The celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Hongkong this year is considerably quieter than it has been in the past in view of the passing of King George. Owing to these unhappy circumstances enveloping the whole of the British Empire the Secretary of the Chinese Afar Hon. Mr. N. th, requests the Chinese community' at large to exercise a certain moderation while celebrating the festivities of the New Year. The request was undoubledly complied with as fewer crackers were fired than the previous year, although there was no' oflelal restriction by the authorities.
'The following is the notification in Chinese issued by the Secretary'
"The passing of King George is be-{ing universally mourned, in particular in the British Dominions, where the deepest and most loyal sympathy. has been expressed by all the King's subjects. It is regrettable, however. that the Chinese New Year will soon be approaching. The British Government has always the happiness of iis subjects at heart, therefore itis decided by the authorities that there shall bbe no restriction whatsoever Fegarding Lunar New Year customs. Restaurants and theatres can open os sual, and firing of crackers will be permitted. There will be no interference by the authorities. But at the same time it Is the earnest wish of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs that those who indulge in fung crackers shall exercise a certain moderation.
This notidcation was posted outside the office of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, in big letters, in view of the fact that the Chinese newspapers were not publishing during the week and there Was no ollier means of com-'Munieating the proclamation to the Chinese public,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.