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a hall for a Chinese Chamber of Commerce which was eventually opened by Ho A-mei in 1896.
THE JUBILEE SQUABBLING GOES ON AND ON . . .
Hongkong got itself into a muddle attempting to decide on a permanent memorial to mark the celebration of Queen Victoria's golden jubilee year.
A public meeting was held at the City Hall on March 2, 1887, to formulate plans for the celebration. At the meeting it was decided to create a park in the Wongneichong valley to be named after the Queen. Both before and after the meeting many objections were raised to the scheme, which was eventually abandoned.
At the meeting, the chairman, Sir George Phillippo, in his introductory remarks mentioned a number of proposals that had already been put before the public.
He referred to an institution to be located in London to display and promote the products of the Empire. A year or so before the Indian and Colonial Exposition had been held. The various possessions of Great Britain had sent examples of their natural resources and products to it.
It was such a success that plans were put forward for something more permanent. The jubilee seemed an appropriate time to promote such an undertaking.
At the time, the British people were basking in the extent and importance of their empire. Its many colonies and dominions were rich in raw materials to feed the industries of the United Kingdom.
The multitude of people of different races under its rule were regarded as an inexhaustible market for the manufactures of the home country.
In recognition of the financial importance of Britain's possessions the plan for an Imperial Institute in London was launched.