to inquiries regarding the numbering of words in the official vocabulary, stating that it is vary clear that it has been decided to omit the nambers, and forwarding extracts from the oir onlar, giving the reasons therefor.
The Chamber had been asked by the Sydney Chamber to join in a protest against this omis
of the numbers, and some discussion took place on this proposal, but it was decided that the decision in regard to the omission of the numbers was evidently final, it would be useless
'move in the matter.
THE PROJECTER NEW POST OFFICE. The letter addressed on the 18th October to the Chamber by the Hon. T. H. Whitehead advocating the early erection of the new Post Omos, and urging adoption of the site on the Prays next to the Hongkong Club, was then considered.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
| I was surprised to hear him speak English so well and asked if he could converse in English, but he replied that he spoke very little, so the conversation had to be carried on with the aid of two interpreters, one a Chinese gentleman from Vancouver and the other a local Chinese Gentleman who had been asked to give his ser- vices for the interview.
Kang Yu-wei was reserved as to what his reasons were for returning from Causda and as to what his future movements would be, but he admitted that he feared that he would not be able to remain in the colony but must seek a domicile elsewhere.
[November 11, 1899.
a child and has a music governess, to whom he makes love. A Colonel Lukyn, an old friendi of Mr. Posket's, returns from India and is invited to dinner. Mrs. Posket had also known Colonel Lukyn, who in fact was godfather to Cis and acquainted with his real age. The good lady therefore thinks it necessary to see Colonel Lakyn in advance and secure a promise from him not to mention dates to her husband during the next evening's dinner. She accordingly sets out in the evening with her sister Charlotte under pretence of visiting, a sick friend, but in reality to seek Lukyn at his lodgings. Taking advantage of the absence of his Having acquainted him with the feeling mother, Cis Farringdon induces his step-father, amongst the Chinese Christian community Mr.Posket, the Magistrate of the Mulberry Street that he had shown himself inimical to
Police Court, to go out for a little enjoyment, them, notwithstanding the fact that he had and they sup at the Hotel des Princes. In an received the greatest hospitality from the adjoining room are Colonel Lukyh and Captain- missionaries and the Chinese converts every- Vale, also having supper. Mrs. Posket, not hav It was proposed by Sir Thomas, Jackson- where he had been, and that, further, he ing found the Colonel at his lodgings, follows, "That the Committee of this Chamber urge the was charged with having devoted $10,000 of him to the hotel, and requests a private in, Government to proceed immediately with the the funds be had raised at Vancouver to brib-terview. Captain Vale obligingly stops out erection of a new Post Office, the present building a Chinese Christian of bad character to
on to a balcony, where he is in a short ing being, inadequate for the requirements of proceed to Tientsin and assassinate the Viceroy time drenched by a heavy shower. Colonel the port. At the same time they urge reor- Juug Lu, I asked him if there were any grounds Lukyn is agitated by the inconvenience and ganisation of the staff on a more liberal scale for such complaints and stated my belief that danger to which he has put his friend, for the than that now existing.”
there must be some misunderstanding in the balcony is not only exposed to the rain, but is "This was seconded by the Hon. J. J. Keswick, matter, which I hoped he would clear up, as I also unsafe; and several amusing situations and carried unanimously,
could not believe that a man who had run such ensue. Captain Vale being at last discovered risks and made such sacrifices on behalf of the a recognition and reconciliation take place. reformation of his country could be guilty of between him and Miss Verrinder, whose engage such ingratitude or would seek to assassinate his ment had only recently been broken off. By enemies, even though, as was true, they had this time the hour at which the hotel ought to sought to procure his death by similar means, have been closed has passed. Achille Blond, and that I felt confident that he would be able to the proprietor of the Hotel des Princes, bursts. give a satisfactory explanation of how this dis-into the room with the intelligence that the
After considerable discussion,
It was then decided to forward a copy of the resolution to the Colonial Secretary for the information of His Excellenoy the Governor.
TOWNSVILLE HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS. Read letter from the Chairman of the Towns ville: (Queensland) Harbour Board, enclosing bill of lading for a framed group of photographs offered for the Chamber's acceptance.
The Secretary reported that the photos. had arrived and had been hung up in the Chamber
Room
It was resolved to reply and thank the Towns- ville Harbour Board for the gift,
BEUTER'S POLITICAL TELEGRAMS. Bead letter from Renter's Agent, dated 28th October, stating that he had been advised by telegraph that from date the number of words supplied to the Chamber will be increased by 1,000 words, per month, an increase to some extent rendered possible by the recent increase made by the Chamber in their subscription.
"This concession was, regarded with maoh satisfaction by the Committee.
This concluded the business.
