December 31, 1898.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
changed modern conditions of warfare. For and h years individuals had pegged away, and un questionably prepared the ground, familiarised the Government with the subject, but it was
W pegging that might have continued for
desired to bear his testimony to the good work Captain Hastings, had done as chairman of the Association, and to say that the thanks of the Association were due not only to Mr. Pollock, but to Captain Hastings for the progress the Association had made during the year, → (Applause).
The report was adopted.
Mr. MCCONACHI said he was sure they were all very much satisfied with the work of the committes during the year, and he did not think they could do better than propose their re-election. He, therefore, proposed that Cap- tain Hastings (president), Messrs. J. J. Francis (vice-president), H. E. Pollock, E. W. Mitchell, H. A. Kitobie, R. Shewan, G. Stewart, Capt. Tillett, and Mr. M. W. Slade (hon. secretary and treasurer), be re-elected.
Mr. PLAYFAIR seconded, and the motion was carried.
Mr. T. JACKSON, in proposing a vote of thanks to the retiring bonorary secretary, said that in a society of that kind the secretary practically did all the clerical work. He did not wish to de reciate the work the chairman had done, but he thought Mr. Pollock was the man who bad taken more labour upon his shoulders than any one else in connection with the branch. (Hear. hear.)
The CHAIRMAN said he had great pleasure in seconding that. He had had as much to do with Mr. Pollock as anyone during the past year, and Mr. Pollock had kept him straight most efficiently.
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The first scene represents the exterior of the Cat Head, Gosport Hard, Portsmouth. ber of sailors are seated at different tables im- bibing from capacious flagons copious draughts of "uut brown" and discussing the approaching wedding of their shipmate and the pride of Gosport Hard." One of them calls to mind cup and the lip," and it transpires that Timothy the adage that "There's many a slip 'twixt the has been absent from ship without leave for several days and is thus liable to be seized and thrown into durance vile. That anoh a calamity may be avoided all his shipmates are anxious, but Gabriel Grogtub, the well-fed landlord of the Cat Head, and Lieutenant De Robinson- Brown-Smith-Jones are Timothy's evil genii. Grogtub is pertorbed at the idea of losing the girl, the beer at the Cat Head, apparently, not being good enough of itself to draw custom, whilst the Lieutenant, an amorons old salt, has The CHAIRMAN observed that Mr. A. M. his eye on Hannah himself. Meeting her alone Marshall was one of the members of the com- outside the inn be ogles her in the most mittee last year, but he was going to Singa-approved fashion, and endeavours to entice her pore in March, or otherwise no doubt his name would have been included.
from her love by saying that Timothy will only go abroad and leave you here had better come straight to me, my dear." His deaf ear, and he accordingly waxON
blandishments, however, fallonga and swears to be revenged. He knows Timothy is staying at the Cat Head, and that is also aware of his delinquenoy, so he con- ceives a plan of baving him arrested, so that the day which should have seen him married would see him safe and sound in the guard room ou board his ship. Grogtub becomes a party to the conspiracy, which for the time being works out successfully. While the lovers and their friends are enjoying a song and dance the Lieutenant appears on the scene followed by the picket, and pointing his bony finger" at Timothy tells them that there is their man, Thus ends the first Aot. In Act 2 we are în- troduced to the quarter-deck of H. M. S. Miss fire, the sailors being busily engaged in cleaning the decks and polishing the metal, for in the eyes of the Captain to leave a speck of dust on deck is a heinous offence. The first Lieutenant, being a man troubled with chronic biliousness, makes his appearance, and out of pure cussedness” determines to make the men wait half. an-hour longer than usnal for dinner. Such a prospect causes consternation among the hungry tars, who, led by Timothy, at have their revenge by damaging the paint with the view of injuring the Lieutenant in the eyes of their fastidious Captain. During the hubbub the Captain appears and is struck dumb by what meets his gaze. Everywhere the erstwhile beautifully-painted woodwork is one mass of patches. Sternly he enquires for the offender. Timothy is brought forward and placed under arrest, i hus ends Act 2. The first scene in Act 3 shows the Court-Martial room, where Timothy is sentenced to death, and in the next we see the cells with the sentry walking to and fro. The sentry is twin brother to Hannah, and they are so much alike that even their own mother cou
could hardly tell "th' tother fro which " Taking advantage of this resemblance Hannah has persuaded her brother to hand over -The pride of Gosport W. Haynes in the full rig of a marine. She releases charge to her, and she accordingly appears
generations. The time was ripe, though many held also that it was inopportune-a joining in the game of grab. Our League was able to turn on the avalanche of instructed public opinion, and what had been for years apparently insurmountable barriers were overwhelmed and disappeared. (Hear, hear.) It is true, as our report shows, that the success has not been so complete and unqualified as was desired. Unexpected and unpalatable conditions have attached to it; how unsavoury and an- wholesome your Committee have vigorously pointed out to the executive of the League, and we may rest assured that such steps as can be will be taken by them to render the extension all that it was desired and intended to be. (Hear, hear.) Owing to the increase in mem- bership, your committee decided to form the Leaguers into groups of friends and neighbours, men in more or less intimate relations, with the view of facilitating the circulation of League literature, to invite comment and criticism, and suggestions for the welfare of the League in general, and the branch in particular, and to endeavour to induce a greater personal interest in the