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HONGKONG VOLUNTEER TROOP.
On Feb. 25th the members of the Hongkong. Volunteer Troop took part in a competition calling for a display of general yeomanry attainments. The competitors, working in pairs, were started at intervals of 20 minutes from the bottom of Wong-nei-Cheong Hill by Sergeant Major Hudson. Each pair rode to Wong-nei-Cheong Gap, at which place the odd number dismounted with rifle and proceeded by the shortest route to Deep Water Bay to which place the even number had in the interval led his partner's pony by road. Arrived here, the odd number fired five rounds at a target and there after carried out an order communicated to him; and having completed this he mounted his
own pony aud led his partner's back by road to Wong-nei-Cheong Gap. Meanwhile the even number had fired fire rounds at a target and carried out a given order afterwards returning by the shortest route to the same point as his partner and, having remounted his pony, returned with his partner to the starting point. Each pair was allowed fifteen minutes in which to complete firing and execute the written orders handed to them and draw a map of the island as well. The results were very satisfactory indeed, the average time for all the competitors being 1 hour 10 minutes. Messrs. Gedge and Moxon did the work in the shortest time-1 hour 4 minute.
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Major Pritchard acted as judge, while Lieut. Ross, commanding the troop, adjudicated at the targets.
The Troop Orders, dated March 3rd, on the recent Wong-nei-cheong compétition contain the following criticism by Major Pritchard, R. A., Commandant Hongkong Volunteer Corps:
"The main object of this competition was to bring to the notice of the members of the Troop the necessity of rifle practice, rapidity, and the careful study of maps. The competition was, on the whole, well carried out by those who entered, but out of a total number of 26 members now present in the Colony, the attendance (12) should have been better. The target practice was difficult owing to the small size of the target and bull'seye (four inches) and consequently the scores were low. Some of the members of the Troop did not appear to be thoroughly conver sant with their rifles, the action of the safety bolt, sighting, etc. It is also of the utmost importance that the rifles should be always kept elean. The time taken by the winning pair (Corporal Moxon and Trooper Gedge) was very good, and two other pairs also completed the course in good time."
EXCITING SCENE IN HONGKONG HARBOUR.
GALLANT RESCUES.
An exciting scene, unfortunately attended with loss of life, was witnessed in the harbour on the 22nd February. As a coal coolie boat, with about 100 coolies on board, was returning from Taim Tsa Tsui to Praya East she was caught by a squall off Wanchai and capsized. The spreading sail and hull covered the majority of the people as they struggled in the water and added to the seriousness of their position. Happily the accident was observed by a number of people. The first to proceed to the work of rescue were the two Customs launches the Kwangtun (Captain C. D. Bedoire) and the Kowloon Tsai (Captain A. K. Tellefsen). They sent out their bats and the crews succceded in resouing the greater number of the coolies. Two Bailors of the Kowloon Tsai named Lui Chee and Lu Fa distinguished themselves by a hero'c disley. Both good diversand swimmers, they resoned no fewer than seven men, one woman and four children who were entangled in the gear of the junk, most of them in au unconscious condition.
Two men were drowned, and it is eloquent testimony to the prompt assistance and snart boatwork of the launch orews that the loss of life was not greater. Several sampans from neighbouring junks also rendered assistance. The conduct of the two sailors mentioned is in the highest degree praiseworthy and giv-8 them claims to the Bellips medal for gallantry..
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
CANTON.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT].
February 22nd,
THE OPIUM QUESTION. opium, H.B.M's. Consul General, in reply to Concerning the increased tax on prepared the Viceroy's despatch, again calls his atten- tion to the fact that the further taxation of
prepared opium was only recently brought taxation on this article must be settled by up, and that it was decided that any further H.B.M's. Minister and the Chinesa Foreign Office. As this is a matter of great importance; the Viceroy is a vised not to act h stity. The Consul-General informs the Viceroy that he has sent to the British Minister in Peking a fully defailed report concerning the affair.
NATIVE UNREST.
Liug district near Linchow, the seat of the late A rising is anticipated to occur in the Ching missionary troubles. It is said that several thousand members of the Triad Society have gatuered there.
VICEROY SHUM'S TRANSFER.
probably, be transferred to Shantang (the Liao- It is reported that the Viceroy will most
tung Peninsula).
"EWO AND LIKIN THIEVES.
the Central Government stating that the For- Viceroy Shum has received a telegram from
Minister in Peking in which it was stated that eign Office received a despatch from H B.M's.
on January 29th the British firm "Yee Woo" ing the proper duty on a certain quantity of (Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co.), after pay. merchandise to the I.M. Customs, had the receipts stolen from the hands of their native station called the Po employee by the soldiers of the new likin station). According to treaty, after the pro
Hau Sho (royalty
per duty is paid, no other tax can be imposed. Besides, the robbery of the receipts was a reprehensible act. The Minister requests that
this DOW
abolished. The despatch orders the Viceroy to royalty station be inmediately investigate and report.
PALM LEAF FANS.
stantly decreasing. They are imported here The export trade in palm leaf faus is cou- from the San Wai district, when hundreds of families earn their livelihood by their manu- third. Some attribute this falling off to the facture. The trade bas diminished by fully one- boycott, America being the chief buyer.
