In a few days the two cruisers, bringing relief crews for the King Alfred and the Monmouth, will be here. It was at first suggested that the former was to go to Singapore to receive her-new crew, and even the seamen themselves thought that this would be the course followed. The Kent and the Bedford went to Singapore, and were recommissioned there; the two others are detained here, during which time they have been undergoing thorough overhaul. The Kent will be back here at the beginning of January. It was at first thought that the Alacrity with the Admiral would go to Canton for Christmas, but she is still in the harbour, and apparently the visit is to be deferred for a few days. The Clio returned—from ton—_ to-day, though the Cadmus is still there and will remain during the festive season, The torpedo-destroyers are still on the waters of the delta, and their crews must try to enjoy their roast beef—rather tough up there—and the Christinas pudding away from the more congenial surroundings of Hongkong. When the two cruisers, the Hawk and the Crescent, with the reliefs, have come and gone, nearly all the ships on the China station will have been supplied with new crews, and, as we know, they will be commanded by anew Admiral. Admiral Moore, I believe, goes home in the P. & 0. 8. Marmora, which will be a through steamer leaving Hongkong sometime in March,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.