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nated device of the Scottish Thistle backed by the Royal Standard, while on either side were displayed the St. Andrew's Cross in blue and silver shields bearing similar devices. A large mirror reflected an emblazoned trophy of shining bayouets beneath an illuminated mon- ster thistle, the Soottish shield with the Royal | Crown being conspicuous. Two howitzers, lent by the Army Ordnance Department, frowned upon the landing amidst a profusion of tropical regetation. The dates 1847 and 1904, displayed on a red field on either side, reminded one of the age of the Society. A fine stag's head surmounted with a golden shield bear- ing the Scottish Lion formed the centre piece of the decorative scheme on the main landing.) These were surrounded with the flags of various | nations, the Union Jack and the "Rising Sun of Japan being uppermost. The passages were tastefully decorated with bunting and shields. The picture of the patron saint occupied the head of St. Andrew's Hall. At the other end of the hall was au oil painting of the Duke of Edinburgh. The oil painting of Queen Victoria, presented by Sir Thomas Jackson, was in St. George's Hall. There were special chairs on a raised platform in front of the last mentioned picture for H.E. the Governor. All around the walls of both halls were suspended the shields of various Scottish families and the county names. "Kowloon had a place amongst these, as was the case last year, when, for the first time at a St. Andrew's Ball, it was recoguised that Kowloon was territorially related to Scotland. The decorations in all parts of the building showed to the best effect under the bright glare of the electric light, as it flashed from burnished spears and battle-axes and brought out the colour of the flags and bannerettes.
The card TOOM was downstairs. All those who were able to say correctly "Auchter- muchty" were invited to change there for that city of impossible pronunciation, the Library having been constituted for the time being the
"Grand Central Station of the South China Railway- -"Bar"-capable of transporting passen ers
to any part of the universe they desired according to their inclination At the last St. Andrew's Ball, it will be re- membered, some of the ceiling in the Library f. Il down оп the heads of those playing cards while dancing was being carried ou overhead, so this time it was protected by painted mattiag.
The flow of guests began before nine o'clock, and from then onwards there was a constant stream of people into the hall. The guests were received by the members of the Committee. On the arrival of His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathan, accompanied by Capt. Smith, A.D.C., shortly after nine o'clock, he was played up the stairs by Piper A. L. McColl, to the time of Carse O'Gowrie," and the band struck up
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the first few bars of God Save the King, and dancing sommenced soon after- wards. It was entered into with great spirit, the music being supplied by the band of the Sherwood Foresters and Piper A. L. MoColl, Some 1,200 in all were present. The ball rooms presented a magnificent spectacle of
animation, the uniforms of the naval and mili- tary guests and the picturesque Highland dress Tying with the brilliance of the ladies' dress03 lending colour to the so-ne. In the dancing programme thee were lancers, ten waltzes, three Caledonians and other dances, twenty- two in all.
THE SUPPER.
Supper commenced at half-past eleven. His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathan was played into the supper room by Piper A. L. McColl to the strains of " Scotland the Bravo.“ The supper hall. in the Theatre Royal, was very prettily decorated.
On the stage at the back of the President's table a large blackboard bore the following lines :-
“Some hae meat they canna sat An some wad eat that want it. But we hae meat and we can eat So may the Lord be thankit.” "Fair fa' your honest sonsic face Great Chieftain of the Puddin' Race, Abuin them a' ye tak yer place, Kail painch and thairm
Weel are ye worthy o' a grace As lang's ma sirm.”
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
од.
This was lowered while the Haggis was Facing this in the gallery was another inscription standing out from the wall in large blue letters. It read as follows:- 'Here's tae us, wha's like us, de'il a yin." Each wing
the stage was flanked by a brass howitzer, l'alms and ferns were scattered about in profusion. The front of the balcony was decorated with shields and ancient war weapons. The arches at the back were entwined with ropes of greenery, hunting, shields, and battle-ares. The caterers were the King Edward Hotel people.
COMMITTEES,
We have already given the complete list of the various Committees. Capt. A. Milroy was convener of the Decorations Committee; others who took a particularly active part in decorating were Messrs. H. S. Wynne, G. Duncan and G. Dickie. Mr. H. F. Campbell was convener of the Supper Committee. Those on the various Committees must be heartily congratulated on the way they carried out their respective duties.
CONCLUSION.
Dancing was kept up woll into the morning. many of the visitors availing themselves of the special cars to the Peak and special ferries to Kowloon.
TELEGRAPHIC GREETINGS.
Telegraphic greetings were received from Tientsin, Yokohama, Swatow, Shanghai, Wei- haiwai, Singapore and Amoy.
CANTON.
0:
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.?
1st December.
CANTON NOT 80 BLACK AS PAINTED.
