March 29, 1909.]
LORD AND LADY MEATH IN HONGKONG.
Lord and Lady Meath and Lady Violet Brabazon arrived on the 23rd inst. by 8.8. Kleist, and are the guests of His Excellency
The Governor.
During the forenoon Lord Meath, attended by Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe and Captain Taylor, A.D.C., visited Victoria School and Kowloon School and addressed the pupils on the meaning and hopes of the "Empire More- ment." t Lord Meath's request, the pupils of both schools were granted a half holiday by the Inspector of Schools.
His Excellency and Lord Meath, attended by Captain Simson, watched the finals of the baseball team, after which His Excellency handed to the winning team the Cup presented by the Committee of Entertainment.
At 3.30 p.m., Lady Meath presided at a meeting of the Ministering Children's League held at St. Paul's College.
The following guests were invited to dinner at Government House to meet the Earland Counters
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
in Japan shortly. Not only were they going to start a branch in Shanghai also, for European and American children, but they had some hopes that in the course of time Chinese would be persuaded to join their beautiful League, and help in making the world a little bit better and happier. In conclusion, her Ladyship reminded those present that when Mrs. May last went home for a year the branch of the Ministering Children's League here practically disappeared." She trust- ed that such would not be the case again, and exhorted the children to carry on the charitable work, assuring them that their service would be blest (applause).
Interesting pictures of League homes were then shown, while light refreshments were distributed.
THE HONGKONG UNIVERSITY
SCHEME.
The N.-C. Daily News in a leading article giving an outline of the Hongkong University scheme, adds :---
We cannot refrain from comparing this -Sir George and Lady Errington, General scheme with that which Lord William Cecil is Broadwood, Captain Heathcote, Mr. and Mrs. actively advocating at Peking, namely, to David, Mr. and Mrs. May, Mr and Mrs. Pol-establish a University in China to be organized lock, Bishop of Victoria and Mrs. Lander, Sir Henry Berkeley, Mr. Wilder, Admiral Harber, Flag Lieutenant Leahy, Captain Fairfax, Judge and Mrs. Thayer.
The Earl and Countess of Meath and Lady Violet Brabazon proceeded to Europe by 8.8. Kleist this on Wednesday.
THE MINISTERING CHILDREN'S
LEAGUE.
ADDRESS BY THE COUNTESS OF MEATH.
"No day without a deed to crown it." is the motto of the Ministering Children's League, and the deed which crowned on Mar. 23,and which will long be remembered by the children of Hongkong, was the interesting address given by the Countess of Meath, foundress and hon. central secretary of the League.
The express purpose for which this League was founded was to teach the children of the rich to take an active interest in relieving the necessities of the poor.
There was a large attendance of ladies and children on the tennis court of St. Paul's
College by the hour at which it was announced that Her Ladyship was to speak to the children.
Afternoon tea was served, and the prayer of the League was offered.
en-
Her Ladyship then told the children that she was pleased to find herself in Hongkong. Not so long ago Mrs. May called to see her at home, and the Countess little thought then that she would have the pleasure of seeing the children of Hongkong and kind Mrs. May in the place where that lady had been working so hard. She should have been here A month earlier. but was glad of a delay which had abled her to call at Japan and Shanghai, in both of which places excellent work had been done by the League. Her Ladyship continued in simple language, and with apt illustrations, to explain the objects of the League. She likened it to a young tree, the branches of which had extended north, south, east and west until branches had sprung up in different parts of Europe, Asia, Africa America and A ustralasia. She told of the pleasant homes of the League for the nfortunate, and took the opportunity of thanking the children present very much for their subscriptions. A little girl in Japan, said her Ladyship, when asked what the League was, said it was three and a half miles. She did not wish the children present to think that it ministered only three and a half miles. It had to minister a great deal further; right round the big, big world. "Don't despise little deeds," said Lady Meath, for you never know when a kind one bears fruit." When in Japan her Ladyship was very anxious to get hold of the English, French, German, Italian, American and any other children the League could lay hold of with white faces. She found, however, that they were always coming and going to other places, and then she thought that it would be a great point to start among the Japanese. She was cheered to learn that there would be branches
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PROPERTY SALE AT CANTON.
An interesting property was sold at Canton by public auction on Saturday. The lot was No 52 on the Shameen, measuring approximately 2,645 square feet, together with the buildings erected on the lot. It is generally known as the Condition lot," from the fact that the building was the old silk conditioning house, Mr. H. H. Fox, H. M. Acting Consul-General at Canton being trustee for the Conditioning House Company.
*
There was a reserve price on the lot based on the highest offer in writing previously submit- ted to the trustee. Starting at $20,000, the property was knocked down after some very spirited bidding to the British American Tobacco Co. Ltd, at the sum of $37,800. Among the bidders were Mr. Dent, Mr. Griffiths and Dr. Davenport. The latter we understand, wanted the site for a hospital.
