390
Sir John Keane, Bart., has arrived in Hong- kong, having come from Chinkiang by the Portuguese gunboat Diu, to take up the post of Private Secretary to H. E. the Governo, Sir Henry A. Blake. G.C.M.G.
A farewell dinner was given by Mr. J. W, Osborne in the Kowloon Hotel on the 10th inst. to Quartermaster-Sergeants Ansell and Me. pham, H.K.S.B.R.A., who, with their families, are leaving for Englandby the transport Palawan.
Delirious, it is reported, with fever, an English gunner in the Royal Artillery threw himself over a verandah of the Garrison Hospital on the 10th inst., and was killed. He was buried in the Happy Valley on the 11th inst. afternoon with military honours.
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
At a regular meeting on the 9th inst. of! the United Service Lodge of Freemasons No. 1,344, E.C., Bro. H. D. Wolf was elected Worshipfal Master, Wor. Bro. H. J. Watson Treasurer, and Bro. Vanstone Tyler.
The following returns of the average amount of banknotes in circulation and of specie in reserve in Hongkong, during October, are cer- tified by the managers of the respective banks:—
Average Specie in,
Banks.
Chartered Bank of India, Aus-
tralia and China
Hongkong and Shanghai Bank-
ing Corporation National Bank of China, Limited
Total
A monnt.
Reserve. ន
$ 3,229,030 1,600,000
9,609,183 5,000,000 445,382 150,000 $13,283,545 $6,750,000 H.E. the Governor has appointed the under. The annual session of Justices of the Peace was held at the Magistracy on Friday afternoon mentioned as members of the Committee for for the purpose of considering applications for the. Wongneichang and Queen's Recreation Gronuds in place of the two separate Com- publican's and adjunct licences for the year 1902-1903. Mr. F. A. Hazeland presided, and
mittees formerly existing-Naval representa- the other Justices present were Messrs. FJtive, Surgeon W. L Martin, R.N.; Military, Badley, B. E. Hanson, W. H. Percival, G. C. Captain P. F. R. Anley; Polo Club, Hon. F. H. Anderson, T. H. Reid, R. H. Craig, and May. C.M.G.; Golf (lub, M. W. T. Saunders; C. A. D. Melbourne. All the licences, twenty- Mr. F. Browne; Hockey Club, Mr. J. Barton; Cricket Club, Mr. E. A. Ram; Football Club, five in number, were granted unanimously.
Jockey Club, Mr. A. S. Anton; and Victoria Recreation Club, Mr. W. Armstrong. Now regulations for the management of the two grounds are published in the Gazette. meat Civil Hospital on the 8th iust. from P. C. 13 James Copeland died in the Govern heart disease, and was buried on the 9th inst. in the Happy Valley. The deceased joined the Police Force three years ago from the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and was a capable constable and a hard-working fireman, liked by his comrades and valued for his services by his superiors. He was a native of Yarmouth, aged about 31, and was unmarried. The funeral was attended by Mr. F. J. Badeley, C.S.P., Captain Lyons, D.S.P., Mr. Wodehouse, A.S.P, and all available inspectors, sergeants, and constables, members of the Gaol staff, a number of men from the deceased's old company in the Fusiliers, Company, and several civilians. The service was conducted by the Rev. R. F. Jolinson, Chaplain of the Cathedral. The coffin, which for and sent by Chinese policemen and firemen, was covered with wreaths, four of them subscribed was borne to the grave by a relief party of twelve constables.
An alfresco fête in aid of the orphans and invalids under the care of the sisters of the Italian Convent was held on the 9th inst. in the compound of the Roman Catholic Cathedral. The place was nicely lit up by electric lights and Japenese lanterns, the moon also giving her help to make the scene a beautiful one. The bazaar started at 9 o'clock, but long before that time a large crowd of people had The band of the 33rd Burma assembled. Infantry, by kind permission of Colonel Iremonger and the officers, was in attendance, and enlivened the proceedings consid rably by an excellent programme of music. Everything tended to give the fête a gratifying result, and all those present spent a very pleasant even- ing, besides doing good to an institution in this Colony which really deserves the support of the public. The net proceeds amounted to about $2,500.
About eight o'clock on the 9th inst. a report was made to the police that a Malay woman living at 10, Square Street, near Holly wood Road, had been stabbed by her husband, also a Malay, and when the house was entered the woman, who had a terrible wound in the abdo- men, was found to be dead, whilst her husband and supposed murderer was suffering from several self-inflicted wounds in the same part of the body. He had gashed himself horribly with a long-bladed knife, and had to be medically treated before being removed to the Government Civil Hospital, where he now lies in a dangerous condition. A Chinese doctor from the Tung Wa Hospital attended to the man's injuries, in a call from the Central Police
or a
answer to
Station.
It is now some time since the community had an opportunity of witnessing a circus per- formance, and the opportunity afforded by Mr. Warren and his clever company was consequently largely responded to. The 9th inst. was the opening night, and the large marquee was simply crammed with people, and was some- what uncomfortable in consequence. Warren's Circus, has appeared here before but it has never put on the excellent programme that is now submitted. It is really one of the best par- formances of its kind that has been given here for many years, and there was not a dull number "fill up." presented. The performing dogs, trained by "Niny " and Mdlle. Mary Rose, are alone worth the price of admission, and their tricks are many and wonderful. They have been splendidly trained and go through their per formance thoroughly obediently and without a failure. Little Emily Lucifer is a very graceful and charming artist, and there is absolutely no need for her subsequent contortion acts, which are in unpleasing contrast to her earlier efforts. Miss Mary Bell appears to be able to do any thing on the invisible wire, possesses a charming person, and like the fair equestrienne Mdlle: Alicia, was deservedly applauded. The children Dick and Bella Bell contribute a pretty and clever number to the programme, and in high-kicking and leg-stretching Louise and William Lucifer perform wonders. The clowns are very funny and provide much amusement. The perform ance is first rate, and the circus, deserves to be, and indeed is, largely patronised.
