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surface is so small that they are bound to resist the pressure they are pat to; but I wish ship- builders to be absolutely sure about the big bulkheads, because even if the strength of the iron is well calculated we must not forget that all these bulkheads have water- tight doors with cast iron frames, which may crack, when the buckheads bends. The doors would then be forced from their posi- tion and an inflow of water would follow.
I am per
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
BULKHEADS.
The recent address of Admiral Makaroff to the Chamber of Commerce on the minimising of the effects of collisions at sea, and the refer ences made by His Excellency and Mr. Whit- ing to bulkheads and their testing, invests the question of watertight compartments with special interest at the present tine. It will be remembered that Admiral Makaroff contended that the only efficient test of bulkheads would be to fill the compartments with water, while Mr. Whiting was of opinion that the testing with hose according to the recognised method that bulkheads in all were reliable. It happened that at the moment this discussion was going on there was a steamer lying in the harbour which afforded an example of what reliance can really be placed on bulkheads. The Ou Sung, a first-class steamer fresh from the hands of the builders and on her first voyage, while entering the harbour struck a rock and
was sufficient and
The steam-pipes are passed through the bulkheads and perhaps in such a way that when pressure is applied the pipes give way. How can we guarantee that these things will not give way if we never test them? fectly deferential to the opinion of the gentle.first-class steamers man who has spoken, but still I think that the only true trial of the buckhead is to fill all the compartments right up to the top; that is the sole guarantee that they are safe.
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Mr. FRANCIS-I beg to propose a most hearty vote of thanks to his Excellency Admiral Makaroff for his very lucid explanation of the ideas he has entertained and the inventions he
made a rent in ber fore-hold. The vessel has has made on this grave subject of collisions.
four holds separated by three bulkheads. The and to assure him that every person in this room bulkhead separating the fore-hold from the No. 2 and every person who will be made acquainted hold proved insufficient to prevent the water find- through the newspapers with the fact that being its way into the latter by leakage and it was has given his attention for so many years to so only kept down by important a subject will be prepared to thank
the Dock Company's him most heartily and to give every considera have been
the vessel's own appliances would tion to his suggestions and to his views.inrush, and had a similar hole been made in inadequate to cope with the (Applause).
The meeting then terminated.
FIRE IN QUEEN'S ROAD WEST.
A WOMAN AND TWO CHILDREN MISSING.
At 11.25 on Saturday night the Fire Brigade turned out to a fire which had originated on the first floor or 205, Queen's Road West, which is rented by a Chinese doctor. The firemen, under Hon. Commander W. C. H. Hastings and Mr. Badeley, were quickly in attendance, and in an hour they succeeded in extinguishing the flames. The whole of the building, however, was hurut to the ground, so that the damage was con- siderable. The ground floor was occupied by a dealer in arms, kerosine. &c., and was insured for $1,500 with the Northern Assurance Co. (Messrs. Turner and Co., Agents), the first floor by the doctor, and the second floor was used as a dwelling house. A woman and two children were burnt to death.
REPORTS OF ANOTHER RISING AT CANTON,
We learn that in all the large cities of Kwangtung placards are posted offering $2,000 reward for the arrest of the leader of the late attempted rebellion at Canton. who is still at large.
It is common talk amongst the Chinese that there is to be a rising on a more extensive scale after the New Year.
The Peking authorities, in view of the quantity of arms and ammunition distributed through the southern provinces and the general reports of risings to take place, would act wisely if they promptly sent some popular and firm Viceroy to set their house in order.
THE WEST RIVER QUESTION.
We regret to learn that the prospects of the opening of the West River are not now con sidered so bright as they were a short time ago. Chinese who previously asserted positively that the river was to be opened now aver that it is not to be opened. It is suggested that the Chinese Government have been promised moral support in quarters where the opening of this trade route is not appreciated; also that the little difficulties England has had with America and Germany have encouraged the Chinese in obstructive tactics, but seeing the turn these difficulties have taken
any encouragement derived from that source must have been short- lived.
On the 11th January fire broke out at the residence of Mr. von Spitz at Tientsin. Two or three rooms were badly damaged before the fire was subdued. The property was insured.
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pumps :
[January 30, 1896.
Several amateurs lent their assistance. Mr. Crow opened the concert with “The Last Man (Callcott) and was warmly applauded. Surgeon- Major Hayes gave a solo on the Fiji fiddle.
"Home, sweet Home," for which he received an undeniable encore, to which he responded with "Drink to me only with thine eyes!" The command the performer has over this curious one stringed instrument and the sweet- ness of the tones he produces are truly wonder- ful. In the second part of the programme Surgeon-Major Hayes also gave a solo on the cello. Mr. C. H. Grace was in quite his best form and gave a splendid rendering of Goring Thomas's "A Summer Night," in which he had the advantage of a cello obligato by Surgeon-Major Hayes. The second part of the programme was opened with pleasing violin solo by Messrs. M. Alsberg and G. Schroeter, the accompaniment being played by Mr. H. Ehmer. Mr. E. Mirow sang "Blondel Lied (Schumann), in which his clear tendr voice was heard to much advantage. The accom- paniments were played by Mr. G. Grimble in his usual tasteful and sympathetic style.
