April '1, 1899.].
THE MANILA OBSERVATORY AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONGKONG
OBSERVATORY.
Read letter addressed to the Chairman of the Chamber by Rev. José Algué, S.J., Director of the Manila Observatory, under date 7th March, in which be complains that the Director of the Hongkong Observatory had addressed the Weather Bureau of the U.S. Government in very unfavourable terms regarding the Directors of the Observatory at Manila, stating that "the Observatory in Manila is in the hands of men who possess very little scientific education, and asserting that scandal is caused by the Obser- vatory continually communicating sensational typhoon warnings to the newspapers in Hong- kong. The Rev. Director added that the im-
mediate effect of this accusation has been the
actual suspension of all telegraphic typhoon warnings given at Manila for any place outside of the Philippines?
CHINA
OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
263
Mrs. Lowson, Mrs. Lafrentz, Miss Stopani, | am speaking to those behind you, the employers Mr. C. H. Lammert, Mr. Macgregor Forbes, of labour, and I say most distinctly that bere in Mr. Hill, Mr. Mirow, and Dr. Lowson. Mr. Hongkong, where the Volunteers are a part
sure it is every Waddell was the first solo vocalist to make his the defensive force, I am appearance. Being an old favourite with Hong- man's business, every employer's business, to kong audiences he was accorded a hearty give the men who have taken the trouble His beautifully light tenor voice and have the patriotism to volunteer into reception. was heard to advantage in "Afton Water." the Volunteer Corps, leave to attend the Mrs. J. A. Lowson, a local favourite who has not few times when I, the Major-General, call been seen much of of late, was warmly greeted upon them to attend, and while I am here I on her coming forward to sing "Weaving song' shall expect to have a few as General. You and "Ho-ro, my nut-brown maiden," both of have had a very great compliment paid to you which were prettily sung. Two fine bouquets by having His Excellency the Governor to were handed to her before she left the stage. command the regiment and I know that he, Piper Bruce followed with a bagpipe solo, with me, will expect that he should command a "Cook of the north.” We do not profess to be thoroughly efficient corps. I certainly mean to particularly good judges of bagpipe music, do on my behalf all that I can for the regi, but those who do say that Piper Bruce gave a ment, but I can only do it if they meet me in capital rendering of this popular piece, though the same spirit, and when I arrange to have a if he had put a little more spirit in it it would parade at such a time as will suit you without have been better. The audience were much interfering unduly with your work I expect to see you come. I am very much pleased indeed Mr. Whitehead gave notice of the follow-pleased with the manner in which Mrs. G. R.
with what I have seen to-day. Of course I can ing resolution, which was read:-"The Com. Vallings sang "O, whistle and I'll come the
and "Duncan Gray," both of tell that there are some detachments, some mittee of the Hongkong Chamber of Com. Je, ma lad"
which were encored. On each occasion a portions of you, that have had more drill than merce desire to convey to the Rev. Father
others. Well, that only wants practice. On the José Algné, S.J., the expression of their
whole I am very much pleased indeed with what extreme regret and dissatisfaction at the un-
shall take every opportunity. justifiable attack make upon the Rev. Direc
I have seen, and tor of the Manila Observatory and his colleagues
of seeing a good deal of you during the time I by the Director of the Hongkong Observatory, and at the consequent stoppage by the American Government of the telegraphic meteorological warnings from the Philippines. The members of Committee desire to place ou record their high appreciation of the very valuable services at all times rendered by the Directors of the Meteoro- logical Department of the Manila Observatory to the mercantile shipping community in Hong- kong and China, and their hope and expectation that in a very short time fall justice will be done the Directors of the Manila Observatory by the acknowledgment of the immense practi cal value of their labours in the past for the public benefit and in the cause of science, and the removal of the restriction recently placed upon them;" but after some discussion, it was decided that, it being necessary that the case should not be prejudged, a letter should be first addressed to the Government expressing the Committee's opinion that the telegraphic storm warnings from Mauila had been most useful and that their discontinuance would be viewed with extreme regret by the commercial com. munity, and asking to be favoured with a copy of Dr. Dobarok's letter to the Weather Bureau at Washington.
Mr. Whitehead thereupon agreed to postpone the resolution until receipt of the reply from the Government to the Chamber's letter. THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR 1898. The draft report of the Committee was then considered, paragraph by paragraph, and passed. The annual meeting was fixed for Wednes- day, the 5th April, at 3 p.m.
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THE SCOTCH CONCERT.
The annual concert under the patronage of the Hongkong St. Andrew's Society took place in the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening and was as usual well attended. His Excellency the Governor (Sir Henry Blake) and H. E. Major- General Gascoigne (Commanding the troops) honoured the proceedings by their presence. By the kind permission of Colonel Mainwaring aud officers of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, their band played selections during the evening. Mr. D. R. Crawford, hon. treasurer of the St. Andrew's Society, lent a grand piano for the occasion. The following gentlemen acted as accompanists:-Major Somerville, Mr. A. G. Ward, Mr. G. P. Lammert, and Mr. G. Grim- able.
