February 23, 1901.]
HONGKONG POLO CLUB.
The first tie in the Royal Artillery Tournament was played last Monday, the 18th inst., between
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
During the week preceding noon on the 22nd inst. five fresh cases of plague were re- ported, all victims being Chinese and all suc- cumbing.
Thereturn of cases of communicable disease
165
Not a single case was reported on Tuesday, the 19th inst., at the charge room of the tracy. This is surely a record for Chinese New Year!
the R.W.F. and R. A., and reculled in a very in the Colony last week shows, beside the three the total of all sums received as revenue in 15.
win for the Fusiliers. In the first "chukker they succeeded in scoring 4 goals and 2 subs, Walwyn and Williams playing well and hitting hard and straight, while the Gunners entirely failed to attack their opponents at any time, both hitting and riding weak and lifeless. The second chukker was productive of 3 more goals to the R.W.E, though Williams was much ham- pered by his dashing and untrained steed. The R.A. pulled themselves together a bit in the last period and kept the Fusiliers from scoring, and should have scored at least one goal themselves. The result of the game was expected, though it was not thought that the Gunners would be so easily defeated. The Fusilier team all played well, and Walwyn in particular seemed to have dropped his usual method of hitting the ball regardless of where the goal posts are. Teams.
R.A.
Capt. Cruickshank
Capt. Warren
Capt. Tancred
1
R.W.F. Mr. Walwyn
2
Mr. Williams
Major Dobell
fatal instances of plague, only one other case, one of small-pox, in the City of Victoria, which ended in death.
The return of visitors to the City Hall Library and Museum last week shows that 366 non-Chinese and 105 Chinese visited the former, 168 non-Chinese and 2,188 Chinese the latter institution.
It is announced by the home papers that the Hon. Thomas Whitehead, M.L.C., was to leave London early this month and to visit Mexico and the Pacific Coast ports before leaving for Japan and Shanghai, where short stays will be made before reaching Hongkong in May.
The return of stamp revenue during the months of January, 1900 and 1901, shows a total increase for the year 1901 of $11,099.93. The principal items which show an inprovement are:-probate, or letters of administration, $5,734.06; settlement, $3,025 50; bill of lading $997.20; conveyance or assignment, $708.95.
Captain Loring back Major Bir H. Me. The largest decrease is in bank note duty,
Mahon.
HONGKONG RIFLE ASSOCIATION.
There was again a large attendance of mem. bers at the Range on Saturday, 16th inst., in the opening competition for the Short Ranges Cup. Q.-M. Segt. Wallace registered his first win with a score of 98. The following are the best
scores {va
200 500 600 H'cap. Tl. 98
*Q.M.Sgt. Wallace, R.E. 31 33 34
Mr. H. Horley
år. Sgt. Blair
* Mr. Hursthouse...
$426.94, no other decrease reaching $200.
|
A slight outbreak of fire occurred on the 18th Naval Yard authorities. The alarm bells were inst. on board No. 3 launch, employed by the sounded, and the Chinese crew of Commodore Powell's launch, which came from the Tamar, succeeded in extinguishing the flames before they had made serious headway. The damage is estimated at $150. Carelessness on the part of the launch's crew is supposed to have been the cause of the outbreak.
The following returns of the average amount of bank notes in circulation and specie in re- serve during the month ended 31st January are certified by the Managers of the respective 94 banks:
32 34 30
A. Mackenzie
28 35 32
96 95
32
11
A. Watson ...
31 34 29
32 30 30
92
26 27 27
10
90
23 28 30
5
88
29 27 20 12
88
+14
28 33 26
87
86
F. Fisher
21
"
Brougham
Baldwin
Q.M. Sergt. West, R.E. 25 32 29
*Winners of Spoons.
HONGKONG.
On the 16th inst. the German gunboat Jaguar went to Canton, and on the 17th the U.S.S. Albany left for Manila.
The French gunboat Comete arrived from Amoy on Tuesday, the British cruiser Orlando left for Shanghai on Wednesday and the U.S. gunboat Yorktown arrived from Manila.
About eleven a.m. on Tuesday, the 19th inst., fire broke out in a mat-store at 468, Queen's Road West. The damage was slight, amounting to only $200, and is not covered by insurance. The Fire Brigade were in prompt attendance, otherwise the outbreak might have assumed serious proportions.
Commodore Powell is certainly to be con- gratulated on the despatch shown in docking and coaling H.M.S. Terrible. This huge levis than went into dock on the 12th inst. and was thoroughly cleaned and all under-water fittings repaired, and out of dock two days Jater. On the 15th, at 8 a.m., the Terrible com- menced to coal and finished at 11 p.m., having in fifteen hours taken in 2,600 tons, which is a record for Hongkong.
To-day Mr. Colin MoD. Smart, who has been connected with the China Mail for the last five years, leaves for home via Ameri- ca, and on Saturday night last a number of his friends entertained him to dinner at the Hongkong Hotel and presented him with a handsome silver tea set. The presentation was made by Mr. James Walker, who referred at some length to the many good qualities possessed by Mr. Smart, qualities which have endeared, him to all with whom he has come in contact and which make his departure from the colony a matter of keen regret to a large circle of friends. The gift was suitably acknowledged by Mr. Smart, who showed that the fully appreciated the good feeling displayed to- wards him by his friends, observing that he should always ralue highly the token of their appreciation. The rest of the evening was pleasantly spent,
Banks.
Average Specie in Chartered Bank of India, Amount. Reserve.
