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Kowlcon. In Hongkong we have got to con fess that we did not foresee as we should have done in the early days what this town of Victoria Would require in this direction. Wo still have our chance of providing for Kowloon; and I can only say that I trust there will be no difficulty in adjusting any differences which may stand in the way of our having a permanent "lung" in the midst of Kowloon of the nature of a King's Park. (Applause.) I can say for my own part that I would rather have a small park than none at all; aud even if we have the first sod tårned of a small park, that would be better than having no sod turned at all, because a park is a park whether large or small, and is capable sometimes of extension; and I think it will be the general feeling of the Commitles that if we cannot get a large one wo should get a small one and be very glad to have s mething of that kind done. (Applause.)
Hon. A. M. THOMSON, Acting Colonial Secretary-Sir, I have been deputed by His Excellency to make an explanation so far as the It is opening of the King's Park is concerned very simple. The difficulties that have arisen in connection with the King's Park are not ones which would result in keeping back the park from the community altogether. It only means the postponement of the ceremony of opening the park until after the day fixed for the Coronation. As you are aware the military the authorities have had a certain lion upon lands which are to be enclosed as the King's Park, chiefly on account of the difficulties of the frontier, but these difficulti s have been removed by the extension. of the frontier, so that it is presumed there will bo no difficulty with regard to ultimately obtaining the land for the King's Park. The Director of Public Works and myself were consulted by His Ex- cellency this morning as to the advisability of having the actual ceremony of turning tho first sod during the period of the Coronation festivities, and we advised him as the maltor was not settled that it would be just as well to postpone it, but I think it may be taken for granted that some time in the future this park will be devoted to the community as the King's Park and will always be known as haring been bestowed upon the community on account of the Coronation.
Hon. T. H, WHITEHEAD-I certainly think the present opportunity should not be misgad of acquiring this public park for recreation puri oses and for all nationalities, as Causeway Bay ground was appropriated by Ordinanco and is now called the Queen's Recreation Ground as having been acquired at the Diamond Jubilee. The necessity for a "lung" space on the opposite side is most pressing, and it is most desirable. I think that the time should not be delayed, and I would move that a letter be sent from the General Committee to the Officer Administering the Government asking that the necessary instructions be applied for from home and that the ground should be set aside for this purpose, and the first sod cut on the Coronation Day..
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(May 6, 1902. than a dinner. Perhaps we might substitute "medal" for " dinner.”":
Hon. Mr. WHIT HEAD-Certainly.
The HON SECRETANY (Mr A. E. Hewett)— With regard to what the Chief Justice has sa'd the commanding officer of the Royal Welsh
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND matter, and whilst very anxious to do every- thing in his power to secure the use of this ground in future as a public park he feels that he might be placed in a very difficult position He wishes, in particular, to in regard to it. avoid anything of the nature of what happened
usiliers and Colonel Johnson have intimated in connection with the line of action which General Black took in the Diamond Jubilee to Major Hamilton that so far as enquiries had celebrations. It will be remembered by most | gone the consensus · f opinion was in favour of of these present that General Black approved the medal, more especially if the medal was not one of those ordinary Coronation medals but a of everything and rllowed everything to go through as if it were in order, and that after distinctly Hongkong medal. I have shown them wards he as General Officer Commanding took the medal that Sir William Robinson gave the up a different position in regard to the Jubilee members of the committee at the Diamond Load and it was only with the greatest difficulty | Jubilee and they thought that something of the that the read was n timately got through, bav- same sort would prove suitable and be appre- ing to be modified to suit the military require ciated by the men; the obverse bearing, as usual, ments to some extent. His Excellency is very the head of the King or the heads of the King anxious to avoid anything of that sort and he is and Queen combined, and the reverse omething a free agent in the matter. The real similar to the design of the one I have men- not authority in the matter is the War Depart-tioned. Of course it is quite impossible in these ment at home, and without sanction from the circumstances if we decide to give this medal War Department it is quite impossible for him to get it in time, as we cannot order it by tele- to move in this matter unless at the risk of graph. But I understand that is a detail; if aftorwards having to go back up n what he has the medals arrive in a month or two after the done. Therefore, I think that should be borne Coronation that will meet the case. in mind in considering this matter.
The CHAIRMAN-Âm I to understand that there are no claims upon the 11 acres?
Hon. Mr. CHATHAM—Yes; that matter forms the subject of negotiations which have been going on for some months between the Colonial Government and the War Depart- ment.
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The CHAIRMAN-I understand that it is proposed now that the Hon. Secretary be asked to write to the Civil Government expressing the trust that they will use every endeavour difficulties which lie to between the great desire of the Committes and the people of Hongkong that there should be a King's Park, and oxi tonce of that park,
Hon. Mr. WHITEHEAD-And get instruc- tion by telegram from home.
