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different regimental bands accompanied by Ɛe- Boy torch, It was a stirring and pic taresane spectacle, rousing indescribable en husi- asm among the audience and concluding a very pleasant evening.
·HONGKONG ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY.
The twentieth annual general meeting of the Hongkong St. Andrew's Society was held in the City Hall on Tuesday evening. The Hon. T. H. Whitehead, Vice-President, in the ab- sence from the Colony of the President, Mr. J. Mackie, presided over a gathering of about forty gentlemen.
year,
In his speech the CHAIRMAN, after tender. ing thanks for his election as Vice-President, said the Anances of the Society on the 23rd alt were alightly better this
the net credit balance baing $2,601.28, as compared with 82,414.60 for the year 1899-1900. The addition to the membership was as great this year as ever it had been. The Chairman re- ferred sympathetically to the deaths of four members of the Society→→Mr. John Cameron, of the Hongkong Bank, who was Captain of the local Rugby Football team Mr. A. F. Williamson, of the Chartered Bank, an ener- getic promoter of the annual celebration; Mr. J. Brownhill, marine saperintendent of Messrs. Bradley & Company, who did yeoman ser. vice every year in decorating the rooms for the Ball; and Captain F. H. Laurie, King's Own Royal Lancaster Begiment, a keen supporter of polo while he resided in this Colony, and who was killed South Africa.
On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, seconded by. Mr. W. D. GRAHAM, the Report and Ao- count, sa presented, were adopted.
ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS,
On the motion of the Hon. F. H. Stewart Lockhart, C.M.G., seconded by Mr. D. R. Law, Mr. Whitehead was elected President in place of Mr. F. McKis, resigned.
On the motion of the Hon. J. J. BELL-IRVING, seconded by Mr. R. L. RICHARDSON, Mr. H. W. Robertson was elected to the office of Vice
President.
Captain G. O. ANDERSON proposed the eles tion of Mr. P. Wood as Secretary, and of Mr. P. Dow as Treasurer. The proposal was seconded by Mr. BROWN, and carried unanimously.
THE BALL
THE RETIRING PRESIDENT.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Mr. ROBERTSON, in appropriate terms, pro- posed a hearty vote of thanks to the retiring President of the Society, Mr. J. MacKie, for his valuable services during his term of office. He suggested a letter to Mr. MacKie to that effect. The CHAIRMAN Seconded, and the suggestion was adopted unanimously.
ELECTION OF COMMITTEE,
The Committee deeply regret to record the deaths of the following members:..... Captain J. H. Laurie, The King's Own. (Royal Lancaster Regiment), John Cameron, John Brownhill, and A. F. Williamson.
TONKIN NOTES.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Hanoi, 27th August. PRINCE HENRI D'ORLEANS.
↑ Henskamaber 9, 1901.
MILITARY APPOINEMBE The appointment of Lieut chand as chef d'état-major Brigade in China has been wel Colony, where Liautasute( numerous friends and admirers.
General Sucillon is also very well known here. ; He commanded several years ago in the military district of Lokal and shomad in the discharge of a delicate function a great deal of adminis- trative and military aptitude.
A WRECK.
AN ENGINEER HONOURED.
Prince Henri d'Orléaşa, - the 'well known į There is a rumour that a cargo-host, carrying French explorer, died in Saigon Hospital after an important load of stable materials and roll- a serious operation on the liver. Prince Henri ing stock for the Tonkin railways, has been was the son of the Duke and Duchess of wrecked near Cape Gardafui, opposite Aden, Chartres and the first cousin of Philippe and is completely lost. The news is not, how d'Oricans, the exiled pretender. Prince Henri's ever, confirmed. death caused real excitement in France and Colonies, and the whole press has been full of In the recent Légion d'Honneur list we note praise concerning him. The Prince also was the name of M. Pillé, who is appointed officer an author of merit, and the books he published of the order. H. Pillé is the listinguished en- are of real scientific worth. He was a member gineer of Darde, Fillé and Co., from Creil, who of sereral geographical societies.
were commissioned to throw across the Red Prince Heari was considered an Anglophobist, River and Gia Sam Marshes the 1809-mitre but the view is not a just one, for the Prince | bridge which is to be called Pont Doumer.” on many occasions praised the intelligent and loyal nature and the colonial aptitude of the English people. The body of the Prince will be inhumed at Dreux, where the royal family has a special vault.
M. DOUMER'S RETURN.
·Hanoi, 1st September.
M. DOUMER'S RETURN.
M. Doumer is probably dissatisfied with his reception at Saigon. It has been given him to compare between the enthusiasm in France at M. Doumer, our Governor-General, has the meetings organised in his honour and the returned to Saigon and has taken over again glacial welcome he got from the Baigonese po- the direction of affairs with M. de Lamothe, palation, interpreter of all French people in Indo sucessor of M. Picanon, as Lieutenant-Governor China. M. Picanon was followed to the M.M. of Cochin-Chins. The Indo-Chinese Press steamer by all the Saigonese and respectfully does not generally welcome this return, and saluted at the departure of the boat. Except hoping for the next and final departure few officers and offcials, there by order, no of "Paul the First ”—as it derisively calls colonist was present at the return of our M. Doumer.
