1924-03-08 — Page 5

BATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1974-

MARVELS IN OUR MIDST.

Fearsome Hongkong · Monsters.

LIVE UNICORN AND FROG DEITY,

Some Strange Local Legends.

Although famed abroad chiefly for its shipping and its com- merce, Hongkong is also a place of supernatural wonders. How many local residents know, for instance, that the Colony possesses-- chained to the City Hall itself!-a terrible monster which would spend its freedom o’nights devouring policemen and their dogs were it but given the chance-which has, indeed, already made one such ghastly meal? Likewise how many people here know that crawling painfully up the Peak is a deified Frog Rock which once had its face smacked by a Goddess and is now doing terrible penance for its sins? Yet it is so.

Terrible Affair. Europeans will laugh when told that the unicorn on the Royal cont-of-arms outside the top of the City Hall (facing the Supreme

THE CHINA MAILZAS

GOING HOME SOON. HONGKONG AND SINGAPOre.

years.

He was

M

Visitor Makes Some Comparisons.

SOME THINGS THAT

AT SINGAPORE LACKS.

A New Gold Mine Venture In The F.M.S.

Hongkong may have its faults and ils residents their eternal grumbles, but in the eyes of a visitor, it is a paradise compared with Singapore.... Shopping facilities, trade, public utilities and other. modern, amenities are fan, ahead, asserted a well known Singapore personage to a “China Mail” representative yesterday.

Mr. H. H. Willies, proprietor of

The Naval Base.

the Adelphi Hotel, business- Regarding the oft-discussed

man and popular resident of j Singapore, was eloquent in his proposal of a naval base at Singa crows. Once secured with the

Mr. "R. J. Wilton, veteran praises of Hongkong when pore, Mr. Willies said it seemed chain, however, it cannot move sportsman will bid farewell to the interviewed daring his short obvious to the residents down and the guardian lion is now Colony on March 22 when he stay here.. Hotel services there that the Government looked upon as the benevolent leaves for England to enjoy his the case with which one can intended proceeding with the deity with the solitary duty of Tramways Ltd., with whom he impression of the Colony brought at an almost feverish pace, Land retirement from the Hongkong obtain a taxi, and the general scheme. Work was progressing Court) can take actual animal

preventing further ravages. shape and rove about at night.

While on the subject of super- served as chief engineer for many forth many expressions, of admiro on the water, front had been Well, it does. Years ago before

Mr. Wilton has been tion from Mr. Willies. Bingapore bought up and there was every the era of electric and gas-lights in stitions associated with Hong- this island of Fragrant Streams. | kong, it is interesting to recall (chiefly identified with the Hong- he said, was much the same indication that, the naval base would sooner or later become an another fable which was given kong Football Association and usual.

New Gold Mine accomplished fact. He refused to considerable credence when, the Club being the President and

Mr. Willies is on a business and state his opinion on the political plague first became evident in the Chairman of both.. nineties and is still talked about responsible for the sponsoring of health tour combined, and left on issue of the scheme, but he would the stadium scheme. His genial the s.8. "China" this morning say that to all intents and pur- to-day.

presence on the football field and Besides being identified with, the poses, the project was going in the clubs will be missed very commercial life of Singapore ; as ahead despite the contrary re- much.

proprietor of the Adelphi Hotel, ports that were continually filter- which he assured the "China ling through in the newspapers. Mail" representative, had under gone a complete change, he is one of the leading fights in a new Industrial venture, the Kelanten Gold Mines, newly organised company with a capital of 3950,000, which promises to be an important factor in the industrial life of the Federated Malay Settlements. The start of pro- duction from the mine ta awaiting the report of a gold mining expert who is investigating its resources and prospects, and the finding is expected to be in the hands of the Directors two or three weeks. Mr. Willies was optimistic on the prospects of the mine. "

a European sergeant was patrol- ling the vicinity with his dog, when the ferociotis monster came down and ate the dog and then "the master, after the latter had tried to beat it back with his stick. At least this much is vouched for by a story among the Chinese. That the story is, given more credence than a mere legend is evident from the fact it is not only related to naughty children by their amahs, but that even to-day, there are many Chinese, common-sense and busi- ness agacity despite, who piaced implicit faith in it.

Should arguments-backed up by explanations of what the coat of-arms denote-be attempted, supporters of the fable will only pour out a torrent of sarcasm concerning new-fangled ideas. "Why," they will say, "just go and look at the "horse" and you w see a real iron chain round its

neck secured to the wall. The

lion opposite to it was borrowed from the set at the base of the fountain outside the other side of the City Hall (since replaced by another one) and with the aid of protective gods, was given the Apiritual power with which to exercise a restraining influence over the recalcitrant horse.”

Images That Take Human Shape.

!

Our Frog Deity. Somewhere near the top of the Peak there is a rock which is claimed to personify-the frog deity, whose evil ambition it is to get to the top when the island is devastated." Actually there are only a few who can say definitely where this big rock is, but it is supposed to resemble a giant frog. Some think that the Hog's Backc bears the resemblance while others point to the mass which can be approached from that part of Conduit Road near the Victoria Battery filter beds. Another cluster of almost upright boulders which are situated above Marble Hall, are also thought to be the "Frog Rock,"

SPIRITED AWAY.

