December 24, 1906.}
THE A.D.C.
PRODUCTION OF THE HOBBY HORSE.
"
Of
So high is the reputation of the Hongkong organisation known by the abbreviation which beads this columu that residents have come to look to it for 8 large share of the public entertainment which is associated particularly with the winter season. And it is pleasing to record that the premier amateur dramatic combination in Hongkong never disappoint their patrons. Whatever it takes in hand is well done, and thus it is that a list of its performances is a record of its BUCCOSHER. To that number one more achieve. ment has to be added — the production of "The Hobby Horse.” There have been occasions perhaps when the work essayed left something to be desired, but in the present instance there is little ground for criticism. On the contrary there is much which calls for compliment individually and collectively, as the performance reaches a very high standard for amateurs, course some of the artists cannot avoid showing little mannerisms. They fail to sink their personality in that which they have assumed, and though to a certain extent the fault may lie with the author, there can be no doubt that as their histrionic experience develops they will remely these blemishes of their early career. But having pointed this out-and the amateurs remembering that that is only done because of the greater perfection for which we look in them as compared to others-there is nothing but praise to be altered. Ech individual played his or her part in an intelli- gent manner, A manner that showed how much the characterisation had been studied, while the >moothness which mer' ed the performance could only have resulted from careful rehearsal. Not only did the actors and actresses ply their parts well. but the scenery and staging gave a finish to the production and made it the artistic success that it was.
The choice of "The Hobby Horse WAS perhaps justified in view of the excellent results which have been achieved by the amateurs in oomedy before. But light as it is, the play gives ample scope for the dramatic, and of that the principals made full use. Neither did they neglect their opportunities in the sparkle of dialogue and the flash of wit, and, uulike many amateurs, the comedy was not marred by tardy movement.
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The interpretation of "philanthropy," from different points of view, is the groundwork of the comedy, which may be briefly outlined as under.
Mr. Spencer Jermyn is a type of sporting Euglish squire who is by no means hard hearted, but havin married a young wife who has a horror of the turf and all its associations and finds an outlet for her energies in caring for the children of the slums, his disposition is in danger of becoming spoiled. The two are incom atible, but as there is & d.ep
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
WEST RIVER PATROLS,
493
country again. Not only does the squire (grandson_of_Li Hung-chang) Minister for suspect the real Miss Moxon of playing fast | China in Portugal. and loose with the affections of two men, but after her deniai be naturally saspents his wife of having carried on a flirtation with the Rev. Noel Brice. However explanations follow and all ends well.
Te caste is as follows:-
Mr. Spencer Jermyn, Lieut.-Commander Lloyd Thom18, RN
Mrs. Spencer Jermyn, Miss Blair. Mr. Pinobing, Mr. John Robertson, Miss Moxon, Miss Ella Rowe. Rev. Noel Brice, Mr. G. Balloch. Bertha, Mrs. J. Hooper.
Tom Clark, (Allan Jermyn) Mr. T. C. Gray, Mrs. Porcher, Miss Rowe. Shattook, Mr. M. 8. Northcote, Paws, Mr. Geo. Grimble. Lyman, Mr. Gaster.
Moulter, Mr. Blesson. Mrs. Landon, Miss Rowe. Tiny Landon. Master Highy, Hewett, Mr. P. W. Goldring.
1
The Wai-Wa-Pu his telegraphed to Viceroy Chou Fa to devise means for the protection of foreign vessels trading on the West River
His Excellency has ordered the construction. of several patrol launches and has wired to the Wai-Wa-Pu to that effect.
COPPER CURRENCY,
Chan-Tak, the vic»-president of the Board of Finance, is coming to Canton to investigate matters regarding the minting of co pper coins. He will also go to Fokien for the purpose.
YOKOHAMA DOCK COMPANY.
PROSPERITY OF BUSINESS.
INCREASE OF FOREIGN INVESTORS.
2nd half
1903.
During 1904 and 1905, while the war was in progres, the business of the Yokohama Dook Coming to speak of the work of the per- Company was adversely affected owing to the formers themselves, it is p'aisant to be able to fact that the ships chartered by the Government write of it in terms of praise. Undoubtedly the were mostly attracted to the Kwansai district. central figure was Lieut. Commander Lloyd During the sound hit of 1904 only eleven Thomas, RN., who as the kind harted, Japanese anl thirty-two foreign vessels were affectionate. but impulsive squire, moved docked, the majority of the latter being those throughout the piece in a natural convincing which were chartarel for the coasting trade. manuer. Tuis striking personality was With the assurance of peace, during the second admi ably portraye, and this contributed not a half of 1915, matters bog in to improve and for little to the auocess which the production the first six months of the current year a very attained. In the difficult rule of Mrs. Spencer satisfic ory result was obtained. During the Jermyn Miss Blair was seen to decided advan-period 7) ships, with a total tonnage of 239,866, taze. Her representation of the winsome but were dicked, against 46 ships, of 138,202 tons, rther tantalising lady was exceptionally good, in the corresponding period of last year. The and on more than one occasion she displayed receipts and expenditure compared with the considerable dramatic power, which roused the preceding period are as follow :— enthusiasm of the audience. She was the
REJEIPTS. recipient of two handsom bouquets last
1st half 1906. | night.
