1.
Angust 10, 1901.]
In cross-examination by Mr. Master, plaintiff said he had not lost anything through the death of the pony. He had paid nothing, and would have to pay nothing, to Commander Erskine.| Commander Erskine had telegraphed the value of the pony to him; that was his only reason for valuing the animal at thirty guiness.
Mr. Hastings-I think Captain Trefusis said-although it is not given in that statement that he had not suffered any damage except that he had to bury the pony.
Evidence was then led.
Abdulla Fackara, contractor for the Army Commissariat Department, said he received orders to engage a junk to take the pony ashore. Since July, 1900, he had received many similar orders. It was the custom for the tackle to be provided by the cargo-boat people except at the time of discharge from the steamer. At half-past three on the day of the accident witness was called by a messenger, and on going to the Commissariat Pier saw the pony lying dead in the defendant's cargo- boat. The only person on board was an old woman. Witness looked round the junk, and saw a derrick attached to the mast, two blocks,
and a wooden windlass-the tackle used in
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
By the Court-Witness did not keep his attention fixed continuously on the horse-box as it was being hoisted; he was talking to some The box was on a level with the soldiers. pier, and was on the point of being swung in when the rope broke.
The case was adjourned for the examination of the witness who had gone to Canton. He is the man deputed by Fackara to engage the junk.
THE COMING CRICKET WEEK.
The Straits Times of the 1st inst. says:-* "We learn that the cricket team representing the Straits in Hongkong is expected to leave here for the northern port about the 30th or 31st of October next, arriving in Hongkong about the 7th or 8th November. The first cricket match will take place a few days after. Hongkong have also asked the Straits to play them at lawn tennis, and this has been agreed to. It is too early yet to state who are likely to be the 'probables' for the Straits team, but the work of selection will be taken in hand as soon as possible. The team is to represent the bam will be made in the same manner as on Straits as a whole, and the selection of the previous occasions, viz.,-The Native States and Penang will furnish the names of thirteen cricketers, together with their various qualifica tions, to the committee of the Singapore Cricket Club, and the final selection will be made by them. The Straits team will pay their own passages to China." The Straits Times adds:The committee of the 8.C.C. have invited Hongkong and Ceylon to send cricket teams here next Chinese New Year, the arrangements to be on the same lines as in 1891. Answers are expected from Hongkong and Ceylon shortly
hoisting the pony. Part of the broken rope was hanging from the derrick and part was in the hold. The rope was greatly worn, witness Faw on examining it. (Rope produced) The combined weight of the horse-box and pony might be half a ton. In its present condition witness was of opinion that the rope was unable to bear that weight. Word of the accident had been sent to Captain Trefusis, and witness waited till his arrival about two hours later. Captain. Trefusis then gave orders that the pony was to be sent down to Mr. Kennedy's stables for burial. During this time the cargo-boat had grounded, and witness had to engage some Army Service Corps boatmen to drag her off. He then hired a launch and had the cargo-boat towed to Causeway Bay. The longer portion of the rope ROYAL HONGKONG GOLF CLUB. was used to tow the boat off, and it broke twice during the operation. The expenses of Captain Trefusis in the matter were 810-40— $5 for barying the pony, 83 for the launch, and $2:40 divided amongst the twelve coolies who pulled the cargo-boat off.
Cross-examined by Mr. Pontifex-Witness did not give any personal orders when the junk was engaged, and could not there- fore say what orders were given. He saw the horse-box taken on board the cargo boat, but did not see the pony until after it was killed. Mr. Kennedy, who was to take charge of the animal, and “who came down expecting to get a live pony," was at the Com- missariat Pier before witness.
By the Court-The cargo-boat was towed off because it was likely to prove an obstruction to the Army Service Corps boat. The junk would not have gone ashore had it not waited for Captain Trefusis's arrival. Had the crew not run away they could have kept it from grounding.
A Chinese coxswain in the Commissariat Department was next called. He deposed that he was standing on the Commissariat Pier when the pony was about to be hoisted out of the cargo-boat, and he remarked to the people on board that they should use strong tackle, as the pony was a big one. Witness then described the hoisting process and the accident.
By the Court-Witness was of opinion that the rope was a good one, because the horse-box and pony were hoisted so high.
Robert James Glendinning, assistant to Mr. Kennedy, was also standing on the wharf when the pony was being landed. He told Mr. Hastings that the pony was quiet during the operation and did not jump-at least, so for as witness's recollection went." The animal might have given a jump or two, for anything he could
Ray.
Cross-examined by Mr. Pontifex as to "the jump or two," Glendinning waid the pony did not seem to be excited or frightened, and was quiet when being hoisted.
Mr. Hastings-You don't remember him try ing to get out of the box, or anything of that sort?
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CAPTAIN'S CUP AND SILVER Medal for AUGUST.
The following cards were handed in.
CAPTAIN'S CUP. Mr. I. H. T. McMurtrie
Capt. C. C. Renton Mr. V. A. C. Hawkins Capt. Blackburne, R N. Dr. Drew, R.N. Mr. C. H. P. Hay
...
17 entries.
POOL.
Mr. I. H. T. McMurtrie Mr. T. S. Forrest. Capt. Blackburne, R.N.
