32
rivate houses. There is nothing striking bout the place, and the old town is subject to erious floods from the River Hailar, which flows pear it. There are Russian traders, Russian droschkes' with Russian horses and drivers, and. in fact, quite a large Russian civilian population. Hailar even boasts a Rus- sian music-hall. but except in the railway quarter, which is very small and scattered, there is nothing European about the appearance of the place.
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The railway is now so well known that any description of it would he superfluous, but a few observations made on the way may not be without interest. In June last I had travelled from Vladivostock to Harbin, and now I made the journey to Harbin from the western side; while on both journeys I traversed the stretch of line from Harbin to Newchwang. The chief thing that struck m on both occasions was the vast expenditure of money and the incredible amount of construction work that was going on. Buildings that had been commenced in June were now finished, but new ones were being run up
in every direction barracks, stations, bridges, engine and machine sheds, water towers, and houses for engineers and employees, all of the most solid and expensive description. The guard-houses, which situated at regular intervals of a few versts, were in many places being surrounded by high loopholed walls as a precaution against brigands. we were told.
*
are
In five months Harbiu had grown enormous- ly, and was still growing, while the country round the stations at Moukden, Tieh-ling, Liao. yang, and Ta-shih-chino was scarcely recognis- able.
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
SPORT AND PASTIME.
During the past week the rain, though very welcome as it replenishes our water supply, has in- terfered with all outdoor exercise. I have noticed some of the "real hardies" out in mackintoshes, but the man who will have his outdoor exercise in spite of the deluge proclaims himself a crank. Their name in Hongkong is not legion.
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[July 11, 1904. something definite is likely to be arranged soon. The Boat Club has been rather deserted this week owing to the rain.
Nothing noteworthy has taken place at the V.R.C. during the past week, but I note that an announcement has appeared re this month's Aquatic Carnival, which will take place on Saturday, the 23rd inst. Entries close on Wednesday, the 20th inst. The events are as follows-Four Lengths Handicap; Throw- ing the Polo Ball; Two Lengths Handicap, open to soldiers, sailors and police; Running Header from the high spring board; Team Race; Water Polo. Ladies will be invited to witness the contests. It is hoped that a good number of soldiers, sailors and police will turn up for the event open to them.
That swimming parties should go out for the evening dip is not incongruous. The biscuit, perhaps, belongs to the Y.M.C.A. for "bravery" of this description. On Thursday, during the heavy downpour, no fewer than 13 went out in a launch to swim. Members of this launch party arrangement now number thirty. Each man pays $3 a month, and considering that this covers two outings a week, tea included, Angling is a sport which is practically it is remarkably cheap. It is worthy of note unknown and certainly unpractised in Hong- that non-members of the Y.M.C.A. may join kong, yet it is said there are some streams in the party on being proposed and seconded by the New Territory which have any quantity of members, and approved by the Physical Depart-trout in them. There is a kind of pike, too, that ment Committee. Excepting bathing. the As- makes good fishing. sociation has so far done nothing in the way of sport. The fact is that during the off season one cannot really see what can be done. There is practically no room in the club for a gymnasium, and, indeed, as the members of the Y.M.C.A. are mostly either members of the Hongkong Boat Club, or the Victoria Recreation Club, there seems to be little demand for one. The suggestion of young men in Hongkong going in for musical drill, etc., seems rather an absurd The committee in charge of the Physical Department will do well. I think. if they confine themselves to getting up teams for outdoor games. They will find plenty of clubs to knock up against in the cool season
Que.
"But all this growth seems abnormal. The buildings themselves are all either in connection with the railway or the military occupation. There is no sign of individual effort, of any
I think I am safe in saying that the Captain's growing trade, or of any increased desire to take Cup Competition at the Golf Club will not be advantage of the railway for forwarding goods. commenced to-day as arranged, the ground being
"The freight trains passed in four days could under water Before the heavy rain commenc be counted on the fingers of one's hands; theed the entries in the "Drew Cup were drawn. sails of the bean-boats on the Liao River seemed as numerous as ever, and the long trains of carts still toiled slowly with their loads of merchan- dise to Newchwang.
There was certainly a great crowd of pros. perous-looking Chinese all along the line, but these are mostly navvies, bricklayers, carpenters. and the small dealers who cater for them. These men grow fat upon the construction work. and give a great air of bustle and prosperity to the railway but they are not a permanent population, and will probably disappear as soon as the building is finished."
Trade, of course, may come, but the Russians themselves profess no such expecta tion, and frankly acknowledge that the railway is merely a military work.
The villages to the west of Tsitshar are often quite Russian in character, with log- houses, Russian sledges, and a fair population of Russians of the lower orders. But to the east of Harbin, with the exception of Russians employed in railway construction, the working population is almost entirely Chinese."
SINGAPORE AND THE CROWN AGENTS.
