Hongkong, Feb. 10.
Hongkong is thoroughly taining its reputation for being lackadaisical in matters connected with local politics, and even the most sanguine of the supporters of the petition for greater unofficial representation on the governing bodies must be feeling some! sick of heart. Everyone thought' that the Hon. Mr. Pollock was doing the right thing in striking out for the unofficials, but now that the time for signing has come they hang back. So much so that Mr. Pollock has had to issue something in the nature of a "whip" to the stragglers, though he knows full well—he must do so from past experience—that there are some people in Hongkong who can never be made, or persuaded, to come forward and take real action.
Buch a happening in a Colony which boasts of being a go-ahead place does not seem right, or fair to those who do come into the open and reveal their principles. I h examined practically all the petitions which are out to be signed, and even to one with an open mind they are far from being impressive when the names are glanced through; few represent any great weight, commercial and otherwise.
Chinese New Year in Hongkong was celebrated in the same "old way." There was much firing of crackers, too much for the peace of mind of Europeans who resided near the Chinese quarters, family gatherings, and last, but by by no means least, '"Paddy's" market. This is where griffins are cajoled into buying fat and happy-looking joss-men, and wicked looking Celestial gods. They call themselves curio-hunters and whicn the bargains have been taken home and examined by the light of day
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.