في
Her Majesty's name read
be struck out, and that it
That the celebration take the form of a fête and general rejoicings and a liberal subscription to the Institute for the United Kingdom, India, and the Colonies which is now being formed in London.
It seems to me we will not be able in this colony to raise an adequate sum of money to cover the expense of a two or three days' fête and general rejoicings and also a sufficient sum to enable us to set up an institution worthy of the occasion. (Hear, hear.) Whether that institution took the form of an institution for girls or poor house, no matter what, it seems to me it would require a large sum of money to purchase the ground, put up the buildings, and then—by far the most important consideration—adequately endow the institution so that it shall not in times to come fall into difficulties. If we are not to put up something worthy of the colony we had better do nothing of the sort. For any spare funds we may have we have something to which we may devote them fairly adequate to this great occasion, something in which Her Majesty takes great interest and which will be of permanent value to this colony, practical and useful in every way. I therefore beg to propose the amendment I have read.
A consultation here took place between the Chairman and Mr. Francis.
Mr. FRANCIS—The Chief Justice suggests my amendment should take this form, that the resolution should read as follows:—
That the celebration take the form of a fête and general rejoicings and a liberal subscription to some public purpose.
Then when the fourth resolution is moved the name of the Institute for the United Kingdom, India, and the Colonies may be inserted. I have not the least objection to the amendment taking that form. It is a matter of indifference how it is worded, but I wish to elicit your opinion as to whether we are in a position to set up a permanent institution in the colony or whether we shall devote any spare funds we may have to this institution now being formed in England for the special purpose of celebrating Her Majesty's jubilee, an institution which will be extremely useful to this community.
Mr. A. G. WISE—I beg to second Mr. Francis's amendment.
Hon. P. RYRIE—I am sorry to hear the remarks which have fallen from my learned friend on my right. I do object to any funds we may subscribe in Hongkong being sent to England to be devoted to any institution. (Applause.) Although we were good enough to get up some sort of fund for the Irish famine, as my friend knows, I don't think we should send the funds on this occasion out of the colony.
We are good enough in this colony to subscribe for a memorial to Her Majesty the Queen, and we should do it, but.—
The CHAIRMAN—The hon. gentleman is out of order, because that question will come up on the fourth resolution. The question now is whether we should leave it open, and simply say "a liberal subscription to some public purpose."
Hon. P. RYRIE—I am quite willing, Mr. Chairman, but I do object to the colony sending money out to other institutions. We are quite willing to subscribe enough money to put up some memorial to the Queen and we will do it. (Applause).
The amendment was then put to the meeting and was lost.
The resolution was carried amidst loud applause.
Hon. P. RYRIE—Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, after the eloquent words we have listened to from the Chairman and Mr. MacEwen, it is unnecessary for me to say much. I have merely to propose
That the fête and general rejoicings be held on the 9th November next.
We know very well that if we had the rejoicings in June or July we might have rainy weather or storms. It would be advisable to fix them for the 9th November, I think. That would be a better day. We are pretty certain to have fine weather then, and to be able to do honour to Her Majesty the Queen in the way we should. Mr. D. GILLIES—I have much pleasure in seconding the resolution proposed by Mr. Ryrie. The 9th of November is, as we all know, the birthday of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and to hold the rejoicings on that day will be a compliment that will be very highly appreciated both by Her Majesty and the Prince of Wales. And, as Mr. Ryrie has said, that date will suit the convenience of the Colony better, as we can rely on good weather in that month, whereas, if we had it in the summer, we might have rain and could not enjoy ourselves to the extent we could if we had it later in the season.
Hon. A. P. MACEWEN—Your Honour and gentlemen, I beg to propose as an amendment that the fête be held on the Queen's birthday, the 24th May (applause) and I do so for this reason that I think it would be a pity to let this matter stand over. I think it would be a greater success if immediately gone along with, as I suppose that the rejoicings will only occupy one day—although my friend Mr. Francis contemplates three days—and will consist of illuminations and fireworks, these can be enjoyed in the open. I think for these reasons it would be desirable it should be got on with as soon as possible. Mr. R. W. DAVIS—I beg to second the amendment.
