CONTINUATION
CITY HALL
179
His Royal Highness as a good Frenchman could not but feel gratified at the compliment paid in this distant part of the world to his countryman, and would see that they were impartial enough to select from all competitors French taste and French ability when they deserve it. (Loud Cheers). They must not however forget on that occasion another gentleman but for whose business-like aptitude and persevering energy it was more than probable they could not have commenced the undertaking that day. He alluded to the Hon. Mr. Rennie, their chairman. They were so indebted to him for his exertions, that he thought it must add to their regret that Mr. Rennie had not been more fortunate during the last week at the races (Laughter). Like the Hongkong residents in general, Mr. Rennie had to endure the spectacle of all the good prizes going north to Shanghai. He hoped, however, that their recent defeat would only nerve them to future victories, and as they laid the foundation of their City Hall in days of depression, so, in the days of defeat they would lay their plans to retain the next Challenge Cup at Hongkong.
To conclude, however, and return to graver thoughts, he would ask them not to separate without permitting him in their name to express the hope that the new and beautiful edifice which they had that day commenced, might never be desecrated — never by the utterance within its walls of any disloyal sentiment from the lips of a British resident. They could not of course, by any mere hope or wish, shape future events, still at such a moment there were wishes and feelings natural to them all. In halls where public meetings were to be held in a free country, it would be idle to expect that there should not be at times much warmth of feeling and expression. They might, however, hope it would have its limits, and be merely the warmth of freedom which generates and vivifies, not the heat of turbulent license, which consumes and destroys. They could not expect even that the intended ball room would be free from some of the jealousies and rivalries which lend sometimes more than a mere interest to special gaieties, but they might adding wish at least a happy and fortunate ending to all such tender episodes. Above all they would join him in the hope that the same sturdy self-relying spirit which had commenced the City Hall in the City's days of depression would not desert the community, but be worthily maintained till it had achieved, ere the completion of the building, a return of old prosperity, which he trusted might endure as long as the foundation which he had that day laid. In this hope he now called upon them to join in drinking "Prosperity to the new City Hall of Victoria."
The toast was drunk with enthusiasm and greeted with three cheers. After a short time spent in conversation the party dispersed.
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CONTINUATION
CITY HALL
179
His Royal Highness as a good Frenchman could not but feel gratified at the compliment paid in this distant part of the world to his countryman, and would see that they were impartial enough to select from aål competitors French taste and French ability when they deserve it. (Loud Cheers). They must not however forget on that accasion another gentleman but for whose business-like aptitude and persevering energy it was more than probable they could not have commenced the undertaking that day. He alluded.to the Hon. Mr. Rennie, their chairman. They were so indebted to him for his exertions, that he thought it must add to their regret that Mr. Rennie had not been more fortunate- during the last week at the races (Laughter). Like the Hongkong residents in general, Mr. Rennie had to endure the spectacle of all the good prizes doing north to Shanghai. He hoped, however, that their recent defeat would only nerve them to future vićtories, and as they laid the foundation of their City Hall in days of depression, so, in the days of defeat they would lay their plans to retain the next Challenge Cup at Hongkong.
T
To conclude, however, and return to graver thoughts, he would ask them not to separate without permitting him in their name to express the hope that the new and beautiful. edifice which they had that day commenced, might never be desecrated moneed,-night-never by the utterance within its walls of any disloyal sentiment from the lips of a British resident. They could not of course, by any mere hope or wish, shape future events, still at such a moment there were wishes and feelings natural to them all. In halls where public meetings were to be held in a free country, it would be idle to expect that there should not be at times much warmth of feeling and expression. They might, however, hope it would have its limita, and be merely the warmth of freedom which generates and vivifies, not the heart of turbulent license, which consumes and destroys. They could not expect even that the intended ball room would be free from some of the jealousies and rivalries which lend sometimes more than a mere interest to spécial gaieties, but they might áádéng wish at least a happy and fortunate ending to all such tender episodes. Above all they would Join him in the hope that the same sturdy self relying spårit which had commenced the City Hall in the City's days of depressionl would not desert the community, but be worthily maintained till it had achieved, ere the completion of the building, a reture of old prosperity, which he trusted might endure as long as the foundation which he had that day laid.. In this hope he now called upon them to join in drinking "Prosperity to the new City Hall of Victoria."
The toast was drunk with enthusiasm and greeted with three cheers. After a short time spent in conversation the party dispersed.
Page 180Page 181
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