Justice of Hongkong, next spoke, briefly, first of all reading a letter from H. E. Sir Reginald Stubbs, Governor of Hongkong, expressing regret for his inability to be present. "'May the opening of this magnificent structure," he wrote, "be the beginning of a new era of prosperity for British trade in China which the Bank has done so much te assist." Continuing, Sir William Rees-Davies said As a dweller in Hongkong I deem it an honour to be permitted to say a few words on this all-important occasion.
At the ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone Mr. Stephen gave an assurance that the building to be erected would dominate the Bund. That assurance has -been fully ratified, bud if this great International Settlement can claim this magnificent building we in the Colony of Hongkong are proud to own the head office of the Corporation.
and to have its Chief Manager and several of its directors holding office on the Executive and Legislative Councils of—the Colony, as well as taking an'
active part in the various commercial enterprises of the Colony. Hongkong's prestige rests largely on British trade im China, and British trade in China depends to a paramount extent on the ce-operation of the Hongkong & Shanghai Bank. Is it not a fitting metaphor to describe this great corporation as the beacon light in the trade of the Far East? a 2 As the head of the Judiciary in Hongkong, may I be permitted to bear testimony to the important relations existing between com~- merce and the administration of justice? In this view I am surd Turner vill concur. I make bold that my colleague Sir Skinner'
to declare that we are confronted in Hongkong with litigation that will compare in point of commercial importance with any of the cases heard in the Courts of London, and we can call to to our aid as Special Jurors men in every respect the equal commercial ly and intellectually of Special Jury of business men in the City of London.
Furthermore the Courts which we administer justice are the equal, and in some respects superior, to any of the courts in the old country, The relationships between the administration of justice and commerce are pleasing and I believe command the confidence of the commercial community.
I rejoice as a representative of the Judiciary to participate in this most interesting occasion.
Captain Osborne Wood, v.8.N., son of Gen. Leonard Wood, Governor-General of the Philippines, and his a.p.c., then read the following cablegram received from his father, whom he was present to represent: "I regret exceedingly that I cannot be with you to-day. T have sent my aide-de-camp as my official representative to express to you my regret at my inability to be with you and to transmit an appropriate expression of appreciation for your energy and ability which have made this great building possible. It is but one of the many successes which bear the stamp of your genius. All best wishes for your continued success and happiness."
The Hon. Mr. A. G. Stephen, Chief iMfanager of the bank, was the next speaker. He said that 37 years ago the present head office of the bank was opened here. It was a very pretentious building for that time and, in the general opinion, was very much too large.
was therefore promptly termed "Jackson's Folly," after the geveral manager of that day. He had not yet heard anybody describe this building as "Stephen's Folly,"
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.