January 11, 1904.] *
refreshments, the party broke up at about 7 p.m. after a most delightful evening, the children showing in their farewells their great appreciation of the kindness of their hosts and hostesses.
On New Year's E e a smoking concert was held at Tsimshatsui Station uuder the auspices of the Hongkong Police. Captain F. W. Lyons had granted facilities to the men in the matter of leave, and consequently they were able to attend in considerable numbers. Many guests were also present. For the occasion the station and grounds were beautifully decorated. The room in which the concert was held was
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hang with figs, on some of which appeared hand-painted sketches, the work of some of the Tsimshatsui men. Over the stage was a pictorial representation of the Hongkong flag, bearing the motto, "Success to our Captain and his lady." This was painted by Inspector Langley. Mr. E. R. Hallitax occupied the chair during the first part of the programme. Before leaving he took the opportunity of wish. ing the company a h ppy New Year, and his good wishes were responded to by the singing of "He's a jolly good fellow." During the later part of the evening the chair was taken by Chief Inspector Baker. There was no lack of talent; indeed some of the best entertainers in the Colony gave their services. Among those who supported the chairman Inspectors Kerr, Ford, Langley, Withers, Acting Inspector Cameron, Messrs. J. J. Spooner, and McGregor. Mr. McLean acted as accompanist aud gave every satisfaction. It would be in vidious to pick out for special r.mark any one of the singers: they were all good and encores were frequent. The programme was sustaine by Mr. Stevenson, "What an awful draught;" Mr. Jack, "While I am with you,' "Rose of Mr. Varney, Persia" and "My first wife; "The lost baggage man; Mr. Mitchell, Lend me your fairy wand" and "Come to my heart again; Mr. Dockree, "The lighthouse keeper; Mr. Hoskins,
"Sunshine above," ! and "Sons of the. Empire,
Mona Mr. Clark, "The lost chord" and "The Bugler;" Mr. Rogers, "The society outcast; Mr. Burnett, "The society idol;" Mr. Woode "What for ?"; Mr. Beaumont, "Leave a little bit for me;" Mr. Burgess, "Oh, the business" and "Silence reigned supreme," Mr. Gilbert, "Sing us one of the old songs, Geo ge," Mr. Jackson, "What a good job I wasn't there," Mr. Armitage, "I didn't like to;" and Mr. Wisby "Won't you take me back to Dixey." The concert finished up a few minutes before
Inspector twelve o'clock. Langley proposed the toast of the visitors (to which Mr. McGregor responded) and also the entertainers. An adjournment then made to the refreshment room to await the incoming of the New Year. When the hour struck, there was the usual exchange of greetings and the company joined in Singing "Auld Lang Syne." Before departing by special launch for Hoogkong the visitors drank the health of Inspector Langley and the Tsimshatsui police for their kindness and hospitality. Inspector Langley was president of the committee which was in charge of the entertainment. Sergeant C. F. Aris made a capital secretary and the members of committee were Messrs. Kerr, Wilden. Boele, Jackson, Adley, Counsell, Parker, and Culliford. It only remains to be added that among those present was Sergeant Angus McSwayed, who had some out of hospital to attend the concert and make his last appearance as a member of the H.K. Police. Un entering the room he got a hearty reception and on his going away he was follow ed by the best wishes of those present.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADU REPORT.
CANTON.
[FROM OUR OWN® CORRESPONDENT.]
A
Canton, 31st December.
TIRES.
Canton has been going through another epidemic of fires. Last week a magistrate named Chang, on returning to his home in the city, found only a heap of ashes where a large Seven lives wore lost in mansion had been. this fire, a rather unusual event. In the Nam- kuan at about the same time there was a fire near the Wesleyan mission, but no lives were lost. More important than either of these was the outbreak at Messrs Watson & Co.'s store in
were
Sha Kee, which occurred on Tuesday night at 8 o'clock. It has since transpired that the store was set fire to, as fire broke out in two places, which connected by a train of kerosene. The fire was soon got under with the aid of the Shameen fir -brigade; but it was found that a good deal of damage had been done. The suspected parties, om- ployees of the firm, have been handed over to the charge of the Namhoi magistrate. It may not be generally known that when thieves or house-breakers are caught red-handed, they have short shrift with the crowd. The Kaifong, or headman of the street, and his colleagues often take the law into their own hands, and the offender is either strung up to the nearest lamp-post or drowned by the infuriat d populace This might have been the fate of the criminals on Tuesday night, had they not made themselves scarce, but lynch-law prevails more particularly in the country districts, the towns being well provided with police.
TROUBLES IN KWANGSI,
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News of a serious defeat sustained by the Imperial troops in Kwangsi has just come down. It is reported that 250 men have been
and $20,000 taken, presumably killed ambuscade. The authorities in Kwangsi are beseeching the Viceroy to return, so it would seam that affairs are not going well in the wes'ern province. Shum cannot leave Canton for some time yet, but when he does it may be hoped that a final effort will be made to orush the rebellion,
From Shuntak news comes of the looting of a German mission chapel, but I have as yet no details.
