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rise to welcome the fleet of the Japanese, our brave allies. I spent only one year in Japan and so am very unskilful, but you will please We, the British excuse say shortcoming. Navy, admire and respect you. The way in which you all of you-obeyed the Emperor's message is one more tie that has won our reverence, and to welcome you, the first arrivals of your great navy, is a great pleasure. I raise my hand to drink to your healths, and I call upon our British sailors to drink with me with all their hearts.
The toast was duly honoured, the bluejackets singing lustily “They are jolly good fellows."
The Japanese lieutenant in returning thanks said his countrymen would never forget the cordial reception accorded them at Hongkong, a reception which would strengthen the friend. ship existing between the two nations (great applause).
Owing to the Japanese having orders to be aboard early, the smoking concert which was to follow had to be put off. After a few choruses they lined up before the hall, and beaded by the band of the 129th Baluchis, which provided the music during the evening, and accompanied by the "boys in blue," they marched to Blake Pier. where a last farewell was taken.
A very pleasant evening was spent on board H.M.S. King Alfred on Mar. 23rd, when the officers of that ship entertained the officers of the Japan Training Squadron to dinner,
The toasts of the King and the Emperor of Japan having been honoured, Commander Consett, in proposing the toast of the guests, asid-Gentlemen,In rising to propose the toast of "Our Guests" I hope you will allow me to asy a few words on this, to us, eventful occasion. Very few officers here present have had the honour and pleasure of meeting before any of our brother officers in the Japanese Navy, but we have all read and followed with the keenest interest the accounts of their glorious deeds, which are second to none in the world's history. It was not without emotion that we watched the Japanese Squadron entering this harbour for the first time since the war. It is part of a fleet which has just proved itself magnificent in its efficiency and valeur under all conditions. Gentlemen, it is always a pleasure to meet one's friends, but when our friends are heroes as well as our allies, the occasion is indeed to us memorable. We drink to the health of our honoured guests and the glorious Japanese Navy,
The Japanese visitors were entertained by sompatriots resident in the Colony to a garden party on the 25th Mareh held at Sir Paul Chater's bungalow at Kowloor, which that gentleman had kindly placed at their disposal, Unfortunately the showery nature of the
weather robbed the event of much of its picturesque effect, but that, however, did not interfere with the pleasure of the guests. On the lawn behind, sports were held and provided not a little amusement, while the creature comforts of all were admirably attended to. Stalls ranged round the ground contained refreshments, which were dispensed by Japan. ese ladies, with male assistants, while music was supplied by the Baluchis Band. Admiral Shimamura and Officers were present, and the prises won by the competitors were presented by Mrs. Noma. The grounds were decorated with bunting.
Afterwards the Japanese ladies were invited to tea on the flagship.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY press and
Polo Ground, but owing to some misunderstand- ing it was not made use of. Many of the officers walked to the field of sport, while others travelled in the ordinary trams.
The first item on the programme was the Off Saddling race. In this the competitors started in the saddle with the saddle properly girthed with two single girths, and had to ride past the post with saddle in hand and girths attached. Two riders lost their mount; one pony with the saddle dangling beneath it took fright, and considerable consternation. The race was won charging in amongst the spectators, caused by Mr. Henniker Heaton, Mr. Cruickshank being second. The blindfold driving race caused no end of fun. The conditions were that the lady should drive her partner, who was blindfolded. He was required to pick up (one at a time) five potatoes and take each in 8 box by the separately and place it in starting line. A number of the Japanese and French visitors were competitors. There was much groping for the inside of the tub and feeling for lost potatoes, while one runner got up such a pace that he went head first into his tub. The race was won by Lieutenant Wilkin- son, who was driven by Mrs. Chichester, Mr. Cruickshank, driven by Miss Hancock, being second. Sixteen knights entered for the tilting at the ring competition. As they galloped past a lady she threw a ring in the air, and they endeavoured to impale it. Captain Kitson, whose rings were thrown by Mrs. Ward, was the winuer, Mr. R. F. C. Master losing on the last ran by getting a hit instead of a carry. His rings were thrown by Miss A. Berkeley. The leap-frog competition proved very amusing. It was won by Messrs. Parker and Stoppin. In the ricsha race each competitor had to draw his ricsha to a lady and hand her a sum which she was required to add up, then get into her ricsha and be driven back to the winning post, Mrs. Bailey was the most expert at figures, and taking her seat in the ricsha was pulled past the winning post first by Mr. Anderson. In this race Mrs. Hogarth, wife of the Victualling Store Officer of the Navalyard, was injured by a riosha colliding with her. Medical aid was summoned, and it was ascertained that her injuries were not serious. In the bucket and apple race the competitors. had ride to buckets half filled with water in which W&5 an apple, and while holding their pony secure the apple in their mouth without the aid of their hands. Mr. Dupree was the winner The drawing and chicken races and the tent pegging also proved inter- esting items. The band of the R. W. Kents played selections of music daring the afternoon, and at the conclusion of the sports Mrs. Villiers Hatton presented the prizes.
