362 when the order was given was also commendable. Dealing with a matter that bas aroused no small amount of comment in Volunteer circles, the dis- bandment of "B" Company, His Excellency said the step was rendered imperative by the fact that, should the necessity of calling up the Corps ever arise, the Company's services, from the fact that the members are employed in the Naval Yard, would not be available in the particular section allocated to it in the defence scheme that had been prepared. It was only after very serious consideration, said His Excellency, that it had been decided to ask these men to send in their resignations, but there was a probability of their services being not altogether dispensed with. One very satisfactory feature in con. nection with the disbandment of "B" Company was the remonstrance that had come from its members, showing that they were really in earnest in regard to volunteering, and were not treating it lightly. Whilst on the ques. tion of companies, His Excellency said he would like to mention that Colonel Browne wanted more men in the Engineers. Three times the present number were required, and in the Colony there were sure to be found just the kind of men needed. One point, however, would have to be observed: their enlistment and service must be under precisely the same conditions as those attaching to the other units, and they would also have to be available when the occasion arrived, if it ever did, for the particular section allocated to them in the defence scheme. His Excellency con- cluded a highly favourable speech by congratu- lating Major Bryant on the appearance and condition of the Corps.
men
The inspection came to a close with the drilling of the various units, at the request of Major-General Gascoigne, who followed the movements closely. His Excellency and staff then went the round of the tents, which had
The previously been smartened up. occupying each tent stood at attention, and the non-commissioned officer in charge was ques- tioned as to whether the time spent in camp had been enjoyable, and whether there were any complaints to make. There were no complaints, and the answer to the first question was always in the affirmative. Major-General Gascoigne and staff left for Hongkong soon afterwards.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR. J. J. ¦
FRANCIS, K.C.
|
[November 4, 1901.
THE "PARRAMATTA" IN A STORM.
The funeral of the late Mr. J. J. Francis,
PASSENGERS UNDER HATCHES. K.C., took place at 5 p.m. on the 30th ult.
The P. & O. 8.8. Parramatta, which arrived at the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Happy on Saturday, the 26th alt., experienced ex- Valley. The Right Rev. Bishop Piazzoli con-tremely rough weather a few days out from ducted the funeral service, which was fully Singapore. The first indications of the storm choral. There was a very large attendance of
came at four o'clock on the morning of the the friends of the deceased, among those 24th, when the barometer began to fall present being Major-General Sir W. Gas- rapidly; the sea was running high, and there coigne, K.C.M.G., Hon. J. H. Stewart were heavy squalls. By eight o'clock the wind Lockhart (Colonial Secretary), Sir Thomas had increased to a fresh gale, and the baro- Jackson, Hon. C. P. Chater, C.M G., Hon. meter dropped 29-72. At noon it was blowing T. H. Whitehead, Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, His gale from the N.N.E., with thick heavy rain Honour A. G. Wise (Acting Chief Justice), Mr. squalls and a very high sea. At 4 p.m. the F. A. Hazeland (Police Magistrate), Sr. barometer had dropped to 29.67, wind and sea A. G. Romano (Portuguess Consul-General), increasing, From seven in the evening till Mr. Norton Kyshe (Registrar. Supreme Court), twelve midnight the gale was at its height, the Dr. Clark (Medical Officer of Health), Captains wind being of hurricane force, with heavy rain Forbes, Sanders, and Macdonald, and Lieut, and confused sea. After midnight the baro- Undorwood of the Volunteer orps, Mr. C. A. D. meter started to rise, and gradually the wind Melbourne (Chief Clerk of the Magistracy), Mr. and sea decreased, The remainder of the E. H. Sharp (barrister), Mr. C. S Sharp, Mr. H. voyage to this port was made in dull, Humphreys, Mr. G. W. F. Pleyfair, Mr. J.
overcast weather, with a strong breeze and Goosmann, Mr. H. N. Mody, Mr. W. Poate, and
cross sea. The experience of the passengers many other members of the bar and the com- was not au enviable one, for they had to be mercial community. The Volunteer Corps, battened down when the storm was at its worst. in which the late Mr. Francis took an
The seas washed continuously over the steamer, active interest, was largely represented. There but fortunately nothing more serious happened. were also present many of the Roman Catholic The stress of the storm was seen in the general clergy, the French and Italian Sisters of appearance of the Parramatta when she arrived Charity, and the girls from the Italian Convent. At the conclusion of the service in the Chapel, the coffin was carried to the grave, into which, after the last rites had been performed, it was lowered by members of the Volunteer Corps. The coffin bore the inscription, "J. J. Francis: aged 62 years." Numerous beautiful wreaths were sent br friends of the deceased as well as by the different local organisations with The Chapel was which; he was connected. draped in black. Bishop Piazzoli wore full canonical robes, and the service was most impressive.
THE DEATH OF MR. E. ROBINSON.
REFERENCE IN THE SUPREME COURT.
his
cases in which he was engaged. I think it would be difficult to find his equal in the con- scientions devotion which he bestowed upon the interests of his clients, and those who met him in Court found him at all times a most courteous and chivalrous opponent. Our deep sympathy is extended to his sorrowing widow and family in their sudden bereavement.
