[ { "id": 230497, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-033 - General Stavely - Lieut. Governor - 1850 [5-8]", "page_number": 362, "title": "CO129-033 - General Stavely - Lieut. Governor - 1850 [5-8]", "content_text": "exclusively for Divine Service and the Religious Instruction of Her Majesty's Catholic Subjects residing\n\nin this\n\nColony\n\nI venture to solicit that I may be allowed\n\nto hold it at a nominal quit rent.\n\nthe sum\n\nIn conclusion I beg to add that\n\nlands\n\npay to Government for lands held by me for the support of my\n\nmission, including\n\namounts to £\n\nthe above lot No. 50,\n\n217.19.3 for\n\nannum.\n\nTrusting that this application\n\nmay not be considered presumptuous\n\non my part,\n\nI obey\n\n(Signed)\n\nTrue Copy\n\nto remain,\n\n&c,\n\n020\n\nFr. Antonio Feliciani\n\nProcurator of the Missions of the Sacred Congregation \"De Propaganda Fide\n\n...\n\nColonial Secretary\n\nPage 356", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-033 - General Stavely - Lieut. Governor - 1850 [5-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 302018, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-181 - Governor Hennessy - 1878 [1-8]", "page_number": 179, "title": "CO129-181 - Governor Hennessy - 1878 [1-8]", "content_text": "# THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 16TH FEBRUARY, 1878.\n\nHappily the Chinese Government and private individuals are exerting themselves in the latter, and large contributions have been raised and forwarded both in money and food to the Famine stricken districts.\n\nBut the whole is of course utterly inadequate to meet the wants of the case, and Missionaries alike Catholic and Protestant, are engaged to the utmost of their ability in the work of distribution and more are ready to enter on it, if means are provided for the purpose. Urgent appeals are to hand for aid, and the Relief Committee here have resolved on adopting the same line of action that was pursued last year, namely, canvassing the foreign settlements at this place, writing to the outports, including Hongkong and Japan, and, in addition, to telegraph to England and America.\n\nLast year the Colony of Hongkong responded liberally to the appeals that were made for Shantung, and the necessities of the case compel us to renew our appeals this year, also in the hope that they will be as effective as they were then.\n\nWe have been appointed to write your Excellency for this purpose, and to lay the matter before you, requesting that such means may be carried out at Hongkong, as may be thought most suitable. Your kind attention to this will be the occasion of much thankfulness to the members of our Relief Committee and it is desired that any monies contributed for the object may be sent to the Treasurer of the Fund, F. W. LEMARCHAND, Esq., Agra Bank, Shangbai.\n\nHis Excellency \nThe Governor of Hongkong, \n&c., \n&c.\n\nWe have, &c. \nWM. MUIRHEAD, \nHon. Sec., China Famine Relief Fund. \nE. REEVES PALMER, \nMinister of Union Church, Shanghai.\n\n## R. C. MISSION HOUSE, HONGKONG, 7th February, 1878.\n\nEXCELLENCY,-The appalling news of the horrors of famine, which I almost daily receive from the North of China, compels me to recur to the generosity of the heart of Your Excellency, craving for a relief for so many famine-stricken fellow-creatures. As Procurator of the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide, I continually receive letters from the heads of the Italian Missions, that is the Provinces of Shen-Shi, Shan-Shi and Honan, the Provinces most suffering from famine. My great friend the Right Reverend Bishop VOLONTERI, Vicar Apostolic of Honan, well known here in Hongkong where he worked as Missionary for 10 years and who made the so widely spread chart of the San-on district) writes me in date of 12th January, that the horrors of famine are so great, that fathers are seen eating the corpse of their children, and children assisting at the death of their fathers, eating them immediately as they have expired. Indeed the local Mandarins do something, but quite powerless for so many dying people in those huts where at times some 5 or 6 thousand people collected receive a daily soup by the Government, some 60 or 100 corpses are extracted every day.\n\nAfter such terrible description of the horrors of famine, the Right Reverend Bishop VOLONTERI, and the Right Reverend Bishop LING, Vicar Apostolic of Shan-Shi pray me to do all that lay in my power to find some relief for so many poor creatures, whom they are condemned to see dying every hour around them, unable as they are through poverty to stretch forth their hands to help them. I urged by such pitiful motives take courage to put my humble petition for some relief in the hands of Your Excellency, knowing the sincere feelings of charity which animates your heart, and hoping that the Colonial Government, which was so liberal last year for the poor people of Shantung Province will also come to the help of those of Shan-Shi and Honan.\n\nI have, &c., \nG. BURGHIGNOLI, \nProcurator of Propaganda Fide.\n\nHis Excellency \nJOHN POPE HENNESSY, C.M.G., \nGovernor of Hongkong, \n&c., \n&c., \n&c.\n\n# THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 16TH FEBRUARY, 1878.\n\n## GOVERNMENT HOUSE, MADRAS, 11th January, 1878.\n\nSIR,-I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of two drafts amounting to Rupees 543.10.4, towards the Famine Relief Fund.\n\nI beg that you will convey to Bishop RAIMONDI and to the Officers and Men of the Portuguese Gun-vessel Tejo, my best thanks for the remittance.\n\nI remain, &c., \nBUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS.\n\nHis Excellency JOHN POPE HENNESSY, Esq., \nGovernor of Hongkong.\n\n## GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.\n\n### TEACHING OF ENGLISH IN THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS.\n\nThe following Letters and Minutes are published for general information.\n\nBy Command, \nColonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 15th February, 1878.\n\n[No. 15.] \nJ. GARDINER AUSTIN, \nColonial Secretary.\n\nHONGKONG, 28th January, 1878.\n\nSIR,-Referring to your Letter No. 132 of the 2nd March last, informing me of the Secretary of State's approval of the proposal for introducing a system of payment by results in the Government Schools of the Colony, I have the honour to report as follows:-\n\nThe Schools ranked as very good are the\n1. Tang-lung Chau (Púnti) School.\n2. Wantsai School.\n3. Stanley School.\n\nThe Schools ranked as good are the-\n1. Sai Ying-pún (Púnti) School.\n2. Há Wán School.\n3. Shéung Wán School.\n4. Shán-ki Wán School.\n5. Girls' School.\n6. Tang-lung Chau (Hakka) School.\n7. Ap-li Chau School.\n8. Shek-t'ong Tsúi School.\n9. Ta'at Tsz-múi School.\n\n| Rank | Payment |\n| --- | --- |\n| 5 Masters | $25 each |\n| 7 Masters | $15 each |\n\nTotal, $230.00 \n($125.00 + $105.00)\n\nThis payment comes under the denomination of Grants-in-Aid. I have already, in my Letter No. 3 of 7th instant, (C.S.O. No. 38), reported that the Grants-in-Aid this year are in excess of the sum voted for the purpose. I trust, however, that His Excellency the Governor, on considering the circumstances of the present year, will not object to making provision for this further sum; and I shall be glad if the Warrant for payment is issued in time to enable me to pay the Masters on the 1st proximo, before they go home for their New Year holidays.\n\nI have the honour to be, \nSir, \nYour most obedient Servant, \nFREDERICK STEWART, \nInspector of Schools.\n\nThe Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN, C.M.G., \nColonial Secretary, \n&c., \n&c., \n&c.\n\n## No. 30. GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.\n\nThe following letter from His Grace the Duke of BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS, dated Government House, Madras, 11th January, 1878, is published for general information.\n\nBy Command, \nColonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 15th February, 1878.\n\nJ. GARDINER AUSTIN, \nColonial Secretary.\n\n### Minute by His Excellency the Governor.\n\nI have already sanctioned the extra payments in accordance with Mr. STEWART's recommendation, subject to the approval of the Legislative Council.\n\nOn visiting some of these Village Schools, I found the Schoolmasters could not speak a word of English, and as far as I could ascertain, none of the pupils had any knowledge of English.\n\nPossibly, in some of the Government Schools I have not yet been able to visit, there may be instruction in English; I should therefore be glad if Mr. STEWART would make out a list of the Schoolmasters of the Village Schools, marking in each case, those who can teach English, and those who cannot. Also the total number of pupils in each Village School, and the number in each that can speak English.\n\nJ. POPE HENNESSY, \n29th January, 1878.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-181 - Governor Hennessy - 1878 [1-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325781, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 370, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "# 369\n\nPally paper the for. Inats \n\nбарил \n\nitt lille \n\n2. Impare the wording at the Münded Ordinance are sufficient for the Bishop to sell as well as to purchase holdings.