all the greenery were silvered palm leaves which sparkled in the gaslight, and had a very charming effect. The most noticeable feature of the adornment of this hall, however, was an array of shields over each door. On each shield was emblazoned the name of a vessel in which Admiral Dowell had served during his long naval career. By a somewhat remarkable and convenient coincidence, Admiral Dowell has served on just as many vessels of the British Navy as there are doors in this hall-16 in all— so that there was a fresh name for every shield. Commencing with the earliest they were as fol- lows:-" Druid, 1839 to 1842;"" Blenheim, 1842 to 1843;""Racer, 1843 to 1845;"" Eagle, 1845 to 1848;""Excellent, 1818;" "Albion, 1850 to 1855;" "Rodney, 1857 to 1858,"" Barossa, 1862 to 1864;"" Euryalus, 1864 to 1865;" Leander, 1865 to 1866;" "Buttlesnake, 1867 to 1871;"" Hercules, 1872 to 1875;" "Black Prince, 1877 to 1878;" *Revenge, 1878 to 1880;” “Mirobtur, 1882 to 1883;” “ Audacious, 1884 to 1885.”
The ante-room was adorned in a somewhat similar manner, save that there were none of these shields, but on the walls there were instead the large gilded shields and tridents as described above, which were surrounded by sprays of ham. boo leaves. There was the usual array of seats of all kinds, and the pink globes of the gas burners had a pretty effect.
St. Andrew's Hall was decorated in a some- what different manner to St. George's Hall, and was in its way also very effectively treated. The main decorations were at the east end of the room.
Over the central window flags and foliage were grouped artistically, in the centre being the flag of the colony and that of Admiral Dowell crossed and linked together with a true lover's knot, on which was inscribed the words "Shouldauld acquaintance be forgot." Beside and below this were devices representing the sailors' badge--the Crown, the Anchor, and the Wreath- the crown in gold and jewels, the anchorin silver, with a rope winding round, and the wreath in green leaves. Abore the flags was a star com- posed of cutlasses and ramrods. At the opposite end, the fireplace was concealed by pot plants, shrubs, green moss, and other foliage, mixed with which silvered palm leaves glittered in the light, and the sailors' badge was to be seen here also. A very noticeable feature in this room was an array of round shields, covered with red cloth-one on each pilaster. The shields had a border of green moss, and Admiral Dowell's monogram was very chastely executed in the centre. Beneath this, at the top of the pedestal, was placed a bed of moss and flowers, and at the base there were pot plants. A green wreath hung in festoons all round the hall, looped up st the top of each pilaster, and from each festoon depended a circle of green moss, in the centre of which was some device-a crown or an anchor. The gas standards were treated lightly with
moss.
The entire Theatre-stage, stalls, pit, and dress circle-was converted into a supper room, tables being laid to accommodate 408 guests. The catering was done by the Hongkong Hotel Com. pany, and the tables were most tastefully set out, while the viands and wines were all of the best quality. The table for the guest of the evening, H. E. the Governor, and party, occupied the front of the stage. There were two tables behind this, and all available! space in the pit and dress circle was utilised for the same purpose. Pot plants were placed on the front of the stage and below it, and also all
round the front of the dress circle. The pillars were wreathed with green leaves, and the arches below were similarly ornamented.
The verandah was dealt within much the same way as on former occasions, being closed in with matting, carpeted, and provided with seats.
The Decoration Committee were greatly in- debted to Mr. Westland, the Acting Superinten dent of the Botanical Department, for the ready and most valuable assistance he gave in the provision of pot plants, flowers, &e.
There was an nousually large provision made for the ladies, and in consequence the card room was relegated to the library, where there was very ample accommodation for whistplayers and smokers.
Over 500 guests accepted the invitations sent them, so that there was a very large gathering, which included His Excellency the Governor and Miss Bowen, with Lieut. Bowen and Lieut. Breeks, A.D.C.s. Admiral Sir William Mon- tagu Dowell, K.C.B.. Vice-Admiral Vesey Hamilton, C.B., Major-General Cameron, C.B, with Mrs. and the Misses Cameron, The Chief Justice (Sir George Phillippo) and Lady Phil- lippo, Commodore and Mrs Morant, the Hon. P. Ryrie. Hon. T. Jackson and Mrs. Jacksou, Hon. F. D. Sassoon, Hon. Wong Shing, Colonel Walker, R. E., Colonel Crawford, R. A., Colonel Foster (Northamptonshire Begi- ment), Dr. Hungerford, A.M.D., Lieut.-Colonel Murray, O. S. D., Lieut.-Colonel Le Mesurier, C. & T. D., Major Cochrane, &e., &c. Admiral Do- well arrived at about 9,15, and was received with all honours, and shortly afterwards His Excellency the Governor and party were received at the en- trance by members of the Committee.
The first dance, a quadrille, was led off by His Excellency the Governor with Mrs. Cameron and Admiral Sir W. Dowell with Miss Bowen, and dancing was sustained to the end with hearti- ness and spirit on an excellent floor.
The following was the programme of the dances, which was played by the Band of the Northamptonshire Regiment:
QUADRILLE
VALSE
VALBE POLKA...
LANCERS
VALSE
VALSE
POLE A
VALSE
VALSE..
Supper
VALSE
Dances,
VALSE..
į
GALOP.
LANCERS
round
VALSE.....
VALSE
HIGHLAND SCHOTTISCHE,. VALSE....
POLKA
VALUE..
VALSE...
VALBE GALOP
Britannia.
Los SourireR. Estudiantina. Tout à la Joie. Olivette.
Bid me good bye. Myosotia. Ionian. Venetia.
Fraises Ecraseen. ...... Gretchen. Thine AlonS.
Jolly will we be to-night, Ia Mascotte. Happy Thoughts. Fedora. Royal.
Gloire de Dijon. Les Grenouilles.
Je t'Aime. My Queen.
Our Last Waltz. Queen Victoria.
The presentation of the address took place im- mediately after the supper. At the table mentioned aboveat the front of the stage, the chair was taken by the Hon. P. Ryrie, and the party at that table included, besides the guest of the evening, H. E. the Governor, Vice-Admiral Hamilton, Major- General Cameron and Mrs. Cameron, Sir George and Lady Phillippo, and Commodore and Mrs. Morant.
The CHAIRMAN, after supper, proposed the health of her Majesty the Queen.
The toast was drunk loyally, the Band playing the National Anthem.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed the health of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family,
49