The movement in favour of a more liberal education for our sons and daughters owes its existence to your suggestion and encouragement and to that of Lady Blake. But it is not only the inhabitants of Hongkong who have cause to remember Your Excellency's administration. The benevolent spirit that actuates it has been quickly recognised by the inhabitants of the New Territory.
The good that was so soon established and that still exists there undisturbed bears testimony to the contentment of the inhabitants and to their confidence in the justice of British rule. The interest that Your Excellency has taken in agriculture and in local industries has been highly appreciated and will bear good fruit, and we are confident that the money devoted to the opening up of communications and to developing the resources of the Territory is money well spent, and that the New Territory will soon prove a valuable acquisition to this Colony.
In conclusion, we beg to offer to Your Excellency our respectful congratulations on the present state of the Colony. On all sides is to be seen evidence of industrial and commercial growth, whilst the increase in the Colonial revenue has kept pace with commercial development. We trust Your Excellency will spend a pleasant holiday, and that on your arrival in England you will find your family in good health; and we hope that it will not be long before you return invigorated to resume the responsible duties of your high office.
We respectfully beg that Your Excellency will be kind enough to convey to Lady Blake, who we hope will accompany you on your return, our sincerest wishes for her welfare.
Those who have had the privilege and honour of knowing Lady Blake will not soon forget her never-failing kindness and courtesy and her gracious interest in all relating to the social and family life of the Chinese.
Dated the 2nd day of January, 1902.
Resuming Dr Ho Kai said—Before handing to Your Excellency the address, however, I would ask your kind permission to refer to two matters. The first is that the album I am about to hand over to you, Sir, contains only a copy of the Address in English and Chinese; the address itself is being sent to Canton to be embroidered on silk. When it is finished, I shall have the honour to forward it to Your Excellency. The next, I regret to-day, the avoidable absence of my honourable colleague, Mr. Wai Yuk, whose letter to me, if Your Excellency will permit me to read it, will explain itself.
Mr Fung Wa Chun then read the address in Chinese.
The letter stated that he had had to go to Canton to the marriage of his nephew, and, besides this, he had been advised by his medical adviser to take a few days' rest in Canton. It was with deep regret that he was unable to be present.
His Excellency the Governor made a long speech in reply, which, owing to the fact that we publish early to-day, we are reluctantly compelled to hold over till to-morrow.
Dr Ho Kai having briefly translated the gist of His Excellency's reply,
His Excellency invited the entire company to partake of refreshments.
Before parting, Dr Ho Kai called for and led three ringing cheers for His Excellency, and, on the call of Mr Fung Wa Chun, a hearty tiger was given for Lady Blake.
His Excellency thanked the company and added that he would convey to Lady Blake their expression of goodwill.
The company then adjourned to another room for refreshment.
The album containing the text of the address was the work of Messrs Kelly and Walsh, and was enclosed in a beautiful cloth case, silver mounted and bearing a heavy silver shield in the centre, on which was inscribed the following—Presented to His Excellency Sir Henry A Blake, G.C.M.G., by the Chinese community of Hongkong, 22nd January, 1902'. There were over 1000 signatures attached.
Page 14
The movement in favour of a more li beral education for our sons and daughters owes its existence to your suggestion and encouragement and to that of Lady Blake. But it is not only the inhabitants of Hongkong who have cause to remember Your Excellency's administration. The benevolent spirit that actuates it has been quickly recognised by the inhabitants of the New Territory.
The good under that was so soon esta. blished and that still exists there undis. turbed bear testimony to the contentment of the inhabitants and to their confidence in the justice of British rule. The interest that Your Excellency has taken in agricul- ture and in loc industries has been highly appreciated and will bear good fruit, and we are confident that the money devoted to the opening up of communications and to developing the resources of the Territory is money well spent, and that the New Territory will soon prove a valuable ac- quisition t this Colony.
In conclusion, we beg to offer to Your Excellency our respectful congratulations "on the present state of the Colony Oo all sades is to be seen evidence of industrial and commercial growth, whilst the increase in the Colonial revenue has kept pace with commercial development. We trust Your Excellency will spend a pleasant holiday, and that on your arrival in England you will find your family in good health; and we hope that it will not be long before you return invigorated to resume the responsi- ble duties of your high office.
We respectfully beg that Your Excellency will be kind enough to convey to Lady Blake, who we hope will accompany you on your return, our sincerest wishes for her welfare.
Those who have had the privilege and honour of knowing Lady Blake will not soon forget her never-failing kindness and courtesy and her gracious interest in all relating to the social and family life of the Chinese.
Dated the 2nd day of January, 1902.
Resuming Dr Ho Kai ssid-Before handing to Your Excellency the address, however, I would ask your kind permission to refer to two matters. The first is that the album I am about to hand over to you, Sir, contains only a copy of the Address in English and Chinese the address itself is being sent to Canton to be embroidered on silk. When it is finished, I shall have the honour to forward it to Your Excellency. The next I regret to-day the avoidable absence of my honourable colleague, Mr. Wai Yuk, whose letter to me, if Your Ex- cellency will permit me to read it, will ex- plain itself.
Mr Fung Wa Chuon then read the address in Chinese,
The letter stated that he had had to go to Canton tothe marriage of his nephew, and, besides this, he had been advised by his medical adviser, to take a few days' rest in Canton. It was with deep regret that he was unable to the present.
His Excellency the Governor made a long speech in reply, which, owing to the fact that we publish early to-day, we are reluctantly compelled to hold over till
to-morrow.
Dr Ho Kai having briefly translated the gist of His Excellency'a reply,
His Excellency invited the entire cou- pany to partake of refreshments.
Before parting, Dr Ho Kai called for and led three ringing cheers for His Excelleney, aud, on the call of Mr Fung Wa Chues, a hearty tiger was given for Lady Blake,
His Excellency thanked the company and added that he would convey to Lady Blake their expression of goodwill,
The company then adjourned to another room for refreshment.
The album containing the text of the address was the work of Messrs Kelly and Walsh, and was enclosed in beautiful cloth case, silver mounted and bearing a heavy silver shield in the centre, on which was inscribed the following-Presented to His Excellency Sir Henry A Blake. G.C.M.G., by the Chinese community of Hongkong. 22nd January, 1909'. There wore over 1000 signatures attached,
14
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