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STIRRING MILITARY PAGEANT.
THE BIG NAVAL, MILITARY AND AIR FORCE DISPLAY.
THOUSANDS WITNESS REVIEW AT THE VALLEY.
SEARCHLIGHT TATTOO AND RECEPTION
AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
Yesterday the Colony celebrated His Majesty King George the Fifth's Birthday. It wng observed in A 10anner without parallel in the Colony, the presence of the unusually large num ber of Service men making it possible to stage a stirring and im pressive Naval, Military and Air Force pageant of a kind that bas never been witnessed here before,
There was a brilliant review of 4,000 men, and although "there has been every year King's Birthday Parade at Hong Kong, it has never been possible to hold one on the sonte seen yesterday morning.
The sun shone with tropical brillianes It was uncomfortably hot hath for spectators, abil the entral figures of the review, but many thousands -exact figures are impossibade to estimate--crowd-
Last
cd every point of vantage-stands, banks, billsides and haugetops. Of these many arrived on the scene at a very early hour. year there were estimated to be about 15.0990 to 20,000 spectators. This year there were more then this that number.
A feature of the review was the appeartner of the Air Forer, and the planes gave a thrilling display, dipping to the salate in squadrons of three and cargring nut daring stunts after the parade. There were five flights of three eark.
Warships and British morehnat vessels in port dressed ship, and, at noon a Royal Salute was fired by warships. Busi ness houses and tiovernment Departments were, of course, closed down.
"Ladies' Day was observed at the Hong Kong Club, H.E. the Governor and Ladly Clement attending the special tiffin. "In the evening 118, the Onvernor and Endy Clementi held. ». reception at Government Rause, which was brilliantly illuminated and decorated for the orcasion. Special features were introduced. into the programme and about 1,90 guesta were present. The con- cluding public item with a magnificient searchlight tattoo by the Navy,
SCENE AT HAPPY
VALLEY.
|
THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, JUNE 4th, 1927.
THE ROYAL SALUTE..
A deep silence now fell upon the vast crowd and upon the tense, enger forces a silence as profound nod impressive a the London observance of Armistice Day. The silence was soon broken by a heavy roar from the first gun of the Royal Salute and the echoes rolled pon- derously up the slopes of the Valley, Then came another roar and an
other roar and another, until seven
REFRESHMENTS AND BREAKFASTS.
ENTERPRISING CHINESE
BOYS.
RECEPTION AT COVERN- MENT HOUSE.
OVER 1,000 QUESTS PRESENT.
FINE SEARCHLIGHT TATTOO.
The refreshment buffet for cool drinks in charge of Messrs. Lane, Crawford, Ltd., did a particularly The Birthday celebrations were brisk trade for over two hours. concluded by the customary recep- Another enterprise by the sanation at Government Houso given by firm was the provision of breakfasts H.E. the Governor and Lady guns had been fired, each accom-at the Race Course for those who Clementi, who were attended by panied by a lurid flash and a gust had ordered them in advance. of blue aoke.
Nordless to say “early birda " who While the smoke was still drift had been there for some time be- ing over the bends of the soldiers, fore the parade commenced were the first Feu-de-daic was fired. A glad to take advantage of this op- fierce rattle of rifte firo ran downportunity of securing a good view- the quarter-mile long ranks and point and a good breakfast as well, back again with magnificent preci-
FANS FOR SALE.
sion.
Cameronians-struck
ከነ]
Then the massed banda-under the
A number of Chinese boys with direction of Mr. H. E. Dowell, much enterprise appeared on the L.R.A.M., Bandmaster of the serne with fans, for which they God found a quick sale at ten cents each. Their goods were insufficient to the demand, especially among the ladies, white a good many men were not at all loath to
Save the King The National Anthem sounded all the more grand and stirring because the King was
that day.
trivek
Again the guns boomed Keven secure one, times, and after each roar all eyesj were fixed upon the bluejarkets ast they swabbed cut and reloaded.
Again came the Pen-de-Joir, and yet again. Then each man snatch- ed off his bat and a great roar of "Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah " out-a birthday present of three cheers for Hia Majesty.
rung
A BIG CROWD.
EXCELLENT TRAFFIC
ARRANGEMENTS.
were
Lucal transport facilities taxed to their utmost by the enor- mons crowd at the Valley.
