a kingdom's prosperity. By adhering to the rule, but modifying it to meet varying conditions, the prosperity will be made lasting and the renown of your Government will be widely manifested.
We, the Chinese of Hongkong, are proud of being Your Majesty's subjects. We have long been indebted to Your Royal House for protection and its fostering love has sunk deeply into our hearts. We hope to see a vigorous fruit from your benignant rule, and to receive many kindnesses from your hands. We thank Your Majesty for your fatherly care and protection, and we swear eternal loyalty. Your Majesty's loving servants and subjects pray Heaven to shower down countless blessings on Your Majesty.
May Your Majesty live for thousands of years and enjoy boundless happiness.
Here followed signatures.
An
The Chinese Address was in the shape of a massive curved tablet 8 feet long by 5 feet wide, the carving being very artistically executed, and illuminated in gold and variegated colours. A striking border enclosed the design, in which the Dragon played a prominent part. English translation of the Address was printed by Messrs. Kelly & Walsh. This was done on silk and was executed in red with blue initials, the initial letters being surrounded by gold filigree work, and the whole enclosed in a green border. This Address, which was made to roll round a silver rod, was encased in a massive silver and gilt casket of ornate design, 18 inches long and 6 inches high, and standing upon four dragons' heads. The casket was supplied by Wang Hing, who deserves great credit for the excellence of the workmanship.
All the Addresses having now been presented, His EXCELLENCY said-Gentlemen, I confess that I am very much pleased that you have decided to send those Addresses forward. I think your decision was both sound and wise. Believe me in saying this. I have been influenced by no unworthy motive of personal consideration. Intensely proud as I am to-day of being the Officer Administering your Government, through whose hands these Addresses will pass, and yet, owing to the universal kindness I have met with at Hongkong, you have taught me so completely to identify myself with your best interests that were I not absolutely certain that it was right and wise and in perfect taste to send them forward now under the circumstances, no personal consideration should have induced me to advise you or even to allow you to do it. Permit me to digress for one moment and congratulate Hongkong generally on the good judgment and good taste that have guided you in this Coronation time. With no official note to guide us, Hongkong of itself elected to carry out what we have subsequently learned was practically the official programme ordered from home. Holidays which had been looked forward to by hard-working people as days of rest were allowed to continue. The little children were not forgotten, and the joyous service of thanksgiving was changed into a devout and fervent service of intercession on behalf of our King. This, practically, we have learned since, was the official programme adopted at home. And so with these Addresses. Addresses like these, so carefully prepared, so beautifully got up, so artistically designed, are not the work of a few days. They are the result of many months of careful forethought and consideration. You, gentlemen, months ago prepared these Addresses in joyful anticipation of the Coronation of our King. Owing to his sudden and distressing illness that Coronation had to be postponed, and surely, gentlemen, if His Majesty would be gratified at receiving Addresses of loyalty and devotion from his people in his hour of triumph and prosperity-surely they would be a lasting consolation to him in his hour of sickness and distress. Here is one Address prepared and forwarded by the European residents of the Colony, breathing in every line words of devotion and loyalty. Surely the King will be pleased to receive this. Here is one from the Masons of Hongkong to the King, himself of the highest order of Masons. Surely he will be glad to receive that. And, lastly, here is one from the Chinese who have elected voluntarily to live under his flag, which is the emblem of freedom and good government, of justice and equity, of right and righteousness. Surely, gentlemen, His Majesty will be as gratified to receive these Addresses in, as we hope, his day of convalescence as he would be to receive them in the triumphal hour of his Coronation. (Applause) Hongkong is, so to speak, the most Eastern outpost of this our glorious Empire, but though we are far distant yet we yield in loyalty to none. Indeed, in this matter I am able to speak on your behalf better than you can for yourselves, for I have had many opportunities and I can testify to the loyalty and devotion to Crown and country which is almost a shibboleth in Hongkong. Great Britain's Sovereign has many, many subjects under his sway-subjects of various race and creed and nationality but I have found that of all the many subjects of His Majesty King Edward the Seventh this day all over the world there will be none who will offer with more heartfelt fervour than we here in Hongkong the prayer with the two-fold signification, "God save-save our King." (Applause.)
This ended the formal proceedings, and the company afterwards dispersed. It should be mentioned that the plants and greenery with which the Ball Room was decorated were arranged by Mr. W. J. Tutcher of the Afforestation Department. The other arrangements for the accommodation of the guests were carried out by Sergeant W. G. Gerrard, the police officer in charge of Government House.
Page 28
a kingdom's prosperity. By adhering to the rule, but modifying it to meet varying con- ditions, the prosperity will be made lasting and the renown of your Government will be widely manifested.
