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THE HONGKONG VOLUNIBER RESERVE ASSOCIATION.

STIRRING ADDRESS BY THE GOVERNOR.

TO PROTECT HONGKONG IN THE HOUR

OF NEED.

24th ult.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY OCTOBER 1 1904.

from these reports, vary favourably with the state of the other 80,000 Militia and. Volun- teers forming the forces of the other colonies of the Empire. (Applate). I was a little disappointed when I arrived here to learn that the number had gone down to a little over 200, and also that there was a tendency on the part of the young men in Hongkong to abandon Volunteering for other amusements; and I had to consider what steps should be taken to revive interest in the corps and increase its numbers and efficiency. My experience dur- the colonial troops of the Empire makes ma Folieve that the beat way for increasing the corps at Hongkong was to bave its various component paris under conditions which would take advantage of the special circumstances of the various classss of the population. SIMILAR WORK SUCCESSFUL ON THE GOLD COAST.

WILLIAM POWELL, LTD.

DIRECTORS' FEES INCREASED."

THE PARSÉE CRICKET CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETINO,

25th ult.

POLLARD'S LILLIPUTIANS.

"A RETURN VISIT.

Governor (Sir Matthew Nathan, K.G.M.Q., R.g.)ing the five years of dealing with reports from apparent need in 1900, in consequence of the Heckford (Manager) E. A. M. Williams (Sec had played, 14 league matches, four of them Do be will be staged. Mr. A. H. Pollard who

In response to the invitation of H. E, the

a large gathering of prominent residents as sembled in the City Hall last evening to hear an explanation of the scheme of His Excel lercy in regard to the formation of the above Association. The Governor was accompanied by the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Mr. F. H. May, C.M.O., and amongst these present were Sir H. S. Berkeley (Chief Justice), Major Chapman, Captain C. Hall, Dr. Atkinson, Hon. Gertham Stewart, Messrs. E. A. Hewett, T. F. Hough. W. D. Braidwood, A. R. Lowe, F. B. L. Dowley, G. Grimble, G. L. Duncan, W. H. Donald, F. A. M. Johnston, Mowbray 5. North

cote. W. Danby, etc. etc.

His Excellency, who was enthusiastically received, said:

Gentlemen. The invitation to the senior members of the Colony who are British subjects to form themselves into an association to be called the Hongkong Volunteer Reserve Asso-

This was a system that I followed in the Volunteers on

the Gold Coast with some success. There I found that at the various coast stations there were only a few Volunteers, not enough to make a company by themselves, and disinclined to join the African corps. So I in- stituted a machine gun section in each of the principal corps. At Accra, the capital, the machine gun section was mainly composed of officials under the command of au oficial. At Cape Coast Castle, the commercial centre, the Volunteers were mainly men in the business

The Chairman

people, and the occasion had never yet arisen. when the read had been demonstrated that the people had not flocked to the standard. It was not lack of martial spirit, in this Colony which made the Volunteer numbers small; it

- ayth ult.

Our little friends will be bare again next was because it bad not hitherto been born in above Company, was held at the Company's The third ordinary general meeting of the

The annual general meeting of the Parsee on Saturday, the 16th inst. It will be seen upon the people as a whole that there was any premises, 28 Queen's Road Central, this after Cricket Club was held yesterday morning at from a telegram prialed elsewhere that they month, when they open their Hongkong sesson. necessity of andergoing what to most people soon. Me, W. H. Gaskell presided, and there the premises of Messrs. N. Mody & Co. Mr.left Townsville to day per the Trinas, was, the irksome discipline necessary to be made efficient as a soldier. That was the

were also present Messrs. E. H. Hinds (Dirac-A. B. Avazis, president of the club, occupied.

sngagement will last tillike fagth, and during kong was not greater. When there was an reason that the number of volunteers in Hong-lor) T. Amold, J. Arnold, A. G. Stokes. J. W. C. the chair, and there was a good attendance of which is dus here on they th October. Their

Bonnar, G. H. Dann, A. G.. Ward, R. G. members:

The repart of the club showed that the club Girl, The Gitsha, The Lady Slavay, and King. Med their stay: The Belle of New York, & Gaiety unrest in the North, there was no lack of retary), and H. P. Smith (Auditor).

