May 15, 1895.]
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
LAWN TENNIS.
HONGKONG v. Cantón.
There was a large attendance on the Cricket Ground on Friday afternoon to witness the tennis match (double) between Hongkong and Canton. Last year the victory rested with Canton, the score being 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. On that occasion Can- ton was represented by Mr. Bent and Mr. Wallace and Hongkong by Dr. Meadon and Mr. Platt. The Canton representatives were the same this year and Mr. Platt and Mr. Firth played for Hongkong. It was generally anti- oipated that Cantou would again prove too strong for the local players, and the anticipations proved correct, Canton winning easily. The match this year was the best of five setts, instead of the best of three, as last year, and the score was 3-6, 6-4, 6-0, 6-0.
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keenly enjoyed by the spectators, for the play was excellent throughout. Platt was playing much more freely than in the four handed match of the previous day. His fine driving from the bass line was very effective and he also put in some serviceable strokes at the net. Wallace's back handed strokes were much admired and his net play in the latter part of the match was very fine. Both men were strong on the volley and there were several brilliant rallies in which volleying was the principal feature,
Mr. H. C. Nicolle aoted as koorer.
Last year in the singles between Hongkong and Canton Meadon beat Wallace, the score be- ing 8-6, 4-6, 6-3, and Beut beat Platt by 6-0, 6-3, but as the singles on that occasion were played immediately after the double the result was more a question of strength and endurance than
of skill.
(ANOTHER ACCOUNT.) This match was played on the Cricket Ground on Saturday between J. Wallace (Canton) and C. C. Platt (Hongkong) and resulted in a victory for the former after a hard struggle, the setts being 5-8, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4. It was anticipated that the Hongkong representative would be de- feated easily, but he played in quite his best form for the first two setts and fairly beat Wal- lace in those setts by his hard and well placed driving and volleying.
After the first two setts Wallace set to work
in his very best form and easily secured the
be in addition to it, and it is sincerely hoped that some method may eventually be found to amalga- mate the two. Before taking any other stops the Committee_ approached the authorities of the City Hall Library with a view to such amalga mafion, but that body felt that the terms of their trast did not justify them at present in joining forces. His Excellency the Governor was com- municated with on the subject, and gave the Com. mittee, as he has throughout, his cordial support. The first point to be settled was the name; and many suggestions having been considered, the title " Hongkong Public Library was provisionally adopted, as beat explaining the scope of the institution. Then came the question of foundation. The library might without trouble and at little expense be registered under the Companies' Act; but this would give it neither suficient publio character nor the status best calculated to enlist general interest and There had been some rain in the early part of support; nor perhaps could the Committee so the afternoon, but fortunately the weather obtain from the Government the financial as- cleared before the hour fixed for the match, four sistance for which it hopes. Also, the Patent | o'clock. and as the sky continued overcast the offoe have offered to present 霹 public players were not troubled with the sun. library with a complete set of their pub- In the first sett the Canton players were lications, numbering several thousand volumes, rather handicapped by unfamiliarity with the but this valuable gift could not, the Comp-ground, and Hongkong won by 6-3, but the troller informs the Committee, be made to visitors soon made themselves at home and an institution so registered. For these reasons won the second sett by 6-4 and followed this up it was decided to seek incorporation, and a draft by two love setts. The Hongkong representa- Ordinance was prepared, which was ultimately tives worked hard and in some of the games ran approved by the late Acting Attorney-General. their opponents closely, but the play of Wallace Unforeseen delays occurred, as seems inevitable and Bent was always a little too good for them in such undertakings, and only last week were all after the first sett. Wallace's net play proved the details finally settled. It is propssed to vest most effective and was warmly applauded the property of the Library in a Board of by the ou-lookers and he was equally Trustees, two members of the Board being ap- good at the back of the court, his activity pointed by the Governor, six being elected by rendering it almost impossible for the other the subscribers and donors, and the Colonial side ever to score by placing. The other three Secretary being a member en officio. His
men each played a good all round game, with Excellency has nominated Colonel Mulloy and the exception of Platt, who did not attempt to do Mr. T. Jackson; for the subscribers and much at the net, but was very good in hisdriving donors Dr. Cantlie, the Rev. R. F. Cobbold, from the back of the court, though he appeared and Messrs. E. H. Sharp, G. B. Dowdell, to be playing rather stiffly. One remarkable R. Shewan, and A. Woolley have been selected. stroke by Bent excited much surprise; he was The property includes about 1,600 books, some volleying a ball, apparently misjudged it, but of them valuable, book cases, furniture, etc. The recovered himself in time to get the ball before original nucleus has already been doubled by it touched the ground and send it over the net. gifts, chiefly of books, partly of money. No On the conclusion of the four-handed appeal has been made to the community at match, which was over by five o'clock, Bent large, nor have subscriptions been asked for. A and Firth played a single match to fill up time, very large proportion of the small number of the best out of three setts. This was an extra books to be selected from are already in circu- and not the representative single, which is to lation, and the library is much appreciated by take place this afternoon, Platt playing for
A return match between Hongkong and those who know about it. But the Committee Hongkong and Wallace for Canton. In the Canton, both doubles and singles, will probably have felt it inadvisable to publicly announce match between Firth aud Bent yesterday suc-be played in Canton the week after next, and the scheme until it was formulated, or until cess attended the latter, who won by 6-3, the number of books justified a general invita- 7-5. Both played well, but after their exertions tion to their use, It is proposed to open the in the double they could not appear at their library free as a reading room, and to charge a best, and several strokes were missed that would small subscription, say $10 a year, for taking not have been had the men been fresher. out books.
fortunately the rain recommenced before the second sett was finished and the last two games had to be played in the wet.
