il 21, 1902.1
bandmaster, and by the bandsmen, to reach the high standard of excellence they at tained. If they can be induced to repeat the performance they may expect a bumper house. The proceeds of the concert are in aid of the fund for the renovation and improvement of the Institute premises. The Chaplains desire to thank Col, the Hon. R. H. Bertie, C.B and the officers of the Battalion for kindly permitting the Band to be present and Band- master Moir and the men of the Eaud for the concert they provided-one of the very best ever held in the Institute.
FNTERTAINMENT AT THE
- CATHOLIC UNION.
The twelfth entertainment by the members of the Catholic Union took place on the 12th inst. in the hall of the Club, when Offenbach's comic operetta in two acts (ntitled The Magic Melody was staged. The piece is very tuneful, and possesses many pretty songs, as is the case with all of Offenbach's music, but there is really no plot to speak of. The various characters were very creditably sustain- ed by the lady and gentlemen amateurs, many of whom only made their debut as actors and actresses. The singing throughout was good, excellent time being kept, especially by the chorus, but at times some of the lines in the play were not audible, due perhaps to the bad acoustic arrangements of the ball. Taken all round, the piece was very satisfactorily put through, and bore evidence of careful rehearsing under Mr. W. Farmer. The musical part was under the care of Mr. Emil Danenberg, and Miss Judith Danenberg acted as accompanist in a clever style. A word of praise is also due to the orchestra, who played an overture and during the interval, and also to the pretty sceneries and the stage arrangements, which were under the superintendence of Mr. M. J. Danenberg. The performance was repeated on Monday evening before a very appreciative audience, and showed much improvement, gained from experience. The following was the cast of characters :-
Mr. L. Silva-Netto.
Arnold (A scrivener's clerk) Mr. M. J. Danenberg Dorick (An old scrivener). Grace (his ward) Betty (A kitchen wench) Toby (An office boy) Louisa, Susan), Isabella and
(Grace's
Miss Silva-Netto. Miss Elsie Krnger. Mr. Emil Danenberg. Misses L. Alves, A. Gutierrez, C. and H.
Пюрея. Will, Ralph,
Messrs. F. Eca da Silva, (Dorick's Ned and
C. Roza, A. A. Alves, cle: ks) Basi
G. V. Osmund. Ah Fook (a Chinese servant) Mr. F. Ribeiro,
Kate Sfriends)
ANNUAL POLO DINNER. Upwards of twenty members sat down to the annual polo dinner in the Hongkong Club on Monday evening, 31st March. Lient.-Col. F. W. B. Koe, A.S.C., Hon. Secretary, was the guest of the evening. The Hon. T. H. Whitehead was Chairman, while Major A. B. Hamilton, D A.A.G., occupied the vice-chair. After the toast of "King Edward the Seventh' > had been pledged,
The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of "Our Guest," who was so soon to leave for the old country. Col. Koe had been an indefatigable Secretary, tactful but firm, and he had rendered the Club yeoman service. He would be greatly missed by many others besides polo players, also by Jumbo, from whose back he did much hard hitting and scored many a goal. He had always played the game right through for his side, and not for his personal enjoyment. His example, repeatedly set them, should not be for- gotten, but should be-emulated by every mem- ber. In the promotion of manly sports and health-giving games their Honorary Secretary's energy and resource had been untiring, and they would be fortunate if they looked upon his like again. On behalf of the members, the Chair- man asked: Col. Koe's acceptance of a silver salver as a small token of their friendship and esteem. They wished him health, a long life of usefulness, and a happy reunion with his wife and family in England.
The toast was drunk with musical honours.
The following inscription appeared on the salver. Lieut-Col. F. W. B. Koe, A.S.C., Honorary Secretary, from members of the
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Hongkong Polo Club, with respect and esteem 31st March, 1902.” -
Lient.-Col. KoE said in reply that he felt he did not deserve the good things the Chairman had said or the splendid reception they had given him. Still, be greatly appreciated their kind ness and woul! cherish that beautiful souvenir not only for its intrinsic value but for the feel- ings which prompted them to think of thus honouring him. He could not find words to adequately express how grateful he was for the evidence of good fellowship which the gathering indicated, for he was conscions of his shortcom- ings and that he did not merit what they had done for him. He was sorry to be leaving Hongkong for several reasons, and because when at home he would not be able to afford to play polo, as ponies there are so expensive. However, he would take away with him my pleasant recollections, none happier than his polo associations here, and he could only tender each of them his heart-felt thanks for their cordial reception and kindness. (Applause)
Major A. B. HAMILTON proposed the "Naval Players, to whom they were much indebted for their assistance in keeping the proverbial polo ball rolling. In spite of the difficulties in picking up ponies at short notice, and notwith standing the uncertainty as their stay here, the Royal Navy were always well represented in all games, more especially polo. Amongst them were several of the Club's keenest players, and some of its most popular members. He conld not sit down without recalling to memory the grievons loss which the senior service and the Club sustained in the sudden and untimely death at Canton, from cholera, of a typical young sportsman and splendid horse- man, who was one of the best-known figures in last winter's polo and whose cheery and hopeful disposition endeared him to all. He referred to the late Lieut. Commander E. A. Baird, of H.M. gunboat Britomart, who was deservedly held in high esteem. Major Hamilton coupled the toast, in the absence of Captain Orpen, with the name of Lieut. Hutchinson. (Applause.)
