December 5, 1003.]
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bysway. To move a little nearer town. I still hardly be room for both tracks in one narrow imagine the corner at the City Hall will be a dangerous one,
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. probably is capable of giving such whole- Road into Praya West, the double rails split: some advice as the Devil himself, but the one branch turns down the road in front of the world, from past experience of his way, is Harbour Office, the other down the next road not likely to believe it disinterested. Mean-ast This is a good arrangement; there would while the revival in England of the old cry of Turkish atrocities is not one that augurs well for any practical solution of the difficulty. More lately we learn from tele- graphic despatches that under pressure from the British Government the Sultan is begin. ning to show signs of yielding. Possibly the Government is convinced of the prac. ticability of the changes depanded, and thinks the moment well-chosen for trying the experiment. If so we hope that it is sufficiently well-informed as to the dis- interestedness of Russia's proposals. For ourselves we must continue to look with suspicion on an enemy's gifts. The situation is probably too far advanced to permit of any settlement by mere reforms, while their attempted introduction will be fraught with danger to Turkey herself, a danger which cannot but re-act on Europe under its present explosive conditions.
•
HONGKONG JOTTINGS.
(Daily Press, 29th November.) One of the chief topics of conversation in Hongkong just now, it may be safely said, is the cold. r'eople are saying that it is much colder then they remember it being at this time of year, while one or two newcomers whom I have met recently are, to say, the least of it, surprised at what Hongkong can do in the way of cold. It is really not to be wondered at that the weather is so much commented upon. I have been looking at the report, compiled from fifteen years observations, of the Hongkong Observatory in 1898, and I find the following records of temperature in November:-Mean temperature, 69, maximum 85; minimum 50. The thermometer last Friday stood at 55 at 10 am. and at 58 at 4 p.m. (It was 48 only at 10 a.mD). on the Peak one day last week, but the Peak of course is 7 or more degrees cooler.) So it can be seen that the cold which we periencing, though a good way above the lowest record, is a long way below the mean tempera- ture of the month of November. It is indeed below the mean of February, which, according to the same Observatory Report which I men- tioned, is over 57. Will it last? is the question which everyone is asking. I think most of us hope not. Of course it is 54 very fine and bracing," as we shiveringly observe,
houses and our
offices are hardly constructed to withstand the cold well. How ever, yesterday was distinctly warmer.
bat
aro now ex.
It will interest the members of the local Civil Bervice to know that Mr. Alleyne Ireland, the writer of the Times article (recently reproduced in the Daily Press) on the subject of the Civil Service in Hongkong, is still in the East, and is expected to reach this Colony from Saigon, on his way to the Philippines, very shortly. His stay here, I-imagine, will be brief, as it is not likely to be quite so pleasant as his former visit. A Singapore journal, I notice, writes of Mr. Ireland's article on Hongkong as being virtual exposé of what is seemingly the most incompetent and slovenly secretariat in the Empire." It may be useful to remind Singapore that things are not always what they seem, and that if they were so bad in Hongkong as Mr. Ireland represented, the resident: community, it is safe to say, would have made the discovery long ago. As it is they are still pussled to know what justification exists for the attack."
B
8. ANDREW'S BALL.
As year succeeds year in the social life of Sobiety appears to grow in popularity; It is Hongkong the annual ball of the 8.' Andrew's looked forward to in more ways than one. The general community anticipate it as the grand event which marks the opening of the festivities Coming down from the Gardens with a friend that our climate permits to be held in winter, the other day, I happened to pass the battery and viewed in that light alone 8. Andrew's near Government Buildings. Greatly to the Ball would be rightly held in high favour, for entertainment of a few loafing Chinese the it celebrates our emergence from the trying R.GA. were performing heavy gun drill with the days of a tropical summer into bracing acquain amuse little minds, no doubt, but my friend But to the Scotsman abroad the advent of the oldest type of guns imaginable. Little thingstanceship with north-east winds and overcosté, accompanying me, an officer in the army of a day of the patron saint of Scotland brings Continental power, was greatly amused also reflections deeper than these. Wherever the "Such drilling," said he, "is waste of time; time British flag dies there are always to be found wasted in this description was the cause, podoubt, among the pioneers of the Empire Scots who of many deficiencies displayed by the British carry with them affectionate recollection of in the South African war. It is the same their native land, who cherish in their hearts with your Navy. Men are trained to lug about fond remembranoss of the olschans and the could be utilised to far greater advantage: It and who, as the annual festival day of Scotland obsolete muzzle-loading guns. Time thus occupied hills fragrant with the smell of the heather, is said by advocates. for this out-of-date system comes round, renew their youth in the contem. of training men that if a man know his drill at plation of past pleasures in the dear homeland. M. L. guns he will experience little difficulty in It is to this love of country that we owe the exis- learning how to manipulate the breech-loaders. tence of 8. Andrew's Societies all over the world, This idea does not work out in practice." The Scotsman desirous of an annual, day of celebration could easily find an outlet for his patriotic spirit in more ways than one. Bat the Scotsman is thoroughly practical always, He does uut avoid the festival-he would be no true Scotsman if he did but he arranges if in such a way that with it he com blues a recognition these is oharity. The S. Andris's Society is of the greatest of these”---and the greatest of
promoting an annual dance. Year in, year out, no mero organisation. got up for the purpose of it goes quietly about its useful and charitable work in relieving distress among So tamen and almost forges that its functions are being their dependants so quietly in leed that one
workers and that the greatest forces in life are vigorously exercised by a devoted band of
those that make themselves least evident on the surface. So, the S. Andrew's Ball has more than oue signification. It opens the social season in the Colony; it serves as a reminder and it affords an opportunity for the Scott of the good work being done by the Society;
community to meet and renew the old friend- ships and to forge the first links in the new,
There appears to be a slump" in pro- fessional theatrical touring in the Far East. Shangbai, it seems, intimated in some way that there was no great desire there for third or fourth-rate shows, and indeed the Lyceum is no longer open to them except by permission of the A.D.C. A result of this inability to secure the Shanghai theatre is that two companies which were coming to China from the South will not even come to Hongkong this season, pay them sufficiently. I have no wish to say as Hongkong, without Shanghai would not anything against these companies, whose names I do not know. But I two particular think that the less we get of some of the very inferior theatrical shows which come to the Far East the better. I have seen many out here which are only amusing through their to write a criticism on them. If I bad, I might sleer badness; and I am very glad I did not have have been visited by the whole troupe next day.
