412
other valuable
information
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND that the and simple. We have no liking for that report contains; and we must hasteninsularity of thinking which permits our to the means of tapping the riches thus
young people to revive the old phratry instincts to the extent of beli ring that "Taffy is a thief," Paddy a homicidal manic with a shillelagh, Sandy a dour skinflint whose only diet is horse-fodder, ard so forth. On the other hand, not
alluringly portrayed. Unfortunately, he says, Szechuan is not readily or easily accessible. The clamour raised by casual travellers for the steam navigation of the magnificent waterways' was a little too hasty and unthinking. Practical naviga- taking too serious a view of poetic visions tors have convinced the Consul-General of a millennium, we have to recognise that that, from a commercial and paying stand-
were the natural love of locality, of "my point, through steam navigation of the
own, my native land," ever to be allowed Upper Yangtze, from Ichang as far as
to die, universal stagnation, rather than Wan-hsien, is a dream that can never be universal brotherhood, would be the likeliest realised. As the Szechuanese are rich, and
result. These aspirations, generally regarded eager for foreign goods, this is a g eat pity as hopeless in practice, are just as univer- The treight is so high that a 4lb. in of
sally accepted in theory by the good people Hongkong cube sugar, worth about ixty of all nations, especially when the sentiment cents in Shanghai, cannot be had in is crystallised by some genius into a memor. Szechuan for less than $3.40. That networkable verse or happy phrase. And yet it is of railways over spreading China, of which difficult to repress a shudder at the thought the visionaries talk, will be welcomed by
of the pipe-dreams of these idealists coming more than foreigners when it crystallises true. It would mean a world of Little into fact.
Englanders, and Little Scotlanders, an
ST, ANDREW'S DAY.
to
"After you,
international muddle of the my dear Alphonse," sort of thing. Things are better as they are, with Sandy on St. Andrew's day apostrophising his haggis and his thistle, and John Bull on St. George's day chanting the praises of En land's roast beef and roses. Locally, this argument will not be disputed, when the pleasure and happiness given on St. Andrew's Day is remembered.
HONGKONG
:0:
JOTTING “.
(Daily Press, 2nd December.) The Scots among all the nations cling most tenaciously to the memories of their race, and the annual fling in honour of their patron saint, Andrew of that ilk, is but one of the red letter events they have to draw together the scattered representatives of the northern kingdom. "When Januar' winds are blow- ing cauld" it is customary in many places "to meet together on "Burns nicht "
celebrate the natal day of the poet who more than any other "chiel" has cemented the bonds that knit together in the common pride of race and love of fatherland a peo- ple who, like another nomad people, as tenacious of national traditions as themself with the reflection that there will be no selves, the Jews, are greatly scattered, ani yet never forget. The influence of HOBERT BURNS is a splendid illustration of the unde lying truth of that saying by a talent- ed Frenchinan, "Let me make the songs of a pe pie, and I care not who makes its
law." It is not, of course, that the Ayr
It was
shire bard has provoked this sense of kin ship: he has but given adequate expression to an emotion that never leaves the poorest exile of the land o' cakes. It is not, either, that the canny Scot has a monopoly of this sentiment. It is more apparent, perhaps, because his emotions have not yet assumed the complexity of more cosmopolitan com- munities. Where the heather blooms, and the whaups cry, life remains simple. The air is pure, the food simple, the manners direct and uncompromising. Any intellec tual subtlety is confined to theological channels, as any. Sassennach will soon ob- serve who mentious a word like " predes- tination" in a circle of Northmen, however far away from the kirk they may be domi- ciled. This bent may also be accounted for by the Scottish environment. BURNS himself who was the author of the most widely known expression of the aspiration towards universal brotherh od; and it would almost seem as though this persistent emphasising of their
to separate nationality must tend
60 man to further away the time when man the wide world ower, shall brithers be, and a' that." Yet it certainly maintains the fraternal feeling among themselves, and if they would only refrain from protesting when the Englishmen cling to the sacred name of “ England,” instead of insisting so punctiliously on all occasions on tue word Britain," the mutual understanding would be better. After all, it is no separatist feeling which prompts the retention of the old style, but historical associations pure
put
28th November.
Signs are not wanting that Christmas is drawing very near. Toys are shown in the shop windows and children are reminded of
hristmas trees. Pat rfamilias consoles him-
difficulty in procuring the tree this year. The Woodcutter as heen very musy lately, and I
have no doubt all orders received for Xmas
Afforestation Trees by the Botanica and Department will receive the best attenton. Anxious as the Government are to develop
this sourc of revenue, this opportunity should not be overlooked. It should be advertised
that the Chief Woodcutter has an unlimite supply at his disposal eminently suitable for Christmas Trees and that prices will be marked in plain figures, etc.
