might give rise to the idea there was some speculation. I think it was $6,000 that in consultation with Mr. BOWDLER we arranged as the sum at which the upset price for that lot should be fixed. I may mention that, as usual in such cases, I received representations that the upset price was somewhat too high. From time to time in 1881, with respect to the lots at Bowrington especially, I myself ventured considerably to increase the upset price the Survey Department recommended. Representations were made to me on the subject, but I did not feel justified in reducing the price. But with respect to this particular lot I understand, in fact it is a matter of notoriety, commented on in the public Press, that though the upset price was something like $6,000 a gentleman attended at the sale and ran the price up to $24,500. Well, there can be no doubt whatever from all I understand, if that gentleman had obtained the lot for $24,500, it would not have been for the purpose of erecting upon it a sugar refinery. Messrs. BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE intend to put upon it a sugar refinery, which I am disposed to think will be one of the best sugar refineries in the whole of Her Majesty's Colonial empire. When I was Governor-in-Chief in the Windward Islands, I had an opportunity of seeing a remarkable sugar refinery built at St. Lucia, which at that time was supposed to be the best in the British Colonies. Having seen the plans and estimates of the new sugar refinery, with an account of the machinery now on its way out, obtained from Blake, Barclay & Co., of Greenock, I have no hesitation in saying we are about to have a sugar refinery in Hongkong that can compete with the large refinery at St. Lucia. This new manufactory will consist of a building having nine floors; it will be constructed to a great extent of iron, on the modern system and with the latest machinery. The total sum which will be expended on the undertaking, when completed, will not be far short, I believe, of £200,000.
Now that is, gentlemen, a detailed account of what was done with the Crown lands sold by me in 1881. There is nothing in that narrative showing what is called land speculation; on the contrary, it shows that the commercial wants of the Colony have been increasing, that the necessity of providing more godowns has been felt by the merchants, and that our manufactures are increasing, and you will notice, that not only has there been an increase of enterprise and prosperity on the part of the foreign community, but also on the part of the Chinese.
PUBLIC WORKS BY PRIVATE ENTERPRIZE.
Some weeks ago I observed that the Secretary of State for India, Lord HARTINGTON, looked forward hopefully to the time when certain public works in India would be undertaken by private enterprise. When you consider what is done by the Survey Department in this Colony, you cannot but notice how small the amount really is which we lay out in public works as compared with what may be done by private enterprise and capital when the Colony is prosperous. Sir HERCULES ROBINSON entertained the scheme of forming a Praya Wall at Kowloon and wharves running from it out into deep water, so that steamers and ships could go alongside. The expense would have been considerable. The scheme was contemplated by the Government, but it was felt the time had not come for the Government to undertake it. Now it is being undertaken, not by the Government, but by the energy and capital of the colonists, and I am sure you will agree with me that nothing can be more healthy, as a sign of our prosperity, than that works of this kind should be constructed, not by the Survey Department, but by private enterprise.
EUROPEANS AND CHINESE ALIKE PROSPEROUS.
But it is manifest that whatever may be said with respect to the prosperity of the Colony as shown by the revenue returns, by the general commercial activity of the Colony, by the fortunate position of the Colony with regard to the diminution of crime and the greater comfort and ease of every one as regards the protection of life and property,-whatever indications of prosperity may thus be seen, it is also satisfactory to note that, in the history of Hongkong, there never was a time when there was more successful enterprise among all classes alike of the community, Europeans as well as Chinese.
HONGKONG STUDENT IN LONDON.
There is one class of enterprise, an intellectual enterprise, to which I have great pleasure in referring. Some of my learned friends who are present know that at the examinations at the Inns of Court in London, there are young men from Oxford and Cambridge, London University and King's College, and the chief competition is for the studentships or scholarships given at Lincoln's Inn. Last year a young Chinaman, born under the British flag in this Colony, succeeded at that examination in defeating his competitors from the English, Scotch and Irish Universities, and in three of the subjects of examination he obtained the first place. This was Mr. HO KAI, one of the numerous Anglo-Chinese subjects that Her Majesty now has in this Colony. I think it is a matter we may all congratulate ourselves upon. That young gentleman, who has been called to the English bar, will return, I think, this month to the Colony, and I am sure you will all join with me in welcoming him.
