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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
He estimated the cost at £120,000 ench, The Government however, about whose activity in regard to this matter the con- ference appeared to be ignorant, bas ut. St. resolved to establish the base Margaret's Hope, on the north side of the Forth, near Queensferry, and the “ preli- minary expenditure" on the base, to include the arsenal, fortifications and large stores of war material, it is understood, will be no less than two and a quarter millions The Government has evidently long had this in view, for fully three years ago a fort was being built at St. Margaret's Hope.
ENGLAND'S NEW NAVAL BASE. | considered desirable further north,
(Daily Press, 20th March.) The cision of His Majesty's Government to istablish a naval base in the North Sea, at n cost estimated at two and a half millions | sterling, announced, as it is, at a time when the nation is already face to face with heavy increnses in naval and military expenditure, indicates that the Government recognises tlle danger from Germany's rise as a naval power which many leading naval authorities in England have frequently proclaimed. | sterling. There is a charming naïvété about REUTER's statement that this step on the part of the British Government has created a disagreeable impression in Germany, where it is regarded as a counter-move to German | ALICE MEMORIAL AND NETHER- naval netivity.
Certainly the
constant
augmentation of German warships in the North Sea has created a "disagreeable impression " in England and a counter move is the most natural thing in the world to expect. The decision to establish a paral bate on the cast coast of Great Britain is not prompted by any hostile feeling against Germany; it is a simple measure of pre. caution against the possibility which a fleet. of foreign warships in the neighbourhool
of her coasts must be assumed to threaten Germany's natural base is in the North S a—at Kiel-and it has been recognised for some time past in England that naval forces in the North Germany's Sea are much superior to the ships we have in those waters. And when it has
SOLE HOSPITALS.
ANNUAL FINANCE COMMITTEE MERTING.
'The annual meeting of the Finance Com mitle of the Alice Memorial and Nether sole Hospitals was held on the 17th inst. Dr. in the former institution. The Hon. Ho Kai, C.M.G... presided, and the others present were Dr. J. C. Thomson, Rev. Dr. T. W. Pearce, Dr. R. MacLean Gibson (secretary), Mr. D. Wood (hon. treasurer), Mr. Chan Shiu Ki, Mr. Tso, Mr. Ahmet Rumjahn, Mr. J. Goosmann, Mr. D. Clark, and Mr. G. Murray
Bain.
The SEC ETARY road the notice calling the meeting and the minutes of the last annual meeting, which were confirmed.
The report of the hospitals for the past year was laid on the table.
The HON. TERASURER read his report, which showed that the total income in 1902 was been suggested that the Home Squadron,813,335.41 against $12,985.94 in 1901-an which has its headquarters at Portland, increase of $349.97. Included in the figures affords sufficient protection, the re'ort has for 1902, however, was a sum of $850 from been that the battleships which Germany Chinese guilds which should have been paid already has in the Nortli Sea are far newer in 1901, aud this fact would have to be and more powerful than those comprising considered in dealing with the balaces for 1903. our Home Squadron. It has even been a cxpenditure there was an increase over the said that Germany's naval forces in the previous year of $1,510 7, the figures being North Sea would be sufficient to cover the 1901, $12,385.31; 1902, $13,895.38. The total expenditure thus exceeded the total income by landing of an army in England. Whatever
over $500. The falling exchange was an ad- may be the danger now, it is inpossible for
verse factor in the accounts, and the enhanced any Government sitting at Westminster to subscriptions that were rendered necessary in balance them would no doubt be forthcoming if ignore the fact that this menace beconies greater every year, while our coastline is appeals were made to those interested in charities. Tu conclu ling his remarks, Mr. Wood intimated very inadequately protected against the cou-
his own retirement from the office of hon.treasurer tingency of an invasion. It is important to
on the occasion of his approaching departure for remember that England has to depend upon home on leave, and suggested as his successor, her fleet to a degree to which no other Mr. H, C. Nicolle, Government local auditor, Empire in the world finds it necessary to do, who was thoroughly in sympathy with the work and in proportion as the other Powers of of the ho pitals. the world are increasing their fleets, so must England if she wishes to remain Mistress of the Seas. It has become a fixe policy of the British Government to main- tain the navy in a condition to meet any combination that is likely ever to be brought against lier.
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The uced for a naval base on the East Coast of England, as we have said, has been generally recognis d. We notice iu the London pipers by yesterday's mail that only a mouth ago a conference was held in London for the express purpose of discussing the desirability of creating a North Sea squidrou and of establishing a naval base on the cast coast, Prominent men of all sha·les of political opinion were pretent at the Conference, among the speakers being Sir CHARLES DILKE, Mr. SPENSER WILKINSON, Sir Edmund Free- MANTLE, Adıniral Sir JOHN HOPKINS, Sir WILLIAM ALLAN, Mr. HALDANE and others. Sir WILLIAM ALLAN expressed the opinion that we ought to have four harbours on the east coast where ships whjeli hal been "disabled" in- battle could be sufficiently repaired to cuable thein to proceed to dock yards where they could be further put to rights He suggested that these should be at the Humber, the Firth of Forth, the Firth of Tay, and'one where it might be
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Dr. THOMSON moved the adoption of the Treasurer's report, and said that the slight difference between incom, aud expeidi- ture had had its reasons so clearly explained that there w. s absolutely no ground for anxiety on the subject.
