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I will remind the colony of your energetic and; what I might call sanitary government. (Ap. · plause) The financial position of the colony has steadily improved from year to youT under your Excellency'c administration and now I venture to think that the colonial finances are so much improved as to be placed on a sound and healthy basin, persimietio views to the contrary notwithstanding. (Hear bear). Now, Sir, in bidding you farewell to-day I wish to tender you my personal thanks for unvarying kind assistance I have received at your lands ac the senior representative of the Chinese com- munity. I have on more than one occasion-- in fact on many occasions made representa- tions on behalf of the Chinese to your Ex- cellency. You have always received cach representations most kindly and subjected them to your kindest consideration. You hove granted a great number of requests, and the for occasions on which you have found refusal necessary you have carefully explained the reason why the requests could not be granted. I wish to thank you further for the interest you have always taken in Chinese affairs and most especially for the increased representa- tion which you have given to them on this Council. The hon. member whom you have so happily nominated to be the junior member of this Council will represent the Chinese in many ways mucu better than I and will render the greatest assistance in looking after and protecting their interests. Now I am sure that my hon. friend, Mr. Wei & Yuk, vill join with me in assuring your Dxcellency that by this act alone you have won the lasting gratitude of the Chinese community of this colony. Now, Sir, as probably this is the last time you will preside over us in this Council I, as a member of this Council, wish you goodbye and all future happiness and prosperity. (Ap- plause.)
Hon. WRI A YUK--Your Excelleney, my hon. friend and hon. colleague has so well and fully expressed my own views and sentiments with regard to your Excellency that he has left me nothing more to add than to express my entire concurrence with his remarks. I join with him in wishing your Excellency health, happiness, and prosperity. (Applause.)
Hon. J. J. BELL-IRVING-I have listened with interest and with great pleasure to the remarks made by the senior unofficial member and by the two unofficial members representing the Chinese community, and with all of them I fully consur. The Hon. Dr. Ho Kai has referred to the great consideration which you have shown to all questions affecting the welfare of the Chinese community, and I would like also to mention the support you have always taken in all matters in connection with the commercial progress and prosperity of this colony during the past six years. (Applause.) During that period you have warmly supported the many new industrial undertakings started in this. colony and in many other ways helped the mer- cantile community, who, I consider, have good cause to be most grateful to you. (Applause.) I also desire to wish you long life and every happiness in the future. (Applause.)
Hon. E. R. BELILIOS-You Excellency, the hoa. members who have just spoken have ac- tually taken the wind out of my sails and I have very little to add to the remarks which have been made. As the oldest member of the Jewish community in Hongkong I can endorse every word of praise that has been spoken. To be brief, I can only say that by your departure we shall lose a kind friend, a good associate, and an able colleague, and I can only trust that those who succeed you will follow the example you have set in your career, which I am certain will result in the happiness of the inhabitants generally of this Island. With these words, Sir, I wish you farewell and happy meetings with friends in the old country. (Applause.)
His EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR-Gentle- men, it only remains for me to reiterste my hearty thanks to you for the kindness you have shown me and for the handsome tribute you have just paid to my administration. It is certainly gratifying to me to know that I leave the colony in a very good position and that I bave given satisfaction not only to the public generally but to the Chinese, who form an im- portant part of the community. I can only olaim to have done my duty honestly and with- out fear, favour, affection, or ill-will, and I am quite sure that my successor will follow in my stops. (Lond Applause.)
Mary