We, the Chinese of Hongkong, are proud of being Your Majesty's subjects. We have long been indebted to Your Royal House for protec- tion and its fostering love has sunk deeply into our hearts. We hope to see a vigorous fruit from your benignant rule, and to receive al We thank Your your hands many kindnesses. Majesty for your fatherly care and protection, and we swear eternal loyalty. Your Majesty's loving servants and subjects pray Heaven to shower down countless blessings on Your Majesty
May Your Majesty live for thousands of years and enjoy boundless happiness.
Here followed signatures.
An
The Chinese Address was in the shape of a massive curved tablet 8 feet long by 5 feet wide, į the carving being very artistically executed, and illuminated in gold and variegated colours. A striking border enclosed the design, in which the Dragon played a prominent part. English translation of the Address was printed by Messrs. Kelly & Walsh. This was done on silk and was executed in red with blue initials, the initial letters being surrounded by gold filigree work, and the whole enclosed in a green border. This Addross, which was made to roll i round a silver rod, was encased in a massive! silver and gilt casket of ornate design. 18 inches long and 6 inches high, and stauding upon four dragons' heads. The casket was supplied by Wang Hing, who deserves great credit for the excellence of the workmanship.
All the Addresses having now been presented,' His EXCELLENCY said-Gentlemen, I oou- foss that I am very much pleased that you have decided to send those Addresses forward. I think your denision was both sound and wise. Believe me in saying this. I have been in fluenced by ao unworthy motive of personal consideration. Intensely proud as I and to-day of being the Officer Administering your Govern- ment, through whose hands these Addresses will pass, and yet, owing to the universal kindness I have met with at Hongkong, you have taught me so completely to identify myself with your best interests that were I not absolutely certain that it was right and wise and in perfect taste to send them forward now under the vireum- stances, uo personal consideration should have! induced me to advise you or even to allow you to do it. Permit me to digress for one moment and congratulate Hongkong generally on the good judgment and good taste that have guided yon in this Coronation time, With no official note to guide ur, Hengkong of itself elected i to carry out what wo have subsequently learned was practically the official programme ordered from home. Holidays which had been looked forward to by hard-working people as days of rust were allowed to continue. The Hudle chil ren were not for gotten, and the joyens service of thanksgiving was changed into a devout and farvont service of intercession on behalf of our King. This, practically, we love learned since, was the off- cial programme adopted at home And so with these Addresses. Addresses tika these, so care-
fully prepared, so beautifully got up, so artisti-: cally designed, are not the work of a few days,' They are the result of many months of careful forethought and consideration. Yon, gentlemen, months ago prepared these Addresses in joyful anticipation of the Corosation of our King, Owing to his sudden und distressing illness that Coronation bad to be postponed, and surely, gentlemen, if His Majesty would be gratified at receiving Addresses of loyalty and devo- tion from his people in his honr of triumph and prosperity-surely they would be a lasting consolation to him in his hour of sickness and distress. Here is one Address prepared and for- warded by the European residents of the Colony, breathing in every line words of devotion and loyalty. Surely the King will he pleased to receive this. Here is one from the Masons of Hongkong to the King, himself of the highest order of ansons, Surely he will! 1. glad to receive that. And, lastly, here is one
from the Chineze who have elected voluntarily to live under his flag, which is the emblem of freedom and good government, of justice and equity, of right and righteousness. Surely, gentlemen, His Majesty will be as gratified to reveive these Addresses in, as we hope, his day of convalescence as he would be to receive the in the triumphal hour of his Coronation (Applause) Hougkong is, so to speak, the most Eastern outpost of this our glorious Empire, but though we are far distant yet we ¦ yield in loyalty to none. Indeed, in this matter I am able to speak on your behalf better than you can for yourselves, for I have had many opportunities and I can testify to the loyalty aut devotion to Crown and country which is almost! a shibboleth in Hongkong, Great Britain's Sovereign has many, many subjects under his! sway--subjects of various race and creed and Bationality but I have found that of all the Diany subjects of His Majesty King Edwardi the Seventh this day all over the world there will be aone who will offer with more! heartfelt fervour then we here in Hougkong the prayer with the two-fold signification,, "God save -- save our King.' (Applause.)
This ended the formal proceedings, and the company afterwards dispersed, It should bef mentioned that the plants and greenery with which the Bail Room was decorated were. arrang d by Mr. W. J. Tutcher of the Afforex- tation Departments. The other arrangemente for the accommodation of the guests were curried b out by Sergeant W. G. Gerrard, the polic officer in charge of Government House,
4 28
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