142
of all races have enjoyed the blessings of free- dom, of justice, and of equality before the law. No feeble words of mine can commend to you as strongly as I could wish this proposal to contribute, but I leave the matter in your hands, in the full assurance that the contribu- tion from Hongkong will be worthy of this important and prosperous Colony. plause)
THE HONGKong WEEKLY PRESS AND remark, and it is that I hope the Committee will expedite their labours in this matter as much as possible, so that the contribution from Hongkong shall be sent home as quickly as may be. I think it is a great thing, whatever the Committee sends, to send t early, as the amount may to a certain extent enter into the (Ap-calculations in connection with the arrange. ments for this great memorial. As you will have noted in reading the despatch from the Secretary of State, the contribution coming from each colony will be devoted to a consider. able extent in securing for the great monument that is to be erected a separate representation of that colony as one of the component parts of the great memorial, and I have no doubt, whatever that that separate representation will be worthy of Hongkong. I only hope that whatever artists are called upon to carry out the grand idea of the central monninent thy will be equal to the occasion, and if they are, am quite sure that the people of the Empire will perform their part in providing the necessary funds. (Applause.) That is all, gentlemen. Thank you very much for your attendance here to-day. On such a very bad day, this is a very good attendance indeed.
The next speaker was Sir THOMAS JACKSON, who said-Your Excellency and gentlemen, it has devolved upon me to move what I believe is the only resolution to be placed before the meeting. Before doing so, however, should like to remind all present that the memory of our beloved Queen has particular claims upon Hongkong. Hongkong was the first acquisition to the Crown made after Queen Victoria came to the throne, and its city was called after herself
to
Victoria. There have been many more acquisitions during her reign, but I doubt if in any of all the vast acres-thousands of acres, thousands of square miles-there is one spot that prospered more during her reign than this little colony of Hongkong. Therefore I think Hongkong ought to be well to the front in giving its mite towards this costly mona- ment to be raised in front of Buckingham Palace in London, and I am glad say that there is only one opinion in this
I am colony about the matter.
sure that many of our friends other than British who have participated in the prosperity of this place will only be too glad to help us in the matter. I do not think I can well add anything to the eloquent words His Excellency has just given expression to, and I shall therefore confine my remarks to the moving of the resolution, which is as follows:-* That in accordance with the suggestion of the Secretary of State contained in his despatch of the 10th June last, subscription be raised in Hongkong in aid of the Memorial to Her late Majesty Queen Victoria, and that the following Committee be appointed to make arrangements for raising such subscription, riz: -His Honour A. G. Wise; Hon J. H. Stewart Lockhart, C.M.G. (Hou. Secretary); Sir Thomas Jackson and Hon. C. P. Chater, C.M.G. (Hon. Treasurers); Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving, Hon. Dr Ho Kai, Hon. T. H. Whitehead. Hon. J. Thurburn, Messrs J. J. Francis, K. C., Fang Wa Chuen, Ho Fook, H. M. Metha, H. N. Mody, D. M. Moses, W. Poate, H. A. Ritchie, A. J. Raymond, R. Shewan, and A. G.
Wood."
In seconding, the Hon. J. J. BELL IRVING said-Your Excellency and gentlemen, the senior unofficial member of the Legislative Council was to have seconded this resolution, and I am sure you will all regret to hear that owing to indisposition Mr. Chater is unable to be present. I, therefore, in his absence, have very much pleasure in seconding the resolution proposed by Sir Thomas Jackson, and feel are that it will appeal to all residents in this colony. (Applause.)
Speaking for the Chinese, the Hou. Dr. Ho KAI said Your Excellency, I have very much pleasure in supporting the resolution just pro- posed by Sir Thomas Jackson and seconded by Mr. Bell-Irving. I am sure, so far as I can speak, that the Chinese community of the colony will be only too happy to assist in the scheme, and will contribute very gladly what- ever they can to the memory of a Sovereign whom they were accustomed to regard with admiration, with reverence, and with respect. I do not think there is any class of subjects who appreciate the goodness of our late beloved Sovereign Queen Victoria more than the Chinese in Hongkong, and I feel confident that when the subscription list goes forth among them they will prove their respect and admiration of our late beloved Sovereign by the amount of their contribution. I have very much pleasure in supporting the resolution. (Applause.)
HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR then put the resolution to the meeting, and said-Gen- tlemen, you have all heard the resolution that has been proposed by Sir Thomas Jackson, seconded by the Honourable Mr. Bell-Irving, and supported by the Honourable Dr. Ho Kai. Those in favour of the resolution will kindly hold up their hands.
The resolution was carried, nem. con. Before dismissing the meeting, H18 EXCEL- LENCY said-Gentlemon, I will only add one
The meeting then dispersed.
MEETING OF THE TYPHOON RELIEF FUND COMMITTEE.
I
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[August 17, 1901,,
1YPHOON FUND.
Chinese subscriptions ...
Foreign
13
Interest allowed by Bank
Cheques drawn :—
Por Fung Wa Chuen
**
་་
$ c. 2,784.00 ...16,000-00
"
***
$ c. 21,363+0
7,071:55
15'66
'
828,450.21
& c.
6,000-00--- 24,784.00
Balance available 4th Marolr, 1901. $3,666-21 8 0.
