September 27, 1909.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE KEPORT.
Kowloon F.C. have secured the services of again at the nets, but miss, oh, so much! Foulkes (Y.M.C.A.) as their custodian.
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B:O,C. F.C. are at present on the hunt for a good goalkeeper. This, it will be remembered, was one of the Boys' weak points last season. They have received a promise from a full back who recently arrived in the Colony.
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The much talked of second division is likely to be an accomplished fact before the end of the week. B.O.C.F.C., Lusitano F.C., Moslem F.C., and 84 Co. R.G.A. have notified the acting Secretary, Sapper Heigh, R.E., of their support, andongkong F.C. (A team), Chinese Y.M C. and the Buffs Drummers are probable starters. As the B.O.C. and Lusitano are each desirous of entering two teams no difficulty should be experienced in forming the second division, pro- vided, of course, the ground difficulty can be
· overcome.
MILITARY PROSPECTS.
Buffs. The team of the league champions is likely to be slightly different for this season. I understand several of the older players are desirous of standing down to give the young bloods a chance. The trooping season may also affect the Buffs, as some of last season's team are due Home then. Judging from the class of players the Buffs had in their "A" Team in the shield competition, an eleven which will do justice to their football reputation should be forthcoming, and no matter who their opponents may be on October 9th a good game is guaranteed.
R.G.A.-The "ruuners
up" have again entered the league, and with most of last season's players at their disposal should again be well up the league table at the finish.
R.E.-The Sappers' prospects for the ensuing season are not very promising, as at least seven of the players who did duty last season are due to leave for England with the troopship Rewa in November. A large draft arrive from Home, and the committee, with the assistance of Secretary Jackson, will lose no time in getting the footballers in trim.
The Sappers will open their season with the Naval Yard in a friendly on Saturday, October 2nd.
REFEREE.
CRICKET NOTES.
At last after a long spell of inertia the bats, pads and gloves are again being brought into requisition. With what feelings of regret we look at our gear and find the result of our neglect made manifest. The willow looks thirsty for a drop of oil, gloves have set hard and have a nasty looking lot of blue mold stick- ing to them, while pads all need new straps. And we determine never again to neglect our i gear! Each year, we find the heat (aggravated i by pegs) too great to trouble about cricket gear-hence our regrets.
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As usual, all the clubs are starting off with great vim A word in season may not be out of the way.
Cricket, like all other branches of athleticism, must be treated carefully. Sprinters must not over-run, footballers must not overdo their training, swimmers and cyclists the same; there is always the danger of going stale. In other words, do not lose your enthusiasm. The history of cricket repeats itself from year to year. As the season opens practice nets spring up on every available bit of turf like magic and the ground boys are kept busy from 4 p.in. to sundown. In the opening matches we see all the clubs out in full strength, each confident in their own prowess. The attendances after a while di- minishes. The number at the nets dwindle to. nothing, so in the matches half-way through the season some of the teams turn up seven or eight strong. In lists of teams published we see such names as A. N. Other, S. B. Else, and so on, and find these mysterious terms apply to one or other of the ground boys till about an hour or so after the match has started, when comes leisurely strolling along an immaculately got up person in blazer flannels who says orf'lly sorry," and with pads, gloves, etc. succeeds in making his duck's egg without any difficulty,
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"so
The club ground is looking like a cricket ground once more, and we see the old faces
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Hongkong's tower of strength, the genial Dick Hancock and his brother Harry. The Doctor is also away, but we trust to see him very shortly looking all the better for his holiday.
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Kowloon have already had a preliminary. It is hard to say how they will fare this season. Rumour has it that Brawn is taking up the trundling for them. They need more new blood; otherwise, their chances for league hon- ours do not look too rosy.
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Civil Service have started at the nets, and having practically the same team as last year should be wellup. It is pleasant to find their old skipper (Jackman) back from leave. He should once more prove his strength at cover- point and occasionally trundling round the wicket.
The Buffs and Artillerymen should show up. well if their officers stick to League cricket but if they find the Club matches too attractive it will be disastrous to their prospects for the Shield.
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Police are not too strong and want new blood. to "buck them up."
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Craigengower will miss Brawn, but if they stick closely to practice should make quite a good show. They have one or two griffins coming on who might do well.
The team that will win the Shield this year the team who succeeds best in sticking together throughout the season.
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IMPORTS:-
COMMERCIAL
RICE.
