December 8, 1897.]
Admiralty remarked in 1888 that probably | amongst some of the first measures to be adopted would be comprehended the execution of their Lordships-yet that would neither bave helped us nor been just. The Sea Lords furnish| their reports, but the Treasury will not grant the -money. One of the objects of our League was to require all parliamentary candidates to pledge themselves to vote for an adequate Navy. I venture to think one of our objects now should be to bring pressure to bear in the House of Commons to require the production of the reports of the Lords of the Admiralty. I do not hesitate to say that once those reports were in the hands of the members of the House of Commons such revelations would appear as would weld all parties into one earnest horrified whole-determined at all costs to make adequate provision for men, ships, dockyards, conling sta- tions, and every possible requisite for the preser vation of the Empire. Our work would be over. If similar returns from the military anthorities and commanders of fortresses were also pub ished, Lord Wolsley's ains would speedily be attained. Then if in the day of disaster high officers were hanged justice would not be outraged; they could uot say, 85 they can now, We have warned you; our warnings have never been allowed to reach the people. We have asked for the requisite machinery and been refused-not by the people of Britain but by the Treasury--for | the exigencies of party." The day the House of Commons is frankly and fairly furnished with facts, that day our League will gain 600 recruits-600 platforms will spread our propaganda; to paraphrase Macaulay, Then none will be for a party, all will be for the State.' Your Committee has brought pro- minently to the notice of the executive of the League the disparity (on paper) between the strength of the British Navy on this station and that of the French and Russian fleets and, in view of the trend of recent events, that Ger- many must also be considered as a possible enemy Gentlemen, we have not posed as experts, we have not ventured to compare armour.or guns. we have only furnished facts. The conditions of warfare have changed; this generation has seen no naval battle save the Yaloo. Who are the experts now? What can we do but count noses till the proof time comes? Our fleet ou this station is scattered from Singapore to Behring Sea, policing rivers and shepherding trade. The fleets of the three powers indicated have been in unison before, and may be again. It is true the Powerful is on her way out here, but remember the Porpoise and Sportun left the station withont being relieved. For these reasous, therefore, your Committee thought it their plain duty to bring these facts to the notice of the Central Committee for such action as they may deem prudent or desirable. Since we last wrote to London on this subject Japan has got out two of the finest battle ships afloat. A coalition between Japan and her northern neighbour does not at present seem probable, but before now the monkey has made use of the cat's paw to get the chestnuts ont of the fire. Are we going to trust to the forbearance of the Japanese? Will they be in the van equally as our allies or our enemies? Forgive me, gentlemen, if I have been discursive, and asked you many questions. I will only ask you now to puss our report, the adoption of which I beg to propose. (Loud applause,)
Captain G. C. Anderson, in seconding the resolution, thought more enthusiasm ought to be infused into the League, otherwise it would lapse into the nsual dead and alive 'condition so characteristic of many Eastern societies. Не thought there ought to be more than one meet- ing every year; it was not enough to be simply told once a year that there was a good balance in hand. If the steam pressure was not kept up the engines would stop, and he suggested that some of the members should give lectures and, while doing everything possible to keep in full sympathy with the aims of the Poace Society, endeavour to dissipate the sentimenta- lism that would have them forget the name of Nelson and the story of Trafalgar. Applause.) No name in our history was worthy of more veneration, than the name of Nelson and it should be so held in every village school in the land. It was now necessary to exercise the strictest vigilance in the future and he thought
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
the proportion of our warships should be five to every three of those of foreign powers.
Mr. Duncan asked if the Branch had made any representations to the Central Leagne in London with reference to the extension of the territory at Kowloon. He thought our docks | and coal depots on the other side should be better protected than they are at present, and that their protection should not rest entirely on the warships.
The Chairman said that last year represents- tions were made and Mr. Chater's letter was sent home.
Mr. Duncan said he would move a resolution on the subject.
The report and accounts were adopted. Mr. Duncan then moved" Whereas the business of the Navy League is to consider everything that affects the Navy; and whereas the most important naval station in the enst is Hongkong; and whereas several European Powers are now so extremely active in the East that any day might see each province of China occupied by armies and navies of our worst enemies; and whereas Hongkong's vital parts, docks, and coal stores, are in range (with mo- dern ordnance) from several points beyond our borders; or within dangerously easy raiding distance of non-British territory, be it hereby resolved that in the interests of the Navy as well as for other reasons it is imperative to ex- tend the boundaries without further delay, and that the Navy League should do its utmost to stimulate the Government to action before it is too late."
Mr. Francis seconded. Carried.
On the motion of Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. McG. Forbes, the Presulent, Vice-Presi- dent, and the other members of the Committee were re-elected.
A hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman was proposed by Mr. Franeis and carried un- animously. This concluded the business of the meeting.
A LOCAL NAVAL RESERVE,
The following is the outline of the scheme suggested by the local brauch in response to the request of the Central Committee, which urged that local endeavours should be made to raise a Naval Reserve
ΠΟ
China cousters employ Chinese crews; local reserve of fighting material could there- fore be formed here, the bulk of British seamen entering the port being R.N.R. men.
Chinamen, however, make excellent stokers and some twelve hundred of the best of these men are constantly employed by British shipping plying to and on the coast of China.
