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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
K
"
May 12, 1900
THE THEATRE.
Sir JOHN CARRINGTON observed-We will not prolong the speech-making, as it is time to get to another wing of the building, where the smoking concert will be held, but I should like on behalf of the British community of Hongkong to return thanks to Captain Percy Scott for the kind words he has said about them, and to you for the way you received those kind words. I can assure you it is a great pleasure to have you here and to entertain yon, and I hope. as I said on board the Terrible, we shall be able to make your stay in Hongkong agreeable to you. (Load applause.) We quite | longed applause. The wind-up of the enter-Miss Madge Grey, the Misses Peel, Min
realise how hard you men of the Terrible have fought for and served your country, and we are glad that the time has come to give you a little pleasure and recreation. (Hear, hear.) I again thank you very much on behalf of the com- munity of Hongkong for the kind way in which you have received their hospitality. (Lond applause.)
The company then adjourned to the Theatre for the smoking concert.
THE SMOKING CONCERT. The Theatre Royal, City Hall, held an an dience last night such as it has never had before when the Captain, Officers aud Crew of H.M.S Terrible, Major-General Gascoigne, Commodore Powell, Colonel the O'Gorman, with many Army and Navy officers sat down to listen to the Smok- ing Concert got up for their benefit by the British Community of this colony. The scene was an animated and enthusiastic one when the proceedings commenced with a selection entit- led "Pantomania played by the orchestra. which was composed of the band of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The enthusiasm; moreover, lasted to the very end-and may we not yond P-and the promoters had the satisfaction of knowing that their wish to amuse and at the sametime do honour to their gallant guests was triumphantly gratified.
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but Mr. Marsh surmounted all difficulties He gave and soured a thorough trumph. "Simon the cellarer" as an encore.
He was followed by Miss Florence Peel, of the Dallas Company, who charmed all her list eners with "Look the other way" to which she gave
Madeline as an encore, Sergeant
* I'm
a-looking Vigors reappeared with
yer", and made an even better than before; while Mr. impression
What ho! She bumps Was Walwyn's an emphatic success, judging by the pro- tainment contained one of the hits of the evening Mr. Dallas's Follow the man from Cook's" which so delighted the audience that he and the chorus had to re-appear until breathless. The last item of all was the well-known patriotic Bong Soldiers of the Queen," from Mr. Grace, excellently given, and the proceedings terminated in the singing of “Rule Britannia” and "God save the Queen" in which every one rose and joined.
THE SPORTS:
The following is the programme of Sports arranged for this afternoon, 12th instant, the Rave Course, by permission of the Stewards of the Hongkong Jockey Club, in honour of aptain Scott, the Officers and Crew
on
of H.M.S. Terrible
PRESIDENT OF COMMITTEE.-Sir John W. Carrington, C.M.G.
SPORTS SUB-COMMITTEE.-Mr. Hart Buok. Mr. G. A. Caldwell, Mr. T. F. Hough, Dr. J. A. Lowson, Mr. James McKie, Mr. A. M. Marshall, Mr. M. W. Slade.
STARTERS.-Mr. G. A. Caldwell, Mr. T. F.
Hough. say
be-
The opening selection was followed by Ser- geant Howell of the Fusiliers, with You've got a long way to go." Corporal Bond, of the R. G. A., came next with a parody of "The Light Brigade," which proved an eminent exception to the rule that recitations are not generally appre- ciated. The next item was the inimitable Mr. Walwyn's song" Algy" which at once made the newcomers recognise the secret of his popularity with his former admirers. A cornetsolo, "The Lost Chord," excellently rendered by Private Townley, of the Army Ordnance Corps, prepared the way for one of the chief pieces of the evening when Mr Aleo Marsh gave Mr A. G. Ward's specially composed song "The Handy
Man," the chorus of which went with a tremen-
down.
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dous swing and but for the stability of our Theatre threatened actually to bring the house The next song was contributed by Sergeant Vigors. A. O. C., and was a capital rendering of Touching that little affair." This was followed by Mr. "Dad" Ferrell, who by kind permission of Mr Dallas gave u musical sketch of surpassing excellence. Next on the programme was Miss Hotty Peel, who added to her Hongkong successes with a ren- dering of "Soldiers in the Park." which was repeatedly encored. The first half of the pro- gramme wound up with Hibernian Atro. oities" by Messrs Michael O'Flaherty Casey and Patrick Murphy whose presence in Hong- kong is a noble addition to the effective strength of the Colony. Some of the audience seemad to remember meeting them before.
The Orchestra played back the house to their seats with Boulevardia" and the well known local performer Dr. T. A. Lowson treated them to "Peonliar" with excellent topical allusions. Mr. D. Munro's fine voice next intro uced to the audience" The Hooligans," who proved far more welcome bere than their namesakes have been in the Old Country. The second recita- tion of the evening followed, Mr. J. J. O'Neill being the spokesman to Mr. H. S. Vaughan's illustrations in a sketch entitled "The Show- man" Sergeant Palmer, R.W.F., with "The Stormy Winds did blow " was much estimed by his naval listeners and reached the true music-
hall style, Mr. Aleo Marsh's second performance was in the Toreador's song from Carmen, in which bis magnificent singing had full play and carried his audience away with him. The atmosphere of a Smoking Concert is not the best place in the world for the voice,
JUDGES.-M. F. G. Mottton, R.N., Lient. H. Rotherham, R.W.F'.
HON, SECRETARY SPORTS SUB-COMMITTEE. Mr. M. W. Slade.
CLERK OF COURS&-Mr. T. F. Hongh.
"VENTS.
