1919-03-27 — Page 5

THE CITY HALL.

STATEMENT ON GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE.

INTERESTING HISTORICAL REVIEW.

An important and interesting state- ment, covering the history of the City Hall, its present position, and the Gov. pritzent's attitude towarde it, in relation

to the proposal to replace it by a new, une as a War Memorial, was made at the

RDU moeting of the shareholders in and subscribers to the City Hall, yestor The Hon. Mr. D. Lan day afternoon,

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRYES, THURSDAY, MARCH 27тu, · 1919.

The following extracts from the reports Scoretary so as to explain to him" person-

The City Hall Register of shares con-

of meetings held on the 28th June, 1889, ally the position. What transpired after thins the names of holders of 310 shares GENTLEMEN'S OUTFITTING DEPT.

and 29th July, 1870, give particulars of the completion of the building and the steps taken to provide the necessary funds for that purpose:-

this appears from the minutes of a Com- mittee meeting held on the 1st August, 1890.

The Chairman having stated that, in 28th June, 1880-"At that meeting the accordance with the resolution come to at members of the building Committee, hav-the last meeting, he had communicated necomplished the work entrusted to with the Acting Colonial Becretary, the them, resigned their functions, and a new Acting Secretary, by direction of the Committee of Management was thereupon Chairman, rend to the Committee a letter elected for the purpose of taking over addressed to the Acting Colonial Beere and providing for the future maintenance tary on the 22nd of last month, in which of the building and of carrying out tho it was stated that His Excellency had objects of the institution. Full powers been advised that the omission of the

of 8100 each, and the preference shares subscribed for by the late Sir Robort Jardine to the value of $60,000-now held by his son, the present Sir Robert Jardine. of the holders of the ordinary sharos there are, as far as I can ascertain, only Sir Paul Chator, who took over Messrs. Douglas Lapraik & Co.'s and Messrs. Turner & Co.'s sharos, Messra. Jardine, Matheson & Co., and the late Mr. Arthur Rasanon, either here or now represented here.

It should not, therefore, be difficult

dal presided and was supported by Sir were given then to make such rules and City Hall from the schedula roferred to to abbain the sanction of the shareholders Paul (hater, CM.G.. the Hon Mr. H. regulations na they might deem requisito in Section 7 of the Reclamation Ordin. to deal with this building.

Pollock, K., Mr. A. O. Lang and Mr. Danman Fuller (Secretary).

CHAIEMAN said: Before moving The the adoption of the report and accounts. as presented, I would like to read a few extracts from the minutes of meetings held in the past in connection with this City Hall, for I think, in view of the proposal to replace this building by a new one as a War Memorial, it is desirable that some of the history and the present posi Lion of the City Hall should be under. stood by the community.

The following are some notes extracted from various records:-

and proper for that purpose, such rules and regulations to be submitted for the approval of the shareholders and sub- scribers at a general meeting.

For many reasons it was deemed advis

Ance

the was intentional, and that trustees of the City Hall had no rights to any land beyond the boundaries fixed in their lease,

And now I should like to say a fow words regarding the Government's atti- tade in the past towards this City Hall. As you will see from the records I have just read to you, the Government in 1880

able that the Committeo of Management that under his instructions the Acting voted a sum of $10,000, to assist in com- should be elected annually at a general meeting to be held as soon as possible after the 30th June each year, and that a report and statement of accounts should be submitted annually by the retiring The shareholders were thus Committee. enabled to maintain an effective control over the management.

аге

The Chairman informed the Committee Secretary had examined the Crown Lease pleting the building, and an BoQual of Marine Lot No. 82 and compared it grant of $1,600 has been made to the with the Crown leases of other Marine Committed by the Government for the Lots with a view to ascertaining if there Librarian and Curator of the Museu was any difference between the descrip- The Government have not assisted the tive words in the lease of Marine Lot City Hall, as far as I can ascertain, in No. 82 and those used in loasca of other any other way whatever, and in 1890, Marine Lots, and he road to the Com- as you have just heard, they would not 20th July, 1870.- The Chairman said mittee a letter he had received from the concede to the City Hall the very valuable that the chief event of the year had been Acting Secretary on the 23rd day of July. reclamation rights, which to-day In the year 1881 a meeting was held the arrival of H.R.H. the Duke of Edin 1980, pointing out certain differences worth about $2,500,000 to $3,000,000. at the Hongkong Club to consider a pro-burgh, and it was with great gratification which did exist in the descriptive words