The Secretary having read the notice con- scratched, and only two of them won. In the is in Hongkong, in advance of the Company, readiness to come forward to enroll, and should occasion unhappily arise as it might arise; vening the meeting,

last match, played between the "League XV* he was himself confident that everyman of what report and statement of accounts having been the latter, the Parsee player, Mr. Nona, played will return there after their Fax: Eastern tour, said: Gentlemen, the and H.K.C.C. (rst eleven), on the ground of states that they had an enormously successful season in the United States and Canada, and ever age physically capable of bearing arms would be found to come forward for the protect

in your hands for some time, with your per very well, scoring 16 runs, and thus coming which will include Manila, Shanghai, Kobe

and Yokohama. ion of his country. His Excellency had removed mistion, I will follow the usual course, and second in the match, a great difficulty from the way of most of the take them as tead. It is gratifying to your senior residents of the Colony. Most of them Directors, to again be able to place before you were not prepared to go in as activa members of a satisfactory report on the year's working of the Volunteer Corps and to go into camps of in-will observe that we have now arrived at a the Company. On perusing the accounts you struction and underge discipline, partly owing twelve per cant dividend for the year, while at it seemed to him that Hit Excellency had to disinclination, partly owing to lack of time.

the same time, we have been able to write off from the profits the balance of good will, to become the Deus ex machina and had pro- vided a scheme by which all physically capable provide for deterioration of stock on hand, and to set aside the small sum of $3,000 could perfect themselves in what seemed to him the real thing, ie, marksmanship. In determining to remodel the conditions His Ex- cellency had added considerably to the num. bers of those who would send in their names

ages

Two prizes of twenty-five dollars each, ware kindly presented by Mr. H. Ruttanjee, to the players that came first in batting and bowling. The following isn table showing the aver Battingh, J. D. Noria, (1), J. N. Mehta, (3), R. B. Cooper.

"Bowling:—(1), J. D. Noria, (a), R. B. Cooper, (3), D. R. Captain.

From the analyses of the matches it appears towards maintaining a steady dividend. The that Mr. 1. D. Noria came first both in batting amount carried forward to new account is and howling and thus took both the prizes. 5588.28, as against $4.757-47 brought forward

The income and expenditure were nearly the last year, and in respect of this I wish to say same as last year, a small balance being left.

For 25 years the company has been in axis. teace, and during that time India, China, Manila, Honolulu, South Africa, United States, Canada, Mauritius have been visited again formers have won the hearts of their audiences and again, and everywhere the Lilliputian per-

with the beauty of their performance.

The children range from the ages of 7 to 14 years, and possess really beautiful voices, throwing themselves into their parts with all the abandon of childhood and the self-posses

The children all come from Melbourne,

sion of trained actors.'"'

parts at the school, owned and controlled by

ciation, which was published in the local houses, and their commanding officer was the should occasion unhappily arise. A good many / that we carry forward less this year having. The committen and 'members are under obli. † Australia, where they were trained for their Press on 30th August and subsequent dates, head of one of these houses; while at Axim the 1 of them were over 50 years of age and were nothing farther to provide for good-will. gation to Mr. J. Chinoy, who took great care the Pollard company, where at present there ment was made up of men mainly engaged in not eligible under the original conditions, The We have still pursued our policy of writ of the Parses ground and gave other valuable are some 3oo children being trained for the

not having met with the recognition that it was hoped it would meet with, it seemed to me that if I could make better known through the medium of the gentlemen who have evinced some interest in the scheme the exact condi-

and also the advantages which the Colony might be expected to derive from it, it was probable that the association would attain

company representing the machine-gun depart- mining, and officials, and the commanding officer was an official. The various drills and parades fitted in with the normal work of the

detachments took firm root; and 1 was in- formed by the Brigadier General who in spected them that they were a valuable addition

stage.

The tours that these children have made are

wonderful for the distances covered. Probably no other theatrical organization in the world. this band of little Australians. Mr. A. H. Pollard, a son of the founder, himself a member

tions under which it is proposed to carry it out, different detachments, and on the whole these he was sure His Excellency's appeal would be/nishes year by year. Since wa last met, we Messrs. R, Cooper and B. Mehta as captain has travailed a greater total distance than has

assistance. Several absent members have re- turned and the club is not expected to show such a weak team as that of last year, Mr. A Avasia was re-elected president of the club and vice-captain, respectively; Mr. C. Moura walla, bon, secretary; and Messrs. J. A. Chinoy and J. H. Ruttonjee, committee. A vote of committee. The chairman, Mr. Avasia, thank ed the members on behalf of the committee and dissolved the meeting.-Communicated.