NOTED BRIGAND CAPTURED.
district in the whole province which can boast of freedom from these pas s.
FOOCHOW.
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
Fooohow, 31st December. WARSHIPS' VISITS.
The reaction after race week finds but dull nows. The U.S. cruiser Wilmington was here for a week, and an excellent dance was given in the Club to the officers, who kindly lent a amall string band for the occasion. H.I.G.M.'s gunboat Luchs has been and gone; whilst the Japanese cruiser Takachiho arrived a week ago and is still here-rumour has it to protect the Formoss cable in case of trouble with Russia.
We notice: her sand-bags hung out all round the ship for an airing,
LOUISANA purchase EXPOSITION. By the courtesy of the Commissioner of Ous- tems the contributions to be forwarded this week to this exhibition from this port were on view. The lacquer furniture is by far the best item, as it is the largest. Models of Chinese figures and some very olever carved work are also pro minent. But if what we saw represents the best work Foochow can produce we do not think visitors to this exhibition will be impressed very much. I understand it opens on the 1st May,
FOOCHOW CAMERA CLUB.
The annual Loan Exhibition is to be held
next month (January). Exhibits, carriage paid, must b, addressed to Hon. Sec, Foochow Camera Club, before the 15th January, both amateur and professional.
PORT ARTHUR.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
17th December.
RUSSIAN PAPERS ON JAPAN.
As I remarked in my last letter, the Russian papers are devoting a good deal of uttention at present to Japan, not only political papers like the Rusky Viedomosti (which is now publishing a series of fine articles on Japan by the foremost of aussian journalists), but even comic and society papers, The well-edited Niva has, in one of its last issues, a short, moderate account of the present trouble with Japan, accom- panied by good photographs of General Katsura, Minister President, and of General Kodama, "Commander-in-Chief of the Jap.- nese army," these photographs being taken specially, it is stated, for the Niva.
The Sireknoza (Dragon-flag) devotes the front page of its issue for the 2nd November to a coloured picture of a cock wearing the cap of a Japanese soldier and labelled "Japan." Cores is
Canton, 7th January. A sensational capture was effected last week For some at Shui-bin, not far from Fatshan. Wa
time Ao Chan, a robber chief, has been This man was terrorising the neighbourhood. head over 3.000 robbers, and his power was almost unlimited in the district anti the represented as a hen sitting on an egg, but arrival of the present Viceroy. He levied toll Russia does not seem to come into the picture, on all boats passing up and down the river, which seems to me to be rather pointless. The old-fashioned o ok is represented as in the act of crowing, and and raised blackmail (of the Scots type) on the villagers, thus combining below the picture is the motto Peremyona budet the occupations of pirate and b igand. Al("there will be a change"), and a short poem on boats refusing to pay toll were pillaged, and that motto, which runs as follows:- the crews not unfrequently murdered, while People not seldom robberies were committed with impunity on land.
Are accustomed to say, When the cock orows
That a change there will be. The Japanese cook
Now splits our tympans. With its fearful outory
About something or other. It is dreadfully roused,
And sings out of tune, And all we can ask is,
When will it stop P
LEARNING R ̈89IAN,
At last the tate of affairs became so bad that large rewards were offered for his person. These were lately increased, until they reached the enormous total of $20,000 for his head, and About ten $25,0 0 if he were taken alive. days ago a regiment was sent out to capture him, his hiding-place having been betrayed by an informer. A fierce fight, lasting fifteen hours, ensued, and finally, after several men had been killed, Ao was captured with
The foreign population of Port Arthur is The N.-C. Daily News. quotes a Chengt seven companions. The fortunate official in com- despatch, reporting the arrival in that city in mand of the troops, a Colonel Li, will take half evidently not neglecting its chances to learn November of three German officers, one being a of the prize-money, te remainder being Russian, as two advertisements in the Novi Krai doctor, on their travels through south-western shared by the so'diers. On Tuesday morning of the 9th December would seem to indicate. China. The party after visiting various places Ao Chan and four of the others were behea1ed; One is from an American who wants a room in of interest in the city left for Yachou on the the remaining three men are still under examina- Russian family, with the object presumably of 28th November on their way, it is averred, for tion. This affair is the talk of the town at pre- practising h s Russian; and the other is from an Englishman, whose wants and objects are Tibet, which the members of the party intend sent, and many travellers and merchants are to penetrate and, if possible, get through into breathing more easily at their deliverance from the same. This is undoubtedly the best way to India and so on southwards to Caleuca and a bloodthirsty and powerful brigand It seems learn the language. You sometimes come across thénoɔ by sea to Europa. While in Chôngtu | strange that these events should go on so close kind Russian friends who speak English to con the visitors were given a most friendly recepto Canton. A glance at the map will show that all the time and who propose to exchan tion by Viceroy Hsi Liang and his sub rdinate the Sbai-bin district is quite close to the pro-Issons, but, in spite of what one morificem officials,
vincial city. Apparently there is hardly a abandoning such friends, who are. ↑
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