Mr. FRANCIS—The local Government and Her Majesty's army and navy will probably be invited to take part in these rejoicings, and it certainly seems to me that if we are able to devote three days—or at least three afternoons—to the Races the least we could do on such an occasion as this would be to devote three days, or the afternoons of three days, to such a fête as the present. It seems to me not at all unreasonable to suppose we might have a military display one day, a naval display another, and a grand Chinese procession on the third. If anything of the sort is to take place, it would certainly be most desirable it should take place at a time of the year when we are certain of having fine weather, when the heat is not too great, and when the Fleet is likely to be here, or could be easily brought here—a time when there would be little or no risk to Her Majesty's soldiers or sailors from the heat while taking part in the celebration. I therefore ask you before voting for or against the resolution to take this into consideration, and think what is the most suitable season for having it—November, when we are sure of fine weather, or May or June, when we are not certain of it for twenty-four hours at a time.
The amendment was then put and lost, and the resolution was carried.
Hon. C. P. CHATER—Your Honour, the resolution I have to submit has already been brought by me before the Legislative Council and it has since then been so freely discussed that I don't think I ought to trespass on the valuable time of this meeting by making many remarks in reference to it. Although I have heard so many expressions of opinion to the contrary I still maintain a park in Hongkong is much needed and would be a boon to the general public. True it is that the money to carry out this project has been voted by the Legislative Council, but that does not signify that the work is to be carried out at once. Works of this nature have often to be shelved for others more urgently needed, but I think on an occasion like this, when we have to celebrate the jubilee of Her Most Gracious Majesty, we ought not to be too close with our public funds. We ought to invite the Government with our aid to seize the opportunity of commemorating the occasion in a manner that will do credit to this colony. (Applause). Sir, I feel sure if this park be carried out and completed it will be a source of great enjoyment and pleasure to the European community of Hongkong; it will be a very agreeable drive and pleasant lounge in the afternoon, and I am equally sure the Chinese Community will also approve of and appreciate it in course of time, and what is more, it will not be liable to the overcrowding we so often witness in the Public Gardens. With these few remarks I beg to propose—
That as a permanent memorial of the Jubilee Year, the Government be invited to carry out, with the co-operation of the community, the scheme for a Park in the Weng-nai-ch'ung Valley, if possible within the Jubilee Year, the said Park to be called the Victoria Park after Her Most Gracious Majesty, (Applause.)
Hon. E. J. ACKROYD—Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, I have very much pleasure in seconding the resolution which has been proposed by Mr. Chater. This is a special occasion which ought to call forth the loyal sentiments of all Her Majesty's subjects, for on the 20th June
429
في
Her Majesty's name read
be struck out, and that it
That the celebration take the form of a fate aud general rejoicings and a liberal subscription to the Institute for the United Kingdon, India, and the Colonies which is now being formed in London.
It seems to me we will not be able in this colony to raise an adequate sum of money to cover the expense of a two or three days' fête and general rejoicings and also a sufficient sum to enable us to set up an institution worthy of the occasion. (Hear, hear.) Whether that institution took the form of an institution for girls or poor house, no matter what, it seems to me it would require a large sum of money to purchase the ground, put up the buildings, and then-by far the most important considera- tion-adequately endow the institution so that it shall not in times to come fall into difficulties. If we are not to put up something worthy of the colony we had better do nothing of the sort. For any spare funds we may have we have some- thing to which we may devote them fairly ade- quate to this great occasion, something in which Her Majesty takes great interest and which will be of permanent value to this colony, practicaland | useful in every way. I therefore beg to propose the amendment 1 have rend.
A consultation here took place between the Chairman and Mr. Francis.
Mr. FRANCIS--The Chief Justice suggests my amendment should take this form, that the resolution should read as follows:---
That the celebration take the form of a fete and general rejoicings and a liberal subscription to soma public purpose.
Then when the fourth resolution is moved the name of the Institute for the United Kingdom, India, and the Colonies may be inserted. I have not the least objection to the amendment taking that form. It is a matter of indifference how it is worded, but I wish to elicit your opinion as to whether we are in a position to set up a permanent institution in the colony or whether we shall devote any spare funds we may have to this institution now being formed in England for the special purpose of celebrating Her Ma- jesty's jubilee, an institution which will be ex- tremely useful to this community.
Mr. A. G. WISE-I beg to second Mr. Francis's amendement.
Hou, P. RYBIE-I am sorry to hear the re- marks which have fallen from my learned friend on my right. I do object to any funds we may subscribe in Hongkong being sent to England to be devoted to any institution. (Applause.) Although we were good enough to get up some sort of fund for the Irish famine, as my friend knows, I don't think we should send the funds on this occasion out of the colony.
We are good enough in this colony to subscribe for a memorial to Her Majesty the Queen, and we should do it, but.-
The CHAIRMAN-The hon. gentleman is out of order, because that question will come up on the fourth resolution. The question now is whether we should leave it open, and simply say "a liberal subscription to some public purpose."
