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RANDOM REFLECTIONS,
The proximity of so many typhoons is not without its advantages. They keep the atmos. phere cool, and anything that gives relief from the summer heat is not to be despised. At the same time. I must admit that we would not object if the same result could be achieved by other means. Old residents and we have a faw among the European community-declare that they have never known such a cool summer, Of course we are not out of the wood yet.
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To treat a grave subject in a light-hearted manner is perhaps not very becoming in the ordinary person, but it is different when the Sanitary Board do so. Then it is right. Then one may be amusing without being considered guilty of unseemly behaviour. Such, at any rato, is the impression which might naturally be formed on reading the report of the last meeting. On that occasion members worried over the size of monuments and over qualifications for interment in the twenty-year section of the Colonial Cemetery, and did not seem to realise how entertaining they were.
the
In the first place, it has to be remembered that the chief qualification for burial in the twenty- year section is to be dead, and that being so, it occurs to me that it is preferable to be a live griffin rather than a candidate for the doubtful honour of being buried with the Colonial residents. I am willing to accept the Hon. Mr. Hewett's statement as to the honour of being buried among those old residents, but it seems to me that the distinction is not worth seeking. As to putting large tombstones over the burying place, it reminds me that I have heard it alleged that monuments were unt always designed to chronicle the virtues of the deceased, but were erected in order to make sure that the defunct would not rise again and worry his friends.
Can storied urn or animated bust Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath? Can honour's voice provoke the silent dust? Or flattery south the dull cold ear of death?
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The discussion reminds me of an epitaph at the chancel door of the Church in my native village. The chancel door is but a dozen feet from the principal entrance gates to the Church- yard, and the epitaph reads:-
Here lie 1 at the chancel door, Here lie I because I'm poor :
The farther in the more you pay,
Here lie I as warm as they
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As I have crossed the water of the harbour and looked at the two cruisers flying the flag of Portugal, the thought has crossed my mind that Macao does not seem to gain any great advantago from the Vasco da Gama and the Patrie being in the East. owever, remom. bering that all of us are griffius in the Orient in comparison with the Portuguese, I did not think it proper to comment on the fact. It seemed too much like attempting to teach the grand maternal relative to suck eggs. But apparently our Chinese friends have not such scruples. Que sends me a letter which I have much pleasure in quoting in full :
Macau. 21st July, 1909, DEAR SIR-My look so you write Daily Press good ting, people can sabe news, my send you some Macau news, supose good you can puttee paper.
Vely soon one more Potuguese Drednot come take care Macau, Fasgo de Gama aud Paria have come keep Macau froi pirates. You see all this Drednots come take care Macau go stop Hongkong, how fashion? 4 miles so long way and acan Telegraph Office shut up 5 o'clock evening till 8 o'clock morning tim, how fashion can take care Macau ? Supose pirates come Macan night tim, low
water, and Drednot Rio Lima stuck in the mud, how fashion can do? my no sabe.
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
morning tim, they cut telegraph lino to Hongkong, Portugoose Drednot no Мисап.
can come
You excuse my no can rito english proper, my can rite portugoose well because my have buy portugoose Mandarin post, pay Governor too much money and have go school before, (you see my card can sabe), my now fear supose Self-Government sabe my belong portugoose man, he cut my head, my run Hongkong and chinchin you take care for my.
My liky my friend Hongkong side sabe this pidgin, he can come chop Macau, take he wife this and family go Hongkong, supose Delamentation pidgin no good for Chinese.
My small boy Allan can sabe now rite machine pen, now he no go school because school shut up. Govenor no got money pay Master, he Bank too much poor, no much business, Macau-no opium go Australia, all fantan money pay too much expense. Drednots stop Hongkong, ahyah! how fashion? no can make pidgin Macau, all 1811 must go Hongkong. Singapore, Saigon make money too muchy trub.
Goodbye you, and too much chinchin you. My send you my card, no show any man, please. Yours respectfully.
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From my point of view his postscript is not the least valuable part of the letter. He adds : When you come Macau come and see my. and take some good proper Portuguese Port Wine, no all same English Port Wine, or if you no like my give you good Spanish Sherry more better English Sherry, any ricsha cooly sabe my house."
(Great Luck Street).
The symbols of the street names in Shauki- wan must sound as pleasant to the inhabitants us the realities would be. Here is a list, taken from the Gazette, of some of the principal thoroughfares :- Tai Kat Street Tai Cheong Street (Great Prosperity Street). Tai Foo Street (Great Wealth Street). Tai Hong Street (Great Comfort Street). Tai Ning Street (Grbat Tranquillity Street). Tai On Street (Great Happiness Street).
One would like to know what Government official has been giving play to a light fancy The Colonial Secretary is too busy. I know. The Colonial Treasurer is in the throes of the next estimates. Surely it must be ? But I don't think I should mention his name. He might be modest over his work.
"Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever. is advice which His Excelleucy the Governor evidently likes to see passed on.
