C
February 12, 1898.)
The following are the figures on the corres- ponding dates last year:--
Storage.
Lovel.
Tytam 9ft 7iin. (below by-wash) 315,087,000 gallons willing to continue for another five rounds, but
Pokfulum 8ft. 9fin.
Total ......... 861,732,000
The total consumption for all purposes during January was 85,644,000 gallons, giving, with an estimated population of 177,450, an average daily consumption of 15.6 gallons per head.
For the corresponding period last year the total consumption was 76,996,000 gallons, or an average daily consumption of 14.7 gallons per head for the population of 169,000.
The Government Analyst reports on 2nd February-"The water is of excellent quality.
BOXING CONTEST AT THE CITY HALL.
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On Monday evening, 7th Feb., a large audience assembled at the City Hall to witness a 20-round boring contest under the Marquess of Queens- berry-rules between W. S. Bailey, amateur champion of Hongkong, and T. Northcott, of the Navy. The proceedings were opened with a couple of interesting sparring exhibitions between Short and Harley and Leonard and the King's Own Lancaster Parker, all Regiment, and after a short interval the event of the evening took place. The officials were Mr. A. Rodger, referee; Mr. E. Robinson and Mr. Hart Buck, judges; and Mr. W. Farmer, timekeeper. Mr. Charles Robinson read the rules applicable to con- tests for endurance and said the winner would receive a handsome silver cup. Both men looked in the pink of condition on stripping for the fray, but it was rather unfortunate that Bailey was suffering from a sprained right hand, the consequence being that his thumb was swollen. The contest was fought with the utmost good humour during the whole of the hour and a half it lasted, and it was productive of one of the best displays we have seen in the City Hall, there being not a suggestion of ruf- fled temper shown by sither combatant; in fact it was an altogether. well conducted contest. Both men did their best with a determination that did them infinite credit, and on not a single occasion did either take an undue advantage of the other. Bailey had the advantage of height and reach and the top corner, while Northcott was slightly the heavier, weighing 147 lbs., or 3 lbs. more than Bailey. In the first round Bailey put in rather too much work, but he quickly toned down the pace and some very excellent boxing was witnessed. Up to the fourteenth round Northcott's form was for the most part the superior, his speed and style excelling his opponent's, but from the fourteenth to the end Bailey inflicted the more severe punishment. North- cott was very clever with his left guard, and time after time he stopped some very powerful blows with his elbow, while his bitting, too, was always clean and straight from the shoulder-fall-power blows which at times told on his opponent. The hitting of both men was good and straight with the exception of an occasional swing at the body, but there was not overmuch of that. It is probable that Bailey's injured band prevented him from putting his best work in with his right, as some of his blows were short in delivery. As we have said, in the fourteenth round Bailey showed superiority. He was in capital condition and got a considerable advantage, but he never followed it up, doubtless because although he was in good form to take punish- ment he was not quite fit to persistently dole out punishment himself. He failed to press Northcott either because of his inability to do so or because he neglected to make use of the opportunities. Towards the fend Northcott was certainly more played out, than Bailey, but he took good care not to show that he was getting beaten. He used his head, feinted for the most time but rarely let out, and 80 recovered himself somewhat. Thus the game went on up to the last round, when Bailey's physical condition again gave him the advantage and he hammered away at Northcott, who was very shaky and unable to adopt offensive tactics. Northcott, however, maintained his style to the end and when at length the time gong was sounded for the last
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. time there was considerable applause from all parts of the house. The judges and referee conferred and decided upon a draw. Bailey was
Northcott would not go on and the men then shook hands and left the ring. It is quite possible that if Bailey had been in thoroughly sound condition he would have won. Both men are to be congratulated on the exceedingly good and pleasant display they gave.
VICTORIA GAOL.-ANNUAL
REPORT.
