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June 4, 1896.} <
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
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moment compare the past of Hongkong with granite steps. The statue is of bronze and the present. Fifty-nine years ago Hongkong represents Her Majesty in a sitting posture was a barren rook inhabited by 200 or 300 per- facing the harbour. In her right hand, which sons. The harbour was unfrequented by vessels. is taken from an actual cast of the Queen's At the present moment the colony presents a hand, she holds the sceptre, while the orb and remarkable object lesson to the newly arrived
cross rest in her left hand. The statue is resident or traveller, unequalled, I believe, in mounted on a stone base six feet in height any other part of the world. He sees before and is enclosed in a richly carved stone him large and, in some cases, magnificent banks, canopy made of specially selected Portland city halls, and houses of business stretching for stone, the colour of which improves considerably several miles along the sea front. Inland he with age, and it also has the reputation of sees rising tier above tier hundreds of hardening by exposure to atmospheric in- fine houses built by and for the thriving fluences. Columns of the lower Corinthian order merchants of the city. The harbour which support the canopy and the half of each shaft fifty-nine years ago was nearly empty of ship. is elaborately decorated. The designer and ping is now filled by steamers and sailing sculptor is Signor M. Raggi, who has a world- vessels which represent an aggregate capacity wide reputation. He was the designer and sculp- of some 15,000,000 of tons per annum. This tor of the famous statue of Lord Beaconsfield wonderful growth has taken place during the in Parliament Square, London, of the statue reign of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen of Her Majesty the Queen in Bombay, and also. Victoria. And in the place of a few hundred of the equestrian statue of the Prince of people, Hongkong has now a population of over
Wales at Bombay, while locally he is known 250,000 souls. Of these about 240,000 are as the designer and sculptor of Sir Arthur Chinese. They live here under no compul. Kennedy's statue in the Botanical Gardens. sion. They are freemen, and are attracted by The present statue has been executed with our liberal institutions and by the equitable thoughtful cars and it will always serve treatment and justice of Her Majesty's rule. as a conspicuous and fitting memento of Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, of the future the affectionate loyalty of the residents prosperity and growth of Hongkong I have not of Hongkong, by whom the cost was mainly the slightest doubt. Her geographical position, defrayed. Messrs. H. Young and Co., the cele her importance as a great emporium of trade brated art founders, of Pimlico, London, cast and a strong military and naval station in that the statue. This firm has the reputation of girdle of British colonies which encircles the casting the largest bronze figures ever cast in world, is fully recognized by Her Majesty's one piece and at one running, viz., the huge Government. The opening of the West" sphinxes on the Thames. Embankment. River, and of additional free ports in The erection of the statue was carried out by China, will give a further impetus to trade the Public Works Department under the im- between Great Britain and that enormous mediate supervision of Mr. E. Bowdler. Its and undeveloped Empire. Such measures, which total height is 59 feet 9 inches. In 1891 the can be regarded as certain of fulfilment in the statue was exhibited at the Horse Guards in near future, will be of inestimable value to mil- London, and at that time the sculptor's work lions of the subjects of the Emperor of China wou much admiration. But while nothing but as well as to the able and energetic community praise can be accorded to Signor Raggi for the of Hongkong. In conclusion, Mr. Chairman beautiful treatment of his commission we cannot and gentlemen, I congratulate you on the help thinking that a stone standing figure of Her selection of this fine site for Her Majesty's Majesty would have been preferable under the statue, and I also congratulate you heartily circumstances. The front view of the structure on the excellent arrangements which you have is very artistic but what can be said in favour made for giving to this auspicious and unpre- of the sombre slab of bronze which forms the cedented event an importance and significance back of the chair as seen from the other side? which it alone could deserve. With the words However, perhaps we ought not to complain now. on my lips of God Save the Queen I now unveil When remedies are past, the griefs are ended this statue.
by seeing the worst," and people must view the statue from the front only, or, should they venture to the other side, they must cast criticism to the winds when examing the back of the chair. In conclusion we would like to commend for the consideration of the public the advisability of erecting a statuette at each corner of the structure. These statuettes, which of course would have to be designed and executed in harmony with the central edifice, might repre- sent, say, Art, Science, Literature, and Com. merce, and they would certainly complete the artistic effect of this handsome memorial.
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As His Excellency pulled the cord and so raised the Royal Standard, presenting the statue to the full view of everyone present, lusty cheers were raised as the people, lifting their gaze, "love-lit and reverent as befits the time," saw the statue of our beloved ruler. A feu-de-joie was fired by the troops, God Save the Queen was played by the bands of the Rifle Brigade and the Hongkong Regiment, and then the Victor Emanuel fired a salute and the troops and all the officers gave a royal salute. The firing over Colonel Anstey called for "Three cheers for Her Majesty the Queen and a ringing response was given.
