282
I regard him as a genius. He can turn from one language to another with the same facility that a driver can turn his yehicle, either to the right or to the left. He can turn from Hindu. stani to Chinese and from Chinese to Hindu- stani and from both to English with most wonderful facility and in a way which does his abilities the greatest credit. am deeply indebted to Mr. Ng Qwai Shang for the kind way in which he has referred to the time during which we have been together. I am sincere in thinking that the terms in which he has so kindly spoken of me
were sincere. I know so well what my own feelings have been with regard to you, that I know that they must be reciprocal, and I know how anxious I have been to have no differences in the department and that we should all work harmoniously for the good of the service. I am sure the terms in which you have spoken of me are felt to be the feelings of your own hearts. I am sorry that this is really-as it is--the last occasion on which we shall meet, and as you have asked me to accept your good wishes I trust you will also accept from me my very best thanks to each of you for the very kind way in which you have discharged your duties here. You hare discharged them with intelligence and with zeal. From the first to last I have had no
complaint to make of anybody. It is a matter of regret to me that the first clerk, with whom you have been associated for so long, is now away, and is unable to be here to hear me testify to his good qualities. I am sure that if he had been here he would have been glad to have joined with you in wishing me good-bye. The first clerk occupies a very responsible post, one that requires great intelligence and great tact and ability and business capacity. Mr. Arthur has filled that post for a great many years, and from the knowledge you have of him, and from the intimate connection in which you have been thrown with him, I have been able to see that owing to his tact and discretion the harmonious working of the department has beeu very greatly facilitated. You have now an old and tried servant in Mr. Duggan, who has gained his laurels in the Police Force, and I sm sure you will find him equally ready to meet your wishes and to consider your wants and serve with you to the credit of the depart. ment. I hope you will all of you be spared to enjoy long life and good health. I wish all of you an honourable, a useful, and a prosperous career. I am extremely obliged to you for your attendance here to-day. (Applause.)
Mr. DUGGAN said—Mr. Wodehouse. Having been so short a time in the department I thought it best to allow Mr. Ng Qwai Shang to introduce the remarks to you; but now I have a pleasant duty to perform. I will ask your acceptance of a slight souvenir from the Magis- tracy staff, past and present, and a few friends who have known you in connection with your Magisterial duties. They hope it will be ac- cepted by you as a pledge of the esteem and respect in which they have always held you. I hope you may-long be spared to remember the very pleasant time for it must have been pleas. ant where all have worked together so harmoni- ously we have spent together. We would also ask Mrs. Wodehouse's acceptance of this
brooch from the clerical staff. It is small in
itself, but it bears upon it in Chinese characters "Fuk shau," that is" Happiness and longevity It is the earnest wish of all present that happi- ness and long years may be the portion of you and your family. (Applause)
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
manner, and we will ask you to allow us to for- ward it to you.
men.
Mr. WODEHOUSE-Mr. Duggan and gentle
You are most kind, and I shall have the greatest pleasure in receiving this address when. ever you think it proper to present it. (Applause.)
The proceedings then terminated, Mr. Wode house cordially shaking hands with the company as they left the room.
SPECIAL LICENSING SESSIONS.
AN APPLICATION REFUSED.
On Tuesday a special sessions of the Justices of the Peace was held in the Justices' Room at
the Magistracy for the purpose of considering applications from (1) James William Osborne for the transfer of his publican's licence to sell and retail intoxicating liquors on the pre- mises situate at Shaukiwan Road, under the sign of "The Bay View Hotel," to one Henry Williams; (2) Luiz M. Lobo for the transfer of his publican's licence to sell and retail intoxica- ting liquors on the premises situate at Elgin Road, British Kowloon, under the sign of "The Kowloon Hotel," to one James William Os borue; (3) Arthur Henry Harper for a pub. lican's licence to sell and retail intoxicating liquors on the premises situate at Nos. 212 and 244, Queen's Road Central, under the sign of
The Sportsman's Arms."
Commander W. C. H. Hastings presided, and there were also present the Rev. R. F. Cobbold, Mr. C. Vivian Ladds, Mr. E. W. Mitchell, Mr. C. W. Duggan, and Inspector Mackie, repre- senting the Police.
There was no objection to the first and second applications, but with regard to the third
Mr. Ladds said he should like to object to this license being granted. There were quite enough in this place already. He knew that the application was made in another name and all that sort of thing, but it would mean the same people.
Mr. Bowley, who appeared for Mr. Harper, said that this application had no connection with Hock Goon whatever. He was informed that the latter had left the premises altogether, and removed to the other end of Queen's Road West and could have no possible connection with Mr. Harper. The Police had full information on the matter. They knew Mr. Harper had agreed to take the place and the premises from the owner, and that he had no connection whatever with Hock Goon. Mr. Harper bore who should hold a license in Hongkong. He an excellent character, and was the sort of man
was an Englishman, he had been in the Royal Navy for a number of years, and his character had always been excellent. He had been manager of the Stag Hotel for a year and a half. This was not an application for a new license, but for the transfer of a license which had been in existence for a great number of years. He could not see what ground there could be for refusing the license and depriving the owner of the property of what must be a valuable asset in the way of rent. He believed there was one house in Hongkong at present closed-the "Traveller's Hotel"-and therefore the licences in Hongkong were reduced by one.
