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Lions of a different order were next on the scene.
These were
modelled on the dancing lions of northern China, and put on an astonishing
display of agility which greatly amused the Royal visitors. They were
presented by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries and the Chinese
Manufacturers Association.
But it was the 150-foot golden dragon, specially fashioned for
this occasion by the Hong Kong and Kowloon Kaifong Associations, which
put the royal seal on the evening, for the dragon is the time-honoured
Chinese symbol of monarchy and no truly regal occasion would be complete
without it.
A final roar of appreciation from the crowd greeted the departure
of the Queen and the Duke, who left, with a last wave of the hand for the
drive to Government House on the eve of their departure from Hong Kong.
Meanwhile the procession was still wending northward, entertaining
thousands of other Hong Kong residents who never got near enough to see
the Queen but who were still enraptured by what they saw.