greater dimensions and so become an institu- to the defence of the Colony. Hore, after care of this community, but there was the possibility / tell you, that we have commenced our new thanks was passed to the chairman and the of the first cast twenty-five years ago, and now

tion more worthy of the Colony propose in the first instance to explain, and in one case to modify the conditions which were embodied in the Governor's notification of the 30th Aug. The first of these conditions now reads:-"The age limit for members to be from 35 to so I propose to substitute for this:-Merabers shall be not less than 35 years of age" By this alteration no man over 35 will be debarred from enjoying the privileges of the association who feels that he retains sufficient energy to lend a helping hand in the hour of need.

A DISADVANTAGEOUS SUGGESTION. - I have given careful consideration to the suggestion which appeared in last night's China Mail, that the minimum age limit should be altered from 35 to 25, and I have come to the conclusion that this alteration would not

three schemes. The first of these was to re-

LIGHT HORSE.

colony owed His Excellency a debt of gratitude for having awakened the people to the neces sity of making themselves perfect in the use of a weapon of defence as well as of offence, and We were not able, thank God! responded to. at this moment to say that there was any press. ing necessity for the enrolment of the members and perhaps more than a possibility, that at any moment we might be in this part of the world brought to consider how best and most efficiently we might protect Bongicong. On behalf of the meeting he thanked His Excel. ency for having brought this matter before the meeting.

ing down our stock on hand, bringing it down to the lowest possible laying down cash. As the Company progresses the pro- vision necessary ia this direction dimi. have moved into our new premises, in Des Voeux Road, and find them most suitable to our requirements. I am pleased to be able to financial year, satisfactorily, the takings for the tenths of July and August exceeding those months of last year. Our Manager, Mr. Heck ford, owing to ill-health, wishes to leave for home, six months prior to the expiry of his agree- ment, to which your Directors have consented, A new manager has already been engaged. I don't think there is anything further to add to my remarks, but I shall be pleased to give any information, or answer any questions share- holders may wish,

No questions being asked, The Chairman moved the adoption" of the report and accounts.

Mr. A. G. Stokes seconded, and the motion was unanimously agreed to.

The Chairman said that during_the_year, owing to the departure of Messrs. T. H. Reid Hinds, were elected to fil the vacancies on the

OUTBREAK OF FIRE.

26th ult.

4 mature man with a ten-year-old daughter in

the company, says that in twelve meaths, while he kept a record of the Journeys by miles, he

travelled nearly 40,000 miles, and that was but one year out of the twenty-fifty.

be advantageous to the general residents. I habit of riding about the island, into a mounted here. In a colony like this there should be and W. C. Drow far home, he and Mr. E. H. pair, and the firemen had to go farther a field ion was an instaniamcaus success'and' was

be advantages to to me that life result

would necessarily be to weaken, the Volunteer force, and to strengthen the Reserve Association at the expense of the Volunteer force; that is to say, to strengthen the body which receives the lesser at the expense of the body which receives the greater. Again, if the Volunteers increase as they should do. and as I hope they will do, after a time the bulk of the young men in the Colony under 35 years of age will belong to the active Volunteers and the Volunteer Reserve Association will then become really reserve, consisting of men who have had some training and who are keeping up the most essential part of it-musketry practice,

BUSINESS MEN ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS.

I do not attach much value to the argument which was in the papers, that the exigencies of business would not allow some men to join the Volunteers while they rould manage to fulfi the conditions required in the Assnciation. From what I have heard, the heads of firms and departments give great facilities to Volun- teers to attend the annual camping exercise, and apart from this camping exercise the num ber of drills that a man has to attend are not so very considerable, and great latitude is allowed as to when they go out in these dritis. Altogether, I think it will be found that the time spent by an efficient Volunteer on his Volunteer work is not a very great proportion of the time that he is away from business during the year. Further, it is within my knowledge that some of the busiest men of the Colony are already or propose to be active Volunteers.

The second project was the formation of the men who owned panics, and who were in the troop. I was told that I could probably get 20 men to eare! themselves in such a troop. An a matter of fact the troop which is now being enrolled consists of 14 members under Lieut. the Hon. W. J. Gresson.

J

ON THE SCHEME IN GENERAL.

|

10.

