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October 29, 1906.J
fire from the boat, advanced on the western spar and drove the nine men from their position on to the beach where they were exposed to the fire from the big gun. At the same time another party went round behind the camp, and skirted the shore, but here again the assailants suffered from the fusilade of the pirates, especially in crossing the parade ground. From the shore they worked upwards, scaling rocks and forcing their way through thick brushwood, and took the main body in the rear. A junction was effected with Captain Kitson's force and the united body continued operations, the pirates being driven from the central battery to the beach where they were shelled from the boat. The operations of the day proved that it was practically impossible to work in organisa- tion through such bushy and hilly country, the opinion of the military experts being that it was better to tell every man what goal was aimed at and to let him act independently to get there. Colonel Darling, the umpire,
impossible to give a decision, as the battle had developed into a series of skirmishes and the result would depend on numbers.
found
it
During the afternoon Private Cork, one of the best sconts in the West Kent Regiment, met with rather a serious mishap. When scouting for the pirates he noticed two Volunteers who were heading in a direction which would cut off his retreat. To avert this | be pushed through the brushwood and jumped into a hollow, where his feet were caught by some creepers and he was thrown violently forward on to a rock studded with broken glass. His forearm was badly cut and had it not been for the assistance of the Volunteers he might have bled to death. His arm was bound and he was taken to the hospital tent where the wounds were stitched and a vein tied in three places.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
headquarters, which had been a hobby of his (the speaker).
His Excellency in reply alluded to the service rendered by Major Pritchard to the corps and expressed regret that that officer was retiring from the command in the ordinary course of events. He had discharged his duties, which were most important, in excellent way (applause). This would of course necessitate changes in the administration of the Volunteers but they would not be considerable and would, he trusted, not lead to any decrease in the the popularity of the corps. He was anxious that the popularity of the corps should not only be maintained but increased. He was not yet satisfied with the strength of the corps, 286, | which was rather more than 150 below the establishment and 200 below the strength than he thought it ought to be. The Major hoped that the new headquarters would be opened soon, but that of course depended on Mr. Chatham who he was sure would do what he could to| have the building completed by the end of the your. At any rate he appealed to the officers to endeavour to raise the strength to 30 before the coming year. That was ouly an increase of 14 and he did not think it would be difficult to induce that number of young men to join. Of course efficiency was quite as important as strength and he was glad to see from the report of the Commandant and Major General Villiers Hatton that that was satisfactory. It was pleasant to learn that the present camp was also satisfactory. It was said at home that it took six mouths to make au #fficient soldier. That period was impossible for the Volunteers here, but with 15 days at camp and practice in between a good deal could be done. The Colony was entitled to expect a standard of efficiency from the Volunteers seeing it paid five thousand a year.
with plants.
Yesterday the Rev. C. H. Hickling conducted divine service, aud after the camp inspection by the Commandant the men were free to receive their guests, there being again a large number
(Daily Press, Oct. 23rd.)
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Eaturday was the official guest night, when The company afterwards proceeded to the the officers of the Corps gave a dinner men's matshed where an excellent entertainment to which H.E. the Governor and 24 was provided for the enjoyment of the many officials, senior officers of the garrison and visitors. The platform was beautifully decorated others were invited, Those who Were present included the Governor, Colonel Darling, G.0.C., Colonel E. H. Seymour, Colonel Fitton, Colonel Joslin, Colonel Aitken, Colonel Kont, R.A., Major Chichester, Mr. H. Woodward, R.N., Sir Francis Piggott, [ at dinner. Sir Henry Berkeley, Major Ross, Hon. Mr. T. Sercombe Smith, Hon. Mr. W. Chatham, Hon. Mr. W. J. Gresson, Captain Coleman, A.D., Major Pritchard, Captain Armstrong. Following the sing song" of Sunday night, Captain D. Macdonald, Captain Skinner, Captain the Volunteers rose to serious business yesterday Wood, Surgeon Lieutenant Forsyth, Lienteu-morning when practice with the fifteen ants Northcote, Kennett, Nicholson, Chesney, pounders at a moving target was commenced. Ross, Hayton, Reynolds, and Gubby, Rev. Though the target was not much damaged, the G. Searle, C.F., Kev. C. H. Hickling, Mr. shooting was not too bad for a start. A fierce H. Hunter, Mr. D. R. Law, Mr. Wilson
wind, almost of typhoon force, blow thronghont and Captain Badeley.
the night, and early morning found most of the men shivering under the " cauld cauld blast." No need to discard jackets yesterday morning. and the announcement of the commandant that those not on the guns could return for their great coals was promptly taken advantage of. In the afternoon there was a rehearsal for the king's birthday parade.
