their popular god on the anniversary of the birthday of this deity, and on this occasion, the Joss-house Committee engaged the Poo Tin Lok Company. In one of the plays, some omissions on the part of the actors were observed by the spectators, and the latter, regarding the omissions as wilful and conveying a slight to them, commenced to hoot. The hooting spread like wild-fire, and was taken up by that portion of the audience who stood in the pit. This lasted for a few moments, when stones were hurled on to the stage. The actors then in self-defence, turned out with weapons, for they could not say to what extent' the infuriated mob below might go. Fighting then took place between the two parties, and was not stopped until several men on each side were wounded. After this, the Company refused to play any more, but sailed for another place. On the other hand, the Committee would not pay the hire to them, and this—not the wounding—will form' the subject of discussion, if not litigation, The Daily Press says, two European Chinese Custom-house officers presented the colony, on Wednesday morning, with an exciting scene. A case wherein a man was charged with the unlawful possession of lead used for the purpose of si smuggled opium in the Canton Ri rested the attention of the Customs? authorities through the columns of the newspapers, and they at once despatched two European Custom House officers to Hongkong to watch the Canton boats as they left, and discover who wore the smugglers. Yesterday morning they were lying off in a sampan outside the chang, and when the Kinshan's whistle blew they pulled alongside of her. Immediately they showed their fugee, the Chinese on bourd were struck with: consternation, and, th tthe officers had as much power here as in Canton waters, at once threw their opium overboard. Seeing this, the Custom House officers refrained from boarding, "and assisted to pick up the opium. Small packages and box soon floating about in all directions. One box buoyed contained a considerable amount of opium, and in hauling it up the rope gave way. Fifty-nine balls, however, were recovered, and m was taken to the Police Station the value of the opium recovere in $2,000.- Those who sold the unprepared opium to the parties who were taking it up, allege that it was not paid for have engaged Mr. Brereton to claim its return to the rightful owners. The China Mait says the opium has since been returned accordingly.—On the 2nd, asthe 0. & 0. 8, N. Co.'s steamship Oceanic.left her moorings, and was turning round to steam out through the Ly-ce-moon Pass, Mr. Stuart's lot boat Florida, which was alan; side, capsized nnd sank, in cons quence of the Chinese crew allowing th masts to catch the Oceanic's gear and Outriggers. 'Their carelessness nearly coat them their lives, as they were only saved by the exertions of Mr. Stuart, who was on board the steamer. He not only rescued' them, but succeeded, by diving, in divesting the boat of the weight which kept her at the bottom, and brought her safely to shore.
The Daily Press publishes a very sensible letter regarding the Custom House spies whose presence led to the panic among the Canton passengers by the Ichang. "No one," says the writer, ''condemnssmugyling more emphatically than I do, but what I want to know is—can the Chinese Customs autho-send men to this Colony to watch steamers loading? The blockade of the port by the cruisers is certainly bad enough, but if weare to have spies stationed at every corner in our midst I think it is time that something should be done to put estop toit.—The Hoppo has hitherto been personally blamed for prompting all the sneaking espionage which is carried on about Hong. Kong; I think recent events will tond fo at least relieve him of some of the odium, The firing into the Carisbrooke has not yet been forgotten, nor is it likely to be,—With Chinamen smuggling opium to Canton we have nothing to do. If the Customs cannot look after that at Canton, it is no fault of ours, But I think itis the duty of our local Government to that the Colony is not beset with spies, While remembering that they can take no action here, they might, from some sampan, form conclusions repecting any Chinamen going on board the Canton steamers which might be quite erroneous, and which might lead to most unjust' treatment subsequently. The Hongkong Chinese and their junk trade have suffered quits enough already. Is this latest attempt at local espionage to be allowed We mentioned some U.S. Consul at Hongkong sulting with the principal Chinese inhabi-tauts regarding the best measure for regu. lating the emigration of Chinese women San Francisco. The China Mail anys Mr. Bailey has since framed the following reyiilations, in accordance with the new Act of Congress, for the conduct of Uh female emigration to the United States; Any proper Chinese female going to the United States for reputable purposes, whether she res Hongkong or comes ud not having relatives at this place, must put down in the declaration the name of some Hong or Shop with which she may be acquainted, and who are willing to be surety for her, to enable enquiries to be made without difficulty.
2. Seven days before the steamer, or must submit the declaration photograph in triplicate to the States Consul for enquiries ation. One photograph back to her on the arrival of the steamer, or vessel, at her destination, will be filed with the Collector Francisco, and one retained for file in the Consulate.
3. Should there be any doubt as to the character of the applicant she must by the examiners. It will therefore be necessary that she should state in her claration whether she is willing to be and at what time and place."
Two Chinamen brought before the Police M were fined $50 each, and the Chinese constables who detected it wore rewarded with $2 each, The Daily Press says, about 11 a.m. on the 30th August, smoke was seen to iasio feom the hatches of the Spanish steamer Panay, lying in Hongkong harbour, It was soon discovered that a portion of the cargo consisting of rice, packed on the starboard side in mat bags the iron bulkhead which divided engine-room from the hold, fire. A message was at once the water police, when the Gover ment Fire Brigademen, Bragg and Kelly, with a party of Chinese, and an Inspector went off with buckets, In less than at hour they extinguished the fire. Cons derable damage was done to the rice am flour in her hold, both by water and fire. The spoiled cargo was unshipped after the fire was subdued. The fire is ssid to have been caused by the engine-room bulkheads being overhented.—$601 hare been subscribed to the funds of the Hong kong Humane Society; more is wanted, The Times says, A number, of poor were considerably alarmed on Friday e¥* ing, (27th ult.) by hearing an explosion it the harbour. At the time we could gain information as to the excuse, but hare site learnt that the starboard bunkers
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.