"Accordingly, the idea reached maturity in 1879, the first opera selected being " Pinafore,” which was then all the rage. This presenta followed by "Las Cloches de Cornsville "Madame | Angot," "Pirates of Pintance" " Patience" and other reigning favourites. The

to perform at the Calcutta exhibition. The tour dia, taking in Bombay, Madras, Allahabad, in. was extended to all the principal cities of In-

which city the company was written up, by Rudyard Kipling, and in fact, all the principal cities.

Mr. A. H. Pollard, told an interesting story to The Hongkong Telegraph of the starting of this unique entertainment, and the tours of the com. pany through many lands: Shortly before two o'clock yesterday after- The father of the present manager, J. J. noon fire broke out in a coolie house at 45 Pollard, conceived the idea of children giving First Street, in the Western District. The comic operas through his giving a children's flames spread rapidly, and an hour later fancy dress ball, and they sang and acted in nothing but the mere shell was left standing. such a creditable manner that he asked him As soon as the alarm was raised the Fire-self, can not these children do something in a Brigade, in charge of Chief Inspector H. S. professional way? Baker, turned out, and was speedily at the scene of the outbreak. Some delay was then caused as the nearest hydrant was under re- for water. The usual crowd of irresponsible Directorale. This required to be confirmed. gapers soon collected, and so filled the narrow Mr. Dann proposed. and Mr. A. G. Ward space in front of the house as to seriously hamp. seconded a motion that the appointments beer the movements of the firemen, and as the company toured Australia, Tasmania and New order to "move on" was disregarded, the assist-Zealand and everywhere the children made confirmed, and it was carried.

Mr. Bonnar proposed and Mr. J. Arnold ance of the police was called in. when, as a themselves favourites. They shortly needed seconded, that Mr. 1. P. Smith, be re-elected consequence some of the loafers got rough new territory, and their first trip to India was auditor, and this w Iso unanimously agreedly handled; it not more so than they demads in 1882 when the company was engagad served. The only personal damage reported was that suffered by one of the coolie in- mates of the house, who being asleep, and suddenly awakened by all the noise and con- fusion tried to break through the flames, which were, however, too fierce for him, and he had to beat a retreat back to his room. His face and head were so badly burned that, after he had been rescued by passing over a board, at imminent peril of his life, to a house at the back of his burning tenement, he was removed to hospital, where his burns were attended to. A young girl, in rushing out of the burning house, got her hands badly burnt, and was carried away by her parents. Luckily, as it happened, there was very little wind at the time, so that there was not much difficulty in

"In a town in New Zealand, namely New confining the fire to the scene of the outbreak, Plymouth, the theatre caught fire a few hours houses, As soon as the fire was well under the management engaged the town hall, and and preventing it spreading to neighbouring after the company bad retired for the night, but the firemen directed a forcible stream upon the the company played The Mikado the post roof, so as to demolish it and prevent the danger.night as if nothing bad happened On going of its falling, upon those who would have the from Melbourne to Sydney on the steamship task of clearing away the debris below. The Zaura, they encountered a very severe storm. damage to the house, which is believed to be covered by insurance, was roughly estimated at about $1000. The coolie inmates lost their entire belongings, which were, of course, not issured. The cause of the outbreak is attri buted to the skylarking of two coolies, during which wood was set on fire, and thus the whole house caught.

fully considering the matter, 1 put in band organise the existing Volunteers on the basis of detachments comprising men of the same department or the same firm with a view to these men always working together in their drills and service and of combining with other detachments or relieving other detachments in time of war, each detachment being told off to Mr. W. Danby, noting the presence of Mr. its definite position in the scheme of events. IE. A. Hewett, expressed the opinion that it believe there are some difficulties in carrying would be interesting if he would give them out that scheme, but I think it has been on the some information regarding the running of the whole favourably reviewed, and that there has Shanghai Volunteers. There they had, practi- been some increase in the Volunteers since it cally a Volunteer Reserve, and he was sure Hongkong would not want to be second to was put out.

Shanghai in that respect. As an old resident and a very old Volunteer officer in Hongkong he felt ashamed at the number of the corps 500 efficients. Many of the men who were in that room called themselves loyal British sub- teers. Some of the residents whom he had jects, and yet they did not belong to the Volun. approached in the Club on the subject, since the notification was published bad told him that the thing was not good enough. He told them.candidly that he was ashamed of them.

