April 18, 1904.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
ROYAL HONGKONG YACHT
CLUB,
TWELFTH CLUB RACECOURSE No. 19.
of the lakes are being annually reduced, so that old beach-lines were in most cases visible to a height of 500 feet, or even more, over the present lake-surfaces. This, of course, by reducing the superficial area of the water-surfaces has its concomitant result in increasing the aridity of the adjacent lands.
The 9th April opened with a dead calm and This process has been going on ever since the first human occupation glassy sea. and it seemed as if the championship of Central Asia, and goes a long way to explain yachts would have another unfinished race to the gradual growth of the deserts, and theresail; but the wind gradually rose with the flood tide, and at the conclusion of the race it was ruin of most of the opulent cities which once were widely diffused over the land.
blowing half a gule.
At last, on the 16th December, 1901. when the cara van had been reduced
to the direst straits, and had struggled almost against hope to the furthest limits of Tibet under the control of Lhassa, it was met by the relief caravan sent by orders of the Maharajah of Kashmir. It had gone first to Mann, a village on the south side of the lake immediately opposite Serdseh; but hearing nothing of us there, it had túrned back and tried the north side. As if by magic our position was completely altered. There stood twelve horses and thirty yaks entirely at our disposal, and there were sheep, flour, rice, dried fruits, milk, sugar, even corn for our animals. What more could we want? My caravan was on its very last legs, and this opportune help just saved it. Our long spell of privation and hard. ship was at an end. It was like a breath from the warm plains of India, a greeting from hospitable friends, a reminder, as it were of
home!'
It is not necessary to follow Dr. Hedin further in this review. At Calcutta he was
awarded a splendid reception by Lord Curzon, and felt almost tempted to return to Europe by the sea-ronte via Bombay. With characteristic fidelity to the friends who had rendered his exploration possible. Dr. Hedin determined to return over the passes to Kashgar. whence the road to Stockholm was easy.
Nowhere in the narrative does any political leaning to one side or other in the great international struggle between Russia and England being played out in these regions reach us from the great Swedish explorer. who may now take his stand with the great travellers of the world, Hero- dotus. Chang Kien. Marco Polo. and Speke, who each opened out for their country a new continent.
Dr. Hedin was attended from Kashgar by two Cossacks who during the latter portion of the journey were increased to four. Without their aid it is only right to mention, the journey would have been impossible. The Cossacks personally were worthy specimens of that great arm of the Russian Empire which amidst evil and good report has ever been distinguished by fidelity to the Tsar.
Dr. Hedin does not forget to mention his gratitude for the faithful service and unflinching trust reposed in him by his humble attendants. It is probable that their attendance was inter- preted by the Tibetans as indicating a political mission in the expedition, and so may have indirectly led to some misapprehensions when the Indian Government sought to meet a duly accredited envoy from Lhassa. The days of exclusion are, however, now practically past, and for good or evil Tibet can no longer continue to be the one exception in the mutual inter- course of the nations.
T. W. K.
ROYAL HONGKONG GOLF CLUB.
The following cards were returned at the monthly meeting held at the Happy Valley from the 9th to 9th April:-
CAPTAIN'S cup. Lieut. A. N. Gregory, R.N. 89 Mr. E. J. Grist
Lieut. A. N. Gregory
8885
00 00
80
82
14 84
85
-
85
3
Mr. C. M. G. Buruie
84
.
1
83
Mr. W. J. Gresson
98
*Mr. J. Johnstone
90
35 entries.
POOL.
Mr. E. J. Grist
88 85
―
80
3
82
Mr. C. M. G. Burnie
24
www.
1
83
Mr... S. Forrest
81 +
89
84
98
84
90
23 entries.
Mr. C. W. May
Mr. W. J. Gresson Mr. J. Johnstone
CT CO
At gunfire the Dione and Elspeth got off with the lead, but Vernom gradually closed up. and these three kept together past the Trocas Rock and up to the Fairway Buoy. On the close hand up to the Trocas Rock the second time Dione was still leading. Vernon close to her: Aileen caught up Elspeth, and these two However, in rounded the buoy together.
and running down to the reaching Fairway Buoy. the Elspeth again went ahend. For the heat home Dione, Vernon, and Aileen stood in to the Hongkong shore, but. Elspeth tacked straight across to Stonecutter's Island. where there smoother water. Half-way across the harbour the Dione and Vernon, which were close together, separated, the Dione passing under the stern of a steamer and standing over. to the Yanmati shore, and Vernon making another tack towards Hongkong. This gave Diore the race, as from this point she gained 7 or 8 minutes on the Vernon by getting into a windward tide and smooth water on her last tack. The Aileen
was
closed on the Vernon in the rough water, and
the Elspeth was within minutes of her also. but she gave up after fouling the Aileen near the finish.
