countrymen, said he had been requested to express the pleasure of the members of the Deputation at seeing a member of Parliament in Hongkong, and to assure His Excellency that they quite appreciated the excellence of the laws of England and the manner in which they were carried out in this Colony. The Chinese community deeply regretted His Excellency's departure, and were fully sensible of and greatly indebted to him for the kindness and consideration he had shown to the Chinese in the Colony. The deputation present was a large one, but they wished it to be understood that they were merely representative of others; in short, representative of the Chinese Community generally in the Colony,
His Excellency: I quite understand. Mr. Chun Ayin: They wish a prosperous voyage to Your Excellency, and to Miss Kennedy.
His Excellency: Before you take your leave there is one matter for me to mention, that I omitted, that is, to thank you for the very handsome sandal wood casket in which you have presented the address to I shall value it as much or more than anything in my possession, as having been a spontaneous offering from a community among whom I have lived for over four years. When I die it will be handed down as an heirloom to my children.
Mr Chun Ayin explained that the umbrella is called "Man Man San," meaning thereby the "Ten Thousand People's umbrella," a term of indefinite number among the Chinese. It was the highest mark of honour a Chinaman could show to his official, by whom he was governed.
His Excellency said he quite understood the value of the umbrella,
The Deputation then withdrew.
The Daily Press.
HONGKONG, MARCH 1ST, 1877.
SIr ARTHUR KENNEDY, on assuming charge of the Government of this Colony on the 16th April, 1872, in the course of his modest inaugural speech, said: "I hope when it comes to my turn to relinquish the Government that you will be able to give me credit for being honest and faithful in the discharge of my duties." Now that His Excellency's terms of office has expired it will be well to see how far this hope has been fulfilled, by passing in review what has been done under his administration. When Sir ARTHUR arrived in Hongkong there were several matters which might be considered local "burning questions" then on the tapis, some of which have and some have not yet been finally settled. Prominent among these was the much vexed subject of the blockade of the port by the Chinese revenue cruisers. Sir RICHARD MACDONNELL had taken active measures to procure a cessation of the annoyance, and Sir ARTHUR KENNEDY was quick to recognise the necessity for action. He took up the matter in good earnest, and has succeeded in demonstrating to the Colonial Office the reality of the grievance—a fact which, owing to the representations of Her MAJESTY's Consul at Canton, they had previously failed to see. Through the instrumentality of the Government officials, a mass of evidence was, after the expenditure of much time and labour, collected, and this, together with His Excellency's lucid explanations in covering despatches, has sufficed to convince the Home Authorities that the native trade of Hongkong is placed at a serious disadvantage by the unjustifiable exactions made upon it by the Hoppo of Canton. It was accordingly provided in the lately concluded Chefoo Convention that a Commission should be appointed to come to some arrangement whereby the Chinese Authorities can collect their revenue without prejudice to the commercial interests of this Colony. This is one important step towards a removal of the grievance. It is a significant comment on the red-tapeism of the British Government that it has taken years of constant worry to secure even this concession, and it is highly creditable to the Governor.
When Sir ARTHUR KENNEDY assumed the reins of office, the infamous coolie traffic at Macao was flourishing like a green bay tree. He was deeply impressed with its nefarious character, and he unhesitatingly and vigorously condemned it. He watched its course narrowly, and fearful lest some of those engaged in the trade should attempt to connect Hongkong with it, he caused a stringent Ordinance to be prepared prohibiting any one in the Colony from having an interest in the trade. This was passed in May, 1873, In April of the following year he had the satisfaction of seeing the traffic finally put a stop to through the intervention of Great Britain and other Powers, who had become scandalised by the enormities carried on in connection with it.
Gambling was rife in the Colony when Sir ARTHUR arrived here, in spite of the measures taken by his predecessor in office to put a termination to it. His Excellency lost no time in taking energetic measures to scotch this troublesome vice, and shortly after his installation ordered the prosecution of the landlord of some public gambling-houses in Gilman-street. On hearing of this step a large number of similar establishments were hastily closed, and the evil has since been very greatly reduced. In 1872 the public safety was far from well assured. Robberies were rife, and European residents could not walk on the less frequented roads after dusk with security. That has all been changed now. Not only do we enjoy immunity from "knocking down," but serious crime of all sorts has been immensely decreased. This is owing, of course, to the great improvement of the Police Force, which has become what Hongkong has a right to expect, efficient and capable. Piracy, which at the commencement of Sir ARTHUR KENNEDY'S administration was rampant in these waters, has been reduced to comparatively small limits. In the gaols a more rigid discipline has also been introduced at the instance of His Excellency.
In the Public Works Department a great deal has either been carried through or inaugurated. Progress in this direction is, unfortunately, much impeded by the often vexatious delay experienced in procuring official sanction for a projected work from the Home Government, Notwithstanding this, however, much has been effected. The lighthouses on Green Island and Cape D'Aguilar—two highly important undertakings—have been completed. A decision has at length, after ten years' consideration, been arrived at with regard to the Civil Hospital, for which unreasonable delay Sir ARTHUR is not responsible. The new building was projected in 1867; the site was surveyed in 1870; the first plans, ill-adapted to the requirements of the Colony, arrived in 1875; and in 1876 it was found that, owing to the satisfactory working of the Contagious Diseases Act, the accommodation in the Lock Hospital had become largely in excess of what was needed. It was then proposed by the Colonial Surgeon and the Surveyor-General that the Lock Hospital should be adapted for the purposes of a Government Civil Hospital and a Lock Hospital built on the site intended for the Civil Hospital. His Excellency, finding that a large saving would be effected by this plan, gave it his sanction, and the plans were completed last month. All the improvements for the benefit and aid of sufferers will be introduced under the direction of the Colonial Surgeon. A small-pox hospital is still needed, but that is a matter which must be left to Sir ARTHUR's successor. No less than eight years ago new buildings were proposed for the Government Central Schools, but other matters have stood in the way of this much needed work. Sir ARTHUR, who has always taken a warm interest in this institution, has long wished to see it more suitably housed,