April 9, 1898.J
PRESENTATION FROM THE CHINESE.
Yesterday afternoon a large number of Chinese gentlemen assembled in the second court of Police for the purpose of presenting an address from the Chinese community.
Mr. Fung Wa Chuen, who acted as spokes- man, said Mr. Wodehouse, Sir, I have a duty to perform to-day which at once affords me pleasure and regret-pleasure in the fact that I am now conveying to you the good-will and esteem of my countrymen in Hongkong, and regret that we are parting from one for whom we have the highest regard and respect (hear, hear, and applause). The way in which you have carried out your onerous duties stamp you as a just and upright magistrate, knowing neither fear nor favour, and your fine judgment has ever stood you in good stead in dealing with the cases that came before you. The Chinese, from the highest to the humblest, always knew they would have full consideration and a pati. ent hearing from you, and they desire now to express their good feeling towards you and to ask your acceptance of the following address, which I shall now read:-
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
281
been more intimately connected with the Police Force than any other official in the Government service outside the Force. He had always taken a great interest in everything connected with the Force, and had rendered kind assistance to the Force in his official capacity. Mr. Wode-munity like the Chinese, who have been house had always been considerate and willing brought up under a different state of things to assist the Police in sifting evidence in difficult and under different auspices. Nothing that cases, and they were all very sorry that on you could have done could have given me account of ill-health he had been compelled to greater pleasure than the presentation of this resign from the high position he had so long address, coming, as you say it does, from the re- and ably filled. He wished him good-bye, a presentative portion of the Chinese community. pleasant voyage home, and renewed health and I am exceedingly grateful to you for your ad. long life to enjoy his pension in the old country. dress and shall value it most highly. It is most (Applause).
kind of you
to
express your sense of satisfaction with the way in which the Magistrates here dis- charge their duties. I can assure you that we who occupy this Bench in the administration of justice-one and all-are anxious to do our duty. (Applause). As you are doubtless aware, the terms of the oath of office which we take are that we shall bear no favour, good-will, or affection, but that in everything we shall be actuated strictly by a sense of duty and a sense of impartiality. am afraid the decisions of the Magistrates may appear strange and erro. neons at times, but I hope you will believe that if mistakes are made, it is not from any in- tention of doing injustice but through an incom- plete knowledge of the circumstances with which they have to deal. I was yesterday saying a few words of farewell to the police in this colony, and I pointed out to them that British rule in this colony deals most closely with the Chinese population through the Police and the Magistracy. At every point of your lives they touch you in some way or other. If you have complaints to make against others of the com- munity, it is to the Magistrates you apply; and if you have assistance to obtain, it is to the police that you refer, believe that the Magistracy have always been very harmonious, and it is a pleasure to me, in the presence of the Chinese that now come forward to say farewell to me,-it is a pleasure to me to express my gratitude to the Police for the able and conscientions assistance they have always given to the Magistrate. (Applause). I am glad to think that it is not often incumbent upon you, gentlemen, to put in an appearance at the Magistracy, but if you had occasion to do so you would always find that the Inspectors, sergeants and members of the Police Force generally cordially co-operate with the Magistrate and assist him to perform his duty and to render justice. It is very important indeed, with so large a portion of the community here composed of Chi- nese, that the greatest confidence should exist between that community and the Ma- gistrates and the police, and in what you have said to me to-day I regard it as a compliment expressed not only to myself but to those who have so ably assisted me during the time I have been here. (Applause). I may also take it, I think, that although our laws may appear strange to you and although you may be in ignor- ance of some of them, and although they are multifarious and touch,in some instances, on what you consider private and domestic affairs, yet, at the same time, the general result is that you en- tertain a sincere respect and regard for the in- stitution under which we live. You enjoy liberty here, and, so far as we are able to give it to you, I hope you enjoy justice. (Applause.) All the Magistrates, including myself, have ever made it
| ministration of justice in this colony, and you Mr. Fung Wa Chuen-An occasion like this well point out the difficulties there are con- should not be allowed to terminate without nected with the performance of those duties. three hearty cheers for Mr. Wodehouse, Mrs. I am painfully aware how strenge some of Wodehouse and family. We are rather near our laws and regulations must be to a com.the Magistrate (Capt. Hastings. was hearing a case in the adjoining Court), but I hope he will forgive us.
FAREWELL ADDRESS.
To The Hon. Henry Ernest Wodehouse, C.M.G., from the Chinese Community of Hongkong.
Hongkong, 5th April, 1898.
SIE,-
In view of your approaching departure from the colony, we, the undersigned, representa- tires of the Chinese Community of Hongkong, desire to mark our very hearty appreciation of the manner in which, for so many years, you discharged the duties of the office of Chief Police Magistrate of the colony. Those duties we know were ever arduous, difficult, and highly responsible, but you brought to them a tact and a knowledge of law and human nature that admirably fitted you for the satisfactory carry. ing out thereof.
Magisterial functions in a colony like this must be beset with many difficulties, but your kindly consideration, and patience, and your strong and earnest desire for the proper ad- ministration of justice to all classes, rich and poor alike, have made you very many friends amongst our countrymen.
