November 26, 1898.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
ROYAL HONGKONG YACHT CLUB. | HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS.
REPORT ON GUN PRACTICE.
THE EMPEROR OF CHINA.
443
RACES FOR THE COMMODORE'S CUPS. On Saturday last the first of the series of The following report on the gun practice held audience with the Emperor and Empress The Japanese Minister, Mr. Yano, had his races for the two prizes (on class) at Stonecutters' Island, on 29th October, 1898. presented by the Commodore of Club, the by Capt. L. A. C. Gordon, R.A. Adjutant Hong-peror, we learn, ceemed in good health and Dowager on the 5th__instant. The Em Hon. F. H. May, were sailed on a nice steady kong Volunteers, has been circalated: easterly breeze. The course was from the
Yano the Empress Dowager spoke first, and spoke with a strong voice. In replying to Mr. Police Pier round Meyer's East buoy, Channel Rocks, Kowloon Rocks, and Channel Rocks, all
the Japanese Secretary of Legation, who saw was followed by the Emperor. Mr. Hayashi, to port. In the first class the race was robbed
the Emperor on the 20th of September, just of half its interest by the unfortunate ground
before the coup d'état, when Marquis Ito had ing of the Bonito on the sunken wall between
his audience, reports the Emperor's appearance the Praya wall at Tsimshatsui and Blackhead's Point. The boat, stuck fast for two or three
as little changed since September, though he minutes and must have lost nearly five minutes'
looks a little paler now. time altogether over the mishap. The Bonito is a new boat from a design by Mr. A. E. Payne, of Sonthampton, the well known yacht architect, built by kind permission of Mr. D. Gillies, who, ture sportsman as he is, has ever done all in his power to assist our local Yacht. Club, at the Hunghom Dock by Mr. R. Cooke, himself a very successful yacht designer and the keenest of yachtsmen. Great things are therefore hoped of the gallant Bonito, and much interest centres in her trials of prowess with the Erica and Maid Marian, the creatures of Mr. A. Denison's genius. It must be remembered that the latter boats are in their third yachting season and were designed to a limited draught of 3 feet and a limit in rating of 23 feet and that the limit in draught was removed and the limit of rating increased to 24 feet before the Bonito was designed. If therefore the boats or any of them from Mr. Denison's designs can hold their own against the Bonito, it will go far to demonstrate what some already suspect, that in Mr. Denison we possess a yacht designer of a very high order.
After the mishap to the Bonito the race resolved itself into a tremendous struggle be- tween the Maid Marian and the Erica, the - former having the best of it (as the appended times round the various marks show) until nearing tlie Channel Rocks for the second time. Here the boats split tacks and the Erica stand- ing out with good judgment into the stronger tide and being served by the wind, crossed just ahead of her rival when next they met. Then a very pretty piece of weather bowing by the Erica was witnessed, and Mr. Denison sail- ing his boat with consummate skill succeeded in rounding the Channel Rocks ahead and ultim. ately won a finely contested race. The Maid was second and the Sybil, which has been marvel- lously improved by the alterations made in her by Mr. R. Cooke, third.
Finish.
A CLASS. Channel Kowloon Channel
·Han- Rocks. Rocks. Rocks.
dicap 3 28 0 3 54 45 ser. 3 56 5 sor.
Erica
2 56 35
3 8 13
Maid Marian
2 56 25
3 8 2
8 28 40
Sybil
2 57 38
8 9 37
3 30 53
Active
2 58 23
3 10 32
3 31 50
2 59 53
3 11 4
not taken
$3
*
Meteor Chanticleer Bonito
3 0 50 3 12 25 3 1 20 3 14 17
3 59 10 ser. 4 0 58 1
4 3 35 2 4 2 0 1 4 4 18 scr.
At the conclusion of the Camp of Instruction. held at Stonecutters' this year, the Volunteer Corps carried out a combined practice on a ses range under the following circumstances:-The target consisted of three sampans under sail, and were cast loose from a launch at 6 minutes intervals. The idea was "that at dawn infor- mation was given to the Commandant that an enemy had appeared on the shore near. Lai Chi Kok, and were embarking in boats"; the Volunteer Corps were ordered to a position on the North shore of the island and oconpy repel, at all hazards, any landing by the enemy; to effect this the guns were hastily marched to a covered spot near the rifle butts, and here preparations were made to receive the attack; as soon as it was seen that the boats were converging
on the
shore under Central Fort, the guns were ordered to advance into position. The Maxims led, and occupied the flanks of the position reserved for the Field Battery; their positions were covered by bushes as much as possible; the Field Battery was more exposed, but were well placed. The occupation of these positions was rapidly and well carried out and fire was quickly opened on the leading sampan, which was sailing down wind across the position, The Maxims throughout made most excellent shooting. To economise the ammunition, or- ders were issued to shoot only small quantities at a time, and as each bunch was fired the rattle of the hits on the woodwork sounded as an echo. The Field Battery also made excellent practice at ranges varying from 1.200 yards to 750 yards, one direct hit being scored by a common shell and about two-thirds of the shrapnel being burst at an effective range, ie, from 20 to 40 yards short, and from 10 to 15 feet high. One sam. pan was water logged-it is impossible to sink
We were so engrossed in watching the struggle between Erica and Maid Marian, that we had little time to watch the doings of the boats in the second class. A good race ensued between Ladybird, Dart, and She (which had a handicap of 8 minutes) and a' most exciting finish resulted in the Ladybird saving her time on the She by 45 seconds and scoring first place. She was second and Dart third.
:B
CLASS.
