RANDOM REFLECTIONS. 1
SPORT.
RIFLE SHOOTING,
THE: HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JANUARY 9TH,
· RESERVES · TOO GOOD FOR
VOLUNTEERS.
The Government has shown itseli singularly indifferent to the lot of the A householder since the war began. Committee was early forined to fix the maximum prices of foodstuffs, and this The Hongkong Volunteer Corps and maxinium very soon became the recog nised minimum. Discouraged, appar ently, by the result of their efforts, they appear to have sunk into oblivion for, though I pointed out some months ago on good authority that meat could be purchased wholesale at lower rates than those prevailing before the war, no amended tariff has been issued for the guidance of the public. The view is taken, presumably, that we are all so well off in Hongkong that we need no protection from profiteers.
the Volunteer Reserves had a friendly shooting match on the King's Park Range on Sunday, as a result of which the Veterans won by a margin of 43 points. The conditions were ten a side, seven shots, with a compulsory sighter at each range, and open sights, with service rifles as issued. It was a good day for shooting, and though one of the Reserves' crack marksmen found somewhat the effects of vaccination troublesome, his team won qaily and secured silver spoons at the expense of the losers. The scores were fu follow :-
H.K.V.R.
OUR LONDON LETTER.
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT]
LONDON, December 4th:
THE SHIP OF STATE IN STORNY WEATHEL.
THE P. & O. REPORT.
The declaration of a final dividend and a bonus on the Deferred stock, making 16 per cent. for the year, as compared The Coalition Ship of State has againcomber 30th, 1916, had prepared stock with 15 per cent, for the year ended De-
run into bad weather in the course of holders of the P. & O Company for a its voyage across the stormy, ocena of fine report (says The Times). They are the war. There have been dangerous not likely to be disappointed with the times befors now, but the coolness of the report issued, It shows that, including Prime Minister na the man at the helm balance is £600,646, as compared with #78,182 brought forward, the credit has always averted disaster. For in- £409,864 a year ago, when 258,763 was stance, Ministers were severely criticised brought forward. The surplus is thus
raised by nearly £170,000. After provid after the Gallipoli failure, and again ing for the dividends and bonus £85,329 when Serbia was smitten to the ground now remains to bo sarried forward. It and trampled under foot. They also had not now required by the company hae is stated further that "some property. a bad time when the shortage of shells have been other occasions which will vision had been made in previous years and big guns became known. And there been sold at a profit. Several outstand- ing unadjusted accounts for which pro- doubtless, receive adequate mention by have been closed, leaving credit balances. Iuture historians. The Roamanian These factors, combined with the result debacle has, however, helped to create à of the year's operations, admit of an in- situation which is far worse than any so
crease of 2 per cent. in the dividend and 200 100 500
far experienced. Never since the begin per cent in the bonus, and an addition yde, yds, yde. Total ning has the country as a whole bez so to the reservé fund of £126,000". In the
searchingly critical us now of the men
statement of accounts the book value of in power, or so firmly resolved: to end the fleet, plants, payments on account or mend the Coalition as at present of ships under construction, property, constituted.
stores, investments, and cash have been a matter of con- brought together as venience," so that oven less information
Yet one notices that the Government has been thoughtful enough to provide
Pte. McLennan, its own employés, who are not the most Pte. Jenkins, impecunious section of the community, Lt. Thornhill, with coal at half the price which Pte. Brown, 32
L/C Goodman,
Sgt. Bannerman, Sgt. Leach,
88888888
30
31 33 84
29
31
89
33
27
88
25
87
30
24
82
27
20
80
20
20
27
31 21 27
285. 276 264
78
75
72
825
Corp. Carpmacl,... 20 Corp Nicol, Corp. Lyon,
H.K.V.C.