of woman The very different type found in Miss Constance M.xon had an extremely capable exponent in Miss Ella Rowe, who, moving with perfect eise, proved herself an accomplished actress and a decided favourite with the audience. Mr. Joba Robertson took the part of Mr. Pinching very creditably, and showed a histrionic ability much above the average of amatura Mr. T. C. Gray as Allan Jermyn acquitted himself very well, and Miss Rowe in the dual role of Mrs. Landou and Mrs Porcher showed undoubted capabilities. Mr. G. Balloch proved an acquisition to the Club. His impersonation of the hard working, honest clergyman was one of the most | effective portrayals on the staga.
Mrs. J. Hooper was well suited as Berths, and among the decayed jockeys there was none more popular than Mr Northcote as the rather "foxy" Shattock, while Mr. G. Grimble was АД excellent supporter in the character of Pews. In their small parts the other members of the caste did all that was expected of them.
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It only remains to be said that "The Hobby Horsa " was produced under the direction of Mr. John Robertson, whose versatility was dis- played in the scenes for the first and second acts, which were painted by him, the third being the work of Mr. H. W. Bird. The Band of H.M.S. Kent played a series of selections dur- ing the evening, and when the curtain rung down at the close the audience left exceedingly well pleased with the entertainment which had been provided.
CANTON.
FROM OUA CORRESPONDENT)..
affection existing between them the possibility of a compromise is not remote. The departure of the Squire to a series of race meetings, and the presence of a friend of his wife's (a governess who is loath to go to a London parish to companion a parson's daughter and assist in visiting) lead to Mrs. Jermyn, under the influence of her friend, dis- guising herself as the governess (Miss Moxon) and taking the post which the latter was glad to relinquish in order to be near her sweetheart (Mr. Pinching, the solicitor) and complete the onquest she had begun. In the London parish the disguised Miss Moxon by actual experience of the slums, loses some of her enthusiasm in that direction, but complications ensue when the parson falls in love with her and is found proposing to her just as her husband inadvertently enters the room in the an official to examine the accounts of the search for his lost son who has been living Yue-Han Railway Co. and find out where in the neighbourhood and who has become the money is invested. Treasurer Wa suggested enamoured of the girl to whom Miss Moxon that Viceroy Chou Fu should appoint the Can- is acting as companion. Mr. Spencer Jermynton Prefect to aufit the accounts bat owing having in the meanwhile advertised for a to the latter's quarrel with the merchants sporting parson as warden for a home for sometime ago the Viceroy has decided to old men off the turf, and the disguised Miss appoint Shen-Tang instead. The president Moxon io her anxiety to assist the of the Company Chang-To-obai is now back parson baring written ад application in Canton.
December 16.h.
RAILWAY INVESTIGATION.
Docking and other
receipts Interest
Sundry receipts...
Y924,063 Y713,928
7.149
6,586
7,083
10,062
Y938,289 Y730,470
Y 22,123
508,32+
783
40,050
EXPENDITURE.
Taxes and imposta... Y 22,678 Business expenses... 670,778 Repairs
Depreciation of pr›-
perty and loss
Profit
800
30,152
Y731,289 Y559,499 203,998 171,070 As shown above, the profit of the first six months of this year showed an increase of over 830,00) over that of the second half of 1905. The distribution of the profit for the respective periods was as under :-
Profit Brought over...
1st half 1909. Y 203,098 28,090
2nd half 1905. Y171,070
21,325
Y232,089
Y192,395
Legal reserve Special reserv© „
21,000
17,292
35,000
28,213
Dividend (10 p
cent.) Special div. (5 per
cant.)
99,000
99,000
$1,000
19,800
(2 p. o.) 26,087 28,090
Carried forward. The net prodt from the dooking departmento daring the first half of this year only amounted to Y61,791, whereas that from the iron works department totalled Y142,204. From this circumstanes it will be seen that the company usually derives the greater part of the profft from the iron works departments. A remark- able feature of the company's business is that the holdings of foreigners ace gradually increas-
Vic roy Chou Fu has decided to appointing, as will be gathered from the following
CHINESE MINISTER to porTUG.L.
for the post and induced the clergyman to sign it without reading the contents, It is reported that it is the intention of the troubles arise when all the parties meet in the Central Government to appoint Li-Kwok-kit-
Agures:-
1st half 1906 2nd half 1905
BHARES IN POSSESSION.
Japanese. Foreign. Total. 53,994 6,006 80,000 54,851 5,149 80,000 The inclusion of such a large number of foreigners amongst its shareholders seems proof of the confidence placed amongst foreigners in the company. The Yokohams l'ook Company has now under projeɔt the construction of No. 3 dock, and if this proposal is carried out and completed it should materially enlarge the soops of its business.
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