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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19TH DECEMBER, 1885.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.-No. 486.
The following Report of the Exhibition Commissioners to Governor Sir G. F. BoWEN, G.C.M.G., together with His Excellency's reply thereto, is published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 19th December, 1885.
FREDERICK STewart,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
REPORT OF THE EXHIBITION COMMISSIONERS TO GOVERNOR SIR G. F. BOWEN, G.C.M.G.; WITH HIS EXCELLENCY'S REPLY.
(1.)
HONGKONG, December 18th, 1885.
SIR,
The Commission appointed by your Excellency to organize an Exhibition of the products, manufactures, and resources of this Colony, have the honour to report to you the steps which they
have taken in the matter.
They were met at the outset by the difficulty they have experienced in having to deal with a Colony which is almost entirely non-productive; and which is dependent for its prosperity upon the trade which is carried on it under the shelter of the British Flag. in a favourable geographical position.
The Commission considered that while exhibiting the manufactures and industries of the Colony, an adequate impression could not be conveyed of the principal resources of Hongkong without representing to some extent the staple articles of commerce and retail trade on which the City of Victoria has grown.
It being impracticable to deal exhaustively with so large a subject in the space allotted to Hong-. kong, the Commission have contented themselves with exhibiting the main articles of commerce exported through Hongkong from the adjoining province of Kwangtung; and they have taken the opportunity to exhibit the important article of silk in such a way as to enable an estimate to be formed of the comparative merits of the silk produced and manufactured in the British possessions with that which is shipped from this Colony.
The resources of local retail trade the Commission thought might be best illustrated by a Shop or Bazaar organized under Chinese auspices, in accordance with the precedents of former years in the Exhibitions heretofore held.
The classification, therefore, of the Exhibits sent from this Colony may be best given under the heads of:-
1. Commerce; silk and other staples of local commerce.
2. Articles of local retail trade; (Left to the choice of the Chinese interested.)
3. Manufactures and Industries; including all industries, whether Steam or Manual, carried
on in the Colony, and of commercial or tradal value to it.
·
4. Local appliances of civilized life; comprising Printing, Book-binding, Shoe-making,
Education, Furniture, &c., &c.
5. Social and domestic features of the Island; illustrated by photographs, and models, and
other exhibits.
6. Indigenous resources; such as granite and wood.
The Commission hope that your Excellency will excuse unavoidable short-comings in carrying out the undertaking.
They have throughout been dependent on the voluntary services of gentlemen engaged in their ordinary avocations; and they have been constantly confronted with the collapse of important features of their scheme, necessitating a corresponding re-adjustment of plan.
The Commission desire to thank your Excellency for the ready support you have given to them; and they regret that they are unable to afford you an apportunity of inspecting the exhibits before your departure from the Colony. They are glad to know that you will be able to see them in their integrity in London.
In conclusion, the Commission wish to express their best thanks to all the gentlemen who have kindly associated themselves with the undertaking; and to Mr. WEI YUK and Dr. Ho KAI, and the other Members of the Chinese Commission, for their exertions in connection with the Chinese Community.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
(Signed),
W. KESWICK, Chairman,
Hongkong Exhibition Commission.
His Excellency
Sir G. F. BOWEN, G.C.M.G.,
&c.,
&o.,
&c.