The-Hong-Kong-Weekly-Press-1900-08-18 — Page 15

August 18, 1900.]

* Gar. Stewart

Gar. Lapsley Sergt. Rutter Gnr. Sayer Corp. White Bomb. Deas * Gur. Rattey.

Best Aggregates Total

95 95

102 197

96

191

95

*

96

191

88 103

191

91

94 185

89

93 182

91

90

181

* Gnr. Baldwin

84

89

173

Gur. Donaldson

76

90

166

* Scratch.

THE HONGKONG RIFLE ASSOCIATION

SHORT RANGE CUP AND SPOONS.

There was a very poor attendance at the range for this competition, which was brought to a close on the 11th inst., Ar-.Sergt. Blair winning the Cup for the third time. It was very hot with a strong sun, and the scoring was not up to the average. Both Cup com- petitions are now closed, and practice for the annual Interport Match will shortly commence.

* Ar.-Sergt. Blair

* Inspt. McLennan Mr. Pidgeon Mr. Mackenzie Mr. Northcote Mr. A. Watson

SCORES.

200 500 600 Handi- To- yds. yds. yds. cap.

tal. 91

28 33 30

23 34 29

80

25 32 27

34

23 31 27

81

23 25 23 10 20 30 29

* Winners of Spoons.

REVIEWS.

The Triad Society, or Heaven and Earth 4880- ciation. By WILLIAM STANTON. Hongkong. Kelly and Walsh.

MR. William Stanton's long acquaintance, as Police Detective Officer, with the Chinese brought him much in contact with the celebrated Triad Society, and his account of it in this book, reprinted from the China Review, is both ample and interesting. He begins with a short his- tory of Chinese secret societies in general. which serves as a necessary introduction to the more detailed treatment of the Triad body, and proceeds to a description of the Triads in China and out of it, their traditional history, and an analysis of their ceremonies, signs. pass-words. etc. Mr. Stanton's work is marked by judge- ment and discrimination, as well as evincing a thorough knowledge of his subject. In his first chapter he gives a very full record of the great Taiping rebellion, compiled from the best available sources. Very justly he remarks: "The capricious fates had decreed that those who fought so bravely for their liberty and religion should be defeated by British men and -guns, directed by one who was almost as great a fanatic as Hung Hsiu-ch'üan, and who, had he been born and educated as Hung Hsiu-ch'üan was, might well have inspired the same enthu- siasm in his followers, and with his infinitely superior military genius delivered China from the Manchu yoke.' It is indeed curious to reflect now what an unhappy effect Charles Gordon, acting with the best intentions, had on the history of China, more especially in her in- tercourse with foreign nations.

says:

CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.

131

great number of persons bound together by the About 100 coolies were engaged in the Com- same oaths and imbued with the same hatred of missariat yard on Tuesday afternoon, and at the Manchu power. And should a man arise about one o'clock a coolie named Su Piu Tsung, from amongst them with the ability to bring who had evidently some grievance, shouted out all those who have sworn fidelity to the So-to them not to work. He was making a great ciety's cause to act in unity, and in accordance noise, and at the Magistracy on the 16th inst. with their oaths, and to instil a feeling of

Mr. Hazeland fined him $10 or a month as a enthusiasm into their bosoms, they would con- punishment. stitute a force whom the miserable soldiery of the South of China, many of whom are Triad

are men already, would melt away like snow in the sunshine, and the doom of the Manchu rulers would probably be sealed."

With the details about lodge-rooms, officers, initiatory ceremonies, signs, and test-words it is impossible to deal here. Mr. Stanton shows a minute and intimate knowledge of all such matters, which cannot fail to be of interest to all students of hina. It may be noted that in rendering Chinese words into an English form Mr. Stanton has adopted the mandarin pronun- ciation alike in the historical and ceremonial parts of his hook. He admits the doubt as to the advisability of doing so. but says **as about an equal number of the brotherhood are Cantonese, Fokienese, and Hakka, and only speak their own respective dialects," he thought it better to use mandarin rather than either of these.

The book is illustrated with diagrams of certificates of membership, etc.. of the Triad Society, and in its get-up does credit to Messrs. Kelly and Walsh. We notice several misprints, but otherwise the work is admirable.

From Sandhill to Pine. By BRET HARTE.

London, George Bell & Sons, From Sandhill to Pine appears to be a col- lection of magazine stories by Bret Harte. Two at least we remember having read our- selves in serial form. We are glad, however, to have the opportunity of reading them again. There are altogether seven tales in the book, and though Bret Harte no longer writes with all the power which marked his early work, he never writes ill. What Happened at the Fonda,'

A Belle of añada City." and A Treasure of the Redwoods' are all excellent types of the short story, and the whole book can be recommended to those who wish to be amused for a brief while.

HONGKONG.

•

Wong Po, a coolie in the employ of A. S. Watson, & Co., was sentenced on the 13th inst. to two months' hard labour for stealing 19 aerated water bottles.

On the 16th inst. Sergeant Garrod observed two men delivering letters in Wellington Street, and finding that the letters had entered the colony without coming through the post he took the offenders to the Central Police Station. and Mr. Hazeland fined them each $100.

Sanitary Inspector E. Rogers had some trouble with some dust-cart coolies on the 16th inst. Two of them turned obstreperous, refused to work, and endeavoured to get the others to leave off. Mr. Rogers took them up to the Magistracy, where they were each fined $10 for disorderly conduct.

