Directory_and_Chronicle_1892 — Page 643

HONGKONG

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of Sir Richard MacDonnell. In November, 1867, a great fire occurred, which swept the whole district between the Queen's Road and the Praya, from the Cross Roads to the Harbour Master's Office. During Sir Richard MacDonnell's vigorous administration the revenue of the Colony, which had fallen much below the expenditure, was augmented by the imposition of the stamp duties and other measures. One of His Excellency's last official acts was to preside at the opening, in February, 1872, of the Tung Wah (Chinese) Hospital. In April, 1872, Sir Arthur Kennedy arrived and assumed the reins of Government, which he held with such dexterity that he acquired the title of "good Sir Arthur," and is the only Governor whose person has been commemorated in bronze. Under his administration the Colony prospered, but the year 1874 was made memorable in Colonial annals by the most destructive typhoon which has yet visited it, causing enormous damage and the loss of thousands of lives. The peaceful reign of Sir Arthur Kennedy was followed by the stormy administration of Sir John Pope Hennessy, who arrived in April, 1877, and left in March, 1882. In this interval the trade of the Colony increased greatly and Governor Hennessy accumulated a large surplus, but public works made little progress, the Breakwater at Causeway Bay being the principal work completed during his administration, while the Observatory was projected. On Christmas Day, 1878, a fire broke out in the Central District of Victoria which destroyed 368 houses and entailed enormous loss on the community. On Sir John's departure Sir William (then Mr.) Marsh, the Colonial Secretary, assumed the Government, and affairs proceeded placidly until the arrival, in March, 1883, of Sir George Bowen. His advent was the signal for great activity in the prosecution of public works, amongst others being the Tytam Waterworks, the Victoria College, the Lunatic Asylum, and the enlargement of the Government Civil Hospital. He was also the means of securing to the residents the privilege of nominating two of the unofficial members of the Legislative Council. Sir George Bowen left Hongkong on the 19th December, 1885, and another interregnum followed. Mr. Marsh administered the government until April, 1887, when he retired from the service, and Major-General Cameron assumed the reins until the arrival of Governor Sir William Des Voeux in October of the same year. The Colony steadily progressed, though naturally with some fluctuations in its prosperity, until in 1889, when, writing to the Secretary of State on its condition and prospects, Sir William Des Voeux was able to remark, with obvious satisfaction :-"It may be doubted whether the evidences of material and moral achievement, presented as it were in a focus, make anywhere a more forcible appeal to eye and imagination, and whether any other spot on the earth is thus more likely to excite or much more fully justifies pride in the name of Englishman." Since that date a period of depression, the result of over speculation, has been experienced, but it is hoped that a recovery will soon set in. Sir William Des Voeux resigned the government on the 7th May, 1891, and in the absence of the Colonial Secretary Major-General Digby Barker was sworn in as Acting Governor. Sir William Robinson was appointed Governor, and arrived in the Colony on the 10th December, 1891.

The following is a list of those who have administered the Government from the date on which the Island was erected into a Colony :- 1843 Sir Henry Pottinger, Bart., G.c.B. 1844 Sir John Francis Davis, Bart., K.C.B. 1848 Samuel George Bonham, C.B.

1851 Major-General W. Jervois (Lt.-Governor) 1851 Sir S. George Bonham, Bart., K.C.B. 1852 John Bowring, LL.D. (Acting) 1853 Sir George Bonham, Bart., K.C.B. 1854 Sir John Bowring, LL.D. 1854 Lieut.-Colonel Wm. Caine (Lt.-Governor) 1855 Sir John Bowring, Knight, LL.D. 1859 Colonel Caine (Lieut.-Governor) 1859 Sir Hercules G. R. Robinson, Knight 1862 William Thomas Mercer (Acting) 1864 Sir Hercules G. R. Robinson, Knight 186 William Thomas Mercer (Acting) 1866 Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell, Ent., C.B.

1870 Mj.-GI. H. W. Whitfeild (Lt.-Governor) 1871 Sir Richard G. MacDonnell, к.C.M.G., C.B. 1872 Sir Arthur E. Kennedy, K.C.M.G., C.B. 1875 John Gardiner Austin (Administrator) 1876 Sir Arthur E. Kennedy, K.C.M.G., C.B. 1877 Sir John Pope Hennessy, K.C.M.G. 1882 Wm. Hy. Marsh, c.M.G. (Administrator) 1883 Sir George Ferguson Bowen, G.C.M.G. 1885 Wm. Hy. Marsh, c.M.G. (Administrator) 1887 Mjr.-Gen. W. G. Cameron, c.B. (Adminis.) 1887 Sir George William Des Vœux, K.C.M G. 189, Francis Fleming, c.m.o. (Administrator) 1890 Sir George William Des Voeux, K.C.M.G. 1891 Mjr.-Gen. G. Digby Barker, c B. (Adm.) 1891 Sir William Robinson, K.с M.G.

The Government is administered by a Governor, aided by an Executive Council of five officials. The Legislative Council is presided over by the Governor, and is composed of the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General, the Treasurer, the Surveyor- General, the Registrar-General, and one other official, and five unofficial members, one of whom is elected by the Chamber of Commerce and another by the Justices of the Peace. The other three, one of whom must be a Chinaman but a British subject, are appointed by the Government.