PS
a
I would suggest that
copy of this despatch and of
it's
enclosure should be
transmitted to the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty.,
SMB.
Enclosure
FAREWELL BALL TO ADMIRAL DOWELL AT THE CITY HALL.
Though organised upon very brief notice, thia Ball proved one of the most successful ever given in this colony. Scarcely more than a week elapsed from the time that the gallant Admiral expressed his preference for a ball over a banquet, bofore the eve took place, but never- theless nothing was found wanting, and the arrangements last night were as complete and the decorations as good as if the Ball had been promeditated months before. The reasons which influenced the leading residents in Hongkong in taking special steps to do honour to Admiral Sir W. M. Dowell previous to his departure for England need not be gone into here at any length, as they will be found fully set out. below in the address presented to the gallant officer at the supper and in the speeches which accompanied it. His former associa- tion with the colony, services rendered in (past times, and the effective manner in which
he maintained the honour of England in those: seas during the late Franco-Chinese and the Anglo-Russian crisis have been deemed fully sufficient reasons for this mark of esteem. Admiral Dowell's connection with the Royal Navy commenced in 1839, and probably his recollections of Hongkong are not the least pleasant among his many and varied experiences. His sterling and genial qualities have rendered him popular both; afloat and ashore here, and the Squadron and the community here alike regret that his stay in these waters has been so short.
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The general Committee for the Ball wAK a larga one, and was appointed eight days since at the preliminary meeting called by the Chamber of Commerce, which body has been mainly instrumental in bringing about last night's gathering. The Committee com- prised the following gentlemen :-Mr. Justice Ackroyd, Mr. G. C. Anderson, Dr. P. B. C. Ayres, Messrs. E. R. Belilios, J. Bell-Irving, S. G. Bird, C. D. Bottomley, C. E. Bowles, E. Barnie, G. de Champeaux, C. P. Chater, D. R. Crawford, J. B. Coughtrie, A. Coxon, G. 8. Coxon, H. L. Dalrymple, W. H. F. Darby, Victor Dea- con, W. M. Deane, W. Durran, N. J. Ede, W. H. Forbos. H. Foss, J. J. Francis, D. Gillies, M. Grote, H. A. Herbert, Dr. Ho Kai, Mr. H. Hop pius, Hon. T. Jackson, Messrs. R. R. Jukes, B. Layton, Lee Sing, Lee Tak Cheong, Hon. A. Lig. ter, Messrs. J. H. S. Lockhart, A. P. MacEwen, John Macgregor, A. McClymont, A. Molver, E. Mackintosh, J. Melville Matson, A. McCona- chio, H. M. Mehta, G. E. Noble. Hon, E. L. O'Mal ley, Mr. A. H. Percival, Sir George Phillippo, Mr. L. Poosnecker, Hou. J. M. Price, Mr. W. H. Ray, Mr. A. G. Romano, Capt. Rumsey, Hon. P. Ryrie, Hon. F. D. Sassoon, Messrs. Hormuse. jee Setus, A. F. Smith, Capt. Steibel, Hon. F. Stewart, Messrs. A. G. Stokes, A. P. Stokes, J. Tharburn, Wei Ayuk, A. Westland, T. H. White- head, H. E. Wodehouse, and Hon. Wong Shing. The hard work fell into the hands of gentlemen endowed with plenty of energy, and the result of their efforts must have been very gratifying to them, as the City Hall was made to look most charming in every section, and all the ar- rangements were so well devised that the affair passed off with the greatest éclat and without a 'single hitch. The working sub-committees were composed as follow:→→
Decoration Committee.--The Hon. J. M. Price (Surveyor-General), Captain R. M. Ram. sey, and Measra. A. Coxon and J. B. Coughtrie,
Į
Supper
C. O.
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Supper Committee. Messrs. 4. McClymont and J. Macgregor.
NEO 14 DEC Dancing and Music Committee Mesars. C. E. Bowles and G. S. Coxon.
Address Committee.-Messrs. McEwan, Mao kintosh, and Francis.
Mr. J. Melville-Matson, who kindly volun- teered to perform the very onerous duties of honorary secretary, was indefatigable in his exor- tions, and in the time at his disposal he ac- complished wonders, being doubtless greatly assisted by the experience gained by him in a similar position last year on the occasion of the first St. George's Ball in this colony.
The heaviest work fell upon the Decoration Committee, who achieved a signal success. Mr. Price, with the resources of the Survey Department at his command, undertook the lion's share of the work the entrance hall, staircase, landings, ante-room, and St. George's Hall. St. Andrew's Hall, the Theatre (Supper Room), &c., were in the hands of the other gentlemen, and by this division of labour two distinct styles of decoration were apparent, giving pleasing variety.
Commencing with the approach to the build- ing, the exterior was brilliantly illuminated by a large gas star over the entrance, and several powerful patent standard burners. The en- trance hall disclosed a most attractive vista up the grand staircase. Every column was closely wreathed with spiral ropes of green leaves. On each column was a large gilt shield hanging from three large gilt tridents, and on the face of each shield were either the initials "W. D.", or Admiral Dowell's crest, a lion rampant. Round the base of each pillar was a bed of pot plants and shrubs. Passing up the stairs, the stone balustrade was covered with green wreaths and silver sprays, pot plants were placed on either side all the way up, and as far as the first landing a 64-pounder conical shell stood at each side of every stair, making a most effective border. On each of the three large windows on the first landing was a large round gilded shield, with a deep green border, on which were res- pectively the letters W.,M.,D., Admiral Dowell's initials. At the head of the stairs stood two brass howitzers mounted on a carriage, and the space of wall around was filled in with pot plants and foliage. On the pilasters all round this landing were similar gilded shields and tridents to those below, being Admiral Dowell's initials or crest, these being surrounded by sprays of bamboo leaves. On the wall spaces between the pilasters were gülded anchors, and above these were round targets in red and gold, with a green moss edging, and a | fringe of bright outlasses, on which were either the crest or monogram of the guest of the even- ing. From the level of the bottom of the win- dows to the top of the stairs was hung a wreath in small festoons, and in the centre of each festoon a silvered palm leaf, which had the appearance of the inner side of a marine shell. All the devices were well sarrounded by sprays of green foliage and plants.
St. George's Hall was not profusely decorated, but it was treated with great taste and effect. Fostoons of green wreaths depended from the head of each pilaster, and at the top of the pedes- tal of each was placed a small bank of moss and ferns, from which sprung graceful fronds of maiden hair fern. At the north end there was a large mirror, which was surrounded by pat plants and foliage, and in each doorway was suspended a basket of flowers. Scattered amongst
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