f
March 29, 1909.J
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Mr. Martin, superintendent of the registra-instructions, there being so many telling each tion department, was recalled. He stated in team to "heave and dig their heels into the reply to questions by Mr. Goldring that on a ground." Mach amusement was afforded by day like that on which the offence was alleged the Obstacle, Three-legged and Ricsha races, to have been committed the Post Office staff while the sprinter had many opportunities of was extremely busy. They had as much as they showing his quality. Needless to say, Corporal could do to get the work done in time. On the | Andrews of the Buffs was to the fore, winning day the safe was discovered opened, there was a most of the events he entered with comparative full staff working in the department and all would have access to the room in which the safe for the Australian mail was kept. There were more than six insufficiently stamped parcels in the safe.
ease.
March 26th.
The colebrations in honour of the visit of the American Squadron were continued yesterday Other evidence was called, and the case ad-in glorious weather, the scene of attraction journed.
THE AMERICAN SQUADRON.
being Happy Valley, whither during the morning sailors and soldiers proceeded on foot, or took advantage of the free conveyance provided by the Electric Tramway Co. THE ENTERTAINMENTS AT HAPPY and started the programme as soon as the men The Band of the Rajputs was in attendance, VALLEY.
March 25th.
There was no end of sport and pleasure at Happy Valley yesterday in connection with the welcome to the American Squadron. The first item on the programme of the local Enter- tainment Committee for the day was tiffin after which followed a well-arranged programme of sport. The rejoicings of the hour were not only shared by British and Americans, for French and Portuguese sailors in port were also invited to the celebrations.
Arrangements were in the hands of a capable and energetic Entertainment Committee of which Mr. T. F. Hough was the hou. secretary. and they certainly carried out their task re- markably well. They had arranged to provide tiffin for 1,060 sailors and soldiers of different nationalitities, who were conveyed to the Happy Valley, free of cost. by the Electric Tramway Co. The men invited were 650 American sailors; 150 British bluejackets; 200 soldiers of the garrison; 20 French sailors and 49 Portu- guese sailors.
THE TIFFIN.
**
The basement of the Jockey Club stand, the weighing-in room, and the basement of the members stand were utilised for the tiffin. There was no rush or confusion in the seating of the guests or the serving of the tiffin. All was done with the precision of a regiment on parade. The Buffs Baud. who provided music during the afternoon, were in readiness before the tiffin hour. A minute before the time arranged for the meal they struck up The Roast Beef of Old England." This was followed by a March, and the guests marched to the different tables and took their seats. Strag- glers there were, who were delayed by duty or otherwise, but Mr. T. F. Hough was waiting to see that they were not left to the remnants. With cheery words and an engaging smile he found seats for them, and had boys at their elbows to attend their wants. Other members of the committee were also assiduous in their attention to the guests, and none went hungry. In short, better arrangements for a large spread were never made in Hongkong, and all retired from the banquetting halls with an air of satisfaction.
There was
short spell before the Sports programme was proceeded with, and in this interval the American tars ap- peared to find great amusement in engaging in a tug-of-war with a number of Chinese coolies. Some ten sailors would make fast to one end of the rope and beckon the Chinese to take the other. The coolies needed little persuasion, and as many as could be accommodated would take charge of the other end. Then the pull would begin. It was not the coolies' aim, however, to pull the Americans over the line. Their enjoy- ment was when the visitors got dowu to it to let go the ropo and see them measure their length on the ground. An onlooker said some- thing about the American-Chinese Alliance while this sport was proceeding, but the Chinese will have to be more considerate with Uncle Sam than they were yesterday before such a thing can come to pass.
ณ
THE SPORTS.
began to arrive. A tap on the music stand. and Mr. Coke, the Bandmaster, played the old familiar Murikan March, arranged by him for the Manila Carnival, “ Marching thro Georgia' which Was
and loudly cheered
encored. Then followed
and next.
*
a crisp two step, re-demanded. Mumblin Moss, the cake walk which has been so greatly popularised by this band. Another tune was asked for, after which the bell for dinner sounded, and amidst the applause of quite 100 men, the band played yet
Following tiffin came the sports, which pro- duced some very good events, most exciting of all being the tug-of-war competition. The American sailors are long and strong pullers, but they must have been considerably perplexed as to the man from whom they were to take
another American march, and the inner man was then seen to by Mr. Hough and his staff.
As on the previous day, one thousand odd men sat down to tiffin beneath the Jockey Club stands, and were as well cared for as before. Arrangements were perfect, and the catering of Ying Kee was excellent. The committee saw every want supplied and the same good fellow- ship prevailed.
