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again Ler debtors. Mr. A. Cunningham's baritone voice was heard to good advantage in Lohr's "* Love's Proving"- - song difficult in interpretation, and requiring no inconsider fable vocal ability to give it its true expres sion. The applause that greeted the conclusion of the song proved that it had been accompanied by the necessary talent. That stirring old Scottish patriotic melody, "Scots Wha Ha'e," is perhaps never heard to better advantage than as a part song, when its full significance and pathos are most clearly brought out. The quartette to whom it was entrusted on the present occasion-Wessrs. Armstrong, Hays, Coster, and French were successful in bringing its true meaning clearly before the audience, and were warmly applauded. The last verse of the song was repeated. The audience were disappointed in not hearing Mr. G. Lammert, who was present but unfor- tunately unable to sing. Mr. Marshall kindly filled up the gap by rendering Haddon's "To Anthea," and he was deservedly applauded. Mr. W. J. Terrill appealed strongly to his audience in The Lighthouse Keeper," for which he was encored, when. like the others, he repeated the concluding verse. Perhaps the best vocal item on
the pro- gramme was that in which Mrs. Lowson wes named to sing "The Wind in the Trees." Mrs. Towson's beautiful soprano voice, clear and sweet, was heard to much advantage, and she sang with her usual studied expression and taste. The applause that marked her vacation of the platform was richly deserved, and resulted in an encore. This brought the first part of the pro- gramme to a close.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
CANTON.
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[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Canton, 29th April.
THE NEW LOCAL STEAMSHIP LINE.
A certain steamboat company, founded by Chinese and others, intends to run a line of river steamers between Canton, Hongkong, and Macao, and wants to construct a wharf on the river-bank faciug Ke Cheong Street. The inhabitants of this and other streets near by strongly oppose the scheme, as they consider it would be an obstruction and great inconvenience to them to have such a wharf near by, which may open a way for the thieves to escape, and an easy ingress into the streets. The inhabitants gathered together to the number of over al thousand men, carrying lanterns on which were | painted the characters "Beg favour," and went to the Viceroy's yamen to state their griev. ance in a petition, and ask His Excellency to refuse permission for the construction of such a wharf. His Excellency replied in a rescript that he would refer the matter to the Magistrate and the Harbour Master of the Customs for investigation and report.
ARMS SMUGGLING,
It is reported that a large quantity of fire arms have been smuggled in by Wuchow and West River by various methods to supply the rebels. One of these methods was to put the rifles in a coffin and mark thereon the name of the dead, and his family and the street it was to be taken to. Upon enquiry it was found that no such family existed in that place. It was entirely, a bogus affair, and on opening the coffin a great quantily of firearms was discovered.
PLAGUE IN CANTON.
Plague has made its annual appearance again in Canton, especially in the locality known as Tin Sum, in the Western suburb. In one street several families have died within twelve hours. Every year between spring and summer the disease reappears, owing, some say, to the bad state of the weather, the moisture, and the re- cent rain penetrating and saturating thoroughly the soil, which brings forth in a sort of vapour the germ of the plague. The underclothing, socks, shoes, and other things of those who have died of plague are generally burnt in front of the house, thus rendering the spread of the disease much easier and quicker, while the ashes of the burnt articles are thrown into the river to be carried to distant places.
A pianoforte trio-a decided novelty--by Misses King, Leykum, and Chunyut, marked the opening of the second part, and met with the success that favoured the pianoforte duet at the beginning of the evening. Miss Leykum also sang "The Lost Chord," in which her contral- to voice was heard with very pleasing effect, and Mrs. Lowson "The Swallows," time not permitting her to give a much desired encore. The majority of those ladies and gentlemen who appeared in the first half faced the audience again in the second, each with the same gratifying result. "Ye Banks and Braes," a part song by Mrs. Lowson, Misses Chanyut and Leykam, Masters E. and W. Hagen and J. W lson, and Messrs. Hays, Arm- strong. Coster, and French, was one of the principal treats, and was gone through splendid. ly, the members of the chorus paying studied attention to detail. Masters E. and W. Hagen sang most correctly and pleasingly the duet Some pirates in the village of Luk Lao, Shun "What are the Wild Waves Saying?" and were Tak district, sent letters in the name of Lew vociferously applauded. Only one item now Man, the pirate chief, and others, to Wong, remains to be mentioned the trombone quar-Sing the Magistrate there, demanding the tette by Sergeant Hunt and Bandsmen Thomp- payment of 5,000 taels blackmail; to Colonel sen, Hughes, and Green. Tradition-a narrow. Ying Son of 3,000 taels; and to Li Ka Chenk, minded, pessimistic tradition-has given to the General in command of the army, 5,000 taels. trombone a name not enviable amongst musical The General was formerly a captain in charge instruments, but the performance last evening of some soldiers to protect Shameen, but was by the quartette above-mentioned, apart alto- subsequently promoted to be a general. As soon gether from its uniqueness, quite rescued the as be received the letter he became highly trombone from the depths to which it has been enraged, and offered a reward of fine hundred relegated, proving it, indeed, to be an instru- dollars for the apprehension of the pirate chief ment capable of great possibilities. The accom. Lew Man. The letters threaten to seize the panists were Misses Weatherston, King and officials and burn their yamen if the money is Leykum and Mr. C. W. Marshall.
not forthcoming,
The "National Anthem" brought to a close one of the most successful concerts of the kind Kowloon has seen for a long period.