13 entries.
88888
92
199
The Gorette contains the official recognition of Herr O. Gumprecht as Imperial German- Consul at Hongkong.
The only case of communicable disease, other than plague, reported in the colony during last week was a fatal case of enterio fever.
Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge made à tour of inspection through H.M. Naval Yard on the 6th inst. We believe that he was greatly pleased with the victualling stores.
The Secretary of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce informed us on the 7th that the Chamber had learnt from the Govern- ment that a telegram has been received by the Colonial Secretary of the Straits Settle- ments to the effect that the prohibition on Chinese immigration has been removed, but that quarantine is maintained at Singapore.
Before a very good attendance, the replayed match in the Water Polo Shield Competition between the R. W.F. (Right) team and V.R.C. "B" team took place on the 7th inst. at Kowloon. The game was splendidly contested. At half. time the R.W.F. led by three goals to two, and finally won by five goals to three--although they were handicapped during the latter half of the game by the absence of one of their men, who had to retire owing to cramp.
During the 48 hours preceding noon on the 5th inst., there were reported 2 fresh cases of plague and 2 deaths (Chinese), and in the next 24 hours 2 cases (1 Chinese, 1 European) and 4 deaths (Chinese). Since then there have been only 3 cases and 3 deaths (Chinese). The fresh European case is a boy aged 15, by name James Stavers, who is employed in the Eastern Ex- tension Telegraph Co. and has been residing in a house on Pedder's Hill. He has been unwell for some time, the doctor being uncertain as to his ailment. On the 6th inst. he was removed to Kennedytown Hospital. Miss Herbet has been discharged cured from the Hospital, and the only patients now there are the boys Mao- kenzie and Stavera.
Lady Blake and Miss Blake left the colony on the 7th inst. by the Empress of China for a holiday at home in Youghal, Ireland, probably returning to Hongkong again in December or January next. They reached Murray Pier at about 11.15 a m., accompanied by H.E. the Governor, and were met by a number of friends, European and Chinese, who had come to see them off. Both ladies were 101 prosented with flowers, among which were two handsome tributes from the Italian Congul- General. After saying good-bye to those assembled, they embarked, amid general good wishes, on the launch Victoria with HE. the Governor, Mr. R. F. Johnston, Lieut. A. Blake, and a few friends, and proceeded on board the Empress of China, which left soon after noon.
100
0 85
85
81
9 91
...16 ...15 ...18
HONGKONG.
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89 104 92 110
0 83
83
2 89 16 85
87 101
Police Inspector P. McNab has been pro. moted from a third-class to a second-class in- spectorship. The appointment, which dates from the 1st inst., gives satisfaction to Inspector MoNab's many friends in the Police Force.
The s.s. Melpomene, which arrived early on the 7th inst. from Shanghai, reports that she passed through a very strong typhoon on the second day out from Shanghai. She suffered considerable damage to ship and rigging, and lost her anchors, life-boats, top-mast, etc. The weather was very dirty all the way down.
The city on the 3rd from morning till night was enveloped in dust storms, and apparently little or nothing was done to lay the dust. Pedestrians had to face the clouds of dust and get through them with smarting eyes; only one water-cart was heard of as being in action. The nuisance was a typical example of our exquisite administration. Fortunately rain fell on the 3rd instant.
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The sunken dredger-a phrase that is now quite stereotyped-will soon be but a memory, The Canton River is lying in dock waiting for a purchaser, and the piles that marked its resting-place at the bottom of the harbour have now, save for about half-a-dozen which will Witman-No.
soon go, been removed. Simultaneously, too, will Mr. Hastings-As far as you could see, he disappear opportunities for the jokes that have was quiet but rather nervous ?
for so long been levelled at the unfortunate | Witness Yes.
vessel.
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By kind permission of Lient.-Colonel Tevers- ham, D.8.O., and the Officers, the Band of the 3rd Madras Light Infantry played on the 5th inst. from 6 to 8 p.m. at Kowloon on the sea front at the bottom of Robinson Road. If possible this band will play every Monday evening. The public, especially the residents of Kowloon, ought to be thankful to the Officers for supply- ing this long-felt want, and if they could see their way to allow their band to play on this side of the harbour on every alternate Monday during summer_it would be a boon to the residents here. It is the peculiarity of a crown colony not to undertake or provide any public amusements which make living in our neigh. bouring foreign colonies bearable. What a vaat amount we have to learn from the Dutch and the French in the pleasures of colonial-life. Even at Macao there is a public band, and, of course, at Shanghai the daily performances of the town band afternoon and evening is one of the chief enjoyments in the “Model Settle- ment." Can anyone picture any day more miserable than a Sunday in Hongkong? It is to be hoped that one of the first duties of the remodelled Sanitary Board that is to be, will be the provision of a town band,
The British transports - Umia and Miraní arrived in the harbour from Calcutta on the 3rd and 4th inst, respectively. The hospital- ship Carthage arrived" from Shanghai on 4th inst.
The Austrian cruiser Zenta arrived on the 7th inst. from Canton and left again in the afternoon in company with the Kaiserin Elisabeth for home. The British hospital-ship Carthage left for Calcutta.