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Chambers, Supreme Court, Hongkong, 4th November, 1908. Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge Your Excellency's letter of 2nd November, on the subject of Your Excellency's remarks in Council on the present constitution of the Full Court.
2. I fear that the publication in the newspapers of the remarks actually used by Your Excellency would do more harm than good; for where the words as reported might have been looked upon 8.8 an unfortunate slip. had the impression created by them been corrected at a subsequent sitting of the Council, the publication of the remarks actually made by Your Excellency unaccompanied by my own observations, would seem to indicate that they embody, as I fear they do, Your Excellency's opinion on the question.
3. With regard to laying the correspondence on the Table of the Council, Your Excellency forgets that one of the principal objects of the practice is to make the papers so laid public. I have had a long experience of procedure in Legislative Council, and I think that correspon- dence which has passed between the Chief Justice and the Governor relative to remarks
made by the Governor in the Council prejudicial to the administration of justice may fittingly be laid upon the Table.
4. I propose to deal with the matter referred to in the second paragraph of the letter under reply in a separate letter-I have. &c..
F. T. PIGGOTT, Chief Justice.
His Excellency
Sir Frederick Lugard K.C.M.G..
Governor of Hongkong.
Government House. Hongkong. 16th November, 1908. SIB, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of November 4th in which you inform me that my proposal to cause the actual words used by me when address. ing the Council on the subject of the Appeal Court to be published in the Local Press will not meet your view.
In deference to your opinion as Chief Justice that the remarks made by me may be prejudicial to the administration of justice I have directed that this correspondence shall be laid on the table of the Legislative Council as you desire. But I do not propose to include the enclosure of the Secretary of State's despatch or the private letter to me from Sir H. de Sansmarez which raise a separate issue.--I hare, &c..
F. D. LUGARD.
Governor, &c.
His Honour the Chief Justice.
FADED FEMININITY.
Before Mr. J. R. Wood at the Magistracy on Nov. 30 an aged Chinese woman was charged with causing grievous bodily harm to a small boy at Wanchai on Sunday. At low tide the parties were searching for stray pieces of coal on the seashore, and the boy finding a large piece, the old woman attempted to take it from him The youth, however, declined to give it up, and in a struggle the woman shoved him on some rocks, his arm being broken in the fall,
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE SCOTTISH BALL.
0:
A BRILLIANT SUCCESS.
It would be impossible to think of the Scottish Ball in Hongkong as other than a success. Both as a reunion of the sons and daughters of Scotia and as a social function it eclipses any gathering of its kind in the East, and this reputation which it has enjoyed for half a century and more was worthily upheld by the gathering on Nov. 30th. It was indeed a brilliant success. St. Andrew's Day, the day when Scotsmen meet to honour the memory of their patron saint, has always been held in greater regard by exiled Scots, as they choose, to designate themselves, than by the people of Scotland itself. Why this should be so is rather difficult to understand, but one reason may be that the patriotism of the Scot is not really aroused until he has left his native land. Certainly Scotsmen abroad delight in all the opportunities they have of foregathering together and remembering the land of brown heath and shaggy wood, whether it be St. Andrew's Day, New Year, or the anniversary of the birthday of Burns, and the large Scottish community in Hongkong is just as enthusiastic as any in strengthening the ties which bind it to Scotland and in recalling associations of the dear homeland.
[December 7, 1908
and Mary Queen of Scots, with Loch Leven, from which she made such a romantic escaps. Festoons of greenery hung from the walls and coloured lights and palms embellished, the windows. pillars, while curtains were hung from the
rate treatment.
St George's Hall did not call for much elabo- Queen Victoria, flanked with appropriate flags, The picture of the young held the place of honour. Facing it was a huge St. Andrew's cross with the Scottish lion in the centre. Curtains adorned the arches and exite general effect. and pot planta and electric bulbs added to the
The reception room was as before, its only Cecoration being the national arms.
ed
The theatre, used as a supper room, look- very pretty indeed under a decoration
decorated with Gordon tartan and shields cover- which was largely floral. The balcony was ing the three old time weapons-spear, battleaxe and two handed sword. The motto "I'll drink a cup tae Scotland yet" adorned the wall, but the most artistic effect was found on the stage, with flowers and a vase of electrically illuminated where the horse shoe table beautifully decorated flowers, stood conspicuous,
should be made to the place names which were Before leaving the decorations, reference used for "trysting" purposes.
On previous Fears The St. Andrew's Society of Hongkong, per-
Scottish county names and other names had been utilised, but on this occa- haps the largest Scottish body in the Far East,sion insignificant out of the way places is not exactly a social institution, though that were honoured by recognition. aspect is very much emphasized at present. number were
Among the Its raison d'étre is really philanthropic but fairly well known on the West Coast, but what Crianlarich and Tignabruaich, happily not many calls are made upon its funds could be said regarding the selection of Til- by distressed Scots in this part of the world. quhillie, Foggieloan, Auchterless Cambusavie and Still this phase of its existence is not overlooked Tochineal, not to speak of such unpronounceable and it is pleasant to know that needed help is given where desirable aud that too in a quiet quharn, Dalnaspidal and Balquhidder? Still, names as Lochluichart, Auchnashellach, Bai- unostentations manner without letting the they achieved their purpose, and served as right hand know what the left hand doeth.
identification marks. The Society, which was founded in 1847, has seen sixty-one years of useful work. It has grown with the Colony, and to-day it ranks as one of its most praiseworthy institutions.
