Page
272.
(Daily Press, 17th October) The hundred and fifty odd Volunteers under canvas are profiting by the drill which they are now undergoing. Physically they are better men and from the military point of view they certainly are more useful. Yesterday was another busy day. Beginning with the Maxim gunsand fifteen pounders the Volunteers were soon put on their mettle, and most of them took advantage of the privilege of discarding their jackets and settled down to their duties in a workmanlike manner. That progress is being made is evident from the "not too bad" of the R.A. instructors, and before the camp is over the Corps ought to be in a position to acquit itself creditably in its varying duties.
On Monday night there was a very enjoyable impromptu concert, which was attended by the officers. With vocal contributions, humor. ous patter, and even a mesmeric exhibition the time passed all too rapidly and it was with regret that most heard the bugle sound for "lights out."
Last night the search light was at work, the Engineers being engaged manning the light
with the R.E.
(Daily Press, October 18th.)
Less exacting in its demands on the strength of the individual and more interesting was the work which yesterday fell to the lot of the Volunteer on Stonecutters Island. The more technical nature of the duties of handling -the guns filled the greater part of the programme of the day's proceedings In the early morning both companies made fair practice with the maxim guns, the difficulties and problems set by the staff instructors afford- ing excellent instruction, while good work was done on the fifteen pounders. Not till Saturday however will the Volunteers have an opportunity of using blank cartridge Then will come the time for fire discipline, which is the real test of
the "men of cannon."
!
man
were
THE HOGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND everyone who watched it at close quarters realized something of the possible work of our garrison.
An innovation appreciated by every under canvas is the reading and recreation room provided by the Y.M.C.A. The Commandant readily gave permission and set apart a lent for such an institution. Opened on Tuesday night, it attracted many Volunteers, who warm in their expressions of appreciation. Not only are papers, magazines, etc. to be found on the tables, but there is also a nice little library while draughts and chess help to spend a quiet evening. Writing materials are also supplied. A more useful addition to the camp could hardly have been devised, and under the supervision of Mr. McPherson it should prove of considerable value. That gentleman also hopes to arrange for one or two lectures during the encampment. While residents of Hongkong admired the searchlight flashed over Stonecutters and heard
the booming of the big guns on Tuesday night
i
the Volunteers were favoured with a closer view of the interesting operations. With his usual forethought the Commandant arranged for dinner being served half an hour earlier in order to give all an opportunity of watching the proceedings. And the experience was one to be treasured. The searchlight, operated from a point at the east side of the island, illuminated the greater part of the channel between the mainland and Stonecutters, show. ing the rocks into shadowy outlines and the serried sides of the opposite bills into the most fantastic shapes. Buors, sampans and junks on the surface of the water stood out distinctly. invested by the white glow with an unusually picturesque appearance. The launch in the centre of the picture had the targets in tow at the end of a long cable. Having unwound the cable the launch gets up her full speed and setting the winding gear in operation the target is thus drawn through the water at the speed of the winch plus the speed of the vessel. The target flying though the water throws up a huge cloud of spray, which envelopes it completely, not only making the target more conspicuous but adding to the spectacular effect. A flash on the crest of the hill attracts the eye. A boom is heard, followed by the sound of an object hurtling through the air. Then the splash is seen just in front of the target or another shell may sink without the splash being noticed, indicating that the shot has gone over. That of course tells that the men on the gun have found their target. The spectacle was noteworthy and
The official guest night. when H.E. the Goreror will attend, has been fixed for Saturday.
(Daily Press, October 19 ĥ.j Yesterday was another busy day at the camp. The most interesting practice in the handling of the guns is continued and the men certainly | shape better at their work.
On Wednesday night the fire alarm sounded about eleven o'clock. Many of the Volunteers were asleep but all sprang from their beds and rushed to the square where they paraded in pyjamas and slippers, one brave youth stepping along briskly barefooted. The turnout was deemed satisfactory and the men were soon
after dismissed.
DEATH OF MR. WILLIAM COWAN,
We regret to record the death of Mr. William Cowan, architect and surveyor, in charge of
B. M. Office of Works in China, Japan and Corea, at the Shanghai General, Hospital on October 7th. Mr. Cowan, who was . in 1878. and eld several important positions in fifty-one years of age, entered the public service
Shanghai to ake charge of the interests of the department in England. He went to H B.M's Office of Works in China, Japan and Korea in 1896. His duties necesitated a good dal of travelling in the countries mentioned, and he arrived in Peking in time to be detained by the siege of 1900. Mr. Cowan was a Free. mason and a kind-hearted and popular man. He had many friends throughout the Far East, who will deplore the loss of a sympathetic and The cause of death wAN gonial acquaintance. dysentery with complications, and deceased had ouly been indisposed for about a week
DOCK CARPENTERS ON STRIKE,
carpenters
unchanged. It was expected that the
I be labour difficulty at the Kowloon Deck is would bare resumed work by this time, but certain influence has apparently been brought to hear upon them with the result that they
still remain
A ou strike.