\n\n3. Enquire the Sacred Congregation having been mentioned in the Lease, do so need not present now vesting the property Bukop?\n\nMr Meade Am 22 me in the 227..\n\n: a copy of the P. P. has already been sent to the Governor of the Hong Kong in dispatch 256 of 20 Nov 1882 (`17203`)\n\n2. I doubt. In the ordinance incorporating Church of England Trustees power to sell is expressly given `8/1873` (annexed).\n\n3. Perhaps the consent of the Sacred Congregation would be necessary. I do not know whether the Bishop would have to send to Rome for it or whether the Sacred Congregations have representatives in Hong Kong who could consent on their behalf. It would be for the Bishop to produce such consent.\n\n0.5. In the case of Trinidad it was considered, having regard to the constitution of the R. C. Church, that it was preferable to incorporate the Archdiocese as a body rather than trustees.\n\nM. Wingfield RE.\n\nPlease consider this. \n\nRm 2577 send this form erapies & Junidad", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325783, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 372, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "## \n371 \n\nother documents relating to it, and extracts \nthe opinion of the Attorney-General \nupon \nの \nthe whole case. \nFrom this correspondence \nit appears that the piece of land, \nKnown as \n\"Inland Lot 1150 in this \nCity is held \non \nlease \nfor \na term \nof 75 years, from 1848, granted to \nthe Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, and for \na \nfurther term of 924 years granted to Bishop Raimondi by name. This leasehold is the property of the Roman Catholic Mission at Hong Kong.\n\n243. \n### Enclosure 4. \nHongkong. Circumstances have \narisen which make it desirable \nfor \nthe Mission to sell their interest in this land; but, owing \nto a statement made from \nthe Bench of \nthe Supreme Court by \nthe Chief Justice (Sir George Phillippo), in a recent case, to the effect \nthat missionary societies, not being incorporated Bodies, are incapable of selling or mortgaging land, the \nRoman Catholic Mission has not been able to give a marketable title to this property. \n3.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325784, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 373, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "To meet this difficulty a short private Bill, copy of which is annexed, was, at the instance of Bishop Raimondi, brought into the Legislative Council by the then Senior Unofficial Member (Mr. Kyrie). This Bill purported to authorize the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith to sell or mortgage the specified lot in question, but on consideration by the Law Committee of the Legislative Council, it was not considered that this Bill could have the desired effect; and it was accordingly withdrawn.\n\n4. Bishop Raimondi now wishes for an Incorporation Ordinance to enable him to deal with this, and similar cases; but as the Attorney General remarks, \"he does not state to whom or to what body it is that he desires that incorporation should be granted, whether to Bishop of Macratho (Bishop Raimondi's title), or to the Sacred Congregation, or to... \n\n# \n## appears to be a header but there is not enough context, so it is left as is.\n\nEnclosure 5.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325785, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 374, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "6 \n\nto the Vicar Apostolic, or otherwise, \nnor does he say who or what the Shored Congregation is, or with what authority he applies on behalf of the Sacred Congregation. \n\nHowever, at the urgent request of Bishop Raimondi, I forward the case in its present incomplete form, with the hope that Your Lordship will furnish me with detailed instructions as to the course to be pursued in the present instance, and with full information as to the guiding precedents which have doubtless been made in other Colonies. In particular, it is desired to have a draft of a Bill which has been sanctioned, in similar instances, elsewhere.\n\n6. I add that this case is one which, owing to the needs of the Roman Catholic Mission, requires early decision; that there is an objection (of which I am aware) to the sale of the land in question; and that it is obviously desirable, on many", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325787, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 376, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "# Enclosure\n\nfor the\n\n375\n\nRoman Catholic Mission house \nHongkong 28th May 1884.\n\n**Right Honorable Sir**\n\nA \nRi \nC. O. \n12270 \n`REGP 19 JUL 84`\n\nI have been recommended by His Excellency, Sir George Bowen to address Your Lordship in a very important, urgent matter which affects very considerably the Sacred Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith in Rome to whom pertains the Roman Catholic Mission of Hong Kong.\n\nSince the year 1845 the R. C. Mission of the S. C. of Propaganda is in possession of Lot No. 250 in Hung Hom. By an Indenture of Crown Lease dated the 14 day of August 1845 and made between our Sovereign Lady the Queen of the one part and...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325788, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 377, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "3762\n\nThe Sacred Congregation Propagation of the Faith on the other part, Her said Majesty did demise, lease and to farm let unto the Sacred Congregation all that piece or parcel of ground and portion in the Land Office Hong Kong Lot No. 50 to hold the same unto the Sacred Congregation for the term of 75 years subject to the payment of certain sum to be paid before the sealing and delivery of the Indenture to the Governor for the time being of Hong Kong for the use of the said Majesty and also subject to rent etc., and by a further Indenture dated the 30th day of April 1879, the said term was extended for a further period of 924 years. The sum requested for the price of the ground was imposed as the Crown lease. The Crown Rent was annually paid, consisting of £58 8s. per year, for 39 years till now, and receipt given by the Government. When H.E. Sir Richard MacDonnell thought to have power to remit a part of the heavy Crown Rent on Lot 50 on behalf of the Sacred Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith, the Right Honourable the Secretary of State at the time strongly objected and refused to approve of it. All this to be taken as certainly the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda recognizing as owner of Lot 50, with all the power to hold and dispose of the said Lot, and it was on that persuasion only that the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda has, at its own expense, erected a Cathedral Church, Presbytery and Schools. The said Cathedral Church, Presbytery and School Buildings having...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325789, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 378, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "## \n\nLately, the Catholic Mission of Hong Kong has become too small for its needs. The neighbourhood having changed for the worse and being very inconveniently situated, the R. Catholic Mission of the said Sacred Congregation Propaganda have, out of their own moneys, purchased, more than three years ago, other and more favourably situated lands and have erected new and spacious Schools thereon, and have laid the foundation of, and are now in course of erecting, another portion of the said land for a more commodious Cathedral Church suited to the needs of the Mission. Contracts for carrying out the works have been made and signed, and the costs have been calculated. We have the necessary funds to do it from the result of the sale which we intended to make of the said Lot 14° 50. In fact, Lot 50 was sold once at the end of 1881; the sale was carried on, and no question about the title was raised. The conditions of sale, however, not having been complied with, the property returned to us. In the beginning of this year, we were about to sell it again or to have a loan by mortgaging the said Lot 50, when, on the occasion of a case at the Supreme Court in which the London Missionary Society were concerned, the Chief Justice, Sir George Philippe, declared that the Missionaries in Hong Kong could not act as they were not recognized as Incorporated, and that it was necessary that they should apply to the Legislature, which could, by an Ordinance, give the Trustees the power to sell.\n\nDoubts arose, therefore, for the first time in Hong Kong, as to whether the Sacred Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith are entitled to mortgage and sell the said land and premises. The doubts which have arisen caused...