I make the latter suggestion in consequence of overhearing
between a conversation
two
ladies. One was wearing a brand new cloak which the other had evidently seen before If I might ask, how much did you give for that handsome cloak?" said Lady No ̊l. "Only $140," replied the other. You did!" exclaimed her interrogator thoroughly astonished. Well, well; that is how your friends treat you," she said, and confided to the equally astonished Lady No 2 that she had admired that cloak in a shop, and the shopkeeper being an old friend of hers offered to let her
have it
+
at the specially low figure of $180. The Woodentter will see the moral. If the Colonial Secretary should come to buy a Xmas Trewell, having p inted the moral, I must leave it to others to adorn the tale.
The grea grievance of the resident in Hong- kong who does not happen to be the owner of his own dwelling house is the continual rise in rents, due to the increasing population. There are many who think that in this respect there never wa such a place." But that is a mistake. The centenarians, nonagenanians, or octogenarians of London e uld a tale unfold. In a recent issue of the Times I noticed andvertisement reproduced from the Times of 100 years ago, announcing for sale b
a modern, brick built f mily publie auction" dwelling finished n superior style" situated in Upper Kensington Place. Vauxhall. The rent of this singularly neatly fitted up and conve- nient leasehold residence" with full-bearing fruit trees in the garden was "5 guineas per
|
|
+1
[Devember 3, 1904.
annum. Now it is difficult to get a decent house in a Vauxhall terrace for five guiness a month. Thus times change and rents change with them in other places as well as in Hong- kong.
con-
Some time ago when complaints were being herd regarding the gradually increasing price. of meat in the Colony I drew up a comparative table of the prices obtaining in Hongkong, Shanghai and Japan. I showed that prices in Shanghai were appreciably lower than in Hongkong, while in Japan they were siderably higher than we are required to pay here. In Kobe just now I note that a strong protest is being made by the foreign community against the continuous advano in prices. One e rrespondent gives in a brief letter a few quotations which are sufficiently interesting to bear quotation here.
Beef...
HONGKONG. SHANGHAI, Per lb. Per lb. 17 cents 10 to 16 cents
14 24
་་
12 to 19 cents
KOBĚ. Per lb. 38 sen
".
Soup...
22 Mutton
48, I suppose the rise is partially explained by the growing popularity of a meat diet among the Japanese.
The allusion in the obituary notice of Mr.
Justice Leach to his interest in sport will have recalled to many old cricketers the leading part which Mr Leach used to take as a member of the Hongkong Cricket Club. Few officials have left this Colony with more general manifestations of regret.
19
de will be remembered in Hong kong," said the Daily Press on the occasion of his farewell to the Colony, "by all who know him as one who has in a pre-eminent degree possessed the qualities, dear above all others to Englishmen, of being a rood comrade, a good sportsman, and a gentleman.' He was enter- tained at a dinner on the Cricket Ground at which His Excellency the Governor, Sir William Robinson, was present, and in a speech which came with particularly good grace from one who could speak as an old cricketer as well as an official chief spoke of his professional worth ad ability and expressed the hope that Mr. Leach had been lent. not given, to Sings- pore, and that he would be w loomed back to ongkong in good health and in a still more responsible position. That was nine years ago, and the hope now is, unfortunately, beyond possibility of fulfilment.
BANYAN.
HONGKONG SANITARY
BOARD.
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held on the 29th Nov. in the Board Room. Dr.
J. M. Atkinson presided, and there were also pres nt Hon. A. W. Brewin, Col. W. E. Webb, B.A.M.C., Mr. Lan Chu Pak, Mr. E. A, Hewett, r. A. Rumjahn, Mr. H. E. Pollock, K.C. Dr. H. Mчofarlane, Dr. P. Barnett and Mr. T. H. Hanmer (Secretary).
The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed.
A MOTION.
The President moved :-- "That the Board
under the provisions of Section 30 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903, depute Inspectors George William Coysh and R bert Charles Witchell to institute summary proceed- ings before a Magistrate against any person contravening any of the bye-laws duly made under Section 16 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903, when so instructed in writing by one of the medical officers of health That the Board, under the provisions of Section 256 of the Public Health and Build. ings Ordinance, 1903, depute Inspectors George Wiiam Coysh and Robert Charles Witchell to institute summary proceedings before a Magis. trate for the recovery of any penalty imposed by Part II of the said Ordinance or any Bye-law made thereunder when so instructed in writing by one of the medical officers of health.”
The President explained that Inspector Witchell was now in charge of the station at Kowloon, and that Inspector Brown as it was had too much work to do.
The motion was carried.
2