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Mr. E. R. Hallifax, who has just been ap- pointed to act as First Magistrate, arrived by the P. and O. mail steamer on Thursday accompanied by Mrs. Hallifax and infant.
Before Mr. Hazeland at the Magistracy on Oct. 25 a coolie who was found guilty of stealing 84 worth of copper, brass and zinc from the Naval Yard was sentenced to four mouths' imprisonment with hard labour and six hours' stocks.
Eleven Chinese appeared before Mr, F. A. Hazeland at the Magistracy on Monday charged with gambling at No. 3, Jardine's Bazaar, on Saturday night. The two keepers of the game were fined $75 each, and each of the players $3. Another batch of thirteen who appeared before the same Magistrate for a similar offence were fined $3 each.
On Monday a Chinese painter, while painting the iron bars of a window at No. 1, St. John's Place, fell to the ground, a distance of 20 feet. The fall was occasioned through the loosening of a bar by which the workman was supporting himself. He was picked up and removed to his home, and after lingering for two days died of
cerebral concussion.
An interesting story of how robbers were frightened off by having a rifle fired in their direction comes from Taikoo reservoir, whore the watchman, on being awakened by a noise outside his quarters, saw two men with torches and bamboos and another kicking at the door. They threatened to kill him if he did not open the door, but taking down a rifle he fired through the window. This alarmed the un- welcome visitors who quickly made off.
Maj. Gen. Villiers Hatton, C.B., who was last employed in command of the troops in South China, completes three years' unemploy- meat on November 3rd, and will be retired on pension. This officer, says a Service journal, who was promoted to the generals' list in 1903, passed his regimental career in the Grenadier Guards, which he joined nearly 37 years ago, and under the age rules could remain on the active list another five years. He did excellent work in the Khartoum campaign, 1898.
At the Magistracy onThursday before Mr. J. R. Wood two natives were charged by Inspector Dymond of Aberdeen with being in unlawful possession of 55lbs, of gelatine. It appears that quantities of this explosive have been sold to fishermen in various parts of the Colony, and that in consequence the police have been keeping a sharp look-out for the vendors. The 55lbs. seized in this instance were discovered in two baskets, the gelatine being covered with rice. A woman was engaged to carry the explosive into Aberdeen, where, apparently it was to be offered for sale. The defendants were remanded.
Drs. W. W. Pearse and J. W. Hartley have been appointed medical officers at Kowloon for the purpose of instituting inquiries with a view to ascertaining the true cause of death of any person who has not been attended during his last illness by a registered medical practitioner, and of reporting thereon to the Head of the Sanitary Department or a registrar of deaths.
The police made two arrests in connection with a Triad Society disturbance at East Point on Friday. One of the men had a hammer in his possession and also wore a red sash on which were Chinese characters stating that while he wore that he could not be hurt. However, the Magistrate had no hesitation in fining him and his companion.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
SANITARY BOARD.
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held on Tuesday at the Board Room. Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe presided, and there were present: Hon. Mr. A. W. Brewin (Registrar-General) Colonel Bedford, R.A.M.C., Dr. Fitzwilliams, Mr. Shelton Hooper, Mr. Lau Chu Pak, Dr. F. Clark (Medical Officer of Health), and Mr. W. Bowen Rowlands (Secretary).
IS MR. HO KOM TONG A MEMBER? Mr. HOOPER-Mr. President, before we go on with the general business of the meeting I should like to ask whether Mr. Ho Kom Tong is a member of the Board still, and if not, whether any communication has been sent notifying his resignation, and whether any steps have been taken to fill the vacancy. ask because there are rumours in the news- papers that he is no longer a member.
The PRESIDENT-I understand from what I have seen in the papers that he has resigned, but I have received no official information that his resignation has been accepted, or a substitute appointed. I think it is almost time a reminder was sent in that we should like to know what is happening.
Mr. HOOPER-We would, like to know if he is still a member.
The PRESIDENT-Notices have been sent to him as usual, as I have received no official inti- mation that he has resigned. He informed me that he had, and did not wish the papers sent to him. However, I will ascertain, and ask that the Board be informed as soon as possible.
Mr. HOOPER-Thank you.
APPLICATION TO RE-OPEN A WELL.
Messrs. Denison, Ram and Gibbs, on behalf applied for permission to re-open a well in the of the committee of the Tung Wah Hospital, premises of the hospital.
The water was not required for domestic purposes, but for flushing the lavatory.
The SECRETARY minuted that on February 14th, 1903, the hospital were informed by the Board that they must close this well within twenty-four hours. The well was filled in and sealed down on the 23rd of the same month. On March 20th the hospital requested permis- sion to use the well for washing purposes only, but the application was refused.
Hon. Mr. HEWETT-AS I understand we have now an ample water supply, I consider that no old wells should be re-opened.
The VICE-PRESIDENT-I think permission for this might be refused in view of the probability of a constant supply to the town being reverted to in a few days' time, unless it is for the supply of water closets.
The application was granted.
SLAUGHTER-HOUSES BYE-LAWS.