After the usual loyal toast, Major Pritchard proposed "His Excellency the Governor', and referred to the keen interest which he had taken in the Volunteers as indeed in all that concerned the Colony since he had come to Hongkong. Owing to that keen interest and His Excellency's intimate acquaintance with the corps, the Volunteers had made progress within the last year or two. The Artillery Companies had certainly advanced, and this year for the first time they would fire at a moving target. This was rather difficult, but he had no doubt that though they might miss it a few times they would make it uncomfortable for the boat. The Engineers had improved greatly, and it was owing to them that the camp was lit both night and morning with electric light. The troop was not in camp, because it was hardly suitable, but the men were going into camp shortly, either at Christmas or China New Year, at Fan Ling in the New Territory. They would get to know something about the New Territory which was of course the country where they would be wanted. They had started a nursery in camp this year. They had eight boys from the Victoria School. They were fine little fellows and were
very useful. The strength of the corps this year was 286, as com- pared with 264, so that it was beginning to move upwards. He thought the Reserve Asso- ciation was to some extent working against them and they would show a greater increase if they had some of the younger men who joined the Reserve. He hoped that by the end of December His Excellency would open the new
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CANTON-
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)
283
October 17th
SHUM'S GOOD FATHER.
earned praise and fame for his jast administra. It appears that Viceroy Shum's late father,
tion of the office to which Shum is now going. The Empress-Dowager has sent a message to Shum reminding him of this excellent paternal example.
THE BURNING OF THE 8.3. 14
HANKOW." Viceroy Sham is understood to have sent a deputy to enquire fully into the incident of the fatal fire on the ss. Hankow.
BOYCOTT HEROES.
The three men recently released from prison, where they were confined for insulting the American President's daughter, have received $500 each from the Chinese in San Francisco.
THE PRESS LAWS.
The Peking Police Bureau has turned its attention to the Canton newspapers. They are telegraphically forbiddon to write dis- respectfully of the Royal Family; to discuss state policy at all (!); or to publish anything likely to disturb the people, anything contra- morality, state secrets, sub judice law reports, personal scandal, or false news.
October 19th. NO EVIDENCE AGAINST COMMODORES.
As no satisfactory evidence has been advanced in support of the charges of
.. which squeeze cansed Commodores Lin Cho-chuen sad Kew Chi-fan to commit suicide. Expectant-Taotai Yuen Sown-lo has been deputed to visit Hong- kong to inspect the books of the Kwong Hip Loong firm who were building six river bosta for the government.
[This local firm emphatically declares that so far as its business is concerned, the deceased commodores were quite innocent.--ED.]
CANTOS-WHAMPOA RAILWAY.
An immediate start is to be made with the construction of this line, under the direction of Chang Pei-shi. Peking had previously ordered its postponement, on account, it is understood, of British official representations that it might obstruct the more iportant Kowloon-Canton scheme, but Viceroy Shum appears determined to have the Whampoa line started before his departure. An American engineer arrived hers on the 17th inst.
MORE PIRACY.
A junk was pirated between Fatshan and Shek Loong (near Ng Ah How) on the evening of the 16th inst. There were about sixty of the pirates, in "* dragon" boats. They took much cargo (mostly piece-goods) and money, as well as all the firearms they could find, the loot in all being worth about Tls, 1,000. No arrests have yet been made.
OPIUM MONOPOLY.
Viceroy Shum, having received copies of the regulations of the Formossa Opium Monopoly, has decided to adopt them for a similar govern. The boys from the Kowloon British Schoolment enterprise here. Deputy Lan is expected formed an interesting feature of the camp to be given charge of the department, which is scenes during the week-end. The khaki-clad to be e-tablished at an early date. figures, though small, were nevertheless con- spicuous, and the youths appreciated the atten tion bestowed on them. They are very god at signalling.
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THE KINSHAN " AND
* LEUNGSHAN" REFLOATED.
The Hongkong, Canton and Macio Steam- boat Company's steamer K`nshan, which was driven ashore on a sandy beach at Capsuimoon by the memorable typhon of the 18th Septem- ber, and the Company's steamer Leungshan, which a subsequent typhoon beached on the island opposite, were both successfully refloated on October 19th and brought into the harbour. The Kinshan is expected to resume running to Canton next week, and only a few more days are necessary to complete the repairs to the Fatshan. Satisfactory progress is being made with the operations for the floating of the Heungshan and her arrival in the harbour may be expected in the course of another week.
October 23rd.
THE PRECIPITATE VICEROY,
Popular feeling, as well as some official opinion, condemns Viceroy Shum's rash and hasty me. thods as responsible for the suicide of the two Commodores. It is alleged that even if they had not taken poison, they would not have lived a day longer, 8 the Viceroy was in a be- heading bumour. A usual, His Excellency is being denounced to the Throne.
CONSULAR CHANGES.
I hear that Mr. R. T. Tebbitt, the British Vice-Consul, is to be transferred to Newchwang, and that Mr. H. E. Sly is to return here from Swatow. Both men are very popular here.
SHAMEEN IN DARKNESS.
For two hours on the evening of the 2lat inst., Shameen had no electric light, owing to a big fire in the Southern suburbs, which gutted twenty houses, and melted the wires.
The sailer S. P. Hitchcock has been refloated
by the Kowloon Dock Co., sad towed to the Cosmopolitan Dock where she will undergo extensive repairs.
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