.
Compared with the just expiring month of November, which has been full of Chinese festivals, December is not much of a festival month with the native population. But there is nevertheless one of the biggest fete days of the year during its course, namely that of the philosopher Kang, generally known to Europeans under the Latinised style of Confucius. The date of his birth is given as: B.C. 551, so that his fête is one of no little antiquity.
BANYAN.
INTERESTING GOLF MATCH.
4.
As on previous occasions, the whole of the City Hall suite was utilised for the Bali. S George's Hall and S. Andrew's Hall were devoted to dancing, the Theatre Royal was made into of Commerce contained refreshment bars and the supper-room, and the Library and Chamber
oard-1abies. The committee room adjoining was used for the reception of the guests. This year there was no outside porch erected in front of the grand entrance. As the guests entered the vestibule of the hall they were confronted with a spectacle of dassling splendour. The pillars were entwined with ropes of greenery, and on both sides of the red-carpated staircase was a profusion of plants and ferns and painis, At the top of the staircase the eye was arrested. by a hugo illuminated device of the Scottish An interesting match took place on the Happy Thistle backed by the Royal Standard, while on Valley links on Sanday, between teams either side were displayed 8. Andrew's Croma in representing the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank blue and silver and shields bring similar and Messrs. Jardine. Matheson & Co. Eight devices. Underneath this thistle stood a great players sppeared on each side, and 8 singles and 4 mirror reflecting an emblazoned trophy of foursomes were decided. The Bank, who have shining bayonets and the Scottish Shield with a very strong team just now, gained an essy the Royal Crown dominant. Two showitzàju. victory by 10 matches to 1, Jardine's only kindly lent by the Army Ordnanos Corps winning one single and halving another. The frowned upon the landing amidst a profusion of pairing and individual results were as follows, tropical vegetation. On the main landing a the Bank players being put first in each centre-piece was found in a flue stag's head surrounded with flags. All along the passage- way banners of different nations were "hüng with most picturesque effect.
case :--
reminded one of the age of the society. 18. The dates 1847 and 1903 displayed on the walls Andrew's Hall and B. George's Hall were taste fully decorated. In former years the picture of the patron saint had exclusively occupied the head of the hall which bears his name.
Singles:-C. W. May beat J. Johnston up and 1 to play); N: J. Stabb beat W. W. Ross (2 up); H. E. R. Hunter beat G. T. Veitch (2 up); P. R. Scott lost to K. McK. Ros (1 down); E. E. Deacon b at A. Brooke Smith (8 up and 7 to play); W. D. C. Turner beat Ricksha«coolies are making the most of the W Taylor (7 up and 5. to play); A. Bord and cement work embedding electric tramway rails. Peter Dow halved; H. C. Sandford beit P., 8. The smooth surface, no doubt, does away with Jameson (7 up and 6 to play). a deal of friction. In these circumstances a Foursomes May & Stabb best Johnstonear he shared: honours with King Edward,
"Mr. Dorabjee, of the King Edward vHate clear road and a good runner make ricksha- and W. Boss (6 up and 5 to play), Hunter had kindly lost for the occasion the fine por- riding quite enjoyable. "Rickkies" had better and Scott beat Veitch and K. Road (2-up and trails of the King and Queen which hang make hay while the sun shines; we shall soon 1 to play); Deacon and Turner best smith his dining room there.. Eier Majesty & pot have little use for them. I note; by the way, and Taylor (2-up); Boyd and Sandford best was placed in the reception
i that where the lines branch from Des Vœux' Dow and Jameson (2 up).
Edward's appeared--
King the picture of
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