The concert was a most enjoyable one and the community will be pleased if Signorina Belin faute can comply with the suggestion which we understand has been made that she should give a ballad concert sometime next week.
WHAT IS PREPARED OPIUM?
the vessel at sea, where she could not bave heru beached, she would inevitably have foundered. As it WHS. the water reached At the Magistracy on the 28th January, be- a height of 3 ft. in the No. 2 hold and did ex- fore Mr. T. Sercombe Smith, the hearing was tensive damage to the cargo of sugar. The in- concluded of a summons against Messrs. Watts surance on the cargo was 8400,000 and the claim, and Co.. Ice House Street, for having in their we understami, will amount to about twenty per possession, on the 10th January, 11 lbs. of pre- cent. The bulkhead proved of some value. be-pared opium without a valid certificate for the cause without it the vessel would probably not have been able to keep afloat for the short dis tance she had to proceed to reach a safe beach. but the case is strong evidence in support of Admiral Makaroff's contention that the only reliable text of whether a so-called watertight compartiment is really watertight or not is to fill it and try it.
SIGNORINA BELINFANTE'S
CONCERT.
There was a large audience at the Theatre Royal on the 19th inst. to hear Signorina Belinfant's concert, amongst those present being H.E. the Governor and HE. Admiral Makaroff. The concert was most enjoyable and successful-a treat-which most of the music loving portion of the community had been look- ing forward to for several days. When the Signorina passed through Hongkong some months ago she was unable to give મ concert, but the most glowing accounts of her performances at Shanghai and in Japan were received and when her concert for last night was announced expectation ran high. Signorina Belinfaute possesses a tery powerful contralto voice of large compass and she has wonderful control over it, softening down from a very forte note to the gentlest pianissimo. Some of her strong notes, how ever, sounded rather harsh, occasionally almost nasal, and we should be incliued to think that she was not in her best voice, She was down on the programme for no less than six items. viz.. Che Faro" (Gluck). (Randegger),
Cradle Song"
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· 11 Libro Santo" (Pinsuti), Non Conosci il bel suol" (Goring Thomas,) Habanera" (from Bizet's Carmen), and a duet with Miss Lammert- When the Swallows Howeward fly (Abt). She Was most enthusiastically applauded for each, having to ledgments, and for return on each occasion to bow her acknow- Il Libro Santo" the encore Was So persistent that she was induced to respond, singing Home, sweet Home." The dust with Miss Lammert was not a very happy success. Signorina Bolinfante's voice being too ponderous for Miss Lammert's sweet soprano, aud they did not sing well together in the first verse; but improved to wards the end. Nevertheless they received a very hearty encore, for which they bowed their acknowledgments. After her first solo the Signorina was presented with a very handsome bouquet from Admiral Makaroff.
same.
Mr. Dennys prosecuted on behalf of the Opium Farmers, and Mr. Grist appeared for the defence.
Mr. Dennys, in addressing the Magistrate, reviewed the evidence given on the previous occasions, and said that a man named Lum Sum Yan. had conclusively proved that he went to Mr. Watts and purchased from him a large quantity of stuff called "Vegetable Extract,” It was sold practically on condition that it should be taken to Canton, as it was against the law that it should be sold here. The man took it down to the Canton steamer wharf and was followed by an excise officer. Mr. F. Browne, the assistant analyst at the Government Civil Hospital, had analysed a sample of the vegetable extract and he swore positively that it was opium and had been subjected to a degree of artificial heat. He said he found meconic acid, narco- tine, and a small quantity of morphine in it. Evidently the opium had been used for the purpose of preparing morphine, and unusual tests had to be applied before the existence of the morphine could be discovered. His Wor ship could only come to the conclusion after hearing this evidence that the defendant had been carrying on or attempting to carry on s very extensive trade in this prepared opium and relying upon the fact that because a great por- tion of the morphine had been extracted there- fore the stuff was not opium within the medical seuse of the word. But his Worship had no- thing to do with the meaning of opium as given in the "British Pharmacopoeia," which was that opium was a preparation containing about 20 per cent. of morphine. The Opium Ordinance was passed for the protection of that portion of the revenue of the colony derived from the Opium Farmers, and far-reaching words had been introduced into the interpretation clause. It explained that the Ordinance could not be de- fied by half preparing the stuff or by partly preparing it, and that all opium that had been subjected to any degree of artificial heat was prepared opium for the purposes of the Ordin- ance. He asked his Worship to inflict a heavy penalty as it was not a case where Mr. Watts had made a mistake or thought he was acting bona fide.
Mr. Grist denied that the man Lum Sum Yan ever went into the defendants' office. One tin of extract was stolen from Mr. Watts's pre- mises and no doubt it was sold to the Opium Farmers. But the main point was whether this stuff was prepared opium. He submitted it was not, as opium, to be described as such, must
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