Mr. E. A. Howest in reply to the invitation to give his experiences, said he could speak as a Mr. Smith briefly thanked the meeting for volunteer of twelve years standing in the Shang their confidence, and promised to fulfil the bai Volunteer Corps, part of which was spent as duties of the office to the best of his ability. commandant ex officio. The reason why the Mr. Dann said that, before closing, he had corps there was larger than in Hongkong was much pleasure in proposing a vote of thanks to that they had to look to themselves for their the Directors and Staff for the very careful own heads and the women and children in manner in which they had looked after their time of trouble and in the event of riot. Out of interests. The figures in the report they had a population of B,000 they had nearly 1,200 just adopted, spoke so well for themselves as Volunteers during the summer of 1900. The to make any further comment seem superfluous. Hongkong corps should at least equal that of He would however say, that the Company, to ar Shanghal, for here they had advantages for berive at the results obtained after so shor. atima coming officient volunteers which did not exist had elapsed since its formation, showed that in Shanghai. What they wanted was that all much time and foresight had been exercised men who could stand on their feet should come by those in control (Hear Hear). He observed that the Directors' fees were $1,000 in all, which he thought was inadequate, bearing in business, and he had great pleasure in pro mind the time and attention they gave to the posing that this sum he raised to $2,000 per annum:

Mr. Arnold thought the resolution would be endorsed by the general body of share holders. He agreed with everything that had been said, and had much pleasure in second- ing the resolution. They all, he was sure, gready regretted the circumstances which obliged Mr. Heckford to give up the control. The resolution was unanimously carried. The Chairman on behalf of himself and co- director, Mr. E. H. Hinds suitably acknow. ledged the vote passed for increasing their emoluments, and also the thanks to the manage. ment and staff. They would continue to exert their best endeavours on the Company's bo half and hoped they. would always continue in such a prosperous condition.

The third project was that of a Volunteer reserve, to get hold of the men who an longer felt themselves disposed to go through the drudgery of ordinary drill or who had gone through that drudgery already. I was told that I should probably get about too members. As a matter of far, by the 15th September, the date mentioned in the original notification, only 32 members had enrolled. There was a fourth project, not entirely unconnected with the other, and that was to form a first-aid class for ladies who would subsequently go through nursing classes and then register their names for service in the naval and military hospitals in time of war. Sixty-six ladies pot their

names to it.

THE DUTIES OF COLONIALS.

forward and learn to shoot, so that when their services were called upon they would be of some or three weeks. He hoped His Excellency's use. One could not become a marksman in two

appeal would very abortly be responded to in a freer and more generous spirit than it bad bean hitherto (Hear Hear).

Hon. Gershom Stewart remarked that if His Excellency would make a statement as to the amount of drill those who enrolled in the Reserve, would have to de, he was sure they would get a good many men. If it was shown that all that was required was proficiency in shooting he was sure in time of trouble they could count upon a large and useful body of man. It was surprising how many men, who had been asked to join were over 50, and he thought the removal of the restriction in this connection would be all its ur of the public good. In conclusion, Mr. Stewart referred to the 66 ladies who had joined the ambulance section, and added that this should be the means of inspiring many the sterner sex to identify themselves with the movement.

H.E. the Goyamor in reply said:-There was much that I agreed with in Sir Henry Berkeley's speech, but I noticed it contained the old fallacy that all that was required was men to come forward in the hour of need, it has been often, too often, shown that men who

This concluded the busins31.

MACAO IN 1903.

|

BRIGANDAGE IN KWANGTUNG.

From thence they went to Colombo and then to Australia, by the way of Queensland, to Singapore, Batavis, Island of Java, and back

company was put under the management of his "In 1884, Mr. J. J. Pollard died, and the

that time the company has made a continuous 100, C. A. Pollard and Tom Pollard. Since

success, though the prosperous times have been interspersed with occasional vicissitudes, through war and fire..

"We were all locked down in the saloon, he said, and such a terrified lot of children I do.. not want to see again. The main mast was carried away, as well as the cook's galley. The bridge was also swept off, knocking the funnel into old iron, and the men had no end of work to keep the water out of the fire room.

