HONGKONG.
No. 20
1907
DESPATCH FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES WITH REGARD TO SIR M. NATHAN'S DEPARTURE.
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government.
HONGKONG.
No. 112.
DOWNING STREET,
31st May, 1907.
SIR,—I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 104 of April 23rd, reporting your assumption of the administration and enclosing extracts from the local Press with regard to Sir M. NATHAN's departure.
2. These papers afford gratifying evidence of the esteem in which the retiring Governor is held by all classes of the population of the Colony, and I have read them with much pleasure.
3. In the addresses presented to Sir M. NATHAN on his departure reference has been made to the many important services which he rendered to the Colony during the period of his administration. I cordially associate myself with all that was said on the occasion, and I fully sympathise with the regret, so generally expressed, that his connexion with Hongkong has not extended to the full term during which a Governor ordinarily holds office. But in the public interests His Majesty's Government found it necessary to invite Sir M. NATHAN to give the benefit of his proved ability in another portion of the Empire, and I desire to record my appreciation of the ready way in which he met their wishes.
I have, &c.,
The Officer Administering the Government of
HONGKONG,
ELGIN.