CLOCK TOWER (2) Continuation.
The earlier correspondence relating to a public agitation for the removal of Hongkong's former Clock Tower was given yesterday; we have seen that a strong feeling existed for the abolition of what was found to be an obstruction to the growing traffic - particularly risks in the Colony (even in those pre-motoring days).
Despite the Government's reply, in 1884, that they considered it inexpedient to undertake the removal just then, the agitators stuck to their guns. Mr. M. J. D. Stephens wrote to the Colonial Secretary on June 26, 1884:
"Referring to your letter to me of the 3rd April, last regarding the removal of the Clock Tower and wherein you say the consideration of the removal of the Clock Tower should be deferred until the new Pedder's Street Wharf shall have been taken in hand, I observe that it is in contemplation to bring forward in the estimates a sum of money for the purpose of building a new Pedder's Wharf. I would now ask that in such estimates a sum of money be included for the removal or rebuilding of such Clock Tower.
I may mention that I am continually being asked by the townspeople when the Clock Tower is to be removed and that it is the wish of everyone that such an obstruction be removed.
And a year later, on June 2, 1885, we find Mr. Stephens writing:
"Now that the Pedder's Street Wharf is being taken in hand I am desirous of referring you to your letter to me of the 4th April, 1884, wherein you say that the consideration of the removal of the Clock Tower should be deferred until the new Pedder Street Wharf should have been taken in hand. The removal would be a great improvement to the Colony so that one continuous street should run from Pedder's wharf into the Queen's Road, opening up the traffic which is at present greatly impeded."
But the Colonial Secretary's reply was unfavourable: "I am directed by the Governor to inform you that His Excellency agrees with you that the removal of the Clock Tower from its present position would be a great improvement; but he is at the same time unable to ignore the fact that this was built by public subscription and the removal would not doubt give offence to some of the subscribers. I am to add, however, that there is money at present available for the purpose of its removal."
Nevertheless, the obstruction stayed on.
Mr. Stephens was a "sticker". On December 22, 1888, he returned to the attack.
"I have been desired by several of the gentlemen who signed the petition to Sir George Bowen, dated March 1884, praying for the removal of the Clock Tower from its present site at the junction of Pedder's Hill and Queen's Road, to refer you to the letter of the Hon. Mr. W. H. Marsh, the late Colonial Secretary, dated 3rd April, 1884.
Since the petition referred to was presented over four and a half years have elapsed and the several matters therein referred to have been completed. The traffic in Queen's Road having in the...
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CLOCK TOWER ( 2 ) Continuation.
The earlier correspondence relating to a public agitation for the removal of Hongkong's former Clock Tower was given yesterday: we have seen that a strong feeling existed for the abolition of what was found to be an ob- struction to the growing traffic - particularly riskshas in the Colony (even in those pre-motoring days ).
Despite the Government's reply, in 1884, that they considered it inexpedient to undertake the removal just then, the agitators stuck to their guns. Mr. M. J. D. Stephens wrote to the Colonial Secretary on June 26, 1864:
*
"Referring to your letter to me of the 3rd April, last regarding the removal of the Clock Tower and wherein you say the consideration of the removal of the Clock Tower should be deferred until the new Pedder's Street Wharf shall have been taken in hand, I observe that it is in con-- templation to bring forward in the estimates a sum of money For the purpose of building a new Pedder's Wharf. I would now ask that in such estimates a sum of money be included for the removal or rebuilding of such Clock Tower.
I may mention that I am continually being asked by the townspeople when, the Clock Tower is to be removed and that it is the of everyone that such an obstruction be removed.
And a year later, On June 2, 1885, we find Mr. Ste-
phens writing :.
"Now that the Pedder's Street Wharf is being taken in hand I am desirous of referring you to your letter to me of the 4rd. April, 1884, wherein you say that the considera- tion of the removal of theClock Tower should be derred until the new Pedder Street Wharf should have been taken in hand. The removal would be a great improvement to the Colony so that one continuous street should run from Fedder's wharf into the Queen's Road, opening up the traffic which is at present greatly impeded"."
But the Colonial Secretary's reply was unfavoura ble " I am directed by the Gover or to inform you that His Ex- cellency agrees with you that the removal of the Clock Tower from its present position would be a great improvement: but he is at the same time unable to ignore the fact that this was built to by public subscription and the removal yould not doubt give offence to some of the subscribers, I am to add, however, that there is money at present availa- ble for the purpose of its removal. "
Nevertheless the obstruction stayed on.
Mr. Stephens was a " sticker " ". On December 22, 1888, he returned to the attack.
" I have been desired by several of the gentlemen who signed the petition to Sir George Bowen, dated March 1884, praying for the removal of the Clock Tower from its present site at the junction for-the-removal-of-th of Pedder's Hill and Queen's Road, to refer you to the letter of the Hon. Mr. W. H. Marsh, the late Colonail Secretary, dated 3rd April, 1884.
1884. Since the petition refer- red to was presented over four and a half years have elaps- ed and the several matters therein referred to have been completed. The traffic in Queen's road having in the
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