CO129-177 - Sir Kennedy Acting Governor Austin Lieut Governor Hennessy - 1877 [1-5] — Page 156

and last year obtained a suitable site, which is now being cleared for the erection of new buildings. The question of an increased water supply engaged the attention of Government for some time, and the Surveyor-General pre-submitted schemes, with a subsidiary proposal for a new conduit from the Pokfulum Reservoir, for consideration. The smaller or level one, together with the subsidiary scheme for improving the existing means of supply, have finally been adopted, and the further work is now being actively carried out.

With regard to the reconstruction of Praya Central seawall, a matter of great importance on account of the typhoons which so frequently make havoc with it, the scheme proposed by the Surveyor-General has at length been approved, and is shortly to be commenced. There is reason to hope, moreover, that the Praya will yet be carried past Naval and Military buildings, and thus form a continuous and unbroken marine wall from East to West of the city. The Public Gardens have been greatly improved, and now present a very attractive appearance.

The roads of the Colony have undergone a striking transformation. The old system of metalling is gradually being superseded on the acclivities by concrete, which is comparatively little affected by the heavy summer rains. Three new roads have been constructed, one passing over the hills from the Gap to Aberdeen, another from the Gap to the Fanchai Gap, and a third from just above St. Joseph's Church in the Nullah, along the side of the hills to the Wanchai Gap, enabling residents to take a pleasant walk eastward. The latter, which is much frequented by pedestrians, is popularly known as Kennedy Road. The dependency of Kowloon has been greatly developed during His Excellency's administration. The squatters' licences have now been abolished, land laid out in lots, leases granted, roads made, and Yau-ma-tee is assuming the dimensions of a town. Kowloon will shortly, there is every reason to believe, yield a considerable revenue to Government.

In sanitary matters, as in other directions, something has been done, though more remains to be effected. In 1875 the Surveyor-General and the Colonial Surgeon made a minute inspection of Taipingshan and found that the houses were in a most unhealthy condition for lack of sufficient ventilation and the filthy state in which they were kept. The Government, on receiving the report, at once took steps to remedy this state of things. An Ordinance to secure that new houses shall be built on sanitary principles is, however, still urgently required.

Sir ARTHUR KENNEDY has invariably forwarded the cause of education. He fully recognises the importance of this great civilising agent, and has taken a lively interest in the work of the Central Schools. Believing that in Government Schools a secular system is the best, he has steadily upheld it, together with the principle of payment by results to denominational schools aiming at assistance.

The scandalous practice prevalent among the Chinese on the mainland of kidnapping young girls and selling them for immoral purposes here and in Singapore has not escaped His Excellency's attention, and an Ordinance has been specially framed for the protection of such persons, with the result that it is now difficult to introduce slaves into Hongkong, and well nigh impossible to retain them as such for any length of time. Other measures for the benefit and relief of natives have been introduced under the auspices of Sir ARTHUR, who has ever been popular among them. The address and "Man Man San" or official umbrella presented by them to him on Tuesday is sufficient evidence of this fact.

We have thus attempted to compress within the limits of this brief résumé, a statement of events of years, embracing Sir ARTHUR KENNEDY's career on these shores, and favourably exclaim of his administration here, "Plaudite!"

Of His Excellency's social, as distinguished from his administrative qualities, there can be but one opinion throughout the Colony. Suavity, geniality, and a readiness to oblige marked his every action when in contact with members of the community, who have all regarded with pleasure and appreciation the encouragement he always gave to any social gatherings or amusements occurring; while the hospitality and cheerful social atmosphere of Government House afforded unalloyed pleasure to those coming within its influence, and the comforting virtues of a certain unorthodox and potent "teakettle" will doubtless long be remembered by those fortunate enough to have made its acquaintance. Partings between friends are at all times unpleasant events, and in parting with Sir ARTHUR KENNEDY the community must feel they have lost a friend. His amiable qualities, his public services, and the interest he has invariably displayed in the colonists, collectively and individually, have won for him their sincere respect and esteem, and the regret at his departure is profound and universal.

In Miss KENNEDY's departure local society will sustain a loss difficult to replace. Her many virtues and charming manner have enabled her to occupy, with a happy combination of dignity and complaisance, the position of the social queen of Hongkong, while her uniform courtesy and hearty ways have endeared her to all. It is no small thing for any one to be able to say, "I have won all hearts;" but Miss KENNEDY can justly say so with regard to the people of Hongkong, who will, we feel sure, unite in wishing her all prosperity and happiness. Sir ARTHUR KENNEDY also bears with him the sincere valedictions of the community. In bidding him farewell, we cordially wish him God-speed, bon voyage to his new sphere of labour, and success and good health in the future.