290
service -when on shore on 48 hours leave. Moved by the fact that beds were really very limited, and existing institutions were not able to meet the needs of the man when ashore, the committee were led to approach His Excellency to ask if by any possible means they might obtain on favourable terms a grant of "Govern. ment land. His Excellency lent his aid in a most cordial and sympathetic spirit, and did what Was possible to forward the project, but unexpected difficulties arose, and the site they had hoped to obtain was not at present available.
Acting again on His Excellency's suggestion, they endeavoured to rent a house or houses for the purpose of carry. ing on this work. They were led to apply to the Hongkong Land Investment Company, and obtained the present houses on a three years' lease, at a moderate rental, and with power to álter and adapt to meet the needs of the work. The premises at present were a mere shell and there was a good deal of furniture to arrive. When this arrived and was put into position the institute would be in every respect such as a sailor ashore for the night would find very comfortable. They hoped later to have a better supply of literature, and a good billiard table. Meals would be supplied as nearly 8.8 possible at cost price 30 as not to make a too heavy demand on the pockets of those who made use of the place. They would endeavour as far as possible to cater for the spiritual, moral and material needs of man, who was a many-sided animal and needed something more than tracts something more than the spiritual side of nature.
They wanted to catch him on every side if pos- sible. He hoped they would be able to form nobler aspirations and advance those who fre- quented "the institute a little nearer the realisation of perfect manhood. If such were realised they would have reason to think that the institute did not exist in vain. Before sitting down he wished to express his deep sense of gratitude personally to His Excellency for the very kindly interest he had taken in the work which he had greatly helped forward. (Applause).
HIS EXCELLENCY, who on rising was loudly cheered, said:-Ladies and Gentlemen, I am grateful to the Rev. Mr. France for giving me the opportunity of being here this afternoon. His invitation to me, and also the remarks which he has made, refer to the sympathy Seamen's
I have shown towards
the
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
| to express to His Excellency and the ladies and gentlemen present, how sorry he was that he was unable to attend the opening ceremony. The speaker then proposed that the best thanks of this meeting be given to His Excellency the Governor for his kindness in having consented to open this Institute, and for the sympathetic interest that he has taken in its establishment. His Excelleney's brief response terminated the ceremony, after which His Excellency was shown over the premises.
CORRESPONDENCE.
PUBLIC SPIRITED GENEROSITY,
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS,'
Hongkong, 1st May, SIR,--At the meeting of the Sanitary Board on the 18th April, a discussion arose in connec. tion with the question of the dumping of dead bodies in the streets and harbour by the poorer class Chinese in the Colony. Various reasons were assigned for this objectionable practice, With a view to ascertain the real reason, and of providing a remedy, I have advertised freely in all the Chinese newspapers circulating in the Colony, the offer to provide free burials for the poor and friendless."
I beg to enclose a copy of a translation in English of the notice, which may not be without interest to you. Yours faithfully
HỌ KÈM TONG.
The enclosure referred to
reads:-" All
of a death occurring in their house, and the Chinese householders are invited in the case
deceased happening to be friendless and with- out effects to meet the burial expenses, to keep the body in the house and not dump it in the burial expenses are requested to communicate street. Those who are too poor to defray the with Mr. Ho Kom Tong who will be glad to make all the arrangements for the burial and to defray the necessary expenses himself."
NEW CHURCH AT SHEK KEI
44
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS."
SIE,--The May leaflet of the Hongkong C. M. A. records the consecration by the Bishop of Victoria of a new native church at Shek-kei, Heung-Shan. The writer of the
|
(May 6, 1905, room, and several small rooms to accommodate teachers." Upstairs (two elaborate stone stairs esses) is a "pretty littleohuroh,lofty, sizy, and well lighted. will come in time." It is to be hoped the dear Perhaps the stained glass Bishop took at least one missionary who would warn our native brethren aguimt perils of spiritual pride, pomp, and vainglory. It is so hard to get the Chinese to see things as we do. During the service there was a regrettable misunderstanding.
The Bishop stood up to the Communion rails and gave out his text from the Prophet Haggai-The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of Hosts; and in this place I will give Peace"- then a lond ory was raised: 'the floor is giving way.' Instantly there was a great hubbub and commotion especially among the alarm, and after some time with great difficulty heathen women. It was found to be a falno
Consecration proceeded. At the end of the prayer for the Church Militant the Native but even then one of the English Clergy was Pastor three times pronounced the 'Missa-est' compelled to walk down
calm and order were restored, and the service of
the Church and
personally persuade the non-Communicants to went down by one stairway only to come back leave. And some, we were afterwards told,
the other!" The writer continues:--
4
We left Shek-kei at three o'clock, though to do so we had 'regretfully' to decline a pressing invitation to a feast which was to be held st five. As the tide allowed it we returned to The ship was small and the sea was big. Some Hongkong by a way that brought us past Macao.
of us knowing that an extra passenger had should run been taken on board, and fearing lest provisions ourselves from diner! But that was to cast a short, considerately absented alur on a generous provider,' we were told. By no means. We realised the possibility of being stuck on a mud bank for several days!" This consideration for the needs of other passengers merits our approval; but I could wish the writer had remembered the need for doing good by stealth It has been suggested to me that the writer intends some humorous reference to seasickness; but as such vulgarity would be out of place in the church leaflet, and as it would involve an accusation against the reverend writer, of having deliberately (for no higher purpose than to oreate mirth-the laughter of fools that is as thorns crackling under a pot)
May I ask you for your opinion ?
