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April 29, 1907. Į
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CHINA OVERLAND TRA DE REPORT.
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Through the courtesy of the Hon. Mr. Hewett a number of leading citizens were conveyed on beard the Jeanette to the Delta. A large party assembled in the saloon where glasses were filled and at the call of Mr. Hewett all present drank to the health of His | Excellency. Cheers followed at the suggestion of Sir Henry Berkeley and after a few more goodbyes were said the last of those who had gone on board to see him off left the ship, the ton. Mr. May and Mrs. May being the last to leare. Meanwhile the escort of launches that hung round the vessel began to more. The blowing of whistles and the firing of crackers were made to express a lot, and amid the most cordial demonstrations His Excellency made his departure.
Typhoon Shelter for which the preparation | While so engaged the Harbour Master's launch of plans and particulars is in hand (applause). | Fictoria ran alongside. The party accompany. You have alluded in the address to progress in ing His Excellency boarded her, the Governor various directions that have been made during | remaining on the pier till the last taking a final the term of my overnment. This pro farewell.
A he boarded the launch the gress Las been mainly due to the loyalty. Engineers came to the Royal Salute, and energy and ability of the Officers and subor.
off from the pier the dinates of all 1auks in the offices and | band again played the National Anthem, ¦ Departments of the Government (applause), following with Auld Lang Syne. As the The Colony knows without any explanation | Victoria got ont into the stream, where the from me how much of its work is transacted Dragon was very much in evidence, all the junks by the Colonial secretary and how fortunate having the yellow flig at the masthead, the guns it and I have been in Mr. May and in Mr. from the battleships in port bromed forth their Sercombe Smith who acted for him during a farewell The intervals between each shot were great part of my administration (applause) marked by the firing of crackers, and the good As regards Heads of Departmen's it may seem Joss pidgin "was e·ntinued nutil his Excellency invidious to specially mention sowe where all boarded the P. and O. lider. have done good work, but I should feel wanting in gratitude if I made no reference to Mr. Chatham to whom and to the hardworking Engineers under his able direction the Colony owes so much (applause). To Dr. Atkinson ( owe an immense debt but apart from that I wish to testify, as a result of close personal inspection to the excellent arrangements for the care of the sick and the relief of suffering in the various institutions under his direction (applause.) I gl.dly take this opportunity of expressing my thanks to the Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils for their advice and support and to various gentlemen outside these bodies such as Mr. J. R. M. Smith, Mr. Law and Mr. Mariny Stewart who from time to time have helped me with their counsel, (applause.) Ladies and Gentlemen, I say good- bye to you full of regrets, at leaving so much work unfinished. so many problems nusolved, regret that I shall no longer be able to watch the industrial development of the New Territories on which the future of the Colony so greatly depends, nor watch over the freedom of the port which has contributed so much to its prosperity in the past, regret that I must now cease to contribute to the extent of my small power to the maintenance of good relations between Great Britain and the various Nations whose sailors, travellers and merchants visit or reside at this world centre, regret that I must sever my connection with the people of the Chinese race whose ancient civilisation, solid worth of character and high intelligence I appreciate more as I know better, and finally regret to say goodbye to those of all classes, of many nations, of all ages, and of both sexes whose kindness and sympathy bare filled my years here with a happiness I shall never forget. (Applause.) I thank all who have signed the address that has been read to me. I shall always value it very highly as evidence of the spirit of unity that prevails in Hongkong and of the appreciation of its citizens that I have at any rate endeavoured to do my best for the Colony. Applause.}
On the call of Sir Paul Chater three Learty cheers were given for His Excellency, after which Sir Matthew said Thank you, thank you.
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THE ACTING GOVERNOR.
sworn
At the Legislative Council Chamber on April 20th the Hon. Mr. F. H. May was in as acting Governor. There were present at the ceremony Sir l'an Chater, Mrs. and the Misses May, the Hon Mr. and Mrs. Chat- ham. Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Crofton, Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Looker, Colonel Darling, Hon. Mr. P. A. Hewett, Hon, Dr. J. M. Atkinson, Hon. II. H. J Gompertz, Hon. Mr. A. M. Themson. Hon. Captain Badeley, and Mr. T. F Hough.
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The Clerk of Councils. Mr. A. G M. Fletcher, having read the commission from the Court of t. James, the Chief Justice, Sir Francis Piggott administered the onthe which were duly taken, and the Hon. Mr. May was sworn ia as fficer administering the Government,
APPOINTMENTS.
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A Government Gazelle. Extraordinary issued on April 20th notifies that His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathan, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished. Order of St. Michael and St. George, having left the Colony this day, the prescribed Oaths of Office were administered by His Honour the Chief Justice in the presence of the Executire Conneil to tha Honourable Mr. F. H. May, Companion of the said Most Distinguished Order and Colonial Secretary of the Colony, and that Mr. May thereupon assumed the Administration of the Government in virtue of His Majesty's Commission given at the Court at St. James's on the fourteenth day of October, 194483,
H. E. (Be Officer Administering the Government has been pleased to make the following appointments:—Mr. A. M. Thomson. Colonial Treasurer. 10 act AA Colonial Secretary; Mr. C. M. I. Messor, As sistan! Land (fficer, to act as Colonial Treasurer; Mr. G. M Fletcher to be His Excellency's private secretary; Lisat. Ogls of the Royal Engineers to by his side de-camp. Jemadar Mubammad Khau of the 12th Baluchis and Captain W. Armstrong of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps tỗ be his honorary aides-de-camp.
