CORRESPONDENCE.
AIRSHIPS
AEROPLANES.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "HONGKONG DAILY PRESS."]
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, JUNE 26rg. 1916.
THESTAR AND GARTER "
BUILDING FUND.
་ ོ་་
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HONGKONG : DAILY PRESS."]
jo
BIR, → Judging from the Hon. Mr. SIR-In your lending article of the Hallifax's letter 24th inst., "Preparedness for War," the (Saturday) Press the local branch of the this morning's following words appear: It is notori-Navy League may flatter itself that a ous that the British Army authorities very necessary--I was almost going to book but little interest in the machines that objectionable word "charity "-- gan, the weapon which is now playing duty has been brought to the notice of great a part in the trenches; that it made the officially elected War Charities :no effort to follow Germany's lead in the matter of airships, although it shoul have had information to show that they were required for the defence of the country."
Committre.
Perhaps it was not exactly “sporting " on the part of this Committes that, with out seeking to extend its gegis to the small attempt on the part of the Navy In connection with the mutter of air-League, it should apparently endeavour ships, the following review of my relato queer the pitch," as evidenced by tions with S Hiram Masin may be pars. 3. and 4 of Mr. Hallifax's letter. interesting to your readers:
In 1994, whilst observing a child spin- ning a little piece of tin high up into the air, the idra gut into my hand that propul sion neant the solution of the problem of the conquest of the air My studies finally resulted in my thinking out a design for the construction of a dirigible:aír ship.
However, the end is the same so long as theStar and Garter" Building Fund War Charities Committee or the Navy gets the support whether through the League, but the charge of over-lapping must be borne by the former.
the Building Fund is an organised effort A point I would desire to make is that
Britain to find funds to crect on the part of the women of Great
hospital or home, and we have been this
officially invited to assist.
It was useless to take my friends or the public into my gonfidence at the time, as 1 would have been called a madman. In fact, I was really thought to be crazy ut
It will be seen from Mr. Halbfax's the time. Well knowing that it would be letter that the War Charities Committee impossible for me to form a syndicate in does not care for earmarked donations. Hongkong to build an experimentul dirishall, therefore, be pleased to receive gible, I thought of Sir Hiram Maxim, whe was experimenting in England with
Aying machine, and who was considered Star and Garter" Building Fund and from the public all donations to the be the leading authority
from the War Charities Committee any
vertently delivered to it. car-marked donations which are ind-
011
aeronautics.
Consequently, I wrote to Sir Hiraar on the 16th August, 1698, and sent him the design of my proposed dirigible stír-ship, together with full particulars for its con- struction. My original design consisted of a long cigar shaped balloon, with a suspended car propelled by four fan pro pellers. It, therefore, cannot be said that. the War Department of England was late in obtaining designs and ideas for the con struction of dirigible air-ships. Indeed England should have been the first to possess a fleet of serviceable dirigibles. But England dreamed on, and allowed Count Zeppelin to surprise and stus. the world, with the performances of his per- fected dirigibles. Now, who is to blamed for this want of foresight?
I could nover succeed in convincing Sir Hiram that the conquest of the air would be accomplished by dirigibles, and this is what he wrote in a letter to me, dated May 13th, 1911-
"In regard to air ships, that in diri. gible balloons propelled by a motor and screw, I would say that to the best of my knowledge and belief they are one and all total failures. I have always pointed out in my writings that any thing in the way of a balloon, or any. thing that depended upon a gas bng to lift it, would be completely useless na A military weapon. They are too large and too unwieldy, and they all com to grief in a few days after they are Jaunched. Such, however, is not the case with the flying machine. The flying maching is bound to be the prin cipal military-instrument of the future There are many reasons why this is so." 1 replied as follows on the 22nd June,
1011:-
"I believe in the rigid type of diri gible with powerful motors and a per fectly designed system of propellers. She must be able to rise and fall at will, to sail swiftly, and to answer her helm with ease and rapidity. All recent dis asters to dirigibles have been due to their inability to rise and fall rapidly, and to their defective steering gear. Without perfect control of its move sments a dirigible cannot but by a fril-
ure.
easy
to
AT THE MAGISTRACY.
MISSING GOLD RING.
A Chinese marine hawker who was charged on remand, before Mr. Wood, with stealing a gold ring, the property
THE NEW
IN
TERRITORIES
1915.