285
Messrs Wu, G. Hale & Co., of Saigon in their Circular dated the 18th inst., say :--Owing to the absence of demand and the immediate necosity for certain paddy dealers to realize their stocks, prices of rice have drapped considerably since our last advices. In view of the small quantity of the crop now remaining unsold, this decline cannot however last very long, Arrivals of Cochinchina paddy are next to nothing.
We quote for September to October delivery. No. 2 White sifted (trié) steam milled,
round
No. 2 White unsifted (ordinary) steamTM
milled (round)
15.% Cargo steam milled round 10% Cargo steam milled round 20% Cargo steam milled round
$3.80
3.45
3.38
3.24
* Prices according to terms and conditions. The following is a statement of this year's Ex- ports of White Rice, Cargo Rice and Paddy:- Total pes.
Destination.
Hongkong Manila... Iloilo Cebu
Japan Singapore Batavia Tjilapjap
60,213
30.338
6,041
34,453
36,309
52,558
24,909
3,432
is
l'assoerau
2,506.
Samarang
3,172
Sourabaya
43,050
4,062
1,878
35
17,37
12,202
24,417
1,232
197,814
557,687
670,856
The suggested Junior League has been abandoned. It is just probable that we have not a sufficient number of grounds to accom- modate two leagues. In any case there is no reason why after the league fixtures are published the second elevens and other clubs should not get out their syllabi filling in the vacant dates.
It is rather early yet to discuss Interport prospects, but one fact that appears evident is that we are badly in want of bowlers.
UMPIRE.·
FAR EASTERN TELEGRAMS.
A JAPANESE DIPLOMATIC
APPOINTMENT.
Tokyo, September 19th. It is authoritatively announced that Baron Uchida, now Minister at Vionua, will succeed Baron Takahira at Washington.
FOREIGNERS IN JAPANESE AND LAND-OWNERSHIP.
Tokyo, September 19th. The Government is introducing into the Diet next session a measure dealing with the ownership of land by foreigners.
THE SAN FRANCISCO CELEBRATIONS.
Tokyo, September 19th.. The British cruiser Bedford has left Yokohama for San Francisco, for the celebra- ions that are being held in connection with the rebuilding of the city.
The Japanese cruiser Idzumo leaves to- morrow
PRINCES SAD DEATH.
Tokyo, September 21st. The death has occurred at Kobe from plague of Prince Sebusamanes, the son of the Siamese Minister for Foreign Affairs at Bangkok, who was learning shipbuilding at Kawasaki, and worked as an artisan.
THE BOYCOTT MOVEMENT IN
CHINA.
Tokyo, September 23rd. Boycott propaganda in China is spreading, and the Tokyo Government, is strongly re- presenting the seriousness of the movement to the Government at Peking.
India Ceylon.. Madagascar Réunion
Mauritius Egypt Australia Europe.
Total
Same period of last your.
JAPAN MARKET INFORMATION.
Cotton Piece Goods.-Deliveries are satisfac- tory, and although a regular demand has not as vet set in, dealers are showing some interest in staple lines. Woollens and Woollen Mixtures.- Buyers are clearing purchases in an encouraging manner and stocks have been considerably lowered; forward business, however, is still dull. Cotton. The market begins to show
Raw
some
ctivity. Rice.-There have been no transactions to report. Metal.-Conditions seem to be improv- ing, though local ideas are still more or less under home values. In Basic Steel Bars an important transaction is reported. Window Glass.-There has been a slight drop, but no business has result- ed. Buyers, having large stocks coming, are Suga. The waiting more favourable prices. market has ruled quiet and business has been
with lower values in Wheat, quotations for flour done in imported refined. Flour. In sympathy have receded, and some small buying is reported. Wheat.-Firm offers from mills have been made but without result. It is expected that lower prices will be seen presently.
PIECE GOODS.
Messrs. Noël, Murray & Co. in their Piece Goods Report, dated Shanghai, 17th Sept., 1909, state:-- So much of the business now-a-days is conducted under the indent system, or perhaps it would be more correct to say "has beet," that one is apt. to put the market down as deadly dull if there is none of that class of business passing at the mo- mont. What is wanted all the time is fresh busi ness, and Importers are prone to overlook the fact that the deliveries are a better indication of the state of the market at the moment than any num- ber of forward contracts can possibly be, as they are only based on anticipated demands, which may never eventuate, as has so often happened. On this basis there is not much to complain about the trade at present, as most Importers declare their clearances have been excellent during the interval. It would, perhaps, le more satifactory if this were applicable to both the old stocks un- der indents as well as fresh importations, for it is to be feared the dealers are discriminating by taking the cheaper bought goods first and allow- on their earlier ing charges to accumulate purchases that still remain uncleared. This als