The Diane by winning the last three races secures the second prize in this class, whether she re-sails the eleventh race or not. The times at the finish were :—
Dione
Vernon Aileen Elspeth
48
303
Fairway Buoy still in the same order. Rounding the buoy Colleen stood clear across to the Stone- cutter's side, while Min elected to work up the centre of the harbour. Erica and Bonito chose the Hongkong shore, and gained somewhat, Bonito managing to cross
Erica and get home in third place. The two leaders meanwhile came together again near the Star Ferry Wharf, Min shaking out her reef just before Colleen crossed her bows. From here on a desperate race ensued, Min. sailing faster, trying hard to get clear of Colleen but being weather-bowed every time she tacked. Tack after tack was made by both boats, but
Colleen to windward was able to hold her advantage to the end, and Min was never able to get her nose in front.
Times at the finish were:-
Colleen Min
Bonito Erica
HANDICAP CLASS.
H.
M.
3 22 45 3 22 50
3 27
3 28
*913
In the handicap class Gloria got away to a good start. closely followed by Char.ticleer, but they were passed on the reach to the Trocas Rocks Buoy. Iris rounding first, followed by diannah, Gloria, Chanticleer, and Doreen in the order named. At the west end of Stone- cutter's the boats ran into a calm under the lee of the shore, but Iris
was first away.
followed and by Chanti leer,
standing up better to the strong reaching wind with reefed mainsails than did the other boats with whole mainsails: the two leading boats kept their lead. from Alannah, and the N. Fairway buoy was reached in the following order :-Iris (3 mins. ahead). Chanticleer. Alannah, Gloria (close From this point the order together). Dorcen. remained the same throughout the race. Iris and Chanticleer working down the
Kowloon shore in the best home from N.. Fairway buoy, and maintaining their lead from Alannah, who worked the Hongkong shore.
The times at the finish were as follows:
H..
M.
S.
3
39
15
3
+7
12
3
58
did not finish.
79
1. Iris
2. Chanticleer
20
3. Alannah
17
4. Gloria
and the marks for the season are :----
Vernon Dione Aileen Elspeth
ONE-DESIGN CLASS.
The twelfth and last club race was sailed on
A very
the 10th inst. in a fine breeze from the east, and resulted in a win for Colleen over Min by 2 feet. after one of the closest races sailed this season. the two yachts never being more than 50 yards apart whilst in company. Colleen. Bonito. and Min took one reef down, but Kathleen and Erica carried full sail and were at times a trifle hard to steer in the puffs in consequence, level start was made. Colleen and Min crossing together. Colleen to windward, with the other three in close company. All set spinnakers to starboard except Bonilo, and the boats kept close together till they gybed at Trocas Rocks Buoy. Colleen was round first. followed by Min, Kath- leen. Erica, and Bonilo in the order named. Colleen did not gybe immediately, but finding Min drawing up fast gybed and got away again. After running down the north side of the island all the yachts came together again in the fluky patch of wind and calm to leeward of the island. Here Bonito kept very close to the shore, and carrying the wind with her, drew ahead for a few seconds. However, Colleen was the first to feel the true wind, and with sheets slightly checked went off for the North Fairway Buoy. Min and Erica were the next to get the wind, and went off together, Min to windward, Kathleen and Bonito being slightly left. On the reach across Colleen kept ahead of Min, which managed to shake off Erica, whilst Bonito and Kathleen fell behind. Colleen luffed round the buoy thirty yards in front of Min, which in turn was about 1 minutes in front of Erica. Bonito and Kathleen meanwhile were having a keen struggle, until on reaching the buoy Kathleen gave up, having sprung her mast. All the yachts were able to fetch the east end of Stonecutter's on the starboard tack, and Colleen got round in front of Min, with Erica and Bonito a long way astern. Spinnakers were once more set to port, and Colleen rounded the west end of the island just clear of Min. Taking in spinnakers they reached across to the
5. Doreen Corrected times
1. Iris
2. Chanticleer 3. Doreen
H. M. 8.
3 34 50
3 38 15
84225
3 40 12
3 44 12
3
46
55
H. M. 8.
3 28
45
3 30 0
3 38 40
3 40 12
4. Alannah The Gloria crossed the line before gunfire, and as she did not return to her recall signal was disqualified.
HONGKONG'S ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES.
The following statement of assets and liabili ties of the Colony on the 31st December, 1903, appear in the Gazette, over the signature of the Hon. L. A. M. Johnston, Acting Colonial
Treasurer:-
ASSETS.
Balance iu Bank Deposit in England at call
Subsidiary coins Advances
Suspense house service Profit, money order office.....
Total assets * Balance...
Total
LIABILITIES.
Military contribution Deposits not available
Refund of taxes Officers' remittances Money order remittances Transit charges, General Post Office. Civil pensions Police pensions Public works.. Miscellaneous
$ c. 211,732.25
175,940,3
160,000,00
47,697.64
2,580,21
12,000.00
$6.9,950.40
62,711.46
$672,661,86
$ ✪ 29,079.4 443.626.33
4,400.08
261.98
16,165.30
7,000.00
22,000,00
15,000.00
81,814.99
16,021.27
Balance overdrawn, Crown agents...
37.901.42
Total
$672,661.86
* Not including arrears of revenue amounting to 121,268.00.