Governor-Geuéral. His passage into Cotinat Street, at the hour of “aperit-fs,” when many provoked no salute. An hostile reception even people were assembled on the terraces, was feared, for numerons policemen were every- where about the town and seemed to have very moreover, a manifestation, though allowed in strict orders. Indifference is more significant; France, is not tolerated in Indo-Chins because of the presence of the natives, before our sentiments and to appear to respect whom it is necessary to keep to ourselves the first French magistrate of the Colony.
NATIVE OFFICIAL PECULATIONS.
↓
DEATH OF A DISTINGUISHED ANNAMUSH,
If we can rely on our informant, M. Doumer to his next candidature as Deputy for the Aisne has bought the paper La Lanterne with a view Department. It appears that our Governor General wants rest and intends to abdicate his his term. This determination will please all high functiona at the end of the fifth year of the Tonkinese colonists; yet perhaps they may change their one-eyed horse for a blind one! from criticism, but in the particular situation The work of M. Doumer is not certainly exempt of Indo-China it was very dificult to act to the general satisfaction. If our Governor-General to-day has numerous critics he also has his sup. During the last few days there died at Hanoi It was decided that St. Andrew's Day should be schemes and the numerous colonial and ad- French residents. Ba-ho-kim was a fine old man, porters. The Yunnan and Indo-Chinese railway an Annamese mandarin, well known by all the celebrated by a hall on Friday, 29th November.ministrative reforms, the principal features of M. of majestic aspect, with a white beard, always It is this point which has dissatisfied the col-vices to the French cause, and Paul Bert esteem- Doumer's policy, necessitate new and heavy taxes. scrupulously dressed. He rendered many ser- onista, especially the Tonkinese. We must not, ed him very much. He formerly was & coun- however, forget the adage: Brrare humanum cillor on the Hanoi Municipal Assembly and est. M. Doumer has committed errors, but has member of the Consultative Committee of obtained a few happy results. Will his successor native nobilities establised by Paul Bert and act better?
now suppressed. He attained the fifth rank of civil mandarindom. Proprietor of several France, M. Doumer has asserted the ever fortune to his three sons. His obsequies took In his declarations during his sojourn in | houses in Paul Bert Street, he left a very large increasing riches of Indo-Chins, and given as place to-day and were very splendidly cele
on. In France where nobody can control proof the progress in the produos from taxa- | brated. the assertions of our Governor, who has in: quired into the causes of this progress ? Public opinion in the metropolis wants to be enlightened in the matter. The truth is, every year taxation becomes more heavy for the natives. M. Doumer has returned here with many projects, and consequently with many new financial combinations. Where and when will this stream stop? To show the odious side of this system it is necessary to state that the Annamite officials collect the taxes, and exploit the villagers to their own profit. The French authorities know of these acts, which take place in the Colony daily and everywhere. French prestige will not bear this adious exploitation of the natives by their hierarchical officials or chiefs. If the present produce of taxation is not sufficient, it is necessary to watch very strictly the mode of tax-collection and to axet from Annamite officials the full payment of what they receive. There is a moral obligation for Franos to intervane.
Messre. D. R. Lay, T. F. Hough, B. Richardson, W. D. Graham, and W. M. Kidd
were elected as a Committee.
A vote of thanks to the CHAIRMAN, proposed by Mr. STEWART LOCKHART, terminated the proceedings.
The following was the report :- During the year a number of applications for assistance from the Charitable Fund were received, and after full investigation Grants- in-aid: were, given in four cases, amount- ing in all to $142.80. Situations were found for five more applicants, and three cases were assisted privately by members. The balance now to the credit of the Society is $2,601.28 as against: 82,414.60 last year.
Forty-five members (including two life mem- berg) joined the Society during the year.
St. Andrew's Day, 1900, was celebrated by a ball in the City Hall, which was very successful, A Scotch concert was organised for 25th Jan., the anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, but it was abandoned at the last moment on account of the death of the Queen.
Mr. DR Cmwford resigned the post of Hon. Treasurer on his departure for home, and THE FRANÇÓ-TURKISH DIFFICULTY. your Committes specially thanked him for the The Havas telegram announcing the diplo excellent services in kad zandered to the Soziety. } matic rupture with Turkey has used no Mr. Peter Dom han skindly undertaken the | excitment in the Colony. The Indo-Chinese dution of Hon. Tamnin
Press has not yet commented on the event.
AN ABUSE OF AUTHORITY.
A few days ago the Hanoi Chamber of Com- merce energetically protested against the injury to trade caused by obstructive action on all the launches running to Laokai for the needs of the military and civil administrations. The Chamber very logically asked for a reserved place on board for goods of local trafic. This wish has not been taken into consideration, and the situation remains the mame, A certain tradesman three week ago announced to some customers that he was sending a box, lifty pounds in weight. He has come to the wharf every Saturday morning and has been invariably told to come again, as the launch is completely full with objects destined for the military and civil administrations of the Eaokai distries, and special missions into Yunnan province. This abuse of authority causes indignation.
MISCELLANĦOUS,
The Paris Figuro han sent to -Indo-China enquire for the notes of Captain Bernard French colonisation in Coollin-China, Annam, and Toukin. The nöten collected by the French journalist cannot fail to
portant and interesting revelations ido-Chinese Press generally applauda
for ite ntelligent initiativ
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