As the
1
་
i
[October 20, 1806,
THE "HANKOW" DISASTER,
That
Little remains to add to our story of the dreadful cat strophe which took place in the early hours of Sunday when so many helpless people perished in the disaster which overtook the old but still popular Hankowo. Dreadful as the results were, it is terrible to contemplate what would have happened had the cables which held the vessel melted under the fierce best of the flames and the burning ship been carried by the westerly breeze among the shipping in the barbour. With the fire float damaged by the typhoon. there would have been nothing available with which to follow her. this danger Was a real one was early brought to the notice of the band of workers engaged in fighting the flames, and Chief Lospector Baker very wisely directed one or two of the loss powerful hose on the cables, and prevented them from melting. What the heat was li e may be gauged from the fact that even the nozzles of the hose were too warm to be held in the hand, It was also fortunate that the wind changed at the time it did, as it enabled the firemen to cope more effectively with the fire. Great commendation is due to the engine drivers, Sergeants MacDonald and Lee, both
men keeping their engines
from abont going at fall pressure down Mr. Lane, assistant engineer, speedily set o'clock till after nine. When one engine broke it going again.
three
One Indian constable ha the credit of saving un fewer than teu lives, while Mr. J. 8. Alves
pluckily d red from the wharf and rescued several people from drowning.
the total up to 96, though it is certain that Other bodies have been recovered, bringing
many more met their death during that awful stampede.
The two juuks burned, one of which we pre- viensly mentioned, took fire while engaged in the work of rescue. When they saw the flames leaping above the deck of the› Hankow, the masters of these two boats hastened to the
assistance of their compatriots. One junk, after landing 100 passengers on the Praya, put back to the barning vessal for 8 second loal, but when about 3 more had boarded her she lit up, and all had to jump overboard. The second junk rescued seven in her first trip but shared the same fata as the first when she put off the second time. and again the terror-stricken pissengers had to go over the side.
employers concerned with shipbuilding was meeting of the held last week with a view to arranging con. certed action in dealing with the men. employees accepted the terms of the Chinese employers, to give an additional ten cents per day for two months, the desir. d arrangement different position, as the carpenters demand an was not effected. The Dock Company is in a
extra twenty cents per diem. It is believed them, notwithstanding the fact that their old making the total of known fatalities 98. that the men hare some organisation behind
guild was broken up. The strike is now ended.
1
ROYAL HONGKONG YACHT CLUB.
The annual meeting of the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club was held at the Cricket Club Pavilion on Oct. 16. Mr. C. H. Gale was in the chair, other members present being Messrs. H. Percy Smith (secretary and treasurer), F. B. L. Bowley, W. H. Donald, A. G. M. Fletcher, J. Hastings, F. P. Hett. F. C. Barlow. L. G. Bird, A. Cruickshank, H. Broke, A. H. Ough, R. H. King. E. A. Katsch. W. O. Kohler, H. O. Reynolds. H. P Tooker, and Major Watkins
The CHAIRMAN proposed the adoption of the report and balance sheet as presented, and this was agreed to. Commodore Williams was elected an hon. member of the Club, after which the following officers were elected by ballot :-Commodore, Hon. Mr. F. H. May, C.M.G., who is expected to return to the Colony early in December. Members of Committee: Major Watkins and Messrs. J.astings, H. P. Tooker, F. O. Reynolds. L. G. Bird and Hon. Mr. H. E. Pollock, K.C. Members of Bat Committee: Mes rs. F. C. Barlow, A. Cruick. shank, C. H. Gale, F. A. Biden. H. Broke and F. W. Warre. Messrs. C. H Bison and W. H. Darton were re-elected auditors, and the meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to Messrs. Bearis, Kobler, Gale, Warre and Major Watkins for special services to the Club.
The Hankow-whose hull is intact, merely her superstructure being destroyed- -was towed out beyond Chinwau where the debris was dumped overboard. She was then towed to Aberdeen Dock for re-fitting.
Two more rictims of the s.s, Hankow fire were recovered from the harbour on Oct. 16th
CANTON.
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)
Oct. 15th.
MAILS LOST ON "HANKOW."
Hearing that my letter about suicide case. would be burnt ou the ss. Hankow, I herewith send copy.
SENSATIONAL SUICIDES.
I telegraphed you about Coomodores Lin Chao-cheun and Kew Chi-fan committing suicide. From official sources I gather that the commander of the gunboat Kwongoing had denounced them to the Viceroy on thirteen charges of "squeeze". In one case they were said to have defrauded the Government of over $1000) in connection with the building of six river boats: and other squeezes were said to have been managed in connection with the supply of coal to the fleet. They were arrested on the 10th and detained in the chief military Yamen. They took poison next day, and died on the morning of the 12th, after long agony. Foreign doctors failed to counteract the poison. It is now reported that several female members of their families hava followed their example. Both were natives of Fahkien, sad both had European training. They were popular with foreign commanders. The servant who supplied the drug is under arrest.