672055-1885-Death-of-His-Majesty-Dom-Fernando-Portugal- — Page 1

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19TH DECEMBER, 1885.

(2.) REPLY.

1099

MR. KESWICK AND GENTLEMEN,

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, December 19th, 1885.

I have read with interest the report presented to me by you; and I thank you for the efforts which you have made to secure for this Colony an adequate representation at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition to be held in London in 1886. As I remarked on a former occasion, Hongkong is the centre of British power, influence, and commerce, in this quarter of the globe, which contains above one-fourth of the human race, and must yet fill a great place in the history of the world. Therefore, as I know on the highest authority, English Statesmen attach greater importance to this Colony than to other Colonies of far larger territorial extent. Consequently, I have given my zealous support to securing for Hongkong a proper recognition at the approaching Exhibition.

2. It has been observed that "the happy inspiration of the genius of the lamented Prince Consort inaugurated, in the year 1851, a new era for exhibiting the state of development of the arts and manu- factures of all nations. For the first time in history, an admirable opportunity was then afforded for instituting a comprehensive comparison of their relative progress in those sciences and inventions which constitute the types of an advanced civilization. We all know that the splendid conception of the Prince proved a brilliant and triumphant success. The impulse that it gave to taste was immense. The rapid improvements which subsequently took place in every art and manufacture were everywhere most marked and conspicuous. Abundant proofs of the wonderful extent to which this progress has been carried were apparent to all those who have witnessed the subsequent Exhibitions at London, Paris, Vienna, and Philadelphia. The whole world appears to have been stimulated to put forth its utmost energies in waging this vital and critical contest of Peace. Each separate community has competed in keen, but friendly rivalry to excel every other, and has advanced at railway speed along the road of improvement in the arts and manufactures of its own individual nationality."

3. It is certain, moreover that the care and cost expended on International and Intercolonial Exhibitions cannot be in vain; for they place, as it were, on record for present use and future reference, the arts and inventions, the products and capabilities of various lands; thus affording the means of comparison between different countries and determining the localities on which commerce can rely for its supplies, and the fresh channels which it may be expedient to open.

4. In recent years, Hongkong has been gradually becoming a manufacturing and industrial, as well as a commercial centre. It is hoped that the approaching Exhibition will draw attention not only to those staples which have hitherto constituted the chief riches of the trade of this Colony, but also to many new and valuable products and sources of wealth not as yet fully developed, but which will hereafter furnish alike the material and the reward for the exercise of intelligent and successful enter- prise.

5. It is a singular coincidence that almost the last public act of my government of the great Colony of Victoria was the inauguration of the building for the Melbourne Exhibition of 1880. Let me, in conclusion, now repeat the hope which I then expressed, namely that these periodical Shows of the resources and products of every part of the British Empire may prove a foreshadowing of that perma- nent union and future Imperial Federation, which has become the general aspiration of patriotic Englishmen. Thus, shall we be brought nearer to that grand prophetic vision of BURKE, when "the spirit of the English constitution, infused through the mighty mass, shall pervade, vivify, unite, and invigorate every part of the Empire."

The Honourable W. KESWICK, M.L.C.,

Chairman of the Commissioners,

&c.,

&c.,

&c.

I have, &c.,

G. F. BOWEN.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.-No. 487.

It is hereby notified that, intimation having been received of the decease of His Majesty Dom FERNANDO, father of the King of Portugal, His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to direct that all flags on Government buildings be hoisted half-mast on Monday, the 21st instant, from 8 A.M. until sunset.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 18th December, 1885.

2

FREDERICK STEWART,

Acting Colonial Secretary.