CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
April 15, 1899.]
ENTERTAINMENT ON BOARD H.M.S. | 14.-Duet
VICTORIOUS.”
On board the above battleship on the 6th April a capital and very amusing entertainment was given by members of the crew, and below we give the programme in full. The weather was unpropitions, but it did not prevent hundreds of invited guests from the ships in harbour and a few friends from Hongkong accepting the in- vitation extended, and when the curtain rose there must have been about fifteen hundred sailors and others present, every available corner being occupied and even the big guns being used as vantage points. As will be seen by the programme, the composers introduced many smart items and witty sayings, the reading of which put the audience in a good humour from the start. The scenery was very good indeed, and in Mr. Ridgwell the ship has a clever scenic artist. The drop-scene represented a large lifebelt surrounded with the United King- dom's emblems — shamrock, thistle, and rose --and in the centre was a good picture of the Victorious riding peacefully on an unruffled sea, under a clear blue sky.
The evening's entertainment opened with an overture by the ship's band, under the able conductorship of Mr. Fenning. The songs and dusts sung were all encored, Sergt. May was in capital voice, and sang "Mona" in good style. Commander Hewitt's gramaphone caused much laughter, the items it rendered being "The little Alabama Coon," a Banjo duet," "Sale of a piano," "Laughing Song," and "Boys of the old Brigade.” Then fol- lowed the sketch entitled "Leg Bail," and the curtain dropped for the interval; but the sailors shouted for a song from their popular commander, who rendered a nautical ditty with much satisfaction.
The second part was as much enjoyed as the first, the song by Wilson ("Leonora "), the lecture on the Talkephone by Cook, and a musical quartette by Lewis, Middleton, Keen, and Sheppard, eliciting vociferous encores. most pleasant and enjoyable evening was con- sluded by the acting of the racy little sketch
In spite of all."
#f
A
The Petty-officers invited several guests for dinner, and the mess erected for the occasion looked well, especially the table weighted with appetising and enticing viands. Several of the lower-deck messes were decorated with flags and bunting.
The following is a facsimile of the pro- gramme :—
THE VARIETY TROUPE OF H.M.S. "VICTORIOUS,”
By kind permission and under the distin, guished patronage of Capt. A. SCHOMBERG-
***
"Topical". Denyer & Powell. 15.-Musical Quartette Lewis, Middleton, Keen, Sheppard. 16.-Song (Comic) "Say can it be love"...Ridgwell. 17-Song (Comic) "Staring me in the face" Preston. 18. Sketch...... "In Spite of all"
CHAROTERS.
Hon. Jack Lambert (A wealthy young farmer and owner of Black Prince) May. Rose (His Wife) .................. .........................
Wilson. Tom Snowden (Lambert's Trainer) Lewis. Joe (Jockey, Tom's Son)....
Keen. Surly Jim (A Stable hand)
Powell. Lord de Courtney (Race-horse owner and for- mer suitor of Rose) l'enyer. Ladies are particularly requested not to sigh, weep, or otherwise give illustrations of their joy as some of the performers being of mature age such exhibitions of feelings may cause them to suffer unreasonable pangs of grief.
The audience are also particularly requested not to show marks of their approbation by throwing Maxim Guns, Fire Enginos, Street Anchors, Richshas, and Football Challenge Shields, as some of the performers being slight- ly deranged, it may cause them to collapse entirely.
During the interval, "Buus" will be served out, which the audience are respectfully re- quested to provide themselves before coming on board, and persons coming from a distance will be provided with a Feeding Bottle and a cake of "Pears' Soap."
Children in arms carrying their parents not admitted.
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS:
They are not worthy of our criticism.-Wei- haiwei Express. We consider one visit sufficient. Suez Canal Chronicle. A com. pact set of fools.--War Cry. Something appalling.-Port Hamilton Badget. Their descriptions are all issued.-Police News. A well-grounded dislike for the show. Port Said (bad) Times. Hear we can't get in-hope so.-Dooking Gazette.
WATER RETURN. -
LEVEL AND STORAGE OF WATER IN RESER-
VOIRS ON THE 1ST APRIL.
811
A FRENCH GROWL AT ENGLISH
HOLLLS AND ENGLISH A
COLONIES, bad
The other day a party of Englishmen started a row at the Saigon Hotel, owing to a dispute about the payment for their liquor. The hotel keeper called in a European policeman, who res ceived "un solide renfoncement dans l'estomac," whereupon the Frenchmen present joined in, and the row became general. "Vous voyes d'ici le tableau au milieu d'une terrasse pleine de munde, de dames en toilette de théâtre et de beaux Messieurs idem," The disturbance ended by the Englishmen spending the night in the lock-up. The Courrier de Saigon says the......... affair was not a serious one, and it does not wish to attribute to it a greater importance than it deserves; but our contemporary makes it a text on which to hang a homily upon the difference between the hotels at Saigon Hand. those at Colombo, Singapore, and Hongkong, and upon the contrast that exists between the manner of “running "French and English colonies. At Saigon "Uncle" Ollivier will give you a dinner of eight courses, three orfoùr differ- ent kinds of dessert, bread, wine, coffee, and cognao at discretion, the whole for three and a half francs.
