CITY HALL 2.
duly cemented in its place, and the inaugural step in this noble enterprise was declared taken, upon which event His Excellency turned and offered Mr. Rennie his congratulations: Under the stone was placed the usual copy of local papers and a number of Hongkong and Chinese coins of different denominations.
The party next adjourned to a booth erected at the entrance to the enclosure and sat down to tiffin, after which Mr. Rennie proposed the toast of "The Queen", and then "His Excellency the Governor, to whose good masonry to-day we are indebted for the solidity of our foundation.”
175
His Excellency on rising said they must all agree on the propriety of the arrangement which enabled him to address them seated at their ease round the well-appointed tables before them instead of from the pit whence he had just been extricated, but where their foundation stone had been laid deeply and permanently. In an undertaking identified so intimately with the progress of their city he could not but feel that his claims to laying the foundation of their City Hall were trivial compared with those of other residents, more especially connected with them by ties of local interest and great commercial investments.
He felt this strongly as he had walked down that morning to the site of the new building, for when he looked to the West he could almost discern that noble institution, the Sailors' Home, and from the same place, on turning to the East, could view the equally valuable and handsome building, the Seamen's Hospital, both founded by the thoughtful munificence of the great House of Jardine, Matheson. Who, therefore, was so especially entitled to take a prominent part in an undertaking like the present as the present respected representative of the House, more particularly when it was entirely owing to the generous contribution of the same firm that the funds had been completed which enabled them to inaugurate that day the commencement of the City Hall? (Hear, hear). Indeed, if they stepped outside of the enclosure, they would see within a few yards of the spot where they were then assembled the massive foundation presented to the City Hall by one, loved and honoured by them all, and who, he was sure, they hoped might long continue to enjoy the high position amongst the Merchant princes of the East, which the head of the house of Dent & Co. had so long occupied. (Loud Cheers)
CITY HALL 2.
duly cemented in its place, and the inaugural step in this noble enterprise was declared taken, upon which event His Excellency turned and offered Mr. Rennie his congratulations: Under the stone was placed the usual copy of local papers and a number of Hongkong and Chinese coins of different denominations.
The party next afjourned to a booth erected at the entrance to the enclosure and sat down to tiffen, after which Mr. Rennie proposed the toast of "The Queen", and wthen "His Excellency the Governor, to whose good masonry to-day we are indebted for the solidity of our foundation.”
175
His Excellency on rising said they must all agree on the propriety of the arrangement which enabled him to address them seated & their ease round. the well appointed tables before them instead of from the pit whence he had just been extricated, but where their foundation stone had been laid deeply and permanently In an undertaking identified so intimately with the progress of their city he could not but feel that his claims to laying the foundation of with their City Hall were trivial compared with those of other residents... mare especially connected with them by ties of local interest and great commercial investments. He felt this strongly as he had walked down that morning to the site of the new building for when he looked to the West he could almost discern that noble institution the Sailors' Home and from the same place on turning to the East could view the equally valuable and handsome * building the Seamen's Hospital, bother founded by the thoughtful munificence of the great House of Jardine, Matheson. Who therefore was ao especially entitled to take a prominent part in an undertaking like the present as the present respected representative of the House, more particularly when it was entirely owing to the generous contribution of the same firm that the funds Lad been completed which enabled them to inaugurate that day the commencement of the City Hall (Hear hear) Indeed if they stepped outside of the enclosure they would see within a few yards of the spot where they were then assembled the massive foundation presented to the City Hall by one, loved and honoured by them all, and
who,
he was sure, they hoped might long continue to enjoy the high position amongst the Merchant princes of the East,
which the head of the house of Dent & Co. had so long occupied, (Loud Cheers)
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.