March 25th, 1922]
ing and generally on business. Such fears, I am glad to say, proved not well founded. There has been a very consider- able amount of building during the past year and I had hoped it would be suffi- cient to relieve the previous shortage of housing accommodation to the extent that it would make it unnecessary to continue the Bill in operation. I am informed, however, that this has not been the case and it is still necessary to continue to keep this Bill alive; otherwise, tenants would be in the unfortunate position from which we had to rescue them 'ast year. They would be at the mercy of unscrupulous land'ords. I have, there- fore, to give notice that it is the intention of the Government to propose in the next few weeks that the Ordinance restricting rents shou'd be retained in operation another year. During the course of this year there have been communications to the effect that the Ordinance in certain circumstances had worked hardship on the landlords, and it might be that we shall think it desirable to introduce amendments which will require con- sideration. It will be of great assistance to the Government if those landlords or others who have found that the operation of the Ordinance as it stands needs amendment will inform the Government fully of the points to which they object in order that we may consider how far they weaken the principle of the measure.
THE ADJOURNMENT.
I propose that the Council adjourn till this day week, and as there will be very little before the Council, I propose, un- less members object, that we should meet at 12 o'clock on that day.
HIS EXCELLENCY intimated that he would like the members of the Council to re- main after the meeting of the Finance Committee.
HIS EXCELLENCY later returned to the Council Chamber, but this meeting was not open to the Press.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was he'd, the COLONIAL SECRETARY pre- siding.
RAILWAY NOTES.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,200 in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway, Other Charges Maintenance of Way, works and stations, repairs, Station buildings.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADÉ REPORT
them properly, and fill the cisterns ready for the next morning.
night
The Hon. Mr. POLLOCK: It is done at
The CHAIRMAN: Yes. The vote was agreed to.
EX-SERVICE MEN.
SUCCESSFUL RE-UNION DINNER.
"THE PEOPLE OF THE MIST."
The Ex-Active Service Men's Associa tion held a most successful re-union dinner at the Hongkong Hotel on March 18th. A large company assembled and the spirit of good comrade hip evoked in the trenches of France and Flanders was manifest in the gathering. The President (W. St. A. Malleson, V.C., R.N.) was in the chair and the guests included H.E. Sir John Fowler, K.C.M.G.. C. B., Colonel Nicholson. Mr. H. Percy Smith and Captain Fisher.
During the evening "The Silent Toast'' was honoured and the "Last Post "
was
sounded by one of the King's Regiment tume: a'so the sergeant in charge of the buglers. Old Bill " was there in cos-
rum issue. The menu card was as fol- lows:-
RATIONS.
1-Estaminet Cocktail.
3.
2. Trench Soup (and plenty of it).
Sole a la Whizz Bang. 4.-Fillet of Shrapnel en Hellfire
Corner.
5.
"Somme " Chicken. 6-Iced Asparagus (of your dreams). 7.-Pipsqueak en Surprise. 8-Mi'ls Bombs on Toast. 9. Dessert (please don't). 10.-Coffee and Rum (Watch the Ser-
geant Major).
Professor MIDDLETON SMITH, in proposing the toast of the Association, con- gratulated the Association on the pleasant reunions it had organised to keep members
in
the
spoke of the value of keeping green
touch with one another, and memories of the great effort the Empire made in 1914-1918. The times, he said, were somewhat out of joint and the future would not be bright unless the splendid spirit of comradeship and high endeavour shown in the war continued to prevail.
The PRESIDENT (Lieut. Malleson, V. C.), in responding to the toast, laid emphasis on the need of a club where ex-Service men could meet and be sure of finding the glad hand extended to them. He did not think the Association would ever get going pro- perly until they had acquired a club house of their own.
The CHAIRMAN: The Engineer of the railway has reported that in consequence of the abnormally heavy traffic recently passing through, the collapsible gates have been seriously damaged ard should be taken in hand at once. There are new gates and it is proposed to utilise them.speech. and the estimate for carrying this work into effect is $1,200.
The Governor recommended the Counci} to vote a sum of $5,386 on account of Kowloon-Canton Railway, Special Ex- penditure, additional sidings, Loco Yard. Hunghom.