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325790, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 379, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "great damages to the P. C. Propaganda and put them in a very great embarrassment, the works of the \"Cathedral\" being urgent, and being impossible to stop them. We applied therefore to the local legislature for an Act to empower the P. C. of Propaganda to mortgage or sell the said Lot: 50; but the Attorney General declared that the Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith having no legal standing and before the law not existing, that nothing therefore from Incorporating could be of any value and it was necessary to refer the matter for the instructions of Your Lordship before legislating in the Colony. H. E. Sir George Bowen, the present Governor, is very much interested on our behalf, but the Government is obliged to follow the advice of the Attorney General. We have the assurance that H. E. the Governor is well disposed to recommend the matter to the immediate and favourable consideration of your Lordship. Therefore we earnestly apply to Your Right Honourable Sir, praying Your Lordship to kindly authorize the legislature of Hongkong to pass a measure of the kind desired.\n\n378\n\nBesides Lot 50, we have several other properties in Hong Kong, some in the name of the Catholic Authorities of the time being as Trustees of the Sacred Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith, and some in the name of the Prefects and Vicars Apostolic and their successors. If we could have a Bill comprehending all the different properties it would do better: but, at any rate, the most urgent is the present Lot 50. The longer the present state of things lasts, the greater will be the damages inflicted on the P. C. of Propaganda.\n\nWe have already informed the S.C. of Propaganda in Rome.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325791, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 380, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "## Enclosure 2:1\n\nC. O.\n\n...of the case and we have sent to Governor Sir John Pope Hennessy a certified copy of the Crown's deed. The Right Reverend Bishop Raimondé...\n\nLot 50. We need not mention that we have made Hongkong the base quarter of the Catholic Mission in China; large capitals have been invested in the Colony by R.C. Mission, and it would be quite disadvantageous both to the R. C. of Propaganda and the English Government were we to place our funds elsewhere. Therefore we strongly urge that the matter be taken up at your earliest convenience.\n\n(Copy)\n\nRoman Catholic Mission-house, \nHong Kong, 27th February, 1884.\n\nPlease Your Excellency,\n\nI trust Your Excellency will excuse me for the liberty I take in laying the following statements before Your Excellency's kind consideration.\n\nThat the Roman Catholic Mission in Hongkong, Procurator of the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide in Rome, has possessed the lot No. 50 in this Colony for nearly forty years.\n\nThe lease does not specify any particular object for which the ground should be used, but is constructed in the usual form.\n\nHis Excellency Sir George Bowen, G.C.M.G. Governor of Hong Kong", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325795, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 384, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "383\n\n## Enclosure H.\n\nI have the honour to send you herewith 16 copies of the Draft Bill.\n\nNo doubt, the Government will not shrink from favouring us and have the Bill passed in the Council at the earliest convenience, in consideration of the very awkward position in which we have been placed without any fault of ours, by some doubts raised for the first time after 39 years of our being in possession of the Inland Lot 50, as to whether we are entitled to remortgage and sell the said land and premises, of which embarrassment we gave notice to the Government by our letter of the 28th February last.\n\nI have\n(Signed) John T. Raimondi\nBishop Vicar Apostolic.\n\n## Copy\n\n### Report by the Attorney-General.\n\nThe application of Bishop Raimondi contained in his first letter of February 27, 1884, was to grant \"such incorporation as was granted in Trinidad to the Archbishop of Port Louis by Ordinance No. 16 of 1870\"; or as this will take considerable time to introduce, to pass a special Ordinance reciting the circumstances and especially authorizing the sale of Lot 750.\n\nUpon this, the Bishop was requested to furnish a copy of the Trinidad Ordinance to which he referred, and also the Crown Lease of Lot 50. No copy of the Ordinance could be obtained. The Crown Lease was furnished and proved to be for 75 years from 1845 to the Sacred Congregation...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325797, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 386, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "# 385\n\nThe difficulty of the Bishop appears to be that the Original Lease of the land with which he wants to deal is to \"The Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith\" which is not a body corporate, and that he cannot therefore give the purchaser a good marketable title. The Bishop does not state to whom or to what body it is that he desires that incorporation should be granted - whether to the Bishop of Acantho or to the Sacred Congregation or to the Vicar Apostolic or otherwise. Nor does he say who or what the Sacred Congregation is or with what authority he applies on behalf of the Sacred Congregation.\n\nIt would be necessary before anything could be done that he should furnish full information upon these... points.\n\nIf an Ordinance incorporating any body representing the Roman Catholic interest here were passed it should contain a section defining the powers of the Corporation with regard to future dealings with its lands.\n\n(Signed) **Edward L. U Tatley** \nJune 11, 1884.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325798, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 387, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "# Enclosure 5.\n\n**TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.**\n\n**C. 0.**\n\n386\n\n19270\n\nThis is to give notice that the Sacred Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith intends at an early date to apply to the Honourable Hongkong for a Bill to enable the said Sacred Congregation to sell and dispose of and in the meantime to mortgage all that piece or parcel of ground known and registered as Inland Lot No. 50 with its appurtenances on which the Roman Catholic Cathedral, Seminary and other Ecclesiastical Buildings the property of the said Sacred Congregation now stand, the said Cathedral and Buildings being now too small for the needs of the Mission and inconveniently situate and the said Sacred Congregation having acquired other and more suitable premises.\n\nHongkong, 12th April, 1884.\n\n## Copy Draft Bill\n\n**A Bill to enable the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith to mortgage and sell certain Property in Hongkong.**\n\nWHEREAS by an Indenture of Crown Lease dated the 14th day of August 1845 and made between Our Sovereign Lady the Queen of the one part and the Sacred Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith of the other part, Her said Majesty did demise lease and to farm let unto the said Sacred Congregation all that piece or parcel of ground and premises known and registered in the Land Office Hongkong as Inland Lot No. 50 to hold the same unto the said Sacred Congregation for the term of 75 years subject to the payment of the rent and to the observance and fulfilment of the Covenants conditions and stipulations in the said Indenture of Crown Lease contained. And whereas by a further Indenture dated the 30th day of April 1879 the said term was extended for a further period of 924 years.\n\nAnd whereas the said Sacred Congregation has on the said piece or parcel of ground at its own expense erected a Cathedral Church, Presbytery and Schools.\n\nAND WHEREAS the said Cathedral Church, Presbytery and School Buildings have become too small for the needs of the Roman Catholic Mission in Hongkong and are very inconveniently situate,\n\nAnd whereas the said Sacred Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith have out of their own monies purchased other lands more favourably situate and have erected new and spacious Schools thereon and have laid the foundations of and are now in course of erecting on another portion of the said lands a Cathedral Church more suited to the needs of the Mission.\n\nAnd whereas the said Sacred Congregation are desirous of selling the said Inland Lot No. 50 with the erections and buildings thereon at the first convenient opportunity and in the meanwhile of raising money thereon by mortgaging the same.\n\nAnd whereas doubts have arisen as to whether the said Sacred Congregation are entitled, in view of the Law affecting Charities and Charitable Trusts, to mortgage and sell the said land and premises.\n\nAnd whereas it hath been shown by the said Sacred Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith, that it is desirable and to the advantage of the Roman Catholic Mission in Hongkong that the said Sacred Congregation should be authorised and empowered to sell the said land and premises at the first convenient opportunity and in the meantime to raise money by the mortgage thereof.\n\nBe it enacted by the Governor and Legislative Council of Hongkong\n\n1. The said Sacred Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith is authorised and empowered to sell and dispose of the said Inland Lot No. 50 with the erections and buildings thereon and the rights easements and appurtenances there or commonly held or enjoyed therewith and all their right title claim and demand therein or thereto under the said Indentures of Crown Lease and of Extension thereof at such time and manner and for such price or prices as to the said Sacred Congregation shall think fit and in the meantime to mortgage the same or any part thereof.