Mission. I am sorry it is not practicable report really ought to consider the righteousness made a misstate rent, I refuse to believe it.
the form
to put that sympathy into of government assistance to replace the old Star" Coffee house which, as we have been told, closed two years ago for want of funds; but the government is always very careful when asked to give to one section of the community. property which it holds in community at large. However, a site shall be reserved, and lent to the Mission
on favourable terms. I have been thinking over a scheme which will
or
the funds trust for the
all are, to
you
to descend." When assures us that
cease
or otherwise of trifling with Truth, even iu jest. He says "The rain worn out, perhaps, by much exception can be taken to that, except that its recent exertions, ceased to descend." Not it is difficult to see how rain that was "worn out by its exertions" could be in a position to “
the missionary writer "the fog, at last taking com- passion on the sea-faring man, lifted," I fear he cannot be so sincere as his cloth demands. Shakespeare likened mercy to dew, but this gentleman positively attributes compassion to a fog. The Bishop had invited six missionaries accompany him, and I fear they failed to realize their opportunities. It is written "We breakfasted on deck from unlimited sup-
to
Yours in all sincerity,
JONAH. [The Editor considers the quotation in a humorous light. Jonah" ought not to regard all missionary utterances as statements of fact.]
1
MURDER BY AN ANNAMITE.
Saigon papers, eight days after the event, received news from the French Administrator
at Paloh Condor of an assassination there on the 11th April. One of them suggests that, as there is telegraphie communication with that
been found possible plies at eight o'clock, and after Morning Prayer | Place, and as Puloh Condor is a pl'ce whence
discuss with the gentlemen managing the affairs of the institution, and it may then be possible to provide a permanent home at an earlier date. Meantime I am glad, as
that it has temporary open
premises for the benefit of seamen ashore. Seamen ashore are a special class, because they are mainly ashore for the purposes of recreation. Their work is done at sea where we do not see them. It is not then to be wondered at that some
had been said by the Bishop, were free to devote our energies to admiring the scenery." Life is so short, and duty so big, that I am afraid I must regard that as a confession of wasted time Was there not the crew to plead with, in season unpleasant forms of recreation-having regard reverend raconteur notes that the pagoda and out of season? Approaching Shek-kei, the
towers well up on a high hill at the back of Shek-kei, and if its infinence is effective in the same ratio as a lightning conductor, a very large tract of country must rejoice in secure protection!" This excellent satire shows a return to the praiseworthy energy in a good missionaries; but I am not altogether pleased cause which I think we all expect of our yet. I fear the possible effects of ratiocination.
be noted, there may have been a reason for the the movements of the Baltio Squadrons might
delay.
4
The victim of the murder was M. Joseph Denier, a guardia 1" of the French native appears that M. Denier had occasion to make prison ba the island of Puloh Condor. It an unfavourable report of the conduct of an Annamite mechanic who was working out a sentence He was sitting at breakfast on April 11th when the prisoner stepped in at a window and as-ed him not to mention the punish. ment in
the his report to
Governor.
Guardian Denier said it must go in, whereupon the Annamite, who had provided himself with a home-made cutiam," lunged
to a great seaport like this-such as cases of insobriety and frequenting low
houses, should come before our eyes in Hongkong, which tend to lower the prestige of the white man before the Chinese, and depreciate sailors' respect, which as a class they deserve from all those who appreciate what the sailors have done for our country, aud have at heat the maintenance, good order, and good name of the colony.
And this house has been started to provide decent accommodation for the
Is there not a danger that the dignity of at him twice, the blade penetrating the sailor at night and reasonable recreation for to attack in return? We cannot be too care.
our own venerated spires may be thus exposed langs and stomach. M. Denier ran from the room, dalling for help; and the prisoner, him during the day, and the kindly and ful. The new church is a fairly substantial snatching up a revolver that was in the room, sympathetic influence and assistance of the looking building (the pride of the Shek-kei gave chase. He fired five times, but missed. Chaplains of the Mission. It is with great Christians), two stories high, high enough, it is the Gaol Infirmary, where he died in great pleasure, therefore, that I declare the house said, to injure the fung-shui' of some neigh-
He then disappeared. M. Denier was taken to to be now opened (applause).
Admiral CURZON HOWE said the Commander. bouring houses. On the ground floor is a preach.
in-Chief, General Villiers-Hatton, desired him
ing hall for heathen congregatious, & school-
agony two days afterwards. Search is being
made for the assassin. This is the fourth similar affair in two years at the same prison.