Capt. C. H. Steelo (A.D.C.), Capt. B. L. Forster (Private Secretary), | and Honorary A.D.C.'s from the Army and Navy.
New features were introduced, and there was în addition -a very fiue searchlight tattoo by the British warships in port.
Between 1,600 and 1,700 guests were invited, one of the largest, if not the largest, gathering held at tavernment House. The guests in cluded, of course, members of the Councils, Hends of Government De- partaments, local residents, includ ing prominent members of the Chi- nese community.
Guests were received at 9.30 and
at 10 p... Following the can- clusion of the searchlight tattoo, the pipes, bugles and drums of the Ist Cameronians, entered the main entrance in a torchlight procession, and there was the torchlight danc-: ing by picked men from the Cameronians, an item keenly ap preciated by all present.
On the lawn at the back of Gov- eranent House there was marching and counter-marching by the pipes, and drums of the Contromans, while reels and atrathespys were carried out.
The band of the King's Owa Scottish Borderers played in the grounds, while for the dancing in the beautifully decorated ball room, the music was provided by the Lyric Orchestra.
Suddenly everyone was peering |
A start was made for the Valley skyward as from a height of a by many Chiness enthusiasty as thousand fect one detachment of early us a.m. Those travelling by neroplars after another swooped tram_public_motor-car-tax down to within 200 feet of the ricksha up to 7.30 were able to ride ground with a high-pitched raucous to the Race Course in comfort, but sound. Then The planes laded those making the journey at a later away in the distance.
hour, found difficulty in procuring By this time the sailors had muy conveyance. Many had to walk part of the way, and others the Cameronians, Hong Kong Volun-limbered up the guns and were teer Defence Corps, 5th/nd. Pun dragging them in a sweeping rank whole distance, but the review was jas. and the Hong Kong Mule towards the saluting base. Before worth it! Every, road led to the them marched the band of the Naval Race Course yesterday morning,
Goverminent House and the lawns Hearts of and every kind of local vehicle was Volunteers playing
were specially decorated for the oc- Oak," and after them cause four to be sees on the highways. Never casion with coloured electric lights, companies of Bluejackets, their has no large an assembly been seen at the Valley, every available inch
a feature of the lighting effects le bayonets flashing. Then the Marines of the stands, banks and verandabsing the "G.R." and royal crown marched down to the tune of "A overlooking the Course being taken, pricked out in a blaze of electri-
the hillsides city and facing the harbour. Life on the. Ocean Wave." The white even
above the Valley were spectators khaki raska approached and the witnessing the scene from afar. The long barrels of the field-band gave the "British Grena-
Corps.
The grows with the unlim- PAGEANT OF EXTRAORDI-ered guns sted at the townward
NARY BRILLIANCE,
end of the Valley and beyond them stretched square úpon square, rank The sixty-second birthday of His upon rank of men to the farthest Majesty King George V. was corner. All the troops were then honoured yesterday át Happy assembled. Valley by a display of Britain's aval and military power that in grandeur. has never been equalled in the Colony's 8-year history.
Seven regiments, the Royal Marines, Sailors under arms and a
and the drawn swords of the Of
pieces, the thousands of hayonets diera": the Scots came and the
·
ers raught the brilliant rays and pipes began to skirl, now faintly, flashed like heliographs; it the now loudly and as the wind willed. head of every regiment the Ensigns
The glorious spectacle was over at held aloft the Colours, tow
uy
T
The decorations, especially the The Hong Kong Tramways Com lighting effects, and the coloured pany made excellent arrangements lights between the fernery and to cope with the traffic. They divert- ed many extra cars to the route, foliage in grounds and house, prov- but even the constant service was ed most picturesque. unequal to the demand. Every tram was packed. It was the same story
hour in some cases to reach the Central district owing to unavoid able congestion.
number of details were the 4.000 stripped of their drabs easings and last. The crowd melted and the returving, and it took over
actors upon a vast stige--more than a quarter of a mile long-yet not large enough to dwarf the drama that was enacted upon. it before a crowd of between 30,000 and 40,000 people.
fluttering proudly.
The snowy white of the Sailors' uniforms, the white topees of the Marines, the red-flecked turbans of the Indian regiments and the red of the Royal Stuart fartan diver sifted the long dust-coloured ranka like bright flowers in a desert; and
troops marched back to barracks.
REFRESHMENTS BEFORE
J
RETURN.