The Colonial Secretary, replying to a question
addressed to him last month, said :—
The negotiations between the delegates from Johore and the Colonial Office as to the terms of the Convention under which the Federated Malay
States desire to construct the railway through Johore to connect up with Singapore are pro- ceeding. It is hoped that the remaining differences which at present divide the two
parties may be surmounted. The official repre-
sentatives of the Government of Johore are displaying a liberal and broad-minded attitude and it only remains for Colonial Office nerotia- tors to meet half-way to bring affairs to an early conclusion satisfactory to both parties. The question whether materials, machinery, etc., which have to be supplied from this country shall be purchased in the open market or through the Crown Agents remains among a few others still an obstacle to an amicable
⚫settlement.
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**
and play was started. A committee meeting is to be called to decide what is to be done about the Boss Cup Competition. The best card returned. it will be remembered, was not quite in order.
The past few days have been bud for bowls. In the first place men who take their exercise in carpet slippers-with a cup of tea and a little cake at each spell-do not like rain, and bowls. inoreover, absolutely refuse to roll across a bog. It is remarkable, however, what a little time it takes for the rain to percolate through the turf into the sandy soil beneath it at the Kowloon Club's green. The Civil Service C.C. has challengod the Kowloon Bowling Green Club, and the contest is ar- ranged to take place at Kowloon this afternoon. The two C.S.C.C. teams are as follows :--
A. Gibson (skip.) W. Brand
J. Reidie
L. E. Brett
J. McDonald (skip.) M. McIver W. K. Woolley R. Duncan
Reserves, J. Smith and F. Robins. Members of the C.S.C.C. are cordially invited by the Kowloon Club to witness the match.
Last week an international game of bowls England r. Scotland. was played between members of the C.S.C.C. The English team Brett. Coleman, Howell, Hickling and Robin, was comprised of Messrs. Woolley (capt.).
while the Scotsmen were Messrs. M. McIver (capt.). J. Reidie. D. Gourley, Duncan, Smith and Brand. Scotland won the rubber.
The C.S.C.C., by the way, is making re- It started with about 20 markable progress. members some two years ago. and now it has upwards of 80. Next cricket season bodes well for the Club. I understand that Dr. J. M. Atkinson, the principal Civil Medical Officer, who takes an active interest in the Club, may captain the 1st eleven, and his example is likely to draw a few dark horseS from the ranks of the Civil Service. It is pretty certain, at all events. that the Club will put forward a stronger team than hitherto.
•
Hongkong Boat Club with the Royal Ho Arrangements re the amalgamation of
kong Yacht Club are
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Turtle-hunting has become quite a craze amongst Hongkong sportsmen who can afford to indulge in it. Of late locally-caught turtles have found their way into several Hongkong kitchens. Among the latest to succumb to the attractions of the sport is H.E. Mr. F. H. May, the Officer Administering the Government, who just before the deluge began took a trip to Lantao Island and the Ladrones.
The construction of the new Hongkong Cricket Club pavilion is progressing, but very, very slowly. There is nothing doing in the sporting line at the H.K.C.C. at present.
The members of the Craigengower Cricket Club will play a tennis match, Kowloon v. Hongkong, on Saturday next, the 9th instant. The Cricket and Tennis Tournament prizes of the past season will be distributed, and the members will be At Home to their friends from 4 p. m.
*
In a month's time the Polo Ground will again be open. It was closed on the 1st June, and is now undergoing returfing in places.
Owing to Mr. R. H. Newborn, the secretary of the Hongkong Chess Club, having a cold he has as yet been unable to complete his contest with Hon. H. E. Pollock, K.C., in the Chess Tournament for the championship of the Colony. Mr. Pollock has one game to his credit. I under- stand that the drawing for the second round will take place as soon as this is played off. At present the tournament stands as follows:-
Kemp. Kemp.
Moses.
Pollock. Newborn, Falloon.
+
Swaby. Danenberg. Dastur.
Falloon.
Danenberg.
Weather in the Straits is evidently cooler and brighter than at Hongkong. By the last mail I see that almost all branches of sport are in full swing. Tennis clubs there are at present playing off tennis and croquet tourna monthly swimming races, 200 yards handicap. inents, while the Singapore Club have arranged
for which there are numerous entries. Football is going strong. On the 21st, the Civil Service beat the Manchester Regiment in a game of 'soccer" by two goals to one. The Singapore Association Football League are soliciting. subscriptions for the purpose of procuring a trophy (a cup or a shield) to always remain the property of the League, but to be held annually by the club winning the competition. It has also been decided to give medals to the winners, and badges to the runners-up. The League has been in full swing since March 1st, and ensures earnest competition amongst the twelve clubs forming it for nine months in the year.
John Roberts, the ex-billiard champion, is still up North, but he may revisit Hongkong on his return journey. At Tientsin he played Mr. W. T. L. Way 1,000-up, conceding 650 points to the amateur. Roberts beat his