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HONGKONG JUBILEE 1891
We have on a previous occasion referred to the commemoration of Queen Victoria's jubilee, in 1887 (see 28-12-33 et.seq.) as a direct outcome of which we have the Queen's Statue, Victoria Hospital and Victoria Road. There was, however, the Colony's jubilee, which was celebrated in 1891, marking the close of the first half century of Hongkong under British rule.
From existing records I find that a large and representative meeting of residents of the Colony was held in the City Hall on November 15, 1890, for the purpose of deciding what step should be taken to celebrate the 50th year of the existence of Hongkong as a British possession. The Chief Justice, Sir James Russell, was unanimously voted to the chair and a large and representative committee elected to decide what form the celebration should take. A meeting of this Jubilee Committee was held in the City Hall the following month, when it was decided that no finality be arrived at with regard to a permanent jubilee memorial until the community had had a further opportunity of considering the matter.
Nothing seems to have been fixed upon, but in due course the date for the celebrations came round, and Hongkong had a public holiday for four days, from January 21 to 24, 1891.
On the morning of the 21st there was a meeting of the Executive and Legislative Councils called for the purpose of despatching a telegram to Her Majesty the Queen and to the Secretary of State. Following this, there was a special service held in St. John's Cathedral, to which were invited dignitaries and ministers of denominations other than the Church of England.
The Hongkong Artillery Volunteers, under Capt. McCallum, assisted in lining the route between Government House and the Cathedral, a company of 1st Battn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were drawn up as a guard of honour, and the Cathedral was gaily decorated with flags and bunting.
The service was conducted by the Right Rev. Bishop Burdon.
After the service, the Governor, Sir G.W. Des Voeux, ceremonially drove back to Government House accompanied by Mr. F. Fleming, Colonial Secretary, Major General Barker and Mr. F.H. May, his Private Secretary.
At noon, a salute of fifty guns was fired from the man-of-war and the shore battery, the Volunteer artillery also participating. In the evening a ball was held in the City Hall.
On the afternoon of the 22nd, there was a naval and military review held in the Wongneichong Valley at which the Governor was present. The following naval and military forces were inspected: A Field Battery, Royal Navy; Hongkong Volunteer Artillery; a battalion of seamen of the Royal Marines; the 1st Battn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders; a battalion formed of the Royal Artillery, the Royal Engineers and the Asiatic Artillery, and the eld Battery of the Asiatic Artillery.
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