provide that persons who have rendered distinguished service towards the attainment of the objects of the Society may be admitted by the Council to be Honorary members. In recognition of the great and distinguished service to the Society of Sir Robert Black and of Mr. Cranmer-Byng, the Council resolved with unanimous acclamation to admit both of them as Honorary Members of the Hong Kong Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, and I am sure that you will endorse the Council's action and join in expressing our gratitude to both these distinguished members and in wishing them health, happiness and prosperity. In conclusion I wish to record Sir Robert Black's letter of February 28th in reply to a letter which I sent to him on behalf of the Council and Society,
I am most appreciative of the Resolution of the Council of the Hong Kong Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society which you have reported to me in your letter dated the 26th. I feel very honoured to have been admitted to be the first Honorary Member of the Hong Kong Branch of the Society, and I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation for the courtesy of yourself and the members of the Council in so admitting me. I am very touched at the gesture and very happy at the prospect of a continuing association with a body which, under your personal guidance and stimulus, has been restored to life and is now established firmly as an important activity in the cultural life of the community in Hong Kong. In thanking you for the honour you have extended to my wife and myself, I should like at the same time to extend my best wishes to you, to the members of the Council and to all members of the Hong Kong Branch of the Society for continuing success and enhanced prestige in the future.