fune:31, 1902.]
gobh. I know for one that during the
mondays, whether we have holidays or not, we
will most anxiously await news informing us of the condition of the King, and we all pray and hope that the news to the next few days will be most satisfactory and that it will occasion gener al pleasure in knowing that God has through His kindness pres.rred to us our Monarch.
Hon. C. 8. SHARP-Your Excellency, I think that the words are scarcely necessary aud indeed would almost fail to express the felings of grief and sorrow that must be prevailing over the whole Empire and also this mall portion of that Empire at the news which has reached us about the serious illness of our gracious Sovereign King Edward, Suffice it to say that, as we were prepared to celebrate the event which was to come off to-morrow with gladness and all manner of rejoicings, so also do we now feel the sad tidings which have come over by telegram, and I think it would be, to say the leas', unseemly for this community to observe in any way xcepting in sorrow the holidays that have been set apart for this. I have not hal time to personally consult my colleagues in the Chamber of Com- merce as regards the holidays beyond a short conversation with the Vice-President, aud if it is worth while having our expression of opinion I may say that we are both perfectly agreed as to, if no tthe advisability, the possibility of postponing these holidays altogether. I think this community will await with the utmost anxiety the news that will come about our gracious Sovereign and we all sincerely hope and trust that the news will be good news.
HIS EXCELLENCY then put the question as to whether the Coronation celebrations should be postponed indefinitely.'
The meeting unanimously agreed that they should be postponed.
HIS EXCELLENCY-The next question Í wish to put to you is whether the holidays before arranged shall continue or not.
It was agreed that the holidays as already arranged should be held --
»
HIS EXCELLENCY-There is another matter that I think we might discuss here to-day. I think, if may be allowed to say so, that your judgment on it will be absolutely wise and correct. I should propose this, that if later on in the day I were to receive a telegram out of kindness of the King's heart requesting the Coronation celebrations should go on, I should still propose to adhere to the decision we hare just arrived at. Coronation celebrations aro not all entirely in our hands. Of course I might be ordered as a soldier, or as the Commodore might be ordered as a sailor, to fire a salute; and in that case, I should obey orders, but with regard to the rest of the cele brations proposed, like the unveiling of the statue, the opening of the Park, and the Review, I should still, subject to your approval, adhere to your decision. Does that meet with yonr approval ?
This proposal was agreed to.
›
HIS EXCELLENCY-Well, now, gentlemen, I am to ask your opinion on an ther point. You know we had arranged to have an im- pressive Divine service to-morrow in celebration of the Coronation. That, like everything else, is unfortunately postponed What do you say to having an official service of intercess on to- morrow, and to make it convenient to yon and. the public generally, if you think well of it, can you sigcify to me at what hour it would be most convenient for you and I could arrange that such a service should be held? It night be held if you like in the cool of the evening at 5.30, or it might take the place of the service which is unfortunately now postponed. I would like your advice and opinion on that point.
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI-The suggestion of your Excellency is an excellent one, and I am sure it will meet with general approval. Dr. Ho Kai then_suggested that the service be held at the same hour as that or ginally intend. d.
Hon.R, MURRAY RUMSEY-Sir, farbeit from me to make any surgestion contrary to what your Excellency has suggested. But as you stated early in your speech, we have had no official communication on the subject at present, and it occurs to me that it might be rather going little bit too quickly if any official service were held. I think it would be a very fitting thing indeed to have a service, but it would be better to wait until your Excellency receives
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT,
some official intimation. It might perhaps be as well to postpone any official notice of such a service. I merely throw this out as a sugges. tion. I am not looking at it in any spi it of opposition.
Hon. C. S. SHARP--I think, sir, as there can b no possible doubt as to the serious state of health in which our Sovereign now is, any intercs-sional service would not be ont of place. It was unanimously agreed to hold nu official service for intercessional prayer at 11 o'clock this forenooi in 8. John's Cathedral,
mostly in process of demolition. The only decota- tion that was carried out was the huge living. picture design of "God Save the King" which appeared on the side of H. M. S. Terrible short- ly after ten o'clock: this we understand, was only done in order to secure a photographic record of the event. In Chinatown, the celebra- tiens went on as arranged,
SERVICE IN 8. JOHN'S CATHEDRAL.
An official service of intercession was held in 8. John's Cathedral at eleven o'clock which all the leading citizens and the, s nior naval and military officers attended. Besides His Excellency Sir William J. Gascoigne, K.C.M.G., the Officer Administering the Government, and Lady Gascoigne, there were present Commodore Robinson, R.N.; Colonel Hon, R. H. Bertie; Hon. F. H. May, C.M G., Colonial Secretary;
HIS EXCELLENCY-Gentlemen, the matter has been suggested to me-I think it is a very good suggestion-and I propose subject to your approval, that a telegram be sent on your behalf aud on behalf of the community expressing onr heartfelt sorrow at the news that has born received to-day; showing our sympathy and asking for the earliest news.
Hon. I have hardly had time to draft thɔ words.
Fome discussion ensued as to the wording of th telegram.
HIS EXCELLENCY afterwards mored that the Conucils send the following telegram:
The Executive and Legislative Councils of Hongkong have heard with great sorrow the news of His Majesty's illness. On behalf of the entire community they express the earnest prayer of His Majesty's loyal and devoted subjects in this Colony that the King may shortly be restored to health, and wait further
news with deepest anxiety.
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI-I beg to second the pro posal to send this telegram. I think it is very fitting that instead of the congratulatory telegram, the telegram should be sent informing His Majesty of our anxiety to get news of His Majesty's health.
