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waters and of the visit of the French squadron of the Far East to bear witness to the cordial understanding between England and France. In September a Joint Naval and Military Committee under the presidency of Sir JOHN OWEN, K.C.B., visited the Colony for the con- sideration of certain matters connected with its defence.
Changes during the year in personnel outside the Colony but closely affecting it were the substitution of CHOC Fu formerly Acting Governor-General Liang Kiang for TS'EN CH'UN-HSTAN as Governor General Liang Kuang, and the appointments in May of Sir JOHN N. JORDAN, K.C.M.G., to replace Sir ERNEST SATOW, G.C.M.G., as Minister at Peking and in April of Mr. R. W. MANSFIELD, C.M.G., to replace Mr. J. SCOTT as Consul-General at Canton. During the year the British Naval and Military Commanders were both changed. Vice- Admiral Sir ARTHUR W. MOORE, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., C.M.G., succeeding Admiral Sir GERARD H. U. NOEL, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., as Commander-in-Chief of the China Station in March and Major-General R. G. BROADWOOD, C.B., following Major-General V. HATTON, C.B., in command of the Troops in South China in December.
Reference has already been made to the lamented deaths of Bishop HOARE and Capt. BARNES-LAWRENCE. The latter has been succeeded as Harbour Master by Commander B.R.H. TAYLOR, R.N. On the 31st October, Sir HENRY S. BERKELEY, Kt., K.C., retired from the office of Attorney General, Mr. W. REES DAVIES, who did not arrive in the Colony before the end of the year, being appointed to succeed him. In the Legislative Council Mr. E. A. HEWETT On the 30th April succeeded Mr. R. SHEWAN as elected representative of the Chamber of Commerce and on the 1st June, Mr. W. J. GRESSON of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co. took the place of Mr. C. W. DICKSON of the same firm ag a nominated member. Mr. E. OSBORNE temporarily relieved Mr. G. STEWART in a similar position when the latter went on leave early in the year.
On the 15th December, Mr. F. H. May, C.M.G., who had arrived from England a week previously took over the administration of the Colony on my having to proceed on short leave to Java for the recovery of health. Mr. SERCOMBE SMITH who had been acting as Colonial Secretary during the whole period of Mr. MAY's absence from the Colony served in the same capacity on the latter assuming the charge of the Government.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient, humble Servant,
M. NATHAN.