position in the community and long record of public service, was better able to perform this part of the preparatory work and to act as our first President.
I turn now to Marjorie's more recent contributions to the Society. It is in the nature of things that most societies rely on a few persons for their inspiration and direction. We have been fortunate indeed in having Marjorie to guide our fortunes in the 1970s. Her scholarly reputation is international and it is no accident that we have always been able to attract speakers of high academic calibre for our lecture programme. We owe to her, too, the inspiration for many of our symposia. Seven of these are now in published form, three of them under her editorial pen. These symposia volumes deserve to be more widely known, especially at this time when interest in Hong Kong, its past, present and future are at a high peak, and when knowledge and appreciation of Hong Kong and its achievements and potential are, in a very real sense, crucial to that future.
Those of us who have lived in Hong Kong these past 25 to 30 years cannot fail to have a keen sense of historical progress. In this time Hong Kong has progressed from being a "left-over" from history to a place with, if I am not mistaken, a mind and identity of its own, above all a place which deserves a future. In its own way our Society has assisted towards this development. We care about Hong Kong, and because of this have helped to document both its past and the change referred to above. Our contribution to the greater public knowledge and awareness of Hong Kong is surely a valuable one. It is certain that Dr. Topley has greatly assisted in this work.
Thus, in thinking over what might be an appropriate parting gift from the Society, we considered that a bound set of the Symposia might be the most fitting and perhaps most appreciated gift that the Council could contrive. On your behalf, I now present them to Dr. Topley with every sentiment and appreciation of goodwill.*
* Plate 1.
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JAMES HAYES