1.-3.30 p.m-PONY BACK,-Once round. Terrible only. Open to crew of H.M.S. Twelve Ponies will be provided on the course. 1st prize, $25; 2nd, $15; 3rd, 810; 4th, 85.
2.-3.45 p.m.-TUG OF WAR.-Trial Hests. Open to teams of 10 from the British Navy. Army and Police. One team only from each let prize, $50; 2nd, ship or corps may enter.
$20.
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The Dallas Company opened again at the Theatre on the 8th inst, with A Runaway Girl, distinctly one of the most attractive pieces in their repertoire. The performance went as well as ever, if not better, and everybody concerned met with plenty of applause. As we have noticed the piece so recently it is unnecessary to call attention to all the excellencies contained in it. As Flipper Mr. Dallas again delighted his audience, and ably assisted as he was by. Muriel Alleyne, Miss Rosie Blair, and Miss Ethel Hardacre among the ladies and Messrg Percival, Munro, Ferrell, and Derrick among the male performers, has every reason to con gratulate himself on the first evening of his show. The smaller parts too were excellently numbers were sustained.
The well caninnies "
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and "Society"
welcomed back heartily, duet, "Soldiers in the receiving especial notice. The dancing was so good that the andience quite forgot the try.. ing warmth of the weather.
On Thursday night Mr. Dallas produced the always welcome Geisha before a good house, which had the satisfaction enjoying a full evening's entertainment of the best quality. There was no performance on Friday, but to night will witness the launching of The Babes in the Wood, probably the most popular Drury Lane Pantomime within memory! All the original songs and music will be given and the scenery has been specially pointed. the dresses are charming, and it only wants the full house that is promised to secure a big success.
On Monday the first performance in the Far East of The French Maid will be given.
THE VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT IN AID OF THE INDIAN FAMINE FUND,
We have received the following communica- tion with regard to the above entertainment :— The pross receipts for the three performances amounted to $1,563.00, the expenses incurred totalled $269.34, leaving a balance, which bas been handed to the Hon. Treasurer of the Famine Fund, of $1, 93,66
The accounts have been audited by the Hon. H. C. Nicolle.
JAMES A. LOWSON, Hon. Secretary. The expenses of putting on a Variety Enter- tainment such as the above would be consider-
3.-400 p.m.-BICYCLE RACE.-Open to crew of H.M.S. Terrible only. From 11 mile post and in. Bicycles will be provided on the ground. 1st prize, $25; 2nd. $15; 3rd, $10. able if it were not for the kindness and genero- 4.-4.15 p.m.-LEAP-FROG RACE.-120 yards.sity of various firms and individuals who assist Open to British Navy and Army. Two couples the Committee by giving their services free or from each ship or corps may enter. Positions at a nominal rate. of Leaps will be marked on the Ground. Ist prize. $15; 2nd, $10.
5.4.45 p m.—THE BLOEMFONTEIN HANDI- CAP.-Cup presented by the Hon. C. P. Chater
C.M.G.
120 yards flat race. Open to officers' Terrible" only. 1st prize, cup pre- H.M.S. rented. If seven or more competitors start a cup for second prize will be presented
6.-5.15 p.m.-The LADYSMITH STAKES.— Prizes presented. Obstacle race over a course selected by the Committee, open to the British Navy and Army. 1st prize, $30; 2nd, $20; 3rd, $15; 4th, $10.
1st
Open to British Navy and Army One com- 7.-5.45 p.m.-PONY RACE.-Once round. petitor from each Ship or Corps may enter. Ponies will be provided on the course. prize, $25; 2nd, $15; 3rd, $10; 4th, $5.
8.-6.00 p.m.-BICYCLE RACE. Open to British Navy and Army. From 1 mile post and in. Two competitors from each Ship or Corps may enter. Bicycles will be provided on the ground. 1st prize, $25; 2nd, $15; 3rd, $10.
9.-6.15 p.m.-TUG of WAR, final. 10.-6.30p.m.-KIMBERLEY RELIST STAKES. -Prizes presented. 'Ricksha Costume Race, Open to British Navy and Army. Two couples from each ship or corps may enter. 'Rickshas will be provided on the course. 1st prize $3; 2nd. $10. A special prize of $10 will be given for the best costume.
Mr. A. Marshall has been appointed Member of the Medical Board in the place of the late Mr. H. L. Dalrymple. -
For the Indian Famine Fund special thanks are due to the City Hall Committee for giving the theatre free, equivalent to $225; to the Amateur Dramatic Club for taking over the scenery at a cost of $120, whilst this club also provided all the properties, wigs, make-up, &c.; and to Messra Kuhn and Komor for providing most of the Mikado Costumes free of cost. The Gas and Electric Light Companies charged nothing for lighting, and in the case of the former this meant a sum of about $100. M-asrs Lane, pany loaned pianos, and Messrs Guedes & Co. Crawford & Co. and The Robinson Piano Com- made a handsome contribution in the shape of the programmes, besides doing all the inciden- tal printing free. The Hongkong Telegraph and China Mail advertised for nothing and the Daily Press, in which much more space was requisitioned, charged half rates only. making several dresses, gave very valuable assistance for which they would accept no fee. Half rates only were charged by Mr. Lai Ayan for running the Booking Office and by Messrs. Campbell, Moore and Co. for making up company,
Mr. and Mrs. Sakkai, besides designing and
the
In 1896 the Japanese Military Authorities decided to organise a railway corps. They selected the material from first-class soldiers of formed, apparently, one battalion. The resulta the Guards and the First Division, and they of the operation have been so satisfactory that a large addition is now about to be made to the corps, so that it shall include balloon companies, and so forth. Nothing is stated as to the numerical strength contemplated.
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