Hon. P. RYRIE-I am quite willing, Mr. Chairman, but I do object to the colony sending money out toother institutions. Weare quite will. ing tosubscribe enough money to put up some me- morial to the Queen and we will do it. (Applause). The amendment was then put to the meeting and was lost.
The resolution was carried amidst loud sp- plause.
Hon. P. RYRJE-Mr. Chairman and gentle- men, after the eloquent words we have listened to from the Chairman and Mr. MacEwen, it is nunecessary for me to say much. I have merely to propose
That the fete and general rejoicings be held on the 9th November next.
We know very well that if we had the rejoicings in June or July we might have rainy weather or storms. It would be advisable to fix them for the 9th November, I think. That would be a better day. We are pretty certain to have fine weather then, and to be able to do honour to Her Majesty the Queen in the way we should. Mr. D. GILLIES-I have much pleasure in seconding the resolution proposed by Mr. Ryrie. The 9th of November is, as we all know, the birthday of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and to hold the rejoicings on that day will be a compliment that will be very highly
appreciated
appreciated both by Her Majesty and the Prince of Wales. Aud, as Mr. Byrie has said, that date will suit the convenience of the Colony bet- ter, as we can rely on good weather in that month, whereas, if we had it in the summer, we might have rain and could not enjoy ourselves to the extent we could if we had it later in the season.
Hon, A. P. MACEWEN-Your Honour and gentlemen, I beg to propose as an amendment that the fête be held on the Queen's birthday, the 24th May(applause) and I do so for this reason that I think it would be a pity to let this matter stand over. I think it would be a greater success if immediately gone along with. as I suppose that the rejoicings will only occupy one day-although my friend Mr. Francis contou- plates three days and will consist of illumina- tions and fireworks, these can be enjoyed in the open. I think for these reasons it would be de- sirable it should begoton with as soon as possible. Mr. R. W. DAVIS-I beg to second the amendment.
Mr. FRANCIs-The local Government and Her Majesty's army and navy will probably be invited to take part in these rejoicings, and it certainly seems to mo that if we are able to devote three days-or at least three afternoons-to the Races the least we could do on such an occasien as this would be to devote three days, or the afternoons of three days, to such a fête as the present. It seems to me not at all unreasonable to sup. pose we might have a military display one day, a naval display another, and a grand Chinese pro- cession on the third. If anything of the sort is to take place, it would certainly be most desir- able it should take place at a time of the year when we are certain of having fine weather, when the heat is not too great, and when the Floot is likely to be here, or could be easily brought here a time when there would be little or no risk to For Majesty's soldiers or sailors from the heat while taking part in the celebration. I therefore ask you before voting for or against the resolution to take this into consideration, and think what is the most suitable season for having it-November, when of fine weather, or May or Jane, when we are not certain of it for twenty-four hours at a timas. The amendment was then put and lost, and the resolution was carried.
We
are sure
Hon. C. P. CHATER-Your Honour, the re- solution I have to submit has already been brought by me before the Legislative Council and it has since then been so freely discussed that I don't think I ought to trespass on the valuable time of this meeting by making many remarks in reference to it. Although I have heard so many expressions of opinion to the contrary I still maintain a park in Hongkong is much needed and would be a boon to the general public. True it is that the money to carry out this project has been voted by the Legislative Council, but that does not signify that the work is to be carried out at once. Works of this nature have often to be shelved for others more urgently needed, but I think on an occasion like this, when we have to celebrate the jubilee of Her Most Gracious Majesty, we ought not to be too close with our public funds. We ought to invite the Govern- ment with our aid to seize the opportunity of commemorating the occasion in a manner that will do credit to this colony. (Applause). Sir, I feel sure if this park be carried out and completed it will be a source of great en- joyment and pleasure to the European com- munity of Hongkong; it will be a very agros. able drive and pleasant lounge in the afternoon, and I am equally sure the Chinese Com- munity will also approve of and appreciate it in course of time, and what is more, it will not be liable to the overcrowding we so often witness in the Public Gardens. With these few remarks 1 beg to propose----
That as a permanent memorial of the Jubiles Year, the Government be invited to carry out, with the co- operation of the community, the scheme for a Park in the Weng-nai-ch'ung Valley, if possible within the Jubilee Year, the said Park to be called the Victoris Park after Her Most Gracious Majesty, (Applause.)
Hon. E. J. ACKROYD-Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, I have very much pleasure in se sonding the resolution which has been proposed by Mr. Chater. This is a special occasion which ought to call forth the loyal sentiments of all Her Majesty's subjects, for on the 20th June
trer
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