At the meeting of the Legislative Council held on the 8th instant, on the motion to go into Committee on the appropriation ordinance for 1898, the Hon. T. H. Whitehead entered upon'a lengthy and on the whole, well considered criticism. of the Governor's speech. After congratulating His Excellency on his wise de raise the taxes and commending in relieving tonnage of the extra light dues levied for the erection of Gap Rock Lighthouse, the hon. member dissented from the Governor's views of the finances of the Colony, which he hinted broadly were too rose-coloured, He then with all the force of one who had filled the role of prophet declaimed against the folly of the Government in having contracted loans in gold, the face of the advice of the unofficial members, and denounced the Imperial Government for its unfair treatment of the colony in the matter of the military contribution. He also criticised the Colonial Office for its refusal to allow Hong-Kong a Municipal Council. Iam glad to say Mr. Whitehead did Sir William Robinson the justice to quote from his very able despatches supporting the claim of the Colony pect to exemption' from military taxation of its municipal revenue, and he gave him credit for doing a great deal for the Colony, winding extract from the speech of one of the up, by "quoting. highly complimentary unofficial members of Council at Trinidad when presenting a farewell address to his Excellency and ended by expressing a hope that the'Governor would be able todo yet something more for this Colony before leaving it.
Later on, in Committee, Mr. Whitehead elicited the information that, pending the construction of the proposed new Post Office, Supreme Court, elc., on the Reclamation, the Government had leased Beaconsfield lately occupied by Messrs. Butterfield and Swire) for three years at a rent of $425 per month-with option of renewal for another Tires years. "the Colonial Secretary. udded that the Government will by this arrangement be saved the vast of offices at present vecupied by the "Attorney General, the Crown Solicitor; the Education Department, stand that they will effect a saving of $25 and the Sanitary Department. T under-per month, and have vastly superior offices than those now rented.- Meantime the Go-Yernment before doing anything. towards even inviting plans for competition for their new offices have to wait until the Colonial- Office hias considered the question of ways and means. for 118, the Straits team thus winning by an innings and 79 runs. This, it must be acknowledged, was a mast crushing' defeat, and it has undoubtedly established the supremacy of the southern colony in cricket.
Of other matters more anon, It would be useless and perhaps ungracious to attempt to deprive the victory of any of its merits and significance, but I cannot help thinking the Hongkong Cricket Club were ill-advised to commence such a trial of strength at the end of an exhausting summer and before the members had had time to get into any form by practice. However, it was a famous victory, ati the Straits eleven merit great praise or their excellent fielding, to which no less than their smart bowling and fine hitting they owe the triumph achieved. The Hongkong cricketers ought to have learned ut least one lesson—that slovenly fielding entails disaster. That they possess no rood bowlers is a misfortune, which may, however, perhaps be remedied by assiduous practice.
The signal defeat of Hongkong augured ill for the success of the Shanghai eleven, who were not, before arrival, much known to fame, but the possession of some good bowlers and active fielding enabled them to cut a much better figure in their match with the Straits Settlements than was exted. The match, which only lasted one day, was played on Wednesday, Shanghai winning the toss and electing to go first to the wicket. But they were even less able to negotiate the Straits bowling than the Hongkong men had proved, and were all bar of for 76 runs.
he Straits team then took to the wicket, and the superiority of the Shanghai bowling to that of Hongkong was quickly demonstrated by their getting the Straits team out for 138. Shanghai had then to return to the wickets with cousiderable leeway to make up, but their stumps on this occasion fell with. startling rapidity, the innings being a constant Procession to und from the Pa. The last wicket fell for 51, the highest score made being by Mann for 19. The Straits Settlements thus won the match by an innings and eleven runs, and remained masters of the field, having signally defeated both teams.
There remained a trial of strength between Hongkong and Shanghai, and awin; to the latter's superior bowling. strength the "betting was in their favour. The match was commenced on Thursday, Shanghai going first to the wicket -and compiling 173 by good and careful hitting. The home team followed and only succeded in scoring 162. Shanghai then commenced their second innings, and succeeded in putting together 29 before time
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.