June 16, 1902.J
throw it out, so that I, who have done my best now to bring it forward, was at one time the obstructionist of the scheme. I hope the park will be a great public boon and that the community will always remember Mr. Ford's name in connection with it. (Applause.) Before I leave, if there is any point at all in which I can be of any help or assistance, I shall be very glad indeed to give you all the help in my | power. (Applause.)
THE CELEBRATIONS.
The CHIEF JUSTICE said he wished now to I proceed to the real business of the Committee. They had drawn up an official programme. He would read out the programme and any matters that required elucidation could be discussed, and then when the programme, modified or vinmodified, was approved by the General the Committee, the sub-committees and members of the Working Committee would feel that they had a mandate to carry out the programine. He did not know that it would be neccessary to summon another meeting unless something unforeseen 03- curred before the celebrations actually took place. Going on to discuss the programme in detail, the Chief Justice said that the first question of all to be considered was whether the celebrations should be of two days' duration or should be extended out to three days. That was a matter upon which he should like to have an expression of the opinions of the inembers. As far as Government officials were concerned, His Excellency was prepared to stretch the two days into three, but there were large commer- dial and banking interests involved and he did not know whether it was desirable that Saturday also should be observed as a holiday, considering that Monday was, as he believed, mail day. He might mention that there was a distinction in the Public Holidays Ordinance between a pub- lic and a Bank Holiday. If thought convenient they could have either the one or the other. It had been suggested to him that if two days were proclaimed in the Gazette as public holiday's they would be sufficient, and the Government would allow public servants not to come to duty on the Saturday; and then, of course, those gentlemen in the City who wished to keep Saturday as a holiday could do so. But there would be no compulsion upon any bank not to be open. Three holidays ruuning might be an inconvenience for banking business.
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Hon. C. S. SHARP thought that, so far as the banking and commercial interests were cerned, they were agreed that two days would be quite sufficient. It would be a matter of inconvenience to make the forenoon of Saturd+y a holiday. (Applause.)
The CHIEF JUSTICE, proceeding with his revision of the programme, said that with re- gard to the review of troops at the Happy Valley the provisional arrangements were that the rooms above the stables-those rooms generally occupied at the Races by private individuals and lunch parties should be devoted to members of Council and Judges, members of Committee and some foreign Consuls-about 300 in all. The Grand Stand would be reserved for sub- scribers. Then there would be a large shed érected near the Grand Stand for the use of Europeans generally and another large shed further away open to Chinese.;
Hon. C. 8. SHARP asked if any accommoda- tion were to be made for school children P
The CHIEF JUSTICE replied that that matfer had not been considered, but would receive the attention of the Committee who were going down on Friday to make final arrangements.
Mr. W. DANBY asked whether any accom- modation was being made so that Chinese could bring their wives and children '?
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. cutting of the first sod at the King's Park in Kowloon, it had been at first suggested that there should be a pier erected so as to obviate the rather long journey from the landing stage to the park. Mr. Danby found however, that such a pier would have to be 900 feet long, and if it should happen to be a wet day the people! would get more wet there than on any other part of the journey. The only other difficulty would be in relation to rickshas, and Mr. Badeley was going to see that there would be a proper supply at hand. Mr. Chatham would see to the erection of a short pier at the end of Austen Road. Perhaps Mr. Chatham would give them some information on this point.
Hon. W. CHATHAM stated that the proposal was that a landing be made at the place where the temporary V.R.C. premises are at the west end of Austen Road and that a supply of rickshas should be available from there to the place where the sod was to be turned. The distance was not great, and of course many would be able to walk such a short way.
On
the other hand the rickshas would be able to
make the journey very quickly and to make a good many trips if the people came in reasou.
That would obviate any i able, time at all, trouble with regard to the great length of the Per. If the originally proposed landing were erected on the other side it would only effect a saving of a distance of about 1,100 feet. which was a very trifling matter. There would be a large shed erected at the scene of the ceremony for shelter, and the place would be very favourable for obtaining a view, being | on an incline.
The CHIEF JUSTICE, referring next to the illuminations, said that, given good weather. there should be a fine display One thing he wishel specially to refer to was the illumination! of the seaward side of the City Hall. He did not know exactly the position of the trustees and directors of that hall but he believed very remunerative investment it was not a
on more out of and that they carried it a public spirit than for profit. Should any difficulties arise as to the illumination of this building he thought the General Com- mittee would probably sanction paying for it out of the funds. It would be a pity if the seaward side of the hall were not to be: illuminated when they were having the other illuminations on Queen's Buildings, which no doubt would be a very fine spectacle. He would ask that the Hon. Secretary and Hoo. Treasurer be authorised to arrange for any cost that might be incurred in that way. (Applause.)
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The suggestion was unanimously adopted.
