QUEEN VICTORIA
·2057
One of the outstanding occurrences in the Colony was the Jubilee of 1887. From the patriotic fervour of local residents arose several events, institutions and namings. Everyone participated in the celebrations, and gaiety and even tragedy, marked out the year as outstanding in local annals. For the present we might consider a brief summary of events connected with Queen Victoria's Jubilee, and deal with some of the features of the commemoration in a subsequent article.
A public meeting was held on March 2, 1887, to consider what steps should be taken to celebrate the Jubilee.
It was definitely decided to commemorate the event by establishing a public park and recreation ground in the Wongneichong Valley, to be called the Victoria Park. It was decided that the celebration take place on November 9 and 10. This resolution was, on March 17, laid before the Government, which in reply thereto rejected the proposal on the ground that a scheme for the ultimate conversion of Happy Valley as a public park had already been approved and would be carried out as soon as the financial position of the Colony warranted (see yesterday's article).
At another public meeting held at the City Hall on April 16, it was decided that a sanatorium on the Peak be erected in commemoration of the Queen's Jubilee. It appears, however, that at the above-mentioned meeting the public was not fully represented, and there was subsequent public clamour in favour of erecting a statue of Her Majesty. In this connexion the Government promised to contribute $25,000 if the community guaranteed a like sum towards the cost of a statue, and to defray the expenses of the celebration. It was proposed to erect a statue of the Queen on the Praya.
Further references reveal that Hongkong presented Her Majesty with a Jubilee address which was signed by many people.
The celebration in Hongkong took place on November 9 and 10, 1887, as arranged. At an early hour on the 9th, the city was astir, the Chinese portion of it, especially, being patriotically eager to show the foreigners how grandly they could participate in such an event.
At 8 a.m. on a pre-arranged signal from H.M.S. Victor Emanuel, the flags of the various ships in the Harbour were run up simultaneously.
Chinese procession formed up near the Fire Station and accompanied a deputation part of the way to Government House, where a congratulatory address was presented on behalf of the Chinese community. Afterwards the Official reception by His Excellency the Governor, Sir William Des Voeux, took place, at which the address from the British community was presented. Loyal speeches were made on both occasions.
At noon a Royal Salute thundered forth from the guns of four of the British men-of-war in harbour. The shore batteries took up the salute after the war vessels had finished. Two fire-balloons were sent up shortly afterwards from the Cricket Ground.
A military review at 5 p.m. on the Parade Ground was the next event; and at 8 p.m. the general illumination of the city and shipping took place, in which the Navy participated.
At 9 p.m. there was a firework display in the harbour and at various points on shore. There were also Chinese fireworks on the Parade Ground and at Wanchai.
QUEEN VICTORIA
·2057
One of the outstanding occurrences in the Colony was the Jubilee of 1887.- from the patriotic fervour of local residents arose several events, institutions and namings. Everyone partioi- pated in the celebrations, and gaiety and even tragedy, marked out the year as outstanding in local ennels. For the present we might consider a brief summary of events connected with Queen Victoria's Jubilee, and deal with some of the features of the commemoration in a subsequent article.
A public meeting was held on March 2, 1887, to consider whet steps should be taken to celebrate the Jubilee.
It was definitely decided to commemorate the event by establishing a public park and recreation ground in the Wongneichong Valley, to be called the Victoria Park. It was decided that the celebration take place on November 9 and 10. This resolution was, on March 17, laid before the Government, which in reply thereto rejected the proposal on the ground that a scheme for the ultimate conversion of Happy Valley as a public park had already been epproved and would be carried out as soon as the financial position of the Colony warranted (see yesterday's article).
At another public meeting held at the City Ball on April 16, it was decided that a sanatorium on the Peak be erected in commemoration of the Queen's Jubilee...It appears, however, that at the above mentioned meeting the public was not fully represented, and there was subsequent public clamour in favour `of erecting a statue of Her Majesty.' In this connexion the Government promised to contribute $25,000 ir the community guaranteed a like sum towerds the cost of a statue, and to dedrak the expenses of the celebration. It was proposed to erect a statue of the Queen on the Praya.
Further references reveal that Hongkong presented Her Majesty with a Jubilee address which was signed by many people.zá
The celebration in Hongkong took place on November 9 and 10 1887, as arranged. At an early hour on the 9th, the oity was astir, the Chinese portion of it, especially, being patriotically eeger to show the foreigners how grandly they could participate in such en event.
At 8 a.m. on e pre-arranged signal from H.M.3. Viotor Emanuel, the flags of the verious ships in the Harbour were run up simultaneously.
Chinese procession formed up near the Fire Station and accompanied a deputation pert of the way to Government House, where a congratulatory address was presented on behalf of the Chinese community. Afterwards the Official reception by His Excellency the Governor, Sir William Des Voeux, took place, at which the address from the British community was presented. Loyal speech es were made on both occasions.
At noon a Royal Salute thundered forth from the guns of four of the British men-of-war in herbour. The shore batteries took up the tele after the war vessels bed finished. Two fire-balloons were sent up shortly afterwards from the Cricket Ground.
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A
A military review at 5 p.m. on the Parade Groundwas the next event; and et 8 p.m. the general illumination of the city and shipping took place, in which the Navy participated.
At 9 p.m.
there was a firework display in the harbour and at various points on shore, There were also Chinese fireworks on the Farade Ground and et Wenchai.
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