200 500 500
other people have to pay. Cannot a scheme be devised for extending this concession to the public, who are muleted in £3 158. a ton for coal of very inferior quality? I was whispered recently that the Government intended to place coal at a reasonable price within the reach of those of slender menus. If there is any erath in this it is time they got busy untess
they intend to wait until mid-summer Pte D. Evans,... 31 33 29 for the cold weather. The family man
Sgt. Monuk,
A1 246 31 88 Sgt. Bradbury,...... 28 25 31 34 earning: $250 month inust had his C. 8. M. Duncan.... 28 31 82 position very embarrassing in these Gny, Green,
27 27 82 Gar. Serby,
20 31 81 Corpl. Martin,
25 72 Br. Railton, Lt. Danby, L/C Heath,
a
days, for his choice lies between hunger, cold, or debt. Those in receipt of sterling salaries must also be in an unenviable plight. We are told that the value of the sovereign has fallen in England since the war to Ms. Od. The purchasing power of the sovereign in Hongkong must be even less, Everybody expects so pay more now than formerly, but that is no reason why we should be exploited.
3
98
93
THE ROUMANIAN DEBACLE.
Several things have contributed ́ ̈to bring about the crisis. In a measure it
is given tiran before. The viltte placed
is traceable to the unhappy and alto-on all these assets is £12,400,000, and re- gether deplorable consequences. Tixe
membering the cautious policy followed offees is felt not only in London, but in long regime, from which there is very Thomas Sutherland's throughout Bir Paris, Petrograd and Rome, to say unlikely to have been change since. the nothing of neutral nations. The Allies fusion, two years ago with the British are professedly fighting for the rights of India, it may be assumed that it is at the smaller nationalities, the right to live least in no way an excessive one. Deben- in their own way, to realise their own ture stock to the amount of £100,000 has ideals, to fulfil their destiny unhindered been redeemed during the year, but the yds yds. yds. Total by Germany, and uninfluenced by the directors remind the proprietors that the hase spirit of greed and gross material company has power to re-issue this ht ism which we recognise now as the con- any time, in crete expression of "kultur,” the world which is hateful beyond any other in the language of men. Yet what do we set The sworn champions of the small nations are so far unable effectively to protect their little friends. Belgium went down at the outset of the war, and for 28 montha that gallant people have drained the cup of bitterness. The Allies cannot be rightly blamed For that, for reasons that are well understood; but Serbia has undergone the same dreadful torment, and now we find the Houmanians put to the torture and forced to suffer the unspeakable agony of invasion by the duns, No wonder the heart of England is stirred, and that men of all classes are asking how it came to pass that the British Government, in conjunction with the were unable to prevent this tragedy. other partners in the Grand Alliancé,
SOMEONE HAS BLUNDERED,
66
21
24
22
60
10
23
63
273. 255 254
782
HOCKEY.
VOLUNTEERS v. R.G.A.
The Volunteer "B" team to meet the 37th Coy. I.G.A. at Happy Valley to day will be as follows:-Edmonds, Rail
Not, it must be confessed, without
The Roumanians have retired before the enemies of their race because they are short of shells the explanation at which 1 hinted a month ago would preb ably prove to be the correct one. But, that ming the case, how comes it that the Allies let Roumanie come into the war when she did? That is the question which everybody is asking. There may, of course, be a good and suficient answer to the question, but it is not apparent and has never been stated. There was ample experience of the quantity of guns and shells which would be required, and with the matter it was that the Germans if anything was certain in connection
would put forth super-human efforts in order to crush the little nation which sure to fall, and yet when it is delivered had dared to oppose them. The blow was
the fact is made apparent that the hard lesson of Belgium and Serbia had not, situation which has arisen public opinion apparently, been taken to heart. For the here holds that the Allies are to blame, and it is felt that there has been blunder ing and culpable mismanagement, THE GOVERNMENT'S LETHARGY,
(The increased profits have been earned in spite of the facts that "the expense of loading and discharging the steamers. owing to the rise in wages, has greatly increased; and the cost of vicinalling, which running, and working the ships, reference was made in the last report, has been much higher than it was during the previous year, in addition to which London Dock dues have been augmented to cover the higher rates paid for labour and the Suez Canal Company's tariff has been raised." In a further reference to costs it is stated that the mail services have been maintained with regularity, but at great additional cost, and the mail matter has increased to such an extent that in many cases there has been little, and in suine cases no, zoom whatever for cargo in the anail steamers.
?
