136
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
system of transport to and from the range would have to be arranged by the military, and the General expressly said that any arrange- | ments that were made for the military Associa- tion for private practic in the way of launches, etc., would be at the disposal of the c rilan members on the afternoous on which private practice was allowed. The General was extremely anxious to assist and encourage any residents | of Hougkong in perfecting themselves as shots; he was aware of the work dona by that Associa¦ tion in the past in keeping up the practice of rifle shooting; but now that a change was to be made in the shooting arrangements it was necessary that the final power of decision in any question re'ating thereto must be with the General. While saying that, the General wished it to be understood that he desired to consult the couvenience of the civilians as to time, details of ranges and so on; it was not intended to restrict but to increase the facilities they now enjoyed. As to the alternative courses mentioned by Mr. Northcote, he did rot know that the Navy would let them into Stonecatters' and it would be extremely difficult to get a HONGKONG RIFLE ASSOCIATION. | range nearer than Kowloon City. Suppose the
Ernest Vere did excellently what little he had to do as Ernest Morrison. Of the ladies of the cast, Miss Susie Vaughan had the heaviest part. Her Mrs. Bloodgood was & capital bit of noting. To the rule of Eva, Mrs. Brough lent her accustomed charm and talent, with the best results possible. Miss Temple made an adequately rigorous eving maid. The other parts were suitably filled by Miss › Brenda Gibson, Miss Helen Bogle, Miss Gillies
Brown, and Miss Henderson.
The mounting of the piece was as pretty and tasteful as could be desired, in which connection a special word of prais› is due to Mr. Claud› Whaite, the scenic artist. The band was rather disappointing in the incidental music, but that will be remedied on succeeding nights. Are You a Mason was repeated on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday eveninge.
H.E. the Governor Sir Henry A. Blake. G.C.M.G., and Government House party were among the audience.
AMALGAMATION WITH ARMY RIFE
ABBOCIATION.
"The annual meeting of the members of the Hongkong Rifle Association was held on Friday evening in the Hongkong Hotel. In the absence of the President, Major-General Sir William J. Gascoigne, K.C.M.G., the chair was taken by Major W. Baker Brown, R.E.
The HON. SECRETARY (Mr. Mowbray S. Northcote) read the minutes of the last annual meeting, which were approved
On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, the report and accounts were adopted.
sent
was
The HON. SECRETARY zaid that, as they all knew, the range they were now using was part of the King's Park and would very soon have to be given up. He understood from H.E. the General that the Colonial Government had arranged a site for a military range and when doing so stipulated that the Associa- tion should not be forgotten. H.E. had for bim to say that it impossible to make any such arrangement as existed at present with the Nayy-fixed days and fixed hours- but suggested as a way out of the difficulty that they shoul amalgamate with the Army Rifle Association, by which they would have the use of their range at all times, as well as transport to and from the range and other advantages. In the event of the members not accepting that proposal there remained two alternatives, either to make a new rrrangement with the Navy for sharing Etonecutters Islaud range-which he thought they would agree would be very inconvenient for them-or to find a new range for themselves, which might be an impossibility. Perhaps Mejor Baker Brown would be able to tell them something more of the matter.
The
The CHAIRMAN said he bad boen asked by General Gascoigne to attend the meeting and explain any points the members might like to discuss. The General preferred not to come so as to leave members free to discuss the question. The present ranges must be closed as part of the King's Park, and the Colonial Government must find suitable ranges elsewhere. military at present were using the ringe at Stonecutters which belonged to the Navy; and he understood the Navy would take that back, leaving the military and the Association with no range at all. The military now proposed to get a tract behind Kowloon City, about a-half to three-quarters of a mile from a convenient pier, and they hoped to find room for two ranges. They could not possibly get more. There would be eight targets, and one range would go to 8.0 and the other to 600 yards. Speaking as a member of the Hongkong Rifle Association as well as a member of committee of the Army Rifle Association, he saw no diffi. culty, if the amalgamation took place, in the civi- lian members of the Association using the targets under the same conditions as military members. Certain afternoons would be allotted to private members, and adequate notice given when this could not be done. The civilian members would enjoy equal, if not better facilities for using the range than they had now. They would benefit in other ways, and in one especially. Some
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amalgamation work d out, present membership would not be affected. According to the civilian membership, there would be a represen tation of them on the committee, so that their views would be brought before the General and they could count upon their sympathetic consideration. (Applause.)
Lieut. STANSBURY, R.N.. said that some arrangement might be made with the Nary, bat they were not able to make as good arrange ments as the military. He did not suppose they would have more than four targets on Stonecutters' and there would not be the same facilities for, transport as the military offered. The Box. FECRETARY- We s ould have to find our own transport.
Lieut. STANSBURY —I think so.
The CHAIRMAN added that the present range would not be vacated until the other was ready, which meant alont twelve months.
[February 23, 1903.
CANTON.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Canton 14th February.