The report on the Now Territories, Northern District, for 1915, shows that of 120 persons brought before the punished, against 456 and 257 respective Magistrate 275 were convicted and
loon, was discharged. of some Indians in Nathan Road, Kowly in 1914. The total of fines inflicted
EXTENSIVE THEFTS..
Before Mr Wood. a. Chinese way charged with breaking into a store at
was $1,401, against 32,156 in 1914, Armed robbers were unpleasantly active. during the year, and several persons were kidnapped and held for rausom
One of the most notable and encourag- ing features of the year was
the
tendency
ake up marshy land for the cultiva
INTIMATIONS
LANE
CRAWFORD &Co.
65, Battery Street, Yaumati, and stealing tion of salt-water padi. Towards the WHY NOT SLEEP
100 ships' wooden bank stretchers value $100; 100 ships wooden bunk stanchions, value $300; two cases of Chinese carthen ware bowls, value $10; and two cases of white enamel feeding bowls, value $7, the property of Eng Hok Fong S,S. Co., of No. 37. Des Voeux Road Contral
remand was ordered,
ALLEGED PICKPOCKET.
the defence.
A
fore Mr. Wood, with stealing $80 from A Chinese was charged on remand be
the persov.
Mr. Agassiz appeared for Defendant denied, having
with the thefi. been associated in any way whatsoever At the time the theft took place le said he was walking along
he was going to send to his mother. the street carrying an umbrella which
Inspector Sullivan proved previous con- victions. give his decision on Wednesday.
His worship said he would
We want from the public of Hongkong || pany. about $15,000.00 to cover
Cost of building one roon... Cost of furnishing one room .... Cost of endowing one bed
ON THE RAILS.
end of the year a particularly import- ant application was received from a Hongkong syndicate for the purchase of 1,200 acres, of swamp at Ping Shan, and factory manner when the year closed. A negotiations were proceeding in a satis scheme was also started for the cultiva tion of fruit trees on some 80 avres of billside at Castle Prik
There has been a welcome revival of interest in Tai Po Market owing partly to a reduction in the upset price of build- ing land the main street has been maendamised at their own expense by,
neighbourhood of Payling have been well the shop-keepers, and a new pawnshop is being built. Developments in the maintained.
The revenue collected in the district totalled 112,075, which is an increase on all previous years. The highest total hitherto was $111,301.72, in 1913.* the district was
The total liquor revenue collected in {
Chinese Wines and Distillery Licences ..: $2,020.03 $2,691,75
Spirits Licences $3,043.75 83,768.75 Liquor Duties"
85,007.85 83,015,75
"
WH.
1915,
212,831.63 812,370,25
The first rice crop was good, but the
בנז1
SOUND
THESE HOT NIGHTS? CHORLTON'S PATENT
TWO SURFACE MATTRESS WILL ENSURE THIS IF YOU USE ONE.
THIS MATTRESS CAN BE USED EITHER SIDE, AND BOTH
THE
LUXURIOUS. SANITARY, DURABLE, SIZES 8 ft. 6 in., 4 ft. 6 in, 5 ft., and 5 ft. 6 in. wide, CALL AND INSPECT ONE
second was poor, owing to an exception DIFFER IN ELASTICITY, GIVING A CHOICE OF SPRINGINESS TO USER. coolie to Mr. Wood, in answering to only 2.77 inches were registered at TaiCROOKS THE SPINE.”". ally dry season. September is 2n 1 found it on the rails," said a portant mouth for the second crop, and a good rainfall is expreted, but in 1915
ONLY MATTRESS THAT DOES NOT SAG AND charge of stealing a quantity of tobacco Po in, that month, as against 22.41 in leaves, the property of the Hongkong 1914. The rainfall for the year was con- and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Considerably below the average.
The war has caused no uneasiness in His worship What were you the district, it is possible to trace going to do with it?--I was going to the Territory, due to their exposure to eertain timidity in the western parts of £250 snake it. Inspector Gordon said the man arned robberies from the sen, but the 100 had a previous conviction for larceny. tendency of well-to-do Chinese from air. Packham, who appeared on behalf Hongkong to invest capital in the Terri- of the Godown Company, said the man
tory has never been more marked.
In the Southern District 211 persons ship-Is it likely the stuff, was on the 1914 the figures were 353 and 304 respec- was a loafer about the place. His wor-appeared before the Magistrate, 163 of whom were convicted, or bound over. In ground Yes, it is quite likely." Defend- tively. ** ant was sent to prison for a month.
1,000
£1,350 We anyo to-day sent home £350 and are appealing to the public for the balance.
