October 7, 1901.]
time or inclination to fulfill their respective funotions, then the sooner they acknowledge the fact the better. The Colcny at present is running about half a dozen teachers of sing ing, which is evidence of much interest being taken in vocal music, but nothing seems to eventuate in the form of a public entertain ment worthy of the place and the community, Surely during the coming season the two societies combined can do something in the way of a good musical entertainment.
Mr. Alec March will most likely sing at a farewell concert at Canton towards the end of this month before leaving for Shanghai. His loss will be much felt locally, and the good wishes of all will go with him; but it is not unlikely the Colony will see him aga n on a flying visit from the Model Settlement," which he will make his headquarters until he goes home next year. He is a big man with a big heart and a hig voice, and has done much to improve vocal music in Hongkong, and has never hesitated to chip in and sing at any of the soldiers' and sailors' concerts. I understand that when he does go home, he may return on a trip to the
gorgeous East with a few other musical celebrities. Mr. Marsh seems to belong to a musical family, for a recent number of the Ladies' Field has the following:-"Our portrait this week represents Miss Ethel Marsh a young violinist, who has studied both at the Royal Academy of Music (under M. Sauret) and the Brussels Conservatoire. Miss Marsh is a niece of Mr. Alec Marsh and of Madame Alice Eaty, and made her debut in 1898 during a concept with Madame Esty, since when she has played with success in the pro- vinces and in London, notably at the Sunday League orchestral concerts at Queen's Hall, Assisted by Madame Alice Esty. Mlle. Jantha, and Mr. Denham Price, this young artist gave an entirely successful concert last week at 91, Eaton Square, by kind permission of Mrs. Whitelaw. In a Beethoven Sonata for violin and piano, in which the support of so ex- perienced a pianist as Mlle. Janotha was most valuable, Miss Marsh gave evidence of sound method, and a large audience showed its honest appreciation of her three subsequent solos, a
"Elfentanz Canzonetta" by Ambrosio, an by Popper, and a well-known air by Bach for the Gatring only. Madame Esty (Mrs. Alec Marsh) is best in the lighter songs of her reper- toire, such as Sullivan's “O, Swallow, Swallow," Miss Ethel Marsh leaves London shortly on a concert tour in the provinces."
DECANI
ENGINEERS' CONCERT.
A successful and thoroughly enjoyable "smoker" was given on Saturday, 28th ult. by the members of the Institute of Engineers and Shipbuilders at their rooms in Des Voeux Road. The programme was large and comprehensive, and was evidently well appreciated, judging by the continued applause which met each item; while the inner man was not forgotten by the committee in charge of arrangements. The programme opened, owing to the absence of Mr. H. A. Minto, with a song by Mr. H. B. Bridger, who rendered "The King's Champion" and "The Gauntlet." Mr. Brand sang " Jessie's Dream," but was heard to betier advantage ‘iu "Anchored." Mr. Sibbitt delighted the audi- ence with a violin solo, an intermezzo from Cavaleria Rusticana, and "Home, Sweet Home." Mr. A. Cunningham's Drinking Song' brought the audience's enthusiasm to encore pitch, and nothing less than "Father O'Flynn" would satisfy them. The same gentleman sang Thursday in the second part of the pro- gramme, and again had to respond with an encore. Mandalay" was appreciatively ren- dered by Mr. S. O. Jenkins, who in response to an encore sang" She is the Belle of New York and later on The Harmless Little Girlie" and A Jovial Mind." Mr. W. J. Terrill delighted the audience with The Merry Monk "The Deathless Army
as an encore. He Asthore" and again obliged later on with
Queen of the Earth." Mr. E. O. Murphy amused his audience with "Mary had a little. : Ram." Sergeant Simmers, R... a guest, who sang well, obliged the audience with The Admiral's Broom" and as an encore **The Skipper."
As a finale he sang "The Longshoreman "Out on the Deep."
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
291
We must not forget to mention that a great | PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION OF part of the success of evening was due to the untiring labours of Mr. T Hughes, who so generously gave his services as accompanist.
The programme having come to a close, Mr. W. Ramsay, Vice-President of the Institute. expressed his gratification at the undeniable success which the efforts of the committee had met, and intimated the probability that these "smokere" would become a monthly institu. tion, and expressed a hope that he would see the same faces gathered together at the next A rote of thanks to the month's concert.
committee, Mr. Hughes the accompanist, and the gentlemen who so kindly helped, all of whom but one were non-members, was then proposed by the chairman and enthusiastically carried. Another vote of thanks by the members to the visitors was followed by " Auld Lang Syne."
DINNER AT THE CLUB LUSITANO.
