651631-1892-Correspondence-re-space-in-the-Imperial-Institute — Page 2

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 17тH DECEMBER, 1892. 1087

SIR,

IMPERIAL INSTITUTE

OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE COLONIES AND INDIA.

IMPERIAL INSTITUTE ROAD, LONDON, S.W., 28th October, 1892.

Sir FREDERICK ABEL, the Secretary of the Imperial Institute, has shewn me a copy of a letter which was addressed to your Excellency by him on the 6th February last, No. 52, and of the printed matter, photographs, &c. which accom- panied it, giving full information respecting the nature of the space in the Imperial Institute Buildings preliminarily allotted for the reception and display of specimens of the produce of Hongkong.

In view of it being understood that Her Majesty The QUEEN, who laid the Foundation Stone in 1887, will formally open the Imperial Institute in May or June next, I take the opportunity of urging upon your Excellency the importance of immediate action in order to secure a representation of the resources of the Colony at the time mentioned.

In order that your Excellency may be acquainted to some extent with the importance and usefulness of the Imperial Institute, I may mention that, although up to the present time a part only of the buildings has been (informally) thrown open, over 3,000 persons, many of them being of considerable political and social standing, have become Fellows of the Imperial Institute. Certain of the greater Colonies have formed so high an opinion of the usefulness to their Communities of due representation at the Imperial Institute that their Governments have already made special Votes of money to be applied not only to the preparation of carefully arranged and classified collections, but also to the payment of a skilled Curator and the necessary Assistants at the Institute, and to the purchase of suitable Show Cases, &c. for the reception and display of such collections.

I trust that your Excellency and your Government and Legislature will agree that if the resources of the Colony of Hongkong are to be represented at the Im- perial Institute, it is highly desirable that the space allotted to it should not be unoccupied when public attention is so powerfully drawn to the Collections as it will be by their official opening to the public by the QUEEN, and by the Ceremonies connected therewith.

It will be recollected that the Hongkong Court attracted great attention at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886, and that it is important that the Colony should be also permanently represented in a similar manner at the Institute.

I would venture to suggest that Sir FREDERICK ABEL should be authorised by telegram to purchase Show Cases such as those indicated in the photographs for- warded to you by him (the cost of which would not exceed £100) and that, before February next, he may receive a collection of samples of the local industries, with other exhibits, for display therein; and also a sum of money (not exceeding £25) to be devoted to the remuneration of an experienced Officer, whom the Executive Council of the Institute will provide, to place the Collection in order.

I may add that I shall be glad to bring before the Governing Body the names of any gentlemen resident in, or connected with, Hongkong, who may be desirous of becoming Fellows of the Institute. The particulars of Fellowship are shewn in a Memorandum which, together with a Pamphlet descriptive of the Institute, will be forwarded to you by Sir FREDERICK Abel.

In conclusion, I would only add that the warm interest which I shall always feel in all projects calculated to promote the welfare and increase the reputation of Hongkong will at once explain and justify my addressing your Excellency on this subject.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your Excellency's obedient Servant,

G. F. BOWEN, Representative of Hongkong on the Governing Body of the

Imperial Institute..

To His Excellency THE GOVERNOR,

HONGKONG.