No.275
Hongkong.
Sir,
C. O.
31340
Rec?
31 JUL 02
497
Government House,
Hongkong, 30th June, 1902.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 24th instant, transmitted through the Governor of the Straits Settlements, informing me that in consequence of the illness of His Majesty the King it had been necessary to order an indefinite postponement of the Coronation.
2.
The announcement of His Majesty's illness was received with the profoundest sorrow in this Colony; all preparations for the festivities which were to have taken place on the succeeding days were voluntarily suspended by the people of Hongkong as soon as the news became generally known.
3.
I summoned a special meeting of the Executive and Legislative Councils on the morning of the 25th instant, and transmit for your information an extract from the Daily Press containing an account of the proceedings. It was unanimously resolved to despatch to you the telegram, a copy of which I enclose, expressing the deep sympathy of His Majesty's loyal subjects in this Colony with the King in his illness. I need hardly say how deeply the Colony appreciates the gracious reply of Her Majesty the Queen which was conveyed.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN,
M.P.,