Never was n cool drink more
At
Special trains were run on the Peninsula to bring people in from the New Territories, and the Ferries were crowded. During the day's preceding the parade the
The decorative scheme was most at- tractive. Except for the ferns, and and flowering plants arranged in the entrance hall, on the stairs leading to the ball-room and in the ball-room itself, it was entirely Chinese in conception.
In the outer porch, under the:
Here in Hong Kong, 10,000 miles far away on the other side of the appreciated than it was by the riser ateamers had been bringing verandah icading to the ladies' and
were
clusion of yesterday's parade at Happy Valley. As they filed off the centre of the Valley they were arranged in groups and fatigue parties appearing with big crates of mineral waters, each man being served with a bottle.
from Britain, His Majesty's birth- Valley scores of brilliant sunshades day was observed as loyally and showed that aiready the owners of troops and naval men at the con- impressively as in the heart of the houses half-a-mile' distant Empire. The magnificence of Lon-awaiting the opening of tho don's pomp and pageantry cannot pageant. Nearer at hand the roofs 30 produced anywhere else in the of every building swarmed with world-South China's sun forbids spectators and every point of van the blue and scarlet, the benrskine, take was occupied. Apropinares the steel cuirasses and plumed hovered and swooped high up in helmets of London's crack ra- the sir. giments; but wherever the Union
The stage was now set for the Jack flies over a British colony, the arrival of
His Excellency the British Army can be relied upon to Governor. emerge from its efficient but drab work a day shell on great State Yesterday's ceremonial occasions.
did not lack colour; it was a pageant of extraordinary brilliance!
a brilliance enhanced by exotic
HE. THE GOVERNOR'S
ARRIVAL.
Shortly before 9 o'clock His Ex- surroundings and blinding sun. cellency, accompanied by his aide- Although His Excellency the de-camps, rode up to the saluting.
down many passengers for the gentlemen's cloak room, in the function.
main hall and in the ball-room be mentioned that Chinese "Fish" lampshades and It should
lanterns of all shapes and sizes and thanks to the effective handling of traffic by the Police Traffic Depart ment, nesisted by the special polise colours were suspended. Flying Squad, no accidents were re- ported, a fact that speaks wonders for the polier, and also the good sense of those using the roads.
NAVY'S SALUTE.
"
SEARCHLIGHT TATTOO.
Needless to say the searchlight tattoo was watched by thousands, both Europeas and Chinese, and the latter especially thronged the
The men then reformed ranks, and the units marched off headed by their respective bands, making the return journey to the City by Queen's Road East, Wanchai. The honour of the occasion, and their Praya and the Reclamation. The route was lined with spectators.
MEN STAND THE HEAT WELL.
All warships in harbour, and algo merchant vessels dressed ship in Hattoring flags presented a pretty sight in the brilliant sunshine. At noon the customary salute of honour of His Majesty the King.
automaton precision of the search- lights, as they circled harbour, shipping sad land and then swept skywards, was wonderful to witness. The searchlight display was simi- AT THE HONG KONG CLUB.lar to that carried out on Wednes- day night and lasted from B.30 to 10 o'clock.
Govemor (Sir Cecil Clementi, base and on his arrival the Union FIRST AID ARRANGEMENTS. | gume wore fired by the cruisers in K.C.M.G.) was not due to arrive Jack was immediately run up. His until nearly o'clock, a crowd of Excellency had been escorted from several thousands had gathered in Government House by the Mounted the Valley before 7-30, and when Infantry Company of the H.K. the first detachments arrived the V.D.C. He was met and conducted
saluting the stands were already half full.
hase by Major- At 7-40 the Punjabis arrived, General C. C. Luard, C.B., D.8.0., followed soon after by the Welch G.O.C. (South China Command).
to
Although, fortunately, their ser Regiment, which entered to Men The following Mounted Brigade vices were not demanded to muy
of Harlech." Then came the King's Commanders awaited him: Capt.great extent, the Ambulance units Own Scottish Borderers, and the L. D. T. McKinnon, H.M.S. Danae, Northamptonshire Regiment.
THE ORDER OF PARADE.
Col. W. C. P. Russell, D.S.O. Present provided an excellent safe- (R.A.), Lieut.-Col. E. E P. Mac. guard for any emergency which kintosh, D.S.O. (RE.), Col.. B. N. might arise, especially in view of Sergison-Brooke, C.M.G., D.8.0.