The report of the Superintendent of Victoria Gaol for 1897 is published in the Government Gazette. The number of prisoners admitted to the gaol under sentence of the ordinary courts was 4,711, besides 48 soldiers and sailors sen. tenced by courts-martial. There were also 54 prisoners imprisoned for debt, and 263 in default of finding security, making a grand total of 5,076; of these, 606 were old offenders. The total for 1896 was 5,582. The daily average number of prisoners confined in the gaol during the year was 462, as compared with 514 in 1896. The Superintendent attributes the decrease to abolition of the light and pass regulations and to the narrowing of the limits within which hawking is permitted in the vicinity of the markets in Victoria. There were 2,619 reports made by the prison officers against prisoners for prison offences, as compared with 3,887 in 1896, and 5,365 in 1895. Discipline had been well maintained and the Superintendent attri- butes the marked decrease in prison offences to greater efficiency of supervision on the part of the gaol staff and to a better appreciation of prison discipline on the part of the prisoners. The report continues :----
The new rules and regulations for the Prison came into force on the 29th of March, and the power given under them to the Superintendent to award a maximum of 7 days' solitary confine- ment, and a maximum of 42 days separate confinement upon full and penal or reduced penal diet in alternate weeks, has been exercised with marked effect. There were 785 prisoners reported for refusing to labour during the year. This offence in a prison filled principally with Chinese is a difficult one to deal with. Since I have had charge of the Goal I have only known one European who refused to labour. As a rule Europeans prefer to labour than to sit idle. Chinese prisoners on the other hand, with very few exceptions, would be content to sit in a cell from one year's end to another and do nothing. This extreme apathy tends to induce to refusing to labour and undoubtedly accounts for the obstinacy with which Chinese prisoners will per- sist in refusing to labour. I have found sepa- rate confinement on full and penal or reduced penal diet in alternate weeks the most efficacious punishment in obstinate cases of this extremely troublesome offence. The number of prisoners reported for having tobacco during the year, shows a further decrease. Three Indian assist- ant warders were dismissed during the last 9 months of the year for trafficking with prisoners, and since their dismissal the number of cases in which tobacco has been found on prisoners has materially decreased. In November and Decem- ber there were four such cases, but during those months there have been several free labourers at work in the Gaol. The profit in industrial labour during the year amounted to $2,620.08. The report from the Gaol Medical Officer shows 4 deaths from natural causes, and 2 cases of suicide during the year. The sanitary condition of the Gaol is good. A modern apparatus has been constructed for the carrying out of execu- tions. A new fire main, with 3 hydrants, has been laid within the prison walls, and a complete new set
of fire-extinguishing appliances has also been supplied. On the 22nd November a commencement was made in carrying out the improvements in the Gaol originally sug gested by my predecessor together with some additions in the matter of separate cells, recommended by myself. The principal of the suggested improvements within the Gaol were the increase of yard space by the demoli- tion of D wing; the subdivision of a number of association cells into separate cells; and the extension of the female prison. D wing has already been pulled down and, with the materials removed from it, 89 association-cells
103
are being rapidly converted into separate cells... Almost the whole of the labour is supplied by prisoners. The work is therefore being carried out at very small cost. There were formerly in the prison 248 separate cells and 115 as- sociation cells. Within the next six months when the subdivision now in progress will be completed, there will be 427 separate cells, and 26 association cells, which will afford accom modation for 453 prisoners in separate con- finement. In cases of necessity 104 extra prisoners can be accommodated by putting five: prisoners in each association cell making the Lotal capacity of the prison 557. With 427 times to locate every convicted criminal pri- separate cells it will be possible in all ordinary
in as satisfactory a condition as it seems possible soner in a separate cell. This prisou will then be
to render it on the present site. The con- duct of the gaol staff has been, on the whole, cord of prison offences for the year gives evid very good. I have already stated that the re-.
credit is due to the chief warder for this result, ence of increased efficiency in supervision. Great to which the principal warders also have con- tributed materially by the example they have shown of tact and discretion in dealing with prisoners, and by the steady enforcement of warders have been engaged locally. They have. discipline. During the year 11 European been drawn from H. M.'s Naval and Military Forces and have given satisfaction.
HONGKONG ICE CO., LIMITED.
The annual meeting of the Hongkong Ice Company, Limited, as held on Saturday, 5th February in the. offices of the General Managers, Messrs Jardine Ma theson and... Co. Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving presided, and there were also present-Messrs W. Parlane (Manager), A. Fleet, J. H. Cox, K. M'K. Ross, H. W. Bell (Secretary), Ho Tang, Ho Fook, K. Chinoy, Lo Cheung Shin, Ho U Shang.
The SECRETARY read the notice convening the meeting.
The CHAIRMAN-Gentlemen, I think all of you will regard the results of the past year's working of this Company as in every way satisfactory. The account in your hands. shows nett profits amounting to $62,171.39, as against $55,044-85 for 1896, and subject to your confirmation, it is proposed to pay a fina dividend of $54 per share, which, with the interim dividend paid in August last, gives shareholders a rather better return than in the preceding year. As stated in the report, it is also recommended to make a liberal· provision for depreciation, and in view of the increased amount which it is estimated will have to be expended on buildings and new plant, and the desirability of strengthening the future position of the Company against possible com- petition, I hope this apportionment of profits... will also be accepted. The outlay on the exten- sions, etc., referred to, will, it is now thought, exceed $60,000, or a slightly larger sum than was estimated twelve month ago. General Ex- penses have increased about ten per cent. over those of the preceding year, mainly due to the enhanced price of coal, and whilst on this sub- jeet I may mention that we are introducing the Meldrum Furnace into the works with the view of effecting an economy in future by the burn- ing of Hongay small coal. I will be pleased to answer any questions with regard to the report.
There being no questions, the CHAIRMAN proposed the adoption of the report and ac-
counts.
Mr. J. H. Cox seconded. Carried,
Mr. Ho TUNG proposed the re-election of Mr. THOS. ARNOLD as auditor.
Mr. A. FLEET seconded. Carried.
The CHAIRMAN-That concludes the busi ness of the meeting. Dividend warrants will be sent out on Monday. Thank you, gentle- men, for your attendance,
At 3.50 a.m. on Saturday, 5th Feb., the fire- men were called to an outbreak of fire on, the ground floor of No. 46, Praya Central. quantity of matting was burnt and the fire was extinguished with little trouble.