4
September 17, 1908.]
1
the hillside, with the son of the ancestor thus robbed in hot pursuit. So great was Wong's speed that he was unable to pull up when Pokfulam Road opened to view before him, and dashing over the embankment be tumbled on the road below. His pursuer was hard behind him, and did not wait to pick up the show Wong had dropped, The coolie, when he found the pace so warm, decided to remain where he had fallen, and resorted to strategy. Wong feigned death, and so successful was his noting that an ambulance was sent for. He was placed in it, removed to No. 7 Police Station and from there to the Government Civil Hospital. The doctor, how ever, refused to receive him, and Wong was returned to No. 7 and placed in a call for the night, preparatory to appearing before, the Court. When he was searched five pawn tickets were found on his person, on each of which he had given a different name and address.
His Worship sentenced the defendant to six weeks' hard labour and six hours' stocks, and recommended him for banishment.
HOW TO DEAL WITH TRIADS.
A POLICE RECOMMENDATION.
Я
That the membership of the society of Chinese political discontents is increasing in Hongkong, police records seem to show. A "record" was established at the Police Court on Sept. 14 when Mr. F. A. Hazeland tried three men who were charged with being members and found to be active members of the Triad Society. The first man arraigned was arrested by Inspector Dymond at Aberdeen while collecting subscriptions for the society. His Worship after hearing the evidence sentenced him to four months' imprisonment and six hours' stocks. A similar sentence was passed on man arrested at Yaumati. Inspector Mac- donald told his Worship that this defendant bad in his possession the insignia for initiating members. The third arrested during a. disturbance at West Point. As he was suspected of being a Triad, his residence was searobed, and there was found a box of documents which left no doubt that he was an active member. He was what is known in the society as "a man of the grass sandals"; that is, a man whose duty it is to see that punishments inflicted by the society are carried out by those who are entrusted with the task. Another sentence of four months jail and six hours' stocks was passed by his Worship, who remarked that the Triad Society appeared to be expanding, and he hoped something would be done to check such expansion.
-
man Was
Inspector Collett pointed out the great difficulty under which the police laboured owing to the wording of the Ordinance, in which it was laid down that unless a meeting of Triads was actually in progress a magistrate had not power to issue a warrant. These meetings, as a rule, were not held until midnight, or the early hours of morning. The magistrates were then at the Peak, so the hands of the police were tied.
His Worship suggested that in such an instance a warrant might be taken out under the Arms Ordinance, as nearly all triads carried arms.
Inspector Collett pointed out that what was necessary was an amendment of the Ordinance so that if the Police had cause to believe a meeting was to be held they could apply to a magistrate vested with the necessary power to issue a warrant.
DEATH OF CAPT. J. C. SAUNDERS ΑΤ ΑΜΟΥ.
|
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
DEATH OF MR. E. W. MITCHELL.
On Sept. 12 the sad intelligence reached Hong. kong by cable of the death of Mr. Edward W. Mitchell, partner in the firm of Messrs. Caldbeck, MacGregor and Company, wine and spirit merchants, and the news will be received by all who knew him with the most profound regret. Mr. Mitchell, accompanied by his wife and family, left for home in April last for a short holiday. Although he had been in indifferent health, nothing serions was anticipated, and it came as a shook to those of his friends who learned that he had passed away at Bedford on the 7th inst., the cause of death being apoplexy. The deepest sympathy is extended to the sorrowing widow and the seven fatherless children.
The deceased who was 51 years of age was educated at Uppingham aud came to China in 1878, when he joined the firm of Thomas Rowe and Co., tea merchants, in Canton, afterwards when the firm went into liquidation Betting up in business for himself. In 1889 he came to Hongkong to establish the local branch of Messrs. Caldbeck, MacGregor & Co., taking over the agency held by Mr. Levy. Since that time he has been in charge, and prior to his departure was the senior member of the firm in the East. About fifteen years ago he married Miss Margaret Lammert, and the issue of the union was five boys and two girls.
Mr. Mitchelt, about whom only words of praise are heard, had a very winning personality, and all who came in contact with him succumbed to the charm. Urbane and kindly, never ruffled in temper, he was a most lovable man whom one of his admirers described as "one of God's Own.' No appeal for assistance was ever made to him in vain, and many an individual aud many a cause has benefitted by his unostenta. tious generosity,
His death will cause a great blank in the social life of the colony. Keenly and actively interes ed in all sport, he did much good work for the V.R.C., on the committee of which be sat for some time. He was the president of the Hongkong Cricket Club and furthered those interesting interport matches. A steward of the Jockey Club, he was prominently associated with the various rare meetings, and at the last, in February of this year, is horse Zapeter brought him three successes. Moreover, he was a generous supporter of the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club, and in a word, was one of the most active patrons of sport in the Colony. But it was in connection with the Amateur Dramatic Club where his greatest work in social life was seen. No matter how humble or pretentious the production attempted by the A.D.C. it was stamped with his personality. As a stage manager he had few (quals. His tact and ability ensured invariable success, and his genius enabled him to overcome all difficulties. It is a melancholy fact that since he met with a mishap last New Year's Eve by tripping over a footlight and falling on his head he had never been the same. Mr. Mitchell had also been P.M. of the Per- severance Lodge of Freemasons. He was a J.P., and although he took a k en interest in local affairs he never allowed himself to be nominated for a seat ou either of the governing bodies. Certainly Mr. Mitchell was a man whose place will not be easily filled and whore loss will be mourned by many on the China coast.
