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21ST JANUARY, 1891.
(MEETING OF EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS). PRESENT :—
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, Sir WILLIAM DES VOEUX, K.C.M.G.
HIS EXCELLENCY Major-General DIGBY BARKER, C.B.
Hon. F. FLEMING, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary. Hon. W. M. GOODMAN, Attorney-General. Hon. S. BROWN, Surveyor-General.
Hon. W. DEANE, C.M.G., Captain Superintendent of Police.
Hon. J. H. STEWART-LOCKHART, Registrar-General. Hon. N. G. MITCHELL-INNES, Colonial Treasurer. Hon. C. P. CHATER.
Hon. J. J. KESWICK.
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD.
Hon. HO KAI.
At half-past nine precisely the salute from the body of Sikh policemen drawn up in the vestibule, under the command of Chief Inspector Cradock, announced the arrival of His Excellency the Governor.
His EXCELLENCY, having taken his place, said—Your Excellency, hon. gentlemen of the Executive and Legislative Councils, this being the first occasion of my appearing in public since my return to the Colony, I feel that I cannot lose the opportunity of expressing the great pleasure I have had in observing, that you, and I think the whole community, have shared in the high appreciation which I have felt, for the manner in which the affairs of the Government have been administered during my absence. I cannot also allow the opportunity to pass of expressing how deeply I feel the reception, I am told in many respects the unprecedentedly warm reception, which was given to me by yourselves and the whole of this community on my return. (Applause.) I feel so deeply on this subject, that but for a reluctance to intrude personal matters on an occasion of this kind of public rejoicing, I could hardly refrain from saying more. As it is I proceed at once to the object of the meeting to-day. This is, you are aware, the anniversary, the fiftieth anniversary, of the cession of the Colony, and in connection with this event, before proceeding any further, I think it will be well to make
public a congratulatory telegram which I have received from the Municipality of Shanghai. The telegram reads— TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF HONGKONG. Shanghai Municipality congratulates Hongkong on the celebration of its Jubilee and sends hearty wishes for continued prosperity of the Colony.
(Signed) J. MACGREGAR,
"Chairman of the Municipal Council."
(Applause.) I am sure that you gentlemen, and the whole community would wish me to acknowledge that telegram and reciprocate most heartily the sentiments therein expressed. I take it from your silence that you consent that I should do so. The telegram has only just been received, but I do not doubt that you can trust me to express the feelings of the community to the best of my ability. The immediate object of the meeting to-day is, as you are aware, the passing of a congratulatory address to Her Majesty. When it was intimated by the committee of all nationalities appointed to make arrangements for the Jubilee, that it was desired that such an address should be sent to Her Majesty, I had hoped that they would have forwarded to me a draft of their wishes and of the sentiments they desired to express, but this was not done, and I was led to presume that they expected me to undertake the duty. I have therefore undertaken the task myself, and I am bound to say that owing to the pressure of business following so soon after my arrival, aggravated as it has been by an unfortunate attack of illness. I have found this task very difficult, and I can only wish it had fallen to abler hands. Such as it is I have to offer it for your acceptance, and I will now read it to you:—
TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. Assembled at Victoria on Wednesday, 21st January, 1891, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the cession of the Colony, we the Governor and the Executive and Legislative Councils of Hongkong, humbly approach your Majesty with renewed expression of our loyalty and devotion.
The people of the Colony, for the most part your Majesty's subjects join unanimously in grateful recognition of the wise policy of your Majesty's Government which has granted the same rights and e q u a l j u s t i c e t o a l l t h e n u m e r o u s
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races of which they are composed; and they recognize as largely owing to the wisdom of your Majesty's constitutional rule, the conditions under which, within a half century entirely comprised within your Majesty's reign, a barren inhospitable island has become the civilised centre of an enormous trade, the home of a large and prosperous community, and an important outpost of your Majesty's Empire.
On their behalf therefore, as well as on our own, we fervently pray that God will long preserve the health of the Sovereign whose reign has been fraught with so many blessings, while we at the same time rejoice that for succeeding generations t h e n a m e o f y o u r M a j e s t y , a t t a c h e d
to this city, will ever serve to recal the memory of your Majesty's life and example.
Signed on behalf of the Executive and Legislative Councils, with which is associated a Committee specially appointed for the occasion and representative of all present nationalities.
G. WILLIAM DES VOEUX,
"Governor."
It is now for you gentlemen, to say whether this is your wish and I propose that this address be forwarded to Her Majesty.
Major-General BARKER seconded.
HIS EXCELLENCY—There being no dissent I may take it that the address is passed unanimously.
The proceedings then terminated.