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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 12TH NOVEMBER, 1879.
THE NORDENSKIÖLD EXPEDITION.
The following, extracted from the Daily Press, is published for general information.
At the close of an official dinner given at Government House, on Saturday the 8th November, 1879, to Professor NORDENSKIÖLD and the Officers H. S. M. S. Vega. His Excellency the GOVERNOR proposed the toast of,
THE QUEEN,
Which was most loyally received, the band of the 27th Inniskilling playing the National Anthem. Immediately afterwards His Excellency rose and said-Professor NORDENSKIÖLD: In the name of my Sovereign, QUEEN VICTORIA, I have the honour to welcome you and your companions to Her Majesty's dominions.
Six centuries ago MARCO POLO came from Europe to China. Two centuries later, the Portuguese crossed the Indian Ocean, entered these seas, and landed within a few miles of this Island, and subse- quently the direct voyage across the Pacific was undertaken. The nineteenth century can now add to the roll of its triumphs the fourth and final route from Europe to Asia. It is our privilege to-night to behold the illustrious man who has done this-who left Europe fifteen months ago and is received by us, after sailing through the Artic Sea and accomplishing the North East passage. No generation We behold as it were in this remote to come can witness the completion of a voyage rivalling this.
outpost of Europe the writing of the last words in the last chapter of heroic maritime discovery.
I congratulate the Sovereign of Sweden on the gallantry and success of His Majesty's sailors, led by Captain PALANDER and the officers of the Vega: I congratulate that great republic-the World of Science on the achievement of one of her choicest citizens, Professor NORDENSKIÖLD. Ladies and gentlemen, let us drink his health and that of his companions.
His Excellency's toast was received with enthusiasm, and the Band played the Swedish National Air. Professor NORDENSKIÖLD then rose and replied :-I have to thank your Excellency, on behalf of my comrades and myself, for the kind words you have used in proposing our healths, and the ladies and gentlemen present for the kind manner in which they have received the toast. Already to-day, in another place, I have had to thank the inhabitants of Hongkong for the handsome way in which the Swedish expedition has been received in this Colony, and I then stated our visit here would be one of the pleasantest remembrances of the Vega's voyage. To your Excellency's guests on the present occasion I beg to repeat the same thing, but especially I have to thank your Excellency for the muni- ficent hospitality you have extended to myself and Captain PALANDER at Government House, where we have been guests during our stay here. I now beg to propose the health of His Excellency the Governor and MRS. HENNESSY.
The toast was duly honoured.
No. 224.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
It is hereby notified that the Queen's Warrant appointing the Honourable HUGH BOLD GIBB, to be a Member of the Legislative Council, received Her Majesty's signature on the twentieth day of August, 1879.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 10th November, 1879.
W. H. MARSH,
Colonial Secretary.
No. 225.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
It is hereby notified that His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to recognize provisionally and until Her Majesty's pleasure may be known A. G. ROMANO, Esquire, as Consul for Brazil at this
Port.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 10th November, 1879.
W. H. MARSH,
Colonial Secretary.
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