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repairing was at once begun and in the after- noon communication with Hongkong was once more restored.
AMATEUR DRAMATIC CLUB.
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PRODUCTION OF A COUNTRY MOUSE,"
In writing of the performances of the Hong. kong Amateur Dramatic Club, one is usually placed in the fortunate position of having to use only expressions of praise, and the latest pro- duction of this versatile combination being fully up to the standard of previous efforts again makes the critic's task a pleasant one. Although amateurs invariably acquit themselves better in the lighter pieces, it has to be admitted that "A Country Mouse" presents more difficulties than the typical comedy. The rollicking mirth- fulness, which must be natural to be effective, is absent from Mr. Law's production, and the portrayal and expression of the satire call as much for psychological study as bistrionic ability. In that the principals were decidedly successful, though a little more swing, to quicken the performance, would have been desirable.
When the curtain rang up on Saturday night the Royal Theatre was
well filled by an assembly which, though prepared to extend indulgence to the artists, at the same time anticipated an excellent entertainment. And needless to say they were not disappointed. The brilliance of the dialogue, sparkling with wit and keenly satirical, lost nothing throngh its exponents, and the merry laugh and hearty chuckle indicated that the points had not been missed by the auditors.
THE HONGKON › WEEKLY PRESS AND
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in the course of the evening. Mrs. Van der Woude played with refreshing verve as “ Violet Aynsley", who thongh single represented herself as married in order to attract the romantic “Lord Bob”. Although the names of four ladies appeared on the programme we were unable to discover the fourth. Doubtless there was] some good explanation for this omission. Turn- ing now to the gentlemen, perhaps the first we should mention is Mr. H. W. Smith, R.A., who presented a portrait admirable in every respect of the "Hon. Archibald Vyse", and was throughout natural and convincing
Lord Robert Wyckham ", who objected to the commonplace in love, found a capable ex- ponent in Mr. L. J. C. Anderson, while Mr.
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Kendall achieved a distinct success as the" Duke of St. Kitts". The less onerous part of
"Joho Bowlby, M. P.", was well taken by Mr. F. C. Kendali. Neither Mr. W.J. Danielas "Jephcot the butler, nor Mr. T. C. Lethbridge, the manservant, had much to do, but that little was well done, a remark which also applies to the performance of Mr. Tester, whose name did not appear on the programme but whose impress was apparent to all who have seen and heard bis previous excellent characterisations.
It should be added that the play was beauti- fully mounted, the scenery being from designs by Mr. H. W. Bird. Everything went well. and perhaps the only disappointment was that the audience expected more of it.
OSTASIATISCHER VEREIN.
The East-Asiatic Union, or Hamburg Association of Persons Interested in the Far East, held its annual "Liebesmahl" on March 31st, at the Hamburger Hof. The Hamburger Nachrichten describes the gorgeous decorations, which included the German and Hamburg flags, the standard of Prince Henry, and some English and Japanese flags. There were 223 present, including H. R. H. Prince Heinrich von Preussen, His Magnificency Burgermeister Dr. Burchardt, H. M B. Dr. Stammann, H. E. Admiral von Tirpitz, H. E. Freiherr vou Heyding (late Ambassador at Peking), and others, with whom we are told there were the following "Hongkongites
Doubtless most of our readers have some knowledge of this satirical comedy, An apparently, ingenuous unsophisticated girl comes up from the country for a holiday in London, and finds herself in the midst of a Society set whose doings are до better than what is understood usually characterise the smart set. The men and women have no respect for the sanctity of the marriage ties: indeed it is this pleasure of poaching on other people's preserves that relieve their lives from that ennui which Society people are supposed to suffer. In the hands of Mr. Law the author, this has suggested satirical treatment, a suggestion of which may be conveyed in the exclamation of "Lord Robert Wyckham" to the woman on whom he bestowed his affection: "I have loved you since the day I first saw your husband". This satire is further crystallised in the scene where he upbraids the woman for having deceived him into believing that she was married, otherwise there was no charm for him in their love mak- ing. The country girl coming into such an atmosphere causes something of a sensation among the men and creates jealousy among the women. But it transpires she is not so simple as she looks and despite the fact that she so con- stantly proclaims herself as from the country, she shows her astuteness by marrying the wealthying, old Duke. From this it will be seen that she differs very little from the people among whom she finds herself, only her me. thods are different.
Of the performance itself little was left to be desired. All the players seemed well fitted for their parts and acquitted themselves in the highly creditable manner which distinguish most of the works of the Amateur Dramatic Club. Mrs. Francis Clark had a most difficult role as "Lady Sylvis Bowlby", the society lady who was given in marriage to her husband in settlement of her father's debts, who talks of inviting her husband to dinner, and who carries on an intrigue with one of the bachelors belonging to the smart set. In her portrayal of character and events such as are to be met with in real life there was none of that exaggeration which occasionally jars on the audience. No reproach could be brought against her performance, in which she displayed considerable resource, and her powerful acting at the close of the second act when she unconsciously disclosed ber feelings to the “ Country Mouse was deservedly applauded. The " Angela Muir" of Miss Shelton Hooper was conceived in the spirit of the true artist. The simple artlessness of the country maid was charming, and besides being a favourite with her associates on the stage, she won the golden opinions of her hearers, and was presented with several floral tributes
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(May 5, 1906.
derer sich erinnern, die jetzt noch draussen schaffen and wirken sur Förderung von Handel und Wandel, von Schiffahrt und Industrie, sum Heile des dentsoben Vaterlandes.
