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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
HOTEL.
THREE PERSONS KILLED AND TWO RESCUED.
June 6, 1 895.
place. In order to carry on the various sports which the club held it was necessary to call upon the community to give prizes, and the heartiest thanks of the members were due to those who had so kindly and generously come forward and given prizes.
ficers from one of the cruisers, who put a few | COLLAPSE OF THE OLD VICTORIA | silted up, it had ceased to be such a suitable questions to Captain Hodgins and then retired.
As might be expected, there was a consider. able amount of excitement up river when a telegram reached' 'I watutia announcing the arrival of the Japanese, and it was feared that a panic might follow. The combined guard of British and German marines and bluejackets were immediately called to arms, but nothing approaching excitement even occurred, and it being evident that there was no intention on the part of the Japanese to land or attack, fur ther precautions were deemed unnecessary.
The situation in Formosa is, without,doubt, a very grave one, and it almost seems impossible to avoid a great disaster, unless prompt mea: sures are taken by both the Chinese and Japa nese Governments. It is extremely doubtfuli the people are in real sympathy with the new Government, and it seems that their support is simply promised as a last resource and in the hope that foreigu intervention may yet save the island. As far as matters are at present, a deter- mined stand will be made against any attempt on the part of Japan to occupy the island, but it remains to be seen what effect the arrival of Li Chung Fang, who is charged with the transfer of Formosa, will have with the misguided Pre sident, upon whom rests an overwhelming ref sponsibility.
Li Ching-fong, accompanied by Mr. Foster, left Shanghai on the 30th May by the Kungyi for the Pescadores, to formally hand over For mosa to the Japanese in accordance with the terms of the Treaty. -
A notice was issued by the Telegraph com- panies on the 31st May to the effect that, bosti lities having commenced in Formosa, private telegrams will not be accepted for transmission except for Kelung, Hobé, and Taipeh.
At one o'clock yesterday morning the entire roof of the Old Victoria Hotel, which extends from Queen's Road to the Praya, completely collapsed, and three Chinese were killed. The hotel, or rather the ancient building that clung to this title, has been in disuse for several months, and consequently its dilapidation has rapidly advanced. White ants, the scourge of the colony, took possession of the place in swarms; all the timber supporting the roof aud in the roof was hollowed out by these voracious insects, and, as is their custom, they left simply the shell of the supports in order to effectively hide their ravages. Then came the rains of the last few days to complete the rapid work of destruction, and finally the roof gave way, and crashed in the first floor. At the time there were five Chinese on the premises, a man, three women, and a child. Only two of them escaped with their lives, and the escape was certainly a miraculous one. When the report of the crash was heard an alarm was given at the Cen- tral Police Station, and Chief Inspector Corcoran and several constables immediately want to the place, provided with lighted lamps and candles. The interior of the premises was one confused mass of bricks, mortar, and rottenwood, and standing upon this heap of rubbish the police heard cries coming from amongst it. They at once set to work to clear away the debris, and effect, if not too late, the rescue of those who were shrieking for aid. The task was by no means an easy oue. Nearly eight feet of the heavy rubbish had to be dug out before the search party was rewarded for its efforts, and this work occupied nearly two hours. A woman and a child were brought out alive, and, what is more remarkable, they wore uninjured, although the weight of the debris upon them must have been enormous. Lying across the woman was a man named Wo Uk Chuk,
The Japanese forces landed on the coast opposite Palm Island, in the neighbourhood of Kelung, on the morning of the 30th May. It was stated that they intended landing 4,000 men on the coast near to Kelung. A telegram to the China Mail, despatched from Taipeh-fu on the
36 years of age. He was dead. evening of the 3rd inst., states that the Japanese Proceeding further with their search the police bad captured Kelung and that the Chinese found the dead bodies of Young Hing To, 22 garrison had lost three hundred men killed.
years of age, and a twelve year old girl named The following notice was issued by the Tele-Chan Min. These three were most likely killed graph Companies yesterday :--
The Chinese at Foochow report that the Taipeh office has been deserted by all excepting one European. Foreign telegrams only can be accepted, and those entirely at the senders' risk."
The following telegrams appear in the China Mail
*
Shanghai, 4th June. Taotai Li Ching-fong, the Chinese Pleni- potentiary, formally handed over the Island of Formosa to Admiral Kabayama, the Japanese Viceroy. The ceremony took place on board ship ontside Kelung on the night of Saturday, 1st June. Li Ching-fong has returned to Shanghai. Kelung was captured by the Japanese ou Monday, the 3rd inst.
Taipeh-fu, 5th June.
instantaneously. The greatest credit is due to the police for the manner in which they extricted the two fortunate females from their perilous position.
On Tuesday Mr. H. E. Wodehouse opened the inquiry respecting the death of Yeung Hing To, Wo Ut Chu, and Chau ui, who were fatally injured at the Old Victoria Hotel on 30th May. The watchman spoke to bearing a portion of the roof fall, and Inspector Mann deposed to finding the bodies of the deceased buried in about four or five feet of debris. About 60 feet length of the roef fell The inquiry was adjourned until Saturday.
VICTORIA RECREATION CLUB.
ANNUAL METING.
was held in the Gymnasium of the Club. Mr. H. E. Wodehouse presided over a large attend-
ance.