"We sealed up bottles containing messages and set them aflost for no one expected to get ashore again.

a

"In South Africa we had an experience that we were inclined to laugh at later on, but at Of late, robbery is rampant, especially in Ma the time it was no joke. After our Durban sea.. Ning on the east and west of Shunte, and Hoson in June and July of 1899, we played at Ching village, Nanbel. In the latter place the Maritzburg, and thea went to Pretoria, where robbers are divided into two parties, those

we played three weeks. After playing there two weeks some of the Dutch officials gavo us under the leadership of a man named Pun-Chou

gentle blat to get out before the rush came. We got our baggage together on four hour's notice and started for: Kimberly, · We were searched for arms, as they wanted all they stopped at the border town of Verrigen and could get hold of. We had with us twenty-four wooden rifles, that wo use in one of our operas, made on the model of a Martini-Henty, and -you should have seen those Dutchmen grab for them, and also the look of disgust that came

A few words now on the general question of Volunteering, and especially on Colonial Volunteering. At home the ever-increasing burden of Imperial defence, which now absorbi 60 per cent of the revenue derived from beavy taxation, the failure of various schemes of any reorganisation to provide in the public opinion for the public good in the matter of defence, and again the failure to attract men to the army by various new inducements, have directed the minds of thinking man to the necessity of making more available the class EXPLAINING THE CONDITIONS.

from which the Volunteers in England now The second condition is that members should come, and the large class who have not undertake not to quit the Association within yet recognised the obligation of preparing one year of joining, without leave, and to enrol themselves for personal service for the themselves in the event of necessity under the defence of their country. In the colonies this Volunteer Ordinance as the Hongkong Volan recognition of the obligation to prepare for teer Reserve Company. This was inserted to personal service has always been more make the Association a real reserve that could widespread than at home, and especially is be counted on in time of emergency. It is that the case in colonies where there is only necessary that we should know always what a small proportion of British residents living in the midst of a large number of sellow sub- men will be available at the hour they are re-

Jects of an alien race. Personally, I have long quired. It is not intended to prevent men leaving the Association at any time for good been of opinion that in such colonies it is the reason, such as leaving the Colony or suffering duty of every man to prepare himself so that from serious illness, or any other good rea he may be available to assist in the defence of son. With regard to the second sentence of the colony, of his own interests, and, should that condition, "Upon carolment officers of occasion arise, of the women and children who the company will be selected from among the live around him. (Applause.) As regards members and commissioned by the Governor," Hongkong, I am glad to say that I see no im-

think you may be perfectly certain that the mediates prospect of the hour of need coming useful, not a quarter as useful, as men who Governor will select as officers those members upon us, but in these days wars arise at short have had at any rate some previous training. under whom he thinks the remainder will be notice and their course is often largely affected This opinion has already been expressed by most willing to render efficient service. The by the initiatory action in them. Again, events Mr. Hewett. There is much also that I agreed third condition is that the rules of the occurring outside this colony and over which with in the remarks that fell from Mr. Danby, torical Colony. Thus concludes Mr. W. Noyes men in the neighbouring village Tatung, Their over their faces when they discovered the ... Association are to be framed by the Committes the colony has no control may produce unrest for he put them possibly a little more directly of Management elected by the members which might culminate in serious internal die than I should have been able to our volan from their own number. This provides for turbance, Those who bave taken these steps regard to Mr. Hewalt's remark about the Association being of the nature of a to prepare themselves for personal service in teering being more real in Shangbai than it is club with power to form its own rules as to such eventualities would, I believe, have no in. Hongkong because we have here a large rifle competitions and as to raising such funds reason to reproach themselves if such events garrison, I would say we want to tie that gar- rison down as little as possible to operations in as may be necessary and as to any other object produced even only a temporary disaster,

or near the town, so that it may act with the that may appear to them desirable, having in

beat effect to the best genatal defence of the view the general idea of the association. The fourth condition is that members should pract

Colony. With regard to Mr. Gershom Stewart's iso rife shooting so as to become efficient shots,

question as to whether the Volunteer Reserve the General Officer Commanding and shall be

teer Corps, should be called upon to do any. for which purpose they shall be lent rifles by

association, in contradistinction to the Volun- supplied with ammunition at cost price. This

drill, I have to say it is not contemplated, it is relates to the Association spart from the ordin-

not proposed, to do any drill. What is pro. ary charges of rifle clubs in return for promise

posed it that they should make themselves efficient shots. I think there remains nothing ing to enrol in time of emergency. The fifth

coming to this meeting and taking an interest in this subject.

