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July 5, 1902.]
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
and expenditure showing that a balance of $20,000 still remained in hand.
unanimously decided that this sum should be On the suggestion of the CHAIRMAN, it was placed in the bank and devoted to the purpose for which it was subscribed when the Corona ion actually took place.
These
may have done towards making fitting prepara- tions to celebrate the Coronation of Their Ma- jesties has been done most heartily, and that we have all been only too pleased to place ourselves at the service of the communty on such an occa- sion. The general disappoinment which the postponement of these celebrations has caused is far outweighed by the anxiety felt by all at the sad state of His Majesty's health, and we gentlemen, on which I should like to take your The CHAIRMAN-There is another question, can most earnestly echo the sentiment already opinion. It has been suggested by H.E. that expressed elsewhere that "we can but hope and the addresses should in spite of the postponement pray for his speedy recovery." I will take this of the Coronation be presented at Government opportunity of expressing, on behalf of the Com- House next Saturday at 4.30 p.m. mittee, and, I feel sare, of the whole community, addresses had been prepared and completed and the high appreciation we all feel for the signed before the sad news of His Majesty's sympathy and support which your Excellency illness arrived in the Colony. These can be with has throughout accorded to us in our endeavours doubt that many loyal addresses were actually to arrange for the suitable celebrations of the Coronation of Their Majesties, and particularly on 26th June before any postponement of the on their way to England so as to arrive there with regard to the steps taken by your Ex-Coronation was announced. cellency to securo for the public from His cannot be altered without being re-signed and as The addresses Majesty's Secretaries of State the valuable everything was in readiness I feel sure that provision of the Park in Kowloon. We His Majesty will as fully appreciate the loyal trust the
'King's Park" may remain sentiments they contain and the expression of for all time a pleasing testimony of the devotion to the Throne as if they were kept interest and kindly sympathy which your over to await the chance of the postponed Excellency has ever displayed in advancing the Coronation eventually actually occurring. In welfare of the Colony of Hongkong.-I have view of the satisfactory news we receive by tele- the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, gram, I think we should fall in with His Excellency's suggestion and I trust the Com- mittee will approve of this proposal. A cover- ing letter will be sent explaining that the addresses were completed and ready the day before that on which the Coronation was to have taken place.
46
W. MEIGH GOODMAN, Chairman of the Coronation Committee. H.E. Major-General Sir WM. JULIUS GAS- COIGNE, K.C.M.G., the Officer Administer- ing the Government, Hongkong. Letters were afterwards read from the French and Italian Convents expressing the regret of those in charge that the children there were prevented by the unfavourable weather from being present at the tea given to children in the City Hall on Saturday afternoon.
In reference to this entertainment the CHAIRMAN said-I think the children's tea went off as well as the unpropitious weather permitted, and we are indebted to H.E, and to Lady Gascoigne for their kindness in attending that meeting. Personally I think the children might have received their medals and I am sure the sub-committee will be glad to ascertain the feelings of the General Committee as to whether these medals should not now, be sent to the
obildren. Pictures of the King and Queen duly
framed have been sent.
The HON. SECRETARY was of opinion that the medals should be sent out at once to the children, and made a motion to that effect.
The Hon. R. SHEWAN asked what were the views of Mr. W. Danby, who has the custody of the medals.
}
The CHAIRMAN-I don't know; he is hot here to explain.
Mr. M.S. NORTHCOTE-I suppose you have no idea as to when the Coronation is likely to take place.
The CHAIRMAN-Not in the least; I only know that Professor Simpson said that under the most favourable conditions the King could not possibly fully recover before next November. It certainly seems rather a pity to keep the children waiting all that time. The General in my hearing on Saturday asked if it was not possible to have the medals distributed, and Mr. Danby said they were locked up in his office. Afterwards the General told the children they would have the medals sent to them, and I think it would be far better under the circum stances to send them out. I don't see any reason for keeping them back.
The HON. SEɛcretary read to the meeting the report in the Daily Press of His Exel- leby's speech to the children on Saturday, in which he stated that the medals could not be presented just then but would be sent for distribution to the various schools.
In view of the promise contained in the words, Hon Dr. Ho KAI thought the medals should be distributed now, and seconded the Hon. Secretary's motion, which was carried unanimously. The children will therefore soon be in receipt of these interesting souvenirs of an unique event.
In response to the request of the CHAIRMAN, who intimated that the community had con tributed towards the festivities which were to have taken placed the handsome sum, roughly, of $87,000, the HON. TREASURER (Hon. R. Murray Ramsey, R.N., Harbour Master) and the HON. SECRETARY read statements of receipts
THE CHILDREN'S TEA.