Yes, gentlemen of Great Britain, all, this for a dollar and a quarter, and not very. long ago for $1.20. Incredible, is it not ? At Hongkong or Singapore such a dinner would: cost at least five dollars if it cost a cent; and one would not dare to ask for a second bottle of claret, for that would mean three or four dollars more, god damn." This expletive is given once or twice in the article, in English, with a few more of our choice expressions. The writer says he has travelled a great deal in many parts of the world, but never has he been squeezed as he was at Colombo. He then opens- the vials of his wrath upon that unfortunate place, and is especially bitter with reference to!. the crowd of harpies who hang on to passengeru there, making landing a horror, and preventing one anywhere admiring the beautiful prospect in peace.
Talk about Englishmen making. themselves respected in the places they, govern! One would not think so after visiting Colombo. Never would such annoyance be supported in a French colony; if the Annamites were guilty of a tenth part of it they would very soon be called to order. In conclusion the writer spos trophises as follows:-"Your island of Ceylon is magnificent, unequalled in scenery and natural beauty in any other part of the world, 1899.
but the people who inhabit it under your 82,850,000 domination have rendered it so hateful, so 1,350,000 odious to foreigners passing through, that in Indo-China and in the Netherlands Indies people are thinking of starting a mutual self- protoction society. The members of the society would undertake not to land in your port, in order to escape being subjected to the habitual 1899.
extortion. The conduct of the Singalese to 95,992,000 gals. | wards Europeans is a scandal upon the civilised world." We feel constrained to admit that the 199,500 strictures of our contemporary as regards Colom-
bo are not altogether without justification. 15.5 gala. CONSUMPTION OF WATER IN KOWLOON PENINSULA DURING THE MONTH OF
LEVEL.
1899.
1898. Tytam......29ft. 2in. below overflow 51ft. Sin. below overflow Pokfulam 7ft. 9in. below overflow 37ft. 7in. below overflow
Tytam
Pokfulam
Total
STORAGE GALLONS.
1898. 183,080,000 49,080,000
232,160,000 84,200,000
E.N., and Officers of H.M.8. Victorious, will CONSUMPTION OF WATER IN THE CITY OF give a grand
VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT On board on Wednesday, April 5th, Including the celebrated "Absurdity" written expressly for this Company, by Li Hung Chang, entitled :-"LEG BAIL,”
In which they hope to verify the general opinion of all, ie., that they are a "PARCEL OF IDIOTS."
General Manager
Musical Director..
Stage Manager
G. Lewis.
Scenery designed by W. Ridgwell.
N.B.-Box Office open during "Stand Easys excepting "Surprise Landing Days,"
PART I.
1.-Overture.
9.Song (Senti.)...... "Mona"
VICTORIA AND HILL DISTRICT DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH.
Consumption Estimated popu-
TRE ROYAL HONGKONG GOLF
CLUB.
QUARTERLY MEETING,
A fairly average attendance on the links has to be recorded for the various events. Rain still holds off, and the greens are in consequence inconveniently keen and unreliable. Follow- ing are the details of the cards returned :---
1898. 84,030,000
lation. Consumption per
head
194,000
per day... 13.2
Lieut. Alton, E.N. Mr. A. Fenning.
MARCH.
1898.
Consumption
5,607,000
Estimated popu-
1899. 5,714,000 gals.
May.
Cook.
...
Band. Wilson. Moseley. Professor Cook,
8.-Duet "Slops and Peelers" Powell & Knibbs.. 4.-Coon Song ... "Lubly Gals Reply" 5.-Duet... "Well Slightly ". Ridgwell & Wilson. 6.-Song (Des,)..."After the Play"
***
7.-Song... "Quarter of yard of Tripe"
8.
"The Gramaphone"
CHARACTERS.
9.-Sketch...... "Leg Bail"
Wm. Binke, Convict III
The Old Governor............
The New Governor
Jones (Head Warder)
Denyer. Lewis. Mr. Burgess
Cook. Powell. Preston. Ridgwell.
Lucy "The Old Governor's Daughter" Moseley.
-Selection -Song.......
ས་ས
PART II.
"Leonora "
-Bong (Comic)... "Our Lodger"
Lecture on the Talkephone
+ The Bicycle Gymkhana at Tientsin had to be postponed owing to a lady cyclist getting her face seriously injured by a fall caused by her dog, which she was leading,
Three houses belonging to Mr. Startseff on the French Concession at Tientsin were burnt on the 26th March, one completely and two partially. Insurance unknown.
Capt. E. Buruie...
lation......
25,500 Consumption per
bead per day... 7.1
6.8 gals. The Government Analyst reports that the water is of excellent quality.
26,700
MACEWEN CUP.
R. D. ORMSBY,
Water Authority.
Mr. E. C. Lane Mr. H. W. Robertson ...
103 16.
871
***
97
10.
tie.
Mr. C. W. Dickson Mr. W. Taylor Mr. C. A. Tomes
103
--15
88
99
10.
· 89-
...
146
100.. 22 entries.
POOL.
8
92
98
15
Mr. P. L. Goddard, R.N... 94 Lieut. Moreton, R.N. Comdr. Davison, R.N.
11
97 12 85 107
12-
=833
89
95
The Straits Times says the Russian Govern- mant has issued orders that no Jews shall take up their residence either at Port Arthur or Ta- lienwan. Our contemporary does not quote its authority for the statement.
|
19 entries... BOGEY CUP, Lieut. Mareton, B.N. ... all even reo. 9 strokes Dr. J. A. Lowson
1 down owe I stroke
Mr. H. W. Robertson ... Mr. E. C. Lane
2 rec, 8stroke
12
"
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