(enam ove ows connesvoxvesT.)
Hongkong, 12th April, 1902.
The past week has been rather dull, but the long drought has been brokes, for on Thursday the rain came on suldenly with a drop of some 15 degrees in the temperature, which presently ieil further, and it is now quite cool instead of being as on Thursday morning, into'- crably hot and muggy. So far only about 24 inches of rain have fallen, but the prospect looks favourable for more, and we dare to hope that sufficient may fall to relievo us of all anxiety about the water supply. The showers have been fairly heavy and have washed the streets and gutters well, and not, as was feared created a mess A Meeting of the Legislative Council was held on the 10th inst., and the only question of interest that came under discussion was that regarding the new Post Office, particulars as to which I gave you last week. Papers referring to this iuhject were laid on the table and also furnished to the Press. Let. us hope in tie {allness of time we shall have a slecent The Hongkong Plantation Ca.
A new company under the above ttle has just been floated in Hongkcug. The scene of their labours is to be the fertile valley between Shatin and Kamtin in the New Territory, and their object she raising of all kinds of vegetables and grape, strawberries and—raspberries. fruits consumed by foreigners, including
Both fruit and vegetables are to be grown without the uso of objectionable manures or fertilizers, and herein will be the Compang's claim to superiority over ing local consumption will be the best Chinese produce. Of course the supply:
consideration, but the Company will sup-Bitgapore, Bangkok, Borneo, ete. The on contract such places as Manila,
General manager is M. H.' W. 8. Edmunds and the selling agent for other parts, Mr. F. E. I. Bishop. I hope the now enterprise will command the success it surely deserves.
Fire at Messrs. Butterfield ud Swire's Works. fire broke out at Quarry Bay at Messrs. Butterfield and Swire's reclamation works the other day, burning six large coolie sheds and causing damage to the extent of $850. A spark from the funnel of a locomotive engine was the cause of the fire.
Another Outbreak took place yesterday afternoon, original ting in a basket store in No. 11 Potting er Lane. The fire blazed up rapidly owing to the inflammable nature of the goods in the shop and soon communicated to the next building, and both houses were practically gutted before the flames could be got under, as it was some time before water could be obtained.
Performance by Massed Bands.
The massed bands of the garrison rgiments, viz the Royal Welch Fus: tiaes, the Hyderabad Infantry, the 22nd Bombay Light Infantry and the——gxong Regiment, played on the Paraue gretad on the 9th inst; also the pipers of the Royal Garrison Asiatic Artillery. A large eon-course of people assembled to enjoy the music, and H.E. Major-General Sir W. Gascoigne and Lady Gascoigne were pre sent. The performance was unique, 93 on no previous occasion had so many bands been massed in this Colony.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.