Members of the Club Lusitano celebrated the birthday of Their Most Faithful Majesties the King and Queen of Portugal on the 28th ult. by a dinner in the club-house. The large and commodious hall of the club, which was used on many previous occasions for balls, theatrical performances and concerts, was plainly but tastefully decorated tor the purpose, and proved to be an excellent banquet-hall, providing ac- commodation without the least inconvenience for about 7) persons, who sat down to do full justice to an excellent menu provided by the Club's chef. Senhor Conselheiro Romano pre- sided and there were present, hasides the members of the Club, Mr. Haver Droeze, Con- sul-General for the Netherlands, Mr. Oustioff, Consul for Russia, Mr. Kato, Consul for Japan, the Vice-Consal for France, and a few officers of H.M.S. Argonaut. Other foreign consuls were also invited, but for various reasons were unable to bo present. The health of the King and Queen was proposed by Senhor Romano, and was very enthusiastically received, the band playing the Portuguese national anthem. The were ably carried out by the arrangements committee, and everything went off without the slightest hitch. Through the courtesy of Commodore Powell, Captain Cherry and the officers of H.M.S. Argonaut, their band, under the leadership of Mr. Moss, was present, and enlivened the proceedings with a selected pro. gramme: It was a very successful dinner, and The guests left highly pleased with the hospit. ality dispensed by the members.
The following was the menn :---
Sopa de ninho de passaro á mandarina. Peixe com molho de tomates. Pastellinhos folhados de figado. Assado de narcejas com agrives á jardineira. Lombo de vacca lardeado com molho de capes. Paté de foie gras de Strasbourg com trafas. Pombo com arroz á lusitana. Capão e carneiro assados á ingleza. Presunto de York.
Salada russa.
Espargos e ervilhas ú franceza.
Feijão verde guizado e batatas, Pudding á romana. Geleia. Sorvete de
morangos.
Conservas o fruotas de estação, &c., &c.
:
In the twenty-six years during which the Malay States have had the advantage of British advice and protection (says Sir Frank Swettenham, who was Acting High Commis- sioner, in his just published report) the revenne has grown from about £100,000 to over £1,500,0 0. Over 250 miles of railway, 1,300 miles of cart-road and 1,400 miles of telegraph have been constructed. Waterworks, wharves, hospitals, prisons, schools, and many other public buildings have been constructed, while, at this moment, the Government of Perak is engaged upon an important scheme of irrigation which will benefit about 60,007 acres of land and cost about a million dollars. The four states under British protection were federated in 1896, their total revenue for that year being a little over eight million dollars. As some proof of the success of this step it is not a little remarkable that in 1900 the revenue should have almost doubled, thus securing in less than five years as large a measure of increase as had been gained in the previous twenty years.
|
BUILDING WORKS IN- HONGKONG.
The following letter, which was Isid before the Legislative Council on Thursday last, de-
serves careful consideration :-
Hongkong, 6th September, 1901.
To the Honourable
J. H. STEWARt Lockhart, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary.
SIR, In accordance with your letter No. 2171, dated 29th August, 191, to Messrs. Leigh and Orange, a meeting was held yesterday of the undersigned Civil Engineers, Architects and Surveyors, who represent the firms who have been in practice for the longest period in the Colony.
It was resolved to thank yon for the op- portunity given to express our ideas on the subjects mentioned in Messrs. Leigh and Orange's letter 10 you of 19th August.
It was felt that question of design and supervision of buildings was by far the most on plans for new houses until we had received urgent, and that we could defer the deliberation
copy of the Honourable the Acting Director of Public Works Plan of Improved Chinese would be glad to receive at your early Dwellings, dated August 1st, 1991, which we convenience.
We trust you will not think we are going which you had not expressly referred to us, but beyond our province in discussing questions the seriousness and urgency of the matter is
our excuse.
We beg to suggest that this question of pro- fessional practice and supervision of works might be dealt with speedily by the making of a special short Ordinance, and we trust the following (our unanimous opinion) may be of some assistance.
SUGGESTIONS.
1. Only qualified Civil Engineers, Architects, and Surveyors to be allowed to practise in the Colony, and plans from only such persons to be accepted by the Government under the Building and Public Health Ordinances.
2. All building operations must be carried out under the supervision of a qualified Civil Engineer, Architect. or Surveyor.
3 The Civil Engineer, Architect, or Surveyor to have the power to employ, at the expense of the owner, such supervision as he may consider
necessary.
4. The following persons to be admitted as qualified to practise, viz. :
(a.) Members or Associate Members of the Institution of Civil Engineers, England. (b) Fellows or Associates of the Royal Institution of British Architects.
(c.) Any person who has carried on the profession of Civil Engineer, Architect, or Surveyor for 10 years continuously in the Colony.
(d.) Any other persons who shall satisfy a Board (such as the Public Works Com- mittee) that they are properly qualified to practise.
REASONS.
Fur suggestion 1-
The numerous accidents and collapses of buildings that have taken place in recent years.
Plans are now prepared by a number of so- called Architects, etc., who, in our opinion, have not the qualifications nor the knowledge necessary to design and carry out work.
It is not unusual to see buildings being con- atructed with an utter disregard of stability and strength of materials.
We beg to draw attention to the enquiry on the Cochrane Street disaster, where plans for an additional story were admittedly prepared without the necessary precautions.
For suggestion 2-
It is not possible nor usual anywhere for the Authorities (ie., the Building Inspectors) to go thoroughly into every design, calculate all the strains on piers, walls, columns, beams, &o., and nor is it possible for the Building Inspectors to thus take the responsibility of checking plans, thoroughly supervise all buildings in course of construction: this can only be done by the Architect and Overseer who is constantly on the works and under the orders only of the Engineer or Architect of the job,