Extract from the "Hongkong Dally Press* of the 26th.r
November, 1909.
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THE KING'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS.
UNVEILING OF STATUES.
PICTURESQUE CEREMONIES.
Yesterday having been fixed for the local celebration of the anniversary of the birthday of His Majesty King Edward, the day observed 39 a general holiday and advantage was taken of the occasion to unveil the statues of Queen Alexandra and the Princess of Wales, The usual review at the Happy Valley-a picturesque and striking pageant was cancelled, but the ceremonial in Statue Square when the statues were exposed to public view was very imposing, and the review of the naval brigade in the Dockyard was not the least attractive feature of the day's programme.
Adequate arrangements had been made for the unveiling ceremony. Two stands were erected for the convenience of residents, bat many preferred the greater view obtained from the verandahs of the adjacent buildings, even the Law Courts having a largo quota of spectators. The troops of the Garrison were massed on all sides of the square, sud in addition to the Hongkong Volunteers, the colours of six regiments were borne by their standard bearers at the rear of the Queen Victoria Statae. The bright array of soldiers with their glasming bayonets was the most prominent element in the thrilling spec- tacle, and the vastness of the Empire was well illustrated by the turbanned sons of Ind marching with the helmotted soldiers of the King. Beautiful sunshine brought out every detail of the picturesque display, and the large throng of spectators felt compensated for the loss of the usual review at the Happy Valley,
Just before 10 o'clock H.E. the Governor, accompanied by H.E. the General Officer Com- manding, and Commodore Lyon, with their respective aides-de-camp and secretaries in attendance, arrived on the scene, and was received with a royal salute, the band of the Buffs strik. ing up the National Anthem. When the music had ceased the gubernatorial party, accompanied by members of the Coronation Committee, proceeded to the specially-erected platform in front of the statue of Her Royal Highness Queen Alexandra, where the first unveiling ceremony took place.
Hon. Mr. E. A. HEWITT, in asking his Excellency to undertake the unveiling, told of the conditions leading up to the obtaining of Her Majesty's statue. He hoped that for many a long year the statue would remaíu not only as a memorial to the gracious lady it represented, but also a token of the amity and good fellowship which existed between the various nationalities who combined to make up the cosmopolitau population of Hongkong. He asked his Excellency, as a small souvenir of the event, to accept a replica of the Coronation medal, and to
unveil the statue***
HIS
EXCELLENCY said: Mr. Hewett, Ladies and Gentlemen,-The Chairman of the Coronation Committee has already recalled to your memory the circumstances connected with the origin of this beautiful statue of our Gracious Queen. Its erection is an indication of the deep-seated loyalty of this Colony to our Sovereign, whose throne is the symbol and bond of unity between all parte of the British Empire. We pride ourselves here in Hongkong upon our loyalty and patriotism, and I doubt if any Crown Colony can rival this fine group of statues of onr late revered Queen, of their Gracions Majesties who now reign over us, of Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, who at some future date will be our King and Queen. As we wish long life to the King, so we desire that that date may be long deferred. It would be superfluous for me to say more than a very few words regarding Her Gracious Maj. esty the Queen. Admiration and love for her lie deep in the heart of every British sub- ject. During all the 46 years that she has been among us those feelings have ever grown deeper and stronger. We regard her 85 thu inore regally endowed of Queens, and as the type and example that is best in womanhood. Her devotion to the duties of her high station and the success aud charm with which she has performed them, as well as her never-failing sympathy with sorrow and .suffering, are known to us all. You have erected this statue not only as an emblem of loyalty, but as a mark of admiration and love of the noble lady who is our most gracious Sovereign, It will give Their Majesties, I am sure, special pleasure to learn that this statue was sub- scribed for not only by their loyal sub- jects in this Colony, but by many who owe allegianco to other and friendly Sovereigns. They desired no doubt in this way to express their admiration of our Queen, to testify to the benefits they have received under the King's Government in this Colony, and to bear witness to the cordial relations which have existed between them and His Majesty's subjects in Hongkong. It will ever be a source of gratification to me that I have been asked to perform the ceremony of unveiling this statuo to-day on the anniversary of His Ma- jesty's Birthday, and the replica of the Corona- tion Modal which the Chairman has presented to me will be a valued memento of the occasion. In the uame of the subscribers, I now unveil the statue and present it as a memorial for all time to the Colony of Hongkong.
sur-
The Governor then pulled a rope, the shroud obsearing Her Grasions Majesty fell away,
four corners of the and from the rounding scaffolding four Union Jacks fut- tered bravely in the breeze, while the band of the Buffs struck up the music accompanying a royal salute and the spectators raised cheers for Her Majesty.
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JAN 10]
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