446
kong Post Office coming in for a few hard knocks, one of the jokes at its expense having reference to a letter from the city to the Peak which was a week before it reached its destination. The desecration of Glenealy was falso touched upon. Then affthe end of a topical song by Mr. A. J. Lintern (who impersonated the" First Lord of the Admiralty") came the following reference to Prince Henry, a refer- ence which was received with loud applause :-
One word before I end my song, To welcome here in far Hongkong, A descendant of our gracious Queen, The Sailor Prince, of course, I mean. We welcome him I may be always be Found playing with the Royal Ñaveo. The performance concluded with a number of tableaux representative of the death of Nelson, during which Bandsman F. K. Watkins gave as a cornet solo the popular song dealing with the same subject. The tableaux were most re- alistic; whoever had the arranging of them is to be congratulated on the success of his efforts. Indeed the whole performance was exceedingly
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
creditable to all concerned and showed that Lient. Streatfield (the manager) and Mr. W. Sims (the stage manager) bad done every- thing they possibly could to ensure success. No body of amateurs could have been brought to such a state of perfection without long and careful preparation. The scenery, an im portant matter in such a performauce, was de- signed by Mr. J. Edward, Fleet Engineer, whose work gave the greatest satisfaction. Special mention should also be made of Band- master Schofield, by whom the music, which con ́d not have been more appropriate, was ar- ranged and written. Mr. Rea was accompanist, With regard to the performers in the burles. que. Mr. W. Sims, as Lieutenant de Robinson Brown-Smith-Jones, occupied a prominent place. He thoroughly identified himself with the part, being excruciatingly funny. Sergeant Wells as Gabriel Grogtub was also very amusing. The part of the fastidious Captain Warmer could not have been in better hands than those of Mr. J. Compton. As the hero and heroine Mr. R. Atlee and Mr. W. Haynes were a great success, and Mr. A. J. Lintern (the secretary of the company) as First Lord of the Admiralty should also be mentioned.
The total receipts amounted to nearly $1,00"
HONGKONG ODD-VOLUMI S
SOCIETY.
OPENING CONCERT, The members of the Hongkong Odd-Volumes Society celebrated the opening of the season by giving a concert in the City Hall on the 22nd December. There was a large audience. Great care bad evidently been taken in the drawing up of the programme. The items could hardly have been improved upon for the occasion, and they were neither too numerous nor too few.
Of the eight performers four were ladies, viz., Mrs. Bathgate, Mrs. Buttanshaw, Miss Murray Bain, and Miss Gaspar. Mrs. Buttaushaw ap- peared first. She sang the pretty song by Luigi Caracciolo entitled "Unless," her sweet notes and charm of expression pleasing her hearers much. Miss Murray Bain was in splendid voice, and was thus able to do full justice to Buck's "When the heart is young," of which she gave a most admirable rendering: Miss Gaspar was down for "La Serenata (Tosti), and "For the sake of the Past (mattei), and it is not invidious to say that her contributions were the feature of the evening. She has a voice of considerable power and range and she manages it well. On being recalled for an exquisite rendering of "La Serenata she gave a pleasing interpretation of the homely, and ever popular song "The broken „pitcher.”
." Her singing of her second piece was no less successful. Mrs. Bathgate was loudly applauded for a pianoforte solo, “Des Abends Grillen" (Schumann).
Of the gentlemen Mr. C. H. Grace was to "Ritournelle " the fore, giving two songs, (Chaminade) and “Fair is my love" (Hatton), both of which were most effectively sung. His first song was especially well appreciated, the audience making it clear that they would have been glad of an encore.
Mr. E. L. Hunter and Mr. F. Percy Harrold were the other gentlemen vocalists, the former contribut
**
"
13.
ing "I'll sing thee songs of Araby" (Clay) and the latter An old garden (Hope Temple). A recital, "The postman's story," by Mr. H. E. Pollock, was a pleasant variation.
CHRISTMAS DAY ON BOARD H.M.S.“ VICT RIOUS,"
Christmas Day is a time to which Britishers look forward, either as an occasion for family gatherings or festivity. Our soldiers and sail- ors, especially those in foreign lands and waters, make it an occasion of the latter, and right well do they carry it out, at least they did on board H.M.S. Victorious. This huge vessel on Christ- mas Day looked more like a fancy confectioner's shop than a battleship; no matter where one cast his eyes he saw nothing but decora- tions of all descriptions, and on every mess table were piled up puddings, cakes, sweets, and fruit, giving full evidence that
Jack Through the kind invitation of Commander W. W. Hewett our representative was enabled to go the rounds of the ship with the Commander. his officers and guests at noon. On leaving the wardroom the party was joined by a small baud, those composing it being dressed in all kinds of fancy and coloured costumes. At the
had contributed his dollar.
entrance to the messes the Commander was
•
[December 81, 1898.
CRICKET
UNITED SERVICES V. HONGKONG 0.0.
Played on Saturday and Monday Scores
First Innings.
THE CLUB,
T. Sercombe Smith, b White 22 H. Hancook, o Egerton, b -Vallings
A. G. Ward, b Vallings A. R. Lowe, b White
0. M. G. Burnie, run out E. Mast, c Wall, b Vallings Dr. Atkinson, e Strong, b
Vallings
P. A. Cox, b White..
W. H. Howard, o Jellicoe, b
Vallinge
K. W. Mounsey, o and b
Vallinge
J. H. Mody, not out
Byes
Vallings J Strong White Lethbridge
Vallings... Lethbridge White Bedwell Powlett
Second Innings.
b Lethbridge ......