Of
LOSSES AND NEW DONSTRUCTION. Regarding war losses and construction, the report. remarke that by nine steamers during the year.
the company's fleet has been reduced these, four have been approprinted by the Government, and five have been lost, we having bours sunkt by thomy, sub mazines in the Mediterranean and on by an enemy mine off Dover. The cam pany has suffered severely by the loss of the survices of these ships. The two mail steamers which have been
·úider construction for one time have made a certain amount of progress, as, well as two large vessels with refrigera tion which were ordered in the early part of 1918, but construction has been greatly. monts. delayed owing to Admiralty require
As soon as the building yards are in a position to construct mercantile tonnage with a prospect of assured de- livery, soveral new ships will be ordered.' satisfactory in view of the statement that half of the company's fleet has been in the service of the Government during the past year at pre-war rates. Including the British India and also the New Zea-
The excellence of the results is the more
land Shipping and Federal feets which were acquired this year, the total ship-
ping owned by the company is given ne 1.000,800 tons gross.
the food policy was announced, and re-
Is it strictly legal for members of the ton, Hickling: Haskett, Martin, Rals Police Roserve to serve on juries? A
ton: Kay, Stalker, Evans, Southerton correspondent has written pointing out and Rouse. Bully-off: 4.45 p.m. Colours: that the recently-issued Jury List forms White. have been sent to many Police Reservists, and he facetiously asks if this is exactly comme 4 faut in view of the performance even thought they have the fact that ordinary policemen, seen it done. At all events, I should "in their leisure moments, are
not not advise them to get taken into állowed to decide the guilt or inno custody for the purpose of making the Sconce of prisoners who are sent for trial experiment.
He does not impute any bias or unfair-
A very plucky, rescue from drowning, 158 to those members of the Police I hear, was effected the other evening Beserve who have been empanelled un by an Indian member of the Police juries in the past, but merely asks if Reserve, who jumped into the water and their service is really in accordance with swam with his man for some fifty yard: the true spirit of justice. It might before assistance could be given him. As easily happen, he says, that the whole a sign of the constable's coolness and Beven jurors were policemen (Reserves), due regard for the proprieties I may and in such a case the defending counsel add that, being in mufti at the time, he might have a lot to say on the subject, slipped his armlet on before making the It is within the realms of possibility, plunge! also, that a prisoner might be defended by an officer of the Police Reserve, in- stracted by another officer of the Police some justification, Hongkong is often Reserve, and that the jury might all be accused of being behind the times. This
bendations of the Man-Power Board. were published ten weeks ago, but no- thing has been done to give effect to them. subordinate members of the same force! charge, however, cannot be levelled What would counsel for the Crown have against the Tramway Company, for
Nobody wants to cavil unduly, but it is unfortunate that in these matters. AM to say to that i.
during the past week you could travel
well as in many others which space will The Police Reserve were responsible reach the junction of Pedder Street and a considerable distance by their care and
not allow me to discuss, there are evid ences of nervelessness and chronic inde
cision. for another fine boxing programme at Des Voeux Road before you started
Lord Rosebery once said that we generally "muddled through our the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening, according to the clock so thoughtfully and the Westminster Guzette are found wars, but this war is on too big a scale, our chief enemy is too well organized, and, there was a crowded house, despite erected at that point. This can only be among the critica it may be concluded) the rumour which had been circulated by beaten by the submarine cable or by the The Cabinet have exhibited a fatal tend. I through will not servo our purpose at that discontent is pretty widespread. and the issues are so vital that muddling some mischievous person that Stapleton London evening newspapers, which pub-ency to postpone the settlement of urgent THE BINKING OF HOSPITAL SHIPS,
home or abroad; would not be able to meet Scott in the lish a six o'clock edition at 4 o'clock problems, and they show a lack of the The sinking of hospital ships is the big fight of the evening. It was a short: in the afternoon.
