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December 23, 1899.]
"The ladies of the committee of the Hong- kong Benevolent Society have again to thank members and friends who throughout the year have given them the means of carrying out the objects of the society. They beg to submit a full report of the work done and moneys expen- ded. In the early part of the year the Presi- dent found it impossible to cope with the num- ber of applicants, these applicants being chiefly vagrants, beachcombers, and sailors. The Com- mittee then agreed to ask some influential gen- tlemen to undertake to interview these cases for them. These gentlemen kindly consented and for a few months did good work, but found it took too much of their valuable time and finally they had to give it up. It was then decided
came
that in future these cases should not be treated by the Committee, but that a donation of $20 monthly should be given to the Sailors' Home and a like sum to the Salvation Army Home, where such cases would be assisted when deserving. During the year 64 cases under the consideration of the committee aud assistance was given in 52 instances. Seventy-five cases were assisted at the above homes. Employment was found in the colony for several of the applicants and pas sages were paid for others to places where they had relatives, or to where they were as: sured of employment. On granting passages to other places the applicant has to show that he has friends there or promise of employment. The Society has paid for the maintenance and education of four destitute children, and monthly allowances have been made for poor and aged people. Should subscribers wish for more particulars as to cases herein reported the hon. secretary will be pleased to give fall information. The Society has avain most cordially to thank the managers of the various steamship companies who have so generously responded to their appeals for free and reduced passages for many of their applicants. During the year Mrs. Bell-Irving, Mrs. Beurmann, Lady Jackson, Lady Carrington, Mrs. Master, and Mrs. Thomson left the colony, and Mrs. Goodman, Mrs. Dickson, Mrs. Sachse, Mrs. Atkinson, Mrs. Siebs; and Mrs. Douglas Jones joined the committee. The following ladies retire in rotation from the Committee:-Miss Anderson, Mrs. May, Mrs. Sachse, Mrs. Forbes. Mrs. Dickson, and Mrs. Douglas Jones, but they offer themselves-for re-election." Concluding, Sir Thomas said he begged to propose the adoption of the report and accounts.
Captain ANDERSON seconded and the motion was carried.
Rev. G. F. FRANCE observed that the $20 a month was not sent to the Sailors' Home, but to the Seamen's Star Coffee House, which was a different place.
CHINA OVERLAND TRALE REPORT.
SERIOUS DISTURBANCE ON LAMMA ISLAND.
MURDEROUS ATTACK ON TWO INDIAN CONSTABLES.
That the islands recently included within the boundaries of the colony of Hongkong teem with bad characters has received another exem- plification, and the necessity for still further increasing the police force becomes more and more apparent. Though Lamma Island has long been known as a veritable hotbed of thieres and robbers, the police are only re- presented by five Indians-a sergeant and four constables-who are stationed at Yung Shu Wan.
It appears that early yesterday morning-be- fore daylight in fact-two Indian constables were on patrol near Yung Shu Long when they were suddenly attacked by about a score of Hoklos armed with choppers, etc. The constables appear to have been taken completely by surprise, for before they could offer any resistance they were deprived of their carbines, pouches, belts, am- munition, and whistles, being severely cut about the legs in the struggle which ensued. Their assailants then went to Yung Sha Wau, where they stole a fishing boat and rowed away in it eastwards.
In the meantime the constables returned to the Police Station, and they were brought over to the Police Station at Aberdeen and subse- quently conveyed to the Government Civil Hospital.
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The police at once set to work to get on the track of the ruffians,
LOON DISTURBANCES.
The following correspondence with reference to the services of the Volunteer Corps in con- nection with the occupation of the New Terri tory, is published in the Gazette :- FROM THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING
TO H.E. THE GOVERNOR.
Hongkong, 11th December, 1899. Sir, I have much pleasure in transmitting to you for your information the enclosed copy of a letter from the War Office respecting the Volunteer Corps. I have the honour to be, sir, recent services rendered by the Hongkong
your obedient servant,
513
my command in the China Bes on the 20th November and that 46 men are missing, having left the ship on rafts and not been seen since. By calling a Court of Enquiry to investigate the cause of the foundering at your earliest conve-, nience you will greatly oblige, yours obediently, G. H. Pennefather, late Master."
