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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
the exis ence of Hongkong is not essential to | China and if Hongkong went "Gold" the Colony would be left as far as China is concerned.
trade with
on the part of the general body of our members, as well as among the public generally in spite of the conclusions we may arrive at round this Committee table. I shall be glad to listen to any views on this subject which you gentle- The CHAIRMAN pat tho question again before men, may choose to express. I must add that the mesting and it was unanimously decided to Mr. Shewan has written al-tter to the Secre-adbere strongly to the opinions expressed in tary regretting his inability to attend the the letter to the Singapore Chamber, on the meeting to-day, but has been good enough to 4th of September, 1897. write down his views on this subject, whics are as follows:-
the
"I am in favour of a gold currency for all countries except for Hongkong until China adopts either a gold on:rency or a gold standard. If we adopted a gold currency in Hongkong,
exchange banks would be driven to open branchos and do their business in Canton, and with the departure of bank business, other business would follow, and the result would be that the trade and industries of Hongkong would suffer a severe blow. The prosperity of this Colony has been built upon very slight foundations, and I do not think we should be wise in running any risk of hurting it.
"Whatever Singapore may decide to do is no criterion for Hongkong. The conditions there are different from those here. They chiefly depend upon countries using a gold standard, but we upon a country using silver exclusively. "I fully sympathise with those people of moderate means who particularly feel the pressure of increased cost of living. This, how ever, will only be temporary, wages out here have risenand will continue to rise as tire sterling value of the dollar falls, and if a man receives for his dollar less to remit home than he did before, he will, on the other hand, have more dollars with which to buy his remittance, so the thing remains as broad as it is long. At the sterling value of silver falls, s^, I think, will the cost in dollars of labour and commodities and though in a lesser degree perhaps, of laud and other property, rise. These conditions will thus continue to adjust themselves until the limit, which cannot be very far off now, reached."
The VICE-CHAIRMAN-As Mr. Smith was not present at the last meeting when the subject was under discussion, I suggest that he might give the Committee his opinions regarding same from a banker's point of view.
Mr. SMITH-Speaking generally, I am in accord with the views just expressed by the Chairman, whose remarks appeared to me to cover most of the groun'. Looking at the question more particularly from an exchange and financial standpoint it must not be forgotten that a large portion of the internal trade between North and South Chins is financed through Hongkong, and that practically the whole of the great trade of Canton and South China with other countries is at present centred here; the possession and retention of which is of vital importance. Currency flows to and from Canton freely according to the movements of trade and the state of the money markets, and I am strongly of opinion that the adoption of a monetary standard in Hongkong d fferent from that of China would not benefit this Colony as a great commercial centre, but would inevitably result in that all important trade gradually leaving, Hongkong....
MR. WILCOX asked how many millions of dollars wou'd be let loose in this Colony if the Straits Settlements started a gold currency.
Mr. SMITH replied that he was not in a posi- tion at the moment to give an accurate estimate; he did not know how they would be dealt with there.
The CHAIRMAN pat the question whether the Committee wished to depart from the attitude of the Chamber expressed in the letter to the Singapore Chamber in 1897.
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Mr. WILCOX-I think you are making a g.eut mistake in deciding not to refer the matter to the members of the Chamber. It should be borne in mind that this question of the currency is the quest'on of the hour, one in which the whole community take the de peat interest, for all are more or less affected by it. I am strongly of opinion that a general meeting of the members of the Chamber should be called to discuss the letter before us, and to afford them an opportunity of expressing their views ou the subject. The question is, I would remind you, of equal importance to the members as to the Committee, and I know that many members en'ertain very pronounced views on this problem.
The CHAIRMAN-To my idea the chief ob- jection to the Committee calling a general meeting of members is that in all probability no one will come forward with any well thonght out scheme or proposals and that the meeting will only result in some general desultory dis cussion, which would not only not tend to further matters but would probably be productive of harm and might creste a bad impression.
Some discussion followed and it was eventually decided not to call a special general meeting unless one was requisitioned by five members under Rule XIII.
On the proposition of Mr. UEWETT, seconded by Mr. WILCOX, and carried naanimously, it was resolved to publish the proceedings aud forward a copy to each member.
This concluded the business.
S. GEO G'S BALL.
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The S. George's Ball took place on the 6th inst. in the City Hall and passed off with great When the proposal to hold a éclat and success
8. George's Ball was first mooted some two or three months ago, it seemed as though it wro going to bang fire, but thanks to the energy displayed by its promoters, and especially by Mr. E. W. Mitchell, the scheme was pursued to a fruitful conclusion, and last night's function one of the season's leading events ranks as in the Colony. The company present numbered nearly 500 couples, so that the City Hall rooms were comfortably filled without dancing being made impossible. Decorations were carried out on a lavish scale and with chaste effct, the good results in th's d rection being chiefly to the credit of Mr. George A. Caldwell and his committee. The arrangement of the City Hulls lends itself, it might be s.id, to one style of adornment only, so that anyone setting upon the decoration of them has s me difficulty in getting away from the stereotyped fashion. But that the Decoration Committee succeeded in rising superior to this disadvantage all who saw the halls last evening will adm t. When the dancing was at its beight the ensemble of the reine was superb, the dazzling lights, tho❘ guy decorations, the brilliant dresses of the ladies and the uniforms of the Service men making up a plowing picture to which the sombre garb of the civilians lent the necessary touch of relief.
