September 4, 1909.]
LOCAL SPORT.
BOXING CONTESTS,
Seldom in the annals of boxing has such splendid evening's entertainment been provided as that which Mr. R. H. Whittaker produced at the City Hall on Saturday night. Every event was evenly contested and the referee's awards in each instance were as popular as they were sound.į
The first event of the evening was a six round bout between Gunner White, of the 88th Co. R.G.A., and Parker, of the U.S.S. Helena. The match was a willing one; both men gave an excellent exhibition, but the Gunner was too sound in his tactics to fall a victim to the American, who lost the fight on points.
The next bout was between Gunner Arundel, of the 88th Co. R.G.A. and Gunner Hubbard, of the 87th Co. R.G.A. Arundel throughout exhibited better qualifications and must have defeated the 87th man on points had he not been awarded the fight on a foul in the fifth round.
The succeeding event was a six-round contest between Kid Marriott, of the Naval Yard, and Gunner Williams, of the 88th Co. R.G.A. It was
announced that the Gunner allowed Marriott 8lbs., but it was apparent to the most casual observer that there was a much greater difference in the weights of the men than those announced. Marriott was giving his opponent just about two stone. He fought a gallant fight, but weight told and the foul on which the decision was given against him was one of those hasty blows which often mars a good fight. Apart from the decision there is little doubt that Marriott would have won the fight on points, if not on a knock out.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Water Polo: The sports concluded with a willing water polo match between teams repre- senting the whites and the blues. The game proved an exceptionally exciting one, and it was not until extra time had been played that the blues got the advantage.
Final: Blues, 3; Whites, 1 goal.
C.Y.C. WATER CARNIVAL.
On the 11th instant the Corinthian Yacht
Club members propose to hold a water carnival at their Club House, and to this they extend a cordial invitation to the ladies of the Colony. A dequate arrangements are being made for the accommodation of the large attendance which is anticipated on account of the number of events which are open to all comers. Only two events are confined to members of the Club, the ladies' nomination race and the two lengths handicap. The open events are a two lengths havdicap, 100 yards championship, life-saving competition, high dive and water polo match.
HONGKONG CRICKET LEAGUE.
The sixth annual report of the Cricket League states-
an
213
The course of the line was surveyed in 1900/ and 1901. It traversed the Nam-ti valley, passing near Meng-tsz, reaching Ami-chu at the 139th mile and Y-Lang-Hien at the 251st mile with the terminal station at Yunnan, giving a total length of 292 miles. The scheme was adopted in 1901 and was estimated to entail an outlay of £3,800,000. The transport of the requisite materials gave rise in the first instance to serious trouble.
The construction of the railway was definitely approved early in 1904. when the works were put in hand. At that date the railway from Haifong to Lao-Kai was still unfinished, and This was not expected to be ready until 1906. involved a great increase in cost, as the material had to be transported by wagons, barges and mules. Another difficulty was caused by the scarcity of labour in the country traversed, for, contrary to expectations, it was found to be very sparsely inhabited, and workmen had to be brought from places as far distant as Canton and Tientsin. During the month of October, 1906, and throughout the year 1907, when the work was expedited to the utmost, there were not less than 60,000 people employed, 40,000 of whom were actually engaged on the construction. The capital originally estimated to be required was found to be wholly padequate, and the cost has reached £6,600,000. In consequence of an arrangement made with the French Govern- ment and the colony of Indo-China, the requisite funds have been raised, and in spite of serious embarrassments no delay has been financial caused to the work.
The line is of mètre gauge throughout; the maximum gradients between Chen-Kiang and Yunnan are 2-5 per cent., and between Ami-chu and Chen-Kiang they amount to 1.5 per cent. The minimum radius of curves is 5 chains. 147 tunnels, with a total length There are
The altitude above of nearly 9 miles. datum at the starting point at Lao-Kai is 295ft., while at the 93rd mile, it reaches a height of 5,576ft. From this point the line descends in the direction of mi-chu, situated at an alti- tude of 3,486ft; it attains at Chen-Kiang an elevation of 5.362ft, and at Chouci-Tan a height of 6,624ft. At the terminus, at Yunnan, the altitude is 6,186ft. above datum. The rolling stock now actually in use consists of 51 locomo- tives, 106 coaches, and 530 trucks and vans.
Nine clubs participated in the shield com- petition, viz. Hongkong 'B', Civil Service, Telegraphs, Hongkong A, Craig engower Royal Garrison Artillery, Royal Engineers, Police, and Kowloon. The shield was won by Hongkong 'B' after a keen straggle with Civil Service, the runners up. The competing clubs were not so equally matched as in the previous season when four clubs went neck and Some clubs neck for the Championship. found the league programme too arduous und failed to complete their fixtures. The premier club, having a heavy interport programme before it, will not enter A and B A fast three-round exhibition spar followed between two units of the Royal Engineers who teams for the coming season, but will prob- It is preferred that their names should not be men-ably enter a capable second eleven. tioned. It was a clever exhibition and both probable the Telegraphs will be unable to men deserved the prolonged applause which
eleven and will be merged in Hongkong Club. It
is anticipated followed their efforts.
the Buffs will join the competition. it has been suggested that a League XI, play a series of three test matches against the Hong. kong C. C. It has also been suggested that a The second division of the league be formed.