Flora
Appropriately enough there was a pronounced flavour of "across the border" about the pro- gramme, which was, however, sufficiently varied to suit different tastes, there being a judicious blending of the humorous and the sentimental. The band led off with a polonaise from MoDonald," exceedingly well played. They also commenced the second part of the pro- gramme with a piece equally suitable-"Soot land's pride" (Godfrey), which was, judging from the hearty applause which it received, thoroughly appreciated. Bishop's well-known glee Hail to the chief" was well rendered by Mrs. Gordon, Mrs, Grimble, Mrs. Mitchell,
a couple of handsome bouquets were presented to her. Mrs. A. G. Gordon was the other lady soloist. The touching melody "Auld Robin Gray" was most effectively sung by her and was encored and brought forth more floral tributes. A banjo duet,." Bonnie Scotland," was played by Messrs. N. G. Evans and Wai On, and Dr. Jordan introduced a pleasant change in the form of a few selections on the phonograph, including a song by Mr. Fergus- son, a well-known member of the Singapore St. Andrew's Society, and a short speech by the Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving, the popular chieftain of the Hongkong Society. Dr. Lowson and Mr. The former, whose get-ups were very good, creat- Macmeier" provided the humorous element.
ed much amusement by his singing of When "Jock McCraw," and McKay cam hame,"
Old long since ago,' he being rewarded by a copious shower of cabbages, carrots, and other produce of the kitchen garden. Mr. Maomeier," attired in kilts, sang a German song which took immensely. No doubt very fow of his auditors knew what the song was about, but his facial contortions were amusing that it was none the less successful on that account. Auld Lang Syne," followed by "Gold save the Queen," concluded the pro-
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gramme.
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HONGKONG VOLUNTɛer corPS.
80
am in command.
The Corps afterwards marched to Headquar ters but before being dismissed H.E. the Gov. - ERNOE (honorary Colonel) addressed the men, complimenting them on their appearance and expressing the hope that their numbers would increase.
The men gave His Excellency three cheers and a "tiger."
Major Sir JoHn Carrington also made a few remarks, in the course of which he referred to his coming departure, adding that he hoped to find their numbers increased on his return a few months hence. He further added that Lieut. Col. Mainwaring, of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, would aot as Commandant in his absence, and that they were getting a new adjutant from the regiment. He concluded by calling for three cheers and a "tiger" for Captain Gordon, the adjutant, who is going away.
Captain CHAPMAN then stood out and called for three cheers and a "tiger" for the popular Commandant, a call which was heartily re- sponded to.
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Major JOHNSON of the 5th Canadian Artil. lery, also said a few words.
MR. GRANVILLE SHARP ON CREMATION,
On 28th March Mr. Granville Sharp de- livered, under the auspices of the Odd Volumes Society, a lecture on "Cremation" in the City Hall. Mr. H. E. Pollock presided over a fairly large audience.
- ANNUAL INSPECTION, On Wednesday afternoon theannual inspection of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps was made by H. E. Major-General Gascoigne, who was accompanied by H. E. the Governor (Sir Henry Blake), the honorary colonel of the Corps, and a number of the Officers of the Garrison. The Major-General arrived on the ground at about Mr. SHARP, at the outset, remarked that the five o'clock and was received with a general subject was not the most obeerful or lively; salute. The corps mustered at Headquarters, nevertheless it was important. Cremation was the following being the numbers present of very ancient origin and very general on parade:-Staff, four officers and one non- early use. Burial had somehow taken its commissioned officer; Field Battery, three officers place. Why they knew not, unless from and 89 non-commissioned officers and men;
destruction of forests and scarcity of wood, Machine Gun Company, three officers, 34 non- or possibly from painful associations with commissioned officers and men, and two signal-fire, as the figure employed to represent the lers. This, with the two sergeant-instructors, suffering state, at last, of the impenitent? A gives a total of 134. The men, who looked reaction against burial began half a century very smart, went through several interesting ago, upon the revelation of the horrors of
metropolitan Church yards.
manœuvres.
After the inspection, H. E. Major-General GASCOIGNE said-Officers and men of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps, I am very much pleased indeed with this my first inspection of you. The turn-out has been remarkably good. I can see evidence of great care and pains hav. ing been taken in the way the men have turned out. The principal thing that I care about is that the numbers on parade, I am informed, are very much larger than those last year. I see a very small number of absentees without leave, but there should not be one absentee from an inspection. The meaning of an inspection is that the inspecting officer can see what a regiment is worth. He wants to see those who have drilled a small amount as well as those who have been constant in attendance at drill and it is only by every. body turning up at an inspection that the real worth of a regiment can be seen. I know that you have difficulties, and in speaking to you I
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Said Mr. Sharp :- Twenty-five years ago Dr. (now Sir Henry) Thompson, on returning from a Continental tour, drew attention to the subject of cremation, as practised in Italy; and any progress which has taken place in popular opinion upon this matter is largely due to his influence and writings. Its sanitary importance is incalonlable, but like all other changes of customs, long established, that from burial to cremation has been and must be slow. There are the tenderest feelings surrounding the grave in the quiet Church yard, the family vault under the weeping willow. A place generally undisturbed for a long course of years, and religiously visited by returning wanderers from distant lands. There, in the deep shade and retirement of the wood, was Rachel's grave; and- there, the Patriarch exclaims, “1 buried Leah!" We must, however, bear in mind that this the Pastoral period. People then lived in and not in streets of ten storied houses,