December 30, 1899.]
THE P. & 0. POCKET BOOK.
Travellers by the P. & O. steamers, whether outward or homeward, will find the interest of the voyage enhanced by the companionship of the Company's Pocket Book, a new edition of which has just made its appearance. The first, edition, of ten thousand copies, was issued in 1884, but has long been out of print. The pre- sent issue, we are told in the preface, is partly old and partly now, but where the information belongs, to the former category it has been brought up to date. The book contains a num- ber of maps and photogravure illustrations, Hongkong being one of the places deemed worthy of pictorial representation. There are also plates showing the British and Colonial flags. National flags, and the International Code of Sign ls, also tables distances, speed, time, weights and measures, etc. The chief interest of the book lies, however, in the descriptive articles, of which the following is the list: The P. . Company," by Sir Thomas Sutherland; En Ronte," by An Old Traveller; "Le Canal de Suez," par Le Comte Charles de L seeps; "Egypt," by Stanley Lane-Poole; "Notes for a Tour through India,' by Sir Edwin Arnold; "China," by Sir Thomas Wade; Japan," by Houry W. Lucy; and Australasia," by Huma Nisbet. All of these are extremely interesting and will stimulate the reader's desire to travel.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
The extracts rom the Company's regulations that are include in the Pocket Book indicate the care and attention that are given to the safety of navigation and the comfort of passen. gers. As passengers are always interested in the table arrangements we make the following extract from the instructions to the pursers and stewards in charge:-
"The point aimed at by the Directors in the victualling arrangements which are here detailed is that of providing a liberal and tasteful system of messing on board the Company's ships, the result of which will be, in the first place, the entire contentment of passengers, and in the next, economy of the provisions not the first object of your work to keep down expenditure, but it is your first duty to see a table of su erior quality maintained on board your ship, and your passengers thoroughly well satisfied."
FOOTBALL NOTES.
BY QUIDNUNC.
The week's results :-
It is
25th December.
ASSOCIATION.
Monday, 18th Dec.
535
The V.R.C. have not won a game this season and have only scored one goal; but they have done their best. They cannot expect to do much better until their players are more loyal. If a couple of their old members, now playing for the Club, and another couple, new in the ranks of the Engineers, were back with them, they would not be the despised eleven they are at present. There is much virtue in an “if.”
The latest displays of the Hongkong Football Club have not impressed me at all favourably. Valued on their last game against the Officers of the Navy the team is not up to much. I don't know that my opinion is worth much, but such as it is I give it. I think they would be doing well to revert to their old line of forwards, Lowe, Green, Noble, Hancock, and Danby. If C. T. Kew is not able to play, Danby might be brought to half back and Ross introduced into the forward line. T don't think at preson they can improve on Jenkins at right half. By the way, what has become of itsll? At the beginning of the seasou be was played once or twice at full back, From what I saw of him then I thought he would with practice develop into a very good balf. Speaking of the forwards again I would say that I am decidedly of opinion
Hongkong F.C. 2 goals, Officers of the Navy that Noble should play in the centre. I have
one goal.
Wednesday, 20th Deo.
no figures bat I am certain that Noble has scored more goals for the team than any man
Hongkong F.C. A team 2 goals, H.M.8. Or that has played for them during the last three
lando one goal.
Thursday: 21st Dec.
I
Royal Engineers 1 goal, V.R.C. ¤il.
Friday, 22nd Dec.
(Shield tie).
years. A man who can score goals is the one to play centre forward.
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This, moreover, is not his only good point for although at times be gets erratic (who does not) he can obtain control of the ball quicker than
Engineers' Institute 2 gosis, F Co. R.W.F. 2 most and, whilst always working hard, seldom
goals.
Saturday, 23rd Dec.