\n\n2. Nothing herein contained shall affect or be deemed to affect the right of Her Majesty the Queen her heirs or successors or of any bodies politic or corporate or other person or persons except such as are mentioned in this law and those claiming by from or under them.\n\n## Title\n\nTreinbla.\n\n17T\n\n1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325800, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 389, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "4 \n\n388 \n\nappear to refer to the difficulties in - \n\nwhich Trustees of Charities might find themselves placed, if they wanted to deal with their lands by way of sale or mortgage. But your difficulty in Connexion with the Lot appears to be that the Crown Lease of the land is to the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, which is not a Body Corporate in English law, you cannot therefore give a purchaser a good Title.\n\nI am to state that you do not point out to whom or to what body it is that you desire that incorporation should be granted, whether to the Bishop of Reauths or to the Sacred Congregation or to the Vicar Apostolic, or otherwise; nor do you say who or what the Sacred Congregation is, or on what authority you apply on its behalf.\n\nI have to add that it would be necessary, before anything could be done in the way of Legislation, that you should furnish full information on the points mentioned above.\n\nMeanwhile the Governor will transmit by the next mail to", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325802, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 391, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "390 \n\nLondon City Mission, and he did not know that he could take special note of what the Society was, not being a corporation. Moreover, the doubt thrown on our power of mortgaging Lot 50 by the Crown Solicitor was based on the words of the Chief Justice. The Crown Solicitor said to a friend who wanted to make a new loan to us on mortgaging Lot 50, \"After what has been said by the Chief Justice, I cannot advise you to do it.\" On that, we moved the Bill, and it appeared at least to us when we proposed it first, that neither the Chief Justice nor the Attorney General had any objection to it. He regretted only to have lost time.\n\n2. As to whom or to what body the incorporation should be granted, the matter ought to be settled first with the Attorney General. I think it should be to the Vicar Apostolic, but it must be such as to comprehend all the several Crown leases. I fear, if I have to evolve the matter myself, my work might be useless, as it has been with the precedent Bill. He must have an Act to preclude all future doubts or difficulties, and I hope the Government will help us in the matter.\n\nI did not say who and what the Sacred Congregation is, because I thought the Government knew it beforehand. To avoid all misunderstand...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325803, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 392, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "391\n\nI will give the definition from Professor Canvillis' lectures on Canon law delivered in the Roman Pontifical Seminary and therefore very accurate. For the first volume p. 259 he defines the Roman Congregations as follows: -\n\n\"Romæ Congregationes dicuntur Collegia particularia ex aliquot Cardinalibus aliisque viris præstantissimis in Urbe (Rome) constituta pro nonnullis negotiis curandis, discutiendis et difiniendis.\"\n\nAt page 262 he defines the nature of the Congregations of the Roman Congregation of the Faith:-\n\n\"Congregatio Propaganda Fidei... præest partes Infidelium... præest omnibus Missionibus in regionibus Infidelium et intendit... Missionum... prædita est amplissimis facultatibus siquidem ipsa Congregatio plurium aliarum officic complectitur, et constituit organum generale per quod Romanus Pontifex necessitatibus Missionum providet.\" \n\nThe present prefect of the Congregation is Cardinal Simsoni. To give you an idea in my way of viewing the matter I would liken the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda to the Colonial Office, and I would say, with something of the Foreign Office as the Propaganda likewise provides for the interest of the Catholic Church in England, declared...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325804, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 393, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "392\n\nA **and the English Colonies always under the control of the Pope**. It is the Propaganda which published lately a series of letters concerning Ireland showing its consistent policy in recommending to the Catholics of Ireland loyalty to the Queen and respect to the authorities.\n\nA person may ask me, \"On what authority do you rely on behalf of the Propaganda?\" I answer that I derive my authority in force of the organisation of the Catholic Church by having been impelled and instructed by the Sovereign Pontiff the Pope through the Sacred Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith with the charge of the Catholic Mission of Hong Kong.\n\n5. By the last Mails I have referred the case to the Sacred Congregation to whom I have likewise sent a certified copy of the Brown lease Lot 50. As soon as I shall receive instructions it will be my duty to communicate them to you.\n\n6. The only thing I regret after all is that no arrangements could be found in such a case of emergency. The doubts which have arisen, for the first time, on our power of mortgaging and selling Lot 50 will, we fear, if not removed soon, contribute to lessen the value of our property, such as Lot 50, which was called by the Surveyor General a very precious property, located in the centre of the...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325807, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 396, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "## regard to the disposal of certain property in the colony originally granted on lease to the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith\n\n2. I enclose for your guidance, in dealing with the question, copies of two ordinances lately passed by the legislature of Trinidad to meet similar cases which may arise in dealing with the question.\n\n167/1879 \n395\n\nand I shall have no objection to the enactment of an ordinance containing the following provisions.\n\n- a. It should incorporate either the person for the time being holding some office in the Church of Rome in Hongkong, e.g., the Bishop or the Vicar Apostolic in the case of the Roman Catholic Church of 1875, as...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325809, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 398, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "corporation dot. So any other property may be leased for 50 years or more which have been based on the Sacred Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith should not be enacted without the consent of the congregation, for it is understood that the Bishop has applied; and care should be taken to impose on the Corporation all the obligations imposed or expressed to be imposed on the lessee by the leases of any property the bounds or interest which is vested in him, by ordinance.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 328241, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6]", "page_number": 16, "title": "CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6]", "content_text": "other men-of-war, together with four torpedo-boats, and a large provision of submarine mines. I may add that I have recently received a letter from the highest official military authority in England, in which he writes that with the defensive power of various kinds already provided, or which will shortly be provided for this harbour, you should laugh to scorn the possible attacks of all other nations now in the China seas.\" (the shipwreck ...)\n\n\"I am sorry to be obliged to detain you so long; but must now tell you precisely what has already been done with regard to the two subjects referred to in the Resolution proposed by my hon. friend.\n\n(1.) The Government entirely agree that there ought to be direct telegraphic communication between Hongkong and Singapore. I have already communicated with the Imperial Government on this subject, both by telegraph and by despatch. I also brought it before the Executive Council, which, after full consideration, passed the following Minute --\n\nThe Council advise that in the present depressed state of the Colonial Revenue, it is impossible that this colony should give any substantial contribution towards a direct telegraphic cable to Singapore, which is desirable for Imperial rather than for Colonial, for naval and military rather than for commercial interests.\n\n\"I have communicated on this point also with the Acting Governor of the Straits Settlements, who informs me that his Government, like that of Hongkong, is unable to give any substantial aid to the proposed scheme.