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August 10, 1903.]
had done a great deal in carrying out the work. On behalf of the Kaifong and of the community he thanked His Excellency very much for his kindness and the genuine interest he had taken in them. (Applause.)
Mr. Liu YI also spoke. He thanked His Excellency for the merciful kindness displayed by him in undertaking to look after these two blocks of buildings of the lower class people, His Excellency had undertaken the work out of pure.goodness of heart! If the plague come next year the Kaifong would assist the Sanitary Board to carry out their work if it was done in the same way as was adopted by His Excel- lency. They had to thank Mr. Fang Wa Chuu, who had come down there very often, and Dr. Atkinson for the kind way in which he had looked after patients, also Dr. Pearse and Dr. Leong, the Chinese doctor. Dr. Atkinson and Dr. Pearse had treated the Chinese with great kindness; indeed, he thought they showed more consideration for the Chinese than for the European patients. They would come and sit on the bed and turn. the patient and many doctors would not do that. His Excellency, too, when he had cases reported to him, came down to see them, and the members of the Kaifong and the inhabitants would remember his kindness as long as they lived. (Applause).
up,
On the call of Mr. FUNG WA CHUN, three cheers were given for His Excellency, and the company afterwards dispersed.
The following is the letter of thanks which His Excellency is presenting to each member of the Kaifong:-
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Government House. Hongkong 3rd August, 1903. The Governor desires to thank the following members of the Kaifong who volunteered their services during the epidemic of plague in Hongkong in 1903. The Governor highly appreciates the good work they have done by inducing their neighbours to take precautions against the spread of the plague precautions that he hopes may have been the means of saving the lives of some among them :-
Chan Ki.
Chak Cheung. Mak Sui.
Mak Hi
Mak Chak. Lau Chiu Lin Yi. Wong Wai.
Tam Chun. Man Ling.
Cheng. Tai. Kwok Nam. Fang Kun. Un Shai Ki. Tsau Sang. Cheong Chi. Wan Fan. Mang Yat. Chan Chun.
THE NAVAL DOCK QUESTION. The correspondence relating to the agitation for the removal of the Admiralty Dockyard Extension was on the B1st ult. laid upon the table of the Legislative Council
Inforwarding the petition H.E. the Governor wrote:"Apart from the arguments for the change put forward by the petitioners I venture to submit that the whole question of a naval dock at Hongkong is worthy of careful reconsidera- tion by my Lords of the Admiralty. The Hongkon & Whampoa Dock Company have at present five dry docks besides three slips. In one of these docks H.M.8. Powerful has been docked. The company is prepared. if the naval authorities desire it, to construct another dock capable of ace mmodating the largest vessel afloat, they are prepared to supply the dock with the latest improvements in machinery and to lay down a plant capable of dealing with any repairs that coul be required for H. M. ships and to give to the naval authorities per- petual right of priority. Messrs. Butterfield & Swire are also at present constructing a dock of the largest size. Feature to say that with sach docking facilities existing and prospective the repairs of His Majesty's ships would be executed in an entirely satisfactory_manner and at a very substantial saving to the Imperial Government.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
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I would urge upon the Lords Commissi ·ners of the Admiralty the adrisability of sending out a Commission to enquire on the spot into the important questions involved. There is in Hongkong capital and enterprise sufficient to carry out any scheme of docks that H s Majesty's ! Government may decide to be necessary,
When the unfavourabl⋅ reply was received from Mr. Chamberlain, the Governor intimated in his acknowledgement that the information had been received by all sections of the resident community with much regret.
BUILDINGS ON THE PRAYA
RECLAMATION.
MESSRS. A. 8 WATSON'S BLOCK.
There are a few better sites on the Praya Reclamation than the one formed by the converging Chater and Des Voeux Roads at their junction near the Hongkong Hotel. It is a commanding position, in the heart of the business portion of the town, c ose to the site of the new Post Office and with fron'ages to two of the widest and most important roadways.
The site has been secured by the Land Investment and Agency Co. who are erect ng tion, to be leased to Messrs. A. S. Watson & business premises, now rapidly nearing comple
Ch ter and Des Voeux Roads on the principal Co. It is a triangular block,, isolated, with
sides and a private lane on the third side or base of the triangle
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In the middle of each of the roadway frontages is a principal entrance, leading by a short arched corridor into a central ball containing the staircase and elevator which serve the whole of building abore the gound level. The apex of the triangle o the ground floor and a similar space on the second floor are being eserved by Messrs. Watson & Co. for their owns use. Their ground floor portion will consist of three shops which will be used as GeneralStore. Dispensing Department, and Wine and Spirit Department, conuected one with the other by swing doors. The remaining portion of the ground floor consists of two shops. The first. 54 feet long and 35 ft. wide, fronting Chater Road, is let to Messrs. Gaupp & Co; the second 82 feet long and 35 feet wide, fronting Des Voeux Road, to Messrs. Powell and Co.. who will occupy also the corresponding rooms on the floor above as show-rooms and work-shops. A special entrance and staircase bas been arrange for their own use.
Between the shops and facing the back lane are the servants quarters. eleven stories in height, with their own staircas^.
