HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1953
In the evening the people moved up into the hills surround- ing the harbour to see the illuminated ships, the searchlights and the fireworks on the water, and the floodlit buildings in the town below. The morning had been formal, the afternoon traditional and gay, but this was the time when Hong Kong illuminated the serenity of its natural beauty, and there were ringside seats, free and available to everyone who cared to witness the culmination of a long day of celebration.
These celebrations had been preceded, a few months earlier, by news which was received by all generations with great sorrow. The death of Queen Mary was seen as the passing of a well-known and well-loved lady who by her example had established for herself a unique place in the affections and loyalty of her people everywhere.
700,000 people passed through Hong Kong in the course of the year. Among these were many distinguished visitors, both official and unofficial, from all parts of the world. The Vice President of the United States of America and Mrs. Nixon spent a busy three days here in November in the course of their Eastern tour. General Mark Clark, then Supreme Com- mander of the United Nations Forces in Korea, visited the Colony in March, and in that month also the Countess of Limerick, who is Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the British Red Cross Society, came on a tour of inspection of the Society's branch in Hong Kong-an organization which has contributed gallantly and liberally to the relief of suffering and need in the Colony. The Commissioner-General for South East Asia and the Service Commanders-in-Chief from Singapore visited the Colony from time to time during the year as is customary. In September, Sir Ivor Jennings and Dr. D. W. Logan came to study the work and problems of Hong Kong University and in October Miss F. H. Gwilliam, who is Assistant Educational Adviser to the Secretary of State, paid a short visit