1933-04-05 — Page 7

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HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1933

*

"GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND THINGS HONG KONG, CANTON AND

MR. CHAMPKIN'S WITTY ADDRESS

AT THE ROTARY CLUB

ASSISTING LORD SALISBURY WITH QUEEN VICTORIA'S GOVERNMENT

One of the most delightful speeches delivered in the Rotary Club was that given by Mr. O. Champkin yesterday under the title of Government Offices and Things." The speaker provoked roars of laughter from his hearers and it was a treat to listen to the story of his association with the Civil Service during the latter years of Queen Victoria's reign. The Rotary Club showed its ap- preciation of the address in no uncertailu manner, and when Mr. Champkin resumed his seat the applause was very prolonged,

The Hon. Dr. 8. W. Tso prosided at the meeting and there were a number of local guests present lucluding Mr. E. L. Wynne Jones, Mr. T. M. Hazelrigg and Mr. W. J. Carrie,

A TALE OF

*TEMPORARY WRITERS

MF Champkin said:

(Laughter.) It appeared, however, I have noticed latterly that people that twice a week we were under have developed a deplorable habit a kind of moral compulsion to have of minding their own business! I two shillings, or a couple of bob, dare say society is all the better on the four o'clock race somewhere for it, but there can be no question or other. The Senior Boy spent that this insidious inclination has the whole morning collecting, florins dispossessed us in Hong Kong of from the staff, that was liberally many of the simple pleasures we assumed to have spent the previous formerly enjoyed. (Laughter.) It evening in an intensive study of is probably also responsible for the "Ruff's Guide to the Turf." The fact that none of you know, and fowless industrious pinned their faith of you will care when I tell you to Captain Coo's Finals for Hurst that I spent some active and inter-Park, Kempton Park or some other esting years in Her late Majesty's Civil Service,

The great majority of the inter esting characters I know have long since gone, or, as a Civil Service poet in my daye put it-

«

have quit this earth for regions brighter Where the Board of Trade's not needed and the Treasury's un- known

And Cadeta are on a level with

the writer."

Park. These moneys were made up in bags, and handed in at twelve noon to a middleaged Clerk in charge of the Department. He was popularly supposed to transfer them public house just off Knightrider to a rednosed bookmaker in a quiet Street. (Laughter.) There were did nothing of the kind. (Laugh- kurk suggestions, however, that he ter.) All I can say, after lapse of thirty-seven years, is that on the rare occasions when I backed a A few perhaps still linger on in winner I was duly paid the odds retirement at Cheltenham, to which less the Seuior Boy's commission. ancient city, for some curious rea-Unfortunately I did not stay there son, most Civil Servants gravitate long enough to become the Senior on retirement. The old cemetery Boy. (Laughter.) at Cheltenham is a kind of Acel- dama of ancient service animosities,

Speaking of another department where lions like Colonial Secre-

where he served, Mr. Champkin taries lie down peaceably at the

stid end of their days with lambs like Assistant Clerks of the Abstractor Class and even baa-lambs like Boy Clerks, to which latter lowly grade I formerly belonged.

Fortunately though somewhat unjustly-I have no government pension (laughter) and after a lapse of sothe thirty-five years I suppose I am beyond the reach of official reprisals. I feel therefore that I can safely tell you something about

the way you were governed from Whitehall in the very spacious day's when Queen Victoria was on the throne and Lord Salisbury and my self were quite near neighboura in Westminster. (Laughter.).

The Empire Reconstruction Office, as I shall conveniently call it, was, and in fact still is, situated in a quiet street opposite a quiet public house in a quiet part of West- minster.

It seemed to me that there was a reassuring air of reposo

nocommodation available was in tho basement of the Custom House, close to the Tower of London, It was next door to what was known "The Queen's Pipe " where smuggled tobacco wris sacrilegiously burned on lawful occasions. The Custom House, of course, treated Is with contempt and showed it through the Hall Porter, who might easily have been mistaken for a Siamese Admiral or a Fireman in Levee Dress. (Laughter.) · He was probably a model husband and the devoted father of quite a lot of children in Tooting or somewhere, but it was very difficult indeed to imagine him in pyjamak (Laugh- ter.)

Apart from the landlordly control exercised by the Custom House, subject to the administrative con trol of the Board of Trade and the disciplinary control of the Admiral- ty, there was a certain measure of departmental contol claimed by the Fisheries Board, though it was never vory clearly defined. Also as very exclusiva body of charming old gentlemen, austly admirale, belong. ing to a kind of Masonic Lodge called the Elder Brethren of Trinity House stirred themselves into a tivity when, on rare occasions, we fell foul of their Trinitarian prin- ciples.

