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Rh the Colony. Subsequent years produced a few additional new institutions. The Horticultural Society, which for many years thereafter held an annual flower and vegetable show at the Public Gardens, was established (February 13, 1873) by the official Garden Committee. Three years later (November 23, 1876) the Government formally withdrew its control of the Horticultural Society which, under unofficial management, continued to exist for some years longer. The members of the German Liedertafel gave their first performance on 4th November, 1873, and continued to enliven winter evenings under the direction of Dr. Clouth, whose departure from the Colony (April, 1874) was felt as a public loss. Another institution of the year 1873 was the opening of the first Good Templars' Lodge in Hongkong (September 25, 1873), which was followed by a steady spread of the Temperance movement in the Colony and led eventually to the opening of a Temperance Hall in Stanley Street (April 17, 1876), subsequently removed to Queen's Road East.

During the time of Sir Arthur's administration the relations, always friendly, which existed between the American and English sections of the foreign community, were particularly cordial. This was specially evidenced by the success of a reception given by Admiral Jenkins, in 1872, on board the U. S. Flagship Colorado, when the Governor and all leading residents attended, and especially by a grand promenade concert and supper, given, at the City Hall, by the American residents (July 4, 1876) on the occasion of the centennial celebration of American Independence. The Yacht Club attracted special attention in 1875 by an ocean yacht race (January 27, 1875) from Hongkong to Macao and back, won by the Wave, by the yacht race for the American cup (December 4, 1875) won by Naomi, and by the enthusiastic farewell demonstration made on the occasion of the departure (January 27, 1876) of the Yacht Club's Commodore (W. H. Forbes) when the whole of the Club's yachts escorted the mail steamer as far as Long Island.

The annual regattas and races were largely patronised during this period. The Amateur Dramatic Corps gave very frequent