In almost every city in the world the posal for the erection of a building for that the Committee had been able, with used in the Crown Lease of Marine Lot provision of public buildings of this kind purposes of public amusement in Hong no mean exertions, to get the building No. 89 and those need in the leases of

is regarded as a Municipal duty, and kong At this meeting, which was well ready for his reception. Unfortunately, other Marine Lots. The Chairman said while I am sure the community would be attended, Mr. C. W. Murray was the considerable expense had been incurred that on receipt of this letter he had for quite willing to subsoribe towards the Chairman and he told those present that They had applied to the Government for warded it and the other papers to Mr.rebuilding of the City Hall, if such the Government had offered a piece of

a grant in aid, and they were good Francis, Q.C., with a request that he scheme is acceptable as the Colony's Wur ground on the west side of the Parade- enough to give them $10,000, which went would, with special reference to the words Memorial, there is no doubt that a large ground apon part of which the Harbour a certain way towards defraying ex-ed in the Crown Loso of Marine Lot portion of the cost should fall upon Master's Office then stood, provided that penees, but did not do so entirely. There No. 62, reconsider the caso that had been public funds, and it is to be hoped that The Chairman then the Government bora and the various the Harbour Master's Office was rebuilt was thus a deficiency, but it was right to submitted to him. upon another site. It was proposed that state that if they had not had the $10,000 read to the Committee a letter he had Government Departments at Home, who the necessary funda should be raised by they would probably not have had the received from Mr. Francis on the 25th will have to be consuited, will recognise How to meet the de- day of July, 1890, in which he gave it the debt they owe to this place and the the issue of shares representing one building at all.

ficioney, which amounted to close on as his opinion that the descriptive words duty they have to perform for the future $10,000, he scarcely knew, Messrs. Jar- used in the Crown Lense of Marine Lot This building has served its purpose'

hundred dollars each.

A provisional Committee (consisting of Mr. Murray, Mr. Pollard and Mr. Owen) was appointed to obtain a site and to ollect funds. They had power to add to their number, and did so by associating with themselves a merchant (A. Turing) a banker (H. Noble), and a member of the Government (W. H. Beanie).

dine, Matheson & Co. were good enough No. 82 made no difference, and be con- for fifty years, and, in considering the to give a very large portion. However, firmed his previous opinion that the replacement of it by a more modern the hoped by representing the onse to the holders of Marine Lot No. 82 were in the structure, a large view of the future, Governor they might get more assistance. same position as other Marine Lot-hold-extending over at least another fifty years Should they do so, they must repay the ors, and were entitled to enter into agree if not madh langer, should be taken,

I know of no better or more useful $7,000 remaining to Mosars. Jardine, ment with the Government provided for Matheson & Co., and then the City Hall by the Reclamation Ordinance.

War Memorial in which all classes, creeds Francis went on to advise that aut applica and nationalities in this community can tion should be made to the Supreme better units, than in providing a building Court to restrain the Govorament conto contain a large museum as a reposi- tractor by injunction from filling up the

would be perfectly free. By being economical they might keep it going after that. He did not suppose that the share holders, when they took their shares, did

Mr.

The Chairman proposed that this advice of Mr. Francis should be at once acted upon, which proposition was unanimously agreed to by the Committes, and the Act ing Secretary was directed to put himself

tory of Interesting objects of art, natural history and modern science of any description; a really good, library; and suitable assembly rooms with a theatre attached, unless separately provided.

The only alternative suggestion made at the meeting of the Chinese section of the War Memorial Committee was that in communication with Mr. Frangis and of a further endowment of the University.

Nothing appears to have been done publicly after that meeting until the 31st December, 1863, when the Provisional Committee published a circular which sets out:---(1) that an application for the site so with any idea of getting a dividend.bed of the sea in front of the Oity Hall. previously referred to bad, with the con At any rate they were not likely to do so sent of the military authorities, boon for- for some years at all events. But they warded by the local Government to the might fairly look to meet the expenditure Secretary of State for the Colonies; (in the ordinary way, by rent of rooms, the apace that would be at the Committee's theatre, etc. disposal; (3) the urgency of the want that Their position was not so desperato as existed; (4) an application for funds.

the Chairman of the Victoria Library had In May, 1884, another public mecting hinted. The Museum could not yet boast was held at the Club, convoked by Mr. of many contributions, but they had had Murray for the Committee, and at the two valuable ones lately, which, no doubt, anecting it was announced that $15,000 would form the nucleus of a collection, had been collected, that the Committee to which, he hoped, every gentleman proposed to add $35,000 by means of would try to add. By this means they sliares, and that Mr. Jardine had offered might have a museum which would be $30,000 at very low interest on condition interesting to the whole Colony. that the former sum be made up. Resolu. tions were passed:-(1) That the retiring Committee be re-elected with power to add to their number and to supply vacancies, and authorising them to take

to take the necessary steps to bring the I think it would be difficult to turn such B000 An endowment into a lasting War Memorial; matter before the Court es possible.

and surely the provision of a proper Extract from Chairman's speech at museum and library would be of equally Meeting of the Shareholders and Subseri-instractive value and reach a very much bors to the City Hall, on 28th December, larger number of the community. 1891-