The Namboi and Pun Yu Magistrates have sent a petition to the Governor, asking that prisoners and vagabonds may be employed to clear the streets of rubbish. Whence the
prompting of this petition comes it would be hard to say, but it is certainly an excellent idea. When the plague was bad here a few years ago, it was made a penal offence to allow dirt to odd corners were not included. collect in front of a shop, but open spaces and It is these that are now to be cleansed. Visitors and new arrivals here are surprised when they are told that Canton is really a remarkably clean city for China, but this is a fact. as those who have seen Amoy and Foochow will attest.
ROBBERIES.
News of robberies continues to pour in. If reported daily to the Daily Press, I have no all that occurred even ou a large scale were
doubt that several columns would be occupied. The latest is in Honam island, where a village was held up last week by a large gang, and seventeen houses cleared out. The Pan Yu Magistrate has offered $300 for each of the and it is possible that the reward may exoite ringleaders, and smaller suns for the others,
the cupidity of an informer. A smart capture was made the other day. A policeman noticed basket. His curiosity being aroused, he stopped a suspicious-looking character carrying a large
him, and found a quantity of goods stolen from one of the monasteries in the White Cloud Hills.
The goods were restored (at least it may be hope so) and the robber committed to darance vile.
A LARGE BOOTY.
The largest affair which has occurred sinee the occupation of a town near Sheklung, is that of Shintung, about a month ago. A large band of brigands held this town, which is in the extreme South-West of the province, for a whole day. While half of them held off the forces of the law—an easy enough task-the remainder leisurely went through every house, and secured booty to the value of hundreds of thousands of dollars. When such an act can go unpunished, the state of the province may be imagined.
STEALING THE RICE CROP.
I have just heard of an entirely novel kind of crime-in the neighbouring Pun Yu district. The local brigands were refused their customary blackmail by some farmers, who, however, had underrated their powers of resistance, for their fields were occupied, and the rice produced by 130 mow was carried away. They have petitioned for help, and a company of soldiers
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[December 3, 1904.
has been sent them, but this may be "out of the frying-pan into the fire.”
A MONOPOLY ASKED for.
A proposal has been laid before the authori. ties by some merchants here. They wish to get the monopoly of towing-launches from the provincial city to several river ports, Samshui, Kumchuk, and Shuntak included. If such a privilege is granted, it will have to be paid highly for.
REBELLION KILLING VICEROY.
It is stated that the Viceroy has been ordered to remain in Kwangsi until he has suppressed the rebellion. The disappointments he has undergone and the heary work would seem to be undermining his constitution.
He is again reportel to be ill, probably with the old chest trouble.
MACAO.
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT)
A QUIET ELECTION.
29th November. The Municipal councillors' election took place on Sunday, the 20th. It was a very quiet and apparently uninteresting affair, no one seeming to be keen for the position.
MORE SOCIAL JUNKETTING.
The Harmonia Tennis Club gave a tea party in the alternoon (Sunday). To the music of the Military band, there was dancing, which seemed to be preferred to tennis. After dinoer dancing was again resumed in the Macao Club up to 2 a.m.
THE MACAO BALL.
The Macao Bachelors' Ball was a great ~ FICCOBS, There were over a hundred ladies
present, while the gentlemen were far more numerous. Several British naval officers, and
Portuguese naval and military officers were present. The Macao Club was brilliantly de-
corated for the occasion. Two bands, a Portu- guese military band and that of H.M.S. Veng ance, were in attendance. The Governor of Масло was represented by his private secretary. Dancing commenced at ten o'clock; and the company did not disperse till 5.30 am.. Macao residents then went to mass before going to bed.
FATAL TRAMWAY ACCIDENT.
Mr. H. H. J. Gompertz, sitting as Coroner, held an inquiry at the Maistracy on the 28th Nov, into the cause of death of an unknown Chiuese woman; about 60 years of age, who was knocked down by a tramoar in Des Voeur Road on Wednesday, the 23rd Nov. Messrs. U. L. G. Koch, E. F. Aucott, and A. B. Moulder were the jury empanelled. Evidence was taken at length, and the assistant superintendent of
the Government Civil Hospital, Dr. Laing, death had followed concussion of the brain. after a post-mortem examination, found that
The only conflicting evidence was that of Mr. Byrds, a missionary from Kwang-su, and the motorman of the tram, the former stating that the speed of the car was from 10 to 15 miles an hour, while the latter said the tram was not travelling more than eight miles In addressing the jury the Coroner said that if the tram were travelling at an illegal speed even if the woman did not get out of the way the mere fact of his travelling at an illegal speed would make it necessary for the motorman to clear himself from the charge of manslaughter, Mr. Byrds had given bis evidence in a v rý clear manner, but as the jury had heard, he was a missionary and came from what we call the wilds. It was quite possible that he thought the car was traveling at a faster rate than it
really was, as he stated that it had travelled at the same speed on several occasions. It was very unlikely that the trams would be travelling at this illegal speed, as it would soon be com- plained of, and the management were well aware of the penalties for travelling at a greater speed thau that laid down in the Ordinan e.
Tue jury, after a few moments' deliberation, brought in a verdict-of accidental death.
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