in the City Hall than that on the 28th Perhaps a happier gathering never assembled alt.. when between three and four hundred children, accompanied by their mothers or at first intended to be one item in the Colony's teachers, were entertained to the tea that was programme to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Edward VII. To the sing definite postponement of that event and to carrying out of a ceremony which was being the cause responsible for the delay in the
civilised world the young people/perhaps nøver ! more than eagerly anticipated by the entire": { gave a thought, or at the best had but a dim conception of the universal grief and disappoint- ment produced by the unexpected course affairs have tak-n; and in these circumstances the Committee entrusted with the entertainment are to be congratulated on the wisdom of their action in proceeding with the original programme and conferring happiness upon at least one por- tion of His Majesty's subjects. To establish the complete success of the festival not au effort was spared, and the only regret now is that the wet weather should have intervened to prevent an the children; as it was, those of the French even bigger attendance of
present, the Mothers Superior not caring and Italian Convents were unable to be
to allow them to venture to the City Hall in the boisterous weather. This must have been a disappointment keener even to the children than it was to the members of the Committee, whose genuine desire to make the event a record que in the history of the young of the Colony is shown in the fact that they endeavoured to The CHAIRMAN intimated that the unveil-procure chairs and rickshas for the conveyancs ing of the Connaught Statue would take place of the little ones from the Convents to the after the presentation of the addresses at City Hall. The supply of vehicles, however, half-past five. It would be a pity, he said, to was totally inadequate to the demand, only a keep covered any longer this handsome gift of dozen being available where scores were wanted, the Hon. Sir C. P. Chater.
and so the plan had reluctantly to be abandoned.
The HON. SECRETARY moved that His Excellency's suggestion be adopted, and this was seconded by the Hou. WEI A YUK and carried without opposition.
The notice regarding Saturday's programme was read by the HON; SECRETARY and adopted. It will be found in another column.
The CHAIRMAN then asked the opinion of the Committe 88.
what should be be presented to the soldiers and sailors, of which done in the mattor of the medals to 6,900 had been ordered from home,
to
telegraphed to suspend the execution of the The HON. SECRETARY, who said he had work, said the most expensive operation was the striking of the dye, which alone cost £50. On the suggestion of the HON. TREASURER, matter until definite word had been received of it was decided to advance no further in the
facture of the medals could be commenced. the date of the Coronation, when the manu-
The Hon. W. CHATHAM, Director of Public Works, asked what should be done with the matsbeds at Happy Valley--whether they should be taken down or allowed to remain. Secretary to arrange the matter.
It was left to Mr. Chatham and the Hon.
The CHAIRMAN called for a very hearty vote of thanks to the Hon. Secretary, Mr. Hewett, who, he said, had worked most zealously on the Committee.
This was accorded with acclamation, and when the HON. SECRETARY had replied and assistance from the Chairman, the meeting stated that he had received the most valuable
terminated.
THE ILLUMINATIONS.
In the course of the proceedings the CHAIR- works which had been purchased could be MAN asked the Hon. Treasurer if the fire. utilised in any way. The question, he said, was suggested by the news that bonfires had the other day been lit simultaneously in every part being fired at Earl's Court. of the United Kingdom on a signal rocket
works had been returned, and that it was
The HON. TREASURER replied that the fire of little use to bring them back to the Colony. In this connection the intimation made by the HON. SECRETARY is interesting that the Japanese in the Colony, through their Consul, had intimated their desire to be allowed to take a distinctive part in the illuminations, to which end they had subscribed a sum of money. The letter in which the request was made also expressed the hope that King Edward would be speedily restored to health.
With the solitary exception of the Reception Hall-for even the Theatre was given over to the dispensing of refreshments-every room in the City Hall was pressed into service. S..George's Hall, the chief theatre of events, held seven long good things. In S. Andrew's Hall, there were tables, each accommodating 50 and heaped with
four tables, chairs being set at each for 65 persons. The Chamber of Commerce Room people. The Reception Hall, was occupied by also had four tables, each providing for 25
the band of H.M.S. Terrible and the pipers of the Hongkong and Singapore Battalion of the final touch of enhancement to the proceed. Royal Artillery, and their joint selections gave ings. The comfort of the ladies and gentlemen whose services had been requisitioned to preside at the different tables and to work on the Committee was not overlooked, the sharebrokers' room having been set apart for their use, and here delicious ices and teas were provided. To mark the truly British nature of the treat, Chinese "boys" were dispensed with and the tea was handed round by detachments of sixty soldiers from the Garrison and twenty bine- jackets from H.M.S. Tamar, working under the able supervision of Captain Richards, Army Ordnance, Department; "Tommy” and “ Jack” proved exemplary waiters, and the provision made reward of their labours. for them in the Theatre was but the just
But a word as to the decorations. They were splendid; turn whichever way one pleased, flowers, greenery and banting met the eye. The chalky white of the pillars at the entranos greenery which encircled them, and the broad was beautified by contrast with the ropes of stairway was brightened by the wealth of plants and flowers and bunting that bedecked the way to the fairyland above. Indeed, that they were entering fairyland must have been the uppermost thought in the minds of many of the children, and the impression was heightened by a backward glance at the cheerless scene outside, where a drizzling rain made everything, and everybody look miserable. At the top of the staircase, on the first landing, two large engrav- ings of Their Majesties King Edward and Queen Alexandra, set in flower-fringed onk frames, reminded one of the reason for all this display, a display whose beauty was marked at every step and whose culmination was geen in the rooms where the child guests and their
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