Through the kindness of the officers of the different regiments stationed here, we are once more to have a band day, only this time the music will be provided in the afternoon instead of the evening, which for many reasons is preferable. In former times when the band played in the Public Gardens in the evening the Gardens were the resort of all kinds of objectionable people and every seat monopolised dirty loafing coolies in very much under costume. A military band will play once a week from 4.30 to 5.30 p.m. every Wednesday. The opening performance was attended by some hundreds of people, including H. E. Major-General Sir William and Lady Gascoigne.
The Hongkong Benevolent Society held its annual meeting on the 24th ult., Sir Thomas Jackson presiding. The chairman submitted the annual report and state ed that the society had been doing good work, but that an increase of funds was urgently needed. A subscription dance had been held, which resulted in the addition to the funds of $1,800; and a vote of thanks was passed to the ladies who had undertaken the management of the dance. After thanking the Chairman and electing the Committee for this year, the meeting broke up.
"The Sanitary Board and Precautions against Plague.
At the last meeting of the Sanitary Board, held on the 30th ult., a recommendation by Professor Simpson (one of the sanitary experts sent out by the Colonial Office) that seven doctors should be obtained from India for the work of inspection was discussed. The parsimony of one or two officials and the hostility of the Chinese members to Indian doctors were allowed to gain the day and though the Board could not ignore the recommendation, which was vigorously supported by the Medical Officer of Health, they whittled it down to five doctors, although the two thus cut off were intended for inspection of vessels arriving from Macao and Canton. It seems to me that, unless the public find fault with the expense, it is not the business of the Director of Public Works to put in his thrifty oar in the matter. He has quite enough to do to look after his own work, and should promptly be relieved from at= tendance at the Sanitary Board except when required for advice on the works ordered. As for the Registrar-General, he ought not to be allowed on the Sanitary Board, as he is simply a mouthpiece for the Chinese, who are very well represented by the Chinese members.
The Hongkong Volunteer Corps had a march out and sham fight on the afternoon of the 25th ultimo. Some of the Field Battery's guns were mounted on one of the hills behind the rifle range and the infantry were the attacking party. Some arduous and useful work was done and the manceurres ended in favour of the defenders, which it is trusted will always be the case. There was a good attendance, and the hard and realistic work was thoroughly enjoyed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.