134 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1907.
DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
No. 90.
CIRCULAR.
DOWNING STREET,
20th December, 1906.
SIR, With reference to Mr. CHAMBERLAIN'S Circular despatch of the 25th of August, 1902, I have the honour to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a Royal Warrant granting precedence to Companions of the Imperial Service Order next to, and immediately after, Companions of the Distinguished Service Order.
I bave, etc.,
The Officer Administering the Government of
HONGKONG.
Enclosure to Circular of 20th December, 1906.
WHITEHALL,
ELGIN.
11th December, 1906.
The KING has been pleased to ordain that the Imperial Service Order shall rank next to, and immediately after, the Distinguished Service Order.
The Royal Warrant signifying His Majesty's pleasure in this behalf is dated the 29th November, 1906, and is to the following effect:-
EDWARD R. & I.
EDWARD THE SEVENTH, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India, to all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting!
Whereas We, by a Warrant under Our Royal Sign Manual, countersigned by one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, and bearing date at Our Court at Buckingham Palace, the eighth day of August, in the year of Our Lord nineteen hundred and two, and the second year of Our Reign, did institute and create a new Civil Order of Distinction to be styled and designated the Imperial Service Order:
Now, therefore, We do, by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, ordain and appoint that the Imperial Service Order shall rank next to, and immediately after, Our Distinguished Service Order, and before the Fifth Class of Our Royal Victorian Order, and the Companions thereof shall, in all places and assemblies whatsoever, have place and prece- dency next to, and immediately after, the Companions of the Distinguished Service Order, and shall rank among themselves according to the dates of their respective nominations.
Given at Our Court at Sandringham, this twenty-ninth day of November, in the sixth year of Our Reign and in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and six.
By His Majesty's Command,
H. J. GLADSTONE.