EDWARD KING.
CONTINUATION.
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A Thanksgiving and Coronation service by the Jewish community was held in the Synagogue. The "Thanksgiving" was prepared and read by Mr. S. A. Joseph.
At the conclusion of the service in St. John's Cathedral the Officer Administering the Government attended by his A.D.C. paid a visit to the Hongkong Club where he found a large gathering of members waiting his arrival to drink the health of the newly crowned King and Queen.
Mr. Robert Shewan filled the post of Master of Ceremonies and as soon as all glasses were charged Major-General Gasgoine proposed the toast King Edward, God Bless Him.
The Hon. Mr. W. Meigh Goodman (Chief Justice) then proposed the toast of the Queen. Finally, Mr. Shewan proposed the health of Sir William Gasgoine "one of the best if not the best Governor we have ever had.
Government and public buildings were decorated in fashion worthy of the occasion. Government House, as seen from the low levels, was particularly striking with the great illuminated letters "E" and "R" as a Crown and the Prince of Wales's feathers. Headquarters House was also suitably decked. In the centre of the Clock Tower came in for a large share of admiration, It was garlanded with lanterns; the dials were surrounded with coloured electric globes facing down Pedder Street were displayed the Letters "E.R." near the top "1902" was placed in huge figures and the crest of the Tower, was dominated by a great crown brilliantly lighted. The Post Office, Supreme Court and Land Office were resplendent with Japanese lamps. Along Queen's Road, every house lent its quota to the general display.
As was only natural crowds of Chinese, thousands upon thousands, were attracted to the centre of the town, and Europeans had to go through the press to the thronged thoroughfares in order to see the sights. Queen's Statue square was crowded from an early hour in the evening. From the harbour and the fireworks from the Tamar and from the Lighter which the Japanese Community had requisitioned for the occasion.
Heavy rain came on shortly after 9 p.m., and there was a general scurry among the sightseers. Crowds of drenched coolies invaded the matshed erected for subscribers, much to the discomfort and annoyance of its European occupants, and it was only after Sergeant Garrod and Sergeant McSwayed had been appealed to that the unwelcome intruders could be expelled.
By ten o'clock a woeful change had come over the scene. The illuminations were nearly all extinguished. The fireworks that were to have been set off from the Queen's Statue were destroyed. The streets were littered with debris, broken lanterns falling in all directions. It was something to be thankful for that the public had had an opportunity before the rain set in, of seeing the illuminations in all their glory.
Queen's Road Central was the principal rendezvous of the crowds and the illuminations here really commanded admiration.
Another article on the Coronation celebrations in Hongkong will be published to-morrow.
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Yesterday I dealt with the local ceremonies and official functions attendant on the Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.