AN INTERVIEW WITH: KANG YU- WEI, THE REFORM LEADER. Having been asked to interview the reform leader now in Hongkong I set to work to ar range for an audience. Knowing that Chinese are as a rule, early, risers. I called at the house he is occupying at 9.30 am. After ringing vi gorously at the bell a number of times with out bringing anyone to the door I looked in at a lower window and saw a young Chinaman reelining in a chair, whom I asked to inti- mate to the attendants that I sought an inter- view with Kang Yu-wei. He at first appeared not to understand me, but shortly afterwards the door was opened, and on my entering I found Sikh policeman at the back of the door, who a revolver in his belt and was evidently on
there
down
Some Chinese gentlemen now came
see what I wanted, and on my stating that I desired to see Kang Yu-wei informed me that he had not yet got up. They asked very particularly who I was and on whose behalf I fought the interview, and finding that the visit of a friendly nature told me that Kang Yu- would receive me at noon if I called again The Sikh policeman who was on guard and who spoke a little English told me that he ild not be on duty when I returned, so I asked inform his relief that I should call then ndly to let me in, as I came on a friendly
Boburning at noon I had no difficulty in ining entry, and noted that there was another
opustable on guard. I was ushered up
where I was met by Kang Yu-wei, who number of Chinese gentlemen around Imbsequently ascertained, were
former pupila. He came for frank manner and holding out his Lánglah ** How do you do”
sension had arisen.
|
Police are coming, extinguishes the lights, Kang acknowledged that he had received the and entreats the guests to conceal themselves. greatest kinduess at the hands of the missiona. In the confusion the party in the next room, ries and Chinese Christians, mentioning espe- Mr. Posket and Cis Farringdon, find themselves cially the Rev. Timothy Richards, and said in Colonel Lukyn's room, and Mr. and Mrs. that he never could be guilty of such baseness Posket get under one and the same table with as alleged; he believed that the trouble had ari- out discovering each other's identity. At this sen through his declining to see some of his point the audience became quite convulsed with all, and that those who sought to damage the humourous scene more successfully managed. many callers through inability to attend to them laughter, and one could hardly condive, any. Reform Movement had set themselves to work When the police enter the room and discover the to spread false reports with the intention of guests concealed Mr. Posket and Cis Farringdon creating dissensions. Both the gentlemen in- wanage to make their escape through a sky- terpreting, one of whom was a Christian, sup- light, but the rest of the party are arrested. ported this view, the Christian admitting that Next morning they are brought before Mr. he had heard the reports but did not credit them. Posket's court, and the Magistrate, distracted After impressing on Kang the desirability with the turn affairs have taken, adopts the of uniting all sections of the Reform Party of words put into his month by his clerk, and sen- every oreed and sinking their religious differences tences them all, his wife included, to seven days'. || so that they could meet together as one body imprisonment. The scene in court is not re- on the platform of reform, and pointing out presented but what goes on is conveyed to the. that inasmuch as unity meant strength none audience by the action in the Magistrates' room. but constitutional and upright methods conld Mr. Posket himself is suffering severely from the hope to succeed in bringing about the reforms results of his previous night's experience and they wished for, and hoping that this would be after this, the first case of the day, is disposed of, his aim, I was assured by him that he agreed he has to retire from the court, being too ill with me in all these points and had always, to continue business. His place on the bench and would always not on these principles. Weis taken by his brother Magistrate, Mr. Bal then parted, he thanking me for the interest I lamy, who reopens the hotel case and releases took in him, his country, and in the farthering the prisoners on remand, to give them the op. of reform.
portunity of showing that they were the guests of Cis Faringdon, who, it appeared, had hired a room at the hotel permanently and was there- fore entitled to entertain his friends, even after closing hours. The party return to Mr. Pos- ket's residence, explanations are made and Cis intention of marrying his music governess, a Farringdon learns his real age and declares his
declaration which meets with the hearty approval of Mr. Posket, who promises to give the young couple a cheque for a thousand pounds when they leave for Canada, being glad to get rid at any price of the youth who had led him astray.
I left with the impression that this intelligent. man, who seemed to have a number of faithful followers, would yet play a leading part in the future of his country,
PERFORMANCE OF “THE MAGIS
TRATE” BY THE A.D.C.
"
The Theatre Royal resounded with peals of laughter on Saturday night, when Pinero's farce "The Magistrate' was presented by the A.D.C. The same piece was presented four and a half years ago and was noted then as one of the A.D.C's, special successes. The success was re- peated and in some respects increased on Satur. day night last. Several members of the cast were the same as on the former occasion and had the advantage of experience in their respective parts.
The plot is fairly well known, but for the benefit of those who have forgotten it or have not seen the piece we may give the following brief synopsis:-Mrs. Posket, who has a son by a former marriage, has deceived her husband as to her age, and to support the deception has represented her child as five years younger than he really is, making his present age fourteen instead of nineteen. Cis Farringdon, the son, is precocious even for nineteen, but is treated as
The principal characters are Mr. Posket (Mr. C. H. Grace) and Cis Farringdon (Mr. E. F. Showell, R.A.) and both were capitally sustain- ed. Mr. Grace had the same part when the play was last produced, and it is hardly neces sary to say that in the hands of such an experi- enced and capable actor every point was made to tell. The soliloquy in which he recalls the startling events of his night out with Cis, the flight made from the police, his desertion by Cis, and the predicament in which he afterwards found himself, was an inimitable performance. Mr. Shewell's representation of Cis Farringdon was also excellent and was the more credifable to the player inasmuch as he had taken the up at only a week's notice to replace Mt. Sex. ton, who was most regrettably prevented from
aring. Mr. Shawell, entered thoroughly
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