November 11, 1896.]
A.D.C. who has, notwithstanding his present proportions, further extended himself in the following lines:
Lord A—“ Monster sea serpent seen near Cap-
si-moon,
D.H.M.S. Tweed departed for Kowloon," Lord A.-"The Council meets, and White
head wants to know
Why do the reservoirs not overflow ?" D-Police reports do not amusement yield;
A granite-chipping quisance holds the field, Or else some Russian, as the record runs, Is caught while measuring the Victor's
guns.
Lord A-Sports and amusements simply raise
my ire,
"A lady bicyclist has burst her D.-What P
Lord A-Tyre,
D. Or else that celebrated yacht, The Skunk, Has fouled the Empress-one of them was
sunk,
"
But which it was I can't exactly say; The curious can enquire of Paddy May. Next comes the news that China is awaking, Railways in all directions she is making. Fancy from Kowloon city setting forth,
Change here for Shanghai, Peking, and
the North."
Some local poets claim my best attention. The "sub" at Stonecutters' I first must
mention.
1
Reading his verses certainly gives pleasure, Artillery officers have so much leisure. Of the acting it is impossible to speak in too high praise. Captain R. G. T. Baker Carr had a part which snited him admirably and he did not miss a single opportunity in his accurate impersonation of a fidgety old English lord who has married a pretty young woman and suspects everybody of being in love with her. He repeatedly received warm tokens of admir- tion. Mrs. Wrottesley, as Lady Allcash, was most winning and a better pair could not have been found for the parts. A dust and dance which they gave provoked roars of laughter and had to be repeated. Special mention must be made of Mrs. Wrottesley's singing of “Jappy Jap," a pretty and catchy little song from the Geisha," and "When your pride has had a tumble," from the "Gaiety Girl." Miss Coxon was very charming as Zerlina, the barmaid at the Jolly Bri- gands," and created a most favourable impres- sion. Her interpretation of "I want you, my honey," from the "Shop Girl," was very sweet and she was compelled to respond to an encore, while she also had to repeat a pretty walts song,
"Gentle Zerlina," from the ori- ginal "Fra Diavola," which was accompanied by a very neat skirt dance. The chorus, "Chin. Chin, Chinaman," which she gave at the end of the first art, is also from the Geisha" and we believe it has gained great notoriety in London. It is very catchy and Miss Coxon sang it with a sufficiently quaint air. As Fra Diavolo Mr. J. H. Thresher accomplished a distinct success and came in for a large share of praise. He sang a good song from the "Shop Girl" called Superfluous Relations" and also took part in a charming duet "On Yonder Rock" with Miss Coxon. Mr. Percival did not have very much chance to distinguish himself, but what he did was done thoroughly and his singing of Jack's the Boy was loudly applauded. Colour-Sergeant Waight made a life-like landlord and could scarcely have been improved upon. At the beginning of the play he sings "Sister Mary Jane's Top Note," a humorous song taken from the "Gay Parisienne," and he made a decided hit. The two brigands, Privates Laing and Payce, were simply irresistible and whenever they were on the stage the audience could not help roaring. Laing is a genuine humourist and his rendering of “Left, right" and "Where are the boys of the Old Brigade ?"-the latter con- taining local items was exceedingly clever, and the audience roared again and again at his comicalities and his smart patter. Payce was a most useful partner and his song about "Enoch Brown was intensely amusing. Their skit on the modern drama is one of the best things we have seen in that line. All the other parts were in capable hands. The Indian exhibition by a sergeant and six boys was Tery esting and the step dancing intro-
15.
$4
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
duced by two members of the Brigade found favour with the audience.
We must not conclude without giving a word taken much trouble in arranging the dancing. of praise to Mr. G. A. Caldwell, who has
The orchestra, under Mr. W. D: Peachey, band always does. The stage manager, Captain played splendidly, as indeed the Rifle Brigade
R. G. T. Baker Carr, was as able behind the scenes as he was in front and everything conse- kindly lent by the Hongkong Amateur Drama- quently went smoothly. The scenery was tic Club. A third performance was given on Monday.
HONGKONG SANITARY BOARD.
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held on the 5th November. Dr. Ayres (Colonia Hon. F. H. May (Captain Superintendent of Surgeon) presided and there were also present
Police), Dr. Clark (Medical Officer of Health), Mr. N. J. Ede, and Mr. Hugh McCallum (Secretary).
ILLNESS OF THE PRESIDENT.
The Colonial Surgeon took the chair in the absence of the President (Hon. É. A.. Cooper), who was indisposed.
LEGAL ADVICE FOR THE SECRETARY.
A communication was read from the Colonial Board and the Medical Officer of Health to Secretary anthorising the Secretary of the
advice as they may require. obtain from the Crown Solicitor such legal
PLAGUE IN FORMOSA.
The Secretary reported that the following telegram had been received from the Consul at Tamsui in answer to a communication asking for verification of the statement which appeared in the Daily Press to the effect that bubonio plague was prevalent in Taipeh:-
-"Fifteen cases Taipeh yesterday; none Tamsui.” The telegram was dated 31st October.