Captain Pennefather said he had a master's certificate issued in London in 1882. He had been in command of the Hupsh since the 26th June last. She was owned by the Taikoo Sugar Refinery Company, of Hongkong, and was a steel steamer of 1846 register, two decks, four holds, cellular bottom, fore and aft, with the exception of under engine rooms and boilers. They left Pazaroan (Java) on the 6th November, with a full cargo (about 4,000 tons) of raw sugar in baskets bound for Hongkong. There was a full complement of officers and crew, and the ship was properly found in every way. The ship was last docked in Hongkong last June. She was then under Government survey. She had a passenger certificate. All went well until 'T'nesday, 14th November. They passed Cabra Island at 11 a.m. four miles off. They ex- perienced a strong northerly wind. At 2 a.m. on the 16th be noticed that the ship was taking a list to port. At 8 a.m. she had a list of six degrees to port and at 8 a.m. she hall a list of eight degrees. He then concluded that the cargo had shifted. He ordered the coals to be used from the port side and he turned the ship round with the intention of going to Manila to get the cargo put right. The sea was pretty high all day but moderated towards evening. At 10 p.m. the ship had 17 degrees list to port. Think- THE VOLUNTEERS AND THE KOW. ing it was getting dangerous he decided to jettison the cargo. He had previously or- dered all pumps to be put on. They could not sound as the list placed the sounding pipes under water. They then took the hatches off No. 1 hold, that being the only one not covered by water. All hands were engaged during the night throwing the cargo overboard. By 5.30 a.m. the 17th they had jettisoned 105 baskets from the port side, No. 1 hold. The ship had righted considerably, having a list of only four degrees. He then stopped jattisoning the cargo and battened down the hatch. The chief officer and himself sounded exception of No. 2 hold, where they found four all wells and tanks and found all dry with the
feet of sugared water on the starboard side. At 6-80 a.m. without any warning the vessel fell 27 degrees to starboard, sweeping all the boats away on that side. He opened No. 1 batch again and started to jettison from the star- board side of No. 1 hold, the ship steaming slowly at the time. They worked at the cargo until 5 p.m., when they had to leave off, as the water had got so high owing to the continued list. All the cargo on the star- board side of the 'tween decks in No. 1 hold of 33 degrees. He battened down No. 1 batoh had been discharged. The ship had then a list
again and stopped the engines to draw fires, starting again at 8.30 p.m. The ship kept her way for about half an hour, when he lost all control over her. She had a list of 45 degrees. The engines were kept going until 4 am. on the 18th (Saturday), when the chief engineer reported to him that he could not keep steam any longer. The en- gines were stopped, but the pumps were kept going as long as there was any steam. The ship steadily increased her list. At 10 a.m. they provisioned the rafts. At 2.30 p.m. the ship suddenly listed five degrees more. had now a list of between 50 and 60 degrees.
and the Chinese launched the other seven rafts. The officers and engineers launched their raft Mr. Reveille (the passenger) and himself re- mained on the ship. The rafts made sail and disappeared out of sight to the south. On rafts, one close to leeward and one to windward. Sunday, the 19th, at daylight he noticed two At 9 a.m. the ship had drifted down to the raft to Jeeward. He found the boatswain and six that one raft which he had been towing had Chinese on the raft. The boatswain reported
sunk during the night and the sharks had eaten all the people. The raft which was to wind- ward came along-side about 4 p.m. This They reported that during the night their raft contained three officers and three engineers. had capsized and that they had lost their sail and all provisions. All then came on board.
W. J. GASCOIGNE, Major-General Commanding in China and Hongkong.
WAR OFFICE TO THE GENERAL,
War Office, London, S.W.,
9th November, 1899. Sir, I am directed by the Secretary of State
Sir THOMAS JACKSON-I hope the Star for war to inform you that a report has been Coffee House will be the Sailors' Home.
Mr. FRANCE hoped so too. On the motion of Mr. FRANCE, seconded by Captain ANDERSON, the retiring members of the Committee were re-elected.
A vote of thanks to Sir Thomas Jackson for presiding concluded the proceedings.
CONCERT AT THE CITY HALL.
A large audience assembled in the City Hall on Saturday evening, when a most enjoyable concert was given in aid of the Kowloon Institute and the Star Coffee House. Mr. A. Barrett, of the Hongkong Regiment, opened the program- me with The gallant salamander." Mrs. Vallings followed with "Ask nothing more," substituting "I remember" on being recalled. Mr. A. Fleet sang "Madrigal," and Madame Scalfort was encored for her rendering of "The jewel song" from "Faust." Mr. C. H. Grace was also encored for his singing of "The Bedouin love song," substituting "I'm in love." A violin duet by Messrs. C. Schroter and H. A. Siebs, with Maestro G sluzzi at the piano, was very well executed. "Love, could 1 only tell thee," contributed by Mr. G. H. Ardron. and Mr. R. de Calo was encored for "Occhi di Fata. The stage sailor." was effectively recited by the Hon. H. E. Pollock. The beauti- ful z "Unless" was sung by Mrs. Buttan-
1 song shaw, and Madame Soulfort and Mr. R. de Calo concluded the programme with the duet “Hamlet” (A Thomas).
Was
received from the Colonial Office respecting Kowloon, in China, and I sm to express Lord the occupation of the New Territory near
Lansdowne's satisfaction with the promptness and alacrity displayed by the Hongkong Volun-
teers on that occasion.
Lord Lansdowne wishes this expression of his appreciation of the services rendered by the Corps conveyed to those concerned.—I am, sir, your obedient servant,
LESLIE RUNDLE D.A.G. The General Officer Commanding in China and Hongkong,
THE LOSS OF THE
HÚPEH.”
MARINE COURT OF ENQUIRY. On Tuesday a Marine Court of Enquiry was held at the office of the Harbour Master for the purpose of making enquiry respecting the circumstances connected with the foundering of the British steamship Hupeh.
mander R. Murray Rumsey, R.N., Stipen- The Court was constituted as follows:-Com- diary Magistrate; Leut, R. Nelson-Ward, R.N., H.M.8. Barflour; Captain Harry Smith, of yer, of the Rohilla; and Captain James Wil. the Doric: Captain Sydney de Bohan Lock fiamson, of the Chow Fa.
The warrant constituting the Court was
read.
the Hupeh, applying for an enquiry was read. The letter of Captain G. H. Pennefather, of It was as follows I regret to have to inform you of the foundering of the 8.8. Hupek under
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