To-day Mr. Hazeland gives his decision in the Cheong Yuen launch case. Mr. Reece contended on behalf of the crew that the goods, of which they are alleged to be in unlawful pos- session, were left on deck by the pirates who had gone on board as passengers, and that the defendants were innocent of the offence with which they were charged.

Inspector Cuthbert and a party of police who visited No. 1, Gough Street, found some men playing pai kau there. They arrested 12, all men occupying fairly good positions, and on the 15th Mr. Hazeland fined the keepers $250 each and each of the others $10. They alleged that the place was a private club, but Mr. Haze- land declined to be bamboozled by such a story.

In his chapter on the Triad Society outside of China Mr. Stanton deals with the workings of this body in Hongkong, a subject which he is, of course, particularly fitted to treat. He "It is estimated that about a third of the male population of the Colony and many females are more or less active members. The difficulty of suppressing such an organisation, as well as the facilities it affords criminals for escaping from justice, will readily be seen. Of the members, many, no doubt, join because of the benefits they expect to derive in sickness and distress, and for mutual protection; others join to secure to themselves an immunity from oppression by the brotherhood, which, they sup- An Indian constable who was on duty in pose, they might otherwise have to endure; Robinson Road at half-past seven a.m. on the others join through mere curiosity; and others 9th inst. saw two Chinamen carrying a bundle. doubtless join in a patriotic spirit, with the hope He went towards them, and one of the men at of some day restoring a Chinese dynasty to once made off; the other stood by the bundle, their country. But on the whole there is far which was found to contain 70 brass window too much selfishness for patriotism to flourish fasteners. As he could give no satisfactory ex- in. The leading members seek profit and ag-planation as to how he came to be in possession grandisement for themselves rather than to of them, the constable took him into custody and benefit the Society or their country.

But the Society contains a dangerous element in the

on the 10th the man was sentenced to a month's hard labour.

|

A hinese constable was in the Chater Road early on the 10th instant when he saw a man carrying a bundle. On his going towards him the man threw the bundle down and ran. The constable caught him, and took him and the bundle to No No. 7 Police Station. The bundle was found to contain an opium-pipe, a jacket, and a pair of trousers. While the man was being interrogated the head coolie at No. 16, Chater Road, entered the station and report. ed that the house had been broken into. He identified the opium-pipe, etc., belonging to him and two other men in the house. Seeing that there was no escape the man who had been arrested admitted his guilt. He was brought before Mr. Hazeland yesterday and on hearing that the culprit was an old offen. der, His Worship sentenced him to six months' hard labour, the last fortnight to be passed in solitary confinement.

8.5

The 8th inst. being a feast day among the Chinese, considerable quantities of samshu were drunk in the evening. Among those on the carouse were the coolies employed at the Govern- ment Civil Hospital. One of the coolies twitted another, saying that he could not stand drink. From words they came to blows, and when they separated for the night they were on anything but friendly terms. The following morning one of the coolies got up early to fetch his rice, and when passing his antoganist, who lay sleep- ing, he dug him in the stomach with the end of his pole. On awaking the injured man com. plained of feeling unwell. No report was made either to the doctors at the Hospital or to the police at the time. In the meantime the man's friends endeavoured to relieve him by applying various Chinese remedies, but seeing that these were of no avail, they reported the matter at the Hospital and the man was removed. He was found to be in a state of collapse and the police were sent for. Inspector Baker took the man's statement, and endeavoured to get hold of his assailant, who, however, had got clear away. It was about 11 o'clock in the morning when the police were informed, and the man died at about two o'clock in the afternoon.

At about a quarter past three a.m. on the 10th instant, Chinese constable 371 was on duty in Lower Lascar Row when he saw seven or eight men behaving in a disorderly manner. Among them were Li Ping and Hung Kan, who are employed at the German Tavern. He told them to go away, and by way of reply Li Ping struck him in the face. He blew his whistle and Chinese constable 163 came to his assistance. Hung Kau and several others set upon con- stable 163, trying to keep him away. Hung Kau knocked him down, snatched off his whistle and chain, and tore his coat, also snatching off his number. Constable 371 snatched the whistle from Wong Kan, blew it, and a European police sergeant came to their assistance. Li Ping and Hung Kan were taken into custody. At the Magistracy on the 10th Constable 163 said he was on duty in Queen's Road when he heard a whistle. He ran up to Lower Lascar Row, and when he got there he found a num ber of men beating constable 371. He got hold of the second defendant, who struck him on the cheek. He grabbed hold of his queue when the second struck him on the right cheek. The first defendant then caught hold of his hat and throw it away. The second defendantanatch. ed away his whistle and threw it in the gutter, doing the same with his number, and tearing his coat. Then seven or eight men, including the second defendant, caught him by the quene and held him down to the ground. The second defendant struck him several times. Once he banged him in the abdomen, and as he did so he said. "If I ever catch you in Canton T'l kill you." -Mr. Hazeland made some strong remarks as to the conduct of the defendants. He said they must be taught that they could not assault police officers with impunity. The first defendant would be fined $25, or a month, and second $150, or three months, and in addi- tion pay $2 for damaging the constable's uniform. The fines were paid.