Start. Finish. H'oap. 2.30 45
4 19 10 scratch 2 30 15 2 31 0
Ladybird Ste Dart
Princess
2 30 20
Doris. Payne Elfin
2 30.10
4 27 55 8
4 21 21 scratch
4 21 31 soratch 4 26 2 4
4 37 10 scratch 4 41 25
5
2 30 25 2:30 35 Raven
2:30 7 4 42 30 12 The next series of races will be sailed on 27th instant
Shortly after seven o'clock on Sunday morning
was discovered that a fire had broken ont in a
godown at 76, Praya East, the property of the Brigade, under Mr. Kinghorn, was soon on the Mitsui Bassan Kaisha. Though the Fire scene some time elapsed before the fire was got under. It was, however, prevented from spread- ing. Spontaneous combustion is said to have been the cause of the outbreak.
|
one of these craft-whilst both the others were riddled with bullets.
The fire discipline of both units was excellent, and to this may be attributed, in a great measure, the excellent practice.
NEW BALMORAL GOLD MINING
COMPANY, LIMITED.
An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders in the above Company was held at the Company's offices, 38 and 40, Queen's Road Central, on 23rd Nov. at noon for the purpose of confirming two resolutions passed at a meeting held on November 5th. Mr. H. Humphreys presided, and there were also present Messrs. E. A. Hardoon, J. S. Hagen, E. S. Kelly, E. Kelly, A. H. Mancell, A.-P. Nobbs, A. Van Nierop, W. H. Potts, R. H. Potts, E. Robinson, W. D. Sutton, C. Ewens, W. C. Taylor, J. A. Tarrant, Hung Tsin, Lau Chan Pak, Sin Tak Fan, Fi Fuk Sang, Wong Tank Yan, Wong Fuk, and Wong Man Lam.
The notice convening the meeting was read. The CHAIRMAN-I see a few shareholders present who were not here at the last meeting, so I will ask Mr. Ewens to read the agreement before moving the resolutions.
Mr. EWENS read the agreement. The CHAIRMAN-I propose that the first resolution which was passed on November 5th, be confirmed, namely That the agreement dated the nineteenth day of October, 1898, made between the Company of the one part and Queen Mines, Limited, of the other part, for
the intention of the Manchus was to kill It is well understood now in Peking that
his successor was chosen; but the attitude of the Emperor or formally depose him, and the Foreign Ministers made them pause, and conclude that they had better leave things as the arrival of the Legation Guards made them they are; meanwhile, as two of the Princes told a prominent resident in Peking: “We let a foreign doctor see him to pacify the Legations, but we don't let him take any of the foreign doctor's medicines." Manchu Princes that there is very little doubt. So timorons are these that a really strong representation from the Foreign Ministers, backed by a movement on the part of the British fleet, would put the Emperor on his throne again. The presence of some two hundred assorted foreign soldiers and sailors in Peking has had a remarkable effect already.-N. C. Daily News.
THE CHINESE EXAMINATION AND COLLEGIATE SYSTEM.
received by the N. C. Daily News by telegraph The following Imperial decrees have been
from Peking:-
"THE ORTHODOX WAY."
I, the Empress Dowager Tze-hsi-tuan-yu, etc., have received a memorial from the Minis- tors of the Board of Rites dilating on the supreme importance of making it known throughout the Empire that there are to be no changes from the old methods of literary examinations among candidates for degrees, in order to get at rest, once for all, the present uncertainty that has been caused by the Em- peror's recent reform measures in that direction. Now, as the Empire has always prospered and flourished under the old régime and the methods of old, inaugurated and sanctioned by the sacred ancestors of our dynasty, have attained the aome of excellence, there is indeed no necessity for making any changes in the curriculum of literary examinations hitherto obtaining; and I therefore grant the request of the said Board. The said Board of Rites is accor.linly com manded tonotify allthe Literary Examiners and Literary Chancellors throughout this Empire to follow henceforth, carefully and reverentially, all the old methods formerly appertaining, according to law, to the examinations of liter- ary candidates for degrees, in order that the graduates thereof may all be of the uniform orthodox type as of old.
the sale of the undertaking of the Company to time subjects. For instance, snou
Queen Mines, Limited, for $25,000 to be paid and satisfied by the allotment of 100,000 fully paid up shares in Queeu Mines, Limited, of 25 cents each, be and the same is hereby ratified." Mr. MANCELL seconded and the resolution was carried.
The CHAIRMAN-I propose that the second resolution which was passed on the 5th Novem: ber be confirmed, namely:That the Com- pany be wound up voluntarily and that William liquidator for the purposes of such winding up Hutton Potts be, and he is hereby appointed
Mr. SIN TAK FAN seconded, and the resolu tion was carried.
The CHAIRMAN—That is all the business, gentlemen; thank you for your attendance.
ma
MODERN SCHOOLS TO BE PERMITTED; The above named Board further memorialises me asking that I put a stop to the new studies ordered to be taught in provincial colleges and that these institutions revert to their old habits of instructing solely in the study of the Confucian Analects and the Five Classics. Now the object of colleges as institutions of learning is to teach solid and substantial branches study and act solely for the instruction astronomy, geography, military thematics, etc., are modern requirements necessary for the country's welfare and as such within the province of students of literature to attain. Modern schools do not go beyond the instructions noted above and hence only differ in name from the present idea of collegiate instruction. They really have the same objects in view. In view of this. therefore, I see no reason for putting a stop to
the empire, nor should it be claimed that modern the combination of modern schools of instruction with the colleges of the various provinces of
studies of importance onght not to be taught in the said colleges. Let this therefore, be made known to all throughout this empire.