The lot has a frontage of 90 feet and a depth of 140 feet.
The price obtained for the property affords another indication of the confidence which is felt regarding the future of Canton. When the 82 lots on the British portion of the Sha- meen were put up for sale by public auction iu 1861, it is recorded in "Treaty Ports of China and Japan &c." that "such was the competition at the time based on the expectation of flourishing trade, that the enormous of $9,000 and upwards was paid in than one instance for a lot, with a river frontage, measuring 12,645 square feet. Each lot measures 90 feet frontage by 140 feet in depth. Rear lots brought about $3,500 each."
sum
more
The price originally paid for lot No. 52 was $4,000, the purchasers being Messrs. ciemssen and Co. The dollar in those days was worth 4s. 5d.
under the auspices of Oxford and Cambridge. As has already been pointed out the latter is to be of an avowedly Christian character, its aim being at once to transplant our higher educational system and to propagate the Christian point of view. A meeting of influential men. held in Peking decided that the scheme us contemplated was not practical and, as an alternative, they recom mended the establishment of a system of scholar- ships similar to those founded by the late Cecil Rhodes. The Hongkong scheme is nothing if not practical, and certainly has prior claims on the support of British Universities and the British public. The question of a University for Hongkong is not a local one, but one of Imperial interest, and the prestige and in- A PROSPECTIVE RIVAL TO MACAO, fluence of Great Britain will be increased and, extended in China and throughout the Far East if the University is established. For this reason representations might be made to the Home Government and Home educationists to assist in raising the required project is primarily for the Chinese, and in sum for the endowment. It is true that the order to secure the support of the Chinese community both in Hongkong and South China definite and practical steps are being taken. But a nation that contributes large sums annu- ally to educational work in China, over which it has little or no control, should respond in a hearty manner to the appeal to support an institution in a British colony which, from its inception, will be well-governed and of practical utility alike to Chinese and foreign youths who are living in the Far East.
MARRIAGE AT THE CATHEDRAL.
best man."
The
The marriage of Mr. G. G. Sutherland Forsyth, sub-accountant at the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, and Miss Marguerite Moir was quietly celebrated at St. John's Cathedral, on the 24th inst. The bride, who was charmingly attired, was attended by Miss Jacobs as bridesmaid, while Mr. J. F. Coxdwards performed the duties of officiating clergyman was the Rev. F. T. John- son. The service was semi-choral, the only hymn sung, being "O Perfect Love," while Mr. Denman Fuller played appropriate wedding music. After the ceremony a reception was held at the Government Civil Hospital by Dr. and Mrs. Bell, at which there was a large atten- dance of invited guests.
Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth leave for Home by the Mongolia on Saturday via America.
+
The possibilities of creating a Monte Carlo the imagination and to the speculative tenden- just beyond the New Territory has appealed to
have bought property in Samchun with a view cies of several Chinese who, it is well known,
When the railway to Canton is completed, or to building gambling houses and hotels there. the British portion to the hinese border is finished and opened, it is expected that Samchun, a market city in Chinese territory close to the border, will offer facilities for the gambling which can only be enjoyed at present by a trip to Macao. The railway will take people there accommodation be provided, it is not unlikely from the colony in a very little time and, if that a big gambling centre will develop in the comparatively unimportant little city.
Such schemes are certainly contemplated. Whether they will be allowed to develop cannot, of course, be said. It is not unlikely that a condition of affairs which existed prior to the taking over of Kowloon City may be repeated. Then launches used to run daily to Kowloon city and to other parts of the peninsula, but principally to the former place, where fairly large gambling houses were allowed to flourish. On Saturdays and Sundays the launches were invariably crowded by people eager to have a
flutter," and it became so noticeable that the Hongkong authorities made representations to the Chinese authorities to repress these houses. This was done, but, as not infrequently happens, the ban was ignored occasionally and the evil developed again to its original extent when representations again made and the
were
houses were again closed.
CA
There can be little doubt that should the gambling houses be built at Samchun they will be largely patronised from Hongkong. Many people who cannot afford. the time for a trip to Macao will easily make the journey by A Hongkong correspondent writing to rail to this city, enjoy their excitement over L'Avenir du Tonkin mentions that during
yat, ye, sam, sze,' and return to Hongkong in Admiral Perrin's visit here he will visit the good time. Moreover should a man lose his all, Viceroy of Canton and discuss with him the he has always the consolation of being able to question of the piratical attacks on the frontier walk home if he did not take the precaution to of Tonkin. It is said that there are two thou-buy a return ticket! Possibly the Hongkong sand rebels in the mountains of Tai-yen Chan Government may be induced to take action if and that they are contemplating raids similar the evil should become too pronounced, but, to those which have taken place on the border of course, it is rather early to discuss the of Laokay.
happenings of that time.