January 28, 1897.1
ST. GEORGE'S BALL
month that
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. -
with numerous flags and banners. a con. sequence of these admirable arrangements there was much more room than usual afforded to the
vast number of guests, and at no time was there used for supper, was tastefully decorated, each any undue crushing. The theatre, which was pillar bearing a girdle of green leaves from The stage looked exceedingly handsome with its which peeped out the St. George's pennant. small forest of bamboos and palms and the effect was even more heightened when the red-coated Hongkong Regiment appeared to play the stood a peacock, which has a history of its own. music during supper. On one of the tables
from Cape St. James, and it was particularly The bird was specially ordered for the occasion requested that the bird sent should possess a magnificent tail. The order was carried out and the peacock, proud of its handsome rear appendage, was placed on board a steamer bound for Hongkong. But the complete peacock The body came safely enough, but there was never got here, and thereby hangs a tale.
no sign of a tail, and it turned out that some Chinamen on board had wickedly plucked the feathers from the bird regardless of the feelings of the Englishmen in Hongkong. It was too late to order another bird, so what remained of this peacock was kept and what was missing was replaced by a tail brought from Canton.
Valse
Lancers..................
Valse Polka Iancers.. Valse Barn Dance
Laura
La Cigale Pluie D'Or Schlummerlied Knight of St. George
The 1897 St. George's Ball will always be remembered as one of the most brilliant func. hons ever held in the colony; no gathering has yet surpassed it for magnificent grandeur and warmth of hospitality. Englishmen are notorious all the world over for their love of everything that is best, and it may be safely said that there was nothing wanting in this year's celebration to complete the enjoyment of the eleven hundred people who assembled in the City Hall on Friday night. It has been well known for the past this year's English ball would be a record one and the many who formed high expectations could not have been in the least disappointed in Friday night's memorable gathering. To Mr. T. Sercombe Smith, the honorary Secre- tary, is due in a large measure the complete success of the ball, and the English were very fortunate in enlisting his valuable aid. Not only did he carry out the arduous cleri- cal work, but he personally saw that all the arrangements were efficiently carried out and he rendered the various Committees all the assistance in his power. Thoughtful care was bestowed upon every detail, the result being an entire absence of annoying trivialities which, although insignificant in themselves, sometimes go so far towards wrecking success.
His Excellency the Governor, Sir William The decorations were on an unprecedented scale, the Robinson, K.C.M.G., arrived punctually to credit in this important department of Com-
time and was met at the entrance by the mittee work being largely due to Lieutenant But-stewards, while the band of the West Yorkshire terworth, B.N., and Captain Tillett. Although Regiment played "God Save the Queen." On on so lavish a scale there was nothing in the reaching the ball room dancing was at once pro- decorations which suggested useless extrava-ceeded with, theprincipal set in the first lancers gance or clumsiness: everything was artistically being as follows:-H.E. The Governor and Lady arranged and no expense was spared in the work. Buller, H. E. Admiral Buller and Mrs. Black, The avenue formed of bamboos and beauti-H. E. Major-General Black and Mrs. Stewart ful palms which led from the entrance door up Lockhart, the Chief Justice and Mrs. Good. the staircase was beautifully picturesque and cer- man. The dance programme was very neatly tainly nothing finer in that way has ever been printed in gold and chocolate, and the dances attempted before. Mr. C. Ford and Mr. J. were as follow:- Tutcher brought their professional skill to bear on the arrangement of the plants and flowers, and it is needless to say that the whole effect was intensely pleasing. At the head of stairs facing the entrance was a painting representing St. George and the Dragon. It was surmounted by a crown and on each side were the English