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[April 2, 1908. At two o'clock H. E. the Governor arrived. Accompanied by the Hon. Mr. Gershom Stewart he walked round each table, and having made a tour of the room addressed the He said-8silors, I hope that gathering. the Japanese sailors have enjoyed thema-ires as well in Hongkong as our men did when they were in Japan. It was a great pleasure to all of us in Hongkong to hear what good friends our sailors made with the Japanese when they were in their country. I hope that that friendship will be increased by the visit of the Japanese here. I know that our King was very anxious that the sailors, that the people of the two countries, should be good friends(obeera). We none of us want war, but in case war should arise it is well that the sailors of the two coun-
tries should know each other in order that they may rely on each other should the occasion arise (applause).
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Mr. Noma afterwards interpreted the speech to the Japanese, who were enthusiastic in their applause.
The Governor then raising his glass said—I now drink to the health of the glorious Japan- ese fleet and of our guests.
The Japanese retu ned the compliment, and H.E. having addressed the petty officers in similar terms, the gathering dispersed after the singing of the National Anthems, the visitors proceeding to Kowloon on invitation to view the Baluchi sports.
Undoubtedly one of the pleasantest events in a visit which must have many agreeable recollec- tions for both visitors and guests. was the “at home on board H.L.J.M.S. Itsukushima on
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March 26th, when on the invitation of Rear- Admiral H. Shimamura and the captains and officers of the Imperial Japanese Training Squadron, the leaug residents of the Colony and members of the Japanese community attended at the flagship and were the recipients of that hospitality which is such a distinguishing characteristic of the sons of the island empire. Launches conveyed the visitors to the Itsuku shima, where they were received by the Admiral and his officers, who played the parta of hosts to perfection. They escorted their guests
the ship. pointing out the many interesting sights, such as the broken shell and shot and other trophies from the historic siege of Port Arthur, the beautiful artificial flowers made by the men on board, and
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other curios.
It was interesting to learn that the big gan of 32 centimetres was the largest in the Japanese Navy. In the ward room tea in Japanese style was dispensed, but afterwards the quarter deck was the scene of attraction. Here the typical Japanese exercises were in full swing. Jiujitsu fascinated the majority, the lithe movements and marvellous skill of the competitors evoking the plaudits of the onlookers, while the fencing proved decidedly interesting The most amusing, however, was the performance where the four competitors had a game with their single-sticks at whacking each other's beads. It reminded one of the Irish fights where the maxim was when you see a head hit it. When this had concluded the guests were entertained to farther refreshment, and while British and Japanese fraternized and toasted each other the representatives of the other nationalities seemed equally happy, sharing as they did in the good fellowship which was tim feature of the gathering, ̈
Mar. 26th being the last day of the short stay of the Japanese Training Squadron, the pro- gramme arranged for their entertainment was larger than ordinarily. The local committee invited petty officers and men from both the Japanese and British Navies to tiffia in the City Hall, where a most acceptable repast was laid on the tables. Over the good cheer the friendly feeling between the tars of the East and the West was accentuated, and though the language difficulty was a barrier to free inter- course, the men nevertheless soon: understood each other and all seemed to enjoy themselves and their company. On the stairway leading up to the hall stood the picturesque figures of two Japanese warriors of olden time, while between them were the words "Welcome" and "Bauzitime Nippon." In St. Andrew's Hall, where the men dined, flags were hung, and round the walls were the names of Oyama, Kodama, Togo, and other heroes, as well as the names of the ships compos- ing the Training Equadron. In the retiring room, occupied by the petty cfficers, was a similar scheme of decoration.
The Polo Ground at Causeway Bay wore a ́picturesque appearance on Mar. 24th, when a gymkhana was given by the officers of the Navy and Army in honour of the visit of the French and Japanese fleets. The pavilion, which was reserved. for Admiral Shimamura, Admiral Richards and their suites, was ablaze with flaga. There was a large attendance on the ground, the French and Japanese officers being
Sub-Lieutenant Spotteswood, of H.M.S. well presented and participating in the events. Numerous tables, at which the ladies could Kent, and the Rev. J. H. France, assisted in partake of tes and light represhments, dotted the arrangements, while Flag Commander the lawn, while there were booths at which the Vivian, was in charge of the British section, gentlemen could get something stronger. H. E Lieut. Bokuro Nagano being in command of the Governor arrived on the ground after the Japanese. Among those exercising super the second race, and H. E. Major General vision were Sir Paul Chater, the Hon Gershom Villiers Hatton was also present. A special Stewart, Messara, T. Hough, A. G. Wood, with flags, which T. P. Cochrane, and J. R. Michael. The tram, prettily draped included the Union Jack, the flag of pleasure of the meeting was enhanced by the the Rising Sun and the Tricolor, had selections played by the band of H.M.S. King been engaged to convey the visitors to the Alfred.
Guards of honour received H. E. the Gover- nor. Admiral Moore, Admiral Richard and the other distinguished gentlemen. Certainly the passed on the ship was very happy, and enabled all, visitors and hosts, to be seen to the greatest advantage.
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Rear Admiral Shimamura with 3+ of his officers and eleven leading Japanese residents were, with a number of British officers, enter- tained to dinner on Mar. 26 by the Hongkong Club, and needless to say a very anjoyable evening was spent, complimentary speeches and toa ta being given.
It is stated that a court-màrtial will be held - at Toulon into the circumstances surrounding the loss of the Sully in the Bay of Along. The court will consist of one vice-admiral and two captains. The questions" they have to answer ars-Is Commander Guiberteau respon- sible for the stranding of the Sully; and £ /ho responsible for her loss? Twenty witnemen will be heard by the Court.