The
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An unfortunate accident, terminating fatally, attended the discharge of a Government official's duties early on the 3 th inst. Shortly after five o'clock Inspector Mills, of the Sanitary Board, who had received intimation of a case of overcrowding, paid a surprise visit to a register ed lodging-house for chair and ricksha-coolies at 2, George's Lane. Immediately on his entry there was a cry of “Pongpan” (inspector), and á rush was made for the roof of the house. roof is a fiat one, with no protecting parapet. Inspector Mills followed the frightened mob to the top of the house, and in the scramble to escape that ensued, a chair-coolie either fell or was jostled over. He fell to the ground, a distance of about sixty feet, and was instantly killed. Inspector Mills reported the matter to the police, who had the body conveyed to the mortuary. An enquiry will probably be held into the circumstances of the case.
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ATTEMPTED BLACKMAIL BY PIRATES.
BURIAL OF One of TUAN'S VICTIMB.
!
The remains of the late Chang Yen-hwan have been sent back to Fatshan for interment. He was a native of Fatshan and of very humble origin. He had passed successfully all the necessary literary examinations and was ap- pointed a Vice-President of the Board of War. He had been abroad, too, as Chinese Minister. Before the Peking crisis he was banished beyond the frontier of Tartary for some imaginary offence, and during the crisis Prince Tuan sent a false Imperial decree and had him decapitated. He was well known to be a reformer.
· ROBBERY AT A YAMEN.
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The gaol at the Magistrate's yamen in the Hok Shan district was on the 16th ult. broken into by over 2,000 thieves, and more than ten convicts were rescued from the gaol. They then went into the yamen, broke open the Treasury, and stole therefrom a large quantity of money and clothing. The Magis trate Cheong came to Canton to see the Viceroy on this subject, and His Excellency sent a gun- boat with soldiers to try to catch the thieves.
[May 4, 1901.
STILL MO E PIRICIES,
Usually the silk handkerchiefs for export to foreign countries are sent to the villages of Lum Tao and Pak-kao to be embroidered with flowers and patterns, but of late, on account of so many robberies and piracies, the junks that plied between these places and Canton have refused to take these articles and ceased their plying on the 20th ult. It is a great incon- renience to the embroidery-shops in Canton and an obstruction to their business, for they' cannot get women to work at their articles for the supply of foreign markets.
SWATOW.
Makan Matad
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
SWATOW, 1st May. STEAM-LAUNCH INCIDENT NOT SETTLED. It is but a few days ago that the launch Hong An was set free and restored to its launch have put in a claim for $150, but, as is The Chinese representatives of the usual in such cases, quite a long time will elapse before payment is made. I doubt as a matter
owners.
of fact if this claim will ever be satisfied.
TAHTAPOO POEPLE INTEND A BOYCOTT, festival, and on this occasion imposing proces
On the 3rd instant is a Chinese religious
sions are held at Tabtapoo. Large crowds pro- ceed to the place to view the processsions, and with a view of opposing the Hong An, the Tahtapoo inhabitants have chartered a launch visitors at reduced rates to the scene of the from the Pao Fu Co. to convey intending
procession.
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MANILAJ
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Manila, 26th April, 1901.
PUBLIC DISAPPROVES POLICE PRACTICES. During the last two or three months Manila has witnessed a series of hasty and even violent arrests under the orders of the military, which have done much to hurt not only the authorities but also Americans in general, in the eyes of the public and especially in the opinion of One of the worst foreigners and natives,
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features of the cases is that, while at first a deep mystery has been made by the police officers, accompanied by a great fuss and sensation and praise of the alert officers on the part of the papers, as time wears on the whole thing is generally forgotten; the "horrible criminals and "cowardly traitors and "systematic swindlers are apparently forgiven or re- leased on bond or allowed their liberty, and that is the end of it, so far as the public is concerned. This policy does not result beneficially for the military government; on the contrary it works much harm, as it weakens the faith of the public and opens the way for numerous false impressions and rumours to come from the fertile brains of the hundreds of past masters of intrigue and sensation, who thrive in the heterogeneous population of Manila. It is common talk that the authorities are afraid to prosecute these persons arrested because a thorough trial would bring out the rottenness and corruption of the present adminstration. People say that the conviction of some of the persons who have been arrested and later released would involve I doubt if any sane- many high officials, minded, responsible person believes these things, but nevertheless there are many who accept them greedily and derive much com- fort in them, and at the same time they furnish the sensation-searchers with excellent material.
The police officers who have carried on this policy have been too hasty or over-zealous and no doubt inexperienced. A good many changes have been made in the police department, per- haps because the positions were filled by Volunteer officers whose regiments were return- ing to the United States, and perhaps also be cause they went ahead too fast without sufficient grounds, or in other words they "bit off more than they could chew" or conveniently handle, At any rate they no longer occupy desks in the police office. Captain Gains, who came into prominence over Mr. Carman's arrest and Lieutenant Gillespie have been relieved, and the prosent Chief of Police is expected
to
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