One thousand three hundred and thirty- four deeds were registered as compared.
LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.
with 1,136 in 1914. This is the highest HONGKONG, CANTON, MACAO
The fund will remain open until 30th September next, and I have sufficient faith in the people of Hongkong to be-" lieve we shall get it.I am, sir, Your HONGKONG WEATHER IN 1915. Chau lenses were renewed during the
obedient servant,
E. A. M. WILLIAMS, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Navy
League, Hongkong. Branch.
WAR CHARITIES.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "HONGKONG DAILY THESS."}
Sin-An error in typing in my letter of yesterday makes the accond paragraph unintelligible. It reads: "The Commit. tee will for the present allocate the earmarked surplus. should, of course, read nearmarked, and "Earmarked"
I would be glad if you would make the correction.Yours faithfully,
E. R. HALLIFAX,
Hon. Secretary, War Charities Committee.
HONGKONG POLICE AT
THE FRONT.
CASUALTIES, INCLUDING ONE:
KILLED.
News has come to hand of the death at the front of a member of the Hong kong Police contingent, P.-c. Wakeford, the first of his party to lay down his destroy life for King and country. The sad news was contained in a letter which was sent to the Captain Superintendent of Police by Pc. (now Corporal) Booker. reads as follows:-
This
"Aeroplanes, or flying machines, are small and convenient. They are very good as scouts and messengers, and as bomb-throwers. But they are useless unless they
able to attack in numbers. If they attack in numbers it is them by a well-directed and con- centrated are from guns firing explosive sholls or bullets. Should, however, they get out of order and sail one on top of the other, they would be useless as in struments of war, and would endanger their very own existence. It is only
"It is with deep-regret that I have to when they succeed in making surprise inform you of the death of Cpl. Wake attacks that they will be able to do any ford, late A. L. S. 25, who was killed by damage
Commercially and for carrying shrapnet bursting overhead at about 11.5 passengers I don't think aeroplanes are pa en May 17th, and died almost so serviccable as so many think, as it instantaneously. This shrapnel--which we is impossible to carry great weights call Woolly Bear"-is poisonous, and without straining the planes and over- taxing the moters.
one seldom recovers if hit by it.
"Another drawback is that it is dangerous to fly in windy weather and, besides, there is no safety arrange- ment in the event of the motor sud- denly stopping in mid-air.
Hoare is wounded in the leg and arm, "I am also sorry to say that P-c
and I believe it is feared he will lose the sight of one eye. Spillett, who is in the "My belief is that the problem of 1st Battalion of the regiment, has been serial navigation will eventually be solved by a combination of the rigid invalided Home with sickness, but what dirigible and the monoplane or biplane it is I do not know. with a perfected system of propellers
and powerful motors."
The remainder of the H.K.P. are
and will not be satisfied until a few more Huns have been accounted for.
dirigible tonbination of the rigid
It is a fact that the latest Zeppelin doing their utmost to avenge Wakeford, dirigible and the biplane.
The present terrible World-War and the recent raids made by German dirigibles prove, now, who was right.
Carpenter, Allchurch, Painting, Bloor and myself are all eagerly looking It is great pity that the Imperial forward to a speedy return to Hongkong Authoritics did not give their attention to the manufacture of dirigibles in 1999,
We had a hard time dering the win. because England could have been in ter, and when it was our turn to take possession of a fleet of dirigibles big and over we had to wade through the tren efficient enough to blow. Krupp's Works at Essen off the face of the earth, thereby ches. On one ocension the trench was hastening the end of this suicidal war about three feet in depth with water and and dealing the death-blow to Germany's accursed militarism.-Yours truly,
we had to stand up in it all night. Well, the summer has started now and we are TSE TSAN TAT Hongkong, 24th June, 1916.
hoping for a much better time."
PRINCIPAL FEATURES:
in excess in October.
number on record. Many of the Cheung.
Ser Registration fees for 1915 ware $1,258.60, and for 1914 8970.30,
WEST RIVER STEAMERS.
M
The revenue collected by the Assistant JOINT SERVICE OF THE HONGKONG, CANTON AND MACAUR District Officer was less than that for in Land Sales and Fines. The former 1914, there being a considerable decrease STEAMBOAT CO., LTD.. AND CHINA NAVIGATION CO... LTD. - were exceptional in 1914; the decrease in the latter indicates a decrease in crime throughout the District.