Australia and China... $2,789,303 $1,500,000 Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation 7,639,676 5,000,000 National Bank of China,
Limited
450,000
150,000
Total $10,878,979 $6,650,000 Ata meeting of the Phoenix Chapter on Tues day night, the 19th inst., the following officers wer elected:—M.W. Sov., Sir Knight H. B. Bridger; I. P. M. W. Sov., Sir Knight W. Farmer; Deputy M. W. Sov., Sir Knight Geo. A. Wat kins; High Prelate, Sir Knight Jas. Lochead; Senior Warden, Sir Knight Jno. F. Lemm; Junior Warden, Sir Knight W. W.A. Muskett; Treasurer, Sir Knight C. Lesbirel; Secretary, Sir Knight W. M. Everall; Master of Cere- monies, Si. Knight J. A. Tarrant; Chancellor, Sir Knight H. Jewitt; Inner Guard, Sir Knight Jas, Osborne; Standard Bearer, Sir Knight J. A. Morris; Steward, Sir Knight J. Goodchild; Equerry, Bro. B. Jorus.
The Registrar of the Supreme Court returns
Registry of the Supreme Court in 1900 $40,234.91.
A draft of 119 men of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, consisting of one officer, one sergeant, three corporals, and 114 rank and file, arrived on the 19th inst. from home by the steamer Stentor, to relieve time-expired men. One case. of fever occurred on board, and the patient was left behind at Singapore.
The members of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps had their usual field day on China New Year's Day (Tuesday). They paraded at Head- quarters at a quarter-post nine in the morning, and proceeded in launches from Murray Pier for Repulse Bay. In consequence of the shal- lowness of the water some difficulty was ex- perienced in getting the guns ashore, they having to be transferred to sampans. The Machine Gun Companies at once commenced a competition for the G.O.C.'s shield at land targets, the Infantry and Engineers' Companies being engaged in volley firing by half companies at sea targets. Later on the Field Battery had practice at sea targets. Sergeant Meek's gun orew was the most successful, and each man was awarded a spoon. In the afternoon His Excellency the Governor (Sir Henry Blake, G.C.M.G.,) and Col. the O'Gorman arrived. His Excellency addressed a few words to the men. He expressed his regret that out of a Corps numbering 300 and odd only about 180 had attended, and spoke of the importance of every member of the Corps making him self efficient. The Commandant (Sir John Car- rington, C.M.G.) then called for three cheers for His Excellency for his presence and the interest he displays in the Corps, an invitation which was heartily responded to. Home was reached at about half-past seven,
Our readers will join us in condoling with Mr. J. H. Cox in the great bereavement he has sustained by the death of his wife, who succumbed to an attack of bronchitis on the 16th inst., in her 61st year. Her remains were interred at Happy Valley on the 17th inst.
We have received from Mr. Kwong Chik a sample of strawberries grown at his planta tion at Happy Valley. These fruit are grown by Mr. Kwong Chik from American seeds, and we can assure our readers that they are of ex- cellent quality and do great credit to the grower, showing that it is not impossible to raise good strawberries on our island.
The variety concert at the Theatro Royal on the 16th inst. by the Speciality Company of the U.S. flagship Brooklyn passed off very well, considering that the performers were amateurs. The audience was fairly large, and encored dance by J. Hagerty and the cake walk by G. B. numerous items on the programme. The sand Campbell and E. Davis were the hits of the evening, and loudly applauded. The tableau, "Columbia and Britannia," was an unique idea, and very effectively staged.
In the billiard-room at the Central Polica. Station on the 15th inst., Police Constable Hook, who joined the Hongkong Force last March, and who owing to an affection of the lungs has now been ordered home, was presented by his comrades with the substantial sum of thirty. five sovereigns, and, in addition, a handsome silver-mounted walking stick bearing in Chinese characters, "Health, happiness, and prosperity." Chief Detective Inspector Hanson made the presentation.
The troops of the garrison engaged in tac- tical exercises on the 15th inst. At about eleven o'clock a supposed enemy landed near Tytam Tuk and attacked a position held by the Wong Nei Cheung section of the defenders. The attack- ing party was under the command of Lieut.- Col. Bertie, R.W.F., and the defending force under that of Major Dobell, R.W.F. The men carried 25 rounds each of blank ammunition, 50 rounds were served out to each of the maxim guns, and the big guns were supplied with am- munition at the discretion of the commanding. officer of the Royal Artillery. Colonel Brown, R.E., acted as senior umpire, and was assisted by two officers from the R. G. A., Hongkong, two from the Siege Train, R.G.A., and two from the 1st Bengal Lancers.
`MISCELLANequs.
Amongst the Russian New Year Honours Vice-Admiral Alexeieff received the Order of the White Eagle, with swords.
Mr. Colquhoun, the well known journalist, arrived at Singapore from Borneo, on the 9th inst. He has left again for Java.
On Monday and Tuesday this week a team of Selangor representatives was visiting Singapore to play the locals at cricket, Association football, and hockey. A Rugby match was mooted, but fell through.
Admiral Pottier, who is in command of the French fleet in Chinese (waters, is seriously ill, and in consequence of his precarious condition has applied for leave to return to France, and to resign from the service.
A curious source of wealth is reported by the French Consul at Mengtse. It lies in the wood mines. The wood originally was a pine forest which the earth swallowed in some cataclym. Some of the trees are a yard in diameter. They lie in a slanting direction, and in sandy which cover them to a depth of about yards. The wood furnished by these tim mines is imperishable, and the Chinese gladly buy it for coffins,