44
January 18, 1898.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
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to the fore and working up polo generally we should not have had such good matches during the past year. I want you to drink the health of Captain Burney and the Gunner team. (Applause).
·
at polo, and his unselfish play coupled with man I am justly proud. In the last tourna Wood's sure and hard hitting largely contri- ment he was called upon at the last moment to buted to the Regiment's success at the recent fill in his Regimental team the place of one tournaments. He and Wood well deserved the who Captain Drew will be the first to admit caps awarded them by the Hongkong Football was a better player thau himself. I allude to
Captain BURNEY said-Mr. Chairman and Club for specially useful play in the Rugby that sterling player Mr. Tew, who is unfort- matches, while the whole community are deeply unately not able to be here to-night. But like gentlemen, Mr. Wood made an excellent speech indebted to the popular Bandmaster, Mr. Bent- a true Irishman Captain Drew rose to the emer. and was very complimentary to the gunners. ley, for the Band's splendid music which will gency and played for his Regiment an invaluable At the same time be bad no anthority to keep long be remembered, especially that dear old game, proving himself a very tower of strength the ball rolling in the speech-making line, in both defence and attack. In Mr. King I However, I knew what a polo dinner usually tune the quick march, "Ca Ira," acquired by the
led to, so I brought a few notes about the oup 14th at Famars. Mr. Bentley richly merited think you will agree with me we have had not the Jubilee medal and the other interesting only a very promising polo player, but more which the Regiment have just won, as I souvenirs he has received. The dauntless 14th than a priuce--a very King among A.D.Cs-thought they might be of interest. It was first Regiment were colonial expansionists lone who has shown us all how the manifold duties played for on 17th April. 1896, when represen- before Mr. Chamberlain's father was born, were of such office can be well and quietly executed.tative teams could not be raised. Mr. Alexan- "Jameson" raiders ere Dr. Jim was dreamt of, Mr. Spencer has justly received much praise der, of the Rifle Brigade, kindly consented to make up four teams from among the polo and they have captured any number of Crown for his play in the last three tournaments.
players, and the result was an excellent tourna colonies, including Trinidad aud Mauritius. To The success of the Regimental team was in no that list they must now add abother, viz.. | small measure due to him, and I am sure that, ment which ended in a win for Capt. Love. Hongkong, which has been captured, not with given the opportunity to play, he has before band's team after a very even game with my own. Indeed the tussle was only decided in the rifle and the bayonet, or by the sword, but him a brilliant polo career., The highest com-
the last few seconds of play by a brilliant stroke with and by their geniality, hospitality, good-pliment I can pay Mr. Gordon is to say that he
is a chip of the old block." We civilians have by Capt. Loveband himself. The next occasion · fellowship, soldierly qualities, and duty well and thoroughly done. We feel assured that so long all admired the soldierly qualities of Colonel was on the 11th August, 1896, when three Gordon, and it is due to the fact that the son teams competed, the Rifle Brigade, the Gunners, as England can produce such Regiments as
Here again I met my old The Prince of Wales' Owu," whose badge is has inherited those qualities from the father and the Club.
that Mr. Gordon has been enabled to play the opponent Capt. Loveband, who was in the Club the white horse of Hanover with the motto
Nec aspera terrent ". Not even difficulties unselfish and watchful but yet plucky dashing team, and they beat us rather hollow. The next occasion was at the beginning of the pre- alarm us"
so long will the prestige of the game that he has exhibited as No. 1 of the
sent year, when the West Yorkshire Regiment country and the traditions of the British Army team. If ever Mr. Gordon is called upon to
had only just arrived and the R.A. won their be maintained unsullied. Hongkong earnestly fight for his country, I feel sure that the same wishes the Fourteenth Regiment, or the old qualities will lead him to win glory on the battle tie against them rather easily. In the final the field. I miss my first mate in the Phoebe, Club team, again thanks to Capt. Loveband, and bold." a continued career of usefulness and distinguished service in whatever part of Her Captain Phillips. I wish he were here that I defeated the Gunners, and the next three times,→ Majesty's dominions duty may lead them.- night take the opportunity of thanking him viz., on 21st April, 1897, 6th August, 1897, and 26th November last, as has already been said, the (Prolonged cheering, followed by For they for his hard and very efficient work with me
Regiment won, and I think every credit is due during the past and present yachting seasons. are jolly good fellows.")