Wages range from $14 with keep to $18 a month finding themselves.
A very small retaining fee 820 a year-would secure the best of these men as reserve stokers
who could be trained in the torpedo boats and destroyers or the harbour defence ships on the station.
Under existent conditions in China this would
appear to be the only practicable scheme of Naval Reserve.
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THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY S8 CONCERT.
harmonic Society opened their third season at the On Friday night, 4th Dec., the Hongkong Phil-
City Hall with a concert, which was very success- ful. The concert was held in St. George's Hall, which, thanks to the Committee of St. Andrew's Society, was not shorn of any of the recent ball decorations. There was a large audience, amongst those present being His Excellency the Governor, Sir William Rabiusou, G.C.M.G. (President of the Society), and Hou. W. M. Goodman (Vice-President). The orchestral music was supplied by thirty intrumentalists, many of whom were members of the Band of the West Yorkshire Regiment, whose assistance was given by kind permission of Colonel Gordon and the officers. Mr. W. G. Bentley, A.R.C.M., was the hon. conductor and it is unnecessary to say that his work was thoroughly well done.
The programme was admirable in length and selection. Herold's overture to "Zampa" was. the first item, and either because it has been heard in Hongkong before or because some of the audience looked upon it as an ordinary curtain raiser there was much chattering
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until its completion. Those who listened attentively thought the melodiousness of the piece in no way suffered from repetition. Mrs. Dodwell sang Call me back with fine expres. sion and enunciation and she was heartily applanded. The next contribution was by M. A. Giraud, who was much commended for chis violin solo, Handel's Largo," which be played instead of the two pieces mentioned in the programme, he having had no time to prac- tise them. Mr. Mirow was in good voice and his song, Nene Liebe, neues leben," was rea- dered with much good taste and feeling. The fifth and last item in the first part was Schubert's unfinished symphony, which was interpreted by the whole orchestra in exceed. ingly good style.
The second part opened, after a short interval, with the Fest March from "Tann- häuser." which was most warmly applauded by the audience. Mrs. Dealy met with a cordial reception and her singing of Light in Dark- ness was very sweet, her deep notes being exceedingly rich and pure, and the appreciation was so marked that she repeated the last verse. Mr. W. G. Bentley again displayed his skill as an executant, his choice being the rendering of a Scotch fantasia on the clarionet. Mr. A. C. Van Neirop sang An Old Love Dream" with violin obligato by Mr. L. R. Ruchwaldy. Mr. Van Neirop's fine tenor voice was heard to excel- lent advantage and he was most enthusiastically encored. The last item was the overture to
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Hänsel und Gretel" The programme said it was well received when produced in London a few years ago." The piece was most artistic- ally played and the applause at the finish proved that Loudon was right.
We should like to add that the audience suffered two annoyances. The programmes were printed with ink which ran and stained everything it came in contact with. The other annoyance was that during the progress of the concert late arrivals stalked about the room looking for their seats. This is a very prevalent practice in Hongkong, objectionable to the audience and uncomplimentary to the per- formers. No one should be allowed to walk
about the room while a piece is being played or a vocalist singing.
The orchestra was composed as follows:- First Violin-Mr. A, Giraud. Mr. G. Sydny, Mr. H. B. T. Cox, R.N., Mr. L. R. Ruchwaldy, Mr. Schröeter. Second Violin.—Miss Crawford, Miss Humphreys, Mr. J. M. Rosario, Mr. R Belilios. Viola.--Corporal Skilton. Violoncello.
Mr. H. Elmer and Musician Jones. Bass- Musicians Lyons and Skilton. Flute.—Mr. L. Crawford, Mr. J. S. Kuchwaldy, and Corporal Harper. Piccolo.-Musician Lytton. Oboe.- Musician Quaid Clarionet.-Mr. A. Cumming and Corporal Scragg. Bussoon, Wheeler and Pickett. Horn.—Mr. H. S. Cooke, Sergeant Murrell, Musicians Henson and Rhodes. Cornet. — Mr. J. A. Collaço `and Musician Seaborne. Trombone. Musicians Gates and Chatwin.
Musicians
RAID ON A TRIAD SÓCIETY MEETING.
At the Magistracy on the 6th December, thirty-two men were charged with unlawfully attending a meeting of the Triad Society at appeare for the defence of the prisoners. Yee On Lane on the Ith instant. Mr. E. J. Grist
Chinese constable 145 said:-At midnight on the 4th instant I went to No. 4, Yee On Lane. I found the trap door of the second floor closed. I gave three knocks. A voice inside enquired. "Who are you?" I answered, "Hung Ying."
Hung Ying of what place?" was asked. "Hung Ying of Tai Hum. Canton," I replied. The door was then opened. I got up and walked into the front ball, where I saw the paraphernalia of the Society and a list of names on a table. I glanced at the names and then looked round the room. I saw the first defendant sitting at another table writing; and there were eight or ten men standing round him. When he noticed me he rose to receive me. He asked me who I was and I said, “We are all brethren." He said he was very glad to know that and invited me to visit them some- times. He then asked me to go with him into another room, where I found the second prisoner lying on a bed smoking opium. He ordered tea and tobacco to be brought and then
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