banner and the St. George's flag and also devices formed of swords and bayonets. Pennants bearing the St. George's cross were in con- spicuous positions in all parts of the building and even the Chinese lanterns which hung under a temporary verandah at the en- trance door had the red cross painted upon them. The rooms were of course decorated in the English style. The English banner and the St. George's cross occupied the most prominent, positions on the walls and they were flanked on either side by the flags of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. There was not. a single foreign ensign in the rooms. At the top part of St. George's Hall there was a huge mirror, for which Commander Rumsey and Mr. G. A. Caldwell were responsible, and near it were the arms of England and the cross of St. George. The band stand was quite rustic in appearance, the whole of the woodwork being hidden by an abundance of leaves-a unique feature due to the work of Mr. G. A. Caldwell. In the centre of the ceiling was the St. George's cross formed of small electric glow lamps and from it branched off red and white streamers which were strung across to represent the maypole. In St. Andrew's Hall the de- corations were of a similar kind and the scene when both rooms were crowded with dancers was most striking. The management of the electric light was in the hands of Mr. C. T. Robinson. It should also be mentioned that Mr. Hutchings and Mr. Grimshaw and Seaman Wakefield rendered most valuable assistance in arranging the thousand and one flags in various parts of the building. Special efforts were made on this occasion to facilitate the more- ments of the guests and to prevent any undue crowding, and these efforts were attended with every success. The buffet room was used as the main sitting room and adjoining it was the drawing room. the floor of which was laid with a red and white carpet representing the St. George's cross. - The corridor at the top free, and seats were provided on all the lals, which were overhung
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Valse
Polka
Valse
Valse
Valse
Blue Danube Jola La Gitana Le Premiere Pas
SUPPER DANCES.
Valse Lancers. Barn Dance.... Valse Roger de Coverly Valse.
Polka
Valse Galop
Marguerite *****.. Myosotis Our Last Rosen aus dem Suden Trial by Jury Faust up to Date Eldorado Original Sobre las Olas Victorio
The Shop Girl Vival
The band of the West Yorkshire Regiment played the music to everyone's satisfaction, and we may mention that the fifth item, "Knight of St. George," was specially arranged for this ball by Mr. W. G. Bentley, A.R.C.M., the bandmaster. It contains many old English airs and was, by permission, dedicated to H.E. the Governor. Supper, which was provided by the Peak Hotel through Messrs. Madar and Farmer, was excellently served in the theatre between 11.30 and 1.30, the distinguished guests at the first table being those who danced in the official lancers. On their arrival the band of the Hongkong Regiment commenced the fol- lowing selection of music :-
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"Ecast Beef of Old England." Selection... "Reminiscences of England"... Godfrey. Waltz "Eeauty's Daughters' O. Lowthian, Selection.... "Pinafore"
Sullivan. Selection... "Barrack Room Ballads" Morelli.
"Sweet Briar".
O. Lowthian. Waltz.
Wm. Clark. March...... "Pro Patria”.
The repast was in every respect of the highest class, the menu card, which was printed in red and gold, reading as follows:-
Hors d'Eutres. Lobster Mayonnaise. Chicken Mayonnaise. Ham Sandwiches. Beef Sandwiches. Caviare Sandwiches. Sardine Sandwiches.
Prawns. Boned Cupon with Truffles. Pate de Foie Gras in Jelly,
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Baron of Beef.
Joints
Roast Saddle of Mution Rout Turkey and Ham.
Boiled Shanghai Corned Beef.
Game
Game Pie. Boar's Head, Roast Wild Duck Roast Pheasant. Tomatoes, Celery, Lettuce, Watercress.
Pastry,
Blancmange. Almond Macaroons. Mince Pies. Chocolate Sponge Cake Finger Cakes. Desert.
Vanilla Ice Cream. Assorted Jellies. Maraschino Jelly.
Strawberry Ice Cream,
Bonbons. Beef Tes.
Cheese. Tears Coffee. Cocoa
card and smoking room, and every attention The library was, as customary. used as the
whist tables being numerous, and the refresh- was here paid to the comfort of the guests, the
ments of the best quality.