Colonel GORDON said Mr Whitehead and He is a very keen polo player and the best I to them for this achievement. It shows what cau wish him is that he will become as fine a a sporting lot they are and I must thank Mr. it is usual to make a gentlemen, I suppose
Wood for the kind way in which he mentioned speech on these occasions, and I beg to express player as he is a yachtsman. There remains my hearty thanks for the very flattering way in only Mr. Wood to mention. Curiously enough my name and that of the Gunner team. The marked dis. which your Chairman has spoken of, the Regi-I dreamt of him the other night. I dreamt R.A. have always been at
home on leave and down at advantage at polo, firstly, on account of the ment, whose records he appears to know better that I was
paucity of young officers, and, secondly, that than I do myself. I daresay we did fight in Hurlingham to watch an important polo match. Scotland against his kith and kin, and here we One of the players distinguished himself ex- among those we have we are compelled always have also had the honour of meeting Scotchmen ceedingly and I thought that in the perfect, to have two on detachment, one at Lyemun and in various contests. I am proud that we have easy seat, the lithe figure, and the ruddy locks, one at Stonecutters. I am, however, happy to say former Hongkong player. that we expect an increase in our numbers at an been able to carry several of these off. in I recognised a
After the match was over and the player early date. Among the Asiatic Artillery alone, cricket, football, racquets, and polo, and I t.nst we have reminded Scotchmen of the victory of I was particularly watching had to stop bitting to which I have the pleasure to belong, we are to get an increase of nine officers-one Major, former years and that we appreciate them as guals, I drew near and recognised in the hero much if not more than they do us. Polo I think of the hour the brilliant captain of the XIVth two Captains, and six Subalterns-and I think is a sport to be thoroughly encouraged. I have Regiment's team. I am sure that my dream that then we should be able to knock together a played in India, but there is a time in every will come true and that if Mr. Wood has only team good enough to walk off with this new cup which Mr May bas so generously offered one's life when these noble games hare to be the opportunities to continue playing he will abandoned. Nevertheless, my interest in the some day attain the very frout rank of polo to present; at least I can assure you it will not game has in no way diminished and I must say players. To him as captain of his Regimental be from any want of effort on my part. - it was a proud moment for me when I saw my team is due the credit of the organisation (Cheers). Before sitting down I wish you all to join with me in a bumper to our genial and Regimental team on three consecutive occasions which ensured to it victory, aud to him are due win the cup, more especially as my son was one the thanks of all Hongkong polo players for worthy Secretary, the gallant Capt. Loveband, whom we are all rejoiced to see back again on of the team on each occasion. Mr. Whitehead the impetus that his exertions have given to
the polo field in his usual good form and health. and gentlemen, we greatly appreciate your the game-(cheers and musical honours). hospitality and good fellowship and I beg again to thank you very sincerely on behalf of the 14th Regiment for the cordial words in which the toast was proposed and the very enthusiastic manner in which you bave drunk our health.
"
Mr. MAY said Mr. Chairman, Colonel Gor- don, and gentlemen, to me has been entrusted to-night the bonour of proposing the toast of the playing members of the XIVth, "Prince of Wales' Own" Regiment. I do so with a very great deal of pleasure, for I feel, and I am sure that we all feel, that the guests to-night have not only given invaluable support to the game since they have been here, but by the excellent play of their Regimental team have greatly improved polo in Hongkong. I have on my right Major Grant Dalton, and our thanks are due to him for his support of the game. He was, I think, the first of the Regiment to join our Club, and although we have unfortunately not had him playing with us he has by his en- couragement, criticism, and advice greatly con- tributed to promote and improve the game. Then there is Captain Lush, all flushed with victory from Focchow, where following the eX. ample set him by Mr. Wood he has won laurels on the flat. Captain Price's genial countenance wherever he goes sheds such a glow of sunshine around him that it would enliven the scene and infuse contentment on any polo ground, aud his presence ou a cold bleak afternoon such as we have had of late counteracts any tendency to depression and makes all who are present feel happy. There is Captain Barry Drew sit ting on my left. Of him as a fellow country-
|
a
The toast was drunk with musical honours, Mr. Wood said-Mr. Chairman and gentle-
Capt. LOVEBAND) said-Mr. Whitehead and men, I thank you very much for the very kind
in which you have drunk my health and gentlemen, before coming here to-night I was way
shown a list of those who were to propose and the health of the Regiment team of which I We are
reply to the various toasts and my name was have the honour of being Captain.
not amongst them, so I thought I was to be very much indebted to Mr. May for 80 very
feel more than generously presenting a cup to be played for, allowed a peaceful repast. which has done a great deal to improve polo grateful for the very kind way in which my bere. On our arrival in the colony and hear. health has been proposed and the very cordial ing of this cup I determined that we must way in which it has been drunk to-night, Mr. Wood most generously implied that if I had endeavour to have a shot for it. In our first
been playing during the summer he did not attempt, handicapped as we were with only four
think that the 14th Regiment would have been indifferent ponies between us, we made a very
so successful, but although I was captain of poor show, as we were beaten by the Gunners by 7 goals to 2. Thereafter we made strenuous teams which succeeded in winning the cup on the first three occasions, the last being when the efforts to raise some more and better ponies and
Regiment were defeated, when they possessed get our team together, with the result that we have been successful in winning the cup three only four ponies and those four none of the times in succession, which I attribute a great best, since my return I have noticed a vast deal to the fact of the unfortunate illness of improvement in the play of the Regiment and feel sure that my humble efforts would not Captain Loveband, one of our best players, who
have prevented them from carrying off Mr. was unable to compete in any of the teams
I must May's cup. I hear that at Singapore, where against us on the last three occasious. say I have had a very good time in Hongkong. there is no polo, they mean to keep their money in their pockets and on arrival in India to buy I have never been in a place where sport was so
some good ponies. I think they are wise,, for thoroughly supported in every branch and I am
in Singapore, an
however good a man may be at the game he can't do very much unless fairly well mounted, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we shall think of the good games of polo we had on and I am sure the Regiment will give a good Before account of themselves when they do arrive in Causeway Bay and loug to be there.
India I may add that the China pony is a sitting down I wish to propose the health of Captain Barney and the Gunner team. Captain good deal better than he looks, both at polo and Burney has dons a lot for polo here and if it racing, and I think all those who have tried had not been for his untiring energy and sport--him will bear me out. My advice to all who can ride is to spend $100 on a pony and play ing instincts in always bringing a gunner team
sure when we
are
every
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