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next we will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the accession of Her Majesty to the throne of the British Empire. And if we look back on the years that have passed since that event I think we must do so with feelings of great pride, in view of the immense progress we have made on all sides during that period." If we consider the expansion of the empire itself, we shall find it has been wonderful, both as regards the extent of territory and of population. During these years trade and commerce have increased with unprecedented bounds, and the wealth of the nation has also grown in a measure totally unknown before in any similar period of our history. The arts and sciences also have progressed in a manner that would have been thought impossible when Her Majesty ascended the throne. Discoveries and inventions have taken place which have added most materially to the prosperity, happiness, and comfort of all classes of Her Majesty's subjects.
Nor has this progress been confined to material objects. Much has been done to raise and elevate the people; the advance in education has been surprising, and especially the efforts which have been made on behalf of primary education have been far beyond what could have been expected. Legislation has not been behindhand. Beneficent laws have been passed to mitigate the severity and harshness of former enactments, and other measures have been passed abolishing unnecessary restrictions and privileges and opening careers to many thousands of Her Majesty's subjects. On all sides progress has been the watchword. Statesmen, philanthropists, and men of science have done all they could to increase the prosperity of the nation and promote the welfare of all classes of Her Majesty's subjects.
Above all these towers the central figure to which our thoughts now turn and which commands our admiration, respect, and esteem for the bright example Her Majesty has shown. During the long fifty years she has occupied the throne of this great empire she has shed lustre upon it and shown a bright example in all capacities, whether as Queen, wife, or mother. It is a great event we are called on to celebrate and I think in desiring to celebrate it worthily we ought to seek for some object which will add to the enjoyment of all. This memorial should not be designed to promote the happiness of one class of the community only, but we should strive to erect something to commemorate Her Majesty's virtues which will be a boon to one and all. (Applause.)
I think if we carry out the project mentioned in the resolution we will be doing a great thing towards that end. I am sure this park, if properly laid out, will contribute very greatly to the enjoyment of all classes. The European section of the community will soon make use of it, and I hope that in a few years the Chinese will also flock there and find out its advantages. The town is extending on all sides, and I think we may with confidence look forward to seeing the two ends connected by a tramway, which would bring the park within easy access of the many thousands of Chinese in the colony. With these remarks I have much pleasure in seconding the resolution. (Applause).
Dr. Ho KAI-Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I rise to propose an amendment to the resolution which you have just heard so ably proposed by Mr. Chater and seconded by Mr. Ackroyd. I propose to strike out from the resolution the words "the Government be invited to carry out," etc., to the end, and to substitute in place thereof the following words: A charitable institution of some kind be established and named after Her Most Gracious Majesty, the exact nature of such institution to be left to the decision of Her Majesty herself.
I am induced to propose this amendment by having found out several serious objections to the resolution just put before the meeting. The first is that the proposed park has already been undertaken by the Government. The question has been discussed and decided on in the Legislative Council and money has been voted for it and re-voted. When the Government undertake to do a certain work I think it is not for the community to come in and take the credit of it and say "We have done this." I think the Government ought not to require any inducement to go on with the work more than that they have undertaken to do it. Certainly it ought not to require Her Majesty's jubilee to induce them to undertake the work they have promised to do, and to finish it within a reasonable time. (Applause.)
If it is the general desire of this community to adopt as a memorial of Her Majesty's Jubilee any work which has been undertaken by the Government, then, I say, let us dedicate to her our grandest, and costliest, and greatest work, and that is the Tytam Waterworks. (Applause.) But what we want, gentlemen, is something quite new, something which the community will carry out without the assistance of the Government, and something more in harmony with the occasion.
The next objection I have to the resolution is a most serious one, and I am sure any gentleman here with any delicacy of feeling must see it is a matter for serious consideration. The proposed park at Wong-nei-chong has already been christened by Sir George Bowen, our venerable Governor. (Laughter and applause.) It has been named by him the Bowen Park, and the first sod has been turned. It is not, I think, the intention of this community to offer to Her Majesty as a memorial of her fifty years' reign anything in the nature of cast-off shoes. (Loud applause.)
Another objection to this proposed park is what you may perhaps call a class objection, but still it is an objection of some value, and it is that the park is situated a good distance from the town, and not only the Chinese community but a great number of other residents will find it a long way to go down to Wong-nei-chong Valley and enjoy a walk in the park there. It may be a boon to those who are living in the neighbourhood, and also to a good many who care to take long walks, but I certainly think that to the great majority of people living in the town the park will be quite useless, at all events for some time to come.
We speak of having tramways, of the Praya extension, and of connecting the east and west, but in regard to this I may use the words of Mr. Chater and say that the Government does not undertake these things very promptly. They may take a good long time, and in the meanwhile the park can be going on and by the time the tramway is made the park will, I dare say, be finished. It seems to me we should not take this opportunity to press the Government to carry out this work, since they have undertaken to do it. It is for the unofficial members of Council to press that matter forward at their meetings, and tell the Government that since they have undertaken this work they must carry it through. I don't think the hon. gentlemen should shirk their duty in that respect. (Applause).
As regards my proposal, there are two or three things that may commend themselves to your judgment. Certainly a charitable institution is useful, and the money spent upon it will be well spent. Then it is more in harmony with the life and character of the Great Queen whose jubilee we are about to celebrate. I think if the matter were referred to Her Majesty herself she would choose some charitable institution. She has always shown herself not only a great and mighty Queen but in her private life a charitable and loving lady of the first water. (Applause).
I feel sure that, if we refer the matter to her, she will consider it most courteous on our part to subscribe the money and give her the opportunity of signifying her wishes as to its application. We would certainly not make any mistake in doing so. For these reasons, gentlemen, I beg to submit the amendment to you. If the majority is against it I will bow to your decision.
Hon. P. RYRIE-I agree with a great many of the remarks made by my friend Dr. Ho Kai. As to making a park in Happy Valley and calling it Victoria Park I don't see how that is possible. Sir George Bowen has already turned out the first sod and called it Bowen Park, and he is coming back here. (Laughter and applause). At the same time, as regards the interior of the Race-course, I quite agree with the remarks of the Chairman, but as to making a park of that place it is not big enough. You may call it a garden, but to call it a park is absurd.
Mr. FRANCIS-Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I have very much pleasure in seconding the proposal put before you by my friend Dr. Ho Kai. In proposing the permanent institution or memorial to be set up in commemoration of this Jubilee should take the form of the suggested Victoria Park we seem to be in the position of a person who has been proposing for years to make himself a handsome present of something he was very much in need of, and suddenly, on the occasion of a friend's birthday or a silver wedding he proposes...