The Council agreed to the motion. HIS EXELLENCY-The Conncils stand adjourned.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following notifications were published in a special Gazette late on Wenesday afternoon:
Notwithstanding that the Coronation cele brations have been postponed in consequence of the sad news received to-day of the illness of His Most Gracious Majesty the King, the public holidays ordered for 26th and 17th instant
are not cancelled. The holiday in Government offices on the 28th in cancelled by order of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government. service of intercession on behalf of His Majesty King Edward VII will be held in S. John's Cathedral, Hongkong, at 11 am, on Thursday. 26th June, 1902. A similar service in the Chinese language will also be held in the Cathedral at 2 p.m. on 26th June."
Sir H. Spencer Berkeley, K.B. Attorney-General; Hon. W. Chatham, Direc- CI'nial Treasurer; Hon. R. Murray Ram- tor of Pablic Works; Hon. A. M. Thomson, say. R.N., Harbour Master; Hon. F. J. Badeley, Captain Superintedent of Police; Hon. Dr.
Kai; Hon. Wei A Ynk; Colonel Brown, C.R.E.; Major Hamilton, D.A.A.G.A; Major Denny, D.A.A.GB; and other staff officers; Commander G. W. W. Dawes, RN.; Hou. C. S. Sharp, Hon. R. G. Shewan, Hon. Officers of the Japanese and Portuguese Navies; G. W. F. Playfair, Messrs E. Hewett, E. H. Sharp, M. S. Northcote, H. N. Mody, W. H. Chnen, A. J. Raymond, D. M. Moses, Messrs. Wickham, G. Stewart, W. Prate, Fang Wa
Captain the Hon. H. W. Trefusis, A.D.C., Mr, BC. Wilcox, D. E. Brown, E. Osborne, R.F. Johnston, and others. Red, white and blue ensigns were hung in the centre of the Cathedral, and above the altar were displayed a Royal ensign and an Admiral's flag. Upon the arrival of His Excellency and suite the choris- ters entered the chancel and took their seats, fo lowed by Rev. Archdeacon W. Banister; Rev. E. J. Hardy, Chaplain to H.M, Rev. G. A. Bunbury, Acting Chaplain, Forces; Rev. E. H. Good, Naval Chaplain ;
John's; Rev. C: H. Bickling, Union Church; Rev. C. Bone, Wesleyan Missionary Society; Rer. T. W. Pearce, London Missionary St. Peter's; Rev. C. L. Watly; Rev. CI D. Society; Rev. J. H. France and Rev. T. Wright,
Cousins. London Missionary Society; and Rev. A. Anderson. The service commenced with the singing of a verse of the National Anthem. Ibis was followed by the Litany, which was Isaiah XXXVIII, was read by Rev. T. W. rendered to the Ferial setting. The first les on,
from the office for the Visitation of the Sick. Pearce, after which special prayers were offered, The Rev. C. H. Hickling read the second lesson. Rev. Archdeacon Banister preached an eloquent sermon, urging the necessity for prayer for the restoration to health of the Sovereign. After a hymn, the Benediction was pronounced, and the service concluded with Stainer's Sevenfold Amen. The service was of a simple but most being the Litany, the short anthem and impressive character, the only choral parts
the hymns. The anthem was composed as an ntroit for the Coronation Servics by Mr. A. - "It is with the deepest.regret that I have to
G.. Ward, and is a very pleasing composition. inform you that I have receive this morning It may be mentioned that the choir had the following official intimation:-(Begins) worked hard in preparation for the Coronation At the King is suffering from perity.se vice, which had to be put off.
close of the service, His Excellency spoke phlitis: his condition on Saturday was
atisfactory he was hoping that with care Bis to Mr. A. G. Ward, the organist, and con- the Coronation Ceremony, but on Monday music, and Hon. R. Murray Rumsey on the Majesty the King would be able to go through gratulated him upon the excellence of the evening a
recrudescence became manifest, decoration of the church. An unfortunate in- rendering surgical operation necessary: to-day, wheel, part of the mechanism of the pankaha, fell cident occurred during the Litany: an iron the Coronation Ceremony therefore postponed." (Ends).
OFFICIAL TELEGRAM.
A
Subsequently the following telegram was Colonies, through the Governor of Singapore, to received from the Secretary of State for the
the Officer Administering the Government of dongkong, dated Singapore, 25th June, 19 :-
*The
YO
both as to King's health and as to arrangements "I will telegraph a' once far her intelligence
made with regard to festivities.
INTERCESSIONAL SERVICES.
Owing to the intelligenes concerning th health of His Majesty the King, the contem- plated celebrations for the Coronation did not take place on Thursday. Instead, intercessional services were held in S.-John's Cathedral, the Union Church, the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the Parsee Club, and the Jewish Synagogue. The decorations which had been put up were in many cases taken down, and the rest are now
from its position and struck the Họn. C. W. Dickson on the head, cansing such injuries that the hon. gentleman had to be carried out of the Cathedral. Hòn Dr. Ho Kai, who was sitting near, rendered prompt assistance.
At the close of the service His Excellency called together the Government officials, the unofficial members of Council and the members of the Coronation Committee in the Choir Vestry and intimated that he had received two telegrams from the Colonial Office, one intimating that the honour of knighthood had been conferred upon Mr. C. P. Chater, and the other that the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai had been appointed Companion of the Order of 8. Machael, and 8. George. His Excellency shook hands with Dr Ho Kai, and congratulated him
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