Dancing started at nine o'clock, Messrs. Cooper and Stuart being the M.C's, and continued merrily until the, small hours of this morning. The guests were well pleased with the Christmas hospitality extended them, and satisfied that the police could care for them when off, as well as on duty.
KOWLOON. DOCK DANCE.
The staff of the Hongkong and Whampoa Dook Company, which is composed of a large Scottish element, gave another successful Hog manay dance on Dec. 31. This way of "bringing. in the new year" is very popular, and last night's dance was even more enjoyable than its prede opesors. That is saying a good deal, for these festive gatherings have a reputation for good humour and general enjoyment not shared by any other in the colony. Almost 300 took the floor, a fact which speaks volumes for the hos pitality of the staff and for their reputation as entertainers.
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While floral decorations, appropriate to the season, adorned the institute entrance and the corridors, the walls presented an nsually bright appearance under their draping of bunting, a work effectively undertaken by several bluejackets from H.M.S. Virago. The dancing hall looked brilliant, with festoons of greenery suspended from the roof, flags on the walls and shields bearing crest. occupying the spaces between the windows Conspicuous in the scheme of illumination was the Dock crest and the Scottish thistls opposite, while stars and other formatione added to the general effect. In the bar room there was another of Mr. Duncan's excellent paintings, on which a happy look ing man who had evidently imbibed rather freely held out a hand to a pillar box with which he wished to shake hands. The supper room was also tastefully decorated, while the cloak room was made. more beautiful by Mr. Duncan's picture of Edinburgh Castle. A good service of launches brought guests from Hongkong and about nine o'clock dancing was commenced to the music supplied by the band of the 13th Rajputs under Bandmaster oke. The floor was perfect and added much to the pleasure of the evening. A programme of 20 dances, including several Scottish favourites, had been arranged, but, of course, one or two extras had to be given..
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
CHRISTMAS IN HONGKONG
A
quietly Fortunately the weather was bright Christmastide in Hongkong passed very and bracing and people took advantage of it to enjoy themselves to a large extent out of doors. On Xmas Day there were special services at all the churches which were well attended. There was the usual sport at the Happy Valley. on Saturday afternoon, a two days, cricket match at the Hongkong Club, as well as other meetings. The event of the season" in the minds of scores of children in the Colony is the Christmas tree annually given by Mrs. Watts and Miss Fairall at "Braeside." It was held on Boxing Day and the large number of children invited spent a thoroughly happy time, and a capital assortment of toys was, as usual, dis- tributed among them. A Christmas tree was also given at the Matilda Hospital.
THE CHRISTMAS MAIL.
A curious feature of this year's Christmas Mail was that people did not seem anxious to claim their parcels. Notwithstanding the notice in the newspapers that the Post Office would be open on Christmas morning when parcels would be handed over to the addressees, not many took advantage of this facility. Yesterday, however, saw very few left of the big parcels mail, and when it is remembered that the parcels for Hongkong numbered 1,199 it will be realised that the postal officials have not been idle.
It is interesting to learn that the rat poison introduced have kept the rodents away from the. packages. Puddings, as usual, constituted a large porportion of this mail, and though some had no other covering than brown paper they were not attacked by the rats. Practically the only accident was to a." Merry Widow" hat which was consigned from London. As the average parcel mail is about 350, the figure already mentioned, 1,199, indicates a heavy Christmas parcel mail, heavier indeed then in previous years.
Statistics of the letter post are not available, but there can be little doubt that the number dealt with this year shows an advance on previous years, there being no less than 140 bags for Hongkong.
THE NEW YEAR.
Shortly before midnight the company sat down -to o an excellent supper. Their attention was however diverted from the good things when the music of the band ceased and Bandmaster In the time honoured manner 1909 was Coke by a skilful manipulation of bells "rangushered in, the ships in the harbour with thei. out the old year and rang in the new." (n the whistles adding to the chorus of sounds on land stroke of twelve the lights which outlined the figures 1908 were switched off and showed 1909. Church, Dr. Wilder addressing the meeting, and A watchnight service took place at the Union Cordial greetings were expressed, and Mr. R. Mitchell, hief
the Scottish' community at Kowloon Dock manager, who presided, celebrated the occasion with their usual dance. voiced the pleasure of the staff in welcoming so many friends. Then it was on with the dance," which was maintained with zest till nearly three o'clock. Messrs. Stewart and Crawford were assiduous in the discharge of their duties as M.C.'s.
The committee, who are to be congratulated on their adequate arrangements, was composed of Messrs. Stewart (chairman), J. C. Gow (secretary), R. Lapsley (treasurer), J. C. Craw ford; Tully, Davison, Hand, J. Ramsay and R.
Brown.
CHRISTMAS ROBBERIES.
During the holidays thieves are reported to have entered the Robinson Piano Co. store in Des Voeux Road, by breaking a pane of glass in one of the side windows and entering through the window. When the manager of the Company returned to the office on Dec. 28th he found the back door open and au examination revealed the fact that 100 Chinese gramaphone records valued at $120 had been stolen.
Another attempt was made to break into Diss Brothers' tailoring establishment, but was not attended with success, the thieves evidently 2ing disturbed in their work.
