Enclosure
166
13322
RE
REGE 26 JUL 86
2nd June, 1886.
TESTIMONIAL TO DR. AYRES.
An interesting little ceremony took place yesterday afternoon at the residence of Dr. Ayres, the Colonial Surgeon, who is taking a well-earned leave of absence. Few Government Officials have been harder worked than the Colonial Surgeon, and none have done more than Dr. Ayres has done to entitle him to the gratitude and esteem of those with whom his professional duties have caused him to have dealings. The subordinate members of the various Government Departments have especially experienced the greatest kindness from him, and now that he is leaving for a time they have taken advantage of the opportunity of expressing their warm appreciation of the sympathetic way in which he has always acted towards them. They have accordingly got up a testimonial consisting of the following address on vellum, very artistically executed:
TO PHILIP BERNARD CHENERY AYRES, ESQUIRE,
Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, England; Licentiate in Midwifery of the same; Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh; Colonial Surgeon of Hongkong, &c., &c.
We, the undersigned, subordinate members of the Civil Service of Hongkong, having experienced the kindness and consideration shown by you to ourselves and our families, during your term of office here as Colonial Surgeon, wish to express to you our lively appreciation of the same on your departure, and whilst wishing YOU all the happiness which a well-earned holiday can give, have every wish to see you once again administering to our good in the future as you have done in the past.
We have found that on each and every occasion on which we have been in need of your professional services, not only was your skill most cheerfully given, but also to it you added that which is a far better accompaniment in the treatment of patients, a kindness of manner and a cheerfulness, which, whilst inspiring the poor sufferer with confidence, has at the same time been an earnest exposition of this fact, that more than mere routine of duty, it has been with you a labour into which you have thrown your whole soul. And we should be wanting in gratitude if we allowed you to go away without testifying in some way our humble appreciation of your valuable services.
It is within the knowledge of us all, that whilst you, having the medical charge of this colony, have of necessity many and very arduous and onerous duties to perform, have, nevertheless, when called upon to attend us or our families, even at what must have been great personal inconvenience, responded to the call, whether by night or day, in the most cheerful manner, and furthermore we feel sure that the rising generation among us will, in future years, feel towards you the same gratitude that we are now expressing, when they are told how very materially you assisted at their entrance into this mundane existence.
In conclusion, we each and every one of us join most heartily in wishing you God-speed on your holiday, which we trust will be such as to give you renewed health and strength, that you may again return to the colony and resume among us those acts of kindness and professional skill, which words almost fail us to properly appreciate. We have the honour to remain, yours very faithfully.
Here follows a list of over 70 signatures.] Hongkong, 1st June, 1886.
At three p.m. yesterday, a deputation of those who signed called on Dr. Ayres at his residence. They were Mr. C. W. Duggan, First Clerk of the Police Office, Inspectors Orley, Mathieson, and Bremner, P. S. Baker, P. S. Robertson, Mr. G. J. W. King, Messrs. Rose, McLeod, Butler, Jones, and Nolan. Inspector Orley stated that Mr. Duggan had been requested to act as spokesman for the rest, and Mr. Duggan then presented the testimonial, the address being enclosed in a casket. In doing so, he made some well-chosen remarks, the main purport of which will be found embodied in the address, and he also read the address. Dr. Ayres acknowledged the token of respect feelingly. He said he had been in Government service 22 years, and during that time he had endeavoured to treat those with whom he had to deal as he would wish to be done by. He regretted that for various reasons he had not been able to do as much for them as he would desire, but he was sometimes hindered by matters of which they had no cognisance. They had doubtless occasionally found him somewhat short with them, but he had always afterwards regretted anything of that kind. He had no doubt that the gentleman who would fill the post in his absence would be found ready to do all he could for them, and in every way qualified for the work. He trusted that on his return to the Colony, he should find them all in good health. The proceedings then terminated. We believe Dr. Jordan will be Acting Colonial Surgeon during Dr. Ayres's absence.