146
The committee had appointed a sub-committee and the sub-committee's report had been in their hands for some time. Special thanks were due to Messrs. Ram, Leigh, and Dixon, who had taken such trouble with the plans, If the sub-committees* recommendations b. passed the club would easily be able both to get debentures and pay them back. $14,400 have been promised by certain gentlemen in the colony. Before putting the resolutions to the meeting he would hear anything anyone had to say. He thought, however that the sub-committee had gone very fully into the matter and the best thing would be to do as they suggested.
Mr. SERCOMBE SMITH usked if the consent of the Government had been received. He also understood that Government objected to the coolies, entrance near the new Law Courts.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
NOTES FROM THE BOTANIC
GARDENS.
its
A very sweet-scented shrub, known as Bud dleia asiatica, is just beginning to open flowers. There are many specimens of this plant growing in the gardens planted in shrub baris and in pots at the fountain. It is a very free-blooming species, and the spikes of white are several inches long. The leaves are long and narrow, and on the nuder side covered with a white tomentum. It is a most desirable plant for this time of the year. The species was first described by Loureiro in 1790 and intro- duced into England from Nepal in 1824. under the name of Buddleia Neemda. It has been found in Hongkong, on the opposite mainland, and in various parts of the East Indies, and belongs to the same family-Loganiacer-as the plant from which strychnine is obtained.
The rhododendrons are favourites of most people, and the first to open its flowers is Rhododendron ledifolium. This species, which is a native of China, is represented by many specimens in both the old and new gardens. The flowers are white, fully two inches across, and abundantly produced. The lear S are small, something like those of the common
The CHAIRMAN proposed, and Mr. P. W. GOLDRING Recouded, that a new pavilion be erected in the north-west corner of the cricket ground at a total cost not exceeding $20,000. Mr. WARD said that he had been to see the Hon. Mr. Chatham regarding the pavilion, and ask-d if he saw any objection to the paril. ion being erected in the S. W corner near the City Hall, instead of at the N. Wazalea Rhododendron indicum. corner. The Hon. Mr. Chathan rather approved of such alteration in the plaus; he did i not desire that the coolie-quarters, urinals, etc. be near the Law Courts; if placed on this new site he did not think that the government would hre any objection. Mr. Ward thought that if the site were changed people would subscribe more liberally. The foundations, too, in this new site might be less costly.
Mr. C. W. DIXON proposed an amendment so that the resolution would read :—That a new pavilion be erected on the cricket ground at a total cost not exceeding $20,000 (the words "north-west coruer being expunged)
31
Mr. SERCOMBE SMITH Seconded. The resolution was carried.
The CHAIRMAN proposed, and Mr. C. W. DIXON seconded, that the plaus of Messrs. Denison, Ram and Gibbs be accepted.
Mr. P. W. GOLDBING proposed an amend- ment so that the resolution should read:-The plans of Messrs. Denison, Ram & Gibbs, sub- ject to all necessary_modifications, be accepted.
Mr. SERCOMB SMITH seconded, and it was carried.
The CHAIR AN proposed, and Mr. HENRY HUMPHREYS seconded, that the tender of King Tak Cheong be accepted.
Mr. MACKENZIE proposed that this matter be left to the discretion of the committee.
Mr. P. W. GOLDRING seconded Mr. Mac- kenzie's amendment, and it was carried.
The CHAIRMAN proposed, and Mr. H. HAN- COCK seconded, that the sum required be raised by the issue of six per cent. debentures of the face value of $50 each, repayable at 10 yearly drawings commencing on 31st October, 1905.
Mr. P. W. GOLDRING proposed an amend- ment so that the resolution should read ;-"The committee be authorised to raise the sum requir- ed by the issue of.
etc."
·
Mr. SERCOMBE SMITH seconded and the amendment was carried.
The CHAIRMAN proposed, and Mr. Cooper seconded, that rule 16 be amended by substitut- ing $15 for $10. This would mean that the annual subscription for civilians would be raised from $10 to $15, and for Naval men from $5 to $7.50.
This was carried.
Mr. SERCOMBE SMITH proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Maitland (applause).
Mr. MAITLAND thanked the members for
their attendance.
Mr. M. G. Kisseleff writes a long letter to the Nagasaki Press complaining of insulting articles which have appeared in certain Japanese papers about him; the correspondents regarding him as a spy, posing as a tea-merchant. Mr. Kisseleff says in his letter that he is u citizen of Kiachta, in Siberia, and that be was for twenty years in the tea business in China— Tientsin, Hankow, Kinkiang, and Fooohow- at first as a clerk and afterwards as a partner and manager of the tea-factories of the well-known firm in China, Messrs. Tomakoff, Molotkoff & Co., with full power of attorney He has lived in Nagasaki about four years for the benefit of his health.
|
|
A successful beginning has been made this year with planting bulbs in the grass, and the narcissus bulbs that were planted on one of the banks on the lower terrace are now in full flower.
The flowers of Olea fragrans, now open on several bushes in the gardens (for instance by the path leading down from the deer-house in the new gardens), are among the most fragrant for their size in the vegetable kingdom. Their value is well known to the Chinese, who have had the shrub under cultivation for many centuri-s in all parts of the Empire. It was known in Europe as early as the beginning of the eighteenth century through James Cun ningham, the pioneer of English collectors in China, who sent specimens from Chusau to his friend Plukenet, the distinguished keeper of the Royal Garden at Hampton Court.