A LOST ISLAND.
THE FIFTH GYMKHANA.
BETTER SPORT.
173
The fifth meeting of the Gymkhana Club 8th under favourable, weather conditions. The was held at Happy Valley on September
attendance, unfortunately, was not so large, as usual, but the racing was considerably better than has been witnessed at any of the previous meetings this year. Although there were only three starters in the Challenge Cup, they were all "straight goers" for the prise, which was won by Mr. Master on Blue Nile after an exciting race. The three-quarters and mile and a quarter fat races were also worth seeing. There was no hurdle race owing to the gmail number of entries, but the committee substituted the event by a time race 'in which a field of fifteen faced the starter. His Excel- lency the Governor arrived while the first race was in progress and viewed the proceedings from his stand. The Pari Mutuel clerks were busy, as usual, but were not called upon to disburse any large dividends.
The afternoon's proceedings were considerably enlivened by the selections of music played by the band of the Royal West Kent regiment.
Results of events are as under :- ONE MILE AND A QUARTER FLAT RACE. HANDICAP. For all China Ponies. Non- Winning Jockeys allowed 5 lb. Entrance fee $5. 1st Prize: A Cup presented. 2nd Prize: $25. (Entrance fees to go to winner.) Mr Hickman's Roscommon 9st 9lb 5lb
M
Allowance (Owner) 1 Brutton's Preston 11st Olb (Owner) 2 Mr Clarke's Pathan 10st 3lb 5lb Allowsuce
(Owner) 3
Mr Macdonal's Highland Gillis 11st 4lb
(Mr Gegg) 0
Roscommon made the most of a good start and led the field. As the village was passed, however, he was supplanted by Highland Gillie who, in turn, was challenged by Pathan. The latter pony was in the van as the judge's box was passed for the first time, Roscommon being second and Highland Gillie third. Passing Bowrington Roscommon again assumed the lead and made the pace. Going up the incline Pathan drew into second place but gave way to Preston which pony till then had been lagging in the rear. Roscommon, Pathan and Preston passed the village in a bunch, while Highland Gillie who was a considerable distance behind appeared to be played out. Notwith- standing the quickness of the pace Roscommon bad made, he again responded to his rider when the straight was entered, and although bard pressed by Preston, whose owner rode an excellent race, he managed to beat him on the post by a head. Pathan ran a bad third. Time min. 47.4/5 secs. The Pari Mutuel paid a dividend of $28 on the winner. DISTANCE HANDICAP-OPEN TO ALL COM- FR8.-For all Horses, Ponies and Donkeys. Description (whether waler, country bred, Chius pony or donkey, &c,), name and height of animal, and standing weight of rider to be given. Entrance fee $5. Two Prizes :-One to go to witiner and the other to the first heavy-weight (over 12 stones) past the post. First Prize: presented by G. K. Hall-Bratton, Esq. Heavy-weight Prize: presented by the Club.
...
Standing weight Yards.
hds. in. of riders
M Hyne's Ingot 13 0 142 120
(Mr Brutton). 1 Father O'Flynn's Mer-
rymite
Mr Godfrey Master's
Mango
12
2 127 100
(Mr Gresson). 2
12 8
148 170
1
162 150
(owner). 0
1
130 50
Capt. Colman's Linkman 13
Mr Ottery's Aethelbert 13
(owner). 3
(Mr Deacon) O
It rarely happens that the journalist in China Captain Pennefather, master of the 8.8. Shan- has to write the obituary of a European who tung, reports the disappearance of Matador passes away in this land of his adoption at the Island in the South Pacific Ocean. While on ripe old age of seventy-seven. This was the a voyage from Callao in Peru to Sourabaya in age of Captain J. C. Saunders of Amoy, news Java he passed on the 6th August directly of whose death reached the Colony on Sept. 13.
over the charted p sition of the island, latitude The greater part of his long life had been spent 1-30 north, longtitude 1-57 east, Admiralty in China, and he was consequently widely known Chart, 781.
He F&W no indication of its to the men of the mercantile marine engaged existence or of any discoloured water. In Mr Reinbek's Saxonia 12 3 190 200
in the coasting trade who will read of his passing Maraki Island, Gilbert Group, he found
(Mr Trefenbacker), () demise with regret. Capt. Saunders held by observations that the chronometers
were No donkeys, thoroughbreds, or racing animals appointments at Amoy as marine surveyor to correct.
other than China ponies faced the starter in the Board of Trade, Bureau Veritas, and the For some time there has been a belief that the | this event. The six- who dashed off when the German Lloyd as well as to local offices, and he island had disappeared, but Captain Pennefather shot was fired ran their race round the evarse was also attached to the British Consulate as | is the first to prove the correctness of the sup. I but kept a good distance spart. When some of emigration surveyor.
position.
the ponies passed the rook it was manifest to all