In the Supreme Court on the 25th alt. In the afternoon sports were held, and were the Hon. H. E. Pollock, K.C., Acting Attorney witnessed by a large number of visitors. They General, before proceeding with the business were heartily entered into alike by competi- of the Court, addressed His Honour A. G. tors and visitors, and as the band of the Wise on the subject of the death of Mr. E. Corps played between the events the time Robinson as follows:-My Lord, before the passed pleasantly for all. The first item was a business of the day is proceeded with I desire, football match between the Field Battery and as the head of the local bar, to express our sense all Machine Gun Companies. The Field of the deep loss we have sustained in the sudden Battery won by one good to nil, scoring in the death of Mr. Edward Robinson. The deceased first half. A tug-of-war followed between the gentleman practised for nearly fourteen years Field Battery and "A." Company. The first as a barrister in this Colony, and during that pull was an easy win for the Field Battery, but period was distinguished for the great care and in the second, although they were again success-painstaking industry which he devoted to the ful, they had a much stiffer struggle. As the conditions were the best out of three pulls, the Field Battery won the tie. "D" Infantry Company had a bye in the tug-of-war. They were pitted against "C" Company, but the latter Company could not send up a team, their members not turning up in sufficient num- bers. The puttie race was rather interesting. The putties were placed on the ground some distance away, and the competitors had to race for them, put them on, and ran back to the starting place. Points were given for neat- -ness and, of course, speed. Sergeant Terrill, "C" Company, was first; Private Wichell, "D" Company, second; and Corporal Collins, "E" Company, third. The event in which the greatest interest centred was the tug-of-war final between the Field Battery and "D" Com- pany. There was not much to choose between the teams, for although "D" Company were the heavier men, the Field Battery were a well- trained, hardy lot. The Field Battery drew their opponents over the mark in the first pull, but in the second, having changed ends, "D" Company equalised matters by pulling the Field Battery over. The third and last pull was a hard one, and was won by "D" Company, whose superior weight told against training. The prizes were presented by Major Bryant at a concert held in the evening.
The Camp, which was probably the most successful yet held, broke up on the morning of the 28th ult.
In reply, His Lordship said-Mr. Attorney, on behalf of the Bench, although my learned brother is unavoidably absent in another Court. I beg to concur entirely in the remarks you have made in reference to this, the second loss which the local bar has sustained within the last two months. I also wish to join with you in the expression of our sympathy with the widow and family.
in the harbour. Her funnels were crusted to
the top with salt spray, and the hawser holes were rusted from the continual wash of the heavy seas.
The steamer Arratoon Apear, which arrived on the 27th ult. from Calcutta and the Straits, experienced similar weather, and was finally hove to to ride out the storm, the centre of which passed to the northward of her position.
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
At the monthly meeting of the General Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, held in the Chamber Room, City Hall, at noon on the 22nd October, 1901,- Present: Sir Thomas Jackson (Chairman), Hon. J. J. Bell Irving, Messrs. W. Poate, R. L. Richardson, H. A. Ritchie, N. A. Siebs, H. E. Tomkins, Hon. T. H. Whitehead (ex officio), and R. C. Wilcox (Secretary).
MINUTES.
!
The minutes of the previous monthly meeting (held 16th September) were read and confirmed.
PROPOSED REGISTRATION OF CHINESE PARTNERSHIPS.
Read letter from the Singapore Chamber of Commerce, dated 9th September, acknowledging receipt of Chamber's letter of 13th August, and noting with thanks the promise to forward to them the result of the inquiry by the Committee appointed by the Governor to investigate the subject.
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD said that the Report of the Committee had just been issued.
It was decided to apply to the Government for a copy and send it to the Singapore Chamber as soon as possible.
THE MEDICAL INSPECTION OF SHIPS.
Read letter from the Colonial Secretary, dated 16th Sept., in continuation of previous corres. pondence, informing the Chamber that H.E. the Governor had recommended for the con- sideration of the Secretary of State the question of the appointment of a second Health Officer of the Port, who will be allowed no private practice, and that Dr. Jordan, in view of his long service, be permitted to retain his private The Manila Times of the 25th ult. says:- practice on shore, only, however, on the distinct Sixto Lopez, the much-advertised Filipino understanding that when himself engaged in agitator, started on his journey from Hongkong private practice, he will place at the disposal of to Manila last week intending to come on the
the Government another officer as his substi- Loongsang. His journey was of short duration, tute, who will not be allowed to take private though. While being accorded a farewell ovation practice on board any ship; with a further by the members of the Hongkong Junta aboard recommendation that if Dr. Jordan is not will- the Loungsang, prior to her sailing, Sen. Lopezing to accept these conditions, another Health decided to defer his trip to some other date. Officer of the Port be appointed on the same Just why this hasty decision was determined terms as those offered to the second Health upon is not yet known, but eye-witnesses state Officer. that the agitator was handed a message, and it is inferred that this was a cablegram advising him that conditions were not favourable to him- self in Manila.
It was decided to reply expressing satisfaction with these proposals.
THE CHINESE TARIFF. In accordance with the decision come to at the
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