THE COLONY'S STATUES
985
It is interesting to note the period over which Hongkong's collection of statues was made in the late Victorian and early Edwardian period. The Colony appears to have first become statue-conscious about the Eighties, and a spate of statue-erecting occurred at the commencement of the present century. The fervour for this means of showing honour to the great seems to have been created by such events as the Victoria Jubilee, and visits by Royalty, such as the Duke of Connaught, and to have been fostered by the generosity of men like Sir Paul Chater.
In only one case did the idea strike a snag when Mr. I.R. Belilios (in 1878) desired to pay for a statue of Earl Beaconsfield, but the distinguished statesman declined the honour, and Mr. Belilios contented himself with giving his property opposite the City Hall the name of Beaconsfield Arcade. That property was demolished just over a year ago. So Hongkong was robbed of at least one statue that might have enriched its collection.
In the case of Governors, again, it is interesting to note that there are only two commemorated in this manner - Sir Arthur Kennedy, who has his statue in the Botanic Gardens, and Sir Henry May, in Statue Square.
Another such memorial a little apart from the group is that to the Duke of Connaught, whose statue stands opposite Blake Pier. The remainder of the collection are in Statue Square - formerly known as Royal Square, but quite appropriately re-named.
Only one other of these commemorates a personage not a member of Royalty - the statue of Sir Thomas Jackson.
As early as 1905, and again in 1907, visitors to Hongkong were noticing the Colony's statuary, and, be it noted, envying us the privilege of having so many. Let us resuscitate some earlier references from the newspaper files.
The addition of a statue of Queen Alexandra called forth the following in the S.C.M. Post of June 17, 1905:
"As indicated by correspondence appearing in another column, Hongkong should have a welcome addition to its somewhat limited statuary ere long. The correspondence will no doubt be read with pleasure and gratification by all subscribers to the Coronation Fund and by the aesthetic public generally. The addition referred takes the form of a statue of Her Majesty Queen Alexandra, and the work has been entrusted, with the approval of King Edward, to the eminent sculptor, Mr. George E. Wade. The cost is being defrayed from the balance of the Coronation Fund remaining after meeting all expenses incidental to the celebration, and the statue will be located, along with other statues which are under way, on the vacant ground surrounding the statue of the late Queen Victoria. It will yet be some years before the amenities of the Law Courts square are perfect, but when they are the space will be one of the most artistic, if somewhat restricted public "lungs" in the Far East. In addition to the statue of Queen Victoria and her soldier son, the Duke of Connaught, both of which are already on the spot, there will be bronze figures of King Edward, Queen Alexandra, their son the Prince of Wales (now King George), and Sir Thomas Jackson of the Bank, and, perhaps, if another is required to beautify an overlooked corner, the munificence of the public men of the Colony will quickly provide the funds, and it will require no great effort or thought to select the subject for the sculptor."
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Page 146
THE COLONY'S STATUES
985
It is interesting to note the period over which Hongkong's collection of statues was me de in the late Victorian end early Edwardian period. The Colony appears to have first become statue- conscious about the Eighties, and a spate of statue-erecting occurred at the commencement of the present century. The fervour for this means of showing honour to the great seems to have been created by such events as the Victoria Jubilee, and visits by Royalty, such as the Duke of Connaught, and tɔ have been fostered by the generosity of men like Sir Paul Cheter.
In only one case did the idea strike a snag when Mr. I.R. Belilios (in 1878) desired to pay for a statue of Earl Beaconsfield, but the distinguished statesman declined the honour, and Mr. Belilios contented himself with giving his property opposite the City Hall the name of Beaconsfield Arcade. That property was demolished just over a year ago. So Hongkong was robbed of at least one statue that might have enriched its collection.
In the case of Governors, again, it is interesting to note thai there are only two commemroated in this manner. - Sir Arthur Kennedy, who has his statue in the Botanic Gardens, and Sir Henry May, in Statue Square.
Another such memorial a little apart from the group is that to the Duke of Connaught, whose statue stends opposite Blake Pier. The remainder of the collection are in Statue Square - formerly known as Royal Square, but quite appropriately re-named.
Only one other of these commemorates a personage not a member of Royalty - the statue of Sir Thomas Jackson.
As early as 1905, and again in 1907, visitors to Hongkong were noticing the Colony's statuary, and, be it noted, envying us the privilege of having so many. Let us resuscitate some earlier references from the newspaper files.
The addition of a statue of Queen Alexandra called forth the following in the S.C.M. Post of June 17, 1905:
"As indicated by correspondence appearing in another column, Hongkong should have a welcome addition to its somewhat limited statuary ere long. The correspondence will no doubt be read with pleasure and gratification by all subscribers to the Coronation Fund and by the aesthetic public gene rally. The addition referred takes the form of a statue of Her Majesty Queen Alexandra, and the work has been entrusted, with the approval of King Edward, to the eminent soulptor, Mr. George E. Wade. The cost is being defrayed from the balance of the Coronation Fund/remaining after meeting all expenses incidental to the celebration, and the statue will be Located, along with other statues which are under weigh, on the vacant ground surrounding the statue of the late Queen Victoria. It will yet be some years before the amenities of the Law Courts square are perfect, but when they are the space will be one of the most artistic, if somewhat restricted public "lungs" in the Far East. In addition to the statue of Queen Victoria and her soldier son, the Duke of Connaught, both of which are already on the spot, there will be bronze figures of King Edward, Queen Alexendra, theii son the Prince of Wales (now King George), and Sir Thomas Jackson of the Bank, and, perhaps, if another is required to beautify an overlooked corner, the munificence of the public men of the Colony will quickly provide the funds, and it will require no great effor
r thought to select the subject for the sculptor."
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