $75.50 from the brewers' agents, so that practically he guilty to. the first pleaded
charge, his defence being that he was ignorant of the regulations and had been doing what was a recognised custom amongst canteen managers. In face of these facts it is most1
and dangerous custom and no doubt all reasonable men in the garrison welcome the new regulations on the point, but in regard to Sergeant Fretter we cannot agree that his punishment was too light. He may have been making "a small fortune," but that he knew that the custom under which he received the money and under which other allowances besides those received by the sergeant were made, was illegal, was certainly not proved, and there- fore most people outside military circles look upon his reduction to the rank of corporal as rather a stiff sentence. What strikes us as one of the most strange facts in connection with the case is why brewers should think it necessary to pay a can- teen manager when he has absolutely no control in the giving of the orders and in fact has no- thing to do with the brewers except to tap their beer, and for this work he is specially paid by the military authorities. But this is one of the many secrets of the trade and we would not dare to try and penetrate it.
The Shenpao states that the bubonic plague in Foochow this year in much worse than what was experienced in that city last year, when be- tween twenty and thirty thousand persons died from it. The same paper concludes from the accounts it has been receiving from time to time since last Marel. that the victims of the plague in Foochow this year will not fall far short of 40,000. The natives of Foochow call the plague the rat epidemic," probably owing to these rodents being first attacked by it. N. O. Daily News,