H.E THE GOVERNOR PRE- SENT AT TIFFIN.
As usual on this occasion the Hong Kong Club was open to members wives, daughters, and
accompanied by six fight with Comdr. H. Rogera, O.B.E., Group rat-aid station in the stand at the was a company of about 350.
At 5-30 the Royal Marines
INDIAN COMMUNITY'S LOYAL GREETINGS.
401
was closed yesterday in bonour of
Mr. V. Rupchaud, of the Pioneer behalf of the lady friends from 10 am to 3p.m. Silk Store,
From 11.30 am to 3 p.m. the Colony's Indian Community cabled By this time there were about (15th Infantry Brigade) and Lieut. the intense heat, and the huge band of the 2nd King's Own Sept- birthday wegratulations to the tish Borderers played in the Main King. God Save the King," in 10,000 people on the ground, and Col. L. J. Comya, D.S.O. Comdr. crowd. the Valley echoed to the beat H. M. Sprackley, H.M. S. Fro Over 100 members of the St. John Hall, and at noon the Health of coloured lights and flags decorated of drums. At 8-20 came the bisher was officer commanding the Ambulance Brigade, drawn from His Majesty the King was submit the front of the Pioneer Silk Store teil by H.E. the Governor." Mr. in honour of the day. The interior Cameronians and the Scots Guards, Naval battalion, and Major All the Hong Kong Divisions, were Hamar commanded the Royal with colours flying and bayonets
on duty at the Race Course to . C. Hall (Vice-Chairman of the of the store was also tastefully de- The Pioneer Silk Store fixed. After them marched the Marines.
Other officers wore: Rear-Admiral attend to casualties. The special Club presided in the absence of corated.
the Chairman of the Club, Mr. R. Bluejackets-four companies from
arrangements included a motor the Firat Cruiser Squadron of the W. H. D. Boylo, C.B., Capt. T. Royal Navy and other warships, F. P. Calvert, D.S.O., Commodore eyele ambulance patrol along the M. Dyer, who has just gone on the occasion.
Tiffin followed, at which there J. Pearson, C.M.G., Paymaster-ne of march from the City to the Home leave.
Valley, and the establishment of a
There were 20 guests at the Chair- Dr. (Mra) Minnett
man's table, and they included tered the Valley to the tune of "A Officer), with all Oruiser Captains Race Course.
wag present to attend to indies re... the Governor and Lady Cle Life on the Ocean Wave." The on the right, and the G.0.0.'s
quiring assistance.
At the Cafe Restaurant Parisien ranks of soldiers now extended comprising Lieut. R. F. J
There were one or two cases of menti, Capt. O. H. Steele (A.D.C.),
Was a special or F. from one end of the Valley to the A.D.C., Major
the Hon. Mr. W. T. other in the following order of VC, D.S.O. 0.8.E. Stand Indice being overcome by the heat, Capt. Forster (Private Secretary), pesterday there
The but so far as can be learned there.M.G. (Colonial Bearn, musical programme provided from and 10.30 a.m. to 18.30 p.m., while a Majar J. Macready. But-Col. parado:
were no casualties among civilians rs Boathorn), Mrs. Hi, the special celebration tifin was served Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Hoods of Departmente
O.B.E. present.
Hon. Mr. Justice J. B. Wood and at 81 per cover. There was a tea Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, S. Bopian Smith, D.9.0.,
Lieut-
The R.A.M.C. were present to 2nd Batt, Scots Guards, the Queen's Lieut. Col. F. A
the Hon. Mr. W. E. Shenton, nor dansant at night, with special Own Regiment, 2nd Batt. Welch Col. Riley, Ideas, Col. take care of the Naval and Mili Mrs Wood, the Hon. A. 0. Hynes, dance in the afternoon, and a dia,
Happily, the men Regiment, lat Batt. Northampton Beil, Major G. L. Peterson, O.B.E.,tary Forees.
and the Hon. Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe
At the Hotels there were the shire Regiment, 2nd Batt. King's Major F. Hogg, and the Rev. G. F. stood the heat well, but a few of it. Col. E. J. Comyn, C.M.G., musica feature at each function.
them had to be attended to.
(C.S.P.).
| unzel féa and dinter danos, Own Scottish Borderers, 1st Batt. Stopford (C.F.), on the left.
their white topers and facings en Capt. Hobertson (Fleet
Aviation
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