League and in the working of the branch. It is an invitation to all members and associates to offer suggestions and supply information to the committee. The committee would be glad if a few more members would volunteer to act as group leaders. We have now 15 groups. At our last annual meet- ing, when referring to the necessity of the re- enactment of the Contagious Diseases Act, I stated that there was a reasonable prospect that the old checks that had been found to work so salutarily in the past would be reverted to. I regret to say that now, a year later, those prospects are more remote. Your committees have represented to the central body that no caste or racial prejudices are affected here-apart from direct results. The old law was appreci- ated by the natives as being the immediate cause of rescuing numbers of women who had been kidnapped. The addition of two battleships to the squadron in the East since last year is a source of satisfaction, especially when we con- sider that we are only a portion of Britain's world-wide responsibilities. (Hear, hear.) Within the last year we have heard seductive proposals for general disarmament accompanied, unfortunately, however, by the most colossal naval programmes of the fast closing century. When deeds synchronise with words our League can relax its efforts, but until that day. and not until that day, it must be our duty to endeavour to awaken and to keep our country. men awake and alive to the necessity of main- taining a navy superior to any combination that may be formed against us. (Hear, hear.) In concluding, gentlemen, your committee, whilst expressing their regret that Mr. Pollock is unable to continae his Hon. Secretaryship, desires most emphatically to record their hearty thanks for the able, courteous, energetic. and
tactful manner in which he has carried out hi duties, a manner that has contributed so very materially to the success of this branch in the past year. (Applause.) With regard to Mr. Pollock's reasons for resigning I ask leave to make a personal explanation. I also am a Civil Servant, and some months ago asked the Officer Administering the Government if I might pro-
-
to place me in. He informed me there was no reason why I should resign. This aptly ill- ustrates (please to remember the references to beauty are strictly metaphorical) the difference between the ornamental figure head and the working head. The working head has resigned and Mr. Slade has kindly consented to take his place. I will ask you now to pass our report, the adoption of which I beg to propose.
Mr. FRANCIS, in seconding the adoption of the report, said he rose to do so for this special reason to call their special attention to the fact that Captain Hastings, in moving the adoption of the report and in addressing them that evening, had not been willing to say anything in reference to the work he himself had done for the
Association. He had seen something of what Mr. Pollock had done what Captain Hastings had done
and
The motion was passed with acclamation, and Mr. Pollock having said a few words of thanks in reply, the proceedings terminated.
NAUTICAL BURLESQUE AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.
PERFORMANCE BY THE
DRAMATIC COMPANY.
Brown-Smith-Jones
"
POWERFUL
A J. Lintern
A martinet
reformer
First Lord of the Admiralty Capt. Makit Warmer, R.N. and maritime J. Compton Lieut. De Robinson- A wicked 1st Laff { Mr. W. Sims Landlord of the Cat Sergt. Wells
R.M.L.I. Sergt. Wells G. Sagem .n J. M. Smith J. Brown
Gabriel Grogtub{ Head President of Court Martial Capt. of the “Nonsuch."
"Tritan " "Horrible"
39
"
"J 13
# 12
Deputy Judge Advocate
Officer of the Court
1st Blue Jacket 2nd,
3rd 11 4th "
"
29
11
Members
of
the Court-·
Martial
1st and 2nd Growlers
Corporal of Marines. Sigualman
Boatswain's Mate
Hannibal Suell Timothy Slack,
Hannah Snell
Miss Fore Stay Miss Main Stay Wm. O'Shea Miss Back Stay Thos. O Connor
S. Sadler
H White (J. Dawson
1 J. Whiting J. Bowes G. Chrystal .F. Ross
A. Ingersoll E. Davies 8. Bayne An honest tar in love'
R Atlee with Hannah
Marine sentry and twin brother to Hannah
A.B {
Barmaid at the at Heady
Hard and afterwards a private in Royal Marines,
Southsea girls
Ptes Marines
T Saunders A. Denny C. Barham
J. Davis F. Rose
once
*
•
$18
Timothy from his cell and they arrange to make a bid for freedom during the hubbáb caused by the expected visit of the Admiral, the W. Oldfield susceptible Lieutenant to be kept out of the way by some Southsea girls who had come aboard for the purpose. At first all works well, On Monday evening at the Theatre Royal and the pair are on the point of clearing away the dramatic company of H.M.S. Powerful ap- when the Lieutenant espies them and commands peared in a nautical burlesque of three acts them to be brought forward. At this point the entitled "H.M.S. Missfire, or Change Rounds," Admiral appears and opportuvely recognises the proceeds being in aid of the naval charities. Timothy as the man who had saved his life a There was a large attendance. Every seat in few days before. He enquires into the charge the dress circle had been bespoken, whilst down-against his preserver, and the nefarions dealings. stairs dozens of persons had to content them selves with standing room. Among those be- fore whom the company had the honour of performing were Prince and Princess Henry of Prussia, Lord Charles Beresford, M:P., Admiral Seymour, Lady Blake, Major-General Gas- coigne, and Sir John Carrington.
..
of the wicked old Lieutenant coming to light that worthy is deprived of his rank, a blow which causes his complete collapse, whilst the honest tar whose downfall he has schemed for is promoted and, what is more, has not his ding day delayed after all.
Throughout the piece songs and dances were The story, the period of which is in the mid- introduced and so much wore these appre- dle of the 18th century, deals with the love ciated that encores were frequent, though. affairs of an honest tar who goes by the com- of course, many of them could not be–res- monplace name of Timothy Slack, and Hannah | ponded to. Beveral local hits were intro- Snell, the buxom barmaid of the Cat Head. duced, that much-abused institution the Hong-
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