(Shield tis),
G. (o. R.W.F. 3 goals. V.R.C. nil.
Of special interest is Sir Thomas Sutherland's short article on the Company over whose for- tunes he has so long and ably presided. British residents the Far East, while recognising the good work done by the Company now and in the past, and entertaining an affec tionate regard for the old bong dag under which so many of them have spent plea- sant ays of travel and come safely through storm and tempest, nevertheless entertain a little grievance against the Company, inasmugh Whilst on every hand the desire to help ou as they would like to see through mail steamers the Sailors' and Soldiers' Families' Fund is so placed on the China run for the accommodation manifest, it is only right and proper that foot. of the growing passenger traffic, for which ballers should come forward and do their share. foreign lines are now makit g such a strong bid. The idea of playing a couple of matches, one The change at Colombo is objected to, and when Association and one Rugby, is a happy one transit without transhipment can be had under and one it is needless to say that is bound to other flags considerations of personal conveni bring substantial aid to the deserving object. ence are apt to override the inclination to travel The Association game is fixed for Saturday next under one's own national flag. The Company the 30th instant (see advertisement columns), is this season sending two of its mail steamers and the Rugby game wil probably be played straight through and we hope the experiment the Saturday following, January 6th. The will convince Sir Thomas that the China pass- games arranged are the most interesting pos- enger traffic is better worth catering for insible, so all lovers of the sport are bound to be in this respect than he has hitherto given it oredit attendance. Extra stand accommodation is be- for. Although in his article Sir Thomas Suth- ing provided and with such a worthy cause, land does not specifically discuss the grievance none, whether interested in the game or not, here alluded to, the following remarks indicate will have excuse for absenting themselves. the view he holds upon it:-
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Perhaps the most conclusive proof that speed and regularity must be paid for, may be found in contrasting the conditions of a modern mail steamer with those of a cargo steamer of the same period. Take one of the late type of both kinds. The mail steamer, with a speed of 18 knots, bas when loaded and coaled a displacement of 11,485 tons, and the weight of cargo which she carries at that displacement amounts only to 2,057 tons. On the other hand, the cargo steamer, capable of steaming 12 knots (which is considerably above the speed of the ordinary tpye of cargo vessel), has when loaded and coaled a displacement of 13,054 tons, but the weight of cargo which this latter s eamer can lift amounts to 7,376 tons. A comparisou of the coal consumption and other items of expenditure would present an equally startling contrast, but to point the moral in this matter, it will probably be enough to add that the mail steamer here alluded to cost a quarter-of-a-million, and the cargo vessel, which is fitted in a superior manner for her class, cost only seventy thons. and pounds, or little more than a fourth of the price of the mail ship. Looking at these simple facts it is easy to understand that steam vessels of high speed would not be found in the Eastern trade (where the passsenger business is comparatively small in extent and the season of short duration) except for the purpose of carrying out a mail contract."
The force of the argument here put forward may be admitted, but nevertheless we think the China passenger traffic, which is growing at a phenomenal rate, would, if sedulously cultivated, help to keep the Company's dividend up to las year's handsome figure of twelve per cent.
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Considering that there were only seven matches to be played and that the first was played on November 18th, the first round of the Shield ties is occupying an altogether too long a time.
When the games are dribbled off in this manner half the interest goes ont of the com- petition and the ordinary person loses the run of affairs entirely. The tie Hongkong F. C. versus 25th S.D., R.A., was fixed for December 30th, the very last playing day allowed for the round, but, as this date is now wanted for the match on behalf of the South African Fund. and as it does not suit the convenience of the teams to meet earlier, a week's extension of time has been granted them by the Shield Commit- tee. When there are seven or eight weeks for a game to be played in, it seems bad manage- ment to arrange it for the last available day,”
gets flúrred. However, I don't know that the composition of the Club team is a matter which
concerns me,
The Shield game played on Friday between the Engineers Institute and F Co. R.W.F., and which resulted in a draw after extra time, was rather a surprise, as it was expected that the Engineers would win comfortably. F Co.. however, gave them a pretty warm time and I have no doubt will do so again when they meet in the play off. The Engineers attribute their lack of success to bad goal-keeping, but I think there was a little of this on both sides.
Notwithstanding its vicissitudes the Victoria Recreation Club got together a team and contested its Shield tie on Saturday. G Co. had all the best of the game and scored once in the first half and twice in the second the re- sult being,
Q Co. R.W.F V.R.C.
3 goals 'nil
The soldiers might easily have won by a larg- er margin, as they missed many chances.
200, JAS 14:2
GOLF.
NAVY V, CLUB,
Played at Happy Valley on the 25th Decem- ber. Scores :-
NAVY. Mackenzie Grieve 5 up
Leeke Davison Cochran
Field
Hastings
Hall
Whitelegge Forbes.. Medgley
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I up 6 ap
CLUB, Burvey Palmer
5 down
1 down
Ryan
6 down
8 down Tomes
-
up
(
Stewart
2
up Taylor 4 down Ram
2 down
4 пр
Izat
0
11 up
3 ap
28 up
12 down
16 op
Dalrymple 11 down Morris
3 down
12 up
28 down
16 down
HONGKONG HIGH LEVEL TRAM- WAYS CO. LIMITED,
The fifteenth general meeting of the share- holders in the Hongkong High Level Tramways Co., Limited., was held on Thursday at the Company's Offices. Mr. Hart Buck presided. The other gentlemen prevent were; Messrs C. Ewens, J. Orange and C. W. Dickson (Consul- ting Committee); J. Jupp, A. H. Mancell; &. ̈ Stewart, and W. C. Taylor (Secretary),į
The Chairman said-Gentlemen, with your permission I will follow the usual custom," and take the report and statement of accounts as read. I am pleased to be able to con gratulate you on a successful year's work- ing, our traffic receipts showing an inoresse over last year of more than $11,000. Te arrive at this resuit naturally our working expenses have also been considerably larger, and you will notice the salaries and wages a low an increase of $1,618.95, and that of maintenance and re- pairs of $3,599.44. This additional expenditure has been principally caused by our largely ang- mented service, which has necesarily led to increased wear and tear, especially on our ropes, two of which were worn out iu seven months. I am pleased to say, however, that our present rope is wearing much better, and as the makers at bome now know the exact temper of steel that is neo ssary we can, I think, look forward | with confidence to our future ropes lasting magh better. Before moving the adoption of the
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