The Justices considered their discision in private, ultimately announcing that they had decided not to grant the application.
THE PLAGUE,
In reference to the remarks made in a Mr. WODEHOUSE-Mr. Duggan and gentle-recent issue as to the necessity of the medical men. It is really too good of you to have inspection of passengers arriving from Swatow, thought of remembering us in this way. Both my wife and I are only too happy to accept the 9th February last, but Swatow was not de- we learn that inspection has been in force since these very pretty and tasteful mementoes of the clared an infected port because although plague time we have spent here. I am sure my wife existed at a town some thirty miles away Swatow will be delighted to accept this little souvenir itself was at that time believed to be free of the from you and as for your present to me, I think disease. it is going far beyond anything I have deserved to have obtained such a very handsome souvenir from you. I accept what you have given to me with the greatest pleasure. I am very much obliged to you. (Applause.)
Mr. DUGGAN-Mr. Wodehouse. We pro- pose presenting you with an address signed by the present staff and others who have served with you, and we will ask your acceptance of it when you arrive in England. This time has not availed us to draw it up in the satisfactory
plague at Macao and the remarks made upon it With reference to the reported existence of
March, our Macao correspondent writes flatly con- at the meeting of the Sanitary Board on 31st tradicting the report. He says that a great dread of plague exists at Macao, that if a single case occurred the number would be magnified to ten, and that if the disease was known to have ap- peared in one house there would be a large exodus from the street and many houses would be vacated, but at present people move freely all
[April 9, 1898.
over the city without fear. Our correspondent cannot believe that any case could have occurred without its being at once known all over the colony. If any
did occur he says the people would much rather remain in Macao than fly to Hongkong, because the measures taken by the Government of Macao are much milder and less oppressive than those adopted by the authorities in Hong- kong. In fact, he says, Macao has much more to fear from Hongkong than Hongkong from Macao. Medical inspection of arrivals from Hongkong was established at Macao a month ago. Some cases of small pox have occurred, but they have been of a mild type,
opinion founded upon inference and deduction With all respect to our correspondent, his
cannot weigh against the positive evidence of who at the Sanitary Board meeting stated that Dr. Atkinson, Principal Civil Medical Officer, he had himself seen two cases of plague in a hospital at Macao.
During the last few days the existence of plague at Canton has been demonstrated.
We hear that Dr. Atkinson, Principal Civil Medical Officer, left for Macao on Sunday and from there will proceed to Cauton.
number of cases of plague reported was 45 and During the week ended the 2nd April the the number of deaths 40, making the total number since the 1st January 232 cases and 200 deaths. For the twenty-four hours ended at noon on the 3rd April the number of new cases was 10 and of deaths 10: 4th April, 9 cases and 10 deaths; 5th April, 16 cases and 10 deaths; 6th April, 19 cases and 13 deaths; 7th April, 14
cases and 13 deaths.
THE DISCOVERY OF THE SEA- ROUTE TO INDIA.
BY F. MONTALTO DE JESUS.
As armas e os varoes assinalados Que da occidental praia busitana Por mares nunca d'antes navegados Passaram inda alem da Taprobana.
"Lusiadas."
Calicut, having successfully accomplished the Four centuries ago Vasco da Gama landed at voyage from Lisbon to India. The object of the numerous expeditions which had commenced with the initiative of Prince Henry the Navi- gator was at last attained. It was destined that the great discovery should be made, not by a powerful nation that commanded great fleets and large armies, but by a little kingdom that was scarcely discernible on the map of Europe, The Portuguese were, however, in other re and whose population never reached 3,000,000. spects eminently qualified to undertake the daring enterprise which they carried to such a successful issue. Their constant wars with the Moors, both in Europe and in Morocco, had made them a nation of soldiers; their frequent expeditions in search of new lands had inured them to the hardships and perils of the sea; they had unbounded faith in their own strength, and they atoned for the smallness of their num bers by the indomitable courage and tenacity
of purpose which characterised them in those days. The idea of reaching India by circum- navigating Africa was deeply rooted in their minds. They had equipped squadron after squadron in search of the route, but on the accession of King Emmanuel they had not gone beyond Algoa Bay. The dis- covery of America by Columbus, however, stimulated them to greater efforts towards the accomplishment of the project which they in vain. had so long nourished and so often attempted
Three ships, of a little over one hundred tons II., were now equipped for another expedition. each, that had been built in the time of John Who was the man to whom he should entrust the command of the expedition, was a problem that sorely troubled the mind of Euimannel. From a window in the palace he could see the Tagus. Who would carry the ship across the San Rafael rocking on the blue waters of the Atlantic, past the Cape of Good Hope, where storms were so frequent, across seas unknown and never plonghed before, still farther towards coveted, to the land whose dusky tribes peopled the gorgeous East, whose fabulous riches he
his dreams? Gaspar Correa, in the "Lendas da India," relates that whilst these thoughts were fleeting across the King's mind, Vasco da Gama entered the room. The King, who fir
2