The sentiments that have appeared not to myself alone, but to many other residents, as the most fitting and the most appropriate, I would take the opportunity to offer a suggestion or two of my own with reference to the form of memorial which I think we should avoid. We are met here to do honour to one who was perhaps one of the most popular Governors Hongkong has ever had, popular not alone as a public man but for his personal qualities as a private individual. If I interpret correctly the sentiments and feelings which animate this meeting to-day, I should say it would like that the well-remembered form and features of our late valued and lamented Governor should become as familiar to succeeding generations of colonists as they were to ourselves, and that whatever may be the ultimate character of the memorial to be decided on by this meeting, the main object should not be lost sight of, namely, our personal testimony to the private qualities of the man no less than the public abilities of the Governor (Applause). If I have interpreted your sentiments correctly, then I think we should not embark on a Kennedy Institute, Charity, Endowment, or in Kennedy Scholarships—all admirable no doubt in their utilitarian object. If you embark on these, what will happen a century hence, or less, I may say a quarter of a century hence? Society in this colony is ever shifting and changing, it is like a dissolving view, old faces disappear every year to be succeeded by new ones, and a quarter of a century hence your Kennedy endowment would be there, but the memory of the man whom you specially desired to honour by such means will have faded in the haze and mist of years, and but few persons beyond an occasional student of local history would know how or why your memorial came by the name of Kennedy.
I would point my meaning by an illustration. We have in the middle of our city a large pile of buildings called the Murray Barracks. They are not a thing of beauty, perhaps, but they are pretentious by reason of their vast and spacious dimensions. Not far from them, we have Murray Road and a Murray Pier, and there is also a Murray Battery. It would surprise some of you to learn that all these structures were so called in order to do honour to the name and to perpetuate the memory of one who was much revered and esteemed by the generation who preceded us. I would ask how many of us, in spite of the hopes and aspirations of those who preceded us, know who Murray was, and notwithstanding all the structures bearing his name which confront us as daily reminders of that name. I think it would be the natural feeling of this meeting that the honoured name of Kennedy should not be consigned to the same precarious fate; and therefore I think our preference would naturally be that the memorial to be adopted should take the form of a statue, because a public statue of Sir Arthur Kennedy would never lose its individuality.
Public statues are said to be the most lasting form of recognition that generous people can make to those public men who have served them well and faithfully. I venture to think, therefore, in our case pre-eminently—I say pre-eminently, because, as I remarked before, society here is ever changing like a dissolving view—in our case, a statue would be the most proper and most imperishable form of tribute we could pay to him whose death we so deeply mourn, and whose name we now desire to hand down to posterity as that of a man who was able to win our affections by his private and personal merits, and to command our respect by the even manner in which he held the balance between the mixed races over whom he had been sent by his Sovereign to govern, a man whose sole aspiration while he was with us was the welfare and material prosperity of the races committed to his care without distinction of class or nationality. (Applause).
Mr. A. P. MacEwen—Gentlemen, I have been asked to propose a resolution, and in doing so to make a few remarks. The remarks of previous speakers, however, have been so appropriate and full as touching on the successful career of the late Sir Arthur Kennedy as Governor of this colony that it would be but a wearisome repetition were I to follow over the same ground. I think they have touched chiefly on what may be considered the sober and political side of his character, and I cannot help thinking that the lighter shades had a great deal to do in endearing his memory to many old colonists.
Perhaps I may be permitted to allude to these, as it was more in connection with them that in those days I personally knew him. I allude to the interest he always took in all our pleasures and pastimes. It is, I think, hardly necessary for me to remind those present who were resident in this colony during 1871 to 1876 of the encouragement and support Sir Arthur always gave to every exercise that was manly and healthy, and every pleasure that was innocent. I refer to our sports, cricket matches, regattas, races, and all social gatherings or public entertainments that tended to bring the public together in peace and harmony.
Well, gentlemen, these may be considered by some as minor points in a Governor's career, but I can confidently affirm that in Sir Arthur Kennedy's case they, in connection with his straightforward and upright character and administrative abilities, tended to make him, what he undoubtedly was, one of the most popular, respected, and successful Governors that ever hailed from the Colonial Office. After he left, as he took, and never ceased to take, the keenest interest in the colony itself and his old friends.
I think we cannot do better than perpetuate his memory by erecting a public statue in some prominent position in this colony—I would suggest Kennedy-road—and I feel certain that should my resolution be carried, every firm, public company, and private resident will come forward with liberal aid to assist the committee that will be elected in erecting a statue that will not only be a credit to the colony but a lasting remembrance of a true, just, and upright man. (Applause).
The resolution I have to propose is:
That this meeting, being desirous of paying a just and grateful tribute to the memory of Sir Arthur Kennedy, late Governor of this colony, is of opinion that the most appropriate way of affecting this object will be by the erection of a statue in some public position in the colony, and accordingly resolves on this form of memorial.