The CHIEF JUSTICE, Continuing his remarks, said it was only that day that the Hon. Secretary had received a telegram from those who were the making the medals for presentation to sailors and police in the Colony; they said the medals would be ready for shipment three months from that date. Therefore the medals would not be here until October. Of course, it would have been easy to have obtained a medal that was ready made, but such a medal would have had no special significance or value in connection with Hongkong. The design sent home was a very nice one, having on side
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small picture of Hongkong and a junk on the sea in front of the Peak; it was distinctively local. The Committee were sorry that the medal could not be got in time, but there was no other way of getting it than the way they had adopted. Care would be taken that if the various regiments or ships were not here at the time, those medals would be sent in due course to the soldiers and sailors and others to whom they were to be given. The medals for the children would be here on the 29th, in (Applause.) After The HON. SECRETARY (Mr. E. A.. Hewett) time for di tribution. said that the shed referred to by the Chief intimating that if the programme was con- 1tsidered satisfactory the Hon. Secretary Justice would be available for that purpose.
that copies were sent to the -was to be reserved for all well dressed "Chinese. would see Mr Fung Wa Chun's suggestion was that Press and advertised for the information Chinese wearing long coats should be admitted.cf the public, the Chief Justice thanked
The CHIEF
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JUSTICE, proceeding, re. His Excellency for the great trouble, he If they had not marked that the preliminary speeches had taken in the matter.
pre- various bad at the head of the Colony at the before the presentation of the addresses must necessarily be somewhat sent time a gentleman who represented not curtailed. It was proposed that there should only the civil but the military author only a few preliminary remarks made by ities, it would have been impossible to get this the persons presenting the addresses and that park. By concentrating both of these forces, the addresses should then be presented and and by taking the responsibility upon himself as de With regard to the arrangement for the he had done, His Excellency had obtained revance of the public to the scene of the permission for the opening of the park, and to
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that more than anything else they were in- debt d. As regarded the park, of course people would not expect that it could be made in a day, for that was impossible. Its construction would take place by degrees, and when it was completed it should be something of which the Colony could be proud.
THE SUBSCRIPTIONS.
The CHIEF JUSTICE, before the meeting dis- persed, announced that the European subscrip- tions to date amount to $21,000 and that it was expected that the Chinese would total $10,000 odd, making over $30,000 altogether." (Ap plause.) In the event of there being no further meeting of the Committee, continued the Chief Justice, might he take it that the Hon. Secretary, the Working Committee and the Chairman had authority to do what was necessary in the matter and in the administration of the funds? This was unanimously agreed to, and the meeting thereafter dispersed.
**GOD SAVE THE KING," The following is the revised version of the National Anthem which will be sung at the
Coronation ceremony:-
God save our gracious King, Long live our noble King,
God save the King. Send him victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us,
God sirve the King. Lord our God arise, Scatter his enemies,
Make wars to cease. Keep us from plague and dearth, Turn Thou our woes to mirth, And over all the earth,
Let there be peace. Thy choicest gifts in store, On him be pleased to pour; Long may he reign. May he defend our laws, And ever give us cause, To sing with heart and voice God save the King,
PEACE THANKSGIVING SERVICES.
In S. John's Cathedral on the 8th inst, a special thanksgiving service was held in respect There was a very large congregation. The military were of the peace in South Africa. fully represented; among those present being Government, Sir W. J. Gascoigne, K.C.M.G., His Excellency the Officer Administering the and suite. 3o numerous was the attendance of put at their disposal. Lady Gascoigne was also the officers that part of the chancel had to be present. All through the service was of a most impressive description, The preacher was the Rev. J. W. Southam, who delivered an eloquent. of peace being arrived at had, he said, by God's sermon, well worthy of the occasion. Our hopes
the good news had been on the lips of every one. blessing, been fulfilled, and during the past week One effect of the war in South Africa had been the closer drawing together of the bonds of Empire between the home country and the Col- onies: that, we could hope, would prove to be of a lasting na'nre, As to the future of South Africa, there would be many difficulties to over- come; there was much negotiation and arrange- ment to be carried through which would require delicate and careful treatment; and a great deal for the successful accomplishment of these depended upon the men at the head of affairs matters. The preacher concluded by pointing out the immense possibilities of our South African possessions and expressing the hope that the greatest good might result from their exploitation and development. The sermon was listened to with a tention by the congregation, Special thanksgiving hymus were sung during the service. The choir being present in full strength, the choral portion was effectively
rendered.
In the Union Church the service also wa one entirely of thanksgiving. The Rev. Mr. Hickling preached an able sermon, the basis, of which was that a righteous cause must triumph in the end.
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Mr. G. C. Fullerton's resignation of - his commission as lieutenant in the Hongkong Volunteers has been accepted. - D
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