The Erythrina now in flower at the end of the Grevillea walk, exhibits in a striking manner the economy of flowering in the absence of leaves. Its scarlet flowers form a conspicuous object on the leafless branches and must attract a sufficiency of insects for fertilising purposes besides having the whole resources of the tree at their disposal until the young leaves appear.
The fruit of Spathodea Caudafelina, a tree of which stands near the aviary. bears such a striking resemblance, as the name implies, to a cat's tail that it must immediately occur to the observer whether the similarity is not of some use to the species. The seeds are adapted to be disseminated by the wind and would therefore gain nothing by being enclosed in a fruit made attractive for birds and animals to eat, as is the case in more fleshy and brightly coloured fruits. It is probable on the contrary that the imitation of the tail of a cat or some other small carni- vorous native of South China (the natural home of the tree) may have the effect of scaring birds away which might otherwise injure the seeds. The tree seems to be avoided by birds.
MR. GERSHOM STEWART'S
WEDDING.
A very pretty wedding took place at Holy Trinity Cathedral yesterday, says the N.-C. Daily News of the 10th inst., when hir. Ger- shom Stewart, exchange broker, of Hongkong, espoused the charming Miss Gresson, sister of Mr. W. Gressou, managing partner at Shanghai for the firm of Jardine, Mathsson & Co. The Company's hulk Yuen Fah was gaily decorated with flags all day, and many of the employees attended the service at the Cathedral. This was decorated with unusual care and taste. The altar-rails were backed with red stuff, and covered with marguerites, jonquils, and green- ery. Plants in pots were arranged in verdurous terraces on either hand. In the background, the panels of the reredos carried trails of ivy, Up the central aisle, the customary avenue of bamboos was erected, the obtrusive branchlets inconveniencing the millinery-wearers. In one corner was the Town Baud, whose services were requisitioned in place of the organ now
were
[February 22, 1904,
TH
""
were
under repair, and who were conducted by Mr. Valenza. The full choir was also in atten- dance. Miss Hawkslay was the senior brides- maid, and two small maids also attending Miss Theo Miss Betty Addis and
best man Boisragon. The duties of efficiently discharged by Mr. E. S. Sanders.
Following the ceremony there was a fully attended reception at the Ewo bong premises, where the very numerous and handsome pre- sents were displayed and greatly admired, and where Mr Addis in fitting terms proposed the health of the bride and bridegroom, mentioning that Mr. Stewart had been present at his (Mr. Addis's) wedding. The bridegroom replied and gave the toast of the bridesmaids, for whom Mr. Sanders made an excellent spokesman. Mr. and Mrs Gershom Stewart left shortly afterward for Unkaza," kindly lent by Mr. and Mrs Jenner Hogg, now in Europe.
+4
FOOCHOW.
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
Foochow, 10th February,
THE A.D.C. IN "OUR BOYS."
The A.D.C. gave a very enjoyable per- formance of the popular if somewhat out-of-date play Our Boys on Tuesday evening, the 9th inst., before an almost record house, Parkyn Middlewick kept the prompter perhaps rather too hard at work, but the audience were very patient and appreciative. Our acting manager, Mr. G. Balloch, was loudly called for at the end of the performance after the usual file of characters had passed in front of the curtain, and certainly thoroughly deserved the acknowledgment of his hard work and good services. If one might select a star from a really excellent cast it should be Miss Pratt, a débutante who proved in a long and none too easy part that her talents were quite first class. Mr. Pearson is to be congratulated on his success as stage manager, which was as evident as his impersonation of Talbot Cham-
pneys.
DRAMATIS PERSONE.
Sir Geoffrey Champneys Bart... Mr. G. H. Ardson Talbot Champneys (his son)... Mr. G, W. Pearson Perkyn Middlewick (a retired Butterman) ... Mr.
Charlie Middlewick (his son).. Violet Melrose Mary Melrose (her poor cousin)
Clarissa Champneys Belinda...
E. J. Moss Mr. D. Wallace Miss Moorehead
Miss Pratt Mrs. Pearson Mrs. Moss
A DEPARTURE. Mr. E. J. Moss, the local manager of Messrs. Dodwell & Co., Ld., left with his family by 8.8. Triumph for Hongkong and England on a short furlough. Mr. Moss expects to return about the middle of May.
ΡΑΚΗΟΙ.
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
Pakhoi, 11th February.
THE SUSPICIOUS CASE OF RECEIVING.
The principal of the Kwong Cheong Hing shop, who was arrested on suspicion of being in league with the pirates, is now released, after paying a fine of $2,000. He was accused of receiving stolen goods, and of being in league with the pirates. At the trial nothing further was proved except that he had the stolen goods, but the prisoner pleaded that he bought the goods not knowing them to have been stolen. The heavy fine is to be devoted to educational purposes, but I hear that the prosecutors are not satisfied with this decision, and are going to appeal to the superior authorities at Canton.
EMIGRATION.
There are bere at present a few Freuch gentlemen reoruiting emigrants for the con- struction of railway in Tonkin. Several batches of men have already left for Haiphong on board junks, and others are being eagerly procured.
NEWSPAPER ENTERPRISE.
I hear that in the course of a few months there is going to be published here a weekly native paper, called the Tung Sai Sun Mun (Eastern and Western News"), issuing from the German Mission. The plant has already arrived, consisting of a printing machine and several thousand pounds of Chinese type, be- sides paper-cutting and wire-stitching machines.
·
Page 10Page 11