The CHAIRMAN-Yes; and that the Secre- tary of State might be asked to send a tele- graphic reply as to whether this could not be Of courso that will lie between authorised. the Secrotary of State and the Secretary for War and if nothing is done now it many go on indefinitely for the next two or three years, (Applause)
The motion was carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN-As regards the presenta tion of the addresses. I see the report says that ceremony will take place in the Conncil Chamber. I think it would be better if we substituted Government House, because it is the usual thing to have such functions at Government House. I have every reason to believe that His Fxcellency will have the desire to receive these addresses at Government House. It is not for me to say anything about whether there will be a levée, but I think I may say that His Excellency was speaking to me about this matter yesterday and expressed his complete wil ingness to have a levée on that occasion at Government House if the people would rather have that than a late function at Hon. Dr. Ho KAI-Sir, I beg to second the night, and I said I felt very sure that the resolution. From the information so kindly general community would much prefer having afforded us by the Acting Colonial Secretary, a morning levée at Government House when it appears to me that there can be no sub-the addresses wore presented. Of course that stantial objection to the ceremony of turning the sod being performed on the Coronation Day. We have his assurance that the matter will certainly be arranged some time and the ground will certainly be, devoted to the public as a park. But at the same time it sems 10 me that on 80 grand an occasion as the Coronation Day we should have the park at all events formally dedicated to the public; and I am sure the public of Hongkong of all denominations and races would rejoice that the park, though it were only a small one, had been. dedicated to the public for the public good on this occasion.
Hen. A. M. THOMSON-Sir, I am sure I have absolutely no objection to the resolution proposed but I think I may not have impressed upon the General Committee that the General is most anxious that it should be devoted as a public park and that the ultimate result of the matter does not lie in his hands.
Hon. W CHATHAM, Director of Public Works, said-Before this is put to the meeting, Sir, I wish just to mention that His Excellency occupies a very delicate position in the
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The CHAIRMAN-What would be the cost of the medals?
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HON. SECRETARY-I estimate tout £40, Hon. R. Murray RUMSEY—What would the metal be!
HON. SECRETARY-Bronze.
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The CHAIRMAN Would it meet your views, gentlemen, to leave this matter of allow and alternatives two the the Committee to decide one way or the other.
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI-I think it would be safer to leave it in the alternative.
Mr. R. C. WILCOX-I think that would be better..
The prop: sal was agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN—As regards the treat to the children on Saturday, His Excellency very kindly told me that if he thought it would give the children any pleasure he would go down and present the medals. We are not in a position to report definitely upon that, however,
Hou. Mr. WHITEHEAD-With reference to the recommendations in connection with the The fact of illuminations and fire-works I think it would be a mistake to have these. there being illuminations and fire - works would attract thousands, tens of thousands, of Chinese to this Colony, and plague at that time may be rampant-let us hope it is not-but it may; and in the best interests of the Colony I think it would be a big mistake to have these illuminations and fire-works.
The CHAIRMAN-I may say, sir, that the Committee considered that matter carefully; the better you very kindly sent was an assistance to us. You suggested the joint difficulties of the water supply and the plague, but of course probably by that time, I think, we shall be hoping that we shall not have any dearth of water by 26th June; and as regards plague, I am told by some of the members of the Sanitary Board-I see some present to day—that if we have the plague at all it has generally got about as bad as it gets before that time and is on the mend, and they do not seem to think that any number of Chinese would come down from Canton to see fire-works or that there would be very much danger from plague. It seemed to be the very general opinion of the General Committee that we should have these. It gives an immense deal of pleasure to many people who could not perhaps appreciate some of the The CHAIRMAN-I am sure His Excellency higher pleasures and it was the unanimous will fall in with that, but I do not wish to say feeling that we should have these illuminations anything about it finally. Only I think I am and fire-works. Of course it, is open to any not wrong in saying that that will be the pre-member of the Committee to say he does not ference of the people here—a levée to a late fête approve that recommendation. at night.
is a matter purely for His Excellency, but I think it only right to tell you in order to see whether you agres with me or not.
Hou. Mr. WHITEHEAD-It was the course followed at the Diamond Jubilee.
The Committee signified their approval. The CHAIRMAN-There is one item on the programme-the donation to British sailors, soldiers and police for a dinner. It is suggested that they should hold their festivities on this day. The Hon, Secretary has been in com- munication with Major Hamilton with a view to ascertaining the views of the commanding officers as to whether the men would prefer a small medal-of course of an inexpensive character—or a dinner; and the commaɩding officers of three regiments have expressed their desire that there should be a small medal, They think the men would appreciate that more
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The matter then dropped, and the recom. mendation of the Committee was understood to be approved, thongh no vote was taken.
The CHAIRMAN-1n the latter part of the report it is stated that the Hon. Secretary and Mr. V. H. Deacon had been asked to draft the address to the King. We all know the excel- lent draughtsman Mr. Deacon is. (Applause.) But one of the many of the day's surprises in connection with this matter is that Mr. Deacon has undertaken to draft the address for the Masons. That, I believe, requires a man with * particularly special ability, one acquainted- with the t chnicalities and phraseology of the craft, and Mr. Deacon, I think, is rather under
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