December 1, 1902.]
A letter was also read from the Chamber of Commerce, Bombay, dated 30th September last, enclosing copy of a letter which had been addressed to the Director General of Tele. graphs in India on the subject of the offici tl Code Vocabulary, and expressing the hope thit the Chamber would join forces and strongly object to the proposed compulsory nse of the Vocabulary and at the same time press for uniformity in telegraph forms.
After some discussion, it was decided to sup- port the views of the Bombay Chamber and to take up the matter with the London Chamber of Commerce.
This concluded meeting.
tf
S. ANDREW'S BALL.
27
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Waltz Caledonians Waltz
Waltz
421
Do au Wellen The Belle of New York Love's Old Sweet Song
Scotch Airs
Scotch Beauties Bid me Good-bye John Peel
AL
Galop
Supper commenc'd at half-past eleren. the President's table, ia addition to those who participated in the opening set, were the Hon. Sir H. S. Berkeley and Mrs. Robinson, Hon. C. W. Dickson and Mrs. May, Hon. W. Chatham and Mrs Wylly, Capt. G. C. Anderson and Mrs.
Johnson.
The following was the mena :—
"Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it! But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thank it.'
'We'll tak' a cup o' kindnes; yet, for auld lang syne."
Turtle Soup.
Saddle of Mutton.
Roast Turkey.
Roast Kobe Beef,
Pork Ham.
Corned Beef.
Corned Tongue. Roast Capoa. Game Pie.
by the Royal Crown. Two howitzers on the first lauding surrounded by the all-prevailing Lancers..
Waltz.
spectacle which derived additional charm from greenery imparted an air of impressiveness to a the presence of a fine royal stag's head on the main landing, fastefully drap d with flags, These were of all nation ilities, and amongst others a significant combluati n was made of the Japanese colours and the Union Jack. The dates 1847 and 1902 recalled the time that the S. Andrew's Society has been in existence, and the noteworily fact that its inception was coincident with the birth of the Colony. In the various balls and rooms the corations were continuad the bu iness before the with equally good resuits, a certain uniformity bing observable in the embellishment of S. George's Hall and S. Andrew's Hall. In the form r, the portrait of Ilor late Majesty Queen Victoria stood out in relief from the Royal Standard on one side and the Irish on the other, the latter a pretty compliment to the donor of the portrait, Sir Thomas Jacksou In the S. Andrew's Hall the portrait of Scotland's patron saint and that of the late Duke of Edinburgh were similarly treated, whilst round both halls were suspended the shields of the various Scottish counti s. portrait of the late Hon. Phineas Ryri ́, the Anxcellent first Pasi leut of the S ciety, was displ:yel iu the Ladies' room, where bunting was as profuse as elsewhere, and in the Reception Room the guests had p ovide for their use lounges and easy-chairs; here, too, the work of the Decara- tions Committee was seen to advantage, but never more so, perhaps, than in the transforma- tion of the Theat e, in effecting which the most liberal use had been made of plants and buating On the s'age, the horseshoe table at which the Presidout and his distinguished guests sat was bautified by the contrast between its floral ornamentation and the glittering crystal that covered it, whilst, surrounded by an arbour of greenery, the Scottish Coat-of-Arms presented itself prominently to the view. At each end of the stage was plawd a howitzer. and everywhere were flowers, plants, and busting. The effect in the body of the Theatro was also striking. the circle being ornamented with shields bearing the Cress of S. Andrew, the Scottish thistle, and the rampant lioa. Altogether the decoratious this year were a most pronounced success, thinks to the earnestuess of the Committee responsible.
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The guests began to assemble just before niue o'clock. I.E. the Governor and party were received by the President. Mr. H. W. Robertson. and, preceded by Piper J. E. Sinclair playing Lord Levey's Grand Mar-h," asce: ded to the ball-rooms. When dining commenced the spectacle was both anim sted and picturesque, The first item in the dance program WAS The Lincers," and to the music provided by the Sherwood Foresters the Bill starte 1. The following ladies and gentlemen joined the President's set in the opening dance: -
When the exhausting summer of the island, with its dull, soulless days, has passed reluct- antly away, the social event in the functions of the coming winter that may be sat down as the most pleasurably anticipate is the great Scottish reunion, S Andr w's Bull. It is a pronounced trait in the character of the Scot, wherever met, to preserve his nationality, and surely there were no better way of doing this than by setting apart one day in the year for the foregathering of exiles frae the land o' the heath and the heather." The Scot, too, is as careful in the election of his acquaintances as he is alleged to be in the expenditure of bis
bawb:es.'
