In the Local and General News columns, it was reported a seizure of arms and opium in Kennedy Town on May 26 comprised 502 taels of prepared and 45lbs of raw opium and 245 rounds of ammunition. The value of the contraband was $10,000. In the same columns, it was reported an unlicensed hawker was released on bail in the morning and rearrested in the afternoon. 'Replying to Mr R E Lindsell, the hawker said he had a few things left on his hands. His Worship - 'Hoping to dispose what was left? I see',' the report said. A fine of $5 was imposed.
There had been 'great festivities in Lanarkshire this week to celebrate the coming of age of the Marquis of Douglas and Clydesdale, the son of the Duke and Duchess of Hamilton, a report on May 28 said. 'In these days when landlords and all they stand for are so often denounced, it is pleasant to find some survival of the old feudal relations, and the occasion was marked by gifts not merely from the mining and agricultural tenants, but from the miners in the Duke's collieries. I have in my possession a ledger 170 years old, relating to one of the Duke's pits, and among the entries is: 'To coaliers and bearers at the birth of Marquis of Clydesdale, four barrels of ale, ?1 and 6/8.' Something of the same sort seems to have been done on this occasion and the young laird who is an undergraduate at Oxford acquitted himself with becoming modesty and manliness. No doubt the colliers think none the worse of him for the fact that he is, as yet, more famous as a boxer.'
'All is now ready for the opening game of the baseball season at Happy Valley and the match ... which His Excellency the Governor has promised to attend, is expected to prove a keen one,' a report on May 31 on the Sports of all Sorts page said. 'Both sides are in good shape, and ... they both believe they have the necessary spare to run in their pocket.' The game between Hongkong Baseball Club and the Japanese Nine 'augurs well for a successful summer', it said. The American consul general and his Japanese counterpart were also expected to attend 'and assist His Excellency in perpetrating the first pitch'. The grandstand has recently been completed and 'is a distinct improvement over last year's structure, which was demolished by typhoon twice'. 'The field has been put in splendid condition and the warriors of the diamond should have no difficulty in spearing the fast ones or gathering the long flies in the outer gardens,' it added. 'Among the recruits from Hongkong are some tossers from whom much is expected. Vernor, behind the plate for the locals, is undoubtedly a pillar of strength ... Pat Ryan has again laid in a fresh supply of gum and will be seen cavorting around the first corner.'
In the motoring section on May 31, a report said that of the 262 manufacturers who were building automobiles, only 32 of them remain. Another report also revealed that a new finish had been developed for motor car bodies. 'It contains neither paint nor varnish and differs from all other methods in appearance and results. It is known as the Duco finish and at the present time is used exclusively on Oakland cars ... The new finish is a softly lustrous satin-like blue that reflects light and colour but does not glitter like a painted or varnished surface ... It is impervious to sun, rain, sleet or snow.' It added that 'tests of the most severe character have been applied ... even sulphuric acid having been applied and wiped off without leaving a trace'.
The successful feat of a French military attach? who travelled from Peshawar in northern [British] India to Kabul in Afghanistan in Citroen creeper track automobiles was reported. He was continuing his 2,000 mile trip to Tehran in Persia.
'This extremely difficult and mountainous country has never previously been covered by motor car. Starting from Peking, the attach? has succeeded in getting as far as Jehol in Manchuria ... thus penetrating a region which has never previously seen an automobile.' Prince Kemal el Dine, after 10 days in Cairo, had set out with a convoy of Citroen creeper track cars and intended to reach the Oasis of Koufra in the Libyan desert.