might give rise to the idea there was some speculation. I think it was $6,000 that in consultation with Mr. BowDLER we arranged as the sum at which the upset price for that lot should be fixed. I may mention that, as usual in such cases, I received representations that the upset price was somewhat too high. From time to time in 1881, with respect to the lots at Bowrington especially, I myself ventured considerably to increase the upset price the Survey Department recommended. Representations were made to me on the subject, but I did not feel justified in reducing the price. But with respect to this particular lot I understand, in fact it is a matter of notoriety, commented on in the public Press, that though the upset price was something like $6,000 a gentleman attended at the sale and ran the price up to $24,500. Well, there can be no doubt whatever from all I understand, if that gentleman had obtained the lot for $24,500, it would not have been for the purpose of erecting upon it a sugar refinery. Messrs. BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE intend to put upon it a sugar refinery, which I am disposed to think will be one of the best sugar refineries in the whole of Her Majesty's Colonial empire. When I was Governor-in-Chief in the Windward Islands, I had an opportunity of seeing a remarkable sugar refinery built at St. Lucia, which at that time was supposed to be the best in the British Colonies. Having seen the plans and estimates of the new sugar refinery, with an account of the machinery now on its way out, obtained from Blake, Barclay & Co., of Greenock, I have no hesitation in saying we are about to have a sugar refinery in Hongkong that can compete with the large refinery at St. Lucia. This new manufactory will consist of a building having nine floors; it will be constructed to a great extent of iron, on the modern system and with the latest machinery. The total sum which will be expended on the undertaking, when completed, will not be far short, I believe, of £200,000.
Now that is, gentlemen, a detailed account of what was done with the Crown lands sold by me in 1881. There is nothing in that narrative showing what is called land speculation; on the contrary, it shows that the commercial wants of the Colony have been increasing, that the necessity of providing more godowns has been felt by the merchants, and that our manufactures are increasing, and you will notice, that not only has there been an increase of enterprise and prosperity on the part of the foreign community, but also on the part of the Chinese.
PUBLIC WORKS BY PRIVATE ENTERPRIZE.
Some weeks ago I observed that the Secretary of State for India, Lord HARTINGTON, looked forward hopefully to the time when certain public works in India would be undertaken by private enterprise. When you consider what is done by the Survey Department in this Colony, you cannot but notice how small the amount really is which we lay out in public works as compared with what may be done by private enterprise and capital when the Colony is prosperous. Sir HERCULES ROBINSON entertained the scheme of forming a Praya Wall at Kowloon and wharves running from it out into deep water, so that steamers and ships could go alongside. The expense would have been considerable. The scheme was contemplated by the Government, but it was felt the time had not come for the Government to undertake it. Now it is being undertaken, not by the Government, but by the energy and capital of the colonists, and I am sure you will agree with me that nothing can be more healthy, as a sign of our prosperity, than that works of this kind should be constructed, not by the Survey Department, but by private enterprise.
EUROPEANS AND CHINESE ALIKE PROSPEROUS.
But it is manifest that whatever may be said with respect to the prosperity of the Colony as shown by the revenue returns, by the general commercial activity of the Colony, by the fortunate position of the Colony with regard to the diminution of crime and the greater comfort and ease of every one as regards the protection of life and property,-whatever indications of prosperity may thus be seen, it is also satisfactory to note that, in the history of Hongkong, there never was a time when there was more successful enterprise among all classes alike of the cominunity, Europeans as well as Chinese.
HONGKONG STUDENT IN LONDON.
There is one class of enterprise, an intellectual enterprise, to which I have great pleasure in referring. Some of my learned friends who are present know that at the examinations at the Inns of Court in London, there are young men from Oxford and Cambridge, London University and King's College, and the chief competition is for the studentships or scholarships given at Lincoln's Inu. Last year a young Chinaman, born under the British flag in this Colony, succeeded at that examination in defeating his competitors from the English, Scotch and Irish Universities, and in three of the subjects of examination he obtained the first place. This was Mr. Ho KAI, one of the numerous Anglo-Chinese subjects that Her Majesty now has in this Colony. I think it is a matter we may all congratulate ourselves upon. That young gentleman, who has been called to the English bar, will return, I think, this month to the Colony, and I am sure you will all join with me in welcoming him.
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