energy and driving force necessary to latest infamy of the infamous uation win the war. It is said that a Cabinet which aspires to rule the world and pro- lived encounter, Ecott polishing off the
of 23 persons is too unwieldy a body to tends that it is fighting for the "Freedom challenger of his championship honours A correspondent asks whether my note conduct affairs, especially as the essence. in two minutes. One would like to on the subject last week implies that of success in warfare lies in the ability of the seas." The crime has served to to take prompt and vigerous action as cepen, the resentment of the country Scolt fully extended with all the Government is not associating itself occasion demands. There have been seriore almost than anything that has gone his skill brought into play, but local with the new, War. Savings Association,
uus mistakes, some of them avoidable, before. It is on a par with the torture and it is believed that the war will inevit of English prisoners of war in German" sportsmen will be denied this, for Scott The answer to the question, as they say ably last longer than would otherwise be prison camps, the Zeppelin murders of is shortly leaving for a
part of the in the House of Commons, is in the the case had there been less procrastina Owen and children, and the judicial murders of Nurse Cavell and Captain world where he will be engaged in the negative. The Government studiously THE FATAL POLICY OF DRIFT.
tion and delay.
Fryatt. It shows the kind of foe - we grimmest of all contests. By his depar refrained from taking the initiative, but The instinct of the nation, which is
are up against, and it has hardened the determination of our people to fight on ture the Colony will lose one of its new that the scheme is to be carried always sound where the interests of the until we have rid the earth of the devile
Empire are concerned, suggests that the most popular boxers, and a good, eleau | into effect by a group of public-spirited policy of drift, if allowed to go on much who are capable of such monstrous deeds.
see
all-round sportsman.
Apart from the Roumanian question, which I have referred to at some length because it has overshadowed everything else for several weeks, the Government has lost the confidence of the country to a considerable extent for other reasons Perhaps the simplest way to describe the position is to say that the country is abend of the Government in grim determination to carry on to a victorious the people, the latter are urging Minis conclusion. Instead of Ministers leading
When papers like the Daily Chronicle
tera to wake up and get on with the war,
SUBMARINE PIRACY. residents you may safely count upon the longer, may prove fatal to our cause. Government having a finger in the pie.
an-
"Within sound of the Buna; war
in the end. While Germany is mobilising settled policy of sending to the bottom Germany has evidently resolved upon a Some of the spectators saw an element
every man and woman in the country we
every British ship the can with the of humour in
are going on in a more or less haphazard object of reducing tonnage and starving the exhibition at a The latest in Chinese kinema Police Reserve Assault-at-Arms of the nouncementa:-
way. There is no sacrifice which the nation is not prepared to make to wins into surrender. In this connection it "The road to her hart; 6,000 feet but the Government must give a leads useful to note that, on the authority That, however, is what is lacking. It is of Mr. Runciman in a recent speech, the certain that we can never beat the enemy to the end of September was only 2 per loss of British ships through submarines unless the present methods are changed. A year ago last July a strong Committee cent. of the total mercantile marine, Tonnage is undoubtedly short, but that appointed by the Government reported is owing to the demands of the Govern on the question of food supplies, batment, who have to maintain vast armies their recommendations were ignored until a few weeks ago when, owing to hopes of reducing England to impotence in various theatres of war: The German high price and growing unrest, they were adopted and a Food Director was decided upon. But here again there is delay, as a fortnight bas elapsed since (Continued of foot of next column.)
way in which to wriggle out of handcuffs. Each fent was announced in all serious long." ness, but there were some who could not help smiling at the incongruity of a
Sim." police official proclaiming that Peppis would give a demonstration of how to escape from handcuffs, stocka, and even Siberian chains, I doubt, however, whether those who looked on could copy (Continued at foot of next column.} *
է
"The Kaiser at Home; tragic." "Little Willie's Wayt; comic." "On Some (Bomme) front." For unconscious humour these an nouncements are hard to beat.
RODERICK RANDOM,
by submarine piracy are doomed to doubt, regardless of the laws of God failure; but the piracy will go on, no until the authors of it are besten by force of arms,
INTIMATIONS
LANE,
CRAWFORD & Co.
ESTABLISHED 1850.
TELEPHONE 3741.
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84.00 85.00 86.50 $8.50 PER BUTT.
| MORLEY'S KNITTED AND HEAVY MERINO
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DRESSING G
GOWNS $17.50 To $35.00
LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.
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