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The Daily Press.
Anai!
HONGKONG, APRIL 29TH, 1910.
Last evening a large and representative gathering of Chinese assembled at Govern- meut House to take leave of Hi8 EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, and to present him with a token of their esteem and respect. To-night representatives of the European community will foregather at the gubernatorial residence to wish our departing GOVERNOR God-speed and a pleasant holiday in the Homeland; and on Saturday HIS EXCELLENCY Will leave by H.M.S. Astrea on a well-earned vacation of six months. It is almost throe years since StR FREDERICK LUGARD landed here, and his work in that time has fully justified the fitting welcome with which he was received on arrival. No sooner was he installed in office than HIS EXCELLENCY began to pick up the threads in the skein of local government, and his application and keen intellect soon made him au fait with all that pertained to public affairs in the Colony. He arrived in a period of unparal- leled trade depression, and at a time when the finances of the Colony were at the obb. The opium crusade had begun at Home, and the eventual suppression of this trade meant a
serious decline in the revenue of Hongkong. HIS EXCELLENCY, fully alive to the portents of the moment, took early opportunity to ap- proach the SECRETARY OF STATE with regard to compensation for the loss occasioned the Colony through the action of the Imperial Government, and his representations in this direction ended in
ጲ substantial grant being conceded to the Colony. With the loss on opium, and decrease in revenue through the falling-off
the
of land sales, it became necessary that funds should be derived from other sources to carry on the many important public works
on hand. There was no alternative but extra taxation, and when this was foreshad- owed all Hongkong wondered upon what it would be levied. Now we know. A Customs Service is working smoothly and from all appearances successfully in what was formerly a free port, and to-day we realise the wisdom of His EXCELLENCT'S idea for replenishing a falling exchequer. The GOVERNOR has not forgotten the lesson taught the Colony by the "breath of the mar typhoon," and has caused the refuge for native craft at Monkoktsui to be pushed ahead with all speed. Our water supply, also, has had his carnest con- sideration; while he has seen the British section of the Kowloon-Canton Railway nearly completed, and it is unfortunate, in a way, that he will not be present at the opening of the line. It was shortly after his succession that the unofficial members of the Legislative Council discovered that the cost of this railway was far exceeding the original estimate, so far, indeed, as to justify the pertinent questions which were
asked in Council; questions which necessitat-
ed HIS EXCELLENCY making an exhaustive inquiry before answering. But the inquiry
was thoroughly made, and a full statement of
the working and cost of the line was pre-017!
pared. Thenceforth, the GOVERNOR supplied"
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23 MAY 10,
to
periodical reports in connection with the railway, which were made public, and made frequent visits to satisfy himself as t the progress of the work, bis latest being only last week. But it is in connection with education that the naine of Sir FREDERICK LUGARD will stand prominent in the history of the Colony. He it was who conceived the idea of establishing a University here. His early addresses to the scholars of the different schools of the Colony foreshadowed his dream, which was regarded by many as a chimera, and there were not wanting pessimists who sought to stifle the new- buru hope. But the speeches went forth to the world through the mouthpiece of the public Press, and thus was the co-operation and practical assistance of Sir HORMVBJEE Moby and others, whose interest in the Colony is more than transient, secured. And it came to pass that His ExCELLENCY'S dream developed into a reality. The foun- dation stone of the Hongkong University has been well and truly laid, and the building is being erected with all seemly haste. This article gives but a brief account of SIR FREDERICK LUGARD's stewardship during his sojourn among us. It touches upon some of the principal happenings during his administration, but it by no means exagger- ates the extent or the manifold qualities of his work. Truly, he has accomplished much during his three years of labour here; much that will be of lasting benefit to Hongkong, and much that will perpetuate his memory, On the eve of his departure we join in wishing hiru a happy re-union with Har EXCELLENCY LADY LUGARD, a pleasant holiday in England, and a speedy return.
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