That the City Hall, which was opened

all necessary measures for the completion tion which abutted on the ground on been what had been hoped for, and it . Britain or America, and ten times that

number of people will visit them every

Last year the museum, such as it is, was visited by 78,907 Chinese and 8,543 At the time of the Praya Reclamation in 1889, has fulfilled the principal objects and 11,485 others a total of 104,859 others; and the library by 5,324 Chinese Scheme in 1880 the Committes of the City of its founders in providing a suitablo Hall considered that the shareholders place of resort, entertainment and con-make them worthy of Hongkong, and persons. Improve these institutions and were entitled to the benefit of the schorpe venience for many public purposes is

more like similar institutionis in Great" as regarded that portion of the reclama evident, but the revenue from it has not

of the undertaking; (2) that the Com which the City Hall was built. mitten be authorised to consider the pro- Government resisted this claim, and the posal of Government as to the site and Committee accordingly submitted a case tho rebuilding of the Harbour Master's to Mr. J. J. Francis, QC, to advise as Ofice apart from the City Hall and to to whether their contention was sound or execute the necessary works; (3) that the not. The result appears in the minutos further funds required should be raised of a Committee meeting held on the 5th by shares of $100 each, the liability of May, 1800, as follows:- shareholders to be limited to the amount

of their shares; (4) that the $50,000 worth i

The

The Chairman stated that, in accord-

of shares belonging to Mr. Jardine shouldance with the resolution come to at the

year.

to be regretted that we seem likely to be. exposed to considerable legal expense in

The report and statement of accounts Government of the foreshore rights of the Chairman, seconded by the Hon. Mr. consequence of the assumption by the were adopted on the proposition of the

property. It will be within the recollec. H. E. Pollock tion of all present that the Committes There being no further business, the felt it incumbent upon them to advance meeting concluded.

a claim upon the foreshore which is now

in course of reclamation. It had been a

APPLICATION FOR A-RE-HEARING.

A few days ago a Chinees was sentenced,

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he preferential and boar 5 per cent, inter-last meeting, he had had a case stated matter of some surprise that no communi est, etc.; (5) that the Committee bo for the opinion of Mr. J. J. Francis, cation whatever was made to the City authorised to arrange for plans and Q.C., as to the position of the Commitie Hall Committee in reference to the Toby Mr R E Lindsell, to six, week? estimates; (6) that the Committee bewith respect to the Praya Reclamation clamation, as the property is held like imprisonment for stealing $50 from authorised to make terms with the Cham-Ordinance and Mr. Francis had given his any other Marine Lot, and they had no passenger on the Li On ber of Commeres and to reserve free opinion, which the Chairman then proption but to commence a quit in the Mr. D. J. Lewis made an application name of the only one of the Crown Lesson to have the case re-heard. He said that -accommodation for the Libraries of the corded to read.

still resident in Hongkong. Aftor reading the opinion, the Chair)

the prisoner had asked the Magistrate Morrison and Royal Asiatic Societies and

As stated in the report, an application for remand in order to write to his of the London Mission. Funds were an epid that, as the Committee would ressived by Mr. Murray on account of e, Mr. Francis opinion was that the for an injunction to restrain the Govern people, but this request had been re- shares, and the latter wore issued to the holders of Marine Lot No. 8, the ground meat from proceeding with the reclamatused His wife had communicated with upon which the City Hall stands, wore la tion was refused, stating, however, that Mr. Lewis and desired the chao re-heard. public, at

A public meeting was held at the Club smo position, as ather Marine Lot if the City Hall had suffered it could be Mr. Lindselle Have you any fresh Hosing on the 29th August, 1868, as which holders and were undoubtedly entitled to settled by monetary compensation, and it was decided to acept Awah's tender enter into the agreement with the Govern the matter has been allowed to stand and to proceed with the building at anot provided for by the Ordinance. The over, but will engage early attention.

lottar should The foundation-abone was laid by the Chairman suggested that a

be sent to the Acting Colonial Becretary Marine Lot No. 8 is entitled to the same Governor on the 23rd February 1607 The building Committed published their seking why the Lossoms of Marine Lot hocfits under the Ordinance se am con- No., 89. had not been included in thferred on the other Marine Lots, and we report on the 20th June, 1809, and a mesting was called for the 25th Jane, Stedule of Marine-holders under the consider that is should have been fucfud- 1800, which the report was adopted Ordinance. This was agreed to by thee in Section 7 of the Schedule published

in the Garette on the 7th July, 199. and tho sedgunts passed. At this poofing Commition, and the Chairman Way also

new Committon was elected consisting oquested by the Commits to soo Hi There is no remord of any further Excellency the Administrator before send action being, takon, to obtain compensa, of Mours. Keswick, Gibb, Pollard,

ing in the offeint litter to the Colonial tion from the Government. Kressor, Berwick, Bowote and Holland.

evidence

Mr. Lewis said he would probably pali Deputy Tax collector of the Hni Tung trash witnesses. The convicted man was district, in the employment of the Chinne Government, and was unlikely that he would stoop to picking pockets.

"Mr. Lindsell: Is that all the evidŕpos you will all

Me, Lawid I hált also dros-examine the complainant and his witnesses, Win your worship allow hall!"

The Magistrato granted bail, in $300, and appointed, until, Friday" "afternoon

re-bearing this case.

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