The first, second and third flors will be ased for the most part as offices, and amongst those who have already secured accommodation may be mentioned-Messrs. Ewens and Harston, Drs. Stedman, Rennie and Harston, Drs. Jordan, Gibson and Swan, Dr. F. Hall Wright, China Mutual Life Insaf ance Co, Ld., Messrs. Palmer and Turner, Linstead and Davi, North China Insurance Co., Ld., Humphreys Estate and Finance Co., La., and Hongkong High-level |
The 4th floor has been Tramways Co., Ld. entirely reserved for the Hongkong branch of the Young Men's Christian Association.
In the centre of the building on each floor are lavatories of ample acccomodation. fittel with the latest patteru of sanitary goods and arranged with cross ventilation; and at the back of the building are the servants quarters with separate staircase from the lane, well iso- lated for the office building and connected with it by bridges across the open areas.
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The building internally is fitted up in a first- class manner, materials and workmanship of the best quality being used throughout. The ground floor shop
specially lofty and well lighted by the large cir windows. cular teak wood and plate-glass The ceilings are of teakwool with moulded cornices dividing them into bays, each of which is ribbed and panelled. The floors are of encaustic tiles laid on concrete.
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The building has verandahs over the footpaths on the principal fronts. The façades are treated in the style of the English Renaissance. The lower portion is of granite with massive arches of wide span, the entrances Leing masked by narrower bays and projecting cornices and balconies; the three next floors Have a combination of the Doricand Corinthian orders completed by the arched openings and principal cornice above the third floor. The top floor is treated as an attic, its amall arches of light nd graceful outline balanced by the simple lines of the crowning gables. A special feature is made of the circular corner which is carried up to a height of 135 feet above the pavement, finishing in a bal ony and colonnade surmounted by a dome and flagstaff, seen for the length of Des Voeux Road and visible from the harbour.
The building has been designed by and carried out under the superintendence of Messrs. Palmer and Tu ner, architects. It should form when completed a pleasing addition to the architecture of the Colony, and provide Messrs.
are high and spacicus, and arranged for the most part to allow of dividing, walls being recovered without structurally affecting the building should two or more offices require to be thrown into one.
offices The The Dock Company have a thoroughly efficient staff with the best ap- pliances, and there is constant work, while a naval dockyard must have an expensive establishment always at full strength, while it is improbable that the work required for the Fleet on the China Station will keep the dock fully occupied all the rear found. The annual expenditure invel ed is very considerable and
The verandahs aud lavatories have floors of concrete pared with encaustic tiles and the lavatory walls are covered with a dado of white glazed tiles.
Watson & Co. with suitab's and commodivas premises on the most modern lines and with all up-to-date requirements.
THE ITALIAN CONVENT.
prizes to the scholars of the Italian Convent The ceremony of the annual distribution of
on the 4th inst. was a most interesting_one. H. the Governor, Sir Henry Blake, and Lady Blake presided, and amongst others present were the Right Rev. Bishop Piazzoli, Roman Catholic Mission; Chevalier Z.Volpicelli, Italiam Consul-General, and Madame Volpicelli; Sir John Keane, A.D.C. to H.E. the Governor ; and, Mr. E. A. Irving. Inspector of Schools, and Mrs. Irving.
An address by Miss C. BURKE was the first item on a nicely-arranged programme, and she delivered it in the following terms :- Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, -Our Rever end Mother Superior has honoured me by permitting me to speak on this occasion of joy to many of us, and to tender her deop feeling of genuine gratitude towards you all, who have had the great goodness to hon our our distribution of prizes with your bene- volent presence, which is a proof that you wish to see us virtuous and clever. Oh! do accept her sincere thanks, and ours also. I wish I could duly express to you her feelings and those of my companions and myself, but being
to do so, surely your goodness will excnsa my deficiency. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I must be brief, because I am told that your time is pricious. (Applause.)
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Then followed the presentation of the prizes, which was interspersed with musical numbers whose execution reflected all credit on the pupils and their instructors.
At the olose.
Miss J. BURROWS said - Encouraged by gratitude, once more your benevolent attention is called, Excellencies, ladies and gentle- meu. I know you will excus
us, ba- causa indulgence is a virtue which has its throne in every noble heart. The Reverend Mother Superior is very much obliged to you all. She thanks yon very heartily, and assures you all that your goodness in hon. ouring this occasion will always be remembered by her and by her community wih grati- tude. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, you have sacrificed your valuable time to honour dur entertainment, and we all quite understand you have done so because you wish to see us love virtue and science. Oh! we crave our good God to bless you all for your, goodness and to pour His blessings apan all those who are dear to you. (Applause.)
The singing of the National Anthem by the scholars brought the proceedings to a close.
The following is the prize list :- Standard VII: -Jalia Burrows, geogr phy, elementary science, and mapping; Josquina £á, writing and order, comp sition, grammar, arithmetic and mapping; Angeline Lee Lun, elementary science, geography, writing and mapping: Maggie Brewster, his ory, geography, composition, arithmetic, and mapping; Clara Burke, arithmetic, composition, history. grammar, geography, elementary science and mapping.
Standard VI. :---Teresa Barretto, composition,
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