Like Dombey and Son.

of this kind could lend little per- You might suppose that an Officer

sonality to the conception of Gov- ernment. As a fact our Depart ment had more personality than the whole of Whitehall. At first sight of Domboy and Son. At second it dooked like the counting-house sight the impression was confirmed wall deska and the very high stools (Laughter.) Here were the sloping

polished by a century of trouser. ings and smooth-worn with age.

MACAO S. B. CO., LTD.

YESTERDAY'S ANNUAL MEETING

AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER SHIPPING

OWNERS

The one hundredth and thirteenth ordinary yearly meeting of shareholders of the Hong Kong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Co., Ltd. was held in Queen's Building yesterday. Sir Robert Ho Tung was in the chair, and in the course of his review of the activities during the past year,

В reported

not lons of " 808,048 which he attributed to the high cost of coal and keen com-. petition, by the other Chinese Companies. Sir Robert also stated that two pool agreements with these Companies had been concluded and hoped that the result would prove beneficial to the parties concerned,

SHIPPING ACCIDENTS IN 1932

Those present at the meeting

wore

Sir Robert Ho Tung, Kt. (Chair uan), Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga, Messre. M. K. Lo, CA da Roza, Directors), Mr. G. E. Ellams R. K. Batchelor, Li Tse Fong Secretary), Messrs. M. H. Lo, M. Fernandez, Hung Tze Yee, Wei Tat, Luk Pak To, Kwan Yau Kwong and She Chun Sun (Share holders)..

steamer repairs still remain high in comparison with those ruling prior to 1001, and certain heavy but necessary special repairs had to be carried out to your vessels in order: and proper condition for the Com that they be maintained in a fit pany's trade purposes. I can assure you that this very important matter has and is receiving the closest supervision from the Com-. pany's Superintendents and no un- necessary expenditure has, in any instance, been incurred.

THE CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH

The amount of 855,420.50 that it In moving for the adoption of the is proposed should be written off report and statement of accounts, value of stamens is the usual 5 per the Chairman said:Gentlemen,cent of last book vaines and does The profit on working for the year not call for special comment.

amounts to 8129,095.34 which, with you will notice among Liabilities under review, including income from

On referring to the Balance Sheet investments, rents and transfer fees, the credit of $43,050.84 brought for the Investment Fluctuation Account $173,740.18. 1 regret, however, to tioned in the accounts, not only ward from 1931, makes a total of showing an increase during 1939 of $97,726.38. This amount, as -men- tate that this amount is not suff-includes the amount added for share cient to cover cost of repairs, investment appreciation but also the Seventy-five per cent of the staff Directors' and Auditors Fees,. In balance remaining of the reverse had long white beards and belong-terest. on overdraft and the amount ed to a class called Temporary allocated for the usual depreciation made last year on account of out Writers, long since extinct. They of steamer values na proposed for standing Exchange Contracts which wore so temporary that some of your approval and detailed in the contracts, I am pleased to say, have now been closed, and there will be report before you. ** them had been there fifty years.

no further liability on the part of. Some used quill pens and at least

After making the necessary, ap-the Company in regard to Exchange propriations for the various items Contracts. oné preferred silver sand to blotting have just mentioned, there re-think, be made also to "Wharves Reference should, I paper. (Laughter.) The doyen was

mains at debit the sum of 889,648.16, and Moorings" included among an aged man named Salter. Those which your Directors recommend to the Assets to which you will note an of you most of you, in fact-who be carried forward to a new amount of 846,983,87 has been added hang around the bar of the Hong count, Kong Club must have noticed a me

in the course of the year under re Needless to say, your Directors view. This amount represents cost steel engraving at the entranea en- regret that they have not a more of replacement and/or major re and tranquillity about it, or per- titled The Banquet to the Penin-satisfactory statement of the year's pairs which yuur architects sular Veterans.” Underneath is a working to place before you; but, certified may be capitalized. haps I should say a delightful at- mosphere of aimless apathy and low-key plan, one of those things where as most of you will appreciate, the conditions that prevailed locally tensioned lethargy. (Laughter.)

during 1933 were extremely difficult and all tended to make profitable steamer trading practically impos sible. Competition, in particular as regards the Macro service, was ex tremely keen throughout the period under review.. Despite this fact no effort was relaxed to secure for your Company's vessels their full charc of the trade both of passenger

factors such as the low value of the and cargo.

In addition to the adverse trade

depreciation in Canton Currency which represente about one half of up to Cantem on January 11. Was the talkings on both the Canton and run into by is small Chinese-owned Macao run, cost of coal and repairs of life being incurred or hoary steamer luckily, without any loss (to which I had also to refer in my report to you last year), the heavy material damage to either stemmer. iccreases of Customs duties on practically all commodities shipped both to and out of Canton have had a very appreciable effect on the ac- tivities of cargo shippers

I do not consider any other item in the accounts calle for special comment, but should I have omitted teference to any subject to which you require further explanation, shall be glad to give you all in- formation possible upon completing my review.