The railway already obtains an important method of placing clubs in the league table is the same as that adopted by the Counties at amount of traffic proceeding in the direction of home, viz. by percentages, and I would earnest-China.he passenger traffic in 1908 included ly recommend that the method of arranging 51,811 Europeans and 1,478,077 natives, while fixtures be likewise the same, that is that the the receipts for that year reached approximately management of each club pleases itself what £120,000. and how many fixtures it arranges so long as it arranges and plays at least half the maximum. If some such scheme as this is not adopted decline to take part in what they deem a too several clubs and many individual players will
medals were given into the keeping of Mr. F. arduous undertaking. The shield and gold Maitland, the H.K.C.C_President. by Mr. W. D. Braidwood, the Vice-President of the League,
Coleman, of the U. S. S. Helena, was matched against Walters, of the U. S.. Rainbow, but in the absence of the latter Wills of the Buffs. filled the vacancy. The fight from beginning to end was a sterling go, and as it had been decided that the referee should give no decison unless there was a knock-ont, the result was announced as a draw.
The main event of the evening was between Lewis, a little white man who says he is a. Canadian, and Buckman, a negro from the U.S.S. Helena, Lewis's weight was announced as 132 lbs. while Buckman was stated to turn the scale at 158 Ibs. The little white man was giving big odds, but fully justified the opinion which a chosen few held of him. The general idea was that Buckman would wipe the floor with the Canadian, but it was an agreeable surprise to most sports- men present to witness the adroitness with which the clever little white man eluded all the wiles of the negro and scored on points in every round. Lewis was awarded the fight on a foul in the fifth round, but there is very little doubt that without this concession he would have defeated the coloured man on points, and there can now be no doubt that the name of Lewis will remain green while there is a man of his weight, or even a stone heavier, who will challenge him in Hongkong.
V.R.C. AQUATIC SPORTS.
An interesting aquatic sports meeting was held at the V.R.. enclosure on Saturday in the presence of a large attendance. All the events were keenly contested, and the wins were scored on merits. Iesults were as under:
One length Handicap: W. J. Carroll, Fenwick, 2.
Running header from Springboard. Points were allowed for form, distance, entry and recovery. M.A.R. Souza, 1; F. B. Silva, 2.
Two Lengths Handicap: Fenwick, 1; Petersen, 2.
Throwing Polo Ball: R. C. Witchell, 69 feet, 1; L. E. Lammert, 2.
Team Race. Three teams entered, but hon- ours fell to the team captained by A. H. Carroll, which was composed of Messrs. A. S. Ellis, H. W. Peterson, W. J. Carroll, and A. R. Souza,
!
at the conclusion of the match with the Ladies Kecreation Club. Mr. A. E. Asger, the in- defatigable Hon. Sec. of the League, left Hong- kong for England in April and is expected to return in about two months. The accounts show a credit balance of $41.90. The report bears the signature of Mr. Alan O. Brawn, as acting Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
THE YUNNAN RAILWAY.
"
BY A PARIS CORRESPONDENT OF "THE TIMES.'
The construction of the railway in Yunnan, the prolongation of the Tong-King railway from Haifong to Lao-Kai is being pursued energetically. The formation of the line is almost completed as far as Yunnan, and only three metal bridges remain unfinished, each 164ft. in length. The railway is, in fact, now open for traffic for a distance of 186 miles from Lao-Kai, leaving 90 miles still to be finished to reach Yunnan. It is hoped that the entire undertaking will be ready for use early in 1910. An earthquake, which occurred on May 11, near the outskirts of Puo-Hi, the present rail-head, caused serious damage to a bridge in masonry and also to three tunnels, resulting in an unforeseen delay of several weeks The construction of this railway has been extremely difficult, and at one time the success of the undertaking ap peared to be doubtful.
FAR EASTERN TELEGRAMS.
HONGKONG'S RAILWAY IN-
VESTMENTS.
THE COST AND PROSPECTS OF THE -KOWLOON RAILWAY,
London, August 31st. Mr. L. Ginnell (Nationalist member for
Westmeath A.) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps had been taken by the Government to secure the performance of the undertaking given by Chang-Chih Tung in connection with the loan advanced by the Hongkong Government to enable the Chinese authorities to redeem the Canton-Hankow Railway concession.
Colonel Seely, Under Secretary, replied that Fritish capital was to have the preference in constructing the line, if the terms offered by others were not more favourable. The German group offered terms which China accepted as being more advantageous than the British offer.
Mr. Ginnell further asked how the Kowloon railway could ever be made to pay in com- petition with the shorter navigable river.
Colonel Seely pointed out that the direct profit was not the only matter to consider; the indirect profit accruing from the improvement of trade facilities was far more important.
As regards the increased cost of the Kowloon railway over the estimate Colonel Seely declared that the original estimate was very rough and never intended to be exact. The line he added, was being constructed with the full consent of the Hongkong Government.--Reuter.
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