MOUNTAIN LODGE (Contd.)
W
That same issue of the paper records the return of the Governor from leave:
"His Excellency Sir Henry A. Blake, the Governor of Hong Kong accompanied by Lady and Miss Blake, arrived by the Empress of Japan this morning and landed at Blake Pier, where a hearty welcome awaited them. Shortly before eight o'clock, signals at the Blake Pier and Naval Yard gave information that H.E. was near, and not long afterwards the artillery fired a salute (17 guns). Soon after the liner had made fast to her buoy the Colonial Secretary (the Hon. F.H. May, C.M.G.), Mr. R. F. Johnson (Acting Private Secretary), and Mr. B. R. H. Taylor (Assistant Harbour Master) proceeded aboard, and at half past nine returned in the launch Victoria, with Sir Henry, Lady and Miss Blake. A red cloth "runner" had been laid along the pier and a fine display of plants was arranged on either side. The Guard of Honour consisting of 100 men of the Hong Kong Regiment, commanded by Subadar Jan Muhammad who, it will be remembered, was decorated with the insignia of the Order of British India by Major General Sir William Gascoigne, at the cricket ground last July, drawn up facing the pier. The troops with their khaki uniforms, yellow sashes, white leggings and picturesque turbans looked very trim, and no doubt made a very effective picture for the many camera fiends present. The band of the Hong Kong Regiment was also in attendance.
"Those present to greet Sir Henry and his popular wife and daughter included H.E. Major General Sir W. J. Gascoigne, the Officer Administering the Government, the staff from Headquarter House, Commodore Robinson as representing the Navy, representatives of the Executive and Legislative Councils, and many private citizens including a goodly number of Sir Henry's most intimate friends in the Chinese community. As soon as the launch arrived alongside the pier a marine signalled to the Naval Yard and shortly afterwards the artillery boomed out a salute of 17 guns. Sir Henry was the first to step ashore, and at the top of the steps was cordially greeted by the popular Major General, who was accompanied by his A.D.C. Capt. the Hon. Trefusis and Major W. A. Denney, D. A. A. G. Lady and Miss Blake followed and hearty handshakes and good wishes were then exchanged.
"Madame Volpicelli, the wife of the Consul General for Italy, presented handsome bouquets to Sir Henry's wife and daughter, who after a few minutes conversation with their most intimate acquaintances proceeded to their chairs, meanwhile the band of "Our very own" struck up a chord of the National Anthem and, accompanied by the Acting Governor, Major Denney and Capt. the Hon. Trefusis, His Excellency inspected the guard of honour. He afterwards took his departure in his chair carried by the familiar red-jacketed coolies, and with Lady and Miss Blake, Sir William Gascoigne and others proceeded along the Praya, up past the tram station and so on to Government House.
The Guard were marched off shortly afterwards, keeping step to the music of the band which preceded them."
This extract has several interesting pointers, hence its reproduction in full. Apart from showing how really popular the Governor was, it recalls the time when the administrators of this Colony prior to the motor-car era, were carried all the way to and from Government House on State occasions in their special sedan chairs, with liveried bearers.
There is also an interesting mention of the nature of uniform worn by the Hong Kong Regiment, a local unit of Indian troops which was raised in the Punjab in 1892 and disbanded after ten years' service, the regiment's colours (which had been presented in Hong Kong in 1895) being now preserved in St. John's Cathedral (see 6-7-34). It is worth noting, also, that this was probably
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