He. or rather Lady Lugard. has offered a prize for the girl in the Italian Convent School who each year distinguishes herself for unselfishness, integrity and self-reliance, and I must coufess to liking a competitiou of this sort better than the struggle of wits for the highest scholastic honours. It will help to make our girls sweet. refined women, instead of developing into bluc stockings.
I see the Rev. F. B. Moyer has been taken to task for his impressions of Peuang which he sout to the well-known Nonconformist organ, the British Weekly, and which are stated to contain not only exaggerations of existing conditious but gross misstatenuouts. If the roverend gentleman could say such nasty things about a respectable place like Penang. I shudder to think what he has to say about Hongkong.
RODERICK RANDOM.
The British Consul at Nauking writes:- Iu my report for last year I alluded to the forma tion of Chinese limited liability companies for waterworks, cigarette factory, electric tramway,
[August 2, 1909.
HONGKONG.
Thirty-four undesirables reached the port yesterday from Saigon.
Mr. R. O. Hutchison has been appointed a member of the Board of Examiners, vice Mr. J. Dyer Ball, 1.8.0., retired.
Mr. T. L. Perkins, executive engineer in the Public Works Department, left by the Segura on twelve months' leave of absence.
A Chinese boy was brought before Mr. Hazeland at the Magistracy on July 27 charged with having handled flowers in the Public Gardens and was fined $2.
The appearance of Kowloon thoroughfares is being improved, The grass-grown roads and footpaths are being stripped of their green covering and look rather better now.
Mr. E. Ralphs has been appointed to act as headmaster of Queen's College with effect from the 5th instant. Mr. Dealy is acting as Director of Education during the absence of Mr. Irving,
The Gazette announces that is Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint Lieutenant N C. S. Simson, Hongkong and Singapore battalion R.G.A., to be his extra aide-de-camp, and to act as his private secretary.
Among the passengers who left by the Mr. J. Empress of India on Saturday was McCaffery, who for the past two years has boon Electrical Engineer at the Naval Yard. He has been transferred to Sheerness. His successor 18 Mr. E. Williams.
We learn, that Captain Somerville has been transforced from the command of the s.s. Tuming to the Fatshan, Captain Lloyd having been retired on pension. Captain Somerville, who was one of the most popular skippers on the Hongkong Manila run is succeeded by Captain Pennefather.
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A Chinese married woman attempted to commit suicide by drowning on July 29th afternoon. Sho jumped from the Cantou steamers wharf into the harbour, but three wharf coolies leaped after her. Two of them were good swimmers and were able to support her until a boatinan came to their assistance, when she was taken ashore. Yesterday she appeared before Mr. Hazeland at the Magistracy on a charge of attempting to commit suicide, but she was discharged with a caution.,
At the Magistracy on July 3 * a Chinese woman was fined $50 and ordered to enter into a boud of $200 for having assaulted a nine years' old servant girl. The child, who had been pur- chased last year for $140, was found by her mis. tress with a water melon in her possession, which the woman thought she had stoleu. She best the girl with firewood, inflicting bruises all over her body and head. The little girl, who seemed to cujoy her stay at the Central Police Station, did not relish the prospect of returning to her mistress. However, she was sent to the Registrar. General for inquiries to be made.
The name of Mr. W. W. Whostou has been Mr. added to the list of authorised architects. Wheston is a specialist in concrete construction, who has had a considerable experience in this class of work both in England and America. He has just been in the latter country prior to his arrival here, and has mado a special study of all the most up to date methods. Mr. Wheston has joined the staff of the Green Island Cemont Company, td., and he will be available for cou- sultation on the subject of concrete work by anyone using the Company's cement.
A curious coincidence took place at Quarry Bay on Mouday. A Chinese who had been seen entering the foremen's quarters at Taikoo Dock was arrested with a quantity of clothing in his possession. He was taken to the Police
woollen factory, and the like. Another company Station, and while there a report was received was started during the year for electric lighting. ¦ from a European that some articles of clothing Some toke my all Dreduots must go Hong-ed by the City Railway, which is a Govermnent
The electric tramway scheme has been supersed. | belonging to him had been stolen, as well as some belonging to his boy. It was found that kong show Chinese big Manderin of undertaking but the fact that another year has these in the possession of the thief corresponded
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Delamentation pidgin, that Por igouse have passed without any apparent progress in the got big ship, can fight.
other projects emphasises my previous remarks Th pidgin of as to the difficulty experienced by all such com. Cafton ponies in finding capital. Foreign shareholders are strictly excluded, and the vagueness of Muca night company law in China makes Chinese capital tim, supose no can finish job before 8 o'clock distrustful."
My hear also, supose delamentation no good for self-government men will
4 Custom launch Gun.
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How with
with the list of those stolen. The thief, how- ever, had to answer an additional charge to that of theft. He was alleged to have bitten the finger of the fudian who arrested him. For the first offence he was sentenced by the Magistrate to six weeks imprisonment and six hours stocks
and for the second to two months' hard labour.
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