It is obviously impossible to open a library without first providing books, not necessarily a large collection, but a sufficient one. It is equally obvious that practically the only source from which funds for the considerable initial out- lay can be obtained is a government grant. Once fairly started the Committee believe that the library would maintain itself, with the aid of such donations RS. EVOL their short experience shows them it will receive, and with a merely nominal yearly subsidy. It may be mentioned that Hongkong is the only colony of any importance without a public library; yet one of the first acts of the East India Company, when they began to trade in the Far East, was to found a library of about 4,000 volumes in Macao. This was in the year 1806, and that sollection of books is now lost to us. Penang, Singapore, and Shanghai put us to shame in this matter.
Public libraries have succeeded wherever they have been tried, and the reading public has always been found to increase in direct ratio to the facilities offered. The Committee have seriously considered every objection that has been proferred, and they are convinced that none suggested is sufficient to outweigh the undoubted advantages of a public library-advantages which will be great at the outset, and grow to enormous proportion in the near future.
A public meeting will shortly be called to in- augurate the new venture.
The maximum temperature last month was 848, on the 17th, and the miminum 68.2, on the lit,The rainfall amounted to 2,6 inches.
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next two setts, 6-2, 6-1. We think that Platt should have taken things easily in the third sett when Wallace was 3 to his 0 and reserved his strength for the fourth sett, especially as he was then playing in the worse court and showing signs of distress.
The fifth sett was the best of all five. One all, two all, three all, and four all were called. Both players were straining every nerve to forge ahead and the excitement amongst the large crowd of spectators, which included H. E. the Governor, rose very high. The ninth game was won by Wallace and be also secured the tenth game by his brilliant service. All through the match Wallace's service was very hard and well placed and we might almost say that his superiority over Platt in this respect won him the match. Wallace played a forcing game throughout and frequently his pretty half-volleys and effective smashes elicited great applause from the on-lookers.
we must say that these friendly encounters have afforded much pleasure to the community of Hongkong and we have no doubt that great in- terest is also taken in them in the City of Rams,
HONGKONG CHICKET CLUB LAWN TENNIS TOURNAMENT.
PROFESSION PAIRS.
The final in the profession pairs was played Surgeon-Major Reade, representing medicine, on Monday afternoon between Dr. Atkinson and and Mr. F. Maitland and Mr. C. M. Firth, re
A close and interesting presenting commerce. match was anticipated, but the result was rather disappointing, the commercial men winning three
The score setts running.
was 6-2, 6-3, 9-7. The last sett, as will be seen from the score, has keenly contested, but the play was not of a very interesting description, lobbing being the principal feature. seemed to have great respect for Firth at the net and their efforts were for the most part directed to lifting the ball over his bead. There was little fine, placing or hard driving. dootors might perhaps have had a better chance had Atkinson taken the right hand instead of the left hand court, for he played a steadier and stronger game than his partner, but under any arrangement Firth aud Maitland would most probably have proved too strong for them.
The medicos
The
There was again a large attendance on the Cricket Ground on Saturday to witness the single tennis match between Mr. Wallace, repre- senting Canton, and Mr. Platt, representing Hongkong, H.H. the Governor being amongst these present. The result was another victory for Canton, but it was achieved only after a hard struggle.
was 6-8, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4. Some very fine play was ahown and the match proved interesting and exciting throughout, In the first sett the goore was carried to six all, but Platt won the two vantage games. In the second sett Wallace tried to rush things too much, which resulted in his playing rather wildly at times, and Platt, working very steadily, was able to score game after game, winning the sett by 6-2. The pros- pects of Canton winning the match now looked rather gloomy, but in the third sett Wallace played much more carefully and at same time began to make his swift service tell. The result was a sett to Canton by six games to two. In the fourth sett Platt appeared to fag and only prevented a love sett by scoring one game when Wallace had five to his credit. With the score at two setts all and Wallace playing much more strongly than his opponent a victory for Canton seemed certain. however, made a fine spurt in the last sett. Twenty-seven members were present on Satur- When the score stood at four all the match day to compete for the Short Range Cup. The seemed anybody's, and the hopes of Platt's sup-oup was won by Private Godbear, R.B., the two porters again rap high. Wallace, however, took first competitors not having entered for it. The the next two games and so won the mateb. spoons were won by Colour-Sergeant Hopkins, As an exhibition of tennis the match was | Sergeant Morris, Corporal Collins, Colour-Ser-
the
Platt,
HONGKONG RIFLE ASSOCIATION.
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