\n\nI was informed by the Manager of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company that it would cost about £400,000, that is, about twice the total revenue of this colony, but I have been informed since that that is probably an extravagant estimate. However, it is quite possible the Imperial Government might be inclined to give a guarantee or to aid in some other way.\n\n(2.) With regard to the second point of the Resolution now before the Council, viz., the provision of a flotilla of torpedo-boats, I have already stated that Admiral Sir W. Dowell has informed me that four torpedo-boats, fully equipped, are attached to this harbour. After consultation with him, I have asked the Imperial Government, both by telegraph and despatch, to provide four more torpedo-boats, making eight in all, which the naval authorities consider amply sufficient. I may here add that the naval authorities believe that the Auxiliary Flotilla, formed of six of the steam-launches belonging to the Colonial Government, will afford very valuable aid. At my request, the Imperial Government has presented the Colony with a full equipment for this Flotilla of 7-pounder guns and Nordenfeldt machine-guns, and of rifles and revolvers for the crews, together with a large supply of ammunition.\n\n\"There are several other points connected with the subject of our Defences to which I should like to refer, if the Minute were not already longer than I intended. I should not omit, however, to mention that more than a year ago, I strongly recommended the increase of the Garrison by a considerable force of Artillery and another regiment of the line. As you are aware, a second battery of the Royal Artillery was sent out at once. It is impossible that, at the present crisis, a second battalion of English infantry should be spared; but I have been assured that arrangements have been made for sending here as soon as possible at least one regiment of Indian troops and two more batteries of Artillery, making four batteries in all.\n\nIn conclusion, I would observe that nothing can be further from my intention, in writing this Minute, than to claim any special credit for the constant, zealous, and successful efforts which I have made during the last two years for the improvement of our Defences. I feel that I have only discharged what is one of the first duties of the Governor of this Colony at the existing crisis.\"\n\nIf no other hon. gentleman wishes to address the Council I will now put the resolution to the vote, and I repeat that I hope it will be carried unanimously, for it is calculated to add force to the recommendations I have already made to the Imperial Government on the subject of which it treats.\n\nThe resolution was carried unanimously.\n\n# The consideration of this Bill in Committee was continued and was concluded with the exception of the repealing Clause, which was postponed.\n\n## Incorporation\n\n### INCORPORATION OF...\n\n### VICAR APOSTOLIC\n\nThe ATTORNEY-GENERAL--I now move the second reading of the Bill for the Incorporation of the Roman Catholic Vicar Apostolic of Hongkong. I stated on the introduction of the Bill what the object of the measure was. Difficulties had risen in connection with the disposal of property held by the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith and by persons as trustees for that body, and an application was made by them to the effect that an Ordinance should be passed incorporating the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, and placing them in a position to deal with the property. That application was sanctioned by the Secretary of State, who authorised the introduction of a Bill such as that now before the Council. The principal points that were to be attended to were these, that the Bishop or Vicar Apostolic should be the person incorporated, or in the alternative a body of trustees to be appointed from time to time in some way prescribed by the Ordinance; it was to provide that property now held by the Sacred Congregation should pass to the corporation; also it was to empower the corporation to acquire and hold property for the Church of Rome, and to sell and dispose of property. All these directions are complied with in the three clauses of the Bill as it now stands. The assent of the Sacred Congregation to this measure has been obtained, and in a form which gives evidence of the satisfaction of that body, and the present Vicar Apostolic is constituted the first incorporation.\n\nHon. P. RYBYE--Was there not some objection raised some time ago about the title \"Vicar Apostolic of Hongkong?\" I would propose he be called the Vicar Apostolic of the Roman Catholic Church in Hongkong,\" not the Vicar Apostolic of Hongkong.\n\nThe ATTORNEY-GENERAL--I think that would be more correct. The terms which I have used was the term suggested by the Secretary of State, and it seems to me it comes to very much the same thing--the Roman Catholic Vicar Apostolic of Hongkong or the Vicar Apostolic of the Roman Catholic Church in Hongkong. HIS EXCELLENCY--But there is no territorial jurisdiction.\n\nThe ATTORNEY-GENERAL--I understand there is.\n\nHIS EXCELLENCY--If you say the Roman Catholic Vicar Apostolic in Hongkong it might be better.\n\nHon. T. JACKSON--I think there was some previous correspondence about this question, and I think it should be looked up.\n\nThe ATTORNEY-GENERAL--The terms I have used here are the terms which long subsequent to any other correspondence were suggested by the Secretary of State.\n\nThe COLONIAL SECRETARY--There was some correspondence, but I have lost sight of it.\n\nThe ATTORNEY-GENERAL--I would ask the Council to assent to my motion, and before we go into Committee I undertake that these verbal alterations which have been suggested shall be considered, and I shall then be prepared to move the necessary amendments.\n\nThe Bill was then read a second time.\n\n## THE POST OFFICE ORDINANCE\n\nThe ATTORNEY-GENERAL gave notice that at the next meeting he would move the first reading of a Bill to amend the Post Office Ordinance.\n\n## ADJOURNMENT\n\nThe Council adjourned until Wednesday next.\n\nPage 15", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 328494, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6]", "page_number": 269, "title": "CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6]", "content_text": "# Enclosure 3.\n\n## C 0. 268\n\nThe Ordinance is to constitute the Vicar Apostolic of the Roman Catholic Church in Hongkong a corporation with power to acquire, hold, and dispose of land and other property. Also to vest in the said Corporation properties now vested in the said Congregation, or in trustees for the same.\n\nThe Ordinance is intended to carry out the legislation sanctioned by the Secretary of State's Despatch of August 2nd 1884, and the provisions of Section 2 are in accordance with the consent previously obtained of the Sacred Congregation.\n\n(Signed) Edward J. O'Malley\n\n## RECS\n\n### Certificate required by Article 3 of the Royal Instructions.\n\nI, Sir GEORGE FERGUSON BOWEN, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies and Vice-Admiral of the same, in pursuance of Article XXV of the Royal Instructions to the Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies, bearing date the 9th day of April, 1877, do hereby certify with reference to the Private Bill hereunto annexed entitled \"An Ordinance for the Incorporation of the Vicar Apostolic of the Roman Catholic Church in Hongkong\".\n\nThat adequate and timely notification was made by public advertisement in the Government Gazette of the following dates:\n| Date |\n| --- |\n| 7th March, 1885 |\n| 14th March, 1885 |\n\nin accordance with Rule 49 of the Standing Orders and Rules of the Legislative Council of this Colony, of the said Vicar Apostolic's intention to apply for such Private Bill before such Bill was brought into the Legislative Council of this Colony.\n\nGiven under my hand this 15th day of May 1885.\n\nG.F.Bowen", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 345776, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-250 - Acting Governor Barker - 1891 [6-8]", "page_number": 175, "title": "CO129-250 - Acting Governor Barker - 1891 [6-8]", "content_text": "# THE SUNDAY LABOR IN HONGKONG HARBOUR\n\n## \"DAILY PRESS\" ON BISHOP BURDON'S JUBILEE ADDRESS\n\nTHE Sunday labour question formed the chief theme of Bishop Burdon's address in the Cathedral at the Jubilee service on the 21st inst. Perhaps the occasion was not altogether a suitable one for a discourse devoted almost exclusively to a controversial topic of this description, though it might well have been referred to incidentally as one amongst other problems demanding attention. Putting aside, however, the question of the suitability of time and place, the sentiments of the Bishop no doubt found an echo in the hearts of most of his congregation. To some extent Sunday labour is a necessary evil, but all parties are agreed that it ought to be minimised as much as possible. Whatever may be said as to the policy or impolicy of making the observance of Sunday compulsory, there can be no question that it is the duty of the Government to discourage Sunday labour and on no account to permit it in connection with Government works unless in cases of real emergency.