CO129-358 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [10-11] — Page 576

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All

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teristic of British soldiers and sailors, and not a single bitch occurred during the whole of the proceedings.

The arrival of H.E. the Governor was signalled by bugle call, and immediately afterwards the massed bands played the National Anthem. His Excellency was then conducted.

to the dais in front of the Sstatue · of H.M. the Queen by the Hon. Mr. E. A. Hewett, being accom- panied by Commodore Lyon.

After His Excellency had taken his stand ou the dais, the Hon. Mr. Hewett said he was glad to ask His Excellency to accept for Hong-| kong the Statue of H.M. Queen Alexandra, which was the outcome of the Coronation Fund. So many

years

had passed-nearly eight, when the committee was formed, that since then a large number had left the Colony, and of the original number only thirteen were still in the Colony. That was perhaps the reason why some of his colleagues bad not attended on that occasion to receive His Excellency, owing, no doubt, to the superstitious feel- ing attaching to the number thir- teen (laughter). The speaker then gave

are some particulars of the history of the Coronation Committee, and said that the appeal made was so generoualy responded to that the sum of $42,000 were in the hands of the Committee soon after the ap- peal was made. The programme darried out at that time was de- tailed, the Hon. Mr. Hewett stating as a further memorial of the occa- sion the Committee designed a Coronation medal, which was freely distributed. As His Excelleney would understand, they had been able to do this only with the generous support of the residents- comprising many nationalities-of Hongkong. After these things of. which he had spoken had been carried out, the Committee had still $15,000 left, and at first it was thought to erect a memorial to His Majesty the King. As they had one already, however, it was decided to erect a Statue of Her Majesty the Queen. In conclusion, be expressed

the hope that for many years to come the statue would remain, not? only as a memorial of the gracious. lady which it represented, not only as serving to mark a historical event, but as a perpetual reminder to them of the unanimity, good fellowship and good will which existed always between the members of the various nationalities, who made up the community of Hong- kong (applause). He asked His Ex- cellency to accept, as a souvenir of this occasion, a replica of the Hongkong Coronation medal and to unveil the statue for the Colony of Hongkong. (applause).

His Excellency replied as fol- lows: Mr. Howett, Ladies and

Gentlemen :--The chairman of the Coronation Committee has already recalled to your memory the cir- cumstances connected with the origin of this beautiful statue of our Gracious Queen. Ita erection is 831 indication of the deepseated loyalty of this Colony to our Sovereign whose throne is the symbol and bond of unity between all parts of the British Empire. We pride ourselves in Hongkong upon our loyalty and patriotism, and I doubt if any Crown Colony can rival this fine Group of Statucs-of our late revered Queen-of Their Gracious Majesties who now reign" over us-of Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, who at some future date well be our King and Queen. As we wish long life to the King, so we desire that! that date may be deferred. It would be superfluous for me to say more! that a few words regarding Her, Gracious Majesty the Queen, Ad- miration and fove for her lie deep. in the breast of every British subject. During all the forty-six years that. she has been amongst us those feel-; ings have ever grown deeper and! stronger. We regard her as the most regally endowed of queens, and as the type and example of all that! is best in womanhood. Her devo- tion to the duties of her high station, and the success and charm with which she has performed them,

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