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fantry," said he knew the Bomb ys very well and could truthfully say they were a band of true sportsmen. He believed the regiment might be going away before very long, so it was there- ore all the more to their credit that they had supported the game to the extent they had done. He had a shrewd suspicion tha: if they remained with us they would put in the field fone of the strongest regimental teams scen here for a long time, as he knew they had a pony or two in training on the quiet over in the New Territory. He coupled with the toast the name of the genial Captain Labertouche, one of the hardest, surest hitters and a brilliant player, (Applanse.)
Capt. C. N. L. LABERTOUCHE said that with regard to polo players and the regiment to which he
had the honour to belong he felt that the initiated there must look upon some of Mr. Thornhill's remarks as bordering on exaggera. tion and irony, while personally he felt that he must accuse him of flattery.
Col. KOE proposed "Success to the Polo Club,” coupled with the name of Mr. Whitehead, who, he said, was one of the Club's original num- bers and had been one of its staunchest supporters and continued to be one of its mainstays. Every ports had its utility, but none tended to make a man more a man than the e..trancing game of polo, and none fitted him more for the sterner joys of war. or enabled him the better to fight his part in the battle of life. The exercise which the noble game yields had worked wonders on many men, and Mr. Whitehead was a living evidence of what polo exercise could do for the human frame after a lengthened residence in tropical cli- mates. In their own interests it was much to be regretted that só few civilian members followed the example set by their energetic and indefatigable Chairman.
Mr T.-H. WHITEHEAD, in responding, said the Polo Cub was getting on in years, having been started in 1887. During that period there had been many changes and no less than seven dif- ferent regiments had been stationed here. Now Hongkong was fortunate to have the privilege Liear. H. HUTCHINSON, R.N., in response, of the presence of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. thanked the proposer for the very generous terms Amongst the polo-playing members of these in which he referred to the naval polo players.regiments there were the pick of the very best He could not find words to suitably express their gratitude for the sporting reception they had received on Causeway Bay, Assuredly the naval man had difficulties to contend against, for he arrived here to-day and he did not know how soon he might have to be away again Consequently he had to buy ponies without much of a trial, and though he was invariably a good judge of horseflesh he had to take a good dear on trust. Yet they now numbered 13 players, which was some evidence that naval men take to horse flesh as naturally as the duck takes to water. (Applause.)
Mr. W. A. CRUICKSHANK proposed the "R.A. Polo Players." The Gunners had, he said, always taken an active part in all branches of health-giving recreation, including polo, cricket, football, and yachting. He hoped that wherever it might be his luck to be stationed it would be his good fortune to meet the Gnn- ners. (Applause.)
Lient. G. BADHAM THORNHILL replied. It was very nice of Mr. Cruickshank to make such flattering remarks about the R.A., a tithe of which they did not deserve, for at present they had very few players. Mr. Whitehead had at previous annual dinners remarked that it was a Gunner" Major, now Col. Walter B. Fletcher, who started the game here. They were very prond of t'e fact that a Gunner was the pioneer of the noblest of all sports on this Island. (Applause.)
3.
"
"
Captain LABERTOUCHE proposed the health of the "Royal Welsh Fusiliers Polo Players." It was a very great loss to the Club that half of the regiment were in the North, but in Peking they had started polo and were giving a right good account of themselves there. Those here had had to contend against a series of accidents with ponies, and but for this he felt sure they would have had a team which would have carried off the Royal Artillery Challenge Shield as well as Mr. Cruickshank's cups in the recent tournaments. He coupled the teast with the sporting Capt Cadogan. (Applause.)
Capt. CADOGAN responded in suitable terms. Lient. C. BADHAM THORNHILL, in proposing *the Polo Players in the 22nd Bombay In
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of ra e good fellows, the hardest and surest hit- ters, splendid horsemen, and numerous brilliant players, a good many of whom he grieved to say had found their last resting place in South Africa. That so few civilians were to be found amongst the playing members was greatly to be deplored, for the effects of the exercise were more bracing and far more lasting than the best tonics medical science could prescribe. The members of the club were under great obligations to the ladies for honouring Causeway Bay ground occasionally with their presence, which added a distinct charm to the picturesque surroundings. Their presence also caused emulation in the heart of the players, it made the old feel gay and the young to feel strong. Polo occupied a naique position between "sports" properly so called on the one hand and games on the other, and partook of the best qualities of both. It was mrst useful for developing the attributes, in man-eye, hand, a firm seat, couragɔ, activity, pluck, endurance, quickness of thought, keen- ness, determination, good temper, judgment, strat gy, discipline, unselfishness, and self- control. The exercise hardened the muscles, strengthened the nerves, qualified and fitted man for the discharge of life's duties in addition to rendering him capable of performing better work than he otherwise could do. ▲ warm welcome awaited the new f ces who came to fill up the gaps in the ranks made by d parting favourits, but old friends, whether players or ponies, held a warm corner in their hearts. He bad it on reliable authority that in future there are to be three Indian regiments stationed in Hong- kong instead of one, in addition to one British regiment, besides the large number of Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, &c., but he sincerely hoped the Civil element would not be so back- ward to ji in their ranks and share in the many benefits which the invigorating exercise yields. Polo was steadily gaining a firmer root and stronger hold in public favour throughout the world. There would be an international tourna- ment in England this summer and another. Delhi next January, India having invited