Ou S. Andrew's night, how. ever, his reserve is laid aside, and Sandy, a picturesque figare in his Highland garb, assumes the role of host, playing it well, too, or 2. Andrew's Ball would never be the success it is. But the Society has another object besides the fitting celebration of the anniver- sary of Scotland's patron saint. Burns's countrymen love the laud of their birth, and it is no diminution in the strength of their affec tion that impels them to forsake the old count: y for other lands over the seas. Fortune, however, is not always kind, and thongh some have pros- pered others bear on their lives the imprint of misfortune. To these latter, the playthings of fate, the hand of the Society is extended in charity, but it is a tribute to the perseverance of the Scot and his ability to rise superior to the obstacles the world throwa in his way that few calls are ever mads on the generosity o the Society. He plods steadily on, seeking inspira- tion in the thought, "Deil tak' the hiumaist." It has already been remarked that anticipa- tion of S. Andrew's Ball is always pleasurable, and the feeling was intensified when one arrived on the scene of the fête and vi wed the elaborate preparations that had been made for the event, The entire accommodation of the City Hall. where the Ball was held on Friday evening, was, as usual, utilised for the occasion. Thus, S. Andrew's and S. George's Halls were devoted to dancing, the Theatre Royal was converted into a supper room, and the Library was set aside for cards and refreshments. In the Chamber of Commerco was also a refresh- ment bar, and in the adjoining Committee Room the guests were received. Elaborate as ever Was the scheme of decoration, in which no noticeable departure was made for the good and sufficient reason that it defies improvement. It is a difficult task to describe the beauty of a scene such as that of last night; at the best, one can but enum rate the varions designs that went to its perfection, and then it is impossible to convey to the mind any. thing approaching an accurate impression of the splendour of it all. The dull white of the pillars in the vestibule was relievel by circling bands of greenery, and at the foot they were hidden by clustering plants, which also lined the way up the broad, red-carpeted stairway and dotted the balustrades at brief intervals. Against the wall facing the staircas? the Scottish thistle was picked out in little electric lamps, mauy- coloured and brilliant, the whole being placed in prominent relief upon the Royal Standard, On each side, this beautiful design was flank d by the S. Andrew's Cross in silver, and round the walls hung shields of similar device, some of these also carrying a thistle. As the visitor made his way upstairs thero rose before him, at the head of the staircase and underneath Highland Schottische the illumined thistle, a great mirror in which was reflected an emblazoned trophy of radiating | Waltz bayonets and the Scottish Shield surmounted Strathspey and Reel, Am Braman air Nan Teilear
Mr. H. W. Robertson, Lady Blake; II.E. the Governor, Mrs. H. W. Röbəǝrtsoa; Adm`ral Grenfell, Lady Gascoigne; Major-General Sir W. J. Gascoigne, Lady Goodman; Sir William M. Goodnau, Miss Anderson; Commo lore Ro- binson Mrs. Playfair; Hoa. F. H. May, C.M.G, Mrs. Kidd; on. R. Shewan, Mrs. Wood.
au
This year curtailment had been made in the invitations, and from 1,200 in previous years the attendance at last night's function dropped to between 20 and 990. The result was agreeable lers ming of the crowding that some- times has characterised the annual gathering of members of the Society, and dancing was made not only possible, but enjoyable as well. Th dancing was spiritedly outered into, the mu-ic being supplied by the S.F. band and by Piper Sinclair.
:
The dance programme is appended :- Lancers
The Gondoliers Waltz
Sollaten Lieder My love, she's but a lassie yet Oriana
Caledonians Waltz
Eightsome Re....... The de'il among the Ta lors Santiago
Waltz Caledonians Strathspey and Reel
Waltz.... Ban Dance.. Polka Waltz
Eightsome Reel..
6 ***
Scotch Airs Cabar Feidh Madame San Gene
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Boston Belle Off we go España Scotia Mrs. Macleod of Raasay The River of Years
Sheey's Head Pie.
Patè de Foie Gras in Jelly. Lobster Salad. Roast Pheasant.
44
Chicken Salad,
Roast Wild Duck.
THE HAGGIS. Hot Potatoes.
Fair fa' y aur honest sensie face, Great chieftain o' the puddin' race, Aboon them a' ye tak' your place.” “Freedom and whisky gang thegither, Tak' aff your d'am."
Goosch.rry Tart.
l'uffs.
SWEETS.
Jam Tarticla. Jellics,
B'ancange.
Vanila and Chocolate Ice Creams. SCOTCH SHORTBREAD.
14
in the hall by Mr. M W. Cleveland, whose per- After supper the Sword Danoe" was given formance was warmly applauded.
kindred societies in the Eist:-
The following telegram was sent to fourteen
"Chief Robertson and Hongkong brither Scots greet brith r Scots." -David Wood. Secretary.
The following replies were received :- From Tientsin. Greetings from Tientsin, brither Scots."-Stewart, President. Lindsay, Secretary.
From Shaughai: -" Hail, brither Soots."-
64
From Yokohama. brither Scots send greetings." McClure, Chief Stirling and Secretary.
From Amoy." Pres deut McDougall and Scotsmen seud greetings to Chief Robertson and brither Scots."-McArthur.
From Penang:-"Scots o' Peaang greet their brithera."--Park, Secretary.
From Kobe. Chief Miller and brither Scots sond greetings."-Murray. Secretary.
From Foochow - Brither Scois greet you all,"-MacVicar,
From Weihaiwei." Brither greetings."-Chief Lockhart.
*
Scots send
The Ball was brought to a close by the sing'ng of Auld Lang Syne," and sonded a function which in its success falla to rank with the best amongst the annuil gatherings of S. Andrew's Society. To the various Committees and to sli who took part in the direction of affairs con. it is only by efforts such as they have expanded nected with the event praise must be given, for that a function like S. Androw's Bil can
become an outstanding feature in the social 1.fo of a community,
The list of Stewards is as follows:-
Captain G. C. Anderson, W. Armstrong, C. W. Alex inder, Captain J. B. Arbuthnot, K. W. Borthwick, N. S. Brown, D. E. Browo, E. A. Bremuer, J. W. C. Bonnar, (+. Balloch, W. D. Braidwood, H. F. Carmichael, T. P. C chrane, Hon. W. Chatham, W. A. Cruickshank, W. W, (Irak, Captain Dixon, Peter Dow, Hon, C. W. Dickson, George Duncan, A. G. Ewing, Comm. R. W. Erskine, Andrew Forbes, F. S. Fulcher, H. W. Fraser, Ian Graham, W. D. Graham, A. R. Grieve, A. G. Gordon, Dr. R. Gibson, Dr. Wm. Hunter, J. L Houston, W. C. Jack William Kidd, Lord Kelburne, F. H. Lyon, RN. A. B. Lowson, D. R. Law, F. Maitlaed, D. "Macdonald (B. & S.), Robert Mitchell, E. J. Mcdonald (K. & M.), D.
t