\n\nOver and over again this view has been expressed by the Government itself, but Sunday work on Government contracts still goes on. In 1844, when Sir JOHN DAVIS was Governor, an order was addressed to the Land Office in the following terms:- \"I am directed by His Excellency the Governor-in-Council to inform you that, with a view to the better observance of Sunday throughout the Colony, he directs that Government works be not proceeded with on that day, and that all Europeans in the service of your Department be thereby afforded an opportunity of attending divine service. In all contracts made in future, you will take care that Sunday is omitted in calculating the time necessary for the completion of the work contracted for.\" His Excellency directed this order to be published for general information, adding, \"and he expects that the course therein indicated by the Government will in future be followed, and the Sunday observed with due respect by the Christian population throughout the Colony.\" Similar instructions were issued by succeeding Governors, but they seem never to have been obeyed for any long period.\n\nIn 1878 the Rev. E. Davys, then Acting Colonial Chaplain, addressed the Governor-in-Council on the subject, setting out the arguments in favour of Sunday rest, and expressing the earnest hope that His Excellency in Council would be of opinion that all Chinese coolie and other labour on Sundays, under ordinary circumstances, should be abolished in Government works, and that this proviso would be made in future contracts. In acknowledging receipt of this letter, the Acting Colonial Secretary was instructed to inform the writer that the Governor agreed with him as to the desirability, if practicable, of stopping all Sunday labour in Government departments, and would give the whole subject his best consideration. The result of this consideration was that the Acting Colonial Chaplain was a few months afterwards informed that instructions had been given which His Excellency hoped would put a stop to all labour of the kind in future, except that which may be absolutely necessary and unavoidable.\n\nIf our memory serves us, there has been another order to a similar effect published since then. Yet Sunday work on Government contracts still goes on. Only on Sunday last we observed it in connection with the laying of the new water mains. While it is admittedly desirable that this work should be prosecuted with all reasonable speed, it cannot for a moment be contended that it is of such a nature as to render Sunday labour \"absolutely necessary and unavoidable.\" Into the wider question of Sunday labour in the Colony generally we do not now propose to enter; we have on previous occasions expressed our opinion that it would be inexpedient to stop it by a compulsory Sunday observance law; but we have no hesitation in characterising Sunday work on Government contracts as a scandal and disgrace to the Colony. In the words of the Rev. E. Davys in the letter above referred to, it is the duty of the Executive \"to relieve the Colony from the demoralisation caused by the sights and sounds of Sunday toil under Government authority; and thereby set a befitting and widely influential standard for the practice of private individuals and our commercial firms.\" -Hongkong, 29th January, 1891.\n\n## SUNDAY LABOR IN HONGKONG HARBOUR\n\n### THE SUNDAY SLAVERY QUESTION\n\n#### A Reply\n\nTO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS.\n\nDEAR SIR,- Your leader of this morning on the much-vexed question of compulsory Sunday labour in this port, both ashore and afloat, has, as you doubtless anticipated, caused considerable comment in shipping and other circles. Whilst proving pleasant reading to shipowners, it has caused considerable annoyance to those who are often, too often, styled \"common sailors.\" The latter are perturbed, not so much because your article partakes of the nature of dictation to Government in a manner adverse to those who have so earnestly striven for that consideration in this matter which is due to them, but because you have taken to task (briefly it is true) the Right Reverend Bishop Burdon, on the grounds that the Cathedral on Jubilee Day was neither the time nor the place to express his views honestly upon what is not only a popular question par excellence, but also a disgrace to the Colony—a relic of an evil past and a parody on 19th century civilization.\n\nI submit that the Bishop not only selected the most suitable place for his address, but could not have chosen a better opportunity for maintaining the necessity here of the observance of the Fourth Commandment—the sacred edifice being crowded on that special occasion with people of all nationalities. However, it is not within my province, nor do I think it necessary, to enter a special plea for his Lordship; suffice it to say that the reverend gentleman's conduct has ever been irreproachable, and that his utterances on Jubilee Day have caused great satisfaction to an important section of the community who are sufferers by reason of compulsory labour on board ships in this port on the Sabbath, and who regard it as an unjustifiable invasion of their rights as subjects of the Queen.\n\nPermit me to point out that although you say it is \"inexpedient\" for the Legislature to stop and put a stop (as it is undoubtedly able to do at any moment without danger of unpleasant reprisals) to this obnoxious custom, still you have not yet explained the why or wherefore of this inexpediency. Furthermore, I contend, and with reason, that British subjects are just as much entitled to their Sunday rest as any of the heathen labourers engaged on public works, for whom you plead in your leader now under review. Why should the labourer engaged on Government works be excluded from compulsory Sunday labour while British subjects are precluded from enjoying the day of rest that is granted to them in the ports of China and Japan? What are the \"peculiar conditions\" (as yet unknown to the world at large) under which trade is conducted here that render it inadvisable that work on board ships should be suspended on the seventh day of every week? These, sir, are questions to which I ask you to favour me with replies.\n\nIt is an indisputable fact that many important shipowners are averse to labour being carried on on board their vessels on Sunday in any part of the world, Sunday labour being a custom in some parts of the world for the continuance of which they can find no justification. It is therefore very strange that \"the peculiar conditions\" under which trade is conducted here render it \"inexpedient\" that there should be an end to compulsory disrespect for the Sabbath in \"our island home,\" the Malta and Gibraltar of the East.\n\nTrusting you will favour me with space in your columns for the insertion of this reply to your comments on a question at issue.\n\nHongkong, 29th January, 1891.\n\nYours faithfully,\nONLY A BRITON.\n\nNote:--The questions embodied in the above letter have never yet been answered. \"The peculiar conditions\" which render it \"inexpedient\" that there should be an end to compulsory disrespect for the Sabbath in the port of Hongkong were, at the time this pamphlet was sent to press, unknown to those who \"go down to the sea in ships\" in the Far East.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-250 - Acting Governor Barker - 1891 [6-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 397871, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905", "page_number": 361, "title": "CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905", "content_text": "# \nli-kin collection at about 90,000 taels, that of the native Customs at 60,000. He mentioned that coal paid no li-kin, but was lightly taxed at the pit mouth. A considerable quantity of native opium, he said, passed through Shiu-kuan, coming from Szechuan, Hunan, and Ch'u-chou in Chekiang. It paid at present only 2 taels per picul duty, but this was shortly to be raised.\n\nShiu-kuan is surrounded by a crenellated wall in an unusually good state of preservation. The principal business quarter is the Cantonese suburb, outside the wall facing the North River. The Yamêns are in the so-called native or Hakka quarter, within four minutes' walk of the West Gate. There are besides a Hunanese and a Kiangsi quarter. Opposite the West Gate is the suburb destroyed by the Taipings, now a heap of grass-covered ruins. Here the Wesleyan Mission are erecting their new house in foreign style, and propose, when funds permit, to build a hospital. A fair number of junks were anchored on both branches of the river, but the shipping and movement of the place did not, I must confess, come up to my expectation.\n\nThe population is estimated by the missionaries at over 100,000.\n\nOn the afternoon of our arrival, I called with Captain Vaughan on the Taotai, Ch'ang, Tuan-pen, who is Intendant of the Nam Shao Lien (Namheung, Shao-chou Lienchou) circuit.\n\nHaving previously sent a deputy on board to make inquiries regarding the rank of a British Consul—I was apparently the first official of the kind whom the Taotai had come in contact with during his seven years' tenure of office—chairs were sent to convey us to the Yamên, and we were received with the customary salutes and ceremonies. The Taotai was most cordial, and discoursed intelligently on current political topics.