RETIRING P. W. D. OFFICIALS
Colleagues at the P.W.D. had the opportunity to bid farewell to Hongkong's oldest Government servant, Mr. W. E. Hollands, 59, Senior Land Bailiff, and Mr. G. P. ("Pat") Murphy, Clerk of Works, who sailed on retirement on Friday, July 7th.
On this occasion, in presenting the mementos on behalf of those who subscribed for the gifts, the Hon. A. P. Weir, Acting Director of Public Works, spoke in praise of both men. Of Mr. Murphy, he said:
"He is one of the most beloved members of the architectural office. He always has a good word to say for everyone and a good word to say for himself.
Of Mr. Hollands, Mr. Weir said:
"He is the oldest active member in Government service, and we congratulate him on the honour done to the Department as well as himself when he was awarded the M.B.E."
Mr. Weir presented Mr. Murphy with three vases and Mr. Hollands with a silver salver and sauce boat. Each stressed that it would always be "open house" for Hongkong friends when they settled in.
Mr. Hollands arrived in Hongkong in 1913 as a Police Constable, and was appointed a Land Bailiff in 1916 He became Senior Land Bailiff in 1934.
Mr. Murphy, aged 48, arrived in Hongkong in 1928 as a Second Class Overseer.
Our own personal knowledge of "Bill" and "Pat" extends over many, many years and we can add to Mr. Weir's remarks that both of them will be missed in Hong- kong. They carried out their work conscientiously and efficiently yet with such a spirit of friendliness and good- will that it was always a pleasure to meet them.
The experience and knowledge of pre-war Hongkong possessed by both men was given unstintingly in the service of the Hongkong Government, In the task of creating order out of the chaos left by the Japanese occupation they did more than their fair share, and the rehabilitation work which for the past few years has put such a strain on the personnel of all Government departments was appreciably lightened by their cheerful assistance. We wish them both every happiness in the retirement they have so thoroughly earned.
HO TUNG HALL
Construction work on Ho Tung Hall, the Women's Hostel for the Hongkong University, is proceeding apace. If the present rate is main- tained the building will be ready for occupation well within the scheduled period. The ceremony of laying the corner stone took place on the 16th August, 1950, in the presence of His Excellency Mr. J. F. Nicoll, who was accompanied by Mr. D. A. R. Colborne, A.D.C., Dr. L. T. Ride (Vice- Chancellor), Sir Arthur and Lady Morse, Sir Robert Ho Tung. Mr. Hugh Braga (architect for the building), and Mr. B. Mellor (Registrar).
We wish to correct an error which appeared in the last issue of the "Builder" in which we stated that the architects are the Metropolitan Land Co., Ltd., Architectural Department. This is not correct. the building design is a combined effort of Mr. Hugh Braga and Mr. K. Smith-Mitchell. The Architectural Department of the Metropolitan Land Co., Ltd. prepared the working drawings and Mr. Y. C. Mok assisted with the design of the structure of the framework.
STANDARD METAL WINDOW CO.. LTD.
WEST BROMWICH.
ENGLAND
Sule Agents for Hong Kong and South China
BLAIR
CO.. LTD.
WINDSOR HOUSE
Cable Address
"MADRIGAL"
HONG KONG
TEL. (3 lines) 28087
ENQUIRIES INVITED AND PROMPT QUOTATIONS GIVEN.
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