As a just and thoroughly conscientious and humane gentleman we shall always remember you with the kindliest of thoughts. Not alone in the Magisterial Office, but in the Govern- ment of the colony you have rendered valuable service as Colonial Treasurer, Acting Colonial Secretary, Coroner, and Superintendent of the Hongkong Fire Brigade, and it is no idle thing when we say we deeply regret your departure. We ask your acceptance of this address and trust that it will always-call to your mind the respect and esteem with which you are regarded by the native residents of this distant ide in the Far East."
→
In conclusion, Sir, we beg to assure you of our most cordial good wishes for yourself, Mrs. Wodehouse and family. We trust that all prosperity and happiness may be yours, and that you may long be spared to enjoy the reward your services here have so well earned. -We have the honour to be, sir, yours most truly,
(Here follow about 300 signatures.) Mr. Fung Wa Chuen (continuing)-I have now much pleasure in handing you this address, to which there is appended over 300 signatures. Mr. Wodehouse, in reply, said-Mr. Fung Wa Chuon and gentlemen, I do not know of anything that could have given me greater pleasure than to receive this address from your hands at the close of my term of office in this colony. As you say, for a long time--for many years past-I have been connected with the ad-
our anxious effort to make no distinction between
one nationality and another (hear, hear); and we are most desirous, whoever the complainant may be, whether European or Chinese, or whoever the defendant may be, whether Chinese or European, that the decisions may be not in accordance with what either party wishes but in accordance with what the justice of the case requires. (Applause.) As I have said this address of
yours to me,
as far as I am personally concerned, far exceeds merits and what I deserve, and yet, at the my
same time, I am deeply grateful to you for having thought of
in this way. There is no parting gift I shall treasure so much, as that you have presented to me to day, because it is a kind of justification or apprecia- tion of the poor but honest attempts I have made to do justly amongst yourselves and to deal impartially with all of you. With these few words, I wish you farewell, and I am most happy to have been the recipient of this address at your hands.
me
Three hearty cheers having been given, Mr. Wodehouse said-Thank you, gentlemen. Will you allow me to say, on behalf of Mrs. Wode- house, that she will be equally grateful and pleased to hear of these proceedings to-day of which I will duly acquaint her. She has spent some years in this colony, and always looks back to the place with the fondost recollection. I am very much obliged to you, gentlemen, for your attendance.
At the close, Mr. Wodehouse shook hands with the whole of the gentlemen present, and was deeply affected at bidding them farewell.
FURTHER PRESENTATIONS.
As reported in our issue of 6th April, the Hon. H. E. Wodehouse, C.M.G., who has re- tired from the public service after a long and successful career, was on Monday the recipient of an address from the Chinese community of Hongkong marking their very hearty apprecia tion of the manner in which he had performed his duties, and on Wedneday another interesting little function was witnessed at the Magis tracy, the Magistracy staff presenting him and Mrs. Wodehouse with tokens of their good feel- ing. The souvenirs for Mr. Wodehouse con- sisted of a magnificent and beautifully chased silver bowl of dragon and bamboo pattern and an address and that for Mrs. Wodehouse of a gold brooch of an exceedingly pretty pattern and bearing the apt inscription in Chinese charac- ters, "Fuk shau," that is Happiness and longevity."
14
Mr. No Qwar SHANG said-Being one of the oldest officers in this department, I have been requested to say a few words of farewell to you on behalf of the officers, past and present, who have had the honour of serving under you in this Magistracy. It was with the greatest regret that we first learned that you had been compelled to retire from the Bench on account of ill-health, and we could not let the occasion pass by without expressing the profound respect and esteem in which we hold you. The most important and responsible post of Police Magistrate has been held by you for the past 17 years, and you have administered justice to the Chinese population in this colony without fear, favour, or illwill. Being well acquainted with the manners and customs of the Chinese you have justly, honestly, and faithfully discharged your duties not only to the satisfaction of the Government but to the public at large. I am also asked to say that we, the officers of this department, past and present, wish to ex- press our heartfelt thanks to you for the kind- ness and courtesy we have received at your hands. I hope, sir, that the occasion will not only remind you of us, but of this colony, where you have spent the best part of your life. wish you good bye and a pleasant voyage, and pray you will be spared by Almighty God to long enjoy the pension you so well deserve. (Applause.)
We
Mr. WODEHOUSE, in replying, said—Mr. Ng Qwai Shang and gentlemen, I am extreme- ly grateful for the kind way in which you have taken notice of my approaching departure.
can assure you it is a matter of the deepest regret to me to retire from a service in which I have served for a considerable period-for 31 years and in which I have spent so many pleas- ant times. The greater part of that service has been spent in connection with the Police Force. For the last 17 years I have served as Police Magistrate, with you and others as my clerical staff. It is my duty to thank you most heartily for the attention you have given to Magistrate in his work. I know of no staff that your duties. You have materially assisted the could have more ably and more intelligently and more dutifully done their work than those with whom it has been my privilege to serve in this department. As for Mr. Ng Qwai Shang and his brother, Mr. George Ng Fak Shang, they are in a way my brothers, as it were. That is to say they were introduced into this service by me, and I have served with them ever since. Others with
have served, too, have given me the greatest assistance. I must specially mention the name of my interpreter.