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These manifestations of loyalty concluded,
made preparations were quickly
for the march past. The steps leading to the statue were occupied by the combined bands and they formed a very picturesque group. They played stimulating marches as the troops filed past His Excellency in the following order-Royal Navy and Marine Light Infantry, 135 men, under Commander Tunnard and Captain Trott- man respectively; Royal Artillery, British 215 men, Hongkong Companies 255 men, under Major Hanham; Royal Engineers, 89
men,
under Captain McQuhae; Hongkong Volunteers, 75 men, under Captain Gordon; Hongkong Regiment, 618 men, under Major Retallick; Local Engineers (Chinese) 47 men Rifle Brigade, 818 men, under Major the Hon. E. Noel. Each corps was warmly cheered on passing the saluting point, and when the last soldier had gone by the people dispersed, having witnessed one of the grandest and most imposing ceremonies seen in Hongkong.
An inspection was then made of the statue, which is situated on the New Praya Reclama- tion at the junction of Wardley Street and the new street to be constructed from Murray Pier to Pedder Street. It is erected on a base 29 feet square, elevated about seven feet above the road level, and reached by flights of
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TELEGRAM TO HER MAJESTY.
The following telegram was addressed to the Secretary of State by H.E. the Governor on Thursday afternoon :—
Hongkong, 28th May, 1896.- The Secretary of State for the Colonies, London. Hongkong community presents its respectful duty to Her Majesty the Queen.
I have this afternoon unveiled Jubilee Statue
to Her Majesty erected on recently completed portion of reclamation.
Immense concourse of people; upwards of two thousand Naval, Military, and Volunteers. Magnificent spectacle, great enthusi... Chater
ROBINSON. Chairman Jubilee Committee.
THE STATE OF PARADE.
The following table gives the numbers of troops present on the occasion of the Queen's Birthday parade and of those absent and sick :-
Staff
Detail.
Royal Artillery:—
3
1
Present on Parade. Absent and sick.
Off-
Off- Others. Total. Others. Total cers.
сега. 4 3
2
5
7
208 215 5 54
59
8* 247 255 + 187 191
6
804
601 65
1394 145 4 38 40 818 13 194 207 618 10 382 392 75 2 43 45
Totals......
898 65 2,065 2,130 41
· British Hongkong Cos. Royal Engineers
1st Bn. R. Brigade. 14 17 Hongkong Regt. H'kong. Volunteers. 10
939
* Includes 6 native officers. † Includes 47 Chinese.
Includes 11 ustive officers,
461
WHY THE STATUE IS IN BRONZE INSTEAD OF MARBLE.
The predominant feeling with reference to the Queen's statue is one of disappointment. We refer of course to the statue itself, not to the ceremony attending the unveiling, which was in every respect successful and satisfactory. It was originally intended that the statue should be in marble, and that it was ulti- mately cast in bronze was due to an un- fortunate misunderstanding, not to consider- ations of climate, which were only introduced subsequently. As a matter of fact, marble, under ₤L сапору, would probably have stood the climate of Hongkong as well A6 the climate of Greece itself.. Bronze under a canopy is an anomaly and is re- pulsive alike to common sense and artistic feeling. But, unfortunately, when the question of bronze or marble had finally to be decided the fact that the statue was to be under a canopy was lost sight of, and, moreover, had the de- cision at that stage been in favour of marble a heavy additional expenditure would have been incurred. The nature of the misunderstanding. is explained in the following letter, addressed to the Press at the time by the Hon. J. J. Keswick :-
Sir,-Some misunderstanding having arisen regarding the statue of Her Majesty the Queen, and as it is desirable that the colony should be made fully aware of the position, the Committee request me to approach them through the medium of the Press.
Signor Raggi tendered for the completion of a statue of Her Majesty the Queen in bronze or in marble for the sum of £5,500. It was decided at the public meeting held in Hongkong that the statue should be in marble and Her Majesty approved of the work in that form. Through some un- fortunate misunderstanding, not comprehen- sible at the moment, Signor Raggi was left under the impression that his offer for a bronze statue was accepted and he proceeded with the necessary preparations for casting it, incurring an expenditure of time and trouble which he estimates at £1,500. The mistake was only discovered within the last few months,and the question to be determined by the Committee and the public is whether he shall be allowed to proceed with and complete the statue in bronze, or be paid for his loss of time and labour and requested to execute the work in marble?
The majority of the Committee think that it is neither necessary nor desirable to incur this outlay, and many persons indeed would be of opinion that in this country bronze is preferable, as less likely to be disfigured by the influences of climate, but the Committee do not feel that they should come
to any de- cision without letting subscribers know how matters stand.
I have therefore to ask your good offices in bringing the subject before the public, and should there be any desire to have it discussed I will call a meeting forthwith.-I am, sir, your obedient servant,
J. J. KESWICK,
Chairman,
Queen's Jubilee Memorial Committee. Hongkong, 11th March, 1890.
OUTRAGE AT NANKING.
A GERMAN OFFICER WOUNDED.
GERMAN MEN-OF-WAR
DESPATCHED. SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE "DAILY PRESS."]
SHANGHAI, 2nd June, 8.17 p.m.
It is reported that a German officer has been killed at Nanking.
The Princess Wilhelm and the Пtis are leaving for Nanking to-night.
THE VICTIM RECOVERING. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE “DAILY PEESS."]
SHANGHAI, 3rd June, 6.43 p.m. The name of the German officer attacked at Nanking is Krause. He was not killed, but is severely wounded, and is regovering.
The city is quiet,
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