18
c sub,, b Vallings 119
o White, b Vallings 21
b Bedwellers 19
0
st Egerton, b. White
20
absent
3
b White.
o Strong, b Vallinge
o Lethbridge,
12
Vallings
8
b Powlett
not out
Byes
94
BOWLING ANALYSIS.
First Iunings.
Overa, blaid, Runs. Wides NB. Wickets.
18.3 6 43
5
1
16.
11
2
29
2 1
2
Second Innings.
21
4 54
20
5 83
7 1
24
7 1
Bu
11.3 4 22
UNITED SERVICES.
H. Bedwell, R.N., b Lowe
68
G. D. Campbell, H.K.R., o Cox, b Burnie Lt. Powlett, R.N., o Mody, b Lowe ........ Capt. Langhorne, R.A., b Hancock...... J. Strong, R.M.L.I., b Lowe.
41
111
89
1
Lt. Lethbridge, K.O.R., o and b Hancock Capt. Jellicoe, R.N,, b Hancock
10
8
Lt. White, R.N., not out
16
Mr. Wall, R.N., b Hancock Rev. G. R. Vallings } did not bat * Lt. Egerton, R.N.
greeted with a hearty cheer, and his attention called to a placard upon which was printed the words "Success to the Captain and officers." Right through this mess deck the bluejackets were lined up as thick as bees and almost at every step plates of good Christmas cheer were offered. Placards with funny and witty inscrip- tious were posted here and there, the contents of which caused much laughter. At the end of the mess deck a dummy sailor was rigged up, but & notice gave the following warning: Please The chief do not go near as he is savage." petty officers had erected a cosy room with flags and a very pretty V.R.," lighted with coloured lights, added enchantment. The forecastle was the next place visited and the popularity of the Commander on board was again shown by caused much amusement. It read: "House to repeated cheers from the crew, A placard here
let; suitable for persons of a timid disposition; S. Smith present tenant desirous of a change. Chain- no extra charge for shower baths or eruptions;
Howard locker Cottages." The stokers, as well as wish. ing the Commander the compliments of the season, cheered Mr. Moore, the Fleet Engineer, who is also very popular on board. The petty officers' mess looked well indeed, and over a long table loaded with viands of every description the Commander made an appro- priate speech. In turn the artificers' mess, the sick-bay, casemate mess, and the marines' mess
were visited. In the latter several rifles were
made to stand
on their butts, and on the bayonet of each was placed a loaf of bread, and a card underneath announced it to be "the staff of life on the point of death." The ship's band discoursed various musical selections whilst the party went round the ship. Just after one o'clock all sat down to fiffin. The crew indulged in all kinds of games during the remainder of the day and evening, and spent a good time generally,
"
All the other vessels in harbour were decorated. One noticeable feature was a stretched from mast to mast on board the Merry Christmas," green on white, which
survey boat Waterwitch.
POLO.
The final tie for the Hon. F. H. May's oud was played on Friday between the Navy anp the Royal Artillery, and ended in a victory for the latter by 8 goals and 4 subs, to 3 goals and
Extras
Total
* Ianings closed.
BOWLING ANALYSIS.
860
Overs. Muía. Runs. Wides. N.B. Wickets
24 3 105
13 в 22
Lowe Mast Barnie
28 B
96
4
1
10
10
1
53
8
34
4 1 10
Cox
Mody.. Hancock
5.2 1 12
THE HONGKONG HIGH-LEVEL, TRAMWAYS CO., LIMITED
The fourteenth ordinary general meeting of the Hongkong High-Level Tramways Co., Limited. was held on 23rd Dec. at the Company's Registered Offices, Nos. 38 and 40, Queen's Road Central. Mr. H. Humphreys presided, and there were also present: Messrs. Ewens and Orange (Consulting Committee), G. Murray Baiu, A, H, Mancell, W. G. Winterburn, and W. C. Taylor.
Mr. TAYLOR read the notice convening the meeting.
The CHAIRMAN said-Gentlemen, the report and statement of accounts have been in your mission I will take them as read. I think yon hands for the last. fortnight, so with your per-
will regard the past year's working as satisfac- tory. The items on the debit side of profit and loss are for the most part much the same as in previous years, with the exception of that under the heading of coals and stores, which shows an increase of about $2,000. On the other side of the account, traffle receipts have taken a big jump, enabling us to give you a better dividend than that of last year. Those share- holders who use the tramway frequently will be glad to learn that we propose, in view of the large number of new houses in the nighbourhood, to erect a more suitable shelter at Bowen Road Station and widen the approach thereto, so that chairs can land or take passengers under cover. We have already made arrangements with the Government for the lighting of the approach with gas, and as soon as the new station is A demand having set in at Canton for Houg-finished it will be lighted with gas also, As a kong copper cents those coins are now at a further convenience to passengers using this
station, we propose, on and | after 1st January premium.
2 subs. The teams were :--
ROYAL NAVY
Comdr. Ethelston Capt. Smith-Dorrien Capt. The Hou. Hed-
worth Lambton,
Rear Admiral H.R.H,
Prince Henry of Prussia.
ROYAL ARTILLERY. 1 Mr. Hudson. 2 Capt. Simmonds, 3 Mr. Loring...
4 Capt. Burney.
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