Liquor Duties were collected in the Southern District during 1915 amounting to $137,331.21. The total for 1914 was $103,620.
but in many places the second crop was The frat rice crap was everywhere good,
apple crop in the Tsun Wan District spoiled by the high winds. The pine- was unusually good. which occurred here an connection with Some friction the export of the fruit to rongkong was probably due in the first phe to the abundance of the crop,
conke-
trade seems to have suffered in
Fishing generally was not good, and quence. One record eaten, however, was made at Tai O during November, 30,000 worth of Wong Fa being taken in five days.
The principal features of the weather in Hongkong during 1915, says the annual report of the Director of the Royal Observatory, were the absence of typhoons till the autumn, high tempera fure, low wind relocity, and large variations of pressure above and below normal. The seasonal distribution of moderately in defect in April, June, pared opium and 516 tacts of dross rainfall was somewhat abnormal, being During the year 13,917 (aels of pre- August and September, and considerablyopiant were sold.
Barometric pressure was considerably lune, and considerably below normal in above normal in January, March and February, August and October.. The mean pressure, for the year was 29 838in. as against 29 845in. in 1914 and also 29 945in. for the past 38 years. The highest Pressure was 30 375in. on January 17 against 30.367in. in 1914 and 30.509in. for the past 32 years. The lowest pres- sure was 29.354in. on July 28, as against 29.236in. in 1014, and 28.73in. for the past 32 years it is interesting to note that the lowest pressure for the year (and simultaneously the highest tem The general state of Tai O shows little perature) occurred when the centre of a sign of improvement. violent typhoon was about 700 miles to little public spirit in the place. A not- There is very the north north-east of Hongkong. The able instance of this can be seen in the wind at the time was light and variable. fact that there are two ferry launches
The mean temperature for the year was 73.4, or the same as in 1914, and 17 daily at the same times, where one woutu running between Tai O and Hoogkong each month except in May, when it was above normal. It was above normal in 13 below. The highest temperature was
be ample. The community will not con- bine to support a single faunch. Tai O 93.4 n July 29, as against 94.0 in 1914
is not too healthy, Trade generally has not been good during the year and money lowest temperature was 41.7 on January beries reported in the District in 1915, and 97.0 for the past 3 years. The is scarce. There were two armed rob 10, as against 47.4 in 1915 and 32.0 for the but otherwise little crime past 32 years.
The Salt usual, though during the summer it was Pans have enjoyed more prosperity than feared that the enormous quantities of fresh water brought down the Canton River by the unusual floods would affect and sold during the year, as compared the trade, 1,150 tons of salt were made with 800 in 1914.
According to ti records of the Beckley anemograph the wind was again below normal in each month of the year. The mean velocity was 11.4 in.p.b. as against the past 32 years. The greatest velocity 21.8 m.p.h. in 1914 and 12.9 m.p.. for for one hour was 36 miles at 4 pm on November 5, as against 42 miles in 1914 maximum squall velocity, as recorded by and 108 miles for the past 32 years. The the Dines Baxendell anemograph, was at 69 miles per hour on Novem ber. 5, as against 55 m.p.h. in 1914, and 105 mp.h. for the past five years.
the rate
The wind velocity has decreased more or less steadily from 1895.6 to 1913.5, with partial recoveries at. 1895.5 and 1008.5.
RAINFALL
for the year was as follow: Observatory, The total rainfall at the four stations 76.026 ins.; Police Station, Taipo, 85.25 ins.; Botanical Gardens, 80.49 ins; and Matilda Hospital, 69ins, The heaviest rainfall was recorded on July 1st., when 9.40 inches were recorded.
TYPHOONS.
good as in 1914, owing largely to the soothly. Trade generally was not a Affairs at Cheung Chau continue to run
scarcity of fish, upon which the island mostly dependa. The market continues to be a success. Most of the missionary months, some being let to Hongkong houses were occupied during the summer residents. A pamphlet is being prepared. by the missionaries committee giving details of the accommodation available, of the island as a summer resort. with a view to extending the popularity
Poultry farming carried on in Lamma There is now a considerable amount of
exported to Hongkong, Cattle rearing Island, large quantities of eggs being on the island is also on the increase."
HONGKONG FINANCES.
REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE,
Six typhoons ached within 800 miles of Hongkong during the year, but no destructive winds were experienced. ever, was recorded during the passage of for the month of March is as follows:- A squall at the rate of 60 m.p.b., how-
The fusncial statement of the Colony the typhoon of November 5, at 4.40 The mean hourly velocity at this time Balance of Assets and Liabili for the year. On June 29th s typhoon Revenue from 1st to 31st was 56 miles from E by 8, the maximum ties on 29th Feb, 1916 entered the coast about 70 miles to the
March, 1916 east of Hongkong, having given bat little it was of feeble intensity, warning of its approach. Fortunately,
During the year the expenditure at 82,166.18, the total expenditure boing the Observatory has been decreased by $23,233.12 as against $25,358.91 in 1914.
