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警重
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
dumping in Hongkong at the is lacking in harmony is compensated for in present date is iniquitous. As for the vigour. This vocal performance is apparently cautioned persons, who are sent on to stage-managed by the possessor of a resonant Hongkong to try to amend their ways: vocalists follow-more or less accurately and voice, and under his guidance, the youthful the British authorities at Shanghai tunefully-through a succession of hymn-tunes. responsible for so sending them are certainly Voices in the East and West appear to be widely treating Hongkong in an unjustifiable mau dissimilar in their capacity for producing har ner in order to lighten their own labours. monious effect. The sound of young voices at It is high time that a vigorous protest is home would be relished when joined together in made, and that the local Government of the harmony, but out here it is nothing short of an
infliction. This pleasing performance is Colony takes steps in the matter. Public complaints, however true, cannot alone do ted at mid-day and again at seven in the evening. It is surely a case where a little may be calcula- ‹ much against a long-established tradition;ted to go a long way.
aud the matter is, moreover, one which j intimately concerns the policing of this] Colony.
HONGKONG JOTTINGS.
repea.
Among the many street nuisances which one cannot help but refer to at the risk of tiresome repetition is the custom which obtains of Chinese coolies being allowed to carry carcases of animals through the city from the markets and slaughter-houses without any covering over them. A more repugnant sight than the bleeding carcase of a pig. for instance. or a basketful of animal lights it is difficult to imagine. Surely the police should be able to check this nuisance.
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(Daily Press, 11th April.) Accounts from returned "trippers" indicate that Easter on the mainland and up the West River passed off in rather better weather than we had in Hongkong itself. As so many local residents took the opportunity of spending the holidays in the neighbouring parts of Kwang- A local resident writes to me: One of the tung. the cool and not too sunny weather was greatest nuisances in the Colony--at all events much appreciated, and rain seems to have in the eyes of Europeans is the universally interfered little with anyone's arrangements.prevalent habit of expectoration on the part of Walking parties and launch-parties alike appear the Chinese members of the community. I am to have been most successful. There is still a party told that this practice is one of the customs of of four Hongkong residents up the West River. the country, and certainly. to judge from its who, when last reported, were to return some vague among all classes of natives, irrespective time this week. The demeanour of the in- of position, it would appear as if such were the habitants up river seems more friendly now case. From a sanitary standpoint alone this than for a long time past, and, though small, revolting habit should he vigorously suppressed. children still delight in shouting "fan-kwei-ah"|at any rate, in the public thoroughfares; and at long range. their elders are indifferent or notices might be posted up in prominent posi- eren. when addressed in Chinese. genial. Intions declaring expectoration a punishable Canton, too, good behaviour is the rule now offence. It is
law at home- among the natives. I heard one Chinaman why not out here? Those who complain that this was notalways true of foreign by reason of their avocations, brought into sailors visiting Canton, which I am afraid must daily contact with the Chinese, well know how be the case.
nauseating is the disgusting practice, and surely we ought to consider the feelings of our women-folk in this respect? The look of surprise on a Chinaman's countenance when ho is sharply reprimanded for indulgence in this habit might be regarded as amusing were not the offence so revolting. Here is fresh ground for out Sanitary Board to exploit. They have done good work in the past-perhaps they will see their way to remedy in some respects this pernicious evil." I am afraid that my corres- pendent is over-sanguine if he thinks it possible to stop Chinese from indulgence in the habit. It might be possible, however, to restrict them, The question has. I believe. been considered before-without result.
I have not heard what the practical military results of the recent sham attack on Hongkong have amounted to, but in Army circles it is taken to mean that it is a forerunner of many similar movements for the purpose of revealing the weak points of the Island's defences. The new General is credited with having made things hum "since his arrival; the new Admiral has been equally active in, putting the Fleet through their facings; and when our new Governor arrives we may look for still further stirring up among the government departments.
I note that the site for the new Pavilion on the Cricket Ground has been marked off in the south-eastern corner, opposite to the City Hall. It seems to take up a rather large slice of this very limited area, and to my mind, at least, the
change of site for the Pavilion is not altogether an improvement. It is true that spectators in
in NO
Bre.