THE DECORATIONS.
Auchtermuchty" was as of yore the pass- word to the bar downstairs, and, needless to say most people mastered it.
The verandahs were simply adorned with bunting.
Messrs. Duncan, Andrew, and H. Wynne were closely identified with the work of decora tion. on the result of which they are entitled
to great credit.
THE OFFICIALS.
The bulk of the work, of course, fell on Mr. David Wood, the hon. secretary who brought a ripe experience and no little application to bear in the discharge of duties which called for tact and discretion. following committees:
He was assisted by the
:
Decoration Committee:-Messrs. J.I. Andrew · Duncan, G. Grant, W. H. Donald, J. Walker, (Convener); A. M. Marshall, R. Mitchell, G. O. D. Thomson, H. S. Wynne, R. Dickson, and Hon. Secretary,
The decorations were very effective indeed The stairway was embellished with pot plants and the pillars were festooned with greenery, but the most striking effect was found on the landing wheye two large St. Andrew's crosses flanked the lion rampant, surmounted by the Royal Standard and red ensigns. At the base in illuminated figures stood out the dates 1847-1908. indicating the age of the Society. Above the stairway was the Scottish thistle outlined in electric bulbs and supported by shields and warlike weapons. On the walls,¦ Invitation Committee:-Hon. Mr. W. Chat- were the shields corering battleaxes, spears ham, C.M.G., Messrs. J. E. M. Smith, Robert and two handed swords, accompanied by Shewan, T. F. Hough, C. H. Ross, R. Mitchell, white ensigns. Practically the whole landing and W. C.. Jack, W. Armstrong, Murray Stewart, and pot plants in the midst of which glowed A. M. Thomson, Mr. E. Ormiston, and Capt. stairway were hidden under a mass of greenery A. S. Fraser, D. R. Law, J. C. Peter, Hon. Mr. vari-coloured lights. As might have been Campbell Heathcote, A.D.C. expected the greatest attempt at decoration was the gaze was arrested by a painting of Auld found in St. Andrew's Hall. On entering.
Reekie, with Edinburgh Castle proudly dominating the scene. The lights in the Castle and the Grassmarket were very When she was taken to the Wanchai Police effective, and Mr. G. Duncan, of Kowloon Station, Inspector Fenton suggested that the Dock, the artist, is to be complimented woman should have a wash. This she indignant on his work which was much admired. This ly declined, remarking that she had not washed picture of Edinburgh was of course complimen- herself for six years. She felt warmer without. tary to the President, the Hon. Mr. Chatham, and saw no reason why she should take any pains ing this were the arms of past presidents, who hails from "Scotia's darling seat." Flank- over her personal appearance as she was 64 years of age. Even if she did make herself presentable Messrs. Gershom Stewart and R. Shewan. she did not think she would now have any
Underneath the picture of Edinburgh was a opportunity of decoying another man, as the representation, of St. Andrew, and facing this affections of the sterner sex were bestowed on
was the Society's coat of arms surmounted by youth and beauty only.
the lion rampant. On the left side of the wall were The woman was ordered to pay the boy $2 pictures of Burns, Duke of Gordon and Scott. ompensation.
The Duke of Gordon was the founder of the famous regiment, the Gordon Highlanders, whose Duchess, it will be remembered, gave such a filip. to recruiting by promising a kiss to each man who enlisted. The opposite wall had portraits of Knox, & Newhaven fish wife and Mary Queen of Scots. On the boxes beneath these were the names of places associated with each. For instance under Burns was the name Kirk Alloway, under the Duke of Gordon the of
name of Ordaquish and under Scott the name of Aberfoyle. Knox was of course associated with Dunottar, the fishwife with Musselburgh,
As a mark of respect to the memory of the late Empress Dowager and Emperor. the inmates of the House of Detention in the Mixed Court, Shanghai, are said to be daily doing homage before their late Majesties' tablets, engraved by them. The local native papers greatly appreciate the fact that, although the men are in prison, they do not forget to mourn for their deceased rulers.
į
Auld, H. M. Bain, W. D. Braidwood, A Bryson, Supper and Wines Commitee:Messrs. J. D. H. F. Campbell (Convener), H. F. Carmichael; Capt. J. Douglas, Messrs. W. D. Graham, J. Hall, J. D. Logan, D. McDonald, A. V. Monk, A. C. More, J. Patterson, A. Rodger, 8. B. C. T. Walker, W. Wilson, and Hon. Secretary. Ross, E. Grant Smith, G. Morton Smith, | A.
Dancing and Music Committee-Messrs. C. H. Ross (Convener), W. Armstrong, Murray Stewart, H. G. C. Bailey, A, Sinclair, A. S. Fraser, W. L. Carter, T. Skinner, E. F. Mac- Kay, C. G. Mackie, Capt. Campbell Heathcote and Hon. Secretary.
Card Room Committee :-Messrs. G. G. D. Forsyth, J. W. C. Bonnar, (Convener), W. N. Fleming, J. McCubbin and R. R. Hynd.
(Convener) and Mr. Jas. D. Auld.
Ladies' Room Committee-Dr. C. Forsyth
THE DANCE.
Guests began to arrive shortly before nine o'clock and a steady stream continued for some
people were present, quite as large, if not a larger, time later: It was estimated that fully 1,300
number than at previous balls, so that it was : easily apparent there was no falling off in the popularity of this function. Of course it was
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