THE WHITE MAN'S BURDEN.

become soldiers at the last moment are not as

The improvement in the value of real estate, year in the building line and in the establish- the unbroken activity displayed throughout the ment of new, also the keeping in that high state of excellence of the old reads, which commands the appreciation of residents and invokes the admiration of visitors, are signifi- cant of growing importance and certainly en hance the traditional attractiveness of this his storehouse, the commissioner of customs, in bis report on the trade of Lapna for the year

1903.

A STAMP:LICKING QUESTION.

IN C. INA,

dummy guns. We got down to Kimberly and hint-hints were common in South Africa, yout started our season, when we were given another will notice to get to a place of safety as soon as possible. So we treked to Mateking and Bulawayo, and when things quieted down re tumed to Kimberly,

being in league with the robbers at Dragon Hill, Shante." They have their meeting place Last month they plundered a large pawn shop at Hsin-chutan, and are several hundred strong and obtained booty to the enormous value of over Tis. 102,000, each robber's share being above $600. The booty was divided in Pun Chou's house, who obtained three shares in consequence. The party, consisting of Pun Chin, Holi, Laiting, et, is working with the number is several hundred, and they always gather in the temple at the entrance of the village. On the 24th of the 6th moon, under cover of the night when it was pitch dark, they robbed a well-known pawn shop. and, the following day, they landed at the jetty in Hoching, carrying thirty-seven loads of

"We played from the middle of September booty, so it is told. Each lead was escorted by to the roth day of October, when Mr. Rhodes Mr. H. T. Ford, of the China Inland Mission a robber. The booty was, practically speaking, at Tai-kang, in Honan, gives some interesting auctioned in front of a clan house, at a com-gave us bine number three to get out at experiences in a letter to her family, published paratively cheap price, and, on this account, it once. The warning came at 3 p.m. on the 11th, Ofice in China. The letter says in the Daily News, of the workings of the Post met with an easy sale. The robbers were all and at 5 we were steaming out of the town. beautifully dressed, each carrying one thirteen-Mr. C. A. Pollard stayed to settle up some here now. At Kai-feng, when they first got it, with cartridges. When they set out for their takes al in all I never saw the children "We have got the Chinese Imperial Post shots-repeating ride, and several revolvers, business and was compelled to remain until

the selge was raised by Col. French, the post-office clerks had a fight with some business, they looked as if they were soldier, give a better performance of The Griska, fos men who bought stamps and wanted the clerks well armed, and without the least fear. On them. They said the clerks were there to lick boats, towed by a steam-launch, and conveying something immerse. We stayed in South nest, and our business in Queenstown" "was' the stamps, and paid for the business, and they over a thousand soldiers, arrived at Hoching, wouldn't lick them. But the clerks wouldn't with the express object of capturing the rob Africa until January 24th, when we returned to Australia after an absence of four and one agree to lick them, so they came to blows, and bers. But before they could do anything in half years. We then took our ninth trip to the police had to come in and separate them. the way of carrying out their mission, the fedis and returning by the way of Hongkong Here at Talkang the man who has got the robbers had gone away, and not one of them were advised to play Manila for a couple of post office bas begun well. Harry was in his was to be seen. As a matter of fact, when. shop when his first customer came for a stamp the soldiers came, the robbers suddenly disap- weeks. We tried it with the result that we care It took him nearly five minutes to find the key and get the stamp box open, and when he gave Now lick it and put it just there. The cus it to the man he said in a very decided way, tomer was foolish (or wise) enough to do so, and now a custom has been established in Tai kang. that all purchasers of fatamps must lick Lis has succeeded in getting too men interested them and stick them on. There was a great

condition reform to ranges The use of the eligible will, if they have not already done so, for me to do but to thank you, gentlemen, for to lick them and put them on the letters for the zoth of this moon over twenty official, they entered into the spirit of the thing in BAY="

Volunteer and Police range will be reserved for the Association one day in the week, and members will have the right to use the range at all times when not otherwise occupied." Since that was published I have been in communicat, lon with the General Officer Commanding, and he is further willing to make available to the Association the short rifle range that is to be provided for the military at High West, and alad the military rifle range at Kowloon City Further, he has promised the Association that 19 long as it is possible to use the King's Park rifle range at Kowloon with safety they will be permitted to do so, ajal po d

It seems to me that personal service is a white muo's burden and that we dare not stoop to less. Every form of service is a bordas, but who under the call of freedom cloak their I do not think you will sympathise with those weakness. The burden imposed by the condi. tions of the Reserve Association is a light one, and I trust that all those in this room who are take upon themselves this evening this burden. I do not base my appeal to you on the recrea tion which is likely to be derived from rifle shooting, although I hope it will do everything in my power to make it one. I do sot either, base my appeal on the pleasure it will give me of accing a scheme which I have made my own access. I only ask you to join this association for one reason, and that is the best of reasons-because, it is the right thing to do. (Applause.)

