party, intelligence, and education of the colony are now directly represented in this Connoil.
Again, when I found that under the former law of | this colony the power of assessing the municipal taxa- tion was vested solely in the Governor, I procured the consent of Her Majesty's Government to the re- moral of this anomaly, which was probably without precedent in any other part of the British Empire. Thus, bere as elsewhere, the entire taxation of the colony will henceforth be under the control of the Colonial Legislature.
Simultaneously, as you all know, with the reconstitution of the Council, I authorised the commencement of the works of water- supply and sanitation, which Mr. Chadwick, the engineer sent out from England, declared to be necessary for the health of the colony, while I procured the consent of Her Majesty's Govern- ment to undertake the system of defence works, which are now being pushed on so energetically by my gallant friends, General Cameron and Colonel Walker. (Loud applause). There are various other points upon which I might on- large, but I need scarcely remind you that the action of my government throughout the difficult, crisis of the Franco-Chinese hosti- lities met with the entire approval of the Im- perial Government. (Applause). With the support of Admiral Sir W. Dowell, with whom I was in constant communication. I preserved British rights and British neutrality, and at the same time I preserved friendly rela- tions with the belligerent powers. Socially, I have always made Government Honse a neutral ground, on which the society of this colony powoefully mat the foreign officers, who thus learned to be in good humour with England and with each other. (Applause). Finally, as I ob. served to the Colonial legislature.
The reconstitution of this Council, with increase1 control over the management of the local affairs and taxation of the colony-the extensive works of water- sapply, uitation, and defence:-the new Victoria Collage: the new Public Park; the reclamation of Canaoway Bay; together with many other important public works a large amount of useful and practical legislation:-these must ever rensin permanent monu- ments alike of my administration and of your sup- port. Whatever measure of success may have been gained by my Government, it could not have beau achieved without your able, experienced, and hearty sasistance. Akaganskadonas kafaner Governors and legislatures shou'd 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.
To this the Council replied:-
We are glad of this opportunity of acknowledging the great services your Erollenay has rendered to the cause of good Government in this colony by your successful offorts towards a larger ant fairer repro- sentation of its community, and a more effective con- trol of our finances. We join with your Excellency in the fervent hope that the public works commsuced, and the changes inaugurated daring your adminiatra- tion, will bear ample fruit in the future to the per- manent benefit of the colony.
Indeed, gentlemen, any passions and prejudices of the present day will soon have passed away; and another generation of residents in this enlony will have arisen; but educated in the schools which the men of this generation have founded; governed by the laws which they have enacted; enjoying the advantages of the public works and of the public institu- tions which they have erected; enriched by the commerce and industries of which they have fostered the growth. Perhaps the lead. ing men of that future generation. meeting in this very hall, or in some building still more worthy of the grand city which Victoria will then have become, applause)-way speak of some of us who are assembled here to-bight as free and civilised communities love to honour their early benefactors. (Loud applause). [Once more gentlemen, I feel that I really must not detain you any longer, especially as I see that my name is set down in the programme for another speech ata later period; so, I will end as I began, by thank- ing you again with my whole heart for the great honour which you have conferred on me this evening. (Lord and long continued cheering).
The Band-"Should suld acquaintance be forgot." The CHAIRMAN-Gentlemen, the next toast upon the list is that of the Naval, Military, and
pequently
Auxiliary Forces. It is a toast which is always drunk with enthusiasm throughout her Majesty's dominious, because they, like ourselves, know well the services that these forces are capable of rendering to us when required. (Applause). More particularly in this colony do we know those services, because the officers of those ser- vices are in time of peace our friends; in time of danger we look to them for protection. (Ap-' plause). In this colony they share our pleasures, they enter into our amusements, and they form a great part of our social life; and if they were to be withdrawn from us, they would leave a blank which all of us civilians should foel. (Applause). In time of danger we know that we į ean rely upon them. Upon the prosent dis- tinguished officers at the head of the various forces we repose every confidence. (Herr, hear). We know that if the time of danger should come --which the Almighty avert-we can rely upon them to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities, and to the best of their resources, to follow in the footsteps of their forefathers, and to eulate them in the deeds which have been done by their predecessors. (Cheers). With regard to the younger men of the Nary and Army, they join with our young mon in their athletic sports and exercises, and in all manly pastimes. (Applause). With regard to the Auxi- liary Forces, they are a body of whom so small a commuuity may well be proud. (Hear, hear). }! And I am glad to know that they are increasing in numbers. And there is one thing which I am exceedingly pleased to hear, which is that they are providing themselves with social re- unions, making the force more popular, and at the same time providing themselves with in- nocent enjoyment. (Applause). Gentlemen, I am sure I need not detain you at greater length in asking you to drink this toast, because as I said at the commencement this is a toast which is always drunk with enthusiasmo; and if I were to speak until to-morrow morning, it would, make no difference, as all of us know well the value of these forces. (Hear, hear). Gentlemen, I propose the health of the Naval, Military, and Auxiliary Forces, coupled with the health of Admiral Hamilton for the Navy, General Cameron for the Army, and Colonel Crawford for the Volunteers,
The toast was drunk with all honours. The Band Rule Britannia," and "the British Grenadiere."
Vice-Admiral HAMILTON-Mr. Chairman dies and gentlemen-On the part of the Navy I beg to return you the most sincero thanks for the very kind manner in which this toast has been proposed by our worthy Chairman and received by you. I only hope that when the time arrives, if it ever does-: (I can safely say that with his Excellency it will ' be averted if possible)-I trust the Navy will maintain the reputation it has formerly had. (Cheera). I am certain of one thing, that we shall perform our duty to the best of our ability with the resources placed at our disposal. Those resources are not always such as we could wish,; but we will make the best of them. (Applause). After the eloquent speeches you have listened to this evening I think I will dispouse with what I had to say more briefly than I had intended. Opposite to me I see the portrait of H. R. H. the Duke of Edinburgh, which seems to frown at me and say—“don't you see you are keeping the ladies from dancing ?" I thank you most sincerely for the honour you have done us.
j
Major-General Cameron—I stand up at ones as you see, gentlemen, to lose no time. I do not intend to make an army speech. I bave arisen wit, the same determination as my friend the Admiral, because I think that in our services i there is nothing like exchanging ideas freely with everybody, and then we shall come to the right end at last. (Hear, hear). But I am not go ing to disturb the harmony of this evening. Our health is in a fair condition (laughter and ap plause) and especially in Hongkong, thanks to all the great improvements that have been made, giving our poor soldiers that amount of free air which is so necessary in this crowded place for a garrison. I was studying our friends the French at Saigon the other day; they ought
151