At 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 22, 1897, the programme arranged to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the reign of Queen Victoria, was commenced. At that hour, the Legislative and Executive Councils met and drafted a congratulatory message to Her Majesty.
Other messages were sent from the Masonic Brotherhood in Hongkong (signed by Sir William Robinson), St. Andrew's Society (signed by Mr. J. E. Stewart Lockhart) and the Jubilee Committee (signed by the Hon. Mr. C. P. Chater).
At 11 a.m. His Excellency held a reception at Government House.
Unfortunately, a thunderstorm broke over the Colony shortly after 10.30 a.m., but this did not seriously affect the attendance.
His Excellency received the guests in the ball room. Seated on the dais with the Governor was the Consular Body in Hongkong, arrayed in full uniform.
After the reception, the Hon. Mr. G. P. Chater, on behalf of the Jubilee Celebration Committee, presented to the Governor an address from the people of Hongkong to Her Majesty. His Excellency also received addresses from the Chinese community, and the Freemasons in Hongkong.
Following the proceedings at Government House, the Chinese members of the Jubilee Committee met at the Colonial Secretary's Office and presented to the Hon. Mr. J. H. Stewart Lockhart a commemorative tablet, to mark the completion of the 60th year of Her Majesty's reign.
The Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, in making the presentation, said the tablet came from the Chinese community in Hongkong and was a mark of their loyalty and good feeling. Dr. Ho Kai asked that the tablet be hung in the Colonial Secretary's office as a permanent memorial.
Mr. Stewart Lockhart accepted the tablet, thanked the deputation and assured them that the tablet would always occupy a place of honour.
The event of the afternoon was the review of naval and military forces at Happy Valley. Fortunately, the rain which had been falling intermittently throughout the day held off, and an impressive sight was witnessed.
Among those present were His Excellency the Governor, Capt. Phillips, A.D.O., members of the Legislative and Executive Councils and the Jubilee Committee, who were accommodated on a dais in front of the grandstand.
Following the review, a Musical Festival was held. A choir of more than 300 voices, conducted by Bandmaster Bentley, sang patriotic songs.
On Tuesday night, the principal feature of the celebration was the illumination of the harbour and the procession of launches. Every ship in the harbour was a blaze of light. The vast fleet of junks and sampans joined in the celebrations. Drifting about the harbour, with strings of lanterns hanging from their masts, they presented a brilliant spectacle.
At 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 22, 1897, the programme arranged to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the reign of Queen Victoria, was commenced. At that hour, the Legisla- tive and Executive Councils met and drafted a congratulatory message to Her Majesty.
Other messages were sent from the Masonic Brotherhood in Hongkong (signed by Sir William Robinson), St. Andrew's Society (signed by Mr. J. E. Stewart Lockhart) and the Jubilee Committee (signed by the Hon. Mr.C.P. Chater).
At 11 a.m. His Excellency held a reception at Government House.
Unfortunately, a thunderstorm broke over the Colony shortly after 10.30 a.m., but this did not seriously affect the attendance.
His Excellency received the guests in the ball room. Seated on the dais with the Governor was the Consular Body in Hongkong, arrayed in full uniform.
After the reception, the Hon. Mr. G.P. Chater, on behalf of the Jubilee Celebration Committee, presented to the Governor an address from the people of Hongkong to Her Majesty. His Excellency also addresses from the Chinese community, and the Freemasons in Hongkong.
Following the proceedings at Govern it House, the Chinese members of the Jubilee Committee met at the Coloniel Secretary's Office and presented to the Hon.Mr.J.H, Stewart Lookhart a commemorative tablet, to mark the completion of the 60th year ·
The Hon. Er. Ho Eai, in making the
of Her Majesty's ra
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présentation, said the tablet game from the Chinese community in Hongkong and was a mark of their loyalty and good feeling. Dr. Ho Kai asked that the tablet be hung in the Colonial Secretary's office as a permanent memorial.
Mr. Stewart Lockhart accepted the tablet, thanked the deputation and assured them that the tablet would always occupy a place of honour.
The event of the afternoon was the review of navel and militery forces at Happy Valley. Fortunately, the rain which had been falling intermittently throughout the day held off, and an impressive sight was witnessed.
Among those present were His Excellency the Governor, Capt. Phillips, A.D.O., members of the Legislative and Executive Councils and the Jubilee Committee, who were accommodated on a dais in front of the grandstand.
Following the review, a Musical Festival was held. A choir of more than 300 voices, conducted by Bandmaster Bentley, sang patriotic songs.
On Tuesday night, the principal feature of the celebration was the illumination of the harbour end the procession of launches. Every ship in the harbour was a blaze of light. The vast fleet of junks end sempans joined in the celebrations. Drifting about the harbour, with strings of lanterns hanging from their masts, they presented a brilliant spectacle.
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