ast
principal Crown Colonies. The address of the Governor at the opening of each annual Session will contain, here as elsewhere, a general view of the Financial and Social condition of the Colony, and a statement of the Legislative and other measures, and of the public works proposed. So the Address of the Council in reply will afford the members of the Legislature the usual constitutional oppor- tunity of expressing their opinion of the conduct and proposals of the Govern- inent." To these observations you replied as follows: "We concur in the advisability of assimilating the proceedings of this Legislature to the constitutional forms established in the other principal Crown Colonies."
(1
7. Simultaneously with the steps taken towards the reconstitution of this Council, I gave authority, with your consent, for the commencement of those large measures of Water-supply and Sanitation, which Mr. CHADWICK, the Commissioner sent out from England, had reported to be absolutely necessary for the immediate benefit of the public health ;" but which were in abeyance on my arrival. Among the more prominent of these public works have been the very extensive improve- ments and additions to the main drainage of the City; and to the roadways and pavements, more especially in the Chinese quarters; together with the organization of a complete system of practical sanitation and daily removal of waste products; the reclamation and enibanking of noxious foreshores at Kennedy Town, Hung- hóm, and Yaumáti, and their conversion into healthy and remunerative building land; the extension of the City to the westward, and the opening out of new areas to the commercial and industrial enterprise of the Colony; the construction of mountain roads for the health and recreation of the community, and the utiliza- tion of mountain sites for the erection of summer residences; the continued spread of tree-planting in the hitherto arid hill districts of the island, to the eventual amelioration of the climate; these, and many other kindred works of scarcely less interest to the health and well-being of the people, have been inaugurated with your assistance and by your votes, during my administration.
He is app
for mode the
that the form Maintay t
8. You are already aware that, while authorising the works required for the internal health and progress of the Colony, I took early and effective measures its external defence. On May 12th, 1883, only six weeks after my assumption of this Government, I opened the question of the Defences in an elaborate despatch. to the Secretary of State, in which, after entering fully into detailed statements and arguments, I added: "It has been frequently shown that Hongkong com- mands our trade routes in the Far East; that shipping to the amount of above five millions of tons (a larger tonnage than that which entered the Port of London forty years ago), yearly enters this Port; and that it is of paramount importance A not to suffer any nation, or possible confederacy of nations, to destroy or lessen the prestige and influence of Great Britain with China and Japan, those rich and vast countries which have in all human probability a great future before them." I concluded in the following terms:-"I submit that your Lordship should move
AMA
т
appen he arti
the War Office to prepare a full and final plan for the defences of Hongkong, and 14
that such plan should be transmitted to both the Governor and the General Com- manding the Troops, with instructions to use all the authority and influence of their respective offices to assist in carrying it into execution." I followed up this opening by a long series of official despatches and of private letters to English Statesmen, and to the chief Authorities at the War Office. My persistent representa- tions, aided by those of the Naval and Military Authorities at this Station, and by the energetic support of this Council, have led to the undertaking of that system of
Defence is now being vigorously hit it.
Moreover, my application, also supported by this Council, for a flotilla of torpedo- boats was granted by Her Majesty's Government. As said in a recent address:
"It is morally certain that our defences by land and sea will be completed before there will be any occasion to test them; and, as you already know, the highest Naval and Military Authorities in the Empire consider that, when completed, they will place Hongkong in safety against foreign attack."
9. I may next remind you that the action of my Government throughout the difficult and delicate crisis of the Franco-Chinese hostilities met with the entire approval of the Imperial Government. With the support of Admiral Sir W. DOWELL, with whom I was in constant communication, I maintained British rights and British neutrality, and, at the same time, I preserved friendly relations with the Belligerent Powers. Socially, I made the Government House a neutral ground on which English, French, American, German, Russian, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese Ministers, Admirals, Generals, and other high Officers, on visiting this Port, frequently met, and so learned to be in good humour with England, and to some extent with each other.
M
146
10. I have never failed to direct, from time to time, the attention of the Impe rial Government, and of the British Legation at Peking, to measures calculated to advance the interests of the mercantile community, such as the opening to commerce of the great South-Western Provinces of China. The cordial co-operation of the Chamber of Commerce has never failed me.
tion.
11. Throughout my administration, I have devoted much care to the improve- ment of the public institutions and establishments; and, above all, to public éduca- I have elsewhere expressed my belief that the new Victoria College, with its scholarships enabling some of the most promising students to complete their education in England, will render an important service not only to this Colony, but also ultimately to the neighbouring Empire of China; and that this will prove a powerful and honourable method of extending British influence. Already indeed several men in high office under the Chinese Government owe their education to the schools established at Hongkong under British auspices.
12. In connection with our public establishments, I desire to place on record my high appreciation of the ability, diligence, and public spirit of the Heads of the chief Departments of Government who form the Executive Council; and of the faithful and efficient discharge of their duty by the Civil Service generally.
13. With regard to Legislation, there have been passed during my alministra tion fifty-five Ordinances; many of which are additions of permanent value to the Statute-Book,
14. To sum up :-The reconstitution of this Council, with increased control over the management of the local affairs and taxation of the Colony ;--the extensive Works of Water-supply, Sanitation, and Defence;--the new Victoria College; the new Public Park; the reclamation of Causeway Bay; together with many other important Public Works ;-a large amount of useful and practical legislation; these must ever remain permanent monuments alike of my administration, and of your support. Whatever measure of success may have been gained by my Government, it could not have been achieved without your able, experienced, and hearty assistance. As I remarked once before, "Governors and Legislatures should speak by their actions;" and it is confidently hoped that our united efforts will be found hereafter to have promoted the general welfare of all races and classes in this Colony.
Finally, in bidding you Farewell, I pray that you, Honourable Gentlemen, and the long line of your successors in this Council, may exercise your important functions through years of growing prosperity and happiness. During the brief period of forty-three years which have elapsed since this island, then barren and desolate, was erected into a British Colony, it has risen, by the blessing of Providence on the enterprise and energy of our race, to the proud position of the third greatest Mart of shipping in the British Empire, ranking next after London and Liverpool. If this city cannot boast the ancient historical associations of the great cities of the Mother-Country, it will be remembered that (as it has been truly observed), the lot cannot be considered otherwise than fortunate of those who have to make, instead of inheriting history.
REPLY OF THE COUNCIL.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY.
(2.)
We, the Members of the Legislative Council, have listened with great interest to your Excellency's review of the history and progress of public affairs during the term of your administration of this Government. This period, though shorter than a Governor's usual tenure of office, has been marked by events of the greatest interest to the communities in the Far East, and more especially to the community of this Colony. We agree with your Excellency as to the undoubted usefulness of a glance at the past, which is too apt, under the continuous pressure of business, to be forgotten in the absorbing interests of the present.