280
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
| Bryan received a Chinese silver fruit-dish of
dragon design, on a blackwood stand.
The inscription read, "Presented to J. J. Bryan, Esq., by officers of the Sanitary Department.' Quite a number of Sanitary Board officers had gathered together to give them a send off.
which they planned to send an expedition to observe the transit of Venus from Tahiti Island. Subsequently James Cook, the Colum- bus of his country, was despatched in the Endeavour, a 384 ton craft. After observ. ing the transit he went in search of the large southern continent which was supposed to exist; the Chinese, too, had said so. After touching at New Zealand, and making search in vain, the Endeavour
was pointed homeward when, on the 19th of April, 1770, Lieut Hicks reported land in sight, and that land was Australia. After some very interesting and in some instances amusing historical incidents connected with young Australia the speaker said that the country was not a poor, one, and it was not barren. It had a river 700 miles wide, from which fresh water could be secured 20 miles at sea. This was a subterranean river originating, it was thought, at the Himalaya Mountains. When the ground was bored water spouted 40 or 50 feet into the air. Mr. Suttor said that Australians were British to the back-presentation very much for the kind present. bone, to the last man, and, also, they were Joe Chamberlain." Some very interesting stories about Australian aboriginals ended a very pleasant hour-and-a-half.
Mr. Gershom Stewart proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker; and Mr. Hamilton Sharp proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Gershom Stewart.
NOTES FROM THE BOTANIC
GARDENS.
A small magnoliaceous tree. which the Chinese are very fond of on account of the fragrance of its flowers. is now in bloom in various parts of the gardens. This plant is known under the name of Michelia fuscata, and was introduced into Europe from China more than a century ago. The petals are light yellow in colour and slightly tinged with purple on the margins. Although the flowers are nearly an inch long they are not very conspicuous on the trees, but the scent from them is very powerful. The leaves are glabrous and shining above. about 3 inches long, and more than an inch across. The species has not been found out of China, and it was only a few years ago that it was found by us for the first time in Hongkong.
in last week's notes.
all 8.3
an
Another small tree, or large shrub, known as Viburnum odoratissimum, has been attractive feature in the gardens during the last week. A couple of specimens may be seen near the statue in the old garden. This species differs from the one mentioned the flowers are fertile. These are abundantly produced in panicles at the ends of the branches, and insects appear to be especially fond of them. When out of flower this tree is a very ornamental plant on account of its thickly-set dark green leaves. It is a native of Eastern India, Japan. and China, including Hongkong.
The Amaryllis plants in the bed alongside the walk leading from the Grevillea walk to the No. 1 house are beginning to-make a good show. When all the flowers are open they are a gorgeous sight. Many people call these plants lilies, but they are not, and this often leads to great confusion. A lily forms its fruit within the flower, an amaryllis beneath it; a difference which may be noticed by the most casual observer.
Some very good specimens of Cineraria stellata, a garden hybrid, have been placed with other plants along the Grevillea walk.
The recent rain has done a lot of damage to the winter-flowering annuals, likewise much good to other things.
PRESENTATION AT THE SANI-
TARY BOARD,
FAREWELL TO MESSRS. WOODCOCK AND BRYAN, Messrs. G. A. Woodcock (Secretary of thẻ Sanitary Board) and J. J. Bryan (Sanitary Surveyor) received presentations at the Sanitary Board Room on the morning of Wednesday, the 31st of March, the occasion of their depar- ture for England on well-earned leave. The presentation to Mr. Woodcook was a handsome dragon-design Chinese silver bowl, on a black- wood stand, the following inscription being engraved on the bowl:-"Presented to G. A. Woodoook, Esq., as a mark of esteem." Mr.
|
The Hon Dr. Atkinson. who
presided. addressing Messrs. Woodcock and Bryan, said he had been asked by the members of the Sanitary Board to present the vessels as a small token of regard and esteem. They could not let them without giving them some token in re-
go membrance for the kindness they had always rendered to them in the work. They joined in wishing them a pleasant voyage. Mr. Bryan had suffered an injury to his knee while performing his duty, and they hoped he would enjoy rest in England which would restore him to perfect On be- health, and enable him to rejoin them. half of the members of the Sanitary Board he wished them bon royage.
Mr. Woodcock thanked those who made the
It was very good of them to give him that nice token; they had got on well together. During the past year excellent work had been done by the Sanitary Department, and he wished it would improve year by year till plague was stamped out; he wished that all those who had gone in for the examination would come through with flying colours; .he wished that the Civil Service Club might win the Cricket Shield next year; and he had one other wish--he wished them all a very good bye.
Mr. J. J. Bryan said that in his present con- dition it was rather difficult to make a speech. He thanked them very much indeed.
Much handshaking terminated the ceedings.
MASONIC INSTALLATION,
UNITED YARK LODGE.