I had a very agreeable time there. The Head of the Depart ment was closely related to the peerage but had a profound con- tempt for the idle rich (Laughter.) He is now in the House of Lords where I am sure he spends most of because the Treasury is in White tolling the virtue of working for a I said governed from Whitehall his time in the Smoking Room ex-

hall and where the Treasury think it was Shenstone-or it may of my duties to make his afternoon there the Government is also..living. (Laughter.) It was part Shenton-(laughter) tea. In return he gave me some who said that the proper way of invaluable hints on the colouring of to the key plan on this painting will Hong Kong Dollar, continued heavy The as Kinshan while on her way i

hevo

been

all the faces are left unintelligently blank and numbered a very excel lont idem by the way, that might well be applied to photographic groups of people who play golf. (Laughter.) The plan would so oftum show more faithful portraits than the photograph. (Loud laugh ter.) Well, to get back to my friend Salter. It was not unusual a century

historical interest to include his own ago for the artist of a picture of portrait somewhere, and a reference increasing our love for the State 18 meerschaum pipes. (Laughter.) He show "The artist, Mr. Salter " to serve it. After serving in three smoked a meerschaum in preference modestly standing in the doorway offices of the State, I can say with

to in briar because when he dropped of the banqueting hall at Apsley Some confidence that most of the it on the marble floor he was

House benignly regarding the Civil Servants with whom I care

saved the effort of picking it up. generals of the Peninsular War. He in contact found no difficulty in (Loud laughter.) With the mingled was the fatter of my old office dissembling their love-specially for the most important Department familiarity and reverence that marks colleague. of State, the Treasury. All Civil the discourse of cultured persons on Servants, from First Class Clerks momentous affairs we discussed in down to those who actually work, Inn informative way the comparative move in their separate orbits round merits of red pepper and tobacco the Treasury. It is the only Gov- sauce in the preparation of prairie ernment Department that may not oysters. There was not one of the be spoken of lightly. The League

Shipping Accidents.

Before resuming my seat I will in which your vessels were involved make a brief reference to accidents

during the early part of last year.

On March 19 a far more serious collision occurred when, during foggy weather, the Company's vessel Theology in Office Hours:

Sui Tai aad ag Venezia collided, There was another very aged and

causing considerable damage to both vessels in addition to a re The Canton Run. ⠀ delightful Writer who was is mine.

grottable loss of life on the 5.5. would discuss for hours the essen of information on Theology He

Another factor responsible for the Venezia and to which I referred in tial points of difference between decrease in the earnings for the the Chairman's address to you, last Faith. He had one unfortunate dedine in the Chinese theatrical arising out of the collision a Marme failing his life was a spirited pro business, which has suffered on a Court of Emjully was held here on ever jested about the Treasury. I was transferred to Somerset test against the errors and extra count of the change-over of the March 30 at which the Company's officers were completely exonerated The first office that I worked in Housa and when I heard the dreadz vagances of total abstinence (Lou theatres through the growing popu-of all blame. Following on the repult. whs one of the biggest, and froin ful news I prudently took to my laughter.) He had a modest chep The carrying of the theatrical on the advice of your Superinten tarity of cinema halls in the Colony of this Enquiry and also acting the point of view of the taxpayer, bed with a severe cold or something every day at a quiet public houss parties necounted for a decrease of dents, legal proceedings were start- one of the most profitable of the and let somebody else have the off Great Tower Street called "The over $40,000 last year... Government Offices, for it was not one of the spending, but one of the job. (Laughter.) Contrary to Three Kingdoms. That's the third To revert to the accounts and ined against the owners of as Venezia Saving Departments. My immedi general belief Somerset House is, quiet public house that I have menerder to explain in more detail the order to recover the cost of re ate Chief was a very lugubribus or was, the most efficient up-to-date tinned. (Laughter.) In the after items leading up to the final result is necessary owing to the coili- Second Division Clerk. He seemed and best managed Department in noon he was apt to get a little of the year's working I propose to sion, and lows of earnings suffered to be wrapped about in a mantle the Service. Hard work, no allow drowsy and unless carefully watch give you a few comparative figures, Sui. Tai during her period off service. The case did not, how- of mental mournfulness and gloom. ancos, strict discipline and other ed would fall asleep and slide from with those for 1831.

