PUBLIC
Enclosure.
MEETING 10 CONSIDER THE CELEBRATION OF THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE.
A public meeting was held yesterday after- noon at the City Hall to consider the best and most suitable means of loyally celebrating the Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen and Empress. There were present the Chief Justice, Sir George Phillippo; the Hon. F. Stewart, Acting Colonial Secretary; Hon. J. Russell, Puisue Judge; Hon. A. Lister, Colonial Treasurer: Hon. E. J. Ackroyd. Acting Attorney-General; the Right Rev. Bishop Burdon, Commodoro Mor- ant, R.N.; Colonel Ryan, R.A.; Colouel Storer, R.E.; Hon. P. Ryrie, A. P. MacEwen, J. Boll- Irving, and C. P. Chater; Colonel, Anderson, 58th; and most of the principal British residents, including representatives of all classes and races of Her Majesty's subjects.
On the motion of the Hon. E. J. ACKROYD, His Honour the Chief Justice took the chair.
The CHAIRMAN-Gentlemen, as most of you are aware a preliminary meeting consisting of many of the leading residents of the colony was called to consider whether or not something should be done to celebrate the Jubilee year of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Quean. At that meeting it was resolved that a public meeting should be called and that the sentiments and feeling of the community should be elicited more publicly than could be done at a small meet- ing, and it was resolved that a public meeting should be called for this day at half past four o'clock. I have been asked to propose the first resolution, and although it is somewhat unusual for the Chairman of a public meeting himself to propose a resolution, yet seeing it is one in which I am certain you will all concur, I have no hesitation in acceding to the request. The resolution I am asked to propose is→
That the Jubilee of Her Most Gr.cious Majesty the Queen shall be celebrated by her loyal subjects in Hongkong.
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In moving this resolution, gentlemen, it is unnecessary for me to dilate at length npon the many virtues that Her Majesty possesses and that she has shown both in her private and public life. Theyareall well known to you, as they are to every member of the British community and to nearly every member of the civilised world. (Applause). It were almost unnecessary for me to do any more than to refer to the eloquent words of my hon. frisud, Mr. Chater, which have been made public in the Legislative Council when he moved Lis resolution. But, gentlemen, it may be as well to remind you that, as far back as (the memory of most of us can go Her Majesty has been seated on the throne of England, that during the whole of these fifty years during which Great Britain has advanced in the most remarkable way, Her Majesty has been at the head of affairs, and that during the whole of that time she bas shown herself from her girlhood upwards to be one whose virtue we must all admire, as a loving daughter, as a most loving wife, as a devoted mother, and an excellent grandmother to her children's children. In her private life she has been almost irreproachable and her conduct has been such as to draw forth the admiration of nearly the whole world. (Applause). In her political life, whatever may have been her likes or dislikes, she has always shown herself a con- stitutional sovereign, ever willing to bow to the wishes of her people. (Applause.) And now, almost at the close of fifty years, We are met, as it is usual to do in Bl! classes of life, to celebrate what has been called the Jubilee yaar. Gentlemen, I think you will hve no hesitation in agreeing to the resoln- tion that I have the honour to propose to you- "That the Jubilee of Her Most Gracious Ma- jesty the Queen shall be celebrated by her loyal subjects in Hongkong." Of all her loyal sub- jects in the world I am sure there are none more loyal than her subjects in Hongkong. (Applause). Nor do we propose to confine our rejoicings to her loyal subjects alone, but wo would ask all those of different nationalities who are not Her Majesty's subjects to join with us in celebrating this most auspicious occasion. Gentlemen, there remain three or four questions that have to ba
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considered at this meetlap, addthough they have been considered at a preliminary meeting and re- solutions on the subject will be proposed to you, yet I may say that this mosting is not bound by the resolutions that are to be proposed, but that any person here present may propose any amendment he thinks proper, and it will be open for the meeting to declare its wishos. The first question for consideration will be what sort of celebration shall take place on this occasion-shall it be a fête and gefetal rejoicings alone," or whether in addition to that some permment in- stitution of som description or other should be called by Her Majesty's name. The next question that the meeting will have to consider will be as to when this celebration should take place. Now we all know that celebrations are taking place in different parts of the world at different times as it suits the convenience of the inhabit- auts. The most appropriate day would certainly be the day fixed in England, the 21st of June, the day of Her Majesty's accession. The next most appropriate day would probably be Hor ajesty's birthday, the 24th May, and perhaps the most appropriate day after that would be the Prince of Wales's birthday on the 9th No- vember. But there have been objections taken to the colebration taking place during the sam. mer, and it has been thought by some that pro- bably the better course would be to postpone it until the winter. And I may say that if there was any prospect of the fleet being here to take part in our rejoicings it would in my opinion perhaps be advisable to postpone il. But the question is an open one for the; meeting to consider. The next question you will have to consider is, supposing it is de- cided to have a permanent memorial of Her Majesty's Jubilee, what shape that permanent momorial should take. Both publicly and pri vately several forms which this institution should tako have been suggested. The first, and one- that is deserving of a great deal of attention by this community, as it seems to me, is the pro- posal that we should contribute to the British Indian and Colonial Institute that is going to be founded in England. And the proposal comes bafore us backed with the greatest weight. It is a matter in which the Prince of Wales, the heir apparent to the throne, has thrown his whole heart and soul, and one to which, as he says, Her Majesty has given her most hearty approval. It has not, I am informed, found mach support in this community. It has been urged that this Colony is a more depot for goods in transit. Bat I think it is open to consideration whether we are not also a great distributing centre, and whether it would not be of advantage to ns to have some place in London where we could exhibit what articles we can pro- cure and also give information as to what articles we can sell. The project has received Her Most Gracious Majesty's approval, no doubt from her desire to bring the colonies and the mother coun- try and India into more intimate commer- cial relationship. But, as it seems to me, such a proposal if carried out in its integrity, would promote the commercial interests of the whole world, because not, only would British manufacturers and British dealers in pro- duce come to this institution to see what the Colonies and india have to sell, but they would also come to consult the wants of the various colonies and countries of the world. However, as I understand it. Her Majesty, with that graciousness which has always characterised her, does not wish to force any measure down the throats of any community who are opposed to it; and she is quite willing, as I understand, to sane- tion an institution of any kind which will be of service to her people in the different colonies. Then supposing we come to the conclusion that the British Colonial and Indian Institute is out of the question, there have been placed before the public and have been discussed privately eer- tain measures which have approved themselves to various individuals. One of the schomes is the conversion of the Wong-nei-chong valley into a public park to be called the Victoria Park. And no doubt there is a great deal to be said in favour of it. I for one would disapprove of the valley be ing converted into a garden and shrubbery. I think that when there is so little level land in the colony, we should utilise it to the best!
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