The toast was honoured, and after a telegram bad been sent to the Kaiser, the company ad- journed to the Winter Garden for coffee and cigars. Tue Nachrichten refers specially to the friendly sociability of Prince Hefurich at this happy “love feast ".
CARGO INSURANCE AT SHANGHAI,
The following letter from the Shanghai Marine Underwriters' Asociation was received
by the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce:- "Since the damage arising from the flooding of wharf godowns on 2nd September, 1905, the framing of a clause calculated to meet the views of insurers and insured has occupied the attention of the Associations of Underwriters, at home, and the following was drawn up and added to the Eastern Rates Agreement to apply to all shipments by vessels advertised to sail on and after 1st January, 19 6:-
From shippers' or manufacturers' warehouse until on board the vessel, and from the vessel, whilst ou quays, wharves, or in sheds during the ordinary course of transit natil safely deposited in consignees or other warehouse at port of discharge,"
While generally meeting the views of my Com- mittes, it is suggested that the clause would bo more suitable for shipments to Shanghai if the words 'stored in' were inserted between 'or' and ‘other warehouse'. The clause would then read:—
until on board the vessel, and from the vessel, 'From shippers' manufacturers' warehouse whilst on quays, wharves, or sheds during the ordinary course of transit until safely deposited in consignees' or stored in other warehouse at port of discharge'.
The addition is suggested in view of the fact that, during times of congested storage at the wharves, aforage godowns are sometimes used for transit cargo as well and a difficulty might arise in such cases as to the liability under the Marine Policy.
I am instructed to ask for an expression of opinion from your Committee as to which of the above two clauses is the more acceptable
The Chamber replied as follows:-" Your letter of the 13th March has been before my Committee, who are of opinion that the word finally before 'stored in" would further eluci- date your amended clause.
Messrs. Robert Becker, Theodor Bieber,to merchants." Carl Albers, C. von Bose, W. Detmers, A. Finke, Julins Focke, I. H. Garrels, I. (2008- mann. Otto Gschwind, H. Hesloop, I. I. B. Heemskerk, F. Höhnke, J. Jebsen, P. G. Kribbe, L. Lambotte, Ph. Moeller, Job. F. Moeller, E. Niedhardt, W. Rudelaff, P. Sachse, Ad. Ernst Schuldt, F. Seip. Gustav Sierich, C. Thiel, Adolf Toelcke, F. Urbig, A. Wasserfall, F. A. Wendt. and Gustav Wieler. Captain Lans, who commanded the Illis at Taku, was also present.
Mr. GUELTZOW, the Chairman, toasted H. M. the Emperor, and Hamburg and its workers. The present peace in the Far East was gratify-
but there was still room for anxiety as to the ultimate fate of Chius. Both toasts were amply honoured.
Dr. BURCHARDT was entrusted with the toast of the evening, the Ostasiatischen Verein, and in a long speech referred to the war and Japan's rise to power; dwelt on the importance of marking every opening for German commercial enterprise; and had no doubt that if they con- tinued to pull together, they would, step by step. succeed in their object. This Association was now six years old, and had done much good; he trusted it would flourish for many years to come, to the benefit of German industry and commerce (applause).
The clause would then read: 'from shippers' or manufacturers' wars house until on board the vessel, and from the vessel, whilst ou quaye wharves, or in sheds during the ordinary course of transit nntil safely deposited in consignees, or finally stored in other warehouse at port of discharge.'
SHANGHAI TRAMS.
As announced at the time in our telegraphic news, the formal commencement of the con- struction of an electric tramway system at Shanghai was made on April 24th, at the Yangtsepoo terminus. There was quite a large assembly, those present including a number of ladies and Messrs. E. Whesley (of A. Dent & Co., representatives of the Construction Com- pany), Cecil Holliday (Chairman of the Muni- cipal Council), W. Wright (representing Messrs. Harper Brother, and consulting engineer to the Construction Company), W. Jamieson and W. G. Hamilton (representing Messrs. Bruce, Peebles & Co., contractors), H. Shorrock (China agent of Messrs. Bruce, Peebles & Co), J. Osborne, F. H. Crossley, J. Edie Bingham, B. Atkinson, G. L. Oberg, W. J. Gresson, E. S. Little, H. de Gray, F. C. Heffer, O. Meuser, A. P. Wood, J. H. Torsdale, W. H. Poate,,E. T. J. Blount, P. Tilley, C. Mayne, C. H. Godfrey, and many Chinese.
Herr GUSTAV WIELER proposed those who are yet in the East, in the following touching little speech: Er wies darauf hin, dass alle, die sich heute in diesem Raum versammelt haben, Beziehungen zu dem Osten haben und mit dem Osten in dieser oder jener Weise verknüpft seien. Manche von den Anwesenden hätten vieler Jahre dort sugebracht und hingen mit dem Herzen am fernen Osten; die einen haben ihre Laufbahn im Osten abgeschlossen, die andern wollen dahin zurückkehren. Er wünsche, dass keiner die zeit, die er im Osten geweilt, bereuen möge. Es reiem aber auch viele draussen im Osten geblieben, und dieser möge man heute in Ehren gedenken. (Here all stood up, silently, in the so expressive At a subsequent tiffin, Mr. E. Wheeley said German fashion.) Doch ebenso müsse man he was very gratified with the interest the
The Chairman of the Municipal Council, Mr. Cecil Holliday, broke first ground with a hand- some plated pick, on the bandle of which was a shield bearing the inscription * Shanghai Trani. ways. First stone picked by Cecil Holliday, Esq., Chairman of the Municipal Council, April, 1906,"
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