The PRESIDENT intimated that the byelaws had not been forwarded to the Crown Solicitor before they had been considered by the Roard, Since they had been referred to the Crown Solicitor several small changes had been made in the wording and he was afraid it would be necessary to go through them clause by clause.
Mr. HOOPER took it that the purport had
not been altered.
The PRESIDENT-No. The byelaws were then read and agreed to.
MOSQUITO BREEDING. Correspondence was submitted as to the pre- vention of mosquito breeding.
The PRESIDENT Since my minute was writ- ten I have made inquiry from the Law Officers and learn that we would not be justified in dealing with pools under that section. I think we had better be on the safe side, and if we wish to deal with mosquito pools we should pass the byelaw in.its present form.
Colonel BEDFORD--Does the new byelaw give us as much power as the old one?
Under
The PRESIDENT-No, it is limited. the old byelaw we could compel a man to pull down his house to dig out the larvae. These powers were too wide.
A very noticable feature in connection with the late typhoon is the small loss of life and craft in the estuary of the Canton River com- pared with that of recent years, is no doubt largely due to the Kowloon Customs having set up a signal station at Chekwan to which all the storm signals exhibited on the Tamar are wired, and where they are displayed for the informa- tion of the native craft. It must be very gratifying to the gentlemen concerned to find that their efforts have been attended with such good results, and the Tidesurveyor is to be com- plimented on his foresight in suggesting the scheme, as well as Mr. Commissioner Harris on his hearty co-operation in bringing it to the The PRESIDENT stated that in view of a notice of the Canton Viceroy himself for adopt-petition received just before the regulations as ing the suggestion and providing the necessary to the time they were to come into force, it was funds.
proposed to adhere to the old time which
The byelaw was then passed.
THE CENTRAL MARKET.
Correspondence was again submitted relative to the hours for opening and closing the Central Market.
[October 30, 1909.
suited the stallholders better. He moved that the opening and closing hours be as before.
Dr. FITZWILLIAMS-How is that going to affect the new contract for lighting the market? The PRESIDENT-It won't affect it at all. We are now going back to the old system on which the contract was based.
The motion was agreed to.
THE VOLUNTEER CONCERT.
The chill air was not conducive to the enjoy- ment of an open-air entertainment, and the concert arranged for Saturday night in the interests of the Diocesan Girls' Home, instead of taking place on the Parade Ground was held in There was a good the Volunteer Drill Hall. attendance and the programme came up to
added expectations. The Buffs' Band
to their excellent reputation by the charming overture and selections which they rendered and applause, as sincere as it was enthusiastic, greeted their performances. The individual performers
was
were also very successful. Mr. R. E. White's fine baritone voice was heard to advantage in the "Song of the Toreador," and there could be little doubt the appreciation of the auditors. "I hear thee calling me contributed by Mr. Donne, whose voice seemed a trifle thin. Mrs. Barrett was encored for her exquisite interpretation of " I give you roses," and she had to respond to an encore. Agreeable variety was supplied by a minstrel party composed of Captain Beasley, Commander Penfold, Messrs. Grimble, Worcester, Carroll and Donne, who gave an amusing sketch entitled "Ten minutes at Margate." Miss Parke again proved a favourite, Goodbye" evoking a her singing of Tosti's recall, when she complied with "Velia," which was also well rendered. "Onaway Awake" was the selection of Mr. Ayris, who was cordially Messrs. White and Ayris participated, was greeted. A trie, in which Miss Parke and effectively rendered and was rewarded with the applause of the audience.
The accompanists were Messrs. J. W. White and G. Grimble.
ARMED ROBBERY IN HONGKONG.
A CHINESE STABBED.
It seems impossible that an armed robbery should be committed in Hongkong in the early hours of evening and just within hail of a police station, yet such an occurrence took place at a shop near the Sailors' Home on Friday. About 7-45 on Friday evening a man wearing a long silk coat entered the matting shop at 292, Des Voeux Road and asked the two fökis on the ground floor if their master was surnamed Li. Before they could answer nine others rushed into the place and seizing the two fokis gagged them and bound their hands with wire. Then going upstairs they did the same to the master and his brother and four fokis, whom they took by surprise. One of the robbers was armed with a revolver and four or five carried knives. They took the key of the safe from the master's girdle and opened the safe, from which they took $1,000 in money. They also collected some silk and clothing, the total value of their booty being $1,290. As the robbers were about to take their departure a visitor entered and he declin- ed to be gagged. He knew something of the fistic art and put up a fight, but he was knocked hors de combat by the use of knives, being stabbed several times. The thieves have not been arrested.
HONGKONG UNIVERSITY.
We are authoritatively informed that Messrs, David Sassoon & Company and Messrs. E. D. Sassoon & Company have each subscribed a sum of $10,000 to the University Endowment Fund. ADMIRAL LAMBTON'S SUCCESSOR.
The period of the command of the British China squadron expires next spring, when Admiral Hon. Sir Hedworth Lambton will relinquish the post. It is believed he will be succeeded by Vice-Admiral Alfred L. Winsloe C.V.O., C.M.G., the present fourth Sea Lord at
he Admiralty.