CO129-231 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1887 [1-3] — Page 434

advantage, and I am sure it could be turned to no better advantage than to have it raised and suitably turfed, and to have it turned into a place where the rising youth and the manly youth of this co- lony can enjoy their games at cricket or football or even polo, where the troops can occasionally assemble to go through their exercise, and where the crews of Her Majesty's vessels can be brought on shore and put through their drill. It seems to me it would look quite as well-the refresh- ing verdure of green turf in that valley-as to plant it in shrubberies and flower beds. (Ap- plause). But the objection has been taken to this that it would be of no advantage to the Chineso portion of the community. I think it would be of great advantage to them, if not at present, in future, because there can be no doubt that in future at least I hope it will be so-the Obi- nese youth from the public schools will freely mix in our games and amusements. And if the Colony goes on progressing as it has lately there can be no doubt the buildings must extend to the east, as they have approached their extreme limit towards the west, and we shall find it as great an advantage to the Chinese portion of the community as the present Chinese Recrea- tion Ground is to them now. But there is an- other disadvantage, which is that sall it by what name we please, the Wong-nei-chong valley will never be called anything but Wong-noi-chong by the Chinese, nor by Europeans will it ever lose that most felicitous name which has been given to it, "The Happy Valley." There has been also another proposal put forward, and that is one to which I am sure Her Majesty would most willingly give her assent, if we were sufficiently advanced for it, that is, to have a High School for girls, where girls of all classes and of all races could be educated together, similarly to the Victoria College for boys. We are turning out and shall continue to turn out young men more and more advanced, I hope, as years go by, but we are not providing in the same ratio suitable wives for them. We must also consider that the wife is the mother of the future generation, and it would be a great thing, if we were sufficiently ripe for it. to educate the mothers of the future genera- tion who are to dwell amongst us, and a great thing for the people of the country. The next proposition that has been put forward is one to increase the number of scholarships that are granted to the deserving youth of this colony who have passed the necessary examinations. And there can be no doubt that that also would be a very useful thing to be done and would be worthy of connection with Her Majesty's name. Another proposition that has been put forward is that there should be an institution founded to support and take care of the children who have been resoned from a life of infamy and vice, and no donbt that also would be a very useful institution in a colony such as this. There has also been suggestion that it would be advisable to have some charitable institution which would re- lieve the Tung Wah Hospital of the distressed poor and form the nucleus of extending bene- volence to those who need it, and of selecting only deserving cases. That also is an institution which we have not at present and which would be one that I am sure would commend itself to every charitable person's support if they con- sidered it were at all practicable. I do not know that any other roposal has been made-none that I have heard of either publicy or privately --but they are all for your consideration. I may say that at the preliminary meeting, both with regard to the time of holding the celebration and with regard to the proposal that a permanent memorial of the Jubilee year should be raised there was some difference of opinion. The scheme for a park at Wong-noi-chong was carried by a small majority. The ques- tion for this meeting is, what shall be done. If you are unprepared and would like to take time to consider, it would be perfectly open to any person present to move as an amendment to the resolution either that this meeting should be postponed until the community had time for con- sideration or else that the committee we propose to appoint should endeavour to ascertain the views and wishes of the whole community. If, however, you are satisfied the proposal which will be laid before you is the best that can be adopted, well then, gentlemen, I hope we will all work heart and soul together to testify our res- pect to Her Majesty and to do honour to our- selves. (Applause).

+

bl

Mr. Wei YU-I beg to second this resolu- tion with pleasure, and I am sure that all Her Most Gracious Majesty's loyal Chinese subjects in this Colony will unite in celebrating this great occasion,

The resolution was carried by acclamation. Hon. A. P. MACEWEN-Your honour aud gentlemen, the resolution I have been asked to propose is one that I think will commend it- self to the favourable con ideration of this re- presentative gathering, namely,

That the celebration take the form of a permanent institution of some description, to be called by Her Majesty's name, and of a fate and general rejoicings. I think it will be agreed on all sides that something should be done, not only to celebrate the auspicious event of the completion of Her Majesty's fiftieth prosperous year of her reign by festivities, but that we should ahow to future generations of colonists by some definite and permanent set the veneration and respect in which the Queen is held by all classes of her subjects in this distant possession of the Crown. It is for this meeting to decide as to what form that something should take. I am aware there exist various differances of opinion upon that point. but I will not trespass upon the opinions of speakers who are to follow me, but will merely express the hops that the wishes of the majority will be cordially acquiesoed in by the colony as a whole, and that whatever may be decided on will take some practical and useful shape which will be acceptable to Her Majesty (Ap- as well as of lasting benefit to this colony. plause.) The second part of the rosolation refers to a fête and general rejoicings. I think this will very much depend on the time of year that is fixed for it. Individually I am of opinion the sooner it is held the hotter. (Ap- plause). A committee will have to be appointed to make all the necessary arcangements, which I presume will include illuminations and fire- works. I am aware that in the opinion of many people spluttering of this description is money wasted, but still it is "olo cussau" and will go vory far to impress the native community. I only hope one and all will join heartily in com. memorating the reign of one who as a Quoen has commanded the respect of all foreign powers and the esteem and affection of her loyal sub- jects in all quarters of the Empire. (Applause.) Mr. H. M. MEHTA-You will all agree with me when I say that there can hardly be two opinions about the Hon. Mr. MacEwen's pro- position. That proposition speaks for itself, and In this Colony, wanting as it is in useful permanent institutions, it could hardly be gainsaid that the Jubilee celebration should take the form of a permanent institution. The latter part of the proposition about a fête and general rejoicings should also commend itself to your approbatiou, not that there is any want of fêtes and rejoicings in this colony, but because the occasion of a jubilee celebration is exceptional, and on an ex. ceptional occasion we should have our fêtes and rejoicings on an exceptional scale. With these few remarks, gentlemen, I beg to second Mr. MacEwen's proposition.

Mr. J. J. FRANCIS, Q.C.-Sir, I take the liberty of suggesting for the consideration of this meet- ing an amendment to this resolution with a view to eliciting the feelings of the meeting on one of the many points suggested by the Chief Justice in his admirable address. The resolu tion, as has been pointed out, consists of two parts, that there shall be a fête and general re- one, joicings, and, farther, that some permanent institution shall be established-and I presume the meaning of that is

permanent institution to be established in the colony- to be called by Her Majsty's name

and to be a memorial to all time of this jubiles occasion. Now it seems to

me, and

some

I submit it for your consideration, whether we are in a position to raise sufficient funds in this colony to establish any permanent institu- tion on an adequate scale which would be worthy of the occasion, and whether it would not be better any spare funds we may have at our disposal should be devoted to the attainment of that object to which, as the Chief Justice has said, Her Majesty's sanction has been given and which, as stated recently by the Prince of Wales at a public meeting in England, she is most de sirous should be carried out, and thoroughly carried out. I therefore move as an amendment to this resolution that the words "

permanent institution of some description to be called by

He

428