MISSING LAUNCH MYSTERY.

STILL NO TRACE OF THE

"KWONG SHUN."

and

Following the unsigned letter received by the police from Macao on Thursday, in which it was stated that the missing ferry launch "Kweng Shun" was at a creek in the Heungshan district, Irrespective of the position, the

other. communications

upwards for some years till it got brought to the Chinese ferry com- story goes that it moved rapidly rumours have come to light.

First of all, there was a report perilously near the top when the "Heavenly Virgin" or "Kwoon pany's office by one of their wharf Yum" smacked its head with the inspectors who claims to be the result that it fell back a good dis-recipient of authentic informa- tion that the "Kwong Shun" was tance. For its audacity in daring found in the Shun Tak district to climb up to her preserves---this kindly-disposed goddess is rein that place.

and that the passengers were also Efforts to obtain sumed to watch over the island's

however, confirmation,

only destinies from a favourable posi-brought the usual result, that it charm over the Frog so that his was nothing more than a rumour. ascending abilities were reduced received a report from one of the

Late last night the company to not more than the length of officials it sent to investigate that grain of rice a year. So Hong. kongites can feel relieved. Mea- sured on that basis it will be a matter of centuries before Froggy can get anywhere near the danger zone again..

tion at the Peak-she cast a

People who have been in the interior of China for long will know the purport of two awe- inspiring images outside, the doors of big houses. These are the doorkeeper deities and it is com- monly believed that, especially in the case of those which face East, the early morning's sun-rays have, in course of time, converted Efforts have been made to trace the images into actual gods which the origin of this yarn but those take human form at night.. Arm, who have faith in it can only say

night.

Mr. Willieg's commercial inter- ests extend in several directions. He said he was financially con cerned in the success of the Theatrical Enterprises Limited, which includes the popular Quaint's party. It was the inten- tion of the company to induce first class artistes to visit the Far East and at present they had almost completed arrangements for the engagement of a famous Irish comedian, whose name Mr. Willles suid, he could not just yet reveal

Mah Jongg Craze. Referring to the social life of Singapore, Mr. Willies parti- said, was exceedingly low, and it of Mah Jongg. His wife was an The rubber trade, Mr. Willies cularly emphasised the popularity was needless to say that the expert in the game of the supply was greatly above the sparrows and every afternoon demand. The only salvation for headed a party and held Mah- the trade of the F.M.S. be declar-jongg teas which were proving ed, was in tin, which as con- very attractive. Dancing and club trasted with rubber was greatly life still held its sway as the social Exceeded in demand than in diversion and when the "China supply. Some of the authorities | Mall" representative asked rather in Singapore, said Mr. Willies, had timidly if they had yet heard the forecasted that the tendency of famous tune starting with the to $500 per ton, the price at pre- responded with a sincere sigh of the market in tin would raise it words "Yos--we," Mr. Willies sent being between £280, and relief that they had killed it long ago, which proves, that though

shops and tramcars, it is not Singapore may lack its taxis, its

altogether behind the times.

he has definitely ascertained that £390: The figure of £600 Mr. of pirates who were responsible highest that the price would there were seven men in the gang Willjes added, was about the for spiriting the launch away, reach. He is also quoted as reporting! that each of them was armed with a short fire-arm. He, men- tions Heungshan as a likely place. where the launch is hidden and

OBITUARY.

THE LATE MR. DAVID

HORNSBY.

FL. Scott, R. A. Nicholson (Manager Cosmopolitan Dock), W. J. Mat- thews, J. S. McIntosh, M. Stevenson, JB Hamilton W. Patton, V. Ranıpay, the Chinese: drughismen and others. Those who

sent wreaths, were-His

ed with a deadly weapon, they, that they were told by somebody will proceed there to look for it. are claimed to have harmed those else. Others with a reasonable who would dare approach with turn of mind can only attribute it [Shun Tak is the most fertile of ulterior motives in the dead of to the dislike of the foreigner the silk districts in the Canton-li

during the early days of the river delta, within a few hours of The death of Mr. David Horas-loving mother and father, sister Apparently, the same idea Colony's occupation when some Canton by junk,, and has as its by at the French Hospital ves and brother, Alice, Mr. and Mrs. exists with regard to the City patriot devised the story to scare capital Tai Leung which is to the terday morning has removed Nicholson, Mr. and Mrs. Neave, Hall unicorn. It is given its Chinese from settling here. per- north of the Heungshan district, from the Colony, one of its most Mr. W. J. Matthews and family, young men. Mr Mr. N. Stevenson, Messrs R. M malevolent powers because it is manently. It is said that when just opposite Macao. Kongmoon promising shone on by both the sun and the the plague was at its worst about would be at a tangent from both persion for appendicitfter an Dyer, V. Rameny, H. Church, moon. At any rate it is supposed thirty years ago there were many places at about equal distances operation for appendicitis He1. B. Hamilton, I Dixon, Smyth, to have become a semi-deity in who wondered if the Frog Rock from each.]

