C 12
desired. The work of preparation lasted four months. Animal models and 'ting', miniature rooms with grouped figures, were obtained from the specialising districts of Kwongtung, and troupes of minstrels were engaged from Swatow and Amoy. 6,300 persons assisted in the Day Procession and 4,000 in the Night Procession. Assistance both in time and money from merchants, shops and guilds was eagerly offered, and it was only the needs of organisation and theatrical effect that lent limits to the scale of the displays. It is estimated that 80,000 people visited the Colony to witness the celebrations and that their expenditure locally amounted to one million dollars.
68. The Day Processions took place on the 12th, 13th and 14th May, the Night processions on the 13th and 14th only. On the 12th the weather was cloudy, with some rain. On the 13th and 14th the sky remained overcast but there was no rain. The heat was thus moderated throughout and there were few cases of exhaustion. The following is a brief outline of the celebrations.
DAY PROCESSION.
69. The exhibits were contributed by thirteen guilds and other bodies and the total cost was $70,000. 6,300 persons took part in the procession which, starting at 9 a.m., took 21/4 hours to pass a given point and eight to nine hours to complete the whole route of about nine miles.
70. The chief exhibits were a silver dragon 275 feet long and a gold and many-coloured dragon some 250 feet long. Supporting features were two animated tigers, seven animated lions, numerous historic tableaux with girl actresses, companies of minstrels playing music peculiar to their districts, a company of jesters on stilts, paper models of birds and animals, and flags and banners of every form and colour. At various places portions of the procession would stop and displays appropriate to that particular portion would be given. The manipulation of the dragons, tigers and lions, a difficult and much appreciated art, was greatly enjoyed by the spectators.
NIGHT PROCESSION.
71. This commenced at 7.30 p.m. and finished about 1.00 a.m., the route being similar to that of the Day Procession. The total cost was about $27,000 and twenty-three guilds and other bodies contributed.
72. It is difficult to note special features in what was in the opinion of many the most artistic procession ever held in Hong Kong. The use of Kitson lamps instead of candles for the chief exhibits undoubtedly added to the effect but the careful emphasis on quality by the selection of the best source of supply, for example Tung Koon for the 'Tings', Tai Leung for the huge fishes and Foochow for the 'cloud' dragon, was also important.