HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 25
8th February, 1952.
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PRESENT
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR
SIR ALEXANDER WILLIAM GEORGE HERDER GRANTHAM, G. C. M. G.
HIS EXCELLENCY THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR TERENCE AIREY, K.C.M.G., C.B., C.B.E. THE HONOURABLE THE COLONIAL SECRETARY MR. RONALD RUSKIN TODD. (Acting).
THE HONOURABLE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
MR. G. E. STRICKLAND, Q.C., Acting.
THE HONOURABLE THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS MR. RONALD RUSKIN TODD.
THE HONOURABLE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MR. ARTHUR GRENFELL CLARKE, Acting.
THE HONOURABLE THEODORE LOUIS BOWRING, O. B. E. (Director of Public Works).
THE HONOURABLE DOUGLAS JAMES SMYTH CROZIER. (Director of Education).
DR. THE HONOURABLE YEO KOK CHEANG
(Director of Medical and Health Services).
THE HONOURABLE KENNETH MYER ARTHUR BARNETT (Chairman, Urban Council).
THE HONOURABLE CHAU TSUN-NIN, C. B. E.
DR. THE HONOURABLE CHAU SIK-NIN, C. B. E.
THE HONOURABLE LEO D'ALMADA E CASTRO, Q. C. THE HONOURABLE PHILIP STANLEY CASSIDY.
THE HONOURABLE MAURICE MURRAY WATSON. THE HONOURABLE CHARLES EDWARD MICHAEL TERRY. THE HONOURABLE LO MAN WAI, O. B. E.
THE HONOURABLE NGAN SH1NG-KWAN
MR. GEOFFREY CADZOW HAMILTON (Clerk of Councils).
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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 26
EXTRAORDINARY MEETING
8. 2. 52.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR:— Gentlemen, I fear that none of us here this afternoon will be able to find words for what is so real and so deep in our hearts. It is little more than a month ago that many of us were listening to the Christmas message of our beloved King, George the Sixth, and amid the doubts and anxieties that beset our world to-day we derived strength and assurance from those homely sentences which a wise and kind Father spoke to his family of peoples. We had hoped that he had recovered from his illness and that he would be with us for many years to come. Alas, that was not to be; and we bow to-day before a decree of fate which renders grief only eloquent and oratory dumb. The occasion would indeed be ill served by any pomp of phrase or wealth of words. We come here humbly and sadly to record on behalf of the people of this Colony, with all the simplicity of truth and all the earnestness of love, our deep and sorrowful sympathy with Her Gracious Majesty the Queen Mother and all the Royal Family. I therefore move the following Resolution:
“That the Members of this Council, having heard with profound sorrow the sad announcement of the death of His late Majesty King George VI, desire to tender their humble duty and on behalf of the people of this Colony of Hong Kong to express the most heartfelt, loyal and respectful sympathy with Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and all the Royal Family in their bereavement.”
HON. CHAU TSUN-NIN, C.B.E.:— Your Excellency, as Senior Unofficial Member I beg to second this Resolution which I know will find a ready acceptance in the hearts of all the people of the Colony.
The sudden and unexpected death of the late King George VI is a terrible shock to us and to all the rest of the world. We mourn the loss of a monarch who was such an enlightened, liberal and sympathetic ruler, and whose courage and selfless devotion to his high duties enthroned him in the hearts of all his subjects.
His life was a fine example of a good son, a good husband, a good father and a good King. The memory of this great life will be an inspiration to all the world.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR:— Gentlemen, I now ask you to signify your assent to this resolution by rising and standing with me in silence.
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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 27
Members stood in silence.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR:— Before we adjourn, I should like to express my thanks to the Governor of Macau, to members of the consular body in Hong Kong and to innumerable organizations and individuals of all nationalities for the touching messages of condolence and sympathy that they have sent to me. These messages are eloquent testimony to the affection and esteem in which our late beloved King was held by all peoples throughout the world.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR:— Council will now adjourn.
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