THE KWANGSI TROU)LES. military official named Li, a clansman of the present acting provincial governor Li Hing-yui, who has returned from Kwangai to Cantou, speaks in confirmation of the news of rebellion thero Among the districts lost the most important one is Laochow, he says, and whi'e the profect of the Chow prefecture was leaving the city on horseback a gang of rebels went up to him and shot him dead, ficials here petitioned the Vicoroy, representing that he was killed in a battle with the rebo's and recommending him for a posthumous honour.
WAICHOW IN REVOLT.
The of
It is said here that Waichow isagain in rebellion and that in battles between the Imperial troops and the rebels a large quantity of arms has been captured by the latter. The Viceroy has ordered reinforcements of two battalions to bo t under the command of generals Taug Sai-lam and Ng Cheung-ynu,
MACAO.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
Macao, 11th February.
CURRENT EVENTS,
After the excitement of the Chineɛo Now ear's season, which is the livelio:t time of the year in Macao, we have settled down to quieter times than ever; and although the steamboat service has been so far improved that there are dow four fest boats playing between Macao and Hongkong, we have not observed any jucrease in the umber of visitors; indeed it is nalikely that a demand can be created for so large a servics. Nor do the Hongkong races attract visitors from this port; for, in fact, thore is no surplus capital here desirous of being attracted by the excitements of the week in The Hon. SECRETARY then formally moved
Hongkong. However, it must be said that that the I.K.R.A. amalgamate with the A.R.A
Mr. D. MACDONALD seconded. He thought there are faint signs of fresh life here: there is than certainly more demand for land round Macao the H.K.R.A could not do Letter amalgamate. The terms offered by the military than in recent times, and a considerable amount were most generous and would very greatly of building is in progress: moreover, the plans assist in overcoming the difficulty of having the for the coming brewery are arranged, and a Įsite has been secured to the east of t'e towu range so far away from Hongkong.
bene'h the Quia Hill. It may confidently be expected that the stimulating effects of a good brew of local beer, at moderate price, will givo a new lease of life to the waning energies of he citizens of Macao; it ought certaibly to provide a welcone addition to the wine list of tho garrison.
Mr. W. STEWART-What about our funds?
Our balance is something like $600. We do not want to amalgamate with an Association that has no dollars at all. (Laughter.)
The HON. SECRETARY assured Mr. Stewart
that the idea of the A.R.A. was uotto collar any money. The amalgamation was for the Asso- ci tion's benefit. The final disposition of the funds would be threshed out by the committees. The CHAIRMAN said both Associations started with a certain amount in haud. The committees would no doubt see that their several interests were safeguarded,
Mr. STEWART al:o remarked that he would have liked to have seen the Navy included.
The CHAIRMAN stated that if the Navy liked to come in, there did not seem to be any difficulty about it. But that was questionable as they had a range of their own.
The resolution was agreed to unanimously.
On the motion of Mr. J. PASKE-, seconded by Mr. W. G. STACKWOOD, it was agreed to hold that decision as final, without calling a confirmatory meeting.
On the notion of the Huxr. Secretary, the following committee was elected :-Messrs. An drew, Parkes, Stack wood. Colour-Fergeant Cross, Messrs. Macdonald, W. Stewart, and Chapman. The CHAIRMAN moved the re-election of Mr. Northcote as Hon. Secretary. Mr. STACKWOOD seconded.
Mr. STEWART, in supporting the motion, said that during the time Mr. Northoots had been Secretary the Association had gone on flourishing. (Applause.) There was no man better able to take the position. (Applause.)
The motion was carried unanimously. The HON. SECRETart said it had been his intention not to seek re-election, but as they had put it so very kindly he would be pleased to carry on for another twelvemonth. (Applause.) A vote of thanks was, on the motion of Mr. PARKES, awarded to Major Baker Brown for presiding, and this ended the meeting.
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Among impending departures for the suminer may be mentioned that of Dr. Lello, the Colonial Secretary, formerly Acting Governor, who goes away on the 16th inst., upon a six The Bishop is expected to montlis' leave." arrive in a few weeks.
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16 THE ZAIRE. It has happily transpired that the misfortuues of the gunboat Zaire were not nearly so serious as was supposed from the first message, and sho bor destination in Gos: her sister ship, the was ultimately able to proceed from Peuang to Din, is at present the only gunboat in the harbour,
РАКНОЇ.
Pakhoi, 10th February. ANOTHER STEAMER T› MINTOK. The s.s. Phra Chula Chom Klao arrived bure from Hongkong on the 23rd ult, to take to Mintok the emigrants left behind by the 85. Trintuo, which left on the 15th ult, with 1,087 emigrants. The P. C. C. Klao took away about 700 labourers on the 25th ult. for the same destination.
CHANGE OF COMMISSIONER.
Commissioner H. B. Morse, scootapanied by Mr. and Miss Morse, arcived bare on the 28th alt. As reported 'in my last, Mr. Morse osme to relieve Acting Commissioner E. O. Res. who is going home on furlough, Mr. Reis, having handed over the charge of the Customis to Commissioner Morse on the 3rd lust, left on the same day by the Jacob Diederichsen for Hongkong. Although Acting-Commissioner Reis's tenure of office has been of sourcely six