Hon. P. Ryrie—It is with very much pleasure I rise to second the motion of my friend Mr. MacEwen. I have heard a great many proposals made as to the form the memorial to the late Sir Arthur Kennedy should take, and I am of opinion that of them all, that embodied in the resolution is the most appropriate, and I am very glad it has fallen to my lot to second the proposal for a statue.
I was here during the whole of Sir Arthur Kennedy's administration. I well remember the day he landed and the day he embarked, and I can bear testimony to his uprightness of character and to his desire neither to favour one race nor the other. In his Council, of which I was a member during the whole of his administration, nothing could be more satisfactory to his members than his conduct of the public business.
The advance this colony has made in education since the commencement of his career here is owing to him (Applause). He attended in this hall and presided at this table at a meeting held for the purpose of promoting education. He was the proposer of the grant-in-aid system. He was also most anxious that the Central School should be adequately supported, and I may say that he himself had the support of the then able Head Master, whom we all know very well and who is now transferred to another sphere. (Applause).
To Sir Arthur Kennedy we also owe the lighthouses, that is, in a secondary degree. The proposal first came from Admiral Shadwell at a dinner in this Hall. On its being mentioned to Sir Arthur Kennedy, he at once took it up, and in a very short time we had the lighthouses. In all public matters, he always warmly supported those which he considered advisable and useful. I cordially support the object of the meeting and second the resolution.
Mr. T. Jackson, who was received with applause, said—I have very great pleasure in supporting the resolution. I had the honour of the intimate acquaintance of Sir Arthur Kennedy, and I cordially echo the sentiments which have been expressed by the previous speakers. A more honourable, more upright, more truthful, or more thoroughly respected representative of Her Majesty never came from the Colonial Office.
Whether we take him in his private capacity presiding at his table in Government House, or in his public capacity in the Council Chamber or elsewhere, we found him the same upright, courteous gentleman. We have met to have his memory perpetuated in perpetual bronze. I would think it a great pity if these grand old features pointing to the portrait of Sir Arthur should ever be forgotten in Hongkong. (Applause).
I hope Her Majesty's Government will be fortunate in sending many such Governors to Hongkong, and I can only say the inhabitants of the colony will be delighted (Applause).
Mr. C. P. Chater—I have much pleasure in supporting the resolution brought forward by Mr. MacEwen and seconded by Mr. Ryrie. I think of all the different views that have been...
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has appeared not to myself alone, but to many other residents, as the most fitting and the most appropriate, I would take the opportunity to of a suggestion or two of my own with refer- ence to the form of memorial which I think we should avoid. We are met here to do honour to one who was perhaps one of the most popular Governors Hongkong has ever had, popular not alone as a public man but for his personal qua lities as a private individual. If I interpret correctly the sentiments and feelings which animate this meeting to-day I should say it would like that the well remembered form and features of our lato valued and lamented Gover. nor should become as familiar to succeeding generations of colonists as they were to our- selves, and that whatever may be the ultimate character of the memorial to be decided on by this meeting, the main object should not be lost sight of, namely, our personal testimony to the private qualities of the man no less than the public abilities of the Governor (Applause). If I have interpreted your sentiments correctly, then I think we should not embark in a Keu. nedy Institute, Charity, Endowment, or in Kennedy Scholarships-all admirable no doubt in their utilitarian object. If you embark in these what will happen a century hence, or less, I may say a quarter of a coutury hence? So- ciety in this colony is ever shifting and ohaug- ing, it is like a dissolving view, old faces disap- pear every year to be succeeded by new ones, and à quarter of a century hence your Kennedy on- dowment would be there, but the memory of the man whom yon specially desined to honour by such means will have faded in the haze and mist of years, and but few persons beyond an occasional student of local "bistory would know how or why your memorial came by the name of Kennedy. I would point my meaning by an illustration. We have in the middle of our city a large pile of buildings called the Murray Barracks. They are not a thing of beauty, perhaps, but they are pretentions by reason of their vast and espacious dimensions. Not far from them we have Murray Road and a Murray Pier, and there is also a Murray Battery. It would surprise some of you to learn that all theas structures were so called in order to do honour to the name and to perpetuate the me mory of one who was much revered and esteemed by the generation who preceded us. I would ask how many of us, in spite of the hopes and aspira- tions of those who preceded us, kãow who Mar- ray was, and notwithstanding all the structures bearing his name which confront us as daily re- minders of that name. I think it would be the natural feeling of this meeting that the honour- ed name of Kennedy should not be consigned to the same precarious fate; aud therefore I think our preference would naturally be that the memorial to be adopted should take the form of a statue, becauso a public statue of Sir Arthur Kennedy would never lose its individuality. Public statues are said to be the most lasting form of recognition that generous people can make to those public men who have served them well and faithfully. I venture to think therefore in our case pre-eminently-I say pre- eminently, because, as I remarked before, society here is ever changing like a dissolving view-iu our case, a status would be the most proper and most imperishable form of tribute we could pay to him whose death we so deeply mourn, and whose name we now desire to hand down to pos- terity as that of a man who was able to win our affections by his private and personal merits, and to command our respect by the even manner in which he held the balance between the mixed races over whom he had been sent by his So- vereign to govern, a man whose sole aspiration while he was with as was the welfare and material prosperity of the races committed to his care without distinction of class or nationality. -(Applause).