ARMS.
February, 24th,
Messrs. Carlowitz & Co. have notified the Sin Han Kuk that 500 rifles and 500,000 smokeless powder cartridges ordered by the Provincial Government have arrived in Hong. kong. Upon receipt of this notification the Sin Han Kuk requested Viceroy Shum to issue Consulate for signature so that the arms and a permit to be forwarded through H. B. M's.
may be shipped to Canton for
ammunition
delivery.
and tiles.
A FATAL COLLISION,
difficult.
The foggy weather renders navigation very On the 5th inst. a collision took place in the neighbourhood of Pak-Hin-Kok between the ɛt amer Yunan, of Butterfield and Swire, and a Chinese junk loaded with bricks The junk sank immediately and a junk owner, was drowned. man called Ho Kun-yung, the father of the The matter was reported to the Water Police: tation and now the Viceroy has sent a despatch to H. B. M's. Consul General claiming damages from Messrs Butterfield and Swire on behalf of the junk
owner.
ELECTRIC T AMS FOR CANTON! It is reported in official circles that the electric tramway Provincial Government intends to construct an long the city walls. A survey has been made.
MORE ROBBERIES.
occupied by a man surnamed Kan in Yim po on It is reported that several nights ago a house
the Fatshan line was attacked by a band of robbers over one hundred in number who made considerable value. good their escape after taking away loot of
On the 18th inst., Chan Lin-tin, a Tsun-si, with his family engaged a fine flower boat to go to Kun-yin, a popular joss resort, where
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March 5, 1938.`-
hundreds of people go at this time of the year and which may be reached in about an hour from Canton by steam launch. They arrived safely and went to the temple for the custom- ary ceremony, When they returned to the flower-boat and all the family had got inside a band of robbers with revolvers suddenly rushed stripped of all their jewellery and even their on board. The ladies of the family were
has been reported to the authorities. The spoils outer girments by the bandits, The matter
aro estimated at about one thon and dollars.
CANTON KOWLOON RAILWAY.
the 18th inst. from Peking stating that the It is reported that a telegram was received on Waiwupu and the Board of Commerce have kettled with the British Minis'er that th Chinese section of the Kowloon-Canton Railway will be built by the Chinese.
THEF 8 FROM FRENCH CONsulate. Consulate have been recovered in a shop in the Almost all the curios stolen from the French Tai Sang-kai (curio street), the thief having made a full confession and indicated where he had disposed of the stolen property. The ourio- dealer ought to be prosecuted for receiving stolen property.
CANTON-HANK W RAILWAY.
On the 17th and 18th inst, the black cloth guild in Fatshan subscribed for 5,000 shares in the railway company. It is expected that this guild alone will be able to take up 20,000 shares altogether.
COAL DISCOVERED.
He
Li Kwok-on, of the Tin Sing Company, has di: covered coal in Tai Kong, Ping Kong and Ha Ma villages of the Poon Yu district. bas raised capital and has petitioned the Poon Yu magistrate for permission to open mines. The Poon Yu magistrate despatched a deputy report the matter to the Viserny. to inspect the mines on the 21st inst. and will
Canton, February 28th. The ex-Taolai of Shanghai, Yuan Shui-fan. (March) to hold an investigation concerning it is reported, is coming to Canton next month
Lai Kwai-pui's case.
REBELLION IN KWANGSI.
The Governor of Kwaugsi has telegraphed to the authorities here that secret societies have
started a rebellion in the Province and that part of their fore s have crossed the Kwang- Tung frontier, The Governor asks for assistance to suppress the rebellion.
A TRANSIT PASS QUESTION. Some time ago Messrs Jardine, Matheson and Co. shipped a large quantity of Chinese dyes from the interior under transit puseS which were obtained from the Wuchow Customs. The Customs officials [at Canton ?] seized the goods, alleging that the time stipulated in the transit passes for exporting them had expired. Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co. protested and lo'ged a claim through H. B. M's. Cousul. In the meantime the dyes bad been disposed of by the authorities. Viceroy has order d the proceeds of the sale, 4 000 taels, to be return d to the claimants, but has informed them that no such claims will be recognized in future.
VICEROY SHUM.
The
nouncing that the Central Government wants A telegram has arrived from Peking on- Viceroy Shum to exchange posts with the Viceroy of Fukhien (who is now abroad with the Special Mission). The telegram further states that the exchange will shortly take place. Vic roy Shum will be sent to Kwangsi to On the other hand, reports are circulated that
suppress the rebellion which has started again.
THE FIRE.
The fire, already briefly reported, started about half-past three on Monday in a tea house, the Sum Kee shop, situated on the canal just below the English Shameen Bridge. There was a strong wind blowing and the fire spread very quickly to the adjoining houses. The Shameen Fire Brigade rendered assistance but had soon to protect the Shameen side, as the shutters of the godown belonging to Mesers Shewan, Tomes and Co. caught fire. gutted and the damage is said to amount to about About 30 houses were
$50,000. The store of Yuen Hang, opposite the entrance to the bridge, was completely barnt down and owing to a change in the wind the tire stopped there. The remains of the gutted houses burnt all night, illuminating the Canal.
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