1935-05-04 — Page 12

LOOKING BACK 25 YEARS

KING'S ACCESSION AND CORONATION

MARKED BY PICTURESQUE

·SCENES IN HONGKONG

The Colony of Hongkong is on the eve of celebrat-

POST

TELEGRAPH SILVER JUBILEE SUPPLEMENT,

was a big public meeting held in the City Hall, just after noon, for The purpose of endorsing a tele gram which was sent to the King on behalf of the communities of the Colony, offering loyal and rea pectful 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 sovoral Apecial services were held in local places of worship-at St. John's Cathedral, the Roman Catholle Cathedral, the Synagogue, the Sikh Temple, and Parsee Club.

A PUBLIC MEETING

At the public meeting, over which H. E, the Governor pre- alded, and which was attended by a party of American delegates from the Philippines, It was an- nounced that the King had de-

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portraits of himself and of the Queen to the Colony, and this nows was received with... applause. Loyal congratulatory telegrams on behalf of the commualtios were Approved and despatched, and a Chinese address was also read. This address was beautifuly om- broidered, and was later sent to His Majorly. The Masons of the Colony also despatched an address to the King.

The many illuminations and other decorations were grently. admirod; all sections of tho Colony's citizens. atrovo. to show their loyalty to the Crown, and the result was an almost unprece- dented series of manifestations. Even as late as June 24, follow- ing their efforts on the two pre- vious days, the Chinese organised a colourful procession of lanterns through the streets after dark, which brought the memorable

ing the Silver Jubilee of the reign of His Majesty clared his intention of presenting proceedings to a close, King George the Fifth, and decorations, illumina tions, parades, and other manifestations of loyal re- joicing will soon be evident.

Let us turn back the pages for just a quarter of a. century, and see how the accession of His Majesty, and, the following year, the King's Coronation, were celebrated. It is indeed interesting to look back and discover what was done in the Colony at the time. We find, of course, that the late King's illness, when he was stricken with bronchitis, caused much anxiety out here, and the news of his death, early in May. 1910, was received with great sorrow. There was an im- pressive ceremony on the Hongkong Cricket Club ground when the new King's accession was pro- claimed out here."

The South China Morning Post of, May 10, 1910, reports how in the prosonce of the Official Body, the members of the Executive and Legislative Councils and the Bri- tlab residents of the Colony, ILE. Sir Henry May, the Officer Administering the Government, read the Royal Proclamation. Punctually at 5 o'clock Sir Henry, accompanied by Reur-Admiral Lyon, and Captain Garnett, A.D.C., entered the ground and mounting the platform, which had been erected on the centre, in a loud and clear voice Find out the Royal Proclamation.

PICTURESQUE SCENE

Upon the conclusion of the reading, which was listened to respectfully by the large gather- ing on the ground, the Royal Standard wa unfurled, the band playing the National Anthem while the troops, who lined three parts of the square, the Indians on the East and West and the Europeans on the, South, In addi "tion to a Naval Contingent on olue- Jackets and marines immediately In front of the platform, prescut- ed arms.

Three cheers were then given for the King, on the call of Sir Henry May, a royal salute being at the same time fired from the warships in the harbour. This concluded the ceremony, during which all tram and other vehicu lar traffic was suspended,

A special meeting had been held the same afternoon of the Exec tive and Legislative Councils, Sir Henry May presiding. He said: "I have the honour to submit the following resolution to this honourable Council:-That the Members of this Council have haard with profound sorrow the nanouncement of the death of his Inte Majesty. King Edward VII, and desire le tender their bumble duty and to express their most heart-folt, loyal and respectful sympathy with Her Majesty Queen Alexandra, Their Majesties the Klug and Queen and the Royal family in their bereavement.

The resolution was adopted, and. sost Home,

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in every window or porch balcony visible from the harbour, from 9.30 to 11.30 p.m., and the response was a splendid one. It was particularly requested that any person desiring to add to the illumination of his building should conform to the general red colour scheme. The lanterns were in poslion by the morning of the irst day, and so added consider. ably to the effect of the daylight decorations.

The Public Works Department lined the lamps on the upper road- ways with red paper, as was done on the occasion of the visit. of H.R.II. Prince Arthur of Con- naught, and red fures were light- ed on the praya wall from Blake Pler to Murray Pier,

Status Square was specially Illuminated with large red Japan- ese lanterns, and with a shower of white electric lights over Queen Victoria's mintue: the whole scheme proved most effective.

TORCHLIGHT TATTOO

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 of-war from 9.10 to 9.40 p.m.

men-

4

From 9.40 to 10 p.m. u fire dragon boat, with Bengal lights and fireworks, moved slowly down" the harbour. At 10.45, on signal from the Harbour Master's launch, "God Save the King" flashed out in large white letters, formed by lights, along May Rond, the men-of-war Immediately illuminated, merchant ships fol- lowed suit, and the bands of the regiments. on both sides of the linrbour played the National Anthem.

This was followed by a special Brework display in the harbour, concluding at 11.15 p.m.

Another fish lantern procession was formed by the Chinese, and proceeded through the city, add- ing pleturesquely to the colourful celebration of the great occasion.

THE CORONATION

On June 22 the proceedings Arrangements for the celebra- were to have commenced with a tion of the Coronation, the follow- naval and military parade at ing year, were put in hand quite Happy Valley in the morning, but carly, and an elaborate pro- this hind to be postponed to the gramme wan drawn up. The afternoon owing to inclement celebrations took place in June weather. However, it proved a 1911, and the following is a sum- brilliant affair; and was followed mary of the events which were by a most impressive drumbead approved by the Hongkong Corona-service. One of the chief events tion Committee for the first night,

on June 22 of that year,

H.E, the Governor held a public reception at Government House, the guests attending the reception passing into the gardens, which were connected with the Pubile (Botanic) Gardens, the whole being beautifully illuminated with Japanese lanterns. Refreshments wore served, and a military band played selections, in the Public Gardens.:

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The Japanese community gave diaplay of fireworks, and a Chinese, Ash-lantern procession passed along Upper Albert Road and round and into the garden of Government House. There word three no set-pieces of Chinese fresco

The men-of-war in harbour were illuminated from 9 to 11 p.m and merchant vessels.co operated in this. It was'nitogès». ther a memorable.display.

RED LANTERNS

For June 23, every householder and “hong" -- and - occupier of ildings in the City as well a Peak, and so on the Kow

had been "naked to dis- Ons: Chinese =or

Ted colour.

H.R.H. the Prince of Wales photographed at Government House, Hongkong, during his visit in 1922. Sir meginald Stubbs, then Governar, is then on the Erinco's left, with Lady Stubba un hit tight. (Photoj Mee Cheung).

پیام

How Meira, Jardins, Matheron and Company's building. looked" when decorated for, the Hongkong visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales In 1922. (Photo: Mes Cheung),

es, Their Majesties third son, Inspacting ai militar during his visit to Hongkong In 1929, (Photo: Men Cheong

ESTD.

MAY

1900

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