Mr. A. P. MACEWEN-Gentlemen, I have been asked to propose a resolation, and in doing so to make a few remarks. The remarks of previous spuskers, however, have been so appropriate and full as touching on the successful career of the late Sir Arthur Kennedy as Governor of this colony that it would be but a wearisome repetition were I to follow over the same ground. I think they have touched chiefly on what may be considered the sober and political side of his obaracter, and I cannot belp thinking that the lighter shades had a great deal to do in endearing his memory | to many old colonists. Perhaps I may be per- mitted to allude to these, as it was more in connection with them that in those days I personally knew him. I allude to the interest he always took in all our pleasures and pastimes. It įis, I think. hardly necessary for me to remind those
present who were resident in this colony during 1871 to 1876 of the encouragement and support Sir Arthur always gave to every exercise that was manly and healthy, and every pleasure that was innocent. I refer to our sports, cricket matches, regattas, races, and all social gatherings or public entertainmenta that tended to bring the public together in peace and harmony. Well, gentle. men, these may be considered by some as minor points in a Governor's career, but I can con. fidently affirm that in Sir Arthur Kennedy's case they, in connection with his straightforward sad upright character and administrativo abili- ties, tended to make him, what he undoubtedly was, one of the most popular, respected, and ano- oessful Governors that ever hailed from the Colonial Office. After he left as he took, and never ceased to take, the keanest interest in the colony itself and his old friends. I think we cannot do better than perpetuate his memory by ereoting a public statue in some prominent position in this colony--I would suggest Ken- nedy-road--and I feel certain that should my resolution be carried every firm, public company, and private resident will come forward with liberal aid to assist the committee that will be elected in erecting a statue that will not only be a credit to the colony but a lasting remembrance of a true, just, sad upright man. (Applauso.) The resolution I have to propose is→→→
That this meeting being desirous of paying a just and grateful tribute to the memory of Sir Arthur Kennedy, lute Governor of this colony, is of opinion that the most appropriate way of affecting this object will be by the erection of a statue in some public | position in the colony, and accordingly rosolves on this form of memorial.
Hon. P. RYBIE-It is with very much pleasure I rise to second the motion of my friend Mr. MacEwon. I have heard a great many proposals made as to the form the memorial to the late Sir Arthur Kennedy should take, and I am of opinion that of them all that embodied in the resolution is the most appropriate, and I am very glad it has fallen to my lot to second the pro. posal for a statue. I was here daring the whole of Sir Arthur Kennedy's administration. I well remember the day he landed and the day he embarked, and I can bear testimony to his up- rightness of obaracter and to his desire neither to favour one race or the other. In his Council, of which I was a member during the whole of his administration, nothing could be more satis- factory to his members than his condnot of the public business. The advance this colony bas made in education since the commencement of his career here is owing to him-(Applauso). He attended in this hall and presided at this table at a meeting held for the purpose of promoting education. He was the proposer of the grant-in-aid system. He was also most
Central anxions that the
School should
be adequately supported, and I may say that he himself had the support of the then able Head Master whom we all know very well and who is now transferred to another sphere. (Applause.) To Sir Arthur Kennedy we also owe the light. houses, that is, in a secondary degree. The proposal first came from Admiral Shadwell at a dinner in this Hall. On its being mentioned to Sir Arthur Kennedy he at once took it up, and in a very short time we had the lighthouses. In all public matters he always warmly sup ported those which be copaidered advisable and useful. I cordially support the object of the meeting and second the resolution.
Mr. T. JACKSON, who was received with applause, said-I have vety great pleasure in supporting the resolution. I had the honour of the intimate acquaintance of Sir Arthur! Kennedy, and I cordially echo the sentiments which have been expressed by the previous speakers. A more honourable, more upright, more truthful, or more thoroughly respected representative of Her Majesty never came from the Colonial Office. Whether we take him in bis private capacity presiding at his table in Government House, or in his public capacity in the Council Chamber or elsewhere, we found him the same upright courteous gentleman. We have met to have his memory perpetuated in perpetual bronze. I would think it a great pity it these grand old features pointing to the portrait of Sir Arthur] should ever be forgotten in Hong- kong. (Applause.) I hope Her Majesty's Go vernment will be fortunate in sending many such Governors to Hongkong, and I can only say the inhabitants of the colony will be delighted (Applause).
Mr. C. P. CHATER-I have much pleasure in supporting the resolution brought forward by Mr. MacEwen and seconded by Mr. Ryrie. I think of all the different views that have been
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