to whether the Coronation celebrations and
be postponed indefinitely.
The meeting unanimously agreed that they should be postponed.
HIS EXCELLENCY-The next question I wish to put to you is whether the holidays before arranged shall continue or not.
It was agreed that the holidays as already arranged should be held.
HIS EXCELLENCY-There is another matter that I think we might discuss here to-day. I think, if I may be allowed to say so, that your judgment on it will be absolutely wise and correct. I should propose this, that if later on in the day I were to receive a telegram out of kindness of the King's heart requesting the Coronation celebrations should go on, I should still propose to adhere to the decision we have just arrived at. Coronation celebrations are of course not all entirely in our hands. I might be ordered as Commodore might be ordered as a sailor, or as a soldier, to fire a salute; and in that case, I should obey orders, but with regard to the rest of the celebrations proposed, like the unveiling of the statue, the opening of the Park, and the Review, I should still, subject to your approval, adhere to your decision. Does that meet with your approval?
This proposal was agreed to.
HIS EXCELLENCY-Well, now, gentlemen, I am to ask your opinion on another point. You know we had arranged to have an impressive Divine service to-morrow in celebration of the Coronation. That, like everything else, is unfortunately postponed. What do you say to having an official service of intercession to-morrow, and to make it convenient to you and the public generally, if you think well of it, can you signify to me at what hour it would be most convenient for you and I could arrange that such a service should be held? It might be held if you like in the cool of the evening at 5.30, or it might take the place of the service which is unfortunately now postponed. I would like your advice and opinion on that point.
Hon. Dr. HO KAI-The suggestion of your Excellency is an excellent one, and I am sure it will meet with general approval. Dr. Ho Kai then suggested that the service be held at the same hour as that originally intended.
Hon. R. MURRAY RUMSEY-Sir, far be it from me to make any suggestion contrary to what your Excellency has suggested. But as you stated early in your speech, we have had no official communication on the subject at present, and it occurs to me that it might be rather going a little bit too quickly if any official service were held. I think it would be a very fitting thing indeed to have a service, but it would be better to wait until your Excellency receives some official intimation. It might perhaps be as well to postpone any official notice of such a service. I merely throw this out as a suggestion. I am not looking at it in any spirit of opposition.
Hon. C. S. SHARP--I think, sir, as there can be no possible doubt as to the serious state of health in which our Sovereign now is, any intercessional service would not be out of place. It was unanimously agreed to hold an official service for intercessional prayer at 11 o'clock this forenoon in St. John's Cathedral.
HIS EXCELLENCY-Gentlemen, the matter has been suggested to me-I think it is a very good suggestion-and I propose, subject to your approval, that a telegram be sent on your behalf and on behalf of the community expressing our heartfelt sorrow at the news that has been received to-day, showing our sympathy and asking for the earliest news. I have hardly had time to draft the words.
Some discussion ensued as to the wording of the telegram.
HIS EXCELLENCY afterwards noted that the Councils send the following telegram-"The Executive and Legislative Councils of Hongkong have heard with great sorrow the news of His Majesty's illness. On behalf of the entire community they express the earnest prayer of His Majesty's loyal and devoted subjects in this Colony that the King may shortly be restored to health, and wait further news with deepest anxiety."
Hon. Dr. HO KAI-I beg to second the proposal to send this telegram. I think it is very fitting that instead of the congratulatory telegram, the telegram should be sent informing His Majesty of our anxiety to get news of His Majesty's health.
The Council agreed to the motion. His EXCELLENCY-The Council stands adjourned.
501