Expenditure from Ist to 31st
March, 1916
Balance
-
HONGKONG-CANTON LINE.
Singh Pars by Night Biomar Befara
(available also for return
by day stommer) ingle Fare by Day Staser Return
#
HONGKONG TO CANTON, 1
MONDAY, 26rи
8.1. LEUNGSHAN. 10 p.m. KINSHAN,
81.. HONAM 10 p.m. FATSHAN....
100
50.00
14.00
9.00
CANTON TO HONGKONG.
JUNE, 1916.
| 8. BM," HOYAM..
6 p.m. FAISHAN, TUESDAY, 272 JUNE, 1916.
8. HEUNGSHAM,
pm. KINSHAN.
HONGKONG-MACAO LINE.
8.8. TAIGMAN, Tons 2,006,
8.8, BUT TAI, Tons 1,651.'" HONGKONG TO MACAO. Weekdays at 8 am and 2 pm, from the Company's Wing Lok Besi Whande dazdays at 9 a.m, and 1 p.m. from the Company's: Wing Lok Stross Whart
MACAO TO HONGKONG
Week days at 7.30 am. und 2 p.m. Sundays at 7.80 am, and 1 p.m. EXCURSION TO MACAOJ SUNDAY, 2ND JULY, 1916.
The Company's New Steamship
"TAISHAN
Will depart from the Company's Wine Lox Bremer WHARE si 8 sim, kad vyčaru trom Macs à 3 păm.'
N.B.The Company will shao ran a Bimmer from Macho on Sunday at 7.30 sur And from Hongkong at X på,, from the Company's Wing Lok Street Waber
FARES AS USUAL.
MACAO-CANTON LINE
6.E. BUT ANY
Departures from Mao to Canton on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, så 9 pm. Departure from Canton to Macso on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, at 430 pm. JOINT SERVICE OF THE HONGKONG. CANTON AND MACAO STEAMBOAT CO., LTD. THE CHINA NAVIGATION CO., LTD. AND THE INDO-CHINA STEAM NAVIGATION CO., LTD, CANTON-WUCHOW LINK.
F.£. BaINAM, 589 tons, and 8.8. NANNING, 669 tone,
Ons of the abor. Elsmere leaves Canton for Washow every Monday, Wednesday - mach Frking, at about 9 am, and the other leaves Wushow for Canton on the same days ná 8.30am Bound trips inke shout 3 days. Fassengers ono return to Hongkong or vice vuran by las Company's direch Stommein LINTAN nad BANUI. Then Temels have superior Cable mcommodation and are lighted throughout by electricity. Elestris Fun in each Chita,
Booking Office open daily (Bunday excepted). Dan. to 5 p.m., Further particulars may be obtained at the Offine of them
HONGKONG, CANTON & MAÇÃO STEAMBOAT (o, Lrm..
Hotel Mansions (Fires Floor), reposito the Blake Pier,
TO LET MURNISHED ROOMS with or without
Apply
***" BOARD,” Care of “Daily Press" Offlon.
TO LET.
{773
F129
TO LET TWO BOOMED-FLATS in Nathan Bond
Kowloo THREE-BOOKED FLATS in Humphrey's Boldings, Cowloon.
FOUR-ROOMED FLATS in May Road with every modern convenience, including English Beth and Kitchen Range, Bet 903,772.18 TO. /. DES VIEUX ROAD CENTRAL, Flata specially designed to socommodate thre Water and Whee Carriage Brelem. A fre First Floor 999,817,59 THE
bscholars så rossonable rentala. Inmedisko. COMMODIOUS DWELLINGTON HOUSE, with flees. Fervanta' Quarlers, otonit? FOUR ROOMED HOUSES ₺n Gorka $1,259,599.77 No. 14, EBAMEEN, CANTON, from Ish June, at Terries and Salisbury Avonnis, Kowlom.
present in the pocupation of the Imperial
Apply to RESTATE & FINANCE 1,234,579.25 Russian Consulate.
HUMPHREYS
$34,310.49
Apply tom
DAVÍÐ BAKSOON & Co. Im
· (438
Alexandra Buldings