Total steamer earnings during

ever,

reach the Court as the Corn- He reminded me of an ancient nose-to-the grindstone ideas prevail his high stool to the floor with a Greek tragedian nccompanied by t

1992 are less by $77,756.81 than those Pazy's claim for compensation was ed there in those days and it was devastating clatter. After a moment obtained during the previous year. settled on a friendly basis. chorus of shades. He tried to bu

of paralysing silence the white amiable sometimes, but it was that very unpopular in consequence.

Income from Investments for 1939 Although the matter does not sp bearded Chief and the aged Writer produced 89,356.88 less than in 1991; pertain to the year 100, I feel I ghastly kind of amiability that may

would engage in an angry alterca this reduction is almost entirely-ne-should-avail myself of this first be found at an. Old Boys Dinner (laughter) or a ten-and-bun gather

tion something like this-

counted for by the higher rate of opportunity to acquaint agrébold ing sta diocesan conference-cause I had the extraordinarily

exchange for sterling dividends colors with the fact that, after pro- lected of certain of the Company's tracted and arduous negotiations things that remind one shuddering good fortune to be appointed almost ly of cold boiled potatoes on a foggy | immediately to the most popular

Becurition.

your Chairman succeeded in con- night. (Laughter.) After I left the of all Government Offices one of

General disbursemente, covering dluding two Pool Agreement with Department-as a matter of fact it those dear delightful Dickens-like.

all items of expenditure in the forro Chinese stenmalijp owners operating I left-he Departments that Boy Clerks. was mainly because

of wages,

stores and usual outgoings both on the Canton and Macso run developed rather sunny disposi dreamed about. This Department

incurred in the running of steamers It is too early yet to predict the tion (laughter) and years later be

lave, as in former years received net mult of the Agreements which game, and I am glad to say he still was a branch of the Admiralty, but

the closest attention from your it is hoped, might prove beneficial IB, one of England's greatest for some reason or other the Ad

Directors and a reduction of to the parties concerned. humourists-Mr. W. W. Jacohi, miralty couldn't be bothered with

30.901.84 for 1932 will ope, be The proposal was seconded by Mr. "creator of that delightful trio of it and dumped it on the Board of

considered is extremely

M. H. Lo and carried unanimously, price of. Cool, which represents the waterside rascals, Ginger Dick, Trade for administrative purposes Peter Huboet and fem ampll Chilo minize for them plzz

your operating ex-

OTHER MATTERS. plause)"

ciplinary control. Naturally the

however, to be in a position to state that for the current year, & new oor. track for Coal has been entered into showing a substantial, saving.

Repairs.

of Nations, of course, is not to be staff who didn't feel that there was Predestination and Justification by Canton, run is to be found in the year. Owing to the loss of lifė | laughed at--at least not very loud much to be learned by listening.

(Laughter.) ly (laughter) but no Civil Servants

A Delightful Department. I was glad I didn't go there, be,

"Dammit sir, I wish you wouldn't

do that sirl" Dammit yourself sir! Did I bring these cursed stools in the office sir!!! Never mind about that sir Have the goodness not to do it again sir." "Then get soare chairs and tables in the office sir...I'd have you know that I'm not & damned aerobat sir! "A

t

will: do air!?!

There were about two hundred Board of Trade regarded this as boys of my age in this office and us an intolerable affront and thrust (Laughter.) Five minutes after they soon na I had got down to work the Department forth from its care. would be engaged

friendly

Hypostatic Union, (Laughter.) The old gentleman was as fully prepared to argue atheistically that there is. no soul as he wen to argue Chris (Continued on Page 9).

was naked by the Senior Boy for They gave, it separate Depart argument on Positivism or the my coupler-bob. I didn't quite know what a coupler-boh who, but it sounded like one of those things used in mending batarbom pipes so I explained that I was the new Clerk and not a plumber's mate,

mental name and left it to and office socommodation where it could. with the provisp that it should be as far as possible from the Bo of Trade (Laughter.). The

On the proposal of Mr. Hung Thze Yen and seconded by fr Fernandez, Bir Bobert He Tung and Mr. M. K. Lol were re-elected dire torpangka

Messrs Linstoad and DavẨN

Repaire to stedtners and wharves | Mem exponditure item that citle amounting to ~18166,230,665 1

particular comment. Charges for

Registered Clubs

by

Perfect

"Bobby" Jones

balance

and workmanship

throughout.

For:

With theNEW flanged Sole The Greatest Endeavour yet to Perfect and Simplify Golf.

A Perfect Swing-

A Perfectly Balanced Hit-

&

a Perfect follow » through,

ANE, CRAWFORD,

The Sportsman's Headquarters.

Columbia

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LID.

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Ice House Street.

We have just received “DURO” Linen-printed and plain, for frocks which be washed twice a day.

may Replaced if it shrinks, stretches or

fades.

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Tel. 21822.

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