The afternoon was devoted to sport, and the lengthy programme was capably carried through by the combined committee of British and American officers. They had their work cut out, however, for in many of the events the entries were so numerous that the races had to be run off in heats. Nevertheless, they were carried through with surprising celerity, and to the satisfaction of both committee and entrants. Those who won races on the previous day were debarred from entering a similar race yesterday; thus every man got a fair chance. The sprinting events proved interesting, and Lance-Corporal Andrews maintained his title as a runner second to none in the Colony. Another event which attracted much attention was Putting the Shot. There were numerous entrants for honours in this, but none could approach the brawny Sergeant Gerrard of the Hongkong Police who was
for deservedly applauded
his lenghty puts." His distance was 37 feet 3 inches, two
the feet beyond that of second man, Lance-Corporal Browning of the Buffs, who covered the good distance of 35 feet 3 inches. There was much cheering and laughter over the three-legged race, the pairs going down like ninepins as they missed their stride, while further amusement was afforded by the Obstacle, Sack and Ricsha races. The event, however, which aroused most enthusiasm was the tug-of-war. There was the same wild excitement over this as on the pre- vious day, the final pull between the Cleveland and the Royal Artillery being an exceptionally good one, and ending in a victory for the Gunners. In the semi-final the Cleveland beat the Chattanooga after a pull of 2 minutes and 19 seconds, while the R.G.A. had a strenuous fight to get the Buffs over the line.
L
March 27th.
To-day the Third Pacific Squadron of the American Fleet bring their visit to a close. yesterday good byes were said and this morning the cruisers will take their departure from our harbour.
Yesterday morning the baseball tournament was concluded with the final struggle between the teams from the Charleston and the Cleveland. Both teams had a win to their credit, but the Charleston won rather easily by seven runs to none, their pitcher giving the Cleveland men no scope at all. The cup was presented to the winning team in the course of the afternoon.
267
visitors, and they found the Admiral and Es officers agreeable hosts. The Admiral's Filipino Band discoursed pleasing selections, and opportunities for dancing on the main deck were embraced by not a few, while others found a tour of the cruiser extremely interesting. Refreshments were served, and a delightful afternoon was spent on board.
LETTERS OF THANKS.
At ten o'clock on Saturday morning the American Squadron departed from Hongkong on their way to Swatow, the flagship Charleston leading the way out of port." Prior to their departure Sir Paul Chater, chairman of the Entertainment Committee received a letter of thanks from Admiral Harber, also from Rear- Admiral Perrin of the French cruiser. The letters were as follows:-
In the afternoon Rear-Admiral Harber and his officers held a reception on the flagship Charleston. There was a large number of
ADMIRAL HARBER'S LETTER. Office of Third Squadron Commander,
United States Pacific Fleet, U.S.S. Charleston, Flagship, Hongkong, China,
March 26, 1909.
In
MY DEAR SIR,-On the eve of sailing, and bidding farewell to Hongkong and its hospitable people, I feel that I must say a word to those who have extended toļus such a courteous and heartfelt welcome, and who, not content with that, have made special efforts to make us enjoy every hour of our stay whether afloat or ashore We all feel most deeply grateful, for every word and deed has borne the stamp of what can best be termed Brotherly Love." particular do we feel grateful for the splendid manner in which the enlisted force has been taken into your hearts and minds. The hos pitality extended to them, the courtesy shown to them throughout, the friendly competition in sports, the special care paid to the inner man, as well as the outer, have cemented friendships which, I think, will live for ever, and, like a good tree, will bring forth the good fruit for all time.
24
We
have achieved such a splendid success.
I beg to thank you and your co-workers who
thank also all the people of Hongkong, Army, Naval and Civil, who have made our visit so delightful and made us feel really sad in parting. Please convey, in such manner as you may deem best. the sincere thanks of the officers and men of our little Squadron to those who have given so many bright pages in our book of life.
With the sincere hope that the friendships made may be renewed many and many times in the future, I remain.
Sincerely and gratefully yours,
Sir Paul Chater,
GILES B. HARBER, Rear Admiral, U. S. Navy, Commander of Third Squadron
US. Pacific Fleet.
Chairman of Entertainment Committee,
Hongkong, China.
ADMIRAL PERRIN'S MESSAGE.
A bord du D'Entrecasteaux, Hongkong, le 20 mars 1909. Monsieur le Président-Avant de quitter Hongkong, je tiens à vous exprimer nos bien vifs remerciements pour l'aimable reception que vous avez bien voulu nous faire en nous associant aux fêtes données en l'honneur de l'escadre américaine. Croyez bien que nous emporterons le meilleur souvenir de notre passage à Hong- kong et que nous serons toujours heureux d'y
revenir.
Veuillez agreer, Monsieur le Président, les assurances de ma hante considération,
CONTRE AMIRAL L. PERRIN.
A RECORD TRIP.
The Toyo Kisen Kaisha s.8. Tenyo Maru made the trip from Nagasaki to this port in 2 days and 18 hours. She left Nagasaki on Saturday the 20th inst. at 3 p.m. and arrived here on Tuesday morning at 9 a.m.
T
The master of a fishing junk on board of which Sergeant Gordon found a quantity of explosives was fined $50 by Mr. J. H. Kemp at the Magistracy on daturday.
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