Upon entering the vestibule of the Hall from Queen's Road oue was confronted with an at- tractive spectacle. The vestibale itself, the pillars and the grand staircase were covered with rich tropical plants and foliage, set off The VICE-CHAIRMAN-When the matter with sparkling lights. At the top of the was discussed at the list Committee Meeting it stairway was displayed a huge pictorial was agreed that nothing had arisen to alter the reprosentation of R. George and the Drag », position then taken up and that this special meet-framed in electric lamps; and below was placed ing has been called to give the absent members a circular emblem bearing on a blue border the chance to discuss the matter and to decide legend “Honi soit qui mal y pense," and in the whether it was advisable to get the opinion of centre a red 8. George's Cross on a white ground. the whole of the Chamber in general meeting, Left and right the walls were clad in greenery ; and also, in the event of a general meeting flanking the Dragon picture were bang two 8. the Royal being called, whether the Committee should George's Banners, and above express their views on the subject for the consi- Standard. The face of the stair-well opposite bore the Royal Arms with trophies of ban- deration of the members as a whole.
nerettes. Curtains and bunting decked the
Hon. C. W. DICKSON-My views are that
[Jauniry 12, 1903. stairh ́ad proper. The Chamber of Commerco and the room adjoining were utilised as recep. tion and sitting roems and there also at the rear was a buffet. In the . George's Hall the por:in t of Queen Victoria was dominated by a briliantly illuminated shield, bearing a desigu of the S. George's Cross picked out in rd lamps and decked with baunerettes. All round this Hall and S. Andrew's Hall little oblong box s were placed so as to enclose the pillats out from the wal's; and these jutting were clo erly designed to look like part of the walls and were each filel with ferns and verdant plants. At the opposite end of the Hall from the Queen's portrait were fixed the Royal Arms diapedwith colours, Another pretty effect was produced by having on each of the gas glɩ bes a miniature 8. George's Cross. The baud-stand was arranged in a manner that was both novel and pleasing to the eye. its general design was that of a rustic porch with open trellis-work intertwined with creeping plants The whole was effectively lighted in colours and had a charming appearance. In S. Audrew's Hall, the scheme of decorations was on parallel lines. Below the portrait of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh was massed a lot of rich tropical growth; above the portrait a shield carrying the S. George's Cross with E.RI." in emblazoned letters, flanked by trophied bannerettes, On the wall at the opposite end of the Hall a contre-piece was found in a pictorial shield illustrative of the legend of the Saint and the Dragor, this also bing set off with trophies of little flags balconies in front were arrang, d as lounges and smoking rooms, tastefully hung with banners of all colours and designs.
The
As is customary on such occasious, the Th atre was utilised as the supper room. Here also the decorations did ample credit to the good taste of Mr. Cal.well and his com- mittee. Cn the stage was the President's table, shaped like a horse-shoe and providing accommodation for a company of twenty; at the back a sylvan scene set off with palms and ferus. In the area and balcony of the Theatre the supper tables we o set in rows; also in the balcony at the rear there were card-tables and lounges. The front of the dress circle was gily decked with trophies of bannerettes, festoons of greenery and tropical plants, and the Royal Arms as a cantre-piece; while the pillars rising above were also suitably set off. Dressing rooms. elo, were provided at con- venient points, and the comfort of the daucers was looked after w th every care.
The
Before 9 o'clock hat passed the guests began to arrivo, and soon the strains of the baud sounded invitingly from the ball room. coming of the Government House party was the signal for the commencement of the night's festivity. When His Excellency the Governor with Lady Blake, Captain Arbuthnot, “A‚D ('., and Sir John Keane, Private Secretary, arrived, they were met at the entrance by the President of the Ball, Sir William M. Goodman, and on- ducted to the reception rooms. After a little the President led the way to 3. (eorge's Hall and sels were formed for the opening quadrille. Music of an excellent kind was discoursed by the band of H.M.S. Ocean under the conduct rship, of Mr. G. Portoghese, and soon the dancers were to a melody “tripping the light fantastic toe
Those invited to take of old English airs. part in
w.re Sir the President's sat Henry Blake and Lady Goodman, Sir Wiliam Goodman and Lady Blake, Admiral Grenfell and Lady Gascoigne, General Sir William G scoigue and Mrs. Hobinson, Hen. F. H. May and Mrs. Wise, Commodore Rabing»u} and Mrs. May, Sir Henry Herkeley and Mr. Robertson, Mr. W. H. Robertson and Mrs. Hancock.
The full dance programm› is appeaded : - 1. Quadrille
Old English Airs 2. Valse
Sourire d'Avril Ballscerien 3. Valse.. 4. Polka
Whistling Polka 5. Valse 6. Lancers 7. Valse
S. Barn Dance 9. Valse
10. Valse (2 step)
Valse Valse.... Valse
blue Danube 1. Floradora- ·
La Gitana
The B: anty of the Dance Whisper and I shall hear
SUPPER DANCES.
Morgenblatter L'Amour et la Vio a. Vienne
Eldorado
Iola
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