As
now
pro-
Bro. W. H. Woolley was on the 25th ult in- stalled Worshipful Master of the United Mark Lodge. No. 419. E. C., at the Masonic Temple, Zetland Street, in succession to Wor. Bro. H. W. Wolfe. The
W. 3. invested his officers
follows:-Sen. Warden, Bro. J. H. Varcos; Juu. Warden, Bro. H. Baker; Master Overseer, Bro. F. E. Peuning; Seu. Overseer, Bro. M. Taylor; Juv. Overseer, Bro. C. Tuckwell; Chaplain, Wor. Bro. W. L. Ford; Treasurer, Bro. J. Presley; Registrar of Marks, Bro. S. Skinnard; Secrs- tarv, Bro. J. French; Son. Deacon, Bro. J. T. Hawks; Jua. Deacon, Bro. E. R. Udall; Organist, Bro. J. T. Longstaff; Director of Ceremonies, Bro. H. J. A. McCaffery; Inner Guard, Bro. J. Gimblett; Stewarls. B.o. C. H. Parkinson and Bro. W. J. Gast; and Tyler, Bro. J. Vanstone.
After supper a good programme of music was given. Included amongst those who contributed were Bro W. Jenkins and Staff-Sergt. Field- ing, S.F., and Brothers D. Bowen, R. H. Stephenson, A. P. Goodwin, F. W. Watson. A. T. Walstow, P. W. Goldring. Chas. Wood W. Cullen, E. Thwaites, W. Carbury, T. Groves, E. W. Rogers, J. T. Hawks, and Seaton. The large banqueting hall was prettily decorated with bunting, lace curtains hanging in graceful folds over the windows. A stage was erected at the west end of the room, it being decorated with a fire canvas painting, Royal Standards, Union Jack, and palms. In place of centre. pieces along the tables, at which some 150 had sat down to supper, were a fine variety of flowers intermingled with fresh green moss. Lighting arrangements consisted of a profusion of vari-coloured electric bulbs. This is the first time, in the history of Hongkong, that a Mark Installation has been thus celebrated. It in dicates, of course, the flourishing condition of the Craft,
On the 3rd ult. Miss Dorothy Gertrude Arbuthnot (sister of Captain J. B. Arbuthnot, who recently married Miss Blake in Hongkong) was married in Gloucester Cathedral to Cap- tain Hugh Frederick Bateman Champion, 1st, Ghu ka Rifles. The Gloucester Journal publishes portraits of the bride and bridegr om. Among the presents were a Chinese coat, tea service, silver centre-piece, three silver vases and a roll of Chinese silk from Captain and Mrs. J. B. Ar- buthnot, and a silver vinaigrette from Mrs. Woolaston Blake.
CANTON.
(April 4, 1904.
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
Canton, 26th March.
RAIN AND THE CR. PS.
It is strange to read that there has been little rain at Hongkong, when here we have hardly been without a rainy day for a fortnight. The rains here do an inestimable amount of good; after a god down. our the streets are wonderfully clean, and the masses of filth that have been accumulated for mouths are washed into the river. The crops give good promise this year, and it is well that this is the case, for another season of drought would cause very widespread misery.
PRINCE
ADALBERT.
On Sunday a. reception was given at the German Consulate in honour of Prince Adai- bert, the Kaiser's son. The Viceroy sent his deputies to attend on the prince, and he was conducted round the city by them, seeing the chief objects of interest. A banquet was given to him in Honata by Mr Wu, who had enter- tained Prince Henry of Prussia a few years ago. The Prince gave Mr. Wu a cigar-holder of the finest kind, and was presented with a cross of the best jadestone procur ble.
RAILWAY WORK DELAYED.
The opening of the extension line to Samshui was to have taken place to-day, but has been postponed. The line wil not in any case be
open to traffic for another month at least, as the rainy season is not favourable for work. 100 miles of the main line have been surveyed carefully from Canton, and, as mentioned before, operations have already begun, and are progressing slowly but steadily.
PIRACY DIMINISHING,
The piracy business seems to be at a discount there has for some time been no at present; news to chronicle of these gentry. Perhaps they have not yet recovered from the New Year's festivities! Even from the troublous Waichow district no intelligence can be gleaned, where a few months ago every week brought news of some fresh outrage. It is to be hoped that the authorities at lust find themselves able to cope with the forces of disorder in a district which is perhaps before long destined to see a branch railway from the projected Canton- Kowloon line, and where, therefore, it is im- portant that the reign of law should be supreme.
[FROM THE
CHUNG NGOI SAN PO]
LI PAK-HOI,
It is reported that a telegram has been received in the official circle stating caręral thousand bandits under the notorious robber leader Li Pak-hoi, for whore capture a reward of over ten thousand dollars has been offered by the officials, have captured the city of Young King, the magistrate of which has made good his escape.
The Viceroy has at once sent Li Tuotai with a large number of soldiers to relieve the city.
FATAL ACCIDENT,
Some days ago a cargo-boat was proceeding from Shao-bing to Wuchow. When she passed the place named To-shing, where the river is very narrow, the boat-people landed and dragged the boat along from the bauk by ropes. Unex- pectedly one of the tow-ropes was broken. the time the current was very strong, and the boat at once capsized with all on board. Four persons were drowned, while the others werd aved by boats in the vicinity.
At
A S. Petersburg telegram of the 20th February says that the abolition of the censor- ship on news telegrams sent abroad from Russia is understood to be the direct outcome of the interview which Mr. Melville Stone, general manager of the Associated Press, had with the Tsar in S. Petersburg.
Fire broke out at midnight on the 21st inst in the godown of Messrs Hin Lee & Co., Beach Street, Penang, and continued burning for two hours. The conflagration was confined to the central portion of the lengthy godown. The strong pressure of water in the hydrants saved Penang from another disastrous fire. damage, which is estimated at $10,000, is covered by insurance.
The