The COLONIAL SURGEON-All we can do is to keep an eye on all vessels coming into this port, and keep clean ourselves.
BAD WELL WATER.
The analyst's reports on fourteen samples of well water were laid upon the table. In fiv- case the water was condemned as unfit for pote able purposes and these wells were accordingly ordered to be closed.
CHOLERA AT SINGAPORE.
Statements submitted by the Colonial Secre- tary at Singapore showed that for the week ended the 20th October 11 cases of cholera result- ing in 9 deaths were reported. For the week ended 13th October the number of deaths result- ing from the disease was 26.
A NUISANCE AT WEST STREET.
An anonymous petition from inhabitants of houses in West Street was read praying that the nuisance arising from the roasting of car- cases of swine in that street be abated. The petitioners asked the Board to take immediate steps as the bad smells arising from the opera- tion was the cause of much sickness in the locality.
The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH said the roasting was not an illegal nuisance.
The Medical Officer of Health was instructed to make further enquiries.
MORTALITY.—COMELAINT OF MISLEADING
STATIATICS.
The mortality statistics showed a death rate of 19.6 per 1,000 for the week ended 24th Oct. and 19.4 for the week ended 31st Oct. The return for the week ended the 24th Oct. showed that out of the number of deaths occurring during that period three had resulted from bubonic plague.
369
the Board, therefore, to represent to the Registrar-General the serious results which such a breach of the Births and Deaths value of his returns, by affording information Registration Ordinance has upon the statistical
which is most misleading."
attached:"I think the mistakes referred to The following minute by Mr. Ede was also
by the Medical Officer of Health should be men- tioned to the Registrar General, and a request the dates on which they occur." made to arrange for deaths to be recorded with
The COLONIAL SURGECON-I think the attention of the Registrar General should be drawn to the matter, as it is most important that the dates of the deaths should be recorded. The Secretary was instructed to communi- cate with the Registrar-General accordingly.
ADJOURNMENT.
week.
The Board adjourned until next Thursday
DEATH OF A DIOCESAN SCHOOL
The Medical Officer of Health minpted as follows: The three deaths from bubonio plague recorded as having been registered during the week ended 24th Oct. occurred on 26th Sept., 6th Oct., and 19th Oct. respectively. If deaths are not registered at the time that they occur as required by section 11 of the Births and Deathe Registration Ordinance, these returns become almost worthless; for instance, a comparison of the deaths occur- ring at any period of the year with the meteorological conditions existing at the same time is frequently made and much valuable information derived therefrom, but in such a case as this the deductions might be most misleading and untrue. I would urge |
BOY,
1
SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS,
At the Magistracy on Monday afternoon Hon. Commander W. C. H. Hastings held an inquest on the body of Tong Wing, eleven years of age, age, who died on the 1st inst. from injuries a scholar in the Diocesan School and Orphan-
alleged to have been inflicted in the school.
Bishop Burdon and the Rev. R. F. Cobbold. were present in court during the proceedings.
The following jury were sworn-Messrs. C. C. Corveth, O. Wegener, and Donald Macdonald.
Mr. H. L. Dennys-I appear in this case, your Worship, to watch the proceedings on be half of the father and mother the deceased. I shall probably have witnesses whom I shall ask you to examine, but I am hardly in a position to go on with the case thoroughly to-day and therefore I suggest that it may be advisable to take to-day simply formal evidence and to hear witnesses who may go into the merits of the case after the adjournment.
Mr. George Piercy was then called. He said-I am head master of the Diocesan School and Orphanage. The deceased, Tong Wing, whose English name is Frank Butler, is eleven years of age and was admitted to school on the 4th April, 1894. I saw him in the Government Civil hospital on the 1st November. Dr. At- kinson was present. I do not know whether the boy knew that he was in a dangerous con: dition. He told us that he had had a blow on the forehead on the Saturday before o came to the hospital. He went into the hospital on Tuesday, the 27th October, so according to his statement he received the blow on the 24th October.
His Worship-Did he say who gave him the
Witness-He said that Mr. Ralph gave it
blow?
him.
What with P—With a wooden stick. Who is Mr. Ralph ?—He is the third master.
Is this boy in his class P-I see from the school register that the boy was not at school on the 24th.
•
Was be in Mr. Ralph's class ?-He was, Was that the last time you saw the boy alive?—Yes, that was the last time.
What have you to say about the school register P-By that he was not in school on the 24th.
Who keeps the book ?-I keep it. He is marked down as "sick."
Do you muster the boys ?-I call the roll every morning at nine o'clock.
Why do you say he was sick ?--The boy was in bed upstairs. He was a boarder in the school.
You can prove that he was sick P-Yes. If he had an 8" against his name he would be in bed PI will not say he was in bed, but he was with the sick boys.
Do you use corporal punishment in school? The cane is used only for serious offences.
Can any of the masters use the cane? They can, but it is entered in a book..
The punishment book?—Yes. Where is the cane applied on the handi shoulders, or buttocks-On the ha buttocks.
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