The utmost excitement prevails in North Formosa, the resistance of the Chinese army
On Thursday afternoon the annual meeting of having collapsed at the approach of the Japanese the members of the Victoria Recreation Club forces. The Chinese soldiers and natives have attacked the Government buildings, wrecking, looting, and setting fire to President Tang's Yamen and the surrounding buildings at Taipeh- fu. President Tang made good his escape in safety. The natives and soldiers are indulging in indiscriminate rioting at Hobe. The for- eigners, so far, have not been molested, but the approach of the Japanese is looked for auxiously
The shareholders of the Shanghai-Sumatra Tobacco Company are to be congratulated, the N. C. Daily News says, on the good prospect before them. Prior to the public sales in Holland their tobacco was valued by experts at the preliminary examination by recognised brokers as second on the list of parcels offered for sale, and the results far exceeded these va- luations. One lot of 532 bales realised the very high price of 246 guilders. Not only has last year's crop thus done well on the market, but the accounts of the growing op sent to the agents are exceedingly favourable, so that the company seems to be in the happy position of unexampled prosperity both at present and in the future,
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The hon. secretary, Mr. E. D. SANDERS, read the notice convening the meeting.
Mr. E. J. MEUGENS seconded the resolution, which was carried.
Two alterations were then made in the. rules, one of them being that an' entrance fee of $5 would be required from persons joining the club after the 30th June.
The CHAIRMAN said that the next business was the election of the Committee. and he re-
ferred in eulogistic terms to the services ren- dered by gentlemen who were on the Committee but who had left the colony and did not offer Mr. Lisbirel, the themselves for re-election. steward, was going away for a short holiday, and he had given very valuable assistance to the club, and had shown very good qualifications in. deed for the position that he filled.
Mr. ADAMSON said that, before proceeding with the election of the Committee, he thought the first duty was to elect the Chairman. He hoped the members would unanimously elect Mr. Wodehouse, as he was sure they could not get a better man. (Applause). Mr. Wodehouse was one of the leading men of the colony, and he had worked hard in the interests of this important and representative club. (Applause).
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Mr. Wodehouse was unaminously elected Chairman, and in reply said he had very much He now had pleasure in accepting the honour. the pleasing duty of asking Mr. E. D. Sandors to again act as honorary secretary Unless a club had a good Reoretary he defied it to flourish, and in Mr. Sanders the members had an excellent, energetic, and indefatigable hon. secretary. He (the speaker) also asked Mr. Armstrong to continue as hon. treasurer.
Mr. R. F. LAMMRT seconded the resolution, which was carried.
The following committees were elected :- General Committee-Mr. H. E. Wodehouse,
E. C.M.G., Chairman; Mr. D. Sanders, Secretary; Mr. W. Armstrong, Treasurer; Messrs. W. H. Potts, M. A. A. Souza, Capt. D. F. MacCarthy. Messrs. . F. Lammert, W. Machell, G. L. Duncan, C. M. Adamson, G. A. Caldwell, and E. Bischoff. Ballotting Committee -Messrs. J. Meek, T. W. Lammert, G. C. Hay- ward, F. Lammert, W. A. Stopani, J. B. Grimes. A. Denison, C. II, Grace, F. H. Kew, and G. Moffatt.
A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings.
MARINE COURT OF INQUIRY.
CHIEF ENGINEER'S CERTIFICATE SUSPENÍ Ed. A Marine Court of Inquiry was held on Fri- day at the Harbour Master's office to inquire into certain charges of misconduct brought by the master of the British steamer Riversdale, Official No. 68,974, of Sunderland, against Robert Crathorne, the first engineer of the vessel.
The Court was composed of Commander R. Murray Rumsey, Stipendiary Magistrate; Lieut. Louis W. R. Chetwynd, R.N.; Mr. John Murray, Commander 8.8. Asloun; Mr. John Elward Farrell, Commander, s.s. Mongkut; Mr. T. Mit- obell Milne, Commander 8.8. Annandale,
Mr. Gedge (from Messrs. Johnson, Stokes and Master's office) appeared for the captain, Mr. Edward Peck.
The defendant did not appear.
The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the re- ports and accounts for the past year. Ife thought the results of the year were satisfactory. There last year, and the reserve fund was now $1,420. was a balance $296.51 in excess of what it was
The finding of the Court was-We find that The balance was in spite of the sum of $676.95 Robert Crathorne, whose certificate of com- which it was found necessary to expend on the petency as first class engineer is 20,840 is chief club in consequence of damage done by the engineer of the British steamer Riversdale. typhoon. The aquatic sports which were held That a charge has been brought before the during the year went off extremely well, and Court by the master of the Riversdale that the ended in a balance in favour of the club. In said Robert Crathorne has been under the in- regard to the bathing place it seemed to him fluence of drink and incapable of performing his that the bathing facilities for such an im-duty from the 15th to 21st May inclusive. That portant and well represented club as this were the accused has been supplied with a copy of the not sufficient, and a better bathing place charge brought against him, and was ordered to ought, if possible, to be got. (Applause). To do appear before this tourt and answer the same. thisit would be necessary to secure the co-operation That the accused has failed to appear before the of the Government, and the Committee would do Court, and that on being sent for he still their best during this year to get a bathing declined to appear. That the Court bas place that was suitable for the large number of therefore heard the evidence in support of members who liked to bathe. The present the charge in his absence. That having heard place was very well when it was started years the evidence of the master and the chief officer ago, but owing to the way the foreshore had the Court is of opinion that the said Robert
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