Drawn 13th April, 1991, by Fung
Wa thuen
Balance 15th August, 1901, including
375-40
$3-327-67
interest ... Addressing the members of the Committee, His EXCELLENCY recalled to their minds the terrible typhoon of 9th November last year, and went on to say that from a launch he riewed the scene of desolation on the following morning, and thus gained an idea of its terrible severity. As all knew, hundreds of janks and sampaus and many steam launches Оп were sunk, and hundreds of lives lost. returning to shore, His Excellency sent to the directors of the Tung Wa Hospital to ascertain if they could do something to meet the im. mediate distress, asking them to meet him in consultation. He found, however, he had been forestalled-that they had already sent out two lannches, with every requisite for the His Excellency the Gongsistance of the suffering, and with orders for vertor presiding. The members of the Com the collection of the dead for burial. It was mittee present were the Hon. J. H. Stewart only fair, His Excellency said, that this action Lockhart, C.M.G. (Hon. Secretary), Sir should be known and appreciated as it ought to Thomas Jackson (Hon. Treasurer), Mr. Fung be. Continning, he said that at a public meet. Wa Chuen, Mr. Ho Fook, Mr. Loo Knen Tinging held very soon afterwards—a meeting which (Sub-Committee), and Mr. R. F. Johuston was attended by all classes and every nationality in the colony-there was collected, as the Hon. (Private Secretary to H. E. the Governor)
THE FUND CLOSED.
A meeting of the Typhoon Relief Fund Committee was held at noon on Thursday in the Council Chamber.
After reading the minutes of the previons | Treasurer had shown, a sum of 828,450.21. That meeting of the Committee on 17th December money had been received practically between the last, the COLONIAL SECRETARY said he thonght 3rd and the 22nd of December, and the fact the best way would be to close the Fund.served to show the readiness with which the First of all, however, he wished to place before His Excellency a letter dated 12th July, 1901. which he had received from Mr. Fung Wa Chuen, Mr. Ho Fook, and Mr. Loo Kuen Ting, the members of the Sub-Committee entrusted with the distribution of the subscriptions raised, which explained very fully what was done by the Sub-Committee, and which showed clearly the immeuse amount of labour they had to endure in order to carry out the distribution of the Fund. Under these circumstances the Sub-Committee deserved to be congratulated on the very efficient and effective manner in which they had discharged their onerous duties.
The letter referred to, which embodies the report of the Sub-Committee, is as follows:-
Hongkong, 12th July.
Sir. As members of the Sub-Committee appointed at a meeting of the Committee bell on the 17th December last, we have the honour to report that we have altogether received 515 applications for relief, and that we have after investigation dealt with them in the best way we could.
In some cases the sufferers received as much as 50 per cent. of their losses, whilst in others the amounts paid varied from 15 per cent. to 30 per cent. Out of the Bum of $26,129.00 subscribed by the Europeans and Chinese, we have paid away $25,204.40, leaving a balance of $924.60 to be dealt with.
Our best thanks are due to Messrs. Lau Yam Tsün, Li San Hio, Pan Tsz Wan, Un Lai Chun. Tam Tse Kong, Au In Tîn, Chau Sin Ki, Chau Pik Tsün, Li Yau Tsun, Wong Yuk Shan, Cheung Sun Shan, Tseung Sze Ksi, Ho Tai Sang. Tse Taan Tai, Ho Yam Nam, Wong Mang Hon, and others, for assisting us in collecting subscriptions from the Chinese com- manity and also in investigating the claims.
Annered will be found a detailed statement of disbursements.
We have the honour to be, sir,
Your trusted obedient servants,
FURG WA CHURN,
Ho Fork.
Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart, CM.G., Hon.
Secretary, Typhoon Relief Fund. Sir THOMAS JACKSON read the following
statement : --
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community of the Colony were always prepared to come forward and help when satisfed that real necessity existed. Everyone-Enropeans, Chinese, and others—joined heart and soul in trying to relieve the distress. The distribution of the funds was handed over to a Sub- Committee consisting of Mr. Fang Wa Chuen, Mr. Ho Fook, and Mr. Loo Kuen Ting, and when it was geen and realised how immense was the labour involved, and how great was the care expended in the distribution of the money, the thanks of the whole community would be tendered to the members of the Sub- Committee. They had gone carefully into 587 cases, and the amount granted ranged from 82 up to $250; for every sum disbursed, too, # voucher was given. Thanks were also due to the Hon. Treasurer, Sir Thomas Jackson, for consenting to take charge of the Fund, and for all he had done in the matter. At the present moment there was a balance remaining of 3,327.67. The three gentlemen whose names had already been mentioned had written their report, and His Excellency thoroughly con- carred with them in their statement that the best thanks were due to the large number of Chinese gentlemen who had lent their assistanco in the distribution of the Fand. Reverting to the matter of the balance of 83,327.87 that remained, His Excellency said every claim, so far as could be ascertained, had been met, and the question now was-what was to be done When the proposal was with the money. brought before the meeting as to the advisability of closing the Fund, it occurred to him that there were two cases where distress might possibly be relieved out of the Fund. One was the case of the fire which occurred on the 27th of last month at Victoria Street, when a large number of people were injured and several killed, and the other was the fire on board the Arethusa as she lay in the Docks, when ten men perished. Communications with the police showed that the Victoria Street fire was responsible for one deserving case and the Arethusa accident for several such cases. The police also reported that nothing had been done by the Dock Company to relieve the distress by the latter fatality." His Excellency, however, thought it