The following is a list of the Committees Mr. W. Danby, Captain Tillett, Lieutenant DECORATION Captain Rumsey (Chairman), Butterworth, R.N., Mr. J. Barton, Mr. "C. Palmer, Mr. G. A. Caldwell, Mr. T. J. Hut- chings, Mr. W. J. Tutcher, Mr. C. Ford, Captain Langhorne, R.A.
INVITATION.-Commander Hastings (Chair- man), Mr. E. W. Mitchell, Dr. Atkinson, Mr. H.Humphreys, Mr. J. P. Cottam, Major Lindley, R.E., Mr. S. J. Hanisch.
LADIES' CLOAK ROOM.—Mr. G. C. Cox, Mr. F. A. Hazeland, and Mr. H. W. Slade.
WHIST TABLES.-Mr. H. E, Pollock and Mr. C. D. Wilkinson.
SMOKING ROOM BAR.-Mr. ́A‚· Chapman, Mr. F. Browne, and Lieutenant Davies, R.A.
SUPPER AND WINES Mr. E. W. Mitchell,
Mr. J. Y. V. Vernon, Mr. Herbert Smith, Mr. B. Layton, Mr. J. H. Lewis, Mr. G. T. Veitch. DANCING-Mr. H. Smith, Mr. C. C. Platt, Mr. A. G. Stokes, Mr. S. Hancock, Captain Loveband.
GENTLEMEN'S CLOAK ROox-Mr. J. F Badeley, Mr. J. M. Beck.
The following is the list of stewards.--
Dr. Ayres, C.M.G., Dr. Atkinson, Adm. Sir Alex. Buller, K.C.B., Messrs. F. J. Badeley, J. Barton, J. M. Beck, F. Browne, G. A. Caldwell, Chief Justice Sir J. W Carrington, C.M.G., Messrs. A. Chapman, J. P. Cottam, G. C. Cox, J. H. Cox, W. Danby, P. G. Davies, R.A., V. H. Deacon, H. L. Dennys, N. J. Ede, Surg.-Capt. Edye, A.M.S., Col. Elsdale, R.E., Col. Faithfull, H.K.R., Mr. 3. Ford, Col. Fraser, R.A., Hon. W. M. Good- man, Messrs. T. Grimshaw, A. Hancock, S. Hancock, S. Hanisch, Com. Hastings, R.N. Messrs. V. A. C. Hawkins, F. A. Haseland, H. M. Hillier, Commodore S. Holland, R.N., Messrs. H. J. Holmes, E. Jones Hughes, H. Humphreys, T. J. Hutchings, C. C. Inchbald, Capt. Langhorne, R.A., Messrs. B. Layton, R, K. Leigh, J. H. Lewis, Major Lindley, R.E., Capt. Loveband, A.D.C., Messrs. C. W. May E. W. Mitchell, C. Palmer, C. C. Platt, Lient. Plumer, R.N., Messrs: H. E. Pollock, G. H. Potts, W. Power, W. Powell, H.E. Sir Wm. Ro- binson, K.C.M.G., Hon. Com. Murray Rumsey, R.N., Mr. Herbert Smith, Mr. Justice Ser combe Smith, Messrs. A. G. Stokes, U. H Thompson, A. Tillett, H. E. Tomkins, W. J, Tatcher, J. G. Veitch, J. Y. V. Vernon, E. 8, Whealler, R. C. Wilcox, C. D. Wilkinson.
The N. C. Daily News says:*** already stated the new Imperial Chinese Post office here will open on the 1st day of the Chinese New Year (2nd February.) The new office will be under the clock tower of the Custom House, the rooms in which have been refurnished and set in order for the new work in hand. It appears that in the Yangtse
ngtse ports there are all sixteen native private posta which have been retained Imperial Post-office, and business as hitherto wi mails. Most of headquarters either in Shangha and the $400 they have been an to the local steamship compar mails for them to the v been transferred to the ́ment.
The mails to
entirely in the hands of
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