30.
It was called the "Hongkong Humane Society."1 The Society was formed in 1877, and quite a deal of information concerning its activities is revealed in an old newspaper account of an annual meeting, which took place on June 12, 1882. This meeting was held in the Chamber of Commerce room in the City Hall. Among those present were the Hon. Mr. Phineas Ryrie, the President of the Society, Messrs. J.A. Sampson, J.R. White, Wm. Schmidt, G.A. Caldwell, T.R. Fisher (the Hon. Secretary), and Mr. J.J. de Souza.
The Chairman read the Society's report for the past year, from which I take the following extracts:
"Since the last general meeting the members of the Society have had an opportunity of displaying the utility of the Institution.
"On October 19, last year, the Colony experienced one of the severest gales that has visited Hongkong for some years; during the storm the members of the Society were out along the Praya doing good service, and succeeded with the aid of volunteers from the Sailors' Home and European members of the Police Force, in rescuing over 150 persons from sinking craft in the harbour.
"During the past year, the members who have attended the practices with the Rocket Apparatus have shown themselves thoroughly efficient in their duties.
"It is interesting and highly gratifying to note that the Home Government takes an interest in the Society's work, the Board of Trade having recently applied to Mr. H.G. Thomsett, Harbour Master at this port, for particulars of the manner in which the Society is conducted, the means of saving life at its disposal, and the number of lives saved during the last five years.
"It is a matter for congratulation that the working expenses of the Society have been reduced considerably, the item of rent being no longer incurred in consequence of the Government allowing free storage for waggon and apparatus.
"The matter of placing life lines on Stonecutters Island and Green Island has not been overlooked, and it is hoped to carry this out very shortly."
The strange thing is that this exceedingly useful life-saving corps should have been permitted to go out of existence.
I reproduce to-day a photograph of an old Hongkong banknote, dated December 31, 1873, and bearing the signature of James Greig, the Chief Manager at that time of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank. The original note measures 7¼ by 4¼ inches. For the loan of this banknote I am indebted to Mr. G.B. Twemlow, and it is a particularly interesting contribution to this column, as it recalls a controversy of sixty years ago which could apply to-day, showing how history repeats itself.
30.
It was called the "Hongkong Humane Society. #1 The Society was formed in 1877, and quite a deal of information concerning its activities is revealed in an old newspaper account of an annual meeting, which took place on June 12, 1882. This meeting was held in the Chamber of Commerce room in the City Hall. Among those present were the Hon. Mr. Phineas Ryrie, the President of the Society, Messrs. JA. Sampson, J.R. White, Wm. Schmidt, G.A. Caldwell, T.R. Fisher (the Hon. Secretary), and Mr. J.J. de Souza.
The Chairman read the Society's report for the past year, from which I take the following extracts:
"Since the last general meeting the members of the Society have had an opportunity of displaying the utility of the Institution.
"On October 19, last year, the Colony experienced one of the severest gales that has visited Hongkong for some years; during the storm the members of the Society were out along the Praya doing good service, and succeeded with the aid of volunteers from the Sailors' Home and European members of the Police Force, in rescuing over 150 persons from sinking craft in the harbour.
"During the past year, the member who have attended the practices with the Rocket Apparatus have shown themselves thoroughly efficient in their duties.
"It is interesting and highly gratifying to note that the Home Government takes an interest in the Society's work, the Board of Trade having recently applied to Mr. H.G. Thomsett, Harbour Master at this port, for particulars of the manner in which the Society is conducted, the means of saving life at its disposal, and the number of lives saved during the last five years.
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"It is a matter for congratulation that the working expenses of the Society have been reduced considerably, the item of rent being no longer incurred in consequence of the Government allowing free storage for waggon and apparatus.
"The matter of placing life lines on Stonecutters Island and Green Island has not been overlooked, and it is hoped to carry this out very shortly."
The strange thing is that this exceedingly useful life- saving corps should have been permitted to go out of existence.
I reproduce to-day a photograph of an old Hongkong bank- nroe, dated December 31, 1873, and bearing the signature of
James Greig, the Chief Manager at that time of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank. The original note measures 74 by 44 inches, For the loan of this banknote I am indebited to Mr. G.B. Twemlow, and it is a particularly interesting contribution 1 this column, as it recalls a controversy of sixty years ago which could apply to-day, showing how history repeats itself.
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