KING GEORGE CORONATION (contd.)
597
20.
Statue Square was specially illuminated with large red Japanese lanterns, and with a shower of white electric lights over Queen Victoria's statue, the whole scheme proved most effective.
The Peak signal station and Black Head signal station (Kowloon) were lighted with blue flares, in contrast.
Even the humble citizens participated. Junks, sampans, and cargo boats, under the special control of the Harbour Master, displayed festoons of red lanterns.
The Hongkong Club was open to Ladies on that evening.
The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry gave a torchlight tattoo on the Cricket Club's ground, from 9.10 to 9.30 p.m., and it was thoroughly enjoyed by a large crowd. There was also a searchlight display by the men-of-war from 9.10 to 9.40 p.m.
From 9.40 to 10 p.m. a fire dragon boat, with Bengal lights and fireworks, moved slowly down the harbour. At 10.45, on a signal from the Harbour Master's launch, "God Save the King" flashed out in large white letters, formed by lights, along May Road, the men-of-war immediately illuminated, merchant ships followed suit, and the bands of the regiments on both sides of the harbour played the National Anthem.
This was followed by a special firework display in the harbour, concluding at 11.15 p.m. Rockets were fired in pairs from two pontoons anchored in the harbour, so that they met at the top of their flight and burst together; the flights of rockets being alternated with detonator rockets from the Harbour Master's launch, ending with a salvo, and with "bouquets" of rockets from the men-of-war and the Kowloon signal station.
Another fish lantern procession was formed by the Chinese, and proceeded through the city, adding picturesquely to the colourful celebration of the great occasion.
Reference has been made in the last two articles to the manner in which Hongkong celebrated the Coronation of H.M. the King, in June 1911. Additional details of the proceedings might be given here, as a concluding extract from this piece of the Colony's history of twenty-five years ago.
On June 22 the proceedings were to have commenced with a naval and military parade at Happy Valley in the morning, but this had to be postponed to the afternoon owing to inclement weather. However, it proved a brilliant affair; and was followed by a most impressive drumhead service. One of the chief events was a big public meeting held in the City Hall, just after noon, for the purpose of endorsing a telegram which was sent to the King on behalf of the communities of the Colony, offering loyal and respectful congratulations.
There had been thanksgiving and intercession services in the City Hall the previous evening, conducted by Bishop Lander, but it was on June 22 that several special services were held in local places of worship at St. John's Cathedral, the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the Synagogue, the Sikh Temple, and Parsee Club. These were most impressive, and were attended by large congregations of the communities concerned.
Early in the afternoon the children of the Colony were entertained; and in the evening the Government House reception, referred to in an earlier article, was held, it proving one of the most brilliant functions of its kind. The day was observed as a general Holiday, and everyone had an opportunity of participating in some form or other, in the celebrations.
At the public meeting, over which H.E. the Governor presided, and which was attended by a party of American delegates from the Philippines, it was announced that the King had declared his intention of presenting portraits of himself and of the Queen to the Colony, and this news was received with applause. Loyal congratulatory telegrams on behalf of the communities were approved and despatched, and a Chinese address was also read. This address was beautifully embroidered,
KING GEORGE CORONATION (contd.)
597
20.
Statue Square was specially illuminated with large red Japanese lanterns, and with a shower of white electric lights over Queen Victoria's statue, the
mole scheme proved most effective.
The Peak signal station and Black Head signal station (Kowloon) were light- c with blue flares, in contrast.
Even the humble citizens participated. Junks, sampans, and cargo boats, under the special control of the Harbour Master, displayed festoons of red lan- terns.
*
*
The Hongkong Club was open to Ladies on that evening.
The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry gave a torchlight tattoo on the Cricket Club's ground, from 9.10 to 9.30 p.m., and it was thoroughly enjoyed by a large crowd. There was also a searchlight display by the men-of-war from 9.10 to 9.40 p.m.
From 9.40 to 10 p.m. a fire dragon boat, with Bengal lights and fireworks, moved slowly down the harbour. At. 10.45, on a signal from the Harbour Master's launch, "God Save the King" flashed out in large white letters, formed by lights, along May Road, the men-of-war immediately illuminated, merchantships followed
uit, and the bands of the regiments on both sides of the harbour played the
tional Antham.
This was followed by a spcial firework display in the harbour, concluding : 11.15 p.m. Rockets were fired in pairs from two pontoons anchored in the urbour, so that they met at the top of their flight and burst together; the flights of rockets being alternated with detonator rockets from the Harbour Master's launch, ending with a salvo, and with "bouquets" of rockets from the men-of-war and the Kowloon signal station.
Another fish lantern procession was formed by the Chinese, and proceeded through the city, adding picturesquely to the colourful celebration of the great occasion.
* *
**
Reference has been made in the last two articles to the manner in which Hongkong celebrated the Coronation of H. M. the King, in June 1911. Additional details of the proceedings might be given here, as à concluding extract from
is piece of the Colony's history of twenty-five years ago.
On June 22 the proceedings were to have commenced with a naval and mili- vary parade at Happy Valley in the morning, but this had to be postponed to the Afternoon owing to inclement weather. However, it proved a brilliant affair; and was followed by a most impressive drumhead service. One of the chief events was a big public meeting held in the City Hall, just after noon, for the pur- pose of endorsing a telegram which was sent to the King on behalf of the commu- nities of the Colony, offering loyal and respectful congratulations.
There had been thanksgiving and intercession services in the City Hall the previous evening, conducted by Bishop Lander, but it was on June 22 that several special services were held in local places of worship at St. John's Cathedral, the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the Synagogue, the Sikh Temple, and Parsee Club. These were most impressive, and were attended by large congregations of the com- munities concerned.
Early in the afternoon the children of the Colony were entertained; and in the ening the Government House reception, referred tò in an earlier article, was held, is proving one of the most brilliant functions of its kind. The day was observed a general Holiday, and everyone had an opportunity of participating in some form other, in the celebrations.
At the public meeting, over which H.E. the Governor presided, and which was attended by a party of American delegates from the Philippines, it was announced that the King had declared his intention of presenting portraits of himself and of the Queen to the Colony, and this news was received with applause. Loyal con- gratulatory telegrams on behalf of the communities were approved and despatched, and a Chinese address was also read. This address was beautifully embroidered,
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