\n\nHe expressed surprise that the \"Robin\" had been able to reach Shiu-kuan, and his opinion that steamers could not with safety ply on this part of the river was doubtless confirmed by the subsequent unfortunate stranding of that vessel 3 miles below the city.\n\nI told him that, in my opinion, light draft stern-wheelers should be able to reach Shiu-kuan without difficulty during the five summer months, and he entirely agreed with me as to the benefits to be derived from steam communication with Canton. Asked as to the state of the country under his jurisdiction, the Taotai said that brigandage of the kind prevalent in the neighbouring province of Kuangsi was, happily, of rare occurrence, but that the members of the Triad Society (Sau Tien-hui), reinforced by refugees from Kuangsi, had for some time past caused considerable trouble in the districts around Shiu-kuan. He ascribed their activity—somewhat unjustly, I thought—to the machinations of Kang Yu Wei and his followers.\n\nFrom Mr. Dewstoe, the resident Wesleyan missionary, I subsequently learned that the Taotai had the reputation of being well-meaning, but weak; that he was anxious to retire, being quite unable to cope with the growing lawlessness in his jurisdiction; that the Triads had adherents among all classes of the people—even in the Yamêns—and that with the small military force at their disposal—about 200 men in all—the officials were powerless to check the constantly recurring outrages committed in the name of the Society.\n\nAs an instance of this, I was told that a few weeks before our arrival, a young scholar, whose father, in his capacity of village elder, had incurred the enmity of the Triads, was cut in pieces in broad daylight on the highway within 6 miles of the city. Two Buddhist priests, who were subsequently arrested, confessed to their share in the murder, and in the books seized in the monastery to which they belonged were the names of several prominent residents of Shiu-kuan and two or three of the head runners in the Magistrate's Yamên.\n\nThe following morning, the Taotai returned our call, and was saluted by the \"Robin\" with six guns, three on arrival and three on departure. This salute, which I am aware is in excess of that allowed by the King's Regulations, was given by Captain Vaughan at my written request: firstly, because we had been similarly saluted at the Taotai's Yamên; secondly, because the Magistrate at Yingtak having received three guns, I considered that the Taotai, his superior, and the principal territorial official in this part of the province, was entitled to some additional mark of respect, the visit of a British gun-boat and Consul being in itself a more or less memorable occurrence.\n\nThe Taotai mentioned that two Japanese merchants had recently visited him and announced their intention of starting business in the city. He had informed them that this was impossible, as Shiu-kuan was not yet a Treaty port. They were, I understand, interested in coal. There are coal mines in the neighbourhood of Shiu-kuan, situated within 5 miles of the city up both rivers, which have been worked for some years past by native methods; the present output is inconsiderable, and the coal, taken from the surface, of poor quality. It sells in Shiu-kuan for about 6 dollars per ton.\n\nThe Taotai, when I remarked on the anomaly that practically all the coal consumed by steamers in Canton and on the rivers was imported from Japan, while large deposits of this valuable fuel were known to exist in various parts of the Canton Province, said he fully appreciated the advantages to be derived from the exploitation of mines, but that in his particular jurisdiction the people were extremely adverse to the hills being disturbed, and that scientific mining had hitherto been barely possible. I subsequently heard that two parties of French prospectors had visited the mines during the past year.\n\n## \nFrom the Rev. Edgar Dewstoe of the Wesleyan Mission, who has been stationed at Shiu-kuan for the last seven years, I learnt that there are three missionary societies working in this part of the country: the Roman Catholics, with headquarters at Nam-heung, who devote themselves chiefly to work among the country people; the Berlin Mission with stations at Nam-heung, Chihsien, Yen-fa, and Shiu-kuan; the Wesleyans with branches at Lok-ch'eng, Lung-kuai, Mong-fu-kong, and Yingtak. Mr. Dewstoe said that, after some years of uphill work, he considered his Mission was now established on a solid basis; he was on the best of terms with the local authorities, due, he thought, to his adhering to the rule of never interfering in his converts' lawsuits; counted several influential men among his friends, and was able to preach every Sunday in the city chapel—a fine new building in semi-Chinese style—to an interested and respectful congregation. Some of the largest shops in Shiu-kuan are kept by Wesleyan converts, who have apparently no desire to conceal their faith. Most of the shops are plentifully adorned with text and religious pictures; in a large druggist's I saw posted on the door a notice in Chinese giving chapter and verse of the Bible reading to be held that evening in the chapel. The people are, on the whole, well-disposed towards foreigners; only in the Cantonese quarter is one liable to meet with any rudeness. In one of the halls of the Canton Guild House, I was shown a Chinese teacher seated at a pulpit expounding the Sacred Edict to whomsoever cared to listen; at the moment of our visit, a handful of coolies, who, from their attitudes, apparently considered this a convenient place to take their noon-day siesta. I was told that the cost of these daily lectures is defrayed by the Canton Guild, with the object of counteracting the growing influence of the Christian chapels. During our two days' stay at Shiu-kuan, the \"Robin\" was a source of unfailing interest to crowds of people, both men and women, who, dressed in their best clothes, came off in boatloads to gaze at the \"fire-ship.\" They conducted themselves in a very orderly manner, and made no attempt to force their way on board. I was sorry that the small size of the ship prevented our throwing her open to visitors. However, in the evening, we gave a display of rockets and coloured lights which, to judge from the loud murmurs of admiration that rose from an invisible throng outside and on the city wall, was much appreciated.\n\nThe shops in the main street leading from the south to the north gate through the Kiangsi and Hunanese quarters seemed well supplied with foreign goods. I purchased, among other things, soap, soda water, beer, biscuits, bovril, and cigarettes of British make. There are some fine pottery shops, where I was shown cases full of Kiangsi ware packed ready for export to Canton. In the Canton quarter, the streets are narrow and dirtier, the shops are exactly the same as those met with in the delta; the import business is, as usual, in the hands of the Cantonese.\n\nAn interesting local industry is the preparation of ground-nut oil, carried on in three large factories in the suburb adjoining the Wesleyan Mission. The nuts are first sun-dried on concrete floors, then pressed in troughs between round stones by means of wedges. The oil is now chiefly used for cooking purposes, kerosene having completely superseded it as an illuminant.\n\nThe climate of Shiu-kuan is hot in summer, and, owing to the sudden change of temperature caused by alternating north and south winds, is unhealthy for Europeans. The winter is cold, frost and snow being of frequent occurrence. Plague is unknown, but cholera and small-pox common. The surrounding country, besides being extremely picturesque, abounds in wild animals of all kinds, among which I may mention deer, wild boar, porcupines, monkeys, leopards, and tigers. The last-named are reported to be quite numerous: they frequently descend on the outlying villages and carry off dogs, buffalo, and sometimes children. An amusing incident occurred on the day of our arrival: as the \"Robin\" steamed past the Wesleyan Mission on the river bank, the blast of the siren was mistaken by an infants' school close by for the roar of a tiger; the terrified teacher and children bolted and barred their doors and windows, and waited panic-stricken for the approach of their enemy. It is unfortunate that this country, rich in game, is practically inaccessible to Hong Kong sportsmen: the shooting season is, of course, in winter, when the river is only open... \n\nPage 9\n954", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 432229, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-378 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [6-7]", "page_number": 437, "title": "CO129-378 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [6-7]", "content_text": "# CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT\n\n## CORONATION CELEBRATIONS IN HONGKONG\n\n### IMPRESSIVE SCENES\n\nThe Bishop, addressing the congregation said :-- \n\nI. First the Archbishop of Canterbury, him, presents his Majesty to the people, that divers great Officers of State going along with they may recognise him, and acclaim him by their voices as their King. \n\nHongkong, the proud boast of whose citizens is that it yields to none in loyalty to the Throne, demonstrated this sentiment yesterday in a manner which was as thorough as it was striking. The uncertainty of the weather conditions interfered somewhat with the programme of celebrations and with the scheme of decorations and illuminations, but nevertheless the community entered into the spirit of the historic occasion and gave to the national event that veneration and respect which was due from all patriotic subjects of a great Empire. The day was a public holiday, so that practically everyone had an opportunity of viewing the various celebrations and enjoying the scenes of animation in the decorated streets. The children, as was befitting, were given reason for remembering the historic occasion. Not only were the scholars given medals and instructed in the Governor's address as to the meaning of the Coronation, but they had opportunities of viewing brilliant scenes on land and on sea the like of which will probably not be witnessed for some time. From morning till night the streets were thronged, and the volume of traffic was perhaps greater than has been experienced in Hongkong on any previous occasion. In these circumstances it is pleasant to relate that no mishap occurred to mar the proceedings of the day.