Mr. GOOSMANN seconded the motion, which was carried unanimoudly.
Rev. Dr PEARcɛ moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Wood, whose labours ou babalf of the hospitals be extolled,
The proposition was reconded by Mr. MURRAY BAIN and carried with acclamation.
blr. Wood having returned thanks, - Dr. MACLEAN GIBSON proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. B. E. Hanson, the auditor, and this propesil, which found its seconder in Mr. was also carried with unanimous WOOD, approval,
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On the motion of Mr. Murray BAIN, 8 conded by Mr. Tso, Mr. II. C. Nicolle was appointed hou. treasurer for the enru ng year.
The appointments to the Finance Committee of Messrs. Rumjahn, Tso, Wein, an Chu Shin Ki were confirmed, on the motion of the CHAIRMAN, seconded by Dr. THOM ON. It was also agreed to invite to become members of the Committee the Hon. F. 1. May, C.M.G., Hon. C. W. Dickson, Mr. W. B. Dixon, and Mr. J. R. M. Emith.
Mr A. W. Browin, who is at pre sent on leave at home, was re-elected chairman of the Finance Committee, Dr. Ho Kai making the neces- Bary motion and the Rev. Dr. PEARCE seconding it,
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· { March 23, 1903.
The Chairman, in a brief speech, reviewed the position of the hospital,, and said cial aspect was notquite so avourable as he è uld have wished. The Chinese, however, were respon - ding in the matter of subscriptions more heartiy them heretoforé, and he was inclined to think that their previous backwardness had been more the outcome of want of knowledge than of want of sympathy. The end of the year would pro bably see an addition to the hospitals in, the shape of a maternity hospital, the building orst. of which. some twelve or thirteen thousand dollars, was in a fair way to realisation. A number of Chinese gentlemen had come foward with a guarantee to meet the salary of the lady doctor who had been engaged for the new hospital, where instruction in midwifery would be imparted. Pr. Ho Kai concluded with an acknowledgement of the kindness of Mr Ho Fook in collecting the Chinese subscriptions
for 1902.
The proceedings came to a close with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, on the call of Dr. MACLEAN GIBSON.
SEAMEN'S INSTITUTË,
KOWLOON
On the 13th inst, last a number of the friends of the Rev. J. H. France, M.A., Senior Chaplain of St. Peter's Church. West Point, assembled at the Seamen's Institute, Kowloon, to take leave of him on his departure from the Colony on well-deserved furlough. · As the accommoda- tion was limited it was found necessary to restrict the invitations to the customary · ́ worshippers at St. Peter's or those who had been brought into close association with Mr. France and the seamen's work. By the efforts of a number of lady friends the Hall was hardly recognisable and presented the appearance, as nearly as possible, of a large drawing-room. “ocial" in character; The meeting was parlour games were indulged in, friendly conferences took place, and musical items enlivened the proceedings. Amongst those who contributed were Mrs. Piercy. Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Southam, Miss Parker, Miss Eyre, Mr. H. Wynne, and Rev. T. Wright Tea and coffee having been handed round. the Rev. T. W. Wright, B.A., Junior Chaplain, expressed the extreme regret of the Bishop of the Diocese at being unable to be present and also that of several of the Naval' Chaplains, father" of St. Peter's Church had He then introduced Mr. G. Pieroy, who as the been requested to convey the good wishes, of the members and friends for a happy holiday and safe return. In doing so he reviewed the history of the Church for the last 20 years and concluded a neat speech by requesting Mr. France to accept from the members of the Church and a few other friends (including some marius officers) a silver casket containing 20 gnideas as a small expression of their esteem for him. Mr. France appeared much fonche by the kind, thonght of his friends and feelingly replied. He hopes to re'urn to the Colony towards the month of November, and during that time the Rev. T. Wright will be in full, charge of the interests of the seamen's work. Correspondencs for him may be addressed either to St. Peter's Church, West Point, or to the Seamen's Institute, Kowloon.
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The usual weekly entertainment in the above Institufe took place on the 17th inst. Notwith- standing the unfavourable atmospheric con. ditions, the hall was comfortably Alled. Mrs. Wordcock submitted an excellently varied pro- gramme, consisting of piano, 'cello, and vocal solcs, a doet, and a plee. The following took ` part :—Mesdames Jeffrey. PioLoy, and Wood- cock; Messrs. König, T. H. Reid, Hance. Edwards, and Cester, Miss Harker rendered the accompaniments seceptably, besides playing two solos with remarkable proficiency.
As generally anticipated, the April Race Meeting has been abandoped owing to insum- cient entries having been received. It is surely not the case that Manila has cleared Hongkong of all its horseflesh, though it would appear so. Mr. G. C. C. Master's put up for auction recen lut Schoolgirl was afterwi
which; were: _withdrawn, ately sold.
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