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[November 17, 1902.
Mr. J. H. Kemp, Acting Police Magistrate, resumed his duties at the Police Court on Fri- day morning after a brief vacation,
H.E. Major-General Sir W. J. Gascoigne, K.C.M.G., arrived at Shanghai on the 7th inst to stay for a few days before proceeding hither, As a typhoon is reported to have passed over the neighbourhood of the Paracels, little hope can be entertained that the 8.8. Phra Nang, which went ashore there about a fortnight ago, will escape total destruction. The party which left Hongkong on the Machew to survey the stranded vessel is not expected back for a day or two.
On the principle that half a loaf is better than no bread, the public no doubt view with satisfaction the erection at last of a shelter on Blake Pier, though it is only of a temporary character. The shelter is of the kind generally known as a matshed. It will be welcome to the community, but at the same time it is to be hoped that its existence will not be put forward as an excuse for delaying the erection of a permanent shelter when the Colonial exchequer is able to bear the cost.
steamer Hoi Ho, committed suicide by drowning Mr. Duncan Bowie, chief officer of the river
on the evening of the 4th inst., off Ling Ting Island. The sad iucident happened at about half-past seven in the evening. a couple of
hours after the Hoi lo left her berth here on
the trip to Canton. Captain Paxton, the and then left Mr. Bowie in charge whilst ho master, remained on the bridge till that time, went below to his cabin. Just as he wa entering it he heard a loud splash, and immediately went on deck to ascertain its cause. The chief officer was nowhere to be seen, and a question addressed to the Chinaman at the wheel elicited the startling information that the mate had "jumped over the side." The steamer's engines were at once reversed and a boat lowered with all despatch to search for the unfortunate man, who, how- ever, was never seen again. He made not a Esign after entering the water, and it is believed that he was struck by the propeller. The only reason given for this act of s lf- destruction is that the deceased was worried in his mind regarding some floating property on the West River, to which bis right of possession was contested by Chinese with whom he is said to have been in partner- ship. Mr. Bowie, who was a native of Oban, Argyllshire. Scotland, was about 40 years of Hongkong and on the China cost generally, age, and unmarried. He was well known in having been at one time or other in the service of most of the local steamship companies. His body has not yet been recovered.
which happened in the harbour on
Our attention has been drawn to an incident the seriously. The facts as supplied to us ara as 11th inst., and which narrowly missed ending
launch from Hongkong for follows: Just after the 4.15 p.m. Star Ferry Kowloon had cleared the wharf, it was seen that the Rosetta Maru was steaming half-speed on a course which would take her across the bow of the such cases is for the ferry-lannch to go round ferry boat. The practice usually followed in
the stern of the bigger vessel, but in the present instance the coxswain departed from the custom and kept straight ahead, probably thinking that by putting on full speed he would be able comfortably to clear the bow of the Rosetta Maru. The fallacy of the move was apparent when it was too late to retrieve the mistake, for the two vessels were now steering converging courses which would inevitably bring them into collision. The greatest excitement pre- vailed on the launcb, both amongst the European and Chinese passengers, who stared in fear at the menacing shape of the approaching steamer. A useless exchange of whistles took place, and a situation that seemed hopeless was saved only by the prompt action of the Maru's skipper, Captain Tate, who jammed his wheel over and turned the steamer's head away from the foolhardy launch, which, according to the statement of our informant, who was one of its passengers, cleared the bow of the steamer by no more than a couple of feet. As the crisis approached and was safely passed, not a sound was to be heard on the launch, the emotions of those on board being too intense for express on. One gentleman afterwards said that in all the seven years he had travelled on the ferry launches he never experienced such a close shave. This of itself speaks well for the care- fulness and ability of the Ferry Company's coxswains, but in the present instance there seems to be a feeling that the danger run was in a great measure the fault of the coxswain of the launch; the matter is, however, being in vestigated, we understand.
in the Colony has been added to by one that
The lengthy list of fatal building collapses
occurred on the 12th inst. in Wing Lok Street, near the Harbour Office, resulting in the death of two Chinese workman and the avere injury of three others, are now in who hospital. On receipt of the intelligence at the Central Police Station, a relief gang under Sergeant Garrod was despatched to the scene, and their labours resulted in the revealing of the casualties above reported. The groaning that could afterwards be distinctly heard coming from underneath the debris told its own significant tale, however, and showed that life still remained to be saved. The Hon. W. Chatham, Director of Public Works, and Mr. H. P. Tooker, executive engi- neer, were present, as were other members of the staff of the Public Works Department and Mr. A. Mackie, Chief Inspector of Police. The col- lapse, viewed on the spot, appeared to be that of a wall between Nos. 126 and 128, Wing Lok Street, where rebuilding operations are pro- ceeding. Many tons of fallen material have been displaced, and the task before the rescuers was far from a light one. About an hour after. the occurrence an agitated Chinese shopkeeper in the immediate vicinity told one of the Europeans present that his foki In Piu, whom he described as a boy of about 15 or 16 years of age, was under the débris. He had heard the poor lad's groans, he said shakingly, and his response when his name was called. Half an hour later he returned to say that In Piu had turned up safely, and suggested by his manner and speech that further efforts in the direction of saving life were unnecessary, now that his foki was all right! The other man died after removal to hospital. H.E. the Governor on Thursday visited the scene of the collapse.