\n\n## THE SERVICE AT ST. JOHN'S CATHEDRAL\n\nThe religious aspect of the Coronation was emphasised by the impressive service at St. John's Cathedral. The service was attended by a congregation which was thoroughly representative of the Colony, and as the accommodation was limited admission was by ticket. Shortly after ten o'clock ticket-holders began to take their places, and before eleven o'clock practically every seat was occupied. H.E. the Governor, accompanied by Captain Mitchell-Taylor, A.D.C., and Captain Simson, private secretary, was present, as were H.E. Major General Anderson, C.B., Commodore Eyres, R.N., and others in the nave including the members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, the Consuls and other representatives of Foreign Powers, Naval and Military Officers, members of the Coronation Celebrations Committee, and a number of Chinese residents. Upwards of seventy Freemasons in regalia were also present.\n\nDuring the assembling of the congregation Mr. Denham Faller played the following selections on the organ: Elgar's Imperial March, Wesley's Choral Song and Fugue, and Air and Variation by Smart. There was a large body of surpliced clergy, including some Chinese ministers, and as they proceeded up the aisle \"O God our help in ages past\" was sung as a processional hymn. The procession was constituted as follows: Rev. F.T. Lake, boys of the choir, gentlemen of the choir, Rev. C.H. Hickling, Rev. W.W. Rodgers, Rev. C.B. Shanu, Rev. A.B. Thornhill, Rev. C.E. Thompson, Rev. W.H. Hewett, Rev. C.N. McKenzie, Rev. S.W. Payne, Rev. W.H. Foster-Pegg, Rev. H.O. Spink, Rev. Fong Yut San, Rev. A.D. Stewart, Rev. F.T. Johnson, his Lordship the Bishop.\n\nII. Then after prayer to God, such as we ourselves have now made, the King takes a solemn Oath to govern his people according to the Laws and Customs of the Realm; to cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all his judgments, and to protect the Church.\n\nIII. Thereupon after solemn prayer for the presence and blessing of God the Holy Ghost, the King is anointed with holy Oil upon his head, his breast, and his hands, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; forasmuch as Kings, Priests, and Prophets of old were after this manner made and consecrated to teach and govern the people of Israel; and the Archbishop says over him this blessing: \n\n\"Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who by his Father was anointed with the Oil of gladness above his fellows, by his holy Anointing pour down upon your Head and Heart the blessing of the Holy Ghost, and prosper the works of your Hands: that by the assistance of his Holy Spirit you may worthily rule the people committed to your charge in wealth, peace, and heavenly grace; and after a long and glorious course of ruling this temporal kingdom wisely, justly, and religiously, you may at last be made to partake of an eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.\"\n\n\"As you are this day solemnly invested in the government of this earthly kingdom, so may you be sealed with that Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of an heavenly inheritance, and reign with him who is the blessed and only Potentate, to whom be glory for ever and ever- Amen.\"\n\nIV. Then is His Majesty invested with the Ensigns of his kingly state. First he is clothed with royal vestments; and then he receives the Sword of Justice, brought from the Altar of God, and delivered to him by the hands of the Bishops; and when he is girded therewith, the Archbishop says: \n\nWith this Sword do justice, stop the growth of iniquity, protect the holy Church of God, help the weak, comfort the feeble, defend widows and orphans, restore things that are gone to decay, maintain what is restored, punish and reform what is amiss, and confirm what is in good order: so that by doing these things you may be glorious in righteousness, peace and charity, and abound in the love of God, and reign with Jesus Christ in this life, that you may reign with him in the life which is to come.\n\nNext he receives the Sceptre with the Cross, the ensign of kingly power and justice; and the Sceptre with the Dove, the rod of equity and mercy, with this injunction: \n\nBe so merciful that you be not too remiss; so execute justice that you forget not mercy. Punish the wicked, protect and cherish the just, and lead your people in the way wherein they should go.\n\nAnd then the Crown is brought from the Altar after prayer to God; and the Archbishop reverently puts it upon the King's head. And the people at the sight thereof with loud and repeated shouts cry, GOD SAVE THE KING. And after that, the Archbishop goes on and says: \n\n\"God crown you with a crown of glory and righteousness, that by the ministry of this our benediction, having a right faith and manifold fruit of good works, you may obtain the crown of an everlasting kingdom by the gift of Him whose kingdom endureth for ever. Amen.\" Last of all, the Holy Bible is brought from off the Altar, and delivered to the King by the Archbishop and Bishops with the words: \n\n\"Our gracious King: we present you with this Book, the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is wisdom; this is the royal Law, these are the lively Oracles of God.\"\n\nV. The King having been thus anointed and crowned, and having received all the ensigns of royalty, the Archbishop solemnly blesses him, and with him all his people; and every part of the Benediction is followed with a loud and hearty Amen.\n\nVI. And after this the King goes to his Throne, and is placed therein, with the prayer that God will establish his Throne in righteousness, that it may stand fast for evermore; and the Bishops, the Princes, and the other Peers do their homage to his Majesty.\n\nVII. Then follows the solemn anointing and crowning of her Majesty the Queen; and after that, the King and Queen draw near to God's Holy Table to receive the Holy Communion, putting off their crowns before the Altar. The Te Deum is sung, as a hymn of praise to Almighty God, who hath shewn mercy to our Sovereign and his people, in thus setting him on the Throne of his ancestors.\n\nAt the end of this great and solemn service, Pray we, therefore, brethren, both now and in the days to come, that the same Lord God Almighty will by the continual assistance of his heavenly grace enable him to fulfil the high responsibility of his sacred trust.\n\nThe following special Prayer for the King and Queen was said:— \n\nO Lord our God, who upholdest and governest all things by the word of thy power: Receive our humble prayers for our Sovereign Lord King George; and as thou dost this day set a crown of pure gold upon his head, so let thy wisdom be his guide and thy strength be his arm; let truth and justice, holiness and ... in all virtue, and so faithfully serve our Lord Jesus Christ in this life, that you may reign with him in the life which is to come.\n\nThen the King, rising from the chair of his Coronation, ungirds his Sword, and going to the Altar, offers it there to God from Whom he has received it.\n\nAfter the chanting of Psalm 122 the proper lesson (I. S. Peter i 13-18) was read by the Rev. C.H. Hickling, Pastor of the Union Church. Then the Litany was intoned by the Rev. A.B. Thornhill and the choir. The Anthem was taken from Psalm xxvi. 3, 6 and 7. It was excellently rendered by the choir, the treble solo being taken by Master Martin.\n\nThen he receives the Ring, the ensign of the kingly dignity and of defence of the Catholic Faith; and the Archbishop says: \n\n\"Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness: Give ear, we beseech thee, to our prayers, and multiply thy blessings upon thy servant Mary, consecrated in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, this day to be our Queen; defend her evermore from all dangers, ghostly and bodily, make her a great example of Virtue and piety, and a blessing to this kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, O Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.\"\n\nThe Te Deum was sung, and the service ended by the congregation all joining in the singing of the National Anthem.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-378 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]