Macao is to have another newspaper, the Nova Vida, to be edited by Mr. L. Ayres da Silva
FAREWELL LUNCHEON TO THE
AMERICAN JUDGE.
A complimentary luncheon was given at the Astor House, Shanghai, last week in honour of Mr. L. R. Willey by his friends on the eve of his departure for home. The chair was taken by Bishop Graves and among the guests were Sir Pelham Warren, K.CM.G., H.. M. Consul General; M. Ratard, Consul-General for France, Mr. C. Denby, Consul-General of the United States, Mr. F. S. A. Bourne, Acting Judge of H. M. Supreme Court, Mr. D. Landale, Chair Darwent, Messrs. H. P. Wilkinson, T. Morgan man of the Municipal Council, the Rev. C. E. Phillips, J. D. Clark, C. Fink and A. Monestier. The hosts included:-Bishop Graves, Mr. J. F. Seaman, Mr. W. L. Merriman, Mr. H. De Gray, Mr. J. A. Thomas, Dr. F. L. Hawks Pott, Dr. F. E. Hinckley, Mr. A. Bassett. Mr. D, Coath, Mr. J. H. McMichael, Mr. C. C. Baldwin, Mr. J. C. Ferguson, Dr. J. B. Fearn. Lockwood. Mr. A. S. Fobes, Mr. W. Dorsey, Rev. R. T. Bryan, Mr. H. O'Brien, Mr. W. W. Mr. Thomas Cobbs, Mr. D. Magrath, Mr. C. H. Blake, Mr. B. G. Holt, Mr. G. P. Godsey, Mr. E. Kempfer, Mr. R. J. Solomon, and Mr. J. W. Rice. At the close of the luncheon, Bishop Graves proposed the health of the guest of the day, wishing him bon voyage. Judge Wilfley replied briefly in suitable terms.
[January 4, 1909
CORRESPONDENCE.
CRUELTY TO CHICKENS.
AN APPEAL.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE HONGKONG
DAILY PRESS.
Hongkong, 31st December, 1908, DEAR SIR,We wish to appeal through the local Press to all house-keepers in Hongkong, who have their chickens brought alive to their houses from the market or Dairy Farm,
If ladies only realized when they write" chicken" in their Compradors book: What suffering will almost certainly befall that wretched bird before it arrives at their houses, we feel sure that they would provide a proper basket for its transit.
How often one sees a coolie carrying the usual market basket with a chicken, its legs tied, resting precariously on the lid or hanging head downwards; and one shudders to think what must often happen to the chickens in the wild rush for seats in the Chinese portion of the tram, when basket is piled upon basket, and excited coolies fight for places.
humanity, to all house-keepers to either have We, therefore, appeal in the interests of their chickens killed in the market or Dairy Farm, or else to provide a separate basket for their transit, and to insist upon its being used.
Yours faithfully,
H. MAY.
D. HASTINGS. L. POLLOCK.
A SHANGHAI WEDDING.
HOOPER-WALLACE.
A brilliant wedding was celebrated at Holy Trinity Cathedral last week, when Mr. E. B. Hooper (son of Sir William Roe and Lady Hooper) was married to Miss Gladys Mand Wallace, second daughter of Captain and Mrs. FH. Wallace, of Shanghai. A large company of guests was present, among whom the Stock Exchange was strongly represented: and in addition to many carriages and motor cars, the
Tantivy" coach was retained for the occasion to carry guests from the Cathedral to the sub- sequent reception. The interior of the Cathedral, particularly the chancel, was very effectively decorated and the service was accompanied by full music of choir and orgau. The Rev. A. J. Walker officiated to marry the happy pair. The bride, who was given away by her father, was and Joyce Wallace, Miss Nina Sutherland and attended by four bridesmaids, the Misses Claude Miss Hazel Crawford. Mr. S. Wheeler acted as best man, and there were also thirteen ushers, Messrs. R. McGregor, R. I. Fearon, F. L. Fearon, W. C. Murray, E. B. S. Jacob, L. E. P Jones, E. E. Deacon, L J. C. Anderson, W. F- Wingrove, D. F. Wallace, K. J, McEnen, H Edblad and W. G. Pirie,
The bride was dressed simply, but elegantly in plain clinging white satin, made Directoire style, with deep tacked yoke of chiffon and tight sleeves of the same material, The four little bridesmaids wore plain white satin frocks and large white hats. They carried bouquets of poinsettia, making & very effective colour scheme of red and white. Mrs. Crawford's gown was pearl gray, Empire style, and she wore a lovely large white bat trimmed in shaded roses of mauve and purple.
The reception after the ceremony in the Cathedral was held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Crawford, 11 Siccawei Road, which was kindly lent for the occasion; and the bride. and bridegroom subsequently left for the Tahu Lake in a houseboat, where the honeymoon will be spent.
cabinet
Agent at Shanghai, was on Christmas Eve the Mr John M. Darrah, the American Postal recipient of a handsome silver cige which was presented to him as a token o appreciation by a large number of the leading American merchants of Shanghai as a mark of their appreciation of the excellent work done by him as the American postal agent.