was a native of Sunderland and Mr. and Mrs Steel, Messrs E. Cock, was 26 years of age. that it can only elimb down at had not climbed to just near the Coastal and River Defence Com-Far East only four months, the Mr and Mrs. Haitley, Mr. W

Meanwhile the Kongmoon

G White, W: Robson, A. Duncan, Though he had been in the Mclutosh, Mr. and Mrs. Baxter, night to fly back when the cock | top..

missioner has promised the aid of late Mr. Hornshy had made Cochrane, Mr. J. O McLaggan, two Chinese gunboats to search many friends to whom the news the Kowloon Dock Recreation for the truant and it is believed of his death came as a great Club, the Chinese draughtsmen, that the company will avail itself shock. He was engaged in New- and many others.

HAINAN TROUBLES.

OFFICIAL SOLDIERS.

REVOLT.

LATEST UPS AND DOWNS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

KIUNGCHOW, HAINAN, March 4.. There had been no news of a

turaing out 10,000 rounds per day,

in operation constantly.

The internal development of

Hainan cannot be said to hasten

of the offer. Another suggestion Castle by Mr. R. M. Dyer, Chief made at the meeting between the Manager of the Hongkong and §.

Apologised for bis, language, yes, Jerday. The apology was accepted and the trial resumed Reater:

but still it must be admitted that a C.S.P. and the company's repre- Whampoa Dock Company as ship's Munich, March 6-The public little is being done all the time. sentatives, as reported yesterday, draughtsman. He leaves is prosecutor re-appeared in court The Holhow-Kiungchow Auto was that police launches should parents a brother and sister at and counsel for the defenco Transfer Co., is operating two sets patrol the routes taken by the Home to mourn his loss. of cars. Some with bus bodies company's ferries, and that the The high esteem in which the charge 10 cents fare and the others, number of launches outside or late Mr Hornsby was held, was which are ordinary touring cars, near the harbour entrances should impressively shown by the charge 20 cents. The low fare be increased.

large gathering of friends, and buses have almost driven horse-

business associates who attend- ed Happy Valley cemetery yester day to pay their last respects Among those present, were Mrs

London, March -Professor. Dreyer's new vaccine for tuber- culosis has falled to give expected resuits. Patients in very few cases have shown an Improvement, but

E. Cock (Assistant Manager), carried on with the vaccine. Messrs. E. L Hosie, T. Neave, Reuter,

Enquiries were nude in official disturbing nature in Hainan for carriages out of business, which circles again this morning but the some time, until a few days ago portends the ruin of a good many same reply that no definite news when reports came in of trouble Hainan ponits Telephone lines had been received was forth-R Mr-Dyer (Chief Manager), Mr further experiments are being on the Luichow Peninsula. are being extended by the officials. Former bandit chiefs have been One new line goes to Sam Klang coming.

From the company's offices it the officials in Si Vun district for in Vun Sio district and another some time and the refugees had connects this place with Lam was gathered that no further re all returned to their homes. Ko City along the northwest coast. ports had been received since last Markets had beer. reopened and The motor road from Kachek to night from the up-country in the people went back to their Yellow Bamboo (25-miles) is investigators. The man who had normal ways of living. Now the constant operation. Auto buses returned from Kongroot had not, people are fleeing again to Holhow get over the route, rain or sun-left last night as the company was for refuge. The trouble is said to shine. A new stretch of road is still considering Admiral Fung's be a revolt of the official soldiers being built to connect this city offer.

at Si Vun. Since these were with the river crossing at Pak A suggestion was made to an former robbers they are probably Siang. New care are ordered for expert that the "Kwong Shun" not very dependable. Refugees this new road and the transfer might have been purposely sunk number only a few hundreds company mentioned above.

A new middle school has been after, the passengers had been)

so far.

The former revolutionary leader, opened in the former German taken away, possibly to ransom, Chen Ki-zi's threat against the Consulate in Hojhow. Its name is but this was ridiculed, it being his the Hainan Common, Middle opinion, that it might have been

powers that be seems to have School. The principal is Mr. Gee, stranded up-river." proven entirely unsuccessful: He made a short raid in the Nodon a native of Shantong and a region to the west, but did not product of the national University dare to come out across the Golden at Nanking. The school expects River. Then he returned to his to be co-educational, a, rather home district and seized control of hazardous experiment for Hainan Leng Shui district for a time. But

MORE CIVIL WAR,

PERING, March

Chuan-fang s

Gen: Teng-ordered troops from Crampa in the Stomach here to attack him and he, No need of sailoring, from cramps in oasted Gen Teng seems to have the stomach or intestine, paina at ham won the good welll of the docal, 'bériaini acollo And Dartbook Heised. Gen people to a certain extent and he i nevez 2 ils to relieve the most severe appeared at chow, on possesses a large supply of arms ces Get it to-day; there will by po and drov and has an ammunition factory time to send for it after the attack comer Refi

an. For sie everywhere..

TEA MISSA

DCTAG:TITUCIONEZON

SPECTACLES.

00

LAZARUS

HONGKONGS ONET EUROPEAN

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1924.

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