Mr. Tom WRIGHT responded to a call for a
were
25
305
of this Association-to be able to providea greeting for newcomers. It was scandalo could not get into any home to think that men coming out from Home or club. He would like to stop that. He would like to put their secretary on the wharf to meet every boat that came in. They were very glad to see the visitors, and he wanted them to realise that the Association had 150 members without a clubhouse and in that it was up to them to find one. extending a cordial welcome to General Fowler, Mr. Mackintosh said that they were ready to follow the General in the battle of peace as they did in the battles of war- (Applause).
Major General FOWLER, replying on behalf of the visitors, said that he felt greatly hon- oured by having been invited to reply to this toast. As far as he was concerned he would assist the Association to the utmost of his ability. He also looked to the Associa tion to help in the maintaining of order.
A voice: We will do our best for you, Sir. During the evening an excellent con- cert took place and the whole assembly joined in many songs reminiscent of army life.
THE BRITISH LEGION.
REPETITION OF THE ANNUAL
MEETING.
The British Legion, aggrieved by the stabs of the anonymous letter-writer, held its annual meeting over again at the City Hall on March 20th, The Committee, elect- ed at a sparsely attended meeting during the strike, had resigned en bloc. This time there was a large attendance.
A "vote of confidence" in the Presi- dent (Brig.-General E. B. Macnaghten) was indicated by his being elected to the chair. Someone then proposed that the decisions of the earlier meeting should be
Another endorsed forthwith.
member
thought it would be better to have each name formally proposed and seconded. In the end the course was adopted of asking members to fill in ballot papers choice, from the full list of members of taking the names, according to their the Legion.
The result of the ballot was declared, alter as follows:-
President, Brig.-General E. B. Mac- naghten; Chairman, Mr. A. Murdoch; Vice-Chairman, Mr. H. C. Gray; Hon. Secretary, Mr. H. K. Holmes; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. W. J. Hawker; Hon. Auditors, Mr. H. Spicer and Mr. A. Piercy.
Committee.-Lieut. Conway Hake, the Rev. C. C'ouston Porri, Mr. G. K. Hall Bratton, Lieut.-Col. L. G. Bird, Mr. T. W. Hill, Mr. M. H. Turner, Mr. H. W. Roberts, Mr. F. W. James and Mr. H. S. Burleigh.
In the course of the proceedings the Chairman read a letter from the Captain Superintendent of Police stating that the Legion had been the first to offer services in the special constabulary during the strike and thanking them for the excellent example set and the good work done.
over.
Dr. TEESDALE MACKINTOSH, in proposing the toast of "The Visitors," urged those of the guests who were eligible to become mem- Sunday dawned they got hold of the secre bers of the Ass ciation to see that before try and joined up. To those who "really bona fide visitors" he appealed for
AMATEUR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP. their support and sympathy. "We have" said Dr. Mackintosh "annoyed a great many people in this Colony (Cheers) and we have whelming majority of amateur golfers
A London telegram says:-An trod upon a great many peoples' corns. If these people have corns they must
voted in favour of the suggested new expect to have them trod upon." A gentleman
Amateur Championship rules, which in- clude who was a parson had suggested to him that
a stroke qualifying competition Hongkong needed
over 38 holes. Thirty-two competitors are a quiet day in the Cathedral Hongkong did not want a quiet will be played over thirty-six holes. A to qualify and the matches afterwards day. What Hongkong wanted was an earth- quake (Loud cheers). He wanted this total number of 247 competitors in the Association to provide that earthquakecularised and 129 voted for the change, The Hon. Mr. PARR: Does it mean that (Hear, hear). He wanted it to put an end to
1920 and 1921 championships were cir- trains will have to proceed to Hunghom this splendid spirit of isolation" and this The CHAIRMAN: The fact is that with peculiar halo that surrounded the people the present accommodation it is impos- who dwelt so many hundred feet above the sible to clean the coaches in time for the sea level. He wanted to bring them down next day's traffic, but if they have them out of the fog. That was the wkor concentrated in one place they can clean
The CHAIRMAN: The Manager of the Railway states that they are experiencing great difficulty in the cleaning of the coaches. This work is done at Hunghom at the loco vard, and after discussing the matter with the Traffic Superintendent it was decided to concentrate and trans. fer the whole of the cleaning to Hung hom, putting in three sidings and laying additional water pipes.
19 against and 90 did not reply. A peti- tion was presented to the authorities forthwith with the request that this revi Fion will govern the 1922 championship at Prestwich in May.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.