He went downstairs, entered his chair, and was conveyed to Bloke Pier, along the route to which crowds were massed behind the troops. Cheers greeted him en route and the cheering of the Volunteers and the pressing forward of the crowd marked the presence of His Excellency on the landing stave, which was really a thing of beauty. The fine plants which circumferenced the pier and the glint of the crimson cloth which covered the floor, together with the picturesque appearance of the guard of honour, made a very fine spectacle which was rendered all the more attractive by reason of the animation which distinguished it. The Governor made his way down the centre shak- ing hands with those he personally knew as be caught sight of them in the throng. Colonel Darling, who was in command of the Prior to his departure Sir Matthew presented troops, was there, accompanied by a number of Police Sergeant Brazil, who has been on duty military officers, while the Nary was also at Governmeal House for a considerable period, represented by the new Commodore, Captain with a handsome “carriage" olock, appropria Stokes, and other, naval officers. Sirtely inscribed,
Matthew's arm must have ached from
A PRESENTATION,
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RAILWAY PROSPECrs.
H. R. WO Tting fang's views.
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Sir Matthew Nathan's valedictory remark on April 20th aneat the future of the Kowloon- Canton Railway offered pleasant reading to the citizens of Hongkong, indicating as they did that the time was not very remote when the long desired link by land with Canton and the remainder of the great empire won'd be sa accomplished fact. There has never been any doubt that the twenty odd miles of the Fritish section, despite the great engineering diffloul. ties, would be comple'ed within the expected time, but there has always been a desire to see the Chines begin on the much longer line which they have to contract to the boundary. That Viceroy Chon Fa means business is now apparent from the fact that I. E. Wa Ting Fang has been appointed a circetor of the Chineso section. Mr. Wa's record is world wide and it may be regarded as a happy angury that he has been entrusted with the arrangement and supervision of the construction of the portion of the railway from Canton to the frontier. His energy and real are well known and if anything were calculated to inspire outsiders with con- fidence in the success of the undertaking it is the position of Mr. Wu at the head of affairs.
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Following apon what Sir Matthew Nathan said on Saturday it occurred to a representative of the Daily Press to learn something of the ( binase view of the railway prospects and accordingly he waited upon His Excellency Wu Ting Fang at his residence in Hongkong. That gentleman, who is most attractive con- versationalist, discoursed in a very interting manner upon the progress of railways in China and spoke very hopefully of the prospects of the Contou-Kowloon Railway,
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this exercise which continued incessantly A Chinese quack doctor who found himself until he boarded the Government launch. at the Magistrsey on Apl. 25th on two charges As the
Governor walked along the pier of hawking without a licence and causing an someone called for three cheers. The request | obstraction told Mr. Hazeland that he was was heartily complied with, and as the prolonged only pulling teeth and the people were looking "tiger" ended, the Middlesez bandstrück up the on To discourage him from practising his National Anthem. His Excellency then calling in this manner he was fined two doilars inspected the guard of honour which was com. en the one charge and three dollars on the posed of a company of the Royal Engineers, other.
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Oh yes, he s id, I should my the Governor'a estimate that the British section ought to bɔ completed in March, 1910, and that the Chinese section will be finished a little later has every likelihood of being realised.
But the Chinese have not made a beginning with their section vet?
True, but once they begin they will proceed with the work very quickly.
That is very satisfactory, but in that case yon do not anticipate any engineering difficulties? Oh no.
I have been over the British section. I want along it last Thursday, socompanied by the chief engineer. Mr. Eves. I was also accompanist by the two taolais whom the Viceroy appointed to assist me. We saw the big tunnel and realised what a undertaking it
WAS.
Yes, that is quite an engineering feat. You do not expect to meet such difficulties when you come to construct your portion of the line?
I hope not. I think not. We will have a number of divers to bridge. One is very wide and I have been informed that the span will be at least 1600 feet. That will be the biggest part of the work and it has been suggested that we dught to select our site for this bridge and begin building st once.
The routo bas bien surveyed, hasn't it? Yes, some time ago, but we must have a proper survey made b·fore we can start.
Then, I suppose, that apart from sugineering difficulties, you do not anticipate any other dißeulties ? Oh no.
The people know now that railways are good. We will not eaconater say opposi. tion from them.
Yes, your Excellencr, but they know the enhanced value of their land when a railway company wan's to pass over ik
yes.
bat I have had experience with other railways, I built the first railway in Chion?
Yea
What is more, that was the cheapest railway built in China -the cheapest in the world, I believe. It cost 150 000 tsels. Though we had to pay 100,000 tales to the mining company--this was in Chibli -for ten miles, the other 60 11, of railway was completed at very small expenSS the whole cint, as I say, amounting to 150,000 twels for 3 · miles of railway.
loney?
How many years ago was that, Your Excel-
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I think we began in 1887. That was in Li Hung Chang's time. was with Lả Hung
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