Sir H, S. Berkeley said that the figures that bis Excellency quoted just now, were collated by him, he (the speaker) madenstood, at the sime he was filling that arduous and important post as Secretary to the Imperial Comimlics on the I should now like to justify my personal Defence of the Empire. This, he thought, interest in the present scheme. From the end proved that the martial spirit which from all

KISSPERSONAL INTEREST.

The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, unanimously accord- ed on the proposition of Mr. E. 4. Hewett,

CANION-MACAO-RAILWAY, -

Sheng Kung-Pas has appointed two men, With reference to the Canton-Macao railway, surnamed Lin and Huang respectively, to Canton, for the purpose of obtaining capital frin Chinese sources. It is now learned that

peared and when the soldiers left, the robbers returned. It must be clearly realised that the protection of the corrupt native gentry. Hence robbers are, to a large extent, enjoying the the robbers obtained valuable information just at the right time-Univerzal Ganette,

**

in the enterprise at Hongkongy shilp-Huang row at the Kai-feng Post Office one day be-A SHANGHAI trader was walking along the

celled our Queensland engagement and stayed in Mania frano months, packing the Zorilla opera house, the swell amusement place in that town). This was our first time before an Ameri can audience, and we were advised to try AmericaArcordingly plans were laid for tour, and any first engagement was at the Tivoll- opera house in San Francisco, Since then wa have played all the large cities on rouda to Chi- has been similarly successful in his mission causs an address on a letter could not be found, esplanade at Singapore shortly before the tiffs ago and New York of the year 1895 till the end of the year 1900 ittima had actuated their ancestors burned as

my duty to examine the annual reports of brightly amongst their descendants in Hong at Canton. These ten toen bare taken up and the letter was brought back. The sender hour the other day when five young Chinamen LITTLE TRAVELLERS was my duty fast of the Hongkong Volunteers, kong to-day as it had ever done in any part of twenty shares, sach: share representing Tis witted his money back because the letter had set upon him and robbed him of a bag com ind these reports during those years showed the Empire. He maintained that 311 Volun. co., so that the total amount subscribed is not been delivered, but the clerk refused to taining $100 which he was carrying over his of his many journey in the antipodes Among The: Portuguese merchants give it to him, contending that they had had | shoulder. -Fortunately the scuffle was observed | these are a permit issued at Johannesburg continual progress both as regards numbers and tears out of the comparatively small number of Tis. 2,000,000 efficiency. At the end of the year 1895-6 the Europeans in this Colony would bear in with Tis. 3,007.00, and with's capital more trouble over it than if it had benn der by a sumber of fambiar at the Singapore Re before the outbreak of hostilities permitting sumber of Volunteers was 1251 at the end of portion of the population, and would bear com. of Tis. 400,000, the railway company, which is livered. Another man was determined to get creation Club, and two of the men were seized the bearers can revolver un inother of, 1897-2, 1761 1898-9, 181-1899. parison (avourably with the numbers who to be both Chireen and Portuguese, will be the P. C. Clarks into trouble because ve had 6.5 ikh and a contractor bagged another couple, student Kimberly enter the balirer 10% the 1900, 311. I am able from my recollection of volunteered in any other part of the dominous put in good working order. After the come sentia letter some time ago and received no but the man, ith the loot got clear away We privilege of buying, drimond, ind i L the reports of the other Volunteers and Militas in (Hear Hear). We of the British race were said piction of the railway China can set up a tax answer. This was a clear proof, he said, that thought Hongkong wanted lot of beating in accompanied by certificate of registration to the sports colonies to say that the state of the to be of a commercial spirit, and long might department at the railway head station, as the the letter had reposan, sent. The service during highway robberies Singapore will as how that the stage purchased Idol beleg

bare is somewhat Hongkong Volunteers compared, as judged | vs pontinua soj but we were also a warlike Fortuguese Government has conesaindi

We close this sort of thing

Mr. Pollard has many interesting souvenirs