Page:Twentieth Century Impressions of Hongkong, Shanghai, and other Treaty Ports of China.djvu/169

Rh it was transferred to the Council Room of the temporary Government House in Hongkong. Then for some years it found a place in the Council Chamber at the Government Offices, and in 1855 was removed to its present position. In 1859, when the British Legation changed its quarters from Hongkong to Shanghai, a demand for the picture was made by Her Majesty's Minister but was subsequently withdrawn. From the foundation of the Colony to the present time the picture has never been out of the possession of the Colonial Government. There is some doubt, however, as to whether the statements contained in the record correctly detail the history of the picture. Among other pictures in the dining room are those of Her Majesty Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort.

Some years ago the need arose for increased accommodation at Government House, and accordingly a wing was added to the eastern end of the old structure. This extension contains a large ball-room, with a splendid floor, and ample space for at least twelve sets of quadrilles. Levees and state dinners are held here. Immediately below is a supper room, whilst a smaller room is set aside, when occasion requires, for cards. In what was formerly the billiard room His Excellency has his office. Communication between the old and new portions of the residence is established by means of a flight of shallow stairs, but it is now proposed to erect a large entrance stairway to the ball-room on the outside of the building to correspond with that giving access to the main block from the north-east.

Altogether it would be difficult to find a better situation for the residence of His Majesty's representative. The grounds are charmingly laid out, and from the terraces below the house a magnificent view is obtainable of the centre of the harbour, with St. John's Cathedral in the middle distance, whilst the adjacent Public Gardens prevent the house from being overlooked by any other building. There is a well-stocked kitchen garden—a real boon in a place like Hongkong, where the methods of the native gardener leave much to be desired.



His Excellency's summer residence, Mountain Lodge, erected in 1901, is ideally situated near the summit of the Peak, its main front facing westwards and commanding a lovely view, with just a peep of the harbour. It may be reached in fifteen minutes by chair from the Victoria Gap. The grounds are charmingly laid out, and in season are gay with flowers, while four excellent tennis courts afford facilities for recreation.





among the places of entertainment in Hongkong is the City Hall, which plays an important part in the life of the Colony. Erected by subscription, it was formally opened by the Duke of Edinburgh on November 2, 1869, during the Governorship of Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell. It contains a theatre, two splendid halls, a music-room, a public library and reading-room, a museum, and the offices of the Chamber of Commerce. Though private property the City Hall is run entirely for the public benefit, and the revenues derived are devoted entirely to its maintenance.

The theatre seats 569 persons in the dress circle, stalls, and pit. The plan is so arranged that an excellent view of the stage may be had from any part of the house. The proscenium has an opening of nearly 28 feet, and a depth of 38 feet, the greatest breadth being 48 feet. During the course of the year