The doings of the Douglas steamer Haimun. which has been chartered as a despatch boat by the Times, are being followed with much interest by people all over the world as well as by those in Hongkong, who know most of the Europeans the new Pavilion will have their backs to the
on board. It is commented upon that this boat sun and will consequently be able to watch the has been able by means of her wireless telegraphy matches with more enjoyment. but it is a decid- apparatus to get news through to Europe which ed objection. I think, from a public point of would never have been passed by the censor. view, that the building will turn its back to But the difficulty apparently is that the belli- such a leading thoroughfare and to the Citey gerents have no power to interfere with the Hall. It will also to some extent impair the slip because she flies the British flag. I notice light---now none too
good-enjoyed by that one home paper (and a Belfast one at that) the Museum and Library in that proposes that rather than let the Haimun get building. Finally. it seems to me as hold of news calculated to be injurious to the though it would trench upon the cricket contending Powers, they should treat her as area more than the old building has done. a belligerent and sink her. Of course there may This, however, is probably a mistake, but I do be professional jealousy at the bottom of the believe the new Pavilion will appear to restrict suggestion. the area, and it will at any rate deprive tennis players of one of their best courts.
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BANYAN.
The Bangkok Times writes: -The fall of Music as heard in the immediate vicinity of close on two inches of rain in three days at the Glenealy Buildings at about 7 o'clock regular- beginning of April is something very unusual ly each morning is calculated to exercise anything | in Bangkok. But rain and thunderstorms seems but a soothing influence upon the votary of to have been general over a large part of the Morpheus thus rudely awakened." So I am country. It is reported that seven telegraph. told by a friend of mine living, there and I can quite posts were destroyed by lightning on the rail- believe him. Punctual to that hour, he explains, way line, near Laksi, on Friday afternoon. the tones of an organ are heard pealing from be- The most surprising thing about the year. how. hind the leafy barrier that screens the S. Paul's ever, is the absence of the usual cholera epidemic College from the road, and then, in unison (!) The water in the river was a little brackish for with the instrument, break upon the ear the a very few days about the beginning of sound of lusty, raucous voices rendering what February, but since then it appears to have may be recognised as sacred melodies. What been quite drinkable.
[April 18, 1904.
THE WAR.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS.]
Kobe, 11th April. Three Russian sailors from the Chemulpo fight passed through Kobe from Mastugama on Saturday. The Governor of Kobe gave the men parole, and presented each with a walking-stick and some cigarettes, while his wife presented them with several articles. The men speak highly of their treatment in ̈ Japan. They have now left by the M. M. steamer Salazie for Shanghai.
į
The Empress of Japan has presented artificial limbs to three wounded Russians, whose legs had to be amputated.
It is reported here that the efforts to raise the Russian vessel Varyag, which was sunk in the action off Chemulpo on the 9th February, have been successful.
LONDON 11th April. According to information from S. Peters- burg the Russian Squadron has left Port Arthur.
KOBE, 13th April. Lieutenant Yamaguchi, with five meu, proceeded in a small boat on a scouting expedition at the mouth of the Yalu River on Sunday and discovered seven Russians in a junk. The Russians fired on them, whereupon some Japanese cavalry appeared on the south bank and opened fire. The The firing lasted for 80 minutes, after which Russians were then reinforced by ten men.
the Russians retreated, having one killed and two wounded.
man
LONDON 13th April.
It is telegraphically reported that heavy firing has been heard in the direction of Port Arthur this morning, lasting from five o'clock until seven.
LATER.
A semi-official report states that the Rus- sian first-class battleship Petropavlovsk has been sunk at Port Arthur and only four officers have been saved.
LATER.
ral Makaroff was killed in the engagement It is reported at S. Petersburg that Admi.
at Port Arthur.
LONDON, 14th April.
In consequence of the death of Admiral Makaroff in the battle on the 13th at Port Arthur Admiral, Alexieff will take over command of the Russian fleet until the arrival of Admiral Rogestvensky, who will succeed Admiral Makaroff.
of th
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Thirty-nine Petropavlovsk were saved.
LATER.
crew of the
LONDON, 14, April.
The Russian official report of the naval battle off Port Arthur states that the Bestrachni was sunk whilst fighting, only five of the crew being saved. The Pobieda struck a mine amidships, but made safely for the harbour.
LONDON, 15th April. It is semi-officially reported at S. Peters- burg that Admiral Skrydoff is to succeed the late Admiral Makaroff.
The bombardment of Port Arthur con- tinued all day on Thursday.
KOBE, 15th April, The Royal Palace at Seoul was destroyed by fire on Thursday. It is not known whe ther this was the work of incendiaries or not.
Kobe, 17th April.
It is stated that a party of Russians bave occupied Tongchin, where they invaded the Post Office and cut the telegraph wires. The inhabitants have filed.
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